Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

One Month of Elle Kennedy: After Hours Series Feature and Giveaway

Posted on 01/19/2015 by shellbellereads

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One Month of Elle Kennedy

After Hours Series

3 Sexy Men…3 Determined Women…3 Sizzling Hot Romances

One Sizzling Hot Series

4 Star Series Review by Michel

Elle Kennedy is known for her sensual sizzling hot romances. Her alpha males captured the reader’s attention and have them swooning. Her strong leading ladies can bring these alpha men to their knees without breaking their spirit. Their passionate romances and heated bedroom scenes are in sync. Each and every book is thoroughly entertaining and worth every moment spent reading. The After Hours series is a fantastic way to spend reading.

One Night Of Sin

Book 1

Sometimes it’s good to be bad…

When it comes to sex, good girl Skyler Thompson always plays it safe, choosing stable and sedate over wild and thrilling. She doesn’t do one-night-stands, but one look at sinfully sexy Gage Holt and she’s willing to reconsider. He makes her want to be bad for once in her life, and she’s prepared to take what she wants.

Danger follows former MMA fighter Gage Holt like a shadow. Despite his successes as part owner of Sin, an exclusive nightclub in Boston, Gage can’t risk getting involved with a woman, especially one as sweet as Skyler. Still, he can’t resist a taste—and it’s so damn good he has to see her again.

As addicted as he is to her, Gage knows there’s no future for him and Skyler—not with his past lurking in the dark corners of an MMA cage. But Skyler’s tougher than she looks, and she’s ready to fight for her man.

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One Night of Sin gives the reader an introduction to the characters in the series. Three former MMA fighters and friends go into partnership in business. They open successful nightclubs and are on their way to making a new name for themselves. Each man has a specific role in their business.

Gage Holt is in charge of security. He is a quiet, no nonsense kind of guy. His reputation in the ring and upbringing in the lower side of Boston has made him best suited for this type of job.

When he meets Skyler at his club, he has a new fight on his horizon. This sexy woman has captured his attention. He finds that he wants to spend more time with this woman than between the sheets.

Just as things are looking good, Gage’s past takes over his new life. His younger brother has caused trouble and Gage will have to re enter the fighting world once again. The lowlifes of this world want to control Gage. Gage wants out.

Between fighting for his new life and trying to hang on to Skyler, Gage has his work cut out for him. Little does he know, he has someone who is fighting for him. Styler is ready to do anything to help Gage live his life happily. She will fight for their life together.

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One Night of Scandal

Book 2

Ex-fighter Reed Miller has been secretly lusting over his best friend’s girl for months, but he refuses to jeopardize a friendship over a woman—especially one who doesn’t like him all that much. Now that Darcy’s on the market again, it’s even more imperative to stick to his strict hands-off policy. But the sizzling attraction between them is too powerful to ignore, and once he’s had a taste of her…all bets are off.

Darcy Grant is tired of walking the straight and narrow path. She’s on the hunt for passion, and there’s no denying Reed is just the man to give it to her. Although she has no interest in dating a bad boy, and certainly not her ex’s best friend, it’s impossible not to melt beneath Reed’s skillful touch. Now it’s just a matter of setting a few ground rules—and hoping her rule-breaking, sweet-talking bad boy agrees to follow them. But if she lets Reed into her bed, does she stand a chance of keeping him out of her heart?

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What do you do when you want your best friend’s girlfriend? For Reed Miller it is to avoid her at all cost. His attitude towards Darcy comes across as harsh and at times downright cruel. It is the only way he can function around her and not betray his oldest and best friend A.J..

When Reed catches Darcy cheating on A.J. he is livid and steps in. He soon finds out that Darcy and A.J. have had a mutual and friendly break up, leaving the path clear for him to move in. In his mind it is still wrong to poach on his best friend’s ex.

Reed comes across as an insensitive habitual player. Beneath the surface he is a great guy. He has matured and is ready for a lasting relationship.

Darcy and Reed are thrown together in several new kinds of situations due to the break up. What they find is they have more in common than they thought. They find they have an intense chemistry for one another that they have never experienced before.

Can these two resist temptation? Or will they come clean to A.J. and get his blessing in their new relationship.

Love is worth it, even if it means losing your best friend.

It was an intense story that had no easy resolution. In the end love conquered all.

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One Night of Trouble

Book 3

No More Mr. Nice Guy…

The moment AJ Walsh sees the sexy, tattooed pixie walk up to his bar, it’s lust at first sight. He’s always been labeled the “nice” guy―opening doors, buying flowers, and never, ever having one-night stands. But with this wicked little angel with red lips and unfathomably dark eyes? Oh, yeah. Tonight, “nice” has nothing to do with it…

Brett Conlon is trying to convince her family that she’s put away her reckless wild girl side for good. Nothing―and no one―could be better for her reputation than golden boy AJ Walsh. So they make a deal: if he plays The Good Boyfriend for her family, he can be a very, very bad boy with her. Now their one naughty night is about to turn into a whole lot of trouble…

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One Night of Trouble was a delightful unexpected surprise. It is my favorite book in this series. A.J. Walsh is my kind of alpha guy.

