Play Me Series by Tracy Wolff- Review for Play Me Wild- Book 1

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

The Play Me Series

A Spin Off of the Ethan Frost Series

5 Novellas = 1 Sizzling Hot Romance

By Tracy Wolff

Play Me Wild – Book 1

In the seductive first installment of an eBook original serial from the New York Times bestselling author of Ruined and Addicted, a woman running from her past has finally found a bit of control . . . until her powerful new boss makes her go wild.

My name is Aria Winston. I’ve fought desperately to escape the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. Now I’m on my own, in control of my own life and my own destiny . . . just the way I like it. Until Sebastian Caine changes everything.

Working as a cocktail waitress at one of Vegas’s hottest five-star casinos means putting up with a ton of bad behavior from the big spenders. But it pays the bills—and that’s all that matters to Aria, who needs every last dollar to escape from her father’s destructive grasp and the brutal man he expects her to marry. But when she lashes out against a billionaire who won’t take no for an answer, she nearly loses everything—until Sebastian steps in. The owner’s son and handpicked successor, Sebastian is dark, sexy, and kinder than any rich man should be. And when he apologizes and offers to keep her job safe, Aria can’t help the way her body reacts to his. Suddenly her job, and the security it brings her, isn’t the only thing Aria wants.

Play Me is an erotic serial intended for mature audiences. Aria and Sebastian’s story continues in Play Me: Hot.

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The Play Me Series is a spin off of the Ethan Frost Series. This series features one of Ethan Frost’s best friends and his return to Las Vegas. There are 5 Books in this series and each is novella length. Each installment is sensual, breathtaking, addicting, and paced perfectly to keep the reader intrigued. Each installment ends on a major cliffhanger that leaves the reader wanting more. The final book does not end on a cliffhanger but leaves the reader anxious for the next Ethan Frost book. The characters from this series will be in the next Ethan Frost book and will be involved in Ethan’s mission to destroy his enemies.

The characters in this series are phenomenal. Their attraction and sexual chemistry is smoldering hot. Their erotic relationship will keep the readers fanning themselves. Their story is thrilling in so many ways. From their current lives, their secrets from the past, their steamy relationship, their smoldering sexual escapades, and complicated new directions , The Play Me series is addicting.

Each book in this series was released on December 2, 2014. Readers do not have to wait for the next book to come out. The pricing for each book is similar to other serial romances on todays market. The pricing for the series all together is equivalent to purchasing one book by one of the major publishing houses. It is well worth the price and I highly recommend this series.

Although this series is a spin off of the Ethan Frost series it can be read as a stand alone series.

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In Play Me Wild the reader gets an introduction to the characters and their lives. It sets the pace for the entire series.

Aria Winston is a strong woman. She is independent and never asks for help. She accepts her strengths and weaknesses. She is also hiding a very startling secret. But it is her secret to harbor. She is working as a cocktail waitress in one of the most popular hotel casinos in Vegas. She has moved up to serving the elite high rollers, otherwise known as the whales. She does her job well but when one customer gets out of hand it brings her to the attention of her boss, Sebastian Caine.

Sebastian Caine has returned to Vegas to take over his fathers hotel casino. He left Vegas ten years earlier determined to never return. His father has had a series of strokes and needs someone to step in and run the business he has been running into the ground. This is the last place Sebastian wants to be but also understands that this is his legacy. When a waitress is fired and the disgruntled customer wants restitution, Sebastian has to step in. When he views the actual occurrence on the video feed , he is appalled. He is appalled that these high roller men treat his waitresses with disrespect and disregard. He is also fascinated with the waitress that is involved in the situation.

When Sebastian and Aria meet face to face their attraction to one another is smoldering. Sebastian recognizes a kindred spirit. He also recognizes a need that Aria has that only he can show her how to fulfill. What happens in that meeting will leave the reader breathless. It ends on a cliffhanger that leaves the reader rushing to download the next installment in the series.

Author Bio:

Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from contemporary to paranormal to erotic suspense.

And for all of those who want the unedited version:
Tracy Wolff lives with four men, teaches writing to local college students and spends as much time as she can manage immersed in worlds of her own creation. Married to the alpha hero of her dreams for twelve years, she is the mother of three young sons who spend most of their time trying to make her as crazy as possible.

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ARC Review: Addicted by Zoey Williams

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

Addicted

By Zoey Williams

Synopsis

Talia Truman is a manager’s worst nightmare. A former child star, Talia traded in her braids and became a smart-mouthed party girl with a penchant for bad boys and even badder decisions. (Usually involving alcohol.) With a massive movie deal on the line, however, Talia needs to keep herself—and her purple thong panties—out of trouble. But sex-addiction rehab? Definitely not her idea…

Unfortunately, being stuck in rehab with emerging country music star Matt Skyler—aka The Most Delicious Man Talia Can’t Have—is testing Talia’s newfound chastity. All she wants to do is fall off the wagon and onto Matt. But Matt isn’t exactly the bad boy she thought he was. In fact, Talia is starting to suspect that this cowboy might secretly be a total gentleman. And worse still, she likes that.

Now, under the blinding glare of the paparazzi, this not-so-bad boy and trying-to-be-good girl must choose between their reputations…and who they really are.

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Tina’s Review

*** Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ***

Talia Truman was a television child star and is trying to break away from that persona with her partying, drinking and boys. She thought she scored a movie franchise deal only for them to threaten to take it away. She needs to clean up her act – now – if she wants any chance at keeping the movie deal. More for publicity than need, her manager decides that the best way for Talia to clean up her image is to admit her into a sex addiction rehab facility.
CMA’s “Best New Artist” nominee, Matt Skylar, is a bigger fake than Talia! He’s taking it real hard that although he’s nominated, he’s not KNOWN. All the publicity and attention falls to the Bad Boys of Country. So, a he figures he’d rough up his appearance and plan a stint in rehab that he purposely extended from two weeks to six weeks. On the eve before his “graduation”, Talia joins the facility and calls his bluff.

