Monthly Archives: December 2015

The Gilded Chain by Lauren Smith – Review & Giveaway

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The Gilded Chain by Lauren Smith – Review & Giveaway

 

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DESCRIPTION
Explore a hidden world of erotic fantasies, where the greatest pleasures are stolen and the fiercest passions are untamed. . . 

For years, Callie Taylor has been obsessed with two things: a man she can never have and escaping to Paris where she can follow her artistic passions. But everything changes when Callie meets Wes Thorne, a wealthy, mysterious art collector and famous dominant. Despite all the nights she’s spent dreaming of another man, it is Wes’s predatory gaze that suddenly consumes her every thought and sets her body on fire. One touch from him promises unforgettable passion, but Callie knows that passion often comes with a price… 

From the moment he sets eyes on Callie, Wes is intrigued by her artistic talent and her delightful innocence of all things erotic. A stolen kiss leaves him aching and desperate to claim her in a way he’s never wanted any woman. But first he must convince her to surrender her control. And what better place to seduce an artistic soul like Callie’s than Paris? 
 

REVIEW
 
5 out of 5 for this reader folks! 🙂
 
The Gilded Chain by Lauren Smith is the third book in her Surrender series and the one that I was looking forward to the most so far.  I read this series all at once, so I felt like the build up for this third book was a long yummy tease as opposed to reading them on release days and letting time pass by.  I was completely immersed into this world where hot male Dom meets sexy sub, finds their way to each other through heartache, angst and odds.  I have to tell you though, these stories are all tied together perfectly so I do recommend you read this entire series.  There is way too much you will miss if you do not!  
 
Wes Thorne (swoon Wes), is a wealthy art collector, very sexy, unavailable for anything long term, playboy, guarded and a Dom.  No woman has ever kept his attention long term and life is for what he desires, when he desires it.  He makes no apologies for who he is and takes what he wants.  Right now … Wes wants Callie.
 
Callie Taylor is an artist, sweet, innocent, hardworking, talented and very heartbroken.  She has to come to terms with the man of her dreams falling in love with another.  She has sworn off men and decided to strictly concentrate on her art.   When she is literally swept away to Paris, she is completely blanketed in art and an attraction to a man she feels she has no right to be attracted to.  How can she feel this pull to Wes if he heart was supposedly given to another?
 
Thrown together with a dash of mystery, and a whole lot of passion, Wes and Callie explore a BDSM relationship.  Wes feels himself coming alive and well … FEEL!  Callie learns that her heart isn’t as shattered as she thought it to be.  Both learn to let go by indulging in passion via bedroom play and art.
 
HOLY HOT READ!  If you are into erotica and/or BDSM novels, please do yourself a favour and check this series out.  I was completely sucked into the awesome formula of  stunning bad boy and sweet innocent girl falling in love.  I loved the mystery story line that Lauren has included in each novel of this series as well .. AND I am in serious anticipation of  the next book.
 
If you are looking for an indulgent smutty read this holiday season, I highly recommend this one!
 
HAPPY READING! 🙂



Reviewed by Rachel

Copy provided by Author

 

giveaway

Lauren is graciously offering a $15.00 Amazon gift card to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE and Follow Lauren Smith on Facebook

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on TSU for an additional entry.

8. Giveaway open Internationally

9. Giveaway runs from December 8 – December 12, 2015

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Wandering Star by Romina Russell – a Review

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Wandering Star by Romina Russell – a Review

 

Wandering StarAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Orphaned, disgraced, and stripped of her title, Rho is ready to live life quietly, as an aid worker in the Cancrian refugee camp on House Capricorn.

But news has spread that the Marad–an unbalanced terrorist group determined to overturn harmony in the Galaxy–could strike any House at any moment.

Then, unwelcome nightmare that he is, Ochus appears to Rho, bearing a cryptic message that leaves her with no choice but to fight.

Now Rho must embark on a high-stakes journey through an all-new set of Houses, where she discovers that there’s much more to her Galaxy–and to herself–than she could have ever imagined

 

 

Review:

Wandering Star by Romina Russell is the 2nd book in her Zodiac series. Though this is considered a Young Adult book, the concept and story is truly for everyone. In the first book, Zodiac, where we met our teenage heroine, Rho, we learned about the different houses in the 12 galaxies. We learned about the evil Ochus, of the long lost 13th Galaxy, who was slowly destroying them. However, Rho was the only one who saw him in her visions. With the destruction in her Galaxy, causing the death of the Guardian, Rho was elevated to become the Guardian of House Cancer, due to her powers. She took on the mantle to alert all the houses with the help of a select few, but distrust and failure cause everything to backfire, and Rho was sent home in disgrace.

