Monthly Archives: January 2015

Wicked Weekend/Reckless Nights by Karen Erickson-a review

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WICKED WEEKEND / RECKLESS NIGHTS by Karen Erickson-a review

Vegas Nights banner

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Wicked WeekendWICKED WEEKEND
(Vegas Nights .5)
by Karen Erickson
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

FREE ebook: Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 23, 2014

What happens in Vegas…could be a fantasy come true.

Between nursing school and starting their careers, Reagan, Andrea and Natalie have had no time for dating. After saving up for a special vacation, they’re on their way to Vegas for a long-awaited weekend of fun, sun, gambling and partying.

When their luggage goes missing, an impromptu shopping trip leads them to James, who makes them an unusual offer—to be part of the female scenery at his boss’s upcoming party. Not just any scenery, but women who are pretty in a real way, not the nipped, tucked and dyed Hollywood version.

Accept a “private party” invitation from a complete stranger? These ladies weren’t born yesterday. Yet before “no thanks” crosses their lips, Reagan discovers who James’s boss really is: Declan Carter, an actor she’s crushed on for, well, forever. Now she’s determined to be the eye candy who catches Declan’s eye. No matter what it takes…

Warning: Epic shopping trip results in meeting hot men. It is recommended that all credit cards be placed out of reach before reading.

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REVIEW: WICKED WEEKEND is the first installment in Karen Erickson’s adult, contemporary Vegas Nights erotic romance series. This is the introductory storyline that sets up the series and acquaints the reader with Reagan, Andrea and Natalie-three ER nurses whose weekend in Vegas is everything and more. When a mysterious and very flamboyant stranger invites the three friends to a celebrity party, they have no idea their futures are about to unfold.

Karen Erickson sets the stage for VEGAS NIGHTS-three friends thrown into a world of celebrity parties and one night stands. Each will get their happily ever after but not before coming face to face with the man of their dreams.

WICKED WEEKEND is a very quick read; a teaser of what is to come. And it’s FREE !!

Reviewed by Sandy

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Reckless NightsRECKLESS NIGHTS
(Vegas Nights #1)
by Karen Erickson
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 13, 2015

Sometimes dream crushes do come true.

Vegas Nights, Book 1

Reagan can’t believe her luck—and not in a good way. One minute she’s hanging out with her friends at an exclusive party in Las Vegas. The next, she’s attracted the attention of a famous actor. Not just any actor. Declan Carter, the man on which she used to—okay, might still—have a fangirl crush. Whose blue eyes leave her embarrassingly tongue tied.

All Declan wants is to meet a nice, normal woman who won’t use him as a stepping stone to fame. Something about Reagan tells him she could be that rare woman, and he follows his instinct to invite her back to his suite—where they proceed to have wild monkey sex. All. Night. Long.

What was supposed to be one night of no-regrets sex stretches out into a blissful weekend of two people who can’t get enough of each other. But when the glamour of Sin City wears off, they’re standing on the edge of a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn a weekend fling into something lasting. Will they take the jump?

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REVIEW: RECKLESS NIGHTS is the second novella in Karen Erickson’s adult, contemporary, erotic romance Vegas Nights series. This is actor Declan Carter and E.R. nurse Reagan’s storyline.

The focus follows a one night stand between Declan and Reagan. Declan’s star has fizzled. His previous drug and alcohol use has left him a has-been with the Hollywood crowd. But a clean start is on the horizon for Declan-a new movie that will hopefully show the world he is a better man. Enter Reagan-an E.R. nurse he meets in Vegas and a woman with whom Declan will see the promise of the future. The love scenes are erotic and hot.

RECKLESS NIGHTS is a story of insta-lust/love. Introduced at a private party by the mysterious James, Declan and Reagan are immediately attracted to one another but both are a little hesitant for a one night stand. Declan needs to keeps his new image clean and Reagan does not need to have her heart broken by her Hollywood crush. A night of passion and sex finds our couple committing to an ongoing relationship once Declan finishes the next six weeks of filming. When Reagan does not hear from the man of her dreams, her heart may be broken but the adage-what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas-is her new motto and friend.

