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.

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Book Review for Blood Type by KA Linde

BLOOD TYPE
by K.A. LINDE

For Reyna Carpenter, giving up her body isn’t a choice. It’s survival.

In a civilization laid waste by poverty and desperation, Reyna accepts a high-paying position with the wealthy and hungry vampire elite. Her new job is as the live-in blood escort for the intimidating, demanding, and devilishly handsome Beckham Anderson. He’s everything she expected from a vampire, except for one thing—he won’t feed off her.

Reyna soon discovers that behind Beckham’s brooding, wicked façade lies a unique and complex man. And that, in a dark and divided world, she is more valuable than she ever would have believed.

For with each passing night, Reyna can’t shake the sensation that it’s Beckham who’s afraid of her.

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REVIEW: Still deciding.....

"Every journey begins with one step."

I am aware it is rather odd of me to withhold a star rating until I have fully completed a series, but there is a reason with this one. Bear with me as I try to maneuver my way through my first Vampire PNR and how I felt about the story and the writing as a whole. And yes, you are reading that correctly: I, The Book Bee, read a PNR book with a vampire in it AND. I. LIKED. IT. Weirdly enough...I liked it a lot. I was completely drawn in to the story development and the different nuances this one had. However, as much as I liked it, I also had some issues with it. Not enough to push me away from reading more of the story; just enough that I felt I needed to mention them. 

I am not a huge fan of third person; a lot of the time it's because it's just not written well. It doesn't flow well for me, and sometimes it keeps you on the outside of the story, looking in - not really feeling a part of it. Sometimes my ability to connect with the characters is even inhibited. Unfortunately, such was the case with this book. In general, it felt very scripted for a good amount of the book before it started to flow. Maybe it was me needing to warm up to KA's style of writing, or maybe it was the POV. I'm not sure, but being in that POV, it separated me from the actual emotions of the book and being in Reyna's shoes. It did, however, allow me to watch everything happen from afar. Which, if I think about it, is probably what I needed since I have never read a book in this genre and I needed to experience this one a little differently.

Also, if I'm going to be nitpicky here, Reyna was obnoxiously irritating. Why? I am not entirely sure why she was, but she most definitely was. Her job, her desire for this change, and her reasonings behind it all made sense, but her actions disputed that sense. Some attitude was justified, but many of her childish rants and tantrums were just that: childish. She didn't come off as strong and independent. She came off as bratty and immature. For someone who had nothing, she sure was ungrateful. I'm not bemoaning the fact that she had an attitude and rightfully so. Not at all. I just didn't care for her character as a whole. She could almost be described as wishy washy. I wrote in my notes that she was "stubbornly wretched". Her anger and rudeness were contradictory to some of her statements/actions, so I had a very hard time warming up to her. But again, she was going through something I can only imagine, so I had to dismiss her insufferable antics to get through some of the scenes. I realize she was in a situation she didn't want to be in and I can totally recognize that. Even though I felt she was completely out of line in some aspects, if I had to put myself in her shoes, I would probably be a bitch too. {{just saying}}

"Beckham was an enigma wrapped in a mystery."

That quote couldn't be any more true. Was Beckham perfect? No. He was was so closed off and too controlled to allow himself to feel anything. But there was something about him that I needed to discover through this story. His reasoning....his why. I wanted to know what was going on with him and I loved seeing his control break and him losing himself with Reyna, no matter how brief it was. That 'break' is what I looked forward to. I didn't necessarily feel their blooming love immediately though - it felt like it came out of left field. In the beginning, their relationship felt very clipped, almost forced. I was 'told' about this love long before I ever felt it, but I did eventually warm up to it and them and the book went a little more smoothly for me.

