Sunday 31 August 2014

REVIEW - Seducing the Playboy (Hot Nights #2) by Amanda Usen

The Book
Release Date: 26 May 2014
Goodreads Link

A sexy category romance from Entangled’s Brazen imprint…

The best desserts are worth the wait…

Pastry chef Jenna Cooper crushed hard on playboy chef Roman Gallagher when her older brother brought him home to share their family Christmas six years ago. Now she’s old enough to do something about it, and she won’t take no for an answer—for anything. 

Out of the frying pan into the fire…

Roman has one hard and fast rule—don’t sleep where you eat. But he can’t say no to Jenna’s plea for him to help her save her family business. Soon she's working for him, and their scorching chemistry melts Roman’s resistance.

If you can’t stand the heat…

Jenna knows Roman has reservations about enjoying the heat between them, but she’s got a plan. She’s going to keep this sexy man so satisfied in—and out—of the kitchen, he won’t regret a thing. But Roman has his own ideas. He wants more than a few hot nights, and he's going to teach Jenna a lesson about playing with fire.

My Opinion  4 STARS
Another good book in the series that makes you want to eat the food as well as continue reading the story.

I loved the strong willed Jenna as she found her way into Romans kitchen and showed him what he really wanted.

Lots of kissing and petting turned both on whilst taking things slow and making them hotter than ever for each other.

Both come to realise what they had isn't enough and that it is each other that give them the feeling of home and completeness. 

Really looking forward to reading Betsy's story and finding out what happens with her.


REVIEW - Into the Fire (Hot Nights #1) by Amanda Usen

The Book
Release Date: 10 June 2013
Goodreads Link

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...


She’s cooking up a recipe for revenge…

Heir to the Calabrese restaurant empire, Jackson Calabrese can buy whatever he wants—except creativity. He can craft perfect paella, but if his new restaurant is going to take New York by storm, he’ll need help. And there’s only one chef with the culinary creativity to reinvent their menu: former rival—and lover—Lila Grant. The one woman with all the right ingredients to drive Jackson wild. And damned if he doesn’t want another taste.

During their time at the culinary academy, Lila brought the heat in the kitchen and between Jackson’s sheets. Seducing her back into his bed—and his kitchen—should be easy. But after the way things ended between them, Lila isn’t giving anything away for free. Jackson may have made her an offer she can’t refuse, but she wants revenge, and she’ll take it served hot...one delicious bite at a time.

My Opinion  4 STARS

**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for an honest review**

Both Lila and Jack have a heated chemistry between them when they are close.  They are either bickering which seems to be foreplay to them or burning up the sheets.


Neither seem to be very good at talking however and the little bits they do say seems to land them in trouble with the other.  Lila is a good Chef, but ruins her chance at winning the end competition at culinary school when she chokes and Jack uses the opportunity to get the restaurant that he has always wanted.


 Six months later, Jack swallows is pride and finds a way to get Lila to work for him as he chokes on his own insecurities.  However neither of them see what will happen and that what happened all those months ago was actually a turning point for both of them.


After misunderstandings, good sex and feelings that they didn't see coming both react badly.  Luckily friends put both of them on the right path again for their HEA.

Saturday 30 August 2014

BLOG TOUR (Excerpt & Giveaway) - Trust Me by Lacey Black‏

Trust Me Banner
Synopsis
Rivers Edge Series – Book 1
After all of the devastating betrayals by the one she loved, Twenty-two year old Avery Stevens has spent three years raising her daughter alone, with her family and best friend as a support system, never leaving her small hometown of Rivers Edge, Missouri. Though Rivers Edge holds the pain of her past, it also holds the one person she wants but can’t have – her brother’s best friend, Maddox Jackson. When she learns the attraction might not be one-sided, will Avery be able to trust Maddox with the one thing she’s held onto tightly for the past few years?
Police officer Maddox Jackson is a ladies’ man with one foot out the door. Never planning to settle down, Maddox fights the attraction he feels for his best friend’s little sister, Avery. But can he continue to fight it when his body and his heart are leading him to the one woman he shouldn’t want?
When secrets are finally exposed, can Avery and Maddox trust each other enough to overcome the past, handle the present, and preserve their future? Can Avery trust Maddox with her heart? Will Maddox be able to convince Avery to take the chance?
**This book is intended for an audience of 18 or older due to graphic sex scenes and language.
Links to Buy: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Trust-Me-Rivers-Edge-Series-Book-1-Web-Sharing-Medium

