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Saturday, November 30, 2013

Weekly Winners

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

Michelle
Inside Out Tote Bag + Escaping Reality courtesy of Lisa Renee Jones

Linda
Once Upon a Highland Summer by Lecia Cornwall

Sherry
The Price of Temptation by Lecia Cornwall

Jennifer
In Love with a Wicked Man by Liz Carlyle

Janie
$10 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Cynthia Eden

Morena
Rhonda
Filia
Melanie
Diane
A Vampire's Christmas Carol by Cynthia Eden

Lori H.
Taken by the Duke by Jess Michaels

Diane
Twice the Temptation by Beverley Kendall

Josephine
Enticing the Earl by Christie Kelley

Anita
Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard by Vanessa Kelly


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

Guest Post with Author Jeannie Moon and Giveaway

Meet author Jeannie Moon.

Jeannie Moon has always been a romantic. When she’s not spinning tales of her own, Jeannie works as a school librarian, thankful she has a job that allows her to immerse herself in books and call it work. Married to her high school sweetheart, Jeannie has three kids, three lovable dogs and a mischievous cat and resides on Long Island, NY. If she’s more than ten miles away from salt water for any longer than a week, she gets twitchy. Unexpectedly Yours is the second book in her Forever Love Series. Visit Jeannie’s website at www.jeanniemoon.com

Places to find Jeannie:

Feature and Giveaway: The Thrill of It by Lauren Blakely


A new adult story of Love. Sex. Addiction. Blackmail. And Power...

Some say love can be an addiction. Others say it's the thing that makes life worth living. Let me tell you everything I know about love...Love isn't patient, love isn't kind. Love is a game, a chase. A thrill. Love is wild and war-like, and every man and woman must fight for themselves. At least that's how it was for me. A high-priced virgin call girl by the time I started college, I was addicted to love and to sex. Even though I've never had either. I controlled love, played it, and held the world in the palm of my hands. Then I fell down from those highs, and I'm being blackmailed for all my mistakes, forced to keep secrets from everyone, except the only guy I don't regret.

Trey...

With all the other women, I knew what they were. They were temporary. They were pills, they were bottles, they took away all the pain, and numbed the awful memories that wore down my ragged, wasted heart. Until I met Harley. She's the only girl I ever missed when she walked away. But now she's back in my life, every day, and there are no guarantees for us, especially since I don't know how to tell her my secrets. What happened to my family. All I know is she's the closest I've ever come to something real, and I want to feel every second of it.

How can you love with no regrets when regret is all you know?

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes |

ARC Review: Shooting Scars by Karina Halle


Let me start by saying, if you haven't yet read Sins & Needles that there may be spoilers ahead so beware. Also, Shooting Scars is the second book in The Artists Trilogy and should not be read if you haven't read Sins & Needles. These books are not standalones, and need to be read in order. If you haven't read this series yet, you are seriously missing out. Ok with all that being said, this series is absolutely becoming one that I know will be a favorite of mine. These books just keep getting better and better. Each time I think I know what will happen, Halle takes us in a completely different direction. These books are well written, unpredictable, action packed, and so interesting that you will be up all night reading in order to finish them. I love that this series is so different and unique from anything I've ever read before. These are not fairy tales, and are dark and edgy. I love that each of these characters are flawed and real. They really draw you in and keep your attention!

Ellie has made the sacrifice of going with her ex Javier in order to save Camden and his family. Javier has plans for Ellie and will do just about anything to make sure that she does exactly what he needs her to do. Fearing for Camden and his son's life, Ellie goes along with Javier. But as the two start working together, Ellie finds herself being drawn more to Javier than she ever expected. Meanwhile, Camden's new life is short lived and before long he is searching for Ellie. Camden teams up with someone unexpected and they begin to track down Ellie. Camden is on a mission to get the woman he loves back and also get revenge for everything that has happened. But when you set off on a mission of revenge, can you possibly remain the same person? Will Ellie still be committed to Camden, or will her connection to Javier be more than she can deny?

When I started this series, I read On Every Street first. After reading that book, I was strongly on Team Javier. I love a bad boy who knows what he is doing and isn't afraid to go after it. I honestly never expected to be anything but Team Javi. But after reading Sins & Needles, I was starting to soften when it came to Camden. He really started to win me over! There is something about a hot nerdy guy who not only has a ton of tattoos, but is also a tattoo artist. I never expected to fall for Camden, but he really showed me how great he was for Ellie. Plus Ellie and Camden had a history, and I loved that their connection went deeper than hers with Javier. Camden and Ellie have had their ups and downs, and their journey has been anything but smooth. But I really think that Camden and Ellie are not only meant to be, but that they are perfect for each other. They really are the balance to each other, and they make each other better. Even if sometimes that means doing things that can they never would have expected of themselves. I like Ellie more and more as this series goes on. She is not a perfect heroine. She is a con artist and is deeply flawed. But I think that all of her imperfections really make her real and because of how real she is, she becomes more likable. Even though I cannot relate to her as far as her actions or the choices she has made, I think she really is a good person deep down.

