Review: Playing with Seduction (The Players Club Book 3)

Title: Playing with Seduction
Author: Erika Wilde
Type: Novel
Length: 151 pages (Kindle)
Publisher: Erika Wilde
Publication Date: October 19, 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance/Erotic Romance

Blurb

Kendall Shaw loves her job as a boudoir photographer. When she enlists hot, gorgeous, 100% alpha male, Jase Burns for a custom photo shoot for a romance novel cover, she quickly discovers that he only took the job to get close to her. But her painful divorce has made her wary of men, and especially one who is eight years younger than she is. 

The moment Jase sets his sights on beautiful, sexy Kendall, he wants her. Despite their mutual attraction, she's rejected his every advance. But Jase loves a good challenge, and one steamy, seductive night at The Players Club changes everything between them. 

Kendall has never experienced such overwhelming passion, or been pursued so tenaciously. Jase is addicting, in every way, and she soon finds herself falling for a man who doesn't fit into her ideal future. 

Can Jase convince Kendall to let go of her past and take a risk on a second chance at love—with him? 

Review

Warming Up Nicely!

Meet Kendall the boudoir photographer who really got a raw deal in the marriage department. After 10 years of waiting and planning for the family she always wanted her ex decides that it would be best for him to have his HEA with Barbie the nurse. Really … Barbie (this is where I paused and imaged what I would do to the nurse named Barbie). This book contains a bit of the taboo (the older woman with the younger man) and frankly it works for both characters. As the reader, I can sympathize with gun shy Kendall and her cautious behavior when deciding whether to take a chance at love once again. 

Jase’s character is the correct man for the job. It's like the author had a checklist when creating his character and all the right boxes are checked. He is tall, well built, a gentleman, looks good in a pair of underpants, ex-military, compassionate and most important Kinky. I like that he knows what he looking for an pursues his target. Like the heroine, Jase has his own history that has played a role in how he is living his life. Both characters are really good for each other because Jase can teach Kendall it is okay to explore all aspects of yourself with confidence. Kendall can teach Jase that life cannot be lived on a schedule and it is okay to just let it happen.

In the end, book three of the Players Club series is an easy, breezy read that is full of passion and discovery. Playing with Seduction is an entertaining read.

***ARC was graciously provided by RockStarPR Lit via Netgalley ***

Review: Fighting for Devlin

Title: Fighting for Devlin (Lost Boys 1)
Author:Jessica Lemmon
Type: Novel
Length: 224 pages (Kindle)
Publisher: Loveswept, Randon House
Publication Date: November 24, 2015
Genres: New Adult/Contemporary Romance

Blurb

Devlin Calvary makes his own luck. Orphaned as a young child, he was taken in by a crew of bookies and gamblers—and they became his family. They’re the reason Dev’s running a trendy bistro, living in a high rise, and enjoying the good life with a string of women who never ask for too much. Until, one night, he finds out how much it hurts to trust the wrong people.

Rena Lewis sticks to the straight and narrow, determined not to slip up again . . . like the terrible night of partying four years ago that ended in tragedy. A waitress at Oak & Sage, she knows that sleeping with her boss is not a smart move. But when Dev shows up on her doorstep, beat up and clearly shaken, Rena’s not about to turn him down . . . or kick him out of bed.

Dev reawakens something primal within her—a need to go wild. And Rena soon finds out that the heart she’d sealed away years ago still has the power to fight for love.

Review

Wading Carefully

I definitely appreciate a devilish hero that is just a bit on the wrong side of the law. Devlin is the handsome owner of the Oak &Sage and a local bookie’s apprentice/enforcer/money collector-exchanger. Though the bookie angle was interesting and I was expecting to see an extra dominate/alpha type of male from Devlin. Don't get me wrong, he was cocky, arrogant and self assured of his skills but Devlin as an the alpha male type .... I can honestly say that he's almost there. Always like the idea of the bad boy or pseudo bad boy growing a heart, doing the right thing but Devlin wasn't a true ‘bad boy’ who had to redeem himself of anything. He was just a lost hero who was paying for his father’s sins. As for the heroine (Rena), she was a good girl going bad or bad girl pretending to be good? The answer ... Rena is a bit of both. Her history is there with all the reasons for her current behavior and I must say that guilt is one hell of a motivator. I'm disappointed in her character because she had talent that she wasn't doing anything with. Her character just lacked something. What propels the story forward is Devlin’s character and the anticipation of what other little naughty thing he will do. Sorry to say it, I am a sucker for emotionally wounded, lost and untrusting heroes. As for the other characters (Cade in particular), I am looking forward to reading more about them. 

