Book Review and Giveaway for Forever Falcon Ridge by DL Roan

FOREVER FALCON RIDGE
by DL ROAN

A third-generation rancher, Dani McLendon is destined to become the first woman to ever manage her family's ranch. Running Falcon Ridge is her birthright, her honor, her responsibility. It's all she's ever dreamed of doing, until a long-legged, cowboy-built Texan saunters into their barn with his dimpled smile and changes everything with a risky dare.

One of the most important lessons Clay Sterling's father taught him about working with a high-spirited filly is to work with her, not against her. Clay's wanted Dani since the moment he laid eyes on her. He needs her as a partner in his latest business venture, and he wants her in his bed. Convincing the spitfire of a cowgirl to take a chance on him will be the fight of his life, and he's ready to go all twelve seducing rounds, but his prize in the end may be more than he bargained for. Winning Dani McLendon may just cost him his heart.

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REVIEW: 5 Stars

"My love for you isn't a choice."

Oh, gosh.....where to start?? <sigh> I love DL's stories. For my first ever cowboy romance read, this entire series has definitely hit the spot. Or set the bar impossibly high. But not only that, their story is a completely different storyline from anything I've ever read and I feel like I am fully vested in this family now! Connected on a literary level. #Stalker. DL Roan is one of the most underrated authors out there. I just want EVERYONE to read her, or this series at the very least. I seriously push it as much as I can, and with the first one being FREE, I cannot imagine any valid reason why you shouldn't already have that book on your kindle. Just my opinion. HA!

Don't swoon too much at that opening quote because I claimed Clay already. MINE. His wink made me blush and go completely weak in the knees!!! My gosh, his accent and his chivalry is unrivaled. He was all man, and it showed. ARGH. I want more of him!!!! Ok, for serious now: Clay and Dani's story is probably my favorite story of the family (aside from the first book). I don't know if I say this every time, but dangit! DL writes all these amazing books and I am just a slave to her stories. I soak them up. I need them to keep going!! Dramatic much? Probably, but I'm serious. She needs to keep writing me stories forever and ever, amen. She is so good at spinning a story. She has this amazing ability to emote with her words, words you can wrap yourself up with.....to the point of actually feeling them. When they're "falling in love", you're feeling that fall as if it were YOU. I just know that I happily get lost in her words.

I have to admit, I paced while reading this one -- I didn't want it to end!! I wasn't ready for it at all. I loved this story so hard and I enjoyed seeing Grey and his craziness in full effect, but he was such a good dad in this one. I may have fallen deeper in love with him (is that possible?). Oh my gosh, we all know I love him and Matt and Mason, they are my book husbands, and to be able to see them going through this book with a whole new understanding that Dani has grown up....my gosh, I loved it SO MUCH!!! This family has been my family for YEARS, and being able to watch them grow and watch them fall in love and feel all their emotions as if they are my family has been so amazing. This is one of my all time favorite family sagas ever. I know I have one more book in this series, but I don't think I am ready to say goodbye. I know I won't be able to. The wait is going to suck. (But.....psssst: I know who she is writing about next, so I can say without a shadow of a doubt that you are going to love it too!!!)

As a blogger, it always worries me that I cannot accurately put into words what an author's book does to me or for me. It always scares me that my reviews can't live up to the words they presented me, and that my words just lacks in comparison. When I say DL's words have passion in them, I truly mean it. I hope you give this very different but very good series a try. It will be worth the hours you spend falling in love with each and every single character in this family.
"A true love story never ends."
~BEE

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EXTRA ENTRY: Feel free to post a screenshot on this FACEBOOK post of the FIRST book on your ereader because it's #FREE. Grab it here: http://amzn.to/2eIdzFa

The McLendon Family Saga Reading Order

The Heart of Falcon Ridge (FREE)

A McLendon Christmas

Rock Star Cowboys

Rock Star Cowboys: The Honeymoon

The Hardest Goodbyes

Return to Falcon Ridge

Forever Falcon Ridge

Interconnected Series - Survivors Justice

Surviving Redemption

One Defining Second

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~MEET DL ROAN~

Contemporary Erotic Romance Author of super sexy, Alpha-licious novels.

D.L. Roan loves combining fantasy with the real world, giving her readers more than just a book or romance, but a true adventure in love. Her characters are always real to her and she genuinely enjoys bringing them to life for her readers.

She's a native Floridian, a rare breed in a land of snow birds. Scuba diving and hunting for shark's teeth on the beach are two of her favorite things. Oh! And building sand castles instead of snowmen in December and sending pictures of them to all her snowbound friends. She loves rainy days, thunderstorms and is an avid dog lover. Yes, size matters. She hopes to one day add a big ol' floppy Great Dane to her family of hounds.

For exclusive details and free stories by D.L., visit her website www.dlroan.com and subscribe to her newsletter. She loves chatting with her friends and fans on Facebook. Check out the links in the back of her books for details about her secret fan group where she hangs out with her fans who get first dibs on all her sexy stories!