EXCERPT
Maddox
I drive home in comfortable silence. I don’t think I’ve ever been content with comfortable silence with a woman before which is just another reminder of how Avery is different from everyone else. She doesn’t feel the need to talk all the time for the sake of talking.
As we start to approach the city limits of Rivers Edge, I start to wonder what I should do next. If this was any other girl, I’d drive back to her house with no hesitation whatsoever and take her inside. But this is Avery, and like I said, she’s different.
“So, I thought maybe we’d stop by my house for a bit if that’s okay with you. This way, someone like Jake doesn’t see my truck parked in your drive and make trouble.” Even to my own ears, I sounded a little nervous as I said it. What the hell? It’s not like it’s my first time taking a girl home. Then it hits me. It is the first time I’m taking a girl home; to my house. I always go to their place. But the thought of Avery in my house, my bed, just feels right.
“That sounds good,” she says with another shy smile. I love that smile; it’s filled with happiness and innocence. I turn off Main Street and head down Lincoln towards my house. When I reach my house, I pull into the drive and kill the engine. I hop out and walk around to her door. When I open it, she seems slightly hesitant, maybe even nervous.
“I can take you home if you want.”
“No,” she quickly throws out there. “I want to be here…with you.” There’s that damn smile again. I extend my hand to her and help her down from the truck and head inside.
When we step inside the dark recesses of my living room, I start to walk towards the lamp but she catches me by the arm, stopping me. I turn to look at her. The only light in the room is what moonlight is filtering through the window. Standing there in my darkened living room, light glowing off her blond hair, she looks stunning. She extends her hand up to cradle my cheek, her other hand runs up my abdomen from my stomach to rest on my chest. I step closer to her, looking deep into her eyes. She must have realized she was holding her breath because she lets out a big breath which comes out a little shaky. I look deep into her crystal blue eyes, and that’s when I see it. Lust. Desire. Trust.
My resolve shatters like a glass vase with that one look as I push her back against my front door. Our lips are urging each other on as our desire for each other completely takes over. She runs her tongue down my neck, and I almost come completely undone in my pants like a teenage boy by that one simple move. I cradle her ass in my hands and lift her up. She threads her legs around my waist, her hands diving into my hair. I lean against her, pushing her back into the door, and she moans. It’s the sexiest fucking sound I’ve ever heard and all I can think about is being deep inside her, making her moan over and over and over again.
I press hot kisses along her chin, down her delectable neck and lick the spot where her pulse is rapidly beating. “Tell me to stop, Avery. Tell me to stop right now and I will. But if you say nothing, I’m taking you back to my room and burying myself deep inside you. I’m going to make you come and scream my name. All. Night. Long. Tell me you want this as much as I do.”
“I want this,” she whispers without hesitation and that’s all I need to hear.


Author Bio:
Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and a chocolate lab. Lacey loves watching NASCAR races and should only consume one mixed drink because she’s a lightweight.
Lacey welcomes the opportunity to chat with her fans.


Giveaway
$5 Amazon Gift Card
2 e-copies of Trust Me by Lacey Black

Friday 29 August 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT (Excerpt & Giveaway) - Own (Command Force Alpha #1) by Katie Porter