A.J. Walsh has always been the good and nice guy. He was the perfect son, an all star athlete, the reliable friend, and steadfast business partner. His golden boy image and golden good looks have only made people see what’s in front of their eyes. They can’t see beneath the surface. They can’t see the guy that is strangling in his own image, a guy dying to break loose and through caution to the wind. They don’t see that his soul in withering. A.J. can’t even see it all himself. He has goals and self expectations on how his life should be. He has struggled with the man he is and the man he is hiding away.

When A.J. runs into an old schoolmate all bets are off. Brett Conlon is the kind of girl he has always wanted to get his hands on. She is the kind of girl that you don’t take home to meet the parents. She is a free spirit. Between her sexy tattoos, her rebellious attitude, and free spirit, A.J. is on the chase . For once in his life he is going to take what he wants and enjoy a wild fling.

As Brett and A.J. get to know one another they realize they have more in common than they thought. They also have hopes and dreams that they can help each other achieve.

Brett wants to prove that she has given up her wild ways and is ready to take over the new family business. What better way to prove it than to take A.J. Walsh home. Her family adores and respects him.

For A.J. the one thing he wants to have one wild fling. One that feeds the wild side he has hidden away. A fling with Brett is perfect. But what starts out as a fling turns into so much more. She brings out the real A.J. the man he has hidden away. She likes that A.J..

Can A.J. finally let it all out. Will his friends and family accept who he really is? Is he strong enough to take that risk?

This book was very emotional. It was sad to see what we thought was a very good and ordinary guy hiding away the best parts of himself. He was hiding away a man that would make his Mr. Nice Guy look like a complete idiot and fool.

A.J. Walsh is a special man. Brett Colton was the only one who really looked at the man beneath the perfect exterior.

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About Elle Kennedy

A USA Today bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a BA in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

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Happy Release + Giveaway : Strictly Temporary by Ella Fox

Posted on 01/19/2015 by shellbellereads

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Strictly Temporary

Book 1

By Ella Fox

Synopsis

Just a Small Towne girl…

Raised on fairytales and dreams of true love, Arden Winger left for college with a smile on her face and a happy, hopeful heart. Fast-forward seven years and that small town is behind her, but not the baggage she’s been carrying since she left.

Just a city boy…

It’s not that Exton Alexander had anything against relationships—he just never had the desire to try. Not necessarily jaded, Exton considered himself a realist. Little did he know, the one woman that would change everything was about to rock his world. This Alpha male knows the second he lays eyes on her that Arden is special– now he just has to work past her defenses.

Strictly Temporary is Volume One. Volume Two will arrive in February. Arden & Exton’s story will be resolved in book two- but the temporary series will continue after that with different characters.

Buy: Amazon

Excerpt

The bartenders in the VIP section are incredibly attentive and within sixty seconds of placing my order I’ve got a chocolate martini in my hand courtesy of a girl who looks like she should be a runway model as opposed to a bartender. Color me skeptical that the drink is going to be even halfway decent. Taking a sip, I let out a low moan of pure pleasure as the perfect flavor spreads across my tongue and I mentally scold myself for judging a book by its cover. She isn’t just a bartender—she’s a mixologist.

I hear a groan at the same moment that I feel someone standing right at my back. It sends a shiver through me as I lower my drink.

“I’ve never wanted a chocolate drink before,” a deep and incredibly sexy voice growls against my ear, “but listening to that moan made me want ninety of them.”

I have no explanation for why my nipples immediately become so hard that they could chip diamonds, nor do I know why I’ve got goose bumps. I’m reasonably sure that the reason my panties are damp is because whoever he is, he smells like liquid sex. Straightening my back and mentally erecting my barriers, I turn to tell the man with the fuck me voice to take a hike.

As soon as I’m turned to him, I realize my error. He was too close to begin with and now, I’m right against him, looking at a pair of sexy as sin lips. Suddenly my own feel desert dry and I lick them as I continue staring at his mouth and jaw line. Sweet holy hell—this man’s DNA could be bottled and sold for millions. I’m not even seeing all of his face and already I know that’s he’s beautiful.

A jostling from behind pushes him forward forcing us up against each other—enough so that I can feel that he’s semi hard. My breath leaves me in a whoosh, as my panties get even wetter, and my inner voice is now screaming at me to run—far and fast. Taking a deep breath I raise my free hand and set it on his chest, pushing him back from me. “Don’t touch me,” I snap.

Lifting his hands to his side so that I can see them he says, “Don’t be angry, Beautiful. I didn’t mean to close in on you like that. I just wanted to meet you.”

