REVIEW - Just My Luck (Shamrock Falls #3) by Kelley Vitollo

The Book
Release Date: 10 June 2013
Goodreads Link

Her friend. Her boss. Her husband?

 Betsy Harris has always known Jace Macnamara was off-limits. Not only is he a close friend, he also happens to be her boss—making him doubly forbidden. Betsy’s too timid to ever admit her crush, nor ‘fess up to the fact that she’s secretly drowning in her mother’s medical bills.

Jace just found out he needs a wife and needs one now. His childhood home—the last reminder he has of his deceased parents—can only become his if he gets married, but Jace, ever the playboy, never dreamed of settling down for real. Neither Betsy nor Jace wants to ruin their friendship when their fake marriage inevitably ends, so they vow to keep things light, professional, easy. But as Betsy comes out of her shell, Jace begins to see his “wife” for the beautiful, caring woman she is. Can he risk their past for a future together?

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

I have been looking forward to Betsy and Jace's story since book one and I was not disappointed.

Betsy has shown us little moments of her character where she can be more outgoing, however we get to see SOO MUCH MORE, yet she still has her very shy moments.

Jace also shows us more of his personality, how giving he is anyhow patient he can be.  He really helped bring Betsy out of herself and stood up for her quite a few times.

A marriage of convenience turns friends into closer friends and then lovers and of course we get a misunderstanding before the great big HEA.

A great finish to the end of the series.

REVIEW - Luck of the Draw (Shamrock Falls #2) by Kelley Vitollo

The Book
Release Date: 13 January 2013
Goodreads Link

Rowan McKinley isn’t looking for one wild night while vacationing in Vegas, but she gets it anyway when she meets professional poker player—and professional ladies’ man—Breck Wilder. Breck’s easygoing charm and lighthearted banter draw in the reserved Rowan, and though she’s always dreamed of the kind of forever love her best friends Sidney and Kade share, she’ll settle for one night with the charismatic player.

After their crazy one-night stand, Breck never expected to see the mysterious redhead again. So when he shows up at a Shamrock Falls B&B looking to get away for a few weeks and Rowan answers the door, he’s floored. Breck’s rolling-stone lifestyle and ill-fated history with women means he’s not interested in anything long-term. But the longer he stays at the B&B, the more he considers dropping the poker face and putting all his cards on the table…for Rowan.

My Opinion  4 STARS
We first meet Rowan in the first book of the Shamrock Falls series called Lucky Break and you could not help but fall for the character even in that book where she was just a secondary character.

Here we first find Rowan in Vegas for a convention but is drinking at the bar because one of her older brothers that is nearby is just too busy to meet up with her.  It is the man that sits beside her (Breck Wilder) who keeps her interest and keeps her talking for hours.

After a one-night stand in which Rowan flees, Rowan goes back home only to find Breck on the doorstop of her B&B a month later after Jace his college friend suggests he stay there for a break.

Both are keeping secrets close to their chest for very different reasons.  Break has problems is trusting woman after a few really bad experiences and Rowan has another kind of secret that will not stay quiet for long.

Shakes is back in this story and we see how close with he and Rowan are along with her other friends.   I'm also glad to we get to see more of Jace and Betsy in this book, just teasing us for book three.

Breck and Rowan spend a lot of time together slowly piecing bits of each other together and finding, that actually, they really like what they see.

Yes we get a little excitement at the end where things go a little pear shaped, but with any book in the Entangled line we get a HEA.

REVIEW - Lucky Break (Shamrock Falls #1) by Kelley Vitollo

The Book
Release Date: 24 August 2012
Goodreads Link

She’ll gamble her heart on the best friend she left behind…

One lucky break is all struggling actress Sidney Williams needs. But when living the LA life becomes too much, she heads back to the small town of Shamrock Falls for the vacation she needs to get her life on track—and immediately runs into Kade Mitchell, her former best friend and the boy next door she’s always regretted leaving behind.

Kade, the new owner of Lucky’s—once the most popular bar in Shamrock Falls—is determined to bring the place back to its former glory, and seeing Sidney again is a distraction he doesn’t need. Sure, the chemistry between them is explosive, but Kade can’t let himself fall into a fling with his best friend—not when he knows she’s soon heading back to the glitter of Tinseltown.

Now, with the possibility of her first major acting role looming, Sidney must decide if her lucky break is in Hollywood or right where she left it—in Shamrock Falls. 

My Opinion  4 STARS
Kelley Vitollo is the pen name for Nyrae Dawn who writes Young Adult books.

This is a very heart-warming friends to lovers story where both characters have moved back home to Shamrock Falls either permanently or temporarily around the same time.

Things in LA are not exactly going as well as Sidney had hoped and she has gone back home after another failed audition and after her current boyfriend dumps her because he has a part in movie in New York.

Both Sidney and Kade used to be the best of friends that you could hardly separate them along with their friend Rowan.  They were the best of friends since about age seven until the day she left town after graduation.

However being in close quarters with each other again, brings out more than just friendly feelings that were only just starting to develop before she left and Sidney also gets her passion back again for sewing.

Kade is a wonderfully soft and protective man who would do ANYTHING for Sidney even if it's going slower than a snails pace and Sidney's aunt Mae sounds like such a lively character.

This book takes you on the journey as two people reconnect and find that the best thing in their lives is not what they thought they wanted, but each other.

REVIEW - A Riveting Affair (Entangled Ever After) by Candace Havens, Lily Lang, Patricia Eimer

The Book
Release Date: 25 March 2013
Goodreads Link

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast
Rose Verney wants to fulfill her father’s dying request: to complete construction of the teleportation device he designed. Knowing just who can help her succeed, she seeks out Sebastian Cavendish, her father’s brilliant former student.Sebastian hasn’t left his home since he returned from the Civil War. He's a broken man, his prosthetics a reminder of the terrible destruction his inventions brought to the battlefield. He wants nothing to do with Rose and her father's masterpiece, but when she barges into his abandoned lab and begins construction, it’s everything he can do to resist getting involved. Especially when she charms her way into his monstrous heart.

The Clockwork Bride
When engineer Aida Mulvaney attends a masquerade ball at the home of a staunch Luddite earl with a personal vendetta against her father’s company, she doesn’t expect to end the night married to the earl’s son Julian Capshaw, a brilliant engineer in his own right. The marriage will allow both of them to pursue their love of science, without interfering parents and ridiculous social stigmas. Though they escape to the Continent to start new lives, Julian’s father will have none of his heir’s disobedience. Before long, a marriage begun for the sake of convenience becomes a union of passion, but will it survive the machinations of an earl determined to destroy everything they love?

Demon Express
Professor Maisy Clark, professional demon hunter, is on the trail of an evil scientist responsible for the deaths of hundreds. Julian is worse than the monsters he creates, but he's also obsessed with Maisy and willing to kill anyone who gets too close to her. Just when she thinks she has Julian cornered, the sexy marshall Jake Calloway insists the investigation is his, and everything goes to hell. Maisy came to Texas to corner the scientist whose macabre experiments have taken so many lives, and Calloway is just another distraction she doesn’t need. Julian is her responsibility, one she’s not about to share. Even if Calloway can help, Julian will know Maisy is falling for the marshall, and she's not willing to risk his life.

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

If you are unsure if the Steampunk genre is for you then these three novellas will help you make up your mind.

All three novella's are amazing, however the only one that did not feel finished was Demon Express and it felt more like it was part of a series that was to be continued.

I had left this book for review for a while and now I see myself reading more of the steampunk genre and I'm not sure why I left it so long.

REALLY worth a read.

REVIEW - Be My Temptation, (Temptation Series, Book 2) by Ruth Cardello

The Book
Release Date: 2 December 2014
Goodreads Link

What would you do if you discovered the man of your dreams was lying to you? 

Would you leave him or would you make him pay? 

When Kate Hale chose between two men, she picked the nice guy. He is every bit as wonderful in and out of the bedroom as she hoped he would be. Until she discovers his secret. He’s the man she wants to grow old with, right after she gives him a taste of his own medicine. 

Brock Foster can’t believe how well everything has worked out. He won the heart of a woman he’s lusted after most of his life and is preparing to propose to her. When a game he thought had finished resurfaces and threatens to tear them apart, Brock must decide exactly how far he’ll go to be Kate’s Valentine.

My Opinion  4 STARS
The previous book left when all was well with the fledgeling relationship with Kate and Brock, however trust is still an issue for Kate and when she discovers the 'other' phone in Brock's draw at work and exactly what it was used for she gets a little angry.

Needlessly to say that the once, almost smooth relationship takes a tumble as not only has Kate to sort out her feelings for Brock, but she wants to get her own back.

Angie her new best friend is there for Kate and gives her advice on the problems, however Kate still does things her own way until she cracks.

