Review: Walk Beside Me by HJ Bellus- Walk Series- Book 2

Posted on 01/08/2015 by shellbellereads

Walk Beside Me

Walk Series- Book 2

By HJ Bellus

Synopsis

When Tess was forced to leave town, she vowed never to return. That meant no Finn and no Finn meant a life filled with heartache. It wasn’t her choice, but what in her life has been? Tess was never one to believe in fairytales while growing up, and her past has only confirmed her skepticism.

With a baby on the way and her family needing her, Tess has no choice but to go back to the small town she never thought she’d have to step foot in again. She has been gone for six months and a lot can happen in that time. Tess is slapped with this reality just when she thinks life couldn’t get any more complicated.

This is Tess and Finn’s ending…but will it be a happy one? Will Tess finally believe fairytales exist?

Buy: Amazon

Tina’s Review

Novella, under 100 pages.
It’s been six months since Finn’s father ran Tess out of town. Now, seven months pregnant, she’s returned to town with only two goals: attend granddaddy’s funeral and see her niece or nephew be born. Then she plans to leave town again before Finn’s father can act upon the threats he’d made against her loved ones. But things are not that simple. The closing scene of WALK ME DOWN overlaps with the opening scene of WALK BESIDE ME, providing a seamless continuance of the story. The characters are the same as before, only several circumstances have shifted or altered. Dialogue is believable, interaction is natural. HJ Bellus writes in a style that flows extremely smooth, making the pages fly by like nothing. It’s a very pleasurable experience. The plot is pretty good, for being so short. While it has plenty of dynamics to carry it, it lacks the fullness of a full-length novel. Several aspects of the conflicting elements were predictable, but it wasn’t until moments before the reveal that I knew what was going to happen (My Opinion: Blech! LOL)! This finale novella closes Finn’s and Tessa’s story off with solidly. I enjoyed this 2-piece set rather well.

Author Bio:

I am an independent author excited about releasing my first novel very soon. A big dream coming true!!! I’m all country…the kinda country where green grass grows and corn pops up in rows….love Miranda and her bad ass music!!! Just a simple country girl getting one story out of her head at a time…I always fall hard for a trucker style hat…especially if it’s a John Deere hat….loves me a good ol’ farm boy!!!!!!

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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

Posted on 01/08/2015 by shellbellereads

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).

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Goodreads ** Novel Goodreads

ARC Review: Playing Doctor by Kate Allure – Meeting Men

Posted on 01/06/2015 by shellbellereads

Playing Doctor

By Kate Allure

Synopsis

The doctor will see you now…
Three sizzling-hot erotic romance stories to stoke your mood

In The Intern, the temperature of Dr. Lauren Marks’s office quickly rises when her new medical intern Courtney turns out to be a passionate and sexy young man.

Valerie realizes all of her fantasies when her sexy surgeon and her loving husband team up to offer her some extra-special treatment in My Doctor, My Husband, and Me.

Nikki gets more than she bargained for in Seize the Doctor when the hot guy she recently met at a bar walks into her exam room wearing a white coat. Good thing she wore her sexiest lingerie.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tina’s Review

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

The doctor will see you now…
Three sizzling-hot erotic romance stories to stoke your mood…
In THE INTERN, the temperature of Dr. Lauren Marks’ office quickly rises when her new medical intern, Courtney, turns out to be a passionate and sexy young man.
Valerie realizes all of her fantasies when her sexy surgeon and her loving husband team up to offer her some extra-special treatment in MY DOCTOR, MY HUSBAND AND ME.
Nikki gets more than she bargained for in SEIZE THE DOCTOR when the hot guy she recently met at a bar walks into her exam room wearing a white coat. Good thing she wore her sexiest lingerie.

