Five Loves

Left Behind by Vi Keeland & Dylan Scott…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

Two stories so deeply intertwined, you’ll think you know how they intersect…but you’ll be wrong….

Zack Martin

The day I met Emily Bennett my whole world changed. Sure, we were just kids, but I was old enough to know my life would never be the same. She was my best friend. My destiny. My fate. I wasn’t wrong…I just didn’t know how twisted fate could be.

Nikki Fallon

After the death of my mother, moving from my dark and dreary trailer park to sunny California, I was focused on one thing – finding a sister I’d only just learned existed. Falling in love with him wasn’t part of the plan. But he filled a void I never knew was possible to fill. He had to be my fate. My destiny. Until the day I finally found out who my sister was…and how twisted fate could be.

My review:

Left Behind is a joint work from authors Vi Keeland and Dylan Scott. I am a huge fan of Ms. Keeland’s and was looking forward to this book and to be introduced to author Scott. Well, this story completely blew me away. It was truly amazing and may be one of the best NA books I’ve ever read.

Nikki Fallon has had a rough life. Now, however, may be the toughest it’s ever been. Her mother, after battling mental illness among other things, has passed away and now without any other family, Nikki is faced with life alone. That all changes when she reads a letter her mother left her and finds out she actually does have family. A part of her family she never knew about. It’s that discovery that leads her to a new life in California…and on a mission to find her sister. Along the way she meets Zack and things start to look up for her. Just when Nikki starts to think she may have the life she’s always dreamed of, a shocking discovery will threaten to ruin everything good she’s come to cherish. Including her relationship with Zack.

Zack Martin had it all. He was the high school quarterback, dating Emily, the cheerleading captain, had great friends and an even better family. Sure, he noticed things with Emily had changed and maybe she wasn’t the same girl she had been when they met back when they were kids but that didn’t matter. He loved her. He would always love her. Right? Just as he wonders if maybe their lives are headed in a different direction, fate steps in and crushes any dream he had of a future with Emily and throws him into a tailspin. Life as he knew would never be the same again…and it won’t be for quite some time. Until he meets Nikki. Could she be the ray of sunshine he desperately needs in the darkness that now consumes his life? Would fate give him a second chance at happiness?

Separately, both Nikki and Zack have suffered through loss but together they will be able to heal from it. They’ve found solace in each other and forge a bond through their sadness….hopefully when fate decides to throw yet another challenge their way, they can rely on their love for one another to get through.

I’ve found that a lot of the new adult books I read don’t have much meat to them. They focus a lot on the back and forth in the relationship between the hero and heroine and don’t have a substantial plot behind it. Well, Left Behind is NOT one of those new adult books. There is one main aspect to this story that I cannot give away, because it would ruin the entire experience, so I’ll do my best to explain why I loved it so much while leaving that part out.

This story is written with amazing foreshadowing and a ton of emotion. The beginning of the story gives us Nikki’s and Zack’s life apart. We learn all about them before they meet and I think it’s one aspect I loved most. Then, when they finally do meet and start on their journey together, we can appreciate it that much more. Nikki is a strong gal with a big heart and true understanding of dark times. Zack is in one of those dark times and really needed someone like Nikki to bring him back to life, so to speak. I loved them together. Loved, loved, loved. As for the foreshadowing, Nikki’s search for her sister leaves little clues along the way as to what may happen and when we finally reach the conclusion of her search and I was in emotional turmoil…as were the characters. The situation was written, and played out, so damn well and made this story so much more than a typical new adult book. Oh, and the epilogue? So amazingly perfect.

Left Behind is a book I highly recommend to anyone who loves a bit of mystery, tons of emotion, and lots of heart. I really hope these authors get together again and give us another amazing book. Thank you Vi and Dylan!

Available at:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1w9RZsI

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

iTunes –http://bit.ly/1q28KyN

Kobo – http://bit.ly/1peODgS

Google Play – http://bit.ly/1vbD7aL

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22438116-left-behind

Want to read the first few chapters? Sign up for Vi’s mailing list now and get a sneak peek! http://eepurl.com/0ABfr

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About the authors: Vi Keeland 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

Dylan Scott Dylan Scott is a New York trial attorney, wife and mother of four. She believes her job as a trial attorney is a subcategory to the field of entertainment more than law. With a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature she believed teaching English was a destined career choice until she realized her life long talent of “argument” could actually be her job. A recent, fairly boring, midlife crisis resulted in a brief stint as a middle school English teacher which confirmed that she wasn’t ready to give up the law. Dylan has also taught legal courses at the college level and worked with at-risk inner city youth in the roles of mentor and coach. She is co-author Vi Keeland’s biggest fan.

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Tempted By Midnight by Lara Adrian…ARC Review

Tempted By Midnight releases October 14, 2014

Book links:

Amazon | Paperback | 1,001 Dark Nights

Synopsis:

Once, they lived in secret alongside mankind. Now, emerged from the shadows, the Breed faces enemies on both sides—human and vampire alike. No one knows that better than Lazaro Archer, one of the eldest, most powerful of his kind. His beloved Breedmate and family massacred by a madman twenty years ago, Lazaro refuses to open his heart again.

Sworn to his duty as the leader of the Order’s command center in Italy, the last thing the hardened warrior wants is to be tasked with the rescue and safekeeping of an innocent woman in need of his protection. But when a covert mission takes a deadly wrong turn, Lazaro finds himself in the unlikely role of hero with a familiar, intriguing beauty he should not desire, but cannot resist.

Melena Walsh has never forgotten the dashing Breed male who saved her life as a child. But the chivalrous hero of her past is in hard contrast to the embittered, dangerous man on whom her safety now depends. And with an unwanted—yet undeniable—desire igniting between them, Melena fears that Lazaro’s protection may come at the price of her heart.

My review:

Tempted By Midnight is story number 12.5 in Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series as well as novella number 10 in the 1,001 Dark Nights Series. I am always thrilled to read a new story from Lara Adrian and head back into the Breed world and this novella was spectacular. Packed with emotion, heat, and action, I devoured it in one sitting and loved every second.

