Weekly Winners

Below is a list of all of the winners from the last week.

Marcia
Aprille
Raeline
Donna
Leev
Barbarian's Concubine by Lisa Cach and Tempt Me Eternally by Gena Showalter

Sue
The Husband Games by Jamie Farrell

Gretchen
Lucky Harbor Book of Choice

Gretchen
Love and Let Spy by Shana Galen

Sandy X.
Theresa
Karin
Cheryl
Mayra
Book from RFTC Stash (RFTC Monthly Giveaway)

All winners have been notified via email. Thank you to everyone that stopped by and entered. =)

ARC Review: Stealing His Heart by Diane Alberts

Diane Alberts (Jen McLaughlin) is always able to deliver a good sexy read, and I love her stories and writing style. I was super excited when I found out that Stealing His Heart featured Jake Forsythe after reading his sister Christine's story in Falling For the Groomsman which was her contribution to the Wedding Dare series. This book was a lot of fun to read, and I really liked this second chance romance between Tara and Jake. This book is the second book in the Shilling Agency series, but is a standalone story that can be read without reading the first book.

Tara Harris steals for a living, but she only targets those that stole the items she is to retrieve. When she gets caught breaking into a home, the last person that she expects to see is Jake Forsythe. Jake and Tara had known each other forever and then one night things got hot between them, but he left her before finishing what he started. He went overseas in the military and Tara hadn't seen him since. Now he is back to figure out how Tara was able to break in and steal a vase from a system he designed. Jake will stop at nothing to figure out what he needs to know, even if that means sending Tara to jail. But Tara isn't willing to give him the information to help his sleazy client, even though she still has feelings for him. As things heat up between them, their feelings for one another are brought back and before long they are both feeling more for each other than is good for them. Can they both find a way to make it through everything to have a relationship together, or will there be too many things standing in their way for them to have a shot?

I liked Jake a lot. He was smart and sexy, and really protective of Tara. He wanted to find out what he needed to, but he also didn't want to ever hurt Tara or allow someone else to. I loved how he was able to loosen up with Tara after everything that he had been through, and she really brought him back to life. Their banter and tricking each other was so much fun to read about. I really liked how Jake remembered everything about Tara though, and it really showed how much he had always cared about her. Tara was strong and independent, and I loved the idea of a thief with a conscience. She was an awesome heroine to read about and I thought that she was so smart. I could really feel the chemistry between her and Jake and loved their history together. It was great to watch them fall for one another all over again while trying to keep each other at arms length.

While I really liked Jake and Tara, I did also feel like there were a few things that could have been better in my opinion. I felt like some of the dialogue got repetitive at times, and I would find myself going back to see if I had just read the same thing a paragraph or two previous. I also felt like the urgency of her telling them the code wasn't as dire as they made it out to be considering all the steamy times and the trip to the carnival, but otherwise I thought that this was a good story. This book was fun and sexy, and I really enjoyed the dirty talk and Jake's dominant ways. These two were really hot together and I loved that they couldn't keep their hands off each other. If you are looking for a fun and sexy story with a good amount of steam and sweetness I definitely recommend this book or anything by Diane Alberts/Jen McLaughlin. I can't wait for her next book, and she is one of those authors that I know will always deliver a story that I am going to really like!

**ARC Provided by Entangled Publishing**

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N |

Review: Kings of Asphalt by Alexx Andria

Kings of Asphalt is the first book that I have ever read by Alexx Andria. I was drawn to this one because of the blurb, and I loved the idea of an MC menage. While I did like things about this book, I also had some problems with this story as well. I thought that this could have been a really great story, and I loved the novella length as I think it worked perfectly for the story that Andria was trying to tell. However this book felt a bit like a debut novel that needed some work to me.

