I’m reviewing Bound By Night by Larissa Ione at Smexybooks

Bound By Night (MoonBound Vampire Clan, #1) by Larissa Ione
Paranormal Romance
September 24, 2013
Pocket Books

Favorite Quote: “I should have been a relationship therapist or some shit.“

In a world where vampires are enslaved to humans, one woman and one man seek to right a terrible wrong and find a love worth dying for.

Nicole Martin hates vampires. As a child, she watched her family’s vampire slaves revolt and decimate her entire family right before her eyes. Taken out of the US as a child, Nicole is back and ready to take up the reins of her family’s company, Daedelus, as CEO. She plans to continue her work finding a cure for vampirism in hopes she can not only obliterate her memories of her past but also the entire bloodsucking vampire race.

Riker, a member of the renegade vampire clan, MoonBound, has waited years to exact revenge against the Martin for the deaths of his mate and friends. When Nicole Martin comes back to the states to take over her parents’ company as CEO,  Riker sees the perfect opportunity to take his revenge and kidnaps Nicole in order to use her as a bargaining chip against a rival clan. Determined to make her pay for her family’s crime, he finds himself becoming obsessed with her instead.

Nicole led a fairly sheltered life overseas and had no idea of the atrocities her parents’ company committed against the vampires. Life with the MoonBound clan quickly disabuses Nicole of her prejudices and forces her to take a long hard look at her own crimes against them. Her disgust and shame forces her to use her in depth knowledge of vampire biology to help find cures to problems that plague the vampires. She also finds her attraction to Riker growing though Riker’s own prejudice against her and her family leaves her little doubt he does not return her feelings.

Caught between a rival vampire clan’s need for revenge and a human company who doesn’t want to give up their experiments, Nicole and Riker find themselves falling deeper for one another as their respective species begin taking steps towards war.

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.com

I’m reviewing And Then Comes Marriage by Celeste Bradley at Smexybooks

And Then Come Marriage (Worthington #2) by Celeste Bradley
Historical Romance
Paperback, 352 pages
July 30, 2013
St Martin’s Paperbacks

Favorite Quote: “I know what it’s like to get it all wrong. To do nothing but harm when you meant only the best.”

Book two in Ms. Bradley’s Worthington series,And Then Comes Marriage, is the story of Pollux (Poll) and Castor (Cas) Worthington. Dubbed the Devilish Duo, these outrageous  twins use their looks, charm, and competitive nature to play games of the heart with women. When Poll meets the lovely rich widow Miranda Talbot, he seeks to set up a liaison as everyone knows widows are fair game. Poll and Miranda burgeoning friendship blossoms until Miranda is almost injured in an explosion and is rescued by Cas. Thinking he is Poll, Miranda gives him a passionate kiss in thanks and is shocked by the instant chemistry that explodes. When Miranda discovers the truth and seeks to dissolve her association with both, they beg the chance to court her with the better man winning her hand.

As Miranda, Poll, and Cas circle around each other, with each man determined to be the victor, they draw the straight laced Miranda out of her shell. Married at a young age to a much older and socially rigid man, Miranda was always the epitome of respectability. In his death, Miranda is finally free to be who she wants rather than what was required of her. When the twins antics set in motion a series of events that only serve to alienate Miranda from society, they find themselves for the first time ashamed of their past deeds and must make amends for their devious behavior.

I adored the first book in this series, When She Said I Do. A delightfully funny and erotically charged story, lightly twisted around a Beauty and the Beast theme. While I found this book also amusing and steamy with some plum love scenes, I didn’t get the same buzz from it. There is an underlying darkness to it as we witness the emerging relationship between the three protagonists and their individual issues which causes unnecessary conflict in the book. I would almost call this a coming of age story in that while Miranda is older than the twins (she’s thirty and they are twenty one), all three of them are emotionally immature. Though it starts as a game of sorts,  this becomes the first true romantic relationship for all three when their emotions enter the equation.

