Monthly Archives: March 2018

High Voltage by Karen Marie Moning – a Review

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High Voltage by Karen Marie Moning – a Review

 

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Description:
There is no action without consequence…

Dani O’Malley was nine years old when the delusional, sadistic Rowena transformed her into a ruthless killer. Years later, she’s tough, hardened, yet achingly vulnerable and fiercely compassionate, living alone by her own exacting code. Despite the scars on her body, driven by deeper ones carved into her soul, no one is more committed to protecting Dublin. By day, she ensures the safety of those she rescues, by night she hunts evil, dispensing justice swiftly and without mercy, determined to give those she cares for the peace she has never known.

There is no power without price…

When the Faerie Queen used the dangerously powerful Song of Making to heal the world from the damage done by the Hoar Frost King, catastrophic magic seeped deep into the earth, giving rise to horrifying, unforeseen consequences–and now deadly enemies plot in the darkness, preparing to enslave the human race and unleash an ancient reign of hell on Earth.

There is no future without sacrifice…

With the lethal, immortal Ryodan at her side, armed with the epic Sword of Light, Dani once again battles to save the world but her past comes back to haunt her with a vengeance, demanding an unspeakable price for the power she needs to save the human race and no one—not even Ryodan who’d move the very stars for her—can save her this time…

 

 

Review:

High Voltage by Karen Marie Moning is the 10th book in her Fever series.  I am a fan of Moning and her fantastic Fever series.  We have been waiting a long time for Dani’s story, and I for one could not wait to get my hands on High Voltage.

Background: Dani O’Malley has been one of my all time favorites, and when we met her at the start, she was a precocious 14 year old girl, who became Mac’s (Fever heroine) best friend, and together they fought off the enemies that haunted them all.  Dani had a terrible childhood, being caged by her mother, until she escaped and became one of the youngest sidhe-seers at the abbey.  Rowena was the leader of the girls in the abbey, and we learned over time, that she changed Dani into a fierce warrior, and also a killer.  It pained me to see that Dani and Mac’s friendship ended when Mac found out who killed her sister.  When Dani spent over 5 years in the Silvers (Fae ), she changed into Jada, a polished and grown woman, who returned to the abbey to be the powerful leader of the of sidhe-seers.  Ryodan, our hero, has known forever that Dani/Jada was destined for him, but he had to wait for this young girl to grow up into a woman. In Feversong, it was great to see Dani and Mac resume their deep friendship to help bring peace in Ireland.

In High Voltage, the story revolves around Dani and Ryodan and war that is on the horizon between the Fae, Gods and humans.  Dani is a very confident young woman, knowing how powerful she has become, as well as being fearless.  It’s been two years since Ryodan left saying he had to go away, and would be back.  She resents that he has not called or left a message in those two years.  Dani finds herself in serious situations, one from a soul stealer that she manages to escape.  Shortly thereafter, Ryodan returns and Dani gives him the cold shoulder.  We have known for many books that Ryodan is the man for Dani, but we also knew she had to grow up.  Now this is their time, and their lust for each other was hotter than hell.  But Ryodan was holding back, making sure Dani was really ready for him, and had the same feelings.  Moning did this perfectly, and when we get nearer to the end, we will have our wishes granted.

But first Dani must survive what is happening to her, as well as those trying to kill her.   Slowly, Dani finds her body turning black, which started after she killed a hunter (dragon).  She works with Kat (another regular who runs the Abbey), and the sidhe-seers to stop the villain, who is killing many people. We also get to see Christian and Sean again, one ready to fight and the other unable to control his darkness.   We also got to see the Nine help Dani and Ryodan fight off attacks from the Faes. 

What follows is an ultra exciting story, though early on was a bit slow, that puts Dani and everyone in danger.  But the best part of this story was the romance between Ryodan and Dani that we have waited forever.  Ryodan is tough, intense and violent, but Dani makes him feel again, and his love for her was beautiful to see.  Dani knows she loves Ryodan, and as she continues to gain more power, she is ready to act on her love.  As her body changes each day, she becomes a dangerous tool that could help fight the enemy, but will  ruin everything else by her inability to touch anyone.

I will not give spoilers, but the last third of the book, was very emotional  in so many levels. …the powerful love of Dani and Ryodan; her love for her Hel-Cat Shazam was fun; and when she meet Y’Rill and learns what she has become.  OMG…Karen  that was so awesome.  I had smiles on my face a long time after I finished the book, making me completely happy.  The emotions we feel when the relationship between Dani and Ryodan finally lights up in a fiery joyful ending.   Well done, Karen Marie Moning. Of course, I want more of Dani, Ryodan, Mac, Barrons and all the others. 

