Tag Archives: New Release Reviews

Getting Rough (Monkey Business Trio #2) by C.L. Parker-a review

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Getting Rough (Monkey Business Trio #2) by C.L. Parker-a review

Getting Rough

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The next sizzling novel of C. L. Parker’s Monkey Business Trio—perfect for fans of Bared to You and Beautiful Bastard

Hotshot San Diego sports agent Shaw Matthews and his sexy professional adversary Cassidy Whalen have gone head-to-head in the boardroom—and the bedroom. Now Shaw has scored a big promotion—but only because Cassidy turned it down and ran off. There are many things he wants when it comes to Cassidy—just not her pity. So Shaw rushes to a small town in Maine to retrieve his dignity—and maybe the woman he’s hungry to claim once more.

Cassidy has pushed herself to the max to realize her career dreams—until a family crisis brings her home. But Shaw isn’t letting Cassidy go that easily. Neither is gorgeous heartthrob Casey Michaels, the childhood sweetheart she left behind—and who now wants to win her back. As the rivalry between the two alpha males intensifies, and Shaw’s seductive moves reach a whole new level of heat, Cassidy has to make a choice. And this time, it’s for the highest stakes of all.

Getting Rough is intended for mature audiences.

••••••••••••

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

OH how I do love this series. Ya know when you read a book and you just anticipate the next one and can’t wait until it is ready .. umm .. yah .. that! LOL

Getting Rough by C.L. Parker is the second book in the “Monkey Business Trio: series. It picks up right where the first book Playing Dirty left off.

Shaw Matthews is driving through some place that he isn’t even sure is on a map it is so small and desolate. After his lady friend Cassidy Michaels left him to his mock victory over her with regards to a sports agent job position, he is somewhat ticked off at her for “letting him” win. He is also ticked off that she took her hot body and all the yumminess it gave him away to some place so far and away from him. So he is on his way, following her so he can give her a piece of his mind.

Cassidy feels completely broken. She broke the rule and fell for the sexy Shaw, and after his secrets were revealed, she felt she had no choice to but to walk away. She goes home to the tiny fishing village she grew up in, to just take a load off her mind. Even when she is reunited with her childhood friend and love, she can’t seem to shake Shaw out of her mind.

Now, Cassidy is helping her family out after an emergency. When Shaw shows up and immerses himself into Cassidy’s world, she cannot believe how well he fits in .. he fits in even when he doesn’t! LOL Now, Cassidy is fighting her feelings for Shaw while dealing with her childhood love’s jealousy, trying to to handle her parents and good intentions of the town folk, and quite frankly she is ready to snap due to being pulled in so many different directions. Then she finds out something that is a major life changer and suddenly her decision becomes clear, even if she can’t determine if it is right or wrong.

There is something about these two as a couple that completely makes me swoon. I adore these two together and their heat is off the charts. Very yummy read indeed! I love how in this book we see a softer more playful side of Shaw as opposed to the “sports agent player” we saw in the first book. Cassidy really had to put on her big girl panties in this book as well .. ultimately deciding which strings needed to get cut for good.

Love that C.L. has set us up for the final book in this trilogy. I am eagerly anticipating it. So if you like a hot contemporary romance, with a side of sport agents, a small town who stick together and a love blooming, then you may just find that this is the book for you!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Rachel

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Smoldering Hunger (Dark Kings #8) by Donna Grant-a review

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SMOLDERING HUNGER (Dark Kings #8) by Donna Grant-a review

Smoldering Hunger

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release December 29, 2016

TEMPTING FATE
Darius is back. Edinburg thought it had seen the last of this seductive Dragon King, but that was before Darius found something worthwhile. He just can’t stay away from the impossibly beautiful Dr. Sophie Martin-even though he knows that a passion this strong could prove detrimental…for them both.

CRAVING DESIRE
Sophie tried to forget her encounter with smoking-hot Darius to no avail. He’s in her dreams, tempting her. But her association with Darius catches the attention of another, putting her in mortal danger. . .and Darius, who has vowed to protect her, is her only hope. But can she trust the notorious dragon shapeshifter? The only thing she knows for sure is that she cannot resist him.

••••••••••

REVIEW: SMOLDERING HUNGER is the eighth full length installment in Donna Grant’s contemporary, adult DARK KINGS paranormal/fantasy, romance series focusing on the Dragon Kings and the women they love. This is dragon shifter Darius, and Dr. Sophie Martin’s story line. SMOLDERING HUNGER can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and back story I recommend reading this series in order (especially the most recent installments) as the Dragon Kings are on the verge of war with the Dark Fae, and one of their own.

SOME BACKGROUND: The DARK KINGS is a spinoff from Donna Grant’s DARK WARRIOR series which in turn is a spin off from Donna’s DARK SWORD series- all set in the Highlands of Scotland. The Dark Fae and their King Taraeth, along with the Ulrik the Silver Dragon King and his uncle Mikkel have declared war on the Dragon Kings by exposing the dragon’s existence to humankind. The last wars between man and the world of the paranormal saw a great loss of life on all sides-but Ulrik wants revenge against King Constantine of the Dragon Kings; Mikkel wants to become King of the Silvers, and the Dark Fae want the Dragon’s hidden weapon, and to rule Scotland and the rest of the world.

