Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Love Bites by Rachel K. Burke

Love Bites

Love Bites

By Rachel K. Burke

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Synopsis

What do you do when you fall in love with your best friend’s boyfriend?

That is the question that twenty-six year-old Justine Sterling has been asking herself ever since the day she met David Whitman, her best friend Renee’s boyfriend. Justine is determined to ignore her growing feelings for the irresistibly charming David, until one night, when she finds herself in the bed of the one person she should stay away from.

When Justine and David’s affair ends in heartbreak, Justine is forced to repair the damaged friendship with her best friend. In doing so, she learns that right and wrong decisions aren’t always black and white, and sometimes you have to follow your heart to see where it leads.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / IBooks

3 Star

Michel’s Review

Love Bites by Rachel K. Burke is more than your typical angsty New Adult Romance.  It is a story of learning to live after the heartbreak.  It is a story of forgiveness, soul searching, and hope.

Justine Sterling broke the ultimate rule.  She fell in love with the wrong guy.  She fell in love with her best friend’s boyfriend.  The devastation that comes from breaking this rule could be the the worst thing Justine has ever done or it could be the best thing she has done.  Depending on how you look at the situation, either way Justine learned a lot of life lessons.

This story focuses more on what happened after she broke up with her boyfriend.  The emotional journey Justine has to go through before she finally finds herself and love once again is something all of us has experienced in our lifetimes.  Sometimes we focus on the past instead of seeing what is right in front of our eyes.

Love Bites was very well written.  The characters were well developed and easy to relate to.  The pacing in this book was a bit slow and I found quite a bit of repetitive passages.  Overall it is a good book and I would recommend it. I am looking forward to reading more books from this author.

Author Bio:

5625059Rachel discovered she wanted to be a writer at the age of ten, when her love of R.L. Stine murder mystery novels inspired her to start writing her own.

In 2008, she began freelance writing for several magazines including Prevention, Jamsbio and Worcester Magazine.

Rachel graduated from Bridgewater University in 2011 with a B.A. in Communications and Media Studies. She currently resides in Santa Monica, CA.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

 

Giveaway

 
The author will be giving away (1) Swag Bag and (1) $25 Amazon Gift Card. If you would like to offer the giveaway with your post, please use the Rafflecopter code below.

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Love Bites

ARC Review: Reckless Nights by Karen Erickson- Vegas Nights Series-Book 1

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Reckless Nights

Vegas Nights Series- Book 1

By Karen Erickson

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Synopsis

Sometimes dream crushes do come true.

Vegas Nights, Book 1

Reagan can’t believe her luck—and not in a good way. One minute she’s hanging out with her friends at an exclusive party in Las Vegas. The next, she’s attracted the attention of a famous actor. Not just any actor. Declan Carter, the man on whom she used to—okay, might still—have a fangirl crush. Whose blue eyes leave her embarrassingly tongue tied.

All Declan wants is to meet a nice, normal woman who won’t use him as a stepping stone to fame. Something about Reagan tells him she could be that rare woman, and he follows his instinct to invite her back to his suite—where they proceed to have wild monkey sex. All. Night. Long.

What was supposed to be one night of no-regrets sex stretches out into a blissful weekend of two people who can’t get enough of each other. But when the glamour of Sin City wears off, they’re standing on the edge of a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn a weekend fling into something lasting. Will they take the jump?

Warning: Smokin’ hot sexy weekend with a gorgeous actor? There shouldn’t be a warning—more like encouragement to indulge your fantasies!

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / IBooks

3 Star

Michel’s Review

Reckless Nights by Karen Erickson is the first book in the Vegas Nights series.  It is a sexy short story about a sensual weekend in Vegas.  It is the kind of weekend where fantasies come true.  It is weekend where memories are made.  But does the old saying “What Happens in Vegas, Stays In Vegas” ring true?  I think that Reagan and Declan walked away from their wild weekend with more than a pocketful of winnings.

Reagan and her girlfriends head to Vegas for a wild, fun filled weekend.  They need a break from their stressful jobs in the ER.  They are looking to let their hair down and live in the moment.