The secondary and supporting characters include Declan and Reagan’s best friends who have hooked up together as well: Noah and Natalie, Andrea and Luke, Reagan and Declan. Three couples all introduced by their flamboyant friend and fairy godfather James resulting in three stories about love and a happily ever after. There is a prequel novella WICKED WEEKEND that introduces the characters and James’s role in getting our couples together.

RECKLESS NIGHTS is a fast paced, predictable and erotic storyline. Nothing is off limits between Declan and Reagan-the first steps toward the future are paved with a one night stand and passionate sex.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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You Really Got Me (Rock Star Romance #1) by Erika Kelly-a review

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YOU REALLY GOT ME (Rock Star Romance #1) by Erika Kelly-a review

You Really Got Me

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 6, 2015

Emmie Valencia has what it takes to be the music industry’s hottest band manager. She just needs to prove it. Determined to discover a killer new band, Emmie is ready to make her move. First stop: Austin, Texas.

As a sizzling-hot lead singer, Slater Vaughn has no trouble raising heart rates—but his band’s been flat-lining for years. When Emmie, his bandmate’s sister, crashes with them in exchange for some free management, her industry know-how lands them a spot in the biggest music festival in Texas. But it isn’t just her business acumen that catches Slater’s attention. Emmie is sexy and warm, and—for the first time in his life—he wants more.

But as irresistible as Slater is, Emmie is done with musicians. In her experience, a man can’t be a rock star and someone to trust with your heart—but Slater is determined to show her he’s both.

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REVIEW: YOU REALLY GOT ME is the first installment in Erika Kelly’s contemporary, adult Rock Star Romance erotic romance series focusing on the rock band currently known as Snatch. This is song writer and front man Slater Vaughn and industry assistant Emmie Valencia’s storyline. When Emmie’s shot at a promotion is passed over for someone with less experience, Emmie takes it upon herself to make the up and coming rock band Snatch a household name. What Emmie never expected was to fall in love with Slater Vaughn-a man who would break her heart and destroy her faith in love.

Told from several third person points of view the storyline follows the rise and fall of Slater Vaughn- a talented song writer whose star is on the rise. Enter Emmie Valencia, a woman whose own success has yet to make it in the music industry and the person who would pull her brother’s band Snatch into the spotlight. But like all rising stars, there are people waiting in the wings, riding the road to success and willing to do anything to make it big. As Slater and the boys slowly rise to the top, Emmie realizes that her relationship with Slater will suffer the fall out from notoriety, the media circus and a woman who sees Slater as her ticket to the big leagues.

Already reeling from a disastrous relationship with another rock star, Emmie is unwilling to let her heart be trapped by another wanna be star. Slater’s reputation with groupies and women precedes his introduction to the band’s newest manager, but that doesn’t stop Slater from trying everything in his power to grab Emmie’s attention. Mistakes will be made, jealousy will rear its’ ugly head, and Emmie and Slater’s slow building relationship will take a back seat to all the trappings of a public relations nightmare. The sex scenes are intimate, sensual and spontaneous.

The secondary and supporting characters ( Snatch band members-Cooper, Ben, and Derek) are colorful, well developed and add an emotional depth to the story. Derek is Emmie’s over protective big brother and with good reason when Slater begins to spiral out of control. As the band members ride the ‘high’ of success, too much excess will bring the band crashing back to reality with no apologies. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll is not only a line but a lifestyle that will interfere with music and the band.

Erika Kelly writes an imaginative, no nonsense, gritty storyline about the uglier side of rock and roll. No one is safe from social media gossip; the PR machines work hard to manipulate a reputation that has yet to see the light of day; and one woman will lose her heart to a man who sees himself a failure in the eyes of the people he loves. There are destructive moments of anguish and heartbreak followed by intense passion and provocative love. Erika Kelly will captivate your imagination with her introductory Rock Star Romance storyline YOU REALLY GOT ME.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Illusion (Swept Away #1) by J.S. Cooper-a review

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ILLUSION (Swept Away #1) by J. S. Cooper-a review

Illusion

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 11, 2014

The day started like every other day…

Bianca London finds herself kidnapped and locked up in a van with a strange man. Ten hours later, they’re dumped on a deserted island. Bianca has no idea what’s going on and her attraction to this stranger is the only thing keeping her fear at bay.