The Book
Release Date: 26 August 2014
Goodreads Link


Sleeping with the colonel’s daughter? Risky. Making her call you Sir? Reckless.
Command Force Alpha, Book 1
When a mission against the Russian mafia goes south, Colonel Stafford, head of a deep-cover ops team, wrests a hospital-bed promise from his protégé. Although eager to return to the field, Evan Sommers swears to keep the colonel’s daughter, Katsu, safe from retaliation.
The task isn’t simple for the battle-tested Marine Corps captain. Four years have passed since his secret affair with sweet, compliant Katsu. Now she’s a streetwise pool shark who refuses to obey any command.
Kat resists the need for Evan’s protective shadow, until deadly threats expose her vulnerability. Her future depends on this hardened soldier, and their sizzling dynamic reveals what Kat’s bland college dating life lacked—a man with the will and desire to tame her.
Danger creates potent, unexpected scenarios that test their sexual limits, yet a real relationship is impossible. Evan is the warrior who could be her Master, but how can she fully submit? The next mission—even the next knock on the door—could rob Kat of the man she loves.
Warning: This book contains a reformed playboy Specials Ops stud who knows how to tease, demand, and spank what he wants out of a colonel’s unruly pool shark of a daughter. Wait…how is this supposed to be a warning?
BUY LINKS: Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  B&N  |  iTunes 
EXCERPT
One day he’d find peace here.

Peace…

Like the kind he’d found, so briefly, when Katsu had knelt before him. When she’d bowed her head. When she’d obeyed his commands—not just to the letter, but with such calm, orderly precision. Watching had been hypnotic…and so sexy that had she defied him, stood up and stripped naked, he would’ve been turned on. Sure. Of course he would’ve. But he also would’ve been disappointed. He admired her strength, lived with equal parts admiration and frustration when it came to her stubborn streak, and knew she was one of the whip-crack smartest people he’d ever met. To have that strength humbled was not about bringing her down, but about giving them both a moment of tranquility.

Control and obedience.

Dominance and submission.

AUTHOR INFO
Katie Porter is the award-winning co-writing team of Lorelie Brown and Carrie Lofty, friends of nearly seven years. After wishing, scheming and planning, they finally share an office in the Chicago area.

Both are multi-published in several romance genres. Carrie holds an MA in history, loves movies, and has no fear of gross things like dissecting formaldehyde sharks. Her two daughters aren’t appreciative. Lorelie is a US Army veteran and true-crime devotee, whose three boys love when she screams like a little girl around spiders. 

STALKER LINKS: Website  |  Goodreads  | Facebook  |  Twitter


GIVEAWAY

Thursday 28 August 2014

BLOG TOUR (Review & Excerpt & Giveaway) - Taken by Tuesday (The Weekday Brides #5) by Catherine Bybee

The Book
Release Date: 12 August 2014
Goodreads Link

Judy Gardner: College graduate Judy stands ready to conquer the world?if she can get a job. Hoping to transition from aspiring architect to famous architect as quickly as possible, the dark-haired beauty moves to LA, staying in the home of her celebrity brother, Michael Wolfe. But it's hard for Judy to focus on work when the sexy bodyguard she fell for last summer keeps showing up in her life and leaving her breathless.

Rick Evans: With his hard body, green eyes, and easy smile, Rick could have any woman he wants. But the Marine-turned- bodyguard only has eyes for Judy and her spitfire attitude. When a faceless villain attacks Judy, Rick will stop at nothing to protect the woman who opened his heart from the monster hunting her.



PRAISE FOR TAKEN BY TUESDAY

“Readers will fall in love with Rick, who is the ultimate book boyfriend with his good looks and bad-ass attitude.”  –RT BOOK REVIEWS, TOP PICK!, 4 ½ STARS

Buy Links: Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  B&N  |  BAM  |  Book Depository


