Tuesday, April 28, 2015

ARC Book review: Yield to Me (Club Excelsior #1) by Sarah Castille


Available may 24th 2015
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

*This novella was originally published in the New York Times bestselling anthology, Unraveled, and now contains 50% new content*

No-holds-barred attraction...

Amateur MMA fighter, Marcy Foster is determined to win the state championship. But dark secrets and a broken trust mean there's one submission she just can’t master. Fortunately Club Excelsior has hired a coach who knows all the right moves.

Sexy, confident and commanding, fight consultant Jax demands control, both in and out of the ring. But once he has Marcy against the ropes, Jax knows he’s in too deep. He has the dominance to give her what she needs, but once he unleashes her hidden passions, there's no going back.

Under Jax's skilled hands, Marcy submits to her deepest desires. But when her personal and professional worlds collide, she is forced to face a brutal truth — yielding to her darkest needs may be the one thing that costs her the fight...and her heart.

This is a quick novella to get you into the series. Marcy is a female MMA fighter who is really good but has one fatal flaw she can't seem to get past. Jax is brought in to help all the MMA fighters and particularly Marcy. He is a former MMA fighter and a psychologist and travels around to help fighters in different gyms all over. From their first meeting the attraction is intense. Knowing they need to keep it professional they both try to keep it that way. It doesn't last long though. Marcy has a hang up or two that is keeping her from being her best in the ring but Jax isn't without one or two of his own. I love that Marcy is this tough girl but she is still vulnerable when it comes to Jax. Jax appears to be guy who has it all together but meeting Marcy blows all that away. Jax is a sexual dominant and Marcy is a submissive. This is a problem for Marcy in the ring but in the bedroom it's exactly what she needs. This book is short on pages as a novella but there is plenty of story packed into it. I can only hope we'll get more of Marcy and Jax in future books. A must read for MMA romance fans who like a twist of BDSM.


Find out more about this series and Sarah Castille here www.sarahcastille.com

Monday, April 27, 2015

ARC Book review: Midnight Ride (Midnight Cowboys #1) by Cat Johnson



Available April 28th 2015
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley



One bucking bronco…
Oklahoma ranch hand Tyler Jenkins is too young, too sexy, and too damn wild to be tied down by any single woman—for more than a few steamy hours…

One hard-working widow…
Widowed rancher Janie Smithwick is too busy paying off her debts to play rodeo with a reckless young cowboy like Tyler—no matter how hot he gets her…

One midnight ride they’ll never forget…
As a rule, Janie should be dating a man her own age, like her handsome neighbor Rohn—not the twenty-four-year old ranch hand he employs. But once Tyler gets Janie alone—held tight in his arms, pressed against his hard muscled body, burning with desire—the widow realizes that some rules, like broncos, are meant to be broken…


First in a new series, Midnight Ride features a young widow and a even younger cowboy. Janie Smithwick lost her husband over a year ago and has been struggling to keep her ranch going even after downsizing her operation. Tyler Jenkins is a young cowboy who still lives with his parents and works as a ranch hand on the ranch that neighbors Janie's spread. A chance meeting in a lumber yard parking lot and then helping repair a downed fence Tyler finds himself attracted to Janie. Tyler comes up with a way to spend time with Janie by offering to help with harvesting her hay crop. Soon their relationship becomes something more. Tyler starts the story as a young guy having a good time enjoying life until he meets Janie. Then he slows takes a look at his life and realizes he doesn't want that anymore he wants Janie. Janie is 11 years older than Tyler. Even though she's only 36 to her this seems old compared to Tyler's age. Between that and letting go over the pain of losing her husband and what that did to her she resists anything serious with Tyler. Tyler won't give up on her though.  Midnight Ride is a fun sexy read. Age is just a number when it comes to matters of the heart. If you read any of the Oklahoma Nights series you might recognize Tyler from that series and a few other characters pop up as well. A must read for cowboy romance fans!

Find out more about this series and Cat Johnson here www.catjohnson.net

Thursday, April 16, 2015

ARC Book review:Perfect Chaos (Unyielding #1) by Nashoda Rose



Available now
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

Georgie

I lie to survive. 

Have since I was sixteen and my world fell into chaos. But I found a way to endure, or rather it found me. Now I’m a prisoner of my own doing, hiding behind a false mask so no one sees the truth. Not even the man I want but can’t have—Deck. But I messed up and the lies are spilling over, out of control. 

