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Review: Red Card by Carrie Aarons

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Author: Carrie Aarons

tl;dr recommendation: Aarons scores with RED CARD.

Book Summary:

She spent five years planning a future that will never exist. He spent five years trying to erase a past he can’t forget.

London is Leah Watson’s fresh start. When she secures the perfect internship during her study abroad semester, with an infamous celebrity public relations firm, she is determined to forge her own path – one that is nothing like her life back in Oklahoma. That plan is tested when British football’s bad boy, Killian Ramsey, decides that she’s the one he wants and he’s playing for keeps.

Will she put her future on hold – again – for the type of man she swore she’d stay away from?

Killian is one bloody good football player. After a tragedy shattered his entire world, the cocky and arrogant face he puts on for the media is a complete lie. When he meets Leah, his heart starts to beat for the first time in years. But when the feelings get too real, his perfectly constructed facade starts to slip.

Will he risk it all to be with her – taking whatever penalties are thrown his way – or will he play it safe?

Longer Review:

4.5 stars!

Aarons scores with RED CARD. I loved the feel of this book. It screamed sex and yet dealt with some serious topics that I wasn’t quite expecting. Killian may be a british football star (read: soccer player) but he’s also been through the shittiest of shitty experiences that has molded him into an awful asshole.

Kate’s not exactly had a world of puppies and sunshine either and she’s desperately trying to come into her own. I wanted her to get her backbone just a littttttle bit sooner, but otherwise she was smartly written and easily likeable.

There was a bit more drama than I expected, but in a good way. Aarons kept the plotline moving and increased your desire to know the characters in a deeper way with each bit of information she doled out. There’s some seriously steamy scenes that had me a little flushed. There was one scene in particular that made me want to throw my kindle across the room and watch it combust into little pieces – but that’s what makes me know that I really love the book. When the characters actions get me SO ANGRY that I need to expel that anger in real life.

Aarons brought it out in me. She brought out my anger and my frustration and then tamped it down with an explanation and forgiveness. This sports romance is going to make you cheer, notwithstanding that incredible fucking cover that makes me quiver. Killian will do you in with his cheeky quips and cocky…demeanor. Get ready to ignore your family and find a new book boyfriend!

Release Blitz: Legend by Katy Evans

February 9, 2016 / owmyshelf / 0 Comments

legend release blitz

Meet Maverick “The Avenger” Cage in Legend, the newest stand alone in the REAL series releasing February 9th!

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AVAILABLE NOW

LEGEND IT'S LIVE

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1TFo2L4

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1JYmeal

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/1TFpRrb

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Nook: http://bit.ly/1PdMnGl

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1HDokuT

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Google Play: http://bit.ly/1HyXaYg

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Blurb

Maverick “the Avenger” Cage wants to rise to the top and become a legend in the ring. Though he keeps his identity well guarded, he’s known on the fighting circuit as the new kid with a chip on his shoulder and a tattoo on his back that marks him as trouble. He’s got a personal score to settle with the Underground’s one and only Remington “Riptide” Tate.

As Mav trains, he meets a young girl—the only other new person in the town–and sparks fly. When things get heated between them, he finds out she’s none other than Reese Dumas, the cousin of Remington Tate’s wife. A girl who’s supposed to root against him and a girl he’s supposed to stay away from.

But Maverick fights for the woman in his heart, and the monsters in his blood. The world’s eyes are on them and the victor will go down in history as the ultimate fighting champion; the ultimate LEGEND.

* LEGEND is the 6th and final installment of the REAL series, but it can also be read as standalone or after the three Remington and Brooke books (Real/Mine/Remy.)

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REVIEW

Legendary. I know, it’s cliche. I know, it’s obvious. But for fans of Katy Evans, that’s what this book is going to become – and fuck it, for fans of contemporary romance this book is legendary.

Evans has this unique writing style that makes me both love and hate. It makes me feel the emotion of the characters when I’m not expecting it, and he pulls me from my comfortable place into the world of Maverick and Reese. I was sucked in immediately and I hung on until the very last word. Not kidding, I was up until 1am finishing this book because I wasn’t ready for it to be over and I couldn’t go to sleep without knowing that they got their happily ever after.

Reese is a naive girl who I wanted to shake a bit, but then she surprised me. She’s been through more in her twenty years that I originally thought and I actually really enjoyed her journey as she learned who she was and who she wanted to be.

Maverick is similarly a complex character. He has secrets that are uncovered that may make you want to discard him, but then he somehow turns it around – have you knowing that he’s one of the good guys. Don’t even get me started on Remy. He’s been perfect since Real and he stays that way. *swoon*

This story has fight and feeling. It kicks ass and takes names. IT IS LEGENDARY. Maverick closes out this series with heart, love and a hell of a lot of heat. Fucking loved. 5 stars.

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

LEGEND 2

EXCERPT

It’s midweek already, and I’m halfway through my workout when I get a text from Brooke:

Hey! Huge line at the Underground registration, might pick up lunch on our way back home. Don’t wait for us – lunch home w/Diane

Me: Got it ☺ Will take Racer to park and meet you home ltr

I set my phone aside and scan the gym again. Some otherworldly impulse has me walking past the weights section. I cross the treadmills, bicycles, toward the mats at the end and the boxing bags. I scan the area where Maverick always works out. There are several guys at the bags now. None of them are as big, or mysterious. Or hot.