EXCERPT
A throaty laugh made him pause.
He knew that laugh.
The smile on his face suddenly felt more genuine. His gaze slid across the room when she laughed again. Her back was to him, but it was her…Utah. She held her cue stick and pointed at a corner pocket. “Watch ‘em and weep.”
She sunk the eight ball like it was her bitch and the guys around the table groaned. A short-haired blonde lifted her hand and made a grabby motion with her fingers. “Pay up!”
Utah laughed, laid her cue on the table, and grabbed the bottle of beer at her side. All the while Rick just watched the interplay. She wore tight jeans, a tucked in tank that hugged her waist in a mouth-watering way …over the ensemble was a jean jacket that he could easily picture draped over the handlebars of his motorcycle.
“I think we just got hustled,” one of the young college kids said as he shoved his hands in his wallet to pay his debt.
“I tried to warn you.”
Judy’s friend shoved the bills into her pocket faster than the waitress had. “Anyone else? Twenty buck minimum with a round of drinks.”
This might be fun.
Rick took a step forward and lifted his voice above the crowd. “A hundred bucks.”
Utah froze, but didn’t turn around. He wondered if she recognized his voice. Had she thought about him in the last year? With the exception of her brother’s divorce party, he hadn’t seen her…not outside of a wet dream or two.
The blonde swiveled her head like a snake to prey and her eyes did that sweeping thing that happened to him once in a while. Rick knew he wasn’t hard on the eyes, knew he filled out his shirt like a Marine should. His thick shoulders and neck screamed military or linebacker. He did play a little football in high school.
“Who the hell are you?” the blonde mumbled.
Rick chuckled.
Judy slowly turned and had to tilt her head back to look at him. “Green Eyes.”
“Hey, Utah.”
“You know this guy?” The blonde shoved next to Judy and nudged her arm.
God, she was even more adorable than he remembered. He didn’t let her eyes go, just matched her stare. A blush rose to her cheeks and a few freckles peeked through. Her snarky remark about his presence was a heartbeat away. He’d lay another hundred bucks on the table as a bet that the next words out of her mouth would shock everyone within earshot.
“Did the steroid train stop in town when I wasn’t looking?”
The blonde started to laugh.
Rick stepped even closer so barely an inch separated them. The smile never left his face. “I hear steroids shrink dicks.”
As if she couldn’t help herself, Judy glanced down and it was Rick’s turn to laugh. He brushed the edge of her body with his and removed the cue from the table. “What do ya say, Utah? I’ll even let you break. Ladies first and all that.”
Rick knew they were drawing a crowd, but the interplay between them matched the sparks that hovered over them like a damn rainbow, and he was powerless to care what anyone thought.
“A hundred bucks is steep, Judy.”
“S’okay, Meg…Rick’s a big talker. Besides, he doesn’t know what I’m capable of.”
Rick shook his head and clicked his tongue. “Now, now…don’t want to show all your cards.”
“She’s really good, dude,” the guy she’d relieved of twenty bucks said from across the table.
Rick lowered his voice. “Will you go easy on me, Babe?”
Judy regained some of her lost composure and pushed away from his personal space. “Not on your life. And I’m not your babe!”

We’ll see about that. He couldn’t stop smiling.


My Opinion  5 STARS

**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Montlake Romance for an honest review**

We met Judy in the previous book when Karen and Michael went back home and Karen and Zach got together.  Even in that book we found that Judy was a strong character with wit and balls.


Both Rick and Judy got a little taster of the other that just wet their appetites along with ours.

This is their story.

It seems half the rom-com that we usually have, and half suspense thriller.  It also points out that yes, if you are not careful social media can be a problem.

Both Rick and Judy have explosive chemistry and Rick is determined to have Judy for his own.  He see's so much in the woman that intrigues him, challenges him and keeps him coming back for more.

Small town girl Judy is apprehensive at first, one because of the small town rules that she has lived with.  Then things start to spiral out of control in her life, it is Rick that keeps going, keeps her stable and feeling safe.

I love this series and really cannot wait to see who the next book in the series is going to be about.  With only two more books in the series to come, I know I will be reading them all again soon from start to finish!



AUTHOR BIO:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Weekday Brides Series and the Not Quite Series. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.  
STALKER LINKS:  Website  |  Email  |  Blog  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads


GIVEAWAY

Wednesday 27 August 2014

REVIEW - He Belongs with Me by Sarah Darlington

The Book
Release Date: 1 February 2014
Goodreads Link

Two girls. 


One Leo. 


Identical twins, Maggie and Clara Ryder, both grew up with Leo Maddox, billionaire playboy, apparent alcoholic, and heir to his grandfather's world-famous Maddox hotel empire. 