Their trip starts out with a hitch.  The airlines has lost their luggage. Luckily fate has a way of stepping in.  They meet a gentleman that invites them to an exclusive Vegas party and helps them pick out the perfect clothing for the party.

Reagan has the opportunity to meet her favorite movie star, Declan Cater, at the party.  There is an instant attraction and chemistry between the two.  What starts out as a one night stand turns into a wild weekend.

Can both of them leave their weekend behind in Vegas or is this the beginning of something wilder than a Vegas fling?

Reckless Nights is a story story that is novella length.  I would of liked for this story to have been longer.  I felt that the character development skimmed the surface and we didn’t really get to know who they really were.  The chemistry and bedroom scenes were sizzling hot.  That was the main focus of the story.  I would of liked to see these two lovers develop more of a relationship outside of the bedroom.  The story was too short to develop the intimate connections of the heart and mind.

Reckless Nights was a sexy fast paced story.  There were enough teasers about the other characters in the series to keep the reader interested in the series.

Karen Erickson is a talented writer.  Whether she is writing contemporary romance or in the New Adult genre (aka Monica Murphy), her books are sexy, romantic, and entertaining. Her characters and their stories come to life.  Their stories capture the readers attention and keep them entwined in their books until the very last page.  She is one of my favorite authors and never disappoints.

About Karen Erickson

3198951USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson lives in central California with her husband, three kids, one dog and too many cats. Being a romance writer and bringing her characters to life is her greatest dream come true.

She also writes new adult romance as NYT & USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

ARC Review: Playing With The Drummer by Robin Covington- Head Over Heels Series- Book 3

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Playing With The Drummer

Head Over Heels Series- Book 3

By Robin Covington

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Synopsis

Entertainment journalist Lita Matthews is on the verge of making it big. As in her-own-TV-show big. She just needs amazing inside scoop on the year’s hottest celebrity wedding. Instead, her big break is becoming a big nightmare—all thanks to rock star Rocky Cardano. Who apparently hasn’t gotten over what happened between them four years ago…

 

Rocky is pretty damn familiar with just how far Lita will go for a “scoop.” Hell, their unbelievably hot hook-up in Mexico years ago was the story of a lifetime. Rocky’s learned his lessons. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep her from the story—even if he has to seduce her to the point of distraction! But Lita has always had a way of getting under his skin. Only this time, he won’t be able to just walk away…

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / IBooks

3 star

Michel’s Review

Playing With the Drummer by Robin Covington is the third book in the Head Over Heels series. It can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order. It is the first book in this series that I have read. I had no trouble adapting to all of the characters and roles they play throughout the series.

Playing With the Drummer was enjoyable but predictable. The overall plot was good. I love stories where old flames reunite and find the love they shared once again.

Lita and Rocky had one wild and romantic weekend in Mexico four years ago that ended badly. Lita did something that was so spiteful and malicious that she completely lost Rocky’s respect and trust. Now four years later they are forced together when her best friend is marrying Rocky’s bandmate.

Lita has agreed to cover the wedding and spin it in a positive manner. Rocky doesn’t trust Lita to follow through. He sees her as an over aggressive, manipulative, ambitious reporter. He doesn’t see the woman he once knew beneath her professional exterior.

These two have a long way to go to find the people they once knew and loved. Their journey to finding each other again is sexy and romantic. They will butt heads and they will do more than kiss and make up.

Playing The Drummer was good but very predictable. I found some of the passages were too cheesy and sweet. I didn’t feel the intense sexual chemistry between the two characters. I felt this was more of a fluffy type romance.

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About Robin Covington

5812874Robin Covington loves to explore the theme of fooling around and falling in love in her bestselling books. A Night of Southern Comfort, her debut novel was nominated for the RT Book Reviewers Choice Awards for Small Press and was touted by RT Book Reviews as bringing a “fresh, modern feel to the genre while still sticking to the things that get our adrenaline pumping — sex and danger”

When she’s not writing sexy, sizzling romance she’s collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, and stalking Dean winchester. You can find Robin at her website (robincovingtonromance.com), Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Don’t send chocolate . . . send eye candy!

