Review: Boy in a Band (A Morgan Mallory Story) by Lisa Loomis

Publisher: Lisa Loomis

Pub. Date: April 10, 2010

Genre: Contemporary

Source: Bought

Rating: 5

GOODREADS

Blurb:

MATURE CONTENT language, sex, drugs, rock and roll

Morgan Mallory meets beautiful, sexy, blond haired, blue eyed, Mathew O'Conner, a singer in a rock band, when she's just a teen. Her instant physical attraction to him completely unnerves her. Their convoluted relationship transcends years, and even when she knows it would be best to stay away from him she can't seem to stop herself. What is it about the bad boy she seems to love?

An edgy coming of age novel that is erotic, entertaining, and deeply moving. The characters will seize you and stay with you long after the read is finished. Not your predictable Cinderella story.

Review:
I'm fifty percent into the book and damn I love it. I just have one tiny problem...WHY THE HELL IS THIS GIRL SUCH A DOORMAT!

*sometime later*

“You start, you stop. You love, he doesn’t; you hate, he wants; you give in to him. Morgan, it’s crazy.”

I wish I never read this book. Don't be confused, I fucking loved the crap out this story. It had been in my kindle library for quite sometime and I was looking for a good rocker book after finishing Deep by Kylie Scott. I saw Boy in a Band and thought hm...let's try this one. Upon starting, well I couldn't stop and I quickly realized that maybe this wasn't going to be the story I expected to read.

I thought it would be a light-hearted, fun read. Instead I went on an emotional rollercoaster that still has yet to let me off. Am I still crying? You bet.

The relationship between the two main characters was toxic and plays out through a long ass love affair. Oh and Mathew was a plain old dick. But like Morgan, I saw the pull he had over her. She couldn't ever say no to him and for most of the book he took advantage. I hated that. And I hated him. But most of all I hated how I couldn't hate him as much as I should. Actually I didn't even hate him at all.

He treated Morgan bad. He played with her feelings. He was hot and cold. It was okay for him to act like a man-slut yet when Morgan so much as looks at a guy - all of a sudden he goes all Neanderthal on her. Yeah, I don't think so buddy.

But damn, this book made me feel. It made me feel so much... Anger, heartbreak, desperation, anxiety, dare I say love? Call me a sadist but I had a love/hate relationship with all the back and forth. Okay, I lied. I loved it. When I'd be screaming at my iPad for something Morgan did, I couldn't help my giddy face when it involved angsty good stuff with Mathew.

Plus at times I thought it was highly unrealistic that the kids have sex, drugs, and drank so easily without consequences. I wasn't born in the seventies but I can't imagine parents being THAT relaxed. Like for real, they would do drugs and I would totally forget that they were still teenagers!

The sex scenes were plain hot. I may just go back and re-read those. I liked how passionate Morgan and Mathew were; despite the fact that he pretty much fucked anything with a vagina. I wouldn't have been able to put up with that. But there was something intriguing about him that I couldn't help but fall a little bit in love with him.

*sometime way later*

It's been days since I finished the book, and I still can't stop thinking about it. I'm not joking when I say I cried for about thirty minutes. I kept going back to the beginning and understanding what was going on and then I would start the crying process all over again. What am I to do now that the book is over? It's hard to even look at the cover without getting sad again.

"I finally came to the conclusion there were two Mathews: one I liked, the other I didn't."

About the Author:
Lisa Loomis writes because she loves to. Her stories are about the human condition: love, life, and everything in between (including sex, drugs, alcohol, and things just crazy enough to be true). Her stories are not predictable, conventional, or lacking in the messiness of life. She tries to extract the real emotion in any given situation in her characters, with a touch of humor.

Lisa Loomis was born in Oakland California and raised in San Jose until she was a sophomore in high school. Her father then took a job in the San Diego area where he moved the family to Escondido, California (or hickville as she called it). She finished high school at San Pasqual High then went to junior college at Palomar JC, ultimately graduating from San Diego State University with a BS in Finance.

Finding more BS than Finance with the financial meltdown in 2008 she went back to her passion of writing. See all her books on Amazon, and coming to Barnes & Noble and Smashwords in April 2014.

She now lives and writes in Park City, Utah.

Visit her at www.LisaLoomisBooks.com, www.MyForeclosureStory.com, or on Facebook LisaLoomisBooks

Review: Degradation (The Kane Trilogy, #1) by Stylo Fantome

 Publisher: Battleaxe Productions

Pub. Date: July 20, 2014

Genre: Dark Erotica

Source: Bought

Rating: 5

GOODREADS

Blurb:

Eighteen year old Tatum O'Shea is a naive, shy, little rich girl. Twenty-three year old Jameson Kane is smart, seductive, and richer. They come together for one night, one explosion, one mistake, and Tate is hurled into space – no family, no money, and no Jameson.

