Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Excerpt for The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros


~EXCERPT~

“Ella.” It was a plea to speak, to not speak. Hell, I didn’t know anymore.

“You don’t see me like that. I totally get it.” She reached for the TV remote.

“How exactly do I see you? Please, enlighten me.” I leaned forward, stealing the remote. She’d opened this box and had better well dish it.

She huffed in annoyance. “You see me as a mom. As Colt and Maisie’s mom. And of course you do, because that’s what I am. A mom with two kids.”

“Well, yeah,” I said. Her motherhood—that selfless devotion she had to her kids—was one of her most attractive attributes.

She rolled her eyes with a little sigh, and the metaphorical light bulb went off in my head.

“You don’t think I want you.”

She shot me a look that confirmed my guess and blushed the same crimson of her couch. “You know, you’re right. It’s late.” She faked a yawn. “Suuuuuuper late.”

“I want you.” Damn, it felt so good to say the words.

“Yeah, okay.” She gave me a goofy look and a thumbs-up. “Please don’t make me feel any more idiotic than I do right now.”

Yeah, enough of this bullshit.

I pounced in one smooth motion, taking her back to the couch, sliding over her as I gathered her wrists in one hand above her head and settled between her open thighs.

Home.

“Holy shit, you move fast.” There was no fear or rejection in her eyes, just surprise.

“Not in every arena,” I promised.

Her lips parted.

“Ella. I want you.”

“Beckett…you don’t have to.”

Yeah, that soft little sigh she did was going to be my undoing.

I let go of her wrists, letting my fingers trail down her arm until I had one hand weaving my fingers into the hair at the base of her scalp and the other at the curve in her waist.

“Feel this?” Then I slid forward, letting my dick stroke along the seam in her pajama pants hard enough for her to gasp at the contact. I couldn’t remember ever wanting to shred a piece of fabric so much in my life. “I’ve never wanted a woman as much as I want you.”

I moved again, and her eyes slid shut as she let loose the sweetest moan.

My dick throbbed, knowing everything I’d fantasized about for the better part of the last eight months was one decision away.

“Beckett.” Her hands found my biceps, her nails digging in.

“Don’t ever think that I don’t want you, because if things were different, I would have already been inside you. I would know exactly how you feel, and what you sound like, look like, when you come. I’ve thought about it at least a hundred different ways, and believe me, I’ve got a great imagination.”

She rocked her hips against me, and I locked my jaw to keep from giving her exactly what her body was asking for. “Ella, you have to stop.”

“Why?” she asked, her lips dangerously close to mine. “What do you mean if things were different?” Her eyes flew wide. “Is this because I have kids?”

“What? No. Of course not. It’s because you’re Ryan’s little sister.” Before I could do any more damage, I got the hell off her and sat back on my side of the couch.

“Because…I’m Ryan’s little sister,” she repeated, scooting so she sat upright, facing me. “And you think he’d, what? Haunt you?”

Three things: The letter. The cancer. The lie.

I repeated those in my head until I was certain I could look at her and not drag her back under me.

“Beckett?”

“When I was growing up, if I wanted something, I took it. Immediately. I had sex at fourteen with a girl in my foster home of the moment. I opened Christmas presents early if I was lucky enough to get one, and it was usually from my social worker or some charity.”

“I don’t understand.” She wrapped her arms around her knees again.

“I took it immediately because I knew if I didn’t, chances were I wouldn’t get it. It was a now-or-never kind of thing—there weren’t second chances.”

“Okay.”

“I can’t touch you, can’t talk about it, because I’m afraid I’ll act on it.”

“And why does that matter if I want you to?”

“Because I won’t get a second chance. And I’m crap with people, with relationships. I’ve never had one that lasted more than a month. Never loved a woman I’ve slept with. And chances are I’d do something to screw this up, because it’s not just my dick that wants you, Ella.”

That O popped right back onto her face, and I closed my eyes to keep from lunging across the distance and kissing her. Knowing she’d let me—that she wanted it—sent my need from a bullet to a nuclear missile.

“And when I’d screw it up, because it would happen, trust me, it would hurt Colt and Maisie, too. You’d be on your own again, because there’s no chance you’d let me hang around and help you out like Ryan asked.”

“And there it is.”

“There it is. You’re Ryan’s little sister.”

“There were only five years between us. Not so little, you know.” She reached for the remote.

“I’m well aware.”

“So if Ryan were still alive…” She shot one last look at me.

I let everything slip for a millisecond, letting her see it all in my eyes, how badly I wanted her, and not just for her body. “Everything would be different.”

“Everything?”

“Everything but the way I feel about you, which he probably would have killed me for. Where does that leave us?”

“You mean besides me being a dried-up spinster and you being honor-bound to a ghost?”

“Something like that.”

She rolled her head along the back of the couch, muttering something that sounded like a curse word under her breath. Then she sat up straight and powered on the TV with a click of her thumb. “That leaves us choosing a movie on demand. Because I’m not letting you walk out that door right now.”

“You’re not?”

“Nope. You walk out now, you might get all weird about this and not come back. Honor is a fabulous thing, but sometimes pride can be a lot stronger, especially when you convince yourself it’s for the good of the other person.”

Damn, the woman knew me.

“So movie it is,” I agreed. “Just…stay on your side of the couch.”

“I wasn’t the one who crossed the center line,” she teased with a smile that got me hard all over again.

Movie chosen, we sat and watched, both of us stealing sideways glances. There was that saying…the horse out of the barn. Yeah, the horse was out of the barn, and it wasn’t going back in. Not no way. Not no how.

That horse was running amok and screwing with my carefully constructed control.

But I didn’t complain when she moved over. Or when she pressed against my side. Nope. I lifted my arm and savored the feel of her curves, her trust. Still didn’t complain when she lay down in my arms. Hell no, I held on and memorized every second.



Beckett,

If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.

I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.

My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.

And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help.

So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family.

Please don’t make her go through it alone.

Ryan

PURCHASE LINKS:

AMAZON     APPLE BOOKS     KOBO     B&N


~MEET REBECCA YARROS~
Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and lover of all things chocolate, coffee, and Paleo. In addition to being a mom, military wife, and blogger, she can never choose between Young Adult and New Adult fiction, so she writes both. She's a graduate of Troy University, where she studied European history and English, but still holds out hope for an acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Her blog, The Only Girl Among Boys, has been voted the Top Military Mom Blog the last two years, and celebrates the complex issues surrounding the military life she adores. When she's not writing, she's tying on hockey skates for her kids, or sneaking in some guitar time. She is madly in love with her army-aviator husband of eleven years, and they're currently stationed in Upstate NY with their gaggle of rambunctious kiddos and snoring English Bulldog, but she would always rather be home in Colorado.

~CONNECT WITH REBECCA~

FACEBOOK     AMAZON     GOODREADS     TWITTER


AFFILIATE LINKS USED

Book Review and Giveaway for HALO by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine



Massive world tours. Over a hundred million albums sold. Groupies galore.

Every day is a party for Viper and the guys of TBD, the biggest rock band in the world. But it all comes to a screeching halt when the lead singer walks out of the studio one day and never comes back.

Ear-blistering vocals. Butchered lyrics. Fame chasers.

After months of lackluster auditions, Viper, the lead guitarist and resident bad boy of the group, is ready to find solace in the bottom of a bottle. Time’s running out and the pressure’s on to find a new singer, but it isn’t until an angel walks through the door that the band’s prayers are answered.

Charismatic. Talented. Magic behind the mic. Halo is everything they’ve been looking for.

With a voice to match his stunning good looks, it isn’t long before Viper’s taking notice. But there are several reasons this is a bad idea:

1. Interpersonal relationships in the band are discouraged

2. Viper has already broken rule #1—big mistake

3. Halo is straight

Too bad Viper’s body isn’t listening to his head—at least not the one on his shoulders. But you can’t fake chemistry, not onstage and certainly not off it, and Viper and Halo? They have it in spades.

As both men try to resist the fire blazing between them, and the band is forced to reinvent themselves, it’ll be a complicated rise back to the top. But from the ashes of what was, something beautiful is born. Something better. And when the world finally sees Halo stretch his wings, they’ll discover what it’s like to fall for an angel.


REVIEW: 4.5 STARS
"It was a strange sensation to feel so aware of your body and yet be so unsure of it at the same time."