~CONNECT WITH DL~

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Book Review and Giveaway for Trust by Kylie Scott

TRUST
by KYLIE SCOTT

Being young is all about the experiences: the first time you skip school, the first time you fall in love…the first time someone holds a gun to your head.

After being held hostage during a robbery at the local convenience store, seventeen-year-old Edie finds her attitude about life shattered. Unwilling to put up with the snobbery and bullying at her private school, she enrolls at the local public high school, crossing paths with John. The boy who risked his life to save hers.

While Edie’s beginning to run wild, however, John’s just starting to settle down. After years of partying and dealing drugs with his older brother, he’s going straight—getting to class on time, and thinking about the future.

An unlikely bond grows between the two as John keeps Edie out of trouble and helps her broaden her horizons. But when he helps her out with another first—losing her virginity—their friendship gets complicated.

Meanwhile, Edie and John are pulled back into the dangerous world they narrowly escaped. They were lucky to survive the first time, but this time they have more to lose—each other.

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REVIEW: Depth unrivaled....I don't even know how to explain it.
"It was us against the world, forever and ever."

I am not a huge YA reader. I have found that what I have read has over-done drama and it's aggravating.  Eye-roll worthy plots, unrealistic drama, and serious immaturity to the point that I just don't enjoy it. This one was different for ALL the reasons. I didn't roll my eyes at the actions and realities of these two teenagers because they were explained in the most "teenage" way, but drama free. I know that sounds weird, but it didn't seem drama-induced in any way, and that is what I like. I liked the buildup the most, though. The buildup was innocence being portrayed in such a way that you had no choice but to remember what it was like for YOU growing up. It was relatable in that aspect, and that made me love this book.

The reality of the feelings, the deep rooted feelings of these two very different kids from very different worlds that met on some unfortunate night created a relationship of epic proportions. The underlying tension between these two is so palpable. I loved the depth in this book. I loved that it wasn't a mass of uncontrolled emotions, but a smooth, even story that dragged me in immediately and kept me reading. It didn't feel long and drawn out, but it didn't read quickly either. I loved how the basics of the storyline and characters were set up. I  really liked how she handled the way Edie retreated and changed, and I love how John came out and wanted more. I really liked this book A LOT. What a dynamic between these two characters. So NEAT. I am at a loss. I really enjoyed this one.

"We keep trying," he said simply. "If we really want it, then we don't give up. That easy."

BREAKDOWN: The reality behind this story? My gosh -- it's insane to even begin to think about because it was a life changing, mind altering, mood shifting event that just made you.......think, for the lack of a better word. I mean, I can't even begin to imagine being in that predicament, and trying to deal with the aftermath? Learning to see life in a whole new light? With a fresh set of goals and "fuck yous" to deal with? Man, I loved that about Edie. Her mouth, her quirky responses, her attitude. I love it. I loved seeing her whole perspective shift, her whole outlook on life completely change, and that was refreshing. I loved the slow build between these two as well. An unlikely friendship had life not altered it's course.

LOOK AT THAT COVER.....study it, drool over it, and then understand that this, to me, was the perfect picture for John. We got to "meet" him, but not having a face made it so easy to relate to and 'picture'. I loved this cover!!! PERFECT cover.

"I pressed the palm of my hand over his heart, feeling it beating fast. Inside of him seemed every bit as stirred up as inside of me."

I will be honest, I got a verrrrry unedited and unformatted copy so it made it rather hard to read, but the story itself was a breath of fresh air. It was long and wordy, but they were not misplaced words for space. They really told a story of growing/learning/experimenting and the journey we took with them led us along a path of discovery. It was a very well written and a wonderful story to read. For being my first Kylie Scott book, I was impressed and I will make sure I check out her other books and read more from her. I really enjoyed her style of storytelling. I feel like she, to me, is going to be one I really need to pay attention to because her words had depth and meaning, and I found myself clinging to the emotion and the reality behind her words....and that was a great first impression for me.

"You're here?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Because this is where you are."  -- <sigh>
~BEE

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EXCERPT

“You were going to give it up to Duncan Dickerson?” he sneered. “Are you serious?”

I halted, staring at him. This was not good. “How do you know about that?”

“Anders overheard you and Hang talking.”

“Bastard.”

“Well?” he demanded, acting all authoritarian. Idiot.

“To be fair, I didn’t know his last name was Dickerson,” I said. “That’s unfortunate. Though, I wasn’t actually planning on marrying him, so . . .”

“Not funny.”

I shrugged.

“You barely know the guy.”

“Um, yeah. None of your concern. We’re not talking about this.” How mortifying! My face burned bright. People should just gather around and cook s’mores. “I appreciate that we’re friends. You mean a lot to me. But this is going to have to fall under definitely none of your damn business, so go away please.”

“We’re talking about it.” He advanced a step.

“No we are not.” And I retreated.

