ARC Review: Tied To His Betrayal by Stacy Kennedy

Tied to His Betrayal was a really interesting read. This is kind of a second chance romance. Darius and Taylor were a hot couple 5 years before this book starts. In this book, all we know is that Taylor found herself in a bad situation and returns home where Darius is to sort everything out. The reason Darius and Taylor were no longer together is irritating to me. Darius believed that he could not commit to Taylor so he did the whole if you love something let it go thing. I really hate that. Also, I didn't really empathize with Darius' feelings about why he couldn't give Taylor what she really wanted. He is supposed to be a character who needs control but right from the beginning of this book, he seemed a little weak to me.

The chemistry between Darius and Taylor leaps off the pages. From the minute Taylor returns home battered and bruised, there is no question that things will pick up where they left off with Darius. The weird thing for me is that despite the sexual chemistry with the couple (and it was there), I'm not sure I completely buy into them as a couple. I think that what happened is that the author might have done too good a job depicting each of the individual characters. Darius is dark and brooding. Taylor has a light and innocence to her that is Darius' polar opposite. The problem is that I wasn't sure the two made sense together. Even after they got together, I had a hard time tracking the relationship. The other thing that was rough was that Taylor's innocence seemed like a cover sometimes. As the book went on Taylor seemed less like a paragon of goodness and more like someone who just couldn't work through shit on her own.

I sort of recommend this book. It's hot and the writing is pretty good. Just beware that some parts are a bit slow and the characters might not totally make sense especially when they're together.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Feature: The Steele Ridge Series by Adrienne Giordano, Kelsey Browning and Tracey Devlyn

Meet Adrienne Giordano, Kelsey Browning and Tracey Devlyn authors of the Steele Ridge series.

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Adrienne Giordano writes romantic suspense and mystery.  She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her workaholic husband, sports obsessed son and Buddy the Wheaten Terrorist (Terrier). She is a co-founder of Romance University blog and Lady Jane's Salon-Naperville, a reading series dedicated to romantic fiction.  

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Kelsey Browning writes sass kickin' love stories full of hot heroes, saucy heroines and spicy romance. Originally from a Texas town smaller than the ones she writes about, Kelsey has also lived in the Middle East and Los Angeles, proving she's either adventurous or downright nuts. These days, she hangs out in northeast Georgia with Tech Guy, Smarty Boy, Bad Dog and Pharaoh, a Canine Companions for Independence puppy. She's currently at work on the next book in her Texas Nights series and The Granny Series. Give her a shout at Kelsey@KelseyBrowning.com or drop by www.KelseyBrowning.com. For info on her upcoming releases, subscribe to her Sass Kickin' News.

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Tracey Devlyn is an award-winning author who writes historical romantic thrillers (translation: a slightly more grievous journey toward the heroine’s happy ending). She’s a co-founder of Romance University, a group blog dedicated to readers and writers of romance, and Lady Jane’s Salon-Naperville, Chicagoland’s exciting new reading salon devoted to romantic fiction.

An Illinois native, Tracey spends her evenings harassing her once-in-a-lifetime husband and her weekends torturing her characters. For more information on Tracey, including her Internet haunts, contest updates, and details on her upcoming novels, please visit her website.

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ARC Review: Managed by Kristen Callihan

I have to admit I was a bit nervous going into Managed by Kristen Callihan. While I am a huge fan of hers, I wasn't the biggest fan of the first book in this series Idol. Each book in the VIP series is a standalone story, but the characters are interconnected. I just wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book after the first, but luckily I did like this book better than I did Idol. It still wasn't my favorite book of Callihan's, but this one was enjoyable and I would rate it somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.

Gabriel Scott is the manager of the world's biggest rock band, but he hates flying. So when he finds out that the spare seat he purchased next to his own is suddenly taken, he isn't happy about it. Sophie thought that she had hit the jackpot being upgraded to first class, but she quickly realizes that it isn't all that she dreamed of. But soon they both actually start to like each other, and they find themselves in a situation they never expected. Can Sophie melt the ice around Gabriel's heart though, or will he continue to be as cold as everyone thinks he is? 

I liked Gabriel and Sophie. They were sexy together and had chemistry right from the start. They had great banter, and I enjoyed their back and forth a lot. I will say that at times I felt like their maturity level was a little lower than their ages though, and sometimes their actions left me shaking my head a bit. But overall, Sophie and Gabriel were easy to root for and feel invested in. It was great to see familiar faces as well, and I really enjoy the group as a whole. The camaraderie between the band members and their friends/loved ones is so much fun, and I loved those parts of the story. 