Their roles were cemented long ago: Maggie, as his best friend and Clara as his childhood nemesis. But when a simple twist of fate changes everything and both girls start to fall for the lean, mean, ridiculously sexy and seemingly spoiled Leo... which girl will win his heart? 


Throw in a little mischief, drama, and one smoking-hot bartender and lines are sure to blur. But one thing's for certain, neither good-girl Maggie nor rebellious Clara will be satisfied until they each figure out where they belong. 


*NEW ADULT ROMANCE. Recommended for 17+ due to sexual situations and adult language.*


My Opinion  4 STARS

**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This book switches from the POV of Maggie and Clara, twin sisters.  Originally we are told that Maggie is the good sister and that Clara is the Bad sister, however many times during this book they seem to switch up so much you just don't know whats really true.

However I must say that I think I preferred Clara, she says what she thinks and isn't afraid to be her.  Maggie however seems to be more spoilt and materialistic, even through she has a better relationship with her dad.

I think the only time i frowned was when Maggie decided that she wanted her best friend only when he said that he wanted her sister Clara.  I mean hello?  He just said HE wanted Clara, not that she had always wanted him.  Does this girl not think clearly?

Three men were introduced, one as a piece of crap that needed revenge taken upon, one best friend and a former step-brother that had broken a heart when he left.

I did like how everything ended, however I think there was a love interest with the father that was never taken up properly.  
I did enjoy reading this and did like seeing the big difference between the sisters in both how they acted and played out.  Was glad that everyone got their HEA.

REVIEW - Desired by the Deep (Claimed by the Alpha Dolphins #2) by Lyra Fawn

The Book
Release Date: 
Goodreads Link

** Part Two of a five-part serialized Paranormal Romance **

On the run with two virile and heroic Dolphinae princes...

Torn by the constant rivalry between the Herakli and Atlanti Pods, Mona proposes a ménage arrangement to Dario and Lucan that might permit the Dolphinae to finally unite against their dreaded, common enemy: the Mordentes.

But as danger mounts, Mona finds herself embroiled within a squabble between backbiting ex-lovers and the politics of their two high-profile, international organizations.

Will her two alpha dolphins, both steeped in tradition, shake off the bonds of their inhibitions to accept the logical solution and act in time?

'Desired by the Deep' is the second 22,000 word serial installment to the BBW paranormal romance, CLAIMED BY THE ALPHA DOLPHINS.

Explicit language and mature, uncensored love scenes are featured throughout. Periodic moments of romance, intimacy and lovemaking involve multiple partners actively participating in their human or supernatural forms. Discretion is advised as this novella is only for readers over the age of 18.


My Opinion  3 STARS
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

So. Part two starts off exactly where part one left off with Mora, Lucan and Daria on the run after the Mordant came after them.

Although both are possessive they work together to keep her safe, but do not seem to like the idea that she does not want to choose between the princes.

Mora meets other Dolphinae that do not warm to at first. We are told of Moras natural peacemaking abilities and at one point slightly preached to about the pollution of the ocean.

Again this novella ends on more of a cliff hangar when Mora comes face to face with an enemy of the Dolphinae race, leaving us wanting more and to see how the two princes will rescue her from her current predicament.



Tuesday 26 August 2014

REVIEW - The Devil in Denim (New York Saints #1) by Melanie Scott

The Book
Release Date: 26 August 2014
Goodreads Link

LIFE JUST THREW HER A CURVEBALL.As the team-owner’s daughter, Maggie Jameson grew up in the New York Saints’ stadium—glove, cap, hot dogs, and all. Baseball’s in her blood, and she’s always dreamed of the day when she would lead the Saints to victory herself. That was before her dad had to sell the team to Alex Winters. The fast-talking, fiercely attractive businessman has a baseball pedigree that’s distinctly minor league. Maggie wants to hate him but his skills of seduction, however, are off the charts.