Brock is still persistent with his want of Kate and is determined to win her back no matter what he has to do.

"A low chatter spread through the restaurant. Kate looked up from the table and saw Brock, dressed in a ridiculously large set of white feathered angel wings and a jaw-droppingly small white loincloth."

Needless to say the above had me laughing out loud.

With the way the novella ended I really hope that Tyler gets a happy ending.

REVIEW - Not The Marrying Kind by Nicola Marsh

The Book
Release Date: 7 July 2012
Goodreads Link

Who said marriage had to be convenient?

LA party planner Poppy Collins has kept her side business—planning divorce parties as the Divorce Diva—under wraps, but keeping her sister's company afloat is proving tougher by the day. When a new divorce party prospect gives Poppy the opportunity to save the day and boost her bottom line, she can't pass it up. But this time, she's about to get way more than she bargained for…

Vegas golden boy Beck Blackwood knows Poppy's secret, and he's not afraid to use it to get exactly what he wants—a wife. With his reputation and corporate expansion plans on the line, the only way he can repair the damage is by getting hitched, and fast. And if blackmail is the only way to get Poppy to the altar, then so be it…

But they're in the city of high stakes, and Poppy has a few aces up her sleeve. Now it's time to find out if they're playing to win…or if they're playing for keeps.

My Opinion  3 STARS
**My thanks to NetGalley and EntangledPublishing LLC, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is a very easy book to read and is very typical of the blackmailed into a marriage deal, but then they fall in love drama.

Beck Blackwood may act like a hard man, but with Poppy he finds himself entranced by her wit and her sass along with her beauty.

Poppy on the other hand finds that the man is something else completely from what he initially seems.  He shares so much of himself with her that no others see that she can't help but fall for him quickly, and their lust to mega hot sex makes their emotions take a front seat quite quickly.

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH - Forever with Me (With Me in Seattle #8) by Kristen Proby

 

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Release Day Launch for Kristen Proby's FOREVER WITH ME! FOREVER WITH ME is an erotic contemporary romance, and is the final book in the bestselling With Me in Seattle Series!

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Audible ** Kobo

  FOREVER WITH ME Synopsis: From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the With Me in Seattle Series comes the end of a saga… Dominic Salvatore seemingly has everything a man could want. He’s found a new relationship with his father and the entire Montgomery family. His vineyard, Cuppa di Vita, is a success. There’s only one thing that eludes him: a certain driven, intelligent, and sexy as hell blonde named Alecia. Alecia works tirelessly building her event planning business. It’s the most important part of her life. Despite the beautiful, lavish weddings she organizes, Alecia is convinced that the idea of true love is a myth. While Dominic is a sexy, intriguing man, welcoming the handsome Italian into her bed, and her life, is a risk she’s not so sure she’s willing to take. However Dominic isn’t used to taking no for an answer, and it’s not long before these two are burning up the sheets and discovering a connection that neither can deny. But will it be strong enough to last forever? “I’m going to eventually make you understand how amazing you are, tesoro.” – Dominic Salvatore

And don’t forget the rest of the With Me in Seattle Series…

COME AWAY WITH ME

UNDER THE MISTLETOE WITH ME (Novella)

FIGHT WITH ME

PLAY WITH ME

ROCK WITH ME

SAFE WITH ME

TIED WITH ME BREATHE WITH ME

EXCERPT

“You know what rhymes with drunk?” Sam asks. “Sex!” 

“Nuh uh,” Meredith replies with a frown. “But fuck does!” 

“Drunk and fuck do not rhyme,” Mark says with a surprised laugh. 

“It’s closer than sex,” she says defensively. 

“Everything rhymes with sex when you get to have it with an apa,” Jules says. 

“Julianne,” Nate warns her. 

“It’s true!” 

“What’s that like, anyway? I’ve always wanted to know.” “You can’t have sex with my husband.” Jules frowns for a second, then a smile spreads over her gorgeous face. “Well, maybe you can.” 

“No,” Nate replies quietly, “she can’t. No offence, Alecia.” 

“None taken.” I grin at the crazy-hot man. “You’re hot as fuck, though.” 

“He really is,” Jules agrees happily. “And the apa…wow.” 

“Will you get one?” I ask Dominic, just as he takes a sip of wine, and he immediately chokes. 

“Fuck no.” 

“Maybe I’ll have to find someone with one,” I say thoughtfully. “Just to give it a try.” 

