Monday, May 15, 2017

Book Review for Love Me in the Dark by Mia Asher

LOVE ME IN THE DARK
by MIA ASHER

 Two strangers in Paris ...
One passionate, earth-shattering kiss.

He was the artist upstairs
with the tantalizing smile and laughing eyes.

He was the devil inviting me to sin,
seducing me to dance in the bright moonlight.

He was desire and need.

When he touched me, my body sang.
My soul came alive.

But I belonged to another man,
and he didn't want to let me go.





REVIEW: 4 Beautiful Stars
"Love is cruel for it makes one weak."

I am not entirely sure if I am upset that I expected this to be angsty, or that there just wasn't any angst at all. Because, let's be honest:  Mia is known for her breath-withholding angst. Right?? She just is, and this one had NONE. But, my gosh, the beauty that flowed through this story, and the words that she used while describing this love affair, was just exquisite. It truly was. This book was what book review inspirations are made of. It was really beautiful and a very easy read; one that kept me turning the pages. I highlighted so much and notated so much more than any other book I've read in a very long time! But while I loved the writing so very much, I had a few issues with the actual story, and that is what made this review really hard for me to write. I will be honest while I try to work this out in my heart and my mind, but please understand that I am coming from a place that LOVES Mia's writing and have ONLY known the agony she brings to my heart and I have willingly accepted it.

Characters:
VALENTINA was a meek woman without a backbone of her own. She allowed her husband to redefine who she was and how she acted, and that was really hard to see because you just knew that her heart was always in the right spot. She was always doing for him, or making him happy, making his life easier, all the while she was suffering and losing sight of who she was. That's what made a lot of this hard for me, because I don't generally like weak females. I suppose I could ask myself if she was being strong for the both of them? Do I justify her behavior and actions with my own questions? That's what Mia's writing does for me; she makes me think outside the norm. This wasn't her normal style. This wasn't high angst with questionable actions. This wasn't a fast paced, edge-of-my-seat read. This was a slow moving read that took us through the parallels of all three of the main characters while slowly revealing this unbreakable, undeniable love that was deeply embedded in their souls.

SEBASTIEN was a delicious man with a delicious body and a delicious mouth. Did I mention he was delicious? No? He was. Very delicious. He was sin walking and temptation talking. He was every desire manifested into one delicious man. (Hint: he was delicious) I just loved the way he treated Val and the way he made her feel alive again. He inspired her to start to question her life back home and to realize there was more to life than just living for someone else's needs. With dreamy eyes and smooth lips, Sebastien caresses Val's emotional side with power and ease. He manipulates her self confidence and shows her she's truly desirable. He makes her feel worthy in the sexiest of ways.

"He's danger inviting you to play, and only a fool would accept his invitation, or, perhaps only a fool wouldn't."

Sebastien made this story for me. I honestly enjoyed his character and the ways he made me crave his touch for her. I knew she was married. We saw it. We felt their attraction. He made her weak in the knees and made her unable to think straight. That kind of attraction is so fun to read! But, with Val so stuck on her morals regarding her marriage to her husband William, it made it a little hard to accept that she went back and forth. Do I understand why she would do that? As a married woman, YES, because we are responsible for our actions when we are married.....but, when your husband is a 100% certifiable douche, well that makes it more black and white to me, no grey area at all, whatsoever. From a selfish husband to an enigmatic, romantic and giving lover. She was repressed in her old lifestyle, but accepted it because she was in love. Seb opened her eyes to life and love.

Sometimes our favorite authors write a story that just doesn't quite live up to our own unwarranted expectations. Does that make this a bad story? NO! Hell no. Did I love this story? Gosh, I loved the words. I did. I loved the way it was written and how the words flowed; it was just so beautiful. But I think I kept waiting for a shoe to drop, or for Valentina to get a backbone, or Sebastian to just take her and prove to her what true love really feels like. I felt like I was just.....waiting. After the amazing prologue that gave me chills on my scalp, my hair standing on end, I was hoping for more lip-biting angst and depth. Having said that, don't miss out and don't NOT read this book. I will gift a few copies because it was that beautiful....it really truly was.