Jakob Bradley wants only to figure out why they’ve been left on the island and how they can get off. But as the days go by, he can’t ignore his growing fascination with Bianca.

In order to survive, Bianca and Jakob must figure out how they’re connected, but as they grow closer, secrets are revealed that may destroy everything they thought they knew about each other.

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REVIEW: ILLUSION is the first installment in J.S. Cooper’s contemporary, new adult, Swept Away romantic, suspense series focusing on movie reviewer Bianca London and billionaire Jakob Bradley.

The storyline finds Bianca and Jacob kidnapped and abandoned on a deserted, tropical island. Although our couple did not know one another, it will be revealed that they have more in common than their recent abduction. A few days struggling for food and water find Bianca struggling with her attraction to Jakob. It is only when another stranger mysteriously appears on the island with messages of danger does Bianca begin to suspect that Jakob knows more than he is letting on.

The relationship between Bianca and Jakob is first established by an ‘accidental meeting’ but within a matter of a few hours, Bianca will find herself drugged and abandoned with a man she knows nothing about. Jakob is either her savior or the devil but as the storyline builds Jakob’s presence will become all too readily apparent.

There are some issues with the heroine that cannot go unaddressed. She knows something is wrong beyond the obvious; the man with whom she has been partnered and abandoned on the island continues to push for information and answers as well as revealing some important details that he should not have known. In this, our heroine is ‘too stupid to live’ and places herself in the hands of a man who has lied to her from the start. There are moments of unbelievable stupidity for a woman whose recent life has been centered around uncovering the truth.

The overall premise is easily deduced from the kidnapping and abduction, to the reasons for the secrets and lies but in the end, it still makes for some interesting reading when the truth is finally revealed. The storyline ends on a cliff hanger so beware when you set out on your island adventure.

J.S. Cooper pulls the reader into a suspense filled mystery where the past meets the present; where a father’s love for his daughter is shrouded in lies and deceit; and where a woman’s need for answers finds her facing a mad man whose is willing to destroy everything to get what he wants.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Last Call (Cocktails 4.5) by Alice Clayton-a review

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LAST CALL (Cocktail 4.5) by Alice Clayton-a review

Last Call

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 6, 2015

Simon and Caroline are back for another round of baking, banging, and big life changes. Settling in, but never settling down, Caroline has finally struck a balance between the professional and the personal. As one of the top interior designers in San Francisco, she travels all over Northern California between nook time with Simon.

Perpetual globetrotter Simon has cut his frequent flyer miles in half over the last year, preferring to balance his professional and personal life, as well.

The next step in their lives seems preordained—toasts, veils, and the aisle of rose petals. But when an accident on a photo shoot in Southeast Asia brings Caroline the most terrifying phone call she could ever imagine, she has to ask whether “till death do us part” is a more realistic prospect than faces most couples.

It’s been a grand adventure, and Caroline and Simon wouldn’t go out without the best surprise ending ever. One part sexy, one part laughter, a dash of exotic locales, and one pink nightie, mixed with passion, and you’ve got Last Call. Served with a side of Clive.

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REVIEW: LAST CALL is the latest installment in Alice Clayton’s contemporary, adult Cocktail romance series focusing on a tight knit group of family and friends. LAST CALL is the continuing story of Caroline Reynolds and Simon Parker whom we first met in book one Wallbanger. Each storyline in the series can be read as a stand alone without too much difficulty but for sheer enjoyment I would suggest reading in order.

Told from first person point of view (Caroline) the storyline focuses on a number of scenarios including an upcoming wedding, an impending birth and Simon’s latest photography assignment overseas. We welcome the return of the previous storyline couples : Vivian and Clark; Lucas and Chloe; and all of Caroline and Simon’s closest friends including Caroline’s boss Jillian and her husband Benjamin; as well as Sophie, Neil, Mimi and Ryan as they offer support and love for each couple as they face their futures together.

LAST CALL is an ensemble storyline with a mixture of humorous moments, sexiness, sarcastic innuendo and sass between friends and family that had been missing from the previous couple of stories. The funny banter and one-on-one repartee flows easily and invites the reader into the storyline as part of the fun and excitement. The relationship between friends and family is tight; the support is nurturing; and the love continues to grow with every quirky response and one liner.