Told from several third person points of view SMOLDERING HUNGER follows the building but forbidden relationship between Darius and the sexy doctor who has caught both his heart and his soul. Darius believes he lost his mate hundreds of years earlier, but his attraction and desire for Sophie is beyond anything he could have imagined. Darius’s need for Sophie has placed her in the direct line of fire when Ulrik and the Dark Fae use Sophie as a means to exact revenge against Darius and Con.

For readers who have not read the previous installments Donna Grant does an amazing job recapping the important issues and direction the series is heading. With the recent introduction of The Reapers -a group of Dark and Light Fae, selected by Death, to do her bidding-Donna has once again merged another spin off series with the Dark Kings bringing together a potential ally in the war against the Dark Fae. The Reapers are not harbingers of death, but are tasked with destroying the Light and Dark Fae who have crossed a line from which there is no return.

The number of secondary and supporting characters is not as large as in previous story lines but there still remains a large ensemble cast. SMOLDERING HUNGER follows several developing and ongoing plotlines including Rhi and Balladyn, Rhi and her former Dragon lover; the potential battle between Ulrik and Mikkel; and Con’s deadly flirtation with the Light Fae queen.

SMOLDERING HUNGER looks at another forbidden relationship between a Dragon King and his human mate. The premise is engaging but as the series develops new readers may have a difficult time catching up with the copious amount of building drama and intense but fragile relationships between King Constantine and his Dragon Kings. Again, I recommend reading the Dark Kings series in order. The characters are numerous, intense, energetic and passionate. The romance is emotional and hopeful; the happily ever after is but a glimmer for the future as conflict continues to batter the Dragon Kings and the women they love.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Taming the Boss (Billionaires in the City #7) by Mallory Crowe-a review

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TAMING THE BOSS (Billionaires in the City #7) by Mallory Crowe-a review

Taming The Boss

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

About the book: Release Date January 12, 2016

Cali thought the handsome stranger who kissed her was nothing but a mistake. But it turns out he could be the biggest payday of her life.

Cali has spent the last year of her life bending over backwards for the Devereaux brothers and she’s had enough. But when she threatens to quit, she’s given an offer she can’t refuse: If she brings the third, estranged, Devereaux brother, Rourke, back to the family, she’ll get a two million dollar reward.

Rourke Devereaux vowed he’d never have anything to do with his family again, but it’s hard to remember that vow when the sexy blonde he never thought he’d see again comes knocking on his doorstep. Even after he hauls her over his shoulder to carry her back to the car, she’s not ready to give up.

But as the two draw battle lines in his small, Maine coastal town, her old enemies pay them a visit. Now the one woman Rourke wanted to leave is under his protection and the longer he’s with her, the more he realizes he doesn’t want her going anywhere.

••••••••

REVIEW: TAMING THE BOSS is the seventh installment in Mallory Crowe’s contemporary, adult BILLIONAIRES IN THE CITY romantic, suspense series. This is billionaire Rourke Devereaux, and PA Cali Carson’s story line. Taming the Boss can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and backstory I recommend reading the series in order as the story lines are interconnected and a number of the characters cross over between installments.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Cali and Rourke) TAMING THE BOSS focuses on Cali-Luke Devereaux’s former personal assistant (whom we have met throughout the series)- and a woman wanted for questioning as to her involvement with a man named Easson Harper –a man hoping to destroy the Devereaux family. Cali was tired of playing the corporate monkey and decided it was time to walk away but found herself in the arms of the Devereaux prodigal son. Enter Rourke Devereaux, a man estranged from his family, and the man Cali will be tasked with bringing back into the Devereaux fold when they make her an offer she cannot refuse.

Rourke Devereaux has been estranged from his family for close to ten years and with it comes heartbreak and betrayal, and the loss of the family he once loved. Now a man who restores older homes, Rourke finds himself immediately attracted to his brother’s PA-the woman sent to bring Rourke home. The relationship is one of insta-lust to love although there is plenty of push and pull between our leading couple especially as it pertains to Cali’s safety-someone is hunting Cali, and the FBI is having a difficult time tracking him down. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top graphic language or text.

Most of the Devereaux siblings play secondary and supporting roles including Luke and his significant other Evelyn Price; Michael and his fiancé Lori Briggs; Emma Devereaux and Jace (by way of mention). We are introduced to billionaire Walter Farrell, and his right hand man Colin Carter. Colin’s story line will be told in RUTHLESS-the first installment in Mallory’s new spin off series Fractured Farrells-A Damaged Billionaire Series-as Colin goes in search of something he believes he is owed.

TAMING THE BOSS is an entertaining and spirited story line with a little bit of mystery, suspense, romance and love. The premise is intriguing; the characters are energetic; the romance is a quick build to a happily ever after.