My biggest issue with this story though besides the immaturity at times was the ending. I felt like things could have been done so much better towards the end of the book. Communication was suddenly a huge issue and made for a big misunderstanding that easily could have been resolved with an adult conversation. Then just as quickly as things blew up, they were resolved with a cliched grand gesture and everything was neatly wrapped up for the reader. It just felt sort of disappointing after everything for it to end the way it did, and if I am honest wasn't fully satisfying for me. While I have enjoyed parts of this series, Kristen Callihan's Game On series is still my favorite from hers. I think that fans of rockstar romance stories and contemporary/NA romance will really enjoy this series, and if you liked the first book Idol, you are sure to enjoy this one as well. While I haven't loved this series, I have enjoyed it and look forward to more in the VIP series as well as from Kristen Callihan in the future.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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Review: Say You Want Me by Corinne Michaels

I was so excited to see that Corinne Michaels had a new book coming out, especially when I found out it was Wyatt's story! Say You Want Me is a standalone story, but for those that have read her book Say You'll Stay, you will recognize Wyatt as being Zach's brother. Say You Want Me had my attention right from the start, and I really loved this story. 

Angie Benson had no intention of falling for Wyatt Hennington, especially after he left her in his bed without so much of a word. But a few months later, Angie finds herself leaving her beloved Philadelphia behind for Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Though everything has changed for Angie, she still has no plans to let Wyatt in. But Wyatt is determined to show Angie that what they could have is so much more and that she belongs in his town and in his life for good. 

I don't think it would have been possible to love Wyatt more! Seriously he was sweet and sexy, charming  and strong. He is the stuff that book boyfriends are made of, and I just loved him. I thought that he was great for Angie and was so glad that he didn't let her get away with pushing him away. Angie was strong despite all that she had been through, and I really felt for her. She had so much to deal with, and then her life took another unexpected turn forcing her to rethink everything. But I loved that she slowly opened herself up to Wyatt and the possibility of a future, and seeing her grow and evolve was so satisfying as a reader. These two had chemistry right from the start, but their emotional connection and bond was so much fun to see grow and strengthen as this story progressed. 

If you have ever read a book by Corinne Michaels, then you know that they are emotional and deal with things that aren't easily dealt with. Say You Want Me definitely lived up to that, and yet it was such a beautiful story. Corinne's books always have a way of putting the reader on an emotional roller coaster, yet the love and connection in each make it all worth it. Say You Want Me was so good, and it was filled with everything that I love in a great romance story. If you want a romance that is funny and sexy, and delivers all the feels, Say You Want Me is a must read. I honestly cannot wait to get my hands on Trent and Grace's story next! Corinne Michaels is an auto buy author for me, and I highly recommend all her books!

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ARC Review: Daring Fate by Megan Erickson

I'm not huge on paranormal romance stories, but I was intrigued from the second I read the blurb for Daring Fate. Not only that, but I am a fan of Megan Erickson's, so I figured I needed to give this one a go. This was a very different world, and I really enjoyed the story. I think fans of paranormal romance as well as those like me that get a little picky when it comes to the genre will enjoy this one. 

Daring Fate is set in a post apocalyptic world, where the human population has been decimated by a virus. Those left behind are Weres, werewolves and Noweres (Weres that have turned into zombie like creatures). Werewolf Reese is determined to save his siblings from a dangerous alpha, but when his plan doesn't go as he would like, he is forced to leave his sister behind. He soon finds himself at the mercy of the Silver Tip pack's Alpha Dare. But what he never expected was for Dare to see him as his fated mate. Intending to escape to save his sister, Reese soon finds himself falling for Dare and leaving could mean losing Dare forever. Can Reese save his sister and Dare, or will he be forced to choose between his sister and his mate? 

These two were so hot together! I loved every steamy minute of it! The attraction was instant, but I loved that the trust and real emotion took longer. It all felt natural and real, and I really believed that these two were meant for one another. I loved seeing them circle around each other and get used to their new relationship.

I loved that Megan Erickson wrote this one in dual POV, as I think it worked perfectly for this story. I don't think that this one would have worked nearly as well if I hadn't been able to see inside of both their heads. I was drawn in right away and I loved this world that she has created. The characters (both main and secondary) are interesting and keep you wanting to read without putting this one down. I really enjoyed this one and I am definitely looking forward to more. I have never been a huge fan of shifter stories, but this one was definitely unique and I think a lot of readers will really like this edgy and gritty story. I definitely recommend checking this one out if it sounds like one you might be interested in. I have never read anything quite like it and I am already anxious for more.

**ARC Provided by Author**

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