Happy Reading Everyone!!!

 ~ARC was graciously provided by the author and publisher via Netgally.~

Review: Out of the Shadows

Title: Out of the Shadows (A Werewolf Wars Novel)
Author: Bethany Shaw
Type: Novel
Length: 404 pages (Kindle)
Publisher: Createspace
Publication Date: August 26, 2013
Genres: Fantasy/Paranormal

Blurb

In an attempt to save his sister, Emily, from becoming a breeder, Devon Harris defies his alpha and flees his home with his sister. His actions lay the foundation for a war between the packs. They seek refuge at his Uncle Rick's ranch, and there, he meets the fiery human Lark. In the midst of a war, does he dare let himself fall for her?

Rick Harris has been like a second father to Lark Davies since her parents died in an accident three years ago. She is the sole guardian of her younger sister and the owner of her own bakery, leaving her little time for a social life. Lark instantly feels the allure to Devon even though they are constantly at odds with each other. However, danger lurks around every corner. As Lark spends more time with the pack, she is drawn further into the werewolf world.

Review

Slow start with an exciting finish. Sassy and spunky heroine and a hunky, ill tempered, misunderstood hero. Great secondary characters (especially Vincent) and the story line is straightforward. Looking forward to see what the gulf packs have in store.

Happy Reading Everyone !!!!!

Review: Accelerate by Tracy Wolff

Title: Accelerate
Author: Tracy Wolff
Type: Novel
Length: 322 pages (Kindle)
Publisher: Love Swept - Random House
Publication Date: November 24, 2015
Genres: New Adult Romance/Contemporary

Blurb

Once the brains behind a car-boosting ring, Nic Medina has spent the last three years playing it straight. Now drag racers flock to his L.A. auto shop, Hotwired, for a shot at going head-to-head with the man himself. But when a crooked cop gives Nic a treacherous ultimatum—steal ten high-end cars or watch his nephew disappear into the system—he makes the only choice he can, one that puts the life he’s worked so hard for at risk. No sooner does Nic agree than he spots some nasty competition—and a gorgeous bystander in harm’s way.

A small-town girl with Hollywood dreams, Jordan Bass never expected to be swept up in a real-life drama. But that’s exactly what happens when she witnesses a violent crime. And when a smoldering stranger takes the wheel and practically kidnaps her in a desperate bid to keep her safe, she’s not sure whether to scream . . . or kiss him. Nic’s bad news—but the real bad guys aren’t above silencing a witness. On a collision course with danger, Jordan finds herself falling for the man whose street smarts are keeping her alive . . . and whose touch puts her in high gear.

Review

A little Nic anyone ….

Smokin' Hot!!!

Nic Medina is a dream to read. Tall, sexy, cocky a with a Big Hemi under the hood. Love a hemi engine (taking a deep sigh because the sound of a hemi is just beautiful) and love a male lead that isn’t overshadowed or who doesn't overshadows his female counterpart. Sometimes, a reader will come across a book with a very promising male lead that at some point in the book detaches his man bits and secure said parts in the heroine’s purse for safekeeping. Fortunately, this isn’t the case here. Nic’s character is swoon worthy, damaged, smart and definitely the alpha needed to keep the story on track.

Jordan and Nic had that Bonnie & Clyde feel about them and to top it off Jordan’s character has great humor, inner strength and compassion that the reader is easily drawn to. Her background isn’t too in depth but it can be gathered that here she experienced some really traumatic stuff. There is a mild build up about her past but don’t worry the author drops a lot of hints and its easy to figure out. 

Why a rating of 4.5, well the story just sucks the reader in and makes it very hard to put down. Accelerate has a cast of great secondary wisecracking characters, shady characters that you can’t be too sure about and bad guys who are supposed to be the good guys. Hot guys, not so fast women and fast sexy cars. There isn’t a better combination. Yeah, Nic and Jordan’s HEA came about in a matter of days but sometimes that’s all it takes. 