Having said all that, I know it sounds like I didn't like this book, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Even though I had some issues, I did actually really enjoy the storyline. Having never read a Vampire PNR, it definitely made me want to read more in this genre, but I felt like I was overly picky because I was paying attention to every little detail. I liked the way this one was different than anything I've ever seen before (I can only compare to movies/tv series that I've seen - lame, I know), but I liked the vision K.A. Linde was affording me through her tale. Overall, this fantasy world had me turning the pages, because as irritated as I may have been, I was really curious as to where the story was going - I was genuinely intrigued. I may have struggled, but I couldn't put it down and that is such an anomaly for me, but it also says something. I warred with myself between the writing and the storyline, but I have to say the storyline won out. I normally would have put the book down and walked away without looking back, but there was just something about it that really sucked me in. {{NO pun intended}} I'm very interested in seeing the outcome for Reyna and Beckham play out. I actually can't wait to read more of this series, as well as some other Vampire/PNR books. I'm looking forward to BLOOD MATCH and BLOOD CURE. 

~BEE

P.S. to my review: The writing in this book was quite literally jarring. We get a sentence. Then a period. We get a reaction. Then a period. We get an action. Then a period. It was very awkward to read. Where are the conjunctions? Where are the commas and the embellishments? Lengthen those sentences. Make the words talk! Make them pop!! Don't make them sit on a page, stagnant and not moving. The structure was almost elementary in form and it was quite distracting. I was told this was not indicative of her normal writing style; that this may be a publisher editing/indie writing difference. I can only hope.

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~MEET K.A. LINDE~

K.A. Linde is the USA Today bestselling author of more than fifteen novels including the Avoiding series and the Record series. She has a Masters degree in political science from the University of Georgia, was the head campaign worker for the 2012 presidential campaign at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and served as the head coach of the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, geeking out over Star Wars, binge-watching Supernatural, and dancing in her spare time.

She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband and two super adorable puppies.

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EXCERPT Reveal for Sombra by Leslie McAdam

Prologue

From the shadows, he emerges. The small pool of olive oil on his hands glistens in the candlelight and drips on the tile floor through his fingers.

Decadent.

Hedonistic.

Dark.

I glimpse his face as he approaches the bed, and he’s grinning wickedly, his hair messy and wild. Bare feet on a cold floor. Shirt off. Jeans unbuttoned, with a thatch of groomed pubic hair peeking out, his root showing.

My body tingles and gooseflesh erupts on my arms and legs.

His appraising eyes slowly, languidly, take in my form.

And I love it. I absolutely love the way he looks at me, like he’s appreciating every freckle, every hair follicle, every curve. My painted toes. My voluptuous calves. My ample thighs. And on up.

Another drip of olive oil plops on the floor. Part of me thinks it’s a waste. The other part of me loves this game.

The wait, the watching, makes me pant, and I breathe faster and faster as he comes closer. My skin’s glowing in his dim room.

What surprise does he have for me this time?

The mystery. I love the mystery and anticipation. I don’t know what’s coming next. I don’t know the plan.

I have no idea what pleasures are in store for me tonight, but I’m sure they’re coming.

He knows what he does to me. He knows I’m resisting writhing on the crisp, rough sheets, which are crackly from drying on a line out back in the cold, wintry Andalusian sun. We’ll soften them soon enough when our bodies join together, but right now they’re almost like brittle sandpaper, chafing my skin.

With a bite of his lip, trying to control his smile, he rubs his hands together, making a suction sound from the lubrication. The oil smells fruity, green—if you could smell a color—and bitter.

I’ve licked it on his skin enough times to know its taste. The complexity of the flavors. How just a drop on the tongue can make me want so much.

I love it.

Even though I shouldn’t.

My eyes stay on his hands. I’m obsessed with them, especially his callouses. Over time, they’ve built up on the pads of his palms, right next to where his fingers begin. The telltale sign of a life lived working outside, although it’s not what he wants. Sometimes his rough patches crack and bleed, a hazard of using a rake to beat the olives out of the trees.

A hazard of using his hands.