Reading Order
Teaching the Boss
Teasing the Boss
Tempting the Boss
Trusting the Boss
Touching the Boss
Testing the Boss
Taming The Boss

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Sandy

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For The First Time Anthology by Alessandra Torre, Kim Karr, Sarah Castille and more-Review and Book Tour

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FOR THE FIRST TIME anthology by Alessandra Torre, Kim Karr, Sarah Castille and more-Review and Book Tour

 

FOR THE FIRST TIME anthology
Release Date: January 12, 2016

 

99¢ ebook  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ B&N / KOBO / itunes /

Release Date: January 12, 2016

You never forget your first time…

A brand new anthology of original, never-before-read stories from today’s hottest authors, including:

Alessandra Torre, Kim Karr, Jen Frederick, Alexa Riley, Lynda Chance, Sarah Castille, Nina Lane, CJ Roberts, Anna Zaires, Nikki Sloane, Cynthia Sax, Avery Aster, Pam Godwin, Skye Warren, Julia Sykes, Cynthia Rayne, Jenika Snow, Debra Presley, Shoshanna Evers, Tamsen Parker, and Nina Levine!

From young heartbreak to a virginity auction, from the chance meeting to the happily ever after, twenty-one exclusive stories explore first love in all its forms. This set includes almost 200,000 words of steamy encounters and sweet romance.

••••••

REVIEW: FOR THE FIRST TIME is a collection of twenty one never before released short stories and novellas from existing series or stand alone tales by some of your favorite authors. Some of the stories contain graphic sexual text and language as well as M/F, M/F/M or F/F sexual situations and taboo relationships; most are written from first person point of view. This is a collection of contemporary, UF and Sci-Fi romance story lines with a bit of naughty.

Each short story had its’ own positives and negatives. My star rating ran from 2.5 to 4 stars for the individual novellas. While I enjoyed most of the stories, I did have a few issues (including poor story telling quality or the disconcerting premise) with a small number of the short stories.

Take your time. I did a quick breakdown of each short story premise.

Copy supplied by the promoter.

_________________

SOLE by Alessandra Torre

A short story focusing on Cole Masten and Summer Jenkins from Torre’s HOLLYWOOD DIRT, and their three year old daughter’s birthday party. The steam and heat between our leading couple has never wavered, and is hotter and sexier than ever. Contains graphic text and erotic sex scenes.

••••••

BEGGING FOR MORE by Kim Karr

A quick story focusing on James Ashton and Victoria Secret’s model Lindsay Mills first introduced in Kim Karr’s stand alone story line TOXIC and the Tainted Love Duet-Blow and Crush. Our couple take an unexpected trip to Vegas where the morning after isn’t quite what they expected and more. Contains graphic text and erotic sex scenes.

••••••

HEARTBREAK by Skye Warren

A  prequel story focusing on two teenagers in foster care-Blue and Hannah. Blue’s reputation as a killer has preceded his introduction to his new foster care facility but Hannah finds her guardian angel-a hero- in the young man accused of such a hideous crime when she becomes the victim of the foster care system. Blue and Hannah’s story continues in BETTER WHEN IT HURTS released June 2015.

••••••

NAUGHTY WISHES by Sarah Castille

Dan and Kylie’s marriage is dying; their love for one another nothing more than a far off glimmer; Dan offers up a once in a lifetime opportunity to add some spark into their boring marriage-a threesome with town’s hot new dentist.-a man who likes a little kink in his life. Contains graphic text and erotic sex scenes.

••••••

HIS FIRST AND ONLY by Alexa Riley

A second chance story line between Vegas showgirl/ headliner Tiffany Smith (aka Foxy Bow) ,and billionaire casino owner Ethan who first met in the foster care system ten years earlier. Ten years may have passed but the love between Tiffany and Ethan has only grown stronger. Contains graphic text and erotic sex scenes.

••••••

DECADENT KNIGHTS by Julia Sykes

Decadent Knights is a short story from Julia Sykes’ IMPOSSIBLE series focusing on the men and women of the BDSM Club Decadence. Lydia is a former sex slave and submissive, her new Master Smith James-a former FBI agent and the man who is responsible for Lydia’s physical and mental health is looking to add another Dom into the relationship. Read Lydia and Smith’s story in KNIGHT Impossible #4 released in 2013. Contains graphic text and erotic sex scenes.

•••••••

A LAKE GEORGE CHRISTMAS by Debra Presley

A short story from Presley’s NUCCI SECURITIES focusing on pop star Abby Murphy and the love of her life Danny Nucci. Their first Christmas together finds a profession of forever and their continuing happily ever after. Abby and Danny’s full story can be found in FINDING US –Nucci Securities #1. Contains graphic sex and erotic sex scenes.

•••••••

ADVENT by Nina Lane

A short story focusing on the earlier relationship between Liv and Dean from Nina Lane’s SPIRAL OF BLISS series. It is the Christmas holidays and Dean has invited Liv to Paris but Liv isn’t willing to give up everything for a couple of weeks in the City of Light. ADVENT looks at Past Firsts and Future First Memories of Liv and Dean. Contains graphic sex and erotic sex scenes.