Leader of the Order’s Italian command center, Lazaro Archer was used to sensing threats and eliminating them. It was his sole focus, especially now that his family had been taken from him in a horrific manner years before. Preparing for an important meeting with political members with the hopes of ending the strife between the Breed, vampires, and humans, he thought he knew all the players intended on coming to the meeting…and then he saw her. The intriguing and beautiful red-head that shouldn’t be here. Melena. But here she was and his reaction, and attraction, to her was almost immediate. He remembered her from almost another lifetime ago, and remembered saving her from an untimely demise when she fell into an icy lake when she was much younger. She was grown now, and with beauty and brains to spare, he shouldn’t wonder why he was attracted to her. But could he really forget all that he had lost in the past? His family? There wasn’t too much time to ponder more on that night because as fate would have it, he would have to rescue her once again before the evening came to an end…

Melena Walsh would never forget Lazaro Archer. He had saved her life and she will be eternally grateful for that. Now she was here with him and wanted nothing more than to thank him for what he had done all those years earlier. She also would love to be able to ease some of the pain she still saw in his eyes. He had been hardened since she last saw him and after losing his family it was no wonder. But the pull she felt when she saw him was much more than wanting to ease his pain…it was a longing for more. Maybe she would have the chance to rescue him this time…from the sadness and pain that lingered.

Before either one of them can contemplate their attraction, they are met with a terrible situation and thrown together, having to rely on each other to stay alive. And with that, their attraction only grows stronger and into something much more meaningful. Could this be fate’s way of giving Lazaro a second chance at love?

I loved, loved, loved this story. Lara put so much heart into the pages and so much emotion that I was drawn in from the very first page. I loved that Lazaro and Melena had a history and that she understood what he had gone through with the loss of his family. Melena never tried to forget the past, in fact she wanted Lazaro to accept it and move on with his life…a feat he had been unable to do until now. She was exactly what he needed and even though it took a while for him to realize it, she pushed him to realize she was right. He deserved a chance at happiness again and Melena was that chance. It was beautiful to read and I wanted nothing more than for these two to have their happy ending. Of course, my lips are sealed as to if they got it!

Adding another layer to this story was the conflict between the Breed, fellow vampires, and the humans and the trouble all the sides are facing. Also, we got to see a few familiar faces along the way, which was a real treat, and met some new ones that I can’t wait to read more of!

Thank you, Ms. Adrian, for a yet another phenomenal story!

Five Loves

About the author:

LARA ADRIAN is a New York Times and #1 internationally best-selling author with nearly 4 million books in print and digital worldwide and translations licensed to more than 20 countries. Her books have been named among Amazon’s Top Ten Romances of the Year, and have also been nominated by readers multiple times as finalists for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance of the Year. Reviewers have called Lara’s books “addictively readable” (Chicago Tribune), “extraordinary” (Fresh Fiction), “strikingly original” (Booklist), and “one of the best vampire series on the market” (Romantic Times).

Writing as TINA ST. JOHN, her historical romances have won numerous awards including the National Readers Choice; Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice; Booksellers Best; and many others. She was twice named a Finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards, for Best Historical Romance (White Lion’s Lady) and Best Paranormal Romance (Heart of the Hunter). More recently, the German translation of Heart of the Hunter debuted on Der Spiegel bestseller list.

With an ancestry stretching back to the Mayflower and the court of King Henry VIII, the author lives with her husband in New England, where she is working on her next novel. Visit Lara’s website and sign up for new release announcements at http://bit.ly/LaraAdrianNews

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Review…Stirring Up Trouble by Kimberly Kincaid

Synopsis:

Sloane Russo’s turned a decade of crazy jobs and whimsical travel into a career writing steamy novels set in exotic places. Trouble is, Sloane’s flat broke now—and she can’t channel sun-drenched beaches in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The only fast cash in town comes with some seriously distracting temptation: Gavin Carmichael, hot, handsome and oh-so-hard-headed.

Gavin isn’t the impulsive Don Juan of Sloane’s novels. He’s raising his thirteen-year-old half-sister, and he’s pretty sure he’s supposed to act like he’s never heard of fun. Sloane is way too sexy and irresponsible to be his idea of a good tutor for Bree, but the unpredictable anti-nanny may be irresistible as well.

My review:

Stirring Up Trouble is the third book in author Kimberly Kincaid’s Pine Mountain Series. This is a series I have loved since the very beginning and was so excited to get my hands on Sloane’s story and let me say…this series just keeps getting better and better. This book was fantastic!

Romance writer Sloane Russo has always lived by the seat of her pants. Trying out new things, going on new adventures, never slowing down long enough to grow bored and that’s how she liked it. Now, her family didn’t like it, per se, and thought she should be settling down and making babies, but it was her life and she loved it. And it was those adventures that lead her to her successful writing career. Her travels to exotic places gave her inspiration and the material to spark her imagination and get her creative juices flowing. Only problem now was that she had used up her travel experiences and was all dried up in the inspiration department. She was also died up in the finances department. Making matters worse was that her publisher wanted a new exotic book, and fast. There was no way she could fly to a far off destination on her good looks and the dust bunnies in her bank account. Leave it to fate to have a way of intervening and dropping a job practically right into her lap. A temporary babysitting job for Gavin, her best friend’s restaurant manager’s, thirteen-year-old sister. Not exactly a dream job, but a job nonetheless. She just had to stick it out for a few weeks, hop on a flight, and write a book. That becomes easier said than done when Sloane soon starts falling for Gavin. Could she ever dream of staying in one place long enough to start a real life? With Gavin, she thinks it just may be possible.

Restaurant manager, Gavin Carmichael really didn’t need any more complications in his life. He lost his mother to cancer, relocated, and now was responsible for his little sister. He couldn’t believe he now lost his sitter for a few weeks. Things start to look up, marginally, when he meets Sloane and she agrees to help him and Bree out. She isn’t exactly his first choice as a sitter for his sister, but she was an adult and could surely supervise. Hopefully. It turns out she is more than capable and in more ways than one and he is soon smitten with all that Sloane is and all that she has become to mean to him and Bree. It scares him to death that she self-admittedly doesn’t do the permanent and never stayed in one place for the long-term but he wants noting more to convince her that he and Bree were worth it. Would he succeed in getting the free spirit to put down roots? God, he really hoped so…

This book focuses on Sloane and Gavin (and Bree) and it was the total package from the very first chapter. Sloane is one of the best heroine’s I’ve read. She’s witty and snarky and matter of fact and I loved everything about her. She doesn’t really do the soft and fluffy and I adore her for it. She cuts to the chase and tells it like it is and even though she doesn’t think she’s the settling down type, deep down she really is. She’s just waiting for the right reason to settle down for. Enter Gavin. The astute professional who is navigating the father-figure role as best as he can. He is handsome and responsible and just wants his life, and his sister’s life, to be ok. What he really needed is an outsider’s point of view to help with his sister and that’s where Sloane shines. Truly opposites, Gavin and Sloane were a gem of an unlikely match that completely belongs together, even if they didn’t want to believe it at first. The attraction and chemistry between them smolders at first and quickly grows into a burning heat… It. Was. Delicious. I loved watching the relationship evolve for all of them (Sloane, Gavin and Bree) and seeing it bloom into something so very special. I cried my eyes out more than once while reading and the loss of Gavin and Bree’s mother brought a touching aspect to this story.