Seven years later, life is going pretty good for Tate, when she runs into Jameson again. This time, she thinks she's ready for him. She doesn't have a naive bone left in her body, and she can't even remember what shy feels like. Jameson has evolved, as well – sharp words, sharper wit, and a tongue that can cut her in half. It all sounds like fun to a woman like Tate, and she is ready to play, determined to prove that she isn't the same girl he conquered once before. A series of games start, each one more devious than the last.

But as the line between games and reality becomes blurry, Tate quickly learns that Jameson has most definitely earned his nickname, “Satan”. Can she beat him at his own game before someone gets hurt? Or will he leave her soulless, making him the winner, once and for all?

WARNING: contains a wannabe B-rate porn star, an impersonal personal assistant, and the F-word, A LOT. Also graphic sexual situations and sadomasochistic themes. 

Review:
I feel so naughty after finishing this book. Degradation has everything I go against and hate. Kind of. It was degrading, hence the title of the story. And for some odd reason I COULDN'T STOP READING. Not even if I tried. How...why...what...I...I started liking the dirty talk; it was absolutely filthy. When and how could I like something that seems so abusive? I was amazed how engrossed I was in the book, I for sure thought it was your typical erotica novel. But I couldn't have been more wrong.

Tatum O'Shea is the good girl and younger sister to her beautiful older sister, Eloise. The day she stops by her apartment to drop some stuff off, she runs into Ellie's boyfriend, Jameson Kane. Kane has always treated Tate with indifference but when things start getting heated between the two, things change. Now Tate is cut off and disowned by her family and working odd and end jobs in Boston. One night she's working a party for the rich when she runs into Jameson. Though she doesn't know it's him at first.

Jameson is a big time lawyer and when he sees Tate, there's nothing he wants more than to f**k her in every way he can. Then starts a relationship based off sex and sex only. The sex is hot, rough, and down right nasty (in a good way.) Jameson and Tatum are cut from the same cloth...they both are animalistic when it comes to sexuality. Not only do they have sex with each other but other people as well. An open relationship of sorts - not that they are putting a label on anything of course.

It's all one big game to them. And a sexy ass game it is. I found myself getting a little hot and bothered more than once (yeah, sorry for the TMI). The writing had a way of pulling you in and not letting go. I didn't want to let go. The angst, the sex, the dirty talk...I loved it all. And yet it's still stuff I would never be comfortable with in real life. So kudos to the author for writing such a complex, sexy, and beautiful story. I definitely look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Buy Links:

 AMAZON

AMAZON UK

 

About the Author:
Crazy woman living in an undisclosed location in Alaska (where the need for a creative mind is a necessity!), I have been writing since ... forever? Yeah, that sounds about right. I have been told that I remind people of Lucille Ball - I also see shades of Jennifer Saunders, and Denis Leary. So basically, I laugh a lot, I'm clumsy a lot, and I say the F-word A LOT.

I like dogs more than I like most people, and I don't trust anyone who doesn't drink. No, I do not live in an igloo, and no, the sun does not set for six months out of the year, there's your Alaska lesson for the day. I have mermaid hair - both a curse and a blessing - and most of the time I talk so fast, even I can't understand me.

Yeah. I think that about sums me up.

Review- DARKEST BEFORE DAWN (KGI, #10) by Maya Banks

Publisher: Berkeley 

Pub. Date: October 27, 2015

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Source: Print ARC

Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads- http://bit.ly/1LV4RIc

Blurb:

THE ALL-NEW KGI NOVEL from the “incredibly awesome" (Jaci Burton) #1 New York Times bestselling author of When Day Breaks.

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t...

The enigmatic Hancock has been both opponent and ally to the KGI teams for as long as they've known him. Always working a deep game, Hancock's true allegiance has never been apparent, but one thing is for certain—he never lets anything get in the way of duty.

But now, his absolute belief in the primacy of his ultimate goal is challenged by a captive he's been ordered to guard, no matter how much she suffers in her prison. She's the only woman who's ever managed to penetrate the rigid walls surrounding his icy heart, but will he allow his perplexing feelings for the beautiful victim to destroy a mission he's spent years working to complete or will he be forced to sacrifice her for “the greater good.”

Review:

The only other KGI book I've read is The Darkest Hour, which I absolutely adored. I instantly fell in love with all the characters. Darkest Before Dawn was action packed until the very end, not overly romantic, and hella hard to put down. Hancock is...all man; lethal and downright vicious. Obviously, that makes him very sexy. I enjoyed being able to get to know him more in this book. 

Honor, the main female of the story was not my favorite of characters, but I still liked her well enough. I feel like her character was too perfect...she had no flaws. I wasn't able to connect with her for that reason alone. Honor is a relief working, working in the cusps of the Middle East; war zone area. The clinic that she's been working at was bombed by terrorists, leaving Honor alone, hungry, 
and in pain. 