“That’s it.” Dominic stands with me in his arms and doesn’t even set me down as he begins to stalk out of the tent. 

“Where are we going?” I look over his shoulder and see the others laughing and watching us leave. I wave happily and they all wave back. 

They’re so friendly. 

“I’m going to teach you a lesson, tesoro.” 

“A lesson?” I giggle and bury my nose in his neck, breathing him in. “I’m kind of dizzy.” 

We pass by the barn. I can hear voices, heavy breathing and Meg giggling. 

“I think we found Meg and Will,” I whisper into Dom’s ear, as he hurries past. 

“Merde, I didn’t need to ever hear that,” Dominic grumbles, making me giggle more. He strides around the store building, where I stood a few hours ago with Jules and Natalie, sets me on my feet, and pins me against the wall. 

“I dare you,” he begins with fire in his bright blue eyes, “to say again that you’re going to go find another man to fuck.” 

“Um, it was a joke, babe.” 

His eyes narrow and his nostrils flare, and I know I’m in big trouble. 

“Are you jealous?” I ask incredulously. 

“Not usually,” he says. “I’m not the jealous type, but what’s mine is mine, Alecia. And you’re mine. What I have with you, I don’t want with anyone else. You’re all I fucking think about.” 

He’s gathering my skirt in his hands until it’s bunched around my waist, and he slips his finger inside the elastic of the crotch of my panties and brushes the lips of my pussy, making me gasp. 

“Dom!” 

“That’s right.” He bites my lower lip, then soothes it with his tongue and pushes his finger farther into my panties. “Me. I’m the only one who can touch you here, or anywhere. This is mine.”


About Kristen Proby: New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.  

Website ** Twitter @handbagjunkie ** Facebook ** Author Goodreads ** FOREVER WITH ME Goodreads

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REVIEW - Twelve Days of Temptation (Temptation #1) by Ruth Cardello

The Book
Release Date: 4 November 2014
Goodreads Link

How far would you go if you were offered a chance to fulfill your secret fantasies?

What would you ask someone to do, if you knew they’d do anything?

After the death of her mother and the abrupt end of her marriage, Kate is desperately unhappy to be spending the upcoming holiday season alone. She vents her frustration in a letter to the one man her mother raised her to believe in—Santa Claus. This year she is rebelliously requesting something guaranteed to raise his eyebrows.

Brock Foster has wanted Kate since they were in high school. When he finds her letter, her Christmas wish becomes his obsession. Winning her will require skill and deception. Brock initiates a game that will bring them together and tear them apart.

Join Kate and Brock as they discover what happens when Santa puts you on The Naughty List.

My Opinion  4 STARS
In this series Ruth Cardello is expanding her writing into the spicy genre more towards Erotic, and boy is this a hot little number that you just can't put down.

Kate and Brock were friends for all of one summer when his father worked in the gardens at her mothers house when she was around eight.  They did everything together including climbing trees and getting dirty much to her mothers annoyance.

However after that everything changed.  Kate was told she had to act like a lady, was sent to the very best of school's that her mother worked hard and long in order to be able to afford and wanted Kate to marry the very best.

Unfortunately things have not worked for Kate.  Her mother has died and her marriage has fallen apart and now she has moved back home to clear out her mothers house and has also written to Santa like she does each year.

Unfortunately the letter falls out of her hand at the post box and it is Brock that picks it up, only to be completely surprised by what is written inside and determined to help her christmas wish come true.

The exchange between Kate and her suddenly found mysterious new Master Elf in charge of the naughty list free's Kate from her inhibitions and also free's her mind into knowing that she always has a choice.

The novella ends on a happy note, but I can't wait to see what happens next in their story.

REVIEW - Aftershock by Jill Shalvis

The Book
Release Date: 1 November 2007
Goodreads Link

DESPERATE TIMES… 

If it hadn't been for the earthquake, Amber Riggs would never have made love to a perfect stranger. And no doubt about it, fire inspector Dax McCall was perfect. Who else could have taught her the meaning of passion at a time like that? 

Still, when Amber ran into him a year later she wasn't sure how he'd react. To her…or their three-month-old baby. She hadn't meant to keep the news from Dax, but he'd been out of town, and she'd been sort of relieved. After all, how do you tell the perfect man he has a perfect baby girl with a woman he doesn't know from Eve?

My Opinion  3 STARS
The first part of this book that focused on both Dax and Amber before they were rescued from the crumbling building were good.  We had a very protective Dax, keeping Amber safe and helping to keep her calm even as aftershocks kept bringing more of the building down over their heads.

