Review: Sister Golden Hair by Juli Page Morgan -Illicit Series- Book 1

Posted on 08/12/2014 by shellbellereads

Sister Golden Hair

Illicit Series – Book 1

By Juli Page Morgan

Synopsis

Recently widowed and newly jobless, 42-year-old Rhett (yeah, she knows that’s a man’s name) Davis has a major life decision to make. She can either stay in the little Texas town where she was never really accepted, driving the same old beat-up Dodge and sliding toward genteel decrepitude, or she can buy a Jag, get some highlights, ditch the frumpy clothes, and strike out for the big smoke of Dallas. Hey, she never liked that Dodge, anyway.

The one thing she’s not looking for in the Big D is romance, but when her upstairs neighbor turns out to be the delectable and very single Rhys James, frontman for the band Illicit, Rhett decides that she just might give this love thing a shot…assuming she remembers how to go about it, that is. It doesn’t take her long to figure out that Rhys is anything but a predictable, paint-by-numbers sorta guy. Music is his mistress, and she’s not good at sharing. Throw in a scheming ex-wife and a demanding daughter, and Rhett’s quest for her old crush’s heart just got a hell of a lot harder.

But Texas women don’t scare easy. And Rhett will be damned if she lets this English Rock star go without a fight.

Buy: Amazon

Lis’ Review

Sister Golden Hair by Juli Page Morgan

“Well I keep on thinkin’ ‘bout you, Sister Golden Hair surprise,

And I just can’t live without you, can’t you see it in my eyes?”

BLURB: Recently widowed and newly jobless 42-year old Rhett (yeah she knows that’s a man’s name) Davis has a major life decision to make. She can either stay in the little Texas town where she was never really accepted, driving the same old beat-up Dodge and sliding toward genteel decrepitude, or she can buy a Jag, get some highlights, ditch the frumpy clothes and strike out for the big smoke of Dallas. Hey, she never liked that Dodge anyway.

The one thing she’s not looking for in the Big D is romance, but when her upstairs neighbor turns out to be the delectable and very single Rhys James, frontman for the band Illicit, Rhett decides that she just might give this love thing a shot..assuming she remembers how to go about it, that is. It doesn’t atke her long to figure out that Rhys is anything but a predictable, paint-by-the-numbers guy. Music is his mistress and she’s not good at sharing. Throw in a scheming ex-wife and a demanding daughter, and Rhett’s quest for her old crush’s heart just got a hell of a lot harder.

But Texas women don’t scare easy. And Rhett will be damned if she lets this English Rock star go without a fight.

_______________

by Lis Kellam

Okay, I admit it. I bought and read this book for two selfish reasons. One, it was written in third person so I knew I would get both sides of the story in one book. And two, the heroine is 42 years old. And what a refreshing read that was! Maybe because I can identify with Rhett and Rhys just a little bit better but I was ready for a story that dealt with themes a little closer to home.

Juli Page Morgan didn’t disappoint at all. This book was well-written, telling a great story in a way that brought out the emotions of it all. From Rhett’s hesitant steps back into living after being widowed, to Rhys’s heartbreak at discovering the betrayal that takes him away from the woman he’s come to love, every emotion is brought to light in a great story that made me feel like I was right there with them, experiencing every triumph and heartbreak along the way.

Rhett is a three-dimensional woman, with fears, dreams, and toughness, all of which we discover right along with her. Rhys is smokin’ sexy hot, and for the first time in a long time he gave me that thrill of excitement as he seduced Rhett with his confident, sensual ways. There’s humor in Ms. Morgan’s descriptions, there’s glamour in her depictions of the rock stars she writes, but there’s also real situations, real family dynamics and realistic depiction of the life of a hugely successful rock band. The secondary characters had distinct personalities of their own, and I hope we get to see more of them in the next book.

This is a must-read and I cannot wait for book two in the Illicit Rockers series.

Author Bio:

Bestselling author Juli Page Morgan’s former life as a Rock radio deejay gave her an All Access pass to the real world of Rock stars. She’s been on their tour buses, in their hotel rooms, and backstage in their dressing rooms and at the aftershow parties. She stood side-stage as they played, and was even on the stage a time or two to announce bands. Now she hands that All Access pass to you through her Romances that Rock, books that prove the reality is hotter than the fantasy! Juli’s an unapologetic lover of Rock ‘n Roll, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, and French onion dip, not necessarily in that order. Talk to her on Twitter (twitter.com/JuliPageMorgan), Facebook (facebook.com/JuliPageMorganAuthor) or at her website (julipagemorgan.com). ”There are few books out there that hit what rock and roll, and the people behind it, is all about. Given Juli’s history, you’ll immediately understand why her books rock on so many levels.” — Terri Herman-Ponce, author of the Past Life series.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Day Blitz + Review- Dust To Dust by Karina Halle- The Experiment In Terror Series-Book 9- 6 Stars

Posted on 08/11/2014 by shellbellereads

Dust To Dust

Experiment In Terror Series- Book 9

By Karina Halle

Synopsis:

The dramatic conclusion to the Experiment in Terror Series.

Perry Palomino and Dex Foray.

