Feature: Tripped Out by Lorelei James

Where there’s smoke…

Stirling Gradsky abandoned the corporate rat race for a more laidback lifestyle. So it’s ironic she’s stuck working with a hard-bodied, know-it-all scientist who treats her like a stoner instead of a stone cold business woman capable of running a large scale cannabis operation. Dr. Hot and Tattooed with the big…brain needs to stop sampling their product; he’s under the half-baked idea that he’s the boss.

Dr. Liam Argent’s doctorate isn’t in chemistry, but from the moment he meets his sexy new coworker, there’s enough heat between them to short out all the lights in the grow house. First item on his agenda? Clearing up the sassy, blunt blonde’s hazy notion that she’s in charge.

Sparks fly as their attraction blazes. But can they weed out their differences without getting burned?

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ARC Review: Strung Up by Lorelei James

Strung Up is a standalone M/M novella in the Blacktop Cowboys series by Lorelei James. You do not need to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this story, though fans of the series will recognize some familiar faces. Strung Up centers around Creston Grant and Breck Christianson. Creston hasn't been himself since losing his partner, and Breck has suffered a lot as well. So when the two meet up again and the attraction is stronger than ever, they find themselves wondering if they could possibly have a second chance to find love. 

Cres and Breck had so much chemistry between them, and I felt the attraction right from the start. Being a novella, I worried about whether their connection would feel real within the short amount of time, but I didn't feel that way at all. Their relationship felt genuine, and it felt like more than just lust. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that these two had already known one another, but they were both at different points in the life and things were finally coming together for them. Each one had been through a lot, and that shaped who they were. I enjoyed seeing them get to know the men they had become and of course there was a ton of steam, being a story written by Lorelei James. James is a master at giving readers sexy books that have a great story to go along with the steam, and Strung Up was no exception. 

I will admit that I did feel like while the chemistry and connection were there, there were a few things that I would have liked to have been a bit different. I struggled a bit with knowing that Cres had lost what was called the love of his life, and there was something that I didn't totally agree with at the end of the story when it came to that and his relationship with Breck. I also felt like communication was an issue at times, even though that is often a problem in romance stories. But overall this was a great addition to the series and I enjoyed it quite a bit. No one does sexy cowboys better than Lorelei James, and I always know I am in for a good time when I pick up one of her books.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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Feature: Strung Up by Lorelei James

From New York Times bestseller Lorelei James…

Rancher Creston Grant retreats from the world after he loses the love of his life... Can his former flame, rodeo cowboy Breck Christianson prove he's a changed man who can give Cres a second chance at love?

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ARC Review: Just What I Needed by Lorelei James

I have read a couple of other Lorelei James books with somewhat mixed results. I usually like her storytelling but sometimes the characters work my nerves. So I went into this book not completely sure what to expect. This is the second installment in the series but I just joined the party. I did not read the first book about the other Lund brother. I must say, I enjoyed this book. No character issues, I just wish this one had been a little bit steamier. 

I actually read this book a while ago and forgot that I read it. The minute I pulled it up again on my Kindle and read the first couple of pages, I was like OH YES. I love the intro of this book. It draws you in and gets you interested in turning the pages right away. Trinity seemed so downtrodden at the bar that first night. When things seem like they can't get any worse, her ex walks in with his new girl and it goes from crap fest to shit show. But then Trinity gets it in her head to jump on Walker (literally) so she doesn't look like the president of the lonely hearts club. I knew I was going to like Trinity for her guts and I knew I was going to like Walker for his reaction. Trinity and Walker have one of the most memorable introductions I've ever read and I found myself liking them and rooting for them from the beginning.

Even though I didn't get as much of the freaky stuff as I like to see, I really appreciated the writing of this book. The plot was layered and the couple's relationship develops through the sphere of other events. There is the fact that both Walker and Trinity are a little unforthcoming when it comes to their true identities. The thing that I really liked and really found interesting was that both Walker and Trinity are concerned about their families. I also liked reading about Walker's insecurities that stemmed from being the working man of the family instead of the corporate executive type like his brothers. I like a side of vulnerability with my strong bossy alpha men and Lorelei gives us that in this book. 

