Tag Archives: romance review

5 stars, Best of 2018, Book Review

Between the Raindrops by Sydney Logan Review

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newarcbannerblurbcovercomingsoon**Official cover reveal is May 12th**

Seventeen-year-old Scout Ramsey’s life is a mess. With a dead father and a junkie mom, she can’t imagine things can get worse.

Then her mother tries to sell her for a bag of meth.

After her mom’s arrest, Scout’s forced to switch schools in the middle of senior year. Scared and alone, she pours her heart into her journal and dreams of the day she turns eighteen.

For Wyatt Campbell, senior year is predictable purgatory. Then the new girl steals his seat in history class, and suddenly, school’s not so bad. They bond through their love of music, and Wyatt finds himself falling hard for the journal-loving girl with the sad blue eyes.

Wyatt’s heard the rumors. He knows Scout’s had it rough.

He’s determined to be the one thing in her life that’s easy.

In this captivating teen novel, Sydney Logan weaves a touching story that tackles the heartbreak of addiction, the power of forgiveness, and the wonders of first love.

— Goodreads — Amazon —

authorsydneyloganSydney Logan writes heartfelt romances that feature strong women and the men who love them. In addition to her novels, she has penned several short stories and is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul. She is a Netflix junkie, music lover, and a Vol for Life. Sydney and her husband make their home in beautiful East Tennessee.

To learn more about Sydney and her books, visit her online,

— Facebook — Amazon — Facebook — Goodreads — Website —

reviewbetweentherain

I’ve always stayed away from YA. I’ve always found the characters hormonal and annoying. Even when I was in high school, reading the intense emotions, the life or death feelings, for something so small was always annoying. So, I skipped over the majority of young adult romances and fiction. However, I read the blurb for this book and knew I wanted to read it, despite the characters being in high school. I haven’t read Sydney Logan before, so this sure was one hell of an introduction to her writing.

Scout is so amazingly strong. When her world falls apart, and literally too- not just the “I’m going to die, my life is ruined” feeling you have when you’re 17- she does her best to pick herself up off the floor. When her life seems to get worse instead of better, she tries to look for the future instead. She counts down the days until she’s eighteen, instead of focusing on the storm brewing around her.

Wyatt is such a good guy. The teenager in me is totally in love with him. Once he’s of age, that boy is mine. He finds himself curious about Scout, while also wanting to protect her. Since they have almost every class together, it works out well when they’re in school, and when they’re at work (since they work together too). The only time he can’t protect her is when she’s at her uncle’s house, though he does everything he can to try to get her at his house…

And Wyatt’s family, though worried about how obsessive and possessive he is of Scout, open her with arms wide open. They don’t judge her for her mother’s past, or for the situation she found herself in. Wyatt’s parents and sister become her family, and it is so beautiful. You find yourself rooting for Wyatt and Scout as much as you do for Scout and her second family, the one she chose. And when she has to chose between a rock and a hard place, she makes the decision you hate she has to make, but know she has to do it.

But I kept wanting to cry out for Scout. HOW MUCH CAN ONE GIRL GO THROUGH?! God, every time I turned the page I kept hoping for everything to be ok, even though I knew her problems couldn’t magically disappear. Scout, though, I think is much stronger than me. Every time, every single time, she is knocked down in her life, she gets back up and is stronger than before. Any way I could petition for this to be a series? Following these two to college? Or how about an extended epilogue- one where they’re happily married? *Enter crying gif here*

betweentherain15star

5 stars, Book Review

Royal Brat by Madison Faye Review

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20440-royally2bscrewed2bseriesnewarcbannerblurbRoyal Brat Ebook CoverShe’s looking for trouble. Well, here I am.
Royal brat, meet royal hand of discipline.
And I’m going to teach that royal heiny a lesson she’ll never forget…