On their own, they’re uniquely brilliant. Together, they’re an unstoppable team.

Until now.

Because after everything the duo has encountered, they haven’t come across an evil quite like this. An evil that has been years in the making, an evil that will stop at nothing until they, and everyone they care for, are destroyed.

Dex and Perry’s love has survived a multitude of sins.

But can it survive the end?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

The Experiment In Terror Series

1. Darkhouse – Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

2. Red Fox – Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

2.5. The Benson – Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

3. Dead Sky Morning– Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

4. Lying Season– Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

5. On Demon Wings– Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

5.5. Old Blood– Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

5.7. The Dex Files– Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

6. Into The Hollow– Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

6.5. And With Madness Comes The Light– Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

7. Come Alive– Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

8. Ashes To Ashes– Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

9. Dust To Dust– Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

At long last the highly anticipated grand finale in The Experiment In Terror series is released!

Dust To Dust by Karina Halle is brilliant! It is the perfect ending for the enthralling, bone chilling, hair raising, frightful Experiment In Terror series. This series has taken the readers on an unforgettable journey. The adventures and perils that Dex Foray and Perry Polomino have faced, battled, and survived have astounded every reader. Not only have Dex and Perry faced off every kind of evil and supernatural being, they have made self discoveries, acknowledged their weaknesses, faced their fears, become stronger individuals, accepted their gifts, and valued every moment, good and bad. Their adventure has made them both better people.

We have witnessed Perry Palomino go from an introverted, self doubting, somewhat delusional girl to a strong woman willing to fight for those she loves. She has become a powerhouse within herself.

We have watched Dex Foray change from a crass, thoughtless, self serving jerk into an honorable man. He has accepted his gifts, opened his heart, let go of his past, and learned to love deeply.

The Experiment In Terror series is not just a series in the horror genre. It is a romance series.
We have witnessed Dex and Perry go from strangers to reluctant partners that led to a strong friendship with mutual respect. Along the way they found a deep love that will exist in life and death. No one can tear them apart, not even the supernatural.

Dex and Perry have survived evil in many forms. They have traveled many miles. They thought they had faced the worst kind of terror and made their peace. But like everything in life, their fortitude will be tested once again. They will have to go full circle, back to the beginning where everything began.

Dust To Dust brings Dex and Perry to New York City. This is where it all began for Dex. This is where the Palomino women became connected with the O’Shea clan. This is where the ultimate evil has touched all of their lives. They will have to face off this ultimate evil. It is war.

Every war has casualties. Every war has fatalities. Every war leaves wounds and scars that remain long after the battle is fought. But for the ones that survive the war , they will carry these scars and the memories very close to the heart.

Dust To Dust is a frightful battle for life and love.

I am very sad to see The Experiment In Terror series end but am also very satisfied on how the ending played out.

Karina Halle is a brilliant writer. Her stories draw the reader into the characters world. We experience every adventure, every physical feeling, every emotional reaction, and every moment. Our sensory system goes into overload while reading these books. Our emotional side sympathizes with each of the characters emotions. The reader truly becomes completely involved. I can easily see The Experiment In Terror being made into a mini TV series like American Horror Story or Supernatural. It would stand out among these types of shows because of the powerful romance between Dex Foray and Perry Palomino.

Karina Halle I applaud you for the excellent delivery of The Experiment In Terror series. It is one of my all time favorite series.

Dex and Perry will haunt my dreams and everyday life. They will live on long after the final eulogy in Dust To Dust.

*** The Experiment In Terror Series is a 6 STAR Series***

Robin’s Review

The ninth and final novel of the Experiment in Terror series is Dust to Dust. It’s been a long and crazy ride for author Karina Halle. She has done a remarkable job keeping this lengthy series fresh and exciting when many authors would have struggled to do the same. Halle is wonderfully creative when it comes to writing in the horror romance genre. She has one hell of a vivid imagination and crazy talent for putting her horror scenes to paper. Ghosts. Demons. Haunted houses. Spooky sanatoriums. Zombies. Halle has written about all of these, but nothing can prepare readers for what she has planned in Dust to Dust. If you are a fan of the Experiment in Terror series, you are in for a real treat!

Throughout this series, Halle has taken readers to an abundance of haunted locations. Dex Foray and Perry Palomino have paired up to film episodes for their internet show Experiment in Terror at the following locations: a lighthouse on the Pacific coast of Oregon; the deserts of Red Fox, New Mexico; deserted D’Arcy Island, located just off the coast of Vancouver, British Columbia; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; the wilds of the Canadian Rockies; the haunted French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana; and the creepy Sea Crest Sanatorium in Gary, Oregon. In Dust to Dust, Halle brings her series to a conclusion where it all began for Dex Foray – in a brownstone townhouse located in New York City.

Dex and Perry have been in many frightening and dangerous situations, always managing to escape by the skin of their teeth. Everything they have experienced since meeting each other in that lighthouse has lead up to the dramatic conclusion of this series. In Dust to Dust, they each find themselves racing against time, fighting the ultimate evil in the battle of their lives. Dex’s long, lost brother Michael has been very busy planning to exploit their weaknesses, and this time the stakes are much higher with Maximus Jacobs and the entire Palomino family directly involved. Evil is found in many forms in this series, but expect the worst in Dust to Dust.