•••••••

LOOKING FOR A COMPLICATION by Tamsen Parker

An F/F short story featuring clinical trial administrator Kinsey Malone, and med student Astrid Zhao. Astrid is a lesbian who is attracted to Kinsey but Kinsey is ambivalent about her sexual status. Contains scenes of spanking, and F/F sexual situations.

•••••

TEST DRIVING THE BILLIONAIRE by Cynthia Sax

A short story focusing on tattooed billionaire Drift Dornan, and his personal assistant Cassie aka Wrench. Cassie is a virgin, in love with her billionaire boss Drift Dornan, and is hoping the man feels the same way about her. Contains graphic sexual language and text, as well as a number of double entendres and sexual references to cars and motorcycles. TEST DRIVING THE BILLIONAIRE is a stand alone novella from Cynthia Sax

••••••••

DELAY OF GAME by Jen Frederick

DELAY OF GAME is a friends to lovers short story focusing on Wyatt Majors, and his best friend Lisle Cunningham. For years Wyatt and Lisle have suffered in silence; kept their love for one another a secret but a secret that is only known to the couple in question. When Lisle decides it is time to move on, Wyatt realizes it is time to claim the woman that he loves. The sex scenes are intimate without the over the top graphic text and language. DELAY OF GAME may be part of Jen’s GRIDIRON series but I cannot confirm or deny.

••••••

HER FIRST CHOICE by Lynda Chance

Twenty six year old biker Tyler Copeland, and twenty three year old Whitney a story of second chances of sorts. Whitney is a young woman who just discovered her boyfriend of four years had been cheating so our heroine is out for revenge. Meeting Tyler Copeland, her almost one night fling from years before, finds Whitney facing all of her hard fought fears and emotions. Contains some sexually graphic scenes without the over the top erotic imagery. HER FIRST CHOICE is a short story that covers approximately a year in time.

•••••••

SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL by Cynthia Rayne

Dolly Perkins and her son are on the run from her abusive husband; the Dixie Mafia protects their own and her husband Clayton Perkins is a card carrying member but a member no longer in good standing. When enforcer Byron Beauregard tracks down our heroine, she is surprised at the message he brings. The lone $ex scene is mostly implied. SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL reads like a prequel storyline that ends without satisfaction.

•••••

TRAILER PARK EDEN by CJ Roberts

Seventeen year old disabled twins Parker and Kylee James. Kylee is blind; and Parker is deaf. Both live in a trailer with their abusive father who spends most of his time at the bottom of a bottle. TRAILER PARK EDEN touches on taboo subjects that may offend some readers-you have been warned !

•••••••

IT TAKES TWO by Nikki Sloane

Nina Hale is down on her luck and needs a quick influx of cash-and making a porn video is at the top of her list. Contains sexually graphic language, anal sex, and M/F/M sexual situations. IT TAKE TWO is the prequel to Nikki Sloane’s BLINDFOLD CLUB erotic series.

••••••

HEART OF EVE by Pam Godwin

Evie is the only surviving woman in a post apocalyptic war following a plague, nineteen months earlier that all but destroyed the world’s population. Many that survived are no longer human but giant insect like creatures that prey on the humans that do remain. Roark is a priest; Evie’s protector and guardian; and the man who is tempted to break all of his vows. Short on supplies, Evie and Roarke leave their underground sewer in search of goods but come face to face with creatures above. HEART OF EVE falls somewhere in the timeline between book one Dead of Eve and book two Blood of Eve in Pam Godwin’s Trilogy of Eve series. The lone sex scenes is intimate and seductive without the use of over the top graphic erotic sexual imagery.

••••••

STEAL MY BREATH by Nina Levine

Bar owner Luke Hardy and waitress /wanna be author Callie have been eyeing each other for close to a year but Luke has a secret-one that will break Callie’s heart in an instant-once it is revealed. The short story ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-there is more story to tell. Contains a provocative sex scenes without the erotic factor. STEAL MY BREATH is a prequel short story-Callie and Luke’s full length novel comes out in 2016

•••••••

RAPUNZEL’S FIRST KNIGHT by Shoshanna Evers

A quick re-invent for adults of the fairy tale featuring the princess Rapunzel, and her hero Sir Jonathon. No sex scenes but features a very naïve princess who is taught the differences between a man and a woman.

••••••

SWEPT AWAY by Anna Zaires

Delia is a human female, and Arus is a Krinar. Delia believes her hero is a mythological god come to rescue her from the raging storms. SWEPT AWAY is a short story from Anna Zaires’s sci-fi romance Krinar Chronicles-The Krinar are an advanced race of beings from another galaxy who have taken control of Earth. The lone sex scene is seductive and romantic without the use of erotic language or text.