I always say a cover makes me look at a book, but the synopsis sells me on a book. At this point, Mia's words steal my senses. I don't need a sexy cover or a witty synopsis. I just need the knowledge that she's writing a book and I will know I'll want to read it. I'm a slave to her words and I'll forever want them in my mind and heart. She is truly an amazing writer. I'm moved by her ability to suck me in and hold me captive from cover to cover because she can weave a forbidden love so erotic and necessary, you forget to breathe. Mia is a top 5 author for me and I will go to her time and time again, without fail because I know she will have all the words I want to read.

“Tell me to go. Tell me to leave you alone.”
“I can’t.”
~BEE
 
PURCHASE:


~MEET MIA ASHER~
My name is Mia Asher.

I'm a writer, a hopeless romantic, a wanderer, a dreamer, a cynic, and a believer. 

And, oh yes...I might be a bit crazy ­ but who isn't?

~CONNECT WITH MIA~
FACEBOOK     AMAZON      GOODREADS     TWITTER
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Thursday, May 11, 2017

Book Review for Real Dirty by Meghan March


REAL DIRTY
by MEGHAN MARCH

Country music's bad boy, Boone Thrasher, takes center stage in USA Today bestselling author Meghan March's brand new stand alone Real Dirty Duet!

I have everything a guy could want—a new single burning up the charts, more money than a simple country boy could spend, and a woman I’m planning to marry.
Until she doesn’t show up for my proposal.
The life I thought was so perfect, isn’t.
The guy who thought he had everything, doesn’t.
I’ve got my heart on lockdown, but life sends me straight into the path of a mouthy bartender who puts me in my place.
Now the only place I want to put her is under me.
I thought I was done with love, but maybe I’m just getting started.

Real Dirty is the first book of the Real Dirty Duet. Boone's story concludes in Real Sexy.

REVIEW: I WANT MORE ~ I NEED MORE!!!
"She's fucking gorgeous when she's pissed."

OMG.....ok? I am in love with Boone Thrasher!! Holy cow. Wow. I mean, honestly it's not all the time that you find a man that is a rich, hot, sexy, talented man AND he wants to settle down and have kids. Sold!! Sign me up!!! This was a one-sitting read that kept me engaged and smiling, from beginning to end. What a fun book!! I'm still smiling.....still, and I can't stop. I am excited to read more. This book was the perfect mixture of one part anger, two parts sexy, and throw in a splash of sass to mix up the heat between these two characters.

THIS WAS ONLY my second book by Meghan March, but it was so fun to read! What a dreamy way to meet "someone" against your better wishes and judgement, realize he isn't who everyone makes him out to be, and he is destroying your idea of the very person that you have sworn to stay away from. Ripley is extremely stubborn, but when a series of events throw things into perspective, she definitely has some eye-opening experiences.

THE CHARACTERS IN this book are honestly extremely likable. Sometimes it's hard to connect with characters, but the stubbornness in BOTH of them was not lost on me since I know I am stubborn as well, but it made it super easy to understand and connect with them. Ripley has so much pride and strength in her personality, and Boone has such a clear sense of self and he is so grounded in who he is and what he has. They worked SO well with each other. They just clicked. Her sassiness was a great addition to him being so down to earth, but that dirty mouth of his?? Mmmm, yes. This book was so very entertaining!

I FEEL LIKE Boone and Ripley, for everything that they are NOT, they are truly kindred spirits, they just had to figure that other part out. The way they met, and how it started out, carved the perfect pathway for a smile-inducing read and it set the tone from the get-go. But once they did, my gosh, I couldn't help but smile and watch as they enjoyed their time together getting to know each other. This really was SO FUN! I really can't stop smiling!!! There were plenty of laughable moments mixed in with everything happening, and Boone had tricks up his sleeve for days. Whole new meaning to a stubborn man getting what he wants! These two were sizzling HOT!!!

I AM NOT one to be excited about a cliffhanger, and I readily admit that, but this one not only ended in an easy spot, it's super comforting knowing the next one is only TWO WEEKS away!!! Talk about perfect timing!!!

"He frustrates me and excites me in equal measure. I want to slap the smirk off his face and then kiss the crap out of him."
~BEE

PURCHASE LINKS:





I WILL BE GIFTING THE DUET WITH MY REVIEW OF BOOK 2.


REAL SEXY IS UP FOR PREORDER AS WELL:


~MEET MEGHAN MARCH~
Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She's also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she's ever had. She loves hearing from her readers at meghanmarchbooks@gmail.com.