Enter Hancock. Hancock and his team have been sent to rescue Honor but once he finds her, he doesn't take her home to safety like she thought. Instead, he has other plans that involve putting Honor at risk. The more find he spends with her, the more his wall starts to break down enough to start letting her in. Will these two characters be able to beat the odds? 

Overall, i think the story was a thrilling ride until the very end. New and old readers of the series will fall apart then fall in love when they read this epic story of learning to let go and let in. 

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy links:

Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/ohnrepf

Amazon Mass Market Paperback: http://tinyurl.com/nb6ll6p

Nook: http://tinyurl.com/qy3cr2a

B&N Mass Market Paperback: http://tinyurl.com/q2eum4f

iBooks: http://tinyurl.com/o4sosjz

BAM: http://tinyurl.com/oes3o9b

IndieBound: http://tinyurl.com/p6eq9s5

Google: http://tinyurl.com/njj2ffk

About the Author:

Maya Banks is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today and international bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas.

Review: Unspoken (Shadow Falls: After Dark, #3) by C.C. Hunter

 Publisher: St. Martin's Press

 Pub. Date: October 27, 2015

Genre: YA Paranormal

Source: Print ARC

Rating: 4.5 Stars

GOODREADS

 Blurb:

Despite her superhuman strength and enhanced senses, Della Tsang's life as a vampire certainly hasn't been easy. Especially since she was reborn and bound to the mysterious, infuriating, and gorgeous Chase Tallman.

But if there's one thing that's always kept Della going, it's her dream of being an elite paranormal investigator. Her newest case is the opportunity she's been waiting for, but as Della tries to solve the twenty year old murder and clear her father's name. She uncovers secrets about the vampire council. And about Chase.

Feeling betrayed by all the secrets he's kept hidden from her, Della is determined to keep him as far away from her heart as she can. But she'll need his help to solve the case that will lead them into the darkest and ugliest vampire gangs in town and into the scariest reaches of her heart.

Review:
I love being in the Shadow Falls world way too much. Especially when it involves sexy Chase and my favorite sassy vamp, Della. The story starts off with Della and Chase; the guy who lied to her. And she wants nothing whatsoever to do with him. No matter how much her heart beats when he's near. Chase isn't having it though, he's determined to prove to Della that he's worth it. Not only does he go back to Shadow Falls but he also snags a job at the FRU. He wants Della back and will stop at nothing to make it happen. 

If only it were that easy! Della won't give Chase the time of day, at least that's what she's trying to convince herself. The pair have undeniable chemistry but Della wonders if it's the bond that's making her feel that way or actual feelings. On top of that, Steve has come back, her dad is on trial for the murder of her aunt, and it turns out that it may have been her fathers twin brother, Eddie. So much going on and not enough evidence to clear Della's father. 

Going on a chase so to to speak to save the ones she loves and maybe have her life go back to normal...for a vampire. Problems everywhere arise though that make it hard to focus on one thing. Soon, more and more people start becoming involved, like people dying like flies, and it's all because one man. They need to find him in order to save Della's dad from life in prison. Can they make it on time before it's too late?

These books come highly recommended and are more than addicting. The characters have become like extended family; I love them all so much. I'm hoping that we get a series with Miranda. There seems to be a lot of potential with her, Perry, and Shawn. Overall, if you're looking for a fun paranormal series, look no further. It's sweet, sexy, and hard to stop reading. In no time, I'm sure you'll be falling in love as well. 

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a cot for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy Links:

Amazon

Amazon UK

About the Author:
C.C. Hunter grew up in Alabama, where she caught lightning bugs, ran barefoot, and regularly rescued potential princes, in the form of Alabama bullfrogs, from her brothers. Today, she's still fascinated with lightning bugs, mostly wears shoes, but has turned her focus to rescuing mammals. She now lives in Texas with her four rescued cats, one dog, and a prince of a husband, who for the record, is so not a frog. When she's not writing, she's reading, spending time with her family, or is shooting things-with a camera, not a gun.

C.C. Hunter is a pseudonym. Her real name is Christie Craig and she also writes humorous romantic suspense romance novels for Grand Central. www.christie-craig.com

C.C. would love to hear from you. Because of deadlines, it may take her a day or so to get back with you, but she will reply. cc@cchunterbooks.com

Blog Tour Review + Giveaway- PLAYING WITH FIRE(Hot in Chicago, #2) by Kate Meader

Publisher: Pocket Books

Pub. Date: September 29, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Source: Print ARC

Rating: 4.5 stars

GOODREADS

Blurb:
 From popular romance author Kate Meader comes the second novel in Hot in Chicago, a brand-new, sizzling series that follows a group of firefighting foster siblings and their blazing hot love interests!