As I said in the beginning of this review, the Pine Mountain Series is a series that just gets better and better with each book. Yes, you can read any of them as a stand-alone, but the effect as a whole is just so amazing that I vote for reading them all.

Kimberly Kincaid is one of those hidden author gems. She always writes a beautiful story with well-developed characters, great dialogue, interesting and engaging story lines, and plenty of beautifully written heated scenes. If you haven’t picked up one of her book yet, what are you waiting for?

Thank you, Kimberly, for another wonderful addition to the Pine Mountain crew! I can’t wait to read Aidan’s story….

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

About the author:
Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance novels that split the difference between sexy and sweet, taking the traditional idea of boy-meets-girl and infusing it with a sassy magic all her own. She believes in fiery yet flawed characters destined for a crash-course in falling in love– usually the hard way– and injects her trademark humor as well as poignant touches into her writing to create her stories.

Kimberly’s writing journey has led down some bumpy roads (that first manuscript is under the bed, where it is very likely to stay), but there has been some fresh pavement too (her second manuscript earned her very first contest final, and landed the fantastic Maureen Walters at the Curtis Brown Literary Agency). One thing is certain — the wild ride of being a writer is a lot richer in both its ups and downs because of friends and readers along the path.

When Kimberly’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 eclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. She resides in northern Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Places to find Kimberly Kincaid:

Site: http://www.kimberlykincaid.com

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

Twitter:https://twitter.com/kimberlykincaid

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938229.Kimberly_Kincaid

Owned by Fate by Tessa Bailey…ARC Review and Giveaway

Owned by Fate releases 9/29

Synopsis:

Her mind rejects his world. But her body knows its master.

Journalist Caroline Preston arrives at Serve, New York City’s hottest BDSM club, with one goal—to hate it. If her brother wasn’t trying to turn the family’s respectable financial magazine into a publication that features “lifestyle” pieces for the wealthy and adventurous, she wouldn’t even be there, trying to write an article about a world she doesn’t understand. But then she sees him.

Jonah Briggs doesn’t leave his post for just anyone. As the owner of the club, his sole purpose is to ensure that his clientele get everything they need, but when he sees Caroline, his only thought is what he wants—to dominate the sexy little reporter and give the most exquisite pleasure she’s ever experienced.

Caroline has no intention of entering that particular lion’s den—not with her family’s reputation at stake—no matter how dark, sexy, and complex the lion in question may be. But with every encounter, she craves more, and with every slide of his lips, she realizes Jonah might just be the man to break down all her defenses…if she’ll let him.

My review:

Owned by Fate is the newest work from author Tessa Bailey. Being a huge fan of hers, I was over the moon to get an early copy of this book and as I sit here now typing this review I hope I can do it justice, because this is one of the best books I’ve read. Not just of Tessa’s, but of every book I’ve read.

Caroline Preston is in a bit of a sticky situation. She’s sitting in a BDSM club contemplating on how she will use this experience to save her family’s financial magazine and in turn keep her brother from making it into some guidebook of fun and interesting things to do for the rich and bored. She would rather be anywhere but here. This was a lifestyle she didn’t understand and, after her research she did that afternoon, doesn’t want to understand. But that attitude starts to shift the minute she meets him. Jonah. The handsome, sexually charged man standing next to her and looking at her like he was a starving man and she was his next meal. It didn’t matter, though, because not even sexy as sin Jonah could change her mind and her attitude towards the BDSM lifestyle. Or could he…

As owner of the most popular BDSM club in NYC, Jonah Briggs has certainly seen his share of gorgeous women walk through his doors…but none like the one sitting at his bar right now. It’s that woman that compels him to leave his seat in front of the club’s monitoring screens and wade through the crowd to get to her. He’s pretty sure he’s lost his mind, and the looks from the club’s regular patrons says he just may have. But Jonah always gets what he wants… and right now he wants her.

They are complete opposites. Caroline looks down on the BDSM world and Jonah thrives on it, both personally and financially. Two completely different views. But here’s the thing, sometimes attraction defies the boundaries you’re certain you would never cross….and when you take that chance and cross that line, it turns out to be the best decision you’ve ever made.

So here’s the thing. I was a bit tired of reading BDSM and in a funk. I had gone through a similar funk with paranormal. I really needed a palate cleansing. I figured it would come after I read Owned By Fate, since it is technically BDSM. Well, I should have known better. Tessa always puts her spin on anything she writes and it’s a thing of beauty. This was unlike any BDSM book I’ve read. It was refreshing in a way to have a heroine so dead set against the lifestyle and her refusal to acknowledge it’s something she would ever dabble in was also a bit of a new viewpoint. But because her research put her in very close contact with Jonah, she realizes too late that relenting may be in her near future. She didn’t want him to change her mind. She didn’t want to like it when he treated her like a sub….but damn if she did. And it scares the crap out of her. Jonah is also unlike any Dom I’ve read. He is a paradox in many ways and has so many facets to his personality. He is charming and endearing all while having his alpha male tendencies lying just underneath the surface. Dear God, he had me panting at some of the things he said to Caroline. He’s feels like he could be a real person, somewhere out there in the world. He feels attainable and so unlike the male characters in a lot of other erotic novels out there. He prefers the subway to a limo. He smells like candy instead of expensive cologne. He’s honest and understanding. He’s just….amazing.

Yes, of course the heat and passion are off the charts but in true Tessa fashion, she added that something extra to this story and that’s what made it so special. Caroline’s internal struggle with her feelings for Jonah warring with her insecurities in finding she liked aspects of the lifestyle she wanted to hate. Jonah understanding it and vowing to let her go since he couldn’t give up his club and lifestyle and didn’t want Caroline to resent him for turning her onto something she couldn’t accept. My God, there were a few chapters where my chest physically ached for them and I was sobbing my eyes out. I was so worried there was no answer for them and they would and up having to suffer apart. I suffered right along with them, by the way, and have the puffy, cried-out-eyes today to prove it. Now I won’t ruin the ending for you but I will say this: It. Was. Perfect.

There’s also another part to Jonah’s story but I don’t want to mention it here because I don’t want to ruin it….but it made me love him even more and you will love him more for it, too.

So, I hope I did my job here as a reviewer and that Owned By Fate is now on your list. You won’t be disappointed! Thank you Tessa, for giving me an emotional and beautiful reading journey (and don’t tell Matt, but Jonah is now my fave Tessa man!)

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Giveaway:

We have a gorgeously naughty handmade black leather, studded heart garter (that Jonah would die for) to give away to one lucky winner.

