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Stay With Me
By Sharla Lovelace
Synopsis
From national bestselling author Sharla Lovelace, comes another romantic and heartwarming novel set in the heart of Texas.
Ian was the wild boy every girl dreams of, a renegade who thrived on breaking the law and setting Savi’s body on fire. It was all fun and games and hot excitement, no strings attached, until the one day he got serious—and then disappeared without a trace.
Savi has spent the ten years since committing herself to her work, her daughter, and to not thinking about Ian—or love. Just when it’s possible she might have found the one man who can change her mind, Ian pulls into town, bringing with him all of the lust, danger, and excitement Savi remembers.
As Ian stirs up old feelings and draws Savi back into memories and passion she’s too weak to fight, he’s also digging up dirt on the man Savi is falling for, doing everything he can to prove that Duncan is not who he seems to be. And Savi, unsure whether she can trust either man, will be forced to decide between rekindling a love that never really burned out and building a new one that looks ready to catch fire.
Tracey’s Review
Growing up, Savanna Barnes was a wild child, living life to the fullest and taking no prisoners, and Ian McMasters was her willing partner in crime. They were everything to each other, best friends, partners, lovers. But Ian betrayed Savi in the worst possible way, leaving her broken and untrusting, determined to live a life that did not include love and commitment. But Savi is not dead, and can still appreciate Duncan Spoon, hot veterinarian, killer chef, and the sexiest guy around. She’s dying to spend some sexy time with him, and it looks like she’s about to get her chance. Then, suddenly, Ian is back in town, and Savi isn’t sure anymore what her heart wants.
I absolutely adored this book. There are equal parts nostalgia, romance, and intrigue, with plenty of hot and sexy times. Duncan, oh, my goodness, Duncan. He is pretty much everything that any hot-blooded woman could hope for. Ian, on the other hand, is trouble with a capital ‘T.’ He’s Savi’s kryptonite, and, even though they are explosive together, they are absolutely not good for each other. Waiting to see who Savi would ultimately choose had me flying through this book.
There is a well-crafted secondary storyline intertwined with the love triangle which completely held my interest. The supporting characters are realistically and lovingly written, and add so much to the story. That Savi is able to navigate her life with humor and sass, and not completely lose her mind makes reading ‘Stay With Me’ a real pleasure. I absolutely recommend this book, and am looking forward to reading a lot more from Sharla Lovelace.
Author Bio:
Sharla Lovelace is the bestselling, award-winning author of sexy small-town love stories. Being a Texas girl through and through, she’s proud to say she lives in Southeast Texas with her retired husband, a tricked-out golf cart, and a mutt puppy with ADHD. She is the author of The Reason Is You, Beforeand Ever Since, Just One Day, Don’t Let Go, and Stay with Me.
For more about Sharla’s books, visit www.sharlalovelace.com, and keep up with all her new book releases easily by subscribing to her newsletter at http://sharlalovelace.com/my-newsletter.
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ARC Review: Bound To Danger by Katie Reus- Deadly Ops-Book 2
Bound To Danger
Deadly Ops- Book 2
By Katie Reus
Synopsis
At a benefit dinner, community activist Maria Cervantes overhears two men plotting a terrorist attack that could rock Miami to its core. But before she can alert authorities, she’s almost killed in a massive explosion—and wakes up in a hospital with no memory of what happened. As the sole survivor of the attack, she is now a person of interest to the NSA—and especially to Agent Cade O’Reilly. Because Maria is the one woman Cade has never been able to forget.
Years ago, they were closer than either was willing to admit—until Cade disappeared when Maria needed him most. Now he’s sticking by her, whether she likes it or not. Because the memories locked inside her mind could hold vital clues to the next attack. Because terrorists want her dead—and because he never wants to let her go again.
Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Michel’s Review
Looking for excitement, danger, suspense, and steamy hot romance? Bound to Danger by Katie Reus is the ticket. Bound to Danger is the second book in the Deadly Ops series. It can be read as a stand alone novel.
The way Katie Reus writes makes it easy for the reader to jump right into the novel and become absorbed until the very last word. She builds the story with escalating suspense, blazing sexual tension, and a well paced plot. Katie Reus writes with passion and excitement.
Bound to Danger opens with Maria Cervantes attending an elite party to network and get donations for the community youth program she runs. She accidentally overhears a terrorist plot right before an explosion kills several people and leaves her injured with a memory loss. Maria is the only witness alive .The agencies in charge are not sure if she is a victim or a terrorist.
When Cade O’Reilly, NSA operative, ex marine discovers Maria’s name on the list of survivors, he insists on being assigned to the case. He had served with Maria’s brother before his death. He had a strong friendship with Maria before Riel’s death. After Riel died, Cade cut all ties with Maria due to guilt.
Maria is shocked when Cade walks back into her life. Between the conflicted feelings of attraction and feelings of betrayal, Maria is not sure how to deal with Cade. Top off the escalating danger, the hunt for the terrorists, and the multiple enemies, she is living in fear every moment. Cade is well trained, lethal, and quick on his feet. He gives her a sense of safety and reassurance that she will survive this ordeal. But will her heart survive Cade?
Between the suspense, the complex web of enemies, the sexual tension, and sizzling romance, Bound to Danger will not disappoint.