After reading Ella Frank's most recent Confessions series, I knew I had to add her to my permanent list of authors to read. I loved her flow and the beauty in her words. She gave me a deep and healthy love story told almost effortlessly. Well, I have now added this duo to my list. Brooke and Ella together are the epitome of SEAMLESS storytelling! Absolutely seamless. I heard two voices. I felt two hearts falling for each other. I definitely enjoyed this first book in the series!!

"Confidence. Halo had it in spades. and hell if that didn't make him even more tempting."

Their rhythm....their beat was so cohesive and sexy. They vibed off each other and I couldn't help but feel the sexual tension pour off Viper and Halo. While we know Halo is straight, the reactions were not what I would have naturally assumed, and I am so thankful for that. I loved the way this story was told, because it really made me think along a different trajectory, which piqued my interest even more. The curiosity and the reality of their feelings they felt made me feel all the butterflies. I smiled throughout 99% of the book. Don't worry, that 1% was me knowing it was ending in mere pages. HA! The situations were understandable - written to be relatable. The emotions were palpable, and I felt all the feelings right along with Viper and Halo. The story was very engaging and I was completely enamored. I just couldn't get enough of them!! I wanted MORE!!

(NOT) First of all - but holy cow: HOT! Woah. The intensity, the desire, it was spilling off the pages and I could definitely tell Viper was very predatory in nature when it came to Halo. His demeanor mixed with Halo's personality: explosive. So.Very. Hot. I seriously smiled through the whole book. I enjoyed this world Ella and Brooke built and I want to permanently reside in it!

I do know that I want more background and explanations for a few things, but I am hoping we get more of that with the second and third book. After reading this book, I am excited for what this story holds and the titles of the next two books, Viper and Angel, obviously give me some insight on what I will be seeing here soon. I do know that I can see Viper's world changing, just as he changed Halo's - and I welcome that stumble in his step. I am *stoked* for more!! I want sooo much more from this duo and I'm in it for the long haul. I'll take all three books, but feel like I want (or need) more than that. (pretty please with sugar on top??)

"You made me nervous that night. I was so confused about you."
~BEE




~MEET ELLA FRANK~
Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust and is the co-author of the fan-favorite contemporary romance, Sex Addict. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”

Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Phillips.

~CONNECT WITH ELLA~

FACEBOOK     AMAZON     GOODREADS      TWITTER

~MEET BROOKE BLAINE~
Brooke Blaine is a USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary romance that ranges from comedy to suspense to erotic. The latter has scarred her conservative Southern family for life, bless their hearts.

You could say Brooke Blaine was a book-a-holic from the time she knew how to read; she used to tell her mother that curling up with one at 4 a.m. before elementary school was her ‘quiet time.’ Not much has changed except for the espresso I.V. pump she now carries around and the size of her onesie pajamas.

She is the author of Flash Point, a romantic suspense standalone, as well as the co-author of the erotic series, A Desperate Man, with Ella Frank. The latter has scarred her conservative southern family for life, bless their hearts. Licked, a romantic comedy, will be released November 11th, 2015 and is the first in the L.A. Liaisons series. 

If you’d like to get in touch with her, she’s easy to find - just keep an ear out for the Rick Astley ringtone that’s dominated her cell phone for ten years.

~CONNECT WITH BROOKE~


FACEBOOK     AMAZON      GOODREADS     TWITTER



ARC REVIEW
COPY PURCHASED FOR GIVEAWAY
AFFILIATE LINKS USED



Thursday, February 21, 2019

Book Review and Giveaway for What He Never Knew by Kandi Steiner


WHAT HE NEVER KNEW
by KANDI STEINER

I never learn my lesson. 

And I always want what I can’t have. 

When Sarah Henderson walks into my life, I tell myself she’s off limits. She’s my student, sixteen years younger than me, and my boss’s niece. It doesn’t matter that I see the same pain reflected in her eyes that I have in my own, or that the dead organ better known as my heart kicks to life when she’s around. 

I’ve been here before, and I know how this ends. 

It’s been two years since I fell for the last woman I knew I couldn’t have, the one with the ring on her finger that I chose to ignore. 

Two years of trying to overcome that heartache when Sarah slides into my life. 