Enter to win in the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Tessa lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and young daughter. When she isn’t writing or reading romance, Tessa enjoys a good argument and thirty-minute recipes.

Connect with Tessa:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Chained by Night by Larissa Ione…ARC Review

Chained by Night releases September 30, 2014

Synopsis:

THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE

Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction—or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation. To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader’s daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans.

THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL

But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress’s identical twin sister?

My Review:

Chained by Night is the second book in author Larissa Ione’s MoonBound Clan Vampire Series and being a huge fan, I was beyond excited to read this book. Well, Larissa has done it again. This book was incredible and I was unable to put it down. Hunter has officially been added to my list of vamps I adore…

MoonBound Clan Chief, Hunter, always has his clan’s best interest at heart and will always do what is necessary to make sure they thrive. Even with the war raging on between vampires and humans, he has faith in his people and leads them the best way he knows how. It’s that leadership role that has led him to his upcoming mating with a rival clan’s daughter. It certainly wasn’t an ideal situation but it was the only one that would keep the precarious peace that held between his clan and this particular rival clan. So a chief does what a chief must. Only soon after meeting his future mate, Rasha, he realizes that he isn’t sure he can spend eternity with this vampire. She was a total unkind bitch and wanted to rule in a way he promised himself he never would. Making matters worse was that he had met her identical twin sister. A twin sister who embodied all of the traits he looked for in a mate. She was the complete opposite of her sister in every way, with their shared looks being the only similarity between them. But fate was fickle that way and with no other foreseeable option, Hunter resides to the fact that the wretched witch twin will have be his mate. Only sometimes, fate manages to pull through. Hunter is faced with a few options that may make his situation less bleak. The choices are difficult and many and there are more than a few times he isn’t sure which road he should travel but he has faith that in the end he will be able to have it all. A clan that was safe and happy, a mate that he truly loved, and a chance at peace….the only question is, at what cost will it all come? And how much blood will be shed?

As you already know, I adore Larissa and her writing. She writes the damaged hero like no one else and brings so much emotion to a story that it seeps from the pages into the reader’s heart. And she did it again in this story, but unlike most of her books, the damaged hero wasn’t a hero at all…but instead, a heroine. Aylin. Hunter’s arranged mate, Rasha’s, twin sister. There is a whole lot going on in the background of this story with the war between vampires and humans but this book was mainly centered on Hunter’s journey with these two women and his warring emotions. He has a great responsibility to his clan and mating with Rasha is best for all of them but he just can’t shake the feeling that it’s just not right. After spending only a short amount of time with both women he knows Aylin is the woman for him and the journey he takes to make her his mate was phenomenal. I won’t go into too much detail about the story itself, because there are more than a few things revealed along the way that make a huge difference to the series and I don’t want to ruin it for you, but I will say that Hunter and Aylin now have a place in my heart.

Aylin’s life up until this point has been positively wretched and it broke my heart. But her resolve and spirit through even the worst of times was truly beautiful and admirable beyond measure. She tops my list of favorite heroines. Hunter was just as fantastic. He is a great leader with a remarkable ability to remain true to himself as well as doing what’s best for the clan. It’s what has earned the respect of all of his warriors. Their journey was spectacular and filled with pulse pounding moments and adversity at almost every turn…both physically and emotionally. The challenges they face were freaking intense but also solidified their strength as a couple. Truly incredible to read!

On top of all of that, we meet a new character in this book that I am DYING to see more of. He is a true Larissa character in the sense that he’s supposed to be a bad guy (a REALLY bad guy) but shows bits of a softer side and sense of humor that Larissa writes so well into characters. Seriously, I loved this guy!

All in all, this book had everything I love in a story. Well developed relationships, tons of emotion, action, rich characters, intensity, great world building, and a good amount of heat. I highly recommend Chained by Night and cannot wait for the next installment. Thank you, Larissa, for yet another stellar read!

Five Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

PREORDER CHAINED BY NIGHT
AND SAVOR YOUR TASTY TREAT ON 9/30!
Book II of The MoonBound Clan Vampires series

“Ione’s second MoonBound Vampires paranormal deftly uses a mixture of complex rivalries, primal violence, and sex to portray a society in which frequent vampire enslavement provokes a civil-rights dispute…Ione’s characters are relatable and sympathetic both because of and despite their id-drenched setting, and Ione’s flavor of vampirism produces a fascinating mixture of authoritarianism, atavism, and compassionate humanity that works on multiple levels.”;
—;Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW August 25th

“Ione has created a fascinating vampire world steeped in Native American traditions and lore and developed a path to happiness for Hunter and Aylin that is fraught with potent and poignant internal and external conflicts. The action-packed plot and creative worldbuilding keep us enthralled; the romance and sexual tension keep us emotionally invested.”;
—;Kirkus Reviews August 28th online, Sept. 15th print

“Major talent Ione is back with the second installment in her gritty new MoonBound Clan Vampire series, where vampires live under the threat of enslavement and torture by humans. Ione’s vampire world is made up of sometimes warring clans who fight against each other as well as humans. Uniting the clans may be the vampires’ best hope for survival in the upcoming war with humans. With so much at stake, these excellent character relationships are fraught with intense and conflicting emotions. Hang on tight, as this is one exciting and dangerous world!”;
—Romantic Times ****1/2 HOT

________________

BOUND TO BE UP ALL NIGHT WITH
THROW BACK THURSDAY’S BOUND BY NIGHT!

Book I of The MoonBound Clan Vampire series

“Bound by Night was a fantastic start to this very promising new series…;
a very tasty treat from a must be read author. Happy reading everybody…you’re bound to love it.”;
—Night Owl Reviews for Bound by Night

“The exceptionally entertaining Ione kicks off a sexy new vampire series…;
Ione does what she does best: deliver paranormal romance with a sexy and dangerous bite!”;
—RT Book Reviews ****HOT Review for Bound by Night

About the author:

Air Force veteran Larissa Ione 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.

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Ignited by J. Kenner…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

He promised to take me as far as I could go—and I wanted to go to the edge.

My whole life has been a cover, a con, a lie. I was born into the grift, raised on the thrill of playing someone I’m not. As a rule, I never let anyone get too close—until Cole August makes it impossible for me to stay away.

Cole is tough, sexy, and intensely loyal, yet his secrets are dark and his scars run deep. Not many women can handle his past, or the truth behind his fierce demands. But something about him beckons me—and our desire is a game I must play.

I know he’s dangerous, that even his touch is trouble, but what is passion without a little risk?

Ignited is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

My review:

Ignited is the third book in author J. Kenner’s Most Wanted Series and focuses on the oh-so-sexy Cole and the strong, spitfire Katrina. From the very beginning the sexual tension was palpable and it just kept getting better as I read. Adding some intensity to the story is some trouble with Katrina’s father, adding more to love with this story.