If you follow the writing of Karina Halle and think you may have seen it all, just wait until you see what she has in store for you in Dust to Dust. Expect gnawing worry. Tears of sadness. Interesting revelations. Unimaginable monsters. Heart palpitations. Fear and shock. Devastation. Repaired relationships. Love and tenderness. Expect the unexpected! And look for plenty of new “Dexisms” – hilarious, laugh out loud quotes which could only come from the mouth of Dex Foray!

In summary, I found this concluding novel informative, frightening, sad, but full of love. I found myself glued to the pages as I learned more about Dex Foray and his family history. Karina Halle lays the truth out for her readers, so be sure to pay attention. And frightening? Two things had me full of anxiety: a cloven-hoof demon with a busy agenda and the brownstone townhouse where Dex lived as a child. I wouldn’t want to spoil the fun for readers with anything more than that. I was full of sadness at times while reading Dust to Dust, and not just because this is the final novel of this beloved series. There are moments you will feel sadness, too. And there is so much love between Dex and Perry that it will fill your heart with happiness – just wait until you read the epilogue.

In short, Karina Halle has wonderfully brought her series full-circle with this concluding novel. Her writing is sensational and full of descriptive details which make you feel as if you are participating in the story. If you have never read, or even heard of, the Experiment in Terror series, please do yourself a favor and consider reading Darkhouse. This series is strangely addictive, and the novels only get better as the series progresses. As for Dust to Dust? Karina Halle has earned my 5-star rating!

Author Bio:

With her USA Today Bestselling The Artists Trilogy published by Grand Central Publishing, numerous foreign publication deals, and self-publishing success with her Experiment in Terror series, Vancouver-born Karina Halle is a true example of the term “Hybrid Author.” Though her books showcase her love of all things dark, sexy and edgy, she’s a closet romantic at heart and strives to give her characters a HEA…whenever possible.

Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently lives on an island on the coast of British Columbia where she’s preparing for the zombie apocalypse with her fiancé and rescue pup.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

ARC Review: Shelter Me by Catherine Mann- Second Chance Ranch Series-Book 1

Posted on 08/10/2014 by shellbellereads

Shelter Me

Second Chance Ranch Series- Book 1

By Catherine Mann

Synopsis

From the USA Today bestselling Catherine Mann comes this beautiful, heartwarming novel about a returning soldier, the daughter of his fallen commander, and a very special dog with a mission. For fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery.

Nestled in the sunny fields of Tennessee lies the McDaniel family’s Second Chance Ranch Animal Rescue. Two new arrivals are on their way, but only one is the four-legged kind.

Staff Sergeant Mike Kowalski wants only one thing after he gets home from Iraq: to sleep in a king-sized bed with clean sheets. But first, he has to hand off his fallen commander’s dog, Trooper, to his family without handing off his heart to Sierra…

Sierra McDaniel needs a break. Her family life is crazy, and when she’s not mucking out kennels, she’s slogging through grad school. Sierra certainly doesn’t want another dog, especially one that reminds her of her father. And she definitely doesn’t want to see Mike with that charming smile of his…

But Trooper has a mission of his own. Before too long Mike is moving to the ranch to lend a hand—and hoping for his own second chance with Sierra.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

I am a huge fan of Catherine Mann. From her Military Romances to Romantic Suspense, every book has been very good. Shelter Me rose to the high standards Catherine has set with her other books. The thing that made Shelter Me stand out even more was that the book was told from Trooper’s (the dog) point of view throughout the book. One would think that is ridiculous but it worked!

Shelter Me is the story of loss, surviving, and rebuilding. It shows the heartbreak of losing loved ones and finding a new way to live life without that loved one there. It is a story of finding a love that makes every good and bad thing in the past worth experiencing. It is a story of healing.

Sierra and Mike are brought together because of Trooper. All three of them have lost the one man that touched their hearts in different ways. For Sierra it was her father, for Mike it was his Commander, and for Trooper it was his Master.

When Mike delivers Trooper to Sierra, he finds her struggling to keep the family ranch going. Before Mike knows it, he is lending a hand and hoping for a second chance with Sierra. Trooper is on a mission to bring these two people, his family together.

This book was beautifully written and had a powerful message. I loved all the characters, especially Trooper. This is a book you will not be able to put down.

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Catherine Mann writes contemporary romance for Berkley, Harlequin, and Sourcebooks, with her work reprinted in more than twenty countries. She lives on the Florida coast where she and her military flyboy husband have brought up four children. An active volunteer with her local Humane Society, Catherine enjoys writing while foster puppies nap on her feet. FMI: http://catherinemann.com

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Review: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Posted on 08/09/2014 by shellbellereads

Ugly Love

By Colleen Hoover

Synopsis

#1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with a new heart-wrenching love story.

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she doesn’t think it’s love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.

Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.

Promises get broken.

Rules get shattered.

Love gets ugly.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Wow! Ugly Love is one of those books that steps outside of the usual expectations in the romance genre. The entire formula in this contemporary romance is remixed, tossed around, broken down, and is put back together with a whole new shape and form. But the end result is beyond words. It is worth the emotional journey and in the end I think the characters learn that there is more than one definition of love and that each definition should be treasured.

Colleen Hoover creates extraordinary characters out of ordinary people that are just doing what they can to manage their own lives. She allows them to experience the good and the bad. She allows them to react to their lives in a very realistic way. She gives them strengths, weaknesses, quirks, and an individuality that makes them unique. She breathes life into these characters and they jump off the pages screaming for us readers accept them, love them, cheer them on, value their thoughts, and embrace their story. Ugly Love will do that and more. Miles Archer and Tate Collins will grab your hearts and not let go.

I cannot say too much about the overall story because it would give away too many spoilers. I will say that the title of this book is absolutely perfect for this story. The reader will find many hidden messages in the passages that will render them speechless. These passages will also make the reader appreciate the loves in their lives and the relationships they have experienced.

Miles Archer has seen the ugly side of love. He has been emotionally paralyzed because of that ugliness.

Tate Collins has experienced love but not in a deep and meaningful capacity. She thinks she can handle Miles Archer and his relationship issues. What she doesn’t realize is that she can’t handle her own heart.

Hearts will be broken, hearts will be shattered, and love will rear its ugly head. Eyes will be opened and the view will change. In the end it will be up to Tate and Miles to decide whether to stop and enjoy the view or to move past it without a glance.

With that said the only analogy I can come up with for this book is that we are all gardeners in life. We can plant the seed, watch evolve from a seedling to a bud. We will witness this bud open into a beautiful bloom. This bloom is so beautiful we will want to pick it and keep it close to us. But like most beautiful things, once it is picked the beauty will only be fleeting even though we have put it in water to keep it’s beauty. We will watch this beautiful bloom wilt, begin to fade, and eventually decay. But because this blooms’ beauty touched our hearts we want to preserve it’s memory by pressing it in a book. The memory of its beauty has been preserved but the actual bloom we were so taken with is in fact an ugly dead flower.

But if we learn from this experience we can plant a new garden. We can plant the seed, nourish it, tend to it, let it pollenate, allow it to bloom into it’s full beauty, and let it go through it’s cycle in life. It’s okay to allow the weeds in the garden. It is okay to let nature take its course.

Ugly Love is that garden in Miles Archer and Tate Collins lives. It will be up to them how they chose to tend their garden.

I highly recommend Ugly Love.

Author Bio:

Colleen Hoover’s love for writing began in 1985 when she was five years old. Her first story was titled “Mystery Bob” and was a huge hit with her mother, who was really good at faking interest. Colleen continued to write short stories for friends and family until December of 2011, when she decided to write a long story she titled, “Slammed.” She self-published SLAMMED to Amazon in January, 2012 and it hit the NYT’s bestsellers list in May, 2012. She has since signed with Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and now has six NYT’s bestsellers. Colleen prefers to be called a writer, as the term “author” still terrifies her and makes this feel like a job with expectations. She doesn’t work well under pressure and hopes writing will always remain fun and exciting. Colleen’s newest novel, UGLY LOVE, releases August 5th, 2014. She is currently working on a new novel, CONFESS, which she is writing as fast as she can before she wakes up from this crazy dream.

You can follow Colleen on Instagram and Twitter @colleenhoover. You can also find her on her blog at http://www.colleenhoover.com where she holds a daily book-a-day giveaway, or on her very active Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover where she loves to give away more free stuff when her husband isn’t looking.

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Review: Taming My Prince Charming by J. S. Cooper-Sequel To Finding My Prince Charming

Posted on 08/09/2014 by shellbellereads

Taming My Prince Charming

Sequel to Finding My Prince Charming

By J. S. Cooper

Synopsis

When Lola met Xavier, Prince of Romerius, she was immediately attracted to his dark, handsome good looks and sparkling green eyes. She spent a whirlwind weekend with him and almost fell for his charm, until he humiliated her and she fled.

Lola wasn’t prepared to find out that Xavier was her new professor and her new boss. She also wasn’t prepared for the sparks that flew every time they were together. When Xavier takes her on a work trip, she is shocked when they are mobbed by the paparazzi and agrees to go to Romerius with Xavier to pretend she is his fiancé.

Only Lola had no idea that Xavier had a master plan from the moment he met her. He wanted a week to make her his, so that he could get her out of his system. Only Xavier had no idea that fate had another plan for him.

Taming My Prince Charming is the sequel to Finding My Prince Charming.

It is recommended for readers 18 and over as it contains mature situation and language.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

** 2.5 Stars **

This review is one of the hardest reviews I have had to write. I am a huge fan of J. S. Cooper’s books. I love her work, her characters, and the worlds she creates for them. Her books are always entertaining, romantic, and well written. It is with a heavy heart that I write this review.

Taming My Prince Charming by J. S. Cooper is the sequel to Finding My Prince Charming. I was looking forward to this release because of the cliffhanger in the first book. I was also hoping that I could connect with these characters this go round and become more invested in their story. I was also under the impression that this was the conclusion to their story. But this was not the case.