The second part, well, it needed a bit more character development.

Dax was a wonderfully sweet and sensitive man who really wore his heart on his sleeve and had a very tender side.  Amber on the other hand was cold and stand-offish and really needed more work for us to really understand what made her like she is.  We needed more internal dialogue as to her emotions and her thinking process and she constantly felt like a cold character pushing Dax away until the end.

I doubt any man would have put up with her hot and cold personality for that long.

I could however have done with an epilogue as the issues with Ambers father were never really resolved and the issue was not properly closed.

A sweet story none the less.

REVIEW - Dear Stranger by Elise K. Ackers

The Book
Release Date: 1 January 2014
Goodreads Link

A beautiful love letter to the most troublesome of holidays...

Soft-hearted Reese Ahearn is single for Valentine’s Day. Again. But that’s not going to stop her from spreading the holiday’s sentiment on the streets of Melbourne with short, sweet, anonymous love letters, left for strangers to find. 

The last thing she expects, however, is a reply…

My Opinion  3 STARS
At just 21 pages this novella really is a short read based around Valentine's day in Melbourne, however there is nothing that really makes you feel that this is based in Melbourne.

It's a really sweet story about a Valentine dateless woman who likes to leave letters to those who do not have a Valentine's to share with, hoping to send them some love.

Ian is one such finder of a letter that she leaves behind her in a coffee shop and is so taken with her kindness that makes his day, he decides to reply and hand her the note in person.

Its a bit of whimsy for the Valentine's holiday short enough to read in your lunch hour.

REVIEW - Mai Tai For Two (Tropical Trysts #1) by Delphine Dryden

The Book
Release Date: 1 May 2014
Goodreads Link

Julie’s Hawaiian Vacay Itinerary!

You and your “work husband” have just won an all-expenses-paid vacation in Oahu.  Now the fun begins…

1.Get lei’d. (With flowers, obvi.)
2.Settle into your gorgeous ocean-side cabin. Contemplate living in Hawaii forever.
3.Become overwhelmed with hideous unexplained jealousy when your bestie decides to make sexy moves on your work-husband, Alan.
4.Dismiss jealousy. After all, you’re not interested in Alan “that” way… are you?
5.Avoid joyous dancing when bestie’s ex arrives, and sweeps her off her feet—leaving Alan completely and totally available.
6.Now you're alone with Alan. Alone. In paradise. Take a deep breath, have a mai tai—or two—and (gulp!) make your move. Be classy.
7."Accidentally" let Alan peek under your grass skirt.
8.Take off grass skirt.
9. Do Incredibly Naughty And Sexy Things everywhere.
10.And do not think about what happens when you and your work husband go back to reality...

My Opinion  4 STARS
This is another friends to lovers story where both have had feelings for each other for years but not done or said anything about it to the other.

Both work in the other and, with the amount of times that they have been each others plus one, they have been named as work husband and wife.

After having won tickets to Hawaii and are able to take a plus one, Julie takes her best friend Amanda, and after offering his tickets to his parents who decline, Alan ends up going by himself.

However even on the first day things take a dramatic turn.  Amanda who has been flirting with Alan finds her ex-fiance has turned up to win her back leaving Julie and Alan together alone in paradise.

Of course after being flirted with by another man, this is where three years of pent up emotions turn Julie and Alan's first night of the holiday into what they believe at first to be a holiday fling.

Both struggle a little with the changes, their emotions and their own heads clouding their judgement, but eventually they both realise that this is a forever thing and that they have been wooing each other since the beginning without knowing it.

A fantastic short beach read.

REVIEW - Tempting Her Best Friend (What Happens In Vegas #1) by Gina L. Maxwell

The Book
Release Date: 11 August 2014
Goodreads Link

A satisfying contemporary romance from Entangled’s Lovestruck imprint…

Alyssa Miller is tired of waiting for her next-door neighbor to see her as more than just his best friend. Ready to let off some steam, she heads to Las Vegas for a romance book convention where, if she's lucky, she’ll get down and dirty with one of the sexy cover models.

Dillon Alexander doesn’t do commitment—especially not where his best friend is concerned. She deserves a man who can give her the world, not damaged goods. But when he realizes Alyssa intends to have a one-night stand on her vacation, he hauls ass after her to make sure he’s the one to scratch her itch.

