Tag Archives: Book Review

4.5 Stars, Book Review

Lost & Found by Anna B. Doe Review

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newarcbannerblurblost & foundI don’t know what I want to do with my life. The only thing I am sure of is that this is not what I imagined my life to be. So, instead of staying and trying to figure out what is wrong, I choose to run away. I choose the unknown. I choose the adventure.
My name is Anabel Majer, and I’m lost.

I have it all—well, almost all: family, health, money, fame, career, women, you name it. The only thing I am missing is a Super Bowl ring—or so I thought until the night everything changed. One night, a small Tinkerbell collided with my life, and I am gone.
My name is William Price, and I found her.

She is everything he wanted.
He is everything she needed to stay away from.
What happens if at the end of the journey you lose more than you find?

— Goodreads — Amazon —

authorannabdoeAnna B. Doe is an author of the contemporary romance novel Lost & Found and Until (coming January 2018). She has bachelor’s degree in Education Science and Spanish from the University of Zadar. She works full time in an office and gives English and Spanish classes in her free time. When she’s not working for living or writing her newest book you can find her reading books, watching TV shows, or traveling the world. She is addicted to coffee and a big lover of dogs. Anna writes what she loves to read, which is romance. She is currently working on various projects. Some more secret than others.

— Facebook — Amazon — Reader’s Group — Goodreads — Instagram — Pinterest — Bookbub — Email —

reviewlost & found2

Talk about a slow burn!! The story of Anabel and William unfolds over the course of a year, with a constant push and pull that makes you want to scream. William is so unbelievably sweet, even for a big football player, that I wanted to shake Ana, MANY TIMES, for not just giving into him. And I wanted to hug Will and tell him that it was ok she was being a big meanie-pants, because I was there for him.

I love that this book is safe (i.e. Will doesn’t go try to screw someone else to get over Ana, and Ana sure as hell didn’t go out on dates or anything with other guys). Will might constantly say that needs to get laid, that’s why he was so crazy over his Tinkerbell, but he never made moves to rectify the situation (okay, ONCE he went with someone else to some thing because he needed a date and Ana was being mean but he didn’t put the moves on his date at ALL).

The reason that this got 4.5 stars instead of 5 for me was because of Ana. One, she was lying to herself like, the whole time. There were times she was honest with herself, but when her friends pushed to her to be honest with herself and them, she was usually witchy back to them. And then there were the times her fear made her lash out at William, giving him major hot and cold feels. At first, it was a huge turn off. But then the more I read, the more I understood Ana, and the more my heart ached for her too. She was lost in school, not really sure what to do, so traveled half way across the year to be a companion. She wasn’t supposed to fall in love with the family, or make friends, and she was definitely not supposed to fall in love. She tried so hard not to, but she did.

Will did not make it easy on her either. He pulled out all the stops to get her to fall for him. The ending just about broke me. And Forever comes out soon and all I can think is that it needs to be EPIC (which it probably will, because so far Anna is an amazing author), but I’m also terrified of what’s going to happen because the teaser said it was heartbreaking and I just don’t know if I’m mentally prepared enough for this. I need epilogues with marriage and babies and Happily Ever Afters, thank you very much (that was me asking very politely Anna, but I need it like Spongebob needs water!!).

lost&found 34andahalf

5 stars, Book Review

Jock Row by Sara Ney is live and it’s SO GOOD Y’ALL

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blurbjockrowScarlett is always the sensible one: The sober driver. The planner. The one holding your hair back while you’re worshiping the porcelain gods.

Week-after-week, she visits Jock Row with her friends—the universities hottest party scene and breeding ground for student athletes. And if keeping her friends out of trouble, and guys out of their pants, was a sport, she’d be the star athlete.

Being a well known jock-blocker gets her noticed for all the wrong reasons; just like that, she’s banned from Jock Row. NO GUY WANTS A GIRL AROUND WHO KEEPS THEIR JOCK FRIENDS FROM GETTING LAID.

“Rowdy” Wade is the hot shot short-stop for the universities baseball team—and the unlucky bastard who drew the short straw: keep little Miss Goody Two-Shoes out of the Baseball House.

But week-after-week Scarlett returns, determined to get inside.

— Goodreads — Amazon —

authorsaraauthor (1)

Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latte’s, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.

She lives with her husband, children, and her ridiculously large dog.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter | Website

reviewroyal blue background black border, cool blue color background b

Jock Row gave me some super Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf feels. Rowdy the wolf course. First, he’s a growing boy and literally doesn’t stop eating. I don’t know many times he thought that he could eat Scarlett but it was sexy AF so I was down for it. And Scarlett is the good girl who loves bringing food to Rowdy just to see him scarf it down, but she’s also the one that’s not afraid to sass d-bag baseball players, and call them on their shit.

Scarlett and Rowdy’s banter in this book had me smiling like a freaking goofball the entire time. Even when Scarlett gets kicked out of the baseball house that first night, she doesn’t lose her sass; she doesn’t back down. I loved the games these two played with each other (I’ve never wanted to play Never Have I Ever so badly!) and I loved the friendship these two created, sitting outside on the porch of the baseball house, despite neither of them living there. I love how Rowdy is open with Scarlett, showing her a side not many see.

And Jesus I though Oz (from the Studying Hours: How to Date a Douchebag) was a pervert, but I swear Rowdy beats him. Trust me. Read Oz and James’ story, then read Rowdy and Scarlett. Rowdy takes pervert to a whole new level, and I love it!! This is a friends to lovers novel, so it’s a bit of a slow burn. It takes these two a minute to get vertical, (but holy hell when they do it’s AWESOME), but that does not stop Rowdy or Scarlett from having dirty thoughts.

From beginning to end, this book was entertaining, light hearted, and the perfect romantic comedy to get you out of a book hangover, or to help you move on from the book that just ripped your heart out and stomped it to pieces. Even if Rowdy sucked, which he doesn’t, this book would so be worth reading just to meet Rowdy’s parents. His mom is the BOMB DOT COM. This was a book I will probably buy because my need to re-read it will over come me many times. Rhett (from The Learning Hours: How to Date a Douchebag) will always be my favorite, partly due to his ability to speak French and not know what it does to lady bits around the world, but Rowdy is seriously a close second. Like so close, I think I’ll claim both of them as my book boyfriends and live happily in my little menage.

jockrow15star

4 stars, Book Review

Scars to Your Beautiful Anthology Review

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newarcbannerblurbscarstoyourbeautifulSeven authors bring you stories inspired by “Scars to your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara.

Stories from eating disorders, weight issues, physical scarring and bullying; all problems we’ve had to bear in our life some way or another.
These stories will show you how your scars don’t define who you are, they simply tell a story of where you’ve been.

YOU ARE ENOUGH, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, YOU ARE AMAZING. BE YOU, AND BE COMFORTABLE IN YOUR SKIN.

Build your foundation from the bricks thrown at you, rather than live under them because your imperfections make you beautiful.

— Goodreads — Amazon(Pre-order Link) —

author

The seven contributing authors:

Jaye Cox — Facebook — Amazon
Aria Peyton — Facebook — Amazon
Riann C. Miller — Facebook — Amazon
Stacey Broadbent — Facebook — Amazon
Becca L’Amour — Facebook — Amazon
Candace Dowds — Facebook — Amazon
Kam Newton — Facebook — Amazon

review

I’ve never really read an anthology like this before, nor have I reviewed one. From beginning to end, this wasn’t what I was expecting. From seven short stories, I cried, I laughed, I cheered, and I cried some more. Some stories got to me more than others, but every one of these stories was special in their own way.

Everyone carries scars, some physical, some mental, some both. This is an anthology to overcome those scars, recognize your own beauty because of those scars. I truly love this anthology, because there was a story for everyone included. Those that aren’t happy with the way they look, those that self harm, those that were bullied, those that deal with addiction and eating disorders, for everyone dealing with something, there is a story here for you.

I try to be open about my own scars, in hopes that maybe one day I can help someone else. I suffer, still, with major anxiety which makes it hard to leave the house some days. When I was younger, that anxiety morphed into depression, and led to me trying to relieve the anxiety by harming myself. Point blank: I was a cutter. Reading Cut in this anthology, though we had different reasons for getting to the point, and I had never been hospitalized because of it, brought me back to the feeling of needing it; the addiction. It was hard for me to read, even after the help of amazing and supportive family around me (and some really good therapists), but it was for all the right reasons. It was a story that needed to be told. And it was one that wasn’t a “romance” (the only one in the anthology that wasn’t) but a love story all the same. And it’s a kind of love that is more important than finding love with another person. As the great Ru Paul says “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?”
Please, please, please if you are depressed, anxious or self harming, get help. Please, message me if you need to, or if you don’t know where to get help. I will help you!

With each story, there is something else to learn and to take in, but they can also help open the dialogue. At some point in our lives, we all need someone to talk to, and these stories can help others connect when they may possibly feel no one could possibly know how they feel.