——————-

My Thoughts:
AUTHOR DEBUT — 3 novella anthology, approximately 60 – 100 pages each.
THE INTERN –
Approximately 100 pages. Lauren is a mid-thirties, divorced general practitioner. Her ex-husband left her with the practice and all the bills. She gratefully allowed a buy-in partnership to alleviate some of the financial stress & now is taking on an intern as a favor to an old college friend. Only she doesn’t realize that she’s a he & he’s smokin’ hot! But she’s way too old for a young Adonis like him, isn’t she?
Courtney “Court” applies for a summer internship to determine if this is truly the path he wants to follow before he enrolls into med school. He’s attracted to his new boss in ways that he’d never imagined, but what chance does a kid have with an experienced woman?
A fun, quick story with humorous moments. The cast of characters were unique and enjoyable. Dialogue and interaction was great. The plot was fairly simple as many novella with not a lot of dynamics, but it flowed well nonetheless. The conflict gets thrown out and the results are fairly hot (but a little clinical). There was no predictability. The ending read like it was “wrapped up”, I was left feeling a bit confused and short-changed. Not your typical conclusion.
Score: 3.6, Stars: 4
—– —– —–
MY DOCTOR, MY HUSBAND AND ME –
Approximately 65 pages. Valerie needs surgery on her foot to correct an old injury that did not heal properly and has been bothering her. She been married to Elliott for eighteen years and they have two teen children together. The marriage has not been without it’s faults, but they are happy. But now that she’s seen her doctor, she’s fantasizing of more.
Luka is the specialist that will perform her surgery. He’s handsome with a swoon-worthy bedside manner and hot, silky Eastern European accent. He’s attracted to her, but she’s his patient. Her wedding band hasn’t gone unnoticed either.
A proposal is made at her final appointment… an erotic proposal, a proposal she can only hope Elliott will go along with.
Lead female and her husband are in their early to mid-forties, the doctor about mid-thirties so they are a little older than typical characters. Characters are good, dialogue and interaction believable. The plot is thin, but flows smoothly. The sexual descriptions are sort of blunt and clinical; it does not come off as hot or erotic. There’s not a lot of conflict, no predictability. Again, the ending is written as if it’s a wrap, but you are left feeling cheated…
Score: 3.4, Stars: 3
—– —– —–
SEIZE THE DOCTOR-
Approximately 75 pages. Earlier in the week, Nikki broke up with her boyfriend of a year after he’d cheated on her. Now her friends convince her to go out to the club with them to forget the jerk.
Hunter’s celebrating with his friend when he meets Nikki. After spending over an hour getting to know one another, her friends see his friends playing a numbers game (collecting girls’ phone numbers) and call the night off, dismissing the man-whore douches and their ridiculous “I’m a doctor.” lines.
Little did they realize…
Lead characters are great, seconds are good. Humorous and fun dialogue. The sex scene(s) is/are a bit funny with the over-exuberant commentary and jerking pole terminology, but at least it’s less clinical than the previous novellas were. Enjoyable, light plot with an easy flow. There was a mild conflict that was quickly resolved. Virtually no predictability. The conclusion was the most solid and satisfying of the three novellas. I enjoyed this one most.
Score 4.2, Stars: 4

Author Bio

Kate Allure is the author of the Meeting Men erotic romance anthology series about real women meeting handsome professional men as they go about their everyday lives—and the fun they have with them behind closed doors! In addition to her debut novel, Playing Doctor, the series includes Lawyering Up (Sourcebooks, June 2015), Getting Serviced, and Extra Credit. Her second series, Club Exotica, is set in a posh, ultra-private London club where a woman’s every naughty fantasy can come true (Sourcebooks, late 2015).

Kate has been a storyteller her entire life, writing plays, short stories, and dance librettos throughout her childhood and later for semi-professional theater and dance companies. Her non-fiction writing included working for American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet and authoring a weekly arts column for local papers. Beyond writing, Kate’s passions include traveling and exploring all things sensual with her loving husband.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release and ARC Review: Falling Away by Penelope Douglas- The Fall Away Series – Book 3

Posted on 01/06/2015 by shellbellereads

Falling Away

The Fall Away Series – Book 3

By Penelope Douglas

Synopsis

From the New Adult sensation and New York Times bestselling author of Rival

Jaxon is the guy she’s supposed to avoid. K.C. is the girl he won’t let get away….

K. C. Carter has always followed the rules—until this year, when a mistake leaves her the talk of her college campus and her carefully arranged life comes crashing to a halt. Now she’s stuck in her small hometown for the summer to complete her court-ordered community service, and to make matters worse, trouble is living right next door.