Novella, under 100 pages. Stand-Alone. No Cliffhanger.
The characters, all of them, have a caricature feel to them; like they are exaggerated for comedic purposes. In this, Ms Williams would be successful. The dialogue is witty and sharp. Banning the toothbrush was funny, but it escalates from there. There’s a fluidity of the read, making it an easy, joyful piece to read. The action causing the conflict is believable, the reactions to the building conflict are very appropriate for the characters and the resolve is perfect. There really is not a lot of predictability in whole and the conclusion is solidly wrapped up.

6 Star ARC Review + Giveaway: The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

The Law Of Moses

By Amy Harmon

Release Date: November 27, 2014

Synopsis

If I tell you right up front, right in the beginning that I lost him, it will be easier for you to bear. You will know it’s coming, and it will hurt. But you’ll be able to prepare.

Someone found him in a laundry basket at the Quick Wash, wrapped in a towel, a few hours old and close to death. They called him Baby Moses when they shared his story on the ten o’clock news – the little baby left in a basket at a dingy Laundromat, born to a crack addict and expected to have all sorts of problems. I imagined the crack baby, Moses, having a giant crack that ran down his body, like he’d been broken at birth. I knew that wasn’t what the term meant, but the image stuck in my mind. Maybe the fact that he was broken drew me to him from the start.

It all happened before I was born, and by the time I met Moses and my mom told me all about him, the story was old news and nobody wanted anything to do with him. People love babies, even sick babies. Even crack babies. But babies grow up to be kids, and kids grow up to be teenagers. Nobody wants a messed up teenager.

And Moses was messed up. Moses was a law unto himself. But he was also strange and exotic and beautiful. To be with him would change my life in ways I could never have imagined. Maybe I should have stayed away. Maybe I should have listened. My mother warned me. Even Moses warned me. But I didn’t stay away.

And so begins a story of pain and promise, of heartache and healing, of life and death. A story of before and after, of new beginnings and never-endings. But most of all…a love story.

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Excerpt

“You still talk to your horses.”

I jerked and Sackett shifted, not liking the spike of energy that shot through me or the fact that my fingers had yanked at his mane.

Moses stood silhouetted in the barn door, holding what looked to be a large canvas in his hand.

I hadn’t realized I was still talking to Sackett, and I did a quick examination of what I’d just said. I believe I had just uttered an embarrassing rant on people named Moses not being allowed in Georgia. “Oh, Lord,” I prayed silently but fervently, “you can make the blind man see and the deaf man hear so it shouldn’t be too much to ask to make this man forget everything he’s just seen and heard.”

“What does Sackett think about those new, stricter laws in Georgia?”

I looked up at the rafters, “Hey, thanks for comin’ through for me, Lord.”

I loosened the cinch that secured the saddle around Sackett’s middle and pulled the saddle from his back, hoisting it onto the saddle horse and removing the blanket beneath without looking at Moses. I was kind of surprised that he remembered Sackett’s name.

Moses took a few steps inside the barn and I could see a small smile playing around his lips. I gave Sackett a firm pat on his rump signaling I was done, and he trotted off, clearly eager to go.

“You’re back.” I said, refusing to embarrass myself further by getting angry.

“I took Tag home. He had big plans to train for his next fight old school, like Rocky, but discovered that it’s a little more appealing in the movies. Plus, I don’t do a very good Apollo Creed.”

“Tag’s a fighter?”

“Yeah. Mixed martial arts stuff. He’s pretty good.”

“Huh.” I didn’t know what else to say. I didn’t know anything about the sport. “Didn’t Apollo Creed die in one of the movies?”

“Yeah. The black guy always dies at the hands of the white man.”

I rolled my eyes, and he grinned, making me grin with him before I remembered that I was embarrassed and ticked off that he had kissed me and left town. It felt a little too much like the past. The grin slipped from my face and I turned away, busying myself shaking out the saddle blankets.

“So why did you come back?” I kept my eyes averted. He was quiet for a minute, and I bit my lips so I wouldn’t start to babble into the awkward silence.

“The house needs more work,” he replied at last. “And I’m thinking of changing my name.”

My head shot up, and I met his smirk with confusion.

“Huh?”

“I heard there was this new law in Georgia. Nobody named Moses can even visit. So I’m thinking a name change is in order.”

I just shook my head and laughed, both and embarrassed and pleased at his underlying meaning. “Shut up, Apollo,” I said, and it was his turn to laugh.

Robin’s Review

The Law of Moses begins with a word of caution to the reader. From the first words of the prologue, Amy Harmon’s consummate writing demanded my full attention. Perhaps the prologue is a bit of foreshadowing, but I truly had no idea what it meant. How it would relate to the story? When I finished reading The Law of Moses, I was emotionally spent, but I finally understood. I truly admire Amy Harmon’s talent and creativity. The Law of Moses is her seventh novel. I have read each of them, and her ability to tell a story just keeps getting better.

Our protagonist, Georgia Shepherd, begins the story by telling us about Moses Wright. He was born a crack baby. Baby Moses was placed in a laundry basket and abandoned at the Quick Wash. Employees from the hospital named him baby Moses because he was found lying in a basket. Crack babies are known to have all kinds of problems throughout their lives – ADHD, impulse control, seizures, mental disorders, hallucinations and hypersensitivity. Authorities were able to identify his mother three days after he was found because his mother died of an overdose. Moses was raised by family, but he never spent very long in one place because he was hard to manage. When the story begins, Moses moves in with his great grandmother, Kathleen Wright, just before he turns eighteen.