Reviewed by Barb

 

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Toxic Desire by Robin Lovett – a Review

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Toxic Desire by Robin Lovett – a Review

 

 

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Description:
Nemona can’t believe she’s crash landed on the planet Fyrian with the brooding, golden-skinned alien who destroyed her ship and scattered her crew. She should want to kill him. But everything on Fyrian is an aphrodisiac. So she just wants to have him. Now. Revenge. That’s all commander Oten has wanted against humans for more than a century, ever since they tried to destroy his kind. He never thought he’d end up in bed with one. But the desire the sex planet stokes for this human female is eating him alive. Keeping his hands, his mouth, and his vampiric fangs to himself proves impossible—especially when she’s begging him to touch her. Nemona has no idea what endless sex with a Ssedez will do to her. But Oten knows all too well. They need to get off this planet. Before their coupling stirs an alien mating bond that neither of their hearts can withstand.

 

Review:

Toxic Desire by Robin Lovett is the first book in her new Planet of Desire series.  This story starts off at a fast pace and action that leaves you hoping it stays that way. 

Our characters end up stranded on a planet that neither of them know much about….. General Nemona believing that her entire crew may be dead, and her very important mission has been lost, has nothing to lose, but she wants to know how the ship she commanded was boarded undetected and how the hell she will get off this planet. 

Commander Oten only wants to wipe the human race off the face of the universe, they have been systematically trying to do that to his race for decades. So after destroying this humans ship, he looks forward in torturing this general for more information, what a big surprise he gets when the “male” turns into a female !!! He can’t understand his reaction to this “human” it has to be the planets atmosphere turning his brain into mush, but his reaction to her may start the bonding process and that’s not going to happen. 

There is a lot of sex scenes in Toxic Desire. When they’re not spending time trekking over the the planet looking for a way off, then they are having more sex !!!!!

I felt it a little hard to believe that you hate someone THAT much, but after being on the planet for a short while, your willing or desperate enough to have endless sex with an enemy that only hours ago you had a blaster aimed at their chest !! 

I understand that the author wants to set the scene for more books, but to be honest I’d like a little more of the characters and less of them at it. 

The book doesn’t end on a cliff-hanger, but it leaves it open for the next book. If you like plenty of erotica then this is probably a book you’ll enjoy 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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Glam Squad and Groomsmen (Enchanted Bridal #4) by Samantha Chase-Review & Excerpt Tour

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GLAM SQUAD AND GROOMSMEN (Enchanted Bridal #4) by Samantha Chase-Review & Excerpt  Tour

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About the book: Release Date March 16, 2018

Dressing up as a bride once a week is all fun and games until you come face to face with your ex.

Penny Blake loves her job with Enchanted Bridal. She gets to model wedding gowns and help brides plan for their big day. And yet…she’s wanting a little more. Besides wishing for her own happily ever after, she has big dreams of making her own contribution to the business in the form of her own glam squad. Her bosses all think it’s a great idea, but right now she’s needed in other ways – like helping out with the groomsmen.

Was there any greater form of torture than having to help your sister plan her wedding?

That’s what Spencer Buchanan is facing and although he goes into it with a bit of an attitude, running into the girl who got away – three times! – suddenly made this whole wedding planning thing a lot more bearable. Moving back home was never part of his plan, but once Spencer sees Penny again, all bets are off. And having her help him with his fittings on his tux turn into his favorite pastime ever!

••••••••••

REVIEW: GLAM SQUAD AND GROOMSMEN is the fourth instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult ENCHANTED BRIDAL romance series focusing on the women who work for Enchanted Bridal. This is cosmetologist and sales person Penny Blake, and architect Spencer Buchanan’s story line. GLAM SQUAD AND GROOMSMEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Penny and Spencer) GLAM SQUAD AND GROOMSMEN follows the rekindling romance between Penny Blake and Spencer Buchanan. Penny has known Spencer and his sister for most of her life. One time best friends with Eva, Penny’s on-again, off-again romantic relationship with Spencer meant years of estrangement from not only Eva but the man that had the ability to destroy her heart. With Eva’s upcoming wedding in the hands of Enchanted Bridal, Penny will come face to face with her past, a past that will bring up too many painful memories that have left indelible scars on Penny’s mind and her heart. What ensues is the second chance romance between Spencer and Penny, and the potential fall-out as their long distance relationship begins to take a toll on our leading couple.