Everyone will have their own story that sticks out to them in this Anthology, Cut was mine. (Although Oil and Water was a close second). I couldn’t order these stories from “best to worst” because they were all very well written, and so important. They are stories of loving yourself first, though sometimes we need the help of others to show we are worth it. Worth being loved, and loving someone else in return. There were too many stories, too many quotes that I loved, to simply pull three and make them teasers. Too many moments that I adored with all my heart. Thank you to the beautiful ladies who came together to write the stories everyone needed, but didn’t know to ask for.

4star

5 stars, Book Review

Lost in Silence by Tracie Douglas Review

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blurblostinsilenceALICE IS LOST

Lost from her family, friends and the life she once lived. Alice Michaelson is held captive in the dark silence that had become a nightmare. Until one night when the door to her prison is left unlocked and she flees.

HUDSON FINDS HER

Living job to job, haunted by his own set of demons, Hudson Rivers finds himself disarmed by a single glance and he vows to protect the shell of a woman hiding in his closet. But protecting her means keeping her close and that threatens the emotionless life he’s been careful to create for himself.

They both fight their growing connection…

Will they find themselves lost into a world of silence, afraid to let one another in?

Or will they submit to the power of fate and all that it throws at them?

***WARNING***
This book is intended for readers 18 and older. This book contains dark themes, explicit language and sexual content that may not be suitable for some readers.

— Goodreads — Amazon — Rest of the series —

authortraciedouglas

Surviving on caffeine most days, Tracie Douglas lives in Southern California with her husband, two children, two dogs and one really fat cat. She spends her days chasing children and fur babies, all while maintaining the illusion of sanity.

Her nights are spent toiling away at the keyboard, creating a world filled with hot men and strong women. She loves to read and write all types of book but tends to lean on the darker side of the spectrum. She’s pretty handy with a crochet hook too.

Tracie loves to hear from her readers!
Facebook — Reader’s Group — Amazon — Goodreads — Email

reviewlostinsilence2
“You can’t define your self-worth based on those bad things, especially when you can’t control them.”

Recently, I read Lost in the Shadows, and immediately one clicked the other books in the series. Although all the books are available on Kindle Unlimited, I knew I was going to want to own these babies. I love a dark romance, and Lost in the Shadows was dark. I went into Lost in Silence thinking it couldn’t get much darker since, ya know, Shadows was the third in the series. Well, I was wrong. Silence is dark AF and I loved every second of it.

Alice is literally lost in silence. She lost her voice a long time ago due to her abusive ex, and found the courage to escape him and his tortures. And I’m throwing up every kind of trigger warning here, cause her ex is seriously a piece of work (Tracie, should I be worried about you?). Hudson feels a connection to the silent beauty, though he tries to ignore those feelings. It’s obvious that she’s been through something that broke her, but he doesn’t know what. So he vows to protect her. What neither of them suspected, though, was that Alice was perfectly capable of protecting herself.

With dark romances, it’s so hard to write (I imagine) a romance that has balance. Balance between a heroine who isn’t afraid to save herself, but also recognizes that she can’t, and doesn’t have to, do it by alone. Balance between a guy who wants to protect the HECK out of his woman, but also respects her enough to let her go out by herself. Balance between a whiny heroine and a strong one. Between an alpha guy, a hurt guy, and a complete a-hole.

Tracie finds that delicate balance, while adding humor and banter to give the readers a much needed break from the darkness. AND OMG my favorite part is when Hudson actually gets mad that others think he saved Alice, because HELLO she got where she was on her own, he just helped her. CAN WE TALK ABOUT SWOON WORTHY? (Because it’s totally true). The strength Tracie puts in her characters, as individuals and as a couple, keeps you wanting more.

And LORD that epilogue.

Ok, back to the review. I think, technically, each of these books could be read as a standalone, but honestly, they are SO much better when read all together. The family, because yes, they are a family, that Tracie creates makes you almost forget the fact that really, really, bad stuff happens to this family and you want to join them anyway. I wish I found Silence and Tracie sooner, because you can only read a book once (even if you do re-reads, the first time is always the best- DON’T LIE) and Shadows would have been hella better reading Silence and then Lost Without You first. I’m already stalking- er, following, Tracie so I can get updates for the next book (WHICH I NEED).

Tracie’s swoonworth alphas, and strong AF heroines are people I wish were real, but will always carry with me when I need some life advice and ideas of strengt. Some of the quotes I pulled from the book (that have nothing to do with romance, and everything to do with life) sucker punched me. Alice’s demons were very real and very awful (I can’t think of a word worse than that), but demons are demons. We all have them, and we all fight them. Don’t let yours win.

“You fight those demons back and you let the light in.”

**furiously takes down notes for tattoo ideas**

lostinsilence35star

5 stars, Best of 2018, Book Review

Voyeur by Fiona Cole Review

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blurbvoyeurI didn’t know she was my student the first time I paid to watch her at Voyeur.