Another woman I can’t have. Another woman I can’t stop myself from wanting. 

I never learn my lesson, but with a constant reminder of how that last forbidden love burned, I think I’ve finally learned this one. 

This time, I won’t chase what’s off limits. 

This time, I’m staying away. 

And I’ll keep telling myself that until I believe it.


REVIEW: 4 STARS
"Love doesn't play by the rules we have set for it in society."

If you do not want to ruin the What He Doesn't Know series before reading it, you probably don't want to step into this book because some things may be spoiled for the first two books.....but I can't imagine you don't know the outcome of those. It's been a while, yeah? No? Well, fair warning given. I will NOT spoil anything about ANY book in this series, but I'm pretty sure the synopsis gives away the outcome of the duet...if the cover doesn't already. 

As you are well aware, this is Reese's story and HE was my pick the entire time I was reading the duet. Is that horrible of me? I feel like I can finally say that, but I can also say that 'everything happens for a reason' and I'm a firm believer in that. And he obviously hadn't met his one true love, despite the heartache he felt after the duet - because his story wasn't done. And let me tell ya, his heartache was palpable. It was so sad and painful to watch him go through it not only once, but twice because of how this one was told. 

"We're not destined to run from our misery, we're destined to bathe in it - and to somehow find a way to make it beautiful."

I feel like Steiner did Sarah's brokenness justice. I obviously already knew Reese had a lot to go through, was going through, would go through....but with Sarah, I feel like I saw a very strong character, but a very broken one too. She was younger, and I felt that in some certain situations that highlighted just how young she was, but man! She was strong. I loved seeing how these two worked with each other but also helped each other in very unconventional ways. I will admit seeing Reese in his element in this one was so perfect for the storyline, but I feel like I got more of a deeper look into his pain and his emotional turmoil because he was more raw after everything that happened in the duet. These characters had a likeminded pain.

This was a wordy book - I won't lie, but a powerful message was weaved throughout the entire thing. Heartache coupled with trust, fear combined with need......emotions played heavily throughout. The pain was laced from beginning to end and was expertly laid out on the pages, leaving me with no other options but to devour the words. My *only* issue was that I felt like I wanted to skim some of the passages because they were either long-winded or repetitive, but I also know that Steiner has a way with her words and I enjoy them very much, so I had to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the story.

I'll be honest....I was worried about her making Reese's love story separate and independent from the duet because that's where we were introduced to his emotions and his love. I was worried about us seeing the same "acts of love" and proclamations. I saw a completely different side of him and not only his pain, but his growth. A whole 'nother love voice was shared in this book and I liked that side of it. 

Last but certainly not least, that cover model is all sorts of perfect for the way I saw Reese in my mind the entire time I was reading these stories, and I still cannot imagine any cover matching as perfectly as this one does.

"She was quiet, but in a way only a fire can be."
~BEE

Kindle Unlimited
*My review: http://bit.ly/2pAPjYm

*My review: http://bit.ly/2pPpGSS


~MEET KANDI STEINER~
Kandi Steiner is a Creative Writing and Advertising/Public Relations graduate from the University of Central Florida living in Tampa with her husband. Kandi works full time as a social media specialist, but also works part time as a Zumba fitness instructor and blackjack dealer. 

Kandi started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic (like most girls brought up on Disney movies).

When Kandi isn’t working or writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys beach days, movie marathons, live music, craft beer and sweet wine – not necessarily in that order. 

Join her group Kandiland HERE.

~CONNECT WITH KANDI~

FACEBOOK     AMAZON     GOODREADS     TWITTER

UNEDITED ARC REVIEW
AFFILIATE LINKS USED
PURCHASED COPY FOR GIVEAWAY

Friday, February 15, 2019

Book Review and Giveaway for LUST by Ker Dukey


LUST
by KER DUKEY

I was born with wealth, athletic ability, and looks that could melt the panties off a nun.I had a clear path to success.

Until fate dealt me a cruel blow, leaving me empty and in need of purpose. 

My only focus now is to become part of The Elite—a secret society in one of the most prestigious colleges in the world. 

But everything comes at a price, and with The Elite, you have to earn your place.

Lucky for me, being sinful is in my DNA. 