Katie Reus creates memorable characters, a complex plot, and a romantic story. No matter what genre she is writing, she always delivers a powerful book. She has become one of my favorite writers. I highly recommend Bound to Danger.
Author Bio
Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, & IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense.
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads
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Release Blitz: Temptation by Robin Covington
Burn up the sheets one page at a time with Robin Covington and her sizzling romance, Temptation!!
Temptation
By Robin Covington
Synopsis:
She needs to be good.
Five years ago, Kit Landry was homeless and alone at sixteen. Determined to ditch her crappy life, she moved to Nashville with only $200, her guitar, and a notebook full of songs. She hit it big as America’s country sweetheart, but a year of living like a rock star plus a stint in rehab has killed any good will she had with her label. The suits have ordered Kit to shape up or ship out of the limelight. The last thing she needs is a hot, sexy distraction with a sinful smile.
He doesn’t know the meaning of the word.
Max Butler is as far from a celebrity as you can get and he likes it that way. A Nashville firefighter, he’s living the single life with a revolving door of parties, friends, and a different woman in his bed every night. When his normal life suddenly collides with the girl on his favorite Rolling Stone cover, he sees the perfect chance to fulfill his ultimate fantasy and see just how bad Kit can be.
Sometimes bad is so very good.
With three weeks until Kit leaves for her big tour, Max promises to give her a break from being the good girl–no strings attached. But when hot days lead to sultry nights, the lines get blurred and suddenly three weeks of bad might not be good enough.
Excerpt:
I couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss. How she’d tasted, how she’d felt in my arms. Despite the difference in our size, Kit fit perfectly against me—like she was made to be there. We had chemistry, alright. But that was all it was or would ever be.
“Excuse me, can you tell me where I can find Shannon Jones?”
The voice came out of nowhere and I lurched up, banging the top of my head on the edge of the fire truck door. Biting back the “fuck me” that could get me written up, I straightened, turned, and found myself looking right into the eyes of the woman I’d just been obsessing over.
Kit was standing there in my station, an expression of surprise and then concern on her face as she glanced to where I’d clonked the living shit out of myself just seconds before. She was wearing a low-cut, little blue sundress and cowboy boots and everything else was miles of bare skin and dark curls. My brain went mushy. Maybe I’d hit my head harder than I’d thought.
Her voice was full of concern as she moved closer. “Max, are you okay? I didn’t mean to sneak up behind you.”
I stared at her like an idiot. In person, I was reminded again of just how gorgeous she was. She walked towards me and I couldn’t move, couldn’t take my eyes off of her. If you looked up “dumbstruck” in the dictionary, you’d see my goofy-ass face pasted right next to it.
I still hadn’t answered when she stopped in front of me. Standing on tiptoe she touched my recent injury. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Her voice was feminine, with a whiskey-edge that tied my gut up in knots. Her hand was cool on my over-heated skin and, as she moved closer, I could smell her sweet, summery, honeysuckle scent. All I wanted to do was pull her lush curves against my body, take her mouth, and find out exactly where this crazy chemistry would take us.
I definitely had a head injury because suddenly I realized that I had her close enough to do all those things and I wasn’t doing anything about it.
Get your shit together, Butler. Carpe the fucking diem.
I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her towards me, turning us so she was backed up against the door of the fire truck. She still held her packages in her hands and I missed the feel of her touch on my body, but I could work with what I had.
She stared up at me, her big, blue eyes wide with shock but mostly what I saw there was curiosity. She licked her lips and that was all the invitation I needed. I leaned into her, bypassing the prize of her mouth to press a kiss to her throat, just above the place where her pulse pounded against her skin. She was delicious all over, sweet and warm, and I wanted to drag her down to the floor and bury my cock inside her body for hours.
I looked down and realized that my hands were shaking, my breath as quick as hers—and I hadn’t even kissed her yet.
“When we fuck, it’s probably going to kill me.” It came out as a growl, as I tipped her face up to mine and wasted no more time in taking what I wanted.
Kit didn’t play games, no pretending that she didn’t want this, too. She opened to me, meeting my tongue more than halfway when I dove inside. She was as hungry as I was and the kiss was anything but the usual finesse I used on women. There was no slow seduction here. It wasn’t in my power to play games. I was at the mercy of whatever she would give me.
I slanted my mouth over hers, barely giving her a chance to take a breath before I went at her again like I was starving.
And I was famished. For her. It was the craziest thing I’d ever experienced, but I wasn’t going to let a little insanity stop me. It never had before.
I wrapped my arms around her waist, inserting my body in between her legs. The skirt of her dress rode up high on her thighs as I pressed my hard-on against the hot cleft of her pussy. I rolled my hips against her and she dropped the bags in her hands with a thud against the concrete, weaving her fingers into my hair with a pressure that brought a little pain with the pleasure.
I didn’t care. She could do whatever she wanted to my body as long as I got to do exactly what I was doing right now. As long as she let me do this and so much more.
Kristyn’s Review
Kit Landry is a country music star searching for redemption with her record label. This is her one last chance and then the studio had to go and catch fire.