Once she walked into my classroom, another smiling college freshman, I knew I should stop going. Stop watching.

But I couldn’t do it. Everything about her makes me want more, and once I realize she wants me too, the temptation becomes irresistible.

The worst part is that she has no idea her professor is the one watching behind the glass.

I just have to hope that once she finds out the truth, she wants the same thing I do. Because now that I’ve seen all of her, I can’t look away.

— Goodreads — Amazon —

author

29872499_1945047725537165_8521270309032165253_o.jpgI never imagined I would ever write a book. I wasn’t even really a reader until the age of twenty. But I picked up a romance and that was it for me. I fell in love. And then one day I stepped into this indie world of books and I started writing. Then I wrote enough to keep going. And then I had a book. Sometimes things happen when you least expect it, but it all falls into place. Writing is it for me.

I’m a stay at home mom with a degree in chemistry and biology. I LOVE science. If you get me started talking about biochemistry, it’s all over. I’ll rattle on for days! But I use all that knowledge to take care of my two little girls. Mostly while my husband is away being a soldier.

It’s taken me a long time to get here, but I like it … And I think I might stay a while.

— Goodreads — Amazon — Facebook —

reviewvoyeur3

When I saw this book, I was really nervous. Voyeurism isn’t my thing; it makes me uncomfortable. And this went even further because there are some couple scenes in the book, though they’re faked. I didn’t know this when I went to read it, but I figured there would be couple scenes, which put me off even more because it felt like cheating in my head. So, I didn’t sign up to try to get an ARC, didn’t even plan on reading it, really. But, I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book, from authors and readers alike, so I decided I’d give it a try. Worse thing to happen? It just wasn’t my thing so I wouldn’t finish it; wouldn’t leave a review or anything because just because it wasn’t what I was into didn’t mean it was a bad book.

But holy hell, thank you Jennifer Vester for telling me how good it was, and thank you Fiona Cole for writing this book. I was sucked into the taboo of someone watching someone else perform sexual acts, as well as the characters in the book. Although naughty, I mean hello how can it not be, it was so supremely well written, that I found myself sucked into the world and the lives of Oaklyn and Callum. And God what crazy lives they lead.

I’m not going to put a synopsis of the book, because it’s everywhere, and the blurb covers it quite nicely. When writing a taboo novel, such as teacher and student, and then adding in the voyeurism aspect, there had to be a careful dynamic so no one had more power over the other. Of course, they both thought the other had the power in the relationship, but in reality, they didn’t. And it was SO. WELL. DONE. These two have a distinct friendship that pushes the boundaries of teacher/student, even when you take away the fact that Callum had seen her getting herself off.

There were also sexual awakenings in the book, for Oaklyn and Callum. Oaklyn has to discover her inner strength and sexuality in order to perform for anonymous strangers, and Callum has his own discovery (which I won’t discuss cause hello spoilers!). But Callum is so broken and my heart literally hurts for him. And when he recognizes he’s put all his happiness, his survival, on one person, he recognizes that it’s not fair to her, and has his own reflection on the life he’s lead. So, he goes back to get help for it in order to lead a healthier life, with Oaklyn.

AND LET THE CRYING COMMENCE. So many times I wanted to hug both Cal and Oak, tell them that it was all going to be ok, even when it wasn’t. Individually, these two were HELLA strong, for sticking to what they believe in and also for asking for help and asking the other to communicate even when it was hard to do. Even when they didn’t want to. By the end, I had real tears running down my face. This book was that good.

So yes, I started out reading the blurb and seeing the title and thought “This book isn’t for me.” And no, not everyone will love it, because that’s the nature of people and writing a book that’s dirty (in all the right ways if you ask me), but I implore you to try it. It is so freaking worth it. From beginning to end, it was worth it. I can’t promise you’ll love it, but I KNOW I DID.

(Sorry for the shouty caps)

voyeur15star

5 stars, Book Review

Giving Her My Baby by Alexa Riley Review

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blurbgivinghermybabyBrooks Renshaw has little time on his hands to deal with problems. But when his mom shows up after a weekend in Vegas married to someone he’s never met, he decides to do some digging. Turns out she’s hitched herself to a con artist with a trail of bad debts and abandoned women along the way. When Brooks finds out his new stepdad has a daughter, he decides to look into her, too. Only when he finds his new stepsister, he’s ready to give her exactly what she wants.

Eleanor works as a live-in baby nurse for new mothers. But her need to have a baby of her own has led her to take matters into her own hands. It’s not the ideal situation, but she can’t wait on Mr. Perfect any longer. But one phone call about a final job may change all her carefully made plans.