Taming My Prince Charming was just another installment into the ongoing story and ended with another cliffhanger. But this time around I think this cliffhanger left a bad taste among some readers.

Taming My Prince Charming picks up where Finding My Prince Charming left off. Xavier has taken Lola to Romerius under the pretense of a royal engagement. We are under the impression that he did this to protect Lola from the media. But why would this protect her when a royal engagement would cause even more sensation.

Once they are in Romerius it becomes clear that Xavier has an agenda. What that agenda is never really explained or hinted at. Is it revenge? Is it a power play? Who is his revenge directed at and why? The only person that suffered throughout this book was Lola. She was subjected to some pretty ugly situations where she had no clue how to react. She was kept in the dark. Xavier not only has used her for his own sexual pleasures, he is exposing and exploiting her in a perverse world in which she does not belong.

Lola’s character changed quite a bit in this book. She went from being a strong, intelligent, independent young woman to becoming a submissive doormat. She gave Xavier some sass at times but let him walk all over her when her inner self was screaming to run in the other direction. The Lola from the first book would have been on a plane back to London without any second thoughts.

The plot in Taming My Prince Charming changed drastically from Finding My Prince Charming. Readers were expecting Lola to be introduced into the world of royality. We were expecting the conflict to come from that world. The royal world barely came into play. The readers were briefly introduced to the royal family. They did not get any information about the country of Romerius, the traditions, the politics, and their part in the world. The plot took on a new direction focusing on “The Club”. It was unclear what exactly this club is in the whole scheme of things. It is obvious The Club is for royals to act out on their sexual perversities and indiscretions. And why would they label these acts of indiscretions as a Ball?

I felt like the plot was jumbled and not on a clear direction. I also felt that the author was borrowing from other plots from her previous books. The Club is clearly one of those things.

Add a woman from Xavier’s past, another handsome prince with an agenda of his own, another prince that cheats on his wife, a young cousin that on the surface seems innocent, a disapproving mother, and a brother rushing home for unknown reasons and the reader finds their heads spinning.

I felt like the characters were not fully developed. We never get a true sense of who Xavier is. We get glimpses into his thoughts but they are not clear or followed through. He does not really come across as a Crown Prince. He has no concerns for his nationality, his countrymen, or his role in their lives. We never understand his attraction to Lola other than wanting to screw her. He abuses her innocence, insults her integrity, and treats her like a cheap whore most of the time. He is never tender with her. Why would she be attracted to a man who treats her so badly.

Lola’s character did a one eighty flop that just disappointed me.

As for all of the secondary characters I got a sense of who they were but just a small bit. I know their names but am not sure how they really fit into the story.

Taming My Prince Charming was not a royal romance. I really don’t know what it was. I feel adding the word romance is somewhat of a farce as far as this book is concerned. There really wasn’t romance in this book. The character interaction, the build up of sexual chemistry, and the dialogue that leads to a romantic love story was missing. It was more of a few sexual interludes that had no tenderness or true fire behind them.

Taming My Prince Charming should have been titled Lola and The Big Bad Wolf.

I will read the next book in this series because of Lola and Lola alone. She was left in a horrific situation that has my gut clenching. I am hoping she comes through this ordeal a stronger woman and gives Xavier the FU and gets out of the palace.

Keeping My Prince Charming will be out in November 2014.

Author Bio:

Cooper is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is a true romantic that is in love with love. The J. S. stands for Jaimie Suzi. She just thought J. S. sounded cooler! J. S. was born in London, England and moved to the States at age 17. She studied history in college and then went to law school and then decided to follow her writing dreams. J. S. writes ‘New Adult’ contemporary romance books because that is what she also loves to read.

Available Books: The Last Boyfriend, The Last Husband, Before Lucky, The Other Side of Love, Zane & Lucky’s First Christmas, Crazy Beautiful Love, Scarred, and Healed.

Upcoming books: Finding My Prince Charming, If Only Once (The Martelli Brothers), Everlasting Sin, The Rebel Next Door and Hot Prof.

Please join J. S. Cooper on her facebook page if you enjoy her books here: https://www.facebook.com/J.S.Cooperauthor. If you wish to get in contact, please email her at Jscooperauthor@gmail.com.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

Review: Rogue by Katy Evans- The Real Series- Book 4

Posted on 08/09/2014 by shellbellereads

Rogue

The Real Series – Book 4

By Katy Evans

Synopsis:

The fourth story in the new adult series that began with the New York Times bestseller Real, featuring Brooke’s best friend, Melanie, and the ROGUE she can’t resist.

Greyson King…

My boyfriend. My friend. My protector. He’s the reason I wake up every morning with a smile on my face, and the reason I fall asleep limp, worn out, and aching for his warm arms around me. When we make love, he says my name like it means something. Like I mean something.

His name is Greyson King, but his alias is Zero.

There’s zero trace of him, he has zero past, and now I know that with him, I will have zero future.

He may leave no trace of him anywhere, but his imprint is in me, in my very soul–and I hate that a mere look at him commands the beat of my heart. The temperature of my body.