WILL LOVE BE A HOME RUN?Alex could never have imagined how much this team means to Maggie. He needs her to help show the players that they’re still a family…even if he and Maggie are at the verge of exchanging blows. But her fiery determination and gorgeous looks prove irresistible to Alex. And much as he wants to relegate their relationship to the playing field—and get the Saints back in the game—Alex just can’t help himself: What he wants to win most is Maggie’s heart…in The Devil in Denim by Melanie Scott.


My Opinion  5 STARS

**Copy Provided by Netgalley and St Martins Press for an honest review**

This was my first book by this author and it wont be my last. Well written, witty and funny the story drew me in and i could hardly put the book down.

Maggie has been thrown a curve ball. She has just found out that her father has sold he beloved Saints Baseball team. The team that she thought she would one day run.

Out of the three new owners , Alex approaches her first and she believes him to be the Devil. Charming, hot, cocky and a definite alpha male he screams 'leader'. However Maggie does not want her bodies response to him to change the she thinks of him.

Hurt by her dads betrayal, she has no other choice but to help with the transition, however lust and an unwelcome opposition get in the way.

We also get to know a little about the other owners Lucas and Mal.

Monday 25 August 2014

BLOG TOUR (Review) - Before He Was Gone (Starstruck #2) by Becky Wicks

The Book
Release Date: 25 August 2014
Goodreads Link

Standalone sequel to Before He Was Famous - out August 25, 2014. There's a playlist on my blog!

Sometimes, you have to get lost to find yourself...

When her rock star boyfriend breaks things off out of the blue, Alyssa applies to hit reality TV show Deserted and to her shock she gets through. Abandoned on a remote island with a bunch of strangers and none of the luxuries she’s become accustomed to, it’s not long before an undeniable attraction to the mysterious Joshua starts complicating things even further.

Joshua's different to everyone she's ever known - a traveller, a man with no plan, a world away from the celebrity life she's left behind. As a series of challenges test their wits and weaknesses, things start heating up in paradise, but in a game designed to break people down, it soon becomes clear that Joshua is hiding a painful secret - one he won’t risk anyone finding out. 

Struggling to know where she belongs, Alyssa will have to choose - a life she once loved that wants her back, or a brand new reality that heartbreakingly may just have its limits.

***Warning: this book contains graphic language, sex, and mature situations. Not intended for young adult readers.***


My Opinion  5 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Becky Wicks for an honest review**

It took me a couple of pages to get into this story and just like with the previous book in the story I could not put the book down once I had picked it up.

Again it focuses on another reality show, this time instead of a talent competition the group are deserted on a desert island with a few needed items and have to compete to in the $1,000,000 prize.

Alyssa is Chloe's best friend (the female star of book one) and things have not been going well for her and her boyfriend so he dumps her.

After seeing the flyer for the show she gets accepted and wants to put herself out there to be famous for being her.

Josh is a survivor teacher and has all sorts of crazy life surviving skills under his belt, but he also has a secret.

There is instant attraction between the pair and they have many things in common and really get on well.  

Firm friendships form, games are played and life lessons learned on an island cut off from everything.  All the competitors, apart from one or two grow as people, learn who they are again and some even face fears.

Our main characters really show a strong sense of self and you feel them grow, you feel there sadness and their happiness.  

The author really has a way of sucking you in and taking you there, right with the characters.

I know that I will be following this author and I really hope there is another book in the series.


Sunday 24 August 2014

REVIEW - Carnally Ever After (Ever After Novellas #1) by Jackie Barbosa

The Book
Release Date: 15 September 2011

This ebook includes CARNALLY EVER AFTER, a short story (15,000 words/50 pages), EPIPHANY, a bonus epilogue (3,400 words/11 pages) and an excerpt from Jackie's upcoming release, THE LESSON PLAN (6400 words/21 pages).

DESCRIPTION

Jilted at the altar, Lady Louisa Bennett seeks the solace of a quiet, empty chapel and instead finds Alistair de Roche, her fiancé’s best man and the subject of her fantasies from the moment she met him. Alistair knows bedding his best friend’s betrothed is well beyond the pale, but Louisa has haunted his dreams for months. Soon, Louisa and Alistair are caught up in a consuming love affair that threatens their families’ plans and their own hearts. Can they find a way to live happily, and carnally, ever after?

