January 2014 – Page 3 – Read-Love-Blog

Review….Fighting Kat by P.J. Schnyder

Book links:

Synopsis:

Book two of The Triton Experiment

Intergalactic mercenary Kat Darah has been ordered to keep her shape-shifting ability a secret from everyone but those closest to her, for her own safety. She’s learned how to control the feral rage… for the most part. But when Lieutenant Rygard’s military unit goes missing, she’ll use every skill she has to find her man.

Lt. Christopher Rygard has witnessed his girl shift, and he still wants her. After Kat rescues him from alien clutches, he’d like nothing more than to wrap her in his arms again, but his first duty is to his men. And half of them have been shipped off-planet to be sold as slaves.

Kat and Rygard will need to form a new team to go deep undercover, posing as gladiators and learning to fight together—not just side by side—in order to survive. In the arena, it’s all about who is the strongest predator…

My Review:

Fighting Kat is the second book in author P.J. Schnyder’s The Triton Experiment Series and follows Hunting Kat, a novella I loved. I was anxiously awaiting this next story and wow, what a fantastic follow up!

Mercenary Kat Darah is back on her ship and kind of keeping things status quo. Daily life, ship duties and all that….and missing Rygard. They hadn’t had nearly enough time together and now he was on a mission with his unit and she was here, trying to keep herself busy and ignore the itch she feels for him. Adding to that itch is not being able to shift into her panther form and go for a nice long run. But she’s had years to try to get used to that and control her shape shifter urges. This whole guy itch is new though and adding those urges together is a tricky combo. Luckily, Rygard calls in with a holographic call so she could see him and for a small moment in time she has peace. That tiny sense of peace is shattered when she finds out that after his call, he and his team had gone missing. Now, she is on a mission to save him and his men. Kat has no idea that the mission will end up taking her right back into the world she’s tried for years to forget. A world of violence and shape shifting viruses…the world that has haunted her memories and the world from her nightmares.

Wow. Talk about a pulse pounding, white knuckled read! I’m going to tread carefully here and not give any spoilers away because this is a story you really need to experience first hand.

To save Rygard and his unit, Kat must join up with friends new and old to get to the bottom of where he has been taken and what the enemy plan is. Of course, it can’t be easy and poor Kat is thrust into the middle of the world that created her and the world she is trying to forget. After she finds Rygard, they realize that in order to save his men, they’ve got to go deep undercover in an underground world filled with cage matches and infected shifters. People and species held prisoner for the entertainment of others. Slaves fighting, literally, for their lives. The amount of action in this book is nothing short of spectacular and I held my breath during some of the fight scenes, fearing for Kat, Rygard and their team. There were tense moments but there were also tender and emotional moments. Kat and Rygard’s connection and attraction is strong an unyielding and I loved seeing their relationship grow after being put to the test.

In the addition of many characters in this story, one really stood out to me and he was a mystery for almost the whole book….Bharguest. A dark and deadly prisoner being held on Kat’s ship, I was always excited to get to a scene with him in it. He held many secrets and I do hope we get to see more of him in the series. I also have to mention that P.J. did an amazing job making me as a reader connect with the new characters and strengthen my love for Kat, Rygard, Dev and crew.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and action packed tale from start to finish and I cannot wait to see what P.J. has in store for us next!

Four Loves

About the author:

Born and raised in the North East, PJ Schnyder spent her childhood pretending to study for the SATs by reading every fantasy and sci-fi novel she could borrow from the local and school libraries. She scored fairly high in the verbal portion.

She was introduced to the wonderful world of romance a decade later by her best friend at an anime convention in Seattle.

She now lives somewhere temperate watching the seasons go by with her two dogs and super stealthy ninja kitty, writing her stories.

PJ would love to hear from you. Whether it’s questions or comments regarding her stories or this website, please feel free to email her.

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Sweet Southern Betrayal by Robin Covington…Release Week Event, Giveaway & Review

I am so happy and excited to be a part of Robin Covington’s Release Week Event for her newest release, Sweet Southern Betrayal.

I absolutely ADORED this book! Robin has an amazing giveaway happening with prizes that include an iPad mini! The giveaway information and rafflecopter are at the bottom of this post so be sure to read all the way down.

Thanks for stopping by and ENJOY!

Buy links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ All Romance eBooks

Synopsis:

Privileged and ambitious attorney Teague Elliott is on the fast-track to getting everything he wants. All he has to do is stay on the straight and narrow and a high-profile political career is his for the taking. Until he wakes up naked with a Vegas showgirl…

Risa Clay has worked hard to put her showgirl past behind her and start fresh. But she owes ten grand to the wrong people, and to pay off her debt, she agrees to betray a stranger. . .but she ends up with a husband and guilty conscience.

Savvy and determined, she double-crosses the mob, goes on the run, and turns up on Teague’s doorstep armed with a dangerous secret, a marriage license, and the power to ruin his well-planed future. She thought using Teague again would be easy, but the passion that exploded between them in Vegas didn’t stay in Sin City and betrayal is the last thing on her mind.

Now Teague has to choose between the future he’s planned for all his life, or the one with Risa that he can’t turn away from.

Excerpt:

“What do you want, Teague?” Risa leaned in, brushing her lips against his with the weight of a whisper, and he knew that in spite of his grip on her, she was the one who was in control. “Throw out all your plans. Live in the moment, and tell me what you want. Not for your family or the firm, but you.”

Her tongue was wet and warm against his lips, pressing lightly until he allowed her to enter for a slow, sweet kiss that promised him all he desired if he would just say the word. “Tell me what you want.”

For one more night—fuck the plan.

Teague took her mouth wanting, needing, to make her stop talking. She opened to his tongue as he swept inside her, tasting and devouring her breath with every press of their lips. Her hair was like a silken cord wrapped tightly around his fingers and he couldn’t tell if he held her or if she’d captured him. Her moan, deep and low, tore him open like an explosive blast, unleashing everything he’d kept bottled up inside him.

“You make me so goddamn crazy.” He panted against her skin, tasting her sweet desire, soaking in her surrender. “You live so freely, but I know you’re holding things back, pushing me away.” He caught her lips in another kiss, swallowing her cry of passion. “But I can’t seem to shake you loose.”

“What do you want, Teague?” She wouldn’t let it go. Risa tracked her hands down his chest, across his stomach, until her fingers curled around the waistband of his sweatpants. Her skin against his belly made him gasp with its heat and electricity. His body was on autopilot, his hips bucking forward until she responded to his silent request with the press of her palm against the hard, aching length of him. “I’ll leave soon and this will be over, but I’m here now. All you have to do is ask and you can have it. Anything you want.”

“I want—” He swallowed hard, the images of what was to come making it difficult to speak with his heart clamoring in his chest. “I want your mouth on me.”

My Review:

Sweet Southern Betrayal is the third book in author Robin Covington’s The Boys Are Back in Town Series and oh my, these boys can back into my town any time they’d like! I adored this book!

Successful attorney Teague Elliot has the world in the palm of his hand. He’s just about to land the title of youngest partner in his uber successful Washington D.C. law firm and he couldn’t be happier. Of course, this is just another stepping stone in his plan to enter the world of politics. He’s also managed to keep his nose clean and the skeletons out of his closet his entire life in prep to take The Oval Office one day. This brings us to the present…when he heads to Las Vegas with his friends and ends up in bed with a Vegas showgirl and absolutely no memory of why she’s here. Or what he may have done the night before. Will “what happens in Vegas” actually stay in Vegas? Never has Teague needed it that saying to be more true than right now….

You could say that Risa Clay has taken the lemons life has handed her and made them into lemonade. She didn’t have an easy childhood but has managed to make a pretty good life as a Las Vegas Showgirl and can’t really complain. She certainly can’t complain when she wakes up to a sexy stranger after an unforgettable night. But that’s just what she’d have to do…forget him. Her best friend was in trouble and she had done last night as payment to her boss for borrowing money to help her best friend kick a nasty drug habit. A shame, really, because this sexy stranger was positively delicious and they had an undeniable chemistry. It’s this chemistry that prevents her from doing the last part of the payment for her boss and sends her fleeing Vegas…and showing up on her handsome one-night stand’s doorstep.

So I’ll say it again….these boys can come back to my town any time they’d like. This book started out with a kick and just kept getting better with each chapter. I couldn’t put it down! Teague is straight laced, buckled up and not one to forget his end goal: The White House. He’s worked hard and has dotted every “i” and crossed every “t” knowing full well that he didn’t want to deal with the hassle of a shady past. Well, you know what they say about the best-laid plans. Risa is exactly his opposite, a girl with a messy past and just living in the moment. And this brings me to another saying: opposites attract! Fate has slammed these two together and never before has she gotten it more right. Risa and Teague are so amazing together. The push and pull between them is practically tangible, the chemistry between them palpable. They’ve got quite a mess on their hands and fixing it proves to push them both to the limit, testing all emotions and crossing all sorts of lines. Did I mention I loved this book? Well, I did. A lot. Also, I have to mention that Robin writes some of the most amazing smexy scenes that I’ve ever read….and I’ve read a whole lot of them. There’s just something about her writing that gives her characters a little dash of more and it makes all the difference in adding to the heat factor!

If you haven’t read the other books in the series, no worries, you can totally read this book as a stand-alone. Of course, I absolutely recommend you do, well, if for no other reason than Robin writes some phenomenal characters and you will enjoy each one! Thank you, Robin, for Teague, Risa and another fab story!

Five Loves

A message from Robin:

I love Vegas. I love Elvis. I love romance novels.

In my latest release, SWEET SOUTHERN BETRAYAL, I got to indulge in a little bit of fun on the strip. Glitz, glamour, Elvis, and a little bitty wedding chapel.

In this book, Teague Elliott is a man with a plan. A hotshot lawyer with the White House in his future, the last thing he needs is a most unsuitable wife who tangles up his mind and burns up his sheets.

Risa Clay is a Vegas showgirl who runs an online sex toy business on the side. She’s put her rocky past behind her but when she owes the mob money, she has no choice but to betray a sexy stranger and ends up with an irresistible lover.

I loved writing this book and bringing these two unlikely people together.

But the best part? Putting poor Teague through the wringer and turning his life upside down until he had no choice but to lay it all on the line and put all his chips on one number.

Winner takes all.

And Teague is not a man who likes losing.

To celebrate the release, I’m giving away the following awesome prizes:

An iPad mini (16gb, WiFi) to one lucky player
$25 Amazon or B&N gift cards to four lucky players
10 Robin Covington SWAG packs (tote bags, koozies, notebooks, t-shirts) and/or “what-the-hell-just-happened-last-night” packs full of awesome! The prize pack includes: A copy of the movie, THE HANGOVER andVegas hangover kits (including Gatorade mix, Tylenol, travel toothbrush set, Shout wipe, make-up remover, sleep mask, band-aids and spare pair of undies – all in a gorgeous little travel case).

I will pick the winners on Friday, January 17, 2014 at midnight EST.

So what do you have to do to win here? Just – use the rafflecopter widget below and you will be entered to win!

Burn it up,

Robin

Sizzling Romance. Burning Up the Sheets . . . one page at a time.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Robin Covington loves to explore the theme of fooling around and falling in love in her bestselling books. When she’s not writing sexy, sizzling romance she’s collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, and stalking Joe Manganiello. You can find Robin at her website (robincovingtonromance.com), Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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

Website ~ Facebook Profile ~ Facebook Page ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Review….Die For Love by Caridad Piñeiro

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Loving a dead man can be brutal.

Diana Reye’s pregnancy is draining her of life. Now she and vampire Ryder Latimer are faced with the most difficult choice of all. Turn Diana, or lose her and the baby. If Ryder chooses to save them, he risks the wrath of the Slayer Council and will be marked for his own death by their friend Michaela. Chasing a vampire can be consuming.

FBI agent Michaela Ramirez has been searching for the vampire who raped and killed her mother while acting as an enforcer for the Slayer Council. Since meeting FBI Director Jesus Hernandez , however, Michaela is losing a bit of her edge as she imagines the possibility of a life full of happiness and passion with her handsome boss by her side…and in her bed.

Living without the one they love isn’t an option.

But soon trouble comes calling as the vampire she hunts makes Michaela his prey. Now Michaela finds herself in a battle not only for her own life, but for her friends lives as well, as she and Ryder both make the difficult decision to break all the rules for love.

My review:

Die For Love is the fourth book in author Caridad Piñeiro’s The Reborn Series and admittedly, the first in the series that I have read. Well, clearly I have been missing out. This book was amazing and I have already added the others in the series to my to-read list!

This story primarily follows two couples and their current struggles, which is a fun break from the one-couple-per-book norm I’ve been reading lately.

Michaela Ramirez is good at two things…being an FBI agent and a vampire slayer. You see those two things are easy for her because you don’t really require a whole lot of warm and fuzzy emotions. She really didn’t excel at the warm and fuzzy. Not since seeing her mother brutalized and murdered in front of her at twelve years old. The problem now is Jesus Hernandez, her lover. He is bringing about all sorts of emotions she never knew she was capable of, and emotions she’s afraid of feeling. Just when she thinks she already has plenty on her plate, she stumbles across her vampire father. The man she has wanted revenge on for as long as she can remember. Never before has Michaela been more emotionally confused or her focus more shattered and never before has it mattered most. Her heart and sense of revenge are at stake….

Soon-to-be-mom Diana Reye should be experiencing the common joys of first time parenthood. Picking out the paint color for the nursery, choosing names, buying baby clothes. Instead, Diana and her vampire husband Ryder are deciding if and when they will have to take away Diana’s human life in exchange for a vampire life in order to save her and their unborn child. Add into the mix their friend and vampire slayer Michaela and the possibility she will kill Ryder for turning Diana and you could say that this baby prep is anything but normal. Their happy ending is anything but certain and the stress is unbearable at times.

So, you already know this is the first book in author Piñeiro’s The Reborn Series that I have read but the beauty of Caridad’s writing is that I wasn’t once lost or confused during this book. That being said, I was able to thoroughly enjoy all the emotions swirling around in this book…and man, there were a multitude of them! Starting with Michaela and Jesus. These two are so well matched and Jesus has an innate ability when it comes to dealing with Michaela. He knows she’s not going to admit her feeling easily but he knows she is worth fighting for. Michaela is one kick-ass heroine. When she has her sights set on something, she goes for it. All in, consequences be damned. I loved her for that. Their ending in this story was so fitting for them as a couple! I won’t give any of the details away but know this….it’s in true Michaela fashion in how they get their own special version of a happy ever after.

Now, for Diana and Ryder….whew! These two are equally amazing. Diana was absolutely meant to be a mom and the way she fought for what was best for her unborn daughter was humbling and something any mom can relate to. Doing what’s best for you child no matter what. Ryder is also 100% dad material and he broke my heart with his worry for his wife and child. I will tell you that I sobbed through almost four entire chapters with them. But, if you know me, you know two things….1.) I love to cry while reading and 2.) I wouldn’t recommend a book that ends sadly. But other than that, my lips are sealed!

I have appreciated Caridad, as a person and as an author, for quite some time and this book is just another example of how awesome she is. If you’re a fan of love stories filled with emotion and suspense, and of course the paranormal, than I absolutely recommend this story. Thank you, Caridad, for a spectacular and thrilling story!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

About the author:

Caridad Piñeiro® is a multi-published and award-winning author whose love of the written word developed when her fifth grade teacher assigned a project – to write a book that would be placed in a class lending library. She has been hooked on writing ever since.

…for much more on Caridad, her book and many accomplishments and awards, please visit her website.

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One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker….Release Day Event

Paperback buy links:

Amazon Buy Link ~ Barnes & Noble Buy Link

Synopsis:

Livie has always been the stable one of the two Cleary sisters, handling her parents’ tragic death and Kacey’s self-destructive phase with strength and maturity. But underneath that exterior is a little girl hanging onto the last words her father ever spoke to her. “Make me proud,” he had said. She promised she would…and she’s done her best over the past seven years with every choice, with every word, with every action.

Livie walks into Princeton with a solid plan, and she’s dead set on delivering on it: Rock her classes, set herself up for medical school, and meet a good, respectable guy that she’s going to someday marry. What isn’t part of her plan are Jell-O shots, a lovable, party animal roommate she can’t say ‘no’ to, and Ashton, the gorgeous captain of the men’s rowing team. Definitely him. He’s an arrogant ass who makes Livie’s usually non-existent temper flare and everything she doesn’t want in a guy. Worse, he’s best friends and roommates with Connor, who happens to fits Livie’s criteria perfectly. So why does she keep thinking about Ashton?

As Livie finds herself facing mediocre grades, career aspirations she no longer thinks she can handle, and feelings for Ashton that she shouldn’t have, she’s forced to let go of her last promise to her father and, with it, the only identity that she knows.

Giveaway:

K.A. Tucker is giving away a set of a signed TEN TINY BREATHS and ONE TINY LIE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

Blog ~ Website ~ Author Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Novel Goodreads ~ Author Goodreads ~ Atria

Cover Reveal…All The Pretty Poses by M. Leighton

He never wanted to be a hero…until she needed him to be.

Strength…

It took Kennedy Moore years to put her life back together after Reese Spencer shattered it. But she did. Now, years later, strong and independent, she is in pursuit of a single dream—to dance with the Altman American Dance Theater. Unfortunately, Kennedy is learning that a girl from nowhere with no money and no contacts might never be able to reach her goal.

That is, until Reese reappears, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Kennedy just can’t refuse. In exchange for working on his yacht for a few short weeks, he’ll get her an audition with the famous dance troupe. All Kennedy has to do is keep her head down, work hard and resist Reese. That sounds easy enough, right?

Weakness…

Reese doesn’t want to make it easy for Kennedy. Seeing her again has started a fire in his blood—an unwelcome one. It took him years to forget about her before, so this time he has a plan. It’s simple: Get Kennedy on his yacht, seduce her, get her out of his system, move on with his life. That sounds easy enough, right?

But the one thing Reese didn’t plan for was Kennedy herself—a girl so strong yet so broken, she makes him want to rescue her, to take care of her. To save her. Even if he has to save her from himself.

About the author:

M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies. She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you’ll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren’t roaming in that direction, she’ll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

For more about M. Leighton, visit her website at www.MLeightonBooks.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter@mleightonbooks.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Author Goodreads ~ ALL THE PRETTY POSES Goodreads ~ Amazon author page

Release Day Celebration with Gina Maxwell & Katee Robert

Happy Release Day to Gina Maxwell and Katee Robert! Thanks so much for stopping by and joining in on the fun!

Below you will find two fabulous excerpts and the rafflecopter for the release day giveaway with prizes that included signed print copies of these awesome books!

Enjoy!

New York Times bestselling author Katee Robert kicks off her new Out of Uniform series with IN BED WITH MR. WRONG, a hilarious enemies-to-lovers story you don’t want to miss. Air Force Pararescuer Ryan Flannery avoids his hometown at all costs, so he’s not thrilled when he’s set up on a blind date—until he meets mousy librarian Brianne Nave. Her sweet curves and kissable lips are a siren’s call, but her smart mouth? Not so much. How can two people have so little chemistry outside the bedroom when they fit together so perfectly in it? When Ryan and Bri are stranded in a cabin by their friends, they’ll be forced to find out…if they don’t kill each other first.

AMZ B&N Kobo iTunes

Gina L. Maxwell comes out swinging with the latest installment of her New York Times bestselling Fighting for Love series, FIGHTING FOR IRISH. When he learns a friend’s sister has forty-eight hours to make good on an ex’s debt to a crime boss, former MMA fighter Aiden “Irish” O’Brien heads to Louisiana to offer himself up as collateral. But to satisfy the debt, he has to do the one thing he swore he’d never do again: fight. With more than just money on the line, can Irish reclaim the man he once was for the woman he can’t live without?

AMZ B&N Kobo iTunes

The dynamic duo took the NYT and USA TODAY lists by storm the last time they released together, so we can’t wait to see what shenanigans they have in store for 2014!

Excerpt: In Bed with Mr. Wrong by Katee Robert

“Don’t think for a second you’re getting a good-night kiss.”

“A kiss from you?” He stepped forward into her finger, forcing her to open her hand against his chest or take a step back. She refused to budge. He leaned down, crowding her. “I’d rather kiss a snake.”

“Then it’s too bad it’s winter, because they’re in short supply.” She pushed at his chest again, nearly snarling when he didn’t move. “You should just burn something else down. That might draw a few to the heat.”

“Or maybe I’ll just set fire to your goddamn granny panties. That’s sure to create a big enough blaze.”

Her jaw dropped open and she swallowed hard. “As if you could.”

“Watch me.”

He grabbed her hips and yanked her against him. Bri gasped. There was so much heat in his blue eyes, it was a wonder every single article of clothing she wore didn’t go up in smoke. “You—”

But then she saw it. The challenge hidden behind the heat. He didn’t think she could handle this. Handle him.

His mouth curled into a smirk, and his hands tightened on her hips. The feel of his fingers digging into her flesh through the thin fabric of her skirt made her want to throw all caution to the wind. He thought he’d won, did he?

“Screw it.” She grabbed the lapels of his shirt and went up on her tiptoes to smash her lips against his. He froze, then stumbled backward and slammed into the wall of her screened porch, taking her with him. A wave of victory went through her. For all his talk, he hadn’t expected her to make a move. She moved one hand to the back of his neck and tipped his head down so she could set her teeth into his bottom lip.

Just like that, he came alive in her arms and pulled her tighter against him. His tongue delved into her mouth, stroking hers with no hesitation, igniting her passion until she couldn’t fight back a moan. How could one giant brute taste so decadent? She slid her tongue along his, not sure if she was searching for an answer or simply enjoying the way her very nerves seemed to spark and dance at every place they touched.

Would her whole body do that if they were naked?

Whoa. Where had that thought come from? She was proving him wrong, not jumping into bed with the man. She tried to pull away. “I think—”

“Stop talking.”

Keep reading: AMZ B&N Kobo iTunes

Excerpt: Fighting For Irish by Gina Maxwell

Aiden dropped his hands to her hips and stepped closer. “Will you stay tonight?” he asked softly.

“I’ll stay.”

One night. He could do that, couldn’t he? Then he could get this need for her out of his system and focus on winning the tournament to free her from any danger. His job would be done, his debt paid to Jax, and he could move back home to continue his daily penance and meaningless existence.

But right now he wanted to feel alive again, if only for a night in the arms of the woman who’d had his balls on lockdown for months. She was the reason no one else even appealed to him anymore. He needed her, just this once. But he wouldn’t do it without an understanding between them.

“Kat, can I be honest with you?” Aiden was aware of the fine line he was walking. Now he just had to do it without sounding crude or disrespectful, which would be a challenge. He was no smooth-talking Romeo.

Meeting her expectant gaze, he took a deep breath and prepared himself for the possibility of getting slapped. “I wanna be with you tonight.”

“As in, with me with me?”

“Yeah,” he said, amusement lifting a corner of his mouth. “With you with you. It’s been a really long time since I wanted someone as much I want you.”

“Really?” she asked breathlessly.

“You sound surprised.”

She offered a weak shrug and suddenly found interest in the floorboards. “You seem like you’d be more into exciting, exotic looking women. Like one of those sexy, new-age pin-up girls with the flawless skin and beautiful tattoos.”

He almost laughed until he realized she was serious. She had no idea what she did to him. Grabbing one of her hands still resting on his shoulder, he slowly dragged it over his chest and down his stomach until they finally reached his stiff erection straining against the restrictive boxer briefs under his shorts.

Aiden groaned as he molded her hand over his cock. The feel of her gripping him nearly redefined the word “premature.” She drew in a quick breath and raised her eyes to his. Her cheeks filling with a pretty shade of pink did crazy things to his insides. The more her innocence showed through the more he wanted her.

He couldn’t make sense of it. She was right. Typically he went for the larger-than-life women who treated every day like it was their own personal thrill ride. Kat was something else entirely. Worldly beyond her years, yet somehow more innocent than she should be.

“This is how into you I am, sweetheart. Believe me when I tell you I couldn’t fake this kind of interest,” he assured her. “I want you, Kat. Wicked bad. But I don’t have anything more to offer you than one night. That’s me being honest. So if you wanna give me the red light now I’ll understand, but you gotta let me know while I still have use of some of my brain.”

“Green.”

Keep reading: AMZ B&N Kobo iTunes

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Golden Dunes of Renhala by Amy joy Lutchen…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Welcome to my stop during the blog tour for Golden Dunes of Renhala (Renhala #2) by Amy Joy Lutchen!

The blog tour runs from 13 January till 26 January, you can view the whole tour schedule on the Golden Dunes of Renhala blog tour page on the website of Lola’s Blog Tours.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

Golden Dunes of Renhala (Renhala #2)
by Amy Joy Lutchen
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age category: New Adult
Release Date: November 26, 2013

You can find Golden Dunes of Renhala on Goodreads

You can buy Golden Dunes of Renhala here:
Amazon ~ B&N ~ Kobo

Blurb:

How do you live with a secret so dark and so deeply woven into your being that it threatens to smother your very existence, with no known way out? Use it to your advantage.
Kailey Rooke, karmelean, and now a possibly unethical karma-for-hire, has spent the past year jumping from project to project without any real hope for salvation. With repercussions from her actions at every turn, she discovers that as time goes on, she loses a bit more of herself to that which feeds on her anguish–that which is thriving inside her own body.
When a new contract to find a missing girl arises, Kailey attempts to put her past and its associated problems on the back burner, but she soon finds out that treachery and deceit lie shortly ahead in Golden Dunes, only giving face to new problems, with one leading right back to her childhood past.
She struggles to complete her contract as her own life teeters on a fulcrum, constantly tipping according to karmaís whim. How long will she keep her balance? Which way will she fall?

My Review:

Golden Dunes of Renhala is the second in the Renhala series by author Amy Joy Lutchen. After reading and loving Renhala, the first in the series, I was eager to get my hands on this follow up. Amy brought me right back to the magical world I love and I was so happy to be there.

We pick up pretty much right where Renhala left off and are immediately brought back into Kailey Rooke’s new reality. A reality of magical lands and creatures only one could dream of. Now, though, Kailey has an internal conflict brewing and it will threaten her very being. The darkness within her, a piece of her father, takes over a bit more each day and Kailey finds herself lashing out at her friends. Pair that with her abilities as a Quicksilver and a karmelean and letting the darkness take over completely would mean massive consequences…and not for the good. Currently on a mission to find a missing girl, Kailey and her rag-tag group of friends and accomplices find more mystery at every turn instead of getting closer to finding the missing beloved sister and daughter. Will she be able to find this girl while also finding the ability to keep the darkness at bay?

I flew through this book. When storytelling is done as rich as Golden Dunes of Renhala was, it makes the transportation into a fantasy world an easy one. I loved seeing all of our friends from Renhala again. The fight Kailey has on her hands is a tough one indeed and she needs those friends and their help along the way to keep her grounded and that’s exactly what they do. Kailey may have lost both of her parents in the last book, but she certainly isn’t lacking family with friends like these. Bu is back (I adore Bu!), Gunthreon, Lupa, Connor, Jenna and Ladimer are all there and the journey they embark upon into the Golden Dunes is going to test all of them at one point or another. The search for the missing girl opens up a can of worms far bigger than just a missing person. I can’t go into too much detail without giving away spoilers, but Kailey meets a person in this book that was a pretty big shock to her, and to me. A good shock in a way though and one that I hope can develop into a positive thing for both Kailey and the mystery person. Although there was a lot more darkness in this book compared to the last one, there were also some really heartwarming parts when Kailey feels her mother’s spirit around her. There were also some positively heartbreaking moments that had me reaching for my tissues.

Oh, and in the end, Kailey ends up with the guy I have wanted her with from the minute I met him in Renhala (nope! My lips are sealed!) Speaking of the end, WHOA! Totally taken by surprise at how Amy Joy ended it and I can only hope it means we get another book….because let me tell you, the delivery Kailey gets on her doorstep is a pretty shocking one!

Thank you, Amy Joy, for another rich and magical story filled with enchanted surroundings, fairy tale friendships and a mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat until the end!

Four Loves

Some information about the first book in this series:

Renhala (Renhala #1)
By Amy Joy Lutchen
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age category: New Adult
Release Date: 26 September, 2012

Blurb:
Kailey Rooke, timid accountant dedicated to philanthropic work, finds herself spiraling into a deep depression after she suffers a horrifyingly odd and humiliating assault, to only discover more of these freakish assaults occurring across the globe.
A chance discovery leads Kailey to a meeting with elderly Gunthreon, actual master of persuasion. Gunthreon, who seems to know too much of Kailey’s history for her liking, opens Kailey’s eyes to a coexisting magical realm she never knew existed: Renhala, while entrusting her with the knowledge of her newfound power as karmelean, serving as a beacon to the Higher Ones. She soon discovers that Renhala is in danger, and this danger has been leaking into her own realm. As she uncovers secrets within herself, and attempts to toughen up, she fuses with an unlikely band of fellow travelers/creatures, falls into an unexpected love triangle, and finds the courage to master a new deadly weapon.
As blood is shed and puzzles near completion, Kailey pulls from deep within herself, conjuring up mystical qualities that enable her to astonish as once predicted at her birth, but despite the newfound strength, Kailey will discover that monsters not only come in ugly packages, but can be easily disguised as those she has come to love and trust.

You can find Renhala on Goodreads

You can grab your free copy of Renhala here:
Amazon ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ Smashwords

About the Author:
Was born in Chicago and slept in a dresser drawer for the first few weeks of my life, marking me as a future claustrophobe.

I studied at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana (man I grew up quick), where I became a number, but decided it was a good number.

I write with plenty of snacks in hand, making sure they are not in multiples of three. That number makes me nervous.

Author of the Renhala series.

You can find and contact Amy here:
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway:

There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour for Golden Dunes of Renhala. Here is what you can win: signed Renhala hardcover, signed bookmark, tea(s), two fun pouches (one with a skull, the other the word “LOVE”), a snake ring and $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card.
You can enter the giveaway here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review….The Hunted One by Meg Collette

Book links:

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

The fallen have trespassed into Heaven for the first time in eternity. Prepared for battle, Michaela and her Archangels open Heaven’s gates to confront the fallen. Only, Michaela’s Archangels—her brothers and sisters in Heaven—betray her. And when the fallen attack the sanctuary in the skies through the gates Michaela inadvertently left open, the holy angels accuse Michaela of planning the invasion.

One simple mistake with a thousand consequences.

Dragged to Earth by an Archangel turned fallen, Michaela will do anything to return to Heaven and save it. In her fervor, she kills the Archangel—something no angel has ever done before. Wingless, without any hope, Michaela welcomes death when an unlikely human ally, Clark, finds her. With the help of Clark and Gabriel, an innocent Archangel whose friendship deepens into something far more torrid and unexpected on Earth, Michaela must prove the holy angels have their own plan for Heaven, and it is one that may prove to be the End of the Days.

It may be too late to save herself, but Michaela is the only one who knows the truth about the holy angels. If she fails, she may never be able to return to Heaven. But even that may be a hopeless dream.

My Review:

The Hunted One is the first book in author Meg Collette’s End of Days Series and one that piqued my interest immediately after reading the synopsis. It seemed like a new sort of twist on the whole Heaven and Hell story….well, it was….and it was awesome.

Archangel Michaela has been serving as General to the Archangels since the beginning of her existence. It was all she had ever known. She was charged with keeping things in line and balanced between Heaven, Earth and Hell. She was part of the elite force in Heaven and had her friends and fellow Archangels by her side. It was a job she performed with the utmost sincerity and respect. She thought she had done everything right until she found herself on the other end of horrible deceit and conspiracy. Deceit and conspiracy at the hands of her fellow Archangels…her friends. Suddenly, everything she had thought to be pure and true was tainted and she finds herself without her friends, without her wings, and without a clue on what to do next. She knows she has to do what she can to fight the forces of evil and save both Heaven and Earth but the problem now is that she is just Michaela….not the General Archangel. The remaining forces in Heaven are after, wanting revenge, and the forces in hell want to assure that she is destroyed as well. Her only hope is Clark, a human and part of a family line trusted to help the heavenly inhabitants. Will she have what it takes to regain the trust of Heaven, bring down the forces of Hell and save the human race? That’s a whole lot of burden to carry….

I always love stories surrounding Heaven and Hell and always enjoy reading each author’s unique spin on things. In this story, author Collette has given a darker side to characters we normally think of as good and it was exciting to read from the very first few pages. Michaela has been an upstanding member of Heaven and has never really had anything unsavory happen to her in all her years. Well, that poor gal was in for a really rude awakening. From the beginning she has so many obstacles to overcome and I was worried for her the entire book. She is being framed for some serious heavenly crimes and is being held responsible for unspeakable acts all thanks to her so-called friends. She finds help and friendship in Clark and I adored him! He is part of a bloodline of heavenly helpers, if you will, and really wants nothing to do with any of it. But, in the end, not only does he help Michaela when anyone else would walk away, he does it with bluntness and honesty. He had me laughing at the most inappropriate times because he said exactly what anyone would…even if it was a bit frank. He may win as my favorite character.

Now, I can’t give too much away here as to why Michaela was framed by her friends and what their end goal is but trust me when I say, there were more than a few “whoa” moments had when I was reading. This tale is woven beautifully with pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place until the end. Oh, and the end? Michaela gives one hell of a kick ass speech, which leads me to believe she will be on a path for revenge in the next book in the series (which I can’t wait to read!). Watch out, Team Evil….Michaela’s coming for you!

Thank you, Meg, for your unique spin on the good and the bad, Heaven and Hell….I enjoyed every minute and can’t wait for more!

Four Loves

About the author:

Meg Collett lives deep in the hills of Tennessee where there the cell phone service is a blessing andinternet is a myth of epic proportions. She is the mother of one giant horse named Elle and one giant dog named Wylla. Her husband is a saint for putting up with her ragtag life. End of Days is her first series, and trust her when she tells you that she hopes you enjoy it, because it has been a big pain in her #%&. Just kidding. Sort of.

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Website

The Suicide Princess by Anthony Bryan…Blog Tour Stop, Excerpt, Giveaway & Review

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Synopsis:

“Not your mother’s romance, this is an erotic thriller that will leave you breathless and have you begging for more…”

Stephanie Bradford is a young, attractive, and successful District Attorney on her way to the top. She has the near-perfect life, with an amazing husband, and she has it all in the palm of her hand. When her marriage falls into a romantic rut, Stephanie is skillfully swooned by a charming, mysterious and intriguing stranger who looks to be the answer to all of her fantasies. A whirlwind and erotic affair quickly spirals out of control, and before long, she learns that things aren’t always as they appear and people are rarely who they seem. One poor decision becomes the catalyst for a series of events that rips her life apart, and Stephanie is left with nothing but the thirst for revenge against the man who viciously stole everything from her. The Suicide Princess is a sexually charged roller coaster ride where nothing is as it seems and everything is at stake!

My review:

Suicide Princess is the debut novel from author Anthony Bryan and a steamy hot debut at that!

Stephanie Bradford has a pretty great life. She really shouldn’t complain. She’s got a great career as a District Attorney, loving husband, nice home and good friends. So why does she feel like something is missing? She longs for something more out of her love life and after repeated failed attempts to get her husband to give into her desires she finds her attention straying elsewhere. It’s that straying gaze that lands on a sexy stranger. Before she realizes it, Stephanie is head over heels in lust with this man and in the middle of a torrid love affair. Stephanie thinks that worst thing that could happen is her husband finding out her dirty little secret but she couldn’t be more wrong….

Wow. Talk about one hell of a ride! Stephanie is in a situation that I’m sure a lot of gals can relate to. That itch that needs to be scratched that you just can’t reach. She thinks she finds the solution to her little problem but winds in way over her head. I had mixed emotions through most of this book with wanting to not like her husband but I just couldn’t. He’s a good guy, a nice guy…a safe guy. Oh, and the other guy? I could totally see why she was drawn to him. The tattooed bad boy with an ego a mile wide oozing sex appeal? No brainer, right? The good girl looking to be bad and the bad boy looking to corrupt a good girl is a winning combination from the very start. Now, where this book got really interesting to me is when we start to learn more about the bad boy. I can’t give too much away but I will say this: things are never as they appear. Besides having some seriously hot and sexy scenes and surprised me with more than a few twists I never saw coming. To me, that’s what put this particular book above the other erotica I have read lately. It just has that touch of “more” that I feel makes a great read.

Thank you, Anthony, for a steamy and suspenseful read!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

Excerpt:

Derrick leaned forward, inviting Stephanie to climb onto the back of his bike, and he said, “Let’s roll, bad girl.”

Stephanie climbed on, and she wrapped her arms around Derrick’s waist as he started the engine and brought the thunderous exhaust to life.

“Oh my God, that’s loud,” Stephanie yelled into Derrick’s ear.

“You just hang on,” Derrick said before suddenly driving through the parking lot and to the main road.

Derrick drove to the highway where he immediately drifted to the left lane and rapidly accelerated the bike to well over ninety miles per hour. Stephanie let out a thrilled scream as they blew past the slower cars. Stephanie yelled, “Where are we going?” but Derrick only replied by revving the motor and driving even faster.

Derrick drove about forty-five minutes west of Boston, and he exited the highway to a secondary country road. The back road rolled through gentle hills and curves, and the forest on either side of the pavement had grown so tall, a canopy of trees completely covered them. Derrick slowed his speed down, as this wasn’t a thrill ride, this was something different. This was an experience to be taken in slowly and not rushed.

Stephanie’s arms wrapped tighter around Derrick’s waist, and her hands rubbed against his abdomen and chest as she pressed the side of her face against his back. Stephanie closed her eyes as she felt the breeze blowing over her face, and the mixed smell of Derrick’s natural odor and the fresh forest air was the most intoxicating aroma she had ever sensed.

As the afternoon was wearing on, the sky began to darken from the clouds rolling in. The air became heavy with the smell of rain as the first sprinkle appeared. Derrick pulled off to the side of the road as the rain grew steadier.

As Derrick turned off the engine, Stephanie asked, “Why are you stopping? It’s raining.”

“The road’s going to be slick. I’m cool with risking it by myself, but not with you.”

“But Derrick, we’re in the middle of the woods, and it’s pouring!”

Derrick got off the motorcycle, and he lifted Stephanie to help her down. “It’s okay,” he replied. “Follow me.”

Derrick took Stephanie by the hand and he ran, pulling her behind him. He found a large tree which was filled with branches and leaves, and he led Stephanie under it.

“It’s not the best, but it’ll do. It won’t rain long,” Derrick said.

“It won’t be long?” Stephanie asked. “Then I don’t want to waste it.”

Her long brown hair was dripping, with rain falling down her face to her lips. Derrick’s hand grabbed the back of her neck, and pulled her in to kiss her deeply. Derrick stepped forward into Stephanie, causing her to step back until she was pressed against the tree. Derrick’s drenched shirt was clinging to his body, and it stuck to him as Stephanie began pulling it off. Derrick pulled Stephanie in close as he was kissing her, and each press of his lips against hers felt like her very first kiss all over again.

Derrick’s hands began unbuttoning Stephanie’s tiny shorts, and once undone, she couldn’t get them off fast enough. As the rain fell on them, Derrick lifted Stephanie off of the ground. She wrapped her legs around him, and with her back pressed against the tree, he made passionate love to her. Stephanie was overcome with emotion since this was so different from her other experiences with Derrick. This was the kind of powerful, connecting, and loving sex Stephanie had always dreamed of having. I love this man, she thought to herself but didn’t dare have the courage to say out loud.

As the passing rain began to let up, Derrick stopped making love to Stephanie. He kissed her gently and she asked, “You didn’t cum. Do you want me to finish you another way?”

Derrick kissed Stephanie and replied, “You didn’t either.”

“This time, it wasn’t about cumming for me,” Stephanie replied.

Derrick softly said, “It wasn’t for me either.”

Giveaway:

Who’s ready for one of the best giveaways of 2014 with an amazing prize-pack? Anthony Bryan is giving away a pair of custom high heels designed by Taylor Reeve herself, a bundle of signed paperback copies from your favorite authors, a Kindle e-reader, and possibly best of all, a Skype session with Anthony to video-chat about The Suicide Princess with him after you finish reading… But seriously, he’s giving away one hot pair of heels from Taylor Reeves’ “Legs for Days” collection to the lucky winner, and here’s how to win:

First, get over to Amazon, and if you haven’t already, get a copy of The Suicide Princess for Kindle – it’s only 99 cents all week starting on January 14! Then follow Anthony on Facebook, and watch for him to post the winning comment “Who wants to win a pair of heels?” The first person to reply with the comment, “I do! I do! I do!” will be asked to show him that you grabbed The Suicide Princess on Kindle prior to posting the winning response, and they win – It’s that simple! Anthony will post the winning comment sometime between January 13 and January 18 – but don’t worry, you don’t need to stay glued to Facebook to win. Throughout the week, he’ll be giving status updates narrowing down when the winning comment will be – so just follow his page, check back every day, and follow the clues to win this amazing prize pack. He’ll even be running daily giveaways of a secret prize that you’ll love! So, what are you waiting for? Get over to www.Facebook.com/AnthonyBryanAuthor and get ready to win!!

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About the author:

Born and raised in London, UK, Anthony’s hope, more than anything, is that his words can provide an escape for you, and he hopes they take you on a journey you won’t soon forget. His goal is to give you something different, refreshing and unlike anything you’ve ever read. In a sea of authors pumping out the same cookie-cutter stories, Anthony can only try to be the one who stands out and takes you on one hell of a ride. Find your favorite reading spot, pour yourself a drink (or two) and love every second of every page he writes… After all, he writes them for you!

At 27 years old, Anthony now resides in the U.S. where he divides his time between Boston, Massachusetts and Sarasota, Florida. He served with the American military in eastern Afghanistan, and he is a combat veteran as well as an accomplished fighter training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing. He has more tattoos than his mother would have liked, and he may not seem like the typical erotic writer – because he’s not. He’s different, and his work is different, so get ready to be blown away!

Throughout his entire life, even as a young child, reading has always been Anthony’s escape from reality. It was a way to temporarily leave the boring monotony of day-to-day life, and it allowed him to visit far off lands, meet unusual characters, take incredible adventures, and even learn about the very edges of our universe. Being able to take his love of reading and transform it to a passion for writing has been the greatest gift he has ever been given.

Facebook Fanpage ~ Goodreads Page ~ Personal Website ~ Kindle Amazon Page ~ P’back Amazon Page

Portrait of a Girl Running by J.B. Chicoine…Book Spotlight and Author Q&A

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

About Portrait of a Girl Running:

An avid runner and talented watercolor artist, seventeen-year-old Leila has survived an unstable childhood in a biracial family with two dads, surrounded by drug addiction and blues musicians. When the tragedy of one of her fathers’ deaths sends her to Long Island to live with her step-grandfather, she meets the handsome track coach, Ian Brigham and the curmudgeonly math teacher, Clarence Myles, who recognizes Leila’s strength and courage and alternately challenges and protects her. When Leila is accused of misconduct by a jealous gym instructor, the resulting judicial hearings put her autonomy, and even her dignity, at risk.

Written in vibrant, lyrical prose, Chicoine’s writing provides a number of unexpected plot twists that keep readers rooting for Leila. Chicoine’s characters, along with the accurately drawn Long Island setting, provide a detailed glimpse into the life of a high school student on the cusp of adulthood, who must navigate the world of adult rules and moral judgments on her own. Leila’s struggles with grown-up choices about life and love reflect those faced by many young people who are coming of age, making her story a particularly relevant and satisfying read for new adults and those who enjoy strong female protagonists.

“I wrote Girl Running for my husband nearly seven years ago, and it has always been my favorite,” said Chicoine. “Like me, Leila is a watercolor artist, and developing her character was very much like painting a portrait: I added layers as I went along, creating depth as she faced various challenges and explored her longing for freedom and independence, along with her desire to find true love. I hope readers enjoy her and the other characters in Girl Running and find them as complex and intriguing as I have.”

Author Q&A:

1. What inspired you to write Portrait of a Girl Running?

Well, I have always been intrigued with unconventional relationships (romantic and otherwise) and what makes them endure or fizzle, especially when a lot is working against their success. Girl Running—and also Protégé—aren’t really about taboo relationships as much as they are about the twisted road that love sometimes takes, about letting to of old baggage and grabbing for something far more enduring that lust.

2. In Portrait of a Girl Running, the main character, Leila, is seventeen and living on her own after being raised by two biracial fathers, both blues musicians. She plays blues piano herself, and later meets Clarence Myles, a math teacher, who also has an interest in the blues. What spurred your interest in this particular type of music?

I’ve always leaned toward having the blues, so maybe that genre just naturally appeals to. So, when I was developing Leila’s character, I didn’t want her to be typical 17-year-old, and blues is not typically what teenage girls listen to. Blues is unpretentious, like Leila, and I think it suits the tone of the story.

3. At the novel’s start, Leila meets Ian Brigham before learning that he is a track coach at her new high school. They develop an obvious attraction for each other, which is an important plotline in the story. What made you want to write about a student/teacher relationship, and how would you characterize theirs?

Leila and Ian Brigham’s relationship is based on not just a physical attraction and compatibility, but on a growing emotional dependency. Although their developing relationship is a major plot point, Leila’s relationship with her curmudgeonly math teacher, Mr. Myles, ends up impacting her life more than Ian, filling her need of a true friend and father figure.

4. Both Portrait of a Girl Running and its sequel, Portrait of a Protégé, take place in the Northeast. How integral is the setting to these two stories?

I think both of these stories could have taken place anywhere—I simply chose settings I was most familiar with. That said, the racial “geography”—the line between the black and white sides of town—is important in Girl Running. Millville, the fictitious town based on where I grew up, fits the criteria for that time period in a unique way.

5. Leila has a number of interests, including running and painting. How does your own career as an artist inform your work?

I have to admit that Leila and I share a similar style of painting—very controlled and detailed. Of course, Leila is a far better artist at seventeen than I ever was. By the end of Protégé, she has conquered a lot of the fears I still struggle with, so I guess I tried on her daringness just to see how it felt.

6. Are you working on another novel? If so, what can you tell us about it?

Yes—it is a psychological drama about a young man whose delusional mother believes he his blind. His story is told through an enigmatic young seamstress, hired to alter the young man’s trousers when he returns from England for his father’s funeral. It is set in New England, of course.

About the author:

J. B. Chicoine was born on Long Island, New York, and grew up in Amityville during the 1960s and 70s. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, but found that rural life in New Hampshire better suited her disposition. She has also lived in Kansas City and Michigan, although her favorite setting for novels is New England. She has been writing stories since she was a girl and has completed four novels: Uncharted: Story for a Shipwright, Spilled Coffee, Portrait of a Girl Running, and its sequel, Portrait of a Protégé. When she’s not writing or painting, she enjoys designing book covers and binding novels, doing volunteer work, baking crusty breads, and working on various projects with her husband.

For more information on the author or Portrait of a Girl Running, please visit www.jbchicoine.com or www.amazon.com.

ARC Review….Forever Wicked by Shayla Black

Forever Wicked releases January 14, 2014

Book links:

Kindle ~ Amazon print ~ Goodreads ~ 1001 Dark Nights

Synopsis:

They had nothing in common but a desperate passion…

Billionaire Jason Denning lived life fast and hard in a world where anything could be bought and sold, even affection. But all that changed when he met “Greta,” a beautiful stranger ready to explore her hidden desires. From a blue collar family, Gia Angelotti wore a badge, fought for right—and opened herself utterly to love him. Blindsided and falling hard, Jason does the first impulsive thing of his life and hustles her to the altar.

Until a second chance proved that forever could be theirs.

Then tragedy ripped Jason’s new bride from his arms and out of his life. When he finds Gia again, he gives her a choice: spend the three weeks before their first anniversary with him or forfeit the money she receives from their marriage. Reluctantly, she agrees to once again put herself at his mercy and return to his bed. But having her right where he wants her is dangerous for Jason’s peace of mind. No matter how hard he tries, he finds himself falling for her again. Will he learn to trust that their love is real before Gia leaves again for good?

My review:

Forever Wicked is a novella from author Shayla Black’s Wicked Lovers Series and is also part of the 1001 Dark Nights Series. A fan of Shayla’s and excited for this amazing novella series to start, I was thrilled to get an early copy of Forever Wicked. Well, let me say….Shayla has kicked off this series to one smoking hot start!

Jason Denning has many things. Tons of money and all of the material things that accompany having billions of dollars at his disposal. The one thing he doesn’t have and the one thing he really wants is his wife. He and Gia had met and married in a whirlwind affair and he had been looking forward to building a life together with her until her brother’s murder. After the tragedy, she had left him almost as soon as the ink on their Las Vegas marriage certificate had dried. And he had been thinking of her ever since. Now, armed with information on the reasons she left and the determination to get her back, he derives a plan. Surely Gia wouldn’t be able to turn down his offer and with a little bit of luck she would be wooed enough to stay with him. Forever.

To say Gia Angelotti is stretched thin would be a gross understatement. Besides the grief over her brother’s murder, helping her family and working as a police officer she had the guilt of leaving her new husband eating at her every day since she left him. Now it was too late though. It had been almost a year since she left him and certainly he’s moved on by now. Handsome and successful, Jason wouldn’t have sat around playing “she loves me, she loves me not” with a bunch of flowers waiting for her to come back to him. Imagine her surprise when, after all this time, he tracks her down and asks her to spend the two weeks leading up to their first anniversary with him. And being Jason, he makes her an offer she desperately needs and can’t turn down. The question is, what will happen when the two weeks ends….

It’s a good thing I read this book during the coldest week of the year…because the heat coming off of these pages sure kept me warm. Jason and Gia are in quite a stalemate in their marriage. Gia left Jason without a backward glance. Jason has been privately pining for her since she left. Both of them are unhappy. Their relationship isn’t conventional by any definition and I loved many things about it. They met at a BDSM club, married quickly and then ended up apart almost instantly. But that’s not what I loved most about it. What I loved most was that both Jason and Gia were willing to give their marriage a shot. Now, it wasn’t without a whole lot of struggles and there was certainly more than a little reluctance on both of their parts during the story but that’s where I grew to admire these characters. Both Gia and Jason were doing what they thought was best for their partners but in the end all it took was a little step back for each of them to realize they were both wrong….and it takes strong people to admit it. That’s what drew me to this couple. Of course, the ridiculously sexy scene in the department store dressing room and bathroom counter scene didn’t hurt.

Characters with numerous personality facets, hot chemistry and heaps of emotion make this novella a total win for me. Thank you, Shayla, for an amazing story and for kicking off the 1001 Dark Nights Series with a BANG!

Five Loves

About the author:

Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 40 sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances produced via traditional, small press, independent, and audio publishing. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Shayla’s books have been translated in about a dozen languages. She has also received or been nominated for The Passionate Plume, The Holt Medallion, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader’s Choice Awards. RT Bookclub has twice nominated her for Best Erotic Romance of the year, as well as awarded her several Top Picks, and a KISS Hero Award.

A writing risk-taker, Shayla enjoys tackling writing challenges with every new book.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook