ARC Review: Shatter by Erin McCarthy-True Believers Series- Book 4

Posted on 09/02/2014 by shellbellereads

Shatter

True Believers Series- Book 4

Genre: New Adult

By Erin McCarthy

Synopsis

Kylie Warner prides herself on being optimistic, but after finding her best friend in bed with her boyfriend and flunking chemistry, her upbeat attitude has taken a dive. Even an impromptu hook-up with her sexy new chemistry tutor only brightens her mood slightly. After all, it’s not like she’ll ever see the tattooed scholar again…

While he’s a whiz at complex equations, Jonathon Kadisch has trouble when it comes to figuring out women. So when Kylie tells him that she’s pregnant after their night of passion, he’s at a complete loss. He’s prepared to be a good father—unlike his own deadbeat dad—but he’s less prepared to fall for the genuine and alluring blonde bearing his child.

With emotions running high, Kylie wonders if Jonathon’s devotion is out of growing love or looming obligation. And when heartbreak threatens to tear them apart, Jonathon will have to fight for the only girl who’s ever made him feel whole…

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Michel’s Review

Kylie Warner has been the rainbows and sunshine personality of the group. Her positive attitude and optimistic outlook on life has been the inspiration for her friends. But after her boyfriend cheated on her with one of her best friends, she is struggling to hold herself together. She has moved out on her own and her academics are suffering. She is failing Chemistry and needs a tutor.

When she meets Darwin, her sexy tattooed tutor, she’s in for a very pleasant surprise. A new kind of Chemistry lesson is taking place. A one night stand is just what she needed to get her spirits up, her self confidence up, and a new outlook towards her new life. This outstanding Chemistry lesson has now led into the very basic Biology lesson. She is pregnant.

Jonathon “Darwin” Kadisch is all about science and equations. Everything in life has a process, a procedure, and an answer. It’s just a matter of research and application. When he finds out he is going to be a father he is a bit stumped. But like anything he has done, he puts himself completely into the equation, researches the avenues to pursue, and is determined to be a good father, unlike his own father.

As the two decide how pursue the unexpected parenthood they find that there is more to it than biological changes, life changes, and financial changes. It’s about changes of the heart. Two polar opposite people will find that their chemistry cannot be defined by a textbook or formula. They will find that matters of the heart create the perfect balance in life.

I loved the relationship between Kylie and Jonathon. Their personalities complemented each other and gave each other something the other was missing. Their banter and corny science jokes made me laugh out loud. Their emotional journey made me ache for them and celebrate with them. When the two come to the realization that they were meant for each other, it became the perfect formula and equation.

Erin McCarthy once again delivered an entertaining and sexy romance. She combined intelligence, wit, and compassion into a story that will have the readers glued to the pages.

I highly recommend Shatter. It can be read as a stand alone novel or in order of the True Believers series. I highly recommend this series.

The True Believers Series

When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.

Tyler has told Rory that he’s not good enough for her. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t seem to stay away from her, and even when Rory knows she should push him away, something about him makes it nearly impossible for her to resist—even though her heart is at stake…

Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…

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Jessica Sweet thought going away to college would finally make her free of her parents’ constant judgments and insistence she play chastity club role model for their church events, but if anything, the freedom has made her realize she can’t go home and be a hypocrite anymore. Tired of dodging their questions, she stays at school over the summer and lands in an unexpected crash pad: Riley Mann’s house.

Sarcastic, cocky, and full of opinions, Riley is also sexy personified with tattoos and biceps earned from working as a roofer all day. Not the right guy for her even if Jessica was looking for a relationship, which she is definitely not. But Jessica knows that Riley hides the burden of having to raise his younger brothers behind that grin and as she helps him get his house in order for a custody hearing, they begin to fall hard for each other, and she is forced to question what she’s hiding herself.

Jessica has never had a problem getting naked with a guy, but when it comes to showing Riley how she truly feels inside, her fear of rejection may just ruin the best thing—the best guy—to ever happen to her…

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Robin used to be a party girl… until she got black out drunk and woke up in bed with her best friend’s boyfriend. Now she’s faced with being THAT girl, and couldn’t be more disgusted with herself. She can’t even tell her friends the reason for her sudden sobriety and she avoids everyone until she meets Phoenix—quiet, tattooed, and different in every way that’s good and oh, so bad…

Phoenix is two days out of jail when he meets Robin at his cousin’s house, and he knows that he has no business talking to her, but he’s drawn to her quiet demeanor, sweet smile, and artistic talent. She doesn’t care that he’s done time, or that he only has five bucks to his name, and she supports his goal to be a tattoo artist.