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Hydraulic Level Five by Sarah Latchaw at Smexybooks

Hydraulic Level Five by Sarah Latchaw
Romance Contemporary
E book, 225 pages
Omnific Publishing

How does a woman get over her one great love? With whitewater rafting, bluegrass, and a touch of revenge…

Kaye is an extreme sports addict with a kind heart and an axe to grind with her childhood sweetheart and ex-husband, renowned writer Samuel Caulfield Cabral. While Samuel enjoys a celebrity life in New York, Kaye remains in their hometown of Lyons, Colorado, running her PR agency and chatting daily with Samuel’s family, the beloved Cabrals—first-generation Mexican-Americans who have embraced Kaye as their own.

But when Samuel returns home for his sister’s wedding with a new love interest, stunning editor Caroline Ortega, the gloves are stripped off. Kaye is determined to unearth the reasons behind the death of their marriage and why two people who lived to love each other were driven apart, all leading to startling revelations about Samuel, about life…and about herself. (Goodreads)

Hydraulic Level Five by Sarah Latchaw was brought to my attention by Jane from Dear Author. She tweeted about it and in reading her light review on Goodreads, I was intrigued by the premise. I have always enjoyed second chance love stories. There is something addicting in seeing a love affair gone wrong and the efforts the couple will put into making it right again. Lately, those tropes have been mired in over blown dramatics and angst with dollops of miscommunication and the required villous figure who helps in facilitating our couples relationship demise. The mapping out of the story is easy to follow and you know exactly how it will end. just not the specifics of the journey.

What I truly enjoyed about this story is the lack of formula. As I started reading I became fully invested in Samuel and Kaye’s story. It is an emotional,  honest journey of love, loss, regret, guilt, and forgiveness. Well written with a smooth storyline, well plotted conflicts, and an underlying message of forgiveness that forces our couple to look deep inside themselves for the answers  to their questions. Strong realistic characters will sweep you up and break your heart as you follow this tremulous love story.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks

I’m reviewing Past Regrets by Shelley Munro at Smexybooks

Past Regrets (Love and Friendship, #2) by Shelley Munro
Erotic Romance/Contemporary
September 10, 2013
Samhain Publishing

Favorite Quote: “This was home. Now all he had to do was convince her.“

Julia Maxwell was the consummate party girl when she met Ryan Callander. Once they started dating she became fully committed to the relationship and him. Ryan, who is now a famous rock star, was just starting out when he and Julia met and married and stupidly heeded to his manager’s rule of no marriages among the band members. He and Julia discussed it and both agreed to keep their marriage a secret until the time was right.

After Julia suffers through a terrible tragedy alone and then begins to see the various tabloid pictures showing Ryan with one different woman after another, Julia decides to call it quits and begins the proceeds for divorce. Ryan is upset to discover divorce papers waiting for him. While on a European tour with the band, Ryan was mugged and his memory is just now starting to come back to him. Because no one in the band knew of the marriage, no one called Julia to inform her of his injury and the one time she called Ryan, another woman answered his phone. Unsure exactly who Julia is or why she is divorcing him Ryan decides to go home to recuperate and try mend his relationship with his wife.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks

I’m reviewing Smoke by Eileen Hopkins at Smexybooks

Smoke (Burned #2) by Eileen Hopkins
YA Romance Contemporary
Released: September 10, 2013
Margaret K. McElderry Books

Favorite Quote: “We are nothing if we cannot tell each other our secrets.”

