Book Review and Giveaway for Straight Up Love by Lexi Ryan

STRAIGHT UP LOVE
by LEXI RYAN

For my 30th birthday, I’m giving myself the one thing I want most: a baby. Sure, this would be easier if I had a husband—or even a boyfriend—but I refuse to be thwarted by minor details.

When I drunkenly confess my plans to my friends, they convince me to ask Jake Jackson for help. Jake, the best friend who’s been there for me through thick and thin. Jake, who also happens to be smart, funny, ridiculously good looking, and the winner of all the genetic lotteries.

So when Jake takes me up on my request—with the stipulation that we get the job done the old-fashioned way—I’d be a fool to decline.

The only problem? I don’t know if I can separate sex from all the things I feel for this amazing man. If I can’t keep my heart under lock and key, I risk losing the relationship I need the most.

Jake has his own reasons for granting my baby wish. But when I discover his secrets, it could mean the end of us. I have to choose—run or stay and fight for love.

Fall for the boys of Jackson Harbor in Lexi Ryan’s sexy new contemporary romance series. These books can all be read as standalones, but you’ll enjoy reading them as a series!

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REVIEW: 4 Stars

"I want all the things I've spent years aching for and denied myself."

I am just so in love with this series. <sigh> I enjoy these brothers very much, and the love they give and the support they show for everyone is smile inducing. It really is!  With each book, I find myself falling deeper in love with another man from the Jackson family. So far, each book has been a journey, saturated with emotions and feelings I didn't see coming. Jake is the best friend of best friends...and you could see it. I loved their story, but I'm tellin' ya, I loved me some Jake something fierce!

I couldn't help but fall in love with Jake a lot more with this emotional addition to The Boys of Jackson Harbor Series, and I already knew I wanted to read his story after meeting him in The Wrong Kind of Love, but I just felt so sad for him while reading this one. Not bad....just, I didn't envy the position he was in. The pull he felt for Ava was so sweet, and I loved the way he made her feel safe and secure, but also sexy and desired. I mean, we all love a man that is so confident in himself that his sweet side is also confident and not so insecure. One thing I saw in him repeatedly and easily was the sincerity in his affections for Ava. Yes, they were best friends, but it would also seem a story about unrequited love. I loved seeing both sides of this one because feeling and seeing their pull towards one another was so real. Secrets and drama aside, their friendship was the foundation for an amazing love.

There seriously is not a selfish bone in Jake's body!!! There was not one thing about him I didn't love...mistakes and all! And knowing his sweetness, I have to say this story played out on Jake's every emotion!! Oh man, I felt his pain, his desperation, his need for Ava....and gosh, I felt so bad for him. His struggle is what I loved reading, but his conviction and character was strong! I know that sounds mean that I enjoyed his struggle and his pain, but it was just written so well. I felt his desire, I smiled through his small victories, and I reveled in their love. I love that Lexi can write a man's POV with conviction. She is able to make me believe and feel, while not making it sound so feminine. I love it!! And Jake's mouth....I could just feel his breath on my neck, and the chills on my skin as Lexi was telling me how he whispered naughties in her ears. Mmm mmmm, good.

"He nips at my neck and sucks. When I release a soft cry, he groans into my ear. "Christ. You're going to be my undoing, Ava."

Lexi added quite a bit of backstory and depth with this one. The weird part was, some of it didn't seem pertinent at the time I was reading it, but as I got deeper into the story, it was nice to see it all piece itself together and it made for some aha! moments. I never question Lexi's writing, so I knew there was a method to her madness with all the info she was giving us, but it always amazes me to be able to read it and see it come together. I loved that she was actually giving me some depth to the characters and the overall story. She's telling me Ava and Jake's love story, while filling in some more of the plot for more books to come, giving me insight on the other family members. All the while, adding another level to the base of this familial story and it made it more rich and enjoyable for me.

Lexi is such a solid writer with a penchant for sexy and sweet reads, yet they always pack some heat too. You know that ease and comfortability of sinking into an author's words? That's what Lexi's are. Comfortable. She endears you to her characters, like they are your best friends and you are along on their journey. It was no different for this story. I love these Jackson boys and once again I am looking forward to the next story -- Levi's story is coming in August! That boy is gonna be a heartbreaker, of course with something to hide! Add it to your TBR HERE. 

"I like the earth steady and solid beneath my feet, but Jake's offering the wind in my hair, the thrill of the fall."