Cole’s rough and incredibly heartbreaking childhood has played the biggest role in who he is today…and sometimes it’s a person he wishes he wasn’t. It’s because of that person that he vows to keep Katrina at a distance and only allow himself to admire her from afar. These days, though, it’t getting harder and harder and he fears it’s only a matter of time before he searches her out. When she tells him, in no uncertain terms, that she wants to take things further with him, he realizes he has a choice to make. Push her away or allow her a peek at the real him that only a few people have ever really seen…and risk losing her.

Katrina is comfortable when she’s faking it. When she’s running a con or playing a role. Finding a mark, pulling a con, and moving on to the next job. The problem now is that she’s finding likes her life right now. She likes having real friends and a place to call home. A real home. She also liked Cole…a whole lot more than she probably should. All of those factors lead to her decision to put down roots, buy a home, and stay. It also lead her to take a chance on Cole and see if there would ever be a chance at something more for them. She never expected he would put up such a fight and try to convince her he was all wrong for her when anyone could see it was quite the opposite. They could be great together and he should know she wouldn’t give him up without a fight.

Just when Katrina thinks she’s her path is set, her father shows up with a huge problem. A problem she wasn’t sure how to handle. A problem she knew only one person to go to help for. Cole. Now Katrina is not only in a fight for a chance at a relationship but in a fight to save her father’s life.

As I mentioned earlier, this story was fantastic. From scorching heat to raw emotion and then to a twisted situation with some pretty unsavory characters, this book really had it all. I loved Cole and Katrina, both separately as well as a couple. Cole’s sad past turned him into the guarded man he is today and hearing his story broke my heart. He is this sexy, dominating man with a soft heart and a way about him that pulled me in. He is very much a paradox and it shows when he goes from painting a beautiful painting to threatening to tear a man limb from limb and meaning every word. I think it’s those personality extremes that made him so enjoyable to read. Katrina was also amazing. She wanted Cole and wouldn’t let him turn away from her. She knew she would be opening up a pandora’s box with him, so to speak, but she was made of tougher things and was in it for the long haul. She saw through to the man Cole really was and she knew it was something special. A rare and damaged beauty and one she wanted nothing more than to hold and cherish. Their chemistry was undeniable and intense. It was passionate and beautiful to watch unfold. Julie did a fabulous job building the fire between them. But beyond that, Cole is so fiercely protective and when he promises to help Katrina with the issue with her father it added yet another amazing facet to his character. I was actually a nervous wreck reading the last few chapters and was so worried for Cole and Katrina….but don’t you worry, Julie gave them a perfect ending!

If you love heat, intensity and a wealth of emotions, Ignited is a book for you! Thank you, Julie, for a phenomenal story and a great addito to the Most Wanted Series.

Five Loves

Add it to your Goodreads list here!

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About J. KENNER Julie Kenner (aka J. Kenner and J.K. Beck) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over forty novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres. Praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations,” J.K. writes a range of stories including super sexy romances, paranormal romance, chick lit suspense and paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, is in development as a feature film with 1492 Pictures. Her most recent trilogy of erotic romances, The Stark Trilogy (as J. Kenner), reached as high as #2 on the New York Times list and is published in over twenty countries. J.K. lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and several cats.

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People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop-Off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges…ARC Review

Releases tomorrow, 9/9

Synopsis:

A debut collection of witty, biting essays laced with a surprising warmth, from Jen Mann, the writer behind the popular blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat

People I want to punch in the throat:
• anyone who feels the need to bling her washer and dryer
• humblebraggers
• people who treat their pets like children

Jen Mann doesn’t have a filter, which sometimes gets her in trouble with her neighbors, her fellow PTA moms, and that one woman who tried to sell her sex toys at a home shopping party. Known for her hilariously acerbic observations on her blog, People I Want to Punch in the Throat, Mann now brings her sharp wit to bear on suburban life, marriage, and motherhood in this laugh-out-loud collection of essays. From the politics of joining a play group, to the thrill of mothers’ night out at the gun range, to the rewards of your most meaningful relationship (the one you have with your cleaning lady), nothing is sacred or off-limits. So the next time you find yourself wearing fuzzy bunny pajamas in the school carpool line or accidentally stuck at a co-worker’s swingers party, just think, What would Jen Mann do? Or better yet, buy her book.

My review:

Ok, so I love Jen Mann. If you don’t know of her, or her laugh-so-hard-you-snort blog, People I Want To Punch In The Throat, then I am here to introduce you to some of the funniest and most real parent and life posts you will ever read. No really. And if you do know of her, high-five!

Her newest book, People I Want To Punch In The Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop-Off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges, touches on all of the joyous *heavy on the sarcasm* wonders of being a suburban mom in the prim and proper Pinterest age….and it is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read.

Question: Have you ever left your house in pj’s to drop a kid off thinking no one will ever see those pj’s, only to find out you HAVE to get out of the car and parade your pj clad self into the school?

-OR- Had to suffer through a playdate chatting it up with a mom who, under any other circumstances, you would never want to associate with for even one tenth of a nanosecond, but because your kids are friends and you HAVE to stay through the playdate you’e stuck with said parent?

-OR- How about dealing with those obsessive parents, living vicariously through their kids to make up for all that lacked in their own childhood? They are gems….

I see you nodding after reading those questions and that’s exactly why you need this book. Not only does Jen write her completely relatable experiences, but she writes with such snarky comedy genius that you can’t NOT laugh. I mean I annoyed the hell out of my poor husband while reading this because I would be reading, start laughing, shove the book under his nose and say: “read this! It’s just like *censored to save face with my friends and neighbors*!”. And guess what? He thought it was hilarious, too!

But aside from the hilarity of this book, is that fact that Jen puts it all in perspective. Life, kids, parenting, suburban society, the pressures of raising kids in an age where Pinterest makes you feel like a slacker every time you log on…. all of it. She makes us realize we aren’t alone in this craziness and that it’s ok to take life with a grain of salt. It’s ok to not want to suffer through a play date or not want to spend 6 months crafting dat and night for a kid’s birthday party. It’s ok to head out without makeup on and in your bunny pj’s. It’s ok to want to punch people in the throat!

So while this book is a break from my normal genres, I will always pick up a book written by Jen because she reminds us that life isn’t perfect and you may as well have a good laugh along the way! Thanks Jen, you freaking rock and I love ya lots!

Five Loves

Buy the book:

Amazon

About the author:

Jen is the blogger throwing hilarious punches peppered with a liberal dose of f-bombs on her blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat. Jen is also the publisher and editor of the best-selling anthology I Just Want to Pee Alone. She is the author of People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Daycare Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges (Sept 2014) and Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat (Dec 2015). She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Babble, and Headline News.

