REVIEW - Taken Back: A Bad Boy Russian Mafia Romance by Alyna Amorosi

The Book
Release Date: 19 July 2016
Goodreads Link

Sonya Valentina is a struggling waitress who has recently lost her mother. She got hired as a hostess at a strip club owned by a mysterious foreigner. One of their regular customers is a cocky Russian mobster. Sonya has never gone for the bad boy type, but this brash and dangerous bad boy somehow makes her feel… safe.

Dmitri Veselov has the looks of a model... well, except for his scars and prison tattoos. He's as heartless in dating as he is vicious in handling his business. And this Russian stud already has every stripper at Sultan's Palace squirming in their G-strings.

But when he meets Sonya, he has feelings of comfort and trust like he hasn't felt since before his happy childhood took a tragic turn into a brutal life of death and violence.

Yet with a mafia war raging, his mob boss uncle's massive fortune on the line, and more dark secrets than he can count, should Dmitri allow Sonya into his world?

Taken Back has some steamy scenes (and they get a bit rough!) It also has a suspenseful plot, wild surprises, and characters I hope you'll love as much as I do. 

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

This is the debut release for this author and although the plot was good, the writing did let it down.

First you had to get used to the fact that the story changed points of view a lot without warning.  We get Sony'a POV, Dmitri's POV and then we get the narrator.

At times considering at what both have already been through they also seem to act like teenagers, when if brought up in the life they appear to have had they would have acted wiser than their years.  Quite often i would want to slap the characters because they were just being daft.

Also what should have been the big final show down between Dmitri and his uncle Ivan was glossed over and therefore was a let down.

The idea of the story was good it just was not executed in the right way for me, but glad it worked for other people.

REVIEW - Spectacular Rascal by Lili Valente

The Book
Release Date: 26 July 2016
Goodreads Link

When you’ve been screwed over by Mr. Wrong, let a Spectacular Rascal show you how good it feels to be bad.

You know the smooth, successful New York businessman type? Well, I'm the other guy—the one you don’t bring home to mama. The tattooed, rough-around-the-edges, 100% primal badass. 

As the resident bad boy of Magnificent Bastard Consulting, I’ve got what it takes to make sure your dangerous dick of an ex thinks twice before he knocks on your door again. 

Or I thought I did, until I meet my latest client… 

Now my wild, sexy, one-that-got-away is looking up at me with her big green eyes, daring me to take on an ex as dick-ish and dangerous as hers. But all I want to do is take her—again and again. 

Soon Cat and I are setting sex marathon records and medaling in the orgasm Olympics, all while staying one step ahead of her former Mr. Wrong. Everything is golden, except for the fact that I’m falling hard for this woman and all she wants is more of Curved for her Pleasure (trust me, the nickname fits).

Now I have to prove to Cat that I’m nothing like the dangerous man she’s left behind, and do it all before our time runs out. Considering her ex is with the mob, if we’re not careful, that could be sooner than either one of us thinks…

Warning: SPECTACULAR RASCAL is a sexy, standalone romantic comedy told from the hero’s point of view. No cliffhanger. Lots of dirty talk.

My Opinion  5 STARS
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is a follow on book from Magnificent Bastard where we first meet Aiden as Bash's best friend and the buddy that helps Bash get back together with Penny.

Aiden is one dirty talking alpha and although he doesn't quite realise it at first he has been in love with Cat from the very begins all those years ago.

The relationship is explosive from the begging and the chemistry is off the pages hot.  Both are a little naughty and nice and both a strong characters in their own right who each have their own slight issues, but who doesn't.

I really loved this book and can't wait to read the next book which involves a lady called Shane who we were introduced to as one of Car's good friends.

This series keeps getting better and better.

REVIEW - The Playboy's Proposal (The Sorensen Family #3) by Ashlee Mallory

The Book
Release Date: 25 July 2016
Goodreads Link

Doctor Benny Sorensen has had it up to here with her party-throwing playboy neighbor. She’s declaring war. She doesn't care how gorgeous or charming he is, he's going down. That is until he proposes something she's not sure she can say no to...

Wealthy ad man Henry Ellison lives an uncomplicated life that revolves around work, women, and partying. In that order. Until Benny storms into his life. To placate his attractive but hotheaded neighbor, Henry offers to help her land a date with the man of her dreams. Only as Henry makes her over and coaches her on the fine art of flirting, he realizes that the idea of this woman in any other man’s arms but his own is unacceptable. But Benny's a forever kind of girl and forever might just be the one commitment he can't make.

Each book in the Sorensen Family series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order. 
Series Order:
Book #1 Her Backup Boyfriend 
Book #2 Her Accidental Husband 
Book #3 The Playboy's Proposal

My Opinion 4 STARS
**My thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is a super cute read and perfect for those of you that like a clean romance as there is only a little kissing involved.