If you are looking for a quick and funny storyline with moments of romance and friendship, LAST CALL is a welcome addition to Alice Clayton’s COCKTAIL series.

cocktail series

1. Wallbanger
2. Rusty Nailed
3. Screwdrivered
4. Mai Tai’d Up
4.5 Last Call (January 2015)

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Riskier Business (Crossing the Line .5) /His Risk to Take by Tessa Baily-a review

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RISKIER BUSINESS (Crossing the Line .5) / His Risk to Take by Tessa Bailey-a review

Riskier business

ebook only .99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 5, 2015

One more game. And this time, there are no rules…

After a life of pool hustling and living on the wrong side of the law, Ruby Elliott is living on the straight and narrow with sexy-as-all-hell NYPD detective, Troy Bennett. Now the only trouble Ruby has with the law is the naughty kind, pinned against the wall by Troy’s strict and spectacularly hard body. Obeying his every command. Both of them losing themselves in a lust that borders on obsession…

But then her father returns with an offer she can’t refuse: one last hustle in exchange for information. Information she’d die to have. As the pieces and the players of the game reveal themselves, Troy feels the fine edges of his control slipping—control he can’t channel without hurting Ruby. The stakes are high, and the risk higher. Because losing this final game could cost more than Ruby’s heart…it might cost her life.

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REVIEW: RISKIER BUSINESS is the first installment and novella in Tessa Bailey’s contemporary, adult Crossing the Line erotic romance series-a spin off from her Line of Duty series. This is former pool hustler Ruby Elliott and NYPD detective Troy Bennett’s continuing storyline. We were first introduced to Ruby and Troy in HIS RISK TO TAKE (Line of Duty #2) by Tessa Bailey (May 2013).

Told from third person point of view RISKIER BUSINESS finds Ruby Elliott on the receiving end of an offer she cannot refuse. One final hustle, at her father’s demand, and Ruby will gain some very important information that she has been searching for all of her life. Troy knows that whatever is being offered is not as important as saving the woman that he loves, and he sets out to uncover the truth about what it is Ruby’s father is offering for one last game.While Troy is determined to protect Ruby, our heroine continues to place everyone at risk when she puts her wants above ahead of everything else.

The relationship between Ruby and Troy has already been established. Ruby is a former pool hustler who has recently made good with a successful business venture of her own. Troy is a detective whose love for Ruby is beyond measure and he is willing to risk his own life to protect the woman that he loves. The bedroom scenes are erotic, hot and adventurous. Troy continues to talk dirty whenever sex is involved.

The supporting and secondary characters include Ruby’s best friends and confidants, her receptionist Mya, as well as a few of Troy’s fellow officers. We are re-introduced to Ruby’s over protective, best friend Bowen Driscol, whose storyline is next. The world building pushes the line between right and wrong where most of the players are not quite following the rules.

Reviewed by Sandy

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HIS RISK TO TAKE
(Line of Duty #2 /Crossing the Line)
by Tessa Bailey

His Risk To TakeAbout the book: Release Date May 2013

ebook only .99¢: Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

The greater the risk, the hotter the reward…

Homicide cop Troy Bennett had a reputation on the Chicago PD for being fearless and in control—until the night his daredevil partner is killed during a raid. From that moment on, he swears he’ll never again be responsible for the loss of a loved one. To escape his demons, Troy transfers to the NYPD, bringing him up close and personal with Ruby Elliott, a beautiful, street-savvy pool hustler.

Reckless and stubbornly independent, Ruby embodies everything Troy’s avoiding, but when she walks into O’Hanlon’s Pub and blows his carefully laid plans to hell, Troy knows he has to have her—risks be damned. But there’s a connection between Ruby’s shadowed past and a case Troy’s working involving a notorious Brooklyn felon, throwing her safety into jeopardy. Confronted with his biggest fear, will Troy push Ruby away to keep her safe or fight to keep her in his arms where she belongs?

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REVIEW: HIS RISK TO TAKE is the second installment and novella in Tessa Bailey’s adult, contemporary Line of Duty (Crossing the Line) erotic romance series. This is police officer Troy Bennett and pool hustler Ruby Elliott’s storyline.