He’s gone.

Disappointment washes over me. I wait a bit, checking the time. Five minutes to leave for Racer.

Reese, you’re acting stupid.

“You’re looking for your friend? The one you come in with?”

“I . . . ah . . . yeah.”

“He hasn’t come in.”

“Right. Thanks.”

I head to pick up Racer from day care, meet Pete there with the stroller and our snacks, then sit Racer inside and push him to the park. There’s this spot I like under the shadow of a tree. I head there. “How was day care, Racer?”

“Okay.”

He’s scanning the park for dogs, I know.

“This is nice, isn’t it?”

I pull out his fruit bears and open them. He dives in.

“Racer, I ran extra hard today and I’m suddenly hungry. If I tell you an extra story tonight, would you give me one of your fruit bears?”

“Two stowies,” he negotiates.

“Okay, two stories, for two bears?” I shoot back.

He hesitates, then nods and lets me pull out two bears, examining my hand thoroughly. I let him open my palm.

“See? Two?”

He grins a dimpled grin that I could eat up, and then continues eating.

I shove them in my mouth and start to set up my blanket and stop in my tracks when I spot the figure doing pull-ups on the tree.

His T-shirt is riding upward due to the lifted position of his arms, and I can see the concrete-like squares of his abs perfectly.

His extraordinary eyes blaze and glow when he spots me a few feet away, not far from the tree. He drops himself to the ground, lithe as a cat and surprisingly quiet, and as he stretches to his feet from the crouched position he landed in, his eyes are direct and interested and warm. No, not warm. More.

There’s a flip in my stomach when his lips curl a little. He ambles over and I have the oddest sensation that he was waiting for me. But . . . was he?

“Maverick.”

“Mavewick!” Racer repeats, and puts out his fist.

He bumps fists with Racer. “Dude. Cool cap.”

He taps Racer’s Yankees baseball cap. Then his eyes lift to meet mine.

My stomach feels unsettled, but it’s not from hunger, more like from nerves or something like . . . anticipation.

“Didn’t see you at the gym today,” I say.

He shakes his head. “I talked to Oz.”

“You did?”

He gives me this quiet, perfect smile and simply nods.

“That’s great.”

“Yeah.”

We smile for the most delicious few seconds.

“So you’re fighting during the inaugural?” I ask excitedly.

He pulls out a page from his back jeans pocket. “That’s me.”

I take and scan the page. It indicates his accepting the Underground terms and rules of engagement, states his coach’s name, and then his name. A dangerous little chill runs down my spine when I read:

Maverick “the Avenger” Cage

And Maverick “the Avenger” Cage is watching me read this paper, studying my reaction.

My palms are sweaty all of a sudden. “Well . . . wow.”

My stomach is quaking upon seeing his name, I don’t know why. Maverick Cage. His name is a conundrum. Maverick means “rebel,” and cage . . . But it looks like this maverick is coming out of his cage.

He tucks the page back into his jeans. “I had to tell someone.”

“And you came to tell me?” If I sound bewildered, it’s because I am.

He stares into me, a liquid look coming to his eyes. “It wouldn’t be happening if it weren’t for you.”

“That’s totally not true.”

He glances down at the stroller. “I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t tell my buddy here.” He fist-bumps Racer again and Racer giggles at the attention.

“Mom and Dad are busy, so I get to keep him for an extra while,” I tell Maverick.

He stares at me. He has a very stubborn, arrogant face, but when he smiles, pleasure softens his granitelike features. And he’s smiling right now. Dear me. “So he’s not yours,” he says.

“God, no. I wish!”

I can’t think straight when he looks at me. I feel naked. As if he knows that I’ve missed him. As if he knows that just looking at him makes me feel odd. Odd and oddly sensual inside. Responding to him.

I open my blanket and bend over to smooth it on the ground. Then I realize my butt is sticking out, the Himalayas of butts out there for him to see. In tight exercise gear. Fuck.

He kneels on his haunches at the edges of the blanket and opens his hand. “Share the blanket with me?”

His knuckles are still scarred. I can’t decide why I keep looking at them. I get a gut squeeze of empathy every time I see the bruises. His hands are huge. He plants them on the blanket, then shifts to lean back on his arms, stretching out his legs before him. Other couples are nearby on blankets. It feels intimate when I set my stuff down, and I feel myself go hot when I sense him watching me settle down next to it.

He spreads out just a little more and squints up at the tree, then looks at me in silence.

I search the picnic bag. “Want some . . . kid food? Or I’ve got . . .” I pull out my emergency Snickers bar, which I’m proud not to have touched yet, and I hand it over. “Plus one water and a drinking cup with a lid.”

I pass the drinking cup to Racer and hand Maverick the water. He takes it. “I’m good.” He opens the water bottle and hands it to me.

I shake my head. I’m not hungry, really. Or thirsty. My stomach feels full of butterflies again and it makes no sense, since I don’t even know him.

He shifts up higher on his arms, the flex of his torsal muscles visible through the cotton of his shirt.

“I almost thought you’d arrived to the gym and got yourself kicked out,” I try.

“Not yet. There’s still tomorrow.” He smirks.

And there’s a tinge of merriment in his eyes.

“Wee, and the ducks?”

I jerk my attention back to Racer and my pending business with him. “Right. I promised we’d feed the ducks today.” I quickly pack our stuff and then push the stroller toward the lake. He walks beside me.