She is wife to The Hubs and mother to Gomer and Adolpha (not their real names – their real names are actually so much worse).

People I Want to Punch in the Throat blog can be found here

Roped In by Lorelei James…ARC Review

Roped In releases September 9

Book links:

Kindle | Amazon Paperback | 1,001 Dark nights

Synopsis:

Ambition has always been his biggest downfall…until he meets her.

World champion bulldogger Sutton Grant works hard on the road, but his quiet charm has earned the nickname “The Saint” because he’s never been the love ‘em and leave ‘em type with the ladies. When he’s sidelined by an injury, he needs help keeping his horse in competition shape, but he fears trying to sweet-talk premier horse trainer London Gradsky is a losing proposition–because the woman sorta despises him.

London is humiliated when her boyfriend dumps her for a rodeo queen. What makes the situation worse? She’s forced to see the lovebirds on the rodeo circuit every weekend. In an attempt to save face, London agrees to assist the notoriously mild, but ruggedly handsome Sutton Grant with his horse training problem on one condition: Sutton has to pretend to be her new boyfriend.

But make believe doesn’t last long between the sassy cowgirl and the laid-back bulldogger. When the attraction between them ignites, London learns that sexy Sutton is no Saint when that bedroom door closes; he’s the red-hot lover she’s always dreamed of.

The more time they spend together, the more Sutton realizes he wouldn’t mind being roped and tied to the rough and tumble cowgirl for real…

My review:

Roped In is story number 6.5 in author Lorelei James’ Blacktop Cowboy Series as well as novella #9 in the 1,001 Dark Nights Series. I was so excited to get my hands on the newest cowboy from Lorelei and oh man, this was one hell of a ride. I loved every minute!

As a world champion bulldogger, Sutton Grant isn’t a stranger to injury. But his last injury was almost the permanent lights out type and since then he’s been on the injured reserve, so to speak. He’s on the mend and feeling pretty good but unfortunately, since he couldn’t exactly do much riding, his horse’s training has been neglected and it was really showing. He needed help and knew exactly the person to call. London Gradsky. Too bad she probably wouldn’t be thrilled to hear from him considering she kinda hates him.

Still bearing the sting of being dumped by her boyfriend, London really needed a distraction. She never would have thought it would have come in a 6 foot 3, hot and sexy, bulldogger package. When Sutton Grant had gotten in touch with her to help him with his horse, her first reaction was to tell him to find someone else but instead her evil genius went to work and she figured he would be the perfect revenge on her ex. All he had to do was pretend to be her new beau and flaunt their new relationship in her ex’s face. Genius! Except that almost right off the bat her feelings were anything but pretend. Would she be able to stick with the ruse until his horse’s training was over and her ex got his healthy spoonful of “see what you’re missing”?

Lemme just take a moment to bask in the memory of Sutton and London *dreamy sigh* Ok, I’m back. This novella absolutely knocked my socks off. From the very first chapter it is packed with emotion, humor, and tons of heat. Sutton is an amazing character. Not only is he built, handsome and sexy as all get out, but also he is sweet and kind. Caring and shy. Sure he knows he’s a good-looking guy but he’s been single for a little while now and is isn’t very confident when it comes to London and is vulnerable. Those are the qualities that had me swooning. London is one of the most fun characters I’ve read in a while. She is such a spitfire and had me laughing out loud more than a few times while reading. I would totally hang out with her. But beyond that she’s strong and not afraid to go after what she wants. Together they are beyond smoking hot! Their personalities compliment one another deliciously and they have a chemistry that is mouthwatering to read. This book played out like a movie in my mind’s eye while I read it and I couldn’t put it down. I’m actually a bit mad at myself for reading it so fast but it was the type of story you lose yourself in. And the ending? The. Freaking. Best.

Thank you, Lorelei, for a smoking hot cowboy, his perfect gal, and tons of passion!

Five Loves

About the author:
A bit about me: When I’m not squirreled away behind my laptop writing fun, sexy, contemporary erotic romances set in the modern day Wild West, I can be found reading everything under the sun, practicing yoga until I’m a pretzel, shootin’ my .22, watching the Professional Bull Riders tour on Versus, and running a kid’s taxi service, all in the guise of avoiding housework and rustlin’ up vittles. Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.

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Hard To Hold On To by Laura Kaye…Review

Synopsis:

Edward “Easy” Cantrell knows better than most the pain of not being able to save those he loves–which is why he is not going to let Jenna Dean out of his sight. He may have just met her, but Jenna’s the first person to make him feel alive since that devastating day in the desert more than a year ago.

Jenna has never met anyone like Easy. She can’t describe how he makes her feel–and not just because he saved her life. No, the stirrings inside her reach far beyond gratitude.

As the pair are thrust together while chaos reigns around them, they both know one thing: the things in life most worth having are the hardest to hold on to.

My review:

Hard To Hold On To is story number 2.5 in author Laura Kaye’s Hard Ink Series, a series I have enjoyed since the first book. With each book I grow to love the guys of Hard Ink more and more and this novella was an incredible, and emotional, addition to the series.

Edward “Easy” Cantrell has been struggling silently since the day he and his team were ambushed back on that deserted road in the desert. The day he lost his best friend along with almost half of his team. It’s only recently that he is able to temporarily forget the deep-seated feelings of unworthiness. Unworthiness to live. Unworthiness to feel happiness. And it’s only because his remaining team members needed his help with a sticky situation. It’s in that sticky situation he meets Jenna. Jenna, the victim of a kidnapping and a woman he helped save from a doomed fate. She hasn’t wanted him to leave her side since her rescue and if he’s being honest, he hasn’t wanted to leave either. Her faith in him and her need for him to be close was helping plug the gaping hole in his heart. Something he never thought possible. With her help maybe, just maybe, he can face the crushing emotions and guilt he has had since that fateful day in the desert.

Jenna can’t explain why she feels so close to Easy, or why she can’t stand being away from him, only that he seems to be the only thing soothing her frayed nerves and calming her in her darkest moments since the kidnapping. There was something about him. Almost like he understood the inability to reign in your emotions after a horrible situation has turned your life upside-down. He knew what she needed even when she didn’t. Add that to his quiet and gentle giant like ways, and Jenna can’t help but be drawn to him and his strength. She just hopes that one day she could repay the compassion he’s shown her. Little does she know that day may be sooner than she realizes…

This novella was an amazing addition to books one and two. Not only was it a fantastic continuation of the situation the Hard Ink guys are in and the mystery they have come together to solve that started with the betrayal of their former leader, but Laura brought a very poignant look at a very real issue…veteran suicide. I ran through a multitude of emotions while reading this story. I was relieved Jenna was safe. I was nervous that she wouldn’t be able to handle the traumatic situation. I was humbled by Easy’s quiet understanding. I was heavyhearted reading Easy’s struggle with his guilt. I was gutted when he finally took the brave step in asking for help. I could feel every ounce of emotion that Laura beautifully wrote into the pages. What started out as Jenna’s rescue story soon turned into Easy’s rescue story…only his rescue wasn’t a physical escape from a building. His rescue is going to be a long road and with the help of his teammates and their now extended family of sorts, I have faith he can do it. I also loved the way Jenna and Easy found strength in the unlikely connection they found. They truly found something beautiful in an abysmal situation and they both became stronger because of it.