Warning: This book is filthy, gooey goodness, with baby-making galore! They might be stepbrother and sister, but hey, who are we to stop love? Turn the lights down low, because we’ve got some claiming to do!

— Goodreads — Amazon —

authoralexarileyAlexa Riley is two sassy friends who got together and wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football, donuts, and obsessed book heroes.

They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top, sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley is for you!

Feel free to follow us each on twitter @smut_sasshole & @SassNSmut

— Facebook — Website — Newsletter — Twitter — Amazon — Goodreads —

reviewgivinghermybaby2

Oh. My. God. This book was everything. Seriously, it was everything. I’ve come to expect a few things from the dynamic duo that results in Alexa Riley, and they sure didn’t disappoint when it came to this book. What do I expect from her? Insta-love stories, with alpha males, drama that makes you want to bite your nails, and some caveman “I want my baby inside her” love, mixed with females that are strong in their own right, who want a family but are waiting for the right guy to give it to them.

This book was a little different, since Eleanor was almost ready to get her baby her own way, before she met Brooks. But still, she meets him, is instantly attracted to him, but questions how fast their moving, as any female would do. But Brooks is irresistible, and he gets what he wants. What he wants? ELEANOR. And he gets her.

This is a fast story, one that is dirty in all the right ways, but also has the love story too. The guy that’s so alpha, he does whatever he can to make sure she’s safe, even when he’s not around, while trying to find a way to keep her in his life, permanently. A guy not afraid to express his feelings, and a woman strong enough to recognize what’s happening and embrace it fully.

If the title didn’t clue you in: Brooks wants Eleanor to have his baby. But we all know practice is the best part of baby making ;). While fast, this book was totally worth five stars. The way Alexa Riley writes leaves me desperate for more. More epilogues, more of the couple, more baby making practices, more of everything. I feel like Oliver sometimes, begging for more!!

givinghermybaby35star

5 stars, Book Review

King Sized by Madison Faye Review

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newarcbannerblurbkingsizedYou might say it’s poor form to throw the bride over your shoulder caveman-style and run off with her, especially if it’s not your wedding.

Whoops.
It’s her wedding day. I’m not the groom. Oh, but I’m going to be…

The world may call me a King and a gentleman, but there’s nothing gentle about me. I’ve fought like hell to get to where I am, and these rough hands want one thing and one thing only – to hold her and never let her go.

She’s my obsession – my addiction. Blonde, blue-eyed, innocent and tempting, with lips that beg to be tasted and curves that were made to press against me.

But a rival king – a cruel, evil piece of shit – has stepped in to buy her hand and her innocence with the promise of paying off her parents’ debts. He thinks that makes her his, but he’s about to learn how wrong he is.

You see, the rumors about my royal staff aren’t tall tales. She deserves a real man. A better man. King Milton just isn’t the right fit for her.

…Oh, but I am. And I’m going to “fit” with her so well that she’ll be moaning for more. I’m a king, after all. And kings take what they want.

And tonight? I’m taking her.

I’ll do anything to make her my queen.

…Even if I have to steal her.

— Goodreads — Amazon —

authormadisonfaye#1 bestselling contemporary romance author Madison Faye is the dirty alter ego of the very wholesome, very normal suburban housewife behind the stories. While she might be a wife, mom, and PTA organizer on the outside, there’s nothing but hot, steamy, and raunchy fantasies brewing right beneath the surface!

Tired of keeping them hidden inside or only having them come out in the bedroom, they’re all here in the form of some wickedly hot stories. Single-minded alpha hero, sinfully taboo relationships, and wildly over-the-top scenarios. If you love it extra dirty, extra hot, and extra naughty, this is the place for you! (Just don’t tell the other PTA members you saw her here…)

Join the mailing list for author updates, special prices, and a **TWO FREE BOOKS!**

— Goodreads — Amazon — Facebook — Newsletter — Twitter — Instagram — Website —

 

reviewkingsized2

Holy cannolli! I have certain requirements for when I read a Madison Faye novel, because they’re usually quick and steamy:

1. Wine- When you’re reading a good erotica, you need some wine. Or vodka. Hell any type of alcohol. Not only do you want it, you need it.
2. Peace and Quiet- I need alone time to truly devour the novel… also for the blushing that will probably ensue. I do not want any interruptions.
3. An open window or a fan- did I mention that Madison Faye is erotica? When I say erotica I mean HOT DAMN I need more ice in my drink. I mean “did he just do that? OMG HE JUST DID THAT” erotica.