Both characters are well rounded and believable and have only small issues that are overcome with help from others.

The story is well written and flows really well and before you know it you have finished.  I was really glad that Benny and Henry get together and we also see a little more of the Sorensen family from the other books in the series.

Certainly worth reading.

COVER REVEAL - Spectacular Rascal by Lili Valente

Title: Spectacular Rascal

(A Sexy Flirty Dirty Standalone Romance)

Author: Lili Valente

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy

Cover Design: Boot Strap Designs 

Release Date: July 26, 2016

Blurb

A Sexy Flirty Dirty Standalone Romance

F*ck being good. When you’ve been screwed over by Mr. Wrong, let a Spectacular Rascal show you how good it feels to be bad.

My best friend and boss at Magnificent Bastard consulting—get revenge on your ex or your money back—is the smooth, successful New York businessman type. But me? I’m the other guy—the one you don’t bring home to mama. The tattooed, rough-around-the-edges, 100% primal badass. I won’t pull out your chair, sweetheart, but I will pull your hair.

I’ve got what it takes to make sure your dangerous dick of an ex thinks twice before he knocks on your door again.

Or I thought I did, until I meet my latest client: Catherine Jones, a.k.a. Polka Dot Panties. Former college running partner, sexiest woman I’ve ever almost de-virginized, and the only girl I’ve never been able to get out of my damn head.

Now my one-that-got-away is looking up at me with those big green eyes, daring me to take on an ex as dick-ish and dangerous as hers.

Well, you know what they say—it’s all fun and games until you’re making out on top of a mobster’s limousine.

Soon Catherine and I are in deep. We’re on guard, on the run, and on top of each other every chance we get. But outsmarting her mobster ex is the least of my worries, especially when I start thinking our falling hard act isn’t an act at all.

But after all this time, can a guy from the wrong side of the tracks find his forever with the sweet and sexy polka-dot-pantied girl next door?

Warning: SPECTACULAR RASCAL is a stand-alone erotic romance told from the hero’s point of view. No cliffhanger. Lots of dirty talk.

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Author Bio

U.S.A. Today Bestselling author Lili Valente has slept under the stars in Greece, eaten dinner at midnight with French men who couldn’t be trusted to keep their mouths on their food, and walked alone through Munich’s red light district after dark and lived to tell the tale.

These days you can find her writing in a tent beside the sea, drinking coconut water and thinking delightfully dirty thoughts.

Lili loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her via email at lili.valente.romance@gmail.com or like her page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLiliValente

You can also visit her website: www.lilivalente.com

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NEWSLETTER

REVIEW - Son of Thunder by Libby Bishop

The Book
Release Date: 25 July 2016
Goodreads Link

Rune is the grandson of Thor, and just as strong. Exiled to the realm of Earth for nearly killing his brother–it was a little misunderstanding– he has to find a way to redeem himself so he can get back to Asgard. And when he lands—literally—in the bed of a fiery redhead with an FBI badge, he realizes that she may be the key to going home. But helping Liv hunt a killer has one big consequence—chemistry. He can’t keep his hands off her, and there’s no way they can ever be together.
Six years ago, FBI Special Agent Liv Winter’s best friend was murdered. Since then, she’s taken a two-week vacation around the anniversary of the death to try and solve the case. She’s used every available resource. Yet, her friend’s killer is still on the loose. She refuses to give up—willing to do almost anything to bring the person to justice.
Apparently, almost anything includes trusting a god. And while she might need Rune’s help with her case, there’s no way she’ll ever trust him with her heart. 

My Opinion  5 STARS
**My thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

Hmmm a dirt talking alpha god?  Sign me up!!

This book had me from the words, 'Grandson of Thor'.  It didn't disappoint in that it had a fair amount of norse mythology and the fact that he actually acted like a god might.

Rune was kinda cute in the way he boggled Liv's body and the way in which he explained what he could whilst trying to keep the godly secrets that he was unable to spill.  He helps Liv with a cold case she has been working on for years, purely to earn his place back in Asgard after a little disagreement with his brother.

Liv finds she has no option but to trust and take the help of the god that lands on her in her bed.  The attraction between them is strong and the love of the hunt keeps their emotion heightened and the lust turn into much more very quickly.

Its a very fast paced, but cute read that had me wanting so much more and desperately hoping that this is going to be the start of a series.  I could read so many more of these :)

REVIEW - Steadfast (True North #2) by Sarina Bowen

The Book
Release Date: 12 July 2016
Goodreads Link

She’s the only one who ever loved him—and the only one he can never have.

Jude lost everything one spring day when he crashed his car into an apple tree on the side of the road. A man is dead, and there's no way he can ever right that wrong. He’d steer clear of Colebury, Vermont forever if he could. But an ex-con in recovery for his drug addiction can’t find a job just anywhere.