••••••

UNIQUE by Avery Aster

UNIQUE is a novella from the author’s MANHATTANITES erotic, romance series. For followers of the series, KiKi Izatt is Taddy Brill’s assistant first revealed in Unscrupulous. UNIQUE follows the trail of blood diamonds from Sierra Leone to Paloma Gems, Brill Inc, Truman Hotels and The Style Gala where Kiki finds herself a victim of a kidnapping. Contains sexually graphic language and text. UNIQUE will be release in a full length story line in April 2016

••••••

OWNED by Jenika Snow

Rose Jonathan needed money. She signed up for an exclusive auction where by she would sell her virginity to the highest bidder. Enter Jaxon Caldwell, Rose’s boss, and the man who would claim Rose as his own. Contains oral sex, spanking, graphic sexual language and text.

 

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Fighting Dirty by Sidney Halston-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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FIGHTING DIRTY (Worth The Fight #5) by Sidney Halston-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

 

FIGHTING DIRTY
Worth The Fight #5
by Sidney Halston
Genre: adult, contemporary, MMA, erotic romance
Release Date: January 5, 2016

 

Click HERE to follow FIGHTING DIRTY book tour

Add FIGHTING DIRTY to you GOODREADS shelf.

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 5, 2016

With his preppy clothes and horn-rimmed glasses, Enzo Silva is the last dude anyone expects to find in a mixed martial arts gym. A wealthy Brazilian banker who never had to fight for anything, Enzo’s stuck in the amateur circuit—but he burns to make the pros. Maybe that explains the heat he feels whenever he’s around Jamie Lynn Calhoun. The pint-size, magenta-haired bartender with the Texas drawl is everything he’s not . . . and everything he craves.

Tough as nails and independent to a fault, Jamie Lynn—JL to her friends—works hard to pay her bills and keep life simple. Enzo is doing his best to complicate that. Even though she likes to bust his balls, he’s got some kind of a nerdy-hot vibe that makes JL wonder if she might finally be able to let her guard down. It might do the boy some good to spend some time in her world, where blood, sweat, and victory are as sweet as the first taste of real love.

•••••

REVIEW:  FIGHTING DIRTY is the fifth installment in Sidney Halston’s contemporary, adult WORTH THE FIGHT erotic romance series focusing on the MMA fighters of Worth The Fight Club and the women they love. This is amateur MMA fighter and Brazilian businessman Enzo Silva, and bar waitress Jamie Lynn (JL) Calhoun’s story. JL is Travis’s sister-we were first introduced to our leading couple in a previous story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives FIGHTING DIRTY focuses on Enzo’s attempts to seduce Jamie Lynn-a tattooed, impulsive and feisty thirty year old who never considered settling down anytime soon. For close to a year Enzo has been trying to convince JL to give him a chance but when Enzo is ready to give up it is Jamie who asks Enzo out for their first official date. Jamie and Enzo are polar opposites in almost everything they do but Jamie’s take charge attitude pushes Enzo into some uncomfortable situations while hiding her own emotional and darkened past.

Jamie and her brother Travis never ran in the same circles as the rich and famous people like Enzo Silva. They never knew their father and their mother is an addict with a taste for drugs and men. But Jamie and Travis keep secret their younger life, and it is only when things between Enzo and Jamie begin to heat up does Jamie reveal the truth about earlier years and the reasons she hides behind the tattoos and various changes to her hair color and style. Jamie is a talented artist who likes to push the envelope between right and wrong but the envelope she continues to push lands squarely in the new business deal that Enzo had been trying to make. The $ex scenes are intimate and erotic, and for Enzo there are a number of firsts –outdoors and on the hood of expensive cars.

FIGHTING DIRTY includes all of the previous story line couples as well as Jamie’s twin brother Travis, and the woman who calls to his heart-Penny. Jamie’s BFF Violet (Laid Out #4) is a little protective of our story line heroine but it is Jamie’s secret that Violet struggles to protect the most. We are introduced to Jamie and Travis’s struggling mother, as well as Enzo’s ex wife and the ‘new’ man in her life.

The world building continues to focus on the men of the MMA but the fight scenes are limited in this particular story line. There is a ‘reality’ series scheduled to be shot in and around the Worth the Fight fighters, and with it comes the potential for more drama.

FIGHTING DIRTY is an entertaining story line with likeable characters once you get past Jamie Lynn’s initial over the top exuberance and take charge attitude. There is betrayal and heartbreak; secrets and family dysfunction; falling in love and letting go. A welcome addition to Halston’s Worth the Fight MMA series.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

 

JL knew that, short as she was, she often intimidated men with just a look. That’s what confidence did. And she had it in spades. It made you as tall as you wanted to be. As pretty as you wanted to be. As rich as you wanted to be. Because if you had confidence, nothing else mattered. That was a lesson she’d learned a long time ago.
But even with all that confidence, she wasn’t blind to the differences between her and Enzo. He was from a different world, and she could feel the distance between their worlds every time she thought about going out with him. It had all been harmless flirty fun until he’d taken things too far and kissed her a few weeks ago. And what a kiss it had been. He’d kissed her as if he were stuck in a desert and her mouth were the only thing that could quench his thirst. She still felt all sorts of things running through her body when she thought of the way he’d backed her up against a wall, not caring who the hell was around, gripped her neck, and slipped his tongue between her parted lips. She’d embarrassed herself by melting into him and mewling in need. In fact, she might have even dry-humped his leg. It had been that good a kiss. Then he’d let her go and challenged her by saying, “Next time you’ll beg me to kiss you.” Like she’d ever beg a man! But now, with his glorious body on full display . . .
As if he could sense her inappropriate thoughts, his eyes met hers. His stare felt like a warm caress all over her already ignited body. The charcoal fell out of her hand and a shiver ran down her spine. Is it getting hot in here? She shifted uncomfortably on her chair, but he didn’t break eye contact. Then, the ultraconservative man who had been asking her out constantly for almost a year winked at her. It caught her by surprise, and she quickly hid behind her canvas.