In Wandering Star, we find Rho working quietly in House Capricorn with her brother and their friend Aryll. A month has passed, when friends from House Sagittarius come to Rho and ask for help. War is on the horizon, and the Marad are threatening to destroy all. To her surprise, during her mediation, Ochus comes to her for help and a warning. Does she believe him, after all he has done to her, her friends , family and other houses?

Rho, with Aryll and Hysan (I really love him, but she is still stuck on her feelings for him and Mathias), leave for Sagittarius to meet up with her friends, Nishi and Deke. What follows is an exciting, action filled and interesting adventure that will be filled with betrayals, danger, death and mistakes that Rho must learn to rise from. Rho has a hard time accepting the challenge, especially after the shaming at the end of Zodiac. But there are those still out there who believe in her, and it is this trust that will allow her to rise again to unite all the houses in the face of this war.

There were many surprises and twists throughout the book, especially with all the deaths and betrayals, some of which was very sad. Rho, who works hard to bring the houses united, must also learn to believe in herself, in order to win this war. Most of all she needs to resolve her own dilemma of loving two men; one from her own house, and the other from a different house. I know who I would choose 🙂  but much will depend on the outcome of the war, and her freedom to be able to choose.

Romina Russell amazes me how she does this world building, with all the galaxies, the different characters, complicated rules, and yet make us believe in it all. Wandering Star was a very good read, and I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Misconduct by Penelope Douglas-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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MISCONDUCT by Penelope Douglas-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

 

MISCONDUCT
by Penelope Douglas
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: December 1, 2015

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2015

Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students and trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn’t important. She can’t let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing…

Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet…there is something about him that draws Easton in—a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn.

Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton’s resolve—and reveal what should stay hidden…

(*STANDALONE, NO CLIFFHANGER*)

•••••

REVIEW: MISCONDUCT is a contemporary adult, stand alone erotic romance novel by Penelope Douglas focusing on former tennis player / private school teacher Easton Bradbury, and billionaire businessman/single father Tyler Marek’s storyline.

Told from dual first person points of view (Tyler and Easton) MISCONDUCT focuses on the building relationship between Tyler and Easton. Six months earlier at the annual Mardi Gras ball, Tyler and Easton met and spent a few hot and sexy minutes in one another’s arms never exchanging last names or personal information. Fast forward to present day where Easton comes face to face with one of her new student’s father-Tyler Marek-a man who is ten years her senior and who pushes all of Easton’s buttons-both good and bad. What ensues is an anger filled personal attack against one another, head butting and public clashes for no other reason than the sexual tension that has been building for months and the potential for a taboo relationship between the teacher and a student’s father who radiates power, control and misdirected rage.

Easton is a former tennis protégé whose career died when tragedy struck her family leaving Easton in a world of controlled and obsessive chaos. Tyler Marek is a single father struggling with a teenaged son who wants nothing to do with his absentee father. Tyler is a man vying for the state senate, and a man whose need for Easton shatters his formidable control. Together our couple tries to keep secret their forbidden romance but love has a funny way of making itself known to family, friends and the power elite. The $ex scenes are erotic, intense and seductive. The world building focuses on the political power builders, single parent/family struggles, and the taboo of a forbidden love.

I had a couple of issues with the storyline: Easton’s dark and damaging past revisits in a new incarnation and with it comes a plot twist, out of left field, that I felt was unnecessary and out of place to the overall premise-there was no reconciliation to this particular revelation-only more questions. Another issue I had was the relationship between Easton and Kristen-a fellow teacher at the private New Orleans school. Once again, a change in direction, and a definite red herring, that added nothing to the original plot but more unanswered questions.

