Book Review for Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

Ice Planet Barbarians: A SciFi Alien Romance

by RUBY DIXON

You'd think being abducted by aliens would be the worst thing that could happen to me. And you'd be wrong. Because now, the aliens are having ship trouble, and they've left their cargo of human women - including me - on an ice planet.

And the only native inhabitant I've met? He's big, horned, blue, and really, really has a thing for me...

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COMPLETELY BIASED REVIEW: Not sure I can really rate it with any genre knowledge.....buuuut. 

OMG....what did I just read!!!!? Ok, so my friends have been harassing me to read these Blue Alien books. Harassing! Three different bloggers and many reader friends. I honestly thought they were all NUTS. This is NOT in my general wheelhouse. I like reality and depth. I like something I can relate to and empathize with. Space travel? Alien abductions? Alien sex? Psssh.....yeah right. Definitely NOT what I was willing to read.

I. WILL. EAT. MY. WORDS. 
Twice.

Seriously. Was it well written? Eh, I mean...not bad, but noooo, not literary genius by any means. I may have rolled my eyes, and I may have shook my head...but I did it with a genuine smile. I wanted to continue reading. I wanted to find out the rest of the story. I wanted to see why everyone has been raving about it and suggesting it to me. Meanies. HAHAHA! However, having said that, I will be reading more and will squeeze them in any chance I get because I honestly did enjoy the story and the heat. Oh my gosh -- it was hot. Very hot. It is so ridiculous how hot it was!! OMGosh....seriously, I am just giggling and slightly embarrassed just thinking about it!! So I can and will easily recommend this one because going in knowing it was about blue aliens? Yeah, I knew I had to suspend belief while reading it. AND I DID. I really did! It is a plot driven book to a certain extent, which was the promising part about it for me, but it was easy to read and easy to follow. But I won't deny that it is extremely sexed over either. I loved following Georgie and Vektar while they tried to work through a language barrier, all while navigating a very inhospitable world. I liked exploring different rituals and lifestyles (is that the right word to use!??), and seeing how it all kinda magically worked together. I honestly REALLY liked this one and cannot wait to dive into more!

I am laughing, but will sheepishly admit that this is my new guilty little pleasure. Most definitely YES. Ok? Yes, it is. Ridiculous for me? I don't know...maybe? I couldn't put this book down and it was one that I had to immediately grab the second book because I wanted more immediately after finishing the first!! This was so.....weird to me!! Weird, I tell you! I'm not a writer and have no abilities to carry on a story, so I am not bagging on this at all. Au contraire, mon frère. I am shocked that I was able to read it and push on, wanting to see how it played out. I wanted to read more. I am laughing at myself. Seriously, Bee? Seriously.

<shaking my head>

In all honesty, with sincerity, this was an EASY read...an addicting read too. I am not a Sci-Fi reader and probably never will be, so being able to go in without any knowledge as to how any of this works....I was able to just enjoy it for what it was. An incredibly hot and quick love story on some planet in some galaxy with some hot alien with huge horns. Ok? Ok. But I can say with conviction that I will continue reading this series and probably giggle about it to others. I am not sure if I am embarrassed (probably the wrong word), or just shocked that I a.) gave it a try or b.) want to read more!  I didn't even find anything to highlight as I read it. No quotes, no passages that made me sigh -- nothing. I figure if I went in knowing it was different, and out of this world <-- pun intended, then I knew that I could just let go and enjoy the story for what it was. And now I am addicted to it and need to get my fix for more, dammit. I have to read more. MORE.

Why is my review biased? Well, truthfully, I went in with a 'whatever' attitude, like "Yeah, right. I'm not going to enjoy this, but I can spend $.99 and call it good." I'll just get everyone to shut up and stop telling me I need to read it. I didn't go in with the purest of intentions and now, here I am excited to jump into the next one. I'm in trouble now....

~BEE

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SERIOUSLY. JUST GRAB IT. HIDE IN HERE WITH ME AND READ IT.

~MEET RUBY DIXON~

Ruby Dixon is the secret penname of a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. As Ruby, she writes sexy barbarian aliens, grumpy shifters, and domineering bikers.

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Book Review and Giveaway for Gods & Monsters by Saffron Kent

GODS & MONSTERS
by SAFFRON A KENT

He was an artist. She was his muse.

To everyone in town, Abel Adams was the devil's spawn, a boy who never should have been born. A monster.

To twelve year-old Evie Hart, he was just a boy with golden hair, soft t-shirts and a camera. A boy who loved taking her picture and sneaking her chocolates before dinner. A boy who made her feel special.

Despite her family's warnings, she loved him in secret for six years. They met in empty classrooms and kissed in darkened church closets. Until they couldn't.

