Five Loves

Yours All Along by Roni Loren….Review & Excerpt Blog Tour Stop

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Book Blurb:

The new Loving on the Edge romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Nothing Between Us turns on the heat between two men who wonder how much they’re willing to risk in the name of love.

Four years after an accident tore their friendship apart, Hunter and Devon are living separate lives. Hunter is now the all-America hero—a congressman’s son and a pro pitcher in Houston preparing to marry his beauty-queen girlfriend. Devon is in Dallas running a new restaurant.

But when Hunter unexpectedly shows up in Devon’s bar, Devon can’t turn him away. Damn it if the man isn’t still gorgeous. But engaged? Hell no. All he’s doing for Devon is bringing back memories of their college-roommate days, and the night their relationship went too far. Turns out Hunter has never forgotten it either.

Now Devon can’t help but be drawn in all over again by the only guy who’s ever gotten close enough to break his heart. Maybe one more night together would be enough for both of them to finally move on. Or maybe one night will change everything…

My Review:

Yours All Along is story number 7.5 in author Roni Loren’s Living On The Edges series and is admittedly the first in the series I’ve read. Well, consider me hooked! This novella was amazing. It was emotional and sexy as hell and I loved every second.

I love a good friends to lovers story and I love a good reunited lovers story….so you can imagine how much I loved this mash-up of those two favorites. It made no difference to me as far as telling Hunter and Devon’s story that this was novella length. Author Loren does a stellar job at telling this couple’s backstory and what led them to where there at this point in their lives. She also did a stellar job in having the reader feel every emotion that the characters shared. And let Me tell you, there is an abundance of emotion.

Hunter’s family is uptight and straight-laced without the ability to bend or see outside of what they think is “normal” so that put a ton of strain on Hunter when he started having an attraction to Devon. Poor Hunter was confused but also anxious to explore these feelings. I loved him and his willingness to try something new. Devon is so amazing and supportive with Hunter and helping him navigate these unfamiliar waters. HE was patient and sweet but also damn sexy.

God, I loved them together and was so heartbroken when they ended up going their separate ways. Luckily fate had a plan for these two and brings them back together and when she does it’s so ridiculously hot and sweet all at the same time. The relief and happiness in both of them at the end was palpable and I sat there was a goofy grin on my face when I read the very last page.

Overall, this was one of the best m/m books I’ve read this year and I will certainly be picking up the rest of the series. Thank you, Ms. Loren, for a beautiful and steamy read!

Excerpt:

This was so not his scene. Hunter tried to move to the beat of the pop song as the crowd pulsed around him near the front of the stage, but this music was not his thing and the high school chick in front of him kept casually grinding herself back against him, making everything awkward. He wasn’t drunk enough for this shit. Grinding girl sent him a look over her shoulder that obviously was some sort of invitation, but he couldn’t be less interested. She had on a pound of makeup and reeked of some kind of sweet perfume and alcohol. No thanks.

Dev was having no trouble keeping up with the beat, though, and seemed to be having a way better time. The shots he’d taken before they came in had probably helped. The kid had been in a weird mood the whole ride here. But now he was bouncing next to Hunter, face lit up with pride, as he watched his baby sister perform on stage. Hunter took a long sip off his cup to finish his beer, entertained more by the view of his tipsy, dancing friend than what was on stage or the girl in front of him.

“Isn’t she amazing?” Devon yelled.

Hunter smiled and tossed his empty cup to the ground, Dev’s exuberance contagious. “Yep. She’s totally hot.”

Devon shoved him in the shoulder. “Watch it, big man. That’s my baby sister. I’ll kick your ass.”

Hunter caught Devon’s wrist before he moved away, the heat of Dev’s skin against his palm sending a jolt through him, and without thinking, he pulled him closer. “I’d like to see you try, Easton.”

Devon’s gaze flicked to Hunter’s grip on his wrist then to the scant space between them, confusion flaring there. “What are you doing?”

Hunter knew he should let go, but somehow he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Holding on to Dev in the mass of chaos felt like finding safe harbor in the eye of a storm. He put his mouth close to Devon’s ear. “I’m using you as a shield. I need you to protect my virtue from the jailbait over there. Maybe she’ll think we’re together.”

Devon glanced over at the girl, who peered back again, focus zeroing in on Hunter. Dev gave him a wicked look, his smirk loose from his buzz. “We’ve got this. Just follow my lead.” Devon hooked his finger in Hunter’s belt loop and dragged him over to the spot he’d been dancing in. The music pumped through the arena, and the colored lights sparked over Devon in a haphazard, colorful pattern, revealing only pieces, snapshots. Hunter couldn’t look away. Dev rocked to the beat. “Come on, big man. Dance. Let’s shatter her little schoolgirl fantasy about landing a college guy for the night. Let her think I’m taking you home.”

Hunter laughed, nervous all of a sudden. “I suck at dancing.”

“Nobody sucks at dancing at a concert. Just close your eyes and move.”

Hunter wasn’t sure that was the truth, but he did have a little buzz going, and Dev’s grip on his waist was keeping him in time with the music. He closed his eyes and hooked an arm around Devon’s neck, focusing on letting go and moving with the beat.

“There you go,” Dev declared. “Just move.”

Hunter rarely danced and definitely had never tried with a guy, but before long, he could feel himself getting swept up in it—the beer, the music, the skill of his dance partner. All if it was pulsing through him with an electric edge, waking up everything and dragging him into the oblivion. He opened his eyes, finding Dev with flushed cheeks and laughing eyes. Devon spun around and then grabbed Hunter again without missing a beat. God, the kid was something. Devon was in his element tonight. Not that he ever held back. He was open about who he was, but seeing him in this environment proved that Devon still held some things in check around the frat house. Here Devon was free . . . and fucking magnetic.

The draw was something Hunter was learning to get used to. From the beginning, Devon had had this undeniable pull on him, but it’d been purely a friendship vibe. They connected and just got each other’s humor. Their differences had been a nonissue.