“You were going to let a complete stranger touch you.” Advance.

Retreat. “People do it all the time. You do it all the time.”

“But you don’t,” he said, taking the final step, backing me up against the side of his car and getting all in my face. “Edie, this is your first time we’re talking about. Isn’t it?”

“Yes, and it’s going to be messy and painful and probably horribly embarrassing and I just want it over and done with.” I tried to meet his eyes but failed, settling for a spot on his right shoulder. “You’re not a girl; you wouldn’t understand. Also, last time I checked, you’re not the gatekeeper of my hymen, John Cole. So back the fuck off.”

He said nothing.

Deep, calming breaths. “Look, someday I’ll meet someone I really like and we’ll have a deep and meaningful relationship and go at it like bunnies. But I don’t want to be the dumb virgin in that scenario.”

He slowly shook his head.

“Also, I do not want to die a virgin.”

“What? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Hey, you and I both know death can occur at any time.”

“This is crazy.”

“I’m seeing a therapist!” I told his shoulder. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m a little bit messed up these days. It’s hard for me to trust people. That’s not going to change anytime soon.”

He screwed up his face at me. “Wha—”

“I’m just trying to be practical.”

“Well, you’re being ridiculous. None of this makes sense.”

“It does to me.”

Again, he said nothing.

In fact, he said nothing for so long that I finally looked him in the eye. The anger had left him, replaced by an emotion I didn’t recognize. Worst of all, he still smelled like summer. A little sweat and the open night air, everything I loved. Liked. I meant liked.

“What?” I said, finally.

He let loose a breath. “I’ll do it.”

~MEET KYLIE SCOTT~

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance  Writer of the year, 2013 &amp; 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. You can learn more about Kylie from http://www.kylie-scott.com/

~CONNECT WITH KYLIE~

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Book Review and Giveaway for For Forester by J Nathan

FOR FORESTER

by J NATHAN

Trace

I'm Alabama's star wide receiver. I've got mad skills on and off the field, and it's no secret I'm heading into the draft after the upcoming season. But I’m home for the summer to make some cash before my senior year. Being back under my parents' roof isn't the ideal situation, but the moment I see Marin, the star of my adolescent fantasies, I know it's about to get interesting. She may not have noticed me back then, but I've got a feeling it's just a matter of time before she lets me turn those fantasies into reality.

Marin

The last time I saw Trace Forester he was just a kid tearing up the neighborhood on his skateboard. That was when I was foolish enough to think I had the perfect husband and the perfect life. But now my life is in shambles and Trace is back, all grown up, hot as hell, and exuding major confidence. It would be so easy to fall for his good looks and undeniable charm. So easy to let him into my life. Too bad I learned the hard way that nothing worth having ever comes easy.

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REVIEW: 4 PERFECT STARS

"I've always seen you, Marin. All those years. And it's just crazy to finally have you looking back and seeing me."

I am literally HIGH on smiles right now. This was THE most perfect book to read in between heavier ones because there was zero angst, and smiles galore. OMG....I am officially in love with Trace Forester and have decided that maaaaaaybe I can handle this trope. HAHA! This was a little out of my comfort zone; but the way J Nathan told this story, and the emotions she brought forth, she made it easy to read this book and fall in love with Marin and Trace's love. What a fun, light but sexy, and altogether swoony love to read about too. Trace was a man wise beyond his years, but he had also met his one true love that brought him to his knees, and I love that he stayed true to himself. I smiled the ENTIRE time I was reading this book when these two were together. Whether it was laughing at Trace's so-very-NOT-shy and most definitely NOT humble comments, or when he was being extremely romantic and downright dirty with Marin; I was in love. No joke....I smiled the entire time.

OMG....these two were so hot together. Their feelings were a force to be reckoned with, and I loved watching them fall for each other. Seriously.....ahhhh. I feel like I can exhale. Tee hee! I really loved this book. My smile is legit!! I am super sad that it read as fast as it did though. I could have kept reading their story!! <sigh>

We had banter: check

We had swoonage: check 

We had smiles: check

We had laughs: check

We had SEXy times: check

We had sincerity: check

I seriously cannot be any happier right now....I am still smiling after reading this story. It really was just FUN and so good. Thinking about everything that was going on, one thing that stood out for me was that to some folks, this was so wrong, but to Trace and Marin, this was oh so right. And that dynamic, I found that I actually loved it. These two were so cognizant of what was going on and what others were thinking, but Trace didn't care AT ALL. I felt that Marin's feelings and insecurities were completely understandable and described really well, and that made her very relatable. 

I was frustrated a little with how manipulative one of the side characters was being because I hate seeing that happen. I have been in the position Marin was so deviously put in, so I could really empathize with her. I felt her pain and the false realization that her hands were tied. She was backed into a corner and she was made to feel that she had no way out, and that was hard to read. I felt terrible for her, but I will tell you what; the way all the characters came together in this story was incredible. It was a really good mix of characters with different dynamics, but that also made it a more well-rounded story for me; more believable.  We all get a little help from our friends now and then, and that sense of community and friendship was well played throughout this book. I loved it!

