Monday, September 30, 2019

Book Review and Giveaway for Perfectly Adequate by Jewel E. Ann


PERFECTLY ADEQUATE
by JEWEL E ANN

Dr. Elijah Hawkins needs … something.

After his wife jumps headfirst into a midlife crisis, he’s left with his young son, Roman, and a lot of unanswered questions.

That something turns out to be a someone—Dorothy Mayhem, nursing student, patient transporter, reckless driver, and emu owner.

Dorothy studies humans, the neurotypical kind, through books and television. Then she emulates their behavioral patterns to fit in with her peers.

But nothing can prepare her for Dr. Elijah Hawkins.

Single dad.
Brilliant pediatric oncologist.
And the sexiest doctor at the hospital.

When his failed attempts at asking her out turn into a string of playdates with his son, Dorothy finds herself unexpectedly enamored with the boy and his father.

And that’s a problem, a huge one, because Elijah’s ex-wife is a famous plastic surgeon—and Dorothy’s idol.

Perfectly Adequate is a beautiful, hilarious, and heart-felt journey along the “human” spectrum.


REVIEW: 4+ STARS
"Your happiness is a reflection of you and only you."

Purity. This is the kind of book you have to go into with an open mind and an understanding of the love that's playing out. It won't be simple-minded or single-layered, and it won't be normal - and I'm not saying that in any way, shape, or form being disrespectful. This was hilarious, but pure. The heroine was definitely not the normal subject of a romance book and Jewel handled that with reality, and she never disappoints. She can undoubtedly write a quirky heroine with so much depth and reality to her, and she seems to do it with ease. Add to that, she forever writes a perfect Hero and I love that they aren't ever the same guy. She does an amazing job not only giving me a unique storyline, but she gives me original and not recycled. She gives me real and honest, not fabricated. She gives me love with different voices, and she gave me Dorothy and Eli.

"I don't mind being me. No one else can do it better."

Dorothy, her world, her life, is matter of fact - that's her world and that's how it is if you want to live in it. No apologies accepted, because she won't apologize for who she is or how she views the world, but knowing that's her truth - that's the best part. I loved how her ‘personality’ didn’t affect Eli's thoughts, but I liked more that he embraced it all with a smile more than anything else. If people miss the deeper cues of *who* Dorothy is, they’re going to miss the perfection that is this love.

"I want to discover her, not study her."

With Dorothy, I knew there was a more personal infusion of knowledge. Jewel's words portrayed an intimate knowledge and understanding of the nuances of a young lady like Dorothy, and I feel like she brought out the emotions allowing slow growth with feelings inspiring her characters beyond the 'moment.' I love the way she tells me a story. Sure, you can ‘technically’ tell a story, but I want to feel the words emotionally, and if they aren’t delivered passionately, the emotion doesn’t come through. Jewel bleeds passion. She bleeds emotion. She creates magic.

"The spectrum is human. It's not autism."

I've only read two stories with a main character with Asperger's, and both times I have been able to relate and smile and understand. I was able to see my son in some of the actions, so I think that's why this book was so relatable for me. I asked where her inspiration came from and she said it was a real friend, so I liked that she had some truth to her character and reality to back it up. I feel like we get the best parts of JEA with her books because they are full of heart. Every book has a hook. It’s organic. It’s fluid and it moves, regardless of any preconceived notions, and she will always set you straight OR change your mind. Perspective - it's amazing the way she delivers it.

"You weren't supposed to be a choice. Not you."

Learning a new lover and how they work/do things can be difficult sometimes, but when the realities are so different - it adds a new element of discovery and I really enjoyed that part. Even though the truth is ugly sometimes, this book - the way Jewel told their story, it was from the heart with so much depth and understanding. I’m worried that this will be misunderstood by some readers trying to ‘find’ Jewel because they won’t read her words but they’ll just read the story without the emotion that I know Jewel E Ann saturates every book with. Not because of the writing. Not because of the angst or pain we all know she can bring. But for the simple fact that it’s not ordinary and some people may not truly connect and may leave before the story is complete. I’m begging you, as I do every time I read one of her stories, to please stick with it. Understand that love is realized in many different ways. Love is expressed and felt and grown and nurtured in so many different ways. This story, I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t stop thinking about Dorothy’s world and Elijah’s truth. I couldn’t stop giggling at their relationship and how it actually worked because of the charm and love, even given a circumstance that didn't feel navigable. I don’t have the in-depth personal experiences that Elijah does, but I will tell you that he has to be an amazing man. Admirable is the wrong word, because that insinuates he’s doing something out of the kindness of his heart and not from the depths of his soul.