But after the night they’d shared his bed, the pull had gotten decidedly less clear cut. Hunter hadn’t lied when Devon had asked if he looked at guys in a sexual way. He didn’t. He was just starting to look at Devon that way. And it was completely fucking with his head.

Devon turned and put his back to Hunter, keeping close but moving with the music and leaving enough space between them that it didn’t cross into bump-and-grind territory. That’s when stalker girl decided she had an opening. She shimmied over and tried to work her way in between him and Devon. Her body brushed against Hunter’s arm in seductive invitation. But before she could slide into Devon’s spot, Hunter took a wide step, grabbed Devon’s hand, and pulled Dev against him hard. Their chests collided, and Devon’s eyes widened.

Purchase links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1drzx9i

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1eZ5E1i

iTunes: http://apple.co/1KY1X9c

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1HXMb82

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1AYCJnU

Author Bio:

Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son.

If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that’s it. She is the National Bestselling Author of The Loving on the Edge series from Berkley Heat.

Places to find Roni Loren:

Site: www.roniloren.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoniLoren

Twitter: https://twitter.com/roniloren

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4877863.Roni_Loren

Beat by Vi Keeland….Blog Tour Stop & Review

BEAT

(A standalone novel)

Release date: June 15th

A Contemporary Romance novel

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Vi Keeland

Meet Flynn and Lucky in this rock star romance!

AVAILABLE NOW!

Amazon US ➜ http://amzn.to/1KaPKwn

Amazon UK ➜ http://amzn.to/1fczMX5

iTunes ➜ http://apple.co/1DnI6f6

Kobo ➜ http://bit.ly/1aqrmbS

B&N ➜ http://bit.ly/1O1Ah0q

Watch the trailer for Beat ➜ http://bit.ly/1yZD0Am

Blurb

Dimpled smile of a boy

Hard body of a man

Sings like an angel

Fucks like the devil

I was stuck between a rock(star) and a hard place.

At fifteen, his poster hung on my bedroom wall. At twenty-five his body hovered over mine. Every girl’s fantasy became my reality. I was dating a rockstar. Yet I was slowly falling for another man. The problem was—the two men—they shared a tour bus.

Flynn Beckham was the opening act.

Dylan Ryder was the headliner.

What happens when the opening act begins to shine so bright, it seems to dim everything else in its wake?

I’ll tell you what happens. Things get ugly.

My Review:

Beat is book number two in author Vi Keeland’s Life On Stage series and being a big fan of Ms. Keeland’s writing, I was so excited to get my hands on this book. Well, let me say that I blame today’s bags under my eyes on the sexy and deliciously sweet Flynn Beckham because once I started this book, there was no way I could put it down. I loved it so much!

This was a love triangle that had me all in all sorts of knots, but in a good way. Lucky is totally caught off guard when she thinks her life is pretty set and as good as it was going to get. Which wasn’t terrible. She owned a bar, had a rock-star boyfriend she and the rest of the single girls in the U.S. had pined over since being teenagers, and a great best friend. All in all it was pretty good. But there was always something unsettled right under the surface she chose to just bury it deep. Then she met Flynn. Suddenly that unsettled feeling came to the forefront…but inexplicably became calm when he was around. She knew it had to mean something. She wasn’t sure she wanted to admit it. Too bad she wouldn’t have much of a choice when her boyfriend decides to take her on tour with his band at the same time the band’s bass player is replaced…with Flynn.

Now she was stuck on a tour bus with her boyfriend and the guy she was beyond attracted to. Too bad they weren’t one in the same. And that’s when my nerves kicked in! I didn’t know what I wanted Lucky to do. On one hand, Dylan, is an ok guy in the beginning; even though rumors of him cheating were always in the periphery. On the other hand Flynn is just so amazing all around. He’s talented, funny, kind, caring, understanding, and is so good to his little niece that I just about died. There truly wasn’t one thing I didn’t love about him. Lucky sure did have her hands full with these two. But one wins out in the end and while I won’t tell you who, I will say that I was SO FREAKING HAPPY! (so, yeah, you can probably guess who it is lol!)

This book had it all. I laughed, I cried, I blushed…I loved it ALL. Ms. Keeland once again wrote an amazing story with characters I just adored. Thank you, Vi!

Five Loves

Excerpt:

Getting through Flynn singing is incredibly hard. The way his throat moves, the way his mouth caresses each syllable of the low, raspy sound that falls from his lips. I should be watching his posture, his breathing, the way his larynx forces out the words—but instead I’m focused on the beauty of his mouth and how the sound of his voice glides over my body, making it feel both warm and tingly at the same time. I’m lost when the song finishes, yet I haven’t really observed him yet.

“So. Give it to me straight. What am I doing wrong?”

Ummm…absolutely nothing from what I can see. Everything was perfect. Don’t change a thing. Shit. “Could you do it again? Maybe a different song, one you haven’t sung in a while. So the sounds are less familiar to your body. Sometimes that can give me a different view.” At least I make it sound like a real thing when the words come out.

He sings again, and this time I force myself to observe. “Hmm…your posture is great. Most people have a tendency to favor one side of their neck, which makes them tilt a bit when they speak, and it becomes magnified when they sing, which puts strain on the muscles around the vocal cords. Your alignment is perfect.”

“Thank you, it goes with the rest of my perfectness,” he says with a teasing arrogance that, from the little I know about him, I know isn’t real.

“You didn’t let me finish.”

“You can’t now tell me I’m not perfect. I was already basking in the glow.”

“Actually, it was perfect…but almost a little too perfect. Which makes me think you don’t usually stand this way when you sing.”

“It isn’t the way I normally sing. On stage, I usually have a guitar over my shoulder. Even if I’m not playing it, it’s there.”

“Well, I need to see you holding your instrument to assess you fully, then.”

Flynn’s eyebrows quirk up and the dirty grin on his face is unmistakable.

“The guitar. I’d need to see you holding the guitar.”

“That’s a shame.” He shrugs, the playful smile still on his face. “But okay. It’s your call. Whatever instrument you want to see me hold is fine with me.”