I feel him watching me as I stop at the dispenser to fill up a cup of duck food.

“Mavewick, get me out,” Racer commands.

Maverick sweeps him up and sets him on his feet.

“Don’t go in the water, Racer, just stay on the edge, and don’t let them bite your finger. Do it like this. . . .” I show him how to cup his hand. “Or throw it in the water and watch them pick at it.”

He nods and starts throwing all over, sending the ducks after the nibbles.

I sit on the ground, the scent of damp grass surrounding us as Maverick sits beside me.

“Hey, I want to do something for you.”

“What?”

I can’t remember how to breathe.

I give him a moment to explain, but he’s not helping me out, only smiling. His face is open, friendly, his smile captivating. But his eyes are guarded, careful. I try to keep my voice indifferent.

“You mean for the gym?” I ask, a puzzled frown on my face.

He nods. “For that. And Oz.”

“Oh.” I shake my head, laughing softly. “It’s nothing, really.”

When he looks at me, he looks curious, and unsatisfied somehow. But a genuinely appreciative smile touches his eyes. “Trust me. It’s not nothing. It’s something, and I appreciate it.”

His open gratitude makes me so warm. He makes me feel impulsive.

“I’m in a healthy-living boot camp this summer. You’re meeting the new Reese,” I hear myself blurt out.

Wow. Did I just spew it out like that?

I’m so desperate for him to share bits of himself that I’m just totally baring myself to him without his even asking. Thank god he takes it in stride with an attractive little dance in his eyes.

“What was the old one like?” he asks easily.

I shrug and shake my head, not really wanting to get into that.

When he does nothing to fill the silence that settles between us, it leaves me with nothing to do but look up at him. I lift my lashes, and he’s staring at me with a look of total intrigue in his eyes. Wisps of hair tease my face, and I push them away, feeling really restless under that stare.

“Help me kick my own ass, and we’ll call it even,” I suddenly suggest.

He shakes his head with playful stubbornness. “We’re not even. I still owe you.” His eyes grow thoughtful, and he reaches into his pocket and extracts something. “Open your palm.”

He looks so intense that I open my palm and watch him drop something in it. “What’s this?”

“My IOU.”

I stare at the penny in my palm, then look up at him in confusion.

His voice sounds a little more harsh and textured all of a sudden. “I don’t have a lot right now, but I got this.”

“For a rainy day?” I ask.

“For any day.”

legend teaser 2

Real (Book One) The Real Series

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1CHl6sS

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1w35g8N

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1zT7J31

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1tHrTct

Mine (Book Two) The Real Series

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1I2nbzy

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1tHrdns

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1zmq1cT

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1yhymBF

Remy (Book Three) The Real Series

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1vOn8T2

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1w35lcN

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1ynVnBv

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1vlqhom

Rogue (Book Four) The Real Series

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1vOnjh8

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1FOFfJy

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1wvpqI6

iTunes: http://bit.ly/12xnylU

Ripped (Book Five) The Real Series

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Bfzsi

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1yia714

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/11X9CAG

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1ynQ9FV

About the Author:

Hey! I’m Katy Evans and I love family, books, life, and love. I’m married with two children and three dogs and spend my time baking, walking, writing, reading, and taking care of my family. Thank you for spending your time with me and picking up my story. I hope you had an amazing time with it, like I did. If you’d like to know more about books in progress, look me up on the Internet, I’d love to hear from you!

Website: www.katyevans.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKatyEvans

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorkatyevans

Email: authorkatyevans@gmail.com

Review: Some Sort of Love by Melanie Harlow

February 9, 2016 / owmyshelf / 0 Comments

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Author: Melanie Harlow

Book: Some Sort of Love

BUY:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PncVXh

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/some-sort-of-love/id1067575019?mt=11

tl;dr recommendation: For those that love single dads, sex, beards, sex, and lots of sweetness (and sex), get all of your hands on Some Kind of Love! 5 stars.

Book Summary:

From the outside looking in, I had it all—a career I loved, a supportive family, the Nixon metabolism but not the Nixon ears, and a salary that supported my lavish taste in designer shoes, fine wine, and lacy lingerie … but I had no one to share it with.

Until the day I ran into him—my one night stand from college with the crooked smile, let’s-get-out-of-here eyes, and dirty, dirty mouth.

Cute and cocky then, today Levi Brooks is six feet four inches of hot bearded fantasy. A sexy single dad with broad shoulders, strong hands, and a fantastically big … heart. (I mean, it’s massive. And generous. And it pumps so hard … um. Sorry. Lost my place.)

Being a good father means everything to him, but he’s keeping me at a distance because he thinks I deserve someone better — a man who can give me more time, more attention, more of himself. He doesn’t believe he could ever be enough.

But he’s wrong.

He’s everything.

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Longer Review:

Ahhhh, I melted over this book. There’s something about the deepness of Levi’s plight that had me head over heels after he had barely spoken a word. Their love story is unexpected and untraditional. Levi’s a single dad to a special needs child. That kid is his everything. He’s struggling. He can’t handle more than the structure that he has created. He uses that structure as a crutch to push away anything and everything that could potential rupture it.