MISCONDUCT is a story about forbidden romance, family, loss, obsession, jealousy and love. There are moments of heartbreak and sorrow; moving forward and letting go. The characters are well developed, colorful, dynamic and intense-Tyler’s fourteen year old son Christian is a young man who wants his father’s love but is unsure where he belongs in his father’s life; the romance is filled with sexual tension, chemistry, emotion and love; the happily ever after is the stuff of fairy tales. MISCONDUCT is raw, aggressive, and electrifying.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

 

Attendees laughed and danced inside, while the two of us, alone in the cold night with only a few other people lounging around the large balcony, carried on with our stolen moment.
“I should really get back, though,” I suggested, pulling away.
My brother was no doubt looking for me.
But he reached out and grabbed my hand, narrowing his eyes. “Not yet,” he urged, looking behind me toward the ballroom.
I stopped, not making a move to take away my hand.
He stood in front of me, his chest nearly touching mine.
“You’re right,” he whispered, his breath falling over me. “I don’t really like a lot of those people, and they don’t really know me.” His voice turned hoarse. “But I like you. I’m not ready to say good night yet.”
I swallowed, hearing the soft trickle of a slow jazz tune drifting out from the ballroom.
“Dance with me,” he commanded.
He didn’t wait for a response.
Sliding a hand around my waist, he guided me in, and I sucked in a sharp breath, my body meeting his for the first time.
Raising my arms, I put my right hand on his shoulder and my left hand in his as I let him lead me in a small circle, remaining in our own small, private space. Chills broke out down my arms, but I didn’t think he noticed.
I let my eyes fall closed for a moment, not understanding what made him feel so good. My hands tingled and my legs felt weak.
There was rarely ever a time when I felt drawn to a man. I’d felt attraction and passion, and I’d enjoyed sex, but I’d never opened myself up to someone long enough to connect.
Now I found myself not wanting this evening to end any way other than in his arms.
That’s where I wanted this to go. I didn’t need his name, what he did for a living, or his family history. I just wanted to be close to someone and feel good, and maybe that would be enough to satisfy me for the next few months until I needed someone again.
Shaking my head slightly, I tried to clear my thoughts.
Enough, Easton. He was good-looking and interesting, but I didn’t see anything in him that I hadn’t seen in any other man.
He wasn’t special.
Looking up, I asked, “You’re not enjoying the party, so what would you rather be doing right now?”
He shot me a small, sexy smile. “I like what I’m doing right now.”
I rolled my eyes, covering up how much I also liked him holding me close. “I mean, if not this?”
He twisted his lips, looking me over like he was thinking. “I’d be working, I guess,” he answered. “I work a lot.”
So he’d rather be doing work than schmoozing and drinking at a Mardi Gras ball? I dipped my head, breaking out in a laugh.
“What?” He pinched his eyebrows together.
I met his eyes, seeing the confusion. “You prefer work,” I stated. “I can relate to that.”
He nodded. “My work challenges me, but it’s also predictable. I like that,” he admitted. “I don’t like surprises.”
I instantly slowed, nearly stopping our dance.
I said the same thing all the time. I never liked surprises.
“Everything else outside of work is unpredictable,” I added for him. “It’s hard to control.”
He cocked his head and brought his hand up to my face, running his thumb along my cheek.
“Yeah,” he mused, leaning in while his hand circled the back of my neck possessively. “But there are times,” he said softly, “when I like to lose control.”
I closed my eyes. Jesus.
“What’s your last name?” he asked.
I opened my eyes, blinking. My last name? I had kind of liked keeping specifics off the table. I didn’t even know his first name yet.
“Easton?” he pressed.
I narrowed my eyes. “Why do you want to know that?”
He stepped forward, charging me slowly and pushing me backward. I had to keep backing up so as not to fall. “Because I intend on getting to know you,” he said. It sounded like a threat.
“Why?”
“Because I like talking to you,” he shot back, his voice thick with a laugh he was holding in.
I hit the wall behind me and stopped, glancing over at the people sitting at the table across the balcony.
He closed the remaining distance between us and dipped down until his face was a couple of inches from mine.
I locked my hands behind my back, instinctively tapping the wall with my fingers and counting in my head. One, two, three—
“Do you like me?” He cut me off, a playful tilt to his lips.
I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. I turned my head, but I knew he saw it anyway.
“I don’t know,” I answered casually. “You might be too much of a gentleman.”
The corner of his lips curled, looking sinister, and he threaded his hand around the back of my neck and through my hair, gripping my waist with the other and pressing his body to mine.
“Which means I’m still a man, only with more skill,” he whispered against my lips, making my breath shake. “And there’s only one place I won’t be careful with you.” 

 

About The Author

Penelope Douglas is the author of the New York Times bestselling Fall Away series. She has her Masters of Science in Education from Loyola University in New Orleans and she currently lives in Las Vegas with her family.