“How big of you.”

“So now we’re talking about the other instrument again?”

I roll my eyes, although this conversation is having more of an effect on me than I let on.

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Additional Books by Vi Keeland

Throb

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1dgPKOn

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1CsRg9d

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1zk882K

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1x5c3P8

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1slglLN

Worth the Fight (MMA Fighter Series, Book One)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1dgPNcY

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1alpVES

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1dbzZ8R

Smashwords – http://bit.ly/1is0zNX

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1co2ZpF

Worth The Chance (MMA Fighter Series, Book Two)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1KaQ7qD

B&N: http://bit.ly/1gwTyJw

Itunes: http://bit.ly/1gHMCZg

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1fqQcnj

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/NU2rCR

Worth Forgiving (MMA Fighter Series, Book Three)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1GICYCL

B & N: http://bit.ly/1ljdVzb

iTunes: http://bit.ly/XBTLFX

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1kWP4ka

Belong to You (A Cole Novel, Book One)

Amazon US : http://amzn.to/1NbQznH

Made For You (A Cole Novel, Book Two)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1GID1yn

First Thing I See (Stand Alone)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NbQFMl

Left Behind (Stand Alone)
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1GID65o

About the Author:

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!

Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

$50 Gift Amazon Gift Card

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ARC Review….Easy Charm by Kristen Proby

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Synopsis:

Gabrielle Boudreaux, the youngest of the Boudreaux clan, is a single mother of her young son, Sam. Running a Bed and Breakfast at the family plantation house at the edge of the Mississippi River, Gabby loves her inn, her boy and her family. She meets new people every day, and takes pride in the house and land that has been in her family for more than five generations. Blessed beyond measure, she’s also lonely, although she would never admit that to anyone. Until Rhys O’Shaughnessy walks through her door, brooding and wounded and the sexiest thing she’s ever laid eyes on.

Rhys has been at the top of his game as a major league pitcher for the Boston Red Sox for more than ten years. Baseball is in his blood. But when he tears his rotator cuff and has to sit a season out, he retreats to Inn Boudreaux at the recommendation of his cousin, Kate, to heal and work toward building his shoulder back to perfect shape with only one goal in mind: to return to the game he loves. But he didn’t plan on being utterly charmed by a devastatingly beautiful woman and her baseball-loving son.

When Rhys’ shoulder has healed and he’s given the chance to return to his team, will he leave the family he’s come to love behind, or will he stay with Gabby and Sam?

My Review:

Easy Charm is book number two in author Kristen Proby’s Boudreaux Series and after loving the first book, I was so excited and beyond lucky to get an early copy of Gabrielle and Rhys’ story. It lived up to everything I hoped for these two amazing characters. Emotional , sexy, and sweet, Easy Charm is the whole package.

Youngest in the Boudreaux family, Gabrielle isn’t looking for love. She’s got an adorable little boy, Sam, and runs a Bed and Breakfast, both of which keep her with little time to find love. She’s also been burned before and tends to be a bit leery when it comes to finding a knight in shining armor. But what happens when love comes looking for her? What happens when an eligible, handsome, and successful man comes for a stay at the B&B? Would she have the courage to give it a shot?

The last thing Pro baseball player Rhys O’Shaughnessy wanted to do was not play baseball. He lived it. Breathed it. It was his life. But suffering a potentially career ending injury will help a guy realize pretty quickly that he may need to take a rest. He didn’t know what to expect when he was talked into staying at a Bed and Breakfast on the edge of the Mississippi River but the last thing he expecting was to be immediately taken with the owner. She was beautiful and right away he could tell she was a tough cookie both as a mother and as a the proprietress of her business. He could also tell right away that she had some major walls up. He did love a challenge and would make it his mission to break down those walls. He just hoped she would let him.

The thing I love about Ms. Proby’s writing is that it is a delicious balance of sexy and romantic. This was no exception. Rhys is every bit the gentleman when it came to getting Gabrielle to warm up to him. I loved that he respected her and let her set the pace….but when she gives in and gives him the green light? Holy hotness, Batman!! Gabrielle is a strong woman. She was dealt a tough hand when she was younger but she has learned a lot from that. She’s learned that she can rely on herself and didn’t need a man in her life to validate who she was both as a woman and mother to her son. Speaking of which, Sam is so damn cute and his personality leaps off the pages! Being a mom of a son myself, I truly appreciated the attention Ms. Proby spent on him in the story. After all, he is a part of who Gabrielle is and I just loved their dynamic.

Of course, all good things must come to an end and the little bubble they resided in along the Mississippi pops when Rhys has to face the fact that his injury has healed and he can return to his life. I won’t lie, I was a nervous wreck and wanted nothing more than for them to stay together and I definitely cried some tears along the way. They both deserved happiness so much! Luckily, Ms. Proby writes some of the best endings around. She also wrote some of the hottest almost-at-the-end-of-the-book-and-I-can’t-give-spoilers-about-why-it’s-so-hot sex in this book and I loved it! (trust me, you’ll know what I mean after to read it *insert evil laugh*)

Thank you, Ms. Proby, for once again giving us a story filled with love, delicious heat, and amazing characters. This will continue to be a series I look forward to reading more of!

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N

About the author:

455351 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves.
Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

ARC Review….Dream Of You by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis:

Abby Erickson isn’t looking for a one-night stand, a relationship, or anything that involves any one-on-one time, but when she witnesses a shocking crime, she’s thrust into the hands of the sexiest man she’s ever seen – Colton Anders. His job is to protect her, but with every look, every touch, and every simmering kiss, she’s in danger of not only losing her life but her heart also..

My review:

Dream of You is story number 4.5 in author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Wait For You series as well as novella number 9 in 1,001 Dark Nights’ 2015 line-up. This was also another first for me, thanks to the intro from 1,001 Dark Nights, and now that I’ve read and loved Dream Of You, I will certainly be picking up the rest of the books in this series!