Told from third person point of view HIS RISK TO TAKE follows Troy as he begins a seduction of a beautiful but strong willed woman he met on a recent night out with the boys. Ruby is everything Troy wants and everything he shouldn’t touch- a woman with a reputation and a history of illegal gambling with connections to underworld crime. Not only has Ruby grown up on the road but she has also grown up on the hustle. What ensues is Troy’s building relationship with a woman who will be caught in the middle of the NYPD’s latest take down.

The relationship between Troy and Ruby is hot and steamy. Troy is a man who likes control in the bedroom; he likes to talk dirty during sex; and he isn’t afraid to experiment with whatever he finds nearby. Ruby is caught off guard when her attraction to Troy forces her to choose sides between family and love. Ruby is a stubborn and feisty woman whose choices will place everyone at risk and in this, she will cause more problems for Troy than she could possibly imagine-a little bit of Ruby goes a long way for everyone involved.

The secondary and supporting characters include Troy’s fellow officers and the crime family connections to Ruby and her dad. We are introduced to Ruby’s BFF Bowen Driscol-a man whose connection to Ruby is protective and close.

HIS RISK TO TAKE is a fast paced, predictable novella with a hot, sexy cop and a difficult female lead. There were moments of anguish when Ruby continued to defy police orders and Troy’s need to protect-in this Ruby is a difficult character to like. Interfering in a police investigation led to some contentious issues with the man that she was growing to love.

Reviewed by Sandy

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One Night of Trouble /One Night of Sin (After Hours #3 & #1) by Elle Kennedy-a review

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ONE NIGHT OF TROUBLE / ONE NIGHT OF SIN (After Hours #3 & 1) by Elle Kennedy-a review

ONe Night of Trouble

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

About the book: Release Date January 5, 2015

No More Mr. Nice Guy…

The moment AJ Walsh sees the sexy, tattooed pixie walk up to his bar, it’s lust at first sight. He’s always been labeled the “nice” guy―opening doors, buying flowers, and never, ever having one-night stands. But with this wicked little angel with red lips and unfathomably dark eyes? Oh, yeah. Tonight, “nice” has nothing to do with it…

Brett Conlon is trying to convince her family that she’s put away her reckless wild girl side for good. Nothing―and no one―could be better for her reputation than golden boy AJ Walsh. So they make a deal: if he plays The Good Boyfriend for her family, he can be a very, very bad boy with her. Now their one naughty night is about to turn into a whole lot of trouble…

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REVIEW: ONE NIGHT OF TROUBLE is the third installment in Elle Kennedy’s contemporary, adult After Hours erotic romance series. This is former MMA fighter AJ Walsh and tattoo artist Brett Conlon’s storyline. Although ONE NIGHT OF TROUBLE is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. The previous storyline couples play a secondary role and any important information is imparted where necessary.

The focus of the storyline is on the building relationship between SIN Nightclub owner and former MMA fighters AJ Walsh and Brett Conlon. Brett is the only daughter and female tattoist in a family of tattoo artists and she is trying to prove that she is capable of running the family business. But a series of bad relationships and poor choices have left Brett with the title of black sheep. Enter AJ Walsh-a night of erotic and passionate sex-and an offer to pretend to be Brett’s boyfriend for three weeks in the hopes of Brett gaining her father’s support.-to show that she is now a responsible adult by dating a responsible young man. What Brett and AJ never intended was to fall in love with one another.

The relationship between Brett and AJ is passionate, spontaneous and adventurous. The chemistry between our couple is one of immediate attraction and sexy fun. Brett and AJ’s relationship is purely physical-both offer up friendship, companionship and sex without any of the trappings of love and support. But AJ hides a dark past; one that haunts his day to day life; and one that finds him on the periphery of his family’s support. Brett is willing to endure ridicule and heartbreak to help AJ come to terms with a darkened past and family grief.

The secondary and supporting characters include Gage and Skyler (One Night of Sin), Reed and Darcy (One Night of Scandal) and both AJ and Brett’s families. Aj’s estrangement from his family is difficult for Brett to understand and she will risk everything, including the man that she loves, to show that forgiveness and understanding is but a heartbeat away.