Until the time came to choose between love and family, and Evie chose Abel.

Because their love was worth the risk. Their love was the stuff of legend.

But the thing about legends is that they are cautionary tales. They are made of choices and mistakes. And for Abel and Evie, the artist and the muse, those mistakes come in the form of lights, camera, sex.

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REVIEW: 4+ STARS
"I want him to purify me with his lust."

What an intense love these two had - WOW. I don't think anyone does intense love with a dark undertone to it like Saffron does. No one that I've read, at least. She just works really well for me. I love the little bit of CrAzY she puts into each character. There is no perfection in the eyes of any that read this, but there is such perfection in the way she portrays every character, flaws and all. I love the depth she gives to her characters, and her storylines are so unrefined and gritty. I just love the way she tells a story. Saffron is one of those authors that you feel while you read their words, their stories....their worlds they create. Abel and Evie's love poured off the pages and leeched it's way into my heart. I just wanted to hug them both so hard.

This book was written a little differently and is broken down into sections, so it's easy for me to break down my love affair with this book based on the sections. My very favorite section was the first one. The first section privied us to this newfound love born from absolute innocence. I got to fall in love with Abel and Evie, and not only find out how they started out, but also watch as their love blossomed from such a young age. Section two started out with conviction and carried me through until the end with a very dark underlying growing problem, but I saw my jaw drop and my mind race. This section was the catalyst, the push for the unfolding of the story, and I was turning the pages with fervor at that point. I wasn't entirely sure I could stand behind Abel here because I didn't know how healthy any of his actions truly were.....but I couldn't look the other way because, as detrimental as his deep need for Evie was, I couldn't put it down. I couldn't turn away. I was hooked and needed answers. By the time I got to section three, the first sentence broke.my.heart. OMGosh. I felt this intense emotional turmoil, this depression of sorts because of the palpable pain that was quite evident and it really tore me up. I loved this section as well, and it was the best at closing up the book. Their love was raw, their story was rough. My gosh it was so heavy and, at points, so unhealthy, but I could just feel Abel's desperation and need for Evie. This was SO twisted. This story was the definition of something so wrong, but oh so right. I could feel his need for her, and the lack of control he had over circumstances beyond his control. The erratic behavior. The crazy need. The lust. The devotion. The desire. It was all there, bold letters and all....but it was rough.

"No one should be made to hide their love. No one. It's too pure, too beautiful to ever keep hidden."

In an unhealthy way, I wanted to love him for every single one of his actions because he did it with a misguided, but loving heart. He loved her to no end - there was a beginning, yet no end, but he turned toxic and that was a scary part to read. His love was never-ending. I saw it. I felt it. I read it. But in other ways, red flags were flying real high. But you see, this is what Saffron does. She endears us to her characters' intensity as lovers. She draws us in with this pull that is unmistakable in every right. The untapped innocence, but the lack of maturity...it all plays a part in their story. But the underlying finality of their love is not to be mistaken. The determination of their love was not to be taken lightly, and I loved that conviction they had, but it was volatile at some points. BUT, their redemption was what made this story memorable for me. So while the story was hard to read in some spots, it was an excellent read throughout.

As with each book of Saffron's, there is a lesson to be learned in her characters life choices; in the fast paced world Abel and Evie are living in, slowing down and realizing there is nothing to sustain that life they are currently living is a hard lesson to learn. The drama, it was heart-wrenching. The drama between the two of them...it was hard to watch it unfold, to watch it materialize. It's young loves like this that feel like they can change the world, and even feel like they have the maturity that goes with that love to make all the right decisions. But they just don't and that's the lesson that Abel and Evie had to learn. That journey was harsh, riddled with the real world's anger, and it took a very dark turn. They knew they had an undying love, I felt the depth of that love...I read it and it was so pure and so intense, but so misguided in other attempts, but that was my favorite part about this whole story. Their unwavering love that never let anything stand in it's way.

One thing I could never doubt was their love for each other...but I could see how young it was, especially looking from the outside in. Not that young love isn't true....on the contrary. It's loves like Abel and Evie's that disprove every notion that you are are too young to fall in love. This is a story of two kids falling in love. Being friends. But it's mostly about growing....because they HAVE to.