I already know that I have to go into every single JEA book with an open mind, trust in her storytelling abilities, and listen with an open heart. She’s never once not made me think about the deeper story within. I love that she tackles subjects that aren’t talked about often. I also love that she puts her twist and spin on them while making the story a reality and the outcome fathomable. This story was less angsty and more emotional for me, which was a nice change of pace with her books. Every time I read a JEA book, I feel like I become a more firm believer in the heart doing what the heart wants. I love where her mind goes in her stories - where she takes them, how she tells them. Because she twists me up every time; she makes me think about things from a different perspective and I absolutely love it. She marries edge with emotion, producing a remarkable read. It was.....perfectly adequate.

"And it's amazing how a single breath can take a life, give a life, and sometimes...save a life. She is my breath of life."
~BEE




~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.

~CONNECT WITH JEWEL~

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Friday, September 27, 2019

Book Review and Giveaway for Serenading Heartbreak by Ella Fields


SERENADING HEARTBREAK
by ELLA FIELDS

My first love was my brother’s best friend.
A lead singer in their band.
A picture of rugged perfection.
And a drunk soul mate who couldn’t commit.

My second love was an arrogant baseball player.
A player in every sense of the word.
A smooth-talking, reliable best friend.
And a chance at something beautiful and true.

The problem with having a first and second love?
That would be loving them at the same time.
My story isn’t some sexy triangle.
It’s exquisite agony.
Fate gave me two men to love,
but none of us knew which one I could keep.


REVIEW: 5 WTF STARS
"We were never supposed to make something out of moments."

I'm writing this review with a slightly broken heart. I sat for a few minutes with my head in my hands, pondering....thinking....mulling over what I just read, wondering why the heart is a warrior the mind chooses to battle. I went in knowing this was a triangle, and if you've followed me for any amount of time, I've made no secret that this is my favorite kind of story/trope because the pull between two lovers gets me every time. There was nothing different about this book in that aspect. Ella Fields sits very comfortably in my Top 5 Favorite Authors and this book is the exact reason why. No matter if I was #TeamRocker or #TeamBaller, the turmoil and heartache Stevie went through to get her HEA astounded me. I feel like she was the strongest woman mentally - but emotionally, she was beaten down and thrown around. I definitely can admire her tenacity, but I can also say I understand her. One hundred percent understand her. I'd be Weak too, girlfriend. Weak with a capital W.

Fields is brilliant with her emotional manipulation, as well as her storytelling abilities. I don’t know how she makes it to where she can tell a full story when I’m only a quarter of the way through, but knowing there is more to come is what scared me the entire ride. I was so immersed in this book, in the emotions, in the pain. The desire and need her characters ached for was tumultuous at best. It was poetic. It was, quite literally....heartbreaking.

"In case you haven't noticed, you're kind of really fucking beautiful."

In one breath, I'm smiling.....a few pages later, my heart is breaking. I just couldn't reconcile my heart with my mind. This was truly a mess for my mind and heart from the first page until the very end of the book. I was clinging to hope until I turned the very last page. That is what Ella did to me. That is why I love Ella's words so much. It's because it's not always easy and it's not always clean, but it's always meant to be.

"He was a drug, and I'd constantly relapse whenever he was made available to me."

If you aren't a fan of a messy kind of love, you know the kind: the drop down, drag out, break your heart kind of love, then this might not be your cuppa. Ella writes the BEST messiest love. The best. She can give us dirrrrrty like no other. Not dirty as in hot, sexy dirty - although she most definitely can do that. I simply mean, it wasn't a clean read for the heart. My heart got muddled, and if I was having a hard time with some of the actions and reactions going on in this book, I can only imagine Stevie being emotionally connected to both men and being lost in her world. I feel like I lost a piece of my heart in this story. I don't think I've ever walked away from a triangle wishing she chose the other. Does that mean I am mad at the outcome or the book? Hell no. Quite the opposite. That just means Ella took me to hell and back, and that road was a long and bumpy one. But this is also why I love triangles.

"We don't choose who and what we fall in love with, even when it's a hazard to one's self."

Ella's depth in her books amazes me. She gets to the nitty-gritty, deep underbelly of emotion and just dissects it until my heart is just putty, malleable with her words. She nails the depth every time. I never go into one of her books and walk away having not felt it. This one, I felt it on every level and it will sit with me for a very long time. I love when an author can manipulate my emotions with their words - in book form only, obviously. And Ella does that extremely well.

"You didn't forsake the soul to save an organ. Hearts had an expiration date; the soul was immortal."