Neither of them expects their explosive chemistry to burn hotter than the lights on the strip, but with a little help from Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, a flamboyant matchmaker, and TSA, what happens in Vegas might not stayin Vegas…

My Opinion  4 STARS
This is a very quick and easy read as the author has a writing style that seems to work for me.

ITs was funny, full of lust and had some seriously hot scenes once Dillion had in mind what he wanted.  He could put on the hot alpha mask and really wear it.

I loved Trent as a character, very sweet and thoughtful and helped someone he didn't know just because she looked miserable.

The best friends from childhood to the hottest of lovers and married worked for me due to their current living conditions and their very close friendship.  They acted like a married couple without the sex for years.

Dillon and Alyssa made a very lovely couple, and after their hiccups, you know that they are going to be a wonderful couple.

REVIEW - Sleeping with the Boss (Anderson Brothers #1) by Marissa Clarke

The Book
Release Date: 11 August 2014
Goodreads Link

A satisfying category romance from Entangled’s brand new Lovestruck imprint…

Seducing the enemy has never been so tempting…

For the last five years, bookish Claire Williams has been living for the dying. Now that her stint as caretaker is over, she’s off to see the world. She needs quick cash first, so a temp job at Anderson Auctions seems perfect, especially with the unexpected benefits, including the hottest man she’s ever laid eyes—or hands—on. 

Former Marine William Anderson has been burned one time too many. His military training makes him the perfect man to flush out the spy undercutting his family business, but no amount of training can prepare him for the kind of undercover work he’ll have to do when the sexy new temp is implicated. Desire lands them in bed…but duty may cost him his heart.

My Opinion  4 STARS
This book had two very funny characters that really seemed to come alive in the others presence as they played off of each other.

The only thing that was annoying was the almost instant insta-love.

Will Anderson may have been hurt by his previous finance, but with Claire he seemed very at easy from the start and acted more like a teenager rather than the hurt man that came back from Afghanistan.

Claire is a very sweet girl that has put her family ahead of her for years and now finds herself on the cusp of fulfilling her dreams of travelling after having been left a serious amount of cash by her grandparents.

The who-did-it part of the investigation fell very short with me as I guessed instantly who the person in the naughty corner was and was therefore not at all surprised as to who it was and the reasons they had for doing it.

Its a sweet story, but the mystery part let it down somewhat, but I can't wait to read the stories for Michael and Chance.

REVIEW - Mine To Take (Nine Circles #1) by Jackie Ashenden

The Book
Release Date: 25 November 2014
Goodreads Link

First in a brand new series featuring the members of the Nine Circles Club—friends bound together by power, secrets, need…and the love they will find and stop at nothing to keep.　

Passion always comes at a price.

Gabriel Woolf is unstoppable. A ruthless businessman, he has perfected the art of revenge. Ever since his mother’s death, Gabriel has harbored only one wish: To take down the man who ruined their lives. But all bets are off when he meets his father’s step-daughter, Honor St. James. Beautiful and innocent, she is everything Gabriel never knew he wanted—and now there’s no turning back...

Is her desire worth the risk?

Honor wasn’t born yesterday. She knows that Gabriel is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, willing to cross any line to get what he wants…herself included. But Gabriel’s passion for Honor—in spite of her connection to the man he hates the most—cannot be denied…and the feeling is utterly mutual. Can Gabriel be trusted? The only thing she knows for sure is how he makes her feel. And she can’t keep herself from coming back to him, over and over again…

My Opinion  5 STARS

**Copy Provided by Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an honest review**

A brilliant start to this new series from the author.

The book packs a punch with damaged characters, characters that are much stronger than they think they are, strong friendships and blossoming relationships that come from lust to full out love.

This is certainly a series in which I will greatly anticipate the coming of the next book in the series.

BLOG TOUR (Excerpt & Giveaway) - After Forever by Julie Johnstone

SYNOPSIS

A year after her husband’s tragic death, all Lady Julianna Barrows wants is to be left alone and forget that most of her heart went with him when he passed. Instead, she finds herself the subject of many a matchmaking scheme and lurid offer to ease her widowhood, as well as save her fading fortune. Desperate to avoid having to remarry, she takes on a position as a tutor, only to discover that the man she’s helping unexpectedly stirs her heart and passion. Nash Wolverton boxed his way out of the London slums and into immense wealth, but he couldn’t care less about Society’s approval. Except he has his by-blow daughter’s future to consider. To ensure her acceptance into Society, he’ll endure anything―including procuring a tutor to transform him into a gentleman so he can secure a suitable, boring wife. Yet what he wants changes the moment he hires Julianna. She may be a lady, but she’s far from tedious. Bold and compassionate, she is nothing like the women of the ton. Suddenly, she’s elicited a simmering desire in him, and even a longing to love and be loved that he always thought out of his reach. Knowing what he planned to settle for can now never be enough, he vows to win her love. But as the walls she’s built begin to crumble, Julianna’s fears threaten to tear them apart and she alone must decide if protecting her heart trumps breaking Nash’s.