This is my second book by J Nathan, and if she keeps writing stories like this, I am going to have a very happy kindle. This is the SECOND book in this series, but can be read as a complete standalone -- absolutely no story crossover at all, besides the main characters in For Finlay. I can and will happily recommend this series, and now I need to catch up on her other series!! I am *SO* happy that I "found" J Nathan and read her. I cannot wait to read more. 

--> Oh, and if there were ever food related scenes that made me blush - woah, canned whip cream should make it on your grocery list because....holy hell, Trace is sexy AF!

"I've had good sex. This is something else."

~BEE

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~MEET J NATHAN~

J. Nathan is the author of the new adult romances For Finlay, Before Hadley, Until Alex, and Since Drew. When she's not writing, she's a total romance junkie! Add an alpha male who's unlikable in the beginning... even better. Happy endings are a must. Love triangles and negative people are the bane of her existence. Her family, friends, guys in backwards hats, and watermelon margaritas are the light…

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Book Review and Giveaway for Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland

BEAUTIFUL MISTAKE
by VI KEELAND

The first time I met Caine West was in a bar.
He noticed me looking his way and mistakenly read my scowling as checking him out.
When he attempted to talk to me, I set him straight—telling him what I thought of his lying, cheating, egomaniacal ass.
You see, the gorgeous jerk had wined and dined my best friend--smooth talking her into his bed, all along failing to mention that he was married.
He deserved every bit of my tongue-lashing and more for what he'd done.
Especially when that lazy smile graced his perfect face in response to my rant.
Only it turned out, the man I'd just told off wasn't the right guy.
Oops. My mistake.
Embarrassed, I slunk out without an apology.
I was never going to see the handsome stranger again anyway, right?
That’s what I thought…until I walked into class the next morning.
Well, hello Professor West, I’m your new teaching assistant.
I’ll be working under you…figuratively speaking.
Although the literal interpretation might not be such a bad thing—working under Professor West.
This was going to be interesting…

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REVIEW: 3.5 FATEFUL STARS

"I wanted to give him everything he was about to take and more."

As you probably saw on my Facebook post, this book had me giggling from the get-go!!! Seriously, three pages in and I was laughing and enjoying the smart-assery that was being thrown around like confetti! This book didn't disappoint when it came to Vi's signature swoony man and outright HOT and sexy times, infusing wit and sass right into her characters. Signature. Really easy beginning to this story that provided laughs and a valuable "OOPS" to start out the embarrassing encounter. I loved Caine's smirk and the cover of this book could NOT have been more perfect. You will see once you get to 'that' scene.

Caine was the cause of quite a few giggles and smiles. He was so witty, and the banter between Caine and Rachel was really so perfect. It made me laugh, and for me, someone that loves a wiseass, he definitely fit the bill of confidence and swagger. I loved his strength and wittiness when he was confident. He had a dirty mouth and was quite.....ahem, knowledgable in the bedroom, ifyouknowwhatImean. Seriously sexy on all counts. But he was also skittish and quite wishy-washy in the feelings department because he was afraid of messing up. Dude. I wanted to shake the ever loving ish outta him!!! That got to be quite aggravating because FATE. Ok? Fate. "Can't fight this feeling." Ever heard that song?? They were destined....written in the stars, or some ish. I swear, #MEN

"It felt so good to be completely overwhelmed by this man. I'd been fighting it since the day we met, and giving in was such an emotional relief."

Rachel had such a good disposition and I liked how super stubborn she was. I am stubborn (don't tell my husband I admitted that) and so I could totally relate to her on that level. I maaaaay also be quick-tempered as well. HA! Kindred spirit and all. But with stubbornness comes a certain weakness; her kryptonite was Caine in every sense of the word. I wanted to be stubborn right along with her, I totally did. Yessiree. But man! When you have the likes of CAINE fighting for your attention, while fighting himself against admitting his feelings for you, things can get a little muddled. And they did. That caused some turmoil, some pain, and some good angst pangs while I read. I must say that I cannot imagine how exhausting it was for her to be pushed and pulled from one side to the very opposite side when it came to Caine giving his all, to pulling back 100%....total emotional whiplash. I felt for her heart!

But Caine was really a sweetheart with a cocky side that was completely drool-worthy. He was respectfully forward with Rachel as well.....if that is even possible, toeing the line between professional and inappropriate, which of course caused all sorts of smiles and blushing from me. He was straight to the point with her, but very observant with her as well, and I loved seeing how he treated her when they were flirting with each other. He really was dreamy! I love reading about an instant attraction; one that is more than just physical and leads to hot sex. I love an attraction, instant or not, that has depth to it. One where there are honest feelings and questions and emotions to back up that attraction, and that is something that Vi writes extremely well -- this was what Rachel and Caine most definitely had. There were so many layers to these characters; ones that we got to peel back as we continued deeper into their story.