Here I was, completely excited things were going the way I was hoping, but then she threw in twist after twist until my heart inevitably broke and waited for reparation. I am still sitting in somewhat of a fog, heartbroken. Absolutely heartbroken. The title of this book is so aptly named, it's truth on every level. Turmoil, anguish - I'm feeling it all. I need someone to take all this pain, all this heartache, and dispose of it for me. Kthxbye.

"Forgiveness was a desperate heart's mistake."
~BEE


I'll probably gift way too many copies.....you  know, so you can suffer with me.



~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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Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Book Review for Mile High by B Cranford


MILE HIGH
by B. CRANFORD

They say time flies when you’re having fun, but what about when you’re falling in love?
Bianca Evers is recovering from the end of her marriage to her college sweetheart when she’s seated next to the sexiest man she’s ever seen.

Lucas Hawke is flying home to Australia, still dreaming of something more with the right person when he encounters a beautiful woman with sad eyes.

And now they only have fifteen hours to figure out if their connection is worth upgrading—or just a layover in life . . .



REVIEW: 3 STARS
"I just wanted. In a way I'd never wanted before."

Soooo, this one was uber sticky icky, ooey-gooey sweet.....and that is not my normal jam. Having said that, this was a quick and easy, light read that actually gave me a happily for now ending. Truthfully, I don't feel like I'm missing any of the story if I don't read the next book. I'll be honest, but it's super ridiculously hard for me to read books this light and frilly. However, I will say I giggled and smiled and felt some of the butterflies between them.

Cranford's words were a joy to read - her writing is very easy-going, very jubilant, very boisterous, and I actually love her voice. She made me smile throughout this book, and between the banter and the flirting, the story moved along just enough to keep me turning the pages. I did think it was neat with the fate that these two had meeting each other. I can hear the 'Beth' that I know and love coming out in her story here. I can hear the joking and the excitedness and the lighthearted side of the story. It wasn't a heavy read, and there really wasn't any angst at all - just two people meeting for the first time, and the ensuing, burgeoning relationship.  While I was reading, I couldn't help but want to discover more of their story and I've enjoyed what I read of them so far.

And let me just tell you, I loved Lucas. Like, his personality was smile inducing. His banter with Bianca was giggle-worthy. There was so much chemistry between these two, it was pouring off them. They really were a joy to read. He definitely made me keep turning the pages because, given his Aussie accent, it made me 'hear' the story with said accent - thus requiring a smile from my imagination. I did run across some sayings that I had NO clue as to what they were because they were obviously situational to the dialect Lucas spoke, but I was still able to enjoy the novella.

I struggled a little bit with Bianca and I wasn't really able to connect with her, but I am honestly thinking that this is entirely a "me" thing because with her sweetness came a side that was also emotionally drained and broken, and I have a very hard time connecting with a character that continually refers back to her heartache, or the reason for the heartache....and keeps reminding me of said heartache. I also didn't like the constant comparisons of Lucas and Mason (ex). Again, I know this is a me thing and in general why I had a hard time connecting. But her smiles and her personality as a whole definitely made me think she was a sweetheart and Lucas was lucky to have 'found' her. I really did enjoy their chemistry together and I think they complemented each other well.

I don’t normally enjoy internal monologue a whole lot, and this book was heavy on this. However, with this one I felt like the story was still progressing and it didn't get stagnant - which I find that with a lot of stories with a high amount of internal monologue. Was it cheesy? I mean, in a super sweet, super sticky way - there were some parts that made me smile in conjunction with my eye-roll, but it wasn't overwhelmingly annoying in any way, shape or form. It was the kind that you can't help but smile through.

I am not telling you to not grab this. I am not saying this was bad, because it wasn't at all. I am merely saying this wasn't for me. I also know my limits, so I'm not going to push it either. I don't do this kind of sweet, but it was a cute book.

~BEE



Make sure to grab this one!! I can't gift out FREE books.


THE ARRIVAL OF YOU
Mile High #2

How long does it take to fall in love?
Bianca Evers learned the hard way—after thirteen years with her ex-husband—that not even half a lifetime of love is enough to save her from heartbreak. So the idea of falling for someone in less than fifteen hours? Impossible.

Lucas Hawke is under no illusion that the beautiful American he fell for on their flight to Australia feels the same. She might want him—but just like the women in his past, she’s only thinking of right now.

But sometimes fate intervenes.
And sometimes someone arrives in your life who is meant to stay.
Forever.