The only obstacle to full initiation is my task: seduce the un-seducible, the forbidden, and lure her with the sins of the flesh.

Easy for a man like me…in theory. 

She started as my task, but what happens when the lines between lust and love blur, and the need for power rages war with the need for her? 

Accept your sin wisely, for the tasks given to earn your place are not for the weak—they’re for The Elite. 

This is my life, my chance, my legacy.
I am Rhett Masters.
I am Lust.



REVIEW: 3.5+ STARS
"Lust is a violent desire, destructive and uncontrollable.

Woah! What a beginning to a SEVEN book series! I am so excited for the promise this series holds, given the way this one started off. And holy hell....the way it ended!!! Clearly, jaw drops and eye pops are going to be a common occurrence with this series.

I loved seeing the many different sides of Rhett. His personality was pretty malleable based on the situations he was in, and that made him very intriguing to me. I really liked him. With Chastity's dynamic added to the mix, I definitely feel like I got a good look into Rhett's weaknesses and strengths. His emotions, no matter how much it worked against him, was one of his strongest traits. I loved how it propelled his every thought process and every decision. There was a layer of connectivity that was touched upon and I hope we get to see more of it in the future books.

One thing I did notice was that the focus of the book was more on setting up this series and what's going on with the Elite Seven and seemingly less to do with the romance picking up steam between Rhett and Chastity. While I don't think that's necessarily bad, I wanted more exploration of the growing feelings and sexual tension between these two, because there were times the tension jumped off the pages. It was palpable. Other times, it just felt like Rhett's cocky side was rearing its.....cocky head. Was he an outright asshole? I honestly don't think he was. At least, I didn't look at him that way. He was definitely the product of his environment, with circumstances working in conjunction with his drive to be who he needed to be as well as who he wanted to be. I really liked his character when Chastity was around though. Like, I liked it a lot!!

"She makes the raging storm calm so I can breathe through it."

This was not as dark as I assumed it would be...but I also assumed this knowing how Ker Dukey writes, so that's my bad. Was it twisted? Oh, sure....these boys were definitely a little twisted, but that's what made them perfect for The Elite Seven. There was an ominous feeling as I continued to read deeper into not only this secretive world that was building, but I couldn't help but wonder how the different author's voices were going to play into each personality of each different character. I really am excited to see how this series plays out. I will say this was a good first book in this series. It opened up and took me on a ride, that's for sure.

With the secrets that lie within this elite society, Dukey kept me turning the pages, trying to find out not only what was going on. She set the stage for this series, and in doing so, she will also be responsible for introducing me to some new authors and their stories because now I can't wait to find out about each character!!

"You head's a storm, turbulent and destructive. You need to find the center, the calm. Let me be that for you."
~BEE

PURCHASE




~MEET KER DUKEY~
My books all tend to be darker romance, edge of your seat, angst filled reads. My advice to my readers when starting one of my titles...prepare for the unexpected.

I have always had a passion for storytelling, whether it be through lyrics or bed time stories with my sisters growing up. We also used to put on performances by acting out stories. I wanted to become an actress from an early age so I could live out many roles but unfortunately I learned early on that my mind was too active...(I would end up wanting to change the script) I would watch films or TV shows and think of ways they could have improved the story if they took another direction, so I thought it best that I tell my own.

My mum would always have a book in her hand when I was young and passed on her love for reading, inspiring me to venture into writing my own. I tend to have a darker edge to my writing. Not all love stories are made from light; some are created in darkness but are just as powerful and worth telling.

When I'm not lost in the world of characters, I love spending time with my family. I'm a mum and that comes first in my life, but when I do get down time, I love attending music concerts or reading events with my younger sister.

Come find me on Facebook where I love interacting with my readers.

~CONNECT WITH KER~

FACEBOOK     AMAZON     GOODREADS     TWITTER

ARC REVIEW
AFFILIATE LINKS USED
PERSONALLY PURCHASED GIVEAWAY COPY

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

DNF Review for Warrior Undone by Jessica Ruben


WARRIOR UNDONE
by JESSICA RUBEN

I have no intention of finding happily-ever-after.
At least, not anymore.

Fighting for my country was an honor,
returning home is a curse.

My demons need to be fed.
How else can a shattered man stay afloat?