Penny’s goal to open her own salon is met with rejection, a rejection that emotionally deflates our story line heroine. Her long-distance relationship with Spencer weighs heavily on her mind, and her inability to move forward finds our heroine struggling with the direction in her life. Spencer is an up and coming, busy architect whose future plans didn’t include returning home to take over the family business. Rekindling his relationship with Penny Blake meant Spencer had to look long and hard at the mistakes of the past, and change up his long-term goals and business plans. The $ex scenes fade to black and are mostly implied.

All of the previous story line heroines play secondary and supporting roles. We are introduced to Spencer’s sister Eva, a woman who is desperate to reunite her brother with the woman he lost.

GLAM SQUAD AND GROOMSMEN is a sweet story of second chances; a rekindling romance between one woman whose self –esteem was destroyed by the boy that she once loved, and one man who remained oblivious as to the how and why. The premise is encouraging; the characters and their situation felt real; the romance is loving and tender.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Wedding Season
Friday Night Brides
The Bridal Squad
Glam Squad and Groomsmen

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

For a minute, he thought she was going to scream and the expression on her face said that she certainly hadn’t been expecting him. Actually, he hadn’t been expecting her either. His plan had been to come in for a tuxedo fitting – something he was seriously jumping the gun for Eva’s wedding – and figured it would be a legit excuse to see Penny. He’d casually stop in at the bridal shop and say hello and then…
“Spencer? What are you doing here?”
He gave her a lopsided grin. “Doing a test run on tuxedoes to help Eva and Brett out.”
At first he didn’t think she believed him, but then she visibly relaxed. “Oh. Okay.”
“So what are you doing in the tuxedo shop? I didn’t think you worked in here too.”
She quickly explained about the owner needing to get home to a sick child – again – and then she stepped away and began to explain to him about the tuxedo options that had been pulled for him.
If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear she was nervous and that pleased him a little. If she was nervous around him, that meant that she wasn’t unaffected by him – or by their kiss.
Good to know.
Because kissing Penny had been all he could think about all week. He should be back in Atlanta right now.
But he wasn’t.
He should be working on reports for the building he was designing.
But he wasn’t.
What he was doing was trying on tuxedoes when he didn’t need to just on the off-chance he could see her again. How twisted was that?
By now Penny was standing next to a dressing room and holding a tuxedo hanger in her hand. “Martin already placed a shirt and shoes in the fitting room for you,” she said, “and this is the first tux he pulled for you to consider based on your measurements.”
“I never gave him my measurements,” Spencer said.
“Um…what?”
He nodded. “All I did was call and ask if I could come in and try some on,” he explained. “No one asked for any sizes or measurements. I guess I can try this on and we can go from there, right?”
Then he watched as her shoulders sagged and she sighed. But she immediately went back into sales mode and gave him a nice but professional smile. “Okay, we’ll need to get your measurements first. No need for you to try to fit into a suit that isn’t your size. That’s just crazy.” She stepped away and hung up the suit she had in her hands. “Why don’t you step up on the platform over there by the mirror and I’ll go get the measuring tape.”
Wait…measuring tape? Couldn’t he just tell her what size he normally wore? That would certainly make things easier – especially since Brett hadn’t made any decisions on tuxedos and he wasn’t planning on ordering anything tonight. Then again, if he did happen to go in that direction, there’d be no need for him to stand up on the platform for measurements. And that would mean…
“Just step up on there and face the mirror,” she said. “I’ll need to make a note of your shirt and sleeve size, waist, outseam…”
Then he felt bad for giving her extra work. “Wouldn’t it be easier to give you at least some of my sizes so you don’t have to go through all of this?” he asked and hated that he was quite possibly depriving himself of some extra time with her.
“Under normal circumstances, yes,” she explained. “But for this sort of thing, we require specific measurements. Every designer is cut just a litter differently so it makes everyone’s job easier to just go by what the measuring tape says.”
“Ah…gotcha.” Doing his best to hide a grin, he simply stood and did as he was told as Penny’s hands roamed all over him – in a completely professional way – as she took the needed measurements.
Best. Friday. Night. Ever.
At first, he felt all kinds of wrong that even though there was nothing sexy about what she was doing, it was still mildly arousing – her hand skimming down his leg…her arms wrapped around him to get his waist measurements…
He cursed the fact that they were in the middle of a tuxedo shop and that he had on so many damn clothes!
Once she was done, she moved around the shop and pulled tuxes in his size and then sent him back to the dressing room to start trying them on.
They didn’t talk about much – she kept all of the conversation focused on Eva and Brett and their wedding and tuxedo style questions. Not that he cared. Basically, this was all going to be Brett’s decision and right now, Brett had no idea that Spencer was even looking at tuxes.
No one did.
If his sister caught wind of what he was doing, he knew he’d get her approval and possibly her help. And as much as he knew he was going to need some of that where Penny was concerned, he wanted to do it in his own time and in his own way.
He just never thought trying on tuxedos was a length he’d ever have to go through in order to spend time with a woman.
“Let me know how that first one fits,” Penny called out to him.
And as he closed the dressing room door, he figured he had at least an hour to try to break down some of her defenses and convince her to go out with him again.

