Dirty English by Ilsa Madden-Mills @ilsamaddenmills

4 Stars The classic tale, Pride and Prejudice, was the inspiration behind the story told in Dirty English - A modern-day, steamy romance between a sexy underground fighter and a girl whose life was shattered. The first thing to grab my attention was the outrageously delectable cover. Wow, I could stare at that all day. However, the story is more than it’s cover. It’s about surviving horrific traumas, self-preservation, the desperate struggle to achieve happiness and the healing power of love. Both main characters, Elizabeth Bennett and Declan Blay, are haunted by the demons from the past, which affect their outlook on life and relationships. Elizabeth’s spirit is broken. A poor ‘trailer park’ girl raised by a neglectful mother learned the lesson of betrayal after being utterly destroyed by her high-school sweetheart. Left battered and devastated, Elizabeth barely survived the brutal violation suffered at the hands of her bastard scum of an ex-boyfriend. This became a turning point for Elizabeth. Starting over, she focuses on her college education and plans every detail in her life. Vowing to never place her heart and trust into the hands of a man again, she takes drastic measures to regain the power, which was stolen from her.  Everything was going according to plan, until she meets the incredibly sexy neighbor/classmate, Declan - A hunky Brit that’s working his way into her world. Elizabeth is a likable girl – stubborn, sassy and determined. The flashbacks to her past were difficult to get through. Although it was not overly detailed, there was the element of sexual assault, and that’s never an easy thing for me to read. Seeing that within the story line, I understood Elizabeth’s mindset. Despite the attraction to Declan, she has good reason to remain closed off emotionally. I will say that eventually, her stubbornness got to me. Declan made great efforts to be gentle and considerate of her situation. For a major part of the story, she gave the appearance that sex was merely a battle for control, without the entanglement of emotions. She fought too hard against Declan’s sincerity and feelings of love. Declan is the super hot, tatted and muscular college student/underground fighter dealing with his own relationship issues. Getting over the betrayal of his ex, he’s focused on education, gaining independence from a judgmental and overbearing father, and opening up his own gym. His painful past affected him as well – dealing with the loss of his mother as well as infidelity. Declan is hesitant to lay his heart on the line, until he develops strong feelings for Elizabeth. Intrigued and enamored, he is determined to break through her fortress to gain her heart and trust. I loved Declan’s tenacity, his strength and over-protectiveness when it came to dealing with Elizabeth. She was a tough nut to crack, but knowing she was guarded, he never hid his true feelings. Showered her with so much affection, especially when she fought against his efforts. Declan was way beyond patient in dealing with the push and pull angst Elizabeth created. (Which honestly, he was so sweet, she ticked me off at times). Behind all his rugged, bad-boy exterior was a gentle and sincere man. And he definitely was scorching in the bedroom. Declan (as well as his sexy twin…Dax) made the story for me. But, I wanted more from his character. More of his back and forth banter with Dax, a deeper look into his strained relationship with his father (which was a major force in shaping the man he has become) and more time dedicated to his relationship as a couple with Elizabeth. Never the less, his character won me over quickly. He was a totally swoon-worthy bad-boy. Dirty English was a well-written sweet read filled with heartache and joy. Told in dual points of view, Ilsa Madden-Mills has a way of creating broken characters I can’t help but adore. Looking forward to Declan’s sexy twin…Dax’s story. He’s certainly one interesting, smart ass kind of guy and I can’t wait to see inside his crazy head. Arc received in exchange for an honest review

Nuts (Hudson Valley #1) Alice Clayton @alice_clayton

4.5 stars Nuts was the perfect light-hearted feel good romantic comedy and once again, Alice Clayton had me in hysterics. Reminiscent of Wallbanger, Leo and Roxie’s love story was hilarious and swoon worthy sexy. Clayton has fast become one of my ‘must read’ authors. With a unique writing style, she has the knack of luring me into each story, showcasing her insane sense of humor and scripting couples with extreme sexually charged chemistry.   What happens when you pair a spunky, sarcastic chef who has a flare for the dramatics with a bearded and ripped hunk of a farmer who’s witty and sinfully sexy? An orgasmic explosion laced with fun, food, a heavy dose of laughter and plenty of sexual innuendos. I fell in love with farmer Leo and I devoured this read.  “You drive me crazy, Sugar Snap,” Roxie Callahan, a personal chef to the rich and famous in L.A., made one ill-fated mistake that caused her to loose almost all of her clients. (Fans of the Red Head series brace your selves for a Grace and Jack Hamilton cameo). Adding to her list of woes, there’s pressure from her kooky mom to return home and run the family diner for the summer. The quaint little town of Bailey Falls, Upstate New York, holds bad memories for Roxie and she rebels against putting her life on hold for her mom’s fanciful whim. Cornered, she has no choice but to give in. Soon enough she becomes reacquainted with old friends, as well as meeting the insanely hot farm-boy…Leo Maxwell. Their attraction is instantaneous as Roxie hysterically stumbles and fumbles over his nuts ;) and catching his attention.  Feeling a little lonely and sexually frustrated, she decides that some no-strings-attached summer lovin’ with the amorous agriculturalist will lighten her mood. Besides, Roxie has no intentions of staying in the town she once escaped. As the season ends, it’s back to her quasi-life in L.A. hmmm… Her sights are set on Leo and he’s all in, not wanting anything too serious as well.  I love the way Leo and Roxie’s passion unfolds. Sparks fly, tensions build, and sexually electricity ignites between these two as Leo is seriously one spicy, dirty talking dude.  “That fucking honey scent that’s all over your skin, it’s driving me crazy,” he murmured, his breath hot on my skin. “I can’t keep my hands off you—it’s like they have a mind of their own.” Roxie was interesting and highly entertaining. Feisty, comical, stubborn, yet she lacked self-confidence and had some misguided views that kept her away from home for years. I liked seeing the way she grew more confident, making friends and bonding with some real nutty characters. She blossomed and became more comfortable in her own skin without losing her funny, sarcastic edge. And hooking up with Leo strengthened her ties to her hometown. Being inside Roxie’s crazy head was amusing – she had me in stitches.   And then there was Leo… “Are those nuts in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?” The uber-sexy, somewhat aloof man with a hipster beard and rock-hard abs. Leo comes from big time money and despite a wealthy upbringing, he’s the most down to earth guy. I loved all things Leo. Possessing an air of mystery, I was curious as to what triggered him to walk away from such an affluent lifestyle. Behind his playfully witty banter, Leo had some relationship hang-ups that needed to be dealt with - a bit gun-shy when it came to hooking up with Roxie (with good reason). I wanted a deeper insight into his thoughts, feelings and background. I felt we just skimmed the surface of his character, leaving me wanting more. Regardless, Leo is sweet, rugged yet refined and oh so hot. I adored his flirtatious ways, which were amusing and arousing.   All in all, NUTS was a refreshingly fun, low angst read. Clayton brought to life yet another endearing couple whose chemistry detonated with some off the charts deliciously steamy scenes. Their first time together was explosive. Holy WOW! Leo is by far the sexiest farm boy I’ve ever come across. He was incredible and I loved watching their relationship blossom as trust in one another built. This author has the gift writing tales with just the right mix of laughter, romance and passion. A sweet love story chock full of clever witticisms, comically sexual innuendos and quirky characters. However, the ending did leave me wanting more insight into their lives and future together. I do hope to see Leo and Roxie in the next installment,  titled Cream, featuring Oscar (the grouchy but sexy and tatted dairy farmer) and Natalie (Roxie’s BFF). Arc received in exchange for an honest review

Blow (The Tainted Love Duet #1) by Kim Karr @authorkimkarr

4.5 ~ 5 Mind blowing stars Suspense, half-truths, lies and deceits – a tangled web of mysteries laced throughout a lust filled romance.  Kim Karr captivated me within another riveting, hot and steamy love story whose plot twisted and turned, revealing it’s secrets layer by layer. Cleverly sprinkling hints and leaving a trail of breadcrumbs waiting to be pieced together, Karr created a world where mobsters, lawyers, and drug dealers collide. Tensions run high as Logan and Elle are coincidentally brought together, instantly attracted to one another, and danger surrounds them at every turn. Blow rattled my mind as I found myself trying to unravel a knotted string of clues. Logan McPherson fascinated me since meeting him in Toxic. He’s a hot, sexy lawyer who stuck between a rock and a hard place courtesy of his family. Working for his highly influential, obscenely rich grandfather in New York and rooted in the underground world of the Irish Mob in Boston (grandson of a former mob kingpin) - he’s a total contradiction and I felt bad for the tough situation he’s trapped in. (I totally love the ‘mob’ element giving Logan that bad-boy-under-a-clean-cut-guy vibe). Ties to both worlds pull Logan in opposite directions, saddling him with obligations that affect his life. He has secrets and troubles of his own to contend with. Add to that, fighting off an inexplicable attraction to a woman he just met, who is knee deep in trouble. His desires and the overwhelming need to protect Elle, become too powerful for him to ignore. The chemistry ignited between these two is smokin’ hot. Things are not what they seem when it comes to Logan. I found myself constantly trying to get inside his head to guess his motives and reasoning. Just when I thought I figured him out…bam, Karr throws in a curve ball. Elle Sterling is lost as she’s thrown in the middle of a bad situation, with little to no information as to what the hell is going on. Her estranged sister, who’s involved with drugs and the mob is missing, leaving Elle to care for her niece Clementine; Her brother-in-law (who I think is a shady S.O.B.) is purposefully keeping her clueless; Thoughts of her sister Elizabeth dredge up horrors from the past and memories of her bastard father; Trying to piece together this riddle places Elle in a dangerous position. Her life in a total freaking chaos. Yeesh, this girl can’t catch a break. There’s still so much more to discover regarding her past and how it’s all linked to what’s going on…ugh, my brain is muddled trying to piece this all together. Logan and Elle have a complicated relationship where so many external pressures are trying to tear them apart. Elle’s scars from her childhood, along with persistent threat from Logan’s enemies, are just some of the obstacles that stand in their way.  Despite their difficulties, they find comfort within each other’s arms. They’re magnetically drawn to one another and their sexually chemistry is sizzling. I love getting wrapped up in all the intrigue and passion whenever reading a Kim Karr story. In Blow, Karr gives her readers both POV’s with flashbacks from Logan and Elle’s past (warning, some scenes from their childhood are pretty intense and heartbreaking). THERE IS ONE HELL OF A CLIFFHANGER, which left me dangling with so many unanswered questions. The one thing I learned from reading Karr’s prior novels is to pay close attention because the devil is in her details. The beginning started a bit slow, but picked up speed during the second half of the story where the plot thickens. Their ‘falling into love’ was a bit hurried for me. Wanted to see their connection blossom some more. Looking forward to digging deeper inside Logan and Elle’s relationship in Crush. ARC received in exchange for an honest review

Sins of Sevin by Penelope Ward @PenelopeAuthor

4.5 stars When finishing Sins of Sevin, I needed to step back, reflect and regain control over all my emotions. I was a blubbering mess. Wow… Holy freaking WOW! This was not a hearts and flowers type of romance. It was a soul crushing experience. Penelope Ward powerfully ruled my emotions while commanding me to experience all of her characters’ pain, sorrow, torment and passion. Ward is known for her intense reads, so I knew going in that I needed to brace myself for the ride. As far as wreaking havoc over all my feelings, she has out done herself. Sevin and Evangeline tied me in knots and my nerves were shot. This was definitely one of those stories that you actually feel. My heart and sympathies belonged to Sevin. His life was so painful, it hurt seeing all his sorrows. At first, Sevin gave me the “bad boy vibe” despite that fact that he was isolated from the real world by his overly religious parents. But digging deeper, I saw a troubled, misguided guy who felt unworthy and unloved. At one of the lowest points in his life, an opportunity presented itself, giving Sevin a chance to turn his life around and away from his oppressive stepmother. He agrees to a “business deal” - prearranged marriage to Elle and a job in her father’s company. A new start and courtship offer Sevin hope. However, all his good intentions unravel when meeting and instantly falling hard for Evangeline. (GASP! Elle’s sister) Realizing his heart and love belonged solely to Evangeline, Sevin tries to right his wrongs… His efforts led him to heartache, causing my gut to wrench. Sevin had sinned. He had betrayed. He broke promises. I did not consider him a cheater, per se, for his heart never belonged to Elle. This is not a love triangle situation; his feelings towards Elle were never romantic, acted upon or heartfelt. Normally, I steer clear of cheaters. However, seeing that his love for Evangeline was true, I found myself adoring Sevin regardless. He was worthy of love and happiness. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for how each agonizing blow threw his life deeper into chaos. His true sin was falling in love with the wrong sister, and he paid dearly for it. He’s beyond sweet, patient and kind. I felt Sevin was a little too forgiving of Evangeline’s misguided decisions. For all the turmoil she caused, and how he managed to survivor each one of her sins, I almost considered him saintly. He was a man who was desperate to right his wrongs. And it’s these reasons he redeemed himself in my eyes. Evangeline… She was not an easy character for me to come to terms with. In the beginning, I found her to be a sweet, free-spirited girl. But, she quickly frustrated me. I give her credit for trying to fight off the attraction because she truly loved her sister.  I do not fault her for giving into her desires; she was destined to love Sevin. I did however blame Evangeline for lying, making really screwed up choices in her life, and hurting Sevin over and over again. Her actions created so much angst to the story line it was maddening – sending my anxiety levels sky-high. My mind tried to rationalize her choices, but my emotions were too frazzled over the way she shredded Sevin to pieces. Nonetheless, by the end of the read, I found myself pitying Evangeline for everything she lost due to fear and naivety. It’s undeniable that the sexual tension and chemistry between Sevin and Evangeline ran incredibly high. From the moment they met, I knew they were destined for one another. I craved for Sevin to hold on tight to Evangeline, discover a way to obliterate all obstacles, and find happiness. Sevin was just as sexy as he was sweet and I loved seeing their stolen romantic moments. Once all the drama settled and lies were revealed, I wished for their healing to give them enough strength to persevere. They truly were soul mates in every way and deserved a ‘happily ever after’. If you are a fan of highly emotional, gut wrenching ‘tear your heart out’ kind of romance, Sins of Sevin is the perfect read. Penelope Ward is an exceptional writer who has the amazing ability to grab hold of her readers, take total control of their emotions while twisting and turning them at her will. Sevin and Evangeline’s journey was by no means easy. It was painful and unbearable at times to witness. However, digging deep, I found the beauty in their love – and the ending had me in bittersweet tears. Ward certainly knows how to tell a difficult story filled with lust, drama and love. ARC received in exchange for an honest review

Grayson's Vow by Mia Sheridan @MSheridanAuthor

4.5 – 5 Bewitchingly Beautiful Stars Mia Sheridan once again overwhelmed me with yet another powerfully gripping, profoundly touching love story.  In Grayson’s Vow, Sheridan pens her characters in such a compelling way, that I was totally consumed within their love, heartache, passion and joy. I tried my best to prepare myself emotionally for Grayson and Kira’s romance, but to no avail. Once again my heart was severed open, leaving me raw, exposed and feeling completely vulnerable when seeing deep into the broken pieces of their tattered souls. Grayson Hawthorn’s mission is to uphold a vow to preserve his family’s legacy. Kira Dallaire is a woman running away from her heartless, controlling father. Both are trapped in financial dire straits. Situations seem hopeless, until circumstances bring these two strangers together and make a deal that turn their lives around. Grayson, you utterly shattered me. His past was riddled with sorrow. Throughout the read, we see memories of a childhood filled with verbal abuse, abandonment, betrayal and neglect. Grayson was tormented on every level. My heart sank seeing the grief he suffered at the hands of his bastard of a father, callous stepmom, and his bitch of a mother. These experiences shaped the often stringent, overly guarded man who constantly clashed with the likes of Kira. Misery followed him throughout the story, as we discover he spent five years in prison, ignored by most of his family, only to be release and straddle with a failing vineyard in financial distress. There were times I could not take the steady stream of bad luck that plagued him. Yeesh, the poor guy couldn’t catch a break and that had my head spinning. As much as I sympathized with his character, my feelings for him ran hot and cold. There were endearing moments when Grayson let down his guard and showed his gentle side. I wanted to coddle him, easing away all the pain in his heart. And then there were times he drove me nutty with the icy way he treated Kira. I was feeling all edgy whenever his unkind words cut her deep. However, I am a total sucker for a damaged man in desperate need of healing. Grayson’s path to overcoming his hang-ups and ‘dragon-like’ demeanor had me loving his character in the end. I will admit, I found it tough and lost patience with him from time to time, but his amorous ways touched me, especially the sexy way he called Kira his little witch…had me feeling all tingly inside. “ You bring me peace, little witch,  and you put fire in my blood.” Kira was a very spirited, habitually whimsical, flakey-in-a-funny-way type of girl ~ Total opposite of the tightly wound Grayson. I felt for all her troubles, dealing with her hardhearted father, trying to escape his influence. But despite her worries, she was sweet and funny. Kira had me laughing over all her crazy quirkiness and the outrageous ways she clashed with Grayson. She was generous to a fault and sympathetic to his needs. I sometimes found her to be a little too quick at forgiving whenever Grayson acted like an ass, but that’s exactly what his character needed. The girl was beyond patient, (which is a good thing) loving and kind - the perfect weapons a witch needs to face off with a dragon, teaching him how to trust. Eloquently written, Grayson’s Vow is a beautiful fairy-tale love story. Mia Sheridan delivered another heart touching romance laced with intensity, passion and drama. I always look forward to losing myself within the worlds she created. For lovers of soul touching romances and fans of the Sign of Love Series, this is one read you don not want to miss.