As the only female firefighter at Engine Co. 6, Alexandra Dempsey gets it from all sides: the male coworkers who think she can’t do the job, the wives and girlfriends who see her as a threat to their firefighter men, and her overprotective foster brothers who want to shelter their baby sister at all costs. So when she single-handedly saves the life of Eli Cooper, Chicago’s devastatingly handsome mayor, she assumes the respect she’s longed for will finally come her way. But it seems Mr. Mayor has other ideas…

Eli Cooper’s mayoral ratings are plummeting, his chances at reelection dead in the water. When a sexy, curvaceous firefighter gives him the kiss of life, she does more than bring him back to the land of the living—she also breathes vitality into his campaign. Riding the wave of their feel-good story might prop up Eli’s flagging political fortunes, but the sizzling attraction between them can go nowhere; he’s her boss, and there are rules that must be obeyed. But you know what they say about rules: they’re made to be broken…

Review:
"You know I don't believe in fairy tales, but I believe in writing my own story."

I had way too much fun reading Playing with Fire. Dare I say that I may have enjoyed it more than any other books in the series. Mainly because I love Eli. He is an arrogant bastard and I just adore arrogant bastards; especially ones named Eli. Then there is the fiery and spunky Alex Dempsey, whom I absolutely love. I liked her "give no shits" attitude; the one that was always used against Mr. Hottie Mayor.

Alexandra is the lone girl and sister of the Dempsey clan full of 'hot' firefighters. As brothers it's their duty to take care of and protect their sister from everything, including the pompous ass, Eli. Things between them heat up and their sexual chemistry is off the charts... I think I spent the whole book smirking and giggling because these two were just so stinkin' cute...er...sexy.

"The only person who needs to hear my plans is the woman who will be on the receiving end of every filthy, depraved thing I plan to do to her."

Eli offers her to help him win the election but at a cost. She is in danger of being threatened sued for one of her past mistakes. All she needs to do to make it go away is 'fake' date the Mayor for a few weeks to win him the election. Sounds easy, right? It would be if the two would quit arguing and eye-fucking each other every step of the way. What fun would it be without a little tension in the room..goading them?

"I like when you call me that. I makes me feel...sexy."

If you're looking for a sexy new book to read, come over and meet Alex and Eli...you won't regret it. They are seriously so stinkin' fun. I swooned so many times and the dialogue between the two was a riot. I've already looked at the preview for the next book and I can't tell you how excited I am that we are getting more!! I love these sexy firefighters and the women (and men) that have saved them.

             

---

 

We are excited to do a Fire Giveaway today for Kate Meader’s PLAYING WITH FIRE blog tour.  The Fire Giveaway will include Flirting with Fire and Baby, It’s Cold Outside (which includes Kate Meader’s Rekindle the Flame, the prequel Hot in Chicago e-novella which will publish 11/30/15 for $1.99!) You can visit all sites on the blog tour to enter the Fire Giveaways – but keep in mind you can only win once! U.S. only.

 

PLAYING WITH FIRE

A HOT IN CHICAGO NOVEL

KATE MEADER

Pocket Books

September 29, 2015

ISBN 9781476785929

$7.99

 

“Meader packs the flawless second Hot in Chicago romance with superb relationship development…and note-perfect dialogue…The secondary characters play their parts beautifully, and Eli and Alexandra are a captivating couple…”

—Publishers Weekly starred review

 

“Thank you, Kate Meader, for creating a heroine who does not fit the status quo! The idea of a plus-size female firefighter being described as sexy and irresistible makes this book stand out. Meader also provides readers with steamy sex scenes, colorful characters and riveting dialogue. The themes of staying true to yourself and the impact of family legacies make for an interesting storyline. This tale is a real page-turner.”

—RT Book Reviews four and a half star “scorcher” TOP PICK GOLD review

 

About the Author:

Kate Meader was raised on romance. An Irish girl, she started with Catherine Cookson and Jilly Coooper novels, and spiced it up with some Mills & Boon. Now based in Chicago, she writes romances of her own, where sexy contemporary alpha heroes and strong heroines match each other quip for quip. When not immersed in tales of brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, Kate lives on the web at katemeader.com, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and Pinterest.

 

Watch this interview with Kate Meader!

https://youtu.be/7tAbhsepbBI

 

Hot in Chicago buy links:

►Playing with Fire (9/29/15) is second in the series.

S&S

AMAZON

B&N

BAM

INDIEBOUND

IBOOKSTORE (ebook)

KINDLE (ebook)

NOOK (ebook)

GOOGLE PLAY (ebook)

►Rekindle the Flame is the prequel e-novella which will publish 11/30/15 for $1.99!

S&S

IBOOKSTORE (ebook)

KINDLE (ebook)

NOOK (ebook)

GOOGLE PLAY (ebook)

 

►Flirting with Fire (3/24/15) is first in the series.

