Sunday, May 29, 2016

Book Review: Bought by Nicolette Hugo


I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved a good half of it and liked the rest but it felt a bit dull at the ending though the BDSM and sex parts were scorching hot.

The Story:
Even months after saving his wife, Killian is punishing himself for what happened to her by allowing himself no intimacy with Scar. He believes that he is not worthy of her and seeks revenge on her kidnapper.
Scar craves to be touched but since her husband keeps himself at distance from her, she finds herself submissive to Jerricho Black, Dom for hire.
Jerricho brings her over the edge and shows her a mix of pain and pleasure in a way she never experienced before.
When Killian finds out that his wife sleeps with another man, he isn’t angry at her betrayal because they always shared an open marriage, but he is disappointed that she didn’t tell him about it.
Killian hires Jerricho for 40 days and when Jerricho stands in front of Scarlet's door, she is surprised to see him there because she wanted to keep him out of his private life, and she is angry at her husband for bringing him into their house. Now Scarlet can’t decide whether to let him in or send him away. Should she give in to the desire and the dangerous game with Black or should she stop it before it’s too late?

Thoughts:
It’s really touching how much Killian loves his wife that he even hired another man for her. I felt his raw pain also when he found out who betrayed him.
At first I didn’t understand how Scarlet could hire and sleep with another guy but since it's mentioned that they have an open marriage, they were obviously used to it. Though it felt different this time and Killian was hurt by her doing even though he hired Black for her. I don't get why he was punishing himself though. Because she got kidnapped and hurt? That’s not his fault but he obviously believed that.

I was mesmerized in the beginning but the ending left me hanging. I give this book 4 Stars because it got kind of dull in the last few chapters. Like I mentioned in the beginning the sex scenes and also the BDMS parts were really hot and well written. I loved it. I just say 'bastinado' (though I am not into foot-play myself.)

-- I received an ARC of this book from the author through the Fifty Shades Support Group on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. -- 
 
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Cover Reveal: A Beautiful Sin by Terri E. Laine and A.M. Hargrove


A Beautiful Sin
by A.M. Hargrove & Terri E. Laine
Release Date: 06/23
 

About the book:


Since I was a boy, my desire was to marry the church. To give my vows and life over to God despite the corruption in my soul. 
I am a sinner, the embodiment of temptation, or so I’ve been told.

Yet, I’ve never touched, never kissed, never sought the company of another until her.
She is my weakness, my salvation, my downfall and my freedom. Our sins are bound tighter than fate.

My name is Canaan. I am an ordained Roman Catholic priest, forever and always. 
Her name is Haven. She may be my destiny, my destruction.

This is not a love story, but rather a confession of all my sins.

**Warning – A Beautiful Sin is a forbidden romance that blurs the lines between passion and religious faith. 
Please be warned, the subject matter may be offensive to some readers**
 
 
EXCLUSIVE iBOOK PRE-ORDER 


 
About the authors:

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, USA Today bestselling author, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn’t do something soon, it would be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase. Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had super quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head. Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what laptop out the window. She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss, and quit her job. Grinning, she made another call to her husband and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was still beating).
Other than loving writing about romance, she loves chocolate, ice cream, and coffee and swears they should be added as part of the USDA food groups.


 I am the co-author of USA Today bestseller, Cruel and Beautiful. I write romance with heart and heat. Wife and mother of three, I’ve always been an avid reader. In my early years, my best friend and I would tell each other stories over the phone when we were bored. We called them our “soap operas” and generally revolved around whatever boy we liked at the time.
Over five years ago, I got this crazy idea to write a novel and try to publish it. And the rest is history. This journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. I look forward to many more memories to come.
I write under several pen names with over a dozen titles under my various names. I have a few more up my sleeves to be revealed soon.