Website: www.penelopedouglasauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PenelopeDoug…
Twitter: www.twitter.com/PenDouglas
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/penelopedoug…
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/PenDouglas
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1A8hUBX
Instagram: @penelope.douglas

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Coming Apart at the Seams by Jenna Sutton – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Coming Apart at the Seams by Jenna Sutton – Review & Giveaway

Coming Apart at the Seams

coming apart at the seamsAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Love can take some time to break in…

Teagan O’Brien, heiress to the Riley O’Brien & Co. denim empire, is anything but a spoiled rich girl. She’s worked hard to secure her place in the family business and can hold her own, in and out of the office. Only one man has ever been able to get under her skin—sexy football star Nick Priest. Years ago they crossed the line from friends to lovers, but he left her heartbroken. Since then, she’s been determined to keep him at arm’s length—no matter how tempting he looks in his jeans…

Nick has fortune, fame, and looks that make most women hot and bothered. But he doesn’t have the woman he really wants. He knows he screwed up when he walked away from Teagan, and now that he has a second chance, he’ll do whatever it takes to win her over—no matter how tongue-tied he gets…

 

 

Review:

Coming Apart at the Seams by Jenna Sutton is the 2nd book in her Riley O’ Brien & Co. series. Teagan O’Brien is our heroine in this book; she played a big part in the first book. Teagan is now fully working for Riley O’Brien, and to her dismay, she finds out that Nick, the man she loved and lost was coming to work for the firm.

Nick Priest is a famous pro football player, who is best friends with Quinn and Cal (Teagan’s brothers), and he is also a heartrob. Nick knows he hurt Teagan years before, but he is determined win her back; all he wants is a second chance. But even if their chemistry is scorching and she can’t resist him sexually, Teagan hates him now. Nick also doesn’t talk a lot, as he has a stuttering problem, which he tries to hide. Teagan never really notices it, as Nick seems to be a one word man.

The story then flips to the past, when Teagan was in law school in Boston, and Nick is traded to the Boston team. Nick always considered Teagan his best friends younger sister, and when he sees her again, she is all grown up. He finds himself visiting Teagan often, just being friends. Teagan has a crush on the gorgeous and sexy Nick, but understands they are just friends, and they enjoy each other’s company. Their friendship was very nicely done, even though you can see that Nick is having a hard time not being turned on by the luscious Teagan. We do hear his private thoughts, which he is desperately trying to control, as he does not want to lose her friendship, not to mention all the O’Brien family members.

Then one night, both give in to their lustful feelings, with Nick leaving in the middle of the night. Teagan realizes she loves Nick, but after a week or two passes without hearing from him, she goes to see him. What Nick tells her breaks her heart, and shortly thereafter, when she tries to contact him as a friend, he does not answer her calls. Why did Nick turn her away? Will Teagan ever forgive him for breaking her heart?

What follows returns to the present, where Nick is doing everything in his power to make Teagan let him explain, and forgive him. She refuses to listen to him, and does her best to be able to work with him and still ignore that she still has feelings for him.

This was a very good, fun story, and a sweet romance. I did think too much time was spent in the past, and as much as I loved Nick, I was not thrilled with his actions at times (Sex is not the only answer to win Teagan back). I loved Teagan in the first book, and continued in this one. It was great to spend time with the O’Briens again. I look forward to the next book in this series, which is expected to be Cal’s story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Guest post-White and Red

Communication is the Secret Ingredient
By Jenna Sutton

It’s no secret that communication is secret ingredient to long and happy relationships, especially romantic relationships. Decades of research proves that couples who communicate well are happier and stay together longer.

But just because we know how important communication is doesn’t mean we’re good at it. The health and longevity of a relationship is based on effectively communicating thoughts and feelings in ways that our partners can understand and digest.

Here’s a question for you: Do you consider yourself a good communicator? Better yet, does your romantic partner think you are?

A few years ago, Terri Orbuch, a psychologist and author of Finding Love Again: 6 Simple Steps to a New and Happy Relationship, conducted a massive study while she was at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, surveyed divorced men and women, asking them what contributed to the break up and what they would change in their future relationships.

The study found that communication style was the number one thing the study participants would change. More than 40 percent said they would communicate differently (I’m curious about the percentage who said they wished their partner communicated differently).

I find the whole concept of communication intriguing, primarily because we all communicate differently and there are different forms of communication. Verbal communication, which involves both talking and listening, is the most common, yet some people are better at expressing themselves verbally than others.

Most of us consider the ability to speak as a given. We learn to talk when we’re babies, and hopefully, as we grow older, our vocabularies expand, and we learn to speak with purpose.

For most of us, the challenge isn’t talking, but talking too much. The opposite is true for Nick Priest, the hero of my new romance, Coming Apart at the Seams. Nick has a speech impediment that makes talking difficult—a severe stutter that no amount of speech therapy can cure.