 

About the author

Sidney_HalstonSidney Halston lives her life by one simple rule: “Just do it.” And that’s exactly what she did. At the age of thirty, having never written anything other than a legal brief, she picked up a pen for the first time to pursue her dream of becoming an author. That first stroke sealed the deal, and she fell in love with writing. Halston lives in South Florida with her husband and children.

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The Short Drop (Gibson Vaughn #1) by Matthew Fitzsimmons-a review

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THE SHORT DROP (Gibson Vaughn #1) by Matthew Fitzsimmons-a review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / The Book Depository /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2015

A decade ago, fourteen-year-old Suzanne Lombard, the daughter of Benjamin Lombard—then a senator, now a powerful vice president running for the presidency—disappeared in the most sensational missing-person case in the nation’s history. Still unsolved, the mystery remains a national obsession.

For legendary hacker and marine Gibson Vaughn, the case is personal—Suzanne Lombard had been like a sister to him. On the tenth anniversary of her disappearance, the former head of Benjamin Lombard’s security asks for Gibson’s help in a covert investigation of the case, with new evidence in hand.

Haunted by tragic memories, he jumps at the chance to uncover what happened all those years ago. Using his military and technical prowess, he soon discovers multiple conspiracies surrounding the Lombard family—and he encounters powerful, ruthless political players who will do anything to silence him and his team. With new information surfacing that could threaten Lombard’s bid for the presidency, Gibson must stay one step ahead as he navigates a dangerous web to get to the truth.

••••••••••

REVIEW: THE SHORT DROP is the first installment in first time author Matthew Fitzsimmons’ GIBSON VAUGHN crime thriller.

Told from several third person points of view THE SHORT DROP follows hacker and former marine Gibson Vaughn as he is tasked to uncover the identity of an internet hacker known as WR8TH , a person who claims to know something about the ten year old mystery surrounding the disappearance of Gibson’s best friend Suzanne Lombard-a then fifteen year old girl who got caught up in her father’s bid for political office. What ensues is a story of suspense, mystery, secrets and lies that focus on the missing young woman, and the people who are desperately trying to keep hidden the truth about what happened years before.

First time author Matthew Fitzsimmons introductory novel is a magnificent work of literary fiction; a thriller that will keep you guessing as to the real nature of Suzanne’s tragic life; and the people who will do anything to hide what goes on behind closed doors and backroom meetings. The tension is palpable; the corruption runs deep; the conspiracies are varied and not far from the truth. The political players a world of the powerful elite may have met their match when Gibson Vaughn goes in search of the truth-a truth he may not want to hear.

Congratulations Matthew Fitzsimmons- I have no doubt you will go far with your chosen career. THE SHORT DROP is a phenomenal debut; a brilliant story line; with gripping characters, and intoxicating twists and turns.

Copy supplied by the publicist

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wicked Lust by Sawyer Bennett-Review, Book tour and Giveaway

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WICKED LUST (Wicked Horse #2) by Sawyer Bennett-Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

 

WICKED LUST
Wicked Horse #2
by Sawyer Bennett
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: January 5, 2015

 

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About the book: Release Date January 5, 2016

Cain Bonham is as big and bad as they come. After serving in the Marines, he’s returned home to Wyoming and now works as head of security at the exclusive sex club, The Wicked Horse. His job is to protect not only the patrons, but to zealously guard the secret existence of the club itself.

Sloane Preston is all about discovering secrets. As an undercover reporter, she’s determined to reveal the truth behind the facade of The Wicked Horse and expose it for all the world to see. She just didn’t count on her pathway into the club coming at the hands of one gorgeously scarred and bad ass bouncer who manages to easily possess her body and soul.

While Cain’s not looking for anyone to catch his eye, Sloane did it all the same, and he’s not bemoaning the fact that she’s as wickedly kinky as he is. As both get caught up in the sinful fantasies that only The Wicked Horse can create, secrets and loyalties will be tested and hearts will risk being broken.

**Warning: this book has sex in it. Lots of sex. Dirty sex. The Wicked Horse Series is a bit different than what Sawyer Bennett normally writes. While you’ll still enjoy fabulous characters, a suspenseful story, some witty banter and an epic romance, there’s just… a lot of sex. You’ve been warned

•••••••••••

REVIEW: WICKED LUST is the second installment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary adult Wicked Horse erotic, romance series. This is head of security for the exclusive Wicked Horse Nightclub Cain Bonham, and reporter Sloane Preston’s storyline. WICKED LUST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Wicked Horse is a spin off from Sawyer’s LAST CALL series.