Deck is unrelenting and will settle for nothing less than the truth. He demands everything from me—EVERYTHING—even if it rips me apart.

DECK

I kill for a living.

Unyielding—It’s how I survive in my line of work. I bend people to my will…except Georgie.
But that ends now.
I've played her game for far too long. Now I think it's time we play mine.


I have never read this author before but this book cover stood out to me and then i read the excerpt and thought time to try something new. This is very dark romantic suspense erotica.  Georgie was a young teenager of 16 when her world fell apart the brother whom she adored was killed in action in the serving in the Army. His best friend Deck comes to inform her family and breaks her heart. Years later Deck is watching out for her still keeping a promise from his best friend and Georgie's brother Connor. Georgie has been playing a game of sorts though. One where she juggles things to make Deck think one thing while she's really doing another. She's loved him since she met him all those years ago but he can't know her secrets. You really can't say a lot about this book without giving things away. I can say the writing is really good. The relationships are intense, especially between Deck and Georgie. You just really get into the meat and potatoes of Deck and Georgie when the suspense part of the book heats up. If you like your romance a little on the dark side then you'll enjoy this series so go into it knowing that.  As for me although i was left a little stunned by the darkness in the book since I am not used to reading this type of book. I am however definitely interested in seeing where the next book in this series takes me. 

Find out about this series and Nashoda Rose here www.nashodarose.com

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

ARC Book review: Don't Walk Away (DreamMakers #3) by Vivian Arend, Elle Kennedy


Available April 21st 2015
eARC provided by author for review


He wants to rock her world—in bed and out of it

For former Army Ranger Dean Colter, sexual escapades and wild flirtations are the norm—but it wasn’t always that way. Years ago, the DreamMakers co-owner was a one-woman kind of guy until he tore Emma Lee’s heart apart. Yet he’s never forgotten her, and when Emma waltzes back into his life, a second chance is suddenly within his reach…and he’ll be damned if he’ll screw up again.

She wants her world to stop spinning apart

Emma’s no longer the naïve girl she used to be. Now a successful designer in the fashion world, she refuses to let Dean’s killer smile and sweet-talking ways distract her from her goals. But being the target of Dean’s full-out seduction isn’t easy to resist, even as the dynasty she’s built teeters toward disaster. This time she might the one who breaks both their hearts when she has to walk away. 

This has been a interesting series. Three friends with military backgrounds running a service that helps inept men put together perfect dates. In Don't Walk Away Dean Colter the self professed ladies man comes face to face with his past. His past is Emma Lee and she wants nothing to do with him.  Dean broke her heart years ago and messed up the life she could've had. Now if he can't get her back even as a friend he wants to get her to at least listen to his explanation  of what happened all those years ago. I wondered what would happen with Dean Colter. In previous books he was quite the ladies man so i knew he would have to fall hard and he does. He has a huge uphill climb to get Emma to listen to him and let him in. She has to decide if he can trust him again and deal with other problems in her life. It was fun to watch Dean fight for Emma and it not be as easy as he thinks it will be. He had to open up about his feelings and his past.  A sweet sexy read with a little bit of serious and romance.


Find out more about this series and Vivian Arend www.vivianarend.com  Elle Kennedy www.ellekennedy.com

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

ARC Book review: From Best Friend to Bride (Book 3 in the St. Johns of Stonerock Harlequin Special Edition) by Jules Bennett



eARC provided by author for review
Available April 21st

MARRYING HIS/HER BEST FRIEND

Therapist Megan Richards provides her patients with expert counsel but she can't remedy her lifelong love for her best friend. Police chief Cameron St. John is the perfect man kind, thoughtful and oh-so-sexy. Megan doesn't want to confess her feelings and risk their closeness even if it means finding the happiness she's always longed for.

Cameron keeps citizens safe for a living, but even he can't protect his own heart from Megan. He's always steadfastly been by her side, but as a buddy. Until he realizes that his feelings for her are anything but friendly and that by declaring himself, he might lose her friendship, but gain so much more.

What do you do when you are attracted to your best friend and he appears to be clueless. This is Megan Richard problem. Her best friend Cameron St John is also the police chief and says he is does not want a long term  relationships because of the danger in his job. If They cross the friendship barrier and things go south then what? Once they finally cross that line though all bets are off.