Before I end this review I want to take a second to thank Laura.

Veteran suicide is something I am very aware of, but many are not. 22 veterans a day commit suicide. That is 22 too many. In bringing awareness to this horrible epidemic, we can show our vets that we care. That there is help. That they are not alone. In writing Easy’s story, Laura has helped bring that awareness. For that, I am thankful beyond measure and truly appreciate everything she has done with this story.

So, thank you, Laura. You are an inspiration and a special gal.

Five Loves

Book Links:

About the author:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Winning Love by Abby Niles….Review

Synopsis:

Mac “The Snake” Hannon has spent years throwing himself into cage fighting as a way to lash back at the natural disaster that destroyed his future. A call for help has Mac returning to the one place he swore never to return: Kansas—in the height of tornado season.

There he meets free-spirited Gayle Andrews. At first he wants nothing to do with the infuriatingly, persistent woman, but the crazy challenges she tosses his way are impossible to resist. As she thaws years of bitterness, bringing back the Mac he believed long gone, he starts to make peace with the past and see the future again. Until he learns she chases his worst nightmare, then he can’t get away fast enough.

Meteorologist and storm chaser, Gayle Andrews is no stranger to being left behind and now believes in living in the moment. She wants to do just that with the handsome extreme fighter with the achingly sad eyes. As she works to replace the sorrow with desire, she finds herself breaking her one rule: have fun, but don’t fall in love. When he suddenly pushes her away and she discovers the horrifying reason why, she issues one more challenge: face his fear and come on a chase with her.

Will squaring off with the past lead to a victory for heartache or love?

My Review:

Winning Love is the third book in author Abby Niles’ Love to the Extreme series and the first in the series I have read. I’m a little sad I hadn’t picked up this series earlier because this book was amazing. Like read in a day, can’t put it down, ignore all responsibilities kind of amazing.

Mac “The Snake” Hannon has been running from his past for four long years. He’s tried to push the nightmare aside and ignore it every time it rears its ugly head. The problem is, you can never truly outrun your past. It always comes back to haunt you. Never before has that been more true than right now when he returns to the very place that holds those nightmarish memories. Kansas. Where his hopes and dreams were crushed when a tornado came through and took it all away from him. The only reason he was back was because his old friend needed him and he would never leave his friend hanging. Hopefully he could be distracted enough while he was here to ignore the ever-present pain of his broken past. Enter Gayle. The feisty, fun, entertaining and beautiful neighbor. She could certainly be a great distraction for Mac while he was here. But he didn’t do relationships of any kind. Not anymore. He just needed to look to his past to be reminded of why.

Meteorologist and storm chaser, Gayle Andrews sure was intrigued by the handsome man staying with her neighbor…not only because he was built and gorgeous but because he had a permanent scowl that was just begging to be erased. Of course she would happily volunteer to do just that. She has learned the hard way to live life to the fullest, every day, because you never knew when it could be your last. She had a feeling he would be a tough nut to crack but she had plenty of time to work on it. Tornado season hadn’t started yet and even though she watched her neighbor’s, and Mac’s friend’s, daughter from time to time, she still had plenty of calendar to fill. Mac didn’t know it yet, but he’d be that filler, and he’d be doing it without a scowl…come hell or high water.

Together both Mac and Gayle have heartbreaking pasts and have both dealt with crushing loss in their own ways. Mac has tried to hide it, and shove it down inside while Gayle has tried to learn from it and come away stronger. With two very different ways of coping, can they be united in their grief and learn to live and love again?

I am typing this while in a serious book hangover. Man, I loved this book. This wasn’t the typical fighter book in the sense that Mac’s MMA fighting really took a back seat to the rest of the story. Mainly this was a story about healing and overcoming tragedy and it was done so damn well. (I don’t want to give away the reasons behind Mac and Gayle’s loss so bear with me) Mac has been trying, pretty unsuccessfully, to ignore his pain. He left his former career, got into fighting and hasn’t looked back. Which really only lead him in succeeding in letting the old wound fester and never truly heal.

Gayle has been through her own personal hell but has really risen above and turned it into the driving force behind her current work with tornadoes. Two very different ways of coping. Fitting because Gayle and Mac are two very different personalities. You know what they say, though…opposites attract. The attraction is almost immediate and even though Gayle has her work cut out for her, she didn’t give up on Mac. Little by little she worked her magic and it was beautiful to read Mac opening up. However there was that one subject that Mac had to warm up to sharing….his past. It almost proved to be the end of their yet-to-develop relationship. I was a nervous wreck that Mac would never be able to move on. But he had never had Gayle by his side, willing to help him, supporting him along the way. I went through so many emotions while reading this book. My heart broke for Mac. I wanted him to have his happy ever after and I wanted it to be with Gayle. Luckily Abby wrote one hell of a fantastic ending and it made all my angsting over the two of them worth it!

Also, another great aspect of this story was Abby’s writing on the storm chasing scenes. Whoa, they were intense and played out like a movie in my mind’s eye while I was reading. Well done, Abby.

Ok…hopefully I haven’t bored you with this really long review and you get an idea of just how amazing this story was. Full of emotion and intensity with just enough heat added in, Winning Love made it to my list of faves for this year. Thank you, Abby, for a phenomenal read.

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

About the author:

Ever since Abby Niles picked up her first Sweet Valley High book in sixth grade and fell in love with Elizabeth and Todd, she’s been hooked on romance. By the time she reached high school, she was devouring meatier romances with pirates, cowboys and knights. She never imagined that those years of reading would one day lead to her becoming a published author.

In her late twenties, after having twins and becoming a stay-at-home mom, she started doodling stories to keep her sanity. Next thing she knew, she was actually submitting to publishing houses. And was immediately rejected. That didn’t stop her though. She found some kickass critique partners, honed her craft, and continued submitting.

And eventually sold.

Today, she juggles work, being a single mom, and writing. It’s not always easy, but hey, who said life was easy?