Walker and Trinity together were compelling, interesting and little bit crazy but I was here for it. Walker was perfect for Trinity's offbeat personality. Walker was extremely attuned to Trinity's needs in a way that she kind of wasn't and the people around her certainly were not. If you want me to latch on to a book, give me a man who is looking for opportunities to make his woman's life easier. I was like YES Walker, YES. For Walker's part, he just needed some affirmation. Walker's family is wonderful but it's hard to be one star in a constellation. For Trinity though, Walker became her galaxy and it just made me feel all oohey gooey inside (that's a thing). It took way too long for these two to make it official (in bed) and they have to overcome some relationship bumps along the way. All in all though, I walked away feeling really satisfied with this book and happy I read it.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: What You Need by Lorelei James

It's day 3 of 2016 and it's shaping up to be a 3 star year so far. This is my second Lorelei James book and while I really like her writing style and character development, things went kind of left with the hero and heroine in this story.

What You Need is the story of Brady and Lennox. Brady is the CFO of Lund Industries, he is also a Lund. So he's a rich devastatingly handsome millionaire. When we first met Brady, I really liked him. I wanted to jump up and shout when I figured out that Lorelei was giving us a Hero who wasn't a ridiculous manwhore. In fact Brady was a little awkward and didn't fully appreciate his assets. Brady had been a acne ridden nerd in his high school days and he never recovered from the trauma. And I loved that about him. It was so refreshing to read about a Hero who wasn't completely sure of himself and who hadn't banged everything in the local hemisphere. Brady meets Lennox because she is a secretary at his family's company. Lennox is basically trying to go straight after a childhood spent as a wild child. Brady is attracted to her because she is one of very few people who doesn't pander to him but actually speaks her mind. There is a mutual attraction between the couple that eventually leads to a relationship.

Ok, so here are where my issues start with the book. First, it took a long time in the book for the initial hookup. I don't think the couple gets together beyond a few conversations that weren't entirely pleasant until like the 30% mark in the book. If you're wondering what happens during all the preceding pages the answer is kind of nothing or not much anyway. We get a lot of the back story on Brady and Lennox and the supporting cast of characters (who I really like) but I found myself getting really impatient for the part when we actually get a romance between the main couple. When the romance does begin, I thought the book was going to really pick up and take off but then it kind of didn't. The book was good but nothing really happened.

The conflict in the story line was all internal to the main characters and linked to their insecurities, silly actions and misunderstandings. That is something that I find extremely aggravating in romance plots. The characters in this book are 28 and 32 so I don't expect them to behave like characters in a NA novel but they sort of did. I understood from the extensive background information we got on both characters why they might have behaved as they did, I just didn't like it.

There are pieces to this book that are really good. Some of the banter between the characters was really enjoyable. Brady's family was fun to read about. I particularly liked the little intervention they staged for Brady in response to him living like a hermit. Oh, and yes, the sex scenes are pretty good. My only issue is that I didn't necessarily love the way the pieces to this book fit together and the characters started to get on my nerves. If you like a little NA splashed into your contemporary romance, give this one a try because the writing really is good.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Wrapped and Strapped by Lorelei James

This is my first book in this series but it is the 7th book in the series. This is also one of my first cowboy-romance books but I can honestly say, I dug the cowboy vibe. Even more than the cowboy thing, I just really liked the writing of this book. The author brought together two very different characters with a great deal of emotional complexity and she did it well!

Hugh is the Hero of the book and I absolutely loved all his layers. Hugh has a really good heart but it’s buried underneath a rough exterior and a lot of hurt from his past. This was the first male Hero I’ve ever read about who discussed being overweight in his past and how it effected a relationship he was in. I don’t know why I found that so compelling but it might be because it made Hugh so much realer to me. The back story on Hugh also helped me to understand all the stupid ish he was doing in the present. Hugh is a special brand of unfriendly, he even insults Harlow when he first meets her. In the end though, the author's good use of flashbacks and character introspection smooths over all the rough edges.

Harlow, our heroine, is also a complex character who I ended up really liking. At first, Harlow seemed more like an obnoxious flirt than a serious character but oh, look again. It turns out Harlow is simply a master of illusion. Harlow is good at burying her real feelings and only letting the world see what she wants them to see and you know what? I’m here for that. Not every heroine needs to wear her heart and every last emotion on her sleeve. I really enjoyed Harlow’s vulnerabilities and all the cover ups.

I have to give a shout out to the story line between Harlow and her sister. It was just really fascinating to see how Harlow’s sister was the closest person to her and not even she knew what was going on inside Harlow. This was a subplot that added to the overall book by giving you a more in depth understanding of Harlow. The same goes for the interactions between Harlow and her Dad. Again, we see a different side of Harlow portrayed through the lens of her relationship with one of the supporting characters.

