Book Review for Midnight Blue by LJ Shen

MIDNIGHT BLUE
by LJ SHEN

It should have been easy.
I needed the money. He needed a babysitter to keep him from snorting himself to death.
I was cherry-picked especially for him. Responsible. Optimistic. Warm. Innocent.
The worst part is that I should have known better.
Alex Winslow. British rock star. Serial heartbreaker. Casanova with whiskey eyes.
“Don’t get near the devil in a leather jacket. He’ll chew you up and spit you out.”
Guess what? I didn’t listen.
I signed the contract.
World tour. Three months. Four Continents. One hundred shows.
My name is Indigo Bellamy, and I sold my soul to a tattooed god.
Problem was, my soul wasn’t enough for Alex Winslow. He ended up taking my body, too.
Then he took my heart.
Then he took my all.

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REVIEW: DNF AT 31%
I did it. I tried. I even gave it a SECOND chance after trying to quit at 12%, albeit kicking and screaming the entire time. Coming off a high from some amazing books I recently read, I know the power of words and what they can really do for me. So maybe I was in a book hangover from some recent amazing reads I had? I am not sure, but this one just didn't flow well for me at all and didn't draw me in.

There is NOTHING I hate more than not liking/connecting/being able to finish a HIGHLY rated book. One that EVERYone is talking about and raving about. I hate it because it starts to make me question what was wrong with me!! Why didn't I like it?  I mean, all the reviews and the gifs and the teasers looked so damn sexy. So inviting. So worthy of my melting.

Welp....nope. It didn't happen for me. First and foremost, the believability and the suspension of belief is more than I could handle when there was an element of truth that needed to be accepted for her to be in the position she was even in. I don't understand how this heroine got this job in the first place, so when we start out with that 'WHY' and then all the responsibility and the power they lay upon her in this newfound position that should be the PA or the manager's responsibility, well....I honestly couldn't stop rolling my eyes.  I mean, they were asking her to do things and follow up on things. I just couldn't with this one. I did find out the massive spoiler and the reason why she got that job, but leaving me hanging throughout the entire book until it was 'discovered' left me angry eye-rolling and not excitedly turning the pages. Because I couldn't get past some of the things that were said, or 'felt', or implied, or handled. I just couldn't.

Some of it was just completely unbelievable. She knew this rockstar and some of his songs, buuuut she didn't know who his ex was? She isn't on social media anywhere but talks about IG? Looks at her brother's public profile? Ummm, really? She has a smashed phone screen so she can't look anything up on Google/websites, but they gave her a locked phone with only two numbers in it so she could get ahold of his PA or manager, and that's it? She is desperate for money, because add in the cliché of someone doing something strictly for the money, but it plays out otherwise. She was seemingly plucked from obscurity to be this guys "hanny" (you know, hot nanny) and yet she has ZERO experience being a PA, or handling a rockstar on a WORLD TOUR, but she is going to go for 3 months for $100k per month? Sure. Her and her crazy claustrophobia are going to rein in this bigger than life, cocky sonofabitch, recovering druggie/alcoholic because she has that skill. Yeah, makes perrrrrfect sense. Or not. It was just a little too much for me to be able to suspend belief enough to make it through all that. Now, having said that, I did make it to some parts that really did give me pause and made me raise my eyebrows in anticipation, because I could easily see why she is loved. I could totally see why people flock to her writing, and that is impressive. It is just a matter of personal preference at this point, for me. I wanted believability in some aspect. I love rockstar books. I love the possibility of some girl falling in love with some guy; one which they would normally not have any probability of actually meeting. That is the fairytale I love. But for some reason, this one just had my head shaking more than normal. The underlying story was great and had the potential to pull me in, had I been able to connect with the original reasoning for her to even be there in the first place.

The writing wasn't terrible; it wasn't anything like that. She was theatrical in some parts, so I know there was going to be some parts that were embellished more than necessary, but there was a definite flair there. I felt that her 'voice' was brash and unrefined, which worked extremely well for the the male POV in this book, especially with how many demons he fought and how much of an arsehole he was to Indie. There were parts that I actually smiled at and was hoping we were getting into some good parts because I needed something to hold onto, but those were far and few between. I will say, the way the title played into the story was brilliant and that is definitely worthy of mention. I loved that part of it! The midnight rendezvous with the blue haired gal? Those super special moments between them really had me anticipating more, and that was the promise I was going to hold onto. I really did enjoy that part.  It was truly super sweet.....but the rest drove me nuts. It just didn't work for me and for that, I knew I had to quit while I was ahead. Oh, and he hates everyone, including his bandmates and I definitely didn't like the way they treated him.