Jaxon Trent is the worst kind of temptation and exactly what K.C. was supposed to stay away from in high school. But he never forgot her. She was the one girl who wouldn’t give him the time of day and the only one to ever say no. Fate has brought K.C. back into his life—except what he thought was a great twist of luck turns out to be too close for comfort. As they grow closer, he discovers that convincing K.C. to get out from her mother’s shadow is hard, but revealing the darkest parts of his soul is nearly impossible.…

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

For fans of the Fall Away series this book has been highly anticipated. Jaxon Trent has been a real enigma since he was introduced into the series. He is the younger brother to Jared Trent. He came from an abusive background and multiple foster homes. He is smart, quiet, mysterious, and beautiful. His intelligence has opened doors, not necessarily good ones, and gave him power in his life. He is the extreme opposite of his brother Jared. He is not one to react. He bides his time, plans his actions, and strikes. All of those are just impressions the reader has walked away with. We really don’t know the true extent of all that is Jaxon Trent until we read Falling Away.

We also met K.C. Carter in book one and continued to see glimpses of her throughout the series. She is the snooty and frivolous girl that seems mindless. Although she was portrayed in a very negative manner in Bully, readers couldn’t help but like her anyways. Most of us understood the whole high school mentality and foolish decisions K.C. made. We also understood that she was involved in a very stifling relationship that was harmful to her being. What was odd and hard to understand was the attraction between her and Jax, who is a year younger and polar opposite. How could these two come together?

Falling Away has the turbulent and combustible plot we have come to expect in this series. It also had quite a few surprises. The biggest surprise was K.C. Carter. She is not what we were led to believe. Her life has been just as harsh as Jax’s life. While she might not have experienced all of the violence that Jax did, she did suffer from abuse.

When a bad decision and freeing moment forces K.C. to return home to serve out her sentence of community service, it also forces her to face everything she has deeply hidden away. It also puts her in Jax’s life once again. This time Jax plans on keeping her around long enough to conquer her and break her down. But Jax is for a big surprise. K.C. is more than he anticipated and when the real K.C. Carter is revealed she may just break Jax.

These two are not the polar opposites we were led to believe. Now they will have to break each other down and build each other up, one kiss and touch at a time.

This story kept me glued to the pages. It was well written, full of emotional angst, turbulent moments, steamy love scenes, and stunning surprises. The biggest surprise is at the end and left readers with their jaws hanging on the ground. I won’t spoil the moment. I will just say that readers are going to be pre-ordering the upcoming novella, Aflame, coming April 21, 2014. Let me say, I love the direction this series is headed.

About Penelope Douglas

Penelope Douglas is a writer living in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to “just get the damn degree!” She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she HATED public administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later she was married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, The Originals, and she shops at Target almost daily.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release and ARC Review: Falling Away by Jasinda Wilder- Falling Into You Series- Book 4

Posted on 01/06/2015 by shellbellereads

Falling Away

Falling Into You Series- Book 4

By Jasinda Wilder

Synopsis

My name is Benjamin Dorsey. You know my mom and dad’s story. You know Kylie’s parents’ story. You even know Kylie’s story.

You don’t know mine, yet.

You don’t know what a broken heart is until you’ve loved someone your whole life, only to have her slip through your fingers because you waited too long. That’s heartbreak. That’s regret. And how do you live with that? How do you go through the motions when she’s there as a reminder of what you lost, of what you could have had but were too damn chicken to go after? I couldn’t. So I left.

That’s right, I ran away. I found myself across the continent, playing minor league football. I mean, at least I still had football, right?

Nope. That got taken away from me too. A career-ending injury left me down-and-out, scraping the bottom of the barrel, hating myself and hating life. And then I met Cheyenne Leveaux, my physical therapist, who became my one and only friend, the one bright light in the darkness of my messed up life.

But of course nothing is ever simple, or easy.

Tragedy struck, and the rug was swept out from under me yet again, and this time the guilt, the doubt, the secrets, and the old heartbreak may threaten my one chance at true happiness, my one shot at my own happily ever after.

Reading Order: Falling Into You, Falling Into Us, Falling Under, Falling Away

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Falling Away is the epic ending to the Falling Into You series by Jasinda Wilder. It was a bittersweet moment opening this book and knowing that it was the last in one of my all time favorite series. The characters in this series have lived in my heart and are unforgettable.