"I didn't think you could be any more beautiful to look at. But your face with me inside of you is...I have no words..."

I will be honest -- I'm struggling with my rating on this one. There was depth. There was emotion. There was even some serious swoonage, but I also felt there was a lot of down time. We met a lot of side characters that played a significant role in the book, but I guess it felt like....I dunno, it felt "long", which I've never thought with Vi's writing before. Does that diminish the quality of the book or her writing? No way. I just had a hard time staying in the moment with this book. The ending also felt a little anticlimactic for everything that happened. Maybe it was because I figured out the twist very early on, so I was just waiting for the ball to drop, to see how it all played out. This was also the FIRST time I have ever had ominous angst while reading one of her books. This was completely weird for me, because I have always enjoyed Vi's writing. I really did enjoy this story and her writing was, as usual, great, but it missed her normal punch that I always feel at the end. Overall, Vi manages to give us a good mix of sincerity, pain, and mischief, along with a side of snarkasm with these two characters.

"I'm the last person who should be giving relationship advice. But if it's not there, you can't force it. No different than when it is there and you try to make it not be."
~BEE

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~MEET VI KEELAND~

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!

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Excerpt Reveal for the Darkest Sunrise by Aly Martinez

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Excerpt

I’d never for the rest of my life forget those moments in my office with Porter Reese.

The ones where the world finally stopped—even as it kept turning.

I had patients waiting on me, but I couldn’t care less. I’d been waiting for over a decade to take a single breath that didn’t hurt. And, no matter how much I tried to deny it, nothing hurt with Porter, not even in the darkness.

How Porter gave that to me, I wasn’t sure. He didn’t understand my situation. But he didn’t pretend to. He didn’t offer any sage words of advice or try to give me a pep talk about moving on. He just listened and held me.

He’d spoken words, I was sure of it. But those moments were all about feelings.

There was something inherently freeing about telling him about Lucas. Our situations were different, but the same shade of black painted both of our souls.

But, as I clung to him, trying to perform the impossible task of collecting myself, it hit me that the darkness was all we’d ever have.

In the light, we lived on polar-opposite ends of the spectrum.

Porter had his children. His future was in ballet recitals and baseball games. And, after hearing his story, I was happy for him. Really, I was. But I couldn’t handle being a part of that.

That was his life. Not mine.

And, when he aimed a sad smile at me and used the pads of his thumbs to dry under my eyes, I knew he realized it too.

Leave it to me to connect with a single father. I mean, seriously. Karma was sadistic.

Peering up at him, I softly asked, “So, what now?” I didn’t want the answer though.

He shrugged, but it wasn’t in indifference. It was disappointment. Heartbreakingly so. It was also real, no matter how much I wished that it weren’t.

I sighed. “At the risk of sounding like a teenage girl, I really like you.”

His face lit. “I like teenage girls.” His eyebrows pinched together as he quickly amended,

“Never mind. Ignore that. It sounded way better in my head.”

Giggling, I gave him a squeeze.

He groaned as he returned it. “Any chance we can rewind to Saturday night?”

“Would it change anything?”

He tipped his head down so he could see me, his blue eyes becoming dark and serious.

“No. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t do it again.”

My stomach fluttered. Jesus, he was such a good guy.

It was going to break me more than I already was to let him go, but I had to end it before I had the chance to beg him to stay.

“Porter, I want to. I just…” I closed my eyes and stepped out of his arms while confessing the one word that I feared was starting to dictate my life. “Can’t.”

“I know,” he replied, allowing his fingers to linger on my shoulder until I was out of his reach.

Wrapping one arm around my waist, I attempted to ward off the chill his body had left behind and choked out, “I’m so sorry.”

He twisted his lips—his beautiful, plump, kissable lips. “Don’t apologize. It’s okay. Seriously, I’m not that great. Trust me. You’re getting the good end of the deal.”

I barked a laugh only to start crying all over again. Pointing to my eyes, I said, “This is ridiculous. We barely know each other. You must think I’m insane.”

He chuckled, that deep, masculine sound I loved so much, and it only made the pain in my chest intensify.

“If you’re insane, Charlotte, I’m certifiable. Because this fucking sucks.”

God! The fact that he felt it too made it that much worse.

He brushed the hair off my shoulder, a tingle lighting my skin where his fingers touched.

“How about this? If you ever decide you can, promise me I’ll be the first to know. I believe I owe you a kiss.”

I fought back a sigh and asked, “How old is your youngest?”

“Creeping on four.”

I hiccupped a laugh. “You’re in luck. Mills women age really well. I mean, I’m a workaholic who will probably die of a heart attack by the time I’m forty, but if I make it that long, you are in for a real treat.”

He smiled and I wanted to cry all over again.

Christ. What the hell was wrong with me?

Oh, right. The first man I’d felt anything with in as long as I could remember was walking out of my life. And I was all but pushing him out the door because he had children.