When a wild night in Las Vegas with the sexiest woman I've ever met turns into hell, she attaches to me as though I'm her savior.

But what happens when a woman hangs her hands on broken glass?
She bleeds.



REVIEW: DNF

Well, darnit. The cover worked. The synopsis worked. But man, the writing and characters just didn't work for me. Many different factors and scenarios came into play determining if I was going to continue on with this book, or if I was just going to call it quits. DNF'ing this book wasn't an easy decision because I wanted to desperately read it, but it didn't work for me for so many reasons. I quit around 35% and then skimmed the remaining of the book, but focused on a few parts that caught my eye - hence the DNF review.

I think the biggest problem I truly had overall was the heroine. There was something (many things) I did NOT like about her. To begin - girl was needy. Seriously needy. Her need for love and acceptance definitely didn't match her inner poisons about what she just went through with Slade either. Add in the fact that she was so wishy-washy on not only the choices she made, but her behavior as well. Some of her actions made me shake my head. With no rhyme or reason to back up her very adamant decisions, she just felt disingenuous. I also didn't enjoy the mental recaps and conclusions she jumped to. Oh dear, her conclusions. It's called communication and at 30+ years old, you should know how that works by now. All the questions she asked herself? Why!? It kind of felt like Ruben was setting me up for scenarios and drama while being force fed thoughts and emotions, instead of allowing me to make up my own determinations and allowing the words to take me on a journey. I like to feel my way through a book, not be led by dangling not-so-subtle clues in front of me.

Here was my biggest pet peeve about Lauren. If she was suuuuch good friends with Eve, why all the secrets? That part made absolutely ZERO sense to me and it frustrated me beyond belief. Best friends share everything and the so called secrets she was keeping from her were ridiculous. Why hold onto those? Seemingly simple but very important discussions you would have with your best friend, but for some reason, she held back on them. It was very frustrating because all it did was add unnecessary drama to the story and more mental discussions and conclusions in Lauren's already fickle mind. She was definitely a different person with her own quirks, but those secrets were not logical on any playing field. At all.

Slade's issues were definitely heavy ones given the life he led and the horrors he lived through. I refuse to take away from that aspect because I have zero experience with it, but I will say that part was harsh and eye-opening. I felt his struggle in the very beginning when he was home alone and in bed. Adding more trauma to his already taxed psyche didn't help matters, and I don't like the route he traveled to 'better himself'. Aside from that, Slade didn't 'read' very hardcore, heavy, manly. His voice had a very feminine ring to it, unfortunately. He said all the right words, but it didn't sound that way. So, I'm not sure if that made me wrinkle my nose up at him or not. I didn't not like him, he just didn't have the grrr factor I like in a man of his position. I wanted to read his story, but I just couldn't get through it.

I definitely had a hard time with the internal monologuing done by both characters, and I can't deny that was a bit of a drag for me. I know that there should be some inner thought processes we should be privy to when reading a book, but I felt this was way overdone.

I felt very disconnected and torn away from not only her character, but the entire storyline too. I wasn't as immersed as I thought I would be given the drama and action unfolding on the pages before my very eyes. There were so many mentally and physically conflicting actions that it made it hard for me to reconcile my feelings with what was happening in the book. It's safe to say that this book and the writing style didn't work for me.

BREATHING MOMENT: There is nothing MORE frustrating than jumping into a spinoff or a "standalone" in a series, only to find out they spoil some parts of the previous books in it. Why must authors do this? Why even give anything away from the previous books that was NOT integral to the story at hand? Because finding out Vincent was in a coma and Lauren was there to help Eve out....oops. Did I spoil that? Yeah, that's exactly what the author wrote in this 'standalone'. So if she's going to spoil it, why read it? I am very upset about this because I bought RISING to read. I will still read it, but now I will be expecting the drama to unfold that leads to him being in a coma. If I sound bitter, I'm sorry. But I am. Don't claim it as a standalone when you are going to drop clues that aren't necessary to the entirety of the story you are currently telling.

~BEE


~MEET JESSICA RUBEN~

Jessica Ruben lives and works in New York City, where she spends her days dominating in the court room as an attorney. Come nightfall, she writes romances centering on gorgeous alpha males and the intelligent women who love them.