Zoe Delacourte is tired of writing useless pieces of fluff, and decides to take matters into her own hands about getting a news story worth telling. She decides to go undercover to meet Jax Traeger and Hunter Ericksen, leaders of The Kings of Asphalt motorcycle club, when two people associated with the club wind up dead. With both of the dead being killed execution style, Zoe is determined to find out the truth about the turf war raging between the Kings of Asphalt and their rival club. But upon meeting Jax and Hunter, the three of them are drawn together in an undeniable way unlike anything they have ever felt before. Jax and Hunter know that Zoe is in danger for asking too many questions and beg her to stay away from them and the story. But Zoe refuses to leave it alone and finds herself in danger. Can Jax and Hunter not only get to the bottom of what is happening but also find a way to protect Zoe while convincing her to give a relationship with them a shot?

I really liked Jax and Hunter, but I did have a few problems with them as well. Jax was sweet and seemed to be the one to smooth things over when feathers got ruffled. He was the more approachable of the two, and he also was the one that seemed to think things through. Hunter was more the type to jump into action and worry about the consequences later. I thought that they were really great friends and worked well as a team. They had each other's backs and had a lot of trust and friendship between them from all the years they had known one another. I did think it was a bit odd that they had no idea what was really going on under their noses though, and that it finally took someone else telling them about it to see. They were portrayed as these smart leaders, and I felt it was a bit obvious for them to miss. I also felt like while they did have their bad boy moments, they weren't as dark or bad as I had expected. They were actually more sweet and approachable than I would have expected. I did have issues with Zoe though. I felt like she was a bit sheltered and immature at times. She came off as flighty and a bit strange. I thought that it was kind of odd that she went from being almost virginal to taking two guys with little to no adjustment and somehow it all just worked fine. It was a bit unrealistic to me, and I felt like that part could have been done differently. I did think that there was a lot of chemistry between the three of them, and I didn't feel as though Zoe had a stronger connection with either Jax or Hunter. They seemed to work well as a threesome with no problems or jealousy.

I did have a problem with some of the way the story was written. The sentence structure was odd at times and I felt like a lot of them tended to be run-ons. I also thought that there were times that they would stop abruptly and would switch from one POV to another without any kind of warning or noticeable transition. I think that these are all things that could be easily fixed and would help the story immensely. There was also something that happened with Hunter that I didn't care for at all, and I felt like it really cheapened the relationship that was forming and the feelings that were developing between the three of them. I really hated that Zoe was never made aware of it either, and I felt like it should have come out at some point. At the time they didn't have a solid commitment or anything, but I still felt like it was wrong the way it was done and the timing of it was after these three had clearly begun something. I really do think that this story was good and enjoyable even with the things I had issues with. I just also felt like it needed a little work and it could have been even better. I will definitely consider more from Alexx Andria in the future, especially if she continues with more stories about The Kings. I would love to see Zoe's friend get a story, and I think that Andria did a great job of opening up that possibility in this book.

**ARC Provided by Literati Author Services**

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Interview with Author Elisabeth Grace and Giveaway

Meet Elisabeth Grace, author of Indiscretion Volume 3.

I have a soft spot for romance novels with happily ever afters and a hot spot for alpha males! I currently live outside Toronto, Canada with my hubby and two small children. Life is busy, but never to busy for a good story and to share my love of reading and writing with others.

Find Elisabeth at:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Review: Dare to Desire by Carly Phillips

Carly Phillips is such a fun author! Dare to Desire is the second book in the Dare to Love series. I love when a book is a part of a series and I enjoy it! I’m looking forward to reading Dare to Surrender and Dare to Submit!

When the story begins Alex Dare is a quarterback for the Tampa Breakers. He is in all his glory! He is a notorious playboy, handsome, rich, famous and doing what he loves-playing football.