~MEET B CRANFORD~ 
B. Cranford is a proud Australian living in the USA, a lover of books, breadsticks and bed, and the mother of two children who are far too similar to their father for her liking. A lifelong reader, she dove into the romance genre on the recommendation of her best friend and hasn’t looked back since. Her debut novel, The Brightest Star, a second chance romance with (she hopes) heart and humor was released on July 13, 2017, which just so happened to be her birthday. Because if you release a book on your birthday, you get twice as much cake, and that can only be a good thing.

~CONNECT WITH BETH~ 

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Sunday, September 22, 2019

Book Review and Giveaway for Written With You by Aly Martinez



When I was fifteen, a single bullet changed my life. I spent the next decade trying to outrun the devastation of my past, building an empire that would shield me from whatever life could throw at me.

But all the money in the world couldn’t help me when I found a screaming newborn abandoned on my doorstep.

I’d never wanted to be a father. Passing the sludge that ran through my veins down to an innocent child seemed like a tragedy. But there she was—pink cheeks, red hair, and mine.

Somehow, against all logic, that little girl became the best thing that ever happened to me. It was impossible to stay lost in the past when I was the only one who could protect her future.

Which is exactly why, when her mother came back four years later, I was ready for battle.

If only I could stop myself from falling in love with her during the war.


REVIEW: 4 STARS
"Because love is an impossible game. Especially when only one person knows the rules."

Warning: With as many twists and turns with this one, the amount that can be discussed without ruining book one, or taking away any element of surprise with the discoveries in this one, this review will be short and sweet. (I mean, hopefully. I never really manage to do that....) With the twist at the end of the first one, I knew going into this one was going to lead to a very emotionally charged Hero and almost scared heroine.

The weird thing is, I think this was the first time I didn't know what I was going to rate an Aly Martinez book. I was so conflicted. Martinez is most definitely a master manipulator with her words and this story was no different. What could be probably wasn't, but what I was for sure wasn't...most definitely was. I loved the growth this couple shared, but I also loved the individuality she gave them as well. I fell in love with his heart but I was angry at his lack of anger. I’m a bitch when it comes to messing with kids. So she left-we all know this, but he gave in quickly - but I can also see why he did. I mean, the reasons were all there, they really were - but I personally had a hard time with how some things went down because I obviously didn't have the full picture. I'm glad Martinez made me look within myself for not only calmness and forgiveness, but also at how I really should try to see the "other side" to things. So...I’m conflicted. Rare occurrence.

I think the only thing that I felt with this finale was that it wasn't as climactic as I was hoping for. Not in a bad way, and as Martinez does so well - I was smiling at the end and pleased with the outcome, but I just imagined a little more "fixing" at the end. But in true AM fashion, she gives a glimpse of the possibility for more character stories, and I love that lead-in and tease. 

To sum it up, this book showcased the brilliance of Aly's words and storytelling capabilities. She can clearly test my patience while telling a magnanimous story as she strings me along a very thin line with my emotions. The heaviness was not to be outdone by the brilliance in her writing. I had to talk myself through my emotions. - walk the paces myself and work through my anger issues, as well as my empathy for both sides - evidence of her brilliance. It was just weird in that aspect for me, but oh-so-good. But, again...this is a true testament to the strength of her writing. She will always keep me reading and wanting to know more with each page turn, with each new book, and I can't wait to read more by her.

"The only reason I hate you is because I can't figure out how to fucking hate you at all."
~BEE

WRITTEN WITH YOU: AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited




WRITTEN WITH REGRET: AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited

My review: http://bit.ly/2WzMYia



~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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Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Book Review and Giveaway for Hated You Then by M Robinson


HATED YOU THEN
by M ROBINSON

I couldn’t remember a time before her... Harley Jameson.

Before she owned me.
Hated Me.
Needed me.

Before I hated her…

Things were simple.
We had an understanding.

Bully. Fight. Hate. It’s what we did.

Mind. Body. Soul. It’s how we loved.

I thought nothing would ever change that, until everything did.

She was mine.
Always had been.
Always would be.
Nothing altered that.

Not how much I hated her.
Not how much she hated me.

Especially, not how much I hated…

That I LOVED her.



REVIEW: 4.5 STARS
"The emotions were running so high, you could choke on them, making it hard to fuckin' breathe."

I'm running on adrenaline right now! What an ending!! Of course, we all know I don't willingly go into duets/trilogies without an end date for my suffering, so I am for SURE hoping Ms Robinson keeps to her release date of November 12th for the final book in this duet because that was an excellent introduction to Jackson and Harley, but also a doozy of a cliffhanger. WOW.

