Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Losing It by Cora Carmack





My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bliss Edwards is a college student with some "V" issues. Her friend Kelsey is determined to help her lose her virginity with the simplest solution possible—a one-night stand. A girl's night out turns into a complication Bliss wasn't prepared for. She has never felt any attraction towards a man to warrant her wanting to make the big leap, until she sees the most stunning set of baby blues she has ever laid eyes on. Add the British accent and the fact that he was reading in the middle of a club and it's a hopeless battle for Bliss once Garrick takes an interest in her.

"I'm going to buy you a drink." It wasn't meant to be a question. In fact, when he looked at me, there wasn't anything in him questioning at all, only confidence. "Then we can chat some more about reason...and passion."

Her plan for a one-night-stand goes horribly wrong when she panics and blurts out for Garrick to stop. The reason that flies out of her mouth is so off the wall, but completely hilarious. She ends up leaving a naked and very confused man in her bed while she has a melt-down in the dark outside of her apartment.

Moving on and counting the night as a loss, Bliss just wants to focus on school and graduation. But fate has other plans because her new theater teacher is the gorgeous Mr Taylor aka Garrick whom she left naked in her bed last night.

Funny, witty and entertaining! This book hooked me from chapter one with Bliss's personality and the chemistry between her and Garrick. The story was seamless and I am very eager to read the next book for Cade's story since he had a strong supporting role in this installment. 4.5 Star Read!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Heating Up the Holidays - Review

Heating Up the Holidays 3-Story Bundle (Play with Me, Snowfall, and After Midnight)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I WANT MORE DAMION!

Lisa Renee Jones - Play With Me

Kali moved to Vegas for the dream job and to get away from the hurt in her past caused by her Ex and Father. Her dream crumbles and she must rise from the ashes. Fortunately she catches a break and gets an interview with the devastatingly hot casino CEO, Damion Ward.

"Well, here's the only sure thing you'll get in Vegas and this job: Something is always not ok. You either deal with it or you crash and burn."

Damion and Kali have an instant and undeniable connection to each other. Being his assistant and the corporate scandal crashing down around them only complicates matters. They fight a losing battle and give in to their desire, no longer capable of ignoring it.

"He is a drug. A wicked, wonderful drug that will finally be the end of my sanity if I allow him to be."

As Kali gets closer to Damion, she realizes he has a past too. They are both "Bruised but not Broken".

I loved this story and the only disappointment I have is that it had to end. Kali, Damion and Terrence were strong, well developed characters. The plot was new with a hint of mystery. A+

Friday, October 18, 2013

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Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K Hamilton

 
 
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What can I say about Anita Blake....she ROCKS! This is a thrilling series. It starts out innocent enough but as the books progress, the heat progresses....love it! Keep up if you can ladies. It's one wild ride!

The world that Anita Blake lives in, is a lot like our own. The one major difference is that vampires, lycanthropes, and other creatures that go bump in the night are real. Not only are they real, but they are legal. The city of St. Louis has a thriving vampire district. Anita Blake, the main protagonist of this great series of books, is an animator and part-time vampire slayer. She is quite good at both of her jobs and has earned the nickname the "Executioner" for the amount of vampire kills she has to her credit. She is also a consultant for the Regional Preternatural Investigation Team or RPIT. Anita's main job is working for Animators Inc, and using her birth given ability to raise the dead. Anita is small in stature, but makes up for it by being uncommonly standoffish and in your face. She is not afraid to use the Browning High Power that she keeps with her at all times. Anita is a strong female character who anchors this series and is a great narrator.
 
This first book packs a punch and leaves a mark.  Someone is killing vampires and the 1000 year old Queen, Nikolaos, wants Anita to figure out who it is, whether she is willing or not.  What is supposed to be a night out at Guilty Pleasures for a bachelorette party soon becomes an unrelenting nightmare.  Jean-Claude wants Anita to help save the vampires, with a few ulterior motives, but who will save Anita from Jean-Claude.

Breathe You In by Lily Harlem

 
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"No, I had no choice. I had to see this through. There wasn't one part of me that wouldn't. I had to at least try to get a peek of him, this man who had a piece of what was mine, a very important piece too."
 
What a gripping, emotional read. Katie's story is absolutely heart wrenching. Her pain and grief is written in such a real and relatable manner it's very easy to feel a connection to her. Ruben, oh Ruben...how do you tell the gorgeous man you love he has the beating heart and breathing lungs of your dead husband?  Following Katie on her journey through the memories and pain was unbearable at times and tender at others. 
 
Although Katie's life has been rife with loss and despair, Ruben has not had it on easy street either.  Used to a life in the fast lane, he was forced to give up everything when his heart started giving out.  His whole life was turned upside down and his fate was forever changed the day he ran into the terrified woman in the museum.   Just when you think Katie and Ruben will have their happily ever-after, you get a big sock in the gut.  I think that was the hardest part in the book.  It tore my heart out only to re-mend again.
 
This book does not disappoint on the emotional level and there is plenty of steam factor. 
 
 
Excerpt:
 
"Sometimes you don’t realize how special a moment is until it’s a memory.

When he held me in his arms I saw a handsome, vibrant man with desire in his eyes and love in his heart. But Ruben Strong was more than that; he was a way out of my darkness, a glimmer of light peeking through my shroud—he was a piece of what I no longer had.

What he didn’t know, but I did, was that he’d been waiting for me. It had taken me time and courage to go looking for him, but if I hadn’t done what I’d done on my bleakest day, he wouldn’t have been there for me to find.

My tumbling decisions led to a meeting that tipped everything I thought I knew about myself upside down. Lying warm and naked in his bed, my old memories became new ones and our souls talked to each other in a way only we could understand. And our bodies, once we were brave enough to hum a quiet tune, quickly produced a beautifully sexy song that threw open the doors to love and laughter in my life once more."

Thursday, October 17, 2013

The Lonely by Tara Brown

 
 
 
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"I know I told them I was Emalyn Spicer. I know who she is, I know who she isn't as well. I can see her face staring at me. Her blank stare haunts me. She is me. I've lived for her. I had to. I owed her that. I remember the gunshot. I remember the debt but I don't remember what caused it."
 
Totally blown away...I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. It is a dark and painful story. I don't want to give too much away because everything is not what it seems in this book. The characters are so well developed you can't help but love them from Shell the roomie to Stuart the chauffeur.
 
The story starts out being the typical damaged college girl trying to find herself in the real world and heal from her past as an orphan. It takes a completely unexpected turn in a very crazy, twisted good way! So, without any spoilers, just read it if you enjoy intensely dark reads. Can't wait to read more in this series.

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Panic (Rook & Ronin 3) - J.A. Huss



My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Panic...big, fat, ugly tears are streaming down my face as I write this ARC review. That has got to be the hardest Epilogue I have ever read! Not giving anything away, you'll have to find out for yourself...

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this series, how wonderful Julie is and how I have enjoyed the whole Rook & Ronin Team experience with the rest of the ladies. This is a one-of-a-kind story and I am so glad I took the chance and bought Tragic (book 1) when it was released. By Manic (book 2), I was so enthralled with these characters, they felt real. The plot and personalities were so easy to empathize and connect with. There aren't enough stars in the sky for me to rate how much I adore these books as a whole!

Panic is about Rook trying to find who she is in this world. After the horrors of her past with Jon are laid to rest, the guys encourage her to pursue her dreams, especially Ford who has taken an odd personal interest in her happiness.

"Just so we're clear, I'm oddly drawn to what you do with your life. I'm sorry but you are stuck with me." Ronin throws his hands in the air, "I give up! I can't predict him, I can't control him and I can't compete with him. He's your weirdo friend now, Rook."

Ronin is working the Gidget deal with Clare while Rook is off with the boys doing the Shrike Show and school. Rook learns of Ford's true nature and to say the least, I was a bit shocked myself! Ford has his own suspicions of Rook's past but true to her namesake, they hesitate bringing it up in fear that she may fly away. Things get very complicated when an old case comes to light which digs up so much more than anyone bargained for and Rook must step out of the shadows to save her "Fiona" from the fire-breathing dragon. Old scars are opened to bleed and heal once more. It's Ronin's love that gives her the strength to set things right and finally make peace with the ghosts in her past.

"Don't panic, Gidget. Be still and stay calm. We'll be ok, I promise. Just keep calm and it will all work out."

The camaraderie between Rook, Ford and Spencer is fun and never dull. Each character has their flaw but equally redeeming quality as well.

"You're a nice looking guy, Ford. So is Spencer. I'm not sure one could actually choose between the three of you. You're all good catches. Equally desirable in different ways."

How true that statement is! I was so undecided as to who I wanted Rook to end up with..I think I still am. I am a little partial to a certain character who stole my heart in Manic. I always will be.

Spencer cracks-me-up! He can be sensitive and caring one minute and a goofy, typical male the next.

Spencer says through a mouth full of spaghetti "This school shit is boring the f--- out of me. Let's talk about bikes. Or tits!"

All I can say is, read it! You'll love it! They are books that you can read over and over and love like it's the first time.


Saturday, October 12, 2013

Manic (Rook & Ronin 2) - J.A. Huss

 

The STURGIS Contract! What could be better than a summer of having Spencer Shrike’s paintbrush all over your body, warm breath caressing your most intimate places as he paints every detail. Rook is fulfilling her contract she signed in rebellion toward Ronin and even though she had doubts, she is starting to enjoy her work. Confusion swarms her brain at how easily her body reacts to the "props" that aren't Ronin.

 "I try to pretend it's just a job, but the truth is, Spencer is excited, and while I'm flattered to have that effect on him, I'm also kinda worried, because I'm turned on too."

With Ronin leaving at the drop of a hat every time Clare has a meltdown, Rook's confusion and doubts grow.  Ford, what can I say other than he is arrogant, a complete jerk, sometimes charming and I LOVE him! He has taken an interest in Rook's relationship with Ronin. She knows there is bad history between them but not what. Ronin sure isn't coughing anything up. There is something about Ford that draws Rook closer. He challenges her mind and body.

 "I won't touch you Rook, don't worry." he whispers. "I'm not a runner and I'm not a cheater either. Life is long, you are young, and I am very, very patient."

When her past rears it's ugly head, it will take all three of the men in her life to fix it but it will also unveil their secrets to Rook.

'"She's got a missing person's report out on her in Illinois. Some guy who says he's her husband, Jon Walsh." I lean out the window and puke right on Ford's shoes.'

Some lives are more important than secrets. Ronin, Spencer and Ford will do whatever they have to in order to keep Rook safe. This is where I am completely and utterly in love with all three. Can't she keep them all? I know I would...I mean how do you choose? Tragic (Rook & Ronin 1) was a Five Star read for me and I would rate
Manic (Rook & Ronin 2)   8+ blazing Stars!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Hot Secrets - Lisa Renee Jones

 
FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME
 
By Lisa Renee Jones
Copyright 2012 
Book 1 of the NewYork Times Best Selling TALL, DARK, AND DEADLY 
Includes an excerpt from IF I WERE YOU –
From the INSIDE OUT series now OPTIONED TO STARZ FOR TV with Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland w/Johnny Depp) producing
The Tall, Dark, and Deadly series includes:
Book 1:  Hot Secrets - Out Now
Book 2: Dangerous Secrets - Out Now
Also available 
Book 3: Beneath the Secrets - Out Now


The Walker Brothers...


Tall, dark, and deadly, these three brothers run Walker security. Each brother is unique in his methods and skills, but all share key similarities. They are passionate about those they love, relentless when fighting for a cause they believe in, and all believe that no case is too hard, no danger too dark. Dedication is what they deliver, results are their reward.

Book 1 HOT SECRETS:

Royce Walker, a former FBI Agent, who's opened a private security firm with his brothers, has always had the hots for the prim, proper Assistant District Attorney, but considered her hand's off because of a family connection. However, when danger threatens Lauren, he isn't willing to stand by and watch her get hurt. Now the passion for survival is only rivaled by the passion burning between them. And that passion, might just be the death of them both.