CARNALLY EVER AFTER was previously released under the same title by Cobblestone Press. The bonus epilogue, EPIPHANY, is available for free in the anthology TWELFTH NIGHT.

My Opinion  4 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Circe Press for an honest review**

A naughty little read that is set around 1816 and starts with a jilted bride wondering if the man she was told to marry did not want her because of her size.

Unbridled and unsaid lust for her fiancés best friend becomes more when he too declares that actually he has wanted her since the first time that her saw her.

Its sweet and tender and spicy hot and the extra epilogue was really sweet in the way that Alistair showed her exactly what he thought of Louisa and her body hang-ups.

Recommended if you want a really hot quick read.

Saturday 23 August 2014

REVIEW - The Real Thing by Cassie Mae

The Book
Release Date: 19 August 2014

In this electrifying novel from New Adult sensation Cassie Mae, two close friends surprise themselves by shifting from platonic love to sexual attraction.
 
Eric Matua has one friend—his best friend and childhood sweetheart, who needs a place to stay for the summer. Mia Johnson has thousands of friends—who live in her computer. Along with her email chats and Facebook notifications, Mia also devours romance novels, spending countless hours with fictional characters, dreaming of her own Romeo to sweep her off her feet. When she starts receiving supersweet messages from a stranger who thinks she’s someone else, Mia begins to believe that real love is possible outside her virtual world. 
 
When the two friends become roommates, Mia finds herself falling harder than she ever thought she could. But Eric keeps his desires locked away, unsure of himself and his ability to give his best friend what she deserves in a boyfriend. As her advances are continually spurned, Mia splits her time between Eric and her computer. But she soon realizes she’s about to lose the only real thing she’s ever had.
 
Praise for Cassie Mae
 
“Cassie Mae’s writing is fresh and original!”—Rachel Morgan, author of the Creepy Hollow series
  
“A fabulous author who tugs on your heart strings as if she owns them.”—Jade Hart, author of Coffee and Cockpits
  
“Cassie Mae has a knack for developing characters who have you wanting to climb into the pages and become part of their world.”—Theresa Paolo, author of (Never) Again
 
“Cassie Mae’s books have become my latest guilty pleasure. Pleasure, because who doesn’t love to read a romantic comedy? And I say guilty because when I lay my hands on one, I tend to read them in one sitting and let all my other responsibilities go to the wayside. What dishes?”—Pauline Creeden, author of Sanctuary
 
“Mae is very good at getting me to chuckle throughout an entire book, because her heroines are quirky and unique.”Book Nerd

My Opinion  4 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an honest review**

It's true that in today's world we can get sucked into social media and spend far too much time on our electronic devices than actually having a conversation with the significant other in our lives.

Mia is just one of these people, she tweets, face books, uses Instagram, Pininterest, and Goodreads and if she not doing that she is reading another romance novel that has a main character called Max.

She has always had a thing for her best friend Eric since school but three years he moved away to live with his uncle.  Now back home she is going three hours over to his mothers place to spend the summer with him.

Eric has panic attacks due to an ex-girlfriend and apart from being shy, struggles with new things and intimacy.

When they both find that there is still an attraction between them, they takes things very slow, however there are problems on both sides with Mia always on social media or reading and with Eric taking things VERY slow.

There are some things that are not very well explained, such as why Eric's brother also suffers from panic attacks, but overall it is a good read that most can relate to in some way.  I know i spend too much time on my kindle…

I will certainly be looking out for the authors next book.

