The Baller by Vi Keeland @ViKeeland

5 Stars Vi Keeland scored a winning touchdown in her latest and best work yet…The Baller and Brody Easton is the man!  I loved this flirty and fun romance. The smoking hot cover is just a prelude to all the goodness wrapped up inside: Brody ~ A snarky and sexy hero whose dirty mind, one-liners and come-ons had me giggling and swooning; Delilah ~ A heroine who tries to fight the attraction, but happily fails; A hint of drama and an emotional twist that had me all teary-eyed; plenty of laughter as this couple wittily banter back-and-forth in both the bedroom and locker room. Most importantly, moments of scorching hot passion as Brody and Delilah find their way into each other’s hearts, overcoming past sorrows, only to fall blissfully in love. From the very beginning, I was enamored with Brody. I couldn’t help it…I’m such a sucker for a cocky, overly confident bastard with an affectionately sweet heart. Since the moment these two met, flirtatious mind-games began and sexual tensions escalated, as Brody was determined to have Delilah. The only thing is, he’s a self-proclaimed ladies’ man who avoids commitment at all costs. (And boy, does he have his reasons). However, the more time spent with the feisty Delilah, the more Brody was willing to let go of his past heartbreak, take a huge chance, and step out of his comfort zone. I just swoon whenever a hot shot, macho bad-boy changes his ornery ways once smitten with the heroine. Brody goes all out, holds nothing back, as he works his way into Delilah’s (and my) heart. I adored his wit, his sense of humor, his coquettish ways and his sensitive side. Brody was just one of those characters whose charms and bigheartedness struck a chord within me ~ Honest, loving, beyond patient (particularly when Delilah flaked out) and truly committed ~ all the traits I look for in a hero. Yeah he was an arrogant bastard and extremely conceited, but in playful way that was so compelling, he had me gushing. Delilah’s a sportscaster making her way in a field dominated by men. Trying to prove her worth, she faces off against one of football’s most notorious players. For her efforts, she was rewarded with a full view of Brody’s package, and oh it’s a sight to behold. And thus began the chase. From flustered beginnings, Delilah soon learns what she’s up against, but nothing prepared her for the intense attraction. Brody charged into her life, giving all of himself, in hopes of helping Delilah to let go of the painful loss from her past. It was a challenge seeing how hard she resisted and fumbled, taking her sweet-ass time opening her heart to Brody’s affections. However, between his persistence, fortitude and dedication, Delilah was left with no choice but to give in as she fell completely head over heals in love.   Devouring this read in one sitting, The Baller had me hooked from beginning to end. Told in dual points of view, Vi Keeland tells a beautiful, yet comical second chance at romance story filled with lots of sizzle. Brody was so mouthwatering sexy, he made this fun read amazingly spicy hot. I’ll miss some pretty memorable secondary characters that wormed their way into my heart as well, especially Brody’s two older friends, Marlene and Grouper – I love them wholeheartedly. I truly enjoyed this couple’s journey and always looking forward to more from this author.         ARC received in exchange for an honest review

Appealed by Emma Chase @EmmaChse

4.5 Stars Brent Mason is the last lawyer standing in the firm of Becker, Mason, Santos and Shaw to find his way to love. Incredibly handsome, rich, successful and self-focused, Brent is a renowned ladies man with major issues when it comes to relationships and intimacy. (A likely result from a traumatic childhood accident and partial amputation of his leg). Watching his friends/colleagues find their way to ‘happily ever after’ has him subconsciously craving for more than just sex. Well, at least that’s what his therapist believes. As luck would have it, the woman who catches his eye (as well as open a floodgate of emotions) is none other than Kennedy Randolph, once close childhood friend. It’s been over fourteen years since last seeing her, and boy has she changed. At first glance, Kennedy was unrecognizable as she blossomed from an awkward ugly ducking, to a beautifully breathtaking woman, that Brent of course put the moves on. Let’s say their reunion did not go over so well and right off the bat, these litigators were at each other’s throats, exchanging hysterical insults and banter. They share a complicated history, both wonderful memories and heart breaking experiences. There are misunderstandings, hurt feelings and deceit to weed through, especially for Kennedy, as the past is finally brought to light. Brent soon discovers he is directly, as well as indirectly, responsible for most of Kennedy’s insecurities. He soon finds himself anxious to make amends for all past mistakes. Brent was an interesting and highly entertaining hero. I found myself at war with my feelings towards him. Flashbacks to their early childhood had me falling in love with a sweet, adorable little boy. Seeing the events during their teenage years had me wanting to bitch slap the crap out of him, hard. He was obnoxious, insensitive, and so totally oblivious of the fact that Kennedy had a huge crush on him. It was difficult seeing how deeply she was hurt. I understood he was dealing with his own difficulties, and most of what happened to Kennedy was not of his doing. But Brent did turn a blind eye and offered no support or comfort during her time of need. He stood by while others taunted her. It was heartbreaking seeing their relationship during these flashbacks. Nevertheless, I liked the cocky, sexy man he became. It was sweet seeing how hard he worked to restart their relationship, to heal her heart and regain her trust. Buried deep inside, Brent carried a torch for Kennedy all along; he just lost his way when it came to winning her affections in the past. But now he’s determined to make amends while seducing Kennedy with all of his charms. Oh, there were moments I still wanted to smack him over the head for being an ass and botching things up from time to time. But I too fell under Brent’s spell and adored how he finally tended to all of Kennedy’s needs. Despite the hurt and humiliation suffered, Kennedy became a successful federal prosecutor with enough sass and balls to hold her own against Brent, never allowing vulnerabilities to hold her back. Loved how she was the perfect match to rival his intelligence and wit. I enjoyed their back-and-forth banter in the courtroom and the bedroom. A large part me felt terrible seeing the events of the past unfold, and how it affected Kennedy’s character. But, I delighted in how she succeeded despite of it. I always admire a strong heroine, and Kennedy certainly proved her persistent strength. As Brent and Kennedy muddle through all the ugly feelings to make their way as a couple, the sexual chemistry between them was intense and explosive. The passion, mixed with a heavy dose of hilarity, made this friends-turn-lovers romance the best in this series for me, with a heartfelt epilogue tying all story lines together. Brent is, by far, the sexiest dirty talker of the bunch. Emma Chase is a genius when it comes to penning a romantic comedy voiced through the hero’s point of view and I love climbing inside the hysterically warped minds of her men. She strikes the perfect balance between love and humor. Appealed was a great ending to The Legal Briefs Series and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for her fans in the future.