My heart rolled in my chest helplessly like a wounded soldier, because Waitrose didn’t deserve anything, much less the only girl on the tour. 

The. Only. Girl. On. The. Tour. 

If anyone was going to fuck this girl, it’d be me, not my backstabbing drummer and frenemy

I pretty much knew that I needed to walk away, and I am ridiculously sad about it for a number of reasons:

1.) My first read by her. I was super excited to finally hear her voice. I *will* read her again.

2.) That cover. Holy hell, that deserved every single star. That is a beautiful cover. And very fitting.

3.) That synopsis really pulled me in. I wanted the turmoil and the pain this promised me.

"Know what the difference is between you and me, Stardust? You watch me, but I see you."

~BEE

~MEET LJ SHEN~

L.J. Shen is USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author of contemporary romance books. She lives in California with her husband, son and lazy cat.

When she's not writing, she enjoys reading a good book with a glass of wine and catching up on her favorite HBO and Netflix shows. 

Yeah, she's a badass like that.

~CONNECT WITH LJ~

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Book Review and Giveaway for Suddenly Forbidden by Ella Fields

SUDDENLY FORBIDDEN

by ELLA FIELDS

I thought he'd always be mine,

even when I was forced to say goodbye. 

We were never meant to let go, 

but it happened anyway. 

Too bad I didn’t know someone was waiting to take my place, or I would've held on a lot tighter.

Two years later, we were exactly where we'd always planned to be. 

I'd kept my promise.

He'd forgotten all about his. 

Not only had he moved on, but the person he'd moved on with was my best friend, leaving me to begin college with a broken heart.

I guess this is the part where I’m supposed to tell you some other guy stepped in, repaired my shattered pieces, and made me smile again. 

This isn't that kind of story. 

My heart might have been broken, 

but it refused to fall out of love.

WARNING: this book contains cheating.

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REVIEW: 5+ STARS

"Funny how emotions and lust could blind you and make your focus narrow to only right then. Right now. Forget what could happen after."

Pssst.....you guys!!! I'm telling you......if you haven't read Ella Fields yet, you need to. She's new, but she's already made a name for herself. I am on a mission now to have as many of you grab her books that I can convince. Seriously, she needs to be your NEXT read. I 'met' her through my blog when she was recommended to me, and I am so glad I got to taste her words. Now, after reading my second book by her, I am SO excited and look forward to reading more from her!! I love when an author's words inspire reviews and excitement. I will shout out how much I loved this one. Not one part did I not like. Not one character did I not connect with or understand. Not one action did I question. This. This is what good books feel like. Yes, FEEL like. Quinn and Daisy have a love that's not for the faint of heart. Hold on tight.

The drama? REAL

The pain? RAW

The reality? TRUE

The love? This is what love stories are made of. 

I loved this book from the minute I opened it, and cursed the ending because I wanted to witness more of Quinn and Daisy's love. Now, I have heard others describe this as angsty. And while I love angsty books, and most definitely crave it, I am not sure I would call this angsty. Not really. I could almost call it 'heavy with anticipation'. I know it sounds redundant, but the difference for me was that I couldn't put this one down, and I had to read it as slow as I could so I could savor it, but the depth was what kept me turning the pages. Angst makes me nervous and makes me have to pace. This one made me push and go, and shut out the world because I needed that resolution for what was going on. This one, I'm telling you.....SO. DAMN. GOOD. Thisssss one, I can't stop feeling it. I can't stop thinking about it. I want to seriously be there while you read it. I want to sit there, biting my nails, sitting next to you on the couch while you live through every single emotion possible, and then we can drink wine and talk about it. THIS book is the kind that you tell all your friends about because you want them to read it and wade through the quagmire of emotions that they are for sure to feel. I want to tell everyone about this one!!

I don't do YA/NA very willingly, but this one had a synopsis that I could NOT pass up. I think I have to actually stop saying that now....bahaha! Word after word, Ella Fields slowly changed my previous notions of this genre. I can honestly say that I look forward to more. Having said that, I cannot stress it enough that I loved being brought back and remembering a first love, growing up and reliving the elation and fun, the newness and the innocence of exploring your emotions together. I love that this one is so discussable and I'm still smiling thinking about it. I want to be there when you read it. #StalkerLike

I loved that Ella made me see these two characters fighting for the reality of their truths, but also showed me that I was seeing a different picture coming from each one, and so I was able to sympathize with both sides. I loved the struggle they went through to get their truths, to feel their heart's truth. The pain was a heavy, deep-rooted pain. 

"My heart, even now, refused to listen. It was failing to comprehend what my brain kept repeating to it. That access to its counterpart was now suddenly forbidden. Or maybe, it simply felt too betrayed to care."