This book may rub some folks the wrong way, and I can fully see this not being a popular thought with many, but I want to stress that regardless of the determination of Abel's love, I knew where the author was taking it and she was not sensationalizing his demeanor. I want to admit that at one point, this book lost a little of its lustre for me. I was really bummed to see it take a specific turn, however, after finishing the book, I realize that distraction was necessary because it was part of their story of growth. Don't get me wrong, I read through it because I wanted to see how this all worked out for them, but the little sojourn into that world was a little off-putting for me and is one of the reasons I couldn't give it a full five stars, but it was also one of the reasons I love Saffron's stories so much -- she takes chances and makes you fall in love with the seemingly unloveable. It was also a little wordy for me in some spot, but the story continued to move and I wasn't ever bored with it. Overall, I once again got an amazing love story with the not-so-typical jaunt through the pain and suffering of her characters. Redemption was Abel's to own, if he wanted to.

"Don't you get it, Pixie? There's no place for a boundary between us. I won't allow it."
~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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Book Review and Giveaway for REED by Sawyer Bennett

REED
by SAWYER BENNETT

Hockey season may be over, but in New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett’s new novel, a Carolina Cold Fury heartbreaker is heating things up off the ice and eager to score with the girl next door.

No one skates like Reed Olson. In the off-season, no one plays like him either. After back-to-back championships, Reed craves a different kind of action. Good thing there’s no shortage of women ready for a summer fling with a sports star. Reed has a specific type—blond, busty, not too bright—and a little black book full of options. But when his bed starts rocking, it’s his unexpectedly sexy neighbor who comes knocking. And the brainy beauty is impossible to ignore.

Josie Ives desperately needs something her celebrity neighbor obviously doesn’t: sleep. His headboard banging against the wall is keeping her up at night—not to mention inspiring some very naughty dreams. Reed is everything she imagined: a little too good-looking, with a body that puts Greek gods to shame. But he’s also funny and charming—a tempting combination. Josie’s the opposite of his type, yet the chemistry between them is undeniable. Their friendship certainly has its benefits, and it’s heating up to be so much more.

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REVIEW: 4 STARS
"I'm seeing Josie through unfiltered eyes and I like everything that I'm seeing."

I don't pretend to NOT be a Sawyer Bennett fan. I have read all of her books. I have loved them all. She is just that author for me. In general, she is an easy getaway; a guaranteed good read for me each time. You can go into this review with that knowledge, but please understand.....her words are worthy and I am speaking from the heart when I say this was such a good read. I enjoyed this one very much!

For being the tenth book in a series about Hockey Players, you would think this machoism would be boring by now, right? Played out, easily, right?! Well....no. Not this time. For my favorite sports series, Sawyer Bennett has made each book individually captivating, yet perfectly suited for an ongoing series. I love this series. Love it. So it's no secret that this book will leave me smiling in my review. One thing I want to point out is the ease in which she transitions from friends to lovers; it was effortless. I couldn't help but smile the entire time I was reading this story, all while they were letting their guard down and falling for each other. I loved this part of it!

This one was a little sweeter, a little softer hitting than the others, though. But, don't get me wrong. Reed was ALL man and divinely sexy, but I loved that his insecurities were actually recognized and REAL. Was he a manwhore? Well, yes....he's a freaking hockey player that just won his second championship. Did we see these man-whorish ways....again, yes. We have to set up the story, right? But, a rehab’d playboy? Sounds cliché, doesn’t it? Well, leave it it SB to make this story a little more in depth; a little deeper when it comes to the heart! Because she did one helluva job on it too. I loved seeing this change in him; his own realizations that she is worth more than just a one night stand. I cannot tell you how much I loved reading that side to his story.

How do you change your image from playboy to a worthy man in a relationship? How do you convince her she's the one to change you? When it's so cliché, how exactly do you convince her? I realize this trope can be cliché, but the way Sawyer Bennett endears us to her characters, it sure makes it easier. Basically, when she makes her characters so relatable and makes us fall in love with the real man that they are, not just the outward appearances he chooses to share publicly, but the real him, we fall in love harder, faster, and deeper. Pun intended?

Ahem....and the setup for Marek's story was ON POINT!!! Make sure to add this one to your TBR or PREORDER it.

"No particular cadence. no metaphorical rhyme or physical reason why it feels so good. It's just. . . love."
~BEE

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ALEX

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RYKER

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REED

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The Carolina Cold Fury series can be read together or separately

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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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Book Review and Giveaway for Lake + Manning by Jessica Hawkins

LAKE + MANNING
by JESSICA HAWKINS

The final book in the Something in the Way series, a love saga.

Manning and I have what happily-ever-after is made of . . .
A home he built us on the unshakeable foundation we fought for.
A life of laughter carved out of heartache and betrayal.
A love story to stand the test of time.

But between a trust that can’t be broken, joy that can’t be bridled, and passion that would scorch the sun, the empty spaces are becoming more and more difficult to ignore . . .
Fears that keep Manning up at night as he slips from our bed.
Our complicated relationship with a man he respects and one I don't know how to forgive.
And a sprawling, beautiful home with one small room I'm afraid I'll never be able to fill.