For Sophie Haines, coming face to face with the man who broke her heart is gut-wrenching. Suddenly, he’s everywhere she turns. It’s hard not to stare at how much he’s changed. The bad boy who used to love her didn’t have big biceps and sun-kissed hair. And he’d never turn up volunteer in the church kitchen.

She knows it’s foolish to yearn for the man who returned all the heartsick letters she wrote him in prison. But the looks he sends her now speak volumes.

No one wants to see Sophie and Jude back together, least of all Sophie's police chief father. But it's a small town. And forbidden love is a law unto itself. 

My Opinion  5 STARS
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

Another epic book in this series, however the book can be read as a stand alone.

We met Jude in book one but he was very quiet and didn't say too much.  However here we get his true story as to how he came to be in prison and a recovering addict.

Sophie is Judes ex-girlfriend, but things soon change in that status as even now with everything between them they cannot keep from gravitating from each other, especially with Jude trying to stay on the straight path.

Incidents happen and Jude does some good, however he does end up needing help of others that he calls friends, he even makes friends with a vicar.

This book had me crying at times, its a well written book about a hard subject.  Drug addiction and how it can damage lives, but happy endings came be found at the end.

I really enjoyed the book and thought that the subject matter was handled really sensitively.

REVIEW - Married By Contract by Noelle Adams

The Book
Release Date: 20 July 2016
Goodreads Link

Three years into a five-year marriage of convenience, Jenn finds herself wanting something she never thought she'd want from her laid-back, ex-military husband. Sex--as a much-needed release of tension from her high-stress job. But weekly sex with Nick, despite their careful parameters, is likely to get messy eventually. 

Ever since her father walked out on her as a child, Jenn knows never to assume the people she loves will stick around, so she's not about to trust Nick with her heart. She vows to stay strong, no matter how much intimacy develops between them in bed. 

But what starts as a tension-reliever soon becomes so much more, until it threatens both their practical arrangement and the heart Jenn has worked so hard to keep safe.

My Opinion  5 STARS
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is a short and sweet novella that starts three years into an arranged marriage by two people who grew up in the same town, but got married for different reasons.

Nick needed funds to start his PI business and Jenn wanted a marriage without the emotional mess.

However with Jenn continually getting headaches as she works too hard, Nick offers to give her a massage, but only if she comes back before 6pm each night.  But massages soon turn into something more.

Contacts change, and so does the dynamic of their relationship very quickly, where they find they need each other more than they thought.

There is no major conflict, however it is more a slow realisation that this is what they want and they want each other in the full terms of man and wife.

Its a cute, but quick read.

REVIEW - Going All In (Heat Wave #4) by Alannah Lynne

The Book
Release Date: 30 September 2014
Goodreads Link

A good ol’ Georgia boy teaches a Myrtle Beach princess how to get down and dirty…

It’s been two years since Callie Holden helped put her father in prison, and since then, she’s learned a lot about life and herself. To Callie’s surprise, she actually likes working and has learned money is a tool to be used for good… or evil. She also realizes that even though she’s traveled the globe, she’s never truly lived. She longs for adventure and to experience a wildly passionate romance. The last place she expects to discover her dreams is in the arms of the ever-surly man she’s dubbed “The Beast.” But when they’re forced to work together, unexpected chemistry changes everything. In Wade Neumann’s arms, Callie finds the excitement and passion she’s been looking for, as well as a few other surprises.

Wade Neumann has spent the last year burying the pain and humiliation of being left at the altar by a woman who used him as a novelty toy before settling down with someone like herself—someone rich. He’s lost himself in a stream of nameless females, but instead of the trysts helping him heal, he’s only grown colder and more jaded. He hasn’t moved on with his life. He’s merely stuck going through the motions… until he meets Callie Holden, a woman who looks like his ex but is actually the opposite—sweet, compassionate, loyal, and most importantly, not rich. Or so he thinks. Because just as he starts to believe things with Callie are real and true, she gives him thirty million reasons to doubt all over again. (l

My Opinion  5 STARS
I really enjoyed this book.  It has taken me a while to be able to get back to this series but Callie's story was well worth the wait.

Callie starts off as a bit prudish and stuck in her previous ways, but she wants to branch out and become someone she can be proud of.  We get to see her metamorphosis from shy to bold and taking what she wants from Wade.

We met Wade in Kevin and Sams story where he was dumped by his finance just one week before his wedding.  He has a few hang ups to work through, however Callie's sweet nature and innocence tempt him back to the living like no other has.

We also get to see that both characters are loyal to their friends and have large hearts that are easily hurt, yet they are both able to see deeper than a lot of other.

I would recommend this series to other readers.