~BEE

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~MEET LEXI RYAN~

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

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Book Review of Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

UGLY LOVE

by COLLEEN HOOVER

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she doesn't think it's love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

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REVIEW: 5 Perfect Stars

Originally posted September 28, 2015

So, I'm pretty sure that I am the LAST person to have ever read Ugly Love....and MAN!!! What a book....Colleen has over 2500 reviews on this book and I must say, I should have never waited this long to read a CoHo book! I have quite a few more of hers to read, so I will be binge reading her books.

I. Am. In. Love.

Seriously....based on this book alone, she has to be one of my favorites. I know! I know! How can I say this if I've only read ONE of her books? The way I felt AFTER reading this book, and the firestorm of emotions I felt WHILE reading this book, solidified this for me. Pure ease in her words...she flows effortlessly. I'm just in awe and I loved it! I smiled, I frowned and I giggled...so so so very good.

Seriousy, WOW! I want to jump up and down and wave and squee because I want everyone to know what this book did to me!! I am not going to be able to say anything that others haven't already said, but I can say that THIS book hooked me immediately and then it keptme engaged. I read it nonstop and couldn't put it down. I didn't want to stop....I couldn't. Talk about a heavy read, but amazing and real. Like, how do you explain the sadness, the heartbreak, the love and the euphoria? Oh man...it was SO good!!!

This was the first CoHo book I've read, but I have bought 8 of them. (Shhhh!!!) This was also the first paperback I've read since October 2012, so there was no highlighting for me...but it sorta felt nostalgic with the fact that I was reading an honest love story in a real book. Maybe that doesn't really mean anything....but it sure felt nostalgic to me. Hahaha! This was mailed to me by a fellow reader (thank you, Amy!!!!) who said I had to read it.....and so I finally made some reading time and I am SO excited I finally did. What a beautifully heartbreaking and breath-catching book. It's a story of growth and love and life.....<sigh> Just so beautiful. So meaningful. So fascinating. I am so in love and can't wait for this movie to come out. I am so ready.

I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone that wants an honest read with no made up drama and a true to life heartbreak that needs fixing. I loved this book. Honestly and truly loved it.

~BEE

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~MEET COLLEEN HOOVER~

Colleen Hoover is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including the #1 bestseller, Hopeless. She lives in Texas with her husband and three children. She is the founder of The Bookworm Box, a book subscription service which donates 100% of its proceeds to charity. She also owns The Bookworm Box, a specialty bookstore located in Sulphur Springs, Tx.

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I first met Colleen at a signing in Seattle in September 2013 while I was carting around a friend's books for signatures, and she was the most genuine author I had ever met. Ever. And then I saw her again in Portland in March 2014...and she was still just as amazing.

                            

Why does this matter? Because I had never read her before (I was a brand new blogger in 2013), but she was still as gracious as ever, took the time to talk to me and was the nicest person and made me feel at ease being a new reader/blogger....and that really translated over in her writing. Seriously. If you follow her posts, you know how nice and genuine she truly is.

Book Review and Giveaway for Sombra by Leslie McAdam

SOMBRA

by LESLIE McADAM

Everything in moderation. Including virtue.

I step off the plane in Madrid and meet his warm eyes. His crooked smile. His devastating charm.
Worse, he’s courteous. Honorable. Sensuous. Impossibly attractive.

Tavo awakens my desires—my body—without even touching it.
I don’t want to be attracted to him. I’ve made my promises.
My future has already been determined. I'm wearing a ring.

But I can't control this pull to him.
He wants to explore my shadows.
I want to get out of the light.

I shouldn't feel this way...
Problem is, I can't restrain my heart.

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REVIEW: 2 STARS

THIS ONE STARTED OUT so promising.....so very promising, but the delivery seriously ruined it for me. I wanted sensual. I wanted hot and heavy. I wanted mind-blowing, nail biting sexy. I guess I just expected more. I mean, he is an olive maker and he has a deep need to dominate her, and she is feeling such intense emotions with him. It should have read as sensual, but it was comedic. And I mean that with all due respect. I was taken in at first, I will admit. But once I got deeper and some of the different nuances started to become the norm, I then realized it was the writing and not the story.