Robin lives in Maryland with her hilarious husband, brilliant children (they get it from her, of course!) and her beloved furbabies.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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ARC Holiday Review: Flirting On Ice by Veronica Forand and Susan Scott Shelley- Atlantic City Hustlers Series- Book 1

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Flirting On Ice

Atlantic City Hustlers

By Veronica Forand and Susan Scott Shelley

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Synopsis

Mr. Perfect has found his kind of trouble…

Professional hockey player Zac Elliott is in top form. He’s having the best season of his career, the local fans can’t get enough of him, and he’s in the middle of the most successful contract negotiations of his career. When the sexy little spark between Zac and the team owner’s daughter blazes to life, no matter how forbidden, he can’t resist.

Philanthropist Heather Ryan can’t keep her hands off of Zac. If her father finds out, it could end Zac’s career and ruin her reputation. What they share is deeply passionate and intensely private…until the press exposes their illicit relationship.

Now the fans have viciously turned against Heather, Zac’s game is faltering, and even his team has deserted him. The only way out of the penalty box is for Zac to play hockey like life—and love—depends on it…

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

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Michel’s Review

Looking for a new Hockey romance series? Flirting On Ice by Veronica Forand and Susan Scott Shelley is the first book in the Atlantic City Hustlers. This novella gave the readers an introduction to some of the team players and the dynamics of the Atlantic City Hustlers.

Heather Ryan is the princess of the Atlantic City Hustlers. Her father is the team owner. She is expected to be supportive of the team in all aspects. She is also expected to be involved in the team charities, youth programs, and community services. She embraces these expectations with great pride. There is one expectation that she can no longer live up to. Her father has forbidden her to date any of the players of the team. For four years she has secretly longed to get to know the team captain Zac Elliot better. He is a good man and takes a great deal of pride in all of the Atlantic City Hustlers activities on and off the ice. He is known as a bit of a player but when he is around Heather he seems very sincere.

Zac Elliot is attracted to Heather Ryan. She is the one woman who is off limits. His contract is up for renewal with the Atlantic City Hustlers. Now is not the time to be pursuing the owner’s daughter. A chance meeting changes everything. Now he wants Heather more than he wants his contract renewed.

The two will engage in a secret relationship that will get blown out of proportion when the press gets wind of their relationship. It will put Zac’s career on the line. It will put Heather’s pristine reputation in the gutter. Can their relationship survive?

I would of liked to seen more of Zac and Heather’s one on one moments. A large portion of the book focused on the trials and tribulations that were causing conflict in their relationship. The scenes that focused only on Zac and Heather were steamy hot, romantic, and well written.

Flirting On Ice was entertaining. It was a great start in a sports romance series. I am looking forward to the next book in Atlantic City Hustler series.

Author Bios:

veronica forandVeronica Forand is an attorney and an award-winning writer of romantic suspense.

She’s lived in Boston, London, Paris, Geneva, and Washington, DC and currently resides near Philadelphia. An avid traveler, she loves to roam across continents with her husband and kids in pursuit of skiing, scuba diving, and finding the perfect piece of chocolate.

She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Kiss of Death, RWA’s chapter for romantic suspense and mystery, the RWA Contemporary Romance Chapter, the Valley Forge Romance Writers, the Washington Romance Writers, and the International Thriller Writers.

Veronica is represented by Michelle Grajkowski of 3 Seas Literary Agency.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

 

Susan Scott ShelleySusan Scott Shelley is an award-winning author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense who spends her days writing about tough heroes, smart heroines, and love being the strongest magic there is.

A city girl at heart, she currently resides in a fairly rural

Philadelphia suburb with her very own Superhero, who laughs

at her jokes, makes the best cup of coffee ever, and encourages her to chase her dreams.