Jessica is an insatiable reader, and will devour a few books a week without batting an eyelash. Books have always been her drug of choice, and she has no plans on detox anytime soon. She has three wildly delicious children and a husband who, for reasons unimaginable to her, loves her brand of crazy.

~CONNECT WITH JESSICA~

FACEBOOK     AMAZON     GOODREADS     TWITTER

ARC REVIEW
AFFILIATE LINKS
DNF REVIEW - NO GIVEAWAY

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Book Review and Giveaway for For Emery by J Nathan




Emery
I’ve loved Jordan Grady since I was eight. 
Since he became my protector.
Since he became my safe haven each night. 
But I was younger.
Off limits...
Until high school when he finally kissed me. 
And for a few fleeting moments, everything was right in the world. 
Then I was forced to do the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do...
Disappear from his life without a trace.

Grady
I’m Alabama’s star right tackle—and a real prick. 
I live my life by a few solid truths.
Life isn’t fair.
Don’t let anyone get too close.
And those who claim to care about you can up and leave. 
But you know what they say about things that disappear...
But Emery Pruitt had never been mine.
Even if she had returned after four years.
Older.
Confident.
And more beautiful than the night she vanished.
But it didn’t erase the fact that she’d left me.
So, why find me now?


REVIEW: 4+ STARS
"I think down deep, even when I couldn't have you, I wanted you."

I'm still smiling!! Totally smiling, because this is the kind of book I love to jump into in between heavier reads, and knowing I have a great story with a guarantee of a goofy grin coming my way makes it that much better. I first read J Nathan back in February 2017 and knew immediately that I needed to follow this series. I enjoyed her writing style and stories a lot, and the best part of this series is that they are complete standalones.

We met Grady in a previous book in the series, but there are absolutely zero spoilers by reading this series in any order. The crossover is circumstance, at best. I love the basis for this entire series, all being centered around couples in college finding their true love while overcoming issues. True love is always fun when it's young, it's real, and the excitement of first kisses loom with butterflies swirling. Completely smile worthy the way Nathan writes these stories. Emery and Grady's story wasn't always an easy one, but their love was always the easy parts of the story. Drawn together with an incredible connection rooted in childhood, these two had an unshakeable bond that got them through quite a bit of turmoil...as well as a multitude of firsts they only got to share with each other. I just couldn't help but smile with everything they went through, the good and the bad. No, I'm not heartless but I think that the hard times were definitely out-shined by the love that was blossoming. J Nathan writes a young love so well and she appeals to the hidden 'softie' in me.

As heavy as the dialogue and the storyline was, there was a lightness to it that I could definitely appreciate. I love heavy, real, tragic emotions in a book with a love that overcomes anything, but the style in which J Nathan writes, it lends an easier cadence and with that comes a lighter feel to it. I loved the giddiness, the smiles, the elation I got when things were going their way. The pain and the tragedy was there, but I loved that while it was the trajectory for their story, it wasn't the main focus or a downer for it either. It was just a really great read with smiles aplenty.

"What are you really doing here?"
"Just stalking you."

I love when I am able to read a book and settle in immediately, whether it be with a gasp or a smile. Emery's plight immediately draws you in, and it's not an easy one, but with Grady's strength in his sarcasm, as well his friendship, these two have the makings for a worthy story. This book had an element to it that is not my normal go-to style, but Nathan always makes it worth my time. It was wholesome, clean....and good fun. It was light in the storyline, but definitely one to make you smile and catch your heart. Again, this book had a heavy reality and not one to be made light of, but I feel that J Nathan did it justice by focusing on the good while working through the evil. I can easily, easily recommend this entire series.

"You wouldn't think I was a gentleman if you could hear what I'm thinking right now."
~BEE

PURCHASE:

AMAZON     B&N     APPLE BOOKS     KOBO

You can grab the entire series HERE

ENTER HERE TO WIN AN ECOPY



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

~CONNECT WITH J~

FACEBOOK     AMAZON     GOODREADS     TWITTER
ARC REVIEW
AFFILIATE LINKS USED
PURCHASED COPY FOR GIVEAWAY

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

DNF Review for A Single Glance by Willow Winters

A SINGLE GLANCE
by WILLOW WINTERS

I saw her from across the bar.
My bar. My city. Everything in that world belonged to me.
She stood out from the crowd like she was looking for someone to blame for her pain.

That night, I felt the depths of my mistakes. I felt my scars. With a single glance, I knew her touch would take it all away. I craved it more than anything.

I knew she would be a tempting, beautiful mistake.
One I would make again and again... even if it cost me everything.



REVIEW: DNF

It's always sad for me that when a book promises to be good based on the blurb alone - and then it doesn't live up to said blurb. Such is the case with this one, for me. With the synopsis being as enticing as it was, and the cover being as sexy as it was, this was sure to be a slam dunk for me. I was positive of that. The teasers alone made me drool for this sexy story that was going to introduce me to the world of Willow Winters. Unfortunately....

The story felt noisy. And without having a more tactile way to say it, it just felt like there was too much background noise for me to even get to know Jase and Bethany. She has the most amazing name though, don't you think? Anyway, this was a spinoff from her Merciless series and was supposed to be able to be read as a standalone and was Jase Cross's story. I'm not denying it can be read as a standalone, but what I got was a very confused mind while trying to settle into their story. It picked up after a bit, but then I found myself squinting awkwardly at how forced it was feeling.

I didn't know of Jase's personality before, so I didn't go into this knowing who he was and his power in the city (beyond the synopsis). I know others that read the Merciless series first have a better understanding for him and this powerful world he lives in. I just don't think he was 'set up' very well for me - a newbie, so he came across as inept, especially when his first action was an "oops" on how he handled it. Yeah, yeah...I know. He had to stumble across Bethany and be completely enamored with her at first glance. I get it. But then we have Bethany, a very strong and independent woman who is beyond stubborn, and she cannot understand her feelings for Jase at all - especially given the situation she was in. Well, book-me, as stubborn as we both are, neither can I. I am pretty sure I wouldn't be feeling those feelings right away, but that's just me. I'd be too scared to feel my nether regions perking up. But this is also exactly why it felt so forced to me. I wasn't endeared to the characters. Their plight. Their story. Their background. It was quick and immediate and ZERO buildup for any kind of sexual tension at all. Maybe it was the words. Maybe it was the characters. Maybe it was the written storyline. Either way, instead of making me smile with anticipation of the debauchery ahead, and letting me "meet" these characters and get a feel for their actions, it made me roll my eyes and wonder where all this desire was coming from. I don't think it reads well as a standalone is what I'm basically trying to say here. I'm probably failing miserably, and for that I apologize profusely. I just know that by the time I gave up, I was mad at the story and the characters and their actions, because I wanted to love it and I couldn't get into it. Here's the deal though; I bought Merciless so that I could get into this world, this frame of mind for the story, so that I could better understand the buildup and the depravity behind the characters and the world I would then be inhabiting because I don't feel like I got that at all. I will try again. I am determined.

I guess I walked into this one with the expectation for.....more. I mean, I didn't think I was expecting too much, but I definitely didn't get what I thought I was going to get. And most definitely not the story I wanted. I gave this book until 54% and then decided I was done. So instead of trying to finish it, not understanding the characters' thought processes or actions or feelings, I decided this one just wasn't for me - YET. I am sure the surprise cliffie tainted me greatly, but I'm not ready to admit that yet, either. Just give a girl a little warning. *cries*

~BEE


~MEET WILLOW WINTERS~
Willow Winters is so happy to be a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and #1 Contemporary Bestselling Romance Author. She likes her action hot and her bad boys hotter. She certainly doesn't hold back on either one in her writing!

Willow started writing after having her little girl, Evie, December 2015. All during her pregnancy with Evie she continued to read and she only wanted to read romance. She was reading a book a day -- sometimes two.

In January 2016 Willow was staying up late with Evie and just thinking of all these stories. They came to her constantly so she finally sat down and just started writing. She always wanted to do it so she figured, why not? Today Willow cannot be happier for making that decision!

~CONNECT WITH WILLOW~

FACEBOOK     AMAZON     GOODREADS     TWITTER

ARC REVIEW
AFFILIATE LINKS USED
NO GIVEAWAY FOR UNRATED/DNF REVIEWS