My most favorite part about this book is that I felt everything. Quinn and Daisy's declarations of love? My gosh, the innocence was so perfectly captured and written, I couldn't help but <sigh> while I was reading it. The pain that happened in this story was so.very.painful. The truths I was forced to feel were legit. I could see how they would all play out, but also how they couldn't honestly go any other way. This book is a MUST READ for 2018!

I AM SO IN LOVE.  It's authors like Ella Fields that make me excited to find AND read new authors, hear new voices....ones that their words beg for reviews. She is the kind that makes me giddy to anticipate her next words because I've literally been tripped up by the first few books of hers that I have already read. I know that when I am looking for a heavy emotional read, I know that I can look to her now, and will do so with a bounce in my step, a pip in my squeak, and a level of excitement that cannot dampened. 

"Because without the stars, the moon is left alone to battle the dark."

~BEE

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~MEET ELLA FIELDS~

Ella Fields is a mother and wife who lives in the land Down Under. While her kids are in school, you might find her talking about her characters and books to her two cats. She's a notorious chocolate and notebook hoarder who enjoys creating hard-won happily ever afters.

~CONNECT WITH ELLA~

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Book Review and Giveaway for Thrive by Aly Martinez

THRIVE
by ALY MARTINEZ

When I was nineteen years old, I was faced with a choice that changed my life.
Keep the safety of what I already knew or risk losing everything with the young, hotheaded soldier who stole my heart.

I chose the wrong man, and for seventeen years, I paid in tears, blood, and shattered dreams for that decision.

Now, there’s a man in my house, holding a gun to my head on the order of my ex-husband—given from his prison cell.

That hotheaded soldier I was too afraid to choose? He’s now a six-foot-three wall of muscle who works at the country’s most premier bodyguard agency. I’ve always wanted him, but now, I’ve never needed him more.

It’s the call I’m terrified to make.
I’m sure he still hates me… Even though I’ve never stopped loving him.

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REVIEW: 5 STARS

"An inferno like that doesn't burn out in time."

All of these authors writing all of these words, making me go back on my own words. Sheesh! I don't read romantic suspense very often, and certainly not very willingly, yet here I am reading and loving one. Aly Fucking Martinez yet again forces me to rethink my avoidance of a certain genre, or at least coaxes me out of my shell with the trust I willingly give her. This book is the very definition of romantic suspense, in every sense of the word. I couldn't help but be swept away while getting caught up in the whirlwind of activity happening around two fatefully bound hearts, and I enjoyed every minute of it! All the glowing reviews -- they say it all, and rightfully so. I will just add my love right into that mix. I don't know how she does it, but she takes me on a ride with every story and I am in love within a few words. This one was no different. 

"With Mira, gravity seemed lighter. Smiles came faster. Every breath was easier than the last."

I want to point out that this book was the epitome of second chance romance. I loved how hard these two stuck to their convictions, and watching them mentally fight the very thing they were physically desperate for just charged at me with a heavy set of emotions. I had to question if it was self preservation or self destruction with every decision they made, detrimental to themselves or their psyche. I loved that side of it. Such strength and tone in her story and characters. Aly has a heavy-handed way with her words, but they pack a punch in the proverbial gut. Her words carry me on a fantastical ride, but it never slows down! It's 100 mph until the end, and the story moves and it flows, and it's perfection the way she twists and turns it while taking us on a journey. Doing all this without ever losing focus on the love we are getting to witness, she never strays from the action and she never misses a beat. She's so good at it!

I love that of all the stories I have read of hers, never once have I felt there is a rehashing of something or a similarity between stories. I love that I get a fresh story every time. This one, with Lark and Mira going along a very similar road trying to 'find their way back to each other', never once did I roll my eyes at any of the actions and drama, or at the push and pull between these two. I know sometimes a trope can be repetitive, but I have never gotten that with Aly's stories. She is the real deal.

Her words render me useless. I whipped through this one, melting and swooning the entire damn time. I smiled. I gasped. I swooned and I fell in love. Having read SINGE first, I knew that I was on the precipice of an amazing series and she just proved that with this second book. This one is a complete standalone (interconnected characters, but each story focuses on one couple), so don't put this one off. This is most definitely a must read. I am still anxiously awaiting Johnson's book....just saying!!

"She didn't just fuck with my head. She fucked with my entire being." 

~BEE

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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.

~CONNECT WITH ALY~

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Book Review and Giveaway for Sex, Not Love by Vi Keeland

SEX NOT LOVE

by VI KEELAND

My relationship with Hunter Delucia started backwards.