Buy After Forever on Amazon

Add After Forever to Goodreads

EXCERPT

He met Julianna’s worried gaze and smiled. Was she worried for him? That was a first. No, wait. It was a second. She had been anxious for him that night at the ball, as well. Every part of him wanted to learn more about this delicate creature standing before him. Like how she happened to be here. He’d bet his fortune she’d never willingly admit her secrets. 

“I suppose you’re here to seduce me,” he said, forcing a serious, contemplative tone. 

Her lovely mouth parted. “What?” 

“I have to tell you, I’m not one to be easily seduced.” He dropped his voice low, teasing. “But for you I’ll make an exception.” 

“How very generous of you,” she replied with a smirk, high color rising on her sculpted cheekbones.

He purposely yanked his clothes into a semblance of order before catching her gaze once again. He stilled his hands and narrowed his gaze. “Should I be concerned about your dogged pursuing of me? You’re not cracked are you?” 

“I’m beginning to wonder,” she grumbled, forcing him to press his lips together to keep from smiling.

She shoved her hair over her shoulders. “Rest assured I’m not doggedly pursuing you.” 

“How disappointing.” He allowed the truth of his feelings to shimmer at the surface for a moment before lightening his tone. “And here I thought I must have so intrigued you at the ball that you investigated me, learned where I had my country home, and made your way here with your daughter all in the hope of encountering me and trying to talk me into marrying you.” 

The color on her cheeks deepened and spread, rather alluringly, to her chest. Her gaze darted away for a moment before settling back on him. “Actually, I did come here in search of you, though not with marriage in mind.” 

He lifted his brows slowly, even as his blood raced through his veins. He really should not keep teasing her, but it was impossible to resist. “I like how you think, Lady Barrows.” 

Her brows furrowed together before her eyes widened. “I’m not thinking of you like that at all. I don’t even see you in that way. More like a dog in need of training.” 

“Your flattery is rather lethal,” he chided playfully, enjoying the rapid reddening of her lovely skin. 

She pressed her hands to her cheeks while a smile played at her lips. 

“You’re muddling my thoughts.” 

“Dogs can have that effect.” 

“Do be serious.” 

“Do you want me to be a good boy and sit?” 

“No, roll over and play dead,” she said straight-faced. 

He couldn’t stop the bark of laughter that escaped him. 

She grinned in return. “What I meant to say before you befuddled me was, I did come here to find you, but―” 

“Ah, ah, ah.” He wiggled his finger at her. “I find when women insert the word but into their sentences nothing pleasant follows for the man.” 

“Do try and listen.” 

“I am.” His repressed laughter vibrated his words. 

“Are you always this way?” she asked with a laugh. 

“What way is that?” He loved how her eyes twinkled when she smiled.  

“Do you always show so much affection to your daughter and banter so lightheartedly with ladies you barely know?” 

He quirked his mouth as if he were lost temporarily in deep thought. “I do always show an enormous amount of affection to my daughter. I grew up without the benefit of knowing whether my mother or father loved me, and I never want my daughter to doubt my love. And as for bantering with ladies I don’t know, I know you.” That husky sound had crept back into his tone. Something about this woman did that to him. 

Her eyes grew wide so that he could see that gold flecked the green. 

“What is it you think you know about me, Mr. Wolverton?” “Call me Nash.” He wanted to hear his name from her lips. He couldn’t say precisely why―it was another gut desire―and one he’d never experienced. 

She shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly.” 

“You could possibly.” He leaned close as if to whisper a secret. “I’ve just given you leave to do so.” 

“It’s not proper,” she said, her pink tongue darting out to lick her full lips. 

He had a brief image of taking her mouth with his and slipping his tongue inside her warm, beckoning caverns. He had no doubt she’d be sweeter than honey. “Are you always proper, Julianna?” 

Her hand fluttered to her neck. “Yes. I’m rather boring that way. Are you always this improper?” 

