Rock Bottom by R.K. Lilley

5+++ Heart breaking, gut wrenching stars

I knew going into “Rock Bottom” that I was in for one hell of a roller coaster ride.  As much as I tried to brace myself, I was not prepared for the intense emotions Danika and Tristan’s love story invoked.  And, finally, the two most important questions that I pondered since the “Up in the Air” trilogy have been addressed! What caused Danika’s limp? What severed these two lovers apart?  The answers lie within this powerful story of two lovers that were destined to be together, yet ripped apart by the tragic circumstances that surrounded their lives..... their journey shredded me.

"Their love had the power of a runaway freight train, and the potential to be just as destructive. “ 

Freight train is an understatement.....their love was.....

Fiery hot, intense, explosive, lethal, toxic and catastrophic. 

Tristan. 

Beautiful

She was the one.  
If I’d ever had a doubt, I didn’t now.  She was the one I’d be thinking about, longing for, until I took my last breath.  If I lost her tomorrow, I’d pine for her like a lovesick fool. 

“...This is forever for me, sweetheart.  I want it all with you.  You’re the thing that gets me up in the morning and lets me rest easy at night.  I wouldn’t have survived some of the shit these last few months if it weren’t for you.  You’re my rock, Danika, and I need you to trust me.” 

His name alone oozes raw sex and machismo.  He is a smooth, sexy rocker with a deliciously dirty mouth and the sexual appetite of a beast. 

“Want me to pull your hair and give you a rough ride, sweetheart?  Fuck the angst out?”

“Gonna fuck you ’til neither of us can walk straight tomorrow”

“I’m going to pin you to that table when she’s done with you and fuck your brains out.”

My poor broken, beautiful, passionate man - I was both totally in love and infuriated with you. There is absolutely no doubt that Tristan adores Danika.  His love for her is true.  BUT, UGH!!!  All I wanted for him to do was...

SNAP OUT OF IT!!!!!!

Tristan's character was an absolute contradiction - He is a powerhouse. A physically strong, larger than life charismatic man, yet so emotionally weak he seemed childlike.  Tristan's love for Danika was all consuming, absolute and unconditional.  With a love so powerful, it should be all a man needs in order to survive....But,

Tristan is a slave to his addictions, which eventually consumes him and dims the light that Danika shines.  As much as he loves her, he is selfish.  And the longer they are together, the more toxic their relationship becomes.

Plunging into darkness, Tristan's soul is constantly tormented by the demons that plagued his past as well as the nefarious bastards he surrounds himself with.  Life for Tristan is too much to bare.  He is lost in a vicious cycle of drugs and alcohol, which added to his agony. Prolonged separations from Danika added to his misery.  He made horrible decisions, which led him on a self-destructive path, annihilating Danika along the way.  By the time Tristan comes to his senses, it’s too late.  He had caused Danika so much pain and hardship, she is forced to turn away and salvage what little is left if her broken life and shattered heart. 

Danika.

“You’ve got me.  And I’m not going anywhere.  Not ever.”  

I meant the words when I said them, but life had other plans for us.

I’d have given my life for that fight.  In fact, I very nearly did. 

How much tragedy can one woman endure?  At what point does she realize that sometimes love is not enough?

Danika was devoted to Tristan and has literally given all of herself to him.  The suffering this woman has endured in the name of love was inconceivable.  Tristan's destructive behavior was such a powerful, cataclysmic force, it shattered Danika to her very core, leaving carnage in place. She is one of the strongest literary female characters I have come across. However, I wanted more from her.....I needed Danika to display more of anger.  I needed to see her lash out and show Tristan exactly how much torment, physically and emotionally, he has caused.   He was blissfully unaware of all wreckage left in his wake - little does he know just how much his love had cost her. It was tragic and poisonous. Hopefully, Danika will get her due in “Lovely Trigger”.

And yes, I was overjoyed and flipping cartwheels when Dean received his just desserts. Dean, you are a rotten son of a bitch bastard.  Wanted to cut you DEEP.  You are one of the dirtiest scumbags ever.  You reaped what you sowed. I could not have wished for a happier ending for you.  Twatalie, you’re such a stupid transparent ho. You got what you deserved as well.

Bravo R.K.!!

“Rock Bottom” was well worth the wait.  It was a beautifully written, emotional charged, heartbreaking love story. Both Tristan and Danika’s stories had me reeling to the point I was in the fetal position, bawling. There is no real cliff-hanger, but no happily ever after either.  I love reading both Tristan and Danika’s POV - seeing them bare their souls was an experience I won’t soon forget.  I am counting the days until the last installment.  