We met at a wedding—him sitting on the groom’s side, me sitting on the bride’s. Stealing glances at each other throughout the night, there was no denying an intense, mutual attraction.

I caught the bouquet; he caught the garter. Hunter held me tightly while we danced and suggested we explore the chemistry sparking between us. His blunt, dirty mouth should’ve turned me off. But for some crazy reason, it had the opposite effect on me.

We ended up back in my hotel room. The next morning, I headed home to New York leaving him behind in California with the wrong number.

I thought about him often, but after my last relationship, I’d sworn off of charming, cocky, gorgeous-as-sin men. A year later, Hunter and I met again at the birth of our friends’ baby. Our attraction hadn't dulled one bit. After a whirlwind trip, he demanded a real phone number this time. So I left him with my mother’s—she could scare away any man with her talks of babies and marriage—and flew back home.

I’d thought it was funny, until the following week when he rang the bell at Mom’s house for Sunday night dinner. The crazy, gorgeous man had won over my mother and taken an eight-week assignment in my city. He proposed we spend that time screwing each other out of our systems.

Eight weeks of mind-blowing sex with no strings attached? What did I have to lose?

Nothing, I thought.
It’s just sex, not love.
But you know what they say about the best laid plans…

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REVIEW: 5 "LIVE LIFE" STARS
"Time flies whether you're enjoying life or not. The choice is yours."

I realize I will just be another glowing 5 star review in a sea of praise, but I got the pleasure of reading this as an early copy, so I am going to shout it from the rooftops!! This book will be on my favorites list!! I believe ALL the stars are warranted and the giddiness is real. The excitement is real. The love is real. I realize that the title and synopsis of this book is something that brooks no argument as to the context of this story, so take that with a grain of salt and understand that when going into this one. This one is worth the time to sit down, soak in, and live it up. Such a great story!! I fell in LOVE with Hunter and who he was and how he acted. Natalia had a good, strong head on her shoulders, and a solid wall protecting her heart, but that was easily swayed by the one man who made her feel she deserved more.

I loved every single thing about this book. From the playfulness in Hunter's demeanor, to the standoffishness of Natalia, to the softening of her heart, and to the heartbreak that went into every decision HE made.....right or wrong. I loved this book because the depth was there, the emotions were there, and the magnetism these two characters had was undeniable. Their sexual chemistry leapt off the pages, but the reality behind the history these two carried was heartbreaking. With Natalia and Hunter fighting their personal battles, their story wasn't an easy one. Yes, it was witty. Yes, there was banter. Yes, there was smile-inducing giddiness. But there was an underlying pain behind both of these characters, and Vi did an amazing job writing them separately and together, weaving together a story of trust, heartache, and promise.

I honestly adored this couple beyond reason. Hunter and Natalia went through their own issues, and I loved that so much. It wasn't just a light story that had surface scratching emotion. It held a deep-seated agony underneath these strong façades they both carried around like armor. This story had REAL life actions and problems and consequences; things that made me look at the other side of their reality. I love the story of a good chase. I love a man that goes after what he wants (persistent MF'r!!). I love a woman that loses her sensibilities when it's for the RIGHT reasons.....with her confidence and backbone holding strong, but her heart and her mind warring with each other. It provides some soul searching and good internal debate.

This was Vi Keeland's BEST book to date. That's what's so perfect about her writing. We obviously know what the end result will be, but it's the journey that had me seeking more words as I turned the pages. I have enjoyed many of her books, but this one stands out from the rest!!

So descriptive....she gives me visions.
So discussable....she gives me feelings.
So witty....she gives me the giggles.

There is honestly not ONE thing in this story that I couldn't accept, or understand, or explain with reason as to why it happened. I didn't roll my eyes once. I didn't try to skip forward or rush through it. I loved taking my time and soaking this one up. This one happened to come at just the right time for me, too. I got the easy flow, the great character development, the witty, the banter, the emotion....all of it. I will sing Vi's praises all day long with this book. I enjoyed it SO much. She has the ability to start a book and pull you in immediately, and that always makes it so rewarding. She had me cheesy-grinning like a fool from the get go. I mean, at 2% in I was already rubbing my hands together, like 'bring it on!!' He was an eye-winker, and mixed with his casually cool confidence, as well as his charm, he made me swoon hard. HARD. After having read this, I will only ever hear "Kiss Me" in Hunter's gruff voice from now on. So damn sexy. <sigh>

"Playing with chemistry leads to explosions."

To Note: The very last paragraph in this book holds my favorite words I've ever read by Vi. Ever. Don't read them first, because it will take away from the buildup, but when you get there, read them. Absorb them. Feel them. Understand them.

"Heart trumps head, every damn time."
~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!