“I’m afraid so. I’m rather exciting that way.” He slid one finger down her bare, silken arm from the crook of her elbow all the way to her small hand. Taking her slender, cool fingertips in his he lifted them to his lips, telling himself he shouldn’t and knowing he damn well would anyway. He pressed a kiss to the edge of her fingers, the contact of his lips to her flesh making him ache painfully. 


  ABOUT THE AUTHOR Julie Johnstone is a best-selling author of Regency Romance and the author of a new urban fantasy/paranormal romance book. She’s been a voracious reader of books since she was a young girl. Her mother would tell you that as a child Julie had a rich fantasy life made up of many different make believe friends. As an adult, Julie is one of the lucky few who can say she is living the dream by working with her passion of creating worlds from her imagination. When Julie is not writing she is chasing her two precocious children around, cooking, reading or exercising. Julie loves to hear from her readers. You can send her an email at juliejohnstoneauthor@gmail.com or find her at www.juliejohnstoneauthor.com, or on Facebook at authorjuliejohnstone and juliejohnstoneauthor or at twitter @juliejohnstone.

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REVIEW - Living in Sin (Living In... #2) by Jackie Ashenden

The Book
Release Date: 18 November 2014
Goodreads

Her temptation...his salvation

At twenty, Lily Andrews has already lived a lifetime. Her battle with leukemia put her three years behind her ballet career, and now that the grueling treatment is behind her, she’s eager to put her dancing shoes back on—literally and figuratively.
One man has been her personal light at the end of her tunnel, the one man she’s sure will help her rekindle her passion for life. Kahu Winter. And she’ll let nothing stand in the way of having him—not even Kahu himself. 

When Kahu catches Lily sneaking into his club, the desire in her eyes tells him it’s more than a delayed act of youthful rebellion. Her lively spirit calls to him, but Kahu is too cynical, too jaded, too broken for a sweet young thing like her.
But Lily won’t take no for answer so he’ll make her a deal: She’s got one month to seduce him and after that, he’s moving on—figuratively and literally.
There’s just one thing he forgot to keep out of her reach. His heart…

Warning: This book contains a hot older man in need of some anti-cynicism pills, a snarky younger woman who’s going to get past his defenses and make him beg, more forbidden lust, and naked ballet dancing. Advanced WTFery for experienced users only.

My Opinion  5 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Samhain Publishing for an honest review**

20 year old Lilly is a girl on a mission is this book, and her mission is to seduce the man that has intrigued her since she was a little girl as she want to know what passion is.

We met 39 year old Kahu in the first book.  He is a very jaded man with many issues and has created a massive wall to keep everybody out.  Even to a degree his friends.

Many feelings are expressed through the book and when they eventually get to it, the sex is explosive and that one night changes both  of them.

Its another book that looks a taboo subjects, but gives them a new life in a way that you can't help and fall in love with the characters and believe that they are so right for each other.

Can't wait for the next book.

REVIEW - The Movie Star's Red Hot Holiday Fling by Christine Glover

The Book
Release Date: 24 November 2014
Goodreads Link

Determined to qualify for the fire department's grueling physical, former marine Jessie Sullivan never gives up, despite the pins in her leg. The last thing she needs is a tall, incredibly hot action movie star sharing her gym...and who makes her want to trade in her reps for some sexy physical activity. Of the naked kind.

Blake Johnston is more than just a Big Screen Sex Machine, and he's willing to prove it. Especially to a spirited and sexy ex-marine like Jessie. But when a harmless dare leads to sizzling fireworks, Jessie and Blake's workout ends up generating some serious heat between the sheets. And it's more than Jessie could have imagined. Much, much more.

But flings don't last forever. And in two weeks, Jessie will have to say goodbye to her red-hot Christmas fantasy... 

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

This is a fairly quick novella to read, but the great thing about it is that it is the woman who is the wounded Marine and not the man.  There are not enough of these role reversals in my opinion which makes the read that little bit better.

Jessie is a sassy young woman released from the Marine on medical grounds, yet a year later is still struggling to get over her survivors grief and get on with her life, even if she feels that in order to still serve her country she has to be a fire-fighter.

Blake, a top movie star who has practically been adopted by Jessie's mother is at the family hotel for his sisters wedding and had agreed with Jessie's mother to help Jessie however he can.

A challenge is set between them in the gym, however their sessions end up getting them closer and Blake finds his way through her barriers and bringing her back to life.  

This book gives you lust, laughter and puts a smile on your face.