As if being on the worst date in the history of dating wasn’t a bad enough way to spend an evening, young widow Abby Erickson suddenly finds herself in a circumstance that makes her lame date seem like a paradise….witnessing a murder. Yeah, that would do it. But a bright spot in this epically horrid evening was seeing Colton Anders. Colton, a blast from her high school past was now a detective and one of the men in charge of bringing the killers to justice and keeping her safe in the process.

Fate may have put her in the path of these killers but also out her in the path of her long lost crush. A long lost crush who may have had a thing for Abby, too? As much as she would love to believe that, he was the handsome and popular jock back then and she was the studious book nerd. Sure opposites attract all the time but no way could Colton have a thing for Abby like she did for him all those years ago….or could he? Maybe fate knew a thing or two….

From the very first page of this story I was hooked. Hell, from the very first sentence. Ms. Armentrout completely drew me in and I had so many feelings and emotions for Abby. Sure she witnessed an awful thing and I was scared for her safety, but more than that I was so sad for her that she had lost her husband so young and had really been alone since then. Four years. Alone. She had a few friends and a great job as an editor (which led to some great author and book references that had me grinning like the fan girl I am) but her love life was non-exsitant and that made me so sad for her. But then, like the sun coming out on a cloudy day, things started looking up for this amazing and extremely relatable gal. Colton comes back into her life and shocks her by admitting he had feelings for her but had never acted on them. I loved that their past was a connection that came back to life when this unexpected event happened. It’s their second chance and one they grab onto with both hands. It’s not without a bit of apprehension, however. This leads me to one of my absolute favorite things about this story….Abby is just like so many of us when it comes to her body image. She’s not unhappy per se, just not totally comfortable with herself and the way she looks and that resonated deeply with me, as I imagine it will with many readers. We all have our insecurities and when Abby’s friend gives her the come-to-Jesus talk, I wanted to cheer and shout from the rooftops how much I loved the words written in that paragraph! It’s possibly one of the best parts of a book I’ve read and one that will stay with me. Kudos to Ms. Armentrout for writing what so many of us needed to hear!

Dream Of You is suspenseful, sweet, sexy, emotional; and with wonderful characters, it’s the total package. I cannot wait to go back and start this series from the beginning and have no doubt I will love each book. Thank you, Ms. Armentrout, for a fantastic read!

Five Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | 1,001 Dark Nights

About the author:

# 1 New York Times and International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.
She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Jennifer would love to hear from you. If you have questions about any of her books, would like to set up an interview, book signing, etc, please use the email address below. Please check out each book/series individual page for more information about each title and the FAQ section.
For rights information on any of her titles, please contact Kevan Lyon from Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
If you are requesting an ARC please contact the publisher of that book.
To contact Jennifer directly, please email: jenniferlarmentrout@live.com

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Searching For Beautiful by Jennifer Probst….Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

The highly anticipated third novel in the Searching For series from Jennifer Probst, “one of the most exciting breakout novelists” (USA Today), featuring a runaway bride and the man who wants to be more than just her best friend…

Genevieve MacKenzie has her life completely under control. About to wed the charming Chief doctor at the local hospital, she’s an up-and-coming surgeon with everything she could ever want. Until an escape through the church window on the day of her wedding sends her life into a tailspin…and flings her right into her best friend’s arms.

When Wolfe catches his best friend falling out a window on her wedding day, he doesn’t ask questions. He whisks her away, determined to watch over her and discover the truth behind her desperate escape. But when his feelings turn more than platonic, he realizes he may risk his most important relationship in order to protect his damaged heart, and the woman he loves.

Can Genevieve and Wolfe’s friendship turn into something deeper—or is it already too late for true love?

My review:

Searching For Beautiful is book number three in author Jennifer Probst’s Searching For series and I loved, loved, loved this book. Loved.

Never in her wildest dreams did Genevieve MacKenzie think her life would be in this much of a mess. She never thought she would have been about to marry an emotionally abusive man, never thought she would have walked out of her wedding, never thought she would be letting everyone around her down. She wasn’t that girl. She was the one with her head on straight and always succeeded in everything she did. And yet here she was….a mess. Luckily she had Wolfe by her side. Her best friend was always by her side though. And she loved him for it. And with things in such turmoil around her, she needs it more than ever. The thing was she really needed to stop her thoughts from dipping into friends with benefits territory. She had just left her fiancée, she shouldn’t be thinking about Wolfe that way. Man, it was hard….

Wolfe never had anything to thank fate for…until now, when he sees his best friend escaping out of the wedding chapel window and begging him to take her away. Fate got a high-five for this. Since Gen’s fiancée had tried to limit the time they spent together, he hadn’t seen her in entirely too long. But now she needed him nd he would move heaven and earth to make her happy and whole again. She never came out and said it, but he knew her fiancée was a controlling jerk. Now he had her back in his life, and he would be her knight in shining armor…even if he was anything but. And he would cherish every minute they had together because as awful as it made him, he would never stop thinking about Gen and never quit wondering if he could be the type of man worthy of someone like Gen. But he never would be…

Together, Gen and Wolfe have a chance. A chance at love. A chance at a happy ending. But will they take it?

I’ve been a huge fan of author Probst’s writing for a few years now. She writes amazing characters with depth and emotion. Story lines that are interesting and entertaining. She ways delivers a great read. But this book was by far, her best book yet. There were so many layers in this highly emotional story that I just couldn’t stop reading and was devouring every page. Wolfe broke my heart. He’s an amazing character with a childhood that, the way Ms. Probst wrote it, had me crying big ugly tears and wanting to reach through the pages and hug him. The horror he endured was unimaginable and made me want a happy ending for him with a desperate passion. Gen was equally amazing. The situation she found herself in was one that too many women find themselves in and in writing her story, Ms. Probst gives a voice to the many victims of domestic violence. The relationship between Gen and Wolfe grew from friends to lovers in such a delicious pace that when they finally make the jump into a physical relationship, it was sublime. Smoking hot and charged with emotion, I adored them together! There are many stumbles along the way for these two, but I knew Ms. Probst would give them the happiness they were so worthy of.