Her favorite things include running, sports, hard rock and old Hollywood movies. An unapologetic optimist, she believes life should be lived with laughter and a sense of wonder.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

flirting on ice

Review: The Remedy For Love by Bill Roorbach

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The Remedy For Love

By Bill Roorbach

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Synopsis

“One of the best novels of this or any year . . . A flat-out funny, sexy, and poignant romantic thriller.” —David Abrams, author of Fobbit

They’re calling it the “Storm of the Century,” so Eric stops at the market for provisions on his way home from work. But when the unkempt and seemingly unstable young woman in front of him in line comes up short on cash, a kind of old-school charity takes hold of his heart—twenty bucks and a ride home is the least he can do, right? Trouble is, Danielle doesn’t really have a home. She’s squatting in a cabin deep in the woods, no electricity, no heat, nothing but the nearby river to sustain her. She’ll need food, water, firewood, and that’s just to get her through the storm: there’s a whole Maine winter ahead.

So he gets her set up, departs with relief, climbs to the road, but his car has been towed with his phone inside, and the snow is coming down with historic speed and violence. There’s no choice but to return to the cabin. Danielle is terrified, then merely hostile—who is this guy with his big idea that it’s she who needs rescuing? As the snow keeps mounting, they’re forced to ride out the storm together. For better and for worse.

The Remedy for Love is a harrowing story about the truths we reveal when there is no time or space for artifice.

“The Remedy for Love is not the remedy for sleep deprivation. You’ll stay up all night . . . It is relentless and brilliant. Leave it to Roorbach to tease out the subtlest nuances in the progress of love while stoking a tale that is as gripping as any Everest expedition–and that is also tender and terrifying and funny and, in the end, so true it seems inevitable. I’m not sure there’s another American writing today who can lay down a love story, or any story, with the depth and appeal and freshness of Bill Roorbach.” —Peter Heller, author of The Dog Stars.

Buy: Amazon

3 star

Tina’s Review

Eric is a small-town, still (mostly-not) married lawyer. He is suddenly overcome with a need to provide for and protect this woman he is standing in line behind. The odoriferous, tattered creature at the grocery store is trying to pay for some groceries, but comes up short. Eric covers her shortage, then further pushes by offering her a ride home from the store, which he learns is nearly six miles away, with a winter storm moving in. Then he feels obligated to help her carry her groceries to a cabin tucked WAY back off the road as the weather worsens. This is all happening as the little town is gearing up for “The Storm of the Century” as the meteorologists are calling it. He does more for her, eventually becoming stranded there himself. The cabin is is a summer place. There is zero winterization, no plumbing for water or restrooms, and no electricity.

The cover actually caught my attention, all that blue-white of fresh snow in the moonlight. The book summary was interesting. I’d never heard of or read anything by this author before so I figured I’d be a good candidate for providing an unbiased, honest review.
“Danielle for-now” immediately gives off the impression of a squatter living outside town. Her personality seems to suggest a mental disorder may be at play. The way she speaks and her social skills & manners are odd. It’s almost like a Schizophrenic – Autistic combo. Maybe some dementia. She’s odd. You never know if what she’s telling you is true or make-believe. She speaks of her husband Jim often but parts of her story changes as she tells things.My first impression of this book is that it is strangely written. Some sentences qualify as a paragraph, while other sentences are a single word. The choice of wording and phrasing also, at times, seems… disjointed, erratic, unclear. I found it NOT to be an easy read and comprehension was murky sometimes on the first pass, having to read it once -or more- again.

They are stranded together in this secluded cabin after his car is towed and their “relationship” is extremely dysfunctional. The characters and writing was so chaotic at times, it really was hard to develop any kind of attachment to Danielle and/or Eric. Both are married, but not, but are. (Does that make any sense?) It claims to be a romance, but I really did not feel the love. It was more a bonding of misplaced souls, to me. The plot was fantastic, however; I truly enjoyed the concept. The conflicts, as they arose, were met with satisfactory resolve. The ending was a little loose, but sufficient. I would have liked to see an epilogue that entailed Eric’s marital status. Jim’s situation was predictable though.
Overall, I nearly felt that I needed medication from all the craziness this book contained. It was truly chaotic and challenging to get through. I have to deduct points for the level of insanity, but feel I need to say again that I did not necessarily dislike the characters & I did like the concept. Overall, I’m not sure I would recommend this to the average reader.

Author Bio:

bill roorbachBill Roorbach’s newest novel is The Remedy For Love, coming October 2014 from Algonquin Books. Life Among Giants, also from Algonquin, is in development for a multi-year series at HBO, and won the 2014 Maine Literary Award in Fiction. Big Bend: Stories has just be re-released by Georgia in its Flannery O’Connor Award series. Temple Stream is soon to be re-released by Down East Books. Bill is also the author of the romantic memoir SUMMERS WITH JULIET, the novel THE SMALLEST COLOR, the essay collection INTO WOODS. The tenth anniversary edition of his craft book, WRITING LIFE STORIES, is used in writing programs around the world. His short fiction has been published in Harper’s, The Atlantic Monthly, Playboy, and dozens of other magazines, journals, and websites, and has been featured on NPR’s Selected Shorts, and won an O. Henry Prize. He lives in western Maine where he writes full time.

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Review: Chains by Kelli Maine

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Chains

An MMA Romantic Suspense

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By Kelli Maine

Synopsis

Chained To The Past.

On the brink of going pro in MMA, Tyler Graves has defied his past—a past where going to jail for beating the hell out of his foster father took him away from the girl he loved and swore to protect, leaving her in the house of the man who abused them both.

Chained To Regret.

No matter how much time has passed, Danielle Debasco weighs on Ty’s mind and conscience. He was supposed to save her, instead he abandoned her.

Chained To Love.

To free Danny from the abusive man who still haunts her, Ty’s faced with sacrificing his future by finishing what he started four years ago—taking vengeance. But, this time will be different. This time he won’t stop until the horrors of their past are sealed not just in blood, but in death.

-ADULT CONTENT-
Sex, Language, Violence

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

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Excerpt

I grabbed a plastic cup and filled it with vodka. Weaving through a group of women who were dancing, I found myself surrounded, trapped by hungry, grinding hips, fingers that snuck up my t-shirt and lips that whispered in my ear. I couldn’t hear her words, but had enough sense to know when I was being invited into a woman’s bed.

I tipped my cup back and opened my throat, letting ounce after ounce of burning vodka slide down. When it was gone, I tossed the cup aside and grabbed the waist of the girl in front of me. I pulled her ass against me and grinded into her. She threw her head back against my chest, lifted her arms over her head and swiveled as she bent her knees, lowering herself below my waist. She turned, hooked her fingers behind my belt and looked up at me with smoldering eyes. She licked her lips. My cock twitched in anticipation. I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up. “Outside,” I said. “Now.”

We pushed through the crowd and stepped out onto the sidewalk. Her hand squeezed my ass. I reached over and tweaked her nipple, hard through her tight, stretchy shirt.

We rounded the corner to the side of the motel. A few people stood down at the far end of the building, but it was dark enough she could blow me. She put her hands on my chest and groaned low in her throat. “God, I want this body,” she said.

“I want your mouth on me.” I squeezed her tits, and her hands ran down over my stomach. She squatted down, unbuttoning my jeans. The zipper followed, and her hand pulled me out. I leaned back against the brick wall as her lips closed around my head. Her mouth was hot, and she knew how to stroke a cock. After the day I had, coming in this chick’s mouth was about all I had the strength left in me to do.

I watched her as she sucked me in. Her hand disappeared up her skirt, getting herself off at the same time. That should’ve done it for me, but I was distracted. I wasn’t even enjoying it. I don’t know what the fuck my problem was.

“That’s enough,” I said, hauling her to her feet.

“What’s wrong?” She stumbled in her heels, and I held her up.

“Nothing. It was perfect. I’m just  not into it tonight.”

She looked disappointed. And pissed. “Yeah. Well. Whatever. No big deal. Your dick’s not that big anyway.” It was a lie. We both knew it.

I tucked it back in my pants and watched her retreat around the corner of the building. I waited a few minutes until my cock settled down, then went back around to the sidewalk. I should’ve stayed in my room. I was in no mood for a party and all the fake bullshit that went along with it.