Nick’s stutter impacts every aspect of his life, from his career choice to his personal relationships. As a wide receiver in the NFL, he relies on his body to do get the job done. His ability to run, jump, and catch a ball is what makes him successful.

But when it comes to personal relationships, Nick has a hard time connecting with people. Teagan O’Brien, the heroine of Coming Apart at the Seams, is the exception. She gets him in a way that other people don’t, and they’ve known each other for a long time because she’s his best friend’s little sister.

Here’s how Nick describes their communication style: “They had established a weird conversational rhythm he’d never experienced with anyone else. He could say one word, and she’d fill in the blanks, making it easy for him to communicate with her.”

Inevitably, Nick and Teagan cross the line from friends to lovers, and he breaks her heart. But when he finally realizes how badly he messed up, persuading Teagan to give him a second chance isn’t easy because she’s stopped listening. She doesn’t “hear” him anymore.

Nick has to figure out a way to let Teagan know how he feels. Fortunately, talking isn’t the only way to communicate—there’s also non-verbal communication like kissing and touching. And he’s really, really good at those things!

How would you rate your non-verbal communication skills? I think mine are quite excellent. For example, tapping my foot to communicate my annoyance is very effective, with my husband, at least. This habit, excuse me, this skill, is one that Teagan and I share.

Coming Apart at the Seams is the second book in the Riley O’Brien & Co. series, following my debut novel, All the Right Places. If you’re looking for a book that features deep friendship, intense passion, sizzling sex scenes, life-altering mistakes, and second chances, I hope you’ll read Coming Apart at the Seams. Visit my website at jennasutton.com to read an excerpt.

 

About The Author

jsuttonauthorphotosmall

Jenna Sutton spent most of her career as an award-winning journalist covering business-related topics including healthcare, commercial real estate, retail, and technology. Nowadays she writes about hot, lovable guys and the smart, sexy women who make them crazy. It’s the culmination of a lifelong dream, and she feels so lucky to be able to do it.

Jenna has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Texas Christian University and a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University. She and her husband live in Texas in a 103-year-old house affectionately known as “the money pit”.

You can learn more about Jenna at the following links:
website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads



giveaway
Jenna’s publisher is offering a paper copy of COMING APART AT THE SEAMS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

6. Please LIKE us on TSU for an additional entry.

7. Follow Jenna Sutton   on Facebook.

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from December 7 – 11, 2015

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Razor Sharp (Raney and Levine #6) by J.A.Schneider-a review

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Razor Sharp (Raney And Levine #6) by J.A.Schneider-a review

Razor Sharp

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

About the book: Release Date October 25, 2015

A young woman is found brutally attacked with a straight razor, her cruel facial mutilation the only link to three other horrific murders: a transgender woman, a transvestite, and a 17-year-old hustler. So nasty are those three born-male kills that the psychopath seems to be saying, they’re all males…

FROM HELL he scrawls, taunting the NYPD with the original Jack the Ripper’s 1888 letter to the police. This killer is cunning: wears gloves, disguises, and leaves no physical evidence. At a loss, the police ask “one small favor” from physicians Jill Raney and David Levine, friends and – until now, detectives on their own. “No warrant? No problem!” had been their mantra…until their relationship with the cops led to exhaustion and conflict.

But they share the horror that grips the country and agree to help, thus plunging into an unimaginable and terrifying maze of psycho-sexual obsession and madness.

Review:

Razor Sharp begins with the horrific murder of a young woman by an unknown assailant. The attack was as brutal as it was horrific. When the cops needed help, they once again called Drs. Jill Raney and David Levine. The couple has become friends with the cops and have a knack for getting unattainable information out of certain individuals. Even though Jill and David were taking a week off, they agreed to help once they saw the crime scene. Things happen pretty quickly from that point on.

Jill and David talk to a therapist who had treated the young woman and were able to obtain some crucial information about the victim as well as a couple of others who were associated with her. Even though the therapist was leery of giving names, he knew he had to help out to keep others safe. Unfortunately for everyone, the killings escalated and everyone was doing their best to track down the murder, who was touting himself as another Jack the Ripper.

Eventually, persons of interest are brought in to be questioned which almost leaves more questions than answers. But, as the cops, and namely Jill and David, delve into the secret lives of people connected to the victims, what they find will shock them to their very core.