I want to comment on the story itself first - I loved the innocence that these kids possessed. It was my favorite part about this book - no lie, because watching them grow from so young with such strong thought processes was a blast. But I will say, the sexuality felt too hyper-focused at that young age at some times during the story. I'm not saying kids that age don't think and do things that young, but it was a little intense in some spots. Definitely reserved for an older age with the emotions attached - however, having said that, I could also understand the innocence of first looks and first touches and not understanding that zing or that feeling deep in their tummy. That was probably my favorite part. Robinson really set the stage for the love-hate relationship to grow and develop over the years and that was almost comical because of how tenacious the kids were, but more specifically: Harley is most definitely Creed and Mia's daughter. That part was very evident and I feel like Robinson really merged their two personalities well in Harley.

"The irrational thoughts were taking me hostage, and I was right there along for the ride."

These two kids, oh.my.gosh. From a very young age, they fought with pure piss and vinegar. Seriously cracked me up how sharp-tongued and witty Harley was, and how easy going and smooth Jackson was in his comebacks. He was arrogant and she was "proper". It really gave me a chuckle a few times, and that was so fun to watch grow.

It's been a quick minute since I've read M Robinson's books and I missed the last duet and Noah's story - so while I may have felt a little lost in the familial attachments/backstories, it wasn't hard to follow along at all. Most of Robinson's books (lately) have been spin-offs or continuations, and I knew this going in so I am not upset about the connection, because the Good Ol Boys is my favorite series of hers so far. I did struggle with the similarities from her GOB storyline and also her Road to Nowhere series, but not so much that it detracted from the storyline, as you can see from my rating because I really, really enjoyed this one. This can be read as a standalone duet and I can and will happily recommend this book. I liked the emotional ups and downs I felt while reading this story and can't wait for the conclusion.

I cannot help but think of the pain Harley is in right now....but I cannot imagine the fear Jackson is feeling either. Teenage angst - I love it.

"She went from the girl I hated the most, to the one I needed more than anything in this world."
~BEE






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~MEET M ROBINSON~

Wall Street Journal & USA Bestselling Author M. Robinson loves to read. She favors anything that has angst, romance, triangles, cheating, love, and of course sex! She has been reading since the Babysitters Club and R.L. Stein.

She was born in New Jersey but was raised in Tampa Fl. She was pursuing her Ph.D in psychology, with two years left. However, she dropped out of school and became a full-time writer.

She is married to an amazing man who she loves to pieces. They have two German Shepherd mixes, Kobe and trooper, a Wheaten Terrier, Teddy and a Tabby cat, Gio.

She feels blessed to be living her dream.


~CONNECT WITH MONICA~

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Friday, September 13, 2019

Book Review and Giveaway for All the Forbidden Things by Lesley Jones


ALL THE FORBIDDEN THINGS
by LESLEY JONES
When all that you want, is all that’s forbidden...

I’ve known him my entire life.
Before marriage.
Before fatherhood.
Before betrayal.
Now, he’s one of rock’s bad-boys trying to be good.
Trying to be the best father he can for his daughter.
He’s my brother’s best friend.
He’s my boss.
He has a wife.
Max isn’t mine to have, but I want him all the same.
And I haven’t survived all that I have to not go after what I want.

Her story is a tragedy, mine’s a publicity disaster.

Just when I needed her most, she walked back into my life, and the timing couldn’t be worse.
With a newborn baby, a divorce, an album to record, and a world tour to plan, I don’t need the distraction.
She’s off limits.
She’s my best friend’s little sister.
She’s my nanny.
Billie’s a golden drop of sexy sun on a grey autumn day, tempting me into the light and a life full of possibilities.
A life not meant for us.


REVIEW: 4 STARS
"This man. He's been so very badly broken, and yet, still, he has so much love to give."

So in the beginning, I struggled with this one in more than one way and that didn't bode well for my first experience with Miss Jones' writing style. This review also started out on a whole other foot. I ended up putting it down and walking away because I was thisclose to DNF'ing it. I loved the actual storyline and I knew there was more to it, so I knew I needed to step away for a minute and come back to it. I am SO glad I did. Because, let's be honest, the general storyline? I really liked the idea of it. I liked that it was a best friends younger sister trope as that is one of my favorites and I gravitate towards them. Forbidden with reality is one of my favorites...it just is. And so, here I stand corrected and happy that I gave it another go. I really am so happy.

I did have a laugh at myself with myself in the beginning. All the different words, the phrasings, the sayings they use over there - the variables between our languages made me double take at some of the words and it gave me pause and a chuckle and put a smile on my face. Some I didn't even know what was being said, but it still made me giggle.

