Book Review: The Unwritten Series by Lauren Runow

As you can imagine, since Charlie is a male escort, there are some steamy scenes going on in this book. Really hot and intense!
I liked both Charlie’s and Alison’s perspectives and their different inner turmoil's about the other person. The story was a bit - for the lack of a better word - crazy sometimes but it kept me on edge a few times because there was a lot going on and I often had the feeling that this will go up like a bomb. How will they handle all that stuff? Can love conquer all of this? Will their love survive?
I only had a problem with Allison in the second book because I just didn't like her most of the time for a few reasons.

The first book ends in a huge cliffhanger which is no problem when you have this box-set because you can instantly read on =) Yay!

The Story:
Charlie is a male escort and couldn't dream of a better life. Who wouldn't love to get paid for having sex? A lot of men would gladly be him and there doesn't seem to be a woman that doesn't want to have sex with him.
He loves his lifestyle though when he meets Allison, he can't seem to get her out of his mind, which really sucks when he is with a client because he shouldn’t be distracted by this woman so much and instead focused on his tasks at hand.

Alison is head over heels for this guy that she has so much in common with but barely knows. Though she wonders why, even after their third date, he doesn't show any intentions on making a move on her and when her sister comes up with a possible explanation, Alison is worried about what Charlie isn't telling her.

What will Charlie do now? Should he quit his job for a woman? But what should he do for a living since he's always been an escort? And how should he tell Allison? She would for sure hate and leave him, wouldn't she?

-- An ARC of the series box-set was kindly provided by WordSmith Publicity in exchange for an honest review. --

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

View full review on goodreads

Book Review: Frosted Sweets (A Taste of Love Series Vol. 1) by A.M. Willard

This was an O.K. read though the blurb made the story seem much more interesting than the book itself was. Why?! Because the book didn't seem to have a low or high point and was too wishy-washy for me. The story was all over the place. Megan couldn't make up her mind and her soon-to-be or not-to-be husband did something bad but it never felt that way and everything was over really quickly without real emotions.

Thoughts:
In the beginning we never get to know Simon though he and Megan would get married in a few days. Then she sees him with another woman and calls everything off. There’s no real fight, no real tears or breakdown. A few bits and pieces are scattered throughout the story since she can't really make up her mind at what she wants. Jayden seems like an on and off guy for her but they hit it off pretty quickly even though they don’t know each other at all and never even dated. Jayden also can't decide what he wants. What’s going on? People! Make up your minds! He's as bad as Megan in deciding what to want.

I couldn't really connect with the characters and Megan often annoyed me. She didn't seem sad at what happened and it felt as if she didn't care at all about what her ex did. I can't remember how long she's been with Simon but she wrote him off pretty quickly. Megan realized that he wasn't her soulmate or kind of always knew that. Why did she want to marry him at all when she felt like this?

Some aspects of the story seemed to be thrown in to make it more interesting but not all of them really fit in IMHO. Megan suddenly had 3 guys rooting for her all at once and I think that Nick was just weird and too much.

All in all it was still a nice read with some fun parts though I wasn't into it as much because there was a lot going on with all of the friends and it felt like Megan's story was not the main story.
I think the book would have been better with the different POVs of the girls and their stories as well or more of Megan and less of her friends.

It was a pity that Jayden never really got his POV. We know more about him from the blurb than we get to know in the book. Or did I miss something out?

I think that this story had a lot of potential that it didn't fully use. Which is sad. I believe I would have liked it more with the different POVs and all stories told because now it seemed like no real story. And in the end I felt like Megan and Jayden's story deserved better. It just had no real ending.

-- I received an ARC of this book from Nell's PR & Marketing in exchange for an honest review. -- 

 

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

View full review on goodreads

Blog Tour & Book Review: Provocative by Alex Lucian

Provocative

by Alex Lucian

Series: Tempting Book #3

Release Date: July 21st

(Cover Designer: Najla Quamber; Photographer: Lindee Robinson Photography; Cover Model: Denise Emilia)

Synopsis:

Coming home to a quiet, dark house.  

Meals by myself, because she was already done.  

Excuses and apologies, they were never enough.  

But even with that, when I touched her—when she arched under me and pulled me deeper— 

we couldn’t get back to where we needed to be.  Where we used to be.  

It was all frustration.  

Loneliness.  Loss.  

Because even though she was no longer my student, the chemistry was always there. Adele and I loved each other.

We thought we were unshakeable. But love isn’t always enough. It wasn’t enough when I constantly disappointed her. It wasn’t enough when loss cleaved us in two. And when she left me, love was not enough. She didn’t know yet that I’d never stop fighting for her. But she would.  