Megan and Cameron have been best friends for years. As they got older at some point each realized that they had feelings that were more than just friends. Megan is on the fence about telling Cameron how she feels, because Cameron keeps bringing up the fact that he will never get into a serious relationship with a woman. He won't subject someone he loves to the worrying and the possibility of something happening to him on the job.He's the chief of police.  Megan gets a job offer that will elevate her career and mean more money. If she can't have Cameron as more than a friend then maybe she should take the job and get away from  him so that maybe she can get over wanting him. Should she at least risk it before leaving? It's fun to watch Megan and Cameron negotiate their way through the changes in their relationship. Not only to they have to decide if they should pursue their feeling they also have to worry about Megan's brother Evan who can't seem to stay out of trouble. A great friends to lovers story. 


Find out more about this series and author Jules Bennet here www.julesbennett.com

Monday, April 6, 2015

ARC Book review: Hold Me (Fool's Gold #16) by Susan Mallery


Available April 28th 2015
eARC provided by Publisher through Netgalley

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery's classic blend of lighthearted humor and intense emotional conflict works its magic on two newcomers to the California town of Fool's Gold, which Library Journal calls "a setting so real and appealing readers will want to start scoping out real estate." 

Destiny Mills believes passion has its place—like in the lyrics of the country songs that made her parents famous. After a childhood full of drama and heartache, she wants a life that's calm. Safe. Everything that Kipling Gilmore isn't. Her temporary assignment with the Fool's Gold search and rescue team puts her in delicious proximity to the former world-class skier every day. Part of her aches to let go for once…the rest is terrified what'll happen if she does. 

Though an accident ended his career, Kipling still lives for thrills—and a hot fling with a gorgeous redhead like Destiny would be a welcome diversion. Yet beneath his new coworker's cool facade is a woman who needs more than he's ever given. With her, he's ready to take the risk. But love, like skiing, is all about trust—and before you soar, you have to be willing to fall.



Back to Fools Gold California with Susan Mallery. Kipling Gilmore was mentioned in the last book of this series but just a blip really. Mayor Marsha turned up in his life long enough to make a promise to him and that's about it. Now it's a year later and he is living in Fools Gold and running the town's new HERO program for rescuing people who get lost in the mountains. This brings him in contact with Destiny Mills who travels for the company that is providing the software program for HERO. Destiny is the one who sets everything up and helps train the people who will use it. Destiny has always kept to herself and led a very singular life. Always on the fringe. This is because of her family and her upbringing. She learned that love is something that hurts and she wants no part of it. Kipling on the other hand has a need to fix everyone's problem. Guilt over not helping his sister sooner from a abusive situation drives him to do this. He's never experienced real love and doesn't want to get tangled up either. Add in people and situation popping up for both in this book and there  is a lot of stuff going on. For me this one had something missing. I kept waiting for something to bring it together for me. It felt like the relationship dragged and then jumped ahead and then it was over. I didn't like the whole situation with Kipling's bar "The man Cave".  He went into the bar business with several friends and they all bailed out on him without doing anything to help out. For Fools Gold being so friendly i was disappointed in this. The whole idea there can only be one bar in town in crazy for the size of the town. I think i liked the secondary characters better than the main characters. It's not my favorite by any means but it overall it was still enjoyable.

Find out more about the series and Susan Mallery here www.susanmallery.com

Friday, April 3, 2015

ARC Book review: Still the One (Animal Magnetism #6) by Jill Shalvis


eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley
Available April 7th 2015

Darcy Stone is game for anything — except sexy Navy veteran and physical therapist A.J. Colten, the guy who'd rejected her when she'd needed him most. Now the shoe is on the other foot and he needs her to play nice and help him secure grants for his patients. Unfortunately, Darcy can't refuse. She needs the money to fund her passion project: rescuing S&R dogs and placing them with emotionally wounded soldiers.

A.J. admits it — Darcy is irresistible. But he's already been battle-scarred by a strong-willed, vivacious, adventurous woman like Darcy, and he's not making the same mistake twice—until he and Darcy are forced to fake a relationship. Growing closer than they'd ever imagined possible, Darcy and AJ have to ask themselves: how much between them is pretend? What's the real thing? And where does it go from here?

