Monday 31 August 2015

Review - Reveal by Elle Brooks


Title: Reveal
Author: Elle Brooks
Release Date: August 30, 2015


I used to believe in destiny.

I was six years old when I first took to the stage, and I’ve danced every day since. It’s the biggest part of who I am. The fuel that drives me forward.

My oxygen...
My life... 
My soul. 

The stars were perfectly aligned, and my fairy tale had slowly begun to play out like a beautifully scripted passage from a romance novel. I was all set to live my happily ever after… 

Until I wasn’t.

If dancing was my heart, Daniel was the blood that kept it beating. I was content with supporting him as he worked towards his music dreams, but then he disappeared, leaving me scared, alone and suffocating under the crushing weight of his debts. 

It’s said that opportunity often comes disguised as misfortune.

When one door closes, another one opens. But I wasn’t prepared for it to belong to Reveal, one of New York City’s most exclusive Burlesque Clubs. 

It feels as though the universe is conspiring against me until fate thrusts two very different men into the equation. And what they have in common, no one could have predicted. 

Destiny may have delivered them both, but who stays is my choice.






Reveal is the perfect title for this story. There were so many twists and turns that kept being revealed throughout the entire story. I was glued to my kindle and couldn’t swipe the pages fast enough.

Robyn is a dancer. She has been dancing her entire life. 

“I’ve danced from the age of six. Ballet, tap, modern, street and anything and everything in between. It’s more than a passion; it’s an obsession bordering on insanity. If I couldn’t dance, I would cease to exist.” 

When her boyfriend up and disappears, she is left with all of his debt and a loan shark knocking down her door. She turns to a friend and ends up as a burlesque dancer at a club called Reveal. 

Callum is the owner of Reveal. He takes one look at Robyn dancing and hires her instantly. He is drawn to her like he’s never been drawn to someone before. 

“I’m usually much better at not blurring the lines. I guess the thing about Robyn that’s bothering me the most is that I want to blur the lines with her. I want to smudge them so badly that they’re not even lines anymore.”

However, Callum isn’t the only man in Robyn’s life. Enter Cole, a wealthy business man who is everything Robyn should want. He comes into her life at a much needed time. He is such a gentleman though and doesn’t push her further than she is ready even if he wants to. 

“The thought is tormenting, and although I do want to be her friend, I can’t deny this intense attraction. I think I’d sell my soul to the devil himself to have my lips pressed against hers.”

Between Robyn’s crazy life, and juggling two men, I had to know what was going to happen. I loved this story and couldn’t put it down. The ending especially surprised me. 

If you love your books to be steamy, full of angst and drama, and to be unputdownable, look no farther. This is a must read! 
~ Review by Tiffany

I went in thinking, ‘Oh no, this is going to be a love triangle that is going to go wrong’, yet I was really surprised that it definitely wasn't. Now, Ms. Brooks definitely threw in some curve balls that had me rethinking of what and how this was going to play out. 

Robyn was betrayed and left to pay the consequences of her ex, Daniel. She didn't know how she was going to do that when she was barely able to make ends meet, and if she wanted to keep living, she had to scramble and find a way to pay for his mistake and betrayal. Robyn's love for dance is the way she finds a light in the dark tunnel she is currently in and, no matter what, she's decided to do what she needs to, to continue living and surviving.

Cole has seen Robyn at the coffee shop across from his job, so he knows he has to find a way to get her attention and a way to get her to go out with him. What he does is pretty funny and smart so guys, take notes on this the next time you want a woman's attention!

Callum's way of getting over the ultimate betrayal is losing himself in any woman that allows him to, because he refuses to get attached again. His motto is "Don't sh*t where you eat", yet he seems to have done that and now he knows he's screwed!! 

Robyn knows she shouldn't get involved with either, yet one man in particular has a strong pull on her that, as hard as she tries, she knows there is no way she will be able to walk away from…

As I mentioned there are curve balls thrown in here and, let me say, for a minute there I thought to myself, ‘Oh, this just cannot be!!’ Kudos, Elle Brooks, for keeping me on my toes and totally throwing me left field. Can't wait for what else you have up your sleeve! 
~ Review by Kara




Elle Brooks is a little neurotic; she functions on a tiny amount of sleep and a huge amount of caffeine. Elle loves green skittles and has an irrational fear of stormy weather. When she's not writing about super hot dreamy leading men, you can generally find her googling them... all in the name of research of course. She can be persuaded to do just about anything with the promise of a good book or a bottle of bubbles. Oh, and she also love to write.