When he kissed my forehead, I sucked in a sharp breath and allowed a million memories to flash on the backs of my eyelids.

Memories of me laughing, his eyes lit up as he watched me, a huge smile on his face.

Memories of him touching my lips after that kiss he’d promised.

Memories of us curled up on a couch, watching TV together, a fire crackling in the background, but that warmth only he could give me radiating in my chest.

Memories of him making love to me, slow and desperate.

Memories of me coming home to him after a long day’s work and crashing into his strong arms seconds before falling asleep.

Memories of us watching the bright sunrise together.

Memories that would never exist.

And then Porter left.

He didn’t say anything as he backed out of my office, but goodbyes were spoken all the same. My heart felt as though it were being ripped from my chest with each step he took closer to the door.

He never tore his gaze from mine. It was both a gift and a punishment, because for the first time since I’d met Porter, it gave me the opportunity to see the staggering emptiness in his eyes.

I hated it almost as much as I loved it. He’d lived through hell, but for one lunch, one dinner, and over half an hour in his arms, it had brought him to me.

That was enough.

And, as I watched the door close behind him, I accepted that it would have to be.

It wasn’t.

After that day, the sunrise only got darker.

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~MEET ALY MARTINEZ~

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five- including a set of twins. Currently living in Chicago, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.

After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.

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Book Review for The Scent of Roses by Sienna Blake

THE SCENT OF ROSES

by SIENNA BLAKE

The sequel to Love Sprung From Hate, Dark Romeo #1.

The game becomes more deadly as the lies get bigger. Risks will be taken, loyalties will be tested, but will Roman and Julianna take the biggest risk of all…giving into their hearts?

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this is a retelling for mature audiences. Don’t enter the Underworld if you’re scared of the dark.

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REVIEW: ONE MORE BOOK TO GO!!!

"How selfish am I that I could consider ruining her just so I could have her?"

ANOTHER AMAZING RIDE! I am really enjoying this series. I can tell you with it being my first mafia series, it is most definitely holding my interest! This is also the only one that I have ever signed up for because it immediately piqued my interest. I have enjoyed the sarcasm and the wit in Juliana and I have enjoyed the smirk and the aggravatingly sexy, brooding man in Roman.

I loved LOVED the way that Roman took care of things from behind the scenes....he knew he had to protect Juliana and I loved watching his feelings come to light. I REALLY enjoyed this one!! Of course, I am left in limbo because I need the FINAL book.....but man! What a find for me. I seriously am so glad I decided to take the chance on this series.

"I can't get you out of my head. You plague me when I'm awake. You haunt me when I'm asleep."

Roman is just intensely delicious and sigh-worthy DREAMY. I know that's weird to hear, at least it is to me given his family and all, but I remember what he was like with Juliana and how he took care of her, so what I "know" of him, he is most definitely dreamy to me. I loved the way he silently, and not so silently, took care of her. He wanted her so bad and was so worried about corrupting her. <sigh>

"I wanted to possess her. To own her. Even if it meant I would end her life with my darkness."

Juliana is so strong in her convictions. While I feel she was strong in her mannerisms, her mental war with herself between her heart and her mind was a struggle. She wanted so hard to believe he cared for her, but she fought with herself about it. There was still a lot of inner monologue, but since I kind of expected it, it was easier to get through. Again, wordy, but still very interesting.

Such a good second book in this trilogy....I am very pleasantly surprised. It's hot. It's enticing. There was enough action to push it forward and enough emotion between these two characters to make me pine for more. It's a great storyline and I am excited for the final book!

"What if it wasn't you who darkened her life but she who lightened yours?"
~BEE

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~MEET SIENNA BLAKE~

Sienna Blake is a pen name for a USA Today Bestselling Author. She loves all things that make her heart race — rollercoasters, thrillers and rowdy unrestrained sex. She likes to explore the darker side of human nature in her writing.

If she told you who she really was, she’d have to kill you. Because of her passion for crime and forensics, she’d totally get away with your murder.

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ARC REVIEW

Book Review for The Unrequited by Saffron A Kent

THE UNREQUITED

by SAFFRON A KENT

Layla Robinson is not crazy. She is suffering from unrequited love. But it’s time to move on. No more stalking, no more obsessive calling.

What she needs is a distraction. The blue-eyed guy she keeps seeing around campus could be a great one—only he is the new poetry professor—the married poetry professor.

Thomas Abrams is a stereotypical artist—rude, arrogant, and broody—but his glares and taunts don’t scare Layla. She might be bad at poetry, but she is good at reading between the lines. Beneath his prickly façade, Thomas is lonely, and Layla wants to know why. Obsessively.

Sometimes you do get what you want. Sometimes you end up in the storage room of a bar with your professor and you kiss him. Sometimes he kisses you back like the world is ending and he will never get to kiss you again. He kisses you until you forget the years of unrequited love; you forget all the rules, and you dare to reach for something that is not yours.