S&S

AMAZON

B&N

BAM

INDIEBOUND

IBOOKSTORE (ebook)

KINDLE (ebook)

NOOK (ebook)

GOOGLE PLAY (ebook)

 

►Melting Point (8/31/15) is the mm romance e-novella from the series.

S&S

IBOOKSTORE (ebook)

KINDLE (ebook)

NOOK (ebook)

GOOGLE PLAY (ebook)

 

Blog Tour Schedule-

9/28:      Night Owl Reviews, Author Chat

Week 1, three Fire Giveaways per day

9/29:      A Book Whore’s Obsession

                Abigail Books Addiction

                Night Owl Reviews

9/30:      The Literary Gossip Book Blog

                Mrs Leif’s Two Fangs About It Book Blog

                In Between the Pages

10/1:      Talk Supe

                The Romance Dish

                Four Chicks Flipping Pages

10/2:      Harlequin Junkie

                Bea’s Book Nook

                Collector of Book Boyfriends

Week 2, two and three Fire Giveaways per day

10/5:      Read Your Writes Book Reviews

                Fire and Ice Book Reviews

10/6:      Cocktails & Books

                Read-Love-Blog

10/7:      Bookish Temptations

                Art Books Coffee

                Lush Book Reviews

10/8:      Ramblings From a Chaotic Mind

                WTF Are You Reading?

                Once Upon An Alpha

10/9:      Romance Obsessed Book Blog

                Fiction Fangirls

                Red Cheeks Reads

Week 3, one Fire Giveaway per day

10/12:   The Lovely Books Blog

10/13:   Margie’s Must Reads

10/14:   The Book Enthusiast

10/15:   Short and Sassy Book Blurbs

10/16:   About That Story

 

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: BROTHER by Ania Ahlborn

 

Publisher: Gallery Books

Pub. Date: September 29, 2015

Genre: Horror

Source: Print ARC

Rating: 4 Stars

GOODREADS

Blurb:
From the bestselling horror author of Within These Walls and The Bird Eater comes a brand-new novel of terror that follows a teenager determined to break from his family’s unconventional—and deeply disturbing—traditions.

Deep in the heart of Appalachia stands a crooked farmhouse miles from any road. The Morrows keep to themselves, and it’s served them well so far. When girls go missing off the side of the highway, the cops don’t knock on their door. Which is a good thing, seeing as to what’s buried in the Morrows’ backyard.

But nineteen-year-old Michael Morrow isn’t like the rest of his family. He doesn’t take pleasure in the screams that echo through the trees. Michael pines for normalcy, and he’s sure that someday he’ll see the world beyond West Virginia. When he meets Alice, a pretty girl working at a record shop in the small nearby town of Dahlia, he’s immediately smitten. For a moment, he nearly forgets about the monster he’s become. But his brother, Rebel, is all too eager to remind Michael of his place…

Review:
...
....
.....

What in the hell did I just read?! Brother is like Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets Saw; except instead of the victims pov, we get the villains view instead. Sounds cool, right? Well, it's disturbing as all get out, but lost of all it's incredibly sad. Sad to see a family be so jaded to abuse, murder, incest, cannibalism... Yet also terrifying to live in so much animosity and fear. Michael, the character the book is mainly centered around, dreams of getting out. Out of a family who work together to torture and kill young girls. It's sort of a game; a sport to them. There is nothing whatsoever redeeming about the novel I just devoured but that's what I love about it so much. Is something seriously wrong with me?

The Morrow family is...a fucked up, dysfunctional family who thrive on fear and the pain that causes that fear. One incredible thing about their predicament is that they live out in the wilderness where no one can hear the screaming and begging of life. The pleading and hollow look in their eyes when they realize that no one is going to save them. It gives me chills just thinking about it. There's so much I can't say without giving stuff away! The terrifying vibe the whole story pulled off is perfect for Halloween and horror fans alike. Surprisingly, I was still able to read the book alone in the dark. Because the story isn't scary in the terms that things jump out at you; more like the things that don't pop out at you until it's too late. And next thing you know, you're tied up about to be slaughtered like a pig.

Honestly, I would love to go back and read the book again. Sure, it makes me sound like a freak, but I loved the writing so much. To be in the author's head, I have to say that her mind is as fucked up as Stephen King. And I mean that in the highest compliments. Overall, I totally recommend this creepy book to 17 + readers. There are some pretty gruesome and disturbing things in Brother. For the adults...well if you don't have an open mind going into this, I suggest staying clear. Or don't... If you do, don't say I didn't warn you *maniacally laughs*
All jokes aside, this is a great read and I can't recommend enough that it's the perfect October read.

* Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Buy Links:

AMAZON

AMAZON UK

About the Author:
Born in Ciechanow Poland, Ania has always been drawn to the darker, mysterious, and sometimes morbid sides of life. Her earliest childhood memory is of crawling through a hole in the chain link fence that separated her family home from the large wooded cemetery next door. She’d spend hours among the headstones, breaking up bouquets of silk flowers so that everyone had their equal share.

Author of eight novels, Ania's books have been lauded by the likes of Publisher's Weekly, The New York Daily News, and The New York Times. Some titles have been optioned for film.

Hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ania currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
 
For more from Ania, visit her site, or connect via social media on Facebook and Twitter.

Web: http://www.aniaahlborn.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aniaahlborn
Twitter: @aniaahlborn

Top Reccomendation: REMEMBER WHEN TRILOGY by T. Torrest

*Hey you guys! Okay, so I realize I'm very much late to the game in reading these books. But better late than never, right? I had so much fun reading this wonderful story full of witty dialogue, insanely romantic scenes, and angst beyond galore. I mean for reals...I am so in love with Remember When that it's not even funny! My review consists of all three books and I don't believe I wrote any spoilers...so this is the warning review before the review. Enjoy!

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services

Pub. Date: April 3, 2014

Genre: Romance

Source: Bought

Rating: 5 STARS!!!!!

GOODREADS

  Blurb:
All three best-selling books of the Remember Trilogy in one bundle!
REMEMBER WHEN, REMEMBER WHEN 2: The Sequel, and REMEMBER WHEN 3: The Finale.

Remember When is the first story in an NA romance trilogy. It will take you back to that time before the real world kicked in, that limbo between adolescence and adulthood, that trial of hanging on to the past while figuring out where the future will lie.
With heart-shredding romance, steamy love scenes and hilarious eighties references, readers of all ages will find themselves rooting for Layla and dreaming about Trip for years to come. It's an endearing journey through the tumultuous world of friendship, family and high school…
…and the memory of that one incredible guy your heart just can't seem to forget.

Remember When 2 is the second story in an NA romance trilogy. It will bring you back to that exuberant and riotous time of life in your twenties when you struggled to figure out your place in the world and the person you were meant to be…
…and the person you were meant to be with.

Remember When 3 is the third and final book in the Remember Trilogy.
It’s a story about taking chances and following your heart…
and knowing that sometimes, you just have to learn when to let go.

***All books are intended for readers 18+ due to some questionable language, alcohol abuse, smokin' hot sexual situations, and 1980s flashbacks.***

Review:
There are some books that are hard to review. You have everything you need to say, but you can't get the words to come out right. That's not the case with  the Remember When Trilogy. I started the first book late Thursday night and seriously finished it in one sitting. I laughed and swooned sooooo much. Layla and Trip...gah, their story was so perfect yet heartbreaking at the same time. Heartbreaking because teenagers can be so clueless and well...teenagers. So many things could have avoided if they just talked. But what kind of story would it have been if it were to remain easy? Here's why the first book to me was the best, and my favorite. Torrest took us back to our high school days, took us back decades, and made us fall in love with characters that just jumped out of the pages.

The story was so damn well developed that I hoed that there were really people out there that were just like this. It's a story yes, but to me, it was so much more than that. My stomach fluttered every time something romantic would happen between Trip and Layla. It was as if I were falling in love for the very first time again, it's a great feeling. Then the first book ended and I was left with a huge grin because I got a huge high from reading this beautiful story. Then I started the second book...

This was one that was gut-wrenching pain through my torso. Especially with the way it ended. But I still felt that wonderful magic I felt from the first book; I just hated how they let ten years go by! And I kept wanting to yell that long distance isn't that hard! We've got skype and the Internet...it's not hard to stay in touch anymore! Then I realized, duh...cellphones and the Internet weren't the hot commodity that they are now. They had to rely on snail mail written letters. The two have a second chance encounter when Trip becomes famous and Layla is trying to make her way as a reporter.

The sparks that flew off the page was astronomical; I couldn't get enough. And I sat there wondering again how these two boneheads couldn't see that they loved one another. Again, so much shit could have been avoided if they talked! You're adults now, why in the hell is it so hard to tell it like it is? The angst was on top of its game but all I wanted to see was our favorite duo happy. Why couldn't they just be happy! Then I started the third book...

This is where I tell you that while I stilled like it, I was very disappointed. Do I have to continue to say that all could have been avoided? The two didn't even try. The third story starts off five years later. Five!  Whyyy? Why did they have to go so far into the future? They wasted so many years of what should have been being together and happy. By not even trying or talking...they wasted FIVE MORE YEARS. I missed the kid versions of Lay and Trip. That relationship was heart pounding, and non stop swoon. Trip as an adult, I didn't like that much and while the story was still funny, I didn't laugh half as much as the first book.