If there’s one book you pick up after reading one of my reviews, I hope this is it. With so much to love in this story, I highly recommend it. Thank you, Ms. Probst, for one hell of a fantastic read!

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Author Information

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon’s Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Website: www.jenniferprobst.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst

Ravaged by Elisabeth Naughton….ARC Review

Synopsis:

Ari—Once an Eternal Guardian, now he’s nothing but a rogue mercenary with one singular focus: revenge.

His guardian brothers all think he’s dead, but Ari is very much alive in the human realm, chipping away at Zeus’s Sirens every chance he can, reveling in his brutality and anonymity. Until, that is, he abducts the wrong female and his identity is finally exposed. It will take more than the Eternal Guardians, more even than the gods to rein Ari in after everything he’s done. It may just take the courage of one woman willing to stand up to a warrior who’s become a savage.

My Review:

Ravaged is story number 7.5 in author Elisabeth Naughton’s Eternal Guardians series as well as novella number 8 in the 2015 1,001 Dark Nights lineup and, sadly, the first in this series by Ms. Naughton that I’ve read. Well, after reading Ravaged, I’m totally hooked and immediately went and bought the entire backlist. It was that good.

The very last thing Ari ever wanted to do right now was rescue a nymph…but yet he had, and now she was in his home, resting and healing. But he swore as soon as she was well enough, he would cast her out. He had been hurt enough in his life and now his mission was to hunt Siren’s and remain in hiding. He wanted revenge on the God who had cursed him to this awful existence and he would be sure to get it…as soon as she left. He knew he couldn’t have left her to die out there in the cold snow when he found her injured and bleeding. He soon realized that choice would turn his world upside down and that Nymph would end up saving his life in more ways than one. But at what price, he didn’t know…

I finished this book about a week ago and I am still in book hangover mode. I loved this story so much and it made me get the same warm and fuzzy feelings I felt when I discovered The Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Ari’s story and his past broke my heart. I wanted to reach through the pages and just hug him. He’s had his heart-broken and was just living day by day trying to make it through. It was a sad existence and he knew it but he gave up on his happiness and I wanted to cry for him. Daphne is an amazing heroine with a great resolve and I loved her ability to see people for who they are and not just follow the things she’s been taught on Olympus. I loved that about her so much. Without that amazing quality, she never could have helped Ari and she would have ended up killing him, as she’d be tasked with originally. Together they make an amazing team and the chemistry and heat they share is off the charts delicious! As I said earlier, this novella alone turned me into a fan and I cannot WAIT to start this entire series. I have a feeling I will love each book as much as I did reading Ravaged.

Thank you, Ms. Naughton, for turning this blogger into an Eternal Guardians fan and for giving me so many books to look forward to reading!

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | 1,001 Dark Nights

About the author:

I was never one of those people who knew they wanted to be an author at the age of six. I didn’t have imaginary friends. I didn’t write stories in my journal or entertain my relatives by firelight after Thanksgiving dinner. For the most part, I was just a normal, everyday kid. I liked to read, but I wasn’t exceptional at it. And when my teachers complimented me on my writing abilities, I brushed them off. I did, however, always have a penchant for the unique and absurd. And as my mother told me all throughout my childhood, I should have been an actress—I was a drama queen before my time.

Years ago, my husband bought me Scarlett: The Sequel to Gone With The Wind. If you ever saw the book, you know it’s a long one. I sat and read that thing from cover to cover, and dreamed of one day being a writer. But I didn’t actually try my hand at writing until years later when I quit my teaching job to stay home with my kids. And my husband? After that week of reading where I neglected him and everything else until I finished Scarlett, he vowed never to buy me another book again. Little did he know I’d one day end up sitting at a keyboard all day drafting my own stories.

My writing journey has not been easy. I didn’t just sit down one day, decide I was going to write a book and voila! sell my very first attempt. As most authors will probably agree, the path to publication is filled with hours of work, pulling all-nighters I thought I’d given up in college, sacrifices, rejections, but a love I discovered along the way I just can’t live without. Instead of a big, thick book to read by lamplight (I do read much smaller ones when I get the chance), I’ve traded in my reading obsession for a laptop. And I’ve never been happier.

I’m one of the lucky ones. I have a wonderful family and fabulous husband who put up with my writing—and obsessive personality—even when life is chaotic. More than once my kids have been late to swimming or baseball because I needed just five more minutes to finish a scene. Their support and encouragement mean the world to me. I also have amazing friends and a support network I couldn’t survive without. So to all of you out there who have encouraged me along the way, sent me emails and fan letters, phone calls and congratulations, I just want to say, thank you. You make this whole writing gig that much more enjoyable. I truly wouldn’t be here without you.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Review….Just One Taste by Kimberly Kincaid

Synopsis:

A little home improvement can go a long way…

Jesse Oliver was a medic in Afghanistan, but back home in Pine Mountain he’s happy to switch gears as the Double Shot bar’s new sous chef. When his apartment floods and his old Army buddy offers the family’s dilapidated lake house as temporary quarters, Jesse thinks a little remodeling on the creaky duplex sounds like a fair return favor. That’s before he sets eyes on the gorgeous woman moving into the other side of the cabin—and discovers she’s his buddy’s kid sister, a.k.a totally off limits.

Kat McMarrin has fought hard for her space, and she’s not too interested in sharing it. Of course, her job as a physical therapist means she won’t see much of Jesse, even if he’s a few thin floorboards away—unless she seeks him out. And with his sculpted body and slow-burn gaze, she might be tempted. Maybe the fixer-upper projects she has planned for the cabin will keep her mind off him. Or maybe her instincts to strip the place down will get out of hand…

My Review:

Just One Taste is story number 4.5 in author Kimberly Kincaid’s Pine Mountain Series, a series I have loved reading since the very first installment. This novella just added to my enjoyment and I loved getting to read Jesse and Kat’s story!