It takes a strong hand to be King. It takes discipline, and control. I may be rough around the edges, but as King, my rules will be followed, not challenged.
…That all goes to hell when she barges into my world. Duchess Riley Noles – blonde, blued-eye, and five-foot-four of pure f*cking trouble.
She’s wild, out of control and all sorts of challenging – a pretty little hurricane crashing right into me. And when I catch her red-handed screwing with my car, oh, there’s going to be hell to pay.
But then, this tempting little firecracker may have just found exactly the trouble she’s been looking for. And when her soft moans tease through my ears, and her sweet curves press against my hard body, the last of my meticulous control might just be broken.
She’s all sass and vinegar, but as King, I always get what I want. And with her, I’ll have it all – her body, her heart, and her sweet submission, over my knee and saying “yes please”.
You know what they say about pretty little rich girls who look for trouble: they always find it.
And Duchess Riley is about to find it with me.
…every inch of it.

Hear ye, hear ye! A Queen-sized helping of insta-love, kindle-melting steam, and a filthy-talking alpha, all for you. Hang on to your crown, and buckle up – this is going to get ridiculous real fast.
Ludicrously over the top, out of control, and pure dirty royal fantasy. As with all my books, this one is safe, with no cheating, and a HEA guaranteed.

— 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 —

reviewroyalbrat2

This novella was hot, hot, HOT. I can tell already, each one of these books is going to be sweeter and dirtier than the last. And I cannot wait!! (Especially because Daddy Duke is next and the sneak peak of a scene was sooooooooooo good!! I need it now!!)

Sven was made king when he was young, at only ten years old, when after he lost his parents. He’s content with his life, until he meets the beautiful duchess scratching a phallic image (it’s a dick) on his classic Rolls Royce… that he restored himself.

Riley is spiraling. She’s always been known as the free spirit, the wild one, of the friends. Not only is she not good enough for her parents, her parents have arranged a marriage for her with a prince, both to elevate her station and settle her down. Which she wants none of. While everyone is telling her to settle down, Sven tries to rile her up.

I loved their scenes together, both the dirty and the sweet. Madison Faye always has a balance between crazy alphas that are obsessed with breeding their women and don’t care what anyone else says, and accepting their women for who they are, while also pushing them to be everything they ever wanted. The sweet scenes are mixed into the intimate ones, sometimes with rough, naughty sexy times, and others with slow love making… ok just kidding even when they “make love” its super dirty. But hey, it’s erotica. (By the way- I love pulling quotes from erotica to make teasers; and then when I go back it’s during some crazy sex scene *side eye/smile emoji*)

Anyway, this book, and probably this series, is totally 5 star worthy!! Go get your copy now since it’s live!!

royalbrat35star

5 stars, Book Review

An Inconvenient Marriage by A.K. MacBride Review

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newarcbannerblurbPhoto of a young bride's back in a lace gown, her hands up highZach has only one goal in life:
To make the man, who had taken his mother from him, pay for everything he’d done.
Now, the only thing standing between him and the revenge he so desperately craves is a marriage to a woman he despises.
But from the moment they say ‘I do’, he learns that his bride is not what he thought she’d be, and walls that he’d built around his heart start to crumble.
What happens when he realizes the woman he is living with, is also the woman he can’t live without.
And how will he handle it when he finds out that he isn’t the only one with an agenda?

Natalie has only one goal in life:
To get as far away from her current situation as possible.
The out she so desperately seeks comes in the form of an arranged marriage to a man who makes no secret of the fact that he dislikes her.
Natalie soon realizes that Zach will not be her knight in shining armor, but that doesn’t stop her from hoping that he would see past the rumors and lies to notice the woman she keeps hidden from the world.

— Goodreads — Amazon —

author

akmacbrideEven as a young child I would conjure up stories with my imagination, sharing them with anyone who was around to listen. But my love affair with writing truly took flight when I discovered that I wanted to be the one who created the worlds avid readers – such as myself – like to get lost in. And so A.K MacBride, the author, was born.

I would describe my books as sweet and sensual and filled with enough romance to make you swoon. The real word is boring enough, therefore I want my books to be an escape. I love creating characters that are real and flawed. Stubborn males and defiant females to tame them. A HEA is a must.