I missed the whole gang, Lisa, Pick, etc. And I truly do realize that the book is very realistic, in terms of life after high school. Growing up and growing apart. But it still would have given me some peace of mind to have more of the gang together. Overall, I know for a fact this trilogy won't even leave me. Want to know how? I'm still thinking of it two weeks later and not to mention I was sad after I read the last page. Such a beautifully told story and I wish that we could get more of this charming couple aka Lay and Trip. If you haven't read these books yet, I can't recommend enough how good they are. It's definitely a book that will keep you hooked from beginning until the very end. No doubt about it!

Buy Links:

 AMAZON

AMAZON UK

About the Author:
T. Torrest is a fiction writer from the U.S. She has written many books, but prays that only a handful of them will ever see the light of day. Her stories are geared toward readers of any age that know how to enjoy a good laugh and a dreamy romance.

Ms. Torrest was a child of the eighties, but has since traded in her Rubik's cube for a laptop and her Catholic school uniform for a comfy pair of yoga pants. She's a pop-culture junkie, a movie aficionado, and an enthusiast of talking about herself in the third person. A lifelong Jersey girl, she currently resides there with her husband and two sons.

She also really digs it when she hears from readers, and is known to use words like "dig" in a non-sarcastic way. You can find out more about her books at her website: www.ttorrest.com
 
She also LOVES to get friend requests on goodreads and facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/TTorres... and personal messages from readers via email ttorrest@optonline.net.

Review: THE BRONZE HORSEMAN, #1 by Paullina Simons

Publisher: William Morrow

Pub. Date: September 2009

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Bought

Rating: 5 Stars...obviously

GOODREADS

Blurb:
The golden skies, the translucent twilight, the white nights, all hold the promise of youth, of love, of eternal renewal. The war has not yet touched this city of fallen grandeur, or the lives of two sisters, Tatiana and Dasha Metanova, who share a single room in a cramped apartment with their brother and parents. Their world is turned upside down when Hitler's armies attack Russia and begin their unstoppable blitz to Leningrad.

Yet there is light in the darkness. Tatiana meets Alexander, a brave young officer in the Red Army. Strong and self-confident, yet guarding a mysterious and troubled past, he is drawn to Tatiana—and she to him. Starvation, desperation, and fear soon grip their city during the terrible winter of the merciless German siege. Tatiana and Alexander's impossible love threatens to tear the Metanova family apart and expose the dangerous secret Alexander so carefully protects—a secret as devastating as the war itself—as the lovers are swept up in the brutal tides that will change the world and their lives forever.

Review:
Where to start? I'm out of breath, out of juice, out of...everything after reading this beautifully told story. That's the best way I feel I can put it. There's really nothing anyone, as well as me, can say. Because it's the type of book you just have to go into and experience for yourself. I'll be honest, I've had this book in my kindle for what feels like years. I had heard so many things about it and I still didn't really have any idea what it was about. One day after reading the Remember When Trilogy by T. Torrest, I was in desperate need to get another book high. Because Remember When was freaking amazing, the bar was set pretty damn high. So you have to realize I have what feels like thousands of books in my kindle and none of them looked remotely appealing. That was until I stumbled upon The Bronze Horsemen. Hmm... I heard good things about this book and hey it's about a motorcycle gang, right?

Boyyyyyyy, was I wrong! The beginning had a tiny bit of a slow start but quickly picked up when Tatiana met Alexander. And let me tell ya, that whole scene when they meet each other? Swooooon! Then it all comes crashing down when we see that Alexander is actually the soldier Tatiana's sister, Dasha, has been seeing. Yeah...What. The. Hell. My heart has stopped beating and I'm lifted with my mouth wide open. Seriously, what are the odds?! Well as you can imagine, Tatiana is a good sister and pines in secret for Alexander. Who in return pines away for Tatiana in private but that's it. He pretty much treats her like a little sister when he gets around Dasha. It made me sick.

Like beyonddddddd sick. I mean I get it now, why he did what he did, but at the time, I was he was a huge douche-canoe and if it were me, I would of said to hell with you! Not to mention, you're sleeping with my sister...um, fucking gross! In the beginning, he still got to reap all these benefits from both girls. I guess one could argue that Tatiana did it to herself, but come on, the guy knew what he was doing. There were so many times I wished T would just tell him to fuck off. But she never did. And it wasn't until the very end that I realized why. Tatiana is the type of girl who loves hard, and when she loves hard, she loves with all her heart. Which is the reason she seemed liked such a slave when it came to her family. She loved taking care of people she loved and even when they did her wrong, she still loved them all the same. Including Alexander.