While it took me a bit to actually warm up to the story, the voice, the style, once it picked up, I was golden. Because when Billie and Max see each other again after all those years....that's when the sparks flew and that's when the story took a turn and I became glued to my kindle. The story became one that I couldn't put down. I love when artistic types of men are portrayed as strong but very in-tune with their feelings - and I feel like Jones nailed Max's character. His visual, his actions - they all worked so well for me and I was able to connect with him and Billie quite easily. It's not always an alpha, growling man taking charge - but sometimes it's the more possessive type with the moody, broody eyes and the heart of gold that pull at your heartstrings. I'm good with both. And the cover most definitely lent a 'picture' as she described everything Max was doing within the book....and it was a nice visual, I won't lie.

Billie went through.....some sh!t. Legit, life changing drama that did pull at my heartstrings a bit. There was some honest emotion within the pages of this book, and her strength shined for me. So, between Max and Billie and their own craziness that they dealt with, their coupledom was a great one to watch unfold.

MY TRUTH: it truly frustrates me when I'm not loving a book or an author's voice as much as others are. When they're raving about how much they loved it, or how it affected them and I'm just not feeling it - that's really hard to swallow sometimes. I know we all love to 'feel' our books, and we love the journey they put us on....but sometimes that journey gets muddied for me by other mitigating factors. It's never generally my mood because I am not a mood reader, but I would be a liar if I said that didn't influence how I perceived a book every once in a while. Usually it's the style of writing, or the way the author inflects the tone with her words. So, for me, this one started out okay, but about one third of the way through, it picked up exponentially and I couldn't put it down after that. The most frustrating parts for me were when I would get repetitive passages. I didn't need a memory from one character and a then a full recount from another - about the same memory. So that made this book seem a whole lot longer than it should have in some spots, and for that I was really bummed. Thankfully, it was short lived because it seemed to stop and the story had a better flow once we got into the crux of the storyline.

I AM VERY ON BOARD NOW. I cannot wait for more books in this world, and I am looking forward to the next book that has been hinted at because, again - #FORBIDDEN.

"Our us involves all of the forbidden things."
~BEE





~MEET LESLEY JONES~

Lesley was born and raised in a small working-class town in Essex, just outside of East London. She’s married with three sons and in 2006 they all moved to the other side of the world, settling on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, about fifty kilometres outside of Melbourne, Australia.

Lesley is currently ‘a stay at home mum’, but in the past, she has worked at ‘good old Mark & Spencer’ for thirteen years and as a teacher’s assistant.As well as writing, Lesley loves to read and has been known to get through four or five books a week, when she’s not writing that is.

Her other interests are watching her boys play football… the round ball version. She’s happy to admit to being an addict of social media and owes a lot to her Facebook and Twitter family in promoting her book. Lesley is also rather partial to a glass or bottle of wine, a nicely chilled Marlborough Sav Blanc being her favourite.

Being a born and raised Essex girl, she will happily admit being a big fan of spray tans, manis, pedis, and is regularly, waxed, tinted and sculpted, although she doesn’t own a pair of white stilettos. 

~CONNECT WITH LESLEY~

FACEBOOK    AMAZON     GOODREADS     TWITTER


ARC REVIEW
AFFILIATE LINKS USED
COPY PURCHASED FOR GIVEAWAY

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Book Review for An Affair in Paris: A Fallen Angel Short Story by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine

AN AFFAIR IN PARIS
by ELLA FRANK 
and BROOKE BLAINE

~ One tattooed drummer
~ One feisty redhead
~ One sexy as sin keyboardist
~ And one smokin' hot night...

What happens when two bandmates from the hottest rock band on the planet hook up with their lead singer’s (off limits) little sister?

Trouble, that’s what.
But lucky for Imogen, trouble is exactly what’s on the menu.



REVIEW: 5 SEXY STARS
"He flashed me a grin that was right on the wrong side of trouble."

If I give this negative 5 stars, do you think Ella and Brooke will come back and try to fix their problem. What problem, you ask? This book was entirely too freakin' short!!! OMGosh, Imogen, Slade and Jagger were all sorts of WOAH. That's my adjective of the day. Woah.

There honestly isn't really much I can say about this novella other than for how short it was, it gave me one long look into the fire that burns between these three and it could/should be easily explored in a full length book. #SelfishBee The dynamic, the sexual chemistry, the heat between these three was so combustible. Absolutely, hands down, holy sh!t, deliciously HOT. Sinfully delicious. I honestly could have read them for days. <sigh>

I am honestly sitting over here, wondering how I can bribe Ella and Brooke into writing Jagger, Slade and Imogen's full story. I know there is one there. The forbidden side. The hiding. The sneaking around. It's all there!! I can feel it. I was in it one minute and then....it ended!!! Argh!!!! Soooo good.