I live in beautiful South Africa with my husband and daughter. We happily share our small-town home with a cat – who thinks he’s the boss – and two dogs. There is never a dull moment in the madhouse we call home. But, hey, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

— Goodreads — Amazon — Facebook — Reader’s Group —

reviewaninconvenientmarriage

This was my first A.K. MacBride book, but man what a way to start! This was an enemies to lovers story, but Natalie and Zach didn’t actually hate each other. Zach hated the idea of Natalie, and the rumors that were spreading about her, and Natalie at first was hopeful about the marriage, but quickly realized Zach was kind of a jerk. I’ve been reading a lot of the “instant connection” books recently, which I love and adore, so I almost forgot what it was like to read about two people over coming a heck of a lot of back story to fall in love with each other.

Zach is on a one-man express towards revenge-town on the man that caused his mother to commit suicide. This has been sole reason for being successful for years. One of the consequences means dealing with the man that caused all his problems…. and marrying the man’s daughter. He wasn’t expecting Natalie though. Natalie that has rumors spread about her in the gossip rags; Natalie that is praying for her new husband to see through the facade she shows to the world; Natalie that prays for help.

When reading this book, you learn so much about both Natalie and Zach. The flow of this book is so natural, you end up flipping pages with out realizing it’s over. In fact, I was kind of mad when this was over. I mean HELLO, I obviously need more to this story, thank you very much. Natalie and Zach both develop as people, and watching/reading their story unfold was really amazing. I cannot WAIT to read more of A.K. MacBride!

aninconvenientmarriage25star

5 stars, Book Review

Love Letters Boxset by KL Donn Review

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newarcbannerblurb31890770_480269689057782_5371221890616524800_oWelcome to the Love Letters, where each story is intsa-love and to the point!
Grab a coffee, some tissues, and a warm blanket to cuddle up with these short stories where falling in love through the written word is more common than a first date!

This collection includes:
Dear Killian
Dear Gage
Dear Maverick
With BONUS never been seen epilogues for each story

PLUS
An all new, exclusive short story
Dear Lena

— Goodreads — Amazon —

authorkldonnKrystal is a proud Canadian girl, hailing from Sherwood Park, Alberta. She has a strong dislike for the winter, and a love for spring. Married to her husband Steve, for 13 years, they have 4 beautiful read headed spawns ranging in ages 5-12. She has a strong love of coffee, sarcasm, and wine. (Not necessarily in that order either.)
She has been a published author for over 2 years now. With 9 full length novels (1 unpublished) and a dozen novellas with 3 published, 3 waiting to go into edits, 2 being rebranded, and 1 being extended into a novel.
Krystal loves to write about instalove between couples looking for love. She has a passion for contemporary romance and springs into menage as often as she can.
Currently, she is working on 2 new series, the Adair Empire (with the first 3 books already written). The Adair’s are a whole lot darker, dirtier, and grittier than what her readers are used to, but boy has she had a ton of fun writing them.
The What Happens When series will begin with Anonymous Bride on Oct 19 and continue with untraditional love stories. Bringing you all the good feels, a ton of love, and maybe – if you’re lucky 😉 a surprise baby or two!
With the exception of Anonymous Bride, you’ll be able to find all her books on all platforms!

You can find KL in any of these places! She loves to hear from readers all over the world!!
Contact her in any of these places:
Facebook — Friend — Reader Group — Twitter — Instagram — Email

Or stay up to date with all her latest releases here:
Amazon — Newsletter — Website — Bookbub — D2D release

reviewloveletters

Can you fall in love through a letter? Can a few short words lead to the kind of love we yearn for? Answer: as long as KL Donn is helping you do the writing, you’re damn right you can.

Warning: This review is short and sweet, just like the novellas, with my usual fangirl mixed in.

Love Letters Boxset includes Dear Killian, Dear Gage, Dear Maverick and an all new short story, Dear Lena. And they are literally EVERYTHING!! They are insta-love novellas, with distinct characters that make you want to know more (good thing KL put in some extra awesome epilogues *wink wink*). Jersey, Paisley, True and Lena are four separate individuals and Killian, Gage, Maverick and C (his name is a secret on purpose!) all love their women exactly as they are. The guys are over the top alphas, even through their letters, are instantly crazy and obsessed with their women. Even Gage, who actually writes to Paisley’s son Tommy before writing to Pais, has an instant connection with Tommy, and then to what Tommy tells him in his letters. (And we all know I’ve got a thing for single mom/dad books so Gage is obviously my favorite one. AND THAT EXTRA EPILOGUE HOLY CRAP).

Someimes with novellas, and insta-love, and the letter writing to find love thing, it can get repetitive. But not these. Oh no, these will keep you smiling the whole time (ok not the whole time because there’s some drama in them-but you need drama or these books would be insta-diabetes). These are the perfect pick me uppers to get you through the book slump, the book hangover, or to help you perk up after an emotional read (ehem, Fortuity & Serenity). They are re-read worthy, and they are SO worth you pre-ordering this box set.

The only thing wrong with this boxset is that it comes to an end. I’m going to need more of these letters, and I’m going to need them ASAP. Wait, was that to harsh? Ok, KL, take your time, no problem. Just maybe, write more yeah? Ok I love you.

loveletters35star

5 stars, Best of 2018, Book Review

Cue the ugly cry.

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newarcbannerblurbserenityI’d lived a privileged life, in the lap of luxury and surrounded by family. It had felt like I was on top of the world…until tragedy struck.

My sense of loss felt bottomless, and I struggled with it every single day. Finding my path back into the light seemed impossible.

But then I met Faith—she was smart, sexy, and out of my league even though she didn’t have a penny to her name. We grew up in different worlds, but somehow we fit perfectly together.

Except neither of us had counted on learning that our connection was more profound than we knew.

Serenity completes Dillon & Faith’s story, which began in Fortuity.

— Goodreads — Amazon — Fortuity (Amazon) — Fortuity (GR) —

authorrochellepaige

Rochelle Paige is the Amazon bestselling author of more than twenty books. She absolutely adores reading and her friends growing up used to tease her when she trailed after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. She loves stories with alpha males, sassy heroines, hot sex and happily ever afters. She is a bit of a genre hopper in both her reading and her writing. So far she’s written books in several romance sub-genres including new adult, contemporary, paranormal and romantic suspense.

She is the mother of two wonderful sons who inspired her to chase her dream of being an author. She wants them to learn from her that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.

— Goodreads — Amazon — Facebook — Readers Group — Instagram— Twitter — Newsletter  — Bookbub —

reviewserenity3

I wanted this book so much. When Fortuity ended, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I wanted to read Serenity IMMEDIATELY. I knew it was going to be epic, and it was. It was so epic I’m seriously struggling on what to write for this review. Rochelle Paige wrote ALL THE WORDS and I don’t know if I have any left to explain how amazing this book was.

Fortuity was told mostly from the point of view of Faith, and if you found yourself wanting more time in Dillon’s head, well you’re sure going to love Serenity. You get a better look at Dillon, and it is epic. I mean, their relationship was fairly easy when they got together and the cliffhanger at the end of Fortuity left me going no no no no no. Of course they were going to have issues. How could they not?

BUT MAN, do those issues snowball. No matter what, though, these two come together. They face the world together. There’s drama, BOY is there drama. Drama that sends Dillon and Faith spiraling for a hot minute. They’re left to question everything they thought they knew, everything they thought they were so sure of.

I loved the second in this duet because often when we’re reading romances, we read them falling in love, and that love is tested, but we don’t see them working through that test. It’s fixed and then BAM epilogue. Reading these two hold onto their love, and reading them actively work on themselves as individuals and a couple, but also read them support each other and their struggles, was amazing and different and stunning and totally run-on-sentence worthy.

Like I said, I knew Serenity was going to be epic, but I didn’t expect this total masterpiece. When I’m ready to bawl my eyes out (again-I’m a crier. I cry for everything) I’m going to do a re-read. They’re totally worth it. I bow to Rochelle Paige and her awesomeness. Totally epic. I’m running out of words to explain how much I loved this book, this duet, and I can’t talk about it too much without adding spoilers, so I’m going to shut my mouth and say you NEED to read this duet.

serenity15star

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