Elle is the author of the Promises Series including Promises Hurt, Forgotten Promises and Empty Promises.



Review - Claiming His Cowgirl by Lori King


Title: Claiming His Cowgirl 
Series: Crawley Creek #3
Author: Lori King
Release Date: August 25, 2015


In a small town in North Dakota there resides a family of misfits on the Crawley Creek Ranch. Brought together by hardship, and heartache they’ve bonded without blood ties, and seek to help others. Four brothers who’ve walked both sides of the line, and come out stronger for it, but will they survive love, loss, and the law? 

Her sanctuary… 
Lauren Kensington found refuge at Crawley Creek as a foster child. She was not looking for love but she found it just in time to get her heart broken. She’s spent nearly two decades creating a successful life for herself far from the wilds of North Dakota, but a family wedding draws her back. When she crosses paths with her long lost love, feelings that burned out are reignited 

His redemption… 
Vincent Rhone has walked a tough path, but he’s overcome his obstacles to become a better man. His only regret is pushing Lauren out of his life in an effort to protect her from his wild nature. How will she react when he tells her his deepest desire is to hold her again? 

Their second chance… 
Forced to lean on each other when nature strikes, these two heartbroken lovers will confront their past. Will they cause each other more heartache, or will this cowboy finally be able to claim his cowgirl?





Oh, I just love these cowboy brothers… Claiming His Cowgirl is Vin and Lauren’s story. 

Vincent Rhone has been second guessing himself for almost 20 years since he pushed Lauren Kensington out of his life. Determined to give her every chance at happiness and not be “stuck” waiting for Vin to get his life together, Vin thought he did the right thing. But now Lauren is coming home—home for Drannon and Lacy’s wedding. They haven’t seen each other for years and it’s about time the chickens have come home to roost…

Lauren found safety and peace in Crawley Creek when she was an abused and neglected little girl. She also thought she found love, until Vin pushed her away. But she promised Drannon she’d come home for his wedding to Lacy. Three days—just three days. She could handle being around her adopted “family” for that long and then return to her nice life in Arkansas. Right?

Oh, damn, I love a second chance romance. Even twenty years later, Vin and Lauren are still connected—first love has a tendency to do that. And, jeez, the tension between these two is palpable. But when they are together—holy hotness factor. You can’t help but hope they put the past behind them and get back together—they smolder… I can’t wait to read Hawke’s story next! 
~ Review by Missy

Second chances and cowboys are kinda like all my Christmases come at once, if I am honest. Which I am. And this third installment in the Crawley Creek series is the bow on the biggest present under the tree.

It's been a while since Lauren Kensington has returned to the ranch where she found love and family. After having her heart broken by Vinnie, she left North Dakota and forged a new life for herself. But she never really got over the boy that broke her heart.

Vincent Rhone has made some bad decisions, not the least of which was sending Lauren away 18 years ago. It's his one regret, and he's never stopped thinking about the girl he let get away.

When a wedding brings her back to town, and a disaster keeps her close, they get their second chance. This time, Vin is determined to prove that Lauren's heart is safe in his hands.

Vin and Lauren, so hot and so perfect for each other! I really enjoyed this book. In fact, it's my favorite of this series so far. It had all my favorite elements. Cowboys, obviously. Lots of hope and love. Some very sexy times. And a touch of humor.

Ms. King did an excellent job bringing everyone together as they prep for Drannon and Lacy's wedding, all while battling Mother Nature. It was fun to check in with the couples from the first two books, and get some updates on the boys that, I hope, are yet to come—Hawke and Bran.

There's great emotional balance in this book, and it would seem there are some potentially heart-breaking times to come as this series continues. I can't wait to continue with these cowboys and their cowgirls. I hope Santa brings them to me soon! 
~ Review by Beth



Best-selling author, Lori King, is also a full-time wife and mother of three boys. Although she rarely has time to just enjoy feminine pursuits; at heart she is a hopeless romantic. 

She spends her days dreaming up Alpha men, and her nights telling their stories. An admitted TV and book junkie, she can be found relaxing with a steamy story, or binging in an entire season of some show online. She gives her parents all the credit for her unique sense of humor and acceptance of all forms of love. There are no two loves alike, but you can love more than one with your whole heart. 

With the motto: Live, Laugh, and Love like today is your only chance, she will continue to write as long as you continue to read. Thank you for taking the time to indulge in a good Happily Ever After with her.



Review - Heart-Shaped Hack by Tracey Garvis Graves


Title: Heart-Shaped Hack
Series: Kate and Ian #1 
Author: Tracey Garvis Graves
Release Date: August 25, 2015


When Kate Watts abandoned her law career to open a food pantry in Northeast Minneapolis, she never dreamed it would be this difficult. Facing the heartbreaking prospect of turning hungry people away, she is grateful for the anonymous donations that begin appearing at the end of each month. Determined to identify and thank her secret benefactor, she launches a plan and catches Ian —a charismatic hacker with a Robin Hood complex—in the act. 

Ian intrigues Kate in a way no man ever has. But after learning he’s snooped around on her personal computer, she demands retribution. Impressed with her tolerance and captivated by her spirit, he complies and begins to slowly charm his way past her defenses. Time spent with Ian is never boring, and Kate soon finds herself falling for the mysterious hacker.

But Ian has enemies and they’re growing restless. In the hacking world, exploiting a target’s weakness is paramount, and no price is too high to stop an attack. And when Kate learns exactly how much Ian has paid, she’ll discover just how strong her love is for the man who has hacked his way into her heart.






Ian took off his glasses and slid them into the pocket of his jacket. 

“I like those,” she said. “Put them back on.” 

“They’ll only be in the way when I kiss you.”

“Who said we were going to kiss?”

“I did. Katie, you must pay closer attention. Besides, this is the end of our first official date. Why wouldn’t we kiss? Sharing a kiss is quite common at this stage.”

“I know how dating works.” Although truthfully, she was a bit rusty and hadn’t kissed anyone since Stuart. 

“This hallway is awfully bright. I would prefer more romantic lighting, like the kind inside your apartment.” 

“You don’t get to come in again until the second date.” 

“The only thing I took away from that statement is that we’re going to have a second date.”

Kate smiled. 

It really was incredibly bright in the hallway. Kate almost wished Ian hadn’t told her he was going to kiss her and that it was a bit darker, because she was suddenly hit with a bout of first-date-kiss nerves that made her fidget. 

“I’ll just wait until you stop moving.”

She made herself stand still. He slid his hands underneath her jaw, and his fingers came to rest behind her ears while his thumbs grazed her cheek. His first kiss was soft and gentle and only lasted a few seconds. He pulled back a few inches and came in again, giving her another soft kiss. The third was firmer, more aggressive, and he dipped his tongue lightly into her mouth. The fourth was soft again, leaving Kate in a heady and intoxicating state of anticipation about what the next kiss would be like. Number five was almost her undoing because Ian pressed his body closer to hers and gave her a deep, openmouthed kiss while circling her tongue with his. When he finally pulled back, it took her a moment to regulate her breathing. She was holding on to his neck rather tightly because her legs felt like Jell-O. 

“You seem a bit wobbly, Katie.” 

“I’ve got to hand it to you. Your kissing skills almost make up for your shortcomings.”

“I have shortcomings? Really?”

“A couple, yes.” 

“I’d promise to work on them, but we both know I’m not going to.”



It should be noted that my original review basically read: "*FLAILS* *DIES* I CAN'T EVEN WITH THESE FEELINGS..." This book made me shouty and incoherent and full-on fangirl. I had to take a couple of days to turn that original review into something meaningful, but please, let’s not lose sight of the fact that I went full-on fangirl meltdown over this book. Imagine this entire review written in shouty caps with all the "i's" dotted with hearts. That is how I feel about this book.

Okay, now that that's out of the way—you should go buy this book. Yes, right now. I'll wait. And then we can squeal and flail and shouty caps together. In the meantime...

Kate Watts is innocently trying to run an open food pantry in Minneapolis when Ian, charming, charismatic, quirky, and incorrigible Ian, comes barreling into her life. Technically, I suppose she barrels into him. Either way, their paths cross when Ian begins making anonymous donations and Kate is determined to get to the bottom of it. When she discovers that he is a hacker with a "Robin Hood complex", she is not at all impressed. Ian, on the other hand, is immediately taken with the kind-hearted and steady Kate. He makes it his mission to win her over and, despite her initial resistance (he's a hacker—which is inherently shady and dangerous), he wins.

I mean, of course he wins. Ian is...EVERYTHING. It's like the author crawled into my brain and created the perfect guy. He is nerdy, witty, thoughtful, and adorable. In some ways he's very childlike without being childish (which seems like some sort of epic feat to pull off). There is not a dark, broody hair on this man's body. He's confident, and lighthearted, and his attitude is entirely devil-may-care. I wasn't even 5% into this book when I began shouting about how much I knew I was going to love it, and how everyone needs to read it. 

It's not all perfection. Ian is a hacker. That alone means that there are bumps in the road, an undercurrent of suspense and danger. He sometimes has to disappear for a while. He has had to move unexpectedly, without notice. His life is not as steady and sure-footed as Kate's and taking something like that on is a lot to ask of someone in a relationship. These are heavy issues and they're not ignored. It's not a dominant theme of the book (which I would say is overall lighthearted and swoony) but it's a pinch of spice that keeps things interesting and kept me glued, absolutely glued, to my kindle wanting to see how everything played out.

The banter in this book is, bar none, some of the best I've ever read. Nothing felt over the top, and almost everything left me with a goofy smile on my face or—often—literally laughing out loud. The couple is adorable and while Ian is the MVP charmer, Kate holds her own. She's his perfect match; she is strong and smart, sensitive and sassy. Ian doesn't work without Kate. Half of his charm comes from her repartee. I can't love one of these characters without loving the other in equal measure. The result of that is some kind of explosion in my heart that initially left me with nothing but shouty caps gibberish. 

It's amazing. Heartwarming. Flirty. Sexy. Hysterical. Emotional. Heartbreaking (briefly) and then...perfect. It's perfect. 

Why are you still reading this? GO READ THE DAMN BOOK ALREADY!! 
~ Review by Shelly




Tracey Garvis Graves is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Her debut novel, On the Island, spent 9 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into twenty-seven languages, and is in development with MGM and Temple Hill Productions for a feature film. She is also the author of Uncharted, Covet, Every Time I Think of You, and Cherish.




Review - Melting Point by Kate Meader


Title: Melting Point
Series: Hot in Chicago #1.5
Author: Kate Meader
Release Date: August 31, 2015


Things are heating up at Engine Co. 6 in this original e-novella from Kate Meader’s sizzling Hot in Chicago series! Superhot playboy firefighter Gage Simpson has one particular man on his mind: Brady Smith, a recalcitrant, moody chef who makes Gage melt from the inside out. Features a sexy sneak preview of Playing with Fire!

Firefighter Gage Simpson has it all: the job of his dreams, the family of his heart, and no shortage of hot guys lining up to share his bed. “Fun and easy” is his motto—and it’s kept him sunny through a painful upbringing and steered him away from trouble. But when trouble comes knocking in the form of a sexy, scarred, tattooed chef with a harrowing past and zero communication skills, Gage can’t help but be drawn to the flame.

Brady Smith isn’t fun. And easy isn’t in his vocabulary. When cocky Gage swaggers into his restaurant kitchen, the former Marine-turned-five-star-chef is blindsided by the firefighter’s beauty. Then confused that this golden guy with the sparkling blue eyes and the body of a god might be interested in him. As desire flares and temperatures rise, Gage and Brady will have to figure out if the heat between them is just a temporary flash—or the beginning of something real.






Um, yeah, okay…Hot, playful fireman meets sexy, gruff former Marine, current chef, and BOOM! Heat that is OFF THE CHARTS. <<-- That’s Melting Point, all summed up. 

Gage Simpson is the epitome of cool, calm and collected. After a rough childhood, he now has the job of his dreams, a great family and his choice of men in Boystown. But there’s something he doesn’t have….Brady Smith. 

Brady is haunted by his past. He takes uncommunicative to the max, he’s more than a little surly, and he can’t work out why the vivacious and handsome Gage would want to have anything to do with him. 

The chemistry is electric, the spark about to catch ablaze. If they can’t take the heat, they’d better stay out of the kitchen…

I loved this sexy and super sweet novella!! I burned through book one in this series, Flirting with Fire, because I HAD to read this M/M novella and I didn’t want to miss anything. I adored book one, and although it wasn’t necessary to enjoy this one, I am glad I got some backstory on Gage and Brady, because WHOA! Their sizzle is palpable, right from the start. 

Melting Point is an excellent weekend read; I knocked it out in a little more than an hour, and enjoyed every second. I loved seeing Gage trying to break down Brady’s barriers, just as I loved seeing Brady TRY for Gage, and try to help him when Gage’s own painful past dragged his sunny personality down. And when they got to the good stuff (I know you know what I mean), it was SO good, I needed a cigarette and a cold shower afterwards.