Overall, I am loving this series and I really enjoyed reading Shooting Scars. I can't go into much of this story without spoiling everything, but trust me this series has so many twists and turns that you will never know what to expect next. I love that Karina Halle takes us on this roller coaster ride and just when you think you have everything figured out you don't. These books are amazing. I think that these characters are some of my favorites that I have ever read about. They are interesting and lovable despite their flaws. I never know exactly what to expect from them, because just when I think I know them there is another layer to them that gets revealed.  I loved that this book was told from both Camden and Ellie's POVs, and that we really got to see what both of them were thinking. I think that added so much more to this story.  I absolutely cannot wait to read Bold Tricks. I am so invested in all of these characters, and I really need to know what happens to them. I think that these books get better every time and I think that these are a must read. If you like action and like your books unpredictable with many twists and turns, this series is exactly what you are looking for. I think if you enjoyed Sins & Needles you will really enjoy Shooting Scars as well.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |



Friday, November 29, 2013

Romance is Bliss Event Winners


There are many winners to announce but before I do so, I just wanted to take the time and say a SUPER BIG THANK YOU to all of the Bliss authors that participated in the Romance is Bliss event. 

Now, on to the winners!

ARC Review: Targeted by Katie Reus


Confession time: I’ve had self-publishing phenom Katie Reus’s entire Red Stone Security romantic suspense series on my epic Kindle to-read queue for aeons but have never gotten around to reading any of them. So when she started her new Deadly Ops series, I figured it was time to finally check out this talented author I’d heard so much about and who’d been endorsed by some of my favourite romantic suspense authors. Former military hero currently working intelligence? Check. Drug runners and terrorists smuggling biological weapons? Double check. Teenage love given a second chance? Triple check. Smokin’ half-clothed bloke with a gun on the cover? TARGETED hit all the highlights I look for in romantic suspense. And it didn’t disappoint—it’s a well-crafted, action-packed read big on (realistic) thrills and great sexual tension that sets the scene for what will surely be a thoroughly enjoyable, sexy series.

Former Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper Jack Stone left the military and his previous life as Sam Kelly to work for a super elite and ultra-secretive branch of the National Security Agency. Fresh off a two-year deep cover stint to bring down a human trafficking ring led by Albanian terrorists, he’s drafted into a solo operation to investigate the connection between a seemingly on-the-straight-and-narrow medical supply company, a ruthless South American drug lord, and a North African terrorist group set on unleashing biological weapons on US soil. The catch? The target’s assistant and surrogate daughter is Sophie Moreno, the love of his (former) life he feels he failed at age eighteen and whom he’s spent the bulk of his adult life trying to forget. When Sophie, suspicious of her boss’ increasingly evasive behaviour, obtains photographic evidence of weapons being smuggled with the company’s medical supplies, she lands square in the drug lord’s crosshairs and Jack’s mission shifts from gathering information to protecting the woman he’s never stopped loving but believes he can never have. If that’s not enough of a thrill ride for you, throw in an NSA mole, a former agent-slash-best-friend gone rogue, and one hell of a twist, and you have the pulse-pounding, action-packed read that is TARGETED. The writing is crisp and the pacing taut, and Ms. Reus does a great job of tempering the adrenaline rush with sexual tension so palpable it’ll have you hollering at Jack and Sophie to just get it ON. From the second they lay eyes on each other (again), primal attraction sizzles between them but isn’t decanted until ~60% through the book, which just added to me desire to keep turning pages. Well played, Ms. Reus.

I really, really liked Jack/Sam. The flashbacks weaved through the story give us a glimpse of his rough upbringing in foster care and the sweetness (and heat) of his relationship with the teenage Sophie when the two of them end up in the same foster home with a decent foster mum… and the main story shows off the swoon-worthy badass alpha he’s become. I liked how his feelings of failure and guilt regarding Sophie that have haunted him all his adult life and have kept him from trying to contact her in over a decade took him from seemingly invincible super-warrior to regular guy (who could probably kill you with a paperclip)—it made me really connect with him and feel his struggle of being so close to the woman he’s been in love with all his life but unable to divulge his secrets. Watching him try to fight his feelings—past and present—for Sophie and try to focus on the task at hand rather than what she still does for him was both heartwarming and great fun and had me rooting for him to get the girl in the end all the way.

Sophie is one of those heroines that you’ll either like or will rub you completely the wrong way; I happen to fall on the “like” side of the spectrum. I really enjoyed how, despite being thrust into a completely foreign (and deadly) situation and betrayed by someone important to her, she kept it together and didn’t go all damsel in distress/whiny TSTL flake. Growing up in the foster care system and having survived a vicious attack, she’s no shrinking violet, and she’s got spunk and sass to spare. Though I was tempted to smack her upside the head for being a bit of an idiot about the Jack/Sam thing (and then flipping out when she learns the truth—hello, national security much?) and being all “I’m just a means to an end” pouty despite the fact that Jack puts his career on the line for her, I could see where she was coming from. And, admittedly, watching her fall for Jack whilst being confused about all the Sam-like feelings he elicits was quite entertaining. And, oh boy, the two of them together are HOT. Even when they’re not together per se, the sparks between them are electric, and the main event may just set fire to your Kindle.

Overall, TARGETED is an impressive start to what promises to be a sizzling trilogy/series. If you like your romance action-packed and hot (and with a sexy military hero), definitely give this one a go!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |



Feature and Giveaway: No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean


A rogue ruined...