You can take away THREE things from this review:
~ This was HOT
~ This was SHORT
~ I need MORE

For being so short, they sure did pack a lot of heat and action in this one!!

I am on my knees, begging you pleeeaaase, Ella and Brooke. I neeeeed more of this triad and will happily profess my love and desire for more. I have NO shame. None.

"The strained sounds of lust echoed off the walls, as each of us chased after the climax that was so damn close."
~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


PERSONALLY PURCHASED BOOK
AFFILIATE LINKS USED

Monday, September 2, 2019

Book Review and Giveaway for Confessions: Henri by Ella Frank


CONFESSIONS: HENRI
by ELLA FRANK


Good and bad. Right and wrong.
Life would be easy if things were always that simple.
That’s never been the case for Henri Boudreaux.

Son of a criminal. Ex-boyfriend to a Priest.
Henri's made a career out of getting in trouble and avoiding the law.
So when he winds up in bed with it, he knows that things are about to get…complicated.

But what’s life without taking a few risks?
And what’s a risk without the threat of being caught?
No one's ever accused Henri of being good man.
And Officer Craig Bailey is about to find out just how bad he can be.


REVIEW: 4.5 STARS
"That's all I want....that's all I need. Another taste of you."

I just don't think I can describe how much I love Ella Frank's writing with the eloquence it deserves. It's so pure and easy to enjoy and get caught up in. Her writing has a certain air of confidence to it for a subject that intrigues me so. I love MM and there aren't many that can write it with such a flair and not sound over-exaggerated. Her ease and grace flows through her words comfortably, and I feel the love, hear the love, gasp at the pain and sneer at the anger - but she gives it ALL to me, unapologetically.

I get a sense of a smiling high. Never have I read one of her books and not felt a sense of peace and love from them. No, not some hippieish style love, but more of one that she put me through some tragedy or some pain, she showed me a love that I could grasp onto - and then she shared with me how her characters achieved their hard fought HEA. I have never walked away without a smile. A sense of calm and wonder because the love that I got glimpses of throughout her story came back full circle and I'm just left in a happy spot.

"Don't hold back. I wanna hear how good you feel. I wanna know that I'm pleasing you."

Described as a lone-wolf bad boy, seeing a vulnerability that only Henri can hold and own is eye-opening. Does he really own it or does he just live with it? I'm not sure I have a definite understanding of that yet. All I know is my heart is with Henri and all that he's been through and going through. I love that Ella was able to infuse this one with as much emotion as she did while still being true to Henri's character as we knew him, but also as we are coming to know him. Of course, now I'm waiting for Bailey's story and that does make me yearn for more.

Because waiting isn't my forte.
And she's making me.
And now I'm sad.
Because I need more.
I want more.

Ok, fiiiiine - I will wait. <sigh>

I must stress that this can be read as an actual standalone (first in the duet) in her Confessions series, but you do miss out on the character build-up of Henri as we know him now. Seeing his relationship with Priest beforehand plays a role, but not one that you can't pick up this book and jump right in - because you most definitely can.

Ella Frank is an easy 4-5 star read for me, each and every time. While her stories are always a win for me, understanding her prose is my favorite part. Her words dance and her stories titillate - and I will take every chance I get to make sure I am saving room on my calendar to read her latest releases as they come out. I've read nine of her books since I started reading her in March of last year. The entire Confessions Series and her Fallen Angel Series plus the Novella. I am seriously smitten with her words and cannot wait for more.

"Henri was consuming him body and soul, and the more Bailey had of him, the more he wanted."
~BEE


Releases October 28th

If you are interested, here are the purchase links and my review links for the first four books.

PURCHASE ROBBIE:  AMAZON
My review: http://bit.ly/2p5Oi9E

PURCHASE JULIEN:  AMAZON
My review: http://bit.ly/2HtJcuT

PURCHASE PRIEST:  AMAZON
My review: http://bit.ly/2wbv5HN

PURCHASE THE PRINCESS, THE PRICK AND THE PRIEST: AMAZON
My review: http://bit.ly/2zi6Byd

~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
ARC REVIEW
COPY PURCHASED FOR GIVEAWAY
AFFILIATE LINKS USED

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Book Review and Giveaway for Secret Lucidity by EK BLair


SECRET LUCIDITY
by EK BLAIR

This wasn’t supposed to happen.
But it did.
This wasn’t supposed to be my life.
But it was.

I was just a typical girl, living a typical life. Nothing was out of the ordinary until tragedy threw me into a turnstile I couldn’t see my way out of. That was, until him.