Sebring (Unfinished Hero #5) by Kristen Ashley @KristenAshley68

The finale to a beloved series makes me melancholy, but one from this author totally devastates me. I have a hard enough time letting go of Ms. Ashley’s characters and the excitement that overcomes me the first time I step into their literary worlds. Saying goodbye is excruciating, since I’m always anxious for the next installment. Through the power of KA’s flawless descriptive writings, I’ve emotionally attached myself to Knight, Creed, Raid and Deacon…feeling as if they somehow magically became real. As much as I wanted my hands on Nick’s romance, it broke me knowing that the story line was coming to an end. Stepping into Sebring, I faced a great challenge with getting to know and hopefully liking Nick, the ‘dark horse’, introduced in Knight.  Bracing myself, the struggle was real because, lets face it… Nick was a douche. Nevertheless, I liked the challenge of an edgy bad-boy reinventing himself in a way that leaves me no choice but to fall for him. By the end of the prologue, Nick had my heart wrapped tight around his little pinky finger. Olivia (Livvie) and Nick’s erotic romance superbly capped this series and once again, Kristen Ashley overwhelmed me with yet another deeply passionate, highly emotional, poignant tale. If you have not read the series in its entirety, I highly recommend jumping on that pronto to understand Nick’s mindset. His character started off (in prior installments) as someone I loathed. Jealous, spoiled, sabotaging – he took full advantage of his brother, Knight.  After reading Sebring, I hate reflecting back on the asshole he used to be. But, it’s crucial to remember his beginnings to appreciate his character’s transformation. When a hero/heroine is at their worst, Ashley is at her best as she triumphantly scripts their path towards redemption. I absolutely savored seeing Nick struggle from his lowest point, work hard to piece his life back together, while winning my affection along the way. I loved the man he became. Loved how he earned the respect of his brother, friends and family. Adored how Nick forced himself through the cracks of Livvie’s armor, drawing her from the darkness of fear into dawn’s light. He had my nerves twisted in knots with his elaborate plan of using Livvie to avenge the murder of his late girlfriend/partner, Hettie (his target being Vincent Shade). But without a doubt, his feelings for Livvie were sincere practically from the start. His heart and soul belonged to Olivia Shade as he placed her needs above all else. It may have taken Nick a while, but in his struggle, he found strength for the sake of his love. That’s the true beauty of this tale. The man Nick Sebring became is compassionate, understanding, selfless and fiercely protective of Livvie. Even though Nick’s an anti-hero (overly dark, edgy and living by his own set of rules), to me he’s also a true Alpha-hero in every sense of the word. He was the perfectly flawed, dynamic protagonist.   Seeing Livvie’s life was achingly painful. Trapped under her father’s (a nefarious, heartless bastard) control, she played the role of his dutiful daughter, while helping to run the crumbling ‘family business’. She survived by maintaining a stone-cold facade. Her somber character made my heart bleed when seeing into her dark and lonely life. What I admired the most was, hidden beneath the shroud of sorrow, stood a woman of great strength who dared to hope. I desperately wanted Livvie to find happiness, and it shattered me knowing she was the pawn in Nick’s plan. My anxiety level soared knowing that the realization would send her reeling. Fortunately for her (and my nerves), what began under false pretenses became very real rather quickly for Nick, when realizing Olivia Shade is not what she appeared to be. She was desolate. She was vulnerable. She was trapped in a prison created by her family and Nick made it his mission to unravel the layers and free her from darkness. He found exquisite beauty in his Livvie and a second chance to love again. In the end, Nick was amazingly romantic as he moved heaven and earth in hopes of bringing Livvie much deserved love and joy. From the onset, these two ignited in a frenzied fury of erotic explosions. Their sexual chemistry was unrivaled and wild. It was combustible. I was constantly fanning myself down as they frantically battled for domination during each passionate encounter. Nick was incredible and beyond sexy. As Livvie desperately needed affection, Nick consistently gave her everything, and I ate all the intensity up with a spoon. And I loved seeing their tumultuous affair become more than just a romp. Profound feelings of love developed, consuming both, which made me swoon. I'm always giddy when seeing past loves pop up within the story-line. Knight, of course, comes into play and manages to make me fall even deeper in love with him. He openly welcomes Nick back into the fold and forgives. It was a truly remarkable moment of tenderness and healing between two brothers that struck a chord within my heart. There’s so much more substance to Kristen Ashley’s prose than just a beautifully scripted romance. There are inspirational messages conveyed through her character’s experiences, which brings to light the significance of forgiveness, redemption and family. Whether we are journeying through a motorcycle club, parallel universes, the burgs of Indy, the mountainous towns of Colorado, or in the city of Denver where men live by their own codes – these fundamentals are ever-present in her tales. It’s brothers and sisters lending an abundance of guidance, love and support in a time of need.  With each read, I walk away uplifted and tremendously moved as she feeds my soul. Like all good things, this series came to an end and Sebring was phenomenal. It was one hell of a gripping erotic romance filled with nerve-wracking moments of angst as anti-heroes faced off against their vile foes. GAH! My anxieties climbed sky-high as Nair and Benito added even more drama and twists to the plot. I hated to let these sexy men go…but when one door closes, the promise of what’s to come opens. A secondary character from the Rock Chick Series, who teamed up with Nick, was heavily involved in this story line. I’m keeping my fingers crossed hoping to see more of him in the future. ARC received from Author in exchange for an honest review.

Poughkeepsie Begins (The Poughkeepsie Brotherhood 0.5) By Debra Anastasia @Debra_Anastasia

4.5 Stars Once upon a time, I fell in love with a man that lived in the shadows and counted the smiles of the girl he adored from afar. And thus began my journey to a small town in Upstate New York and into the lives of three brothers, bound not of blood, but by destiny. Poughkeepsie Begins brought me full circle, as Debra Anastasia beautifully recounts the heartbreaking events, trials and tribulations that forged the everlasting bonds between three memorable characters. Seeing into the horrors they endured during their teenage foster care years, and the flashbacks into the wretchedness of their early childhood, Blake, Beckett and Cole’s stories made my heart bleed with sadness. The abuse, as difficult as it was to witness, allowed me to truly understand their mindset as well as set the stage for the men they were forced to become. The common factor between was the brutality suffered at the hands of the monsters that confined them. However, the experiences set them down separate paths, taking on particular roles, while vowing to remain a constant in each  others lives.   Cole, the quietest of the three, underwent the most physical and mental abuse. Somber emotions overwhelmed me when seeing his breaking point – the pivotal moment that brought him to his knees while turning to his faith in order cope with the depravity that engulfed his life. It was devastating, yet hopeful knowing his faith brought him peace. Cole is the dark horse in this series. On the surface he is soft spoken, understanding, pious and gentle. But buried beneath, lays a boy so lethal, it rivals the likes of Beckett’s deadly ways. Polar opposite forces rule his soul and I love the dynamics of his multifaceted persona. Beckett is one slick son-of-a-bitch with a twisted sense of humor. I freaking love his witty and sarcastic ways. In a blink of an eye, he could bring down any unfortunate bastard who dares to get in his way, with either his cutting tongue or fists. Beck’s loyalty to his brothers is unrivaled. He is cast in the role as protector, and with it comes the responsibility to guard his brother’s well being.  Beck’s rise to power within the crime underworld is not driven by selfish greed or lust for power. It’s for the chance to obtain stability for his brothers. Their world is cruel, and by selflessly selling his soul, Beck tries to secure their future. And in doing so, he foregoes his chance at love by letting go of the one girl who was determined to save him. There’s honorable intentions buried beneath his immoral demeanor, and his self-sacrifice earned my respect. My favorite hero within this series is definitely Blake. Don’t get me wrong, I have great love for all, but there is something special about the gentle aurora that surrounds Blake’s persona that touches me deeply. The boy, so shattered and riddled with fears, captured my heart from the very beginning. His dedication, compassion and calmness he unfailingly gives his brothers reminded me of all the reasons why I adored this sexy green-eyed hunk. The symphonic beauty radiating from his character’s soul pulled on my heartstrings and I will miss him greatly. In Poughkeepsie Begins, Debra Anastasia brings to life some of the most outrageous, yet lovable characters. Her unique writing style harmonizes angst, heartache and dark humor with a touch of romance. The Poughkeepsie Brotherhood is one of my all time favorite series and although this novel is considered a standalone, I highly recommend reading all installments to fully appreciate her heroes’ experiences. Bravo, Debra, and thank you for bringing me back to the beginning. ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review