Jill Shalvis takes us back again to Sunshine, Idaho. Darcy Stone has slowly worked her way back to the land of the living after a terrible car accident nearly killed.  A.J. Colton is the physical therapist and her brothers best friend that patched her back together. She works part time for him as a receptionist and sparks fly between the two of them. Darcy likes to come off as a snarky and a bit rude but she has a heart of gold and is really vulnerable. A.J. is the one person who can see right through her though. After finding out he did alot of the therapy on her for free she agrees to go along with him to a weekend trip to get grants for his patients. It all seems simple if they don't kill each other first. Jill Shalvis always rights an enjoyable book. There are always funny and emotional moments along with a little sexy. Darcy is a tough one for me. I wasn't sure i could like her when she first appeared in this series but each time we see her we find out more and more about what makes her tick. In reality she's had to deal with a lot of family issues growing up and then her accident and losing her independence as well as her income is devastating. Anyone would fall apart, but with a little help from her siblings and A.J. she pulls herself through. You can't help but hope it works out between her and A.J. Another great story from Jill Shalvis!


Find out more about this book and Jill Shalvis here www.jillshalvis.com

Thursday, April 2, 2015

ARC Book review: Wrapped Around Him (Moroad MC #1) by Debra Kayn


Available now!
eARC Provided by author

Empathy is an emotion that has always evaded Cam Farrell, president of the Moroad Motorcycle Club and prisoner #18794. He's gambled with his life to finish the gun chain running across the states, get the majority of his MC brothers working inside the prison system, and place the smoke screen in Federal, Idaho. He only needs one more thing—Christina. What he wants, he takes, and freedom doesn't mean a damn thing.

Christina Nickelson keeps to herself and uses her part-time job for Silver Valley's Department of Children's Services to help those who are also alone and hurting. The anger and fear she thought she'd overcome after her parents were murdered resurfaces when an ex-convict and leader of a motorcycle club claims a teenage boy in her care. She can't let her worries go. Putting herself at risk, she finds herself held hostage, witnessing a murder, and questioning fate. The only person she can rely on is the biker who will kill her if she tries to leave.
 


This is a brand new MC series by Debra Kayn. This is a spin off from the Bantourus MC series and starts off with Cam Farrell president of the Moroad MC you met in the Bantourus series if you read that series. If you haven't there is no problem starting with Wrapped Around Him. I have got to say i was unsure i could enjoy a book where the hero is a convict. Cam is a guy torn up by his past and put himself on a path of crime in order to survive. Going to prison is nothing to him. It's part of his life. Then he gets a letter from a young woman (Christina) asking him questions in hopes of understanding  the man who murdered her parents when she was 18. This is not just your run of the mill MC story. This is a very intense book in a lot of ways. Most people will not be able to relate to what the characters are going through and some might find it hard to understand. I know my feeling were all over the place while reading this book. I can't say i didn't like it but i can say that it make you do some thinking. The characters are interesting and complex. For me i had a love hate with most of them. I guess the jury is out on how i feel about Cam. Book 2 is getting ready to come out April 7th i believe so you see what happens next. That's what i am going have to do to see where Cam takes me next. 

Find out more about the series and Debra Kayn here www.debrakayn.com

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

ARC Book review: Catnapped (A Matchmaker Mystery #3) by J.B. Lynn



Available Now~
eARC Provided by author

Cats have nine lives.

People don’t. 

When cyber-sleuth Pete Hanlon goes to the gym, he has no idea he’ll reconnect with the red-hot woman he shared a single, memorable dance with at his brother’s wedding. 

Coolly confident ex-cop Alyssa Montgomery agreed to help out a friend, but soon discovers she must deliver the ransom for a stolen cat. Worse, she needs Pete Hanlon’s help to save the kitty and solve a potentially deadly mystery. 

Can the two work out their differences in time to figure out what’s really going on before something terrible happens? 

Or will they miss out on their one chance love?

Armani is at it again playing matchmacker with her quirky mysterious ways. In Catnapped She matches up Pete Hanlon and Alyssa Montgomery although neither one really is sure they believe in Armani's talents.  Before he knows it Pete is caught up with Melissa helping to find the missing cat and protecting Mrs. M. Melissa is fighting fears from things that happened in her past and letting Pete in isn't a easy to do. It's fun to watch the characters in this story interact. You'll definitely do some laughing reading this book. Armani pops up here and there to give Alyssa or Pete a push in the right direction or at least that's what she thinks she's doing. While trying to solve the mystery Pete and Alyssa get closer and of course there is some action in this book along with the mystery and humor. All around great book and a excellent addition to this series. 

Find out more about this book and series and JB Lynn www.jblynn.com