December 8, 2015

REVIEW: Game For Love by Bella Andre

TITLE: GAME FOR LOVE

AUTHOR: BELLA ANDRE

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY

PUBLISHED: DECEMBER 13 2010

Millions of readers around the world have fallen in love with Bella Andre’s emotional, fun and sexy contemporary romances!

In a relationship built on lies...the only truth is their feelings for each other. To fulfill his grandmother's dying wish, linebacker Cole Taylor must find – and marry – a good girl. First grade teacher Anna Davis fits the bill perfectly. 

Their deal is simple: If she'll be his temporary wife, he'll give her more pleasure than she ever imagined was possible. Only, love is the ultimate game-changer.

REVIEW: Take Me by Bella Andre

TITLE: TAKE ME

AUTHOR: BELLA ANDRE

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY

PUBLISHED: NOVEMBER 15 2005

A plus-sized woman finally gets the man of her dreams in this sexy contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Bella Andre.

An appetite for sensual pleasures must never be denied...

Lily Ellis has curves -- soft, beautiful curves. The kind of voluptuous body she fears Travis Carson, the man she's always loved from afar, would never crave. But Lily is about to be proven wrong. Her adventure begins when the demure San Francisco interior decorator agrees to model a plus-size dress for her fashion designer sister. Watching this sensual beauty move down the runway, Travis can't believe it's the same Lily he's always known -- and always rejected. In a whirlwind of electric attraction, Lily is soon moaning Travis's name in his bed, not just in her wild fantasies. But Lily is all too aware that she's nothing like his past lovers.

Determined to beat Travis at his own game by guarding her true feelings, Lily partners with him on a business deal that takes them all the way to Italy. In the seductive warmth of the Tuscan sun, Lily plays a game of desire with the hot-blooded Travis. Will she be burned by an all-consuming ecstasy or will Travis open his heart to the sexy, exciting, and lasting love she has to offer?

November 19, 2015

REVIEW: The Proposal by Katie Ashley

TITLE: THE PROPOSAL

AUTHOR: KATIE ASHLEY

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY

PUBLISHED: JANUARY 10 2013

In the weeks following Aidan’s betrayal, Emma has tried her best to move on. Ignoring his countless texts, voice mails, and flowers, she isn’t sure she wants to be won back by him. But Aidan isn’t going down without a fight—especially not until Emma lets him reveal the secret of his past that caused him to be so commitment phobic.

But fate intervenes when premature labor forces Emma on strict bed rest for two weeks. Aidan steps forward with a shocking proposal. To prove his love and commitment for her and their unborn son, he will take a leave of absence from work to care for her around the clock. Vowing to guard her heart, Emma reluctantly agrees.

While she is touched by Aidan’s attentiveness and tender loving care, Emma is thrown for a loop by the amorous attentions of ER doctor, Alpesh “Pesh” Nadeen. Pesh is everything Emma could ever want—successful, stable, and ready to settle down and be a husband and father. Pesh wants nothing more than to win Emma’s heart, but she is not sure she’s able to give it.

Her heart may still belong to the very man who broke it—the one who is so desperately trying to win her back.

November 8, 2015

REVIEW: The Proposition by Katie Ashley

TITLE: THE PROPOSITION

AUTHOR: KATIE ASHLEY

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY

PUBLISHED: DECEMBER 9 2012

With her thirtieth birthday looming, Emma Harrison finds her biological clock clanging and the elusive knight in shining armor yet to appear. She’s running out of options, especially after her gay best friend backs out from being her sperm donor. Of course, there’s always a sperm bank, but Emma fears a donor mix-up might impregnate her with the spawn of Satan.

Resident company womanizer, Aidan Fitzgerald, is used to always getting what he wants, especially in the bedroom. When Emma spurns his advances at the company Christmas party, he's determined to have her no matter what it takes. After Aidan learns of Emma's predicament, he is quick to offer a proposition that will benefit them both. He will father Emma's child, but she must conceive it with him naturally. Not one for hook-ups or casual sex, Emma is reluctant to take him up on his offer, but his charm, coupled with her intense desire for motherhood, wins out.

Soon their baby-making sessions become more than just physical. Aidan can't seem to walk away from her while Emma begins to wonder if Aidan could be the one. But can Aidan leave his past behind to become the man Emma needs him to be?

September 1, 2015

REVIEW: Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout

TITLE: OBSIDIAN

AUTHOR: JENNIFER ARMENTROUT

GENRE: YOUNG ADULT

PUBLISHED: MAY 8 2012

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring… until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something… unexpected happens. 

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 
If I don’t kill him first, that is.

August 8, 2015

REVIEW: Frayed by Pamela Ann

TITLE: FRAYED

AUTHOR: PAMELA ANN

GENRE: NEW ADULT

PUBLISHED: APRIL 3 2013

Trista Stevens

Things went quickly sour with the already married Harry when she found out their affair had a bigger repercussion. Heartbroken, she had to do what was best for everyone. 

Just as planned, she and Lindsey went to visit Emma in Greece. Trista thought this vacation was going to be a way for her to heal and come to terms with of the gargantuan mistakes she’s made in the past. 

Taylor Montgomery thought himself a rational man, but meeting the fiery Trista made him think twice. Yet, her mask slips once in awhile. She carried pain and secrets hidden from within. Her fire and vulnerability made him want to protect her all the more. But Trista wouldn’t have any of it. 

One thing Trista should know about the indispensable man though. He's not the kind who gives up easily. 

Come what may.

July 5, 2015

REVIEW: Razer's Ride by Jamie Begley

TITLE: RAZER'S RIDE

AUTHOR: JAMIE BEGLEY

GENRE: ADULT CONTEMPORARY

PUBLISHED: JUNE 8 2013

Beth Cornett is the town good girl, so staying out of the way of the motorcycle club’s dangerous members was a no brainer. Unfortunately, she manages to catch the eye of Razer, who has every intention of tempting her to take him on despite her misgivings. When her worst fears are realized, she is left heartbroken, determined to forget her walk on the wild side. 

Razer was not going to change for any woman, not even Beth. Their lifestyles were too different; betrayed she ran. Realizing his mistake too late; she was not about to forgive and forget. It takes a killer intent on targeting Beth to bring her back to him and The Last Riders for protection. Razer may have learned his lesson, but this time, as long as she is at the club, she has to play by their rules. 

June 21, 2015

REVIEW: Riot by Jamie Begley

TITLE: RIOT

AUTHOR: JAMIE BEGLEY

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY

PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 1 2014

Ice 

As president of the Predators’ MC, my men and I are used to preying on the weak and those stupid enough to cross our paths. So why does a straitlaced teacher make me sit up and take notice when I see her for the first time? The brothers all think she makes me weak, and believe me, weak in their eyes isn’t where I want to be. She wants me to prove she means more to me than the club, and when I fail, she thinks she can just walk away. She’s wrong. I’m a Predator, and nothing escapes me. 

Grace 

As a teacher, I’m supposed to want to educate those who want to learn, right? That’s what I believed until I was told I’d have to teach a class at the prison. I didn’t move to a town labeled as one of the safest places in America only to be faced with a bunch of Predators. He expects me to trust him despite being the reason I’m trapped in the middle of a prison riot. His club means more to him than I ever will, and if I give him a chance, he will break the fragile peace I have managed to find. It’s not the first time I’ve had to escape a predator. 

June 2, 2015

REVIEW: Keegan's Lady by Catherine Anderson

TITLE: KEEGAN'S LADY

AUTHOR: CATHERINE ANDERSON

GENRE: HISTORICAL ROMANCE

PUBLISHED: JANUARY 25 2005

Only Love Can Heal a Wounded Soul ...

 
Caitlin O'Shannessy's late father left her with many things: a Colorado ranch, enduring memories of pain and sadness, an unshakable mistrust of men ... and an adversary.

Ace Keegan has returned to No Name, too late to enact a rightful vengeance on his most hated enemy. The man who put a hole in Ace's life is dead, leaving a daughter behind to run the family enterprise. Though proud and strong as well as beautiful, Caitlin is caught off guard when Ace's calculated anger inadvertently destroys her good name. But Ace Keegan is a man of honor, determined to make amends by marrying the enchanting lady he wronged—and to nurture patience and love the light she guards in her damage heart until it blazes with the power of a thousand suns.

May 12, 2015

REVIEW: The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred

TITLE: THE SWEET GUM TREE

AUTHOR: KATHERINE ALLRED

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY

PUBLISHED: NOV 1 2005

Sweet tea, corn bread, and soup beans—everyday fare for eight-year-old Alix French, the precocious darling of a respected southern family. But nothing was ordinary about the day she met ten-year-old Nick Anderson, a boy from the wrong side of town. Armed with only a tin of bee balm and steely determination, Alix treats the raw evidence of a recent beating that mars his back, an act that changes both of their lives forever.

Through childhood disasters and teenage woes they cling together as friendship turns to love. The future looks rosy until the fateful night when Frank Anderson, Nick's abusive father, is shot to death in his filthy trailer.
Suddenly, Nick is gone—leaving Alix alone, confused and pregnant. For the next fifteen years she wrestles with the pain of Nick's abandonment, a bad marriage, her family and friends. But finally, she's starting to get her life back together. Her divorce is almost final, her business is booming, and she's content if not happy—until the day she looks up and sees Nick standing across the counter. He's back…and he's not alone.
Once again Alix is plunged into turmoil and pain as Nick tries to win her love, something she resists with all her strength. Only one thing might break the protective wall she's built around her emotions—the truth about Frank Anderson's death. But when that truth comes out and those walls crumble, neither Alix nor Nick is prepared for the emotional explosion that could destroy as well as heal.

May 10, 2015

REVIEW: Resplendent by M.J. Abraham

TITLE: RESPLENDENT

AUTHOR: M.J. ABRAHAM

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY

PUBLISHED: JULY 28 2013

Savannah Martinez and Andres Rivera have been friends since high school.

She knew him better than anyone else, and he was the only one she ever confided in.Their friendship was the one brilliant thing they each cherished that wasn’t tarnished by outside forces that wanted them apart. 
But fate wasn’t on their side. When she gave him the chance to turn their relationship into something more, he let her go.Heartbroken and alone, she kept her distance in more waysthan one. Now, years later, Savannah is back in town for good and Andres realizes just how empty his life has been without her.
When a secret comes to light, forcing a deeper wedge between them, Andres finds himself fighting for the only woman he has ever loved. Determined to fix the past and make things right, he will go to any length to prove to Savannah that they were meant to be together. 
Will fate give them a second chance? Or will those secrets and betrayals ruin the one last chance Andres has of being with the woman of his dreams?

May 2, 2015

REVIEW: Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley

Get ready to ride . . . 

Tyra Masters has had enough drama to last a lifetime. Now, she's back on track and looking forward to her new, quiet life. Until she meets the man of her dreams. The tattooed, muscled biker plies her with tequila-and the best sex of her life. She knows it isn't the tequila and hot sex talking. He's the kind of man she's always wanted. Unfortunately, he's also her new boss . . . 

Kane "Tack" Allen has a rule. He doesn't employ someone he's slept with. So when he learns he spent last night in bed with his new office manager, he quickly fires Tyra. Yet when Tyra stands up to him and fights for her job, Tack is intrigued. He tells her she can keep her job on one condition: no more sex. Ever. But as things heat up between them, Tack finds that he'll be the one breaking all the rules...

“We don’t transport drugs. We don’t offer enforcement. We don’t sell tail. We don’t sell guns. We build cars and sell auto supplies.” 

But Tack was different than the stereotype as well . . . 

“You take my hand again like you did that night, I’ll guide you through the nightmare. We’ll make it to the other side and I promise, along the way, you’ll enjoy the ride.” 

It may not be for everyone, Tack is after all the biker boss to end all biker bosses, rude, bossy, swears a lot, has a short fuse, drinks tequila like it is water, and eats more pork than one man should. But he is a man, who loves life and enjoys it.

April 18, 2015

REVIEW: Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley

Night time is the right time...

Gwendolyn Kidd has met the man of her dreams. He's hot, he's sexy, and what started as a no-names-exchanged night of passion has blossomed into a year and a half-long pleasure fest. Sure, it's a little strange that he only appears in her bed at night, but Gwen is so sure he's the one, she just can't turn him away... 

Hawk Delgado knows more about Gwen than she could ever imagine. She's gorgeous, headstrong, and skittish about relationships. But Hawk is facing his own demons, demons that keep him from connecting with anyone. Yet when Gwen is drawn into Denver's lethal underground scene, Hawk's protective nature comes out full force. The problem is, when Gwen gets a dose of Hawk's Alpha attitude in the daylight, she's not so sure he's the one anymore.... 

Gwen and Mystery Man have a sexual relationship for a year and a half. He breaks into her home at night and slips into her bed regulary. 

The way this relationship plays out during this time is strange for this reader: #1: She never asks his name? and #2:She never speaks to him at all? 

I would have been waiting at the front door for him or at the least left the windows and doors unlocked!

When danger finds Gwen the first person to show to protect her is Mystery Man. She then finds out that he knows all about her and she learns who he is. Cabe “Hawk” Delgado is a badass alpha commando who speaks in phrases like "you with me" and "Babe eyes". Hawk has the means to protect her through his background and his business.

March 22, 2015

REVIEW: Rock Chick Revenge by Kristen Ashley

Ava hates men, she has reason and she’s vowed not only never to get involved with another one again but also to exact vengeance on her best friend’s, lying, cheating husband. Since Luke, Ava’s childhood crush, is now a private investigator, she thinks to enlist him but changes her mind at the last second.

Too late, Luke knows she’s up to something and he’s already seen many a Rock Chick try to fight her own battles without the Hot Bunch stepping in. He’s having none of it. She’s having none of him. The clash of the Rock Chick and Hot Guy begins but Luke’s got the advantage. He has handcuffs and he’s not afraid to use them.

We get more of the Rock Chick crew, more of the newly named HOT BUNCH, (yum) plus a side dose this time of car chases, kidnappings, and a hostage situation. Not to mention Ava had a crazy ex who Luke went after that seriously backfired. And let me just say the way Luke and Ava handled that situation was perfection.

Of course we get all of the hilarity out of this installment just like the others. Smithie finds himself tree'd with two dogs standing guard. Tex still yells at the customers and plays favorites on who is next in line and the girls still like all of their shopping, gossiping, and bad ideas. It was just the most awesome book. So awesome, I don't really know how to move on to the next one.

March 13, 2015

REVIEW: True Love Story by Willow Aster

TITLE: TRUE LOVE STORY

AUTHOR: WILLOW ASTER

GENRE: NEW ADULT

PUBLISHED: FEBRUARY 17 2013

Sparrow Fisher is transforming. No longer dressed up in antiquated clothes and ideals, she is finally trying on her freedom.

Before she moves to New York City, she meets Ian Sterling, a musician Sparrow has dreamed about since she first saw him. The attraction is instant, but their relationship isn't so simple.

Over a five year span, Sparrow and Ian run into each other in unusual places. Each time, Sparrow has to decide if she can trust him, if he feels the same for her, and finally, if love is really enough.

March 12, 2015

REVIEW: Simply Love by Catherine Anderson

TITLE: SIMPLY LOVE

AUTHOR: CATHERINE ANDERSON

GENRE: HISTORICAL ROMANCE

PUBLISHED: MAY 1 1997

Even the hardest heart can be softened by love ...

Cassandra Zerek is a true innocent in a wild anddangerous place -- but her indomitable spirit and gentle soul make her stronger than anyone suspects.

The owner of a Colorado mining empire, Luke Taggart's wealth and position can buy him anything, yet he has grown bored with a life of saloons, gambling, and loose women. Nothing soothes his restless inner yearning -- until he spies Cassandra, as fresh and pure as a spring morning, and vows he will possess her. The radiant, charmingly naïve youngbeauty seems blind to the depth of Luke's desire or the lengths he is willing to go to seduce her. But the lady is wise, with an unwavering faith in the magical powers of love. And she's determined to awaken the good man hiding in Luke's tormented heart, for only one precious giftwill truly win her: his deep, passionate, and unsullied love.

March 2, 2015

REVIEW: Fire Inside by Kristen Ashley

Lanie Heron isn't looking for love-no surprise, considering her last serious relationship nearly got her killed. So when Lanie propositions Hop Kincaid, all she wants is one wild night with the hot-as-hell biker who patrols with the Chaos Motorcycle Club . . .

For Hop, Lanie has always been untouchable. She's too polished and too classy for his taste. But when she gives Hop the once-over with her bedroom eyes and offers him a night in paradise, he can't say no. And he doesn't regret it when he finds that Lanie is the best thing that's ever happened to him-in or out of bed. Now the trick will be to convince her of that.

After Lanie Heron's ex-fiancée Elliot turned out to be 'whacked', and she almost died because of it, she has decided she doesn't want a serious relationship. All she wants is one night of fun and she has picked the perfect guy for the job, Hop Kincaid, the good looking biker from Chaos.

Sure, Hop Kincaid likes Lanie, but she isn't what he would usually pick. She is model thin, too classy, and a lady. But he can't give up a night to be with her for one night and hope it doesn't get complicated. Once he's had a taste of her, he can't seem to get enough. Now he has to try to convince her to let him have more than one night.

February 10, 2015

REVIEW: Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley

Indy Savage, cop's daughter, rock chick and used bookstore owner, has been in love with Lee Nightingale, once bad boy, now the man behind Nightingale Investigations, since she was five years old. No matter what ingenious schemes Indy used to capture his attention, Lee never showed an interest and Indy finally gave up. Now Indy's employee, Rosie, has lost a bag of diamonds and bad guys are shooting at him. When Indy gets involved, Lee is forced to help. Complicating matters, Lee has decided he's interested, Indy's decided she's not. But she can't seem to keep Lee out of her life when she's repeatedly stun gunned, kidnapped and there are car bombs exploding (not to mention she's finding dead bodies).

Indy's best bet is to solve the mystery of the diamonds before Lee. Lee's challenge is to keep Indy alive and, at the same time, win back her heart.

A really funny light read, loved the lead couple and would have enjoyed a bit more one on one between them. I really loved all the different crazy characters in this book and would love to meet Tex. I look forward to reading more from this series and am starting to think Kristen Ashley is up there as one of my favourite authors.

February 7, 2015

REVIEW: What Price Paradise by Katherine Allred

TITLE: WHAT PRICE PARADISE

AUTHOR: KATHERINE ALLRED

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY

PUBLISHED: JULY 14 2005

All his life Tate McCullom has been taught to be responsible, and he is the very model of what a respectable man should be. Until the night he gets drunk and sleeps with a woman he barely knows.Now, six weeks later, she's pregnant, alone, and broke. Once again, Tate must take responsibility for his actions, and makes plans to marry his child's mother. There's only one problem…he has to tell his fiancée. Abby Grayson hasn't had an easy life. As the daughter of the town whore, people either avoid her or think she's like her mother. For Abby, it's a struggle just to fill her belly and keep a roof over her head. Loneliness and a secret yearning for this man she thought she'd never have led her to spend the night with Tate. But the last thing she needs is a baby when she can barely take care of herself. Desperate, but too proud to ask for help, she finally agrees to accept a job from Tate the job of being his wife. Now she has almost everything she's ever dreamed of.Unfortunately, only one thing will gain her Tate's love — his realization that the night he spent with her was no drunken accident. It was a last-ditch attempt to win the woman he really wanted.

January 16, 2015

REVIEW: The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley

Circe Quinn goes to sleep at home and wakes up in a corral filled with women wearing sacrificial virgin attire - and she is one of them. She soon finds out that she’s not having a wild dream, she’s living a frightening nightmare where she’s been transported to a barren land populated by a primitive people and in short order, she’s installed very unwillingly on her white throne of horns as their Queen.

Dax Lahn is the king of Suh Tunak, The Horde of the nation of Korwahk and with one look at Circe, he knows she will be his bride and together they will start The Golden Dynasty of legend.

Circe and Lahn are separated by language, culture and the small fact she’s from a parallel universe and has no idea how she got there or how to get home. But facing challenge after challenge, Circe finds her footing as Queen of the brutal Korwahk Horde and wife to its King, then she makes friends then she finds herself falling in love with this primitive land, its people and especially their savage leader.

It was a rough start. Not because it was bad or anything, well, the events that took place were. It begins with Circe, a young woman from modern Seattle waking up in a pen with other women in an unknown world. She has no idea how she got there, all she knows is that some of the other women look as terrified as she feels. When she asks what is happening, she learns that the Wife hunt will shortly begin.

The Korwahk warriors will hunt them down to claim as their wife. From that moment on I was completely hooked to this story. I was as scared as Circe was. Yes, there was a rape scene in this book that happens during the Wife hunt.

It was tough to get through and it made me hurt for Circe. But, I was captivated by this foreign world that Circe found herself in.

January 8, 2015

REVIEW: Rush by Maya Banks

TITLE: RUSH

AUTHOR: MAYA BANKS

GENRE: ROMANCE

PUBLISHED: FEBRUARY 5 2013

Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she’s ripe for the picking...

When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.

Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.

As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.