I’ve looked for love my entire life. I’ve waited for the butterflies, the rainbows…

Instead I’m in a free fall of emotions and there’s no one to catch me but the one man I should be running away from. The one man I thought was my prince charming.

Except this prince charming went rogue.

Greyson will stop at nothing to make me be with him. He’ll let no one stand in our way, will allow no one to threaten me, and maybe this is what scares me most of all…

What will my rogue do to keep me?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Lis’ Review

She is color, he is blackness. She is light, he is dark. She parties to hide her fears. He built walls to hide his broken life. They are total opposites. And perfect for each other.

In Real, Katy Evans introduced us to Brooke and her friend Melanie, the bold one, the loud one, the life of the party. Melanie’s the one who shouted out to Remy when she took Brooke to see the fight. Melanie’s the one who gave Remy Brooke’s phone number. She wants everyone to be happy, she exudes that happiness, a happiness she’s created for herself and those around her. But Melanie has fears and a deep dark secret or two that no one knows. Until Greyson comes along.

Greyson King is Zero.. so emotionless he’s nothing. A stone cold enforcer for the Underground who has Melanie in his sights. She’s on his list, and it’s not like Santa’s list of good little boys and girls. He goes through this list, hitting his marks one by one in an effort to find out the one thing he’s searched for all these years. Yet with number five, with Melanie, he finds so much more. And in the end, the list becomes meaningless when they uncover each other’s secrets, nearly losing everything they both want in the process.

Katy Evans’ writing is amazing. Every word, every sentence opens a well of emotions. She doesn’t just describe the characters’ feelings, she paints them in a three dimensional way that envelops the reader inside them until you are living and breathing them, laughing and crying them, holding your breath and then gasping them right along with Melanie and Greyson. Her style leaps off the page and you live each and every passionate embrace, cry every tear, tremble with every fear and suffer every heartbreak. It’s gut-wrenching yet so artistic in its creation of unforgettable characters.

This story of the happy go lucky best friend and the dark and mysterious bad boy (and he is soooo bad in every way) is a definite must read. You get both points of view in one book, a complete story that will only make you realize, as Melanie does, that you just can’t live without the Rogue.

Author Bio:

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

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

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

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

ARC Review: The Sweetest Summer by Susan Donovan

Posted on 08/08/2014 by shellbellereads

The Sweetest Summer

Bayberry Island Series- Book 2

By Susan Donovan

Synopsis

A mermaid statue could be the cause of heartbreak or everlasting romance for a practical-minded police chief and his first love—in the second of the delicious Bayberry Island trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Susan Donovan….

Every instinct told Police Chief Clancy Flynn that his island’s claim to fame was nothing but a silly tourist attraction. But now and then, he couldn’t help but wonder if his lifetime of bad romances—starting with the pretty tourist who broke his fourteen-year-old heart—could be traced back to a childhood prank involving that very statue….

Then one day the pretty tourist comes barreling back into Bayberry—all grown-up and on the run with her niece. Though Evelyn McGuinness is wanted for kidnapping, she tries to persuade Clancy that there’s more to the story. Now the by-the-book police chief must make the toughest decision of his life: to take Evelyn into custody—or into his arms….

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tracey’s Review

Life as Evelyn McGuinness has taken a turn for the surreal. On the run to protect her niece, she has returned to the place that she first found love. Clancy Flynn, now the chief of police of Bayberry Island, Massachusetts, remembers that summer, too and fondly, which is funny, given that he doesn’t even believe in love. When Fate, or a Mermaid, bring Clancy and Evelyn together again, though, he wonders if second chance love is possible.

All of the characters in the book are just so real that you can imagine meeting and happily spending time with them, and Bayberry Island is the perfect setting for them. The chemistry between Clancy and Evelyn is palpable and engaging, and, while steady and supportive, is also pretty darned hot. And the secondary characters are great, especially Mona’s Mermettes and the nudist community folks. 🙂

The Sweetest Summer has so many things going for it. Susan Donovan has brought action, myth, family, and love together to create a story that grabbed me from the first page and had me reading steadily until the end. That, for me, is the mark of a really good book, and one that I heartily recommend.

Author Bio:

New York Times bestselling author SUSAN DONOVAN’s novels have won accolades for their humor, characterization, and sexual tension – “brain candy for smart women,” as she calls it. Susan has written more than twenty novels and novellas that have been translated into dozens of languages. Her novel, TAKE A CHANCE ON ME, won Romantic Times Bookreviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Contemporary Romance in 2003, and THE KEPT WOMAN and NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL were RITA finalists. She is a former newspaper journalist with degrees from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She lives in Maryland with her family and dogs.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

ARC Review: Lay It Down by Cara McKenna- Desert Dogs- Book 1

Posted on 08/06/2014 by shellbellereads

Lay It Down

Desert Dogs – Book 1

Cara McKenna

Synopsis

First in the exciting new Desert Dog series, starring hot and sexy bikers in the Southwest…

Backbreaking days, wild nights, and the hard hum of steel between your thighs…

That’s a life well lived, according to the Desert Dogs—four friends who call Fortuity, Nevada, their badlands home.