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Samantha ChaseNew York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in NorthCarolina.

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Barreled Over by Jenna Sutton – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Barreled Over by Jenna Sutton – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Ava Grace Landy’s music career is humming along until a shakeup at her label jeopardizes her recording contract and curses her with the world’s worst boss. Determined to satisfy him, she partners with Trinity Distillery to access a larger male audience. To her surprise, she’s the one who’s satisfied—by none other than Jonah Beck, the gorgeous, yet gruff man behind the bourbon.

No doubt about it, bourbon runs in Beck’s blood. But it’s audacious Ava Grace who makes it run hot. When she signs on as the spokesperson for his craft distillery, he doesn’t plan on hoisting her onto an oak barrel and rocking the rickhouse. Though he’s convinced their lives don’t mix—like a terrible cocktail—he can’t keep his hands off the alluring country star.

Ava Grace and Beck try to keep their intoxicating relationship private, but the glare of her fame is too bright, revealing secrets they both want to remain hidden. With a spotlight shining on his tumultuous past, their future is at risk. Now they must decide if being together is worth sacrificing the career she loves and the company he’s poured his heart and soul into.

 

Review:

Barreled Over by Jenna Sutton is the first book in her new Trinity Distillery series.  Having read & enjoyed Sutton’s previous series (Riley O’Brien & Co.), I looked forward to starting this series, and I am happy to say I loved Barreled Over. 

When we meet, Ava Grace Landy, our heroine and a famous country music star, she is at a meeting with the new boss of her record label company.  Though she is one of the top selling country stars, her boss feels she needs to open her music to attract more male audiences.  Ava Grace will meet with the owners of Trinity Distillery, to become their spokesperson for a big promotional endorsement that will  benefit both of them.  Her best friend, Amelia (heroine from Riley O’Brien), is married to one of the four owners of Trinity,

Jonah Beck, our hero, isn’t crazy about bringing in Ava Grace, but his partners feel this is an opportunity to promote their great bourbon.  Beck finds himself attracted to the beautiful, outgoing & bubbly Ava Grace, but he is determined to not become involved with her, especially due to her very public life. Beck has never forgotten the scandal when he was a teenager, with his deceased father that makes him avoid the media as much as possible.

 Ava Grace previously met Beck at Amelia’s wedding and was attracted to him then.  Now as they begin to work closely together, Beck finds the attraction becoming too strong to resist, especially with Ava Grace doing all she can to seduce him.  Right from the start, we saw the sizzling chemistry between them, and I loved them together.  However, the issues they both had in their lives didn’t make things easy for them.  Ava Grace was famous, with the media always following her; she also had a father suffering from the late & violent stages of Alzheimer’s disease, which she kept secret from the public.  Beck having lived through the harsh publicity from his father, wanted nothing to do with Ava Grace’s lifestyle.  Would they find a way to stay together?

What follows is a wonderful sweet story about two people who despite their hot chemistry do not seem right for each other based on their location and lifestyles.  Beck loves his bourbon business, which his in San Francisco; and Ava Grace lives in Nashville, where her career is centered.   One of the fun parts of this book is that we get to learn a lot of the making of bourbon, and the different recipes to use with it. 

Sutton’s always creates wonderful characters that we come to love, and it is no different in Barreled Over.  Besides having already loved Amelia and Quinn previously, I really liked Beck’s other two partners, Ren and Gabe.  I also liked Kyle, the caregiver for Ava Grace’s father, which did have a number of emotional situations that stressed on this terrible disease.