When catastrophe strikes and their apartment building must be vacated for a month, Jesse and Kat had no way of knowing that fate would step in and put them in very close living quarters. Jesse’s good Army buddy happens to be Kat’s big brother and when he offers Jesse a place to stay, in his family’s lake house, no one realized Kat would be staying there, too. As I said, fate sure had a plan for these two! What happens next is just pure magic, like Kimberly Kincaid is excellent at delivering.

Jesse is a bit broken since leaving the Army as a combat medic and Kat, as a physical therapist, has that innate need to heal. Is there a better match? I don’t think so. There chemistry and attraction is undeniable from the word “go” and their personalities complement one another so well. Sure Jesse needs a bit of help coming to grips with his new life roles, and already having a step in the right direction after finding his love of culinary arts, he just needs to realize he is worthy of happiness. Happiness he finds in Kat’s arms. Kat is no-nonsense and calls Jesse out on almost all of his issues and I loved that about her. She is definitely my kind of gal. There are also more than a few laughs along the way and that’s just another thing that author Kincaid does so well. Her stories are always balanced beautifully.

Overall, this is a fun, steamy, and feel good read and a perfect way to spend a summertime afternoon! Thank you, Ms. Kincaid, for yet another great visit with my favorite Pine Mountain gang!

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the author:

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a 2015 RWA RITA® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Kimberly resides in Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Review…Salvation by Robin Covington

Synopsis:

Letting go never felt so good.

Carlisle Queen is dying and no one knows it.

Burying the pain of losing her friends and her professional swimming career in a terrorist attack, America’s former sweetheart dulls her pain with drugs, pills and parties. The bomb left her with more than nightmares; shrapnel is lodged in her back and inching closer to her spinal cord. When the doctors tell her paralysis is inevitable, she decides to take her own life rather than face a lifetime in a wheelchair.

Mateo Butler isn’t anyone’s hero.

Reeling from the death of his little sister and his own cowardice, he spends his nights partying and his days ignoring the medical school acceptance letters and his parents’ concerned phone calls. Just a couple of months from graduation, he’s facing a future filled with shame and regret. The last thing he needs is to meet the woman who compels him to be a better man.

Can they save each other?

When Carlisle and Mateo meet, the chemistry between them is combustible. They play, party and hide their true selves until one night turns their lust into something more…something real. As secrets are revealed and walls collapse, what they were and what they might become doesn’t matter as much as who they are together. When the choice comes down to life or death, can love be their salvation?

My Review:

Salvation is the second book in author Robin Covington’s Nashville Nights series and after loving the first book, I was so excited to read Carlisle and Mateo’s story and let me just say, Robin has done it again. This story was beyond smoking hot, filled with emotion, and just down right amazing all around. I loved it!

Carlisle Queen is used to one thing these days: coping. Pain, loss, death…coping with all of it. Of course, her chosen methods weren’t exactly legal at times, but it got her through, and right now, that’s what mattered. But as far as the long-term? She didn’t exactly have one…a long term, that is. She was dying and just biding her time until it was over, which she had made peace with…until Mateo. Now she was a jumble of confusion and emotion because he had given her hope that maybe, just maybe, her injuries could be fixed and she could have a future…with him. Would fate give her a chance at the happy ever after that was stolen away years earlier?

You could say that Mateo was floundering. He was just kind of going through the motions of school and life and all was sort of bland. Especially after the death of his little sister. The little sister he had so many plans with. Plans that now seemed worthless. But the minute Mateo starts something with Carlisle, his world goes from bland to full of life in an instant. The sexy, smart, feisty red-head was everything he could have dreamed of and more. She quickly turned from a quick roll in the hay into something so much more. Dare he hoped she felt the same way? That they could turn this temporary fun into something permanent? He should have known fate wouldn’t be kind enough to give him a shot at happiness and a sense of purpose…

With so much loss and pain tainting the love they’ve found, will Carlisle and Mateo be able to weather this storm and come out of it? Together?

I can always count on an amazing read from Robin. Always. This book was no exception. Carlisle and Mateo are two broken pieces apart, but together make one imperfectly perfect whole. Where they both have a weakness, they also have a strength that has the beautiful ability to help shore up the weakness until it no longer matters. Mateo is quietly dealing with the guilt over the death of his sister and it broke my heart. He has such a desire to make things right for Carlisle and help her in any way that I couldn’t help but fall in love with him the very first time he picked her up when she needed him. Carlisle is wonderful at putting on a brave face for the world but is privately a disaster. I don’t blame her and honestly, I felt she had every right to feel the way she did. To self medicate and push away the pain. But I also wanted her to be ok. I wanted so desperately for these two to get a second chance at life. And love. Of course, because Robin is amazing, she always delivers.

Now, because it deserves a separate paragraph, I have got to touch on the amount of scorching heat in this story. Good. Lord. Also, another thing I can count on from Robin is the deliciously sexy scenes that happen between Mateo and Carlisle. Sexy and emotional, these scenes melted my e-reader and had me fanning myself more than a few times. Total yum!

If you’re looking for a great book with beautiful emotion, well-developed characters, and plenty of heat, Salvation needs to be on your list. Thank you, Robin for once again writing one hell of a book!

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N

About the author:

Robin Covington loves to explore the theme of fooling around and falling in love in her bestselling books. A Night of Southern Comfort, her debut novel was nominated for the RT Book Reviewers Choice Awards for Small Press and was touted by RT Book Reviews as bringing a “fresh, modern feel to the genre while still sticking to the things that get our adrenaline pumping — sex and danger”

When she’s not writing sexy, sizzling romance she’s collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, and stalking Dean winchester. You can find Robin at her website (robincovingtonromance.com), Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Don’t send chocolate . . . send eye candy!

Robin lives in Maryland with her hilarious husband, brilliant children (they get it from her, of course!) and her beloved furbabies.

Hades by Larissa Ione…ARC Review

Hades releases 5/26

Synopsis:

A fallen angel with a mean streak and a mohawk, Hades has spent thousands of years serving as Jailor of the Underworld. The souls he guards are as evil as they come, but few dare to cross him. All of that changes when a sexy fallen angel infiltrates his prison and unintentionally starts a riot. It’s easy enough to quell an uprising, but for the first time, Hades is torn between delivering justice — or bestowing mercy — on the beautiful female who could be his salvation…or his undoing.