He is the Killer Duke, accused of murdering Mara Lowe on the eve of her wedding. With no memory of that fateful night, Temple has reigned over the darkest of London’s corners for twelve years, wealthy and powerful, but beyond redemption. Until one night, Mara resurfaces, offering the one thing he’s dreamed of...absolution.

A lady returned...

Mara planned never to return to the world from which she’d run, but when her brother falls deep into debt at Temple’s exclusive casino, she has no choice but to offer Temple a trade that ends in her returning to society and proving to the world what only she knows...that he is no killer.

A scandal revealed...

It’s a fine trade, until Temple realizes that the lady-and her past-are more than they appear. It will take every bit of his strength to resist the pull of this mysterious, maddening woman who seems willing to risk everything for honor . . . and to keep from putting himself on the line for love

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

ARC Review: Worth the Fight by Vi Keeland


I really loved this book! I loved the characters. I loved the writing. I pretty much just loved everything about this story, especially Nico! Vi Keeland is a new to me author, but after seeing that this was a standalone sports romance I knew that I had to give this one a shot. I could not be more happy to have taken a risk on an author that I didn't already know. This book drew me in from the start and I read this one super quick, only stopping when I absolutely had to. Worth the Fight was one of the best books I have read in awhile, and I am sad now that I have finished the book. I wasn't quite ready to be done with Nico.

Elle has been going through the motions. She has a good job as a lawyer and a boyfriend who anyone would consider to be a catch, but her life is boring. After a horrible past, this is exactly the type of life she was looking for. But when boyfriend William walks in with Nico to have her consult on a contract, everything changes. The attraction between them is instant. Nico wants Elle, but he is determined to be the only one in her life, he refuses to share. Elle wants Nico more than she has wanted anything in a long time, and after having met him she realizes that she has just been going through the motions. Not wanting to live her life that way anymore, Elle breaks up with William and begins to pursue a relationship with Nico. Nico also has been struggling with his past and an event so tragic that it forever changed him. As Nico and Elle move forward with their relationship, they fight to leave the pasts behind them and look toward their future. But without dealing with their issues, how can they possibly have a working relationship even though that's what they both want? Will they be able to move on and be together, or will they let the obstacles in their way tear them apart?

I absolutely loved Nico. He is hot and sexy, with tattoos and a killer body from constantly being in training. But he is also sweet and thoughtful and a really great guy. There is so much more to him than meets the eye, and he just felt so genuine and real. I also really liked Elle. She was very easy to relate to as a heroine and I felt like I was rooting for her from the start. She was absolutely perfect for Nico and I loved how she was with him. She was very caring and nice and was always looking out for those around her. I really loved how her and Nico started off slowly despite their insane attraction to each other. It was really sweet to watch them go on dates and get to know each other. I think that is what made their relationship so real and believable. They took their time and it wasn't at all rushed. It just felt really natural. Once these two got together though, man were they hot! Their steamy scenes were seriously sexy and extremely well written! It felt like Elle and Nico could combust just from being near each other, and I loved every bit of it!

Overall, this book was fabulous! I absolutely loved reading it. The characters are interesting and deep, and it was very easy to be invested in them from the start. Elle and Nico are perfect and really balanced each other out. I loved how they supported each other, and were able to heal and grow together. They had a one of a kind connection, and I believed that they were meant for each other from the start. Vi Keeland may have been new to me at the start of this book, but after reading this story I am very eager to read more from her. I loved her writing style and the depth and emotion that she was able to give her characters. I will absolutely be looking for more books from her in the future. I am also anxiously awaiting the second book in this series called Worth the Chance! This one will be about Nico's protege Vinny, and I cannot wait to see him all grown up! Hopefully we will get more of Nico and Elle also, because they are great and will definitely stay with me for a long time! This story is an absolute must read. It has everything that I look for in a romance, and I loved every word of it! If you haven't read this yet, this is one you should definitely check out because you do not want to miss this one!

**ARC provided by AToMR Blog Tours**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |



Thursday, November 28, 2013

ARC Review: Torn by Kim Karr


Torn is the second book in Kim Karr's Connections series and should be read after Connected. These books are not standalone and should be read in the correct series order, so if you haven't read Connected yet you should start there and avoid the rest of this if you don't want to see any spoilers. Ever since I finished Connected, I have been waiting for Torn. I have been anxious about this story and while I have been looking forward to reading more of River and Dahlia's story, I was still a little nervous about Torn. Kim Karr did not disappoint with Torn though, and in fact she exceeded any and all expectations that I had. She has written a beautiful story that I just couldn't put down, even though I was trying to pace myself and savor this book.

Torn picks up right where we left off with Connected, and the reader is not left hanging after the huge bombshell of a cliffhanger. Now that we know Ben is not really dead and has returned home, River and Dahlia are both left to wonder what the future holds for all of them. Dahlia thought that Ben was the one for her, but after his death she reconnected with River and they discovered a connection unlike anything they had ever felt before. Even though Dahlia needs to know about what really happened with Ben, she is committed to River and determined to show him that Ben being back changes nothing between them. Even though River knows how Dahlia feels about him, he is also afraid that now that Ben is back things will change. With Ben determined to get back everything he had before, including Dahlia, will River and Dahlia be able to get through everything and have a future together? Or will the obstacles in their way tear them apart?