~CONNECT WITH MEGHAN~

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ARC REVIEW
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Excerpt for Plus One by Aleatha Romig


EXCERPT
Chapter 1

I push the thought of my mother's call away and concentrate on my friend, Shana. As I do, the slippery napkin escapes my hold. Quickly, I slide from my seat to retrieve it.

"Excuse me," a deep voice says as black leather loafers stop precariously close to where I'm now kneeling to rescue my napkin.

Seeing the shoes, I look up and suck in a deep breath.

Towering above me are long legs covered in tailored trousers. As I follow them up, they lead to a trim waist, a black belt, and a white shirt that buttons over a broad chest. I barely swallow the lump in my throat as I recognize the wide shoulders covered with the matching suit jacket.

Seizing the napkin, I stand, suddenly face to face with one of the owners of the company where I work.

My face burns with embarrassment as his shimmering green eyes narrow and head tilts. Inches away from me is one of the handsomest men I've ever met. He should be on the cover of GQ, not gracing the halls of Buchanan and Willis.

His firm lips form a tight smirk and cheeks rise in amusement. "Miss Jones."

Staring into the sea of emerald, I try to pretend I wasn't just on my knees in a chic restaurant in front of Duncan Willis.

"Mr. Willis," I respond, my voice cracking. Nervously I take a step backward. As if the moment weren't awkward enough, I wobble, teetering precariously on my high heels.

Swiftly, he reaches out, grabs my elbow, and steadies my footing. Though he just saved me from making an even bigger fool out of myself by falling face-first into what I can only imagine is a hard, defined chest, my mind is suddenly consumed with the electricity of his touch. The energy heats my skin as his grasp lingers.



He's sexy and confident, the kind of man every woman notices. You know, the one with the to-die-for body and panty-melting smirk. And then there's the way his designer suits drape over his broad shoulders and big...well, we've all heard the rumors, the ones that say he's up for any challenge.

But I can't see him that way. He's my boss—technically one of the owners of the company where I work—and definitely not in my league. Men like him don't notice women like me, and they don't date them.

And I don't date men like him.

Until that one time that I catch him in a compromising position when I'm also in need of a last-minute date for a wedding...and then it's not real. It's blackmail.

For one weekend, he's my plus-one.

Beautiful and unobtainable.

From the moment she walked into my office with those stunning blue eyes and crazy sensual curves, she's been on my mind. Three years and never once has she acted interested in me. Usually I flash a million-dollar smile and women fall to their knees, some literally.

Not her.

Then on the occasion that I agree to let another woman do that—fall to her knees—guess who happens to catch us?

It may not be the most conventional way to get on her radar, but I didn't get this far in business without knowing when to seize an opportunity. If this sexy little firecracker with perfectly kissable lips thinks she can blackmail me into attending her cousin's wedding, I'm going to jump at the chance to be her plus-one.

PREORDER:


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~MEET ALEATHA ROMIG~
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of nearly thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!

Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers.

Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha's twisted style with an increase in heat. 

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romance with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK will be published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America and represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Browne & Miller Literary Associates.

~CONNECT WITH ALEATHA~

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Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Book Review for Out of the Ashes by RC Boldt



Phoenix /fēniks/: (in classical mythology) a unique bird inhabiting the Arabian Desert that burned itself on a funeral pyre before rising from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle.

This isn’t mythology, it’s war, and Hendy is left in the hands of Hell’s cruelest gatekeepers.

His team is killed before his very eyes, and despite his efforts to save them, he’s captured and subjected to merciless torture—losing virtually every piece of his identity but his pulse.

After his rescue, he returns home from Afghanistan, saddled with facing the daunting task of healing his physical scars as well as the invisible ones—his emotional demons.

Dr. Presley Cole isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. Embarking on a new journey, she makes it her mission to prove to Hendy that his life isn’t over; that he’s worthy of love.

Because sometimes even a phoenix needs help to rise…

Out of the Ashes.


REVIEW: 3.5-4 STARS
"I see you."

Once again, RC Boldt has shared a love story that gave me butterflies and massive smiles. I really enjoy the stories that I've read of hers so far. I loved Clam Jam and now I can add Out of the Ashes to that list! I am going to jump backwards and dive into Out of Love here soon because there is a character I want to "meet" in that book. RC Boldt is most definitely on my "to read" list now. 