Madison Evans is watching the game at her very close friends’ house. These close friends are relatives and also very good friends of Alex. Although Alex and Madison are not a couple they do share a “friends with benefits” relationship, despite both their misgivings about this relationship. Madison knows all about Alex, his reputation and his no commitment stance for relationships. She also has grown to care for Alex but refuses to let him know how she really feels and enjoys their causal relationship. Alex is committed to Madison and exclusively with her but their relationship is not openly known and they do not have a title on their situation. Alex realizes that Madison is already a big part of his life since she is very close to both his friends and his family. One fateful game Alex is badly injured and his career comes to an end. Madison runs to be by his side but Alex dismisses her and basically tells her what she has feared all along, she means nothing to him.

Fast forward six months and Alex is no longer the golden boy he was before. His life is drastically different. He is unemployed and all alone. When his half-brother Ian Dare calls him up with a proposition he has no other offers and takes him up on it. Madison was working as a social worker when Ian contracted her to help him start a program for ex-athletes. He wants to help ex-athletes live their life after their careers are over and who would make a better co-worker than Alex? Both Madison and Alex are hesitant to work together given their history but they realize that this is a great opportunity and both jump on board.

As Madison and Alex work together their relationship is purely professional but Alex wants more. He realizes that he hurt Madison and wants to make amends. Madison was deeply hurt and is not going to give Alex a second chance to wound her. As Madison’s family problems come to light Alex begins to make himself a very strong and needed support system for her. Before long they both realize that giving each other a second chance is what they need.

I really liked both Madison and Alex. Alex is pegged as a playboy and famous athlete but he is really a good guy. He did not deal with a difficult situation in the best way but he quickly tried to make amends and become a person he could be proud of. These characters were fantastic and so was their chemistry. I really enjoyed and highly recommend this heartwarming love story.

**Copy provided by InkSlinger PR**

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ARC Review: Can't Let Go by Michelle Lynn

Can't Let Go by Michelle Lynn was a lot different than what I had expected going into the book. I hadn't read the previous three books in the series, and although I didn't have any problems understanding this story I think it did affect how I went into this book. I had been expecting more of a rock star story about friends who find their way to love, but this book was completely different. I liked both Chrissy and Dex, and I felt like they really deserved some happiness together after everything that they had been through. But I also really loved the secondary characters as well and can't wait to go back and read their stories as well as get Rob's story next. I can't wait to see more of him after reading Can't Let Go.

Dex and Chrissy grew up spending every other weekend hanging out with each other while their fathers left them to gamble. While Dex would return home to his mother's house after, Chrissy was stuck with her father. Dex and Chrissy's lives played out completely different and while they did have some things in common, Dex had a whole other life that Chrissy couldn't relate to at all. When Dex leaves for college, him and Chrissy lose touch for several years until one day she resurfaces and calls him out of the blue. Needing help, she asks Dex to come to her and he ends up providing a place for her to stay while she gets back on her feet. When the two sides of Dex's life collide, Chrissy discovers that she doesn't know this Dex and the boy she once knew is now completely changed. But the attraction and chemistry between them is still the same, even if they have never acted on it. Dex doesn't do love and commitment, but for the first time in his life he is beginning to think of a future with someone as long as it is Chrissy. Can Chrissy and Dex find a way to take their friendship to the next level and have a future together, or will their lives be too different for them to take that step together?

I liked both Dex and Chrissy. These two had a ton of history and had grown up being best friends and sharing something that most people would never understand. Dex had two different lives, and they didn't mesh at all. Even though he always cared for Chrissy and Chrissy cared for him, they knew that those two sides of his life just didn't fit together and that also meant that things with Chrissy were always a certain way. I did have a few things with Dex that I didn't care for, and I thought that he made some huge mistakes with Chrissy. He wanted her in his life forever and was determined to always have her as a friend, and yet he didn't try very hard to make sure that she knew that. He would push her away and lose touch with her, and just let her run every time. I also really didn't like that even though he knew his feelings for Chrissy were changing and that he was scared that he continued to let things happen with Sam. That really bothered me, and I think that it was unfair to Chrissy and Sam both. I thought that Chrissy was independent and smart and she did what she could with the life she had been dealt. She didn't like to take anything from anyone and was determined to make it on her own, and I wish she would have accepted help a little easier especially from Dex. But she really started to allow others in as the book progressed and it was nice to see her getting over that. I was glad that she never gave up on Dex and that they never lost their connection no matter what happened. These two were meant to be together and that was clear from the start.