Thanks to her unwitting participation in another angel’s plot to start Armageddon, Cataclysm was kicked out of Heaven and is now a fallen angel in service of Hades’s boss, Azagoth. All she wants is to redeem herself and get back where she belongs. But when she gets trapped in Hades’s prison domain with only the cocky but irresistible Hades to help her, Cat finds that where she belongs might be in the place she least expected…

My review:

Hades is story number 11.5 in author Larissa Ione’s Demonica Series, story number 6.5 in her Lords of Deliverance Series as well as novella number 7 in 1,001 Dark Nights 2015 line-up. I have been a HUGE fan of Ms. Ione for years now and have been anxiously awaiting Hades story. This broody, mischievous, mohawked fallen angel has truly met his match when he met Cataclysm and this story was everything I had hoped and more…

You could say that jailing the souls of the evilest of the evil had hardened Hades of the last few thousands of years. How could it not have? He had to be a tough ass in order to keep all of these wretched souls and creatures afraid of him. Of course it could have been made a bit more comfortable, but he had earned a punishment from Azagoth many years ago and was still paying for his transgression. He had been used to all of that, though, and really hadn’t thought of things getting better or changing for quite some time. He had resigned himself to the fact this was as good as it was ever going to get…until he met Cat. Then things changed…but he was forbidden to go anywhere near her. Ever. And that’s what he hated most…

Cat knew her current cleaning crew situation could be much worse, so she wasn’t going to complain. Besides, getting brief glimpses of Hades during her daily cleaning of Azagoth’s home made things marginally better. He was beyond a sexy bad boy. He was also totally off-limits because she was here to be working off her indiscretion in unknowingly helping almost starting Armageddon, not oogling Hades. Just when she thinks things can’t get worse, she had to go and accidentally get herself stuck in Hades realm with no way back. She knew he was going to be mad. She knew he would hate having her here. She didn’t know that he had been as attracted to her as she had been to him…

Now this close, forced proximity was pushing them both into the shared desire to take their attraction to the next level. A level that involved emotions that Hades knew he wouldn’t be allowed to act on no matter how much Cat had begged him. Not to mention there was a bit of a situation with a possible overthrow of power happening down here. Was there ever a chance for them? Or was it as dismal as Hades feared…

I mean, really. Does anyone write fallen angel bad boys like Larissa Ione? From the very first page, I was completely hooked on Hades and Cat. He has been a bit of a mystery since we first met him in the series and now we really got a taste of who he is and why he’s in the position he’s in….and it broke my heart. Honestly, Ms. Ione has a way to turn the biggest, baddest, bad boys into these fragile broken guys and I just adore that so much. (Side note: I will never take peanut butter and chocolate for granted again.) All the feels! Cat is just so perfect for him and I adored her as much as I loved him. She is strong-willed with a big heart and I loved how she was going to try her hardest to break down Hades’ defenses, no matter how tough it was. I love a take charge gal! The heat between them is smoking hot and burns up the pages. There are two scenes that had me fanning myself and practically drooling on my e-reader. Yet another thing Ms. Ione kick ass at….heated sexy scenes with a ton of emotion. Mmmmhmmm! Oh, and speaking of emotion, the end scene with Hades, Cat, and Azagoth had me crying big, fat tears….not in a bad way, but the emotions were so high and I wanted desperately for Hades and Cat to have their chance at a happiness! (No spoilers but you know I won’t recommend a book that ends badly)

Thank you, Ms. Ione, for another fantastic trip into the Underworld! (and for the whole pee-stick thing lol!!)

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | 1,001 Dark Nights

About the author:

Larissa Ione is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. An Air Force veteran, she traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion of writing. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.

Can’t Resist A Cowboy by Elizabeth Otto….Blog Tour Stop & Review

CAN’T RESIST A COWBOY

By Elizabeth Otto

A Paint River Ranch Novel

He’s always been her weakness…

Injured and discharged, Marine Levi Haywood has returned to his family’s ranch to heal and start a new life. After all, once a cowboy, always a cowboy. The only problem? Life at the ranch has moved on since he joined the service, and suddenly his role in the family business is much less clear. And things get a lot more confusing when the woman he left behind returns home.

Carrie Lynn Waite has never known a time when she didn’t love Levi. They were childhood sweethearts, but because of her health, she was forced to move to the city, away from the ranching life. Now Carrie’s come home only to learn her family’s ranch is in trouble and Levi is back, along with an undeniable attraction she can’t resist. But some things never change, forcing Carrie to choose the future laid out before her…or the cowboy she could never resist.

Buy Links: Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iTunes * ARe * Kobo

My review:

Can’t Resist A Cowboy is the third book in author Elizabeth Otto’s Paint River Ranch series, a series I have loved from the beginning. This book is Levi’s story and, hands down, is my fave of the series thus far.

Being back in her hometown, Carrie Lynn was only dreading one thing: seeing Levi Haywood. Of course that would be easier said than done seeing as though their famiy properties were neighboring lands and he was back working on that land after being injured in the war. Her injuries, in the form of a broken heart thanks to Levi, still hadn’t healed. Hopefully she would be able to visit with her father, tell him the devastating news about her failing health due to her diabetes, and go back without seeing too much of the devastatingly sexy Marine she had said goodbye to all those years ago…

Levi Haywood had never forgotten his sunshine: Carrie Lynn. He left her when he joined the Marines, and had never really gotten over it. He knew she would be coming to visit her father and he wanted nothing more than to have a second chance. He had already been given a second chance at life after almost dying overseas, and he was probably being greedy asking for one with her, but he would be damned if he didn’t at least try. The memories they had made when they were young and in love had gotten him through some of the roughest parts when he was a Marine and he would do anything to show her how much she still meant to him. If only she would give him the chance.