After reading the last book, Falling Under, I was devastated for Ben. He was a great kid that had his heart shattered. He showed the ugly and uncontrollable side of his personality. He acted out in the worst possible way. His soul was wounded and he was reacting the only way he knew how. He had carried so many pent up emotions that when the door opened it was a floodgate of pain, betrayal, regret, and anger. I ached for this boy. I felt his deep pain. I wanted him to find the peace and love he so richly deserved. Ben found more than that. He found himself. He found a man that had honor, compassion, and hope.

The book starts a year after Ben left Nashville trying to run from his heartbreak and despair. What Ben didn’t realize at the time is that he was running from himself. It took many miles, odd jobs, new experiences, and new heartbreaks to open his heart once again. He finds his passion for football once again. He finds a place he may want to call home for a spell. He finds that he can be attracted to another woman other than Kylie. He finds a true friend that understands his heartbreaking journey. Just as things are looking bright in Ben’s life he is thrown into despair once again. He loses his only passion and he loses his only true friend. This time around Ben has grown emotionally and matured. He hasn’t come completely into himself but is much stronger than he was a year ago. He also recognizes that a new door is opening and that this time he doesn’t want to slam it shut. He’s not quite ready to welcome the new people & experiences at the door, but he isn’t turning them away. He is opening that door.

Ben meets Echo through a very tragic circumstance. She is unlike any girl or woman he has ever met. He sees a very beautiful woman that has a very wounded soul. Although he doesn’t understand all of her pain, he knows without a doubt he wants to ease it and help her cope. What starts out as a pain easing hookup turns into a soul searching friendship to a passionate love affair that stands the test of time. But first Echo and Ben have to face their pain and allow others into their soul.

Echo is a very troubled young woman. Her life experiences have led her to a self destructive and abusive path. She has trust issues, self worth issues, and loads of regret. Her escape is through music. When music isn’t enough to ease the pain she will have to face herself or destroy herself. Ben shows her a different look at life. He shows her that healing doesn’t erase the person you are, it makes you stronger and better.

Ben and Echo both have their journeys to travel but destiny has thrown their paths together. Now they have to learn to open their hearts and travel that path together.

I loved this book. The reader got to experience Ben’s transition from a wounded boy into a strong and steady man. A man with a bright and shiny future. He was given something better than he ever could of dreamed of having with Kylie. He was given himself as well as a love of a lifetime.

There were a few things in this book that I struggled with but did not affect my overall reaction to the story. There was an excessive amount of references to songs, the performers, and musicians. While I understand the importance of music in this series, I found it distracting in many passages. Another thing I found I disliked quite a bit was that Ben’s parents, Becca and Jason (from Falling Into Us- book 2 ), played a very small role in the overall picture. Jasinda emphasized Colt and Nell’s presence throughout the second part of the book. I understand that they are the foundation of the series but quite honestly I felt like Jason and Becca importance was slighted. They were both powerful characters that overcame advisory in a very positive manner. They experienced pain, heartbreak, abuse, and the hard knocks life had to offer. They overcame their plights and became very strong admirable adults. I feel like they had so much more to offer their son Ben than Jasinda allowed them to.

I am happy that Ben became the man he is today. I am happy that he found the peace in his life. I am happy that he found Echo.

I am very sad that this series has ended but am looking forward to the spin off series coming in the future.

I have nothing but pure praise for Jasinda Wilder. She writes a powerful and emotional reading experience that stays in your heart long after the book is finished.

Read this book. Read this series!