Enter Max. Sexy firefighter with a tendency to get into trouble. Exactly what she doesn’t need. But their attraction and the fact that they keep running into each other is too much and so they jump headfirst into a sex only relationship with a deadline. Three weeks. Just long enough to develop the feelings they wanted to avoid.
They both have issues with relationships. Max is scarred from experiencing a horrible tragedy that happened to a woman he loved after he found out some bad news about her. He decided then an there not to risk being hurt again. So he has a series of meaningless flings.
Kit is also damaged from her past relationship. She has secrets that she has to hide and getting close to someone would mean risking them leaving if they found out. So she decides to focus on the one thing that has never let her down, her music.
This is a great book about not holding back because of fear. Letting go and going after what you want is how you find true happiness. Kit and Max had to go through the fear of being left behind in order to put themselves out there and find true happiness.
The characters in this book are fallible. They make mistakes and face the consequences of their actions. The story flows smoothly and is full of life and emotion. This is a book that is relatable. Everyone is afraid to put themselves out there and risk being hurt. But fear shouldn’t be a reason to hold back. It should be motivation to push forward.
About Robin Covington:
Robin Covington, who NYT Best Selling authors, Robyn Carr and Carly Phillips, said was their new “auto-buy author”, writes sizzling hot contemporary and paranormal romance.
A Night of Southern Comfort, her best-selling debut novel was a 2012 finalist in the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Awards, earned 4.5 stars 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 exploring the theme of fooling around and falling in love, she’s collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, and stalking Joe Manganiello.
Robin is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Washington and Maryland Romance Writers, a faculty member at Romance University, a member of the Waterworld Mermaids, and a contributor to the Happy Ever After blog at USA Today. You can find Robin on her website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter (@RobinCovington).
Robin lives in Maryland with her hilarious husband, brilliant children, and ginormous puppy.
Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Goodreads | Website
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Review: Olivia by Lori L. Otto -Choisie Series- Book 2
Olivia
Choisie Series- Book 2
By Lori L. Otto
Synopsis
When devastating news brings an abrupt end to a romantic rendezvous, Livvy Holland struggles to accept the death of one of her closest mentors. Livvy’s artwork has always been an expression of her emotions, and avoiding the pain she feels from her recent loss makes painting seem impossible. Her inspiration gone, she devotes her attention to the future she’s planning with Jon Scott. Blissfully happy in her own denial, all of Livvy’s free time has been given to the boy she’s always loved. Facing grown up decisions, she finds it hard to live up to her parents’ expectations of her as a daughter and an artist. Under her father’s constant scrutiny and persistent surveillance from curious paparazzi, Livvy finds it difficult to maintain the adult relationship she’s begun with Jon. The changes in Livvy are evident to those closest to her, and a few that were once her allies begin to interfere with her personal life. This newfound attention – along with distractions that take Jon’s attention elsewhere – cause Livvy to question all the choices she’s made: what college she’ll attend, what man she should be with, and what she thought was her life’s purpose. Livvy faces her greatest challenge when Jon’s unanticipated plans derail her own. Overwhelmed, confused, and longing to satisfy her own wants and needs, Livvy must endure more heartache before finding herself. This book is intended for mature teens and adults.
Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Robin’s Review
Lori Otto is best known for her Emi Lost & Found series – a series about the life of Emi Hennigan, including a prequel and three of the most beloved and heartbreaking novels that I have ever read. If you have not yet read the Emi Lost & Found series, I highly recommend it! Be sure to read Not Today, But Someday, Lost & Found, Time Stands Still and Never Look Back – in that order – before beginning the spin-off Choisie series.
Lori Otto introduces her readers to a charming young lady named Olivia Sophia Holland in the Emi Lost & Found series. The novels of the Choisie series center on the life of Olivia Holland. They are titled Contessa, Olivia and Livvy. I would like to express my appreciation to Lori Otto for the opportunity to review an advanced reader copy of the second novel of her series – Olivia – in exchange for my honest review.
Olivia Holland is a sixteen year-old high school senior at the beginning of Olivia, having skipped a year ahead in high school. We are told that her Granna (Donna) passed away while Olivia was out of the country. Olivia was commissioned to paint a portrait of Donna prior to her death. The portrait was to hang next to the portrait Olivia had already painted of Donna’s son, Nate. Donna was always a positive force for Olivia. She was her teacher and mentor, encouraging Olivia to discover her creativity and to grow as an artist. Olivia knows that she disappointed her Granna because she had not finished her portrait prior to her death. She feels incredible grief and guilt, which results in her loss of direction and incentive to paint. Olivia also does not want to move on to other projects until she has finished Donna’s portrait. She loses sight of many things that are important to her – her artwork, education and the relationship she has with her father and family.
Olivia’s artwork has always defined a part of who she is. Without her art, she becomes absorbed in her relationship with Jon. He becomes the primary focus of her spare time. At the beginning of the novel, Jon is eighteen and beginning his freshman year of college at Columbia. He has his own struggles in Olivia. His mother and brothers are extremely important to him. Jon has accepted a role as a father-figure to his brothers because they have no father in the picture. Jon attends college classes and attempts to maintain his grades, while also hoping to give his brothers some stability at home. Their mother is an alcoholic. When she loses custody of his younger brothers, the boys are eventually placed in the custody of their aunt in Utah.
Olivia and Jon have grown up together. They have a very tangible love for each other, but they are both very young. Jon gave Olivia a promise ring in Contessa – they are both extremely young to be involved in the type of emotional and physical relationship they have found themselves in. At times, Olivia can be bratty and self-destructive, whereas, I felt that Jon had matured quite a bit in this novel. Although Jon obviously loves Olivia, his primary focus is on his family and studies. He is willing to sacrifice his teenage freedom to provide for his brothers. Jon realizes that Olivia is still very self-centered and not mature enough to handle the serious type of relationship that they have. I believe he understands that Olivia needs to experience life and grow as an individual before they can make a serious commitment to each other.
I found the character growth in this novel to be brilliantly written. It makes perfect sense that Jon would be more responsible and self-sacrificing; not only is he older, but he has experienced a harder life. Olivia has always had what she needed. She has wonderful parents, but they have micromanaged her life to protect her from the press, paparazzi and people that would take advantage of their family wealth. It is very obvious that Olivia has some growing up to do. I want to commend Lori Otto for writing the perfect ending to Olivia. I have no doubt that great things are ahead for Jon and Olivia in the final novel in the series, Livvy. Five outstanding stars for Lori Otto’s Olivia!
Choise Series:
Contessa – Book 1
Book one of the YA/New Adult Choisie series by the author of Emi Lost & Found!
When she was four, a generous couple welcomed orphan Olivia Sophia into their lives. As she grew up, her parents made good decisions for her, raising “Livvy” to be an intelligent and creative young girl. Now sixteen, three people influence many of her choices: her first love, her second father, and a third man who speaks to her through his artwork.
Livvy’s father is practical and steadfast; even-tempered and quietly observant. She’s an artist who acts on her emotions and thrives on attention. Unhappy with their differences– and misunderstanding her father’s methods– Livvy chooses to focus on the similarities she shares with an enigmatic painter from her mother’s past. Her overactive imagination leads her down an obsessive path– one that only stands to hurt everyone around her.
The distraction of a new boyfriend has the potential to end her search and reunite her family, but his involvement in her life could be just as devastating, taking Livvy away from her father for good.
Mature YA for limited sensual content.
Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Author Bio:
After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1997 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Lori Otto worked in the billboard industry for ten years. Frustrated with trying to communicate entire messages in “seven seconds or less,” she decided to leave outdoor advertising and return to her love of creative writing.
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Review: Tamed by Emma Chase
Tamed
Tangled Series Book 3
By Emma Chase
Synopsis
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: girl meets player, they fall in love, player changes his ways.
It’s a good story. But it’s not our story. Ours is a lot more colorful.
When I met Dee I knew right away that she was special. When she met me, she thought I was anything but special—I was exactly like every other guy who’d screwed her over and let her down. It took some time to convince her otherwise, but turns out I can make a convincing argument when sex is at stake.
You might know where this story’s headed. But the best part isn’t where we ended up.
It’s how we got there.
TAMED goes back in time to the Tangled days. But this time around, it’s not Drew dishing out the advice and opinions—it’s his best friend Matthew, who of course is dealing with Dee Dee.
Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Robin’s Review
Kudos to Emma Chase for writing another outstanding romantic comedy! Tamed is the third novel of her popular Tangled series, with events occurring simultaneous to the events of Tangled. This time, Matthew Fisher shares his own great wisdom with readers on dating and relationships. He works as an investment banker at the same firm as his best friend, Drew Evans. Although Matthew is not quite as colorful in his narration as Drew Evans, his knowledge on dating, women and other subjects is definitely entertaining and quite humorous!
Matthew thought he was doing just fine until he was introduced to the wild and beautiful Delores Warren by his coworker, Kate Brooks. Dee is spirited. Bold. Intelligent. Brutally honest. A rocket scientist who dresses like a stripper to throw people off their game. A chemist who has a “nice rack” – and Matthew just happens to be a “boob man.” With his curiosity and libido both being piqued, Matthew begs Kate for a hook-up. Although Kate agrees to his request, she warns Matthew that Dee doesn’t do complicated or relationships – which sounds just perfect to him.
Matthew finds Dee interesting. Challenging. Fascinating. She holds his attention. Really, Matthew has no chance. Want a night on the town dancing? Great! In the mood for a one-night stand? No problem! Just don’t ask Dee for more than she is able to give. Having been hurt too many times by the men in her life, Dee Warren avoids emotions and commitment at all costs. Matthew thinks he can spend quality time with Dee Warren without becoming attached. After all, he is a player! Why not pick up a copy of Tamed to see how this situation unfolds?
What do I think? I absolutely love Emma Chase’s writing style! Her writing is really funny. Witty, laugh out loud funny! Her novels tend to be written from a first person point of view, with her main character dishing out plenty of advice to readers about dating, relationships and general life experiences. Emma Chase does a fantastic job of pulling off a male point of view. She just seems to understand how men are wired – how they think. Something I truly enjoyed about Tamed is that we are able to experience the events of Tangled from Matthew Fisher’s point of view – to see what transpired between Drew and Kate from a different perspective. I also have to mention that the chemistry between Dee and Matthew was scorching hot! Although Tamed is not my favorite novel of this series – that honor goes to Drew Evans and Tangled – I am adding it to my list of favorites for 2014. Emma Chase has earned a solid 4.5 star rating from this reviewer for Tamed!
Author Bio:
By day, Emma Chase is a devoted wife and mother who resides in a small, rural town in New Jersey. By night she toils away the hours bringing her colorful characters and their endless antics to life. She has a long standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.
Emma is an avid reader. Before her children were born she was known to consume whole books in a single day. Writing has also always been a passion and with the 2013 release of her debut romantic comedy, Tangled, the ability to now call herself an author is nothing less than a dream come true.
Some of Emma’s favorite quotes from Tangled –
“You are making me crazy!” ”Crazy like you want to rip my shirt off again?” ”No – crazy like the itch of a yeast infection that won’t go away!”
“And I will be damned if Kate Brooks is going to walk her ass in here and take that away from me. No matter how fine of an ass it may be.”
“Words are cheap. Actions win wars. Actions heal wounds.”
“It makes me want to kiss her and strangle her at the same time. I’ve never been into S&M. But I’m beginning to see its benefits.”
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ARC Review: No Regrets by Claire Kent
No Regrets
By Claire Kent
Synopsis
On my last birthday, I made one vow for the year. Live with no regrets. Eleven months have passed, though, and nothing has changed. I still sleep alone, spend my life working, and never move out of my comfort zone.
Then the loss of my dog throws my whole life out of orbit, and I end up in bed with a very hot and slightly-too-young veterinarian, who has recently made a vow of his own. Live with no strings. Josh is more than happy to help me with the list of things I’ve been afraid to try. Semi-public sex. Spanking. Anal sex. He’s a willing partner for everything I’ve wondered about, as long as I don’t demand more.
He’s serious about his no-strings philosophy. As serious as I am about living with no regrets. I can’t help but fall for him, even though I know better. So my biggest regret might be a broken heart.
Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Tracey’s Review
2.5 Stars
Leslie has made herself a promise to live her life with no regrets. And while her life is not bad, nothing significant has changed in the year since she made her vow to herself. But when Leslie loses Polly, her dog and best friend, she is devastated, and left unable to move beyond her depression.
Josh Bennett has faced some dark times, but has left them behind to come home and become a vet. He and Leslie meet when she brings Polly to his office, and again later after Polly’s death. They’re attracted to each other, but Josh is only interested in a sexual relationship, with no strings attached. In the interest of living with ‘no regrets,’ Leslie agrees to his rules, and they begin a casual, yet extremely passionate, affair.
I had a hard time with this book. The nature of Leslie’s and Josh’s relationship, while not my cup of tea, was not the issue. The characters themselves often came across as oddly formal with each other, even as they were as close as two people can be, and the language that they used during their trysts was both stilted and slangy at the same time. I just had a really hard time getting into their interactions, and understanding how they sustained being together. As well, some of the scenes were far too graphic in nature than the situation warranted, in my opinion, and not erotic at all. I have seen the same sort of scenarios in other books in this genre presented in ways that added to, rather than detracted from, the moment.
I always want to like a book that I’m reading, and hate not to finish once I’ve started. I did make it to the end of ‘No Regrets,’ and the story and the characters did redeem themselves a bit, but this one just missed the mark for me, and I can only give it 2.5 stars.
Author Bio:
Claire has been writing romance novels since she was twelve years old. She has a PhD in British literature and, when she’s not writing, she teaches English at the university level.
She also writes romance novels under the penname Noelle Adams.
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Review: 53 Letters For My Lover by Leylah Attar
Synopsis
“Sexy, intense fiction that isn’t afraid to step out of the box.”
This is not your typical love story. It’s not so black and white. Lines are crossed. Walls are smashed. Good becomes bad. Bad becomes very, very good.
Shayda Hijazi – the perfect wife, the perfect mother, the perfect daughter. For thirty-three years, she has played by the rules, swallowing secrets, burying dreams and doing whatever it takes to anchor her family. Shayda Hijazi is about to come face to face with the one thing that can rip it all apart, the one thing her heart has always been denied: love.
Troy Heathgate – untamed, exhilarating, dangerous; a man who does exactly as he pleases. Life bends to his will. Until he comes across the one thing he would give it all up for, but can never have.
Born on the same day in opposite corners of the world, their lives collide. And nothing is ever the same again.
Now Shayda is flying free and Troy has found the one thing that centers his soul. But even as they beat the odds, Shayda is diagnosed with cancer and faces a painful dilemma. On the one hand is the man who makes her feel gloriously alive and on the other, her children, and a husband ravaged by the past.
Spanning three decades, 53 Letters for My Lover is a fiercely sensual, emotional ride to the heart of an epic love that defies it all – an intimate exploration of love, loyalty, passion, betrayal, and the human journey for hope, happiness and redemption.
CONTENT WARNING: This novel is a blend of women’s fiction and romance. It involves infidelity and an attempted rape. If you are not comfortable with these subjects, this may not be the book for you.
Review by Robin
Remember the name Leylah Attar. I was twice given a recommendation to read her debut novel, 53 Letters for my Lover, so I knew this book must be special. Although the novel seemed to be relatively unknown, I didn’t hesitate to purchase it and begin reading. I am so grateful for those recommendations because I can honestly say that 53 Letters for my Lover is a noteworthy read.