Can love be rekindled between two injured souls? If fate had anything do to with it, it will…

Oh my, how I loved this story so damn much! Author Otto has had me hooked on these Haywood boys from the very beginning and I look forward to each new book but this one, THIS one, was just amazing. Levi is just too much. He is sweet, battered, caring, loyal, and so strong both emotionally and physically. I loved him so much. He was equal parts vulnerable and resilient and the balance was amazing. Carrie Lynn was the same balance of vulnerability and resiliency with her issues with diabetes. Where they may have been a great match before Levi left for the Marines, they are an even better pair now, leaning on one another when things get rough and learning to embrace their individual shortcomings in order to grow stronger together as a couple.

But above and beyond, Ms. Otto wrote so many touching scenes into this story that I couldn’t help but laugh and cry along with these amazing characters. From private talks between Levi and his niece, to the tender moments shared between Carrie Lynn and Levi and the lengths he will go to in order to get her to stay with him were just so emotional and special.

Packed with raw and tender emotion and a ton of heat, Can’t Resist A Cowboy is a total win. Thank you, Ms. Otto, for another amazing read and for giving us Levi and Carrie Lynn! I sure hope we will see more of the Paint River Ranch gang in the future!

Five Loves

About the Author: Elizabeth Otto grew up in a Wisconsin town the size of a postage stamp, where riding your horse to the grocery store, and skinny dipping after school were perfectly acceptable. No surprise that she writes about small communities and country boys. She’s the author of paranormal romance, and hot, emotional, contemporary romance, and has no guilt over frequently making her readers cry. When not writing, she works full-time as an Emergency Medical Technician for a rural ambulance service. Elizabeth lives with her very own country boy and their three children in, shockingly, a small Midwestern town.

FIND THE AUTHOR HERE: @EAOtto Facebook Website Good Reads

Synopsis:

Injured and discharged, Marine Levi Haywood has returned to his family’s ranch in order to heal and start a new life. After all, once a cowboy, always a cowboy. The only problem? Life at the ranch has moved on since he joined the service, and suddenly his role is much less clear. And things get a lot more confusing when his childhood sweetheart shows up.

Carrie Lynn Waite has never known a time when she didn’t love Levi. They were childhood sweethearts, but because of her illness, she was forced to move to the city, away from the ranching life. Now Carrie’s come home only to learn her family’s ranch is in trouble and Levi is back, along with an undeniable attraction she can’t resist. But some things never change. Now Carrie must decide between her future…and the cowboy she could never resist.

Adored by Lexi Blake…ARC Review

Adored releases May 12

Synopsis:

A man who gave up on love

Mitch Bradford is an intimidating man. In his professional life, he has a reputation for demolishing his opponents in the courtroom. At the exclusive BDSM club Sanctum, he prefers disciplining pretty submissives with no strings attached. In his line of work, there’s no time for a healthy relationship. After a few failed attempts, he knows he’s not good for any woman—especially not his best friend’s sister.

A woman who always gets what she wants

Laurel Daley knows what she wants, and her sights are set on Mitch. He’s smart and sexy, and it doesn’t matter that he’s a few years older and has a couple of bitter ex-wives. Watching him in action at work and at play, she knows he just needs a little polish to make some woman the perfect lover. She intends to be that woman, but first she has to show him how good it could be.

A killer lurking in the shadows

When an unexpected turn of events throws the two together, Mitch and Laurel are confronted with the perfect opportunity to explore their mutual desire. Night after night of being close breaks down Mitch’s defenses. The more he sees of Laurel, the more he knows he wants her. Unfortunately, someone else has their eyes on Laurel and they have murder in mind.

My review:

Adored is story number 8.5 in author Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries series as well as novella number 6 in the 1,001 Dark Nights 2015 line-up and from the synopsis alone, I was dying to read this latest installment.

Now, I’ve heard numerous times in the years I’ve been a reader that there are people who don’t really like novellas because it’s hard to build a relationship with the characters. That you can’t develop an emotional connection. Well, I am here to tell you that Lexi Blake and this novella will dispel all of those notions.

This story was packed with emotion, suspense and scorching heat but also had some mystery and more than a few chuckles along the way and I loved it!

Mitch is all alpha Dom and needs the lifestyle to maintain order and control in his life. It soothes him. Calms him. He’s had his share of failed relationships, his childhood was less than stellar and all of that pain and heartache has made him the man he is today. He truly has damaged hero written all over him. And when it came to Laurel, and all the feelings she brought about in him, he was a jumble of emotion. He wanted her but knew he had to stay away from her. This was all something he wasn’t used to. It broke into his calm routine and it scared the hell out of him. He knew she wanted more from him above their working relationship and he was trying his best to keep her at bay…but Laurel was good at calling him on his crap and she pushed his buttons like no other. (My kinda gal!)

I loved that about her. She was one tough cookie and went after what she wanted but also knew Mitch and knew what he needed. She was willing to bend to him and try her best to be the woman he needed and wanted and I admired her for that. She also knew when enough was enough and made no bones about staying true to what she saw for herself and her future…even in if meant not being with Mitch.

They are a special kind of amazing when they are together. Despite being hard-headed, Mitch is patient with Laurel. When he introduces her into the BDSM world, he truly puts aside his own needs to make sure she is comfortable and at ease with the lifestyle. I absolutely loved that about him. They have many stumbles along the way and I went through moments of wanting to shake Mitch but like with any lovable damaged hero, in the end, they are worth all the heartache they caused and Mitch was no exception.

Now, as for the suspense aspect, author Blake did one hell of a job. She introduced quite a mystery in the beginning and left breadcrumbs along the way leading us on a path to one hell of an ending I never saw coming! It was certainly a “whoa” moment!

There’s also a bit of a surprise that happens early on but I can’t mention it without spoiling things…so my lips are sealed!

Adored is the whole package. Sexy, emotional, suspenseful, it’s a page turner from start to finish. Thank you, Ms. Blake, for giving us Mitch and Laurel’s story!

Five Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | 1,001 Dark Nights

About the author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

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