Happy Reading Everyone!!!!

~~ ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ~~

Review: Vindicate by Beth Yarnall

Title:Vindicate
Author: Beth Yarnall
Type: Novel
Length: 242 pages (Kindle)
Publisher: Love Swept - Random House
Publication Date: November 17, 2015
Genres: New Adult Romance/Suspense

Blurb

Cora. . . . I got my driver’s license on my sixteenth birthday so I could visit my brother in prison. Five and a half years later, he’sstill locked up for a murder he didn’t commit and I’m still trying to find a way to set him free. Then I hear about Nash Security and Investigation, a private detective agency that helped exonerate a wrongfully convicted man after thirty-nine years in prison. The problem? They’ve already taken on the one pro-bono case they’ll accept this year.

Leo. . . . I’m this close to finishing law school—and never working another day at my dad’s P.I. office—when Cora Hollis walks through the door. She’s got a box of files, a handful of leads, and an independent streak a mile wide. She fascinates me and I can’t say no. Suddenly I’m volunteering to help her find a missing witness who could be the key to her brother’s case. But nothing is what it seems and giving in to the attraction between us could be more dangerous than finding the real murderer.

Review

… two thousand, two hundred seventy-one days

Full Steam Ahead

That’s how long it took Cora to get her brother freed from prison. 2,271 days she served with him until he could be vindicated of all crimes.

Vindicate is a suspenseful romance that keeps the reader at the edge of their seat. You see … I love any book or any author that turns me into a stalker and I must say that I want part two now. Well written with compelling characters that I definitely want to read more about. Cora is the no non-sense girl on a mission and Leo is the cocksure hero clubbed in the head by love. Both characters are well written and play off one another very well. There romance is a bit lukewarm but that doesn't hinder the progression of their relationship. In fact, it enhances the characters because as the reader you get to see how each character is slowly evolving.

So, besides the main characters what works for this tale? Well, a whole lot works for this one. Heck, even the secondary characters catch and hold the reader's interest because like Cora and Leo you’re busy trying to figure out who's the real killer. Throw together some well placed angst, some disapproving moms (gotta love the self absorbed witches) and one crazed murderer and you have a good read that is hard to put down. 

Happy Reading Everyone!!!

~~ ARC graciously provided by author, RockStarLit PR and Netgalley in exchange for honest review.~~

Review: Chasing the Girl in Red by Jean Russell

Title: Chasing the Girl In the Red Dress
Author: Jean Russell
Type: Novel
Length: 289 pages (Kindle)
Publication Date: July 28, 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance (A Dark Romance)

Blurb

Sam – He has the pedigree....money, power, and looks. However, there are rumors about Ace Erickson – rumors that go well beyond his fascination with brunettes, and how he conducts his business. As a former fighter, turned hairstylist for the dead, I'm not afraid of the Boogie Man or things that go bump in the night but Ace is not like any other man. And when those beautiful brown eyes focus in on me I swear he is looking for something – something only he can see. Will his desire for the truth put me in danger or will my lies destroy the both of us. 

Ace – After searching all of my life for the Girl in Red I finally have a name, Samantha. When I found her hiding in the shadows of the mortuary I thought to myself – surely this can't be her. But isn’t that how destiny works? A meeting that is so random and implausible that it reminds you that something bigger than you is possibly out there. With Samantha finally in my life I 'm one step closer to finding a cure, and learning the truth about what I really am! 

Review

Tasty Pudding

This book was such a refreshing read and one of the most enjoyable ones I've read this year. It’s what I would consider a paranormal suspense with lead characters that the reader can’t help but love. Samantha ‘Sam’ is the girl from the ‘wrong side of the tracks’ and Achilles ‘ACE’ is the successful ‘All American Guy’, but appearances can be deceiving. 

The author did a great job of weaving a story that is full of twists, turns and the unexpected. Samantha is the beautiful MMA fighter who can hold her own against just about anyone until she meets big shot Ace Erickson. His character is cocky, arrogant, attractive and the all-around great catch for any female who can catch him. Their chemistry as lead characters work very well together because both have just about the same level of cockiness. The story is full of so many great elements (angst, action, and a guy with superhero potential, foul mouthed little kids, strong secondary characters and some all-around funny stuff) that make a story great. Chasing the Girl in Red has some very good action sequences (which I happen to like a lot) and is ‘in your face’ with some other social issues that I haven’t seen addressed really in this genre. It’s nice to have an author who is unafraid to approach sticky subjects (especially if it’s appropriate for the book and its setting). Unfortunately, the story has some issues with editing that hopefully can be corrected. Overall rating for this book is 3.5. 

I will definitely continue to follow along to see what happens next with Ace and Sam.

~~ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.~~

Review: Obscured by Tara Sue Me as Cat Waters

Title: Obscured 
Author: Tara Sue Me as Cat Waters
Type: Novella
Length: 172 pages (Kindle)
Publisher: After Six
Publication Date: October 12, 2015
Genres: New Adult Romance

Blurb

There’s the truth you know…. 

At age 16, Athena Hamilton traded her body for survival when a powerful Vegas hotelier and pimp lured her into his world. Ten years of turning tricks has taught her to trust no one and feel nothing. Yet a chance meeting with a childhood crush sparks hope for something more. 

The truth you believe… 

There’s no way Isaiah Martin could want her. He’s a pastor. Too good. Too pure. But when she learns her days are numbered, she runs into the safety of his arms and trusts his promise of protection. 

And the truth you never imagined... 

The aftermath of a tragic accident and a bitter betrayal leaves her destitute and alone. The one man she shouldn’t trust offers her a chance to escape. But when good and evil collide, what do you do when the truth is Obscured?

Review

In Deep Like!

When Athena Hamilton first arrived in Las Vegas she was a sixteen year old girl abandoned by a grief stricken father and in need of a way to support herself. She tries her hand at being a showgirl. What’s so hard about that, right? All she would have to do is dance a little and wear pretty outfits … right? What happens when Athena can’t make the cut and there’s a predator sitting in the wings waiting for his next victim. Athena takes the reader's heart with her as she tries to survive Vegas and break free from her abusive pimp. The story delves into the underworld of Vegas’ sex trafficking trade. Obscured gives the basic anatomy of how ‘certain’ young women are preyed on, how they’re drawn in and finally used by pimps/predators. The emotion the story stirs lingers, but the heroine is able to retain this naivety … this sort of youthful innocence that has stayed with her even after 10 years in the game. Personally, I wanted to reach through the pages and shake her a bit for being so silly, trusting or selectively blind. The book is considered a romance but it is a very unconventional one. For those looking for a full ‘minute by minute’ bedroom romp, then you will be disappointed here. Then again, I am happy that the author excluded some of these elements because of the subject matter of human trafficking and prostitution. 

There isn't the goofy eyed hero or any recognizable hero that the reader can pick out from the beginning. With its characters, Obscured deals in shades of gray with the exception of Mike (Mike ‘the pimp’ clearly has on a pair of gasoline underwear headed straight to hiffle). For example, the pastor who could have been a clear path to freedom. Isaiah Martin (the pastor and childhood friend) would have made an unusual romantic hero but a feasible one considering the life the heroine is leading. With Isaiah, his gray areas begin to show almost immediately and his innocence is just a mask to cover the devil within. His character sets off mini alarms because at times he’s just too good to be true.

Then there is Harris (the ‘sheep’ hiding in wolf’s clothing), the henchman … the hero that as a reader I didn't really see coming. Like Isaiah, Harris’ character had many gray areas but it was hard to dislike his character (even as a supposed bad guy). Thankfully, Harris fits the role of a traditional romantic figure (you know the bad guy turning good to save the girl). So, picturing him taking the road to salvation and freedom with Athena isn't hard. 

The most gripping portion of this story is the evolution of Athena’s character after her captivity.The simplest of things that most take for granted are all new experiences for her.

Happy Reading Everyone !!!