This novel is essentially a series of 53 love letters written to Troy Heathgate. Spanning over three decades, these letters form the 53 chapters of the book. Shayda Hijazi shares her life and her beautiful love story with Troy, including events from her life when she lived in Iran. The novel begins in 1995, when Shayda is 33 years of age, but throughout the story, she reflects on events which take place at different points in her life. This novel is intense. If you are sensitive to adultery or rape, you should carefully consider reading this novel. Although adultery and rape are uncomfortable topics for many people, Leylah Attar handles this story with grace. If you love angst or stories about forbidden love, you are probably going to love 53 Letters for my Lover.
Shayda is the daughter of a wealthy Persian family, sent to Toronto, Canada with the expectation that she will be married. Her family will then be able to follow her to Canada. During a small dinner party, Shayda is introduced to Hafez Hijazi, and two weeks later, he proposes marriage. After another three months, she is married and living with Hafez and his family in a one-bedroom apartment. Shayda marries Hafez out of a sense of obligation. As a Persian woman in an arranged marriage, Shayda longs to experience love.
Shayda accepts a position as assistant to real estate agent Bob Worthing not long after she is married to Hafez. The first time she meets Troy, he is a college student on summer break. Because he is not paying attention to where he is running, Troy nearly runs Shayda over while she is walking from the bus stop to Bob’s house to deliver some important papers. When I read the scene of their first encounter, I knew this story was going to captivate my attention. Each time Troy and Shayda connect with each other, the author had me wanting more.
Born on the same day in different corners of the world, fate continues to bring Shayda and Troy together throughout the years. Shayda struggles to be the perfect wife, mother and daughter. At thirty-three years of age, Shayda has secrets. She has always been a very giving, selfless individual. She has denied her feelings for Troy for years in order to hold her family together. But, no more.
After reading this novel, it was apparent to me that Leylah Attar put a lot of thought into planning how her story would unfold. Where certain scenes are placed is significant for this novel – timing and placement of scenes can mean the difference between an average novel and one that is outstanding. Another exceptional feature of this novel is that the scenes involving Shayda, Hafez and their families feel as if they accurately reflect Persian culture. I enjoyed many of the characters in this story, especially Bob, Ryan and Jayne. And, Troy. He is such a free spirit. Sensual. Sexy. No wonder Shayda was taken with him.
If you enjoy this story, plan to purchase the short story From His Lips. It includes several scenes from 53 Letters for my Lover that are written from the point of view of Troy Heathgate. This short story really added to my overall reading experience of the novel. I absolutely loved 53 Letters for my Lover and consider it to be one of my all-time favorite novels! I highly recommend this 5-star novel!
Buy: Amazon
About Leylah Attar
Leylah Attar writes stories about love–shaken, stirred and served with a twist. When she’s not writing, she can be found pursuing her other passions: photography, food, family and travel. Sometimes she disappears into the black hole of the internet, but can usually be enticed out with chocolate.
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
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Breaking To Breathe by Lisa N. Paul ~ Review Blog Tour *Giveaway*
no longer stand tall
reputation,
once.
drugs could numb the pain of his past
to fight…to feel
Cate Lockton mastered the art of blending in instead of standing out. She
locked herself away to prevent more damage to her already fractured heart. She never imagined a man with a past more broken than her own would
crash into her world and force her to let him in.
where they finally connected. A neighborhood bar where strangers become
friends, friends become family and some become lovers, and where the strong
learn that while you can bend to exist, sometimes you’ve gotta
yourself first. My Lord, it just comes off creepy.” The strawberry blonde woman
stretched up on her tip-toes and pecked his cheek before extending her hand to
Cate and Elliot. “Hi, I’m Julie Marcus; the hugger is my husband, Danny.”
AUTHOR BIO:
Lisa N. Paul is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend,
reader, writer, blogger, and self-proclaimed comedian—just not always in that
order. Ever since she was a little girl, she has devoured books. Falling
in love with the Sweet Valley High series at a young age drew Lisa to series
books and inspired her to write her own. Thursday Nights is
the first book in her Charistown series.
When not writing, Lisa can be found eating french fries and Godiva raspberry
truffles, or hanging out with her husband and two sons.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Breaking To Breathe is book three in the Charistown series. It can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order. I highly recommend reading this series in order because the reader gets an overall feel of the dynamics of Danny’s on Main, the bar on which the series is built upon. You get to meet the charismatic characters, their group dynamics, their individual quirks and strengths, the comradery that brings them together as a family, and lastly their individual stories that endear them to the readers hearts. Each book is very well written and keeps the reader’s attention to the very last word.
Breaking To Breathe is Kyle Marx’s story. Kyle is the guy we have grown to dislike in the previous two books. He is a player, he has no respect for women, he is arrogant, cocky, at times a drunk, and general ass. He is on a path to self destruction and has reached the point of rock bottem. But like most people, he has many hidden layers. What people see on the surface is a façade to hide the inner turmoil this man has endured all of his life. He has reached the point where he ready to die just to find peace from his inner demons.