Manning and I have what happily-ever-after is made of . . .
But I'll beg the heavens for just one thing more.

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REVIEW: 5 FINAL STARS
"You know I'll always move the stars for you if need be. Whatever it takes."

I'm sure I can hear you saying this now...."Oh sure, another 5 STAR review from Bee for another Jessica Hawkins book." Well, you have to know I've never lied about her ability to feed your emotions and turn you inside out!! Right? I'm sure you've all taken my advice with the first three books already, so you know I mean business! Right? I thought so! So, with that being said, just go ahead and bypass all my giddiness and grab the book HERE.

If you are willing to see what the book made me feel, read ahead.....but remember, if I thought the ending of Move the Stars was left in a perfect spot for us to carry on with our own imaginations as to how life was going for Birdy and Bear, then the ending to this one is drop-down-to-your-knees-and-bow-down worthy. Yep. Worthy.

First and foremost, we got to see a very protective and powerful side of Manning in this book. OMGosh....he was everything for me. Everything. He wanted to possess her with this ferocity because his entire world rested in her being. He mastered the art of seduction. He honed the skills needed to calm an emotional Lake. He owned her heart outright and took care of it amazingly well. I swooned hard every time he spoke to her, calmed her, confirmed her, loved her....anything and everything he did was FOR her and I couldn't sigh enough. He just made me smile. There was nothing he did that I didn't trip over. He was everything. Jessica is the purveyor of amazing Book Boyfriends.

"You'll have to be satisfied knowing it'll only be you and me - but it'll always be you and me."

Lake. My heart hurt for her. To not give anything away, Jessica did a phenomenal job writing her torment. Writing her perceived failure. I wanted to hug her through the pages and hold her while rocking. I couldn't stop reading her story, but I knew that no matter what, Jessica would do it justice.

The emotions in this book are heavy, ones that you can just feel. They are palpable. They are gritty. They are raw. And they are emotional! I loved this last look into Bear and Birdy's world that gave us just that little unexpected bit more of them. It was an emotional journey how they battled all the issues plaguing them after finally deciding that they were the ones that belonged together, no matter what. Lake + Manning was beautiful and painful, tragic in some spots, but beautiful nonetheless. Jessica writes emotion with such passionate conviction. I wish I knew how she did this. How does she make me feel every single syllable she writes?

Every single book.
Every single character.
Every single storyline.

Sucks. Me. In.

There is nothing better than a book that can make me feel. One that can pull me in with relatability and reality, consequences and truths. I love that Jessica makes her books so real. There is always an element of truth, something you can grasp onto and actually understand and empathize with. She has been my go-to favorite author since December 2013, and this series is proof as to why. She never fails at making me feel her books. All the emotions. Every time.

"No matter what, the story would only ever be about us."
~BEE

REVIEWS:

You can read my review for Something in the Way HERE.

You can read my review for Somebody Else's Sky HERE.

You can read my review for Move the Stars HERE.

PURCHASE:

You can purchase Something in the Way HERE.

You can purchase Somebody Else's Sky HERE.

You can purchase Move the Stars HERE.

You can purchase Lake + Manning HERE.

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~MEET JESSICA HAWKINS~

Jessica Hawkins grew up between the purple mountains and under the endless sun of Palm Springs, California.

She studied international business at Arizona State University and has also lived in Costa Rica and New York City. To her, the most intriguing fiction is forbidden, and that's what you'll find in her stories. Currently, she resides wherever her head lands, which is often the unexpected (but warm) keyboard of her trusty MacBook.

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Book Review and Giveaway for The Wrong Kind of Love by Lexi Ryan

THE WRONG KIND OF LOVE
by LEXY RYAN

You never forget your wedding day. Or the moment your twin sister pukes on your bouquet and confesses she’s pregnant . . . with your fiancé’s baby.

I wanted to get away, to hide until my heart mended. I found myself in a strange town with a mysterious stranger whose talented mouth and hands almost made me forget it was supposed to be my wedding night.

Afraid to go home to face my broken life, I pretend to be my twin so I can take her job in Jackson Harbor caring for a six-year-old girl. Imagine my surprise when I find out my new boss is my mysterious stranger—Dr. Ethan Jackson.

I never meant for Ethan to discover my secrets. I never meant for them to matter. But the longer I work with him and his sweet daughter, the harder I fall, and the clearer it becomes that I’m not the only one carrying a secret that could tear us apart.

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REVIEW: 4+ STARS

"When love is real, it hurts to lose."

