Series Review: When You’re Gone Trilogy by Taryn Elliott – Rock Star Romance

Posted on 05/20/2015 by shellbellereads

When You’re Gone Series

By Taryn Elliott

Anything But Mine – Book 1

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Bulletproof Weeks – Book 2

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Edge of Forever – Book 3

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Reviews by Tracey

Anything But Mine – Book 1

Rock star Logan King has come home to Winchester Falls for the annual Summer Festival. Only this time he’s hauling a helluva lot more baggage than a few suitcases and vintage guitars. His closet contains more than the usual skeletons…and if he doesn’t keep the door firmly locked, someone might get harmed. The specter of what haunts him forces him to turn away from anything more than one-night-stands.

Until Izzy and her topaz eyes finally give him a reason to try again.

Since moving to town Isabella Grace has found friends and a place to belong for the first time in her life. Running the Summer Festival is the perfect way to show how important her new community is. She just never planned on a whirlwind fling with a man too used to saying goodbye. Or to fall for a guy who has as many secrets as he does hit songs.

Logan is used to protecting himself, but protecting Izzy is all new territory. With everything that matters to him at risk, he refuses to let her get hurt—even if that means he has to walk away. For her own good.

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Review

For Logan King, rock star and frontman for All the King’s Men, Winchester Falls, VA, represents home, a safe place away from the frenetic pace that is his life. When Logan returns to Winchester Falls to head up the annual summer festival, he’s not prepared for Isabella Grace. Isabella has made Winchester Falls her home, and herself a valued part of the community. In an effort to give back, she’s taken on the job of putting together the summer festival. When she and Logan meet, there are sparks and then some.

When I open a Taryn Elliot book, I know a few things for sure: I will be hooked immediately, I will fall in love with the characters, and I will love every single minute of the story. Every single one of these things is true of Anything But Mine, the first book in the When You’re Gone series. I started reading, and I could NOT put this book down. From the minute that I met Logan and Izzy, along with all the other great residents of Winchester Falls, I could not flip the pages quickly enough. I mean, hello, REALLY hot rock star. And, smart, strong, self-assured woman. This is a match made in heaven, and the heat between them is palpable. Taryn writes so realistically, and with such passion, that I could literally feel the chemistry between Logan and Izzy. Add in the back story of Logan’s and Izzy’s pasts, and the angst that still fuels him, and this is one heck of a read.

Anything But Mine is part of a trilogy, so, yes, there is a cliffhanger. And it’s one that will grab you and send you running for Bulletproof Weeks, the second book in the series, so that you can pick up right after the action in this book. I cannot recommend this book, or this series, or Taryn Elliot, strongly enough. She and her characters have quickly become some of my go-tos, and I happily give Logan, Izzy, and the gang 5+ ‘steamy, swoony, oh, my gosh, this book is on fire’ stars. Add it to your TBR and fall in love.

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Bulletproof Weeks – Book 2

Being a famous rock star for almost two decades means putting his life on display. But for the last two years Logan King has dealt with the uglier side of fame. When his stalker escalates to issuing veiled threats against the first woman he’s allowed in his life, Logan locks down and shuts Izzy out. His stalker isn’t just anyone—she’s as famous as he is with a financial reach that makes her infinitely more treacherous.

Falling for Logan King wasn’t part of Isabella Grace’s plans and their spectacular public breakup didn’t make it easy to move on. Whispers and pitying looks from people in her small town send her fleeing from the first place that finally feels like home. Her solace becomes her travel for work, but the niggling sense that someone is watching her follows her from city to city. When she begins to unravel the secrets that surround the man she still loves, she discovers her personal security detail and demands answers. And they all point to Logan.

Letting him back into her life comes with many more challenges–and rewards–than she could’ve ever dreamed. But loving a man like Logan comes at a dangerous cost. One that has a lasting effect that could echo into all their tomorrows.

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Review

Following her very public break-up with Logan King, Isabella Grace has thrown herself into doing what she does best. Immersing herself in her business, Between the Lines, she doesn’t have the time to think about Logan and what they had. Although he’s left Winchester Falls for New York City, Logan hasn’t stopped making Izzy’s safety his top priority. Knowing how dangerous his ex can be, he will never stop protecting the woman that he loves.

After picking my jaw up off the floor at the end of Anything But Mine (When You’re Gone Book 1), I lit into this book like it was my job. I NEEDED to see how Taryn would resolve the way things broke down between Logan and Izzy. And, as ever, our lady does not disappoint. These two are just as magnetic as ever, just as hot as ever, and just as all-consuming as ever. I regularly fall in love with my book boyfriends, but, let me tell you, Logan is in a league of his own. Everything about him, especially the way that he loves Izzy, is swoony, sexy, and just, mmmmm….And Isabella is perfect for him, loving all of him, even the stuff that isn’t so easy to deal with.