ALL OF THE CHARACTERS in this series are ones that I am most definitely excited to be reading more of. I really liked that she utilized ALL of them in this story too. The depth of her characters are really well done. I think it's safe to say that I want to read this entire series, from start to finish. I have fallen in love with Cristiano Hendrixson. Ok? I admit it! "Hendy" is a strong character with admirable traits and he has SO much confidence, but that confidence is marred by his physical appearance and the emotional side effects of what happened to him -- the left over results of being held a prisoner and tortured. What a life, right? And to make it back alive, but still have a constant reminder of your torture has to be a difficult thing to recover from. He is an absolute gentleman. He really was a huge draw for me in this book, and one of the things that made me swoon hard for him was that he was so strong and so alpha mixed into one complex character, but he was so soft and so perfectly sweet on Presley as well. Seriously, so swoony!!! I'm *SO* in love with him and the way he opened up and fell for her. The way he treated her like the princess she was in his eyes, it was so perfect!! So sigh-worthy. He was such a lovable character. 

Presley found herself falling for her patient, yet morally bound to her fiancé. Interesting storyline for sure and you know me...I love these kinds!! Well, it was a little more cut and dry than that, so no angst or nail biting happening on my end, but her fiancé was 100% douche-nozzle material and I am so glad she saw that really quick. Parts of Presley's personality were strong and quirky, fun and admirable, but she had a loving side that was so strong and caring. She really is everyone's friend, and she was so fun to laugh with and laugh at. She, to me, was real and I liked that about her. I would most definitely like to hang out with her!

THESE TWO CHARACTERS had a journey that wasn't easily navigable and crossing a professional/moral boundary provided some drama for them to get through. With all their roadblocks, some feelings were hurt, but in the end it was worth the bumpy ride. I loved their relationship. I loved the dipping of the toes ever so slowly into the waters and the excitement behind a new relationship. I got all the smiles and giddiness from these two falling in love. I loved how they held back, but cautiously moved forward. I also felt the pain these two endured while trying to find their footing and trying to negotiate a relationship with all these hinderances. I just wanted to hug Hendy for everything he was going through....Boldt made it understandable and relatable, and heartbreakingly so.

This book was really really good.....and I know you are wondering why I have a 3.5 star on something that I can sing praises about and will easily and happily recommend. Well, I hate....I loathe....I detest made up drama or unnecessary drama in books. It is one of my pet peeves....drama for the sake of drama. This book did not have a ton of it and I am not saying that it did, but there was some added in that just made me roll my eyes while reading it. I know that Hendy is self-conscious about his scarring, and I know that causes some discord between him and Presley as well. It's a hard thing to accept and deal with, and knowing there are people out there that stare and ask questions, that adds to that self-consciousness on every level. What I don't get (and maybe it's just me) is that there are people that would honestly call him out and stand up to him, mocking him, taunting him on the streets? Again, maybe it's just the grown-up in me questioning why any <mature> adult would do this....but then to have them run away cowering? Doesn't make sense to me and didn't add value to the storyline in that manner. It's a trend I just don't like to see. I know it enforced his disgust for people to see his face the way it is, but it just struck me as odd, because it happened a few times and that was it -- but it's not an explorable avenue, so it's just a way to make me as a reader pissy. I don't like that, that's all. Personal preference. 

And the other thing I honestly didn't enjoy was the over-used backstory of the parents of the main characters that try to dictate or govern their kids' life. Again, not super dominant in this storyline, but it still leaves a salty taste in my mouth. I'm most definitely over that trend because if you are strong in your every day decisions; you run your own business, fall in love, stand up to douche-nozzle men and have a beautiful confidence and make daily decisions in your own life.....why do you let your parents influence or cause problems in it? I just don't get it. I don't. I am *so* glad she had the inner-strength that she did. I found that to be very admirable. She made a decision and stuck to it; professionally and personally. Again, just personal preference.

I love RC's wit. I love her banter. I love the seriousness and the truths behind her characters. She writes everything I look for in a book that keeps me interested and continually turning the pages and seeking more. RC Boldt is definitely on my list of more books that have to be read. I am loving what I've read of her so far. She is a two-time win for me, and she is easily recommendable for me because she has a relatable ease to her storytelling and she makes me swoon while reading her love stories. Bring on Kane's story....I'm ready!!!! I'm hoping his story will be told in Out of Hope, the third book in this series. I need more. I want more. I will have more!!! I am loving these characters of hers!