One stormy night, one horrific accident, and the face of an angel will lead Kyle on a new path. First he will have to confront his demons, cleanse his soul, and let go of the past. Only his angel can understand his pain and torment. Only his angel can give him the peace he so desperately needs.
Cate has been hiding from life. She would rather be invisible than be recognized for the strong, compassionate woman she is. She has had a horrific past that has scarred her soul. Her pain was exploited in the past. She only wants to move forward in life, keep her emotions to herself, and exist in an uncomplicated world. She does not need or require any attention to have this peace. If she wants interaction with other people, mainly the opposite sex, she is going to do it on her terms and by her rules. One night only and no repeats. But one night, one accident, one man, and one place, Danny’s on Main will change everything she ever thought she wanted or needed.
One stormy night, one horrific accident, two broken people will come together and find that there is peace. They will find that love really does exist. Their story is explosive.
Breaking To Breathe is a highly emotional book. At times it will be hard to breathe when you see what Kyle and Cate have experienced in life. You will admire their strength of survival. You will rejoice when these two beautifully broken people finally find that there are rainbows in life.
Lisa N. Paul has wrote another five star book. I highly recommend Breaking To Breathe and the Charistown series. This series will keep you captivated !
Giveaway
Rafflecopter Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3bb62e159/
This sexy, steamy contemporary romance will leave you yearning for more. Which is perfect since this is the first book in the Charistown series.* Even though this is a series, each book can be read as a stand alone novel.*lPain can leave even the strongest of people weak and hollow. But when fate brings two weak souls together, will the love they find mend the fragments that are barely holding them together, or will the weight of their past finally cause them to crumble? Max DeLucca has spent seven years trying to forget the betrayal of his past. He lives his life from day to day never looking forward and never looking back. The walls around his heart keep anyone from getting too close and prevent him from feeling too much…until he meets her. Her entire life, Janie Silver searched for the kind of love that wouldn’t leave her broken and more importantly, wouldn’t leave her behind. She longs for a love that can heal the wounds of her past and give her the future she knows she deserves. She thought she was looking for something that just didn’t exist…until she meets him. Danny’s on Main is where their story begins. A neighborhood bar where strangers become friends, friends become family and some … become lovers … it all started on Thursday Nights*Warning – this book is intended for mature audiences only. Descriptive sexual situations are included in this story.
The Darker the Storm, The Deeper the Pain…Love knows no bounds when two people are destined to be together.
One fights to maintain the distance; while the other battles to close the gap.
The Brighter the Light at the End…
Will they move forward together or finally close the last remaining door to their past?
It’s time for Ryan and Ashley to decide. But once that decision is made,
there will be no going back…
Always Reach for the Light…
A Neighborhood bar where old wounds heal, friends become family, and some…become lovers…
Danny’s on Main is where their story continues… Where they all shelter each other during the …
Storm Front**This book is intended for mature audiences.**
BLAST HOSTED BY:
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ARC Review: A Beta’s Heaven by Carrie Ann Ryan~Redwood Pack Series
Synopsis
Redwood Pack Book 6.5
Being the Beta of the Redwood Pack isn’t an easy task, but Jasper has never complained. He’s spent his entire adult life dropping everything so he can take care of others. Now he’s a father, a husband…and tired. His mate, Willow, knows Jasper won’t let others know that he might need a break, even for a weekend, so that’s where she comes in.
Once Jasper lets go and allows his mate to call the shots, this Beta might just be in for the ride of a lifetime.
Author’s Note: This is a novella set between books 6 and 7 to give you a taste of Jasper and Willow. It is best that you have already immersed yourselves in the Redwood Pack world, however even new readers will enjoy a glimpse of one of the Redwood’s favorite couples.
You can find this in print in Redwood Pack Volume 5.
Redwood Pack Series Reading Order
An Alpha’s Path
A Taste for a Mate
Trinity Bound
A Night Away
Enforcer’s Redemption
Blurred Expectations
Forgiveness
Shattered Emotions
Hidden Destiny
A Beta’s Haven
Fighting Fate
Loving the Omega (Coming July 2014)
Dark Fates (Coming August 2014)
Kristyn’s Review
A Beta’s Haven is a lovely novella that gives you a look back at character’s we have already gotten to know.
Jasper, Willow and Brie are back and we get to see a little bit of what their day to day life is like. Jasper is tired and in need of a bit of a break and so Willow steps in to help out. One of the best things about this Novella is the glimpse of Cailin’s future. This novella is a great addition to the Redwood Pack series.
Author Bio
USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan never thought she’d be a writer. Not really. No, she loved math and science and even went on to graduate school in chemistry. Yes, she read as a kid and devoured teen fiction and Harry Potter, but it wasn’t until someone handed her a romance book in her late teens that she realized that there was something out there just for her. When another author suggested she use the voices in her head for good and not evil, The Redwood Pack and all her other stories were born.
Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets *grins*) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.
Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. Visit the links to the left to contact her.
Get in touch with Carrie Ann Ryan!
Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook, Author Page ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads
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The Thrill Of It by Lauren Blakely Blog Tour + Review + **Giveaway**
Some say love can be an addiction. Others say it’s the thing that makes life worth living. Let me tell you everything I know about love…Love isn’t patient, love isn’t kind. Love is a game, a chase. A thrill. Love is wild and war-like, and every man and woman must fight for themselves. At least that’s how it was for me. A high-priced virgin call girl by the time I started college, I was addicted to love and to sex. Even though I’ve never had either. I controlled love, played it, and held the world in the palm of my hands. Then I fell down from those highs, and I’m being blackmailed for all my mistakes, forced to keep secrets from everyone, except the only guy I don’t regret.
Trey…
With all the other women, I knew what they were. They were temporary. They were pills, they were bottles, they took away all the pain, and numbed the awful memories that wore down my ragged, wasted heart. Until I met Harley. She’s the only girl I ever missed when she walked away. But now she’s back in my life, every day, and there are no guarantees for us, especially since I don’t know how to tell her my secrets. What happened to my family. All I know is she’s the closest I’ve ever come to something real, and I want to feel every second of it.
How can you love with no regrets when regret is all you know?
Excerpt
She parts her lips as if she’s about to say something, then stops herself. She looks down, breathes out hard, then takes a sip.
“What is it?” I ask softly.
“Is it because they were easy or you were so good?”
I bite my lip for a second, trying not to let her question make me all crazy inside for her. But I am that way. Even more so because she’s blushing now. Red is rushing to her cheeks in splotches.
“You think I’m good?”
“Yes,” she says in a breathy voice that sends a buzz through my whole body.
“But you knew that.”
I shake my head. I did know that. But I don’t know that either. I don’t know anything with her. I don’t know what’s real and what’s a game.
“I didn’t know that,”
I say, and maybe I’m lying, but I can’t help it.
I want to hear her say it, even though this is the riskiest thing to do in the world. To tread on this territory of us, of the almost-sex we had. I’m already burning up, I am hot all over.
She raises her eyes, meets my gaze.
“You know what I told you that night. I mean, I don’t have anything to compare it to –“
I cut her off. “–Good.”
“But I’ve never let anyone do that to me before.”
She said that the night we were together. It made me feel electric all over hearing it from a hot girl I wanted to have a one-night stand with, a last fling before I went on the wagon. Hearing it now, knowing her, understanding her, being privy to all her deep, dark secrets is the biggest fucking turn-on of my life. I’m dying for her to touch me right now, even though I know we won’t go there, but I want it so badly. I want to feel her hands on me, I want her to unzip my jeans and do something about how fucking uncomfortable I am right now with my dick straining hard against the fly.
“Yeah?”
I say in a hoarse voice because I can’t manage sentences, much less coherent thought. I can’t move either, because if I shift an inch, I will lunge at her, pull her under me, and fumble at all our zippers to get our clothes off. And I can’t, can’t, can’t do that to her. She’s a virgin, and she’s messed in the head, and if I take her virginity because she winds me up with a few words then I am more of an ass than those pathetic men who hired her.
“I told you that, Trey,”
she says softly, and there’s something about this moment that feels like a confessional, like she needs to tell me these things, like she has to say them.
“No one has ever made me come. I’ve never let anyone touch me. I never wanted to be touched. I never even knew what it would feel like to have someone do that,”
she says and licks her lips, and I am dying. Completely dying right now. My hands are twitching, and I grip hard on the beer bottle, so hard I could break it, but I have to hold onto something, because all I want right now is to touch her. The whole living room is burning, the space between us is hot and humming and full of all this hazy desire I feel, and it’s taking over my body, my brain, my heart, and the air between us. If I weren’t already sitting down, I might collapse. Because this feeling is knocking breath out of me. It is staggering.
“Harley,” I say in a low voice.
“Trey, what happened last night?
My Review
5 Hearts
The Thrill of It is a sinfully dark and heart wrenching love story unlike anything I have ever read before. I am still feeling the aftereffects of the roller coaster of emotions I felt while reading this story. The Thrill of It pierced my soul and left me shaking. This is unlike any of Lauren’s other books.
From the very beginning my heart breaks for Harley. She is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside even though she doesn’t believe it. I kept asking myself how she got herself in such a horrible situation. This book is written to where the events that led to the current situation are not revealed until the end. This kept me on edge and gripped my heartstrings. I did not want to believe what I was reading. This could not be happening. How could it?
Trey was a mystery to me. Is he a good guy or a bad guy? Why is he drawn to Harley? She is so young and he is into older women, not 19 year old virgins. It frightens me to the core that he is going to break her heart. Trey is seriously damaged and is broadcasting his pain through the tattoos inked on his body. He is holding on to horrible memories that are tearing him up inside and he will not let anyone in.
Then there is Cam. He is like a slime ball used car salesman that you want to hate, but at the same time you feel sorry for him. How could he stoop so low?
The chemistry between Trey and Harley is scorching hot. Harley experiences pleasure like she has never known before. Trey’s dirty thoughts get my heart racing and my panties wet. Look out ladies you may need to break out B.O.B. when you read what is going through Trey’s dirty mind. Lauren hits a home run in seduction once again.
In the end, can true love survive between Trey and Harley when they are so irrevocably damaged? I sure hope so. We will just have to wait and see…
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18457861-the-thrill-of-it?ac=1
GIVEAWAY
Signed copies of all of Lauren’s Books
Saucy Southern Readers 