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REVIEW: OFF THE CHARTS - woah!!!
"I let him vandalize my body, my heart, my dreams."

This book was nothing I expected and everything I needed in a new-to-me author....it blew me away! I've been told I'm "a bit fussy" with my choices in books and what I will recommend, and that made me laugh, but I'm glad someone saw that I am passionate about my recommendations and reviews. My goal this year was to try a new author each month, at least one. I shake my head.....I just shake it. Because, WOW. When a book moves you from the very first page, when it sucks you in and holds your soul hostage for the entirety of the book, you know you found a good one. Saffron Kent is on my must read list after this one. I am on a mission to now read every one of her books, and follow her closely...I'll be a cheerleader if this is the quality of book she puts out -- on her SECOND book, no less. She has some talent that should not go undiscovered.

This book moved me beyond understanding because the writing was just so poetic. It was alive, as if it were a living, breathing soul reaching out to caress my heart. The push and pull. The give and take. It was addictive...I was seeking out this pulse I felt in Saffron's voice, in her descriptions, and I craved more and more as I continued to read. I wanted to pursue this heavy ache and longing deep down where her words touched me and her story moved me. The passion and devotion in her words....the desperation just leaches out of them. I wish I could adequately express how much this book affected me. There was so much torture in Layla's mind, her only balm being the frenzied feelings she felt with Thomas. Unsettling? Possibly. Unhealthy? Maybe....but the entire book gripped me and consumed me. I couldn't put it down. The writing of these two broken and flawed characters was nothing short of brilliant. We go through the motions with them, as they happen, and it's such a wild experience!! Gosh!! It was SO freaking good.

I wanted to feel everything. Those are my favorite kinds of reads because they affect me and they make me think and feel; puts myself in the characters' shoes. And I know I keep saying this, but Saffron's words were seriously so poetic; they flowed uninhibited and with such grace. She has such a vibrant sound in her words, one that I haven't heard before. Some may not enjoy it, and it will be different for others, but the cadence and structure of her story completed me. Convicted me. Pulled me in. With volatility behind Saffron's truths, the feelings were overtly powerful in delivering the emotion needed to make you understand what Layla was feeling, or what Thomas was hiding. And to say that this book was HOT, that would be a very basic description. It is incontestably and sinfully delicious in every single way. They had such a perversely twisted sexuality between them and it was insanely hot. Naughty naughty Professor Abrams!!

"He is the sexiest thing I've ever seen, big and brooding, his face a mosaic of lust and need."

I can't even accurately describe to you how moved I was by this book. I felt it. I breathed it. I feel like I lived it with Layla. Every step. Every breath. Every touch. It was a soul crushing read. Gah!!! I loved it!! I just hope it translates in my review. I'll be honest with you, though; it's not an easy read....it's an agonizing and tortuous read. The pain is tangible. The depth and force of Thomas and Layla's attraction is exhausting, but the harsh reality behind their undeniable attraction, the force they are fighting to stay apart, THAT was so very interesting to read and experience. Layla held such a warped image of herself. She lives and breathes a heavy guilt for no real reason (besides the painfully obvious part) and she has this unflattering view of her deservedness, but it had merit and it kept me intrigued until the very end. I clung to every single word with bated breath, waiting to find out more and I couldn't keep myself from gasping every time something would change, or be revealed, or happened. I seriously have mental and emotional whiplash!

"It's so ironic that the very unrequitedness that destroyed me is going to keep the pain at bay."

A star rating would indicate that I can put a limit on the love I have for this book and that is simply not true. It's impossible. This is a shelf-altering book.....I need it to sit on the shelf next to my other amazing reads. And there are only a few.....only a few. I'm terribly sorry if I babbled incoherently during this review, but there was just so much to say, and I probably didn't even say enough.

"The absolute need to possess someone, to be the air they breathe and the universe they live in -- I feel both powerful and powerless at once."
~BEE

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~MEET SAFFRON A KENT~

Writer of bad romances. Coffee Addict. White Russian Drinker. Imaginary Ballet Dancer and poetess. Aspiring Lana Del Ray of the book world.

I'm a big believer in love (obviously). I believe in happily ever after, the butterflies and the tingling. But I also believe in edgy, rough and gutsy kind of love. I believe in pushing the boundaries, darker (sometimes morally ambiguous) emotions and imperfections.

The kind of love I write about is flawed just like my characters. And I hope by the end of it, you'll come to root for them just as much as me. Because love, no matter where it comes from, is always pure and beautiful. 

If you ever get a hankering to talk about books or love, you can find me here:

Her book group: Saffron's Purple Hearts

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ARC REVIEW

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Excerpt Reveal for Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland

An excerpt from Beautiful Mistake…

The class was completely empty. I wasn’t even sure he knew I was still in my seat. If he did, he was good at ignoring me as he packed up his laptop.

“Contrary to the rumors you’ve probably heard, I don’t bite.”