"Because you make me feel everything."
~BEE


PURCHASE LINKS:
Google Play: https://goo.gl/UqoM87

~MEET RC BOLDT~
RC Boldt is the wife of Mr. Boldt, a retired Navy Chief, mother of Little Miss Boldt, and former teacher of many students. She currently lives on the southeastern coast of North Carolina, enjoys long walks on the beach, running, reading, people watching, and singing karaoke. If you're in the mood for some killer homemade mojitos, can't recall the lyrics to a particular 80's song, or just need to hang around a nonconformist who will do almost anything for a laugh, she's your girl.

~CONNECT WITH RC~

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Friday, May 5, 2017

Book Review and Giveaway for Sex in the Sticks by Sawyer Bennett



Wake up and feel the wood! In the first of a series of irresistible standalone romances from New York
Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett, a city girl rediscovers love and lust in the Alaskan wilderness.

Valentine French may be the sassiest dating columnist in New York City, but the abundance of metrosexuals in her adopted metropolis is seriously cramping her style. Where are the beefy all-American boys? Hoping to find some inspiration, Val heads to Alaska, where the men outnumber the women fifteen to one and wrestle grizzly bears for sport. Or so she can only imagine. Suddenly the most eligible bachelorette in a town full of horny lumberjacks, Val is writing her best columns ever. But if she doesn’t get her nose out of her laptop, she just might miss out on Mr. Right.

Logan Burke is the sheriff of the little podunk town that Val finds so charmingly backward. He’s not that different from the guys she’s using for her little experiment; it’s just that one date would never be enough for Logan. As he listens to Val complain about love over beers in the local tavern, he realizes that she can’t see the forest for the trees. Because if she would ever give up her Prada bags and fourteen-dollar martinis, Logan would give her the only luxury that matters: his heart.

REVIEW: 4.5 STARS
"I know it's a double standard, but apparently there is some Neanderthal in me after all."

THIS. This one was classic Sawer Bennett. I know I read her all the time. I know I share her all the time. I know I tell you to read her books all the time. LET THIS BOOK THE ONE. No matter if it's hockey or sex clubs, friends to lovers or murder mystery....Sawyer Bennett has a way of sucking you right into a story with understanding and depth. THIS one was a FUN book! I read this one with giggles and glee!!! So funny and so good.

The premise was a little different for me, so I knew this one was going to keep me entertained. I was honestly curious how SB was going to endear me to a rich socialite who was going to "rough it" in the wilderness of Alaska. It didn't sound plausible to me. I mean, a spoiled "rich bitch" being all pretentious and expecting things done for her and being a snot? Yes, I had preconceived notions but SB blew them out of the water. So fun! I'm still smiling from this book!!

LET'S TALK ABOUT these characters!! Valentine was not your typical socialite. Once you dive down deeper in the "who you are" category of her, you see she is a talented and educated woman that lives life and has a good head on her shoulders. I really liked her. She wasn't pretentious. She wasn't rude. She wasn't hoity-toity. She was a very confident woman setting out to do something fun. And what a culture shock she had! Giggle worthy moments mixed in with some sweet moments, I really enjoyed her character depth.

As for Logan? Oh my gosh. I am a sucker for a gentleman without pretense. Logan was a confident man, but very sweet and I loved it!! I almost think "sweet" isn't the right descriptor for him. He was an understated alpha, but sweet as sin. He was genuine....true, real, down-to-Earth. Any way you describe it, he was perfect. It feels like he had two sides, but he really didn't. Logan made sure to take care of business, and he did it with chivalry and courtesy. He was such a good guy! Logan has to be one of my favorite characters from SB. He was perfect!! OH!!! And he has a dirty mouth.....just saying.

This story was everything I needed and wanted in a story and SB did it justice. Her writing is so descriptive. the smiles are totally contagious while you read this one. These characters were so full of heat and intensity in the bedroom, but I feel like the passion they had was in their experiences they shared with each other. I loved watching their relationship grow. Was it without bumps in the road? No. Not at all, but they grew from their mistakes too. While it started off a little slow, it was a GREAT read for me. I can't recommend it enough!!!

And this is a standalone in a new series....let the excitement continue!

"And now here she is, sitting next tome looking like she stepped out of a glossy fashion magazine and smelling amazing too, and I might as well enjoy this..."
~BEE


PURCHASE LINKS



Google Play: http://bit.ly/2g2cfJ2 


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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.

~CONNECT WITH SAWYER~

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