I didn't think it was possible to love River any more than I had in Connected, but Torn made me fall even harder for him. He is so sweet and thoughtful and I loved getting to know him even better. It was really great to get even more depth to his character and see just how much he felt for Dahlia. I loved that he was always there supporting her, and his commitment to her was so nice to see. Even though he was clearly struggling with everything that was going on and his fear of losing her, I loved how he fought every step of the way and refused to give up. Poor Dahlia. I felt so bad for her. Here she has been through heartbreak and is finally starting to move on with the man she is supposed to be with, and Ben shows back up. Then she loses the closest thing she has left to a mother. How much can one girl take? It was nice to see how much stronger she was this time though. You could really tell just how much growth her character has done since we first met her in Connected though, and although she did lean on the support of River and her friends, she really dealt with things better. River and Dahlia's connection was already strong, but after all the things they had been dealt in this story they came out even stronger. Not only were all the emotions there, but they continue to be so sexy hot together. They are absolutely the perfect pair, and I loved reading every bit of their story together.

Overall, this book and series just keep getting better! I love River and Dahlia, but I also love the other characters as well. I am so excited to read more from Kim Karr, and I cannot wait to get to know all the other characters better. These books are extremely well written and bring everything that I look for in a great story. There is steam and sex, but then you also get the sweetness and emotions that make any great love story worth reading. I know that River and Dahlia will always be a favorite couple of mine, and I am sad that this was the last of them. I hope we get to see some of them in the rest of this series, because I have come to love and feel so connected to these characters. Kim Karr has created some very interesting and likable characters that are impossible not to feel invested in. If you have yet to read Torn or Connected, you are absolutely missing out. This series is fantastic, and you will absolutely fall in love with these characters just like I have. Kim Karr is definitely becoming a favorite author of mine, and her books are a must read.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book DepositoryKobo | iTunes |



Interview with Author Amanda Forester and Giveaway

Meet author Amanda Forester.

Amanda Forester holds a PhD in clinical psychology and a Masters degree in theology. As a psychologist, she has worked as a clinical researcher and a university instructor (what they call you when they don’t want to give you tenure). None of which has anything to do with writing romance novels. After trying for many years to stop the internal storylines floating around her head, she finally gave up and wrote one down. Now when she is caught daydreaming and talking to herself she can just say, “I’m plotting a scene for my next novel,” which sounds so much better than, “I’m hallucinating and responding to internal stimuli.”

Amanda lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family, three lazy house pets and one destructive puppy who is part yellow lab part tornado.

Amanda enjoys writing historical romance and splits her time between the rugged Highlands of medieval Scotland and the lively banter within the drawing rooms of Regency England. She enjoys researching the history almost as much as the writing, and attempts to provide the reader with a glimpse of the historical reality, though usually without the fleas. She enjoys sharing her passion for romance and history and loves hearing from readers.

Places to find Amanda:

Guest Post with Author Toni Aleo and Giveaway

Meet author Toni Aleo.

Toni Aleo is the author of the Nashville Assassins series: Taking Shots, Trying to Score, Empty Net, and Blue Lines. When not rooting for her beloved Nashville Predators, she’s probably going to her husband’s and son’s hockey games and her daughter’s dance competitions, taking pictures, scrapbooking, or reading the latest romance novel. She lives in the Nashville area with her husband, two children, and a bulldog.

Places to find Toni:

Feature:: Cinderella Screwed Me Over by Cindi Madsen


Finding the one has never been so fun frustrating.

Darby Quinn has a bone to pick with Cinderella. Burned one too many times by ex-boyfriends, Darby has lost all belief in the happily-ever-after that the fairy-tale princess promised her. She's sworn off love, Prince Charmings, and happy endings and she's happy about it. Really. Or at least she was…until she met Jake, her gorgeous neighbor and the manager of her favorite restaurant. But Darby has rules about dating, ones she's culled from her years spent with so-called “princes,” and starting something with Jake would break all of them.

Charming, fun, and unwilling to give up on her, Jake doesn’t fit any of the profiles Darby has created from her case studies of ex-princes-gone-bad. Finally presented with her own Prince Charming, can Darby take a chance on a happily-ever-after?

Full of wit and sarcastic humor, Cinderella Screwed Me Over proves that sometimes the perfect love, like a perfect pair of shoes, is just within your grasp.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | iTunes |

ARC Review: Undeniable by Shannon Richard


I really wanted to love this one. Going into Undeniable I had such high hopes. Not only is this one of my favorite tropes (Guy falls for best friend's little sister!) but I had read Undone and fell in love with Jax and Grace in that book along with their friend Shep. I was really looking forward to seeing Jax and Grace get over themselves and watching them fall in love. Unfortunately for me, despite Jax and Grace being likable characters who do eventually get their HEA, this book just didn't work for me. Undeniable is the second book in the Country Roads series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Jax is a small town deputy who has grown up with some crappy parents. He grew up being told that he was worthless and wasn't good enough. He formed a friendship a group of guys young and their families did their best to take him in and give him as much as they could. From the time Grace was born, Jax made it his job to look out for and protect her. Not only because she was Brendan's little sister, but also because he always had a connection to her. Grace fell in love with him very young and wanted nothing more than to be his. Jax wanted Grace too, but felt he wasn't good enough for her and forced himself to stay away. Things come to a head though after the two share a passionate kiss. Jax still doesn't think he is good enough for her though and continues to try to push her away. As time goes on, they both realize that their feelings are only getting stronger for each other now that they know what it is like to be more than friends. But can they possibly be together when Jax continues to think that Grace deserves better?