Which brings me to the touchy subject that is Dasha. I hate that the author made me hate her. Dasha was a selfish little bitch who didn't deserve Alexander. Except, why didn't she deserve him? They found each other first, they're around the same age... So why aren't they good together. Why did she have to become the bitchy older sister? Only to have what happen to her in the book. Which I think is a huge cop out. That whole story line is fucked up. If there are sides, I'm on the side that opts for telling the family including Dasha at the very beginning about the connection Tatiana shared with dear old Alexander. But it all goes back to Tatiana being loyal and caring for everyone but herself.

It could have saved so much unnecessary drama if she would have just been selfish for that little bit of time. Because Alexander remained with a woman whom he didn't love, but loved him with everything she had. It wasn't fair in the least. And if you're so swung, yes I'm totally team Shura and Tatia but I just wish it would have happened under better circumstances. Overall, despite the little bit of misgivings, I did love the story. The writing was gorgeous and I can't wait to read the next one.

Buy Link:

AMAZON

AMAZON UK

About the Author:
Paullina Simons was born in Leningrad, USSR, in 1963. At the age of ten her family immigrated to the United States. Growing up in Russia Paullina dreamt of someday becoming a writer. Her dream was put on hold as she learned English and overcame the shock of a new culture.

After graduating from university and after various jobs including working as a financial journalist and as a translator Paullina wrote her first novel Tully. Through word of mouth that book was welcomed by readers all over the world.

She continued with more novels, including Red Leaves, Eleven Hours, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross (also known as Tatiana and Alexander), The Summer Garden and The Girl in Times Square (also known as Lily). Many of Paullina's novels have reached international bestseller lists.

Apart from her novels, Paullina has also written a cookbook, Tatiana's Table, which is a collection of recipes, short stories and recollections from her best selling trilogy of novels, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross, (also known as Tatiana and Alexander) and The Summer Garden.

Cover Reveal feat Excerpt: Perfect Ruin by Nashoda Rose!!

Title: Perfect Ruin Author: Nashoda Rose Genre: Erotic Romance Release Date: December 14th, 2015 Hosted By: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Synopsis

The New York Times Best Selling author Nashoda Rose is back with the much anticipated story of Kai and London in the Unyielding series.

Kai

There is nothing I care about.
No attachments.
No connections.
Outwardly, I’m a perfect gentleman.
Until my target sees my knife.
I fear nothing, not even death.
In my world, death is considered a privilege.
But my life comes with unbreakable cruel strings and when I met her, I should’ve walked away.
I didn’t. I was too selfish.
And that sealed her fate.
Because one week with me led her into the hands of ruin.

London

We all have unique layers that make up who we are.
What makes us vulnerable or strong.
What we fear and what excites us.
But peel back those layers and you’re left naked and exposed.
They did that to me.
Each piece was slowly stripped away then burned.
I merely existed.
But there was one layer they overlooked.
The most important of them all—the tie to one man.
The man responsible for me being this way.
The man who found me.
And the killer who would do anything to protect me.
Perfect Ruin is the dark erotic story of Kai and London.
Their beginning.
And the continuing story of Vault.

Must be read in order:
Perfect Chaos (Unyielding, #1) Deck and Georgie
Perfect Ruin (Unyielding, #2) Kai and London
Perfect Rage (Unyielding, #3) Connor’s story

Excerpt

Kai

I’d slit men’s throats who had families. I’d destroyed lives. I’d been groomed to ruin and not care how I did it as long as the job was done.

But what Mother didn’t know or understand was you never stole or harmed the girl belonging to a cold ruthless killer.

Flecks of who they made me into had begun to chip away the day I’d met London and what leached inside me was a slow acting poison. One that ate the numbness,brought in the light when all I’d seen was dark.

I leaned closer to her, my hand on the back of her neck as I whispered in her ear, “Maybe I am like my father. Because I’m a man who will do anything for the woman I want.” She tensed and the creases around her mouth accentuated as she frowned. “I wish I had more time to do this justice.”

I had my hand out of my pocket and the piano wire around her throat before she had the chance to take a final breath.

She looked like a fish out of water, flailing against me as she struggled to breathe. I held the wire tight, no mercy, no feeling toward what I was doing. Her fingernails ripped her own fragile skin as she tried to loosen the wire.

Her legs gave out.

Her wild horrified eyes went dead.

Her body fell limp.

I dropped her to the floor and put the wire back in my pocket. Then I crouched down beside her lifeless body. “London is mine and you fucked with that. Vault is going to pay for what it’s done.”

Get Perfect Chaos (Book 1)

Buy Links

Amazon / Amazon UK / Barnes & Noble

About Nashoda:

Nashoda Rose is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Toronto with her assortment of pets. She writes contemporary romance with a splash of darkness, or maybe it’s a tidal wave.

When she isn't writing, she can be found sitting in a field reading with her dogs at her side while her horses graze nearby. She loves interacting with her readers and chatting about her addiction—books.

Follow Her Here: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads