5-Star ARC Review: Something Reckless by Lexi Ryan

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 He talks dirty to me, but I don’t know his name.

He wants to tie me up, but I don’t know his face.

He turns me on, but I couldn’t point him out in a crowd.

I’ve fallen for an anonymous stranger, and tonight the anonymity ends. Tonight I want more than typed secrets and texted promises. I want something reckless. Heat. Passion. The thrill of being entirely possessed.

Because I suspect this anonymous stranger isn’t a stranger at all.

Lizzy Thompson met riverrat69 online through Something Real, a service promising to deliver meaningful relationships by forbidding its users to share names or photos until they’ve reached a certain benchmark. She was looking for love. He was researching an investment. They hit it off. Talked and flirted, hid behind screen names and cartoon avatars.

Now they’re breaking the rules and meeting in person. But Liz is prepared. She’s picked up hints and followed clues.

She’s ninety-percent convinced she’s discovered the identity of her dirty-talking online friend.

She wonders if her ex-lover Sam Bradshaw knows her identity too.

When she rolls the dice on one reckless night, her chance at something real could crumble.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22434551-something-reckless

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Excerpt from Something Reckless

 “You look amazing in this dress. I’ve been pretending all night that there’s something I want to do more than get you out of it.”

“What would you do with me if you got so lucky?”

“I’d keep you up all night, for starters.” He slides a hand into my hair and traces the side of my neck with his thumb. His groan rumbles through me. “Tell me what you came here for.”

I thought that was pretty clear. “I’m wearing extremely slutty underwear. What do you think?”

His nostrils flare and his breathing goes thready. “I think I’m going to have to up my game, because now I want to see it.”

I have to bite back a smile. “Good,” I say. My heart thumps out a beat, probably Morse code for please and thank you.

“How slutty is this underwear of yours?”

I lick my lips. “Oh, it’s damn near whorish.”

“Let me see it, Liz.”

I lift my chin and prop my hands on my hips. “Seriously? That’s all the seduction I get? Let me see it?”

He steps closer until I have to crane my neck to look at him, and holy hell he smells good. “What game are we playing here, Rowdy?” he murmurs against my ear. “Is this the one where we pretend we don’t want each other and sleep alone . . .” His fingers skim down my shoulder and my eyes float closed. “Or is it the one where I make you come so hard you scream my name and tomorrow you act like you want nothing to do with me?”

“Are those my only choices?” I ask, but I keep my eyes closed, focusing on the feel of his rough fingers dancing across my skin. The truth is, I don’t want to play either game. I’m done playing games when it comes to Sam. I’m done pretending I don’t want him when I do, and I’m done pretending our annual one-night stand is enough for me.

“Tell me you aren’t going to run away in the morning. Promise me you won’t shut me out again.”

I don’t know what that means, and I’m too scared to analyze it. My eyes are still closed when he takes my chin in his fingers and tilts my face up to his, still closed when he brushes his lips over mine and when I open under him because I’m helpless to this man’s kiss.

“Promise me,” he repeats.

“I won’t run away.” Then I unzip my dress and let it fall to the floor in a puddle, and my boldness is rewarded. Sam’s lips part and his breath escapes him in a rush.

He steps back and takes me in. The bra is strapless, black lace demi-cups that lift my breasts until they threaten to spill out. The panties—what there is of them—are a thong in matching black lace. Their fine lace straps sit in a sharp V high on my hipbones.

A ringlet of hair escaped my up-do, and he takes it between his fingers and twirls it around. I deserve a medal for not melting right here at his feet.

He hooks his index finger under the black bow between my bra cups. “Did you wear this for me?” His voice is a husky whisper that I can’t deny.

“Yes.”

His fingers skim my belly, trace over my hip, following the lace of my thong behind me to where the straps meet at the small of my back. My breath catches as he takes the fabric path over the curve of my tailbone and down, his fingers bringing every nerve ending to life as they pass. Electric pleasure whips through me.

“Fourteen months since I’ve touched you,” he says. “Fourteen months since I’ve gotten to hear the way you breathe when you’re turned on, since I’ve gotten to listen to you scream as I make you come. Tell me you haven’t thought about it.”

“I’d be lying.”

“Don’t lie,” he says, eyes hot and intense. “Just tell me you want me.”

 

5 star

 

Kelley’s Review

Lexi Ryan leaves us once again stunned and utterly speechless.  Just when you think you have it all figured out she slaps you over the head and you are literally stunned.

I fell in love with Lizzy a long time ago.  She just seems destined to never find the kind of love her sisters have no matter how much she tries.  Drunken one night stands are getting kind of old and the one man that she wants more from will not give it to her so she decides to throw her hat into the online dating scene.  New Hope is a fairly small town so how many people could truly be using the towns online dating site?  Lizzy has been enjoying some scorching hot dirty talk via Something Real with riverrat69, one of the sites many investors.  She has exchanged some racy photos with him and now he wants to meet.  She is almost positive she knows who he is and is excited to meet the man who can turn her on with only his words.  What happens when finds out the true identity of riverrat69 and he is not either man she thinks he is.  Her reckless online behavior could cost her dearly in real life.

I wanted to scream and throw my kindle at the end of this book.  I was like “No Friggen Way!!!”  Lexi threw me for a serious loop and I loved every second of it.  She had built up so much angst in this story that I skipped the last few chapters and went straight to the end because I could not take it anymore.  I never ever skip to the end but she had me so tied up in knots that I just had to know who the heck Lizzy was talking to.  OMFG!! I never saw what was coming.  The question is now that we know riverrat69’s true identity how does this story shake out.  I can’t wait for Something Real to see the path to Lizzy’s Happily Ever After.  I am sure it is going full of twists and turns that will have our jaw dropping just like it did in this book.  Lexi is the queen of cliff hangers that have you slack-jawed and at a loss for words.  I know that I will be throughly entertained when I pick up one of her reads.  Thank goodness this one is only a two-part read and part two will be here in March, hopefully sooner if I can twist her arm along with her other Midnight Readers.

Copyright Lexi Ryan, 2014

Something Wild Amazon

 Adult Contemporary Romance

FREE introductory novella to the SOMETHING RECKLESS

 Amazon | Amazon UK | iBooks | Kobo | Barnes and Noble | Google Play

“You need a good guy. A long-term guy. One who does dates and romance and emotional strings…I’m just an asshole who wants to tie you up, make you come, and walk away.”

Samuel Bradshaw is a man with a reputation—the kind of reputation that should have me running the other way. Instead, it has me searching for the shortest distance to his bed. I won’t be the starry-eyed girl who thinks she can change a man like Sam, and despite what he thinks, forever is not what I need. I need the things he makes me feel, the way he turns me on, and the promise of pleasure in his eyes. This promises to be SOMETHING WILD.

lexi ryanAbout the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author Lexi Ryan’s novels have been described as intense, emotional, and wickedly sexy. A former college professor, she now writes full-time from her home in Indiana, where she lives with her husband, two children, and a neurotic dog. Find her on Facebook or Twitter to chat about books, TV, and her children’s latest antics.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

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Blog Tour and Review with Giveaway: One Dom To Love by Shayla Black, Jenna Jacob, and Isabella LaPearl- Doms of Her Life Series- Book 1

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Synopsis

Raine Kendall has been in love with her boss, Macen Hammerman, for years. Determined to make the man notice that she’s a grown woman with desires and needs, she pours out her heart and offers her body to him—only to be crushingly rejected. But when his friend, very single, very sexy Liam O’Neill watches the other Dom refuse to act on his obvious feelings for Raine, he resolves to step in and do whatever it takes to help Hammer find happiness again, even rousing his friend’s possessive instincts by making the girl a proposition too tempting to refuse. But he never imagines that he’ll end up falling for her himself.

Hammer has buried his lust for Raine for years. After rescuing the budding runaway from an alley behind his exclusive BDSM Dungeon, he has come to covet the pretty submissive. But tragedy has taught him that he can never be what she needs. So he watches over her while struggling to keep his distance. Liam’s crafty plan blindsides Hammer, especially when he sees how determined his friend is to possess Raine for his own. Hammer isn’t ready to give the lovely submissive over to any other Dom, but can he heal from his past and fight for her? Or will he lose Raine if she truly gives herself—heart, body, and soul—to Liam?

5.5 Star

This read is so scorching hot that you will be frantically searching for batteries…

I have read my share of Shayla Black novels and several of her books have made my favorites list but this book is my favorite thus far.  I have never read any books by Jenna Jacobs or Isabella LaPearl and after reading this have added them both to my TBR. I don’t know how three authors can come together and write a story so completely and utterly sexy and yet emotionally gripping that flows like honey.

I will warn you that this book has a slight cliff hanger ending but the awesome part is the second book is already available.  I also see that there is a third book in the works that comes out in February which I am guessing will have the final Happily Ever After ending this story needs.

Raine is a girl after my own heart.  She has struggled for most of her life and when she is at her lowest Macen finds her and takes her in.  He tends to her needs and makes sure she has a roof over her head, clean clothes, and food in her belly.  In return she works for him and tries to take care of everything he needs before he knows he needs it.  Over time she finds herself falling in love with Macen but he makes it clear to her that he is not interested in any more than her working for him.  She even goes as far as to sneak into his bed to see if she can convince him to give him more and it backfires in her face.

Liam O’Neill sees his friend flat-out crush Raine’s heart.  Macen sets up Raine for a horrible punishment for sneaking into his room.  He is angry and wants to scare her away from his D/s lifestyle so he sets her up for a public whipping by one of the other Dom’s in his club, Beck.  Macen plans to supervise.  The problem is that Beck is a sadist and Macen can’t truly control Beck so when things get out of control Liam steps in and Raine accepts Liam’s training collar barely escaping the horrible beating that had begun.  Liam makes it is his mission to train Raine to be a proper submissive because he knows his best friend Macen does have feelings for her and he believes he will be doing him a favor when he returns her to the club after her training.  But, what happens when Liam begins to have real feelings for Raine and Macen still believes he is not worthy of her love?  Will Liam keep her for himself?

I love Liam.  He is an amazing Dom and all I wanted was for he and Raine to run off into the sunset together and they do to an extent, however it is made very clear that Macen is not done with Raine yet and he will not give her up without a fight.  Stay tuned for the next chapter in The Doms of Her Life series, The Young and the Submissive.

Teaser

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Buy Links

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* AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE * iBOOKS *

* READ THE DOMS OF HER LIFE SERIES *

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DOMS OF HER LIFE BOOK 2

* AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE * iBOOKS *

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DOMS OF HER LIFE BOOK 3

RELEASING FEBRUARY 10, 2014

PRE-ORDER LINKS

* AMAZON * iBOOKS *

Giveaway

* ONE DOM TO LOVE PAPERBACK SIGNED BY SHAYLA BLACK, JENNA JACOB, & ISABELLA LAPEARL*

*US & INTL GIVEAWAY*

*RAFFLECOPTER LINK*

About Author

SHAYLA BLACK

You know what they say about curiosity and the cat…but if you still want to know, read below.

Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 40 sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances produced via traditional, small press, independent, and audio publishing. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Shayla’s books have been translated in about a dozen languages. She has also received or been nominated for The Passionate Plume, The Holt Medallion, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader’s Choice Awards. RT Bookclub has twice nominated her for Best Erotic Romance of the year, as well as awarded her several Top Picks, and a KISS Hero Award.

A writing risk-taker, Shayla enjoys tackling writing challenges with every new book.

JENNA JACOB

Bestselling Author Jenna Jacob’s erotic romance comes from the heart of submission. With over twenty years experience in the dynamics of the BDSM lifestyle, Jenna strives to portray Dominance and submission with a passionate and comprehensive voice. Her stories will make you laugh, cry, and may leave you with a better understanding of the fulfillment found in the BDSM power exchange.

A married mom of four grown children, Jenna and her husband lives in Kansas. Her passions include her family, reading, camping, cooking, music, and riding Harleys. She loves to make people laugh with her outgoing and warped sense of humor. If you’re looking for hot romance with a kinky twist, pick up one of Jenna’s books

ISABELLA LAPEARL

My name is Isabella and I am a new Author of Erotic Fiction. I have recently published two short stories, one a stand-alone “Connexions” and the other is the first book in a series called The Quickening and is entitled “Scandalous.” The next two in the series, will be coming out in 2013 and are called “Momentum” and “Geminus” respectively.

December 4th 2012 was a WOW day of biblical proportions for me personally. My first novel was published, entitled “One Dom to Love” co-written by Best Selling New York Times Author, Shayla Black and by Author Jenna Jacob. I can’t even begin to express how privileged and thrilled I was to work with both these wonderful, incredible women, and how proud I am to call them friends. “One Dom to Love” is the first book in The Doms of her Life series and for those chomping at the bit already after finishing this book, you’ll be delighted to know that Book 2 is currently being written.

Tour Host OUAA

Review: Senses Series by Xavier Neal : Hush-Book 4, Vital – Novella, and Savor-Book 5

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Senses Series- Book 4

By Xavier Neal

Synopsis

Senses Series Book 4

Logan “Unbreakable” Kellar finally has everything he’s always wanted in life. When a career opportunity, that could jeopardize everything, comes along, he’s put back in the position where he’s spent most of his life. Torn. Now, Logan has a hard hitting choice to make. Tell the only girl he’s ever loved exactly what he’s feeling or fall back on old habits and keep his feelings on the Hush.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

4 star

Tina’s Review

** Provided by Author in Exchange for an Honest Review. **
~ HUSH (part 4) – Released December 12, 2014 ~

Logan “Unbreakable” Kellar finally has everything he’s always wanted in life. When a career opportunity, that could jeopardize everything, comes along, he’s put back in the position where he’s spent most of his life. Torn. Now, Logan has a hard hitting choice to make. Tell the only girl he’s ever loved exactly what he’s feeling or fall back on old habits and keep his feelings on the Hush.

Novella: under 150 pages
Alternating POVs with numerous, humorous mental asides as per the norm in this series. The serial continues where NUMB left off.
Logan, with the help of CJ and the support of the others, gains custody and provides a home for Dean. I really like the character of Dean and felt he was rather vital in further developing the other characters. Just as Logan and Maxx begin to define and solidify their relationship, Logan’s given the opportunity of a lifetime and Maxx receives a bombshell that will change her entire life. There are some strange undercurrents occurring with Erin and Luke that are not clarified. To be concluded in SAVOR…

 

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Vital

Senses Series-Novella

By Xavier Neal

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4 star

~ VITAL (Prequel)(found in Interwoven: A Holiday Anthology) – Released December 3, 2014 ~

Entertwine is proud to bring you this wonderful mix of holiday stories featuring several of our authors. With stories ranging from heart warming to spicy, every reader is sure to enjoy this compilation.

Novella: approximately 30 pages. Serial Prequel.
Features the same main characters that we’ve grown to know and love so far… Erin, Logan, Luke, Maxx. It’s a Christmas Eve scene with a theme of believing in Miracles.

 

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Savor

Sense Series- Book 5

By Xavier Neal

Synopsis

Lately, Logan “Unbreakable” Kellar’s life has been a series of miscommunications with catastrophic consequences. However, this time around, the consequences threaten to not only damage his current relationships but erase a future he only ever dreamed of. Will Logan lose everything he’s ever hoped for or will he finally be able to break the cycle of his mistakes and get the future he is so desperate to Savor?

Sense Series Book #5

Warning: Contains adult content.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

4 star

Tina’s Review

~ SAVOR (part 5) – Released January 3, 2015 ~

Lately, Logan “Unbreakable” Kellar’s life has been a series of miscommunications with catastrophic consequences. However, this time around, the consequences threaten to not only damage his current relationships but erase a future he only ever dreamed of. Will Logan lose everything he’s ever hoped for or will he finally be able to break the cycle of his mistakes and get the future he is so desperate to Savor?

Novella: approximately 140 pages. Serial Conclusion.
Same Alternating POV with eye-roll inducing mental asides. Same characters, plot picking up right where HUSH left off. Logan’s left for California after signing to go pro. Maxx still has shared her life-altering news, but rather decided she and Dean are going to surprise him in Vegas at his first professional bout. Once again poor reactions and miscommunication causes tempers to flare and creates yet another :poop: storm. Pride needs to be swallowed and some tough decisions need to be made if they want any chance and saving and keeping their dysfunctional family intact. The conflicts are mostly resolved now and the story is mostly concluded. There are hints that at least one book or serial will be in the future to follow Stuart, Luke, Erin, CJ, Tony and a more grown-up Dean. There were a few minor surprises and twists. Overall, I’d recommend reading the serial as a book, not part by part.

Author Bio:

 

Xavier NealXavier Neal lives in Texas where she spends her time getting lost in writing, reading, or fandoms she recently discovered. (At the top of that list is Supernatural and BBC Sherlock) Whether she is enjoying books or movies, she continues finding inspiration at every turn to bring more exciting stories to life.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Smut Book Junkie Reviewer Michel’s 2014 Favorite Books

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michel

Wow! 2014 was an incredible year for readers as well as my place in the reading community.  I started the year as a reviewer for Hesperia Loves Book Blog.  It was an incredible adventure working with Alyssa and the other girls from Hesperia.  I learned a lot about the publishing industry, was exposed to new authors, met other incredible readers & authors, and learned the power of reviews.  In June of 2014 Hesperia Loves Books Blogs closed.  Smut Book Junkie Reviews was gracious and gave me a new home to share my love of reading with others.  It has been a welcoming and joyous experience.

I attended fourteen huge author events in 2014 and clocked over 6000 miles.  I met so many of my rockstars, the authors that have fed my addiction and gave me many hours of entertainment and enjoyment. The first author event I attended in 2014 was in Nashville.  Jasinda & Jack Wilder, Abbi Glines, Tiffany King, and Chelsea M. Cameron put on an event at the Vanderbilt Barnes & Noble. It was an intimate signing that gave the readers a chance to get to know these authors. It was great fun.

photo-2photo-6From that point on my year became very busy.  I made my yearly pilgrimage to the J.R. Ward Black Dagger Brotherhood release event.  I have been attending her BDB events since 2008 when they were small and more intimate.  At the 2014 event I got to witness one of my favorite writer’s, Laura Kaye, get recognized and praised by J.R. Ward herself.  I cried right along with Laura.  Afterwards, squee…., Laura Kaye and Jennifer L. Armentrout had lunch with our FB BDB group.  I got to share appetizers and dessert with Laura and Jen.  They are truly awesome women.

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The year just kept getting better.  I had the opportunity to work the Nashville Author Event with some of the top New Adult/ Contemporary authors.  We attended the premier of Fault In Our Stars courtesy of the authors.  We also attended an exclusive concert by Griffin Peterson, the musician/ songwriter that collaborated with Colleen Hoover for the Maybe Someday novel.

I attended several author events throughout the summer and fall.  I assisted Carey Heywood in Atlanta, drove with Kelly to Indianapolis and back in one day, and had a great time with Sawyer Bennett and her street team Bennett’s Babes.  I got to meet some of the drool worthy hunky cover models.  Through those 6000 miles I had the opportunity to meet so many fantastic authors, other fabulous readers, and  new friends.

The most incredible part of 2014 was the BOOKS.  There were so many fantastic books published it was impossible to read every book I wanted to.  My kindle and nooks are loaded to the max with books.  My to be read list could span from one end of the country to the other end.  In the end I met my 2014 Goodreads Reading Challenge of 200 Books.  I read and reviewed 360 books in 2014.  Each book was savored, cherished, and loved. It was impossible to choose my favorites.  In the end I choose books that left a lasting impression on my personal senses and individual make up.

I am looking forward to what the reading world of 2015 has in store for me!

booksignings

 

books

Push by Claire Wallis

Nine Minutes by Beth Flynn

Craving Redemption by Nicole Jacquelyn

Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan

Play by Kylie Scott

Bad Son Rising by Julie A. Richman

Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward

The Year We Hid Away by Sarina Bowen

Here With Me by Heidi McLaughlin

The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller by L.B. Simmons

series

The Reed Brothers Series by Tammy Falkner

Nova Series by Jessica Sorensen

The Ivy Years Series by Sarina Bowen

The Consequences Series by Aleatha Romig

Rooke & Ronin Series by J.A. Huss

Serial

Social Media by J.A. Huss

Reasonable Doubt by Whitney G. (Whitney Garcia Williams)

The Ex Games by J.S. Cooper

Legal Affairs by Sawyer Bennett

Revenge by JJ Knight

new authors

Claire Wallis

Sarina Bowen

Whitney G – Whitney Garcia Williams

Nicole Jacquelyn

Elisabeth Grace

Feel Good Books

Idle Bloom by Jewel E. Ann

Play by Kylie Scott

Maybe Matt’s Miracle by Tammy Falkner

Yesterday’s Half Truths by Carey Heywood

Worth The Fall by Claudia Connor

ugly cries

Chasing Abby by Cassia Leo

Carnage: The Story of Us- Book 1 by Lesley Jones

Fragile Bonds by Sloan Johnson

Captured by Jasinda Wilder

Here With Me by Heidi McLaughlin

East of Ectasy by Laura Kaye

angsty books

Love In English by Karina Halle

Black Lies by Alessandra Torre

Vital Sign by JL Mac

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

The Ever Trilogy by Jasinda Wilder

The Understatement Of The Year by Sarina Bowen

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Fearless by Rachel Van Dyken

Delilah: The Making Of Red by Jessica Sorensen

In Her Wake by K.A. Tucker

Beautiful Bride by Tammy Falkner

All I Want For Christmas Is You by Jessica Scott

dark reads

Indebted Inheritance/ First Debt by Pepper Winters

Insideous by Aleatha Romig

Push and Pull by Claire Wallis

Nocte by Courtney Cole

Nine Minutes by Beth Flynn

Ellicit by Rachel Van Dyken

charactershate

Jethro Hawk- Indebted Series by Pepper Winters

Jimmy Farris- Lead by Kylie Scott

David Calgaro- Push & Pull by Claire Wallis

Grizz – Nine Minutes by Beth Flynn

Andrew Hamilton – Reasonable Doubt Series by Whitney G.

book boyfriends

Mal Ericson – Play by Kylie Scott

Archer Hale – Archer’s Voice – Mia Sheridan

Gavin Cooke- Sugar On The Edge by Sawyer Bennett

Liam Westbury- Finding My Way by Heidi McLaughlin

Ford Aston- Taut & Slack by J.A. Huss

scorchers

Uncivilized by Sawyer Bennett

Mastered Series by Lorelei James

Alpha by Jasinda Wilder

Come & Come Back by J.A. Huss

Sugar On The Edge by Sawyer Bennett

other hot reads

Shame by Rachel Van Dyken

Finding My Way by Heidi McLaughlin

Falling Under by Jasinda Wilder

Dust To Dust by Karina Halle

Frayed by Kim Karr

The Will by Kristen Ashley

Rachel’s Peril Series by Charles Sheehan-Miles

Unbeautiful by Jessica Sorensen

Hard As You Can by Laura Kaye

Captured by Jasinda Wilder

Be With Me by J. Lynn

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Smut Book Junkie Reviewer Robin’s 2014 Favorites

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robin

 

It’s been an incredible year for the reading community. The number of quality novels released over the past year has certainly been notable, making it extremely difficult for me to choose my favorite novels for this year-end post. I have 61 books included on my 2014 Favorites bookshelf on Goodreads. Of those 61 books, there were many that were not named to my year-end list because I simply did not have room for them all. As you review the choices for my favorite books, the important thing to remember is there are many quality books I was unable to read. It’s great that we have several reviewers with Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews who read many different authors, novels and genres. Please be sure to check out their favorite choices because there are so many great books to choose from.

As of December 29, I have read 125 books of my 150 book goal for 2014. Early in the year, I realized it would be difficult for me to reach my goal due to the amount of reviews that I write. I am not quick at writing. I am also not fast at reading. Some of our reviewers are very quick at doing both, but we all work very hard to get the word out about the novels that we read. It’s a labor of love, but we all enjoy sharing our thoughts with you about each book we are scheduled to review.

 

I started the year as a reviewer for Hesperia Loves Books. Six months into 2014, Hesperia Loves Books closed. I was very excited and thankful to affiliate with Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews.

 

1797397_10202782966593068_432815673_nI traveled to several author events this year. My favorite event was the New Orleans Author Event at the beginning of February. I spent nearly a week in the Big Easy. I was a volunteer for this event, assisting event attendees and authors, alike. One of the highlights of my trip included attending a dinner with author Tarryn Fisher and my fellow Passionate Little Nutcases. Another fun highlight of my trip was to finally meet so many of my reading friends in person and spending time with them on Bourbon Street and in the French Quarter.

 

10320491_10152445385943396_2648161729619905352_nThe last event Michel and I attended as reviewers for Hesperia photoLoves Books was in June in Nashville, Tennessee. Hesperia Loves Books was actually a sponsor for this event, and we had a great time volunteering for this small gathering of quality authors. On Friday night, we were very excited to have the opportunity to attend a showing of The Fault in our Stars with the authors from the event. But the best part of the weekend was attending a concert for American Idol contestant Griffin Peterson, directly after the author signing. For those of you who are not aware, Griffin collaborated with Colleen Hoover to write a soundtrack for her New Adult novel, Maybe Someday.

 

10388117_10152413134728396_6329323221028368909_nI also attended the Cincy Author Event that took place at the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky in May, and author events in Atlanta, Georgia in August and the Rebels and Readers Author Event in Huntington, West Virginia in November.

 

 

 

 

booksMaybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon

Bright Side by Kim Holden

Dear Jon by Lori Otto

Livvy by Lori Otto

Puddle Jumping by Amber L. Johnson

53 Letters for my Lover by Leylah Attar

Push by Claire Wallis

Made by J. M. Darhower

Tied by Emma Chase

series

Choisie series by Lori Otto

Push series by Claire Wallis

Consequences series by Aleatha Romig

Monster in His Eyes series by J. M. Darhower

Tangled series by Emma Chase

Serial

Indebted by Pepper Winters

Happenstance by Jamie McGuire

new authorsKim Holden

Leylah Attar

Claire Wallis

Amber L. Johnson

Caroline Kepnes

Feel Good Books

 Livvy by Lori Otto

Puddle Jumping by Amber L. Johnson

Tied by Emma Chase

The Pact by Karina Halle

Sweet Little Thing by Renee Carlino

ugly cries

Bright Side by Kim Holden

Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher

Dear Jon by Lori Otto

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

The Story of Us (Carnage #1) by Lesley Jones

angsty booksMaybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

53 Letters for My Lover by Leylah Attar

Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven

The Pact by Karina Halle

The Story of Us (Carnage #1) by Lesley Jones

 

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In Her Wake by K. A. Tucker

Sweet Little Thing by Renee Carlino

Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover

Friends and Forever by J. M. Darhower

A Peek Beyond the Consequences by Aleatha Romig

dark readsPush by Claire Wallis

Pull by Claire Wallis

Nine Minutes by Beth Flynn

Insidious by Aleatha Romig

You by Caroline Kepnes

Honorable Mention Dark Reads –

 First Debt by Pepper Winters

Nocte by Courtney Cole

charactershate

Joe Goldberg from You by Caroline Kepnes

Jethro Hawk from Indebted serials by Pepper Winters

Victoria Harrington from Insidious (Tales from the Dark Side #1) by Aleatha Romig

David Calgaro from Push series by Claire Wallis

Tony Rawlings from Consequences series by Aleatha Romig

book boyfriends

Troy Heathgate from 53 Letters for My Lover by Leylah Attar

Ridge Lawson from Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Jon Scott from Choisie series by Lori Otto

Isaac Asterholder from Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher

Linden McGregor from The Pact by Karina Halle

other hot reads

Revealed: The Missing Years by Aleatha Romig

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

You by Caroline Kepnes

Nine Minutes by Beth Flynn

Burying Water by K. A. Tucker

Infinity + One by Amy Harmon

Maybe Maby by Willow Aster

Dust to Dust by Karina Halle

Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven

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Review: Ripped by Katy Evans – The Real Series – Book 5

 

rippedRipped

By Katy Evans

Release Date: December 9, 2014

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

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Synopsis

The fifth book in the New York Times new adult series that began with Real.

A ripped rock star with attitude.
An ex-girlfriend with a reckless plan.

Pandora assumed getting her heart broken by her bad boy ex could only happen once–until Mackenna Jones comes back to town for the biggest concert of his career. They say girls are getting pregnant just thinking about the Crack Bikini tour and it’s destined to be a huge hit.

Oh, it’ll be a hit alright–when Pandora comes out swinging. She and her friend Melanie are determined to humiliate him onstage. But when they’re caught by security and her ex is
summoned, Mackenna decides not to press charges if she’ll join him on tour and follow certain conditions–rules designed to give him the upper hand and keep her in close contact with him once again. Soon, the passion they once shared is reignited, and no matter how much Pandora wants to hate him, her hard exterior starts to crack.

And worse: Mackenna knows it, too. But he hasn’t uncovered all her secrets…

4.5 star

Lis’ Review

“How can your first and only love sweep through you like a tornado and not leave his mark?”

We met Pandora in Katy Evans book Real. She’s Brooke and Melanie’s goth friend, the one whose personality is as dark as her black hair, lips and fingernails. She’s mad at the world, she’s the eternal pessimist, she doesn’t believe in love and she tells both her friends how sorry they will be they hooked up with someone permanently. But deep down, Pandora longs for what Brooke and Melanie have found, but she can never let herself love because of that first and only love that betrayed her.

Mackenna Jones is the lead singer for Crack Bikini, the most popular rock band out there. He’s got it all..fame, fortune and all the women he wants. Except he doesn’t have the woman he loves. It’s been six years since he’s seen her, and he doesn’t know if he’ll ever see her again, until she shows up at one of his concerts and throws tomatoes at him when he sings the song he wrote about her: Pandora’s Song.

It’s hard to like Pandora because she’s so miserable. She’s so negative. She keeps that cloak of hate and distrust around her so tight it’s hard for us as readers to relate. But it’s easy to like Mackenna. He’s cool, he’s open, and despite the fact that he’s been humiliated by his long lost love, he still defends her and we know immediately that he still loves her. As readers we want that HEA, but from Pandora’s point of view, it’s not going to happen. Katy Evans gives us her signature intense, very descriptive feelings of both characters, but because we feel them so deeply, we become almost as negative and miserable as Pandora. Thank goodness there’s light after the darkness, spring after the long hard winter.

The story of Pandora and Mackenna is more than just seeing an old love and figuring out how to rekindle the spark. There’s layers and layers of emotion to both characters, and as the story unfolds and we find out their deepest, darkest secrets, we begin to understand why this is such a struggle. This book is dark and brooding but when Pandora finally starts to let her guard down and accept what could be with Mackenna, it’s like watching a flower slowly bloom in the first light of a spring day. Each petal reveals the love that they share, but just as we begin to smile something is revealed that makes us doubt, makes us wonder if it’s all a sham. Will this really be an HEA? Open Pandora’s box and discover all the secrets that make Ripped another Katy Evans hit.

 

Author Bio:

 

Katy EvansKaty Evans grew up with books and book-boyfriends until she found a real sexy boyfriend to love. They married and are now hard at work on their own happily ever after. Katy loves her family and friends, and she also loves reading, walking, baking, and being consumed by her characters until she reaches “The End.” Which is, hopefully, only the beginning…

Katy Evans is the NYT and USA Today bestselling author of the Real series.

To find more about her, look her up on her website, Twitter, or Facebook, she’d also love to hear from you!

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Review: Makin’ Miracles by Lin Stepp – Smoky Mountain Series – Book 7

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Makin Miracles

Smoky Mountain Series – Book 7

By Lin Stepp

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Synopsis

A charming portrait of the Smokies, their people, and a wonderful way of life.” –Deborah Smith, New York Times bestselling author
Set in Tennessee’s postcard-perfect Smoky Mountains, Lin Stepp’s Makin’ Miracles is an inspiring tale that reveals why love and forgiveness are most important just when they seem most impossible. . .

Zola Devon has always been a little different. Half Tahitian, with long black hair and dark eyes, she’s especially distinctive in the mountain town of Gatlinburg. She even stocks her gift shop, Nature’s Corner, with items that reflect her island heritage and tantalize tourists. But it’s her spot-on intuition that truly sets Zola apart. When she gets a hunch about a person, she’s almost always right. And when the surly photographer who owns the gallery next door starts meddling in her business, she can only hope that, for once, her instincts are wrong.

The one thing Spencer Jackson loves more than his camera is the majestic scenery of the Smoky Mountains. Reeling from his painful past, he’s settled in a cabin in the woods to train his lens on the breathtaking landscape. A woman as uniquely beguiling as Zola could only throw his simple, uncomplicated days into chaos–and force him to lay bare his darkest secrets. But as their lives become unavoidably intertwined, they both may discover the beauty of the truth, and the joy of the unexpected.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

4 star

Tina’s Review

** Provided by Netgalley in Exchange for an Honest Review. **

— From the Cover —
“A charming portrait of the Smokies, their people, and a wonderful way of life.” –Deborah Smith, New York Times bestselling author
Set in Tennessee’s postcard-perfect Smoky Mountains, Lin Stepp’s Makin’ Miracles is an inspiring tale that reveals why love and forgiveness are most important just when they seem most impossible. . .
Zola Devon has always been a little different. Half Tahitian, with long black hair and dark eyes, she’s especially distinctive in the mountain town of Gatlinburg. She even stocks her gift shop, Nature’s Corner, with items that reflect her island heritage and tantalize tourists. But it’s her spot-on intuition that truly sets Zola apart. When she gets a hunch about a person, she’s almost always right. And when the surly photographer who owns the gallery next door starts meddling in her business, she can only hope that, for once, her instincts are wrong.
The one thing Spencer Jackson loves more than his camera is the majestic scenery of the Smoky Mountains. Reeling from his painful past, he’s settled in a cabin in the woods to train his lens on the breathtaking landscape. A woman as uniquely beguiling as Zola could only throw his simple, uncomplicated days into chaos–and force him to lay bare his darkest secrets. But as their lives become unavoidably intertwined, they both may discover the beauty of the truth, and the joy of the unexpected.
——————
Faith-based sweet, gentle romance about taking a chance and learning acceptance. It has a slow and lazing pace to it, but flows smoothly. The characters are unique to what I’d normally read. He’s a nature photographer with a grudge against his past and family. He’s fairly closed off to people other than his two business partners. She’s a vivacious gal, but seems rather naive, even though she’s seen first-hand the cruelty, prejudice, superstition and fear from people who learn of her being what she calls a Christian seer. Neither are very strong characters. Dialogue is a little foreign to me, they tend to call each other by their full names often. Secondary characters are all unique and mostly enjoyable. The depictive nature of the author’s writing is very soothing and allows the story to flourish. However, I often found it difficult to maintain my focus due to the sedate pace of the book. There was enough conflict throughout the book from many directions to keep you guessing and wondering about the outcomes, where some resolved more slowly than others. Predictability was not an issue whatsoever. The conclusion is drawn fairly tight and solid.

Author Bio:

Lin_outside_photo1Dr. Lin Stepp is a native Tennessean, a businesswoman, and an educator. She is an adjunct faculty at Tusculum College where she teaches research and at King University where she teaches a variety of psychology and counseling courses. Her business background includes over 25 years in marketing, sales, production art, and regional publishing. She has editorial and writing experience in regional magazines and in the academic field. Down by the River is the sixth novel by Stepp set in the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. Stepp has five published works, each set in different locations around the Smoky Mountains. Her next Smokies novels, including Down by the River, Makin’ Miracles, and Saving Laurel Springs will be released by Kensington Publishing in 2014 and 2015 – as well as a short novella A Smoky Mountain Gift to be included in a 2014 Christmas anthology, featuring Fern Michaels and titled When the Snow Falls. Previous titles include: Second Hand Rose, Delia’s Place, For Six Good Reasons, Tell Me About Orchard Hollow, and The Foster Girls. Stepp and her husband have published a Smokies hiking guide titled The Afternoon Hiker (2014).

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Cover Reveal: Where The Road Takes Me by Jay McLean

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Where The Road Takes Me

By Jay McLean

Release Date: February 10, 2015

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Synopsis

Chloe has one plan for the future, and one plan only: the road. She’s made a promise to herself: don’t let anyone in, and don’t let anyone love her. She’s learned the hard way what happens if she breaks her rules. So she’s focused on being invisible and waiting until she can set out on the road—her dream of freedom, at least for a little while.
Blake Hunter is a basketball star who has it all—everything about him looks perfect to those on the other side of his protective walls. He can’t let anyone see the shattered pieces behind the flawless facade or else all his hopes and dreams will disappear.

One dark night throws Chloe and Blake together, changing everything for Blake. For Chloe, nothing changes: she has the road, and she’s focused on it. But when the so-called perfect boy starts to notice the invisible girl, they discover that sometimes with love, no one knows where the road may lead.

Author Bio:

4724550Jay McLean is the author of the More Series, including More Than This, More Than Her, More Than Him and More Than Forever. She also has two standalones coming soon titled Where The Road Takes Me, and Combative.
Jay is an avid reader, writer, and most of all, procrastinator. When she’s not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her two little boys, or devouring some tacky reality TV show.
She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her smile, make her hurt, and make her feel.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

HAPPY RELEASE + GIVEAWAY : ONE TO LEAVE by TIA LOUISE – ONE TO HOLD SERIES – Book 5

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One To Leave

One To Hold Series- Book 5

By Tia Louise

Release Date: December 29, 2014

57761-addtogoodreads

Synopsis

Some demons can’t be shaken off.

Some wounds won’t heal.

Until a pair of hazel eyes knocks you on your ass, and you realize it’s time to stop running.

 

BUY: AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE / ITUNES

Excerpt

OTL tease CB

Mariska

 

If you asked where this sudden surge of bravery came from, I’d have to be honest. I had no fucking idea. Stuart rode into the barn looking like sex on two legs… very tired sex on two legs, but sex on two legs all the same, and I made up my mind. After the way he kissed me yesterday, I didn’t care what type of bullshit line he tried to spin, Stuart Knight was in the same space as me. He was fighting hard, but he wanted this.

Now I was in his bedroom ordering him around, and he was actually allowing it. Humoring me, more like it. Not for one minute was I suffering from the delusion that this man took orders from anyone. Still, for whatever reason, exhaustion or simple curiosity, he let me take the lead.

Once his shirt was off, I couldn’t hide the hitch in my breath at the site of his lined torso. Ridges crossed his abdomen, lines stretched across his broad shoulders and down his arms. He lay on his stomach across the mattress, and it was all I could do not to run my tongue over every inch of his beautiful body. Instead, I quickly took off my boots, and for increased mobility (yes, that was my excuse), I removed my denim shorts.

Lightly I smoothed my palm across his lower back, trying to remember the touches I’d learned in the few massage therapy classes I’d taken. Why hadn’t I taken more? Kneading a little harder, I knew I had to get lower, down into the pelvic area to give him relief.

“Do you mind if I remove your boxers?” My voice was breathless and trembling. Those snug, dark briefs didn’t hide much, but I knew once I saw that ass, I’d be a goner.

“No.”

One word. He’d sounded almost as cautious as me when he said it. Closing my eyes, I shook myself. Now was the time. This was my man. If I was going to make it happen, if I was going to make any of this make sense, from the day I left Bayville to this moment, I had to go for it. Fate had dropped this opportunity straight in my lap.

Inhaling a quiet breath, I gently pulled the waistband out and lowered it down his legs. I knew what was on the other side, pressed between his pelvis and the mattress, and I didn’t want to hurt him. Miraculously, I got his underwear off, and

Oh.

My.

God.

Square and tight, with palm-sized indentations on each side… For a moment, I could only stare at his backside. Perfect and golden as the rest of him.

Climbing back onto my knees, I took the quietest deep breath in the history of recorded time. It trembled going in, and my hand trembled reaching out. I touched him. He seemed to breathe at that exact moment as well—almost as if he’d been holding his breath, too.

 

* * *

Readers are saying…

 

“FIVE STARS: I swear Tia’s writing gets hotter and hotter, and some of the scenes (*phew*) were extremely spicy.” –Jezabell Girl Reviews

 

“If you’re looking for a super sexy cowboy-with-a-past to fall in love with One to Leave is definitely the book to pick up!” –Reading Past My Bedtime Reviews

 

“The story develops with a high level of anticipation and constant anger simmering just under the surface. And the craving…” –Anna K, Goodreads

sunset eyes tease

One to Hold series

One To Hold Series

One To Hold- Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

One To Keep- Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

One To Protect- Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

One To Love- Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

 Author Bio:

7213961Tia Louise is a former journalist, world-traveler, and collector of beautiful men (who inspire ALL of her stories… *wink*)—turned wife, mommy, and novelist.

It’s possible she has a slight truffle addiction. And she will never look at a family restroom the same way again.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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SMUT BOOK JUNKIE REVIEWER TRACEY’S 2014 FAVORITES

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tracey

2014 brought a whole new chapter for me as a book lover. I was given the opportunity to join a few other wonderful ladies as part of Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews, which has been an absolutely awesome experience. Having other women that love to read as much as I do, to bounce ideas off of, to compare notes with, to drool over hot book boyfriends with, well, it has made for some fun times. Many wonderful books were released, some of which became instant and forever favorites. I got to read books from favorite authors of mine, as well as fantastic books from authors that I hadn’t experienced up to that point. I stepped outside of my comfortable boundaries, and got my fill of HEAs, too, all with a healthy dose of some really hot, sexy, romantic, wonderful book boyfriends. In short, 2014 was a great year to be a reader, a blogger, and a lover of all things book-related. Here’s looking forward to 2015, which promises to be just as fantastic for all of us book junkies. 🙂

books

10 Favorite Books (in no particular order)

My Skylar by Penelope Ward
Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward
Becoming Calder by Mia Sheridan
Finding Eden by Mia Sheridan
Hillbilly Rockstar by Lorelei James
Unbroken by Maisey Yates
This Sweet Escape by Jessie Evans
The Resistance by S.L. Scott
Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan
Uninhibited by Melody Grace

series

My five favorite series, in no particular order are:
The Seductive Nights series by Lauren Blakely
The Lonesome Point, TX, series by Jessie Evans
The Wild Rush series by Jessie Evans
The Dare To Love series by Carly Phillips
The Inside Out series by Lisa Renee Jones

Serial

Five Favorite Serials (in no particular order)

Sexual Awakenings by Angelica Chase
The Empire State Trilogy by Louise Bay
Dirty Dancing books by Melody Grace
Deep Surrendering by Chelsea Cameron

new authors

Adriana Locke (The Exception)
J.Daniels (new to me – Sweet Addiction and Sweet Possession)
Carrie Elliot (Cover Me)
Kristen Callihan (The Hook-Up)
Callie Sparks (new to me – Hot Water)

Feel Good Books

Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan
Finding Eden by Mia Sheridan

ugly cries

Becoming Calder by Mia Sheridan
Finding Eden by Mia Sheridan

angsty books

My Skylar by Penelope Ward
Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward
When We Collide by A.L. Jackson
Night Owl by M. Pierce (I read this is 2014)

charactershate

Hector from Becoming Calder and Finding Eden by Mia Sheridan
Charisma from My Skylar by Penelope Ward
Tawny from the Driven trilogy by K. Bromberg
Ava from the Inside Out series by Lisa Renee Jones
Sandra from the Sexual Awakenings serials by Angelica Chase

book boyfriends

Jack Dalton (The Resistance by S.L. Scott)
Reese Carroll (Sweet Addiction/Sweet Possession by J.Daniels)
Mitch (My Skylar by Penelope Ward)
Clay Daniels (Seductive Nights series by Lauren Blakely)
Calder Raines (Becoming Calder by Mia Sheridan)

traceyfav