I also really loved the way that Michelle Lynn told their story. It was great to see how they met for the very first time and how their friendship and the love between them grew and changed over the years. I loved seeing them as children and getting the whole picture on their past as well as the present, and it really just solidified how strong the bond between these two was. I do wish that it wouldn't have taken so long for Dex to really wake up, but I am glad that he cared so much about Chrissy to want her in his life always even if he went about it wrong. I could have done without the portions of him and Sam because I really felt like when he was with her he almost seemed to forget about Chrissy and I felt like that hurt the relationship between him and Chrissy. It was hard to believe that if he really loved her that much that he wouldn't be thinking of Chrissy instead. I did love Rob though, and I thought that his friendship with Chrissy was one of the best parts of this book. He was there for her when she needed someone, and I thought that he was so sweet with her. He really showed her a different side to himself that he didn't show to others, and he was able to help her get through some tough times. I can't wait to read his story next and get to know him even better. Despite the few issues I had with this story, I would still recommend this one and look forward to reading the rest of the series. I think that NA fans will enjoy Dex and Chrissy's story especially if they are fans of Michelle Lynn and her Invisibles series.

**ARC Provided by Book Plug Promotions**

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Interview with Author Samantha Grace and Giveaway

Meet Samantha Grace, author of In Bed with a Rogue.

Historical romance author Samantha Grace discovered the appeal of a great love story when she was just a young girl, thanks to Disney’s “Robin Hood”. She didn’t care that Robin Hood and Maid Marian were cartoon animals. It was her first happily-ever-after experience and she didn’t want the warm fuzzies to end. Now that Samantha is grown, she enjoys creating her own happy-endings for characters that spring from her imagination. Publisher’s Weekly describes her stories as “fresh and romantic” with subtle humor and charm. Samantha describes romance writing as the best job ever.

Part-time hospice social worker, moonlighting author, and Pilates nut, she enjoys a happy and hectic life with her real life hero and two kids in the Midwest.

Find Samantha at:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

Feature and Giveaway: Once More, My Darling by Lorraine Heath

From New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath, comes the second book in a brand new series, The Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, featuring three eligible bachelors...and the scoundrels that reside within each.

Born to the street but raised within the aristocracy, Drake Darling can't escape his sordid beginnings. Not when Lady Ophelia Lyttleton snubs him at every turn, a constant reminder he's not truly one of them. But after rescuing her from a mysterious drowning, he realizes she doesn't remember who she is. With plans to bring her to heel, he insists she's his housekeeper—never expecting to fall for the charming beauty.

While Ophelia might not recall her life before Drake, she has little doubt she belongs with him. The desire she feels for her dark, brooding employer can't be denied, regardless of consequences. So when Ophelia's memory returns, she is devastated by the depth of his betrayal. Now Drake must risk everything to prove she can trust this rogue with her heart once more.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

They were so young, the ladies who smiled and batted their lashes at him. Even the ones who were on the far side of five and twenty were too innocent for his tastes. They were all light and airy as though burdens were unknown to them, as though life encompassed nothing more than enjoyment. He preferred his women with a bit more seasoning to them, savory, spicy, and tart.

“Boy.”

An exception to his preference for the tart had arrived. The haughtiness of the voice set his teeth on edge. He should have known he’d not escape her notice for the entire evening. That Lady Ophelia Lyttleton was one of Grace’s dearest friends was beyond his comprehension. He didn’t understand why the sister of his heart associated with such an arrogant miss when Grace was the sweetest, gentlest person he’d ever known. Stubborn to be sure, but she hadn’t a mean bone in her body. Lady Ophelia could not claim the same. Her presence at his back proof enough.

The ladies who had been gifting him with their attention blinked repeatedly and went silent for the first time in more than two hours. Because they were there, because he was striving to give the appearance of being a gentleman, he would spare Lady Ophelia the embarrassment of ignoring her. Even though he suspected he would pay a price for his generosity. He always paid the price. The lady was quite adept at delivering stinging barbs.

Slowly he turned and arched a brow at the woman whose head failed to reach his shoulder. And yet in spite of her diminutive size, she managed to give the appearance of looking down on him. It was her long, pert, slender nose that tipped up ever so slightly on the end. She had been a constant aggravation whenever she visited with Grace and crossed paths with him. But devil’s mistress that she was, she was very careful to slight him only when Grace wasn’t about to witness her set-downs. Because he loved Grace too much to upset her—and she would be appalled to know he and her friend were not on particularly pleasant terms—he had borne Lady Ophelia’s degradations, convinced that he was walking the high ground while she was slogging along in the muck.

It made no sense to him that such a beauty could be such a resounding termagant. Her green eyes with the oval, exotic slant were challenging him with a sharpness that could slice into one’s soul if he weren’t careful. While he was twelve years her senior, as she had grown toward womanhood, she had mastered the art of making him feel as though he were a dog living in the quagmire of the gutters again. Not that others among the aristocracy hadn’t made him feel the same from time to time, but still it irked more so when she was the one responsible for the cut to his pride.

“Boy,” she repeated with a touch more arrogance, “do fetch me some champagne, and be quick about it.” As though he were a servant, as though he live to serve her. Not that he found fault with those who served. Theirs was a more noble undertaking and their accomplishments far outstripped anything she might ever manage. She, who no doubt nibbled on chocolates in bed while reading a book, without thought regarding the effort that had gone behind placing both in her hand.

New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath always dreamed of being a writer. After graduating from the University of Texas, she wrote training manuals, press releases for a publicist, articles, and computer code, but something was always missing. In 1990, she read a romance novel and became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.

Places to find Lorraine:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

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ARC Review: Once Upon a Marriage by Sara Daniel

Once Upon a Marriage is part of Decadence Publishing’s Beyond Fairy Tale series, a fabulous retelling of Grimm’s Three Surgeon story. I was torn between a three and a four stars, it is a really cute and I love second chance romances and this is a really good second chance story but man it was short. It is a novella and by definition short I know, I don’t know if it just seemed like it was that short because I read through it so fast or if it really was that short. Despite it being short it was a cute, heartwarming and funny.

Armina Keer tried to make her marriage work but Ian Keer is a workaholic and put his work with the Inn first. Armina left Ian when her Uncle Ned had serious heart problems. All three of her uncle’s decided to retire leaving their prosthetics company, Three Surgeons, to Armina to run. Two of her uncle’s wear prosthetics and are in need of new pieces, customary to getting new prosthetics they needed to go to physical therapy for a bit to acclimate to the new appendages and the best place to go for the is The Inn. The same place Armina worked at with her husband, it seems to be the perfect opportunity for her to confront him and finally get those divorce papers signed. With time running out she would prefer to be divorced before she visits the fertility clinic and gets artificially inseminated.

Ian Keer had a wakeup call when his wife left and never came back. He made some dramatic changes to his life; now all he needs is his wife back. He knew the surgeons, as her three uncles are called, were coming he never expected her to show up with them. Now all he has to do is convince her that he has changed and it’s worth the second chance. It may be more complicated then he expects even though the strong sexual chemistry is just as strong as ever. The uncles are a great comic relief and good meddlers they really make the story. Short and sweet, but I think it could have been drawn out just a little otherwise I really enjoyed it.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Irons by M.J. Fields

Irons is the first book that I have ever read by M.J. Fields, but this one sounded so good that I just couldn't pass it up. I was really looking forward to the sexy soldier falling for his best friend's little sister and them helping each other heal and deal with the pain of losing him together. At first I really thought that I was going to love this book. But as the story continued, this book fell apart and turned into a mess. I was honestly so frustrated and confused by the end that I really didn't know how it had even got to that point with the way the story started.

Jax was born into a military family, and it was his legacy to continue to serve his country. He attended the Naval academy to become a pilot like his father and grandfather along with his best friend Will. But after Will is killed, he returns home and must face things with Will's family. Will's sister Francesca (Frankie) has always liked Jax, and decides to let him know before he leaves how she feels. Still being young and in high school, Jax lets her down easy and heads out to live for a year in Florida. Three years later, Jax still hasn't moved on from Florida and he also hasn't been able to forget his feelings for Frankie. When he comes across her a few times, he knows that he should stay away but they both find it hard to fight what is between them any longer. But they both must deal with the motivations behind their feelings as well as the past. Things between them are anything but easy, but can they find a way to make it through together?

I could not connect with Frankie at all. This chick was a hot mess. She was immature and was constantly acting like a child. I realize that she had lost her brother, but I honestly didn't understand why she was the way she was. I liked that she was committed to finding a way to help others in a way that she couldn't help her brother. I thought that it was a great cause and a worthy direction for her future. But I just didn't like her and didn't like how hot and cold she ran. Jax was likable but he felt like a huge contradiction to me. He was supposed to be this player bad boy that of course didn't do relationships. He initially fights what is between him and Frankie, but then suddenly a switch flips and he is just changed. It didn't work and wasn't believable to me at all. I found myself really questioning which him was the real him, the past or the present. The relationship between Frankie and Jax should have been a clear connection with their shared history and the feelings between them, but honestly the whole thing felt forced to me. While there was attraction and chemistry between them, I felt like there was also a lack of steam.

Another big problem for me was that the story itself was confusing and hard to keep up with. It felt rushed and would seem to jump around a lot. Often times the scenes almost seemed to end abruptly or be cut short. It was hard to figure out what was happening or where the story was going. Then about half way through the book it seemed like the author starting just throwing in random things for drama and to increase the suspense. The story already was complicated, and I felt like that was just too much. It wasn't clear where things were leading, but I kept reading hoping to find out what happened at the end. I knew this was the first book in the series, however I had no idea that the ending was a cliffhanger. After going through everything, the lack of ending was what really sealed the deal on my rating. I just couldn't believe that we had gone through all that for a non ending that will continue in another book. This one already felt forced and I didn't like the characters, so I really had no interest in seeing what would happen after finishing this one and it being left open. Honestly this book just didn't work for me from start to finish. I was hoping for more but in my opinion it didn't deliver.

**ARC Provided by Xpresso Book Tours**

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Interview with Author Jennifer Hayward and Giveaway

Meet Jennifer Hayward, author of Changing Constantinou’s Game.

JENNIFER HAYWARD has been a fan of romance since filching her sister’s novels to escape her teenaged angst.

Her career in journalism and PR, including years of working alongside powerful, charismatic CEOs and traveling the world, has provided perfect fodder for the fast-paced, sexy stories she likes to write, always with a touch of humour. You can find out more about Jennifer and her books and sign up for her newsletter at her website.

Find Jennifer at:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

Feature: A Duke's Wicked Kiss by Kathleen Bittner Roth

Miss Suri Thurston knows the pain of abandonment. Intent on confronting the grandmother who tossed her to the lions, she travels from England to her birthplace in India. Her plans run afoul when she encounters the man who, ten years prior, left a mark on her soul with one stolen kiss. But he is a duke, and far beyond the reach of even her dreams.

The duke of Ravenswood, secret head of the British Foreign Service, has no time for relationships. His one goal is to locate and eliminate key insurgents involved in an uprising against the British East India Company before it’s too late. But when Suri appears in Delhi, his resolve is tested as he finds his heart forever bound to her by the haunting kiss they shared once upon a time.

With Suri’s vengeful Indian family calling for her death and insurgents intent on mutiny tearing their world apart, can their love rise above the scandal of the marriage they both desperately want?

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

ARC Review: Longing by Jamie K. Schmidt

Longing is the second book in the Club Inferno series by Jamie K. Schmidt, but each book can be read as a standalone with interconnected characters. I had been looking forward to reading this one even though I hadn't read the first book in the series. I have been on a NA kick lately, so something completely different and erotic was exactly what I had been hoping for. Unfortunately this book just didn't do it for me, and I ended up having several issues with the story.

Anya Litton is still dealing with the aftermath of her breakup with her ex Cesare and throws herself into her work as a plus sized model. She ends up at Club Inferno with her friends and decides to teach some classes as well as take a chance on the hot stripper she has had her eye on. Clint Reyes is a well known Dom and part time stripper, but his ultimate goal is to open up a tequila bar and is only working as a stripper to come up with the money to make his dream bar a reality. He is as instantly drawn to Anya as she is to him and he sets out to make her his. Anya struggles with insecurities due to her past relationship as well as her body type, and she is also new to the BDSM scene. Can Clint show her she is all he wants and that he is worthy of her trust?

I really had some issues with Clint and Anya. Clint was sweet and supportive one minute and then judgmental the next. He completely overreacted to a situation with Anya that I found to be ridiculous and then turned it around on Anya as though it was her fault that she didn't trust him enough. I would have done far worse than question his intentions if the same would have happened to me, and he should have talked to her about it before he did anything. I didn't like how easy it was moved past and felt like it along with many other things in this book were pretty much brushed under the rug and forgotten. Anya felt weak and insecure to me, and it never seemed to end. She was constantly doubting herself regardless of what Clint would do to try and convince her otherwise and it got really old after awhile. I do think that they had chemistry, but honestly their connection felt forced to me and I just didn't ever really feel as though they had fallen in love. The story was more about what was going on around them and with the club and others that I just never really saw them go from near strangers to a solid couple.

I also felt like this book had some issues with moving from one scene to a next. Often times there were no transitions and it left me lost and confused as I tried to figure out how we got from one point to the next. I would have appreciated some kind of acknowledgement of when it was switching from POVs as well. My other problem with this story was that although it is set around a secret sex club and the BDSM scene is prevalent throughout the story and characters, this book was remarkably tame. I kept waiting for more of the steamy stuff, and this one just didn't deliver. I was hoping to get more of Clint and Anya, and I just felt like what we did get wasn't much. I think that this book had potential, and I am all for a story with a realistic heroine that isn't a perfect size zero but this one just didn't deliver.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Winning Love by Abby Niles

Abby Niles never ceases to amaze me! Her books are always so creative and unique that they stay in my mind. Although I’ve read two other books by her she always tops herself. The minute I see her name I jump at the chance to review and read.

Winning Love was a wow-zer! First the heroine, Gayle Andrews. I have never read about a heroine like her. She really blew me away. She was completely uninhabited and had no reserve about holding ANYTHING back. I have to admit, I had to put the story down a couple of times. Gayle is a storm-chaser, which is really more sophisticated than it sounds, but it fit Gayle so perfectly that I thought the author couldn’t possible come up with a better occupation for her. Gayle was so layered and complex. She was a ball of constant and none-stop energy but she also had a lot of heart and soul. She also really got Mac Hannon.

Mac was such a difficult character for me. I really ached for him and his loss, and he did have a big loss. At the same time he was so short fused that he was also irritating. At first it seem that everything and anything set him off. Mac lost his wife while she was pregnant with their child. This horrible event happened four years ago and the pain and hurt is still very viable for him. He was a very accomplished chef but to deal with his anger and pain he returned to fighting. He is very numbed to his pain but at the same time he is still very pained. Although emotionally shut off he is so highly sensitive that really any conversation is a reminder of his loss.

Mac returns to Kansas, where he used to live to help his friend train. When he and Gayle meet he is very reserved and stand-offish but she is not the least bit intimated. Unlike the other people in his life, Gayle knows when to push and when to back off. One of the funniest scenes is when she is actively pursuing him and she makes a remark about just wanting a physical connection, not marriage. As Mac and Gayle spend more and more time together they quickly learn to love each other and they make a strong connection. Although the author doesn’t give these two tortured souls a quick fix (Gayle, although very carefree carries her own pain), it was really worth the journey that they travel. Once again, Abby Niles does not disappoint. This book is filled with fantastic scenes (chasing storms, mud races, just to name a few) and very tender moments. I really enjoyed and highly recommend this book.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Deep Surrendering Episode 6 by Chelsea M. Cameron

Deep Surrendering Episode 6 is the latest installment in Chelsea M. Cameron's Deep Surrendering Serial. Chelsea is releasing one installment a month, and when the story is complete she has said that the episodes will equal about two full novels. These installments are not standalones, and should only be read in order. I highly recommend that you start at the beginning if you are going to read these, and beware that each ends with a cliffhanger as they are part of a serial. While it is frustrating to only get a small portion of this story at a time, I think that Chelsea has done a great job of keeping the reader interested from episode to episode without the reader giving up. Episode 6 picks up right where the previous installment left off with Fin and Marisol still apart. Fin and Marisol while having agreed to be together exclusively even while apart are struggling with the separation and distance between them. As they try to speak with each other as often as possible, it becomes harder the more that their schedules fill up. While Fin and Marisol continue to get to know one another, Marisol still struggles with not knowing about Fin's past. She also must deal with how dedicated Fin is to the business and doing what his father asks of him. While Marisol loves Fin and wants to have a future with him, she begins to wonder if staying with his is in her best interest and if he will really choose her if the time comes when he is forced to choose between her and his father.

I will admit that this episode was harder to get through than the last few have been for me. While I still really like Fin and Marisol, this one didn't have the same feel that the previous episodes have had. They are apart at this point, and you really begin to feel the distance between them. Marisol is focusing on her friends and her daily life while hoping to be able to spend a little time talking with Fin each night. You can really see the exhaustion starting to set in for both of them as they try to fit each other in to their busy lives. They really do care about one another and are running themselves ragged trying to make things work between them. I felt like we really got to see more of Fin's sweet side in this installment, and I liked that he was doing what he could to show Marisol that she was on his mind and that he cared about her. I liked their new way of getting to know each other by telling each other things that no one else knew about them, but I did miss their exchange of action for a secret. I wanted to see more of Fin's past and how that continues to affect his present and ability to have a relationship with Marisol. I felt like while we did get a bit more of what he likes and what makes him Fin, that we really didn't gain much in this installment. I was hoping for more of them and I feel like this one didn't have that.

I will admit that with this episode, I felt like the focus was too much on Marisol and her friends. She was struggling and going through a lot with her insecurities and fears about where things were headed for their relationship. But I really missed seeing their interactions and felt like this one lacked the connection and chemistry that they have always had. I wanted to see more of the progress of them as a couple, and I don't feel like this episode allowed for much growth or development. I did like the very end of this episode though, and I am so excited to see what happens next! I really don't want to wait to see where things go from here, but I was loving what Chelsea set us up for. I really hope that we get more of Fin and Marisol in the next portion and less of their lives apart from one another. I felt like we had just been making progress for these two and that this episode sort of stalled out for the time being. This one to me just felt like more filler than anything, and I was looking for more. I think if this wasn't the whole installment but had been included in a full length novel that it would have been fine. But when you wait for each installment to release, by the time you get that part of the story you are looking for something substantial rather than just the day to day of what is going on and their interactions with the secondary characters. I really do like this series though, and I have enjoyed Fin and Marisol's journey to this point. I will continue to read their story and see where things lead for them next. I highly recommend these if you are a fan of Chelsea's and if you don't mind the nature of a serial with installments released once a month. Fin and Marisol's story is far from over and I can't wait to get more of these two and see what awaits them next.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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