Author Bio:

NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, WALL STREET JOURNAL and international bestselling author Jasinda Wilder is a Michigan native with a penchant for titillating tales about sexy men and strong women. Her bestselling titles include ALPHA, STRIPPED, WOUNDED, and the #1 Amazon and international bestseller FALLING INTO YOU. You can find her on her farm in Northern Michigan with her husband, author Jack Wilder, her five children and menagerie of animals.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Dominic by MJ Fields- Ties Of Steel Series- Book 2

Posted on 01/05/2015 by shellbellereads

Dominic: The Prince

Ties of Steel Book 2

Book Information:

Title: Ties of Steel Series – Dominic: The Prince

Series: Men of Steel Series

Author: MJ Fields

Publication Date: January 18th, 2015

Blurb

The Italian, seductive, quiet alpha, Dominic Segretti, is leaving Livorno, Italy and headed for the Jersey Shore.
His family’s business is in danger of crumbling under the management of a man who tormented and grossly underestimated his investment in a business he grew up loving and the hatred of a man who made his life hell for thirteen years.
He has been quietly waiting for the right moment to bring Benito Deluca to his knees. He comes to the US, armed with enough evidence to prove his case to, Josephine Steel, his aunt, and his cousins, Cyrus, Jase, Zandor, and Xavier.
The night before he plans to tell them of the corruption that could cause the demise of DeLuca INC, he decides to take a night to de-stress. He plans a night of relaxation and enjoyment for himself at the Hilton Casino on the shore.
Delaney Johnson is starting over after a break-up and graduating college. She has landed the job of her dreams in NYC. Arrangements had been made to stay with her best friend, Nikki Bassett, and her fiancé’, Abe O’Donnell.
Feeling that her luck has suddenly changed, she stops to play a few slots, just for fun. She finds herself winning big, and gains an admirer.
One hot night of uninhibited sex with a stranger takes her places she never knew she could go.
Dominic sees something in her, something familiar, something undeniable. Will this one hot night turn into many or will the Beast’s plans crush any hope of them exploring their future?

Ties of Steel Book 1 is available now

Abe: Four in Hand

Buy Link: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Author bio…

MJ Fields’s love of writing was in full swing by age eight. Together with her cousins, she wrote a newsletter for family members. The newsletter was put back into ‘publication’ in September of 2001 for the entertainment of her cousin on a Navy aircraft carrier in the gulf, (Her cousin is a female Navy
officer and helicopter pilot).

She self-published her first New Adult romance in January 18, 2013. Today, she has completed four self-published series, The Love series, The Wrapped series,
The Burning Souls series, and The Men of Steel series.

Ties of Steel, (the first series spun off of some the Men of Steel series) book 1 ABE is available now.

The Norfolk series, has two titles available now, Irons 1 and Irons 2.

MJ is an Amazon bestselling
author in multiple categories as well as all of Amazon as a whole.

MJ lives in central New York, surrounded by family and friends. Her house is full of pets, friends, and noise ninety percent of the time, and she would
have it no other way.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~TSU

5-Star ARC Review: Something Reckless by Lexi Ryan

Posted on 01/02/2015 by Saucy Southern Readers

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Excerpt from Something Reckless

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

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

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

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

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

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

“How slutty is this underwear of yours?”

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

“Let me see it, Liz.”

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

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

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

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

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

“Promise me,” he repeats.

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

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

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

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

“Yes.”

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

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

“I’d be lying.”

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

Kelley’s Review

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

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

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

Copyright Lexi Ryan, 2014

Adult Contemporary Romance

FREE introductory novella to the SOMETHING RECKLESS

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

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

About the Author

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

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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

Posted on 01/02/2015 by shellbellereads

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE * iBOOKS *

* READ THE DOMS OF HER LIFE SERIES *

DOMS OF HER LIFE BOOK 2

* AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE * iBOOKS *

DOMS OF HER LIFE BOOK 3

RELEASING FEBRUARY 10, 2014

PRE-ORDER LINKS

* AMAZON * iBOOKS *

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

*US & INTL GIVEAWAY*

*RAFFLECOPTER LINK*

SHAYLA BLACK

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

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

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

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

JENNA JACOB

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

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

ISABELLA LAPEARL

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

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

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

Posted on 01/02/2015 by shellbellereads

Hush

Senses Series- Book 4

By Xavier Neal

Synopsis

Senses Series Book 4

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

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tina’s Review

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

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

—– —– —– —– —–

Vital

Senses Series-Novella

By Xavier Neal

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

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

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

—– —– —– —– —–

Savor

Sense Series- Book 5

By Xavier Neal

Synopsis

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

Sense Series Book #5

Warning: Contains adult content.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tina’s Review

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

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

Author Bio:

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

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Domino Effect by Kristin Mayer

Posted on 01/02/2015 by shellbellereads

It’s cover reveal day for Domino Effect by Kristin Mayer and I am so excited about this reveal!! Kristin is sharing an exclusive excerpt with us, as well as hosting a fabulous giveaway.