Abby is the author of the contemporary MMA romance, Extreme Love, the first book in her Love to the Extreme series. Fighting Love is scheduled to release in December of 2013 and Winning Love is scheduled for 2014. She is also the author of the dark paranormal romance series The Awakening: Aidan and the The Awakening: Liam and The Awakening: Britton. Both series are with Entangled Publishing. She also has a geeky romantic comedy, Defying Convention, with Carina Press.

She is represented by Maureen Walters at Curtis Brown, LTD.

Mean Streak by Sandra Brown….Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

Dr. Emory Charbonneau, a pediatrician and marathon runner, disappears on a mountain road in North Carolina. By the time her husband Jeff, miffed over a recent argument, reports her missing, the trail has grown cold. Literally. Fog and ice encapsulate the mountainous wilderness and paralyze the search for her.

While police suspect Jeff of “instant divorce,” Emory, suffering from an unexplained head injury, regains consciousness and finds herself the captive of a man whose violent past is so dark that he won’t even tell her his name. She’s determined to escape him, and willing to take any risks necessary to survive.

Unexpectedly, however, the two have a dangerous encounter with people who adhere to a code of justice all their own. At the center of the dispute is a desperate young woman whom Emory can’t turn her back on, even if it means breaking the law.

As her husband’s deception is revealed, and the FBI closes in on her captor, Emory begins to wonder if the man with no name is, in fact, her rescuer.

My review:

Mean Streak is the newest novel from author Sandra Brown and a novel I was beyond lucky to have read early. I was intrigued from the synopsis and by the end of the book I was completely in love with every single aspect of this story. Amazing doesn’t even begin to do it justice.

Pediatrician Emory Charbonneau’s love for long distance running has been a bone of contention in her marriage for quite some time now but that won’t deter her from heading off a hundred miles into the mountains on a training run. In fact, it’s just the weekend break she needs to take a breather from the latest argument she had with her husband. Things were looking more and more bleak in her marriage and she would deal with it…when she got back. Unfortunately that wouldn’t be on Sunday as she had planned. Emory sets off on her run and wakes in a small cabin with a gash on her head, a headache from hell, and a stranger taking care of her. Her immediate reaction is one of fear and confusion but almost as quickly as those feelings settle in she senses this stranger wouldn’t hurt her and with bad weather rolling in and no way to contact her husband or friends, she would be stuck with him for a day or two. Hopefully her second set of emotions ring true and this stranger won’t be putting her in danger while she recovers a bit and tries to figure out how she ended up in this situation in the first place. Was she attacked? By this man? Did she fall? By the time her stay in the mountain cabin is over she will be warring with too many emotions to name and will have to reconcile with the fact that maybe the people she has trusted aren’t the ones she should and maybe this stranger was….

You all know I read. A lot. And every once in a while a book comes along that touches me on a different level and when it happens it’s magic. This was one of those books. While there are a few things I can’t give away, I can tell you that this is without a doubt a book you need to have in your library. Emory’s story starts off with quite a bang and doesn’t let up until the very end. There were so many twists and turns and questions along the way and it all had me glued to this book. Emory’s husband was suspect from the start and I didn’t know if he was the one behind her accident or even if it was an accident. Ms. Brown did an amazing job with giving the reader warring emotions when it came to him. There was also the stranger to consider. Emory’s savior…or was he? I will tell you that from the time we meet him you just know the story behind him is going to be emotional…good or bad, it was going to be rough. He is one of the most memorable and incredible characters I’ve ever read. No, he doesn’t speak a whole lot. No, we don’t know his name until the last few chapters. No, we don’t find out his story until the very end but that didn’t make one bit of difference. His actions and mannerisms said more than words. He is rigid and tough, living simply but has a soft side he shows only a few times in this story. But still we are left to wonder if he’s dangerous or if he’s one of the good guys. We are lead to believe from the hints he gives of himself that he isn’t exactly one of the good guys but it didn’t matter to me…I loved him anyway.

Of course, while Emory is in the woods, her husband and friends are looking for her and that leads to more than a few revelations that had me gasping audibly more than a few times. I can’t give anything away but be ready for a heaping spoonful of “I never saw THAT coming”!

Just trust me when I say this is a book you need to read. Suspense, mystery, and high emotion are just a few of the facets that make Mean Streak one of the best books I have ever read. Thank you, Ms. Brown, for a phenomenal story that will stay with me for a very long time.

Five Loves

About the author:

Sandra Brown is the author of sixty-three New York Times bestsellers, including DEADLINE (2013), LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL(2011), TOUGH CUSTOMER (2010), SMASH CUT (2009), SMOKE SCREEN (2008), PLAY DIRTY (2007), RICOCHET (2006),CHILL FACTOR (2005), and WHITE HOT (2004).

Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into thirty-four languages.

A lifelong Texan, Sandra Brown was born in Waco, grew up in Fort Worth and attended Texas Christian University, majoring in English.

She is much in demand as a speaker and guest television hostess. Her episode on truTV’s Murder by the Book premiered the series in 2008. She appeared in 2010 on Investigation Discovery’s new series, Hardcover Mysteries.

In 2009 Brown detoured from her thrillers to write Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.

Brown holds an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University where she and her husband Michael Brown, have instituted the ELF, a scholarship annually awarded to a student pursuing a fiction writing career. In 2008, she was named Thriller Master, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2011 she and four colleagues went on a week-long USO tour to Afghanistan, meeting with service members on numerous bases.

Sandra is the past president of the Mystery Writers of America in 2012. She lives in Arlington, Texas, with her husband, Michael Brown.

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Five Loves

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Tempted By Midnight releases October 14, 2014

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Five Loves

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My review:

Five Loves

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Owned by Fate releases 9/29

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Chained by Night releases September 30, 2014

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Five Loves

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PREORDER CHAINED BY NIGHT AND SAVOR YOUR TASTY TREAT ON 9/30! Book II of The MoonBound Clan Vampires series

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BOUND TO BE UP ALL NIGHT WITH THROW BACK THURSDAY’S BOUND BY NIGHT!

Book I of The MoonBound Clan Vampire series

Synopsis:

My review:

Five Loves

Releases tomorrow, 9/9

Synopsis:

My review:

Five Loves

Roped In releases September 9

Book links:

Synopsis:

My review:

Five Loves

Synopsis:

My review:

Five Loves

Book Links:

Synopsis:

My Review:

Five Loves

Book links:

Synopsis:

My review:

Five Loves

PREORDER CHAINED BY NIGHT
AND SAVOR YOUR TASTY TREAT ON 9/30!
Book II of The MoonBound Clan Vampires series

BOUND TO BE UP ALL NIGHT WITH
THROW BACK THURSDAY’S BOUND BY NIGHT!