There was a slow build up to the relationship between Hugh and Harlow but I never felt bored or like the book was dragging. Instead I felt like I was invested in the relationship by the time it was manifest. There is a really sweet and real bond between Harlow and Hugh. There are many pages where the status of them as a couple is unclear but the bond is always there.

I highly recommend this book for all you fans of second chance romance. But not just second chance romance, second chances in life. Don’t pass this one up.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Stripped Down by Lorelei James

Stripped Down is a standalone novella in the Blacktop Cowboys series from Lorelei James. It is also a part of the 1001 Dark Nights series from Evil Eye Concepts featuring stories from many popular authors. Stripped Down can be read as a standalone, but the characters are interconnected and for full enjoyment I would recommend reading the rest of the books in the Blacktop Cowboys series even though it isn't necessary.

Melissa Lockhart and Wynton Grant meet when his brother and her best friend get married. Paired up as the best man and maid of honor, these two end up spending a lot of time together and sparks instantly fly. Melissa and Wynton are both used to hooking up with no commitment, and neither one of them plans on settling down anytime soon. But when their steamy one night together takes an unexpected turn, they realize that they might have more in common than they thought. What starts as a family crisis in which Melissa agrees to help Wyn, leads to playing house together. Soon Wyn is hoping for more, but will Mel's secrets keep them from having a future together?

I really liked these two. They were super hot together and I loved their banter. Right out of the gates here these two were fun and feisty, and they had such strong chemistry. I loved that they owned their desires and weren't afraid to admit what they enjoyed. I will say that it was a bit odd when they would compare sex stories and former conquests, but I really liked how comfortable they were from the start. (even if it was a little weird for the reader) These two were sexy together right from the start, but I enjoyed seeing it turn into more than that as they spent more time together. 

Overall, another great read from Lorelei James. She always delivers a sexy and emotional story that you can't help but feel invested in. I really love this series, and you really can't go wrong with her smoking hot cowboys. If you are new to Lorelei James, you are seriously missing out and should definitely give her books a chance. If you are already a fan, this is one you won't want to miss!

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: Caged by Lorelei James

In the searing fourth novel in the Mastered Series, following Unraveled, only one woman can set a hardened fighter free from his past.…

In order to survive a life of tragedy, Deacon McConnell embraced his roughest edges and learned to fight on the streets. Then a life-changing jujitsu seminar led by Sensei Ronin Black led Deacon to become a professional fighter. With his muscular physique and his body covered in tattoos and scars, the MMA fighter defines mean, both on and off the mat.

But everything changes when innocent Molly Calloway signs up for his kickboxing class. Molly is Deacon’s opposite in every way: She’s kind, sweet, thoughtful, and educated. After a heated argument between them turns into a passionate encounter, Deacon realizes Molly is eager to experience more, and she looks to him to take her to the darker edge of lust....

The last thing either of them expects is how deeply their lives will be thrown upside down by the passion they find together.

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ARC Review: Caged by Lorelei James

Caged is the fourth book in Lorelei James’ Mastered series. I didn’t know it was a part of a series when I picked it up but it’s a standalone so you don’t need to have read the other books in the series to read this one. I will say, however, that I read some other reviews of this book and a couple suggested reading these books in order to increase your enjoyment level. I’m not going to disagree with that advice because I seem to be a bit less enthusiastic about Caged than other reviewers. In fact, there are references in this book that connect to other books in the series (I know that NOW) that can be confusing if you start reading here.

Caged is Deacon and Molly’s story. Deacon is a Southern boy who teaches kickboxing classes. Molly signs up for one of Deacon’s classes and Deacon is instantly attracted to her, sweat and all. Right away I was little put off by the conflict between Molly and Deacon. Deacon blows his initial shot with Molly for a reason which I still don’t fully get and to the extent that I do get it, I just didn’t like it. When Molly runs into Deacon months later (underneath a stripper!) he is still attracted to her and is instantly on her seeking another chance. Molly gives in pretty easily since she’s been pining away for Deacon ever since their failed first connection. I think the book is supposed to be about the push and pull between Deacon and Molly as he tries to get back into her good graces and she resist only I didn’t really see a whole lot of that in the book.

Deacon is an extreme alpha. He comes complete with grunts, indecipherable facial expressions and a communication void the size of Nevada. Of course, he is also hella bossy. Eventually we see a sweeter side to Deacon but the weird thing is that his sweeter side doesn’t seem to be what drew Molly in. I know that because it doesn’t come out until after Molly has already agreed to give Deacon another chance. So their whole relationship up until that point was giving me a “I’m here for the orgasms” vibe. Again, I think not reading other books in the series may be an issue here because apparently there is some relationship development between Deacon and Molly which occurred in other books in the series. I didn’t benefit from that material so it all seemed very insta-lovey to me.