~CONNECT WITH VI~

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Prologue for Look the Part by Jewel E Ann

Prologue

Heidi gave me a son and then I killed her. Lucky were the bastards who learned life lessons from close calls. I envied those lucky bastards. 

“Don’t drink tonight. I want you to put another baby inside of me,” my wife whispered as her hand slid up my leg under the table surrounded by twelve of our closest family and friends. Heidi picked my favorite steak house in Omaha and reserved the party room for my special day. I had no idea until everyone yelled surprise. 

I loved her beyond words. 

“And for the birthday boy?” The brunette waitress winked at me, readying her pen against the pad of paper in her hand. 

“Whisky neat.” 

Heidi frowned. 

I grabbed her hand and pressed it to my erection. “I’m not going to have any issues granting your request.” 

“We’ll see.” Her curt response held little confidence. 

My parents drove in from Denver to surprise me, but my two-year-old son, Harrison, stole the show. They took turns gushing over him with Heidi’s mom. I didn’t anticipate being a father before I graduated college; I also didn’t anticipate meeting the woman I couldn’t live without at the exact moment I needed her the most. 

She was a nursing student at the hospital they sent me to the day an ACL injury shattered my football career. I called her an angel. Heidi insisted it was the drugs they gave me for the pain. 

“Monaghan said you’re going to be his agent when he goes Pro.” My dad gave me a curious look. 

“Monaghan is full of shit. No team in their right mind will draft Pretty Boy. He’s going to be a teacher. That right there shows you he’s too much of a pussy to have a serious chance in the NFL.” 

The Cornhusker’s young quarterback shot me a smirk from the other end of the table. We both knew he’d go Pro, but I wasn’t going to inflate his ego on my birthday.

“Language, Hopkins,” Heidi warned. 

When she called me by my last name, I squirmed in my chair. It always meant a punishment would follow—and all of her punishments were doled out in the bedroom. 

I loved her beyond words. 

The night marched on without missing one perfect beat. 

Dinner. Friends. Family. Food. Drinks. 

My wife outdid herself. She excelled in making every day perfect. She also excelled in making me feel irresponsible for drinking. Every time the waitress placed another drink in front of me, Heidi’s lips pursed into a disapproving frown. 

I let it slide without argument. Before he died, her father drank a lot of alcohol and was abusive. When we met, she thought I didn’t drink. At the time, it was true. Football was my life. I treated my body like a temple. But after my injury, I settled into a life where my body was no longer a temple and the occasional drink was exactly what I needed to ease the pain of lost dreams. 

Heidi thought every guy who drank was an abusive alcoholic. I made it my mission to prove her wrong so maybe someday she, too, would relax a little and have a drink on special occasions. 

“Happy birthday, Flint. Take care of my babies.” My mother-in-law, Sandy, hugged me as everyone said their final birthday wishes and goodnights. 

“That’s code for hand the keys to your wife.” Heidi nudged me with a playful smile that I knew was not at all meant to be playful. 

Sandy squeezed my cheeks and looked into my eyes. “I think he’s fine, sweetie. Nothing like your father was so give him some slack.” 

I shot Heidi an I-told-you-so look. Her mother loved me. I was everything her father hadn’t been. Heidi hated that I could do no wrong in Sandy’s eyes, but I loved it. A dangerous pride came with so much confidence. 

After she fastened Harrison into his car seat, Heidi held out her hand. 

“I’m fine.” I opened the driver’s door. 

“You’re not. You drank a lot tonight.” 

“I weigh a lot.” 

“Flint.” 

I slipped into the driver’s seat. “Call me Hopkins, baby. I like where that leads.” 

“Flint, I’m serious. Our child is in the backseat.” She stood between me and the door so I couldn’t shut it.

“I want to be in my birthday suit with you. Get in so we can get Harrison to bed.” 

She crossed her arms over her chest, raven hair flowing in all directions, blue eyes piercing mine. 

“I’m. Fine.” 

Heidi shrugged. “Great. Then don’t be a chauvinistic pig. Just let me drive.” 

Thunder rumbled in the distance as a few drops of rain fell from the night sky. 

“You’re going to get wet.” 

She huffed and stomped to the other side of the car. “Stubborn ass,” she mumbled as she buckled up.

“Language, Mommy.” I chuckled as I started the car. 

“There will be a special place in Hell for you, Flint Hopkins, if you kill us or anyone else with your drunk driving.” 

I put the car in drive and cupped the back of her head, pulling her forehead to mine before letting up on the brake. “You’re my world. I would never hurt you. I love you beyond words.” 

“Jesus, Flint …” she whispered. “Your breath reeks of whisky. I’m begging you. Let me drive.” 