NOTE: Wicked Lust contains graphic scenes of BDSM, anal play, voyeurism and exhibitionism, and multiple partners with MM, MMF, MFM and MF sexual situations, as well as sexual fantasy play and scenarios between consenting adults that may be uncomfortable for some readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sloane and Cain) WICKED LUST follows the building relationship between Cain and Sloane. Cain is an ex-marine, cowboy, and head of security for the privately run nightclub Wicked Horse, as well as their exclusive sex club The Silo. Sloane is a strong character; an undercover reporter from Washington DC trying to get information about a senator who may have connections to The Silo, and its previous owner billionaire rancher Woolf Jennings (Wicked Fall #1). What ensues is a relationship built upon a lie when Sloane uses her affair with Cain to uncover the truth about what goes on behind the doors of The Silo, and the membership within. While Sloane attempts to gather the information for her article, pressure from above finds our heroine caught between right and wrong, and breaking the heart of the man with whom she is falling in love.

The relationship between Cain and Sloane is highly sexualized. Cain is an active member and employee of The Silo, as well as a man who can make all of your fantasies come true-nothing is off limits; the kinkier the better but Cain is also a man who doesn’t do relationships due to a dark and dangerous past, and his time with Sloane has an expiry date when Sloane asks for a promise he is unable to keep. The $ex scenes are numerous, sensational, aggressive and intense with plenty of dirty talking cowboys and heartbreakers. Some readers may be offended by the sexual content.

The secondary and supporting players include Woolf and Callie from book one (Wicked Fall), and the new owner of Wicked Horse and The Silo-Bridger. Bridger is a bit of an enigma; a man whose sexual control and ability to use a whip precedes his introduction but he is also a man we know very little about. We are also introduced to Cain’s mother, step-father and sister; Sloane’s emotionally fragile mother; and get up close and personal with two of the The Silo’s employees- Logan and Rand- as well as club member Catherine whose life is about to spiral out of control. Rand Bishop and Catherine Vaughn’s story is next in Wicked Need.

WICKED LUST is a sexually detailed and graphic story line about consenting adults and the secrets they share. The premise is ‘wicked’ and decadent; the characters are heartbreaking and intense; the romance is sensuous and dramatic, and not without some tearful moments. The $ex scenes are hedonistic and self-indulgent, with plenty of kinky fantasy play, bondage; and passion. Yes, I shed a few tears-perhaps it was my lack of sleep due to a marathon reading session-but Cain and Sloane broke my heart several times throughout the story.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

 

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Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

 

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First Touch (First and Last #1) by Laurelin Paige-Review, Book Tour and Giveaway

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FIRST TOUCH (First and Last #1) by Laurelin Paige-a review

 

 

 

 

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About the book: Release Date December 29, 2015

When Emily Wayborn goes home to visit her mom while on hiatus from her hit TV show, she receives a voicemail from her former best friend, Amber. Though the two were once notorious party girls, they haven’t spoken in years. Although the message might sound benign to anyone else, Amber uses a safe word that Emily recognizes, a word they always used to get out of sticky situations during their wild days. And what’s more chilling than the voicemail: it turns out that Amber has gone missing.

Determined to track down her friend, Emily follows a chain of clues that lead her to the enigmatic billionaire Reeve Sallis, a hotelier known for his shady dealings and play boy reputation. Now, in order to find Amber, Emily must seduce Reeve to learn his secrets and discover the whereabouts of her friend. But as she finds herself more entangled with him, she finds she’s drawn to Reeve for more than just his connection to Amber, despite her growing fear that he may be the enemy. When she’s forced to choose where her loyalty lies, how will she decide between saving Amber and saving her heart?

•••••••••

REVIEW: FIRST TOUCH is the first installment in Laurelin Paige’s contemporary, adult FIRST AND LAST dark, erotic romance series. This is actress Emily Wayborn, and billionaire hotel magnate Reeve Sallis’s storyline.

NOTE: The storyline contains triggers for some readers as it pertains to violence, rape, atypical sexual acts, and dubious consent.Some readers may be offended by some of the storyline content-you have been warned.

Told from first person point of view (Emily) FIRST TOUCH follows Emily Wayborn as she searches for the truth. Months earlier, our heroine, hears a phone message from a friend she hasn’t seen for close to seven years-a phone message using a safe word the friends had promised to use if ever they were in trouble. What ensues, is Emily’s hunt for the truth-a hunt that begins with the last person known to have seen Amber alive-billionaire hotelier Reeve Sallis. Emily will begin to seduce her way into Reeve’s life and his heart ensuring she has a front row seat when the truth is finally revealed.

FIRST TOUCH is a slow build to a suspense filled and intriguing cliff hanger that will only create more questions than answers; a dark, erotic romance that focuses on two people whose lives are interconnected through a missing woman-a woman Emily presumes to be dead. Emily and Reeve’s taste for the darker side of sex borders on deviance: fantasies that go beyond BDSM and role play; and questionable consent. Our leading couple straddles a fine line between right and wrong: trust must be earned; boundaries are pushed; control and power are at the center of all negotiations. While our heroine continues to search for the truth, she begins to lose herself to a man who is capable of destroying her world. So many clues are interspersed throughout the storyline premise.