ONE NIGHT OF TROUBLE is a sexy, fun, imaginative and spirited storyline. There are moments of heartbreak for a young man who blames himself for decades of grief; followed by an emotional reunion between a son and the family who had no idea their child was in such pain. Elle Kennedy writes a fascinating and hopeful story about two people whose need for one another began as a one night stand but turned into something so much more.

READING ORDER:
1. One Night of Sin
2. One Night of Scandal
3. One Night of Trouble

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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ONE NIGHT OF SIN
( After Hours #1)
by Elle Kennedy

One Night of SinABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 4, 2014

ebook ONLY .99¢: Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Sometimes it’s good to be bad…

When it comes to sex, good girl Skyler Thompson always plays it safe, choosing stable and sedate over wild and thrilling. She doesn’t do one-night-stands, but one look at sinfully sexy Gage Holt and she’s willing to reconsider. He makes her want to be bad for once in her life, and she’s prepared to take what she wants.

Danger follows former MMA fighter Gage Holt like a shadow. Despite his successes as part owner of Sin, an exclusive nightclub in Boston, Gage can’t risk getting involved with a woman, especially one as sweet as Skyler. Still, he can’t resist a taste—and it’s so damn good he has to see her again.

As addicted as he is to her, Gage knows there’s no future for him and Skyler—not with his past lurking in the dark corners of an MMA cage. But Skylar’s tougher than she looks, and she’s ready to fight for her man.

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REVIEW: ONE NIGHT OF SIN is the first installment (and novella) in Elle Kennedy’s contemporary, adult After Hours erotic romance series. This is MMA fighter and night club owner Gage Holt and psychology student/waitress Skyler Thompson’s storyline.

ONE NIGHT OF SIN focuses on the instant attraction between good girl Skyler Thompson and MMA fighter Gage Holt. Gage doesn’t do relationships and Skyler is only looking for sex and fun but their friends with benefits arrangement quickly crosses the line when Gage and Skyler start looking for something more. Skyler is the pursuer and knows exactly who and what she wants.

Gage’s life in the arena has an end date-three more fights and a debt will be paid-but the people in charge are not so easy to let go. When physical threats find Gage fighting for his life, he will push Skyler away hoping to protect the woman with whom he has fallen in love. The sex scenes are erotic and steamy; Gage likes to talk dirty during sex.

We will be introduced to Gage’s partners at SIN-former MMA fighters AJ Walsh and Reed Miller-two men whose stories have yet to be told. Skyler’s roommates and BFFs are colorful, energetic and hoping for see their bestie find love. The world building takes the reader into the underground world of MMA fighting, the nightlife at club Sin, and the dance floor and backrooms where fantasies come true.

Elle Kennedy’s ONE NIGHT OF SIN is a fast paced, energetic and revealing introduction to her AFTER HOURS erotic romance series.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Lost Distinction (Jordan James PI #2) by Rachel Sharpe-a review

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Lost Distinction (Jordan James, PI Series) by Rachel Sharpe-a review

Lost Distinction

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Release Date: November 24, 2014

“It all started with a favor . . .”

When private investigator Jordan James agreed to search for the missing son of a U.S. Ambassador, she didn’t realize she was walking into a case one hundred years in the making. The deeper she delves into this unusual assignment, the more shocking, and the more dangerous, it becomes. With time running out and lives at stake, Jordan must race to identify the culprit of an elaborate plot while also uncovering a far more personal truth too intimate to ignore . . .

••••••••••••••

Lost Distinction is book two of the Jordan James, PI Series by Rachel Sharpe. It can be read as a stand-alone with little trouble. I personally loved having read the first so I knew circumstances referred to better than just the information given, but that’s just my preference. I loved revisiting Jordan and her wonderful world of friends and more.

This case is about her boyfriend, Rich Michaels, cousin. Estranged from distant family members of great power, wealth, and ambition Rick cares for his cousin Arthur, who is missing and concedes to ask Jordan for help.