While I feel a bad story can be written beautifully, sometimes a good story can be written horribly, and that's where I sit with this one. Her analogies? They were nothing short of.....interesting, for the lack of a better word. For such an amazing storyline, the writing in this one was quite awkward, to say the least. I was just hoping for a heavy, warm and sensual read and I just didn't get that. I am not entirely sure I would necessarily recommend this book, because while I was frustrated with the way it played out and was written, I laughed long and hard at a lot of the things that were written/said. I know that sounds horrible, but it was not my idea of a great read. It had it's rare moments of brilliance, but the awkward severely out-shined those brief moments. This one felt like two teenagers falling instantly in love and playing house, and that is not a visual I wanted when the idea behind it was not that intention.

This book was FULL of some verbiage that just made this more juvenile and comedic than it should have been - like, I seriously shook my head or laughed way too hard. For a story that was supposed to be sexy, this one seriously missed the mark in many places. These are the ones I highlighted that made me shake my head. Again, completely awkward:

"Circling my O zone like I was a delicacy" No words....

"My body releases wetness into my panties. I'm so turned on." Literal description....thanks?

"My lady bits flooded with sensation." Lady bits?

"I come, semen gushing out" Well, when you come....it's semen. Surprise!

"Why did you slap me?" "Because I want you. I want you so bad." (WTF!!?)

"My tongue dances flamenco with his. Sevillanas, tango, cha-cha. A dance of devotion which becomes frenzied. I kiss him back like no one knows I'm kissing him. No one does. It's my little secret." Again, what??

"While his ramrod cock strains in his jeans and butts against my bare legs." Umm....ok?

"He grunts as I unzip him and feel his cock over his underwear. It must be perfect. Not porn star huge, but plenty big." Oh gosh....I'm at a loss for words.

"And he keeps going and thrusting and somehow it makes my body come even more alive. I can feel the atoms move. I can feel the electrons swirling around." Really....?

"He's wrung me out like a wet cloth, and I'm now limp and needing to gather up my power so we can connect again." Not gonna even.

"....licking my newly bare bits." FFS....if you can say cock, you can say pussy.

"...since my now-weeping erection doesn't like to be rejected." Oh my....

And last but not least: "Having her in my bedroom makes my heart soar up into the clouds, become one with the atmosphere and evaporate into the heavens."

I could see where the author was trying to take this book, but the words.....were just words. They didn't play out as emotional words, leading me to side-eye a lot. Kim's "darkness" was not really dark AT ALL, at least...that's what I got out of it. She complained of these tethers, yet if you broke them down, there was either a lack of communication or confidence in her own voice. It played out a lot differently for me than intended, and it came across as forced emotional talking points. His shadows were not really of the magnitude that they needed to "explore each other's shadows" and that made me roll my eyes more than I should have. Again, the delivery missed the mark for me on this one and I'm honestly sad about that.

This author literally writes in the opportunities for any sort of action or consequence, not allowing the story to progress naturally. I know that sounds stupid for me to say, because DUH, she's a writer, but it was forced. It was almost as if she was willing things to happen. I am not entirely sure if I am going to read her again, because while I see she has the ability to tell a story, she doesn't exactly flow for me and she makes even the sexiest of things weird with her word choices. It was just....awkward. Comedic. Weird. Unfortunately, this kind of read is what scares me for trying new to me authors. That synopsis screams sexy. It just didn't play out that way.

I will say this much. I loved Tavo and his passion for his dreams, as well as Kim. He was a compassionate man and it definitely showed in the way he wanted to take care of Kim. He was so good to her. He was romantic, respectful and in tune with her. There was a sensual side to him that peeked out every now and then. I really did like him. Kim, not so much. She was dry and boring, and overtly annoying. What 20 year old has never pet a cat, or needed to be shown how to hold a knife for cutting vegetables? Or tries to smokes because she never has and wanted to? She tried to 'break out of her shell' and become this other person, but every single action felt like a cry for attention. She was a complete ditz for me, jumping up and down clapping her hands in excitement like a 12 year old? Come ON! I felt like screaming, "Don't make her out to be a bimbo just so he can help her!!!" It was rough and I really had a hard time making it through the last 60% of the book because of her and her actions, but at 84% I was mentally screaming at her and her immature reasonings for leaving him. Yes, this book made me ragey a few times, but here's the deal. I liked the story itself. The female; meh. The male; yessss! I know....I'm shaking my head too. I know this sounds mean, but this one did NOT work at all. Not even a little bit. And that sucks, because I really wanted it to. It is never my intention to be rude, ever, and I know this comes across as such, but it is my honest opinion. My favorite part was the sexy as hell cover she slapped on this one.