~~ARC graciously provided by author, RockStarLit PR and Netgalley in exchange for honest review.~~

Review: Pressing Adalyn (Pretending #1)

Title: Pressing Adalyn
Author: Jenn Hype
Type: Novel -Series
Length: 184 (Kindle)
Publisher: All The Hype
Publication Date: September 9, 2015
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance

Blurb

To say I’m lacking a life plan would be a gross understatement. Yeah, I ‘survived’ something horrific and still managed to graduate college, but it did me little good. Here I am three years later with no life plan, no money and no goals, moving to a big city to live with my best friend in hopes of putting my self-destructive behavior behind me and getting my life back on track.

Stacy and I met in college. She’s the quintessential good-time girl, which means she just barely has her crap together herself. If I manage to survive living with her without getting arrested or seriously embarrassing myself, then I’ll consider that a step in the right direction.

No steps in any direction have even been made before Ian enters the picture, throwing me even further off course with all his sexy charm and annoying persistence. I’ve never had a guy so incapable of taking a hint. I don’t care if he’s Stacy’s best friend and one of the city’s most eligible bachelors. Doesn’t make a difference to me that he’s a walking contradiction; his gorgeous face and unrelenting kindness won’t do him any good when it comes to me.

Even if I wanted Ian - which I don’t - I’m nowhere near ready for a serious relationship, and I swore off casual sex when I moved in with Stacy. So no matter how deliciously tempting he is, I’m not going to give in to Ian.

Really I’m not.

Review

In Deep Like!

Adalyn is on the mend. She’s just a sweetie … you know hard colorful exterior with a soft interior. In the beginning, I experienced a real love/hate relationship with this character. Lets face it, if you read the book Adalyn and Stacy are real potty mouths and not of the usual sort. These two characters even had me giving an “Oh my” every other page, but that tough exterior portrayed by the leading lady was just that, a hard shell that helped her cope with the tragedy of her past. Trust me it is a doozy and worth finishing the story.

Foul mouthed, snarky and with a general bad attitude Adalyn’s plan almost worked. Her illusion of an ill tempered harpy worked to keep everyone away except dear sweet Ian. Who honestly is the most patient leading male I've ever read. Ian is the quintessential good looking good guy. He isn't the extra cocky alpha male I’m used to reading about but he exudes a different type of strength that complimented the female lead’s intense in your face attitude. Ian is Adalyn’s ‘Clark Kent’ and every young woman deserves at least one in her life.

Even though Superman it alot, that does't mean that he didn't have his own brand of swoon worthy swag. For those angst lovers like myself the author didn't forget us. So, there are ex-lover face-offs and a minion like sibling that help to move the story forward.

~~ARC gracious provided by the author via Story Cartel~~

Review: Hold Me Down (The Deacons of Bourbon Street) - Book 3

Title: Hold Me Down
Author: Jackie Ashenden
Type: Novel 

Length: 199 pages (Kindle)
Publisher: Random House - Loveswept
Publication Date: December 8, 2015
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance


Blurb

When the biker who broke her heart rides into town, a woman must choose between passion and duty. Jackie Ashenden ups the ante in a seductive series co-written with Megan Crane, Rachael Johns, and Maisey Yates.

Leonidas “Blue” Delacroix might be the prodigal son of New Orleans aristocrats, but the Deacons of Bourbon Street are his real family. And with their patriarch murdered, Blue wants nothing more than to unleash hell on the motorcycle club’s enemies—even if it means taking up arms against the girl who used to be his best friend. She’s done quite a bit of growing up, and suddenly their chemistry is red-hot. But where’s the line between ruthless seduction and sweet temptation?

For Alice Day, loyalty is everything. When Blue skipped town, she had no choice but to adopt a new family: their rivals, the Graveyard Ministry. Seeing him again reawakens old feelings . . . and fiery fantasies. Alice could never forget the scent of leather on his skin—just as she could never forgive the sting of his betrayal. But while the Ministry has treated her like one of their own, Blue is part of her soul. And as their liaisons hit the boiling point, Alice trusts her heart with the deadliest choice of her life.

Review

Smokin' Hot

For starters I'm a little biased because there is a special place in my heart for books set in Louisiana. I am so glad that I had the privilege to read installment of the Deacons of Bourbon Street because it's edgy, sexy and hard to put down.

Leon ‘Blue' Delacroix has returned to New Orleans after being exiled by Priest, his murdered MC president . Blue has been waiting patiently in order to return to his old stomping grounds. He had only two things on his agenda 1) reestablish the Deacons' dominance in their former territory 2) revenge. But fate has away of changing all things. Blue is domineering, a bit aggressive and super sexy. He owned his role as leading male in this installment of the series and he helped to keep my eyes glued to the pages. I always love a leading male character who is cocky and sure of himself. Blue has all of the alpha male characteristics in spades and as the reader I just couldn't get enough of him. 

Alice ‘Red’ Day is as strong of a character as the leading male in this tale. Alice isn't simpering and constantly in need of saving. Her character is in your face and often wondered if she carried her own set of balls around with her. Strong willed and compassionate, Red will do what is needed to keep the ones she loves safe. Beautiful, capable and independent Alice was still lacking what she most desired … a family.

The chemistry between both Blue and Red leaps right off the pages and it was a pleasure to go on the angsty ride with both. Face it, with 10 years of misunderstanding between them tempers will flare, aggression will be displayed and pent up sexual frustration will be resolved. 

The story is fluid and it is easy to connect with previous characters.

~~ARC was graciously provided by the publisher via Netgalley.~~

Review: The Club: Ethan (Book 1 of The Club Series)

Title: The Club: Ethan (The Club # 1)
Author: Jenna Elliot
Type: Novella
Length: 178 pages (Kindle)
Publisher: ImaJinn Books, Inc.
Publication Date: January 31, 2015
Genres: New Adult Romance

Blurb

Her name was Mia. Rich girl, law school drop-out, smart, crazy sexy, and in over her head with me from the moment I rescued her on the side of a South Florida road.

She’s going to require some delicate handling on my part. Maybe that’s what challenges me about her. Her innocence.

She’ll play my games. They all do. I train them, and they love what I give back. I need them, too, but only the sex; it keeps the nightmares away. I’m addicted to the game, to the action, to the control.

I’m good at what I do. I own a piece of Command Performance, one of South Beach’s hottest sex clubs.

But no one owns a piece of me.

Not even Mia. Not yet.

Jenna Elliot has been writing since she was a baby gator at the University of Florida. What started as sweet romances soon turned into steamy new adult novels. When she's not writing—or researching (wink!)—Jenna enjoys spending time with her adopted Basset Hound and cat, Sherlock and Watson, cooking new recipes from Pinterest, and binge watching Netflix. Her life goals include being a contestant on a game show, writing a book (check!), and conquering her resting bitch face. Jenna is a lover, not a fighter.

Review

In Deep Like!

Quite. Simply. WOW. One of the most smoking hot books I've read. It's 1:30 am, just finished and now have Prince's ''Sexy MF' playing in my head. Ethan is one of the most lust worthy male leads I've read this year and it's all due to the excellent writing of the author. 

Ethan takes hold of the reader's attention from the very beginning. His character is the typical tall, dark and handsome but this is where the typical ends. His character is tortured, broken but not brooding, dominating yet sensitive, cocky and arrogant. He is chalked full of all the characteristics I love in a leading male character.

Mia is sweet and naive. Her plight? Well, she rich with trust fund intact, a bit sheltered, two unloving parents (controlling father who use the purse strings to control her and a spineless mother) and a parent approved ex fiancee. After one wild romp on the side of the highway with Ethan, Mia begins to discover who she is as a person. Also, for the first time she is finding her voice ... her ability to stand up for herself. With Ethan beautiful Mia is finding out what it feels like to be wanted, desired and cared for. 

The chemistry between the two main characters was excellent and it was very easy to get into their story. As the reader, I didn't get any of the ‘in love’ vibe from Ethan (got plenty of in lust, in control, in deep like and most definitely willing to try this possibility of love) but Mia was definitely in deep after one road side romp. Then again, who better to pair up with an emotionally detached leading male than the girl who has grown up with emotionally detached parents.

What the story lacked was sufficient background information about both characters or didn't include that much interaction with other characters in the leading characters lives. Would have loved for Ethan to meet Mia’s folks, her ex or any interaction with ‘high society’ folks. Would have loved for Mia to have direct interactions with some of Ethan’s previous ‘pets’, fellow soldiers, or business partners.

The Club: Ethan is a good introduction to the series and I hope that the readers will see more of Mia and Ethan in future installments.

~~ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.~~