Laurelin Paige pushes the reader into an unimaginable world; a place where our thoughts go but our heart does not belong; a story that will command your attention until the very end. But I want to add, that sometimes an author goes for ‘shock value’ in the storyline content, and I have to wonder if that is the purpose for some of the graphic imagery.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

Excerpt Black and Hot Pink

 

“Tell me something,” he said, overtly switching gears. “What’s with you and Chris Blakely?”
He’d been watching me at the Expo, then. Before he’d come outside after me.
His question about Chris was spoken casually, but it was purposeful. A more naïve woman might have missed it, but I was too experienced with men like him. He wanted me to know that I was in his sightline. That this was what it meant to be part of his life. That he would monitor me, if he felt like it; he’d rule me. And he expected me to submit.
I couldn’t decide if that freaked me out or thrilled me.
So I played coy. “He’s an actor. We’ve worked together on occasion. I guess we’re friends.”
I walked into the kitchen and got a glass from the cupboard. Chewing my lip, I filled it with filtered water from the sink and debated full disclosure regarding Chris…It was a long shot, but since I hoped to contact Chris for more information about Missy at some point, I decided the less I said the better.
I drank some of my water then set the glass down and leaned across the counter to watch Reeve. His fingers trailed across the spines. I couldn’t see the exact books, so I tried to think what was there. My Katherine Hepburn autobiography. My copy of Rebecca.
He stopped and pulled one from the shelf then flipped through it lazily. This one I recognized from the cover. PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives, one of my coffee table books. I collected them and had so many that most lived on my bookshelf rather than on my coffee table. This particular book was a printing of blog posts that shared secrets anonymously. Parts of it read like my diary, and I’d marked several pages with Post-it notes so I could easily come back to them. Reading it had always felt comforting.
Seeing it in Reeve’s hands, though, wasn’t comforting. He flipped through the pages, stopping on the ones I’d tagged. Chuckling at some. Growing somber at others. At one, he lifted his head toward me and nodded slightly as if confirming what he’d just thought, what he’d just read.
I ran through several confessions I knew by heart, trying to imagine which it had been—
“Again and again. Used.”
“I’m more scared of court than I was when he almost killed me.”
“I would do absolutely anything in the whole world if I thought it would make her happy.”
Whichever ones he was reading, any of them—all of them—were private. Too private for him to know spoke to me. Yet, I didn’t stop him. I let him sink one layer deeper under my skin.
It was bad enough that he was in my apartment—in an apartment that I paid for myself. His presence reminded me of a time when everything I owned had been given to me by men. The things I had now, though small in number and worth, were all mine.
Trying to distract myself from the anxiety Reeve’s invasion caused, I asked, “Why do you want to know about Chris anyway? Do you want me to fix you up? He’s got a fiancé, you know.”
Reeve shot me a glare. “Cute.”
He put the book back on my shelf and moved toward me. When he reached the counter, he said, “Chris doesn’t look at you like he has a fiancé.”
Ah. I’d forgotten Reeve was a jealous man. Or I’d underestimated the depth of his envy. Strangely, it was a fairly common trait of the kind of men I’d involved myself with in the past, the kind of men who had everything. I knew how to pander to them, knew what to say to put their insecurities to rest. No one could ever be man enough to compare with you, I’d say. It might have been what Reeve was looking for in regards to Chris.
But I couldn’t bring myself to give it to him. “A lot of men don’t look at me like they have a fiancé.”
Reeve leaned across the opposite side of the counter so we were face-to-face. “I don’t like that.”
Jealousy was generally boring, yet, on Reeve, it was fascinating. And, I suspected, dangerous. “You don’t? What are you going to do about it? Lock me up and never let me out in public?”
“I have some nice secluded resorts I think you’d like. My island properties are so beautiful you’ll forget you’re in a prison.”
He flashed his dimple. It was subtle, only noticeable when he smiled in a certain way, the way he was smiling now. And his eyes…I’d thought they were blue, but now I saw green flecks. They caught in the light. They caught me in them, made me feel warm. Made me feel trapped.
I stood up straight, distancing myself without moving away. “Look at you. Acting as if you have some claim to me. I think I already blew you off the other night.”
“Look at you, acting as if I’m a person that you blow off. I think I already warned you about me.” He was teasing as I’d been. But he wasn’t all at the same time.
My heart skipped a beat. “Another threat?”
“If you want it to be.” He looked at me like he had earlier—that intent way that saw through me, into me. Saw all my dark parts.
In a way, he was showing me his darkness as well.
My lip quivered, but I wasn’t scared. Well, not scared enough. “I do.”
His eyes sparked, and with that simple phrase, we entered into an agreement. He would have me. He would fuck me. He would bring me into his world.
And in return I’d let him break me. 


 

About the Author Black and rose

Laurelin PaigeLaurelin Paige is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy. She’s a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.

 

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