Oh my goodness!!! After reading this book, I know two things:
                    ~ I need to visit Jackson Harbor stat!
                    ~ I need a Jackson brother stat!

Uh, well....I think you get my point, but please understand that these are interchangeable but non-negotiable. This book and these brothers; this was a worthy love story and an amazing family I can't wait to follow! I can already tell I am going to get caught up in this series and each Jackson brother is going to give the next a run for his money. But, it's safe to say that I already know I am in love with EACH one for a different reason. With each brother having different personalities that were very apparent in this book, I just have to accept the fact that I'm going to have a new boyfriend with every new release in this series. It's as simple as that. HA! This book made me smile, it made me sigh, it made me sad, and it made me swoon. It made me FEEL.

After getting deep into this book, I found myself putting off everything I needed to do, because I was falling into a world of emotions between Nic and Ethan. There were some pretty powerful moments between them, and I was just so attached to them. I found I definitely did not want to leave their little world, their life, their love story. There was a heavy, underlying current of pain that was grounding these two characters, but it was amazing to watch it unfurl and grow and move. Their love was fluid, making it's way around the jagged edges of reality only to come back around in the end, stronger and more adept to life's challenges. It took me a minute to settle into their world of emotion, but once I did, it was a lot of push and pull (which I love), and a lot of heartache (bring it, baby!) to get to where we ended up. I will admit, at first it felt very cliche and semi-predictable, and I didn't understand why. I seriously stressed about it because Lexi Ryan has been one of my favorite authors for years. She has never been cliche or predictable for me, so I didn't understand where my feelings were coming from. But somewhere along the way, it changed for me and in a very big way. It morphed into a beautiful story of love and sacrifice, of pain and solace, of two souls finding love...but finding it in the most unpredictable way. Not place....but way. I adored this book and I loved that Nic's strength and adaptability was a driving force in her coup de gras of her personal demons. She was strength personified. I loved her heart most of all, but also her ability to forgive and persevere.

I really really did love this book. I am extremely excited at how she set up not only the next book in the series, but also a backstory that will provide plenty of emotions in the books to come. Some that will undoubtedly cause me to shed a few tears. I cannot honestly tell you HOW excited I am for more in this series now. I am ridiculously excited!!!! I am so ready to read some more, but Jake and Levi are the next two listed on GOODREADS to add to your TBR.

With this book, Lexi tackled a very heavy subject with poise and compassion, leaving us with a story worthy of all the smiles and hearts, but a very harsh underlying truth and honesty to the pain that lives inside many of us. It's depth is important to understand....not everything is as it appears.

One quote pulled at my heartstrings quite a bit, and I will leave you with it.

"Happiness is like sand. It's easy to grab a handful, but it slips away before you want it to, and the only times you can hold on for long are when it's rocky and a little painful."

~BEE

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~MEET LEXI RYAN~

Once a college English professor, I now write full time. I live in rural Indiana, where, when I’m not writing, I get to hang out with my husband and two kids--a six-year-old boy and a two-year-old hellion, er, girl. Not surprisingly, reading and writing remain my favorite activities, though both come in bits and pieces these days, not the big hunks of time I enjoyed before I had children. When I’m feeling virtuous, I like to go running (I use that word liberally. I’m really, really slow) or do yoga. Don’t worry, I’m always careful to balance out such activities with a hearty serving of ice cream or a chocolate martini.

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Book Review and Giveaway for Bentley by Melanie Moreland

BENTLEY

by MELANIE MORELAND

Three young men meet in university and form a lifelong friendship.

Their pasts dictate the men they are, but their present shapes their future.

What happens when these men meet the one person they are destined to be with? Can they fight their feelings and walk away? Or will they each succumb and learn the sweet agony of love?

Bentley

The leader of the group. He is uptight, formal, and cold. Rigid and set in his ways, always following the same path. Until the day, he stumbles upon her.
Emmy.
She brings with her spontaneity and light. The world she lives in is so different from his, yet he cannot control the draw to her. Nor can he explain the way she makes him feel.
Happy.
Protective.
Loved.

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REVIEW: 3.5-4 STARS

"I need you, Emmy. I need you to anchor me. Bring me back to you. To us." 

I AM REALLY EXCITED! This was a GREAT introduction for me, both in a new author and a new series to follow. I had a very dear friend, Karen from My Own Bookshelves, recommend this author to me and I am grateful to her for introducing me to Melanie's writing. Her writing, for me, was very easy to follow. I really liked the way she kept me turning the pages and how she kept me actually quite interested in a romantic suspense book. Those aren't my favorite kinds of reads because that always means there is some heavy buildup and some crazy drama to deal with, and I usually end up rolling my eyes at it. This time, I did not! I didn't. The nice thing was, I really wanted to see how Bentley and Emmy connected and what their draw was, and throughout the entire book, I kept turning the pages with interest. 