I never could’ve imagined my heart falling the way it did. Hard, fast, and with unbounding beauty.

The only problem?
He was off limits.
Forbidden.

But he became my everything, and I became his, so we risked it all. It was only a matter of time until I realized that our risk came with unimaginable consequences.

My name is Camellia Hale and his is David Andrews, and this is our love story.


REVIEW: 2 STARS

Well, darnit. This book was just ok for me. Not great. Not good. Just ok. The fact that yes, this is a taboo read, that was what drew me in originally. I knew I loved the idea of a forbidden love from EK Blair, because I knew she could jack me up and make me fall in love with the 'wrongness' of the story. I knew I wanted it, but it just didn't play out that way. I think my discontent mostly comes from the fact that I didn't connect at all with the heroine. The reality of the situation? The truth? There are REAL feelings. REAL ramifications for actions. REAL problems with what is going on. I definitely liked that about this one, for sure. However, I didn't feel this one like I normally do.

First and foremost, EK Blair has this maturity in her words that is unsurpassed. I like her stories because not only do they make me think and look at the reality of situations, she still makes me fall in love with the underlying storyline. She truly has such an ability to write an amazing story, but sometimes her stories lose their way and I feel like that happened with this one.

This book has a little bit of a bipolar side when it comes to the contents, the cover, the teasers, and the general storyline. It looks like a fantasy book based on the cover, the teasers lead you to believe it's sexy and hot and forbidden, but the content fell short for me and was very basic in terms of a Student/Teacher book. I felt a little lost at some things that were said, and worst of all, I absolutely hated the heroine. I felt like some of the what she said was attention seeking verbal vomit. She was obnoxious and I honestly couldn't stand her. She was a teenager, yes, but she was still annoying and that made it really hard for me to accept how she was handling things, and most definitely affected my ability to connect with this story.

I feel like Ek Blair is a lost soul trying to find her way when it comes to writing her stories. She is such a prolific writer and she has a very poetic cadence to her words. She has the ability to twist us up and pull us in, no matter how touchy the subject is. I have read her books, so I know what she is capable of doing. Her writing is always a 5 star for me. It just so happens that the actual plot on this one wasn't delivered well for me. Maybe some of my distaste comes from the fact that this is marketed/written as a YA book and those are not my favorite. I read select authors for that genre because I know they can deliver, sooooo.....this one just didn't work for me. I know I went into it thinking I was going to get the EK angst and sexiness, but that most definitely did NOT happen this time around. Again, with the sexiness in all the promotional posts, I was expecting one thing and got another. I know this sounds like an overly critical review, but it was still a decent read. I just felt it was blah for me compared to her back catalog.

Having said all that, the opening scene in this book was a punch to the gut and nothing like I expected it to be. While it was the catalyst for the relationship, I didn't much care for the way she acted and how she handled anything. But that's not fair and I'm aware of that, because she was a young student in high school that got her world rearranged by circumstance and that sucks for anyone, let alone a child. I felt like she dragged out some things, and did others for attention. I couldn't reconcile that with my own mentality and personality, so I honestly know that's not fair - but it also relegates her to the 'not relatable' character set. But, you know, *shrug*.... HEA.

Edited since being written: I always write my reviews after I read the book. I try to give an honest account of my emotions after reading the book because I think those are the most honest ones. This one was a roller coaster, but most definitely NOT my favorite of hers. And, to be honest, I have forgotten most of this book. Weird? Yes. Awkward? Most definitely. I also read this before there was a cover and everything surrounding it was sexier and more pronounced. This cover, for the record, is my least favorite cover of any one of Ek's and had I seen this before I read it, I never would have given it a look. I know that is an awful thing to say, but I do not like this cover at all.

~BEE

PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited

◆     ◆     ◆     ◆    ◆

~MEET EK BLAIR~
New York Times, USA Today, and International bestselling author, E.K. Blair, takes her readers on an emotional roller coaster with her books. A former first grade teacher with an imagination that runs wild. Daydreaming and zoning out is how she was often found in high school. Blair tends to drift towards everything dark and moody and has been noted as 'The Queen of Dark and Twisted'. Give her a character and she will take pleasure in breaking them down, digging into their core to find what lies underneath.

Aside from writing, E.K. Blair finds pleasure in music, drinking her Starbucks in peace, and spending time with her friends. She's a thinker, an artist, a wife, a mom, and everything in between.

~CONNECT WITH EK~

FACEBOOK      AMAZON     GOODREADS     TWITTER
AFFILIATE LINKS USED