Vince Grossier is the self-crowned outlaw king around here. But when Fortuity’s slick new mayor invites a shady casino development to town, the invaders’ cutthroat takeover tactics quickly turn deadly. With police turning a suspiciously blind eye, it’s up to the locals to fight back, and Vince is on the front line. The pretty photographer hired by the developers might be the key to infiltrating the enemy. And a temptation too good to pass up.

Finally free of a controlling ex, Kim Paget’s not looking to be taken for a ride—not on the back of some tattooed roughneck’s bike and definitely not in his bed. But when she finds evidence that her bosses are rattlesnake-dangerous, Kim must entrust her safety to the man who threatens danger of a whole different kind.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Michel’s Review

*** 3.5 Stars ***

I was really excited when I received the ARC for Lay It Down by Cara McKenna. I have been reading her books for quite some time and she always delivers a fantastic story and red hot romance. I haven’t read a book from her that I didn’t like. She is diverse in plot, subjects, characters, and sensuality. I was very excited to see her starting a Motorcycle Club series. Lay It Down did not disappoint. The characters were fantastic, both the main characters and secondary characters. The plot was quite different than most MC books. She blended the plot, the MC world, and romance with finesse.

Lay It Down starts with a murder mystery. Vince starts investigating the murder of his long time friend, Deputy Alex Dunn. He meets Kim, a photographer for Sunnyside, the site of a future casino. She quickly becomes involved in helping Vince solve the mystery of his friend’s murder.

Vince and Kim are instantly attracted to one another even though they don’t have a single thing in common. The investigation opens the doors for them to get to know one another and explore their attraction. As the mystery unravels their relationship becomes more entangled.

I enjoyed the book but it took a little more concentration for me to get deeply involved in the story. But once I finished the book I was very satisfied with the overall story. Also I realized that because this is the first book in the series, it had to lay the ground work for the small town, other characters, and overall direction of this series. I am looking forward to the next book in the Desert Dogs series.

Author Bio:

Cara McKenna writes contemporary romance and smart erotica, sometimes under the name Meg Maguire, and has sold more than thirty-five novels and novellas to Ellora’s Cave, Penguin, Harlequin Blaze, Samhain, and Signet Eclipse. She’s known for writing no-nonsense, working-class heroes with capable hands and lousy grammar. She was a 2010 Golden Heart finalist, and a two-time Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee. Cara writes full-time and lives in the Pacific Northwest with her own bearded hero.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

ARC Review: Hillbilly Rockstar by Lorelei James- Blacktop Cowboys-Book 6

Posted on 08/05/2014 by shellbellereads

Hillbilly Rockstar

Blacktop Cowboys- Book 6

By Lorelei James

Synopsis

She’s protecting his body and guarding her heart….

Country music star Devin McClain understands there’s a downside to life in the public eye, but the laidback Wyoming cowboy has never imagined he’d attract crazed fans who would do anything to garner his attention. When veiled threats become real, he agrees to hire a discreet security detail. But Devin is shocked when that bodyguard is a hard-bodied woman. He’s even more stunned to be attracted to the steely-eyed stunner.

Former soldier Liberty Masterson’s return to civilian life has been fraught with challenges until she lands a job with a prestigious security firm. But when she agrees to provide personal protection during a cross-country tour, she doesn’t realize she has signed up to masquerade as the playboy star’s girlfriend. Though she’s more comfortable in combat boots than high heels, she has no choice but to appear to be the sexy groupie Devin prefers.

Living in close quarters causes the chemistry between them to ignite, and Devin realizes he wants to turn their charade of a romance into reality. Although Liberty surrenders to his every whim behind closed doors, she fears the sexy country star doesn’t see the real her; and Devin can’t help but worry when the tour ends that there might not be enough between them to build something that won’t fade away….

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tracey’s Review

6 Stars

Devin McClain is a sexy and talented heartthrob, at the top of his game as a country superstar. He’s also generous, caring, and down-to-earth, having done his time and paid his dues to get to where he is. But fame doesn’t come without its share of crazy, and someone is gunning for Devin in a big way. When his bus driver is badly beaten, the powers that be decide that it’s time to call in the experts, and look outside the tour for extra security.

Liberty Masterson has been to hell and back, and she has the scars to prove it. Following a career in the military, reentry into civilian life has not been easy, but she has finally found her place as a security specialist. When she is tapped to guard Devin on his current tour, she thinks that she will be doing nothing more than babysitting a spoiled musician. Close quarters and a strong attraction soon having her revising her opinion.

I could not have loved this book any more. Lorelei has written a beautiful and sexy story that I could not put down until I’d finished. Watching Devin and Liberty navigate their relationship, seeing them grow to love each other, sometimes against their will, made for the best kind of love story. As each of them learned to accept things about themselves, and grow because of it, they became more free to be what the other needed. And, just so there’s no confusion, this book is off-the-charts hot. One of the things that I loved best about Devin and Liberty is that they both know exactly what they want from each other when it comes to sexy time, and they spend plenty of time enjoying it.