After reading Bentley, I feel like I have a VESTED INTEREST in the entire series -- insert cheesy grin. HAHA! Bentley, gosh...he made me smile. He was a stiff-lipped businessman that had an order he liked to keep in his life. He needed to maintain that for his own sanity, I'm sure, but when Emmy tripped him up, he had to catch himself; literally. I loved watching him meander through these unchartered waters with his heart on his sleeve, all the while trying to keep his sanity in check. Bentley, he was a softy, but a grumpy one, and he pulled me right in. His vulnerable side showed very early on, and I loved seeing him break out of his comfort zone and pursue Emmy. She didn’t fight him off or anything, but they were verrrry level headed characters and they just worked for me. They brought out the best in each other and that made me smile on many occasions. A few awkward moments between them, maybe it was just me, but still really easy to follow and enjoy. I am so glad I tried Melanie's words out because I now have another author to follow! Between the cover and the synopsis, I am all in on this series -- eagerly anticipating more.

Knowing that the one that holds your heart is also the one that holds the balm to your pain, the one you can seek honest solace in and know they're true to their word. Emmy and Bentley loved deep and I love feeling deep love. This book was idyllic. It was a little perfect. But again, it made for an easy read. The conflict was grrrrr-able, but it showcased Bentley's emotional side and the ability to lose his shit. We saw honest emotion from him when he was held to the fire. I liked seeing his grit there. 

If I'm being honest: I really dislike romantic suspense. I know! I know. Crazy, I know, but a lot of the times, the drama just doesn’t equal out to the amount of crap the characters go through and I usually end up rolling my eyes and nitpicking every action being taken in the story. It’s a personal thing, and I realize this. But. When I am able to find an author that makes me keep turning the pages, keep seeking more of the journey the characters are on, I feel that's a good enough reason for me to see the story through to the end and watch how it unfolds. That is what I loved about Melanie's writing. I wanted to keep going and I had no desire to skim or give up. 

My honest feelings: There were a few things that made me waver in some spots. This one had a different rhythm and cadence for me, as well as some choppy parts to wade through. Some actions felt a little forced, but not something I couldn't easily push through. I am pretty sure it was more my getting used to a new flow and voice from a new author in a genre I don't normally read, but I definitely felt some emotion coming form the characters -- which is what I look forward to in a new read. I giggled, and I may have sported a girl-crush on Emmy in the beginning, but I smiled hard at Bentley's rough handling of his own feelings. With a new voice and a new style to latch onto,  this series and author is one I will definitely be following for more. Comfortably, I DO know that I will BE FIRST IN LINE FOR MORE. Yes, I said it. I exclaimed it with all caps. Like I said, a few forced narratives and actions, but overall, I’m a new fan. I *really* enjoyed this book and look forward to Aiden and Maddox, which are next in the series, respectively. Make sure to add the SERIES to your GOODREADS shelf. 

"We sat, melded together, taking silent comfort from our embrace." 

~BEE

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~MEET MELANIE MORELAND~

New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-seven-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them. 

While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys travelling, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip. 

Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever-afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.

~CONNECT WITH MELANIE~

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Book Review and Giveaway for Living Out Loud by Staci Hart

LIVING OUT LOUD

by STACI HART

Bestselling author Staci Hart brings you another installment of the Austen Series, inspired by the works of Jane Austen, with a heartfelt contemporary retelling of Sense and Sensibility.

When Annie Daschle arrives in New York City, the only thing she can control is her list.

Not her father’s death or the loss of her home. Not the hole in her heart or the defective valve that’s dictated so much of her life. But she can put pen to paper to make a list of all the ways she can live out loud, just like her dad would have wanted.

See the city from the top of the Empire State Building: Check.
Eat hot dogs on the steps of The Met: Check.
Get a job at Wasted Words: Check.

What wasn’t on her list: Greg Brandon. And just when she thinks she’s figured out where to put him, everything changes. In the span of a few staggering heartbeats, she finds herself caught in the middle of something she can’t find her way out of, with no clear answers and no rules.

List or no list, she realizes she can’t control anything at all, not even her heart.

Not the decisions it makes, and not the moment it stops

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REVIEW: 4 STARS

"But I'm here to remind you that there's hope, and I'll be with you every day, every step of the way."