I am liquid just from listening to the husky tone of his voice, and it both annoys and terrifies me. Lifting my eyes up to check out the rest of his features, I shiver as I get a good look at the man before me. He’s well over six feet tall with jet-black hair and cognac colored eyes that are sending a very sexual message. Licking my lips, I try to think of something to say, then stop dead when my brain finally engages and I realize that I’m staring at Exton freaking Alexander.

Yes, you read that correctly.

I am face to face with one of the biggest playboys in Hollywood, Exton Alexander.

Ella Fox writes like a woman possessed whenever she gets the chance! She is the author of The Hart Family Series, The Renegade Saints Series and The Catch Series.

When she’s not writing, Ella indulges the gypsy in her blood and travels the country. Ella loves reading, movies, music, buying make-up, reading Tmz, Twitter and pedicures… not necessarily in that order. She has a wild sense of humor and loves to laugh. Her favorite thing in the world is hanging out with her family and watching comedy movies.

Stalk Her: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Email | Website |

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ARC Review: Nothing Between Us by Roni Loren

Posted on 01/16/2015 by shellbellereads

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Nothing Between Us

Loving On The Edge Series – Book 6

By Roni Loren

Synopsis

Unlike the heroine of her popular thriller series, Georgia Delaune can’t afford to take risks or push sexual boundaries–unless you count spying through her neighbor’s bedroom window, and never missing a single move he makes.

Colby Wilkes is more than willing to put on a show for the alluring woman next door. But his dominant side aches to show her the pleasures of submission up close. As a counselor, Colby is sensitive to Georgia’s fears. As a Dom at The Ranch, a private BDSM retreat, he’s the perfect teacher to unleash her passion.

But just as Georgia lowers her emotional barriers, an unexpected complication arrives: a bad boy musician from Colby’s past who adds fuel to her heated imagination. Now, the lonely author has two gorgeous men eager to fulfill every fantasy she’s ever written–and one she’s never dared to dream….

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Tracey’s Review

Georgia Delaune is a woman in hiding, forced by an abusive ex to flee her hometown of Chicago for an anonymous life in Texas. A virtual prisoner in her own home, Georgia has a lot of time to spend watching the world go by. And watching Colby Wilkes, her exceptionally hot next-door neighbor, whose life is very different from anything Georgia has ever imagined. When Adam Keats, a young man from Colby’s past, enters the picture, life for all three of them takes a decidedly interesting turn.

Roni Loren can write a hot romance like nobody’s business. Her characters are multi-layered, never flat, and always have interesting histories. And the chemistry, oh, my goodness, the chemistry. The relationships are so hot that they sizzle, drawing me into the story completely. Roni does not disappoint in Nothing Between Us, her latest book in her Loving On the Edge series. The themes in Roni’s books are not your everyday garden variety romance, but she always manages to write them with compassion, reality, and, yes, lots of heat. The relationships between Georgia, Colby, and Keats just work, with each of them bringing something to the table that gives everyone what they need. Add to that compelling back stories for all three, dialogue that had me laughing out loud, and tons of raw emotion, and I had a read that I could not put down. I am looking forward to Call On Me, the next book in the series, and give Nothing Between Us 4.5 awesome stars.

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About Roni Loren

Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has.

Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son. If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars concerts.

She is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the The Loving on the Edge series and other sexy things.

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ARC Review: Naughty Bits by Joey W. Hill

Posted on 01/15/2015 by shellbellereads

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Naughty Bits

The Complete Novel

By Joey W. Hill

Synopsis

THE COMPLETE NOVEL

To better serve the customers of her lingerie shop, Madison must explore the pleasures of giving up control…

After inheriting her sister’s North Carolina lingerie shop, Naughty Bits, Madison jumps at the chance to dump her boring finance career and try her luck down South. But even before Madison can settle in, she catches the attention of the owner of the neighboring hardware store. Sexually dominant Logan Scott recognizes a submissive when he sees one. And what he sees, he wants.

He presents her with three very tempting gifts—handcuffs, erotic cards, and an open invitation to start her sexual training. She has to accept. After all, how can she hope to sell fantasies to lingerie customers without embracing her own? Now, she’s about to discover just how far her fantasies can take her—and how far Logan will go to make every one of them come true.

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Tracey’s Review

When Madison inherits Naughty Bits from her sister, Alice, she has no idea of what she’s getting. After all, she’s a sales whiz, so what could be so hard about selling, well, naughty wares to people that want them? What Madison finds, though, is that she has also inherited Logan Scott, owner of the hardware store next door to her store. Because Alice knew things about her sister that Madison didn’t even admit to herself, and was taking care of her even from beyond.

I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting when I signed on to read this book. The story was previously released in four smaller parts, in a serial-type format. I absolutely think that putting the separate parts together into one book was a great move, because I’m not sure that I would have liked the story as well had I read it piecemeal. The story drew me in and kept me reading, piquing my interest more with each page. Madison craves things, things that she doesn’t quite understand, and Alice knew that Logan would be more than capable of helping her. Logan, who has such a big personality, is a patient teacher, willing to help Madison become the person that will make her feel the most free, to break down her boundaries and take her to the place that she can be herself. While the dynamic between Logan and Madison is intense, there is also a feeling of comfort and freedom as their relationship unfolds, and it becomes clear that Alice knew these two better than they knew themselves up to that point.