I jumped when he spoke. Now that the lecture hall was no longer filled with students, the acoustics of the large space bounced his deep voice all over the walls.

I stood and began my walk of shame down to the front of the classroom.

There was no doubt I owed the man an apology, even if he wasn’t a professor—a professor who would be my new boss for at least the next fifteen weeks. I wanted to kick myself in the ass for not apologizing last night before I left the bar. Now it would seem like I was only doing it because of the situation I was in.

Which was true, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t want it to seem that way.

I took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry about last night.”

His face was unreadable. “I figured you might be, right about now.”

“I obviously thought you were someone else.”

“So I assumed. You thought I was the asshole. The one with the big dick, was it?”

I shut my eyes. For the last ninety minutes, I’d replayed the entire exchange from last night over and over in my head. I thought I’d remembered everything I said, but apparently I hadn’t. When I reopened my eyes, Professor West was still watching me. His stare was pretty damn intense.

I started to babble. “My friend Ava went out with this guy Owen for a month or so. He was full of shit from day one, but she didn’t see it. Actually walked up to her when she was leaving work one night and said, ‘Do you mind if I walk you home? My mother always told me to follow my dreams.’ She fell for it, the entire act, from the first day. Then one Saturday, he was supposedly out of town on business, and she was across town running errands for her mother. She took a shortcut through Madison Square Park on her way back from the grocery store and ran into him. He was with his wife and kids.”

“And you thought I was him, apparently?”

I nodded. “She came in during my shift and started drinking Long Island iced teas. When Owen walked in, she pointed to where he was standing and said he was the one in the blue shirt.”

“And we were both wearing blue shirts, I take it?”

I couldn’t help but smile, thinking of Ava last night. “Actually, no. Ava’s not much of a drinker. Turned out she was more sloshed than I thought. Owen’s shirt was brown—not even black that could be mistaken as navy or something.”

I saw Professor West’s lip twitch.

“Anyway, I’m really sorry. I barely gave you a chance to speak, and then when I realized what had happened, I was so mortified I didn’t even stop to apologize.”

“I accept your apology for last night. Even though you shouldn’t be approaching a man in the hallway to tell him off alone, your intentions were admirable.”

I should have shut up and been grateful he’d accepted my apology. Should have. “Why can’t I approach a man in the hallway?”

He leveled me with a stare. “Because you’re five foot nothing in a loud bar, and no one would have heard you if I’d dragged you into the men’s room and locked the door.”

I folded my arms over my chest. “I can take care of myself.”

“I didn’t say you couldn’t. I said you shouldn’t put yourself in those situations.”

“But you insinuated that I couldn’t by making that statement.”

He zipped his leather bag closed. “Ms. Martin, I just accepted your apology for calling me an asshole last night. Would you like me to retract that acceptance?”

God, I really was an idiot. Being around this man seemed to turn me into a psychopath. “No. I’m sorry. I acted like a jerk, and I’d like to start over, if that’s possible.”

He nodded. “Everything prior to this morning is forgotten.”

“Thank you.”

“But this morning is not. I won’t accept lateness. Don’t let it happen again.”

I swallowed. “It won’t.”

He lifted his worn, brown leather laptop bag over one shoulder. “Meet me here at five tomorrow. We’ll go over the syllabus and the classes you’ll teach, as well as my grading rubric.”

That was smack in the middle of my shift, but I’d figure something out.

“Okay.”

“Are you done for the day?”

“I am. I actually have to get to work. I’m covering Ava’s shift because she isn’t feeling too well after last night. We both work at O’Leary’s.”

“You waitress there?”

“Waitress, bartend, occasionally tell off patrons.”

That earned me a full smile from Professor West. God, he should do that more often. No, forget that. He definitely shouldn’t.

“I’ll walk out with you.”

We walked through the halls together and out to the parking lot. When we arrived at my car, I stopped. “This is me. So…five o’clock tomorrow?”

Professor West looked at my beat-up old Subaru. “You’re parked in a spot reserved for the Provost. You got a parking ticket.” He squinted. “Actually, it looks like you have two parking tickets. Was your inspection expired or something?”

Crap. “Umm…no. I keep an extra ticket in the glove compartment and stick it on my windshield when I’m forced to park illegally.”

His brows shot up. “Inventive.”

“Obviously it doesn’t always work.”

“Obviously.”

“They need more parking. When you’re late, it’s impossible to find a spot.”

He studied me. “Lateness is a frequent occurrence for you, I take it?”

“Unfortunately, it is.”

“Then I should clarify something I said earlier.”

“Oh, no, that’s not necessary. I won’t be late for your class.”

He took a step closer and leaned in. “I’m glad to hear that, Ms. Martin. But that’s not what needs clarification.”

I swallowed. God, he smells good.

“Earlier I told you I didn’t bite students.” He smiled, and I felt the wickedness from it shoot down to some interesting places. “I don’t. But I make no promises about not biting feisty TAs.”

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~MEET VI KEELAND~

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!

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