It’s the summer before her senior year in high school, and seventeen year-old Georgia Shepherd dreams of barrel racing on the rodeo circuit. Her father is a veterinarian, but her parents also have several horses they use for equine therapy with foster kids. Georgia assists with equine therapy, but she is better known for her ability for breaking in and training horses in Levan, Utah. Kathleen Wright asks the Shepherd family to put Moses to work on their farm. Georgia describes Moses as tall, with broad shoulders, defined muscles and light, funky-colored eyes. She compares him to a dangerous jungle cat. He is messed up, cracked in the head, emotional and extremely artistic. And Georgia is attracted to Moses.

Did I mention Moses was artistic? He paints beautiful, gigantic murals whenever the inclination occurs. He paints on walls and buildings or anywhere else that seems appropriate at the time. He paints wherever he wants without questions and remorse. But it’s what Moses paints that is highly unusual. Moses paints pictures of people who are dead, and this could be a problem for him because several young women have disappeared in central Utah over the past few years.

Okay. Here are my thoughts. Amy Harmon has written a very intriguing coming of age novel. It’s also a beautiful love story involving two unlikely characters. If you love a great mystery, you will find mystery in spades in The Law of Moses. It’s one of those novels you will not want to put down. I mentioned at the beginning of my review that the writing in this story is consummate. I absolutely meant that. The writing in The Law of Moses is above average in creativity, proficiency and in the manner that it flows. There have been so many wonderful novels released this year, but I can honestly say that The Law of Moses is one of the very best that I have read. Congratulations to Amy Harmon on this 6 star novel!

Robin’s 5 Greats

1) Consummate writing
2) Uniquely creative
3) Intriguing characters
4) Gripping mystery
5) One of my 2014 favorites

Author Bio:

Amy Harmon is a USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author. Amy knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story. Her books are now being published in several countries, truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Levan, Utah.

Amy Harmon has written five novels – the USA Today Bestsellers, Making Faces and Running Barefoot, as well as Slow Dance in Purgatory, Prom Night in Purgatory, and the New York Times Bestseller, A Different Blue.

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Giveaway
1 Kindle Paperwhite
1 $50 Amazon giftcard
3 signed copies of The Law of Moses

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Review Blog Tour: Diamonds and Dust by Jessie Evans – Lonesome Point, Texas Series – Book 3

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

Diamonds and Dust

Lonesome Point, Texas Series- Book 3

By Jessie Evans

Synopsis

A sexy second chance romance from NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Jessie Evans

The home run neither of them expected…

Pike Sherman is a legend in Lonesome Point, a hometown boy who made it to the big leagues. Literally. Professional baseball acquired one hell of a pitching arm and its latest celebrity bad boy when the gifted Pike was drafted seven years ago. Pike’s broken heart came along for the ride, too, but he kept that private, and since leaving Lonesome Point has kept his distance from his hometown. But when Pike’s little sister, Mia, begs him to be the Dude of Honor at her wedding, he can’t refuse. He takes advantage of a break in the season and returns home to find himself thrown together with the one woman he never wanted to see again.

Tulsi Hearst is on the verge of losing her Equine Therapy business, and letting down all the kids she’s come to love. After a mix-up with the grant board, she needs to concentrate on finding more funding, not dealing with Pike Sherman, the boy she sacrificed so much for, and the one person she’s ever lied to. And what a lie it is… Pike would hate her if he found out. She knows she should stay far away from the brooding man her summer love has become, but Tulsi can’t resist a slow dance with the only boy who ever made her blood rush.

After just a few days back in Lonesome Point, Pike can’t imagine life without the girl he left behind, but when Tulsi’s secret is revealed, his heart is broken all over again. The only thing worse than losing Tulsi, is losing six years with the daughter he didn’t know he had.

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Tracey’s Review

With Pike Sherman back in town for his sister Mia’s wedding, it’s all Tulsi Hearst can do to keep it together. Not only was Pike Tulsi’s first and only love, she’s hiding one heck of a big secret that Pike absolutely cannot find out. She’ll just pretend like he didn’t break her heart seven years ago, smile for the wedding pictures, and then life can go back to normal. The best laid plans, and all that…

Pike is Lonesome Point’s golden boy, the one that made it big. When he left home, he was sure that he’d never be back. But life has a funny way of throwing us for a loop, and it takes all of a day or two to completely change Pike’s mind about things. Because in those couple of days, he sees Tulsi again, and realizes that it’s not as easy as he’d thought to leave the past behind.

Jessie Evans just keeps writing stories that I cannot help but fall absolutely in love with, and each one makes me say, ‘Oh, this is the best one yet!’ Her characters resonate because they are just so real, so like all of us. They’re not perfect, they make mistakes, they’re living normal lives as best they can. I think that one of my favorite things about reading DIAMONDS AND DUST, or any any book by Jessie, really, is that it feels like coming home. It is impossible to finish these books without a smile on my face, and to want to be part of a community like the one in Lonesome Point. Her heroes are always hot and sexy (and I think that Pike may well be my favorite so far!), which is really nice, but it’s their hearts that make them so special. These are men that are willing to admit when they’re wrong, to go after what they want, and to grab life by the horns and set things right. The women are written wonderfully as well; full of spunk and sass, these ladies don’t take any guff from anybody. Every one of them, from Tulsi, Mia, and Marisol, right down to Clementine and Mia’s Gram, are spitfires, and just make this a read that is immensely enjoyable.

If you’re a fan of books that bring old lovers together again, DIAMONDS AND DUST is a must-read, and is guaranteed to leave you wanting to read more by Jessie.

About Jessie Evans

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessie Evans, gave up a career as an international woman of mystery to write the sexy, contemporary Southern romances she loves to read.

She’s married to the man of her dreams, and together they’re raising a few adorable, mischievous children in a cottage in the jungle. She grew up in rural Arkansas, spending summers running wild, being chewed by chiggers, and now appreciates her home in a chigger-free part of the world even more.

When she’s not writing, Jessie enjoys playing her dulcimer (badly), sewing the worlds ugliest quilts to give to her friends, going for bike rides with her house full of boys, and drifting in and out on the waves, feeling thankful for sun, surf, and lovely people to share them with.

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The Many Sides of Collins Drake- Teaser… Filthy Beautiful Forever by Kendall Ryan

Posted on 12/03/2014 by shellbellereads

Filthy Beautiful Forever

Filthy Beautiful Series – Book 4

Release Date: January 12, 2014

Synopsis

Collins Drake exercises control over all facets of his life. From his business, to satisfying his physical needs … it all happens on his command.

So when a woman shows up at his door and reminds him of a promise they made each other when they were just ten years old, it shouldn’t have the ability to rock his entire world.

Yet it does.

Because Mia Monroe wasn’t just his childhood best friend, she wasn’t just the girl he lost his virginity to and hasn’t seen since, she’s the one exception to his perfect control. And piece by piece, she’s about to tear apart his carefully laid plans.

Filthy Beautiful Fovever

Filthy Beautiful Lies Series- Book 4

Release Date : January 12, 2015

By Kendall Ryan

Synopsis

Collins Drake exercises control over all facets of his life. From his business, to satisfying his physical needs … it all happens on his command.

So when a woman shows up at his door and reminds him of a promise they made each other when they were just ten years old, it shouldn’t have the ability to rock his entire world.

Yet it does.

**Warning: this book contains an addictively filthy alpha male who will dampen your panties and own your days and nights. Proceed at your own risk.**

Meet Colton Drake…

I have no idea why she auctioned off her virginity for a cool mill. Regardless, I’m now the proud new owner of a perfectly intact hymen. A lot of good that will do me. I have certain tastes, certain sexual proclivities. My cock is a bit more discriminatory than most. And training a virgin takes finesse and patience – both of which I lack.

Sophie Evans has been backed into a corner. With her sister’s life hanging in the balance, the only choice is to claw her way out, even if that means selling her virginity to the highest bidder at an exclusive erotic club. When Colton Drake takes her home, she quickly learns nothing is as it seems with this beautifully troubled man. Being with him poses challenges she never expected, and pushes her to want things she never anticipated.

A sinfully seductive erotic romance where everything has a price and the cost of love is the highest of all from New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, Kendall Ryan

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Book 2 in the Filthy Beautiful Lies series.

I never expected to watch Sophie walk away. She was mine. I would own her. She just didn’t know it yet. New goal: Seal the deal and rock her world so thoroughly she never wanted to leave again.

Highly sexual and emotionally charged, Filthy Beautiful Love is the provocative conclusion to Filthy Beautiful Lies.

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Book 3 in the Filthy Series

Pace Drake loves sex. He knows where to get it, what to say, what to do, and he makes no apologies for satisfying his needs. But when he meets single mom, Kylie Sloan, he’s enthralled by her, and begins to question his standard operating procedure. After all, there’s no chase, no mystery when banging a woman in a nightclub bathroom. Kylie’s depth and determination make the sloppy, drunken hookups that fill his weekends seem empty and shallow. She’s the opposite of the desperate, clingy women he’s used to. She doesn’t want or need anyone to take care of her and that only makes him want to care for her more.

Kylie’s trust in men has vanished. The last guy she was with played ding-dong-ditch-it with her uterus and left her with a baby to raise. Now her infant son is the only man she has time for, even if she misses sex and intimacy more than she’d ever admit. Opening her heart up to a younger man who’s best known for no-strings-attached sex and his casual lifestyle is probably the worst idea she’s ever had. But Pace wants to prove to her there are still a few good guys left, and watching the sweet way he interacts with her baby makes her want to try…but she can really trust that his days of hitting it and quitting it are in his past?Filthy Beautiful Lust is the third book in the Filthy Beautiful Lies series, however it can be read as a standalone novel (no cliffhanger). To understand the full growth and development of the characters, it is recommended that you begin with book 1, Filthy Beautiful Lies.

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Author Bio

Kendall Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the contemporary romance novels HARD TO LOVE, RESISTING HER, UNRAVEL ME and MAKE ME YOURS.

She’s a sassy, yet polite Midwestern girl with a deep love of books, and a slight addiction to lipgloss! She lives in Minneapolis with an adorable husband and two naughty puppies, one of which may be part monkey.

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ARC Review: Full Throttle by Julie Ann Walker- Black Knights, Inc. Series- Book 7

Posted on 12/02/2014 by shellbellereads

Full Throttle

Black Knight, Inc. Series- Book 7

By Julie Ann Walker

Synopsis

She Needs a Hero…

Abby Thompson didn’t sign up to be the daughter of the President of the United States. The position was forced on her by the small matter of her birth. Preferring a quiet life of study, she’s content to leave the politics and the international intrigue to her father. Unfortunately, the most powerful man on the planet is sure to make enemies. When a group of armed thugs takes her hostage half a world away, demanding the U.S. government release prisoners in exchange for her safe return, she fears her father’s policy of “not negotiating with terrorists” means she’ll never see the shores of the Potomac again. Luckily, there’s one glimmer of hope. His name is Carlos Soto. And though she abruptly ended things with him years ago, she knows now he’s the only man who can save her…

Black Knights, Inc. to the Rescue…

Carlos “Steady” Soto has taken part in his fair share of dangerous missions working at the covert government defense firm of Black Knights Inc. But nothing prepared him for the emotional rollercoaster he faces when he’s tasked with rescuing the only woman he ever loved—who also broke his heart. Racing against time and outmaneuvering a group of trained terrorists will take everything he’s got. Plus there’s the heat simmering between them which is threatening to ignite into an inferno. While ruthless enemies stalk them, they must learn to trust each other again. Even if they do make it out alive, will Abby turn her back on him…for the second time?

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Tina’s Review

*** ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ***

Abby Thompson was the youngest daughter of the POTUS front-runner eight years ago and a student at Georgetown, studying pre-med when an explosion on campus rocked everything and everyone near to her and subsequently she ended up having to give up pre-med and took up botany instead. Currently, as the President’s daughter, she is protected more heavily than even before, especially when she leaves the country and there’s inconclusive buzz and murmurs of kidnapping one of the President’s daughters.
Carlos “Steady ” Sotos was studying to become a General Surgeon in college, claiming he enjoyed the thrill and challenge of not knowing what would come through the ER doors next. But, that was then… before that tragic day eight years ago. After that day, he signed up and joined the military. Now he’s a member of Black Knights, Inc., a covert government defense firm that operates under the cover of being a custom motorcycle shop, and finds himself on Abby’s supplemental BKI security detail in Malaysia.

As a fan of Ms. Walker’s BKI series, I was very grateful and appreciative to have been approved to receive an ARC of this book. My fandom will not reflect in the ratings or review, as you will see.
The Prologue starts you out eight years ago when Abby was in college with Carlos and his twin, Rosa, all of which were studying medicine in one form or another. Then, tragedy strikes and forever changes their lives. Chapter One flashes you forward to present day. Carlos is, hands-down, front and center from page one. He is an extremely Hot Alpha Male. Muy Caliente! I feel that most of the focus of the book was on him, overshadowing Abby. I could not connect with her as much as I’d have liked to. The secondary characters, both good and bad, were very well-written. I had to wonder if, in Ms. Walker’s extensive travels, she’d ever been to Malaysia. The descriptions of the sights and sounds transported me to that Hotel with them. Perfectly executed. There’s a secondary relationship building between Dan and Penni that I am guessing we’ll see further develop in a later book. The plot itself was excellent, I really enjoyed the story line. It was a silky, smooth read with great character interaction and dialogue. There was a lot of conflict that carried on throughout the entire book that was not fully confronted and resolved until the very end. There was very little predictability. The conclusion felt a bit rough; it seemed rushed and there were questions left. Where do they go from here, with her in D.C. and him in Chicago? If it would have had an Epilogue with a more solid ending, this would have definitely been a five-star book. As is, it was VERY close.

Michel’s Review

I am a huge fan of the Black Knights, Inc. series by Julie Ann Walker. This is one of the best romantic suspense series out there. Add the biker element and special ops background to the characters of this series to make the formula even more enticing.

Full Throttle is the seventh book in the series. It was a steamy and suspenseful book. The characters captured the readers attention. Carlos Soto is one hot alpha man that had me swooning. Abby was a strong woman with a personality that made readers empathize with her. The plot, the use of words, the flow of the story, and suspenseful plot were masterfully executed.

I highly recommend reading Full Throttle. It can be read as a stand alone book or in series order.

Author Bio:

Julie Ann Walker is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of award-winning romantic suspense. She has won the Book Buyers Best Award, been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award. Her latest release was named a Top Ten Romance of 2014 by Booklist. Her books have been described as “alpha, edgy, and downright hot.” Most days you can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission.

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ARC Review: Owning Violet by Monica Murphy- The Fowler Sisters Series- Book 1

Posted on 12/02/2014 by shellbellereads

Owning Violet

The Fowler Sisters Series- Book 1

By Monica Murphy

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy begins a sexy new contemporary romance series—perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emma Chase—that introduces three sisters born to wealth, raised to succeed, ready to love, destined to make waves.

I’ve moved through life doing what’s expected of me. I’m the middle daughter, the dutiful daughter. The one who braved a vicious attack and survived. The one who devoted herself to her family’s business empire. The one who met an ambitious man and fell in love. We were going to run Fleur Cosmetics together, Zachary and I.

Until he got a promotion and left me in the dust. Maybe it’s for the best, between his disloyalty and his wandering eye. But another man was waiting for me. Wanting me. He too has an overwhelming thirst for success, just like Zachary—perhaps even more so. He’s also ruthless. And mysterious. I know nothing about Ryder McKay beyond that he makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.

One stolen moment, a kiss, a touch . . . and I’m hooked. Ryder’s like a powerful drug, and I’m an addict who doesn’t want to be cured. He tells me his intentions aren’t pure, and I believe him. For once, I don’t care. I’m willing to risk everything just to be with him. Including my heart. My soul.

My everything.

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Michel’s Review

Owning Violet is the first book in the new Fowler Sisters Series by Monica Murphy. Unlike her other series, the Fowler Sisters Series is a bit darker and a bit edgier. It has a more mature feel and the plot is more adult subject matter. The content of this series is much more erotic than previous Monica Murphy books. The focus of the Fowler Sisters is three sisters and their legacy, the Fleur Cosmetics Company.

Violet Fowler is the middle sister. She is the dependable, pliable, and weaker of the three sisters. She has experienced an act of violence that left her broken. She is now viewed as the fragile and weakest of the three sisters. She overcame the horrific crime committed against her and survived. While her family viewed her breakdown as a weakness and scandal to the family name, she held it all inside and became determined to become stronger. She has focused on her legacy, her career at Fleur Cosmetics. She has diligently put in her time, worked hard, and proved her place in the company. She is destined to run Fleur Costmetics in the future. There are people that don’t want her to take her rightful place in the company and will do anything to prevent it.

Violet has been dating Zachery Laurence for two years. He is an up and coming executive in the Fleur Company. On paper he is the perfect match for her. Together they could be a powerful force in the future of the Fleur Cosmetics company. Off paper, he is the worst kind of boyfriend any woman could have. He is self absorbed, treats Violet like she is a useless piece of feminine fluff, and is known for his infidelity. Violet knows about his infidelities but looks the other way because her father is impressed with Zachery. She has hopes that once they become engaged that Zachery will change. Zachery has been using Violet to climb the corporate ladder. He disregards Violet’s feelings and has very little respect for her.

Ryder McKay has been with Fleur Cosmetics for about the same amount of time as Zachery Laurence. Zachery Laurence is his rival and business enemy. Zachery Laurence has gotten the promotion that he wants. Zachery Laurence is getting the London position. Ryder has worked just as hard and proved himself. He views Zachery’s climb to the top as a result of his relationship with Violet. Ryder has had enough, he is ruthless enough to play dirty. He is going to take away Zachery’s promotion. He is going to take Violet away from Zachery.

Ryder enlists the help of his mentor, Pilar Vasquez. Pilar will go after Zachery and prove his treachery while he is seducing Violet. Pilar’s one condition is that Ryder completely breaks Violet. She wants her out of the way. Ryder is a bit uneasy with Pilar’s conditions but agrees.

As the treachery unfolds and the players start their games, Violet will prove that she is a force to reckoned with. She may appear weak on the surface, but beneath it all is a woman with the strength of steel. Ryder is in for the surprise of his life. Violet is going to break him. Violet knows the game Zachery is playing and once she’s had enough, she will bring him to his knees. The only thing that Violet, Ryder, and Zachery did not see coming was Pilar. Pilar has an agenda of her own. It could very well destroy them all.

Through all of this, Ryder and Violet will find they have more in common than their rivals. They will find love in the oddest and most erotic way.

Owning Violet was sizzling hot. The intimate scenes burned up the pages. The story plot was intricately woven and kept the reader guessing.

Monica Murphy has once again delivered another fantastic book. Her writing talent is amazing. I am impressed that she can write so many different genres and keep the readers captivated. The Fowler Sisters series is by far the most erotic series she has written and she pulled it off with flying colors.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the Fowler Sisters Series.

About Monica Murphy:

I write books. I have the best job ever. New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Writer of new adult contemporary romance-ish stuff. Published with Avon and Bantam. Mom and wife. Native Californian.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Day Blitz + Review: You Were Mine by Abbi Glines- Rosemary Beach Series- Book 9

Posted on 12/02/2014 by shellbellereads

You Were Mine

Rosemary Beach Series- Book 9

By Abbi Glines

Synopsis

Gossip is the ultimate currency in Rosemary Beach, but Bethy and Tripp have managed to keep one big secret to themselves.

Eight years ago, Tripp Newark was dating a rich girl he didn’t like and was on his way to Yale—and a future he didn’t want. The only way he could escape his predictable life would be to give up the money and power that came with his family’s name. And that’s exactly what he planned to do. At the end of the summer, he was going to ride off on his Harley and never look back.

That was before he met Beth Lowry.

It was only supposed to be a summer fling. She was a sixteen-year-old trailer-park girl who served drinks to his friends at Kerrington Country Club. They didn’t run in the same social circles. No one even knew they were friends, let alone lovers. Yet, for one summer, Bethy became his entire world.

But he couldn’t give up on his plan. He needed to leave Rosemary Beach, but he vowed he would come back for her.

Problem was, by the time he came back—years later than promised—it was too late. His cousin, Jace, had already claimed the woman he loved. . . .

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Michel’s Review

Fans of the Rosemary Beach series have been biting at the bits for If You Were Mine to release. It was well worth the wait and I know readers are going to be thrilled with this book.

From the very beginning of the Rosemary Beach series, Bethy Lowry has been a very prominent character throughout the series. She is the happy go lucky, party girl, that works at the Kerrington Country Club. She has befriended the staff members, become a part of the elite crowd, and proved her loyalty to all those she loves. Her outgoing personality has captivated the readers. We have watched her go from a wild girl to a mature young woman madly in love with one of the golden members, Jace Newark. Her relationship with Jace went from carefree hookups to a serious committed relationship. They were very happy until Tripp Newark, Jace’s cousin came back to Rosemary Beach. Bethy’s behavior begins to spiral out of control. She is reverting back to her irresponsible ways and her drinking is out of control. When tragedy strikes and Jace loses his life trying to save Bethy’s life it sends her into a very dark place. She has lost the love of her life and feels responsible. She feels like she betrayed Jace and her friends. She has withdrawn from life and seperated herself from her friends. She doesn’t feel like she deserves their friendship. She doesn’t feel she deserves love or redemption from her mistakes. She is haunted by the past and has condemned herself to being it’s prisoner. What caused her behavior to spiral out of control? What secrets was she hiding. Only Tripp Newark knows. Now he is back in Rosemary Beach and determined to make Bethy whole once again.

Tripp Newark was a golden son of the Rosemary Beach elite. He had the perfect future planned out by his family. His wealth, prestigous family, education, and social standings guaranteed he would live the golden life. But those were not his dreams, they were expectations that he could not live up to. Eight years ago he had to choose between his family and his dreams for the future. The one thing he didn’t count on was meeting a girl that would capture his heart completely. When he made his decision to leave Rosemary Beach behind, he had to leave the love of his life. The damage and scars he left behind are beyond repair.

Tripp returned to Rosemary Beach to find the one woman he has always loved is engaged to his cousin. To make matters worse his cousin loses his life trying to save that girl. Tripp wants Bethy to heal and come back to the world of living. It doesn’t matter that she no longer loves him. He just wants her to be a whole person again.

As Tripp and Bethy’s past is revealed and a hidden secrets are unraveled, they will both be shattered. They will also find their way back to one another. They will find that love never really dies. Love comes in many different forms. They will find there is room in their hearts for love once again.

This time around Tripp is going to do everything right. This time around Bethy is going to forgive herself and learn her self worth. This time around they are going to do things the right way. This time around is forever.

The Rosemary Beach series has been building up to this moment, this couple, and their secrets. The big revelation at the end of the previous books left readers dying to know the whole story. This book was emotional and grabbed my heart in so many ways. It was the perfect story for these two charismatic characters.

The readers will get more of all the beloved characters from this series. They will see our favorite little ones growing into charming little people. They will see the Rock God Grandpa wrapped around a toddlers finger and loving every moment. They will see Grant flourish with fatherhood. They will get to know Thad a little better. Best of all, they will get to witness the wedding vows between Della and Woods. The one thing that was glorious in all this was that “Nasty Nan” was completely absent from this book. We didn’t have to deal her rotten attitude. We got to see all our beloved characters from Rosemary Beach have a wonderful time without her spoiling the moment.

I absolutely love the Rosemary Beach series. I cannot wait for the next book. I think Abbi Glines has some great surprises for fans of this series.

I highly recommend If You Were Mine. If you have not read the Rosemary Beach series, don’t put it off. It is a guaranteed fantastic reading experience.

Author Bio:

Since publishing her first novel Breathe in May of 2011, Abbi has also released The New York Times bestselling Seabreeze Series which includes Breathe, Because of Low, While It Lasts, Just For Now and Sometimes It Last, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless. New York Times and USA TODAY bestsellers The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers. Last but not least her most popular series to date, Rosemary Beach which includes The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far, Forever Too Far, Twisted Perfection and Simple Perfection. Her newest book scheduled to be released on December 17th, 2013 is Misbehaving (Seabreeze).

When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz + Review: Elect by Rachel Van Dyken- Eagle Elite Series- Book 2

Posted on 12/02/2014 by shellbellereads

Elect

Eagle Elite Series – Book 2

By Rachel Van Dyken

Synopsis

Would you die for the one you love?
Nixon Abandonato made his choice. And now he has to pay the price. Tracey is the love of his life, but being with him has made her a target of his family’s enemies. The only way to keep Trace alive is convince the world she means nothing to him.

Trace Rooks has fallen irrevocably in love with the son of her family’s sworn rival, and she knows in her bones nothing can tear them apart. Until Nix suddenly pushes her away and into the arms of his best friend… But Trace isn’t ready to give up on a future with Nix–and if he won’t fight for them, she will.
In the end, a sacrifice must be made. A life for a life. For what better way to cover a multitude of sins than with the blood of a sinner . . .

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Excerpt

“Let’s make a pact.” Chase put his hand on my shoulder.

“A pact?” I sniffled and turned to him. “What kind of pact?”

“One that’s forever. One that protects people rather than hurts them.”

“How do we do that?” I was suddenly interested. What if I could make all the hurt go away? What if I could save everyone!

“We do this.” Chase pulled out his pocketknife and cut open his hand, then nodded to me to do the same thing. Without pausing I cut open my hand and handed back the knife. “Blood brothers. We’re never gonna hurt each other and we’re gonna save those like your ma, Nixon. Ones who can’t save themselves. We’re going to protect them.”

“How?” I watched as the blood dripped from my open palm.

“Rules.” Chase shrugged. “They keep people safe, right? At least that’s what my mom says.” He smiled. “We make rules and we start our own club. That way, we don’t have to listen to anyone but us.”

I liked it. I chewed on my lower lip. “What do we call ourselves?”

“The chosen?” Chase offered.

“No, that sounds lame. We have to sound… more powerful than that.”

My eyes flickered to the road, and a sign poked into the ground. It said election. “Elect.” I pointed. “Let’s call ourselves The Elect.” It made sense; after all, the president was elected, wasn’t he? We weren’t exactly chosen, but we were making the choice, we were electing ourselves protectors. That’s what we were.

“Who else can join?” Chase asked.

“Tex and Phoenix. They’ll want to.” A weight suddenly felt like it was being lifted off my twelve-year-old shoulders. “Should we shake on it?”

“Yeah.” Chase smashed his hand against mine as our blood mixed. “No going back, Nixon.”

“No.” I shook my head. “No going back.”

I pressed my fingers to my temples and watched, replaying that moment over and over again in my head as the outline of Chase and Tracey flickered in the moonlight. Would he really do this to me? After all the shit we’d been through?

I gauged her reaction, hoping that I would be wrong. Praying to God that Trace would just this once listen to me. Her eyes flickered with interest for a few brief seconds before she looked down at the ground.

“Shit.” I waited in the shadows. A part of me knew this would happen. The part that told me to damn my feelings to hell and ignore all the warning signs that I’d been seeing. But now it seemed like it was too late. I stayed, planted where I was, watching, waiting.

“Chase, you can’t…” Trace shook her head. “You can’t be like this. We can’t do this!”

“We aren’t doing anything,” Chase said in low tones, reaching for Trace’s hand. “Don’t you?” He looked directly at me, although all he saw was a shadow. I knew I was well hidden. “Don’t you feel the same way?”

Trace jerked her hand away from Chase’s. “It doesn’t matter what I feel. It’s not about me, Chase.”

“But it is.” Chase reached for her again. This time her hand grasped his in such an intimate embrace I thought I was going to vomit all over the ground. The outside air was cold as hell as little pieces of ice tried to find their way into my wool coat.

“It isn’t.” Trace sighed. “It never was.”

Chase jerked her toward him. She fell against his chest and looked up into his eyes. “What are you doing?”

Chase sighed. “What I should have done a long time ago.” He grabbed the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss. Their lips touched.

I had to look away.

The only sound in the night was that of my soft footsteps as I walked away… leaving my heart in broken pieces where I’d last stood. She was lost to me; it wasn’t even the Sicilians that had taken her, but my best friend.

A gunshot rang out loud and clear in the night air. I turned back around just in time to see Trace collapse into Chase’s arms.

Michel’s Review

The Eagle Elite series by Rachel Van Dyken is one of the most intense and riveting series I have read. This series portrays the life in the Mafia hierarchy. The new generation is taking over. They are determined to carry on the family legacy but also change the way things are done. It is their time to rule. Their legacy is about Family. Family always comes first no matter what. This new generation will pay the costs, sacrifice their own happiness, and turn their backs on the possibility of that once in a lifetime love. Family comes first.

Elect is the sequel to Elite. It is not a stand alone novel. I can guarantee once you have read Elite you will be opening Elect to find out what happens next. This intense story of Nixon Abandonato’s rise to power. He has taken over the Abandonato’s leadership over the five families. He has inherited his father’s enemies. He has made enemies of his own. He has fallen in love with his family’s number one rival. The granddaughter on one of the most powerful families.

Nixon inherited an old family rivalry that somehow does not add up. He has fallen in love with the enemy’s golden princess, Tracey Rooks. The corruption and struggle for power among the families has made Tracey a target. He will have to sacrifice their relationship to appease his enemies and keep her safe. He willingly hands her over to his most trusted confidant, his best friend and cousin. He trusts Chase Winters to keep Tracey safe and take care of her as he would. He wants him to pretend to be in a romantic relationship with her. He purposely pushes Tracey into Chase’s arms.

Chase Winters has been secretly in love with Tracey since the moment he met her. When Nixon hands her over on a silver platter he tries to honor Nixon’s feelings. Chase has always made sacrifices for his family. He has always been second in the family. Now that he has Tracey in his care, he may take this opportunity to finally be the one who comes first. He may betray the man he loves like a brother for the woman that makes him feel alive.

Nixon plans to get to the bottom of this treachery and punish his enemies. It may cost him his life. It has already cost him the woman he loves. It’s the price he will have to pay because family comes first. He will destroy his enemies but he may make some new ones in the process. He may lose his most trusted friend. He may lose the woman he loves. He may have to kill them both.

Elect is steamy, heart wrenching, and intense. It keeps the reader’s on the edge of their seats. The Eagle Elite series is one of my all time favorite series. How can one not like men who have guns with their Wheaties, women that can throw a knife as fast as they can find a sale in Nordstroms, and love with an intensity that is just as gentle as it is fierce ? This series is hot and I highly recommend these books.

EAGLE ELITE SERIES

Elite

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Elect

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Entice

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Elicit

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Bang Bang

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

About Rachel Van Dyken:

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz : Autumn In London by Louise Bay – The Empire State Trilogy- Book 2

Posted on 12/02/2014 by shellbellereads

Autumn In London

The Empire State Trilogy – Book 2

By Louise Bay

Synopsis

Anna Kirby went to New York to escape heartbreak and have some fun. She wasn’t meant to meet someone . . . someone like Ethan. Now, back in London, she’s faced with another man to get over.

Ethan Scott broke every one of his rules during his week with Anna and now he can’t seem to go back to life before her. A business trip to London gives him the opportunity to change his rules for good. Will he take it?

Autumn in London is the second part of The Empire State Series, a series of three novellas.

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Playlist

Good Morning Heartache

Ella Fitzgerald

I Wish You Would

Taylor Swift

Don’t You Remember

Adele

I’ve Got You Under My Skin

Diana Krall

King of Wishful Thinking

Go West

Life is Good

Brittini Black

Quitter

Carrie Underwood

The Empire State Trilogy

A Week In New York – Book 1

Anna Kirby is sick of dating. She’s tired of heartbreak. Despite being smart, sexy, and funny, she’s a magnet for men who don’t deserve her.

A week’s vacation in New York is the ultimate distraction from her most recent break-up, as well as a great place to meet a stranger and have some summer fun. But to protect her still-bruised heart, fun comes with rules. There will be no sharing stories, no swapping numbers, and no real names. Just one night of uncomplicated fun.

Super-successful serial seducer Ethan Scott has some rules of his own. He doesn’t date, he doesn’t stay the night, and he doesn’t make any promises.

It should be a match made in heaven. But rules are made to be broken.

A Week in New York is the first part of The Empire State Series, a series of three novellas.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Author Bio:

Ruined by romantic mini-series of the seventies and eighties, I love all things romantic. There’s not enough of it in real life so I’ll settle for books and films.

I love the rain, the West Wing, London, days when you don’t have to wear make-up, being alone, being with friends, elephants and champagne.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: Book Review

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Diamonds and Dust

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ARC Review: Owning Violet by Monica Murphy- The Fowler Sisters Series- Book 1

Release Day Blitz + Review: You Were Mine by Abbi Glines- Rosemary Beach Series- Book 9

Release Blitz + Review: Elect by Rachel Van Dyken- Eagle Elite Series- Book 2

Release Blitz : Autumn In London by Louise Bay – The Empire State Trilogy- Book 2

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Diamonds and Dust

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