I liked Grace from Undone, but I really loved her in Undeniable. She is spunky, fun and sweet. Despite growing up as the subject of a lot of town gossip, she never let it really get her down. She wasn't afraid to live her life and be who she was. I loved what a great friend she was and it was really cute how all the guys looked after her. She was just so sweet, and I thought it was great that she was always looking out for Jax and making sure he was fed and taken care of. I liked Jax. He was perfect for Grace, even if he couldn't see it. I loved how he wanted to protect her and make sure that she was always happy. He was sexy and they had a lot of chemistry together. One of the things I didn't care for about them though was the back and forth. I just felt like it was a little too much. It got to the point that it just felt like the author was almost forcing the drama and it just didn't seem as though what was happening was how things would naturally happen. I just kept waiting for them to wake up and it took way too long for that to happen.

I felt like the robbery subplot was extremely drawn out. I found myself wanting to skim several parts because I just didn't really care what was happening with it. This whole book felt like it could have been shortened and you wouldn't really miss anything. There were parts that just absolutely drug and I think that really just took me out of the story. I felt like I was forcing myself to continue reading at points as there was so much going on. For me, there were times when the book seemed to have absolutely nothing to do with our hero or heroine and I think that just really took away all my interest in this story. There were just too many things happening, and quite a few were about random characters. I also think that there were too many characters being mentioned, and that was really confusing at times. Not only that, but I felt as though I didn't really care about the extra characters with a few exceptions. I was really hoping to enjoy this story and that we would get the trope with an original spin on things. But for me, this was just the same thing with different characters in a different town. I found the story to be predictable and most of the characters to be the stereotype you would normally find in a small town.

Overall, this story was not what I was hoping for. I felt like there could have been so much more done with these characters and there was so much promise going into this one. But unfortunately it just fell flat for me. The next story in this series, Unstoppable is Bennett and Mel's story and I wish I was more excited to read about them. I just don't seem to be that interested in getting to know either of them better. I was hoping that we would get Shep's story next, as I really love his character. I think that there are plenty of small town romance fans that will probably like this story better than I did. For me though once I sort of lost the connection to Jax and Grace, it sort of just killed the whole story for me. I am not sure if I will read any more of this series except for Shep's story. But I really hope that the rest in this series focus more on the main characters, with less of the random small town people that really don't have anything to do with the story. I think it just detracts from the story and really sort of makes the reader lose interest.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |



Wednesday, November 27, 2013

ARC Review: Let It Be Me by Toni Aleo


This review isn't easy for me to write. Let it be Me left me feeling extremely emotional and the whole book was filled with ups and downs. There were parts that I really liked, but there were also parts that I had some issues with. I went into this book after reading the blurb, and even though I knew what it was about, it was just different than I expected.  It's hard for me to put it into words without going into too many details and spoiling everything, but I guess I was expecting a little more romance and love. While this story was inspiring and about a girl learning to love herself and become stronger, I just felt as though it was more about her and her struggles than anything else. Even though it does end happily, I feel like it was kind of drawn out and pretty predictable getting there.

I really loved Tucker. I thought that he was extremely sweet and an absolutely great guy. He was protective and caring and impossibly understanding. I thought Tucker really had the patience of a saint. He was genuinely nice and everything you could hope for in a man. He was one of those guys that even though he is extremely handsome, he is even more so because of his personality. Truthfully, I had my ups and downs with Violet. I have never been in a situation like her, and I found it really hard to relate to her. We are complete opposites in personality, and although I can never understand having to deal with what she did, I just didn't understand her. I thought that her character was well written and I understood some of why she did the things she did, but I just personally didn't connect with her character. I thought that it was great that towards the end of the book she started waking up and made some decisions that I thought were great. It was inspiring to see her take her life back and find her purpose in helping others. I think that she underestimated how strong she was, so it was nice to see her get there with the help of Tucker. I never doubted their attraction to each other and that they cared about each other. But I also didn't fully believe that their connection was as strong as it was so quickly. I just didn't really feel like it was that real that quick. I think part of the problem was Violet and her actions. I did think that Tucker and Violet were great together and extremely sweet though. I was hoping that they would get through everything and end up together in the end, so I was happy about that.

Another problem I had was the epilogue. There was something that was mentioned in there that did not make any sense to me at all. I don't know how to say what it is without spoiling the ending, but with everything that had happened I just found that part to be extremely unbelievable. Besides that problem though, It was nice to see Violet and Tucker had finally got their HEA. I was also really glad that Violet had gone after what she wanted and was helping others escape and get past the same type of situations that she had experienced. I wish that we had been able to see more of Tucker and Violet happy and developing their relationship. I felt like we missed out on a lot of them. I realize that they got to know each other while she was still married, but it would have been nice to see more of them after everything was over as they really started their relationship together.

Overall, I liked this book. I know it sounds like a lot of stuff I didn't like, but I just think that it was so different from what I had expected. Yes there is love and a happy ending, but i'm not sure that I would call this book a romance. I think if I wouldn't have been expecting a romance, it would have changed my whole take on this book. I still would have had some issues with the story, but I think I would have taken it for more of what it is. This book is all about how you can end up in a place you never expected and be broken and beaten down. But its also about how with some help and determination you can pick yourself up again and start to heal. At the heart of this story, you really see how important self-love is and how you should never be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I think that there are a lot of people who will really like this story. This book is a good story, but it isn't your typical romance and shouldn't be thought of as such. There are some very serious and adult things that happen in this story and there are a lot of dark moments. If you are looking for a light and quick read, this is not the story you are looking for. Luckily for the reader though, the story does end well and the characters reach a really good place that is a satisfying finish to the book.

**ARC provided by Author**

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Guest Post with Author Noelle Adams and Giveaway

Meet author Noelle Adams.

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

Places to find Noelle:
| Site | Facebook | Twitter

Interview with Author Anne Elizabeth and Giveaway

Meet author Anne Elizabeth.

Anne Elizabeth is an award winning romance author, the creator of the teen PULSE OF POWER comic book series, and the Columnist on Comics, Manga, and Graphics Novels for RT BOOK REVIEWS magazine. With a BS in Business and MS in Communications from Boston University, she is a regular presenter at the RT Book Lovers Convention as well as a member of the Authors Guild and Romance Writers of America. Her published credits include stories with Atria/Simon & Schuster, Highland Press, Dynamite Entertainment, Sea Lion Books, Bravo Zulu Studios, LLC, and Sourcebooks, Inc. She grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, and now lives in the mountains above San Diego with her husband, a retired Navy SEAL. In her free time, she is also a serious Amelia Earhart who is always on the hunt for a new adventure.

Places to find Anne:
| Site | Facebook | Twitter

Review: Wallbanger by Alice Clayton


I absolutely loved this book! There aren't even enough words to come close to telling you how much I adored everything about this story. Wallbanger is the first book that I have ever read by Alice Clayton, but I had been hearing great things about Wallbanger and knew that I had to check it out. This is by far one of my favorite books I have read this year. The characters are fabulous, the writing is amazing, and this book was laugh out loud funny! I find myself saying LOL often, but in the case of Wallbanger I was literally laughing out loud. My husband kept asking me what I was reading and what could possibly be so funny. I cannot honestly remember the last time that I had such a good time reading a book.

Caroline has a great job as an interior designer and has just moved into a great new apartment courtesy of her friend and boss. She never imagines when she decides to sublet that she will be kept awake all night. Turns out her apartment's walls are extremely thin and her new neighbor likes to entertain late at night. After several nights of little to no sleep, she decides to confront the wallbanger and tell him to quiet down. When Caroline shows up banging on Simon's door in nothing but a pink baby doll nightie things quickly get interesting. The attraction between them is instant, but with his harem of girls, Caroline has no intention of anything ever happening between them. But it really is a small world and they run into each other at a friend's party and come to a sort of truce. Things between them quickly change however as they become more and more friendly. Before long they are hanging out together often, and the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Will they finally give in to the attraction they feel and can Caroline be enough for him to leave his harem behind?

Oh how I loved Simon. He was sexy and confident, while being sweet and lovable. He was also extremely charming and impossible not to fall in love with. Despite his harem and wallbanging ways, you couldn't help but find him extremely likable. I also really loved Caroline. She was funny and independent, and completely unafraid to say what she thought. She is exactly the type of heroine that I love from page one and can't help but root for. Her character was so refreshing and different from so many other heroines I have read lately, and I have to say she is definitely one of my all time favorites. I loved how witty she was and her thoughts and personality, as well as the nicknames she came up with kept me in stitches the entire book. I loved the banter between Simon and Caroline. It was so much fun to watch these two verbally spar and go back and forth. They also had a ton of chemistry and I loved watching them circle each other as they got to know the other better. I really just loved everything about Simon and Caroline, and I loved that their relationship was slow to progress. It was nice to see them go from their first meeting to being friends and hanging out to more. These two are definitely a perfect couple, and I know that they will always be one of my favorites!

Overall this book is beyond amazing! It is funny and sweet, while being witty and sexy. This story is everything that I could possibly ask for in an entertaining and romantic read. I loved Caroline and Simon, but I also really loved their friends and Caroline's cat Clive. I loved the end of this book and thought that it was the perfect ending to this story! If you haven't read this story yet, you are seriously missing out! This book will be one that I know I will reread over and over, and will always be one of my go to books. I absolutely cannot wait to read more from Alice Clayton, and I can already see her being an auto-buy for me. I was sad for this one to be over because I was having such a great time reading this story. I just wasn't ready to give up Simon and Caroline and I would absolutely read anything about them I can get my hands on. Yes I'm a little greedy when it comes to these two, but they left me with a serious book hangover and I just can't help myself! For me this one is a must read, and I can't tell you enough of why you should immediately get this book!

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |



Tuesday, November 26, 2013

ARC Review: Hard As It Gets by Laura Kaye


I will admit that I took one look at this sexy cover and decided I wanted to read this book. I hadn't even read the blurb yet when I knew that I was interested, but after reading it I knew this story was going to be good. I definitely was not disappointed with Hard As It Gets, and I really enjoyed reading this one. I thought that this was a great way to start this series, and I already cannot wait to read the next one.

Becca's brother goes missing and the only clue she has is from her brother telling her to find Nick Rixey. Becca goes to Hard Ink and finds Rixey only for him to turn her away. After a few days of keeping an eye on her though, Nick quickly figures out that something isn't right and could very well have something to do with the disaster that forced him to leave the Army. Rixey begins to help Becca look for her brother Charlie and hopes that along the way he can get to the bottom of everything that happened. He enlists the help of what is left of his team, and they begin to work together. As Becca and Rixey search for Charlie, things between them begin to heat up. But there is more than just attraction growing between them, and the more that Rixey gets to know Becca the deeper their feelings become. Can they find Charlie and get the answers that Nick and his team have been searching for? Can Becca and Rixey make it out of this dangerous situation they have found themselves in and be together?

I loved Nick Rixey. He was sexy and a total tattooed alpha, but he was also really sweet and caring. I loved how he really wanted to take care of Becca and be protective of her, but he also didn't baby her. He really let her be herself and made sure that he didn't shut her out of what was going on. He was also a really great friend. Even though he had made some bad decisions and there was a lot of tension between the members of his team, he really cared about them and the trust and camaraderie was easy to see. I also really liked Becca. I liked that she was tough and strong, definitely not your typical shrinking violet type of heroine. She wasn't afraid to risk everything for those she cared about, and it was clear to see how much she really loved her family. Even though she was very insightful about what Nick was feeling and going through, she made it a point to never bring up anything in front of others so that he wouldn't be upset or embarrassed. I thought that spoke volumes about her character and how much she really thought of Nick. Their connection was so real and believable. I was surprised just how strong their connection was in such a short period of time, but I never once questioned it. They were just naturally a perfect fit for each other in every way. They were a great balance to each other, and they had amazing chemistry! These two really generated a ton of steam, and their sex was very hot!

Overall, I thought that this one was a great read! I loved that as the first book in this series we got to meet all the players and set everything up, but that we also got a really great romance out of it as well. I thought that Laura Kaye did a great job of answering some of our questions, but also of making us ask more. She didn't leave this on a huge cliffhanger, but was able to leave us with unanswered questions and wanting more. I really enjoyed the guys from the team and I thought that their interactions with Becca and Rixey were definitely some of the high points of this book. I cannot wait to get more of them as this series progresses. I also really liked Jeremy, Jess and am curious to get to know more about Charlie. I did feel as though the first few chapters and a few other parts of the story moved a little slowly for my liking, and that is what kept me from rating this one higher. I did however keep reading despite that, and I am so glad that I did. If you are looking for a book with suspense and romance featuring some hot tattooed guys, this is definitely one you won't want to miss. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the Hard Ink Series which is Hard As You Can. This one will be Shane's story, and I cannot wait to get to know him better!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Interview with Author Laura Kaye and Giveaway

Meet author Laura Kaye.

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Places to find Laura:
Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter Sign Up |

Guest Post with Author Selena Blake and Giveaway

Meet author Selena Blake.

Selena Blake is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 20+ erotic paranormal and contemporary romances. Fans gobble up her Stormy Weather series. She's a fan of action movies, Diet Mt. Dew, Milky Way bars and thunderstorms, not necessarily in that order.

Places to find Selena:

Review: Ask For It by Selena Blake


Ask For It is the first book I have ever read by Selena Blake, and as much as I wanted and tried to love this one I just couldn't. I had a few problems with this story and unfortunately as much as I really liked the characters, this book just wasn't what I had hoped for. I was excited to read this story after having read the blurb, and I thought that it had a ton of potential to be one that I would really love. I think that these characters are interesting and likable though, and I did enjoy reading about them.

JJ Fairchild is a sports journalist who flips houses with her brother in her spare time. Having been homeless when she was a child until her mother married her step-dad, she has some issues when it comes to money and all that comes with it. For the past several years, she has lusted after and been attracted to NFL star Trevor Wyatt. Even though he has made no secret of the fact that he is also attracted to her, she has turned him down every time he has tried to ask her out. She refuses to be another one of his bimbos or a notch on his bedpost. But an accident causes him to leave football behind. A chance encounter a year later causes them both to act on the attraction they have always felt. JJ and Trevor are soon spending more time together and realizing that they have more than just chemistry together. As they begin a relationship, they both have a lot of issues that keep them from being able to fully trust the other. Will they be able to share their secrets with each other and have a relationship together, or will their issues keep them from ever being able to trust each other enough to move forward with a future together?

Even though I had some problems with this story, the one problem I didn't have was with the characters. I really liked Trevor. He was confident and sexy, while also being sweet and thoughtful. I loved how he really payed attention to JJ and would do nice things for her just because he wanted to. I loved what a great guy Trevor was and how he had such a strong relationship with his brothers and mom even though they weren't his biological family. It really showed how family is what we make it rather than just what we are born into. I also loved how the boys and Trevor would help their mom out with chores and didn't complain. Momma Wyatt definitely raised her boys right! I also liked JJ. I thought that she was a great friend and was caring and strong. You could tell that she had some issues from her childhood, but she didn't let those stand in her way. Towards the end there was a time when she stood up to some reporters and her boss when she was defending Trevor, and I loved how she handled everything! It was nice to see a heroine really stand up for her man. JJ and Trevor had a lot of chemistry, but I felt like there was very little steam. I was hoping for more hot scenes between them than we got, and I think that hurt my belief in their connection. I did believe that they cared about each other, but I just wasn't feeling as though their connection was that strong. It seemed like they definitely had the lust and sexual tension part, but the emotional portion and real love between them just seemed to be rushed and I found it a bit lacking.

I really liked the secondary characters. I thought that they all added a lot to the story and I found them all to be interesting as well as Trevor and JJ. I did however have a problem with how much the story focused on JJ's friend Cindy and her boyfriend Adam at times. I felt like there were times that it really distracted the reader from the story and I couldn't understand what they had to do with where the story was going. I also thought the story had some flow problems. There were times that the story really seemed to drag and were drawn out more than they should have been. It really had me wanting to put the book down and walk away at times rather than keep me interested in turning the pages. I think part of the problem was that the POV would switch from character to character with absolutely no warning. It was confusing, and half the time I spent trying to figure out what was going on and where, and who we were focusing on. I also didn't care for the ending. I felt as though the book was long and had worked up to quite the ending, and then the author just abruptly stops. It left me reeling. I couldn't believe that was it. I kept thinking I had to be missing something, but there wasn't anything else. All in all, this book had its enjoyable moments and the characters were all interesting and easy to like. But I just thought that it didn't live up to the promise of what could have been a great book. I think that there are contemporary romance fans who will get a lot of enjoyment out of this story and find it to be a good read. But for my personal taste, this book was unmemorable and the problems with the story were just too much to come back from.

**Copy provided by Author**

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Monday, November 25, 2013

ARC Review: Asking For Trouble by Tessa Bailey


Asking For Trouble is the fourth book in Tessa Bailey's Line of Duty series. I was really excited to read this book after having read Officer Off Limits. I really loved Daniel and Story in book three, but I was also really curious to get their best friends Hayden and Brent's story as well. This book definitely did not disappoint, and I loved every second I spent reading this one. This series is super hot and I love the characters. Every one I read in this series just keeps getting better. You can read this as a standalone if you haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I would absolutely recommend that you give this series a shot if you haven't read any yet.

Hayden and Brent can't stand each other. They didn't get off on the right foot when their best friends Daniel and Story first met and they have been at each other's throats ever since. Brent is an explosives expert who moonlights as a mechanic in order to not only make ends meet, but also to help support his family. Hayden has been raised in a wealthy household and spends her time running charity events and organizations. Brent thinks that Hayden is just another rich girl who likes to spend her time shopping and looking down on those who work for a living, while Hayden thinks that Brent is just another cocky and judgmental cop. But every argument between them seems to build their attraction to each other until one night the passion between them explodes. All of a sudden they cannot stop thinking about each other and wondering where all their chemistry could possibly take them. But besides the obstacles already in the way, Hayden's dad is about to lose everything and the only way to save it means that she has to forget Brent and marry someone else. Brent isn't about to let Hayden go without a fight though.

I really liked Brent. At first I wasn't so sure about him. He came off as cocky and extremely judgmental. He didn't give Hayden a chance to show him that she wasn't at all like he had thought and just assumed that he knew her. But the more he got to know Hayden that started to change, and you could really tell that he was really starting to like her and see that she was different than he had first thought. I loved that he was so supportive and thoughtful when it came to his family. He went out of his way to make sure that they were all taken care of despite what he might have to sacrifice in order to help them out. I really enjoyed watching his character change over the course of the book and I thought that it was really great to see his sweet side come out at times. I think my favorite part of the whole book was the end when he makes his big speech to Hayden. I absolutely fell in love with him right then! Hayden was also really likable. I loved that she was classy and sophisticated from growing up the way she did, and yet she was also able to let loose and have fun. She was caring and sweet, and she really tried to use her money and influence to support worthy causes. I thought that Brent and Hayden were witty and I loved their banter! They were so much fun to read about and I just couldn't stop reading because I had to see what they would do or say next. There is such a fine line between love and hate, and I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed watching as Hayden and Brent figured everything out! These two were extremely hot together and I loved how they took turns with who was in charge. It was nice to see both being able to give and take when it came to the dominance and control. I also really loved that Brent was a dirty talker!

Overall, this series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine and Tessa Bailey has definitely gained a fan in me. I absolutely love her characters. They are always interesting and have a depth to them that you don't often find. I also really love that although there are sweet moments and romance, that Tessa Bailey always packs in a ton of steamy sex scenes as well. They are always extremely well written and will leave you fanning yourself and reaching for a glass of water. I highly recommend that you pick up Asking For Trouble and give it a shot. I think that this series is definitely a must read for romance fans. Readers will fall in love with the characters and keep flipping the pages in order to find out what happens next. I cannot wait to read more from Tessa Bailey and see what she has in store for us next. I am anxiously awaiting Matt's story. I think that there is so much to him that we haven't seen yet, and I can't wait to get to know him better.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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