I released her and let up on the brake. As much as I loved my wife, I also loved being a man. And a strong man knew his limits and didn’t have to be told when he was or wasn’t capable of doing something. 

***

Three days later I buried my wife in a cemetery two blocks from our house.

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LOOK THE PART

by JEWEL E ANN

Flint Hopkins finds the perfect tenant to rent the space above his Minneapolis-based law office.

All the t’s are crossed and i’s dotted on Ellen’s application. Her references are good. And she’s easy on the eyes.

Until …

Flint discovers Ellen Rodgers, Board-Certified Music Therapist, plays music. Bongos, guitars, singing—not Beethoven administered through noise-cancelling headphones.

The cut-throat attorney serves up an eviction notice to the bubbly, constantly humming redhead who's too sexy for her own good. But luck is on Ellen’s side when Flint’s autistic son, Harrison, takes an instant liking to her. A single dad can’t compete with guitars—and rats. Yes, she has pet rats.

This woman …

She’s annoyingly happy with a constant need to touch him—adjust his tie, button his shirt, invade his space, and mess with his mind.

Still …

She must go.

Their lust-hate relationship escalates into something beautiful and tragic. This sexy, romantic-comedy explores the things we want, the things we need, and the impossible decisions parents and children make to survive.

~MEET JEWEL E ANN~

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree a a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course . . .heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

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Excerpt for Sex, Not Love by Vi Keeland

~EXCERPT~

“You’re not going anywhere before you do two things.”

“Two things?”

“Leave your number and kiss me goodbye.”

“I…I…you haven’t brushed your teeth.”

Hunter chuckled. It felt like he could see through all of my bullshit. Reaching over to the nightstand, he grabbed his phone and held it out to me before getting up. “Toothpaste in the bathroom still?”

“The little one the hotel sets out.”

“I’ll brush. You type.”

While he was in the bathroom, I mulled over not typing anything into his phone. There was no way I was keeping in touch with a man living three-thousand miles away. A guy like him was the last thing I needed. But then I thought better of just telling him I’d put my number in. He seemed to have figured me out pretty quick. So instead, I typed my name and number, only I changed the last two digits.

And it was a good thing I did, because when Hunter returned from his bathroom trip, the first thing he did was check that I’d entered something. Luckily, he didn’t attempt to call me. Satisfied, he tossed his phone on the bed and nodded.

“Thank you. Now kiss me.”

I could see he wasn’t going to let me leave without this. So, sacrificing to make my plane, I pushed up on my toes and delivered a quick peck to his lips.

Mmm.... Nice and soft.

(And minty fresh.)

“Well…it was nice to meet you.” I turned to dart out the door, but Hunter grabbed my wrist yet again.

“I said kiss me.”

“I did!”

“Kiss me the way you kissed me last night.”

Before I could even attempt to let that sink in, Hunter yanked me against him. One of his large hands cupped the back of my neck, and he squeezed firmly to direct my head where he wanted it. Then, his lips crashed down on mine.

The shock of feeling his mouth against mine quickly dissipated as he licked my lips, encouraging me to open for him. His tongue dipped inside, and he groaned as he tilted my head and deepened the kiss. The vibration of the sound traveled between us and sent a hum through my body. Soft and gentle went out the window after that. He grabbed a fistful of my ass, and I lifted my body up onto his, wrapping my legs around his waist. As he backed us to the wall, a sense of familiarity overcame me. I couldn’t remember the specifics of our previous kiss, but I now knew deep inside what it had felt like.

My cell dropped from my hand so my fingers could tangle in his hair. Yanking on the soft strands, I couldn’t get enough. A moan from deep inside my chest moved through our connected mouths. Hunter pushed harder, his thick erection pressing into the center of my open legs. He rocked as he kissed me, causing a friction through two layers of clothing that was leading me to a place I didn’t think it was possible to go fully dressed.

It felt like he wanted to swallow me whole, and in that moment, I would have let him. My breasts were crushed to his chest, and a heartbeat raged out of control—only I wasn’t sure if it was my own or his. Jesus, where does a man learn to kiss like this?

I was breathless and stunned when our kiss broke. Hunter sucked on my bottom lip, tugging it before releasing my mouth.

His voice was strained. “Change your flight. We’re not done here.”

I swallowed, trying to gain some composure. “I can’t.” My voice was barely a

whisper. It was all I could muster.

“Can’t or don’t want to?”

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SEX NOT LOVE

by VI KEELAND

My relationship with Hunter Delucia started backwards.

We met at a wedding—him sitting on the groom’s side, me sitting on the bride’s. Stealing glances at each other throughout the night, there was no denying an intense, mutual attraction.