Barreled Over was a great read, which also had a bit of everything; hot romance, sexy couple, great characters, music and bourbon backgrounds, as well as emotional moments.  I look forward to reading the next book in this series and I strongly suggest you read Barreled Over to start this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

10 Questions with Jonah Beck of Barreled Over (Trinity Distillery #1)

Age: 32
Height: 6’4”
Eye color: Brown
Hair color: Brown
Occupation: Founder and CEO of a craft bourbon distillery
Hometown: Grew up in Kentucky and now lives in San Francisco

*****

Thanks for stopping by The Reading Café to chat with us today, Beck.

It’s my pleasure, of course.

What do you do for fun? I work a lot, so I don’t have a lot of free time. I like to run and play basketball with friends. I also like to spend time outdoors, camping and hiking and walking my dog, Chicken.

Do you believe in love at first sight? I’ve never really thought about it. I don’t think so. I think trust is a huge part of loving someone, and that’s nothing something you can see right off the bat.

What’s your greatest fear? My greatest fear was making the same mistakes my dad made, particularly when it comes to love and marriage. Now my greatest fear is doing something stupid and losing Ava Grace.

If you could relive any moment of your life, what would it be? I would relive the first time Ava Grace and I had sex. I picked that moment for two reasons: 1) the sex was incredible and 2) I acted like an ass when it was over, and I need to redeem myself

What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought? Excluding my Jeep, the most expensive thing I’ve ever bought is Ava Grace’s engagement ring. She likes sparkly things, and I bought her one hell of a sparkler.

Favorite quality in a woman? The ability to kick a little ass when necessary (figuratively)

If Ava Grace were a cocktail, which one would she be?  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—Ava Grace is just like good bourbon. She makes my throat burn and my chest tight, and then she settles in my belly and burns like an ember.

Do you sing in the shower? I didn’t used to, but I do now, especially if Ava Grace is in the shower with me. I love to hear her sing.

What three words would Ava Grace use to describe you? And what three words would you use to describe her? Damn, this is a hard question. I’m going to start with the words I’d use to describe Ava Grace: loyal, loving, and strong. As for the words she’d use to describe me, how about: solid, sexy, and all mine.


Favorite movie you’d be embarrassed to tell your friends you loved? If I’m embarrassed to tell my friends, why would I tell you?

Okay, then, what’s your #1 celebrity crush? Now this is an easy one—Ava Grace is my #1 celebrity crush. She has been since the moment I met her.

Lightning Round

Boxers or briefs: Neither. Boxer-briefs.

Favorite color: Green

Favorite dessert: Bourbon chocolate pecan pie

Dream vacation: I’ve always wanted to tour the whiskey distilleries in Scotland and visit the Greek island of Santorini

Favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon: Naked with Ava Grace

 


Jenna Sutton is a former award-winning journalist who traded fact for fiction when she began writing novels. Surprisingly, the research she conducted for her articles provided a lot of inspiration for her books. She’s the author of the Riley O’Brien & Co. romances and the new Trinity Distillery series. Although Jenna calls Texas home, more often than not, she’s somewhere else. Her love’s job takes him all over the country, and she tags along, just like a groupie follows her favorite band.

You can find out more about Jenna and her work on her website http://www.jennasutton.com. Sign up for her newsletter at http://bit.ly/1K8MaCH to access the latest news and monthly contests.

WEB/SOCIAL LINKS

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2khu0v3

Author website: www.jennasutton.com

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2jacup6

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennasuttonauthor

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2nkoSaw

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennasuttonauthor

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1K8MaCH

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jsuttonauthor

 

 

 

Jenna  is offering an e-copy or paper of BARRELLED OVER to TWO (2) lucky commenterS 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. Follow Jenna Sutton   on Facebook.

7. Giveaway is open US Only

8. Giveaway runs from March 17 – 20, 2018

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The Backup Plan by Jen McLaughlin – a Review

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The Backup Plan by Jen McLaughlin – a Review

 

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Description:
I’m beyond help…

I threw a football before I could walk. Everything in my life revolved around football–and I loved every second. I was a star. Until, suddenly…I wasn’t. Now everyone thinks I’m the monster who killed his best friend. I’m an outcast on campus, silent and alone. Then Taylor Selmer walks back into my life. When will she learn–I’m beyond saving.

I need to save him…

Chase and I used to be friends. But after the accident, nothing was the same. We used to have something special–until we didn’t. But he doesn’t smile anymore. Doesn’t talk. Doesn’t play. It hurts me to see him this way, and I will do everything I can to get him back in the game. Whether he likes it or not.

 

Review:

The Backup Plan by Jen McLaughlin is the first book in her Back in the Game New Adult series. I loved McLaughlin’s Sons of Steel Row series, and decided to check out her new series.  I did enjoy this book, but it was a different type of read for me by McLaughlin, as it is New Adult, which I am not really a big fan of.

In The Backup Plan, we meet our heroine, Taylor Selmar, who enrolls in the same college as her childhood friend Chase.   Taylor’s parents have worked in the Maxwell house as servants, and Taylor grew up there.   But she hasn’t seen Chase in a long time, and when she is offered a deal by his father to enroll at the college, get her degree, and  to help Chase with his studies and help him get out of his funk; she accepts.

Chase Maxwell is suffering from a shoulder injury from a car accident where his best friend was killed.  Though Chase was not at fault, he blames himself for his friend’s death, and is in a rut, where he rarely talks to anyone for the past 6 months.  His school friends treat Chase like an outcast, as they feel he was at fault and give him a hard time.  When Taylor finds Chase, he is surprised to see her, and in the beginning, as she does everything she can to motivate him, he is belligerent to her, as he is to others in the school.

What follows is a slow built sweet romance that is intense at times. I did like Taylor and Chase together and watching Taylor slowly bring Chase back was heartwarming to see.  Taylor was a great heroine, with the perfect amount of sass to handle Chase, and their banter between them was fun.  At the same time, she was very vulnerable to her situation with Chase’s father.  As they both began to realize that they were falling in love, the pressure mounts for Taylor, as she loves Chase, but the threats to her family will cause her to step back, causing their relationship to suffer.  Will Taylor tell Chase the truth?  Will she give up Chase to save her family?

Besides Chase’s father, there is an ex-girlfriend who is also determined to win Chase back, creating more havoc for Taylor and Chase.  I thought early on Chase was nasty, but he turned around and ended up to be great.  The Backup Plan was well written by McLaughlin, and the two main characters were very likable. If you enjoy the new adult genre, with some angst, and a nice romance, I suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Ride Dirty (Raven Riders 3.5 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Laura Kaye-Review & Excerpt Tour

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RIDE DIRTY (Raven Riders 3.5 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Laura Kaye-Review & Excerpt Tour

RIDE DIRTY
Raven Riders 3.5 / 1001 Dark Nights
by Laura Kaye
Release Date : March 13, 2018
Genre: adult ,contemporary, erotic, MC, romance

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

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About the book: Release Date March 13, 2018

Caine McKannon is all about rules. As the Raven Riders Sergeant-at-Arms, he prizes loyalty to his brothers and protection of his club. As a man, he takes pleasure wherever he can get it but allows no one close—because distance is the only way to ensure people can’t hurt you. And he’s had enough pain for a lifetime.

And then he rescues a beautiful woman from an attack.

Kids and school are kindergarten teacher Emma Kerry’s whole life, so she’s stunned to realize she has an enemy—and even more surprised to find a protector in the intimidating man who saved her. Tall, dark, and tattooed, Caine is unlike any man Emma’s ever known, and she’s as uncertain of him as she is attracted. As the danger escalates, Caine is in her house more and more – until one night of passion lands him in her bed.

But breaking the rules comes at a price, forcing Caine to fight dirty to earn a chance at love.

••••••

REVIEW: RIDE DIRTY by Laura Kaye is instalment 3.5 in the author’s contemporary adult RAVEN RIDERS erotic, MC, romance series, and the latest entry in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights. This is Raven Riders’ Sergeant-At-Arms Caine McKannon, and kindergarten teacher Emma Kerry’s story line. RIDE DIRTY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Caine and Emma) RIDE DIRTY follows the building relationship between kindergarten teacher Emma Kerry, and Raven Riders MC Sergeant-At-Arms Caine McKannon. While out on patrol for the Raven Riders MC Caine McKannon came face to face with his future when the woman with whom he would fall in love fell victim to a mugging. Unable to take down the thief Caine’s guilt found our hero settling into protector mode each evening in the hopes of catching the person responsible. A break in at the school, and a series of threatening cards finds our heroine accepting all that Caine has to offer including the man himself. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Caine and Emma, and the potential fall-out when Emma is targeted by a sick and twisted mind.

The relationship between Emma and Caine is one of immediate attraction. Caine believes he is not good enough for a woman like Emma but Emma continues to pull Caine into the light-a light he struggles to accept into his life. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. There is some light spanking and anal play.