Asking for Trouble by Tessa Bailey

 

Brent Mason is tall, dark, handsome, witty, sarcastic, sexy, and a proud member of New York’s finest. He also wears a size 15 shoe - and  you know what they say about a man’s shoe size ;)

Hayden Winstead is a spoiled little rich girl.  She appears to be nothing more than a shallow, self-centered woman. That is the girl Brent sees at first. But perception is not reality when it comes to Hayden.  

They come from two different worlds and their contempt for one another is no secret.  But opposites certainly do attract and the sexual tension is so thick, you can cut it with a knife.  They fight, they clash, and when they finally get together - these two are smoldering HOT! 

Brent is both funny and seductive. A sexy man with such a dirty mouth. He is clearly attracted to Hayden, but his preconceived opinions were totally off.  There were times I wanted to scream - wanted Brent to stop being a jerk and open his eyes to see Hayden for what she truly was - a loving and honorable woman.  

“I’m a big man, Hayden, and I fuck twice as long, and twice as hard.  You’ll get used to it. And then you won’t be able to stand in the same room as me without wanting a ride." 

  

Hayden was far from the shallow, self-centered girl all believed her to be. She was loving, loyal and carried the weight of the world on her shoulders.  Torn between her family obligations and her heart, she was ready and all to willing to sacrifice herself for her parents.  It took some time for Brent to tear down his walls and see Hayden for the beautiful woman that lived beneath the hard shell.  Once he opened his eyes and followed his heart, Brent realizes how easy it is to fall in love with Hayden.

In “Asking for Trouble”, Tessa Bailey once again told a tale filled  hilarious dialogue, wonderfully adorable characters and melt-your-panties sexy scenes.  Her quick read stories never disappoint. I am definitely looking forward to further books from this author.

Night Owl by M. Pierce

4.5 Nocturnally Sinful Stars  

So, I decided to check out “NIGHT OWL”, the latest book everyone’s talking about. Being curious, I grabbed my kindle, loaded it up and – BAM! The intensity of this story lured me in like the proverbial fish on a hook.  I was savagely devouring each word. I LOVED it and could not tear myself away. It took me a while to mull this one over and formulate cohesive thoughts, because this story evoked so many emotions for me.

Matt Sky, a best selling author writing under the alias M. Pierce (hmm), meets Hannah Catalano on-line while collaborating on a story. He is a sexy, temperamental and mysterious man.  Hannah, also a writer, is a beautiful, sweet, fun loving girl. While working together, Matt puts in place several stipulations on their “relationship”.  No sharing personal information and under no circumstances will he reveal the fact he is the M. Pierce.  All is well and they are focused on their work until Matt stumbles across a photo of Hannah. 

Sad things seem truest to me

"You are always deceiving me," she whispered..."Always, Matt, always speaking to me from any mouth but your own. Don't you know that I love you? I see you under all your lies, and I always find you."

The more Matt interacts with Hannah, the more things get personal. Matt becomes obsessed and desperately needs to connect with Hannah - learn everything about her. Eventually, his boundaries are crossed and their telephone conversations turn into sizzling phone sex scenes. But, their relationship is forbidden and Matt’s constant need to hear her voice, is tearing him apart. Trying to remain emotionally detached from Hannah becomes taxing. All bets are off when she moves back home to Colorado, right in his back yard. As destiny plays its hand, these two finally meet. And then, all hell breaks loose.

This book contained extremely hot, extremely erotic scenes.  Matt and Hannah get-it-on, and fast.  From scandalous public displays affection to blindfolding, ball-gagging spank fests, this couple is HOT and extraordinarily kinky. Rawr…

“You’re my slut...”


"You don’t give me pleasure, do you understand?  I take take it from you.”


“Hannah, God. Do you want this? Feel what you’re doing to me."






'Best sex of my life: bent over a desk and belted'

'...a hole in his life that should not be filled.  It was over, and it could not be over because he could not forget. She would become all that emptiness. In that, there was a comfort.

Nothing lasts forever, and nothing ever ends.'

Aside from the sexually provocative story line, there is a lot more going on. This story is multifaceted. Matt was one of the most interesting literary characters I have ever come across. When we first meet Matt, he was a rude, cocky bastard.  His mysterious and dominant ways allures Hannah like a moth to a flame. But, as his arrogance fades, it is clear that Matt cares deeply for her. His dominant characteristics barely scrape the surface of his persona. He is vulnerable, neurotic and has deep emotional issues. His soul bares so many secrets and he has difficulties dealing with the guilt for starting their relationship.

Matt is very sensitive (No, the crying after the shagging did not bother me.  Real men cry…. Gideon Cross and Christian Grey’s shed tears did not diminish their alpha-male personalities - neither does Matt’s). He’s extremely introverted, paranoid and secretive. Matt craves anonymity and control. He cannot cope without these mechanisms in place. If exposed, he will fall apart… and he does.  It was gut wrenching witnessing Matt lose everything and his world shatter.  He becomes a prisoner in his own mind, a recluse. Decimated and alone, Matt turns back to old habits and his life is in turmoil.

"I think I've always loved you," I whispered. "I felt something since we met, since we first started writing together. It was like I had loved you without knowing you, and the love was in me, waiting to happen. So you can’t apologize, Matt. It's you I love. There's no why about it."

Hannah is Matt’s "little bird". When Matt’s world spirals off it’s axis, it is Hannah who heals him. She loves Matt fiercely, and it is that love that gives her the strength to forgive. Despite the obstacles that lie in their path, Hannah over comes the hurdles and takes Matt under her wing. Her will is strong and she has the ability to piece their lives back together. 

With out revealing any of the plot, I will say that, for me, there is a fair amount of symbolism in this story: 

The Rabbit:

Matt’s pet, Laurence, is a lovable bunny. To me, Laurence is also extension of his character. Like the rabbit, Matt is timid, fearful and reserved. 

The Manatee:

While Matt is ill, Hannah gives him a stuff animal manatee. A rather odd gift to give and Matt develops a strange attachment to it.  He goes nowhere without this talisman. Manatees are gentle, loving, trustworthy and peaceful creatures.  Much like the presence of Hannah in his life.

Oh the epilogue…. there’s another conundrum.  Can’t say much about it with out spoiling the twist ending.  You’ll have to read it to believe it or… not.  I, however, have several theories formulated about it’s meaning and what’s to come… I highly recommend reading this sensual, mysterious tale and join me in the long wait to see what the future holds for Matt and Hannah.

Working it by Kendall Ryan

3.5 - 4 Stars

Arc provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

Kendall Ryan’s “Working It” is a quick, very erotic read.

Emmy left her home in Tennessee, headed to New York, and started a new life and career.  Now, she’s working as an assistant in a modeling agency, for a first-class witch. Her job has its challenges and does nothing for her self esteem.  Fiona, a wicked shrew, takes great pleasure tormenting Emmy day in and day out.  Emmy’s bright side in all this drama is meeting super model Ben Shaw.

Ben, the agency’s top model, rules the runway.  Gorgeous women constantly flock to him, but it is Emmy that catches his eye and he is smitten.  Ben needs to have her, possess her, and sexually claim her.  However, he has major obstacles. For one, Ben and Fiona have a complicated relationship and a murky past. Secondly, he has commitment issues.  A naïve country girl like Emmy is not one nightstand material, but that does not stop Ben from perusing her. Ben’s plan of attack is enticing Emmy through overtly sexual texts. Oh yes, these two are really good at sexting.

It is in Paris that these two start their steamy love affair.  Ben is off the charts HOT and extremely talented in the boudoir....Oh là là! Emmy falls fast and hard, but fears she will end up broken hearted.  Ben develops feeling for Emmy, but the two struggle under the scrutiny of the nefarious Fiona. (Fiona, hope someone drops a house on you).

Emmy and Ben

I liked Ben’s character. Aside from his hotness factor, he is a sweetheart.  Despite his proclamations denying he is not boy friend material, he proves otherwise.  In my opinion, Ben is the victim in the tale.  Fiona’s scheming affects Ben’s happiness and love life.  She saw an opportunity and took advantage of him.  I can sympathize with Emmy’s heartache, but Ben is the injured party here.  I preferred reading the story from his point of view. He’s sensual, humorous and straightforward.  What’s not to love?

Emmy was a bit of a challenging character for me.   She tends to be flighty at times, not giving Ben a chance to explain his circumstances, and jumps to conclusions too easily.  It was difficult for Emmy to deal with Ben and his celebrity status, but she needed to be stronger.  She constantly suffered from “weak-knees” and “trembling hands”.  She spent too much time inside of her head and I wish she were less judgmental towards Ben’s past. I would have preferred less of her thoughts and more interaction between the two. More time dedicated to their burgeoning relationship. That being said, these two were involved in some hot and heavy situations.

My favorite character was Braydon, Ben’s buddy and fellow runway model.  He’s gorgeous, sexy, funny and sports an apa…wow! Hmm....warning, there’s some hanky panky going on between these three. For me, Braydon’s was the highlight of the story. Would like to read about his escapades...more of Braydon AND his special piercing ;)

Sexy Braydon

The story ends is a bit of a cliffy with some loose ends dangling.  I’m eagerly waiting for the next installment to see how Ben and Emmy’s relationship grows.

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