Razor Sharp is another well written story by J.A. Schneider that grabs your attention from the very beginning. There was a surprise in this one that has to do with their miracle baby, Jesse, which has left me wondering just what direction this series is going. And, if I’m being honest, I can’t wait to find out. Jill and David, as well as the cast of supporting characters, are very relatable and I enjoy the banter. Once again, if you’re looking for a fast paced and suspenseful medical mystery, this is the series for you. Well done, J.A. Schneider!

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Vickie M

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Resolution (Swept Away #3) by J.S. Cooper-Review and Giveaway

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RESOLUTION (Swept Away #3) by J.S.Cooper-Review and Giveaway

Resolution Banner

Resolution
Swept Away #3
by J.S. Cooper
Genre: new adult, contemporary, romantic suspense
Release Date: December 1, 2015

Resolution

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2015

When Bianca and Jakob first awoke on a sandy shore in the middle of nowhere, their thoughts were only concerned with survival. But as they explored their surroundings and tried to find out who left them stranded on the island, electricity surged between them. Soon after, Bianca uncovered clues to her abduction, but was left with even more unanswered questions, especially about Jakob’s true motives…

Now, Bianca just wants the truth. Nothing was as it seemed, especially with Jakob. As she discovers cross upon double cross, all she can trust is her instinct, her connection with him. So they decide to return to the island in hopes of finally learning the truth. Bianca and Jakob have been thrown together and torn apart by their secrets—but can she trust him enough to rescue her at last?

•••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: Oh, what a tangled web we weave…….. RESOLUTION is the final installment in J.S.Cooper’s new adult, contemporary SWEPT AWAY romantic, suspense series focusing on Bianca London and Jakob Bradley. RESOLUTION should not be read as a stand alone as too much information and back story are revealed in the previous installments.

Told from dual first person points of view (Nicholas and Bianca), using present day, and flashbacks and memories from the past RESOLUTION is the culmination of several decades of betrayal, revenge, jealousy and infidelity between college friends, acquaintances and business partners that has traversed two generations of secrets, lies, murder and fraud . Bianca London set out to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death and her father’s fall from grace with Bradley Inc. What ensued is the building relationship between Bianca and Jakob Bradley, and the possibility that everything they knew to be true- is a lie.

RESOLUTION is a story of mystery and intrigue wrapped in a blanket of secrets and lies. A decades long vendetta against a friend, and a business acumen that focused on power and greed pushed friendships over the edge, and trust became a never ending question and concern. Bianca and Jakob, along with Rosie, Steve and Dave became the pawns is a bigger game; a game of life and death; retribution and revenge; corporate power and financial greed.

J. S. Cooper weaves an intricate tale of deceit and lies; where jealousy and revenge took precedence over family and love. There are multiple twists and turns; a couple of surprising revelations; and a finale that reveals the truth about a once tight knit group of friends who were destroyed when a woman fell in love with another man-a house of cards that crumbles upon itself while throwing the next generation over the abyss. Questions will be answered; lives will be lost; the future has already been set. Get yourself a spread sheet-you are going to need it to keep track of everyone involved.

Illusion
Charade
Disillusioned
Masquerade
Resolution

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Giveaway-Black and Yellow

The Reading Cafe and J.S.Cooper’s publisher are offering a paper copy of RESOLUTION to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Follow J.S.Cooper on Facebook.

4. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

5. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please LIKE us on TSU for an additional entry.

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from December 6-10, 2015

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Bring the Heat by Jo Davis – Review & Giveaway

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Bring the Heat by Jo Davis – Review & Giveaway

 

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Bring the Heat
Sugarland Blue series – Book #5
by Jo Davis
Release Date: December 1, 2015

Bring the heatAmazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Being on the Sugarland P.D. means never backing down, no matter how intense the case—or how dangerous the attraction…

Captain Austin Rainey knows all too well that being a good cop sometimes means gaining some bad enemies. After his ex-wife is killed, he finds himself on the wrong side of the law, trying to prove he’s innocent of her murder. The last thing he needs is a distraction—especially of the irresistible female kind…

Medical examiner Laura Eden has always found Austin more than a little intriguing, but she’s kept her feelings under wraps. Now she’s determined to do her job and clear his name—but as her investigation brings them into close proximity, she can’t deny the attraction between them—or resist the temptation he presents.

But Laura and Austin soon realize their budding feelings might be more than emotionally perilous. Someone is coming after everyone Austin holds dear—and Laura might be the next one in the line of fire…

 

 

Review:

Bring the Heat by Jo Davis is the 5th book in her Sugarland Blues series. Captain Austin Rainey has been part of the Sugarland Blues series, and in Bring the Heat, it is now his story. In the last book, he nearly died and is now just coming back to work at the Sugarland Police Department. Austin is awaiting the birth of his son by his ex-wife in a few weeks, with their relationship not being amicable.   But a tragedy strikes, and Austin will find himself as a possible suspect in the murder of his ex wife and his unborn son.

Laura Eden is our heroine, and she is the medical examiner. When Laura arrives on the scene, she sees a shell shocked Austin sitting in a police car. Laura has been crushing on Austin for awhile, knowing about his divorce, but was not sure how he felt. She knew, as well as all the cops who work for Austin, that he was innocent. Unable to handle the loss of his son, Austin puts his own life in danger by drinking himself into alcohol poisoning. It will take the other Sugarland cops and Laura to help Austin recover. Laura will find out that those feelings she has for Austin have been reciprocated.

Austin will learn quickly that his wife and sons murder is just the beginning, as a stalker is set on revenge against him, and anyone close to him.   While they all investigate the murders, having no idea who or why someone is out to destroy Austin’s life; both Laura and Austin begin to fall hard for each other and their relationship becomes very steamy. Austin’s fears for Laura’s life will make him want to push her away, but Laura won’t let him protect her that way.

What follows is a very exciting mystery to find the killer before they hurt or kill anyone else. The exciting climax will put both Laura and Austin’s life in danger, and the entire Sugarland P.D. will work overtime to try to protect them. But the insane killer is always one step ahead of them.

This was an extremely suspenseful story, and the couple was sizzling together. I will say that the last half of the book became a bit more erotic, which was totally different then the first half, which was very well written. I thought the many sex scenes when the story was intense and very exciting, was overdone. However, that being said, the story and the characters were great, and this is a wonderful series. Do you want to know what happens? I suggest you read Bring the Heat.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

giveaway

Jo & her Publisher are graciously offering a paper copy of Bring the Heat to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

6. Please LIKE us on TSU for an additional entry.

7. Follow Jo Davis  on Facebook.

8. Giveaway is open to US only

9. Giveaway runs from  December 5- December 8, 2015

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Wicked Beautiful by J.T.Geissinger-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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WICKED BEAUTIFUL by J. T. Geissinger-Review,  Book Tour & Giveaway

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WICKED BEAUTIFUL
by J.T. Geissinger
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

Wicked Beautiful

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2015

Life coach and best-selling author Victoria Price has it all: a successful career, fabulous friends, a fantastic penthouse in Manhattan. What she doesn’t have—and doesn’t want—is a husband. Fifteen years ago her high school flame broke her heart so badly she swore she’d never love again. Now she makes millions teaching other women how to be just like her: a ruthless bitch.

Drop-dead sexy restaurateur and infamous playboy Parker Maxwell has only three rules for the women he dates: no questions about his past, no expectations for the future, and no spending the night. When he meets Victoria, however, he’s willing to break his own rules if it means sating the explosive desire she arouses in him. What he doesn’t know is that the alluring Victoria Price used to be the mousy Isabel Diaz, the girl he deflowered and dumped long ago.

Presented with a perfect opportunity for revenge, Victoria decides the game is on. But when her connection with Parker proves more than just skin deep, she has to make a choice: continue with her plan for payback, or risk her career, her reputation, and her heart by taking a second chance on love?

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: WICKED BEAUTIFUL by J. T. Geissinger is a story about revenge, heartbreak, seduction and second chances. Fifteen years earlier, a then seventeen year old Parker Maxwell walked away from the only woman he would ever love. Fast forward to present day, where the now billionaire playboy finds he has lost his heart, once again, to a woman he barely knows but finds oddly familiar. Enter Victoria Price-a successful, man eating, life coach and best selling author whose own secrets are the stuff of tabloid headlines and heartbreaking sorrow. Together Parker and Victoria are dynamite, but apart, Victoria is setting up Parker for the biggest take down in the history of betrayal and revenge.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Parker and Victoria) WICKED BEAUTIFUL is an intense look at two people whose lives were destroyed by bigotry, hatred, secrets and lies. The complexity of the characters is deep; their pasts are the sum total of who they are, and where they want to go. Victoria’s need to destroy all men comes from a past riddled with heartbreak and betrayal; she calls herself the Queen B-Queen Bitch-and hopes all women take control back from the men in their lives. Parker has spent his life making amends for the sins of the past, and the loss of the girl who had stolen his heart.

The sexual tension between Victoria and Parker is tight and intense. Victoria is determined to destroy all that Parker is, while Parker intends to seduce the woman who calls to his heart. The banter and verbal foreplay is electric, animated and spirited. The persona of Victoria hides a multitude of secrets, dark promises and a dramatic flair for in your face honesty and retaliation. The storyline conflict finds Victoria as the aggressor; the perpetrator of hate and revenge; and the woman who is unable to handle the truth when the truth is finally revealed. Walls will be broken; ice will be shattered; lives will crumble and fall.

J. T. Geissinger’s WICKED BEAUTIFUL’s ensemble cast of characters including Victoria’s best friends and her PA are the perfect foil for Victoria’s overwhelming penchant for revenge. Darcy, the food critic, finds herself oddly attracted to an anal retentive chef; and Tabby, Victoria’s PA, whose IT wizardry is matched only by Parker’s security specialist, and former special ops soldier Connor Hughes.

WICKED BEAUTIFUL is a seductive storyline; a well written tale about revenge and second chances; forgiveness and acceptance; revealing the truth and moving forward. The characters are charismatic, dynamic and impassioned; the romance is heartbreaking, destructive and powerful; the happily ever after wraps up a little too quickly-I wish there was more. And I did have an issue with the stereotype ‘bitch’ used as a generalization against all aggressive and successful women: the archetype sets women’s issues back a few years when the glass ceiling was set higher and completely unobtainable.

And just to add a little humor, did anyone else notice the doorman’s name?? Sound familiar??

 

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Wicked Beautiful Teaser

Q&A

Tell us about Wicked Beautiful.
My editor called it a “revenge rom-com” and I think that’s a perfect description. It’s a story of a woman, Victoria Price, who decides to get revenge on an old flame who royally screwed her over years ago. What ensues is a very hot, twist-filled, and funny cat-and-mouse game between two smart, stubborn and sexy people. It’s set in Manhattan, one of my favorite cities in the world.

You’re known for your intense, dark romances. What made you decide to write a romantic comedy?
I’d just completed Make Me Sin, the second book in my rockstar romance Bad Habit series; it’s the most emotionally devastating book I’d ever written, and I was wrung out. I wanted to write a lighter, stand-alone romance. Wicked Beautiful is my tenth novel, and was the most fun I’ve ever had writing a book. I can’t wait for readers to meet Victoria and Parker, and watch the sparks fly.

Tell us about Victoria, the heroine.
Victoria is a powerhouse, fierce and unapologetic, yet with a tender underbelly she ruthlessly protects. She’s a survivor, an underprivileged ugly duckling who by sheer force of will transformed herself into a very successful swan. She’s funny, smart, and self-confident, so watching her grapple with the opposing desires of revenge and lust for Parker Maxwell, our hero, is fantastic. Their interactions are explosive.

Speaking of Parker, what can we expect from him?
He’s Victoria’s match in every way: driven, successful, and used to being in control and getting whatever he wants. He loves a good battle of wits as much as Victoria does, but soon realizes their intense game might cost him more than just his heart. He’s a gambler, though, and definitely up for the challenge. It was such a pleasure to write about this sexy heartbreaker, and the femme fatale who brings him to his knees.

Are there any fun tidbits you would like to share that you think your fans would enjoy?
The best way to find out fun stuff about me is to follow me on Instagram. (I’m obsessed with Instagram.) To find out fun stuff about my books, my Facebook page is the best. I love to interact with readers, so feel free to drop me a line, or ask me a question. And don’t forget to sign up for my VIP list to get news about giveaways and releases!

About the Author Black and rose

JT Geissinger PIc

J.T. Geissinger is an award winning and #1 internationally best-selling
author of smart, sexy romance.

She is the recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden
Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and was a finalist for the prestigious RITA© Award from the Romance Writers of America. Her work has also finaled in the Booksellers’ Best, National Readers’ Choice, and Daphne du Maurier Awards.

Cat lover, wine enthusiast, and nap connoisseur, she lives in California with her husband, on whom all her heroes are based.

To receive notification of new releases, sign up for her newsletter at
www.jtgeissinger.com

Connect with J.T.:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

giveaway

JT. Geissinger is offering an ecopy of WICKED BEAUTIFUL to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. SIGN UP for JT Geissinger’s Newsletter .

4. Follow JT Geissinger on Facebook.

5. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

6. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Please LIKE us on TSU for an additional entry.

9. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

10. Giveaway runs December 5-9, 2015Expresso Tours

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