When I got to the door to the party, this one chick wouldn’t move to let me by. “Hey,” I said. “Excuse me. I need by you.”

She turned and locked her bloodshot blue eyes on me.

Time froze as we stared at each other.

Her blond hair was dull, her complexion sallow, her body too thin. Drugs. I’d know their effects anywhere.

“Danny,” I said, catching her by the elbows. “Do you know who I am?”

Her eyes trailed over my face. Jesus, she was rocked out of her mind. Her pupils were dilated and sweat dripped down her neck between her small breasts into her low-cut shirt.

“Danielle,” I said, leaning closer. “It’s me—Tyler.”

“Tyler,” she said, and threw her arms around my neck.

Guilt crushed against my sternum. I left her, and look what she became. “Let’s get out of here.” I turned her around and steered her down the sidewalk.

3 star

Michel’s Review

If you are looking for a short book to read you may want to consider Chains by Kelli Maine.  It is a gripping story of an MMA fighter stepping outside of the ring and taking on a new fight in the real world of life.

Tyler Graves has a bright future in the world of MMA fighting.  He is about to turn pro.  He just needs a few more fights in the amateur circuit.  While competing in one of those fights his contender starts running his mouth about Danielle Debasco.  The one and only girl he ever loved.  A girl that shared his abusive past.  A girl that he left behind when he escaped at age eighteen.  A girl that deserves more than his desertion.  A girl that owns his heart.

Learning that Danny’s life has gone even farther downhill than the abusive past they shared, Tyler is determined to find her.  He will have to make choices that could ruin his life now.  The choices can ruin his career.  But if he can save Danny, any choice he makes will be worth it.

After Tyler beat their foster father to near death and left home, Danny has been subject to harsher abuses from him.  Her escape is in the world of drugs.  She is an addict that will do anything for another fix.  She doesn’t want Tyler to rescue her from her life.

As this story unfolds the readers will experience the horrific past that Tyler, Danny, and their  foster brother endured.  Each came out of those experiences scarred.  Each chose a different path in life.  For Tyler it was professional fighting, for Alex it was controlling his life and wealth by dealing drugs, and for Danny it was escaping in drug abuse and trying to stay one step ahead of her obsessive foster father.  These three will reunite and become the family they once were.

There will be some horrific events that will shatter them all.  The one thing that ties them together will be the one thing that can destroy their lives.  Their foster father, Striker.

Danny and Tyler will find the lasting love they have always craved but they will have to pay a high price for that love.

Chains was a good short book.  I would of liked to seen this book a bit longer.  The plot was strong and held me captive, but I did feel it was rushed.  The events throughout the book happened in a matter of days.  To me it didn’t seem like enough time for Danny to give up her addiction, for Danny and Tyler to form a strong relationship, and to escape the clutches of Striker.  I was also unclear of the background of the story, such as where they were from, how Striker could easily find them, and what happened to Alex in the in between years.

If you are looking for a short book to read , Chains by Kelli Maine will fit the bill.

Author Bio:

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

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

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Review: Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy by Jodi Linton-Deputy Laney Briggs Series-Book 1.5

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Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy

Deputy Laney Briggs Series- Book 1.5

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By Jodi Linton

Synopsis:

A thrilling suspense from Entangled’s Ignite imprint…

Some cowboys are worth getting dirty for.

In her latest adventure, sassy Deputy Laney Briggs discovers the local high school football coach passed out under the stadium bleachers wearing nothing but a smile…and his wife’s lingerie.

Things really start to get wild when she runs into the smoking hot Federal Marshal, Colt Larsen, snooping around the Granger’s house. Quicker than a cold snap comes and goes in Texas, Laney finds herself up to her eyeballs in a case involving a ruthless motorcycle gang, a Mexican drug cartel, a kidnapping, and a shoot-out to rival the O.K. Corral.