   

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Book Review: Edge of Chaos by Molly E. Lee

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's well written and I got pulled into the story from the beginning. I loved reading about Blake's development within Justin's relationship when she tried to get his strong hold on her to loosen up and that she stepped out of her shell to finally enjoy her life.
The three characters (Justin, Blake and Dash) were well created and felt so real to me.

 
The Story:
This story is told in the first person in Blake's POV. Blake is a meteorologist student and in a long-term relationship with her first boyfriend. Justin and Blake know each other since they were kids and Justin hadn't had it easy in life. His parents had left him behind at his aunt and uncle's and even they had kicked him out after a while. Blake was all Justin had left and that's one reason why Blake always chose Justin when she had to make a decision where he was involved because she felt responsible for him.

Justin drinks a lot and since there is a fine line between a fun Justin and a blow-up worthy Justin, he often tips over into being explosive. Blake always tries her best to control Justin's outbursts though he blames her a lot for everything anyway. He loves to play video games with his friends and Blake can't remember when the last time was that he surprised her or went with her to dinner or to the movies. He even seems to be forgetting her birthday in the last few years. Justin changed and Blake hopes that the Justin she fell in love with is still in there somewhere and that he would come back.

Though at university, Blake meets Dash, the guy who chases storms, and Blake starts to notice the differences in Dash and Justin. She feels so happy being friends with Dash and he shows her that she deserves better and that Justin's behavior toward her is not the only way to treat a woman and a girlfriend.


Thoughts:
I don't know what's wrong with me but I felt so sorry for Justin a lot of the time, especially in the beginning and at the end. Even after all he'd done to Blake. I'm so sad that something bad had to happen for him to realize that he was a horrible person to Blake. He is an alcoholic and has problems to control his anger. He badly needs help. He has no purpose in life and even his work gets on his nerves but it's like he's afraid of changes.

I didn't really understand why Justin didn't want to give Blake up because it seemed like he could easily have other girls at least for sex and he seemed more annoyed by Blake's attitude anyway. Since he had to apologize a lot for his behavior and buy things for her to get himself in good graces why bother at all when all he wanted to do is play video games with his buddies anyway? That's what I didn't get. He would have had less trouble without Blake. And she obviously would have had a better life without him.

It was so thrilling when Blake, Dash, John and Paul went for a storm chase the first time. I felt like watching the movie 'twister' all over again.
Dash is a sweet guy. He does everything for Blake and I don't even know why she didn't give in to him at first. She wanted to find herself but I think that was just BS. You are yourself even in a relationship and since she and Justin grew apart a long time ago, she wasn't really in a relationship, at least not a healthy one.

I still have hope for Justin that he changes and everything turns out all right. I wish there is a HEA-story for him some day.

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Cover Reveal: Chasing Butterflies by Terri E. Laine


I am so happy to share with you this beautiful cover of 
Chasing Butterflies by Terri E. Laine

Book Release Date: June 2nd, 2016

Blurb:

USA Today Bestselling Author, Terri E. Laine brings a new standalone New Adult Romance novel, Chasing Butterflies, about second chances on and off the field.

One night … one kiss … one touch … will change everything.

Kelley Moore’s tragic home life should make him a survivor. But when he’s uprooted yet again, his plans for a better future seem impossible. Being a player on and off the football field is all he knows, until Lenora Wells. The beautiful town princess makes him feel and want things he never thought he could have…

Lenora will do anything to get out of her town, even if it means dating the wrong guy. There’s one problem: she can’t stop thinking about the gorgeous, complicated boy with the unusual eyes who gives her butterflies and makes her question her choices.

 When their lives collide, the world shifts and not in their favor. Four years later, the sins of their past can never be taken back and forgiveness won’t come easy.
College is a different game, a second chance for something better.
She’s not the girl he remembers and he’s the one boy she can never forget.
He’s made a name for himself as the star quarterback -- the golden boy who can do no wrong. But he’s only interested in being her hero.

 Despite everything, she can’t deny he still makes her heart flutter;
and she’s got him chasing butterflies.