One thing I know Staci Hart is good at is she can write a book that will make you swoon, smile, sad, gasp, and happy all in the span of a few pages....hell, sometimes a few words. Living Out Loud had such a beautiful meaning, in title and in emotion. This book was chock full of emotion and not just a few worthy quotes here and there. It was on a different level. I highlighted so much because the love was so apparent, but the way it was written, it was very......floral, fluid, flowy.....what word can I use?? I tried to explain it earlier like I felt like I was riding a merry-go-round. That's a horrible analogy, right?? It is. I promise you that, but I know how I felt, and it was sigh-inducing. I just felt light and right and comforted. It wasn't gritty. It wasn't angsty. It was just a different kind of read for me. This one felt.....grand.  And, without fail, this cover was EVERYTHING!!!

"Love gives itself without condition or expectation simply because it must. Love is devotion, and I find myself devoted to you, body and soul. I love you."

If you can accept that this will be a long-winded, slow read with an old world charm to her words, while mixing it with modern day conveniences, then you will understand what I mean when I say it was a great change to my normal reads. There was an innocence in the words, in the actions, in the actual storyline. She did such a good job showing us Annie's innocence while giving Greg an edge, and a ton of respect. Annie was so innocent and so naive, but I never once rolled my eyes at that. I was just so caught up in her story, her world, her emotions, that I was able to turn the pages seeking more. Greg was very definitely in touch with his emotional side, and he was a softie with tenacity. I loved his protectiveness over Annie, but also the fact that he needed to make sure she was happy. Such a contradiction for me because I always say I don't like soft men, but Staci did Greg's character justice. He made me feel cradled and very secure. 

I can't help but think there is always a little piece of the author infused into each one of their books they craft...and knowing the depth of this one and seeing some of Staci in it, it just makes me smile at the stories she can tell. Her words are so fluid. I love them. I don't know if beautiful is the right word for this book, but it was so deep and unassuming the way she told it. I liked the way this one unfolded and made me feel as though it was more innocent times, with more innocent characters. I just really liked this one. A lot. I liked the meaning behind many of her words and quotes. The depth was there, and I just had to slow down and enjoy it. 

I am super excited to say that she so effortlessly set up the next book in line, all the while doing Annie and Greg's story justice. Elle and Ward's story started in this one, but it will read as a standalone, and you can add it to your TBR HERE.  It will release in May 2018 and I most definitely recommend adding it to your TBR. I hope to tour it because I definitely have a soft spot for Staci's words. 

"Not all love is loud and assuming. Sometimes it's silent, especially when it puts someone else's happiness above its own."

~BEE

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~MEET STACI HART~

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life -- a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife, though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey. 

From roots in Houston to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she's not writing, she's reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.

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Book Review for Priest by Sierra Simone

PRIEST
by SIERRA SIMONE

There are many rules a priest can't break. A priest cannot marry. A priest cannot abandon his flock. A priest cannot forsake his God.

I've always been good at following rules.

Until she came. Then I learned new rules.

My name is Tyler Anselm Bell. I'm twenty-nine years old. Six months ago, I broke my vow of celibacy on the altar of my own church, and God help me, I would do it again.

I am a priest and this is my confession.

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REVIEW: 6 Sinfully Delicious and Forbidden Stars

This was originally reviewed on June 29, 2015. This is a new posting on my blog. 

Sooo.....when I say I love forbidden and taboo reads, I really mean it. No questions, I'm serious about it. Well, Sierra Simone has shattered all boundaries for me....every.single.one.

I'm going to put it out there RIGHT now and tell you that this book is on my 2015 Favorites List already....and it's in several categories. This book was THE HOTTEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ. Seriously.....hottest. Ever. Some will roll their eyes, some will be offended and others will go with the superbly written words on the pages and let them carry you through the story. This book was written with finesse. Sierra Simone's writing drew me in from the first page....and I couldn't put it down. I was immersed into this world of guilt and lust and love and sex. I absorbed every word and felt every emotion.....it gave me chills and goosebumps and a giddy feeling. It was soooo bad that it was sooo good!!!

You know what the BEST part about this extremely HOT and sexy and delicious and provocative and alluring, and....oops, this great book was? It had an actual storyline. One that made you yearn for more. Page after page was filled with angst and dialogue, guilt and lust, emotion and feeling. Yeah, sure, the sexy, taboo and forbidden love between these two people makes you keep reading and wanting more, but it also had a readable plot that actually worked!!

And the story starts in a confession booth....? One that hid everything but the voice of a woman that makes you think things you know you shouldn't be thinking? Yeah....this was insanely hot.

"I realize my hands were gripping the arms of the chair very hard now, and I tried to flush out all the images her words were conjuring, but I couldn't and she continued on, oblivious to my sudden discomfort, innocently secure in the mistaken notion that I was simply an input for information, an output for advice, and not a twenty-nine-year-old man."