**Author’s note- Let’s be real clear that this is BOOK TWO of a duet, and you’re going to want to read Tempting before you read this one. Adele and Nathan started their story in that book, and you’ll get the same sex, fighting, and cursing that you did in the first. But if you want it to make sense, read Tempting first. If any of that offends you, please avoid them both.**

 

Buy Links:

Amazon US- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IRUMDM2
Amazon UK- https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01IRUMDM2
Amazon CA- https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01IRUMDM2
Amazon AU- https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01IRUMDM2

Catch up on the series:

 Tempting, Tempting Book #1: http://amzn.to/29nIQZ6

Beguiling, Tempting Book #2: http://amzn.to/29zfLtA

About the Author: 

Alex Lucian is an author living on the eastern coast of the United States who appreciates being anonymous, for personal and professional reasons. Tempting is Alex's first novel, followed by Beguiling and Provocative. 

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My Review:

 4.5 Stars and lots of love for this book!

I was so interested in reading this book, that I didn't really pay attention to the tiny detail that this was already the third book in the Tempting Series. But even though I haven't read the first book I was captured by this story from the beginning. The writing was so entertaining that it pulled me in from the first page.
The cover and the blurb led me to think of something completely different (though I have no idea why) and this book was not at all what I was expecting.

I can't really tell you anything about the story without giving too much away but let me tell you that this was such a wonderful though bittersweet story.

The author made me laugh and cry with his characters. I felt the desperation, sadness and helplessness of the characters as if it were me experiencing it. I loved this story with all its ups and downs. I felt so close, so connected to Adele and her story with Nathan and I was really engaged in it from the very beginning without having known their story from the first book.
I don't know if it's really that necessary to read the first book to understand this books story but I loved this so much that I absolutely want to read the first book now.

This was such a touching story, heartbreaking but beautiful. I didn't expected it to be so moving and it became one of my favorite books that I've read so far.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who's up for a tough real-life story of two people madly in love with each other though struggling with a hard chapter in their life.

Some of my favorite Quotes that won't give too much away =P

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“This was your idea, sweetheart. Quit teasing and fucking suck.”
“Yes, Professor.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

He looked like someone who lived off the grid, hauling around axes like they weighed nothing, chopping wood and then building fires with his bare hands.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Is this girl code for something? I'm supposed to rah-rah and support you by shunning him?”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

He was there long enough for me to inhale that Goddamn cologne which caused my insides to melt. His eyes swept over my face, and down my body. It wasn't an innocent look – it was a look that said, emphatically, MINE.
I trembled on my seat, nearly fell off of it from the smolder in his gaze. When he licked his lips before taking a sip of the drink the bartender set in front of him, I shivered.
It was like the mother fucking fourth of July in my panties.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Have you ever tried to live without your heart?.. You can't. You can't live without it.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

-- This ARC was kindly provided by Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review. -- 

 

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

View full review on goodreads

Cover Reveal: Everything Stolen by Sophia Scarlet

Everything Stolen by Sophia Scarlet
Release Date: August 23rd

Blurb:

Four years ago Jeremy Bradford disappeared leaving the woman he loved heartbroken and pregnant with his child.

Two years ago Sylvie Solum married Silas Chambers and vowed to leave any hope of seeing Jeremy again in the past.

Today, Jeremy Bradford woke up from a four year coma.

Resolved to reclaim the woman he loved.

Bent on uncovering the truth about his disappearance.

Determined to make whoever is responsible pay for everything stolen.

...And Bradfords always get what they want.

**This novel is steamy, dark, dirty and appropriate only for adults.**

About the Author:

Sophia Scarlet is a Maryland native. She lives with her husband, two children, and cat in the woods not far from the Potomac river. When she is not writing or shuttling her children around, you can find her practicing yoga, cooking, or picking seasonal vegetables at the local CSA.

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Today's Book Release: The Unwritten Series box set by Lauren Runow

 Title: The Unwritten Series

Age Group: Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cover Designer: Lauren Runow

Release Date: July 12, 2016

Book Description

* The Unwritten Series is the boxed set of Unwritten and Rewritten.*

Charlie Ashley, or Mr. Ashley as his clients know him, is a high-end male escort who gets paid thousands for whatever services his clients require. He’s lived the last ten years alone, not letting anyone in, enjoying his success and provocative lifestyle.

Allison Hayes has no idea the man she is falling in love with is a male escort. She connects with Charlie through their love of music, playing a taunting game asking herself if she loves him, hates him or if she is going to save him.

After meeting Allison, Charlie enters a world where everything he knows no longer makes sense, leaving him too scared to move forward, yet making it impossible to look back.

But can he give up his entire life for love?

                                   --------------------------------------------------

                                                          Excerpt:

At five o’clock the next day I walk toward Starbucks to see if Allison will show up. Standing outside the door, I peek in through the window and see her sipping her latte, listening to music. Her hair is softly curled, pulled halfway back showing off her sensual neckline and her soft pink lips. I’m stuck, just watching her like a crazy man.

A strange feeling overcomes me and I start to question myself. What the fuck am I thinking? Why am I even meeting this girl? I can’t date! 

I turn to leave just as she looks up and we lock eyes. Slowly a smile comes over my face and like a moth to a flame, I open the door to walk in.

“Fancy meeting you here. Are you waiting for someone by chance?” I jokingly say walking up to her and placing a small kiss on her cheek, before pulling up a chair next to her.

Allison’s face blushes from my touch. “Why yes, this mysterious guy just up and left yesterday and I was intrigued to know why.”

“Sorry, I had an appointment and I was running late. Plus, I wanted to see if you would play along.”

I try to hide how turned on I am by the sight of her but she’s wearing a loose white shirt, short blue linen shorts, with high wedges that make her tan, fit legs look long and delicious and I can’t help it. All I can think about is having those legs wrapped around me and I know I’m in deep trouble when it comes to this girl.

“Oh, so you’re into games, are you?”

“Games?” I pause, touching my finger to my lips, tapping it like I’m trying to think of something to say. “More like playful inquiry. That way I know you’re interested. Which I like… I’m going to get something to drink, can I get you anything?”

“No, I’m good, thank you though.”

I walk up to the counter and ask for a glass of water. I don’t plan on staying here but all of a sudden my mouth is so dry and I need a break from her to calm my nerves.

I look down at my outfit, questioning if I made the right decision by dressing more casual for our meeting. I have on my Varvatos jeans, collared black shirt and leather Chuck Taylors. I always have on a suit when I meet with a woman but it didn’t feel right with her. She’s not a client and for once I wanted to wear what I actually wanted to wear.

I turn around and catch Allison gazing at me and she flushes as I smile and give her a small wink. Ok, I made the right decision.

“You like the view?” I smirk, walking back with water in my hand.

Allison flushes while a small smile escapes her lips. I’m sure I just embarrassed her pointing out that I caught her checking me out and I instantly regret asking the question. I don’t want to be that cocky guy with her. I just want to be me, not someone else I try to be everyday.

When she doesn’t reply I ask, “What are you listening to today?”

“You know, a little of everything. I’m really into Rise Against lately. The Unwritten Law channel on Pandora plays them and they seem pretty cool.”

“Yeah, I’m familiar, Savior is one of my favorite songs. It’s all about trying to figure out if they can still love each other after everything they’ve been through. She doesn’t hate him and she’s just trying to save him but he thinks he can’t be saved.”

“Impressive,” Allison tilts her head in affirmation.

“So, is this love…?” I pause to see her response. Reaching closer, I whisper in her ear, “Because I’m definitely not the answer…”

Perplexed by my tone, she questions, “Hmm, should I take that as a warning, or are you asking me to save you?”

“I’ll let you be the judge of that,” I reply while I sit back, sipping my water and sending a look her way.

------------------------------------------------

About the Author:

Lauren Runow is the author of two Adult Contemporary Romance novels, Unwritten and Rewritten. 

When Lauren isn't writing, you'll find her listening to music that speaks to her, at her local CrossFit, reading, or at the baseball field or skatepark with her boys. Her only vice is coffee, and she swears it makes her a better mom!

Lauren is a graduate from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and is the founder and co-owner of the community magazine she and her husband publish. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.

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Cover Reveal: Provocative by Alex Lucian

Provocative

by Alex Lucian

Series: Tempting Book #3

Release Date: July 21st

(Cover Designer: Najla Quamber; Photographer: Lindee Robinson Photography; Cover Model: Denise Emilia)

Synopsis:

Coming home to a quiet, dark house.  

Meals by myself, because she was already done.  

Excuses and apologies, they were never enough.  

But even with that, when I touched her—when she arched under me and pulled me deeper— 

we couldn’t get back to where we needed to be.  Where we used to be.  

It was all frustration.  

Loneliness.  Loss.  

Because even though she was no longer my student, the chemistry was always there. Adele and I loved each other.

We thought we were unshakeable. But love isn’t always enough. It wasn’t enough when I constantly disappointed her. It wasn’t enough when loss cleaved us in two. And when she left me, love was not enough. She didn’t know yet that I’d never stop fighting for her. But she would.  

**Author’s note- Let’s be real clear that this is BOOK TWO of a duet, and you’re going to want to read Tempting before you read this one. Adele and Nathan started their story in that book, and you’ll get the same sex, fighting, and cursing that you did in the first. But if you want it to make sense, read Tempting first. If any of that offends you, please avoid them both.**

 

Catch up on the series:

 Tempting, Tempting Book #1: http://amzn.to/29nIQZ6

Beguiling, Tempting Book #2: http://amzn.to/29zfLtA

About the Author: 

Alex Lucian is an author living on the eastern coast of the United States who appreciates being anonymous, for personal and professional reasons. Tempting is Alex's first novel, followed by Beguiling and Provocative. 

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