They are instantly thrust into the lives of Rick’s estranged family. A political and very influential family, Jordan is no stranger to political families with an agenda, however, this one goes much farther than her own experience. The father (uncle to Rick) is Gatlin Cross, U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain. His other cousins include a popular Judge, one is a representative running for a Senate seat, a brilliant surgeon, one a junior partner in a prestigious law firm, and Arthur (the missing) who was a professor.

The area and scenery are descriptive and well researched, both in the U.S. and London scenes. The conversations are interesting, witty and move the story quite smoothly and naturally. As far as romance, there are no sex scenes, so this is an easy read around younger members of your family, and the story does not suffer for lack thereof.
The plot is excellent, revolves around finding the missing Arthur but includes a murder of the brilliant surgeon as well. Great family dynamics of the very influential and wealthy family. There’s humor, love, danger. All that you would expect of a first class mystery. The twists are very interesting and I thought surprising. Author Sharpe also includes a bit of a love triangle in this one, which ends with a will she or won’t she at the end. I for one will be waiting for the next in this brilliant series to find out just what decision Jordan will make about her love.

Grab a good holiday snack, and settle in for a wonderful read. This is one to enjoy, I certainly did.

Copy supplied by author.

Reviewed by Georgianna

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Back to Before by Tracy Solheim – a Review

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Back to Before by Tracy Solheim – a Review

 

Back to BeforeAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
Chances Inlet, North Carolina, has an infamous power for second chances. But its charms are lost on the town’s favorite son—until she comes along…

When his father’s sudden death puts his family’s construction business in serious debt, architect Gavin McAlister is forced to put his dream career in New York on hold. Making matters worse, his fiancée calls it quits. Desperate to return to his big-city life, he discovers an opportunity to save his family, one that has him reluctantly starring in a home restoration TV show.

Former soap star Ginger Walsh hopes this job as a TV makeup artist will lead to better things. So far it’s only brought her to a hamlet full of people who don’t like her—except Gavin. After a wild night out leads to Ginger waking up in Gavin’s loft—and the rest of town talking—the two of them soon wonder if getting back to before is what they want. Because being in each other’s arms certainly feels like what they need…

 

 

Review:

Back to Before by Tracy Solheim is the first book in her new Second Chances series. This was a sweet romance that takes place in a small town in Chances Inlet, North Carolina.   Gavin McAlister is our hero, who has put his career as an architect on hold to help save his late father’s construction business. After the death of his father, Gavin found the business was deeply in debt, which would also cause the possible loss of his mother’s dream B&B. For two years, Gavin has been secretly working to fix things, and do a TV restoration show to bring in money to pay off the debt. His family does not know that when things are fixed, he will sell the construction business, save his mother’s B&B and go back to New York.

But before he can do that, he must force himself to work on the TV show. It is here he meets Ginger Walsh, our heroine, a former soap actress, who is helping the producer of the show. Ginger is hoping to rebuild her career to work as a choreographer, but she has to survive the small town’s dislike of her, based on the character she played on the soap opera. It doesn’t take long for both Gavin and Ginger to become intimately involved, with the promise it will end when the show is over.

This was really a very sweet story about second chances, and a wonderful romance between Gavin and Ginger. When Ginger first arrived with the television troupe, the whole town treated her badly, thinking of her as Destiny, the character she played on the soap opera. What made this such a nice story were the wonderful characters Solheim created. Gavin’s family, which includes his mom, who is having a secret affair with the town’s sheriff; his politician brother, who was bit obnoxious; a teenage girl, who is an outcast at school; Diesel, Ginger’s best friend, and producer of the television show, plus so many more, who play an integral part in this story.

Slowly, as she begins to help with many townsfolk, while staying at the B&B, Ginger will win them over. She also begins to fall hard for Gavin, as he has become irresistible, but Ginger knows she will move on soon. Gavin also cares for Ginger, and enjoys watching the town change toward her. Gavin figures they can keep their secret no commitment relationship going, as soon as he closes the deal and goes back to New York, where Ginger will be working. The wild ending with anything and everything going wrong, will bring things to a head, with all secrets revealed, and best laid plans that do not always work out. You will need to read this fun enjoyable book to find out what happens to many of these wonderful characters, as well as to Gavin and Ginger. Back to Before is a perfect read if you love romance, small towns, great characters, and a great couple.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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