Father Bell broke the mold for me. He wasn't what I would think a Priest would be like, but I am not religious, nor have I ever been in a catholic church or confessional. He was so respectful, but the dirtiest talker I have read in a while!!! OH MY GOSH. His mouth....just thinking about all the things he could whisper in my ears and make my legs go weak! Hahaha!!! It is hard to put myself in a 29 year old man's shoes.....truth be told, but I loved reading it from his point of view. Absolutely LOVED it. I loved being inside his head and it's not often that you can read a book from a man's POV and really get into it....well, I certainly did. Just call me.....Lamb.

This book is definitely one that will be on many favorites lists....I don't doubt it. It's a hot read with an intense story about two people that want to do the right thing, but can't seem to stop the forces of nature when it comes to their feelings. There is honest guilt, perfect love and insane attraction. This book is officially my favorite standalone of the year. I loved exploring this world with Tyler and his Lamb and I didn't want it to end!!!! If this book was 5 stars for all that it did to me, it's a negative 5 stars just for ending....I wanted to keep reading. I wanted to be consumed by their love and all their emotions and yes, their sex.

THIS. WAS. HOT. I need more...I want more. Oh my gosh....I'm a new fan of Sierra's. Amazing.

~BEE

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~MEET SIERRA SIMONE~

Sierra Simone is a former librarian who spent too much time reading romance novels at the information desk. She lives with her husband and family in Kansas City.

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Book Review for Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

WALLBANGER

by ALICE CLAYTON

The first night after Caroline moves into her fantastic new San Francisco apartment, she realizes she's gaining an intimate knowledge of her new neighbor's nocturnal adventures. Thanks to paper-thin walls and the guy's athletic prowess, she can hear not just his bed banging against the wall but the ecstatic response of what seems (as loud night after loud night goes by) like an endless parade of women. And since Caroline is currently on a self-imposed dating hiatus, and her neighbor is clearly lethally attractive to women, she finds her fantasies keep her awake even longer than the noise. So when the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts Simon Parker, her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. The tension between them is as thick as the walls are thin, and the results just as mixed. Suddenly, Caroline is finding she may have discovered a whole new definition of neighborly...

In a delicious mix of silly and steamy, Alice Clayton dishes out a hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight...

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REVIEW: 5 STARS

Originally read in September 2013. This is a reposted review onto my blog

Ok….this came highly recommended to me. Highly. So I decided I will give it a whirl and check it out. Let me just say this: I want to bake loaves of bread for Simon, and I want to listen to old school music…..through a wall. This book was HOT and FUNNY. It had me laughing really hard….but, the best part was, it wasn’t only a funny and laughable book, it was a romantic and sweet read as well.

Caroline has had a few mishaps in her sexual adventures leading up to the absence of her “O”. Yes, her “O”. She moves into a flat in San Francisco and ends up living next door to Simon, who apparently is the King of the “O”. After Caroline moves in, we get to hear Simon’s sexcapades with a few ladies who have earned themselves some rather comical nicknames from Caroline, based on what she hears through the wall while they are with Simon. Let the comedy ensue. After a few nights of listening to some wall banging action, Caroline takes matters into her own hands and decides to confront the ‘Wallbanger’ to tell him to knock it off.

From here, the fun begins. Chance meetings, angry kisses and a truce later, Simon and Caroline start to venture into a different relationship. One of smart mouthing, text messaging, sexual innuendos and a pussy named Clive…..yes, worthy. Very worthy.

I laughed so hard during this book…..even my husband started to ask what was so funny. I absolutely loved the inner dialogue from Caroline. Totally made the book enjoyable. Serious laughing…..serious!! Some funny excerpts that I couldn’t stop laughing at:

"I shook as I felt his hands reach lower to grasp my bottom and pull me closer still, my legs scrambling as I panted like a whore in church. The Church Of Simon….where I was dying to kneel before him.

He was wooing me. And I was letting him woo. I wanted the woo. I deserved the woo. I needed the wow that would surely follow the woo, but for now, the woo? It was whoa.

He rained kisses down my neck, licking and sucking as I moaned like a whore in church. To be fair, I’d never actually heard a whore moan in church, but I had a feeling it sounded a lot like the unholy sounds pouring forth from my mouth."

This book has a very swoon-worthy and moan-worthy 5 stars!!! I loved this book and will happily recommend it to ANYone!!!

~BEE

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~MEET ALICE CLAYTON~

ALICE CLAYTON worked in the cosmetics industry for over a decade before picking up a pen (read laptop).

She enjoys gardening but not weeding, baking but not cleaning up, and finally convinced her long-time boyfriend to marry her.

Now, about that Bernese Mountain dog.

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