In over their heads, Laney calls in the big guns—her very own Texas Ranger, Gunner Wilson, who’s ready to fulfill every last one of her desires. But as things heat up between them, the stakes get higher than ever, and Gunner’s help may not be enough for Laney to get out alive…

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

3stars-1

Tina’s Review

** This is a quick novella that takes place after book 1, PRETTY RECKLESS. **

Laney Briggs is a small-town Sheriff’s Deputy in west Texas. When she gets a call from fellow Deputy, Elroy Sampson to come up to the local High School, she arrives to find the football coach passed out drunk behind the bleachers dressed in women’s lingerie. Now, while this could undoubtedly become the subject of several jokes, Briggs can’t help but think that there was more to it and this was going to be a long night. And that’s before Coach’s wife goes missing and Federal Marshal Colt Larsen showed up in town. Now she needs to team up with the sexy Marshal to solve a missing person’s case that MAY have something to do with a Mexican gang that deals in drugs, arms, prostitution and human trafficking – all while keeping her hormones in check.

The sex scenes leave sexy and sensual behind and go straight for graphic but clinical porn. There’s a lack of emotion and warmth in the exceedingly lengthy scenes. This is not a book for readers under the age of 18, regardless of the fun looking cover.

Sold on the idea that the novella could stand on it’s own, I agreed to read this story. There is frequent mention of some bad stuff that happened “last year” (I assume in PRETTY RECKLESS), nightmares caused by some ordeal that I’ll also assume occurred in book one & some sexual history between Laney and her boy toy, Texas Ranger Gunner Wilson that dates back as far as High School. But despite the hints at a deeper back story, this novella CAN be read without reading Pretty Reckless first.

Living in west Texas, not 15 minutes from the Rio Grande’s Mexico border, I have to laugh when authors write about “swimming across”. The Rio Grande is a sandy, cracked-earth, waterless riverbed for all but a few weeks per year. Ms. Linton has a unique choice of humorous phrases, some off-putting sexual commentary and an obsession with Wranglers, I dare to say. Laney’s okay, but for supposedly being a professional law enforcement officer, I did feel that she neither took her job seriously on many occasions nor did she respect her superiors and/or others in her field.  But being rude and disrespectful must be hereditary since her mama is just as bad. Gunner and Colt are both written to be stereotypically cocky, arrogant cowboys. The other secondary characters are okay. The chemistry and interaction between characters is passable. The sex scenes were cold, sterile and way too long. The plot was intriguing.

Author Bio:

jodi lintonJodi Linton lives and works in Texas, with her husband and two kids. She can be found cozied up to the computer escaping into a quirky world of tall tales, sexy, tight jean wearing cowboys, and a protagonist with a sharp-tongue quick enough to hang any man out to dry. She writes the Deputy Laney Briggs Series.

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Review: Guarding His Heart by J. S. Cooper- Forever Love Series- Book 4

Guarding His Heart

Guarding His Heart

Forever Love Series – Book 4

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By J. S. Cooper

Synopsis

Guarding His Heart is a STANDALONE book with no cliffhanger

Leonardo Maxwell was shocked when his best friend, Zane Beaumont fell in love and got married. While he is happy for his friend, he knows that he definitely doesn’t want to go the love and marriage route. He knows that there is nothing that can come from either of the two.

When his father calls him and tells him that it’s time for him to take over the family business, he does so reluctantly. He’s never liked the attention he gets as a billionaire’s son, but he knows it’s his duty.

Leo is not prepared for the animosity that he gets from his new assistant, Hannah on his first day of work. He has no idea why she hates him, but he’s glad for it. He doesn’t have time to waste staring at her beautiful long legs or her pink luscious lips. As far as he’s concerned they can have a strictly professional relationship. However, that all changes when they go on their first work trip together.

Guarding His Heart is recommended for readers age 18 and over, due to mature situations and language.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

3stars-1

Michel’s Review

Guarding His Heart by J. S. Cooper is book four in the Forever Love series. I was really looking forward to this book’s release. The Forever Love series is one of my favorites and I loved the characters throughout the series. We met Leo Maxwell in this series. He is Zane Beaumont’s best friend. Throughout the series we got the impression that Leo was a pretty intense kind of guy. He worked as a bodyguard and came across as tough guy. Guarding His Heart shows another side to Leo’s personality.