Although I had not read any of her previous books, I enjoyed Joey’s style of writing very much, and look forward to reading more from her.

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About Joey W. Hill

I’ve always had an aversion to reading, watching or hearing interviews of favorite actors, authors, musicians, etc. because so often the real person doesn’t measure up to the beauty of the art they produce. Their politics or religion are distasteful, or they’re shallow and self-absorbed, a vacuous mop-head without a lick of sense. From then on, though I may appreciate their craft or art, it has somehow been tarnished.

Therefore, whenever I’m asked to provide personal information about myself for readers, a ball of anxiety forms in my stomach as I think: “Okay, the next couple of paragraphs can change forever the way someone views my stories.” Why on earth does a reader want to know about me? It’s the story that’s important.

So here it is. I’ve been given more blessings in my life than any one person has a right to have. Despite that, I’m a Type A, borderline obsessive-compulsive paranoiac who worries I will never live up to expectations. I’ve got more phobias than anyone (including myself) has patience to read about. I can’t stand talking on the phone, I dread social commitments, and the idea of living in monastic solitude with my husband and animals, books and writing is as close an idea to paradise as I can imagine. I love chocolate, but with that deeply ingrained, irrational female belief that weight equals worth, I manage to keep it down to a minor addiction. I adore good movies. I’m told I work too much. Every day is spent trying to get through the never ending “to do” list to snatch a few minutes to write.

Despite all these mediocre and typical qualities, for some miraculous reason, these wonderful characters well up out of my soul with stories to tell. When I manage to find enough time to write, sufficient enough that the precious “stillness” required rises up and calms all the competing voices in my head, I can step into their lives, hear what they are saying, what they’re feeling, and put it down on paper. It’s a magic beyond description, akin to truly believing my husband loves me, winning the trust of an animal who has known only fear or apathy, making a true connection with someone, or knowing for certain I’ve given a reader a moment of magic through those written words. It’s a magic that reassures me there is Someone, far wiser than myself, who knows the permanent path to that garden of stillness, where there is only love, acceptance and a pen waiting for hours and hours of uninterrupted, blissful use.

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Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Don’t Deny Me by Megan Hart- Part One of a Novel in Three Parts

Posted on 01/13/2015 by shellbellereads

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Don’t Deny Me

Part One- A Full Length Novel in Three Parts

By Megan Hart

Synopsis

He’s back, and the heat between them cannot be denied…
Part One of Don’t Deny Me, the passionate new e-serial novel from bestselling author Megan Hart.
Alice and Mick had it all: the happy days, the heartfelt evenings, the hot, slow nights. But Mick couldn’t give her what she needed, and in a moment of crisis, they lost everything. Torn apart, Alice tries to pry him out of her life and move on—until a not-so-chance meeting at an old friend’s party brings them face-to-face once more. Now they’re talking again, Alice can’t escape the burning in her chest whenever he’s near, the way his eyes still follow her around the room…but she won’t repeat the mistakes of her past. Passion alone is nothing to build a life on. Or is it?

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Michel’s Review

Don’t Deny Me Serial- a novel split in three parts by Megan Hart is one of those serials you don’t want to miss. It is a story of uninhibited passion, emotional depth, honest insights into the human psyche, and the perfect portrayal of what the true meaning of love is.

I have read all three parts to the Don’t Deny Me serial and can honestly say it was quite an emotional reading experience. Megan Hart has a true gift of creating characters that are very real and easy for the reader to relate to. Her writing is flawless and flows with a very effortless smooth transition in each passage. She has the gift of digging deep into the minds and emotions of her characters and presents their whole persona to the readers without causing the reader to instant love or hate them. She gives them a natural balance that all readers can understand and grasp.

Megan Hart is a pioneer author in angsty, emotional, and extremely erotic books. She was giving us the “true grit” , “emotional angst”, and “sinfully steamy romances” long before the 50 Shades of Grey frenzy took readers by storm and made them want more than a fluffy romance. Megan Hart is a superb writer and a master of her craft.

Don’t Deny Me- Part One begins with Alice going for a weekend anniversary party of old time friends. She has not seen her friends in ten years. After her toxic breakup with Mick, she couldn’t bear to be around their old friends or him. She dropped out of their social circles and moved on in her life. She figures that ten years has gone by and she has come to terms with how her life has progressed. She has led a pretty fulfilling and happy life. She has had more than enough time to heal and forgive. She’s ready to reconnect with her old friends once again. A weekend anniversary party is the perfect way to reconnect. She knows that Mick will be attending the party as well. She feels that time has given her maturity, wisdom, self respect, insightfulness, compassion, and the gift of learning how to forgive. She will never forget the emotional roller coaster relationship she once had with Mick. She will also never forget the toxic ending. But she can forgive Mick because she now realizes that she is just as responsible for the hurt and pain their relationship caused.