But he wants Jillian. He wants her more than he thought was possible. But he also wants to mold his time with her into this side pocket of his life – unobstructed from the real world; untainted by his messy dad life. His excuses get to be tiresome. Jillian agrees with me there. But that’s the point. Levi is terrified of messing with his life because even though he’s unhappy being alone – even though he’s dying to be with Jillian – he can’t handle the thought of living his life any other way.

Because change is scary. Loving someone so completely and letting them infiltrate into your life in a true and real way is terrifying. Harlow give us a glimpse of just how hard that is in Some Sort of Love. She lets us feel Jillian’s heartbreak over being the weekend girl, even though you can literally feel the love that each character has for the other.

I loved this book – probably more than her others. This book is real and true to the problems that come along with falling in love. While it’s all fairly funny and teasingly hot, it also placed an ache right into your heart that you have to work with the characters to ease.

I absolutely fangirled over Levi in a completely unsexy way while reading this one and this book turned me into all kinds of a hot mess. For those that love single dads, sex, beards, sex, and lots of sweetness (and sex), get all of your hands on Some Sort of Love! 5 stars.

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

Review: Rugged by Lila Monroe

February 7, 2016 / owmyshelf / 0 Comments

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Author: Lila Monroe

Book: Rugged (buy link available on 2/10/16!)

tl;dr recommendation: Ruggedly sexy? Ruggedly sweet? Ruggedly hot? Ruggedly AMAZING.

Book Summary:

Laurel Young needs a plan, and fast. After her reality TV boss has a major meltdown, not-so-funemployment seems inevitable–unless she can pitch the idea of a lifetime. When she sees Flint McKay’s audition tape – flanneled, handsome as hell, and building a house with his own two hands – she knows she’s found her secret weapon. The women of America are going to love him, especially if she can convince him to try building without the flannel shirt.

Only problem is, Flint didn’t make that tape – and he has zero interest in trading the wilds of Western Massachussetts for the bright lights of Hollywood. But Laurel isn’t the kind of girl to take no for an answer. Soon, she’s knee-deep in rustic charm, and getting plenty of hands-on experience. And it turns out, this city girl and country guy may have a few things in common after all, like crazy hot chemistry, a wild side, and a weakness for good whiskey…

But can their behind-the-scenes connection last once the world falls in love with Flint? And will this be the big break both of them need- or leave them in the dirt?

Find out in Lila Monroe’s fun, sexy new novel!

*This is a stand-alone novel with HEA. No cliff-hangers!*

Longer Review:

Ruggedly sexy? Ruggedly sweet? Ruggedly hot? Ruggedly AMAZING. Lila Monroe whisks us off into a real world drama wrapped in a reality show tucked between the fast paced world of LA and the rustic trees of Massachusetts. I didn’t want to be let up for air….sort of how Laurel felt when she was assaulted with one of Flint’s kisses.

Flint is the man’s man – tool belt included. while he really only needs one tool to get the job done *winks* he’s pretty handy with all of the others at his disposal. He’s also sweet, kind and swoonworthy. My heart let and burst the same way as Laurel’s everytime his smile lit up a room.

The two of them are a match waiting to be struck. The tension is present from the first meeting and doesn’t let up, even after they give in to their….uhhhhh…baser needs. The secondary characters are equally developed and I felt like I was actually a part of the crazy McKay family.

Despite the fact that this love story could have fallen to the editing room floor with miscommunication conundrums, Monroe doesn’t leave you in the lurch. Full of angst, sexual tension and mountains of sex, Rugged handsomely keeps you entertained and glued to your kindle. Fire this one up, because Flint’s about to enter your heart and steam up your kindle! LOVE!

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

Review: The Shadow by Sylvain Reynard

February 5, 2016 / owmyshelf / 0 Comments

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Author: Sylvain Reynard

Book: The Shadow (The Florentine #2)

tl;dr recommendation: heartpounding and heartwarming at the same time. 4.5 stars!

Book Summary:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Gabriel trilogy comes the hotly anticipated follow-up to The Raven, a sensual novel set in Florence featuring the dangerously intoxicating coupling of Raven and William…

Raven Wood’s vampyre prince has returned, pledging his love and promising justice for every wrong done to her. In the wake of their reunion, Raven is faced with a terrible decision—allow the Prince to wreak vengeance against the demons of her past, or persuade him to stay his hand. But there is far more at stake than Raven’s heart…

A shadow has fallen over the city of Florence. Ispettor Batelli will not rest until he uncovers Raven’s connection to the theft of the priceless art from the Uffizi Gallery. And while the Prince hunts a traitor who sabotages him at every turn, he finds himself the target of the vampyres’ mortal enemy.

As he wages a war on two fronts, he will need to keep his love for Raven secret, or risk exposing his greatest weakness…

Longer Review:

This is a series my friends – a gorgeously written and breathtaking look at the love of William, a vampyre, and Raven, a human – but it is a series. Fair warning.

The Shadow directs your focus to the almost lost love that Raven and William share. While the first book challenged whether William could actually feel things, the second book deals with outside pressures that happen when…well, you are the head of a Vampyre City and you’re hiding the fact that you’re in love with a human.

It’s dangerous for them to keep their relationship, but they continue because they have to be together. They’re compelled to be one. Even though they are infinitely different, they are intrinsically the same. We learn so much more about where William came from; how he became a vampyre; and how he became who he is. Similarly, we learn that Raven isn’t as stubborn as I once thought – that she has a reasoning for her thought process – and that she’s loyal to a fault.

I could write a really long review about how fucking great the writing is, but if you’ve read Sylvain then you already know how great the writing is. It’s not your typical romance novel and I would place it in the Diana Gabaldon category of ‘Good Shit.’ It’s certainly more well suited for a literary reader, but it also crosses across the board for someone who is just looking for a great love story.

This story has that ‘epic’ feeling that makes you want to scream when it’s over. Because sorry – but the story isn’t ACTUALLY over when it’s over. There’s not a huge cliffhanger, so calm yourself. But there’s definitely more to come – which had me dying inside.

The Shadow is oh so worth it. It’s heartpounding and heartwarming at the same time. William and Raven fly to the top of my favorite paranormal couples list! BOOK3 PLEASE! 4.5 stars.

[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review]

Blog Tour: Distraction by Aurora Rose Reynolds:

February 3, 2016 / owmyshelf / 0 Comments

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Fall in love with Maggie & Sven in Distraction by
Aurora Rose Reynolds

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NOW AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS!

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iBooks: http://apple.co/1SnwtgX

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1UKNzmv

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1S0puu5

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1JTCS0A

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1PtAyh6

Paperback: http://amzn.to/1PUPuH5

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Blurb

Distraction: The great intensity, novelty, or attractiveness of something other than the object of attention.

Sven is a man who takes pride in his ability to separate himself from his emotions. He’s a man who knows who he is and where he’s going in life, a man who needs no one, because needing someone, anyone, is a weakness.

His past taught him love isn’t enough.

Maggie wants the happily ever after, but has never picked the right men, or stuck around long enough, to build a forever. It’s always been easier to get out early, before emotions make things messy.

When Maggie wakes up naked in Sven’s bed, with no memory of the night before, these two must be honest about their feelings and face their fears, so they can build a future together.

Will love be enough for them to get their happy ending together, or will a threat from outside strike them down before they ever have a chance?

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REVIEW

Are you prepared to be distracted? Aurora kicks the third book in the Underground Kings series into high gear. Full of instant attraction and surprising danger, she creates a world with Maggie and Sven that will fill the reader with emotion and have you cheering that they defeat everything that threatens their world.

I really fucking loved Maggie. She’s absolutely solid in her convictions. She loves her sister – so she helps her. She doesn’t want to flaunt her body – so she dresses modestly. She doesn’t like cursing – so she makes up her own. However, she’s not naive. She’s just strong and determined not to fall under Sven’s spell.

Sven’s the kind of manwhore that I love to love. We meet him as he has his dick in some girl at his club and we learn very quickly that he’s not discerning over his partners – as long as they’re hot and willing. Until he meets Maggie. Her fire and spark ignite his #BOOM and he’s done.

I think Aurora’s books are so incredibly popular because she gives the reader emotion and love and doesn’t leave you hanging with one shoe for hundreds of pages. This book reunites you with the others from the Underground Kings series and I loved their interactions with one another. The story packs a punch and is told in a fun, enjoyable and entertaining way.

I fell in love with Sven & Maggie, their backstories and their families. Love ARR! 5 stars.

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

Interracial couple being intimate in front of window

EXCERPT

“Fuck no,” I snap, loosening my tie. The last assistant I had ended up being a clusterfuck. The woman was pissed that I wouldn’t fuck her. I finally had to fire her ass when she brought another woman up to my office and proceeded to try and get me to join them on my couch when I walked in on them half naked. Work is work. Yes, I might invite women up to fuck, but never anyone I work with.

“It’s not like she’s your type,” he says, and I feel my jaw tick. “Besides, if she’s up here with you, she’ll stop harassing the women down there.” He nods toward where she’s sitting and my eyes follow the movement, seeing her talking to a girl who looks a little startled by whatever it is Maggie is telling her.

“It’s not happening. You guys need to keep her out of the club,” I tell him, turning away from the window.

“Just saying it would be a good way to keep an eye on her,” he gripes, patting my shoulder before leaving my office and closing the door behind him.

Letting out a frustrated breath, I turn away from the window and try to focus on all the shit I need to get done.

“Yeah,” I pick up my desk phone when it beeps and looking at the clock, seeing that an hour has passed since Teo left.

“Look out your window,” Zack says, and I spin my chair around and scan the floor, wondering what he wants me to see. Then I spot Maggie with a man’s head tucked under her arm as she leads him toward the front of the club, with Lane and Zack following closely behind them.

“What the fuck is going on?”

“That guy tried to put something in some chick’s drink, and Maggie saw him and went postal on his ass,” he explains almost proudly.

“Jesus Christ, what the fuck do I pay you for?” I gripe.

“I saw the whole thing. I was getting ready to step in when she stood up on her barstool, jumped on the guy’s back, and then did some fucking ninja shit, wrapping her arm around the guy’s head and forcing him to his knees. She won’t let him go. She said she wants to ask him some questions.”

“I’m on my way down,” I say, slamming down the phone and jerking open the door to my office, taking the stairs two at a time. Reaching the front of the club, I see Zack holding the guy and Lane’s arms wrapped around Maggie’s waist, trying to drag her away. What the fuck is going on?” I roar, and all eyes come to me except Maggie’s, who takes the opportunity to grab the man’s ear and twist, making him drop hard to the ground on his knees.

“You think it’s funny to drug innocent women, you flaming turd bucket?” she yells, hitting the top of the guy’s bald head, and Zack chuckles along with Lane, but I don’t see one damn thing that’s funny about this shit.

“Maggie, let him go and come here,” I growl, and she raises her eyes to meet mine, looking startled.

“He—”

“I said get your ass over here now!” I yell, cutting her off and feeling the vein in my neck bulge as I point to the ground at my feet.

“Fine.” She pouts, letting the guy go, walking sullenly toward me as Zack pulls the man to his feet, taking him with him around the corner, with Lane following behind them with his phone to his ear. I’m sure they are going to have a talk and wait for the cops.

“Let’s go,” I say, wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, leading her through the club and up the stairs to my office. Sitting her in the chair in front of my desk, I walk over to the cabinets where I keep my personal bottle of scotch and pull out the cap. I then lift the bottle to my lips, taking a swig while trying to calm down.

“Alcohol isn’t good for you,” she informs me as I take a seat behind my desk.

“Do I look like I give a fuck about that?” I ask her, taking another swig.

“You might not care about what it can do to your body right now, but you may want to know that it lowers sperm count and stamina in the long run.”

“Jesus.” I shake my head and rub my eyes in aggravation.

“Just saying it’s not good for you,” she mutters, dropping her eyes to her lap.

“What happened downstairs isn’t okay, Mags.”

“Maggie,” she corrects, still not looking at me.

“Whatever,” I drone, taking another swig. “You could have gotten hurt.”

“I have a black belt—”

“Look at me,” I demand, cutting her off and slamming the bottle down on the top of the desk, waiting for her eyes to meet mine. “You could have gotten hurt or worse. Do you understand that? He could have had a weapon on him.”

“You don’t understand,” she whispers as tears fill her eyes, but I harden myself against them, needing her to understand this isn’t a fucking movie. This is real life, and there are bad—really fucking bad—people in this world.

“You’re not allowed on the club floor anymore,” I state firmly.

“I’m going to find the guys who hurt my sister,” she states, and I see the determination in her eyes that make me proud and pissed at the same time.

“If you come, you come to my office, and if something happens down there”—I point to the club floor over my shoulder—“you’ll be the first to know.”

“Why would I come to your office? I need to be at the bar where I can see what’s going on.”

“You just got the job as my new assistant,” I tell her, watching her frown while wondering what the fuck I’m doing. This chick is a distraction I do not need right now, or ever for that matter.

“I already have a job,” she says as her frown grows deeper.

“Well, quit. You’re here every night, Mags, and you don’t leave ‘til the club closes at one. I can tell by the bags under your eyes that you’re exhausted.”

“Why would you want me to work here?” Now, isn’t that the million dollar question?

“Either take me up on my offer, or I’m going to have a restraining order placed against you and you won’t be allowed within a few hundred feet of the club.” I shrug like it’s all the same to me.

“You know this is malarkey, right?” she stands and I take her in fully for the first time tonight. Her loose, sheer, black dress is cinched with a thin belt emphasizing the dip in her waist between her full hips and breasts. Her hair is down in a mass of messy waves, and her makeup is subtle but still draws attention to her eyes, which look even more golden now that she’s standing in front of me looking pissed off.

“I’m not messing around with you anymore either. You take me up on my deal, or I’ll call the police and have them escort you off the premises,” I tell her, ignoring the fact I’m getting hard just looking at her.

“This is total crap,” she mumbles, looking around before meeting my eyes again.

“Take it or leave it.”

“Jeez, can I have a second to think?” she cries, and I feel my lips twitch, so I rub my hand down over my mouth to hide it.

“Ten,” I state, watching her eyes narrow. “Nine…eight…seven…” I continue counting, watching as she looks at me like she’s ready to kill me. “Six,” I raise a brow. “Five…”

“Fine!” she yells when I open my mouth to finish my countdown.

“Thought so,” I say triumphantly.

“You’re such a…you’re such a bigasterd,” she growls.

“A what?” I ask, and I can’t help it, I laugh at that one.

“When do I start?” she asks, ignoring my question while red spreads across her cheeks and down her neck.

“Tomorrow. Be here at five, and I’ll show you around the club and tell you your responsibilities.”

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About the Author:

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who’s husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She’s married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it’s beauty.

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Review: River James by MJ Fields

January 26, 2016 / owmyshelf / 0 Comments

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Author: MJ Fields

Book: River James

tl;dr recommendation: a rough and fierce look at believable characters who are beautifully flawed. 5 stars!

Book Summary:

When he fell in love, he fell hard. When he lost her, he lost his will.

Drugs, sex, and rock and roll—in that order—became his life.

River James, the drummer for Steel Total Destruction, loved the brotherhood he formed with his unlikely best friend and his band mates, and the family he found in his label until one tragic accident takes it all away in the blink of an eye. Twisted metal, shattered bones, crushed dreams, and torn wreckage causes deep, dark secrets to be revealed and he quickly turns to the sure things in life: drugs and women. Will he find himself in the wreckage or will he lose his way in the smoke and debris?

The first person in her family to graduate from high school and college, Keanna Sutton is flying high on her accomplishments. She has the career and man of her dreams…or so she thought. While recovering from a break-up she has a chance run-in with a tall, handsome, silver-tongued drummer who tests her strength and ability to hold her own tongue. She desperately tries to ignore the implausible attraction to River – a man she knows will be no good for her. When she finally throws caution to the wind, she finds herself getting rocked the only way a badass like River can: hard and nasty. Will the hottest night of her life end there? Or will she lose herself in a man whose only promise is that a lady always comes first?

Longer Review:

Holy shit. Gritty, raw and chokingly real, Fields delivers an emotional and angst ridden novel that drums right into your heart and soul. River is flawed. Hurt. Tormented. He’s an addict but, as most addicts do, he doesn’t truly recognize the level of his problem. There’s a reason for his addiction – for his desire to escape the world surrounding him – for wanting to check out of reality and bask in the bliss of the drug. He’s fighting so hard to forget the past that he almost misses out on his future.

Keanna is one strong as fuck woman. She works at an addiction center, but ironically that’s not where she meets River. There’s something that pulls them to each other, like magnets of lust; but then there’s something more than keeps them near one another even while River is self destructing in her face. However, don’t be concerned. Keanna doesn’t let River walk all over her and especially doesn’t let his addiction be ignored.

There’s so much EMOTION in this book. It deals with real issues and real people and their real reactions to them. This is why MJ is so popular and why her books will continue to sell phenomenally well – she manages to hook the reader in with the purity of the story, giving them the closest look into the truths of the darkest moments in her characters’ lives.

This was my first Fields novel, but it won’t be my last – this book isn’t glossy or fluffy but rather a rough and fierce look at believable characters who are beautifully flawed. 5 stars!

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

Review: Pucked Over by Helena Hunting

January 22, 2016 / owmyshelf / 1 Comment

Available on January 24, 2016!

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Blurb:

Lily LeBlanc isn’t versed in the art of casual sex, but after seven years in an on-again, off-again relationship, she’s definitely willing to give it a shot. And who better to try it with than her best friend’s boyfriend’s best friend? What could possibly go wrong?

NHL player, Randy Ballistic, lives up to his last name on the ice and in the bedroom. His best friend and teammate has recently given up the puck bunnies and traded them in for a real girlfriend. And she just happens to have a seriously feisty, extra-hot best friend on the rebound. Randy’s more than happy to be Lily’s spring board back into the dating scene.

But casual sex is only casual until those pesky things called emotions get involved. Once that happens, someone’s bound to get pucked over.

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Review:

Funny, romantic, charming and downright hilarious, Pucked Over had me dying to get near Balls…Randy Ballistic that is. This entire series is admittedly over the top – Helena purposefully jokes around, puns incredibly hard, and writes in a way that will make you smile. Since I love a good pun, this is exactly up my alley.

What surprised me here is that this book had a little bit more depth than the first two. Randy actually had some issues that he was working through and he shows more vulnerability than I had expected. Let’s meet Randy, shall we? He’s the puck bunny prince – I say this only because I’m pretty sure Lance is (was?!) the King. The man can pull tail and he certainly doesn’t hide it. The bunnies even have social media groups for his rejects. Ouch.

But he’s rejecting them because he’s not looking for anything serious – the second that happens he’s out. Until Lily. He knows she’s not a bunny but he can’t keep himself from wanting her in an animalistic way. Randy’s transformation isn’t overnight but his little moments of endearment were surprisingly tender.

But don’t let that sweet stuff fool you too much, he and Lily also like to fuck in bathrooms. A lot. So get ready for that. It’s a thing. And it’s funny. Their sexual prowess together is pretty impressive. Like standing-ovation-I’m-pretty-sure-my-vagina-would-fall-off impressive.

Now, while I love Violet (I do) I felt that there was a little bit too much emphasis on her in this book. I don’t know why, I mean, I know she’s funny as fuck, but she’s also literally insane in many ways and I was a little confused as to why she was the main focus in scenes. I really really liked Lily a lot. I wished her character had a teensy bit more of a substantive development in the same way that Randy did, but she also didn’t have as far to come *cough* so I digress.

This book is full of lots of puns & pucking – and you’re going to love it! Get ready to go ballistic! 4.5 stars!

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

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With a famous NHL player for a stepbrother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation of many a hockey star. So of course she isn’t interested in legendary team captain Alex Waters or his pretty, beat-up face and rock-hard six-pack abs. When Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes much more than just a hot body with the face to match.

Suffering from a complete lapse in judgment, Violet discovers just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants. Violet believes her night of orgasmic magic with Alex is just that: one night. But Alex starts to call. And text. And email and send extravagant—and quirky—gifts. Suddenly, he’s too difficult to ignore, and nearly impossible not to like.

The problem is, the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be part of the game

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Miller “Buck” Butterson has been banging his way through life ever since a puck to the face fixed his messed up front teeth. After five years in the NHL, deflecting goals on the ice and scoring them with puck bunnies, Miller has decided he’s ready for a girlfriend. A real, non-bunny girlfriend to take on dates, and not jump into bed with after five seconds of conversation.

Miller thinks he’s found that woman in his teammate’s sister. Except, unlike team captain and all-around nice guy Alex Waters—who happens to date his stepsister, Miller’s media reputation as a manwhore is well earned. Beyond that minor detail, Miller doesn’t know the first thing about relationships or the time and effort they require.

Miller learns—eventually—that if he wants to make Sunshine “Sunny” Waters fall for him, he’s going to have to do a whole lot more than show her his stick skills in the bedroom.