We are re-introduced to Raven Rider’s Club president Dare and his fiancee Haven, and Race Captain Jagger Locke, and Phoenix Creed; bakery owner Dutch; Emma’s friends and fellow teachers Alison Bard and Catalin Mendoza, as well as office manager Connie, Principal Mackey, school custodian Mr. Wilkerson, and Sheriff Martin.

RIDE DIRTY is a quick read; a sexy, sassy and heart breaking story about one man struggling to move on from his past, and the woman who is willing to accept all that he is. The premise is emotional and impassioned; the romance is seductive and hot; the characters are charismatic, tender, broken and real.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Hard as Steel (Novella)
Ride Hard
Ride Rough
Ride Wild
Ride Dirty

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

WARNING: Excerpt intended for mature readers due to content and language

With every new thing he shared, Caine felt like a thin filament stretched between them, anchoring them together. The connection between them was growing, strengthening. He could feel it like he’d never felt anything before.

He was getting attached. To that feeling. To Emma herself.

It was what he’d always wanted. It was the thing he feared the most.

But right now, he had it. He had her. And he wanted her…

“Stand up, Emma.” The questions in her gaze quickly shifted to understanding, and she rose above him. His hands went to her waistband and quickly bared her. Caine pulled her until she stood with her feet on either side of him where he sat leaning against the front of the couch. “I want my mouth on you again.”

The moan that spilled out of her at the first swipe of his tongue went right to his cock. He unzipped his jeans and shoved them down his thighs. Then he held her open with his thumbs so that her clit was right where he wanted it to be. He sucked and flicked and nipped until she was thrusting against his face. He groaned his approval. Her hips became more frantic. “Caine,” she cried hoarsely, her knees going out such that she nearly collapsed into his lap, still shaking.

He took advantage and kissed her, wanting some part of him inside of her while her orgasm wrung every second of pleasure out of her.

“Jesus, your mouth should be illegal,” she said, chuffing out a breathless laugh.

“You say the nicest things,” he said, the playful words probably masking just how much he lapped up her praise. “Will you take me in you?”

She didn’t hesitate—she shifted to her knees. They both shucked their shirts. He pulled his last condom from his wallet and rolled it on.

She impaled herself on him, inch by soul-stealing inch. “You fill me up so good,” she said.

The echo of his earlier thought stretched a new filament of connection between them. “Ride me, Emma. Show me how you like it.”

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in contemporary romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and monster puppy, Schuyler, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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The Earl of Pembroke by Lauren Smith – a Review

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The Earl of Pembroke by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo
**The Earl of Pembroke is available on the above links for $.99

DESCRIPTION
James, the Earl of Pembroke, falls for a mysterious lady and rescues her from a hell fire club… 

Gillian, the illegitimate daughter of an earl, is hiding her true identity as a servant from James… 

When thrown together at a house party, their passion can’t be denied, but will the truth of Gillian’s past destroy their happiness?

 

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

SIGH, SWOON, SIGH, SMILE .. REPEAT!  This is pretty much my experience reading this lovely piece of work!  I read this while traveling from Canada into the southern USA and my heart was light and very happy to begin with.  Add in the warmth of the sun on my face, and a fantastic historical romance, and it was utterly blissful.

Earl of Pembroke by Lauren Smith is the 10th book in the “Wicked Earls’ Club” series.  This series seems to be a collaboration of some of the top historical romance authors current today, and while I haven’t read any of the previous books, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything.  I will say, I will be jumping to the first book of this anticipated delicious series and falling in love with more yummy Earls.  

James Fordyce is the Earl of Pembroke, and he is a wonderful addition to my book boyfriend list.  He is kind and caring (especially with his ailing mother), certainly not a pushover, strong, handsome, smart and an all around pretty decent man.  He also is about to have his heart stolen by a mysterious beauty who he will soon rescue from the grasp of a horrible club.

Gillian Beaumont (I remember you from a previous Lauren Smith book), is the illegitimate daughter of an Earl.  Her father was very fond of her and her mother but he didn’t recognize them in his will and this leaves Gillian and her mother barely scraping by.  Gillian decides to take a position as a servant to make end meet.  She is the real deal.  She is very smart, kind and loving especially if you are in her heart.  She is tough, knows her status in society as an illegitimate and truth be told this kind of broke my heart a little.  When she shares an intimate moment with James, she is quick to know that nothing would ever come from this due to the difference in status.  Well, never say never!

After a brief and daring adventure, these two find themselves at a house party and getting to know the other.  You actually not just experience the passion and lust, you experience them falling deeply in love, and that made me fall in love with them.  They both have people in theirs lives who adore them and want the best for them and go to many lengths to make it happen or certainly set the scene.