But Phoenix knows Robin has a secret, and that it’s a naïve dream to believe that his record won’t catch up with them at some point. Though neither is prepared for the explosive result when the past collides with the present…

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Author Bio:

USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has since written almost fifty novels and novellas in teen fiction, new adult, and adult romance. Erin has a special weakness for New Orleans, tattoos, high-heeled boots, beaches and martinis. She lives in Ohio with her family, two grumpy cats and a socially awkward dog.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Frayed by Kim Karr- The Connections Series-Book 4-

Posted on 09/02/2014 by shellbellereads

Frayed

The Connections Series- Book 4

By Kim Karr

Synopsis

He didn’t think, he didn’t question—he just acted.

What she wanted, she took—without regard.

It was only one night, but it changed everything.

After losing his fiancée, Ben Covington is unsure he’ll ever love again. But he’s so deeply drawn to Bell Wilde that he’s thrown for a loop. Maybe it’s purely sexual chemistry that’s igniting their spark… or maybe it’s his second chance at love.

Bell Wilde has just gotten her life back on track and may not be up the challenge of Ben Covington coming back into it. However, once the spark is reignited…there’s no stopping it. But even if they both manage to pull together their frayed hearts, a secret from Bell’s past just might shatter them both.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Ben Covington has become my favorite character in The Connections series by Kim Karr. The man has died, resurrected, hit rock bottom, climbed out of the rubble, and began to build a meaningful and productive new life. He has suffered the loss of a fiance, the loss of his mother, the loss of the career he gave his life up for, and the loss of his true sense of self. It took hitting rock bottom to realize that there is more to life than loss. Life is what you make of it. The one thing that has been consistant in his past life and his present life is the undeniable chemistry he has Bell Wilde. She threatened his past life and now she may be the one that makes his new life meaningful.

Ben and Bell had a passionate one night stand in college. That one night affected both of their lives very differently. For Ben is was the threat of his fiance finding out about his indiscretion. It could cause him to lose the woman he has loved all his life. For Bell that night left scars on her soul and led to an event that would forever haunt her life.

Ben kept secrets to save his relationship with his fiance. Bell kept secrets to save her sanity. Now both are alone and single. Their paths keep crossing and the attraction they felt in college is still undeniable. Can these two overcome their past indiscretions and build a life of love and happiness. Will their secrets still keep them apart.

Ben Covington knows the value of life. He has had to rebuild a new life for himself. He is positive that nothing can keep him from rebuilding one with Bell Wilde.

I loved Ben and Bells story. They are both charismatic individuals that have had some heavy obstacles to overcome. Both are strong people that have a passion for life. Their story will melt your heart.

Kim Karr has created a well written series that keeps the readers addicted. Not only do the characters experience an epic love story individually, they are all connected in some way. It is fantastic how Kim Karr has woven an intricate web of past and present circumstances that connect all the characters in some way. I look forward to the next book in this series and how the characters will be Connected.

I highly recommend Frayed and The Connections series by Kim Karr. It will not disappoint!

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

** Giveaway**

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/dda4dfec177/

Review: No In Between by Lisa Renee Jones- Inside Out Series-Book 4

Posted on 08/29/2014 by shellbellereads

No In Between

Inside Out Series- Book 4

By Lisa Renee Jones

Synopsis

The fourth in the Inside Out erotic romance series by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones, this steamy novel resolves Chris and Sarah’s relationship and leads into Mark’s story.

“Chris and I have faced our demons and bared our souls to one another in Paris. Now that we are back home in San Francisco, I want to believe that nothing can tear us apart. Not Ava’s accusations against me to the police, or Chris’s fear that he will destroy me as he feels he did Amber. And not Mark, who was once too intimately a part of our lives, and who I can see crumbling inside out. He believes he is invincible, just as I want to believe Chris and I are invincible. We have to be invincible. We need each other too much for any other ending.

Excerpt

My fingers wrap his wrist. “I know you want to protect me, and I love you for that more than you know.”

“Yet too easily, you found a reason to shut me out tonight. Trust isn’t a fair-weather friend. It’s about a willingness to be vulnerable and exposed.”

“And I am willing to do that. That’s why I’m here now.”

He searches my face, and I don’t know what he looks for, what he needs, or what he finds. He releases me abruptly. “Hold out your hands and lace your fingers together.”

Heat rushes through me with the certainty that I’m about to fully understand the painting he’s created of me. This is him sending me a message. He’s not holding back. My confession, as incomplete as it is, has changed nothing. I offer him my arms, aware as I haven’t been in the past few minutes of my naked body, my breasts pressed together.

Chris reaches into his back pocket and produces a roll of art tape, using it to wrap my wrists. Task complete, he bends my elbows and presses my wrists to my chest, his fingers covering the bindings. He has become dark Chris, the dominant Master who never shows emotion; the Chris who arouses me in ways I would never believe a man could.

