Tuesday, June 12, 2018

More Than Words by Mia Sheridan @MSheridanAuthor


4.5 Stars





From two young children escaping their harsh realities to form a powerful bond of friendship to discovering once-in-a-lifetime true love, Mia Sheridan once again composed a gripping romance so profound, I was at a loss for words. Jessica and Callen's friends turned lovers journey had me so twisted in knots, my emotions ebbed and flowed with their experiences from page one. Angsty and passion filled, More Than Words was a slow-burning tale of destined love that I truly enjoyed.


In an old boxcar, abandoned in the middle of nowhere, a little girl with a vivid imagination met a lonely and sad boy. They shared fantastical stories, played music and formed a great friendship while young love bloomed. It was incredible to witness Jessica (Jess) and Callen's relationship grow, and it's one of my most favorite parts of this story. For years they served as each other's sliver of peace and happiness regardless of their grim circumstances. However, it all fell apart when sweet little Callen suddenly disappeared, never to return to their sanctuary, and the first time he broke Jess' heart.


Over a decade has passed as Jess, now living in France, reunites with her long-lost love. Fate had brought them back together but gone was the endearing young man and, in his place, (and much to my disappointment) was a jaded and drunken lothario. Now a famous musical composer, Callen's life was in shambles and so far removed from the young boy I adored; he doesn't recognize Jess at first. It took time, and lots of patience and forgiveness on Jess' (and my) part, but Callen slowly worked his way to redemption.


Truthfully, it took me a while to warm up to his character as he was a little too cynical and aloof at first. However, falling in love brought about his sweet romantic side, and I loved seeing him evolve into a sincere hero worthy of her heart.



Jessica was one of this author's strongest heroines despite her soft-spoken and innocent demeanor. I adored her. Hard working and committed to bettering herself, she was beyond compassionate, understanding and loving when it came to Callen. She possessed the immeasurable strength to carry him away from the darkness of despair and into the light. Both harbored secrets, insecurities and feelings of distrust. However, it was her relentless determination that brought healing, breaking through all their barriers.

Set in the picturesque French countryside, with a historical aspect incorporated within the story-line that I found fascinating, More Than Words was another beautiful, emotional and descriptively written romance from the brilliant mind of Mia Sheridan. If you are in the mood for a read centered around two broken souls struggling to find a happily ever after, then this book is definitely for you. 



 Amazon: https://amzn.to/2sDqHid




I voluntarily read an advance copy of this publication courtesy of Forever & Forever Yours ~ Grand Central Publishing


Tuesday, June 5, 2018

The Chateau (The Original Sinners #9) by Tiffany Reisz @8thcirclepress


5 Stars

 

The impossible happened while reading The Chateau; I fell deeper in love with outrageously witty Kingsley Boissonneault. This time, a younger version of the kinky, cunning and overly sexy character I've come to adore. Just when I thought I knew everything about this charmer, Tiffany Reisz proved me wrong by adding another dimension to his multi-faceted persona. We finally see a hint of the gentler side to this ruthless, perpetually whorish man. I'm addicted to all the Original Sinners, always greedy for more when it comes to this series and having a glimpse into King's time while in La Légion was genius. Masterfully written with a plot filled with intrigue, twists, and turns, Reisz gifted fans of the OS a refreshing new perspective in this ninth installment.

Journeying through the period separated from his "monster," beloved Søren, we see a 24-year-old Kingsley as an officer for La Légion. His highly specialized skills for the French Agency are diverse, but his latest assignment is undoubtedly intriguing. The Colonel entrusts King to rescue his nephew, Leon, from the claws of The Madame ~ the mysterious and elusive head of a sex cult where men are (supposedly) subjugated to serve women in every way ~ hidden a chateau. His task is to infiltrate and bring Leon home, but Kingsley discovers there is more to this rescue mission. As it turns out, this sex club of sorts is the perfect place for the lewd lieutenant.

Throughout this read, there was one character who fascinated me more so than my dear Kingsley, and that was Madame. She, very much like Søren, was a sadist who consistently played mind games. She probed King for personal information, exposed his emotional pain like a raw nerve, and used that weakness against him. For Kingsley, Madame helped put his life, relationship struggles and dealing with Søren's absence in perspective.
Another fantastic novel crafted by the brilliant Ms. Reisz that I highly recommend. Taboo reads are often out of my reading comfort zone. However, Reisz's unique and exquisite writing style captivates me every time. Her words effortlessly flow to spin magnificent and compelling tales.






Amazon: https://amzn.to/2J83Kiu
B&N: https://bit.ly/2kJrb2R
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2xeV7x4




I voluntarily read an advance copy of this publication courtesy of the author via NetGalley

  




TRIPLES with EMMA

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

THE SECRET THIEF By Nina Lane @NinaLaneAuthor @InkSlingerPR

5+ Stars 
 
 
The Secret Thief is now my favorite fairy tale. Nina Lane has outdone herself by gifting me, her fans, and all lovers of romance an incredible story brimming with desire, love, sorrow, and joy.  An emotional plot that had my heart bursting as I experienced this couple's beautiful journey to love, as well as anxious to unearth all secrets and deceptions. As always, Lane managed to touch my soul through her eloquent prose, as she created a fantastical world that consumed me. Once I stepped inside Flynn and Eve's lives, I never wanted to leave the quaint coastal town of Castille and mourned the loss of these characters when reaching this story's end. My only comfort will be to revisit them from time to time to get my fill.

My heart ached for both main characters seeing their struggles and discovering the excruciatingly painful secrets which haunted them. Eve Perrin was a broken woman; A victim who unfairly shouldered the blame for a sin that was beyond her control.  Betrayed, defeated and humiliated by her ruthless former lover (a real dirtbag of a man), this once shining star professor of art history at UCLA was shunned by the academic community and as a result, her career and reputation destroyed. Seeking refuge, Eve fled California to start life anew in Maine, moving into the ramshackle home she inherited from her late Uncle Max. Unfortunately, Eve was unable to piece her life back together and shed the stigma of her past as she faced hurdles and danger at every turn.

I adored Eve. She was a heroine who possessed immeasurable strength, despite feeling weak and powerless. She was soft-spoken yet feisty in her determination to break through Flynn's emotional walls, regardless of her relationship fears and trust issues. Her character was sweet, kindhearted and compassionate ~ undeserving of being mistreated by so many. I wanted to scream, fight and right all the many wrongs she endured at the hands of her betrayer, certain townspeople, and her louse of a mother. Fortunately for Eve (and for my troubled heart), an unlikely hero came to her rescue. The enigmatic and aloof town recluse, Flynn Averton. What began as an electrifying chance encounter led to a job offer that changed both their lives for the better. A friendship that blossomed into one of the most passion-filled and heartwarming romances I have ever read. Their undeniable connection was powerful, intense, and off the charts HOT. I relished every moment spent watching this couple break through barriers, strive to heal each other's deep-rooted wounds, and fall hopelessly in love.


I instantly fell for the broody and mysterious, sexy lighthouse keeper, Flynn ~ a secretive man who purposefully chose to live in isolation, ravaged by guilt and riddled with demons. His pain made me weep. The ideal hero for Eve, Flynn tended to all of her needs by transforming into someone worthy of love and trust, while helping her regain self-confidence. He was the perfectly flawed and anguished knight in shining armor who in the end, found salvation through Eve's gentleness, undying love, and dedication. I loved how his character unraveled to reveal the beauty which lived in his heart.


Exceptionally written, this time in the first-person narrative, The Secret Thief was a remarkably touching read that will stay with me for a very long time. Once again, Nina Lane overwhelmed me with another emotional romance laced with loads of passion, mystery, angst, and heart touching moments. My love for this tale rivals that of Lane's Spiral of Bliss Series ~ that's how much Eve and Flynn's journey moved me. A definite ten star must read that I wholeheartedly recommend.





I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this publication


 Amazon: http://a.co/eqwd8vc
Apple: https://apple.co/ 2GMlgnP
Nook: http://bit.ly/2G7uu0h
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2FPLclj
Google: http://bit.ly/2udfd98






TRIPLES with EMMA

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

ROUGH RIDE a Chaos Novella (Chaos #5) by Kristen Ashley @KristenAshley68 @InkSlingerPR


I'm back at the compound to spend some much needed time with my favorite MC boys and biker babes ~ the Chaos crew. It's been a while since visiting Ride, and I sorely missed these brothers of the cut and their sexy badass Alpha ways. Fascinated with these characters since reading Motorcycle Man, each steamy novel within this spin-off series was gritty, intense, and passion-filled. The story told in Rough Ride was no different. Once again Kristen Ashley fed my never-ending addiction for her romances with another emotional tale, this time featuring two minor characters we've met before and whose stories I've longed for ~ Snapper and Rosalie.

Rosalie "Rosie" Holloway had a complicated history with Chaos. Before putting herself on the line as their informant, providing information on (her now ex) Throttle's MC, Rosie first appeared in Own the Wind as Shy Cage's ex-girlfriend. Even though their time together was short, and Shy abruptly dumping Rosalie led to his beautiful life with Tabby, a part of me felt genuinely sorry for how she was left shattered. I never resented or faulted Rosie for being involved with Shy, as she was a victim of circumstances; I just wanted to know this woman's story and see her find happiness. My wishes for Rosie finally came true in this novella, as Everett “Snapper” Kavanagh proved to be worthy of her heart by the tenderly mending all of her wounds. The cherry on top ~ there was no friction between any of these characters due to their past connections, and I was relieved. For me, this story was about discovering the real Rosalie, experiencing her pain, the long road to healing, and seeing her relationship with Snapper blossom to true love. I relished every moment of their slow-burning, heartfelt journey.

A sweet and soft-spoken woman who had the unfortunate knack of hitching her wagon on the wrong star, Rosalie's story tugged at my heartstrings.  She was a lost soul ~ mourning the loss of her dad while searching for the 'forever love' her parents shared, led her to find only heartache and brutality. The abuse she endured, mentally and physically, gutted me. Her luck changed for the better when without choice she became a part of Chaos. That's one of the things I adore most about these bikers; how they all value the bonds of brotherhood by protecting and caring for their extended family. Tack and his crew embraced Rosalie, kept her safe within their arms, in the most touching way. But it was Snapper's fierce love, patience, and persistence that finally put an end to Rosie's rough ride.

Loving her from afar for so long, he gently made his way into her heart and life when finally getting the chance. And while earning her trust and affections, Snapper managed to become a perfect hero I truly adored.

I loved all things Snapper. He was an incredibly sexy biker badass ~ possessive, controlling and edgy ~ but in a remarkably calm and subdued way. The depths of his love and patience when dealing with Rosie, guarding her heart and giving her the time she needed, was moving. However, don't let his easy-going demeanor fool you. As mellow as his character was, in times of trouble, Snapper unleashed a fury like no other. Proving he would do anything and everything to protect Rosie and the club family.
A shorter, fast-paced read jam-packed with so much KA goodness, this novella delivered and satisfied my Chaos craving. Although considered a standalone, I do recommend reading all the books in this series, to appreciate Snapper and Rosalie's passionate romance and to understand their history. I was thrilled to see all of my favorites MC characters, as well as revisiting some old Rock Chick friends hanging out in Fortnums and Zip's Gun Emporium. And the epilogue...holy moly, was it EXPLOSIVE! Angst-filled and leaving me gripping my kindle with my head spinning, I was conjuring up all sorts of plot theories and scenarios. The stage is set here for future books, and I cannot wait until the next installment ~ Wild Like the Wind.


Click to purchase your copy today! 

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon Canada



The Series:

Own the Wind ~ http://amzn.to/2o32tfb
Fire Inside ~ http://amzn.to/2EoBuG3
Ride Steady ~ http://amzn.to/2BVyzmC
Walk Through Fire ~ http://amzn.to/2EpXjRr






 I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this publication 









Monday, December 18, 2017

The Hookup (Moonlight and Motor Oil #1) by Kristen Ashley @KristenAshley68 @InkSlingerPR



With each release, there's the promise of so much goodness to savor I can hardly contain my joy. Hearing there's a new series and I'm floating on cloud nine. Unsurprisingly, I loved everything about The Hookup as I devoured this read three times before writing my review. That's how remarkable this romance was ~ I was lured back into Matlock, Kentucky, relishing every moment, with just as much excitement as my first time. With all the feels and written in the classic KA descriptive world-building style, Eliza and Johnny's journey is now one of my all-time favorites.
 
KA is not only the Queen of all Alphas but also the master of the second-chance-at-love romances such as The Hookup. The synopsis may make some leery, giving the impression that this may be a love-triangle or a 'settling for second best' type of scenario. Let me dispel those notions to say that this is not the case AT ALL. Johnny was a broken man, unwilling to love again, after losing a girl that was perceived to be "THE ONE." The beauty of this story is his healing with a message of hope; true love can be found again through the gentle care of the right devoted woman. This is Johnny and Izzy's story and a true Kristen Ashley fairytale ~ complete with a sincere hero who's all about loving, protecting and dedicating himself to the woman he claims. And that lucky girl is Eliza “Izzy” Forrester.

I adored Izzy's character to pieces. Down to earth and tenderhearted, this Spätzchen (little sparrow) handled every situation, whether it be their awkward rocky start to tense-filled moments, with kindness, dignity, and finesse. Life was not kind to Izzy or her family and her painful past shaped the beautiful, loyal and graceful woman that was worthy of Johnny's heart. She had a great sense of humor, a little sassy at times, and a quiet strength that I admired. Seeing her relationship with Johnny grow, breaking down his walls and turning his heart from hopeless to hope-filled, melted me. In all ways, Izzy was THE PERFECT girl for Johnny and a woman I would be happy to embrace as part of my tribe.



 
 
How could I not instantly fall in love with a hero with such a cool intro? What a kickass name.

Smooth as silk, hard as steel, charming, broody-hot and all Alpha ~ I could list the countless reasons why I fell for him, but the fun is discovering his wonders on your own. He was the quintessential KA Alpha with a fiercely protective and controlling side. Best of all ~ he was dirty talking growler!
 
He had a few dickish moments, but the way Johnny made amends had me eating out of the palm of his hand. His woeful shattered heart, *sigh*, I wanted to soothe and console him. Stubborn at first for not recognizing all that was him truly deserved genuine happiness with all the beauty that was Izzy. Johnny was everything she needed, and I was thrilled once he finally got his head sorted, stepped up his game and took care of Izzy in every way.


This story was addicting, seductive, fiery, yet exquisitely romantic. From shy Izzy fumbling her first ever hookup with Johnny, through to their intense hot AF sexual chemistry and the deep emotional connection which blossomed, I was happily riding the wave right alongside this couple every step of the way. Their banter had me giggling, Johnny's raw and animalistic sexual appetite had me swooning, the angst peppered into the storyline had me on edge, and the epilogue warmed my heart. Just an altogether excellent read from start to finish.
Brilliantly written and passion-filled, The Hookup was another amazingly sexy novel that left me feeling all gushy happy and longing for more from the Moonlight and Motor Oil world. (Especially Toby and Addie. I'm jonesing for their story and hoping their turn is next)! One of my favorite reads this year - an instant hit that I highly recommend.







Amazon: http://amzn.to/2zdNsLs   

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2ysCvYW   


iBooks: http://apple.co/2kSwuQC    




 I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this publication