As she does, Taryn leaves us with a heart-stopping cliffy, one that left me thinking, ‘Are you KIDDING me?!’ and hyperventilating. Even knowing that things could not be as easy as they appeared, the way that this one ends just wrecked me. Even so, I cannot wait for Edge of Forever, the third and final book of this trilogy. In the meantime, Bulletproof Weeks is a must-read, and gets 5+ ‘I’m still fanning myself, I have to have the next one!’ stars. Read these books now!

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Edge of Forever – Book 3

One night gave her everything. One night almost took it all away.

Isabella Grace never had a place she could call home until she moved to Winchester Falls. When a romantic moment ends in pain and horror, Isabella must deal with the aftermath of one woman’s vengeance.

After tragedy rocks the small town, the people rally around its newest member, and Logan King, Bella’s rockstar boyfriend, is doing his best to help her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. In spite of the secrets and suspicion that have dogged their every step since the beginning, he helps her find her way back to herself in the midst of her heartbreak over all she has lost. But his unrelenting need for revenge is shaking the bedrock of the foundation of the love they’d only begun to build—and Bella isn’t at all sure they’ll get through it unscathed.

Or alive.

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Review

I went into this book with my heart hurting, scared to see what the fallout would be following the devastating end of Bulletproof Weeks (Book 2). Tears, absolutely. This final book is the culmination of the build-up in the previous two, and Taryn does it masterfully. This is a true love story, a story of the constancy of love, of the refusal to give up when things get tough. Logan and Izzy are dealing with issues that would break other people, but Logan, especially, proves that he, that they, are stronger than the people that would drive them apart and bring them down. If possible, I love him even more. And Izzy, broken and bereft, rises to his challenge, and comes out of her heartbreak stronger than ever.

A storyteller to the very end, Taryn does a fantastic job of keeping up the mystery, and, I have to admit that I did not guess beforehand ‘whodunit.’ I could not have asked for a more satisfying wrap-up to this series, nor recommend it any more strongly. Five beautiful, rewarding, heartwarming stars for this book. If you haven’t done it already (what are you WAITING for?!), read these books!

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About Taryn Elliott

TARYN ELLIOTT comes from the great state of New York—upstate, thank you very much. She’s usually busy making up stories with her best friend until the wee hours of the morning, or fangirling over her favorite TV show. She falls in love with each and every one of her leading men as she writes their book, and there’s always a soundtrack to match.

She loves talking to readers, so if you’d like to reach her, please visit her website: tarynelliott.com and sign up for her newsletter, or drop her a line at: taryn@tarynelliott.com.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

One Month of Elle Kennedy: After Hours Series Feature and Giveaway

Posted on 01/19/2015 by shellbellereads

One Month of Elle Kennedy

After Hours Series

3 Sexy Men…3 Determined Women…3 Sizzling Hot Romances

One Sizzling Hot Series

4 Star Series Review by Michel

Elle Kennedy is known for her sensual sizzling hot romances. Her alpha males captured the reader’s attention and have them swooning. Her strong leading ladies can bring these alpha men to their knees without breaking their spirit. Their passionate romances and heated bedroom scenes are in sync. Each and every book is thoroughly entertaining and worth every moment spent reading. The After Hours series is a fantastic way to spend reading.

One Night Of Sin

Book 1

Sometimes it’s good to be bad…

When it comes to sex, good girl Skyler Thompson always plays it safe, choosing stable and sedate over wild and thrilling. She doesn’t do one-night-stands, but one look at sinfully sexy Gage Holt and she’s willing to reconsider. He makes her want to be bad for once in her life, and she’s prepared to take what she wants.

Danger follows former MMA fighter Gage Holt like a shadow. Despite his successes as part owner of Sin, an exclusive nightclub in Boston, Gage can’t risk getting involved with a woman, especially one as sweet as Skyler. Still, he can’t resist a taste—and it’s so damn good he has to see her again.

As addicted as he is to her, Gage knows there’s no future for him and Skyler—not with his past lurking in the dark corners of an MMA cage. But Skyler’s tougher than she looks, and she’s ready to fight for her man.

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One Night of Sin gives the reader an introduction to the characters in the series. Three former MMA fighters and friends go into partnership in business. They open successful nightclubs and are on their way to making a new name for themselves. Each man has a specific role in their business.

Gage Holt is in charge of security. He is a quiet, no nonsense kind of guy. His reputation in the ring and upbringing in the lower side of Boston has made him best suited for this type of job.

When he meets Skyler at his club, he has a new fight on his horizon. This sexy woman has captured his attention. He finds that he wants to spend more time with this woman than between the sheets.

Just as things are looking good, Gage’s past takes over his new life. His younger brother has caused trouble and Gage will have to re enter the fighting world once again. The lowlifes of this world want to control Gage. Gage wants out.

Between fighting for his new life and trying to hang on to Skyler, Gage has his work cut out for him. Little does he know, he has someone who is fighting for him. Styler is ready to do anything to help Gage live his life happily. She will fight for their life together.

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One Night of Scandal

Book 2

Ex-fighter Reed Miller has been secretly lusting over his best friend’s girl for months, but he refuses to jeopardize a friendship over a woman—especially one who doesn’t like him all that much. Now that Darcy’s on the market again, it’s even more imperative to stick to his strict hands-off policy. But the sizzling attraction between them is too powerful to ignore, and once he’s had a taste of her…all bets are off.

Darcy Grant is tired of walking the straight and narrow path. She’s on the hunt for passion, and there’s no denying Reed is just the man to give it to her. Although she has no interest in dating a bad boy, and certainly not her ex’s best friend, it’s impossible not to melt beneath Reed’s skillful touch. Now it’s just a matter of setting a few ground rules—and hoping her rule-breaking, sweet-talking bad boy agrees to follow them. But if she lets Reed into her bed, does she stand a chance of keeping him out of her heart?

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What do you do when you want your best friend’s girlfriend? For Reed Miller it is to avoid her at all cost. His attitude towards Darcy comes across as harsh and at times downright cruel. It is the only way he can function around her and not betray his oldest and best friend A.J..

When Reed catches Darcy cheating on A.J. he is livid and steps in. He soon finds out that Darcy and A.J. have had a mutual and friendly break up, leaving the path clear for him to move in. In his mind it is still wrong to poach on his best friend’s ex.

Reed comes across as an insensitive habitual player. Beneath the surface he is a great guy. He has matured and is ready for a lasting relationship.

Darcy and Reed are thrown together in several new kinds of situations due to the break up. What they find is they have more in common than they thought. They find they have an intense chemistry for one another that they have never experienced before.

Can these two resist temptation? Or will they come clean to A.J. and get his blessing in their new relationship.

Love is worth it, even if it means losing your best friend.

It was an intense story that had no easy resolution. In the end love conquered all.

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One Night of Trouble

Book 3

No More Mr. Nice Guy…

The moment AJ Walsh sees the sexy, tattooed pixie walk up to his bar, it’s lust at first sight. He’s always been labeled the “nice” guy―opening doors, buying flowers, and never, ever having one-night stands. But with this wicked little angel with red lips and unfathomably dark eyes? Oh, yeah. Tonight, “nice” has nothing to do with it…

Brett Conlon is trying to convince her family that she’s put away her reckless wild girl side for good. Nothing―and no one―could be better for her reputation than golden boy AJ Walsh. So they make a deal: if he plays The Good Boyfriend for her family, he can be a very, very bad boy with her. Now their one naughty night is about to turn into a whole lot of trouble…

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One Night of Trouble was a delightful unexpected surprise. It is my favorite book in this series. A.J. Walsh is my kind of alpha guy.

A.J. Walsh has always been the good and nice guy. He was the perfect son, an all star athlete, the reliable friend, and steadfast business partner. His golden boy image and golden good looks have only made people see what’s in front of their eyes. They can’t see beneath the surface. They can’t see the guy that is strangling in his own image, a guy dying to break loose and through caution to the wind. They don’t see that his soul in withering. A.J. can’t even see it all himself. He has goals and self expectations on how his life should be. He has struggled with the man he is and the man he is hiding away.

When A.J. runs into an old schoolmate all bets are off. Brett Conlon is the kind of girl he has always wanted to get his hands on. She is the kind of girl that you don’t take home to meet the parents. She is a free spirit. Between her sexy tattoos, her rebellious attitude, and free spirit, A.J. is on the chase . For once in his life he is going to take what he wants and enjoy a wild fling.

As Brett and A.J. get to know one another they realize they have more in common than they thought. They also have hopes and dreams that they can help each other achieve.

Brett wants to prove that she has given up her wild ways and is ready to take over the new family business. What better way to prove it than to take A.J. Walsh home. Her family adores and respects him.

For A.J. the one thing he wants to have one wild fling. One that feeds the wild side he has hidden away. A fling with Brett is perfect. But what starts out as a fling turns into so much more. She brings out the real A.J. the man he has hidden away. She likes that A.J..

Can A.J. finally let it all out. Will his friends and family accept who he really is? Is he strong enough to take that risk?

This book was very emotional. It was sad to see what we thought was a very good and ordinary guy hiding away the best parts of himself. He was hiding away a man that would make his Mr. Nice Guy look like a complete idiot and fool.

A.J. Walsh is a special man. Brett Colton was the only one who really looked at the man beneath the perfect exterior.

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About Elle Kennedy

A USA Today bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a BA in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!