Leo has given up his job as a bodyguard to go back to work in his father’s corporation. It’s time for him to step up to his rightful place as the heir to his father’s empire. He took the job that his assistant Hannah rightfully deserved. No wonder she hates him. The two begin a very rocky working relationship. Hannah feels that Leo is not competent enough to take over this job. He gives her the impression that he is an easy going man whore that is more interested in getting into her pants than getting the job done. She has worked hard to get where she is professionally. She may have to look elsewhere for career advancement if Leo continues in the direction he is going.

When a business trip turns into a disaster, Leo manages to make the most of it with Hannah. The two embark in a heated, purely sexual affair. They think they can keep their affair out of the office, keep it on friendly terms, with no commitments. Easier said than done.

When their secret affair is exposed Leo will have to decide if he dedicated to his career or  if he is a dedicated to Hannah enough to sacrifice his job.

Guarding His Heart was a fluffy kind of romance. It showed the playful side of love. It proved that even the die hard bachelors can fall when the right woman comes along. I liked the lightness of this book.  It was a fun read.

About J. S. Cooper

J. S. CooperCooper 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.

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Guarding His Heart

Review: Beyond The Velvet Rope by Tiffany Ashley

The Velvet Rope cover

SYNOPSIS:

Welcome to Club Babylon: where the A-list VIPs come to play 

Scoring a gig at Miami’s Club Babylon is a fantasy come true for New York promoter Thandie Shaw. The hottest club on the strip is a magnet for major South Beach movers and shakers. And Thandie’s about to meet the biggest player of them all.

Babylon owner Elliot Richards is macho, arrogant, sexist—everything Thandie doesn’t want in a boss or lover. Elliot is also the most erotic man who’s ever wanted to take her to bed. But Thandie’s no fool. Even as he tries to seduce her into a world of intense and shocking passion, she knows it’s too good to last…especially after she uncovers Elliot’s explosive secrets.

Thandie’s going down a dangerous road, and she’s risking a lot more than her career. Torn between doubt and desire, will she have to pay the ultimate price?

Darkly sensual and deeply moving, Beyond the Velvet Rope takes you into a world of uncontrollable desire and unexpected consequences.

Amazon US | B&N 

Tracey’s Review

* * *

3 STARS

Thandie Shaw is a strong, independent, successful woman. She is good at what she does, which is publicity. She has connections, and she knows how to use them. When Thandie has the opportunity to go to Miami to help with the grand reopening of Club Babylon, she jumps at the chance, thinking it will make her career.

Club owner Elliot Richards is sexy as sin, and he knows it. He is alpha to the nth degree; when he wants something, he gets it, and what he wants is Thandie. She is determined to keep the relationship strictly professional, but soon finds herself in over her head, losing herself as her affair with Elliot heats up and takes over her life.

‘Beyond the Velvet Rope’ has a story line that drew me in very quickly, and characters that are well-written, quirky, and interesting (I would say likeable, but not all of them are). I did have a bit of problem with the language, which switched from what I would call the ‘norm’ for erotic fiction to more sort of stilted and formal, which caused a bit of problem with flow for me. At one point I was reading along and suddenly stopped and asked myself, ‘What the heck just happened?’, and not in a good way.

I enjoyed the plot, both the main arc, as well as the several back stories, and am interested to see how Tiffany Ashley moves forward with the series. But because Thandie’s character really just devolved into almost the opposite of who she was at the beginning of the book, coupled with the odd language, I am giving this book 3.5 stars. I remain hopeful that the next installment will be a book that ‘does it’ more for me.

Tiffany Ashley
tiffany ashleyAs a child, Tiffany always dreamed of writing her own novels. Having possessed a passion for books, her desire to become a published author is now a reality. Her first novel, Love Script, released in 2007, received rave reviews. Known for her steamy and sometimes emotionally exhausting interracial romances, Tiffany looks forward to a long and adventurous career. Tiffany lives in Dallas, Texas where she continues to write her novels.

 

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