In terms of the events in the actual book…there was a lot going on emotionally. Because Deacon is brooding and alpha-ey, he holds a lot of things inside. This, of course causes complications in his relationship with Molly because she doesn’t understand or misinterprets some of his actions. Deacon eventually reveals more about himself and the sh!t really is devastating stuff that anybody would probably hide. The thing that finally got me feeling something about Molly’s character is that she really is good at understanding Deacon and supporting him as he finally deals with his past and heals. Post-open up Deacon and Molly’s relationship is compelling and the connection is really well described. The sex scenes were hot and added to the overall chemistry between Deacon and Molly. The BDSM stuff can always go either way. If you read a lot of BDSM books, the stuff in this book wasn’t all that intense but it still made things spicy and interesting.

The one thing that really annoyed me about this book is that in order to build some conflict into the story line, there is a lot of melodrama and angst. I’m actually allergic to melodrama and excessive angst and this book damn near made me break out in a rash. I know things are bad when I start screaming grow the fu!k up at my Kindle. However, because this book was well written, I had a lot of fun with the entire cast of characters and there was some hot sex, I still enjoyed the book overall. My suggestion for you potential readers is that you can read this book out of order in the series but you SHOULD read the other books in the series first.

**ARC copy provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Unwound by Lorelei James

As soon as I had finished Bound, I was anxiously awaiting the conclusion of Amery and Ronin's story. I have been a fan of Lorelei James since I first read about her sexy cowboys, but after reading Bound I was an even bigger fan. I loved this new world that she had created and really enjoyed these sexy MMA guys. Unwound picks up where we left off at the end of Bound, and should only be read if you have already read Bound. That being said, if you haven't read Bound yet you definitely should! These characters are not to be missed.

Amery left Ronin because she had found out that he had kept a huge part of himself hidden from her. Not only did she not know who he really was, but she felt like she had fallen in love with a complete stranger. After trusting him and opening herself up, she is left reeling after meeting his sister and learning the truth. Ronin knew the moment he met Amery that she was different. He started to feel things that he had never felt before and it scared him. But after Amery leaves him, he quickly realizes just how much she meant to him. Without her his life quickly falls apart and he turns to fighting, the only thing that can help him escape. He shows up at Amery's door after a brutal fight and she rushes him to the hospital. Once released, she agrees to stay with him through his recovery. As Ronin heals, he and Amery begin to work on their relationship and see if they can have a future together. But there are still many obstacles standing in their way. Can they figure out a way to move forward once and for all? After everything that has happened, can they learn to fully trust in each other and the connection that they have formed?

I have liked Ronin since Bound. My biggest complaint about him was how secretive and closed off he was. At times you couldn't really tell just what he was feeling for Amery. That was not the case in Unwound though. He started to open up and really made a point of telling her and showing her how he felt. He was really sweet and protective of her, and it was nice to learn more about his character. I liked that he pushed her in the right ways when she needed it and at other times he knew that he needed to back off. Amery was a bit more reserved in this book, and yet she also opened herself up to possibilities that she never would have before. She really showed just how much she cared about Ronin, even if it scared her and she couldn't fully trust him at the time. I liked how she stood by him through everything. No matter what he revealed or others revealed about him, she was able to see him for who he really was even if it took her a bit of time. She was really devoted to him and I love that she stood up for him. Amery and Ronin had a really strong connection, and I thought that it was even more apparent in Unwound. They have been off the charts hot together from the beginning and that didn't change one bit. But it was nice to see them take in to a whole other level and really become intimate with each other. These two were absolutely perfect together.

Overall, I thought that this book was really good. I will admit that there were times that I felt the story was a little slow and seemed to drag a bit. It was mostly the beginning and I was glad that after about half way through it really picked up. I felt like a bit too much of this story focused on Ronin's and Amery's businesses, and I found my attention wandering through some of those parts. But I really liked getting to know some of the secondary characters a bit better. I loved Ronin's sister Shi, and I also really liked Deacon and Knox. I really hope that we get their stories some day as they were all really interesting! I think that this book was a good conclusion to Ronin and Amery's story, and I liked how things ended for them. Amery and Ronin were fun to read about, but they were also extremely sexy. I loved just how real their connection feels and how clear it is that they belong together. I highly recommend this book if you have read Bound, and for anyone who enjoys bondage with their romance. This series is so much more than just bondage though, and I think that even readers who are not necessarily bondage fans will find Amery and Ronin's undeniable connection to be worth reading about. Lorelei James continues to impress me with every book that she writes, and I know that I will continue to read every book of hers that I can get my hands on in the future. She is definitely an author worth the try if you have never read her books before.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Bound by Lorelei James