Pattyn Von Stratten’s father is dead, and Pattyn is on the run. After far too many years of abuse at the hands of her father, and after the tragic loss of her beloved Ethan and their unborn child, Pattyn is desperate for peace. Only her sister Jackie knows what happened that night, but she is stuck at home with their mother, who clings to normalcy by allowing the truth to be covered up by their domineering community leaders. Her father might be finally gone, but without Pattyn, Jackie is desperately isolated. Alone and in disguise, Pattyn starts a new life, but is it even possible to rebuild a life when everything you’ve known has burned to ash and lies seem far safer than the truth? (Goodreads)

Smoke is the sequel to Ellen Hopkins best selling Burned. Burned gave us the bittersweet heartbreaking story of Pattyn Von Stratten. A teenager whose seemingly perfect life was a lie. Raised in a restrictive and abusive religious family, Pattyn struggles as she begins to question the sacraments of her faith. When she crosses the line, she is sent away and while there learns what true love and freedom means. The end of Burned left us in the air as we watch all of Pattyn’s dreams go up in flames and she sacrifices everything to ensure no one else will suffer what she has.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

Review-Second Chance At Happiness by Heather Lire

Second Chance At Happiness (Holiday, Vermont, #2) by Heather Lire
Romance Contemporary
August 1, 2013
Desert Breeze Publishing

Favorite Quote: “When I imagine myself as an old woman sitting in my chair, the person I want by my side is you.”

When Colin MacCaffe’s personal life comes crashing down around him, he leaves the big city behind for a fresh start in the small town of Holiday Vermont. As the Deputy Chief of Police he spends his time making sure the town he’s come to call his own is safe. The only problem in his peaceful life is the arrival of his next door neighbor’s sister. A woman who threatens to destroy the peace of his new life.

After years of putting one foot in front of the other, acting like she was fine for her family Brynn Sanderson – Jackson is mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. All she wants is a couple of weeks of rest and relaxation while she house sits for her sister. What she gets instead is a trip to the hospital, emergency surgery, and the neighbor next door. A man who makes her feel more than she wants to.

Can these two put their past heartaches behind them, and go after the happiness they’ve always wanted and thought was forever lost to them?(Goodreads)

Heather Lire’s Second Chance At Happiness, the second book in her Holiday, Vermont series, is a sweet lightweight romance with an strong inspirational tone to it. Love and family are two primary themes that interrelate throughout the book, giving us an intimate look at two heart weary people given a second chance at love again. Emotional and humorous scenes keeps the story moving at a steady pace.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon at Smexybooks, today

 

Styxx (Dark Hunter #23) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Paranormal Romance
September 3, 2013
St. Martin’s Press

Just when you thought doomsday was over…

Centuries ago Acheron saved the human race by imprisoning an ancient evil bent on absolute destruction. Now that evil has been unleashed and it is out for revenge.

As the twin to Acheron, Styxx hasn’t always been on his brother’s side. They’ve spent more centuries going at each other’s throats than protecting their backs. Now Styxx has a chance to prove his loyalty to his brother, but only if he’s willing to trade his life and future for Acheron’s.

The Atlantean goddess of Wrath and Misery, Bethany was born to right wrongs. But it was never a task she relished. Until now. She owes Acheron a debt that she vows to repay, no matter what it takes. He will join their fellow gods in hell and nothing is going to stop her.

But things are never what they seem, and Acheron is no longer the last of his line. Styxx and Acheron must put aside their past and learn to trust each other or more will suffer.

Yet it’s hard to risk your own life for someone who once tried to take yours, even when it’s your own twin, and when loyalties are skewed and no one can be trusted, not even yourself, how do you find a way back from the darkness that wants to consume the entire world? One that wants to start by devouring your very soul? (Goodreads)

Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series remains one of the best selling paranormal romance series to date and for good reason. Speaking to readers of all ages and genres, Ms. Kenyon’s unique twist on vampires, mythology, and religion combines fantasy with paranormal romance to create a genre all its own.

Ms. Kenyon has enthralled me since her first book, Fantasy Lover. Intriguing suspense, non stop action, sizzling romance, and wicked humor has kept this intensely character driven series an auto buy for me well into it’s twenty third release, Styxx. Now I know many fans were shocked when Kenyon announced Styxx was the next hero in this series. Though we had seen him through the series, he has never been portrayed in a favorable light. Considered the ultimate villain, most fans identified him as a threat to our beloved Ash.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks

I’m reviewing Kristen Ashley’s Rock Chick Revolution at Smexybooks

Rock Chick Redemption (Rock Chicks #8) by Kristen Ashley
Romance Contemporary/Suspense
August 13, 2013
Self Published

Favorite Quote: “I’m gonna be Sharleen to your Lee.”