‘Hillbilly Rockstar’ is the first book that I have read by Lorelei, but it certainly will not be the last. This is truly a 6-star read for me, and I obviously could not recommend it more.

Michel’s Review

6 Stars

I am a huge fan of Lorelei James. I have read every single book she has published. Each and every book has been fantastic. I was highly anticipating the release of Hillbilly Rockstar, book 6 in the Blacktop Cowboys Series. Hillbilly Rockstar can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order.

Wow…Lorelei James knocked it out of the arena with Hillbilly Rockstar. It is by far one of my favorite books by this author.

Hillbilly Rockstar was an emotional journey for both characters. Devlin and Liberty had to face their weaknesses and strengths, accept themselves for who they are, and learn to share their hopes, dreams, fears, and hearts. The evolution of their relationship was truly beautiful. It was a powerful story.

Hillbilly Rockstar was sizzling hot. No one writes sexual tension, sexual chemistry, and blazing bedroom scenes like Lorelei James.

I could not put this book down ! This is definitely one of my 2014 Top Reads!

Author Bio:

Lorelei James is the NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author of erotic westerns: the Rough Riders series, the Blacktop Cowboys series, and the erotic romances in the Mastered series. Lorelei lives in western South Dakota.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz and Review: Blurred by Kim Karr -The Connections Series-Book 3.5

Posted on 08/05/2014 by shellbellereads

Blurred

Novella-Prequel to Frayed

The Connections Series- Book 3.5

By Kim Karr

Synopsis

A Connection Series Novella featuring Ben Covington

The story before the love story….

When he lost the only woman he’d ever loved, it seemed there was nothing left to live for.

Even as a boy, all Ben Covington ever wanted was to spend forever with Dahlia London, the beautiful girl next door…then one life-altering decision tore them apart and he was forced to leave her.

Now, despite having returned to win her back, he’s still alone. She’s with someone else—someone she’s never going to leave.

Resigned to a future without his former girlfriend, Ben numbs his broken heart in a haze of liquor and women. But then the only woman who ever even turned his head while he was with his girl reappears unexpectedly. And he’s never forgotten their one incredible night together. But will Ben’s destructive behavior destroy his future with her before it even begins?

Includes a preview of Kim Karr’s Connections novel, Frayed.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Blurred and Frayed by Kim Karr are most likely the most anticipated books in The Connections series. Blurred is the novella that leads the readers down a new path in Ben Covington’s life. The readers will get to meet the real Ben Covington. They will get a chance to experience his actions, indiscretions, his betrayal, his resurrection from death, and his heartbreak.

Ben Covington has arisen from the dead. After faking his death three years earlier to protect the ones he loved when he exposed a high profile criminal network, Ben is anxious to return to his real life. When returns everything, and I mean everything has changed. His fiancé has moved forward in life and is now marrying another man. His family has fallen apart. His mother died suddenly from a fatal stroke. His career is in the pits. His life is hanging in limbo until he testifies against those that destroyed his life.

Ben Covington is lost. He no longer knows who he is, how to find a new direction in life, and how to move forward. He is wrapped up in guilt and self disgust. He will struggle daily trying to find his way. Drinking soothes the pain. Countless women help pass the time. He will hit rock bottom and that will be his only salvation.

Once he hits rock bottom he will take a long hard look at his life. He will strive to make changes. He will face the betrayals he inflicted on others. He will open his eyes to new opportunities, new friends, and new career goals. He will strengthen his relationships with family and friends. He will reunite with the one indiscretion that he has never forgot. This may be the one bright thing in his new life that will motivate him to move forward and let go of what should have been.

Blurred is an emotional story that will give the readers a new opinion of Ben Covington. It the previous books Ben Covington did not look so good. He hurt the people he loved the most. He betrayed his fiancé. He seemed like an egotistical, self centered man with a drive to reach the top. But as the old saying goes, there are two sides to every coin. Personally I loved this side of the coin. Ben Covington is a complex man with a very good soul.

Blurred will let us see the true Ben Covington. I look forward to Frayed, the full length novel, releasing on September 2, 2014. Ben Covington is moving forward and conquering his new life.

The Connections Series

Connected – Book 1 – Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Torn – Book 2 – Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Dazed– Book 2.5 – Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Mended – Book 3 – Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble/ ITunes

Blurred – Book 3.5 – Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble/ ITunes

Frayed– Book 4 – Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble/ ITunes

Author Bio

Kim Karr lives in Florida with her husband and four kids. She’s always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, she wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. She went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise her family. Kim currently works part-time with her husband and recently decided to embrace one of her biggest passions–writing.

Kim wears a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of her family. However, she always finds time to read. One of her favorite family outings was taking her kids when they were little to the bookstore or the library. Today, Kim’s oldest child is seventeen and no longer goes with her on these, now rare and infrequent, outings. She finds that she doesn’t need to go on them anymore because she has the greatest device ever invented–a Kindle.

Kim likes to believe in soul mates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. She loves to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Category Archives: Reviewers

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ARC Review: Hillbilly Rockstar by Lorelei James- Blacktop Cowboys-Book 6

Release Blitz and Review: Blurred by Kim Karr -The Connections Series-Book 3.5

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