I am a huge fan of Lorelei James. I have enjoyed every single story I have ever read by her, and her sexy cowboys will always be among my top book boyfriends ever. When I saw that she had a new and completely different series coming out, I knew without a doubt that I had to read it. Bound proved to me why Lorelei James continues to by a favorite author of mine and also just how talented of a writer she is. She has a way of writing the most beautiful and scorchingly sexy books that will leave you hot and bothered.

Amery is living in Denver while running her own graphic design business. She grew up in a small town and came from a very Christian family that caused her to grow up being ashamed of anything sexual. Her relationship with her parents now is strained at best, but she has started to live her life how she wants and not how they approve. After her friend gets attacked, Amery agrees to attend some self defense classes with her but instead of being an observer, she ends up being forced to participate. There she meets the sexy and mysterious owner of the Dojo, Ronin Black. Ronin and Amery are instantly drawn to each other, and feel a pull between them like they have never felt before. Ronin and Amery begin seeing each other, and Amery quickly figures out that there is so much more to Ronin than meets the eye. He has a darkness to him and desires that she has only scratched the surface of. Amery is introduced to Ronin's world of bondage, and gives herself over to him while opening up herself like never before. But Amery still feels as though Ronin is holding himself back from her and that he is hiding things from her. Can Amery give herself completely to someone who will not do the same?

I really liked Ronin. I thought that he was extremely sexy, athletic, and very intriguing. I liked how raw and passionate he was, but that he could also be tender and gentle. There was so much more to him than meets the eye, and it really feels like we just barely scratch the surface with him in this book. I knew that he was drawn to Amery and cared about her, but it felt at times that he really held so much back when it came to her. I questioned at first how much he was really into her, but towards the end of the book you really see that he feels more for her than he wants to or will admit. Amery is one of those heroines that I love to root for. She is smart and kind, strong and open-minded. She might have been scared after first finding out what Ronin participated in, but the way she reacted was due to his actions and how he showed her. Given time to research and make up her mind, she really opened herself up and allowed herself to take a chance. I loved how she was able to give herself over to Ronin, while remaining the smart and sassy woman who stood up to him when no one else did. Amery and Ronin had an undeniable connection and attraction to each other. They had so much sexual chemistry that you can almost literally feel the tension and steam as you read. These two absolutely ignited when around each other, and were hotter than almost any book couple I've ever read about.

Overall, this book was fantastic. Lorelei James has written another masterpiece, and continues show that she is worth the auto-buy every time. I love reading her sexy cowboys and all about ranch life, but I loved being immersed in Ronin's world and martial arts. When I first went into this series, I thought that it was going to be like the rest of hers and Amery and Ronin's story would only be the first book. So I was pretty shocked when I got to the end and was left without a resolution. Luckily, we only have to wait until the end of March to get the conclusion to their story when Unwound releases. Amery and Ronin are deep and interesting, and they leave you wondering what will happen next. I cannot tell you how much I need their book now. These two characters will without a doubt be on my mind until I get more of them. I highly recommend this book to fans of erotica and those that are looking for steamy hot scenes that will leave you reaching for a glass of ice water. In case you are on the fence about this one, I will tell you that this book is not your typical BDSM book. This book is more about bondage and the beauty of rope work and the pleasure that can come from that, rather than Domination, submission and punishment. This story is beautiful and complex, and is definitely worth taking a chance on.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: Bound by Lorelei James

In the new Mastered series by New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James, a woman’s desire to shatter her inhibitions leaves her unprepared for where that erotic journey will take her….

Former small-town girl Amery Hardwick is living her dream as a graphic designer in Denver, Colorado. She’s focused on building her business, which leaves little time for dating—not that she needs a romantic entanglement to fulfill her. When her friend signs up for a self-defense class as part of her recovery after an attack, Amery joins her for support. That’s where she meets him.

Ronin Black, owner of the dojo, is so drawn to Amery that he takes over her training—in public and in private. The enigmatic Ronin pushes Amery’s boundaries from the start, and with each new tryst, Amery becomes addicted to the pleasure and to him. But when Amery senses Ronin is hiding something, she questions her total trust in him, despite the undeniable thrill of his possession….

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