This couple—in fact, all the couples in this series—are just so likeable. You want to see them succeed, find and fall in love, and then maybe take you to the pub the Dempsey’s own to find your own man in uniform. I can’t wait to keep reading this series now I have started! 
~ Review by Beth

Relationships are scary, a potential heartbreak waiting to happen—or maybe, just maybe, this time it will be exactly what someone has been hoping for in life. Sometimes all it takes is just a little faith…

Gage Simpson is a wanted man—wanted for his ability to see the bright side of life, wanted for his, ahem… special bedroom skillset. But this time it’s Gage who’s left wanting—he wants Brady.

Brady Smith is closed off, hard to read and comes off cold to most people. But Brady really wants Gage to warm him up, if only Brady could figure out a way to share his feelings. 

Oh how I love these two characters. Gage for his ability to live life to the fullest even though he had such a heartbreaking upbringing. He wants Brady, but Brady doesn’t know how to be in a relationship, doesn’t know how to communicate because he’s so used to keeping his feelings turned off. But, lord help Brady when he FINALLY figures it out because he’s a man on a mission. 

These two are so hot together too—their “sexy times” and just their normal interactions. I can’t wait to read more in this series. 
~ Review by Missy




Originally from Ireland, Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Mills & Boon thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she's there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip. Visit her at KateMeader.com.



BOOK BOOST - Broken Promises by Melissa Huie




Title: Broken Promises
Series: The Broken Road #2
Author: Melissa Huie
Publisher: Booktrope Publishing
Genre: Romantic Suspense
 Release Date: August 27, 2015



Blurb

The Sequel to the sexy, suspenseful novel The Broken Road.

“Not a day had gone by that I didn’t dream about Shane, that one day he would come home to us. I imagined that our days would be filled with long talks and moments of reconnection, and our nights would be full of hot, sweaty sex. But things weren’t going the way I had imagined. Baby steps, Megan. He just needs to adjust. I couldn’t change the past and we would have to take things in stride. We couldn’t be the same couple we once were, not overnight.”

When Shane Turner shows up at Megan Connors’s carport one rainy night, Megan thinks she’s dreaming. The man who has held her heart since high school, and the father of her unborn child, is supposed to be dead, killed in an explosion at a safe house. But somehow Shane has survived, and Megan believes that with him home safely and their baby on the way, they will finally get their happy ending.

But it soon becomes apparent that all is not what it seems. Shane is home, but he’s brought some demons back with him, demons that Megan can’t fight alone. Shane is a haunted man, plagued by paranoia and distrust. He believes that danger threatens their lives at every turn, and it is tearing their life together apart.

In this compelling sequel to The Broken Road, Shane must deal with the present and the future, with the cartel—and himself. Megan must protect her family and, when the time comes, must make the ultimate decision.

Will Shane and Megan have their happily ever after, or will it just be another broken promise?








Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK






Excerpt

“Good morning,” he said, his voice still thick with sleep. He wrapped his muscular arms around my belly from behind me, the evidence of his arousal pressed against the small of my back. My breath caught and my heart quickened as he nuzzled the sensitive spot under my ear. Just this one simple act had my core pulsing with liquid heat. His hands roamed north, barely grazing my belly, and tenderly kneaded my swollen breasts. Moaning, I tilted my head up toward his and caught his searing lips with mine.

Abandoning the pan in front of me, I turned and threw my arms around his neck. Passion fueled my body as our lips frantically mashed together. Our tongues clashed, dueling over the right to invade the other’s mouth. Shane’s hands cupped my behind, then gripped hard as he led me over to the table. He swept aside the napkins and papers that covered it and lifted me onto the smooth surface.

Red colored my vision as my primal need took over. Shane pulled off my bathrobe at the same moment I yanked down his sweatpants. My mouth watered at the size of his erection and I eagerly stroked his throbbing, rigid shaft. His head rolled back and he groaned at my touch. There was a time for cuddling and foreplay, but this wasn’t it. His hazel eyes smoldered, and he desperately ripped the thin material of my cotton underwear right out from under me. Craving his touch, his body, his heat against mine, I leaned back on my elbows and gave him the opening he wanted.







Also Available


AMAZON US / UK




Author Bio


Melissa grew up in Maryland by the Chesapeake Bay, where her favorite memories took place near the water. Now she lives near Washington, D.C. with her family, dog, and a lot of fish. In between the chaos of laundry, chasing after her three children and trying not to burn dinner, Melissa continues to find her escape by feeding her addiction of reading and writing about love, suspense, and sarcasm.



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