All Ally Nightingale wants is what the rest of the Rock Chicks have. A Hot Bunch guy who loves her to death. She also wants the independence to go her own way. And her own way is leading her to P.I. work, because she is a Nightingale after all. But Ally has secrets, secrets that when revealed cause some very different reactions from those who love her. Some will support her. Some will attempt to stop her. And the one person who holds Ally’s heart will need to make a decision…love her for who she is or lose her forever.

Rock Chick Revolution is the eighth and final book in Kristen Ashley’s Rock Chick series. A romantic suspense/contemporary series filled with over the top drama, laughter, sexytimes, and situations that will keep your eye rolling and head snapping throughout. Ashley begins this book the day after the events in Breathe (Colorado Mountain series) Ally Nightingale and her sidekick Brody used their computer skills to help find Faye after she’s been kidnapped and buried alive. Ally and Brody travelled to Colorado with Ren Zanos was hot on her trail; furious Ally has once again placed her life in danger. And that is the root of Ren and Ally’s relationship.  From Ally and Ren’s first meeting, it’s been an eventful emotional ride as Ren chases and tries to corral Ally while Ally runs around doing her own thing and pushes Ren away. Fast pacing and a great set up reveals exactly what happened between Ren and Ally in the beginning to explain why she’s running now.

 

Stop by Smexybooks.com to read the rest of my review and join in a Scavenger Hunt that promises lots of fabulous prizes.

I’m reviewing Along Came A Spider at Smexybooks

Along Came A Spider (Transplanted Tales #3) by Kate SeRine
Paranormal Romance
August 1, 2013
Kensington

Favorite Quote: ““Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty.”

“Wrong fairytale, you idiot.”

Trish “Little Miss” Muffet has loved Nicky “Little Boy” Blue since she was snatched from Make Believe and sent to the Here and Now. But fate had different plans for the two of them and Trish resigned herself to crushing on him from afar. When she is attacked at a crime scene, she is shocked her rescuer is none other than Nicky. Nicky has been missing for two years after he was viciously attacked and his wife killed. Now a vigilante that goes by the moniker “the spider”, Nicky is taking down predators on his way to his ultimate target-Vlad Dracula-the man who ordered the hit on him and his wife. And he needs Trish’s help.

Trish doesn’t believe in Nicky’s renegade way of doling out justice, but she agrees Vlad needs taking down. As Trish and Nicky work together to capture the rogue vampire, the heat that has always simmered between them blazes into a smoldering inferno, but Nicky has no plans to remain in town after his job is done.  With danger coming at them from all sides, Trish knows the only man who can save her is a prickly spider whose touch leaves her breathless. Can Little Miss Muffet convince Little Boy Blue to come sit on her tuffet with her or will fear of the unknown scare them both away?

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

Review: The Unwanted by Shiloh Walker

The Unwanted (FBI Psychics Novella #3.5) by Shiloh Walker
Paranormal Romance
E book, 143 pages
July 30, 12013
Samhain Publishing

Favorite Quote: “All I knew was that you were leaving me...leaving me and breaking my heart.“

She doesn’t want him. He doesn’t need her. Like hell…

Destin Mortin’s psychic gift comes with an ugly twist—she excels at tracking down violent rapists. But it’s rough on relationships. Once, her partner Caleb was her everything: filter, shield, rescuer, lover. The only man who didn’t think her a freak. Then he walked away.

Destin turned her back on the FBI to work for a private agency, but now a particularly horrendous case has come up, and her boss wants her paired with only the best.

For Caleb Durand, leaving Destin was an act of self-preservation. Every time she flung herself headlong into dangerous situations, every time he nursed her through soul-crushing visions, he’d died a little more inside.

Now they are forced to work together one last time. Tragedy has changed them both, but Caleb knows if he lowers his shields for an instant, he won’t have an icicle’s chance in hell of resisting the temptation to lose himself in her wild power.

But to catch the rapist, it’s exactly what he’ll have to do. (Goodreads)

I thoroughly enjoy Shiloh Walker’s FBI Psychics series. An intensely sensual and intriguing dark paranormal series that addresses the choices one makes when battling evil with shocking gifts that can often work against the owner.  The Unwanted is a novella that helps to forge the link between the FBI group and a private investigative group.  Though part of the series, it can be read as a stand alone. The Unwanted is a shockingly seductive psychological thriller that hooked me from page one. Shiloh Walker has a wonderful writing style that draws you into her characters’ emotional pathways and lets you feel with them what they are experiencing. Romance and taut suspense go hand in hand as we follow a gritty and dark well plotted storyline down a twisting path of deception, betrayal, and madness.

Destin Mortin has a gift that gives as well as receives. A fact that her ex boyfriend and partner, Caleb Durand, struggled to cope with until he was forced to leave her to save his own sanity. When Destin’s boss hands her a case on some unsolved college rapes, Destin is dismayed to find she will be partnered with Caleb. Destin has never understood or forgave caleb for abandoning her. Caleb loved Destin unconditionally but her gift and her refusal to learn control over it killed his soul a little everyday. As Destin and Caleb investigate their case, they learn some interesting information that suggests that this case strikes closer to home then they could ever imagine.

The romance between them is hot yet bittersweet. The chemistry between them smolders heavy in the background as they struggle to get past the hurt and pain they left each other with. It’s a strong part of the storyline and complements the main conflict. Their physical scenes are tasteful and satisfying. It was very easy to get caught up in the emotional currents of these two star crossed lovers as try to find their second chance.

The secondary characters are bold, viable additions to the story as they add layers to the suspense and mystery. Each one is a piece in the puzzle; they make up a solid foundation for our storyline to build upon. As with any good thriller, there are multipe sub plots running through the main storyline and each one is a key to the final outcome. Ms. Walker does a fabulous job of maintaining these separate entities without overburdening us with unnecessary information or complicated scenarios. When it all comes together in the end, we are treated to an astounding finale that ties it all together.

The Unwanted is a worthy addition to this series and a must read for those readers who love their paranormal romances to be wrapped in dark emotional suspense and intrigue. I am looking forward to the release of her next full length novel in the series, The Protected, set to release September 3, 2013, by Berkley Trade.

Pick up your copy of Shiloh Walker’s The Unwanted today!

AMAZON/ B&N/ SAMHAIN

I’m reviewing Jennifer Estep’s Spartan Frost and Midnight Frost at Smexybooks

 

Spartan Frost (Mythos Academy #4.5)
Youth Adult/Urban Fantasy
June 25, 2013
E book, 60 pages
Kensington

Favorite Quote: “Tell her I’m sorry. Again.”

Spartan Frost is a light novella that falls between Crimson Frost and Midnight Frost and addresses the events from the hero’s POV, Logan Quinn.

In Crimson Frost, Logan was possessed by Loki and tried to kill his girlfriend, Gwen Frost. Guilt over his behavior and fear that Loki may once again possess him has sent Logan running from the academy and Gwen.

 

Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5) by Jennifer Estep
Youth Adult/Urban Fantasy
July 30, 2013
Paperback, 400 pages
Kensington

 

Favorite Quote: “Oh, quit feeling sorry for yourself.”

Gwen Frost is back and recovering from her near fatal wound but if she thinks the Reapers are going to wait for her to be at one hundred percent…she’ll have a long wait. When her boss, Nickamedes, is poisoned by a Reaper instead of Gwen, she finds herself travelling to the great outdoors in search of an elusive antidote for the poison. She has a limited window of opportunity to succeed. If she fails, Nickamedes will die. Gwen and her friends go in search of the antidote, well aware that this could be a trap set by the Reapers and death may be all what awaits them.

 

Read both these reviews at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews st Smexybooks

Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews
Urban Fantasy
Releases: July 30, 2013
Ace

Favorite Quote: ”If you come into these mountains with open hands, I will welcome you. If you come holding a sword, you will die by it.”

Pirates, and sea monsters, and princesses…oh my!

Kate Daniels and her mate, the Beast Lord, find themselves once again putting their life on the line to save an innocent. When two pack teenagers start to go loup, Kate and Curran have to negotiate with the European packs for access to the herbal medicine that can save the teenagers from certain death. The Europeans agree to a trade which requires Kate, Curran, and some of the pack to travel to Europe. The Europeans want Curran and the pack to protect an important pregnant shifter until she gives birth. Then and only then will they release the formula for the medicine. Soon Kate and Curran realize there is much more at stake than simple bodyguard duties. Someone wants Kate and Curran separated permanently and are willing to destroy whoever and whatever gets in their way.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks

I’m reviewing Fifth Grave Past The Light by Darynda Jones at Smexybooks

Fifth Grave Past The Light (Charley Davidson #5) by Darynda Jones
Urban Fantasy/Mystery
July 9, 2013
St. Martins Press

Favorite Quote: “I’m a virgin. But this is an old shirt.”

Charley Davidson is large and in charge in the fifth installment of Darynda Jones hilariously dark and sexy urban fantasy series. More sex (YEA!!!), more jokes, and even more ghosts will keep you glued to the pages as Charley tries to solve not one but two mysteries, follow a cheater, deal with the son of Satan living next door to her in a MUCH more fabulous apartment then hers and the fact her assistant Cookie seems to think she is suddenly Wyatt Erp.

I adore this series. If you read no other books this year, you must stop and pick up Darynda Jones’ Charley Davidson series.  A wickedly funny, sexy, action packed roller coaster ride that will have you howling with laughter as you follow Charley and her over qualified, under paid receptionist/ bff Cookie into the exciting world of private investigation, coffee thievery, and boundary challenged ghosts. A strong character driven series, this urban fantasy takes you on a crazy laughter filled adventure with strong emotional storylines, multiple subplots, charismatic characters, and witty dialogue. Our heroine, Charley Davidson, is the Grim Reaper. She has spent her entire life solving mysteries; first for her father and uncle and then for herself. Once she began to accept her duties as the Grim Reaper, her life became much more interesting. She is still learning what her role in the universe will be but according to Reyes she is a portal to heaven that if breached will enable Hell to reign on earth. Not to put any pressure on her or anything. Yikes.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Yasmine Galenorn’s Night Vision by Smexybooks

Night Vision (Indigo Court #4) by Yasmine Galenorn
Urban Fantasy
July 2, 2013
Berkley

 

Favorite Quote: “Life is often an illusion, Cicely. Illusion that is very real, very strong, but still-place the right amount of force on the right spot and it breaks.“

Night Vision, the fourth installment of Yasmine Galenorn’s dark and sensual fae fantasy, picks up right where Night Seeker ended.  Well-plotted and cast with characters that are strong and personable, Night Vision is filled with taut suspense, delicious intrigue, and dangerous antagonists. WhileNight Seeker was the turning point of the series; very physical and action packed, Night Vision is the emotional aftermath. Galenorn spends more than half the book addressing the emotional changes Cicely is experiencing as she takes her place as the Queen Of Winter.  We are taken deep into Cicely’s psyche as she struggles to overcome her fears of the future and her sorrow at what she is losing.  A strong storyline with captivating subplots further drives this story towards the finale as Cicely, her wounded prince, and an obsessed vampire all fight for what they want.

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I'm reviewing Moria Roger’s Haunted Wolves at Smexybooks

Haunted Wolves (Green Pines #2) by Moira Rogers
Paranormal Romance
July 9, 2013
Samhain Publishing

 

Favorite Quote: “I feel like I’m home.“

Lorilei Adams was forced to take on a larger role when her pack was being terrorized by another pack. Having lost everything that meant something to her, Lorilei is physically and mentally tired and ready to give it all up to the alphas of Green Pine Sanctuary.

Colin has spent his life as an enforcer for the council. He was their judge, jury, and executioner against rogue wolves, but he never looked beyond the kill to the survivors. Exhausted and weary himself, he just want to rest.

Colin meets Lorilei and his protective instincts roar to the surface. Colin finds himself struggling not to just take what he wants. Lorilei is attracted to Colin as well but she only wants a physical distraction. Colin wants it all though and soon begins his uneasy seduction.

When an unknown and malicious magic begins to affect the residents of Green Pines, Colin and Lorilei must put aside their uneasiness and work together to discover the person(s) behind the magic. They soon find themselves in a malstorm where passion, lust, friendship, and responsibility all blend together and the final outcome rests completely on their shoulders.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Hotter Than Ever by Elle Kennedy at Smexybooks

Hotter Than Ever (Out Of Uniform #9) by Elle Kennedy
Romance Contemporary/Erotic
July 9, 2013
Samhain Publishing

 

Favorite Quote: “This is my wife….and these are my daughter’s boyfriends.”

Claire McKinley getting dumped on her wedding day sets the stage for an amazing adventure that ends in love when her former fiance’s brother, Dylan Wade, rescues her and takes her home with him to San Diego. Dylan is not Claire’s biggest fan but no one deserves what she endured. When Claire arrives at Dylan’s house, she meets his “roommate” Aidan and from there, things get interesting. Dylan and Aidan have a complicated relationship that goes beyond platonic. (we see a beginning of it in Getting Hotter) They are both bisexual and while they enjoy each other, they also feel a woman completes their relationship. And they want that woman to be Claire.

Claire is unsure how all this will work. She is attracted sexually to both men but she has concerns and she knows Dylan doesn’t like her. Aidan sees the tension and decides to take matters into his own hands and force a confrontation between Claire and Dylan. A confrontation that sends a firestorm of passion throughout the house and binds all three together. When outside forces learn of their unusual relationship, all three become fodder for gossip which leads to heartache. Can Claire, Dylan, and Aidan stay strong or will they succomb to the wants of others and let their chance at happiness die out?

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I'm reviewing Strength by Carrie Butler at Smexybooks

Strength (Mark Of Nexus #1) by Carrie Butler

NA/PNR
March 23, 2013
Sapphire Publishing

Favorite Quote: “So help me, as long as I live, I’ll never get tired of seeing that man without a shirt on. How he stays so humble, I’ll never know.

When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, her rumor-laced notions are shattered. Handsome, considerate, and seemingly sane, Wallace Blake doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, screaming and banging on the walls of his dorm room. Hell, he doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, period.

Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation–and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety…

Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace’s powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.

They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do–even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart. (Goodreads)

Strength is a new adult paranormal romance for whom fans of Jennifer Armentrout’s LUX series might enjoy. Set in the present, we are introduced to Rena Collins as she stalks the college campus madman Wallace Blake. Curious as to all the rumors of his insanity, she soon learns he is not insane. In fact, to her disappointment, he is rather normal and explanations are given for his seemingly violent behavior. Rena and Wallace form a tentative friendship which leads to some amazing and dangerous revelations. Revelations that could spell disaster and possibly death for Rena.

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks. 

I'm reviewing Can't Stop Believing by Jodi Thomas at Smexybooks

Can’t Stop Believing (Harmony #6) by Jodi Thomas
Romance Contemporary
June 4, 2013
Berkley

Favorite Quote: “One heartbeat past forever, that’s how long I’ll love you.”

Welcome back.  Once again Ms. Thomas takes us back into Harmony, TX and submerges us in the lives and loves of this fictional town. In Can’t Stop Believing, we see the true meaning of forgiveness, second chances, and love.

Cord McDowell lost six years of his life when he went to prison at age eighteen for a crime he didn’t commit. Now, ten years later, he’s being asked to give up his freedom again. His last name for a piece of prime land.

Nevada Britain, Harmony’s premier wild child, needs Cord McDowell to marry her and offers up a 300 acres of land to sweeten the deal. She refuses to explain all the reasons why she needs him but Cord knows he’s getting the better end of the deal. He only has one condition. She has to sleep next to him every night while they are married.

As Cord and Nevada settle into their lives and pseudo marriage, Cord soon learns that Nevada’s reasons for wanting to marry him involve more than just saving her ranch. Someone wants Nevada to suffer for her choices in life. And if it takes her death to make her pay…so be it.

Ronnie never forgot Marty or the gifts he gave her, even after he disappeared from her life two years ago. When a mysterious man shows up and offers her a chance to see Marty again,  Ronnie begins the adventure of a lifetime. One that proves how wondrous and heartbreaking true love can be.

Jodi Thomas’s Harmony series remains one of my favorite romantic contemporary series to date. I adore the continuously evolving small town atmosphere and the eclectic characters who live there. Brimming with gossip, news of family, and well wishes; you find yourself waiting with anticipation for the next batch to arrive. A smoothly written romantic contemporary that goes beneath the facade of a small town and examines and reveals the love, laughter, pain, and heartbreak that resides within.

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks. 

I’m reviewing Fire Inside by Kristen Ashley

Fire Inside (Chaos #2) by Kristen Ashley
Contemporary Romance
June 4, 2013
Forever

Favorite Quote: “Every step, every breath, every second I lived on this earth, I’m thankful for, no matter how fucked up or whacked or hard or good, ’cause all that shit led me to you.”

Hopper (Hop) Kincade, a lieutenant in the Chaos motorcycle club (MC), knows some women are meant for nothing more than scratching an itch and leaving the next day. No harm. No foul. And some women are meant for much, much more. When Lanie Heron, best friend to the MC’s president’s wife, propositions him for one night of paradise, Hop knows this can not end well. Lanie has always been untouchable. Pure class and beauty. When Lanie flashes those bedroom eyes at Hop, he’s a goner.

Lanie Heron has been emotionally stagnant since almost dying eight years ago. One night with a sexy, rough, and ready biker is just what the Dr. ordered. Once Lanie gets a taste of heaven in Hop’s bed, she finds herself reluctant to leave anytime soon. But Lanie isn’t looking for love. She has discovered the hard way that love only leads to heartbreak and pain.

Hop knows Lanie is the best thing to ever come in his life and they could build a future together. He just needs to convince her of that.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I'm reviewing K Bromberg's Driven at Smexybooks

Driven (#1 The Driven Trilogy) by K. Bromberg

Romance Contemporary
May 1, 2013
Self Published

Favorite Quote: “ So…you just fuck’em and chuck’em?”

Rylee Thomas lives an orderly controlled life and likes it that way. Working for a non for profit that specializes in helping abused and traumatized orphans, Rylee feels her life is complete.

Until she meets Colton Donovan.

Colton, a playboy race car driver, sees Rylee at a charity auction and decides he wants her in his bed. And Colton always gets what he wants. When Rylee turns down his rather crude offers, he makes a bet with her. By the end of the night, she will accept a date with him. When Colton uses nefarious means to win the bet, Rylee can’t see her way out of it. Rylee isn’t like the women who normally throw themselves at Colton and her rejection of him intrigues him. Colton wants more than just a single date with Rylee so he maneuvers her into spending more time with him by promising to fund her new charity project if she escorts him to every single event involving the project.

Rylee enjoys her time with Colton but his edict that he doesn’t do relationships doesn’t make sense to her and she refuses to be another notch in his belt. As she gets to know the real Colton, her feelings for him grow and she soon finds herself falling for him. But Colton has a dark side and as Rylee begins to get under his skin and closer to his secrets, Colton finds himself willing to do anything to stop her from discovering the truth…even if means destroying them both.

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.