Friday 22 August 2014

REVIEW - Fancy Free (Fancy Free #1) by Shelley Munro

The Book
Release Date: 1 March 2008
Goodreads Link

Warning: Condoms were tested and a few harmed during the writing of this story. It's not every day a girl inherits a condom company, and to say accountant Alice Beasley is astonished and out of her depth is putting it mildly. For an almost virgin, she needs a quick education in all things condom because her inheritance is in danger. Someone is intent on sabotage and trying to destroy her new company. Alice is suddenly getting down and dirty with charismatic James, the factory manager, all in the name of business, testing new condom designs. The sex is hot. Mind-blowing. It's a dark thrill and an erotic journey. Yeah, it's a hard job, but a girl's got to do what a girl's gotta do. Alice wants James. She craves his talented touch and sultry kisses, she desires passion and physical pleasure on a permanent basis but first she must convince bad-boy James to give up his fancy-free ways.


My Opinion  3 STARS

**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Ellora's Cave for an honest review**

This book had some seriously funny moments that you can't help but laugh or snigger at, especially with the older members of the board of the condom factory that Alice inherits from her godmother.

Alice starts out almost prudish, with a very PC almost fiancé, until the will is read and they discover what she has inherited.  Simon is NOT amused and wants her to immediately leave with him, but she wants to see what she has inherited and they break up.

She meets the oldies board that her godmother Alicia brought on board, she also meets the sexy as sin manager who has agreed to stay on board for the next six months just to help her out.

Of course the sexual attraction is off the charts and due to a leak on new products, they agree to test new products, which then leads the board to test out the products as well.

There is also a cult that has popped up near the town that are causing a pain as they do not believe in condoms and actively protest the use of them.  However apart from the leak, Alice is being targets by a clown and a dog, thats right, a clown and a dog and the keep scaring her.

In true fashion we can a who-done-it reveal along with a HEA, it just that the end happens so quickly it feels a little false.  Also it tends to sway more to the erotic side of things too much near the end.

The one thing that bugs me about the book the the way James seems to get angry that Alice and her money thinking ways are not right, but he still tests out the condoms?  That bit just didn't sit right with me.

Otherwise its another good Ellora's Cave erotic romance.



REVIEW - Kissed by the Wave (The Forbidden Realm #1) by Serena Gilley

The Book
Release Date: 5 August 2014

Beyond the limits of sight, magical beings live in the Forbidden Realm. The two worlds were once connected, but the desires of man forced their separation. Now, desire may bring them back together . . .Aliya is a mermaid with an obsession. Though contact with humans is strictly forbidden, she can't seem to stay away from the incredibly handsome Devin, who visits her lake night after night. Her body and soul have never been drawn to anyone like this before. Deciding that her longing for Devin is worth the risk, she goes to him. As their lust for each other deepens, Aliya grows to need his touch as much as she needs water.

Devin believed Aliya was a perfect fantasy his mind created-until the breathtaking mermaid swims to shore. Courtesy of a magical wish, Aliya is newly human, and she and Devin give in to their passion again and again. But Aliya's mortal form is only temporary. If they don't have the strength to part ways when the time comes, their illicit love could rock the balance between the realms forever . . .


My Opinion  4 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an honest review**

This seems to be a book of two halves. We have Aliya and Devins side of things, but we also have Raea and Kyne's side of things so this book is told from 4 points of view.

This is a very R-rated story involving humans, mermaids and faeries. There is a veil keeping humans from seeing the veiled creatures, however Aliya is drawn to Devin and his sadness. Aliya is from the all female mermaid race and lives a mostly solitary life helping to hide their existence.

Devin has been sad for the last few tears after the death of his wife and goes out to the lake for carnal exploits with different women to keep the sadness at bay. He is enchanted after seeing Aliya for the first time, which very quickly becomes R-rated.

Raea and Kyne have a bet with each other. Kyne is a half fearie-half human and is a summer faerie and helps the plants and flowers grow. Raea is a full-blooded faerie and gives wishes to humans to keep them ignorant of those behind the veil.

Sex is a disgusting human thing which both mermaid and faerie do not do in their own races. But our characters soon find passion and lust are heady things, and for Devin and Aliya at least things very quickly turn into love, with an added extra boost to keep them together.

There are no bad guys in this book, however the council are constantly mentioned and it is said they would not react favourably if they knew what was going on.

Although the book did not end on a cliff hangar there are enough unanswered questions from this book to make you want to read the next one.