Title: Domino Effect

Author: Kristin Mayer

Release Day: Feb 3^rd

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About Domino Effect:

One small movement can impact the rest of your life, like a set of dominoes lined up one after another. It’s not until you step back and see the big picture that you realize the damage you’ve done…

Brandt Mattox had it all—love, success, and friends. One impulsive wrong decision led him down a path that ended in a prison of regrets. He now only dreams of the happiness he once had before the consequences of his actions cost him everything.

He lost his love—not just any love, but his soul mate.

Nikola Kingston has worked hard to keep the past in the past while she focuses on her career and spending time with her grandmother. On a random night, she runs into the one man who will forever hold her heart captive. Her heart knows she still loves Brandt, but her mind cannot forget the dreadful night that cost her the love of her life.

Will the domino effect of Brandt’s and Nikola’s decisions be too much to overcome? Or will the love they never thought they would get back have an everlasting effect?

Preorder Domino Effect now!

Exclusive Excerpt:

“If I had to wait another day, I was coming to get you. I’ve done it before.”

It was true. I would have started driving this morning.

I moved an inch forward and a police officer held up his hands for me to stop. I complied. Police were out to keep people for idling too long in front. The officer blew his whistle and signaled for us to keep going. I pressed the gas, but we were moving at a snail’s pace due to the congestion.

Nikola pulled the scarf down; she was smiling. “I remember. You came to get me during the last ice storm, three years ago, when I was stranded on Stone Mountain. I was at that conference and the company had put me up in a cabin. You ended up staying with me when they closed the roads for two days. Do you remember—” Abruptly, Nikola stopped and turned to face the window.

I finished her sentence with memories of my own. “I remember making love to you in front of the fireplace in that cabin. I remember what it felt like to be inside you. I remember having you as mine. I remember it was the first time we said, “I love you” to each other. Is that what you were talking about?”

Every chance I got, I’d remind Nikola of how happy we were—even though she seemed to remember everything, too.

She turned my way as we continued to inch along in the baggage claim traffic.

“It would be impossible to forget.”

About the Author:

Kristin Mayer is a wife, a proud mother, and a full-time Analyst and Import Manager. Since an early age, she has always enjoyed reading and writing. While visiting her father one weekend, he suggested that she should take up writing again. With family and a career, she didn’t give it a lot of thought, until a story entered her mind and wouldn’t leave. It just kept forming and developing over a couple of months.

At the beginning of 2013, she decided to sit down and write it all down, but she kept it to herself. One sentence developed into two, and before she knew it, she had the makings of a novel.

Kristin tries to live life to the fullest during every moment. She loves to travel and meet new people. She holds a degree in International Business and uses it daily in her job. Kristin now adds “author” on her list of jobs, and feels very blessed and thankful.

Links:

Author Goodreads | Authorgraph | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter

Enter Kristin’s giveaway!!
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Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: Genre

Review: Walk Beside Me by HJ Bellus- Walk Series- Book 2

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

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:

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?”

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!

ARC Review: Playing Doctor by Kate Allure – Meeting Men

Happy Release and ARC Review: Falling Away by Penelope Douglas- The Fall Away Series – Book 3

Happy Release and ARC Review: Falling Away by Jasinda Wilder- Falling Into You Series- Book 4

Cover Reveal: Dominic by MJ Fields- Ties Of Steel Series- Book 2

5-Star ARC Review: Something Reckless by Lexi Ryan

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

* READ THE DOMS OF HER LIFE SERIES *

SHAYLA BLACK

JENNA JACOB

ISABELLA LAPEARL

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

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Domino Effect by Kristin Mayer

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And… we have a surprise for you!

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS will release on February 17th!

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:

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?”

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!

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* READ THE DOMS OF HER LIFE SERIES *

SHAYLA BLACK

JENNA JACOB

ISABELLA LAPEARL

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FORBIDDEN NIGHTS will release on February 17^th!