“Sit down,” he orders, and the way he manages such force with what is no more than a whisper stirs heat low in my body.

My throat is dry and my heart beats so loudly I am certain Chris can hear. I squat and he follows me down, steadying me so I don’t fall without the use of my hands. “All the way,” he murmurs, gently nudging me until my bare backside is on the floor.

He angles my knees up toward my chest, with my feet out enough to stabilize my body. His long lashes lower, half-moons on his cheeks, and I sense him struggling with what has passed between us. He knows I need to see he won’t hold back, but this isn’t just for me. I think he really needs this, too, for me to show him, not tell him, how much I trust him.

Chris tapes my ankles and then throws the roll over his shoulder. My nerve endings are so alive, so on edge that the roll hits the ground like a thundering drum that seems to radiate through the room, through my body. His hands come down on my knees and the touch sweeps over me, awakening nerve endings in the most intimate and unforgiving of places. I feel this man everywhere, I want him everywhere. But as if he knows what I feel, and he means to deny me, he withdraws. I shiver with a sudden cold certain to linger. He will torment me, make me wait for him. Make me beg.

He stands up, towering over me, and I stare up at him, trying to read him, the anticipation of what comes next tingling through me. And it’s supposed to. I see that in his eyes, and I am reminded of his words when I’d first seen the painting. It’s about trust. The kind of trust I want from you and have no right to ask for. He’s going to push me. He’s going to take me somewhere uncomfortable. Somewhere I might not want to go, but I will. With Chris, I will.

Buy : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tracey’s Review

Chris Merritt and and Sara McMillan have worked through all of their personal demons in Paris, and returned to San Francisco, determined to put their pasts behind them and begin their life together. Before they can move forward, though, they are faced with wading through the chaos that awaits them at home. Just when it seems that the mystery behind the disappearance and death of Rebecca Mason has been solved, new questions emerge that leave everything up in the air, and leave them wondering who, exactly, can be trusted.

Lisa Renee Jones had written another fabulous installment in the ‘Inside Out’ series, creating plot twists that leave you wondering where the heck the story is heading. When I started reading this book, I was sure that the whole mystery of what, and at whose hands, had happened to Rebecca. But, in just a few short pages, Lisa Renee managed to throw all that I thought I knew right out of the window. New evidence, less-than-honest disclosures by key players, and a case that threatens to leave everyone involved as collateral damage make for a read that I was unable to put down. Added to the main story, we’re also left asking what ever happened to Sara’s friend Ella. Did she meet the same fate as Rebecca, or is her story really the fairytale that she painted to Sara?

Lisa Renee Jones is the mistress of erotic intrigue, and writes one heck of a cliff-hanger, but the story is just so compelling that I can’t help but eagerly await ‘I Belong To You,’ the next book in the series. Five stars for this hot, sexy, and action packed read.

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT SERIES, and is now in development by Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland) for cable TV. In addition, her Tall, Dark and Deadly series and The Secret Life of Amy Bensen series, both spent several months on a combination of the NY Times and USA Today lists.

Watch the video on casting for the INSIDE TV Show HERE

Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 40 books translated around the world. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at on her website and she is active on twitter and facebook daily.

Release Day Blitz + Giveaway: No In Between by Lisa Renee Jones-Inside Out Series-Book 4

Posted on 08/19/2014 by shellbellereads

No In Between

Inside Out Series- Book 4

By Lisa Renee Jones

Synopsis

The fourth in the Inside Out erotic romance series by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones, this steamy novel resolves Chris and Sarah’s relationship and leads into Mark’s story.

Excerpt

My fingers wrap his wrist. “I know you want to protect me, and I love you for that more than you know.”

“Yet too easily, you found a reason to shut me out tonight. Trust isn’t a fair-weather friend. It’s about a willingness to be vulnerable and exposed.”

“And I am willing to do that. That’s why I’m here now.”

He searches my face, and I don’t know what he looks for, what he needs, or what he finds. He releases me abruptly. “Hold out your hands and lace your fingers together.”

“Sit down,” he orders, and the way he manages such force with what is no more than a whisper stirs heat low in my body.

Author Bio:

Watch the video on casting for the INSIDE TV Show HERE

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at on her website and she is active on twitter and facebook daily.

GIVEAWAY

$20 Fandango Gift Card

$15 Starbucks Gift Card

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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

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Tag Archives: Book 4

ARC Review: Shatter by Erin McCarthy-True Believers Series- Book 4

Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Frayed by Kim Karr- The Connections Series-Book 4-

Review: No In Between by Lisa Renee Jones- Inside Out Series-Book 4

Release Day Blitz + Giveaway: No In Between by Lisa Renee Jones-Inside Out Series-Book 4

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

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