I caught the bouquet; he caught the garter. Hunter held me tightly while we danced and suggested we explore the chemistry sparking between us. His blunt, dirty mouth should’ve turned me off. But for some crazy reason, it had the opposite effect on me.

We ended up back in my hotel room. The next morning, I headed home to New York leaving him behind in California with the wrong number.

I thought about him often, but after my last relationship, I’d sworn off of charming, cocky, gorgeous-as-sin men. A year later, Hunter and I met again at the birth of our friends’ baby. Our attraction hadn't dulled one bit. After a whirlwind trip, he demanded a real phone number this time. So I left him with my mother’s—she could scare away any man with her talks of babies and marriage—and flew back home.

I’d thought it was funny, until the following week when he rang the bell at Mom’s house for Sunday night dinner. The crazy, gorgeous man had won over my mother and taken an eight-week assignment in my city. He proposed we spend that time screwing each other out of our systems.

Eight weeks of mind-blowing sex with no strings attached? What did I have to lose?

Nothing, I thought.
It’s just sex, not love.
But you know what they say about the best laid plans…

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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!

~CONNECT WITH VI~

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Book Review and Giveaway for Wicked Choice by Sawyer Bennett

WICKED CHOICE
by SAWYER BENNETT

Rachel Hart and Bodie Wright are nothing more than teammates. As mercenaries for hire with the elite Jameson Group, they have each other’s backs in the most dangerous of circumstances. But after a mission gone deadly wrong, Rachel does something she’s never done before. She crosses the professional line and takes comfort in Bodie’s arms.

One night of passion turns their lives upside down with a pregnancy neither of them expected, and one that Rachel was too terrified to ever want. Bodie, however, is a family man through and through, and he’s determined to raise their child alone if necessary.

The only common thread Rachel and Bodie have is their membership at The Wicked Horse, a sex club that lets them both fulfill their dirtiest fantasies with each other. As they become more intimately entwined, the strong, steady man with a heart of gold makes Rachel question everything she ever thought she knew about herself. Their wicked nights together make them so much more than teammates and Rachel is about to discover the choices she thought were the most difficult are actually the easiest ones to make.

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REVIEW: 4.5 HOT Stars
"Call it chemical, call it emotional...I don't give a fuck what you call it. But it's something different, and I know you know it too."

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. YES. Sometimes I feel like I just want to say, "I loved this book. This one should be on your kindle. Just read it. Kthxbye." But, that doesn't always work now, does it? I've read TWO books in this series in a row and I'm on a Sawyer Bennett HIGH!! I just finished Wicked Envy and you can read my review HERE. I am just going to say, I'm in bliss. TWO books. TWO heartfelt stories. But TWO different reviews and giveaways. Buckle up!

First and foremost, Bodie is MINE. I know, I know. Someone else may try to claim him, but I'm just going to put that out there IN WRITING. Hahaha! He will honestly give many other book boyfriends a bad name. He was literal perfection. He was SO intuitive when it came to Rachel and what she needed, it was heartwarming. I mean, he is a mercenary., so I expected bad-assery galore. Cold, aloof, disconnected...but he has a heart of gold. A little bit of sweetness, with a little bit of alpha. So damn sexy. Such a contradiction in terms to me. I loved it! He was the consummate gentleman, the naughty dirty man, and the caring lover. I just couldn't get enough of him.....at all.

"God help me...I fucking want her bad. If I have to go a little alpha to keep her underneath me, I'm going to do it."

I want to comment on Rachel's character; her personality. She was one tough cookie. Like, legit don't mess with me kinda gal. She works in a male dominated field as a mercenary, and that in and of itself has got to be a job for a special kind of person. I hate to say someone that can remove the feelings from their world, but I do understand that she would have to have a certain 'removed' mentality.....and that really summed her up. Quite emotionally removed from many situations, and while this dealt with that a lot with her, her growth was pivotal in this book.

Granted, this is part of The Wicked Horse Vegas series, and while they visit the club, I really felt this was more of a story of two people falling in love and less to do with the club, even though they spent time there. Sometimes her stories are more centered around the club as a way to meet, or a place to hang out. I liked that this one wasn't really like that. I felt the story was more about their relationship and how it progressed, given their circumstances.

I thought along the way: uh oh....is this book going to really live up to it's title??? Well, I think it most definitely did. I loved the dynamic between these two characters. I loved how Bodie treated Rachel, the way he helped her figure things out on her own terms, but the way he let her come to a realization with any circumstance she was in.  Rachel was unable to come to terms with some of her emotions, and the fact that Bodie could step back and allow her the comfortability and the strength of his heart that allowed her to grow. OMGosh....I loved how well they worked together, but when he knew to step back and he knew when to push. He was so good to her.

It's no secret, I love Sawyer Bennett. I read, review, and give away a copy every time she has a new release. It's hard to make my reviews sound different for every book, but I'm comfortable and can easily recommend each one I review on my blog. I hope you take a chance, even though I just gushed all over this review, singing her praises on her stories.

"I can tell you that when you do find love - true love - it's about the most wonderful thing in the world."
~BEE

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~ABOUT SAWYER BENNETT~

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Sawyer Bennett is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Sawyer is the author of several contemporary romances including the popular Off Series, the Legal Affairs Series, the Last Call Series and the Carolina Cold Fury Hockey Series.

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DNF Review for Last Chance by Lauren Runow

LAST CHANCE
by LAUREN RUNOW

Last Chance is a story of love and heartache proving that life is not always fair, but it's worth the pain to get the moments you’ll treasure forever.
Mackenzie

From the very first moment I laid eyes on him, I knew my heart was his for the taking. He was the boy who filled me with butterflies and made my palms turn clammy at the mere sight of him.

There was only one problem… he was my best friend’s older brother.

It’s been eight years since I’ve last seen him, and I refuse to live another day without telling him the truth. So here I stand, taking my last chance to get him to notice me, my last chance to see if he feels the same way.

I need to know if he is just a fantasy, or if he could be my reality…

Before my reality changes forever.

Connor

I never wanted a girlfriend; I was burned by love and vowed to never go down that road again. But when the beautiful girl I’ve known practically my entire life snuck her way into my arms there was something that changed in me. I wanted to be with her, next to her. Just simply kissing her lips made my life complete.

Now I have one mission.

To make hers complete, too.

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REVIEW: DNF

This book was my first read by Lauren Runow, and it won't be my last, but I will need to wait awhile and forget  about how this book made me feel, first. Despite my dismal non-rating, I do "see" what she was trying to write, I just didn't "feel" it. I have purchased another of her books, so I know I need to make some time to check out more of her writing, but this one left a very sour taste in my mouth; aggravatingly so. Since I didn't come to the ending naturally, it will simply be a DNF for me without a starred rating. I did, however, speak with a friend that read it and she did confirm my suspicion on the plot. This was a no-go for me before I received the spoiler, so my review is completely unbiased in that aspect.

I am bothered by the lack of build up in every single aspect of this book, from their meeting, to the reconnection, to the sex. It was virtually non existent and that made for a storyline that was choppy,  characters that were awkward, and a chick that acted like a crazy stalker. I got all this in the first 15%. I felt like there were some parts that really worked, the description was actually there, but then there would be nothing. Three actions in one sentence, without any elaboration at one point, then multiple paragraphs explaining how he had sex with her in another part. It felt like there were pieces pasted together at times, and it didn't have any flow or continuity. It was really difficult to get into a groove with the way this one was written.

I had a VERY hard time with the heroine. With Mackenzie fawning over Connor her entire life, it became a slightly embarrassing, yet pathetic excuse, for all of her actions and the things she did. She looked desperate from the very beginning of the book. Even after they've grown up and moved on, pushing as hard as she was, throwing herself at him just to get noticed, it made me cringe for her by the way she was acting. Literally, the entire time I was reading with a "what thah" pinch on my face. I didn't understand any of it, mostly because we had ZERO build up. NOW, after knowing the plot spoiler and the ending of the book, it could have been handled differently to avoid the awkwardness while still providing the excitement and allowing me to warm up to her. I just couldn't. She was seriously.....just, yeah.

And Connor "granting her a wish" felt like he was tragically doing her a favor by sleeping with her. I was literally disgusted at the entire situation. It felt like an honest wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am kinda moment between them and she was so lucky he took the time to "do this" for her. I just didn't connect with either of them. I got very slimy feelings from him and very immature feelings from her.

Soooo, elephant in the room: I feel like I need to say that the sex club literally plays an obligatory 'meeting' part and that's it. It's like the token sex club addition to a book nowadays. Nothing else of value was there. Nothing was added to the storyline by that. And the problem I had with it was that it wasn't explained AT ALL, yet again. It wasn't introduced. It wasn't built up. It was immediately accepted, so that was really awkward to witness....almost forced.

Needless to say, this did not work on ANY level for me at all. I'm so sad because I was hoping to hear a new voice that I could follow and brag about. That just didn't happen with this book.

~BEE

~MEET LAUREN RUNOW~

Lauren Runow is the author of multiple Adult Contemporary Romance novels, some more dirty than others. When Lauren isn't writing, you'll find her listening to music, at her local CrossFit, reading, or at the baseball field 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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