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Blog Tour & Review: Dirty Together by Meghan March

January 20, 2016 / owmyshelf / 0 Comments

Dirty Together by Meghan March

Book Three of The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy

Date of Publication: January 12, 2016

Blurb

Dirty Pleasures

My wife.

I love saying those words.

She’s mine, and if she thinks I’m going to let her run without tracking her down and bringing her back to where she belongs–with me–then she’s about to be introduced to a new reality.

Because I’ll fight dirty to give her the happily ever after she deserves.

Buy Now:

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Review:

Creighton Karas is by far my favorite book HUSBAND I’ve read in awhile. Meghan has just topped herself and I didn’t think that was possible. Between the swooning and the wild gasps I’m surprised I was able to function after this was over. Crey soars to my favorites list with his undying love and determination to show it to Holly while Holly made me proud with her backbone of steel.

If you recall, in the last book Holly leaves Crey AGAIN with the shortest Dear John note on the planet. She’s a woman of words, but when it comes to her husband she always seems to lack them. She’s sort of in a desperate place – she feels off kilter so she goes back to her roots. OF COURSE, my beloved (iknowhe’smarriedLAYOFFME) Crey follows after her.

There’s so much that I love about this book. There are twists that I totally didn’t see coming and that set up the next book (or series?!) gloriously. Meghan’s writing is funny and unexpected – she leads you down a path and then throws you in a completely different direction. She so easily could have done the usual romance book plot in this series, but she doesn’t. Dirty Together is refreshingly honest and seriously erotic.

I am gushing so hard right now (Holly does lots of that too) and it’s all because of the crazy sex (shit. holy shit. i mean, HOLY FUCKING SHIT. its so hot) combined with the absolute passion these characters show for each other. The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy gets all the motherfucking stars!

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

About Meghan March

Meghan March is the author of contemporary and erotic romance novels.

Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She’s also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she’s ever had. She loves hearing from her readers at meghanmarchbooks@gmail.com.

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Review: Out of Plans by Stylo Fantome

January 12, 2016 / owmyshelf / 0 Comments

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Author: Stylo Fantome

Book: Out of Plans

tl;dr recommendation: OUT OF PLANS is romantic suspense on steroids. 5 stars!

Book Summary:

THE NEW PLAN:

* Find Marc
* DON’T find Marc
* Take down a Russian Bratva boss
* Don’t have sex with Kingsley
* Find Marc
* Take down a Colombian drug lord
* Don’t fall for Marc again
* DON’T FIND MARC
* Kill every ..
*
*
*SCREW THE PLAN AND JUST WING IT

This is the story of what happens when best laid plans fail, and a vengeful woman is forced to find her own way once again. A bond broken, trust shattered, and too many lies to keep track of find Marc and Lily all out of plans and running out of time. Can they find their way back to each other before trouble finds them first, or is it really the end of their journey?

Longer Review:

OUT OF PLANS is romantic suspense on steroids. Lily is a firecracker I’d love to have on my side. It was so motherfucking delightful to read about a sharp, bold, intelligent and brave woman who cared too much and sometimes not enough. She was the perfect blend of hard and soft and I LOVED HER. Marc does too, he’s just too goddamn stubborn to see it.

When they come back together, the claws come out once again (did you possibly think it could any other way?!). The addition of Kingsley into the mix had me laughing and grimacing for longer than I thought was possible in a book about fighting and bullets and death. This book had me hopped up and rearing to go in every possible way: the sexual tension is locked & loaded and Lily’s five year plan has never been forgotten.

Marc has softened, and his vulnerability is in the form of one green eyed, red haired, wildcat. If you thought that they fought hard in the last book – get ready. The difference here is that he has a lot to overcome. He’s lost any trust he had when he left her on an island. His biggest problem is his inability to see her as an equal, which is – crazily enough – Lily’s greatest desire. As they fight their way to love (both literally and figuratively), they hurdle over every obstacle standing in their way. They’re stubborn and tenacious and perfect for each other.

Stylo writes like I’ve never read before and I absolutely fell for it. Lock, stock & barrel. It’s complex but easy to follow, exciting but sweet. She mixes just enough personality into these otherwise hardened characters to make you want them to succeed and want them to live and want them to fall in love. These “bad people” are now MY bad people and I cheered for them.

If you want heat, fire, a kick ass leading lady and one hardened but vulnerable man, you NEED THIS SERIES. Way to go, Stylo. I’m all in when it comes to your books!

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Romance Books

Tag: GREATread (page 3 of 19)

Review: Red Card by Carrie Aarons

Release Blitz: Legend by Katy Evans

Review: Some Sort of Love by Melanie Harlow

Review: Rugged by Lila Monroe

Review: The Shadow by Sylvain Reynard

Blog Tour: Distraction by Aurora Rose Reynolds:

Review: River James by MJ Fields

Review: Pucked Over by Helena Hunting

Available on January 24, 2016!

Catch up with the entire Pucked Series!

My review is HERE

My review is HERE

Blog Tour & Review: Dirty Together by Meghan March

Dirty Together by Meghan March

Book Three of The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy

Blurb

About Meghan March

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Review: Out of Plans by Stylo Fantome

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Tag: GREATread (page 3 of 19)

Available on January 24, 2016!

Catch up with the entire Pucked Series!

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My review is HERE

Dirty Together by Meghan March Book Three of The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy

Blurb

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Dirty Together by Meghan March

Book Three of The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy