Five Loves

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!

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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Revenge Bound by Heidi Joy Tretheway…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Buy Links:

Kindle | BN | iBooks | Kobo

Synopsis:

On the Internet, secrets never die…
Violet can’t imagine anything worse than having her very private, very naked photos strewn across the Internet.
Until they multiply like a virus.
With her name, address, and phone number attached.
And her boss finds out. And a stalker finds her.
Violet’s refuge is a rock star known for going through groupies faster than guitar picks. Letting Jayce get close enough to protect her exposes her secrets—and her heart—to a man whose celebrity could ruin her.
That’s because being a nobody is the one thing that keeps Violet’s photos from making headlines. And it’s the reason she can never fall for a rock star.
Secrets spread like wildfire when a celebrity fans the flames.

REVENGE BOUND is a full-length, standalone novel, and a companion to the Tattoo Thief books. It contains steamy scenes and strong language intended for mature readers.

My review:

Revenge Bound is the third book in author Heidi Joy Tretheway’s Tattoo Thief series and can absolutely be read as a standalone, although I have loved every book in the series thus far and highly recommend. This book was no exception, I loved it from start to finish!

Photographer Violet had always been on one side of the camera until one night when her boyfriend took some very personal, and very naked, pictures of her. She wasn’t thrilled about it but he had done it in a moment of weakness and had dismissed it as something couples did….until they broke up. Now, suddenly she starts receiving extremely dirty texts from strangers and is horrified to find out her ex has posted those pictures on the internet along with her address and phone number. Violet thinks if she just tries to ignore it, the situation will go away but things turn dangerous when one of the numbers texting her gets eerily personal. Texting her about what she was wearing that day or where she had been. Someone was watching her. Making matters worse was she was barely holding it together while shooting the band, Tattoo Thief, and Jayce had noticed. Now he’s offering to help her fix the situation and she isn’t sure what to think. Could the playboy Jayce really be a good guy? Or would he turn out to be just like her ex.

Tattoo Thief member, Jayce, had noticed Violet from the minute he laid eyes on her. There was something about her and he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Now, he’s noticing something is wrong and she’s in some sort of trouble. He shouldn’t care. He’s not the type to get involved…it’s not his style. But he can’t seem to help himself when it comes to Violet and he vows to find out what the hell is going on and what’s causing her so much pain. She brings out all sorts of protective instincts in him that he never knew he had and despite her objections he refuses to take no for an answer. Could she be the one to tame his playboy ways? He sure as hell felt like she could be…now if she would just let him in.

Violet is in a mess of epic proportions and emotions are running high but Jayce is turning out to be her solace in the midst of the storm. Have they found something between them that reaches far beyond fixing a bad situation?

Man, so many reasons to love this book. Poor Violet is a pretty private person and becoming a victim of revenge porn has rocked her world. Her father is in politics and this has the potential to ruin their family’s image not to mention her safety when it turns into a case of stalking. She’s scared and doesn’t know where to turn but the one thing I admired about her was that she was determined to fight. She is such a real character in that she has her meltdowns but then is able to pick herself up and come back guns blazing. Jayce is totally swoon worthy in this story. He is protective and caring. Even if he isn’t used to the feelings he wants to make the situation better for her and does everything in his power to do so. He goes from playboy to knight in shining armor and I loved every minute of it. Together they navigate through their feelings and learn more about themselves together than they ever would have apart. Oh, and the chemistry they share is smoking hot. But beyond that, this story deals with the very real issue of revenge porn and calls attention to the seriousness of the act. I applaud Heidi Joy for bringing it to light and for letting readers know how very serious revenge porn is. Luckily, in this story, Jayce and Violet have a happy ending but unfortunately for many, it doesn’t turn out that way.

Thank you, Heidi Joy, for a story that combines tons of emotion and heat along with a very real issue. I will continue to look forward to more in the Tattoo Thief series!

Five Loves

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About the author:

Heidi Joy lives in Happy Valley off Sunnyside Road. She swears she did not make that up.

Heidi’s obsessed with storytelling. Her career includes marketing, journalism, and a delicious few years as a food columnist. Media passes took her backstage with several rock bands, where she learned that sometimes a wardrobe malfunction is exactly what the rock star intends.

You’ll most often find Heidi Joy with her husband and two small kids cooking, fishing, exploring the Northwest, and building epic forts in their living room.

Links:

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | Revenge Bound Goodreads

ARC Review….Show Me, Baby by Cherise Sinclair

Synopsis:

A Masters of the Shadowlands Novella

After his last lover chose her career over him, Jake knows he wants a woman who will put him at the top of her priorities—as he would with her. One of the trainees, Rainie, has caught his attention. Lush body, a gift for living life to the fullest, always laughing or smiling. Yeah. She trips all his switches. But she’s never given him a second look and that’s damned annoying.

Rainie has been burned enough times that she’s not going to get serious about any man. Sure, the BDSM club trainees are supposed to be looking for a permanent Dom, but no harm, no foul—they don’t need to know she lied. Trainees get to be involved in everything—and with everyone. But there’s one she avoids. Master Jake is always frowning at her. No matter how gorgeous he is, she doesn’t need any disapproving Dom up in her business.

Unfortunately, her best friends are having a double wedding. Little hearts are floating in the air. Every breath is filled with romance. Rainie is doomed.

My review:

Show Me, Baby is the 9th story in author Cherise Sinclair’s Master of the Shadowlands Series as well as novella number 7 in the 1,001 Dark Nights Series. Admittedly, this is the first of Cherise’s works that I have read and oh boy…I am hooked and have just purchased the entire series!

To say Rainie has had a sad life would be the understatement of the century. Having a mother who didn’t want her, a father who left her at seven, living in foster care homes with one in particular that left deep emotional scars, and never really feeling she was good enough to fit in anywhere, you could say her issues cup overfloweth. But she was determined. Determined to rise above all of the adversity in her life and become someone. She finally finished school with an MBA and has found a place where she felt she somewhat belonged…Club Shadowlands. Sure, she still had her issues and she was still new to the BDSM scene, but she knew deep down this was a home of sorts for her. Only problem? Jake. The delish Dom was a blast from the past she was trying to forget. He was her secret crush all of high school. He had no idea who she was back then and just seeing him now brought back too much pain. But even that pain couldn’t stop her attraction to him. Even after all these years, he was still everything she wanted. But surely he wouldn’t be interested in someone with a past like hers…..or would he?

Jake has it all. A successful career as a veterinarian, a nice home, a position as a Master at Club Shadowlands, good looks and a killer body. There’s only one thing missing…a woman to share his life with. His last lover had left him and even though it still stung, he was ready to move on. And the one he’d like to move on is the sassy and beautiful new trainee at the club…Rainie. There was something about her. She had a lust for life, was loyal and kind to her friends she’s made at Club Shadowlands and had a huge heart. Now, if only she would give him the time of day. Seems when it came to him she was always taking off in the opposite direction. Luckily for him, she was in need of a reevaluation and he was just assigned the Dom in charge of it. This was exactly the opportunity he needed to convince Rainie to take a chance on him.

Rainie and Jake take off on a journey of self discovery and stumble across love along the way. The question is, will Rainie be able to shake her feelings of unworthiness and give a relationship with Jake a chance?

Oh my, I adored this story. Rainie broke my heart. Her childhood was positively wretched and I felt so bad for her. I also totally understood her feelings of being less than everyone. No one really ever told her she wasn’t so how could she think anything different? But her resolve and strength was admirable beyond words. She picked herself up, brushed herself off and kept on going. She is amazing that way. She is also fiercely loyal to her friends and I adore that in a character. Jake is just, um, totally drool worthy. He is handsome, successful, charming and commanding. The total package. He knows Rainie better than she ever thought and he gives her all of what she needs. And damn, it is beyond smoking hot! Together they make an incredible couple. Giving each other what each other needs and forming a beautiful emotional connection. Of course, there are a few stumbles along the way but that just makes this story that much better.

So here I am, proof that even if you haven’t read this series before, you will love this book and this was a great intro to The Masters of Shadowlands. I can’t wait to read more of this series! Thank you, Cherise, for Jake and Rainie and their amazing story.

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | Paperback | 1,001 Dark Nights

About the author:

USA Today Bestselling Author, Cherise Sinclair is renowned for writing heart-wrenching stories with laugh-out-loud dialogue, devastating Dominants, and absolutely sizzling sex. And did I mention the BDSM? Her awards range from a National Leather Award to a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice nomination to a Goodreads BDSM group’s Best Author of the Year.

Cherise currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her beloved husband and writes full-time under the supervision of a merciless feline.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

ARC Review…Promises Hurt by Elle Brooks

Promises Hurt releases August 2

Synopsis:

I wasn’t planning on falling for Ethan Jamison, hell I wasn’t planning on our paths ever crossing. He’s the most popular guy at school and a complete player. Me; I’m the perpetual good girl, trying to carry out one last request. But when you make a promise, how far do you go to see it through?

~ Blair

It’s a running joke that I’m a terrible liar, if only people knew the truth. My whole life has been spent making excuses and deflecting questions. I was pretty good at it until Blair Thomas entered my world. She saw through the mask that everyone is so willing to accept. She makes me want to tell her all my secrets, but can she promise to keep them?

~ Ethan

My Review:

Promises Hurt is the debut work from author Elle Brooks and, oh my, what a debut it was. From the synopsis alone I was intrigued and from the very first chapter I was hooked. More like addicted. I devoured this book and stayed up way too late reading but it was so worth every minute of missed slumber. I loved it.

Blair Thomas was content with her high school career. She was smart and had her best friend by her side. She wasn’t really popular but she wasn’t an outcast either. A middle of the road girl, if you will. Everything was great until tragically her best friend wasn’t by her side any more. Now, after making a promise to her lost friend, Blair finds herself attempting to cross items off of a bucket list…to honor her best friend. One of those items is to date the hottest guy in school, Ethan Jamison. Blair had no intention of doing that but fate has a way of stepping in when people least expect it and Blair finds herself tutoring Ethan. What starts out as an easy friendship over a math book turns into so much more and soon the two become inseparable. But Ethan has more than a few secrets hiding and one of those secrets is killing Blair to keep. But she will do it for Ethan. Because bucket list be damned, she was falling head over heels for him.

Ethan Jamison had his share of girls to choose from. After all, he was handsome, in a popular band, and had that bad boy mystique going for him. He had never met Blair before but he didn’t care who was going to tutor him, as long as she could help him get his grades up. The last thing he wanted to do was give his father a reason to be pissed off at him. Not that the man really ever needed a reason. Pissed off was the only emotion he seemed to be able to show. Regardless, he would get his grades up with Blair’s help and lay low in his home and pray graduation would hurry up and get here so he could leave. Ethan never expected Blair would have such an effect on him. He’s never met anyone like her and she’s just the breath of fresh air he needs. A bright spot in his life that gives him something to look forward to every day. In a short amount of time, she has become to mean the world to him…something he’s never felt before. Could he finally have found love?

What Ethan and Blair have found is beautiful and rare. They both appreciate one another and the connection they have but there are more than a few outside influences that threaten to tear them apart. Will they be able to withstand family troubles and lost best friend’s promises?

Holy hell. I loved this book. Sure, it sounds like the typical shy girl meets hot high school star and they fall in love despite their social differences but this book was so much more than that. There is just something about Blair and Ethan separately as well as together that will stay with me. They are amazing characters with vast differences and yet similarities that drew me in and refused to let go. Ethan puts on a brave face but without giving anything away, has a weight on his shoulders that broke my heart. You know that saying that you never know what goes on behind closed doors? Yeah, that saying rings true for Ethan and his family. He’s the hottest guy in school and knows it but his soft side toward Blair had me swooning. He is kind and thoughtful with her and I loved that. He almost in a way reminds me of a young Travis Maddox, minus the fighting. Blair is quirky and fun and honest. All traits I adore reading. She loves deep and doesn’t waste time with half truths. She always says it like it is and I love that. Together they are intense and it’s beautiful to read. God, I just love these two! Now, I will warn you that this IS a cliffhanger ending and I know some of you won’t read cliffhangers BUT if I can sway you to do so, this would be the book to give a chance to. Again, there is just something about these two that had me glued to my e-reader into the wee hours of the night. It was just so damn good!

I cannot wait for the conclusion to Blair and Ethan’s story and thank you, Elle, for an amazing and intense read. I adored it.

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | Goodreads

About the author:

Hello…

I’m a little neurotic; I function on a tiny amount of sleep and a huge amount of caffeine. I love green skittles and have an irrational fear of stormy weather. When I’m not writing about super hot college guys, you can generally find me googling them…All in the name of research of course. I can be persuaded to do just about anything with the promise of a good book or a bottle of bubbles. Oh, and I also love to write.

Facebook | Twitter | Website

Read-Love-Blog’s Cowboy Summer…Selene Reviews One Night Rodeo: A Blacktop Cowboys Novel by Lorelei James

One Night Rodeo: A Blacktop Cowboys Novel

Reviewed by Selene

Synopsis:

All it takes is one night to change a cowboy’s life… Barrel racer Celia Lawson knows better than to tangle with bull rider Kyle Gilchrist. The sexy cowboy’s love ‘em and leave ‘em ways have earned him a reputation on the rodeo circuit, and he’s always seen her as his best friend’s kid sister. But after one wild, tequila-fueled night, Celia wakes up to find out she’s gotten herself hitched—to a man she never should have married! When Celia insists on an annulment, Kyle has no good reason to say no—except he isn’t ready to let go of his new bride. But then Kyle inherits a sprawling Wyoming ranch, and seizes the opportunity to enlist Celia’s help. She agrees to lend a hand—with two conditions: He has to get up to speed as a rancher within six months; then they’ll get a divorce. And their marriage will be in name only. Kyle gives in to Celia’s demand, yet he’s ready to prove to her he has what it takes to turn their one night rodeo into a lifetime of love….

My review:

BEST BOOK OF THE SERIES!!!

One Night Rodeo was definitely the book I was looking forward to the most… and the wait did not disappoint. J As I have said before, and probably will say again, Lorelei James is the queen of constructing great character history and anticipation. After seeing Kyle lose out to Hank in capturing Lainie’s heart in the first novel, I knew we wouldn’t see the end of him; he deserved his own HEA, dammit… and Hank’s little sis Celia is the absolute perfect choice!

Celia Lawson is without a doubt my favorite female of the series. She has a thick, strong shell surrounding her big heart and Kyle is exactly the cowboy to break down her walls and keep her safe within his thick, strong arms. But the really great thing about Celia is that she knows she doesn’t need a man to protect her because she’s well capable of doing that herself; her strength lies in wanting to share her life with the man willing to do it right back.

Kyle Gilchrist is sex on two legs. And a caring, loving man to boot! Like Celia, he’s my favorite male protagonist in the series. Hands down. LITERALLY. His tenderness and wildness are the perfect combination in and out of the bedroom. And a man who is willing to admit his mistakes is downright sexy.

This couple truly belongs together. They are each other’s emotional support and the perfect example of friendship growing into love. With Celia’s brothers’ downright rudeness and Kyle’s recent inheritance and knowledge of his estranged father, both could not ask for a better friend and lover to help them through it.

Plus, talk about christening every room in the house…HOT, HOT, HOT!!! And with that I’ll give you one of my fave quotes of the book.

“Oh yes, little wifey mine, we’ll be having sex. Lots and lots of sex. Sweet sex, raunchy sex, shower sex, sex on the floor, sex against the wall, sex in bed, sex in the truck, sex in the barn, sex on the tractor, and sex on this table.” He smacked it hard.

Her silver eyes went wide.
“And in case that wasn’t clear, I’ll say it plain. I like sex. A lot of sex. Morning, noon and night.”

This book is definitely going into the re-read pile.

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N

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.

Twitter | Facebook | Website

No Apologies by Sybil Bartel…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

Never apologize

Hard-edged rocker Graham Allen has it all. He’s flush with cash from playing bass in a band by night and restoring classic cars by day. And there are plenty of women willing to share his bed for a night, complication-free. Perfect, because if there’s anything he learned from his past, it was to never get attached—to anything. So when bartender Carly Sullivan flashes her innocent smile, Graham isn’t prepared for what happens next.

Never fall in love

Two rules, that’s all Graham has—never apologize and never fall in love. He knows Carly is everything he should avoid. Cheerful and sweet, she has “relationship” written all over her. But Graham can’t stay away from her probing questions and concerned blue eyes.

When Graham discovers Carly is hiding a crushing secret, he’s prepared to risk it all. Until in one single moment, everything changes and Graham’s past threatens to collide with his future. His life is crumbling down around him, and soon no apology in the world can save him.

He should’ve known to walk away.

My review:

No Apologies is the first book from author Sybil Bartel and one hell of a debut. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down until I had finished it. The angst, emotion, and attraction were all done so well.

Graham Allen is a man of many talents. He’s a gifted musician, skilled mechanic, and one hell of a ladies man. He’s got the good looks, killer body, and a good amount of wealth. You could say he has it all…but he doesn’t. His childhood was plagued by abuse at the hands of his mother and by the time his father had decided to leave her and rescue Graham from the life on the streets he resorted to in order to escape the abuse, the damage was done. Now, he was a man with a huge chip on his shoulder and a deep seated anger that he feared he would never be able to get rid of. Enter Carly. The beautiful and sweet bartender that he knows damn well he should stay away from but just can’t seem to do it. She’s everything he isn’t. He finds himself looking for her smile every day and spends more and more time with her. And even though he knows he shouldn’t, he finds himself having all sorts of complicated feelings for her. But he knows she’s too good for him and she should never be with someone like him. But when Graham finds out she may be just as damaged as he is, things start to take a different turn. Could Graham ever deserve someone like Carly? God, he wanted nothing more…

After finishing, well more like devouring, this book I went on-line and looked at a few reviews. I found that a lot of people weren’t big fans of Graham and while I can see where they are coming from, I have to emphatically disagree. I loved him. He comes off as a total womanizing prick, and yeah there were times I wanted to slap him silly, but in the end I totally got why he was the way he was. He had a horrid excuse for a mother and in my mind he took all those feelings and years of hate out on the women he slept with. Yes, there were a lot of them. Yes, he treated them like crap. But I just couldn’t fault him for it because when we saw him with Carly and how much he wished he was the kind of man she deserved, it broke my heart. And lets be honest here…those girls weren’t exactly wholesome angels.

He was so broken and had no clue how to deal with it. He tried to push Carly away but on the flip side hated every minute they were apart. He was like the battered puppy that needed to be coaxed back into being happy and healthy. Carly was just what he needed in order to do just that…become happy and healthy. To see him slowly transform was a thing of beauty. Carly is one tough cookie. She’s been through her own tragedy and takes none of Graham’s crap, which I loved. She sticks to her guns and refuses to believe Graham is as damaged as he believes he is. She is unlike anything he’s ever known and even if it takes him a while to see it, eventually he does.

There’s a huge surprise toward the end that I never saw coming and it was another piece in helping Graham heal and become the man he was always capable of becoming….and it was so freaking perfect. I can’t give it away but I will give you a hint and say no, Carly doesn’t get pregnant. (you know that’s what you were thinking lol!)

All in all, if you love the tortured hero with a chance at redemption and a happily ever after, this is a book for you. Thank you, Sybil, for giving us Graham and Carly…. and Gunnar, too! I loved all of it!

Five Loves

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Sybil Bartel Bio:

I grew up in Northern California with my head in a book and my feet in the sand. I dreamt of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books drew me into the world of storytelling. I love the New Adult genre, but really, any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful makes me swoon.

I now live in Southern Florida and while I don’t get to read as much as I like, I still bury my toes in the sand. If I’m not writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in my backyard, you can find me spending time with my handsomely tattooed husband, my brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer…

But Seriously?

Here are ten things you really want to know about me.

I grew up a faculty brat. I can swear like a sailor. I love men in uniform. I hate being told what to do. I can do your taxes (but don’t ask). The Bird Market in Hong Kong freaks me out. My favorite word is desperate…or dirty, or both—I can’t decide. I have a thing for muscle cars. But never reply on me for driving directions, ever. And I have a new book boyfriend every week—don’t tell my husband

Links:

Wesbite | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | No Apologies Goodreads

ARC Review…Enemies on Tap by Avery Flynn

Synopsis:

Brewing up trouble one pint at a time.

Enemies …After years away, Miranda Sweet returns to Salvation, Virginia to save her family’s brewery, but her fate is in the hands of her lover-turned-enemy, Logan. What’s a girl to do when the only person who can help her is the man who betrayed her?

Lovers …Logan Martin can’t believe his luck when the woman who smashed his heart to smithereens walks into his bank asking for his help. What she doesn’t know is that he needs the land her brewery is on–and he’ll do whatever it takes to get it.

An Irresistible Combination …Their wager becomes a battle between their attraction and their determination to win. But it’s in each other’s arms that they realize there might be more at stake now than their bet. With the town against the Sweet Salvation Brewery’s success, Logan has to choose between what’s expected of him and what he really wants…

My review:

Enemies on Tap is the first book in author Avery Flynn’s newest series, Sweet Salvation Brewery, and kicks the series off with a fantastic start!

Miranda Sweet really never wanted to come back to her hometown of Salvation. Her family had a decades long reputation for being a tad on the crazy side and after having to endure that reputation herself for her time in Salvation, you could say she wasn’t thrilled about being back in town. But the family’s brewery was left to her and her two sisters and despite not wanting to be back, she knew she had to be here. Now her plans included bringing life back into the dying brewery. Unfortunately that meant she had to ask her former boyfriend for help. Making matters worse is not only was Logan a former lover, he was also a member of the family that the Sweet’s had an undying conflict with. Oh, and the fact that she was still attracted to the deliciously sexy Logan isn’t helping matters. Will Miranda have what it takes to look down on the Sweet family reputation, ignore her feelings for Logan, and make the brewery a success once again?

Logan Martin had heard rumors that Miranda Sweet was back in town and he thought eventually he would run into her…but he never expected she would walk into his family’s bank and ask him for help. Talk about being in a pickle. He knows his father would never allow their bank, and family name, to help the Sweet’s but he also knows he would like nothing more than to get back into her good graces and rekindle the relationship they had years before. She was pretty back then but now she was stunning. There had to be a way to make things work. Would Logan go against his family and prove to Miranda that he didn’t give a damn about family rivalry and offer to help make Sweet Salvation Brewery what it once was?

Small town living and small town reputations threaten Logan and Miranda from the word go. Could they be the ones to finally cut those ties once and for all and turn the Sweet/Martin contention into a thing of the past?

Enemies on Tap is one of the best enemies to lovers stories I’ve read. Avery did a fantastic job in building the backstory behind Logan and Miranda’s current situation. The family history, the failed relationship, the rekindled attraction…all of it was done so well! Miranda is a real spitfire and her determination is admirable. She isn’t going to back down even when there are threats against her and the intended resurrection of the brewery. She just turns her nose up and battles forward. I loved that about her. Logan has the reputation for being the sexy golden boy with the good family name to back it up. But he also knows just because things have been run the same way in his town doesn’t mean it’s the right way. The sexual tension between them is delicious and burns hotter as the story progresses.

But besides a great heroine/hero combination, Avery has built one hell of a foundation for the series. The town and townspeople have such a real feel to them and I loved how that layer was assembled. Oh, and the ending? Freaking movie worthy! I could picture it in my mind’s eye as I was reading and was left with a big ol’ happy grin plastered on my face.

I cannot wait to read more in this series! Thank you, Avery, for one hell of a book and one hell of a great series opening!

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

About the author:

Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip.

She fell in love with romance while reading Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory books. It wasn’t long before Avery had read through all the romance offerings at her local library. Needing a romance fix, she turned to Harlequin’s four books a month home delivery service to ease the withdrawal symptoms. That worked for a short time, but it wasn’t long before the local book stores’ staffs knew her by name.

Avery was a reader before she was a writer and hopes to always be both. She loves to write about smartass alpha heroes who are as good with a quip as they are with their *ahem* other God-given talents. Her heroines are feisty, fierce and fantastic. Brainy and brave, these ladies know how to stand on their own two feet and knock the bad guys off theirs.

Find out more about Avery on her website, follow her onTwitter and Pinterest, like her on her Facebook page or friend her on her Facebook profile. She’s also on Goodreadsand BookLikes.

Join her street team, The Flynnbots, and receive special sneak peeks, prizes and early access to her latest releases!

Also, if you figure out how to send Oreos through the Internet, she’ll be your best friend for life.