The one thing Alice didn’t count on was the immediate and irresistible attraction she still feels towards Mick. She realizes that although their relationship ended, she is still very much in love with Mick. Mick also has the same reactions to Alice.

Can these two forgive each other, learn from the past to move forward? Is there a second chance for their love to fully bloom or will it end in brutal emotional destruction? Or do they have a weekend fling and remember the best parts of their relationship?

Don’t Deny Me – Part One reveals the emotional devastation that both Alice and Mick went through when their relationship ended. It also shows that very clearly that Mick and Alice are still deeply in love with another. Through letters from their breakup to the present day weekend affair , the readers quickly become invested in Alice and Mick’s relationship.

Don’t Deny Me- Part One ends on a cliffhanger that is about to reveal their complete past. It has readers anxious to see where they started and how they ended up in the situation they are now living.

This was a very raw and emotional read. Don’t Deny Me – Part Two will be out in one week. There is not a long wait for the next part of Alice and Mick’s story.

About Megan Hart

Megan Hart has written in almost every genre of romantic fiction, including historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, futuristic, fantasy and perhaps most notably, erotic. She also writes non-erotic fantasy and science fiction, as well as continuing to occasionally dabble in horror.

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Happy Release + Review: A Shot Of Sin by Eden Summers- Book 1 in Vault Of Sins Series

Posted on 01/13/2015 by shellbellereads

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A Shot Of Sin

A Novel in the Vault Of Sin Series – Book 1

By Eden Summers

Synopsis

Throw back a shot of pure pleasure.

Vault of Sin, Book 1

Leo Petrova is between a rock and the hard place in his pants. Shot of Sin, the night club he owns with his two best friends, is short one bartender downstairs. The only available replacement is the upstairs bar manager—the one woman Leo knows he can’t take downstairs, can’t have, can’t touch. The one time he gave in to temptation convinced Leo that Shay’s no match for his sexual demands.

Only a select few know Shot of Sin’s guilty secret, that beneath the packed dance floor lies a very private sex club—the Vault. The place Leo can let his sexual proclivities run wild.

Shay Porter is curious as to why her boss, the king of mixed messages, seems almost desperate to keep her from discovering what’s on the other side of the guarded door at the back of the club.

Sliding out of her comfort zone and into Leo’s arms risks everything. Their friendship, the Vault, and most of all, their hearts.

Warning: This sex club does not carry the government’s stamp of approval. Contains devilish debauchery, delightful deviance, and dancing on the edge of the darkest of sexual desires.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / IBooks

Tracey’s Review

What do you get when you combine equal parts sassy bartender, super-alpha club owner and his partners, and said club that is definitely more than meets the eye? You get A Shot of Sin, one ultra-sexy read about a very special club, the people that work there, and what goes on behind closed doors.

This was my first time reading a book by Eden Summers, and, oh, my goodness, what a way to start. I liked Shay Porter right away. Head bartender for the club, she’s been wanting Leo Petrova, one of Shot of Sin’s owners, since she first met him. Leo, though, isn’t about to get involved with a co-worker, especially when his past experiences with relationships have always ended in heartache. These two are absolutely combustible, and I could not turn the pages quickly enough. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the relationship between Shay and Leo heat up, and absolutely loved both T.J. and Brute, Leo’s partners in the club. If you’re reading this, Eden, PLEASE give these awesome guys their books, too!

I give A Shot of Sin 4.5 sizzling stars, and hope that Eden has plans to give us more books about this lively group of characters, ’cause I’ll be first in line to keep reading. Grab this one, guys, get out your fan, and enjoy!

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Author Bio:

Eden Summers is a true blue Aussie, living in regional New South Wales with her two energetic young boys and a quick witted husband.
In late 2010, Eden’s romance obsession could no longer be sated by reading alone, so she decided to give voice to the sexy men and sassy women in her mind.
Eden can’t resist alpha dominance, dark features and sarcasm in her fictional heroes and loves a strong heroine who knows when to bite her tongue but also serves retribution with a feminine smile on her face.

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Happy Release + 5 Star Review : New Year In Manhattan by Louise Bay – The Empire State Trilogy – Book 3

Posted on 01/13/2015 by shellbellereads

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New Year In Manhatten

The Empire State Trilogy- Book 3

By Louise Bay

Synopsis

The Empire State Series concludes in New Year in Manhattan.

Anna and Ethan are separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Their previous rules no longer apply.

In order to make things work, Anna needs to let go of her past and take a risk with Ethan. Ethan needs to learn how to deal with the ambiguity of a relationship.

Long-distance relationships are never easy and their relationship is fragile. For how long can it survive under the pressure of separation? Are either of them prepared to give up what they have for the other?

But distance isn’t the only obstacle Anna and Ethan face. Ultimately they have to decide whether they want to share a future together.

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Tracey’s Review

Although they’ve agreed to a long-distance relationship, Anna Kirby and Ethan Scott are finding it harder than they’d thought to deal with being separated by 3,000 miles. Having fallen hard and fast for each other, they’re beginning to wonder whether their love will survive the separation. But, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and these two are nothing if not strong-willed…

Oh, yeah, game, set, and match to Louise Bay. If I thought that I could not love Ethan Scott one bit more, well, I was wrong. With NEW YEAR IN MANHATTAN, the third and final installment in the Empire State series, Louise has managed to make me fall in love with these characters all over again. I have so thoroughly enjoyed these books, and could not be happier with this one. Ethan and Anna and their story are delectable; one bit, and I was in for the long haul, unable to stop once I’d begun, until I’d finished each book, and sat waiting impatiently for the next. Their commitment to each other, the absolutely sizzling connection that they have, and their willingness to do whatever it takes to make things work kept me turning the pages, because I was not stopping until I’d finished. With NEW YEAR IN MANHATTAN, Louise continues to write characters that I would absolutely want to hang out with, conversations that had me laughing, worrying a bit, and fanning myself in turn, and sexy scenes that deliver in all the best ways. While I’m sorry that the series has reached its conclusion, I am so glad that I had the chance to read it. These characters and their story are ones that I will happily revisit, and couldn’t recommend more highly. 5.5 swoony and super-satisfied stars for this one.

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Author Bio:

I write sexy, contemporary romance novels – the kind I like to read. My books Faithful and Hopeful are stand-alone novels although there are some overlapping characters. The Empire State Series of novellas starts with A Week in New York.

Ruined by romantic mini-series of the 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.

Hearing from readers is the best thing in the world so get in touch!
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Release Day Blitz: Saved by Kelli Maine- Book 4 in the Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club Series

Posted on 01/12/2015 by shellbellereads

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Saved

Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club – Book 4

By Kelli Maine

Synopsis

Soul of my soul.

Left with Lilith’s haunting words, Luc sees himself for the irredeemable man he truly is.

Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club’s reputation is ruined, the clubhouse is burned to the ground, and Angel is the only remaining loose end for the club to tie up.

With nothing left to lose, Luc makes the only move he has left and sacrifices everything for the only woman who ever made him want to be a better man.

SAVED is the fourth and final part of the Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club serial.

Excerpt

There’s fire, and I’m walkin’ through it naked. Angel’s somewhere in the flames, and I’m lookin’ for her. I can feel the flames against my skin but they don’t hurt. Then I see her. She’s screamin’. Burnin’ up. I run to her, and cover her with my body, to protect her. The flames start hurtin’ now. I can feel my flesh getting’ hot. I can feel my skin begin to peel, I scream in pain…

“Hey, you ok?”

I wake up feelin’ like I just slammed into a fuckin’ wall. My body’s hot, my blood pumpin’.

Angel puts a cool hand against my face, and it feels good against my hot, sweaty skin.

“It’s nothin’.”

I look at her. Seein’ her face next to me calms me down a little, makes me feel a little fuckin’ cooler, but I feel a whole new sense of frustration and edginess lookin’ at her.

“I need a drink,” I say, getting’ out of bed and walkin’ to the kitchen. I feel like somethin’ is pullin’ at me. A naggin’ feelin’ in my gut that somethin’ needs to be done. Soon.

I turn on the tap and put my head under it, gulpin’ down water into my dry throat. I splash some on my face. Angel walks into the kitchen.

“Coffee?” she asks. I nod.

I can’t be near her. I can’t look at her. I go to the bathroom, lock the door, and sit on the toilet, my head in my hands. Today. I have to do somethin’ today.

“Coffee’s done,” Angel calls from the other side of the bathroom door. I realize I’ve been sittin’ in there for a full ten minutes, just losin’ my mind, barely able to think. I have to get my shit together. Maybe coffee will help.

I join Angel in the room. There’s a little table by the window, and Angel has the cups there. She’s opened the shutters. I sit opposite her, lookin’ out of them, avoidin’ those eyes…

“Is there something…” Angel trails off. Maybe she sees the fire burnin’ inside me, the ragin’ fuckin’ forces that are beatin’ the shit out of each other, with me in the middle. I gulp my coffee.

“I feel a lot better,” Angel says.

I turn away from the window to look at her.

“Am I supposed to care?”

“I just thought–”

“You thought wrong, bitch. You don’t think at all when you’re with me, ok?”

Angel stiffens and looks at me, her eyes wide.

“O-ok.”

“Good,” I say. The frustration is fillin’ up in me, burstin’ to get out, and she’s close enough to feel it.

I can’t let myself get close to her. I can’t let her inside. She’s already under my skin. Makin’ me feel things I don’t wanna feel, think things that I don’t wanna be thinkin’.

This bitch will destroy me.

The Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club Series

Lilith- Book 1

Who am I?
I’m every woman’s worst nightmare.
A taker of lives.
You can call me Lucifer.

Luc “Lucifer” Bontrager is a nomad in Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club. Traveling chapter to chapter, he brings in big money kidnapping women, training them and selling them over the border. He’s heartless, brutal and all business.

And then he meets his match.

Lilith. Every man’s worst nightmare. A taker of lives. A sociopath on the run.

Inked up with satanic symbols and verses, she’s fearless and completely insane. Luc can’t train her, he sure as hell can’t ship her over the border to the cartel boss waiting for her, and—for the first time in his life—he can’t bring himself to put a bullet in her head either.

She’s his worst regret.

Her words and cold, calculating eyes haunt him. She’s the devil on his shoulder, reminding him of all his sins. He should’ve killed her when he had the chance, because when the unthinkable happens and Luc falls for the young, innocent girl he’s training, Lilith seeks her revenge, targeting the only girl he’s ever wanted to keep as his own.

Nomad- Book 2

I see you.
I know you.
I am you.

He should’ve put a bullet in her head when he had the chance.

When Luc “Lucifer” Bontrager wakes up to Lilith – the satanic, sociopath bitch he left for dead in the desert – holding a gun to his head, his first thought is the girl he’s got stashed in the club’s basement. That’s how he knows he’s fucked.

He’s lived his life kidnapping women and training them for Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club to sell as sex slaves. Now, he’s caught up in the innocent young girl he’s supposed to hand over to a Mexican cartel boss in a few days. There’s no way in hell he’s letting her go.

But Luc can’t save her if he’s dead, so this time Lilith won’t get away from him alive.

NOMAD is the second installment in the Lucifer’s Legion Motorcycle Club series and continues Luc’s story from Lilith.

Angel- Book 3

On the run, Luc gets word from LLMC that the cartel has agreed to return Angel to them instead of killing her, but they need a replacement.

If Luc hands over Lilith, trained and ready to be delivered to the cartel, the club will forgive him his betrayal and welcome him back into the fold.

Luc must decide where his loyalty lies—with the club that saved his life and Angel who almost broke his resolve to never keep anyone for himself, or with Lilith, the crazy bitch who got inside his head and knows him better than anyone ever has.

Author Bio:

Kelli Maine is the erotic romance author of USA Today Bestseller and #1 Nook book, Taken, and the Give & Take series, along with the Dolls & Doms novellas and Chains. She lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband and kids. When she’s not writing, Kelli enjoys watching reality T.V., getting lost in random Wikipedia pages and searching online ads for vintage muscle cars.

Favorite Author: Diana Gabaldon
Favorite Food: Japanese
Favorite Superhero: Spiderman
Favorite Place I’ve Been: Yucatan Peninsula
Writing Must Haves: Coffee and chocolate
Plotter or Pantser: Proud Pantser

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

5-Star ARC Review: One to Leave by Tia Louise

Posted on 01/08/2015 by Saucy Southern Readers

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One To Leave

One To Hold Series- Book 5

By Tia Louise

Release Date: December 29, 2014

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

Kelley’s Review

Swoony, sexy, and sinfully delicious…

Tia spins a sexy tale that is emotionally gripping as our hero battles the serious demons of addiction and our heroine does everything she can to set him free.

When he spoke, his voice was tight. “Don’t set your sites on me Mariska.” Hazel eyes burned into mine, “When the time comes, I will leave.”

This story is not just about Stuart and Mariska. The story begins with Nikki and the fact that she had one amazing night with Stuart before he left for active duty and she is looking forward to adding many more nights when she picks him up from the airport. You can only imagine her heartbreak when Stuart makes it clear that he is not interested. She will not give him up without a fight though and we get to see Nikki’s true colors towards the end of this read. Tia may very well end up writing “one” amazing story about Nikki someday that will have all of us looking at her in a different light.

Stuart is trying to get his head on straight and flush his system of all the pain killers he has been taking because of a career ending injury. He is a Marine and needs to get back in the line of duty even if it means private security in the Middle East. He plans to leave as soon as he possible can.

Mariska has been having these crazy dreams where people are being shot at and there is a lot of pain and suffering going on. She does not understand why these dreams are happening until the day she meets Stuart Knight. He came by the gym with a message for Kenny and Mariska could see that he was hurting and offered to make him one of her famous smoothies. One brush of the hand and she knew that she was connected to him somehow. Her grandmother told her many stories about her visions and taught her how to read turkish coffee grounds. She trusted her gut and when the opportunity arose to go see Stuart at his uncle’s ranch she only hoped that she had the power to heal him.

Stuart is stunned when he looks into Mariska’s hazel eyes and feels a sense of peace wash over him.

“Just looking at her beautiful eyes seemed to help me relax, and her cheeks blossomed with that rosey glow. My gaze dropped to her full, pink lips, and a force inside me pulled. it didn’t make sense, but I wanted to explain why I couldn’t stay with her, why I couldn’t take her with me.”

I found myself fanning myself one minute and tearing up the next. Tia writes a very powerful story about drug addiction and withdrawal filled with hope and healing. Her characters are complex and have insatiable chemistry as well as a spiritual connection to each other. I have loved this series from the beginning and was super excited to be reunited with Derek, Melissa, Kenny, Patrick, Elaine, Slade and Lane. I can’t wait to read what Tia comes up with next.

Excerpt

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.

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:

Tia 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.

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Cover Reveal: Forbidden Nights by Lauren Blakely- Seductive Nights Series

Posted on 01/08/2015 by shellbellereads

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It’s here! The cover for Lauren Blakely’s next title in her Seductive Nights Series, FORBIDDEN NIGHTS, is here and it’s a beauty! We are thrilled to get to share it with you today. But first, we want to share just a little bit about Lauren Blakely and a taste of FORBIDDEN NIGHTS with you.

Lauren Blakely is well known for writing sexy, heartfelt and humorous contemporary romance as well as deeply emotional new adult stories — one commonality in all her books is the scorching hot sexy times. And this book is absolutely no different! Nate Harper and Casey Sullivan have some thrilling moments together.

And… we have a surprise for you!

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS will release on February 17^th!

That’s a full month earlier than originally planned! So you will get to experience Nate and Casey and all of their sexy and heartfelt moments together even sooner! Still dying to get your hands on this smoking couple? Here’s a little taste for you from Lauren Blakely:

“Just relax and let me lead,” he said, whispering in her ear, a waft of her citrus scent drifting by his nostrils. She shivered briefly against him, and that nearly did him in. He stayed strong, swaying gently, guiding her in slow, sensuous moves. “I’ll show you how to let go, but you have to trust me. And that’s where it starts. I can show you how good it will feel when you give up control.”

She breathed in sharply, like she was acclimating to new air on a distant planet. “Why do men like a woman to give up a control? What is it about the lack of control that men like so much?”

“It’s not that they like a lack of control. They want a woman who wants to give herself to him. He wants a woman to melt into his arms, to get aroused from a kiss on the back of her neck,” he said, and traced a fingertip gently under her hair, watching her reaction as she drew in a breath. “It’s the hand on her arm,” he said, now trailing his fingers down her bare skin to her elbow as he leaned in to whisper. “Or warm breath near her ear.” She gasped, and he kept going. “He wants a woman who’s so turned on, she’ll nearly beg for it. He wants her abandon. He wants to be the only one to make her feel that way.”

She parted her lips to speak, but he shushed her with his fingertip against her lips. God, he was so tempted to let her suck on his finger right now, to watch her simulate a blow job, to let her show him what she could do. But that would come later. He needed to kiss her first.

That is, after he teased her…

Are you as excited as we are about this book?!

And now, here’s the fabulous cover for FORBIDDEN NIGHTS!

Cover created by Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations

ABOUT FORBIDDEN NIGHTS:

A smoldering and sensual standalone romance novel in the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Seductive Nights Series by Lauren Blakely…

Sinfully sexy hotel CEO Nate Harper knows exactly how to please a woman. He’s equally skilled in keeping his heart safe from the kind of hurt his ex inflicted on him years ago. But one thing he’s not so good at what-so-ever is getting his mind and all his dirty thoughts off the gorgeous, outgoing, and absolutely captivating Casey Sullivan, the new head of the Joy Delivered company.

They’ve been friends for years now, and Casey trusts Nate completely. So it makes perfect sense to her to ask him for hands-on guidance when she finds herself in need of some of his romantic expertise.

The trouble is, his heart may be signing up for more than it bargained for when he agrees to help her learn to abandon her need for control in the bedroom. Because as she experiences what it means to let go, he’ll start to experience what it means to feel again…

But what happens when all those forbidden nights turn into a deeper connection that’s much more than either bargained for?

*FORBIDDEN NIGHTS is a standalone full-length novel in the bestselling SEDUCTIVE NIGHTS series following the love affair of Nate and Casey. You can read it on its own, but you would likely enjoy the other books too.*

Read all about FORBIDDEN NIGHTS and the Seductive Nights Series HERE!

Pre-Order Your Copy Of FORBIDDEN NIGHTS coming February 17^thNow!

Amazon ** Amazon UK ** iBooks US ** iBooks UK ** Kobo

About Lauren Blakely:

Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in her novel, FAR TOO TEMPTING, she
thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. She loves hearing from readers! Her bestselling series include Caught Up in Love, Seductive Nights, and Fighting Fire. She recently released Nights With Him, a standalone novel in her New York Times Bestselling Seductive Nights series that became an instant New York Times Bestseller. Her next book in that series is Forbidden Nights, releasing in early 2015. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, text BLAKELY + your email address to 678-249-3375 (please use the actual + sign).

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