I make good on all my promises. If you would like to win a copy of this book, ENTER HERE.

"Wishing things were different is a fool's desire."
~BEE

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~MEET LESLIE McADAM~

Leslie McAdam is a California girl who loves romance, Little Dude, and well-defined abs. She lives in a drafty old farmhouse on a small orange tree farm in Southern California with her husband and two small children. Leslie always encourages her kids to be themselves - even if it means letting her daughter wear leopard print from head to toe. An avid reader from a young age, she will always trade watching TV for reading a book, unless it's Top Gear. Or football. Leslie is employed by day but spends her nights writing about the men you fantasize about. She's unapologetically sarcastic and notoriously terrible at comma placement.

Always up for a laugh, Leslie tries to see humor in all things. When she's not in the writing cave you'll find her fangirling over Beck, camping with her family, or mixing up oil paints to depict her love of outdoors on canvas.

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Book Review and Giveaway for Bittersweet Always by Ella Fields

BITTERSWEET ALWAYS
by ELLA FIELDS

Toby Hawthorne was an enigma.
One I didn’t factor into my college plans.

I wasn’t looking for love.
I wasn’t not looking for it either.
And in that state of in-between, he found me.

Unaware of the battle he fought everyday, I fell fast.
By the time I found out, it was too late.
Because I wanted everything.
Every broken, lost part of him.

I knew I couldn’t fix him.
I could only love him.
But I should’ve known better than to think that was enough.

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REVIEW: 5 HEARTBREAKING AMAZING STARS

"Because life will happen. Happen with it, but...don't let it change who you are."

I knew I wanted Toby and Pippa's story the minute I finished Suddenly Forbidden. There was a mystery behind who he was and the heart that he stole. I was excited for the point of view change. We got to see a little of the interactions between Toby and Pippa, but it was nice to get the 'other side' of what we saw the first time.

After reading Bittersweet Always, my heart....it hurts. While it basically started off where we left in Suddenly Forbidden, some things were described that happened in the first book, but they partially overlapped as well to catch us up in this one, so if you hadn't read it yet, now is definitely the time. I want to share this with as many as I can...because the message needs to be shared. It's a love story, but it's a truthful story too. There were flirty little dates, eyes dancing, hearts floating and smiles stretching. But it was also hard to see Toby suffer, and so painful to see Pippa try to help, but it showcased a love that had strength and courage as well. To see so early on that there was a certain aspect to him that needed order and control, you are immediately infatuated and sucked into Toby's mind. He was meticulous in his observations, in his life, and I loved the way he 'memorized' her. His thoughts were a good indication as to what he was dealing with, and then to find out everything that was going on, it was a whirlwind of emotions until the very end of the book.

"His touch was feather soft, a screaming contradiction to the turbulent intensity of his eyes as he stared down at me."

I completely connected with this story....Ella has power in her words and she wields that power thoughtfully and bravely. The ability to tell this type of story that carries such a heavy subject and to do it justice with heart and compassion, that tells me something about the depth of her ability. It's no secret that I have read and loved Ella's books before, but this one was on a whole new level. But she gave a voice to those that were struggling and I loved that. It's such a silent struggle a lot of the times, and it takes devotion and understanding to wade through the hard times. What an emotional journey. What a tear-worthy book.

Ella did such an amazing job shedding some light on mental illness, how it's perceived by both the one carrying the burden, and the family and friends that are affected by it. There is such a fine line between the anger and the pain, but also the love and the joy, and I loved how she danced that line because she did it with finesse. She showed how painful it is for all involved, and she showed how the love can overshadow that pain....but also how that pain can cast a dark cloud on the love. It's an overwhelming feeling, but it's a beautiful one too. It's a two faced feeling, but it's a passionate one too.

Ella Fields is fast becoming one of my go-to authors because she has the ability to evoke feelings and emotions and it seems so effortless within her storylines. Her words flow. Her stories elevate. Her characters are alive. I loved the Lion and his Birdy. I loved their dance. I loved their struggle. I loved this book.

"Heartbreak bleeds into almost everything, turning what was once vivid and glossy to dark and flat."
~BEE

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~MEET ELLA FIELDS~

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

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Book Review and Giveaway for Knotted by Pam Godwin

KNOTTED
by PAM GODWIN

I try to forget her.
It’s impossible.

