Review of House of Kings by Keary Taylor

March 26, 2016

When I started reading House of Kings, two things became crystal clear to me – first, I made a mistake by not reading the first two books in the series; second, I didn’t care because this is awesome.

I’ve voiced out in several of my reviews how much I detest reading novels that are already in the middle or end of its saga. Like any other normal reader, I prefer knowing the characters from the beginning and following their journey in a chronological manner – not start in the middle and jump to the start only to go back to the end. But for some reason, I don’t mind it that much with House of Kings. I will be reading House of Royals and House of Pawns, of course because I’m still left with a lot of questions regarding the backstory of our characters as well as previous events that lead up to Alivia’s transformation, but I’m not annoyed about having to do that at all.

I found that this series is worth the confusion. 

Title: House of Kings (House of Royals #3)
Author: Keary Taylor 
Published by: Keary Taylor Book, INC
Publication Date: March 8, 2016 
Category: Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal
Source: ARC Given through Netgalley


SYNOPSIS:

Alivia’s father left her a letter before he died, begging her to stay away from the King and the Royals. But it was a plea made in vain. She never could have run from this life, not when she might be Cyrus’ resurrected queen. The King has arrived in Silent Bend and with him, he brought the end to Alivia’s mortal life.

Uncontrollable bloodlust and an ever-shifting world rule her nights now. These twisted politics are deadly enough, but now her heart is the newest battleground. There’s no hiding from the one who hates everything she was born to, a spy who embraces everything she’s become, and a King who vies for someone she may soon remember.

The games have begun. The House of Conrath is growing. Blood will be shed, the bodies will fall. Alliances will be tested and old enemies look like harmless children compared to the new ones rising from the shadows.

REVIEW:

I’m the kind of reader who enjoys a little action and coolness to go along with her romance. It’s a given that House of Kings can’t really be classified as “romantic” in any way, but I do find that it is satisfyingly action-packed, violent, gore, and cool. Is it wrong for me to like those things?

I’ve always been a fan of vampire novels – yes, that includes the Twilight saga, and yes I am a Twihard – and I consider this novel, possibly this entire series, to be one of the best vampire-themed books out there today. I loved author Keary Taylor’s interpretation of vampires, their nature, and their hierarchy; it’s not all rainbows and butterflies, there are a lot of fear and power play, and violence and politics are two major themes in the story's entirety. The multitude of layers and the abundant twists in House of Kings kept me on the edge of my seat, as I'm sure it did other readers too, up until the very last page. Speaking of the last page, this book ends in a cliffhanger and a helluva one at that. 

SUMMARY:

If you can't handle brutality and find the idea of lordship and such ridiculous, this book is NOT for you. But if you want to immerse yourself in a world where you don't know who your allies are and everything is life and death, then the House of Royals series is perfect for you. 

Grab your copy now and drown yourself in the bloodlust. 

RATING: 


PURCHASE LINKS:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Keary Taylor grew up along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where she started creating imaginary worlds and daring characters who always fell in love. She now resides on a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their two young children. She continues to have an overactive imagination that frequently keeps her up at night. She is the author of THE EDEN TRILOGY, the FALL OF ANGELS trilogy, and WHAT I DIDN'T SAY. To learn more about Keary and her writing process, please visit www.KearyTaylor.com.

Please Note: Keary does not check Goodreads very often, so the best way to get in contact is directly through email: me@kearytaylor.com.


Book image from Goodreads

Review of Kellion by Marian Tee

March 25, 2016

This review has been a long time coming! So freaking long that I quite forgot what happened in this standalone novel from Marian Tee, meaning I had to read it again which was NO hardship at all.

I’m thrilled to get back to writing reviews for books penned by Ms. Tee, because I am so far behind. But enough with the ranting and let’s proceed to checking out Kellion, part 6 of the Heart Racer series. 

Title: Kellion (Heart Racer #6) 
Author: Marian Tee 
Publication Date: December 12, 2014
Published by: Jaded Speck Publishing
Source: Bought


SYNOPSIS:

This is a full-length standalone biker romance novel with a HAPPY-EVER-AFTER ending.

His name is Kellion. Beautiful. Wicked. Dashing. Alive. That’s what attracted me the most about him – that he’s so full of life, it makes me feel like I’m not dead inside.

I thought he was just like all the other bikers of the Afxisi, America’s most popular and exclusive underground racing club. Someone too rich, too gorgeous for his own good, someone too full of himself to be human.

But then I saw a secret side of him. Realized that he had just been pretending all along. Realized that he needed me, and that broken part of him drew me in, like a moth to a flame.

Now, I want to be the one to make him smile. Really smile, and not like all those fake smiles he used to make the girls around him fall in love.

I want to make him think of me, just me. I want to belong to him, just him. But most of all, I want him to know I love him. Not the biker, not the billionaire’s son, not the hot guy. But him. Kellion.

Even if his smile tells me he’ll end up tearing me apart, I need him to know he’s not alone. I’m his to love or destroy. Whatever he wants – I’m his.

CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

Kellion just wants to be seen. It’s a ridiculous request coming from an exquisite-looking billionaire who EVERYONE sees – but he’s not being noticed for the right reasons. He doesn’t want people to look at him and see a guy swimming in money or a man who can have anything done in a snap of his finger, he doesn’t want people to know him because of his influential last name – he just wants someone to notice him for him. Just Kellion.

Aria has an angelic voice – that she hasn’t used for years. She was dealt a rough hand in life, which resulted to her vowing never to speak again ... until she met Kellion. She wants to make him smile, and she yearns to make him laugh and feel loved. She will do anything to see him happy – even if it causes her a lifetime of loneliness.

REVIEW:

I’m not 100% sure, but I think Kellion is the first full length standalone novel I’ve read from Marian Tee. I was so used to reading a 70-80 page book by her that getting into this story got me all excited. All the ups and downs between our main characters WILL take place within this 170-190 page book, and knowing that there won’t be a cliffhanger at the end really got me worked up because I knew that I will be crying a whole lot – which is a normal thing for me when I’m reading Marian’s works.

Kellion is the kind of story you can’t summarize so easily; you can’t just say, “In a nutshell, this is what happened...” There are predictable things that happened in this book – which is a normal call for someone who has read hundreds of other romance novels – but there are twists in this book that will make readers go, “What?” I won’t give much away, except the reason behind Aria wanting to abstain from speaking is deep and will break your heart.

Is this the most dramatic book written by this author? No. Is the love story of Aria and Kellion the most romantic? No. Are their steamy scenes the hottest from all of Marian’s books? Maybe. But despite of all these, this has been an awesome read for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it, not just because it is penned by one of my favorite authors, but because it offered something different. It talks about matters that aren’t being addressed as much but deserves to be. It puts to light how most people treat people who are even slightly different, and how easy it is for people to judge someone based on what’s on the surface.

SUMMARY:

Kellion is a romantic novel that has a lot of underlying pain and heroic attempts of selflessness. If you want to have a good cry over a glass of wine or a cup of good hot cocoa, grab a copy of this book and get to reading. I doubt you will regret making the purchase because you WILL be shedding a few tears, I guarantee it. 

RATING: 



PURCHASE LINK:


Book image from Goodreads

Review of Sugar by Olivia Thomas

March 20, 2016

It's not uncommon for me to read about female protagonists who are "the good ones" in their families. In fact, this is the norm with most romance books, I feel like. However, Sugar stands out for the reason that our leading lady is actually strong, independent, goal-oriented, and ballsy. We'll talk more about her--and Connor--in a little bit but for now, here's what you need to know about this short contemporary romance book.


Title: Sugar (A Love Lane Short #2)
Author: Olivia L. Thomas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 20, 2016
Source: ARC Given by Author and Tour Organizer
Find on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1MfC0US


SYNOPSIS:

Danielle Reed has always been the responsible one in her family. Work hard, follow the rules, and arrive on time—these are the traits she thought would bring her life meaning and purpose.

She was wrong.

On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, Danielle finds herself alone—well, as long as you don’t count the two bottles of wine by her side—and rethinking the path she has chosen for herself.

She wants more: passion, whimsy, excitement.

How does a self-professed uptight businesswoman learn to let go and finally find her bliss? 

She drinks more wine.

And she meets Connor Davis.

REVIEW:

Sugar is the definition of short but sweet. This won't give readers that heart-gripping pain some romance novels with deep-rooted issues offer, but this will put a smile on your face and make you sigh and giggle a few times.

The main characters, Danielle or Dani and Connor, are both very entertaining and amusing. They're complete opposites yet complement each other a ton, and their chemistry is explosive. Danielle has a very colourful train of thought, which we all have access to because Sugar is written in the first person (which I prefer). She's confident and insecure at the same time, independent but yearns for that day she can depend on someone, and tough but soft-hearted as well. She's a contradiction, but she knows all her strengths, weaknesses, and flaws. 

Being with Connor didn't mean she had to change who she is, she just had to embrace a better and happier lifestyle with less work and more play, less stress and more relaxation time. Can I just point out how much I love Connor; he's such a fun guy to be around with. Even if he's not your boyfriend, just to have him in your life is awesome, I think. He's witty, charming, a bit cocky, and can hold his own--all of which are great traits.

The story flows easily and the book runs at a good pace. I guess there were a couple of times I got exhausted with Dani's thoughts. LOL! I'm sorry, it was just so detailed and long, I feel like the pages could've been used for other scenes.

Anyway, overall a good, quick read that all those into cute, easy love stories will enjoy. I give this a good 4 stars and recommend that ya'll pick up a copy over at Amazon.

RATING:


PURCHASE LINKS:


Lucky (A Love Lane Short #1) – Released May 2015


SYNOPSIS:

Kate Winters is down on her luck. Dumped by her boyfriend and alone, she is faced with the daunting task of moving into a new apartment. With no money to hire a moving company, Kate turns to the one man she knows will never turn her away.

Hiding behind black glasses and a computer, Henry has spent each day at Klein Associates silently pining over his very beautiful co-worker. Now that Kate is available, Henry is ready to shed his quiet persona and go after what he wants.

What starts off as a hard day of moving furniture turns into a night full of surprises and pas-sion when Kate and Henry get Lucky.

Lucky is book one in the Love Lane romantic short story series. Each book can be read as a standalone but are best enjoyed in order.

PURCHASE LINKS:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


With a vivid imagination Olivia has been writing short stories ever since she could hold pen to paper.
Now a busy working mother of two rambunctious little girls she squeezes in time to write whenever she can. You will often find scraps of paper filled with story notes in every nook and cranny of her home.

AUTHOR LINKS:


Book images provided by Tour Organizer

Review of Destroy Me by Shana Vanterpool

March 17, 2016

Destroy Me is the first book I've ever read of author Shana Vanterpool and has convinced me to purchase all her other works. If her other novels are or will be half as good as this one right here, I'm pretty sure Shana will make it to my [unwritten] list of favourite authors. For those who don't know her and need more convincing, let me oblige you with my review of this heartbreaking, heat-inducing, hope-reviving romantic novel.

Title: Destroy Me (Book 1 in the Crystal Gulf Series)
Author: Shana Vanterpool 
Published by: Swoon Romance 
Publication Date: March 8, 2016 
Ages: New Adult/18+
Category: Contemporary Military Romance 
Source: ARC Given by Publisher


SYNOPSIS:

Bach lives his life with honesty and without restraints, happy to be known as a sexy as all hell, unapologetic asshole.  

When he drinks, he drinks hard.

When he wants a woman, he makes sure she knows it.

When he opens his mouth, it’s either to piss someone off or to turn someone on.

You can normally find him with one hand on a bottle and one hand on a woman, trying to forget his past.

Harley Evans is ta twenty-one-year-old year old college student. She's a good girl who fell hard for Dylan, who’d promised her forever. But Dylan, Bach’s best buddy, lied.

He enlisted in the Army, crushing Harley with equal parts anger and sadness. She’d already lost her father to that choice. Heartbroken, she falls back into depression.

Stuck in Crystal Gulf all summer with little to do, Harley needs a distraction. Enter Bach, sexy as f*#ck distraction, ready and willing.

Dylan’s not all bad though. Before he left, he asked Bach to watch out for Harley, knowing she’d never go for a guy like Bach. She’s too good for him. Too good for anyone.

But Dylan was wrong. He never should have left them together. Bach is there to pick up the pieces Dylan left behind. Soon pieces aren't enough. He wants more, needs more Harley.

DESTROY ME is dark, sexy, heartbreaking, and intoxicating. 


REVIEW:

I LOVED DESTROY ME! I really, really did. From the first line of the first page, I was hooked. Let me break down the reasons why I loved this to you guys.

Characters: Bach and Harley are just so amazing together; their chemistry is phenomenal and they're each other's saving grace which makes thing so much better. They started off hating each other--the I-can't-stand-to-breathe-the-same-air-as-you-do kind of hate. They're polar opposites with Bach being fun, reckless, and wild; and Harley representing all that is good and pure with her sweetness and "squareness". But their differences are what draws them together and starts this beautiful journey that only two hearts that know each other can take.

Story: I have read dozens of novels about a man going to war and leaving behind the woman who loves him and coming back a changed man. But I don't think I've ever read of a man who left his woman with his best friend, only to have said friend develop feelings for the same woman and have her reciprocate the feeling. Did that make sense?

For the record, there's nothing wrong with Bach and Harley's relationship--even if it didn't start out as a relationship--because Harley broke up with Dylan and made sure he understood that everything is over. With all of Dylan's lying and keeping things from Harley, I totally understand why she would close all doors with regards to their romantic relationship, but I also can't help but feel bad for the guy somehow because he really did love Harley.

Now, I don't want to give much away about the stress and the happiness and the climax of this amazing book, but I will tell you that there are loads of sex, booze, drugs, and heartbreak. This is the read-at-your-own-risk kind of book, but you SHOULD read it AND RISK it because it will be so worth it.

RATING: 


What readers have said about Shana Vanterpool’s books:

"I give it "5 SEXY ROOMMATE STARS" !!!! Recommended to all the readers who loves crazy, steamy drama. It had me hooked, till the very last page." - Mybooklatte.com

"God, this book was a mess. A wonderful, delicious mess of angst and drama and sexual tension! The build-up of sexual tension between these two was absolute torture and when their resistance faltered it led from one explosive moment to the next." - Popkittybookreviews.com

"A hot sexy steamy tale from room mates to lovers in this toxic up and down spiral of two broken people coming together and slowly fixing up the broken parts of the other, this captured me from the get go and kept me entertained throughout." - Kitty Kats Crazy About Books

"What a great debut novel! Shana Vanterpool has created a thrilling tale of love and forgiveness. They were a sizzling couple! If you want something sexy, dramatic and fun, then do not miss this new author." - Lina's Reviews A Book Blog



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

When I walk into a bookstore I feel at home. When I smell the pages of a brand new book things make sense. When I read I am who I always wanted to be. I read to escape and I write so others can as well. My family, my actress dog Bella, coffee, and a steamy love story are a few of my most precious things. My Sweet Demise is my debut new-adult contemporary romance novel. Keep up to date with future releases by following on Twitter: @shanavauthor

AUTHOR LINKS:


TOUR ORGANIZED BY:


Book images provided by Swoon Romance

Review of Just A Number by Fifi Flowers

March 16, 2016

Let me run a quick survey here, if you guys don't mind. Question: What is the first thing you think of when you look at Just A Number's book cover? I'll give you a few seconds to absorb that. 

Do you have an answer? I'd be very happy if you share it in the comment section. What is the point of all this, you ask? Let me tell you. 

I don't know how stupid or ignorant I was to NOT notice that the people on the cover are doing yoga! YOGA! When I looked at the picture, I just thought, "This is a really cool book cover and the people on it are hot." Why is this a big deal? Well it's because yoga plays a huge part in this romance novel and it attributed A LOT to how I found Just A Number.


Title: Just A Number
Author: Fifi Flowers
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 14, 2016
Source: ARC Given by Author and Tour Organizer


SYNOPSIS:

Not looking for love.

No details.

Follow rules and restrictions.

Only fun. No feelings.

Forever--not an option.

Simple Flings.

They were all just a number.

Dash Oliver and Willow Dane both shared the same philosophy.

That is, until a merger of sorts.

Thrown together by fate or serendipity, was their connection... their chemistry... their compatibility enough to convince them that their rules were made to be broken and that they belonged together?

CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

Willow is independent, professionally accomplished, and emotionally unavailable. She's the definition of a career-oriented woman who wants nothing more than to prove herself and rule a "man's world". Being married and having children are things that she DOES NOT want to have in life; it goes against everything she believes in. But what happens when she meets someone who can change her vision and make her yearn for more?

Dane is in control. Always. He's in control of his body, his emotions, and his life. Everything he does is thought out and has a purpose, and discipline and rules are two very important things in his life. But when a certain brunette comes stumbling--drunkenly--in his life, he starts thinking that maybe losing control is a good thing. Maybe he needs his life to be shaken up to see the things that really count. 

REVIEW:

I do NOT do yoga; in fact, I know next to nothing about yoga. I'm a really flexible woman, but I'm more of a boxing, mixed martial arts chick. Why am I saying this? Just A Number is a contemporary romance novel that talks about love, family, acceptance, forgiveness, professionalism, realism, equality, tranquility, and YOGA. I kid you not, I feel like yoga is the major theme in this book. This is a big deal to me because I can't understand or picture all the yoga references the author mentioned in this book, and that made connecting with the characters somewhat hard. This form of "exercise" helped develop Dane and Willow's love story, so not being able to relate to that part makes me feel 40% disconnected with them both ... Like I'm not, and can't be, part of something this important in their lives. 

However, the storyline and real-life issues Dane and Willow, especially Willow, go through are so relatable and realistic that I was drawn to it again after being cynical about whether or not I will like it.

The back story of these two people are amazing, and their reasons for pushing hard to succeed in their careers are so realistic it can be what gets some people going and fighting. I'm not even going to deny that I agreed on a lot of points the author made in the book about how the society perceive men and women. Example: Why is that when a man says he doesn't want children, it's okay,  but when a woman claims the same thing, she's either not thinking clearly or there's something wrong with her. I'm not a feminist, okay? I am, however, all for gender equality. And sorry Emma Watson, I still love you, but I disagree with what you said that when you want gender equality, you're automatically a feminist. A big NOPE to that.

The chemistry between Willow and Dane is phenomenal; the love scenes aren't that detailed--in fact I found it too poetic and cheesy--but it does the job. I liked how they didn't force each other to stay or become too attached too quickly during their tropical getaway; they tried so hard to deny that there's something more going on, and I found it brave and again, realistic.

The ending though ... Hmmm ... Yeah ...

SUMMARY:

Just A Number is a good read that deserves 4 stars, and will be an enjoyable read for others, that's for sure. If I didn't get an ARC of this book, I will most likely buy it on Amazon still. Get a copy of this awesome work you guys, It'll be worth it.

RATING:


PURCHASE LINKS:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

While daydreaming of her time spent sipping cafe crème in the cafes of Paris,Fifi Flowers, an internationally known artist turn author from the Los Angelesarea of California, writes romance novels and paints fantasies with a Parisian flair...

AUTHOR LINKS:


TOUR ORGANIZED BY:


Book images provided by Between the Sheets Promotions

Review of Reckless Temptations by Janine Infante Bosco

March 14, 2016

I am no stranger to biker romance novels with bad boy characters and motorcycle clubs. However, I would have to say that Reckless Temptations is one of the most brutal I've read. First of all, I don't have any firsthand experience with bikers, or more specifically motorcycle clubs, so I have no idea how real or accurate the scenarios are in this book or any other novels tackling the same subject matter.
 
But I will say this, Janine Infante Bosco really did a wonderful job on this. I will share with you my reasons in a little while.


Title: Reckless Temptations (Tempted #4)
Author: Janine Infante Bosco
Publication Date: March 8, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC Given by Tour Organizer
Goodreads: bit.ly/1VyaC4k


SYNOPSIS:

Riggs

Heart.

It’s what keeps you from being reckless. It’s what keeps you breathing.
 
Money, power and respect… they were my god given right, not the reason I joined the Satan’s Knights. I tied myself to my club and nothing else. Give me my bike, the open road and a different woman every night and I was happy. 

My life was great.

Until the chaos exploded.
 
One night.

One reckless temptation and I finally found my reason for breathing. 

I never saw her coming. The girl that would turn my world upside down and give me my heart.
 
Only it was too late.

One mistake can take it all away.

I’m about to lose my heart.

The thing that keeps me breathing.

The thing that keeps me from being reckless.
 
Lauren Bianci

Drop out of nursing school? Check.

Have no idea what you’re going to do with your life? Check.

Disappoint your family? Double check.

Meet a biker and have crazy sex against a wall? Check. Check. Check.

Get knocked up by said biker? Check.

I was always the good girl, the prodigal child, the girl who said and did all the right things.

Things like this didn’t happen to me.

Until him.

Until he smiled.
 
Until he tempted me to find out what made me happy.

Too bad it’s him.

We’ll never work, but, I can pretend can’t I?

Just for a little while.

Just until it’s over.

CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

Riggs is every inch a bad boy; he has a dirty mouth, doesn't want commitment, and is not afraid to take lives. The two things he values in life are his "brothers" and his motorcycle club ... that is until a certain glasses-wearing vixen came strutting in his life. His world is turned on its head, and the things he thought he wanted in life doesn't appeal to him anymore and the things he steered clear of are now what gives him happiness. But what will he do when everything is taken away from him in a blink of an eye?

Lauren is a fierce and straightforward woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. She's smart, confident, and stubborn -- unfortunately it's not always the best combination. When her life isn't going the way she envisioned it to be, she holds on to something she knows, something that she believes in ... no matter how many times she gets hurt in the process.

REVIEW: 

For my review to make more sense to you guys, let me share with you my mental checklist of "What Makes a Great Romance Book?"

Interesting characters who hold a lot of spunk.

Steamy make out or love scenes that will have my heart beat faster.
Witty dialogue.

Turn of events that will make me tear up (the harder the better).
Satisfying ending that will leave me smiling and not thinking of an alternate one.

This checklist is simple and logical, and I'm sure other readers who are into the same genre will agree. Did Reckless Temptations tick the boxes?
 
1. Interesting characters = Riggs is a complete a-hole and does not apologize for it. He does not pretend to be someone else and does not deny that he will f**k any other woman if the one he wants does not show up. But then he develops--and I say develop as he didn't really have it before--feelings. Deep and meaningful feelings for someone and wanting for more in life. And then we have Lauren, who can be sweet and insecure one minute and a total vixen the next. She doesn't back out and is not afraid to speak her mind--which I can totally relate to. Also, let's not forget about the supporting characters, namely BONES. *sigh* Bones...how I would love to have him.
 
2. Steam = Oh trust me when I tell you that there are some hot and heavy scenes in this book; foreplay in the midst of many people and rough sex outside a building, check and check. That's all I'm going to say. *wink*
 
3. Dialogue = There are sharp tongues lashing all over (no sexual pun intended), threats and insults flying everywhere, and lets not forget about the witty comebacks.
 
4. Excellent climax = I will not tell you what the climax was but there are bullets, blood everywhere, and people fighting for their life.
 
5. Satisfying ending = It was a good ending; I mean, in my opinion it could've gone a little better but it was a good, happy ending.
 
SUMMARY:

Reckless Temptations has been a satisfying read for me--I laughed, I cried, I got turned on, I cried again, I got mad, then I closed my e-reader with a smile on my face. If you think you know where the story is going then you might want to think again. There are things happening left and right that will leave you questioning the following events.
 
Come get a copy of this 5-star read everybody; you won't be disappointed, I assure you.
 
RATING: 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Janine Infante Bosco lives in New York City, she has always loved reading and writing. When she was thirteen, she began to write her own stories and her passion for writing took off as the years went on. At eighteen, she even wrote a full screenplay with dreams of one day becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
 
Janine writes emotionally charged novels with an emphasis on family bonds, strong willed female characters, and alpha male men who will do anything for the women they love. She loves to interact with fans and fellow avid romance readers like herself.
 
She is proud of her success as an author and the friendships she's made in the book community but her greatest accomplishment to date would be her two sons Joseph and Paul.


AUTHOR LINKS:


PURCHASE LINKS:

Reckless Temptations (Tempted, #4):

PREORDER LINK for Lethal Temptations (Tempted, #5):

Uncontrollable Temptations (Tempted, #3):
Amazon: amzn.to/1oji6O6 (#FREE with #KindleUnlimited)

Forbidden Temptations (Tempted, #2)
Amazon: amzn.to/230M8pH (#FREE with #KindleUnlimited)

Illicit Temptations (Tempted, #1)
Amazon: amzn.to/1PZhTZ4 (#FREE with #KindleUnlimited)

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:

Title: Lethal Temptations (Tempted #5)
Author: Janine Infante Bosco
Publication Date: May 24, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Preorder: Amazon (Only $1.99!)
Goodreads: bit.ly/1pcNmOE

SYNOPSIS:

Leather. 
 
Lace. 
 
Me. 

Her. 

A temptation so lethal, neither of us would survive.
 
(Full Blurb Coming Soon)

 
Title: Uncontrollable Temptations (Tempted #3)
Author: Janine Infante Bosco
Publication Date: February 9, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Purchase: Amazon (#FREE with #KindleUnlimited)
Goodreads: bit.ly/1SPeJd5


SYNOPSIS:

Jack “Bulldog” Parrish
 
Crazy: Mentally deranged, especially as manifested in a wild or aggressive way.
 
I was thirteen when I discovered the definition of the word I’d forever be labeled.
 
Some used it as a figure of speech but for me it was a scar I’d carry through life.
 
Or so I believed until I was diagnosed a manic depressive.
 
I’m the president of the Satan’s Knights Motorcycle Club, a man of power and control.
 
A man with enemies near and far.
 
But the truth, my truth, is my biggest enemy— my mind and I live most of my life with no control whatsoever.
 
I’m just a man who battles his demons, a man destined to live a life full of darkness.
 
Until her.
 
She’s the light beckoning me, calling me home, away from the torment.
In a world as dark as the one I live in, sometimes I can’t help but crave Sunshine.
 
Reina DeCarlo
 
I was lost, broken and a prisoner of my scars.
 
A shell of the woman I used to be, who didn’t know the difference between living and merely existing.
 
Until a stranger found me, fixed and freed me. He breathed life into my soul, reminding me I was a survivor and still had life to live.
 
My savior is a biker.
 
A man tortured by his own scars. A man broken like me, maybe even a little lost too.
 
I want to be his remedy.
 
I want to heal him.
 
I want to return the favor and be his savior.
 
This is our story, a story neither of us knew how to write until we found each other.
 

Title: Forbidden Temptations (Tempted #2)
Author: Janine Infante Bosco
Publication Date: November 10, 2015
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Purchase: Amazon (#FREE with #KindleUnlimited)
Goodreads: bit.ly/1PZhQMZ


SYNOPSIS:

Anthony Bianci
 
Since I was a kid all I ever wanted to be was a gangster. I wanted to be feared, to be respected, and for everyone to know my name.
And then she came into my life.
 
I never planned on falling in love with the mob boss’ daughter. She was forbidden but somehow she became mine. She made me crave things I didn’t even know existed and made me forget about the things I thought I wanted. My quest for power faded away and was replaced by my undying love for her.
 
Until reality bit me in the ass and I was sent to prison for three years, doing time for a crime I didn’t commit.
 
Now I’m out and she is creating a life for herself, just like I always wanted for her. Only I’m not a part of that life. I won’t ruin her any more than I already have with my poisonous lifestyle. 
 
No matter how tempted I am.
 
Adrianna Pastore
 
I wanted him from the very first time I laid eyes on him. 
 
He was everything to me, my first love and probably my last.
 
Then my father ruined our perfect little life, and he walked away from me.
 
I tried to fight for him, for our love, but he pushed me away.
 
When the love you crave is beautiful, yet forbidden, you can’t help being tempted.
 
So I’ll fight for him. For us.
 
Even if I’m the only one fighting.

 
Title: Illicit Temptations (Tempted #1)
Author: Janine Infante Bosco
Publication Date: July 28, 2015
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Purchase: Amazon (#FREE with #KindleUnlimited)
Goodreads: bit.ly/1Mr8TeU


SYNOPSIS:

Michael Valente...
 
My father was the Underboss of an organized crime family. He was murdered when I was a teenager leaving me broken. My mother died in a tragic accident, her death annihilated me. My life was in shambles until Victor Pastore, one of New York’s most notorious gangsters and my late father’s best friend, recruited me to work for him.
 
Everyone expected me to walk in my father’s shadow, to be the prodigal son, the next big thing to hit the mob. I was torn between filling those expectations and walking the straight line my mother wished I had. Nothing made sense and I felt as if I was just passing through life.
 
The only beacon of light in my otherwise dark world was the one girl that was off limits to me. The one girl who could bring me to my knees consuming my mind, body and soul.
 
She’s the sweetest temptation I’ve ever known and the most illicit.
 
Nikki Pastore....
 
My father’s a gangster. My boyfriend’s is the king of New York’s nightclubs. I am often labeled as Vic’s daughter or Rico’s girl, never just Nikki. I struggle for people to acknowledge me for the woman I am and not for the men in my life. I’m fighting a losing battle.
 
There is only one person who sees me for me, my Mikey.
 
He’s wild. 

He’s reckless. 

He’s hot as hell.
 
He’s completely unattainable, but oh so tempting.
 

TOUR ORGANIZED BY:


Book images provided by Indiesage PR

Review of Preferred Rewards by Michael Patrick Lewis

March 01, 2016

What can I say about Preferred Rewards? Unexpected, realistic, maddening, and heartbreaking are a few adjectives I can use.

It's not something that I expected when I agreed to review it, but it's a healthy dose of reality. Spoiler Alert: We don't get the happy-ever-after ending that we hope for -- or at least that I hoped for -- but it does leave a lot to the imagination. 

Title: Preferred Rewards
Author: Michael Patrick Lewis
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction
Publication Date: April 24, 2015
Published By: Smashwords Edition
Source: Copy Given by Author


SYNOPSIS:

Troy has a problem: he likes a girl whose best friend likes him. Should he take the marshmallow in front of him, or wait for the Preferred Reward?

REVIEW:

The story started out with a good, solid foundation and built up with a good momentum. The story line was realistic from start to finish and the characters were easily relatable. Troy is a typical college guy who focuses more on the physical appearance of a woman and what other people say, Gina is the kind of girl who doesn't care about social standards but will end up surprising you all the time, Carrie is your typical hot chick that has nothing more to offer than her face and body.

Preferred Rewards took me on a roller coaster ride, one that I so badly wanted to get out off. But because I was a freaking masochist, I continued forward. The emotional turmoil I felt for Troy and Gina gave me heartburn and stomach cramps. There were times I found myself happy for how Troy treated Gina -- at the beginning he treated her like one of the boys, but then later on he can't get enough of her. But there were also times that I just hated him! But I guess this is what made his character believable -- he wasn't perfect; he was insecure, he got hurt, he made mistakes, and he felt remorse. But then you think about Gina; she doesn't rely on her looks, and she doesn't care what other people think about her. She's deep and easily relatable, but she also has her flaws.

Author Michael Patrick Lewis took an intelligent and realistic approach when he created Preferred Rewards. He gave amazing explanations, excellent analogies, and realistic applications in life. Let me say though that the story is not exactly as sexy as the cover would suggest. I mean, I definitely won't categorize this book under the erotica genre. But it could be just me though, since I'm pretty "well-read" when it comes to real erotica and this is something I would call 100% vanilla.

I won't give much away about the story, but basically it's a young man's journey through life and relationships. It's his road to learning about the things that really matter in life ... even if it is too late.

SUMMARY:

I will give Preferred Rewards a solid 4-star rating. It was good through and through and it didn't take the route I, along with others, expected it will.

Let me just share with you guys that I had the opportunity to have a conversation with Michael, the author, about the ending. I'm still trying to convince him to write a 2nd part to this story, but as of the moment he's still standing firm and saying no.

Give this a chance you guys, you won't regret it.
RATING: 


PURCHASE LINK: 


Book image from Goodreads

Review of Hiding in Plain Sight by Angela Evans

March 01, 2016

How are my fellow bookworms doing? It has been quite a while since I wrote a review for my blog again. I definitely missed this, but I did lose my drive some time back, but I'll discuss more about that in another post.

You guys may or may not understand how honored and humbled I am when authors personally reach out to me, asking if I would like to read their book and hopefully write a review. I'm sure it's the same with other bloggers out there, and that amazing feeling never really goes away no matter how many times you get asked. So I got that same pitter-patter in my gut when I read the message from author Angela Evans presenting me Hiding in Plain Sight. 

Initially, I thought I'd just write a review on Amazon and Goodreads and that would be it. But after a few days, I realized that I MISS writing reviews. I miss reading novels and sharing my thoughts about them! So here I am, after 5 or 6 months, sharing this book with readers out there who likes a bit of suspense to go with their romance.

Title: Hiding in Plain Sight (Hidden Dangers #1)
Author: Angela Evans
Publication Date: February 10, 2016
Published By: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Romance, Suspense
Source: Copy Given by Author


SYNOPSIS:

Kierra Centerand was once vivacious and outgoing, but that all changed the night her stepfather killed her family in an explosion that authorities wrote off as an accident. Now, ten years later, Kierra has returned to the small town of Briarview to find answers, confront her demons, and see if she can finally move on with her life. Not much has changed, Briarview is still the quaint, charming, small town Kierra left behind. Only now her high school boyfriend, Bryan, is the sheriff, and her stepfather is somewhere in the town, hiding in plain sight.

When Bryan Donaldson sees Kierra again for the first time, he is surprised—she’s no longer the fun blonde he remembers, but rather she’s shy, prone to panic attacks, and hiding from the world. When Kierra’s stepfather starts making threats, Bryan is determined to keep her safe in his arms, and in his bed, for life.

REVIEW:

Hiding in Plain Sight was written with different POVs which works for me; I like getting into people's heads and knowing what they're thinking of and what they're feeling. In this book, we see the story through three different pairs of eyes; Kierra, Bryan, and the murderer. Unfortunately, the shift between POVs aren't as smooth as I hope it is. There were a few times when I thought Bryan was speaking, then realized it was really the bad guy's voice -- that was awkward and disturbing, I got to be honest.

The plot was interesting and got me really curious; a vivacious young girl, who saw the demise of all her loved ones, grows up to be a wary woman trying to blend in like a chameleon wherever she goes. She hates attention, and she especially despises people's stares. But because she wants to get rid of her anxiety problem, she decided to go to the root cause ... go back to the town she left and find out exactly what happened the night her family was killed. But the quick in-and-out plan that she had was quickly thrown out the window when her safety -- and heart -- are compromised.

Here's the thing: I really liked the plot, and at first I was really sitting on the edge of my seat because the build up for that big confrontation scene was intense. But then, the climax didn't feel justified enough for me. I'm not saying that it wasn't good, I was just expecting more action, more tension, and more pain. I felt like that big scene was rushed and didn't live much to the image I have painted in my mind.

But the story in general and the build up were fantastic. You'll really hate Kierra's stepfather -- hate him to the bone! The creep has no saving grace at all, and I pictured 50 ways on how I'll personally hurt or kill the sleazebag if I got my hands on him.  The things he did, whooo boy! I won't give away the evilness that this bastard acted on but again, you will want to destroy him piece by piece.

Onto the sweeter things of the story, Kierra and Bryan are good together. They definitely have chemistry but it's not exaggerated or too farfetched. I've said this time and time again, but I'm not a fan of love-at-first-sight novels as I don't believe in such a thing, so I appreciate the fact that Bryan didn't claim any false feeling towards Kierra. It's not like he was going crazy without her because he loved her and still does, no there was none of that. He admits that he's IN LUST with her though which is great! It's the same with Kierra though -- that woman is in heat around Bryan. Balance.

SUMMARY:

The story was good, the characters were engaging, and the writing was excellent. As a whole, Hiding in Plain Sight is a good read that will use up a bunch of your emotions all at the same time. An easy 3.5 stars for this solid book from Angela Evans and like I said earlier, this will be a great read for people who like their romance with a bit of suspense and action.

RATING: 


PURCHASE LINK: 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Angela Evans has been creating stories in her own imagination since she picked up her first book. In high school she remembers sneaking a copy of a romance novel off her mother’s book case and immediately fell in love with the story, the genre, and the idea of falling in love!

Angela is currently obsessed with the genre of romantic suspense. When she’s not writing new stories you can find her binge watching cop shows looking for inspiration for those creepy villains every suspense story needs.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Twitter: @readangelaevans

Book image from Goodreads

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