I sat down to read King Sized with my (big) glass of wine, all by myself in my bedroom, with the fan blowing on me, but I felt like I needed to be in a bathtub, with lots of bubbles. With candles all around me. Madison Faye may be the queen of naughty, with a lot of emphasis on just the right words and phrases, but she’s also amazing at romance. Whenever I read Madison, I always get lost in the dirty and naughty, but also in the caveman/alpha male who’s ready to get his bride, no matter what.

King Sized is the story of a rough king, who had made all the plans to get the woman he fell in love with at first sight, but another, older, king got there first. So, he does what any self respecting warrior would do: he seduces his bride, and steals her away. I love, love, love Madison Faye always, and King Sized was no different. It’s the first in another prince/princess series, but so far nothing like the Possessing Beauty series (which was also PHENOMENAL). Hayden frees Callie from the confines of her “princess” restraints, while Callie adds softness to his hard edges. Together their love is fast, sweaty, and so freaking sweet.

Naughty scenes don’t make a book any less sweet. And Hayden may be a caveman, but he’s one that wants to treat his woman like a queen. Who am I to deny him?

kingsized35star

4 stars, Book Review

Your Rhythm by Katia Rose

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newarcbannerblurbyourrhythmYou know what they say: save a snare, bang a drummer.

Kay Fischer is well aware of what they say, and she intends to ignore it completely.

After her first step into the world of music journalism ended with a screw-up so royal it deserved a crown, Kay’s been struggling to re-stack the building blocks of her career. Salvation comes in the form of Sherbrooke Station, the latest alt-rock craze to grace Montreal’s legendary music scene.

A front page feature on the band everyone’s talking about seems like a foolproof shot at success, even after Kay meets their drummer. Matt Pearson might have a smile sexy enough to be the eighth deadly sin and a passion for music so powerful it makes her heart ache, but Kay’s got things under control.

She’s a professional, goddammit, and a professional would not get tongue-tied over a source, even a source who’s a six-foot, tattooed rock god with an affinity for tight jeans.

A professional would not find herself opening her door at an hour long past midnight to pull said source inside and lead him to her bed.

No, that’s not at all what a professional would do.

‘Your Rhythm’ is part of the Sherbrooke Station Quartet, a series of steamy rock star standalones from the author of ‘Latte Girl’ and ‘Thigh Highs.’

— GoodreadsGoodreads — Amazon (Coming Soon) —

authorkatiaroseKatia Rose is not much of a Pina Colada person, but she does like getting caught in the rain. She prefers her romance served steamy with a side of smart, and is a sucker for quirky characters. A habit of jetting off to distant countries means she’s rarely in one place for very long, but she calls the frigid northland that is Canada home.

 

— Goodreads — Amazon — Website — Facebook —

reviewDrums conceptual image.

First, please ignore the fact that I can’t spell Rhythm or use spell check on the graphics.

This book was different, for me, when reading Rock Star romances. Usually I read romances where the girl is a nobody(in terms of fame, YOU ALL MATTER), and the guy is a famous Rock Star bored with the groupies. They’re usually drug addicts, or recovering addicts and the girl they fall for is the one that heals them, or whatever. There is 100% nothing wrong with this trope. It can be enjoyable, if done the right way. However, Katia Rose depicts something different and fresh.

Matt Pearson is the drummer for a new and upcoming band, Sherbrook Station. He is responsible, not into using drugs but instead really focused on making the best music he can make with his band, his brothers. He meets Kay Fischer when his band mate, Ace, forgets to go to an interview so Matt goes in his place. BOOM fireworks! He recognizes that Kay is attractive, and he wants to see her again, so he makes sure they have to. Although underhanded, he also recognizes Kay wouldn’t call him unless absolutely necessary.

Kay Fischer has been burned, badly, by the industry and her ex. She is a reporter, who always loved music and wanted to tell the story of the musicians. When she started to dig around in the wrong music group, she is working for a newspaper where she can hide and lick her wounds. From the minute she meets Matt, she feels a connection to him, one she tries to bury. But when she’s charged with writing a story on the band, Matt and Kay work in close quarters.

One of my favorite things about this story, something that will be my favorite in any book I ever read, is the level of respect these two have for each other. They fight with each other, and for each other, but there is a deeper level of respect for both their professions. Kay wants to hide their relationship because it could cause her to lose her already tattered reputation, and although Matt would rather scream from the rooftops that he is with Kay Fischer, he doesn’t pressure her for more than she can give. And it’s not the “I WANT TO SHAKE THIS GIRL” kind of “this is all I can give” it’s one that you understand her reservations, and her fear of putting her job, and her heart, on the line. And Kay, though she didn’t like Sherbrooke Station at first, comes to love not only the band, but Matt’s dedication to his band and his music. And she would do anything to make sure he keeps his love of music.

This book was amazing. I had my reservations in the beginning, but I loved Kay from the start. And from the line “I swear a lot when I’m cold” because if that isn’t me I don’t know what is. There was just enough drama, and push and pull, to keep me thoroughly invested in both Kay and Matt, without wanting to gag or pull my hair out of my head. After reading this, I read Thigh Highs by Katia Rose, in hopes that it wasn’t a one time thing (and also because I follow Katia on Instagram and won a copy in a giveaway- so you should follow her too), and I was not disappointed. After I write the reviews I need to write for a bunch of books… I’m going to download all the books I can by her!

The only thing that brought this book down for me in stars, is that there is a bunch of French in it, which is understandable since it’s set in Canada, but there were no translations! I love some mix of languages in a book, but I know not a word of French. And I tried looking stuff up, but it took away from the flow of the novel, and if I just ignored the French, I felt I was missing something in the dialogue.

yourrythm24star

4 stars, Book Review

Defile by Jessica Prince Review

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newarcbannerblurbdefileDeclan Forrester is arrogant, selfish, and insanely sexy.
He was the very first boy I ever loved.
Then fame and fortune turned
him into a man I no longer recognized. I tried to give him
everything he needed, and in return…
he broke my heart.

Now he’s back, and he wants to make things right.
What started as love turned to hate. I told myself I’d
never fall for him again, but he’s determined to
prove me wrong.

He wants to win me.
He wants to own me.
He wants to defile me.

And if I’m not careful…
I just might let him.

Goodreads — Amazon(Coming Soon) — Corrupt(GR) — Corrupt(Amazon)
My Review of Corrupt

author

jessicaprince

Born and raised around Houston, Jessica is a self proclaimed caffeine addict, connoisseur of inexpensive wine, and the worst driver in the state of Texas. In addition to being all of these things, she’s first and foremost a wife and mom.
Growing up, she shared her mom and grandmother’s love of reading. But where they leaned toward murder mysteries, Jessica was obsessed with all things romance.
When she’s not nose deep in her next manuscript, you can usually find her with her kindle in hand.

To be in-the-know before anyone else, follow along on my website, or join my newsletter.

www.authorjessicaprince.com
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reviewdefile2

How do you forgive someone when they cheated on you? When they broke the promises they made to you? When you and the love of your life are falling apart? Can you find love with the person that broke you again?

I hate cheating. If a book has cheating in it, I’m done. It gives me anxiety and hives. I once read a book with cheating in it, and had anxiety for WEEKS, and DNF, but then read the second book to make sure they were ok. I’ve never been cheated on, but it’s a trigger for me and I start freaking out. So after reading Corrupt, I knew I had Defile waiting for me to read and I got nervous. Nowhere in the blurb does it say there was cheating. But Declan and Tatum have history, history that goes back to them being seven years old. They get together young, and Declan and the band make it big when they’re still young. While Tatum is struggling to still be an individual, Declan is caving to the pressures of stardom. In Corrupt, it already says that Deck cheated on Tatum, so I’m not giving that away, but I won’t say what happened. All I’ll say is that I wanted to CRY SO BAD. But it didn’t give me anxiety. I don’t know why (maybe because Jessica Prince is amazing?)

Ten years later, Tatum and Declan are in the same room together, after not being in the same room since it happened. My heart absolutely broke for Tatum, but she made the best of herself. She found who she was, and I think she needed to be away from Declan to discover that. And Deck, WHO I WANTED TO PUNCH IN THE FACE, needed to grow up and find himself in the industry. When Deck sees Tatum again, he knows he needs her back in his life: permanently. He just has to get her on board with it.

I love Tatum’s strength in this book. She doesn’t just forgive Declan, and it takes her awhile to talk with him about what happened. She didn’t let Declan bulldoze her life, didn’t let him become her life. When she did talk to him about what happened, and she decided to try and forgive him, she didn’t continuously bring it up. After the worked it out, they continued to work on it. She did what she had to do to live without him, and she lived and thrived without him. Did she have insecurities? Yes. Did she let them over rule her life? No. Was she afraid? Yes. Did she get jealous? Yes, but she didn’t accuse him of sleeping with everyone or bring it up to hurt him after that.

I don’t know if I could be as strong as Tatum was. I’d have probably just stabbed my man.

Declan can be a huge jerk. He knows it, and so does everyone else around him. With out Tatum he was just living, but he smartened up. When he had the chance to get her back, he did. Declan had a lot of strength too. He had changed over the last ten years, some things for the better, others for the worse. He doesn’t make the same mistakes twice (THANK GOD CAN I JUST SAY), but he is also able to recognize when he’s being over bearing, recognize when he’s losing Tatum this time around. He stops taking her for granted.

I normally hate rock star romances, but I will be continuing this series. I’m already looking forward to the next book! The guys in Civil Corruption are messed up, and I can’t wait to see them stop messing up. (Plus, series like this are like double epilogues. I get glimpses into the other couples!) I’m going to shut up now, but just know that this book is absolutely amazing, and heartbreaking all at the same time.

defile34star

5 stars, Book Review

On the Rocks by Gillian Jones Review

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blurb

ontherocks
*** SPECIAL NOTE ***
Dear Reader,
Mental Illness is a growing concern in our world today. On the Rocks is about surviving the aftermath of suicide, and believing in love again. Levi and Braunwyn’s love story is inspired by events that impacted the lives of people I care about deeply. With all of the research and ongoing concerns with mental health, I’ve decided to try and do something to bring awareness and light to this growing concern. I will be donating 10% of all pre-order and release week profits to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Thank you in advance for your support with this endeavour.
Gillian xx

Braunwyn
Four years ago losing the love of my life almost destroyed me.
Years of being labeled and looked upon with disdain by everyone in my hometown almost wrecked me.
Four years ago I became a mother and together we were enough…Until I met him.
He wanted to rebuild my broken–I just didn’t know how to let him.
This is my story of how one man’s love changed everything I thought I knew about life, love and myself.
But in the end, can Levi Eddison prove to be my restoration?

Levi
Everything in my world changed the day Braunwyn Daniels walked into my pub.
She was a woman of many contradictions. I recognized the happiness and sorrow each fighting its way to the surface from deep within.
I was drawn to her immediately.
Behind her long legs, chestnut brown hair and beautiful eyes laid a damaged soul.
I needed to change that–I just didn’t know how.
This is my story of how I met a broken girl and vowed to make her whole.
And in the end, it turns out I knew nothing about true happiness until Braunwyn Daniels let me love her.

author

gillian jones

Wife, mother, proud Canadian. Shoe addict, red wine connoisseur, lover of laughter and the friendships that cause it. I’m a sucker for those epic romances that steal my breath and leave me always wanting more.

Goodreads — Amazon — Facebook

review

ontherocks2

“Welcome to Club Goner.” Wait, me or Levi? First of all, super trigger warning. This book deals with a really difficult topic, in detail, which may be hard for readers to deal with. It is serious, and Gillian doesn’t make light of anything that happened, but details the life of someone trying to come to terms with after an event. I don’t want to spoil it, (it’s right in the prologue so it hits hard and fast, THANKS) but I promise you, it is worth it.

There’s something special about single parent romances that make them my go to romance. Something about someone actively choosing to be in a child’s life, showering love onto a child that isn’t theirs by blood but theirs in their heart, is something that warms me to the core every time. I put off reading this book because I have so much to do, (and Jane the Virgin on Netflix got me hooked) but someone *cough Gillian Jones cough* told me Levi was so swoonworthy, I had to. So I did. And OH. MY. GOD. he is. He really is.

Braunwyn is surviving after losing her first love, and the father of her daughter. She is going to school, therapy, living with her grandmother, trying to be a good mom, but she’s not really living. She applies to a job at Pub Fiction, and when Levi walks in to interview he is gone. He is hooked on Braunwyn, and she’s hooked on him. Because of her past, and her daughter, Levi recognizes she’s not ready to move on from the friend zone, so he puts ever effort into making Braunwyn his.

AND LORD HAVE MERCY, when they call “Trump” it is on like Donkey Kong. I thought Ryker was dirty? He didn’t own his own pub. Levi and Braunwyn started as co-workers, moved to friendship, and eventually become a couple. Even while they’re “friends” these two share some really steamy scenes. Like, sit in front of the fan with a glass of cold wine, steamy. (#GillianJonesNeedsJesus)

One of my favorite things about Gillian Jones is the way her characters recognize they need to heal and share certain things about their past before they can fully give their hearts to another person. The two characters truly become friends before they get involved romantically. Of course there is attraction there, and their are feelings that definitely go past friendship, but the two respect each other as people before becoming an item.

Plus her men are all alpha-growly-“do this or I will put you over my shoulder”-do anything-to-protect-what’s-mine kinda guys.

Her heroines are strong in their own right, living and breathing without the help of a man(imagine that!), but with help and support from those they love, they move from surviving to living. Her men don’t sleep around on their girls, and they show their emotions. And her books make me want to talk about them ALL NIGHT.

Table top counter Bar Blurred Restaurant Shop background5star