No more story reveals will be found in this review.  You will have to dive in for yourself.  This is a novella, and Lauren Smith is one of the best of cramming so much story and character in fewer pages.  If you are in the mood for a romance, this is a great book to turn to.  Again, I am rather eager to dive into the other books of this series as well, and see how different the authors are with the similar “theme” novella.

Keep em’ Coming Lauren!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied for review

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Pretty As A Peach (Sex and Sweet Tea #4) by Juliette Poe-Review & Excerpt Tour

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PRETTY AS A PEACH (Sex and Sweet Tea #4) by Juliette Poe-REview and Excerpt Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 15, 2018

Mainer Farms is steeped in family history, but it’s also deep in debt from the effects of the ever-changing farming industry. Not about to let his family’s legacy go under, Colt Mancinkus is willing to do anything he can to save the farm.

Darby McCulhane is the new farmer in Whynot, North Carolina, and she’s proving to be quite the forbidden temptation for Colt. Darby isn’t looking for anything but a fresh start, and she’s got it all figured out. Get settled in? Check. Apply for the rural county grant? Check. Confrontation with the steaming mad, smoking hot local farmer? Well, that wasn’t on the agenda.

As pretty as she is sweet, Colt can’t help but be drawn to Darby’s…peaches. No really, she’s a peach farmer. Get that mind out of the gutter, and get on down to the farm to see what happens when circumstances force Colt and Darby to team up. They may just find that the peach trees aren’t the only things in bloom.

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REVIEW: PRETTY AS A PEACH is the fourth instalment in Juliette Poe’s (aka Sawyer Bennett) contemporary, adult SEX AND SWEET TEA romance series. This is farmer Colt Mancinkus, and Darby McCulhane’s story line. PRETTY AS A PEACH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Darby and Colt) PRETTY AS A PEACH follows the building relationship between Whynot farmer Colt Mancinkus, and newcomer Darby McCulhane. Working on her PhD in agronomy, Darby McCulhane, and her seven year old daughter head to Whynot, North Carolina to take over Farrington Farms, a farming operation her former brother-in -law Jake has offered in return for a brand new start, but securing one of the rare farming grants from the Department of Agriculture comes with competition. Enter life-long resident and family farmer Colt Mancinkus, who has plans to open a winery with his share of the government grant. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Colt and Darby, and the potential fall-out when Darby’s soon to be ex-husband comes into town.

Colt’s attraction to Darby is immediate but tempered by the knowledge that the newcomer in town is his only competition for the government grant. Hoping to save the family farm Colt is desperate to push forward with his plans to open up a winery on the family lands. Darby McCulhane needed to escape her emotionally abusive husband when her ex-brother in law Jake offered her the position of Operations Manager of Farrington Farms in Whynot, North Carolina-a position she hopes to use towards her PhD.

The relationship between Darby and Colt is one of immediate attraction but Darby is a single mother of an angry seven year old girl who has a difficult time adjusting to her new home. Never one to give up, Colt takes Darby’s daughter Linnie under his wing, in an effort to begin a relationship with our story line heroine.

Most of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles including Laken and Jake ;Laken’s twin sister Larkin; Lowe and Melinda; Trixie and the ever absent Ryland Powers, as well as grandfather Pap Mancinkus; Colt’s parents Catherine and Gerry Mancinkus; Darby’s daughter Linnie, and her ex-husband Mitch; and the ever present townies including Floyd and his ever present rifle, and Melinda’s BFF Morri D. We are quickly introduced to Deacon Locke who may or may not have a passing interest in Larkin Mancinkus.

PRETTY AS A PEACH is a clean romance with no $ex, limited kissing, and no physical contact. The premise is sweet and charming; the characters are sassy and smart. PRETTY AS A PEACH is a playful and tender love story by Juliette Poe.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Ain’t He Precious
Stubborn as a Mule
Barking up the Wrong Tree
Pretty as a Peach

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Juliette Poe is the sweet and swoony alter ego of New York Times Best Selling author, Sawyer Bennett.

A fun-loving southern girl, Juliette knows the allure of sweet tea, small towns, and long summer nights, that some of the best dates end sitting on the front porch swing, and that family is top priority. She brings love in the south to life in her debut series, Sex & Sweet Tea.

When Juliette isn’t delivering the sweetest kind of romance, she’s teaching her southern belle daughter the fine art of fishing, the importance of wearing Chucks, and the endless possibilities of a vivid imagination.

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