Chasing-Butterflies-CR

goodreads link


About the Author:
Terri E. Laine, USA Today bestselling author, left a lucrative career as a CPA to pursue her love for writing. Outside of her roles as a wife and mother of three, she’s always been a dreamer and as such became an avid reader at a young Age.
Many years later, she got a crazy idea to write a novel and set out to try to publish it. With over a dozen titles published under various pen names, the rest is history. Her journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. She looks forward to many more memories to come.

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Book Review: Balls by Andie M. Long


The Story:
After finishing University, Camille is moving back into her hometown with a tingling feeling in her tummy. After school she was so glad to leave everything behind especially Dylan Ball who made school life hell for her. Since he posted a picture of her in really tight shorts with the caption 'Camille Toe', Camille wanted nothing more than to be swallowed from earth. Now she is back and hopes to have a new start and is successful with her business. When she goes to the bank to cash in a check, she runs into Dylan Ball. The boy from school changed into a hot man but Camille can't put the anger aside that bubbles up when seeing him because all the memories about how he made school hell for her are coming back. But when Dylan has his mind set on something he doesn't back down that easily. He wants to show Camille that he isn't the annoying kid from school anymore. He knows now that what he did to her as wrong, and he is sorry about it.

Thoughts: 
Told from Camille's POV this story is really cute but moving too fast for my liking, e.g. they talked at the bank for the first time in years and he followed her home and invited himself in for dinner and she didn't even mind. Some parts were fun to read especially when Camille and Dylan talked and you noticed that he had a thing for her and she found him rather hot but was still mad at him for what he did to her in school. The thing with Jake and Beth and Susie was a lot of fun and the double date as well. Dylan was really sweet.

I think this story has a lot of potential but could have been better. Though it's easy to say that I liked almost everything when Dylan was involved. Gg He got me wrapped around his little finger. =P

-- I received an ARC of this book from the author through the Fifty Shades Support Group on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. -- 
 
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Book Review: Swanson Court Series by Serena Grey


Drawn to You (Book 1)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adore this book. The story is told from Rachel’s POV and I liked all the characters from the beginning. We get to know a little bit of every character but the adventure of Rachel and Landon takes in all of the pages because they are constantly hot for each other. A lot of sex scenes are included. The story lets you yearn for more. It’s an enjoyable read and I am eager to jump right into the next book.

The Story:
Finding herself accidentally in sexy hotelier Landon Court's suite, Rachel gets mistaken as a hooker, presumably booked for his birthday from Landon’s younger brother Aidan.
Both seem unable to forget this night and Rachel is sure she won’t see him again until she gets assigned to write an article for a new Lounge, where she will find herself drowning in those beautiful eyes of Landon Court.
Rachel can’t ignore the strong attraction she feels towards Landon and it seems as if he can feel it too. Agreeing to spend a week in San Francisco with him, without any long term relation and without emotions, Rachel will soon find herself in an emotional turmoil.
Landon doesn't seem to be a guy that does love and Rachel has to prepare herself for never going to see him again. But how will she manage this? Her feelings for her ex-boyfriend Jake were nothing in comparison to her feelings for Landon.

Thoughts:
What a great story. I enjoyed every bit of it even though I doubt that any woman would agree to do everything a stranger wants in bed without further explanation. It doesn't matter how hot this guy is, you don't know him. He could be a perverse for all she knows.



Addicted to You (Book 2)
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

This sequel is more or less about Rachel’s feelings and if she can or can’t live without Landon. She really struggled with the conflicts of her feelings. She loves Landon but is scared that he would leave her when she wants him to commit to her or when she would tell him that she loves him. I understood her jealousy of his ex though I don’t know if I would just run away, I would for sure confront him first. If he is having dinner – even for business – with his ex, I would not be really good with this. Ava – his ex – is all over him and it doesn’t help that she looks like a supermodel. Rachel has to deal with a lot of stuff in this book. Poor woman.

It would be a lie to say that I didn’t enjoy this book but it lacked on some things that I can’t point my finger on. It is a little repetitive because Rachel sends Landon away all the time and he is coming back to her like a boomerang. It is still kinda sweet though. I was like ‘he has to care for her or otherwise he wouldn’t be so stubborn, but why can’t he just admit his feelings? ’

Even though it was a little on the slow read, it felt like real life and that’s never boring. Because in real life you don’t always get your HEA and even if you get one, it doesn’t happen in a day. So I was torn between liking the story because it stayed on the true side and wanting to throw the book against the wall and scream at Rachel because she didn’t want to confess her feelings to Landon. As you see, there is no lack of emotions in this book =P

What bothered me:
The thing about this book was that it felt like turning in a circle. Rachel didn’t want to get hurt though was hurting already. She rather left Landon than tell him her feelings because she believed he would leave her because of his lack of commitment and feelings. When he kept coming back to her she still wanted him to go away. And when he suddenly left her or rather walked away from her, she ran after him. There was a constant repeat on this. I kept thinking ‘Woman, when you don’t want him to come back for you just tell him your feelings and he will go.’ Though she clearly didn’t want him to leave her. But then she was ok to leave him? I didn't get her logic. At the middle of the book I started screaming at her constantly why she acted so stupid. She should have just told him her feelings so either he would leave her alone because she didn't want him to come back to her or he might love her and they could have their happily ever after. I got really frustrated at her.
Though I have to say that I understood her reasons for pushing him away in the first place because I know how hard it is to talk about your feelings because you are scared to get hurt but she should have really talked to him to have saved both of them a lot of trouble and because this seemed like a never ending story… (Though the end of this sequel was probably worth the wait.)

Love:
The last few pages were so touching. 

"You have no idea how afraid I am of hurting you." 

My favorite secondary characters:
Even if Laurie and Brett are just minor characters, I really enjoyed reading about them. I loved them already in the first book but when Brett wanted a break in their relationship in the first one, I was really sad. As you can imagine I was more than just sad when something happened at 32% into this second book. I was so disappointed in Brett and really angry. I had high hopes for them and I still can’t shake this feeling that he is going to propose to her and they are going to get married. I still hope =) I am a hopeless romantic.

All in all this was a good read and I really enjoyed the writing as well as in the first book.


Lost in You (Book 3)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I heart this book. The writing is as capturing as it was in the first two books. I love Rachel and Landon, those two are so sweet.

We get to read about some really lovely moments but at some parts - especially in the middle - there isn’t much happening. A lot of sex like in the first two books. Steamy but I find it tedious that there is a sex scene in every few pages. It sometimes felt like they were thrown in everywhere possible as page fillers, even though they aren’t badly written, it was just slightly too often for my liking.

I felt kind of bad for Jack, Rachel’s ex, because he discovered his feelings for her too late by the time she’s already moved on from him.
Serena Grey really knows how to create her characters and makes them lovable for us readers. I enjoyed reading about every single one of them, even Jack’s mother or Evans Sinclair. If good or bad, the characters are convincingly created.

To be honest, I was so scared of finishing this book because I was worried there might be a bad ending. My previously read books ruined me because I get scared shitless at the slightest possibility of a bad ending. I feared already in the middle of this book that something bad would happen to Landon. But I think I was just paranoid. This probably wouldn’t have happened to me if I would have read different books before this one.
This book was nonetheless enthralling closer to the end.

I loved the beautiful ending and the epilogue was so sweet. At about 78% I loved the story till the end because it got a lot more to it than just sex. There was some emotional rollercoaster going on. Beginning and ending in this book was super. The middle part was good.

I recommend this series to anyone who’s up for a sweet love story driving on a bumpy road but willing to find a happy ending.

“I only want you,” I whisper.
“All of me,” he says softly. “You already have all of me.”



-- I received an ARC of those books from the author through the Fifty Shades Support Group on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. --