Growing up together, Conor and I shared all our firsts.
First love, first kiss, first…
Not all our firsts.

We were sixteen the night she was violently assaulted while I helplessly watched.
I’ll never forget the sounds of her suffering.
Or my inconsolable agony when she left Oklahoma.

Years later, she returns to honor our teenage pact.
Except the boy she loved is gone, replaced by a ruthless cattle rancher knotted with secrets.
She doesn’t know my dark cravings or the trails of sin that lead to her.

I don’t deserve her, but one truth remains.
She’s mine.

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REVIEW: 4.5 STARS
"We're stronger than hellos and goodbyes and deeper than beginnings and ends."

For my first read of Pam Godwin's, I would say this was a definite win for me. Her descriptions are vivid and the pictures she paints with her words are fantastic! Her cadence was easy to follow and her words flowed so smoothly, making the movement almost feel rhythmic. So easy to read. I just had a really good time getting immersed in this story and the actions and consequences of everything going on around these central characters. I'm excited for the next two books because I have already fallen in love with the characters and their direction.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I feel like I must note that the assault discussed in the synopsis was very brutal. Very descriptive. Very.....horrific. But, having said that, I feel like it set the tone for me as the reader to understand the depth of Jake's devotion to Conor. As painful as it was to read and "live through it" with Conor, I couldn't put it down and I couldn't look away. I read it through one long, shocking, wide-eyed gasp. I knew at that moment, not only was this story going to be intense, but Jake's love was going to prove to be the kind you swoon and blush over. I just knew it. Profound in every sense of the word, he was going to save her from her own demons - his way.

Her rock.
Her champion.
Her lover.
Her protector.

The confidence in Jake was beyond intense. He knew Conor was IT for him...his future. I loved seeing him reign in his desires and needs just to protect Conor, but when he got to let it out and let her know the truth of his heart? Oh goodness, that was sexy. He was so strong and so determined, but so persistent and so patient. Jake was the epitome of strength and sexy mixed together. There was conviction in his soul and love in his heart, and he wanted nothing more than to take care of Conor.

"I'm everything when I'm with her and nothing without her."

Jake and Conor's dynamic was very interesting to read - the truest of loves defying all odds. I love it when an author's words can take me deep into the emotions the characters are feeling and dealing with, and Pam did that with finesse. I was completely caught up in it all and literally biting my nails throughout this entire book. Stomach-clenching good. Conor had some serious issues stemming from her assault, and the fact that Jake was the man that he was? This man put her first, no matter how difficult the decisions were. He also knew when to push Conor and when to change up his tactics. Jake really made this one amazing for me, but Conor stole the show with her strength and convictions. There was such a strength in her pain....in her self pity. In her retrospect. She was a neat character to learn and watch grow. Two very strong characters, with a story worth reading.

"Impatience is my enemy. Insatiable desire is my weakness."

Surprisingly, I was expecting some deviously HOT and sexy times. I mean, she said this was dark and sexy.....so I was expecting that. Yet, I didn't necessarily get that. (Don't hate - remember my rating up there) Even though there were some hot times - I'm not denying that one bit, I felt like more heartfelt emotions are what I got - and that may have been because of Jake. He seriously had the patience of a saint. But, as naughty as Jake was, and as sexy as his thoughts were, he had nothing but respect and patience for Conor and everything that she went through. I really enjoyed their story and smiled throughout quite a bit of it. Whether it was Conor's sass or Jakes persistence, I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. I wanted to soak up their love. It was a beautiful thing to read.

I am not normally one to read suspense and action within my romances. Nothing against it, it just doesn't always work for me. Well, leave to an author that knows her craft very well to change my mind. Pam was able to infuse this story with some sexy times, some suspenseful reality, some gut-wrenching pain, and a ton of pleasure....she had it all in this book! I started this at midnight....read until 3 am because I lost track of time, and then finished it the next day. I will be reading more of Pam's work; no truer truths than that!! I loved her words.

"You don't need me to fix you. You need me to sit with you in the sadness."
~BEE

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~MEET PAM GODWIN~

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Pam Godwin, lives in the Midwest with her husband, their two children, and a foulmouthed parrot. When she ran away, she traveled fourteen countries across five continents, attended three universities, and married the vocalist of her favorite rock band.

Java, tobacco, and dark romance novels are her favorite indulgences, and might be considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with blinking eyes.

~CONNECT WITH PAM~

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