Those hands, those scratchy callouses now skim down my naked body, half-lit in the dark room, leaving a trail of oil. My hair splays across the pillow. His light touch makes my nipples point up. My pulse pound. My body ache. I arch up into his fingers, wanting more. Needing more.

Needing him.

We shouldn’t be doing this. This isn’t how my life is supposed to be.

But nothing can stop our desire.

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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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~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 Iron Princess by Meghan March

IRON PRINCESS
by MEGHAN MARCH

He’s a mystery. An enigma. 

His very identity is a secret buried beneath layers of deception.

He’s also an addiction I can’t shake. An attraction I can’t fight. 

And then I found out exactly who he is—a man more dangerous than the devil himself.

Now I need him in order to save everything that matters to me. 

I have to pull back. Protect myself from the danger that haunts his every step. 

Which would be easy . . . if I could stop myself from falling in love with him.

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REVIEW: 4.5 SOLID STARS
"I see you, Temperance. I see every single part of you - even the ones you don't want to see yourself."

I just finished this book and I am writing this review on my high of "WHAT IN THE EVER LOVING EFF JUST HAPPENED!!!!" I actually was betting this went a different way, but then Meghan March sure enough sent my thoughts packing and now my heart is reeling for Temperance!!! My head and my heart are spinning because of that twist!!  And now I have to wait?? This cliffhanger will be a hard one to wait out!! That ending just killed me!!!

Ok, to start, this book is my favorite in this trilogy so far. It was hotter. It was more fleshed out. It was deeper. And it was most definitely eye opening. The story flourished in this book. It really took off and sealed the trajectory of the storyline well. I loved the symbolic line between wanting what we can't have and not thinking the option is even possible. That played a very heavy part in this book, and those lines were very jagged. MM did a really good job on the push and pull aspect of wanting what they couldn't have. My gosh, I am still smiling and excited about that ending!!!

Meghan wrote about this very private man and this very tempting woman. It was hot and sexy, but believable and not cliché - thank gosh! I felt him fight and give in. I watched her tempt and submit. The proverbial power exchange and it had me all giddy inside. It was just sexy!! But, I feel like I need to define how heartbreaking their desperation was- not just hers, not just his, but theirs. The thing about it for me was it was just so authentic. I felt the desperation. I felt that visceral need. This book had more emotion than the first one - for me, by far, and I was completely caught up in their almost clumsy fall into each other's hearts. I don't mean clumsy as in awkward. I really mean it in the manner of them falling without any control over their hearts in any way, stumbling through this new reality of theirs while trying to make sense of it. I liked the way she showed them navigating this unchartered territory and how they had to literally feel their way through it. I just felt like I was discovering a new love, a new feeling, right along with them. But that ending got me like...

"I should be cursing her, but all I want to do is make her feel the same storm that's raging inside me."

This book got suuuper interesting, real quick, and by the fourth chapter, this book was already standing out as intense and quite fascinating. So much happened, and so much has to happen, for everything to button up. The goings-ons caused some serious gaspable moments for me and I definitely wide-eyed it through a few pages. She spun an easy to read story, full of emotions, crazy actions and likable characters. It just felt authentic, but man did she mess me up bad with that ending!!

I am definitely enjoying these books of hers because they are a tale spun of unknown adventure and she adds a ton of excitement to an underworld I would never have given a second thought to. While I don't feel these books are super deep, they are ripe with emotions in general, and this plotline has never dragged for me. As with any drama filled books, there are bound to be some eye-roll worthy moments here and there. I can't deny there were some in this book, as well as some over the top cheesy lines, but I don't think we can honestly get away from them completely and they didn't hinder the story for me at all. Having said that, the sentiment was there and it kept the momentum going in this second book. Overall, this was a really good book and I loved it! Did I tell you that ending jacked me up?? Maybe I should mention that....

"I'm still going to test your limits, temptress. Because you're trying to destroy mine."
~BEE

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~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.

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