I loved this story line and how all over the place it was in terms of keeping you guessing what really happened 10 years ago! Clint was wrongfully convicted of a crime Emily believes she saw him commit and is back home after serving his time. The two cross paths again and while there is intense emotion and feelings there, they aren’t all bad. Even with a disturbing history, there is no denying the chemistry between the two! You just keep trying to figure it all out as the story continues. Who is lying? Who committed the murder? Who is involved and who helped orchestrate it? I was intrigued until the very end and even then, I was completely caught off guard!
Archives: Reviews
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Devils With Halos by Natalie Bennett
There is so much that goes down in this twisted book. Right from the start I will warn you this is not a romance tale. There is no love and there is no passion. There is messed up sex, and kidnapping and all kinds of dark aspects to this story. As a recovering drug addict, Faith is trying as hard as she can to move on with her life and start fresh but once Ryker gets his hands on her, there is no telling where she will end up. The ending of this book was full of intensity and stress and the cliffhanger had me asking WTF?!? I am talking cults, lies, sexual tension, depravity and a whole lot of evil. If you are into the darker side of erotica, this is a great series to start. Anxiously awaiting the second part of this story!
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Permission by T.M. Frazier
Permission…more like redemption!!! This final captivating installment of the Perversion Trilogy brings it all full circle. With more suspenseful twists and turns than I was expecting, all my questions were answered and all the problems get resolved. This roller coaster of a story will not only give you anxiety and palpitations while your reading, but also some endearing feels. This is NOT your typical romance, but there are so many complex layers of love, honor and loyalty built into it that I can’t help but call it a love story of epic proportions!
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Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Angels and Demons and Lust, oh my! I have wanted to read Wendy Higgins for awhile now, and when I saw that she will be coming to Shameless19, I figured there was no time like the present!!! Sweet Evil did not disappoint, although I will warn you that you shouldn’t expect to read this and move onto something else – I am now desperate to read the next one! I almost gave this book a Feverish rating instead of Fire, as there isn’t a lot of sex in this story, but there are other scenes (one of the focuses of the book is sin, after all) that I wouldn’t recommend for a younger teen. And Kaiden, well, his special talent is Lust, so I am a bit smitten with him. The world built in this book is amazing, well detailed, and immersive, and I was intrigued me from the first page. Grab it today and you won’t be sorry!!!
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Echoes of Fire by Suzanne Wright
I always know what type of hero I’ll meet in a Suzanne Wright book, and it’s why I reread her books. Her alphas are growly, possessive, dominant and always get what they want. Suzanne’s men are so pushy when they find their women, and that’s even with her contemporary books, too. I get all swoony when they start inserting themselves into her life, breaking down her walls, and won’t stay away until she agrees she belongs to them. Plus, her men have perfected the art of dirty talking in and out of the bedroom.
I loved Bracken finding his HEA, he definitely needed it after heartbreaking drama. It was only fitting that his mate would be a loner, so they could learn to rely on each other and he could slowly show how good it would be together and with his Pack. There was plenty of mystery and suspense mixed in with Bracken and Madisyn learning to love each other, I was turning the pages as fast as I could to learn all the secrets and drama. I also loved seeing other favorite couples from the series, how they’ve settled down and also help Madisyn and Bracken with their problems. -
Throb by Vi Keeland
This fun and steamy romance is centered around a reality TV dating show. Kate joins the show for the prize money, but finds herself starting to like Flynn, the Rock Star bachelor. Enter Cooper, a bossy, rich media mogul who instantly falls for Kate, and Kate falls hard for Cooper. The catch? There’s no dating allowed outside of the TV show. Of course Fynn is falling for Kate, and she has to keep him at arm’s length. The angst of Cooper having to watch his love date another man and the intensity of Kate and Cooper’s secret trists is what makes this book a winner!
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The Devil You Know by Claire Marta
This book is a little darker than I usually recommend, but it surprised me with how delicious it was! The plot kept me guessing as it twisted and turned, and the chemistry between Max and Mavi made me squirm in the best possible way. (I also gave bonus points for a reference to the Buffy TV series!!!) Max is a super hot, dominating demon with a filthy mouth and tricks in the bedroom that were just amazing, and Mavi is an ass-kicking, super tough heroine who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. I was a bit distracted by some typos, without which I would have given more stars, and there are some scenes that happen that are non-consensual, so I just wanted to give warnings about those two things, but if you are looking for a dark story that will surprise you at every turn, read this one today!
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Engaged to the EMT by Piper Rayne
I didn’t think I could pick a favorite Bianco brother, but Luca has moved to the head of my list. I loved his story, how he works to convince the girl he’s always loved to a fake engagement, and then they show each other how to make the perfect couple. Piper writes some great banter between Lauren and Luca, especially since they’ve been enemies since high school. So, not only is this a fake engagement romance, but it’s also an enemies-to-lovers story, except Luca has been secretly in love with Lauren the whole time. I found myself smiling at some of the antics the brothers got into, I loved their family dynamic. Plus, we met extended family members which means we’re going to get more Italian-American family drama next year!
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Next In Line by Amy Daws
If you are looking for a super sweet, funny, romantic read, this is your book. Sam & Maggie have a very simple attraction to one another and it grows into something neither one was expecting. Sam is a man with a plan. No relationships, just one-night flings and for the most part, it works! I mean, who would pass up a hot, sexy ginger? Maggie is a girl trying to transform herself after a breakup and she is so wrapped up in her ex that she barely notices the instant attraction between herself and Sam. There are a lot of very subtle hot moments throughout this story which I adored. One of my favorite things about a romantic comedy is that you get caught up in all the little flirty details and feel the butterflies long with the characters. Hands down, a great read!
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Jock Rule by Sara Ney
Sara gives us a great, low angst/low drama college romance and you will be thanking her for Kip by the end. Kip and Teddy are so cute together, even though Kip is a little bit of a jerk in the beginning. He has no filter and is annoyed with the regular college crowd, but he quickly realizes he enjoys helping Teddy get a backbone and hanging out with her. There are plenty of funny moments as they move from friends to lovers, though this is a slow-burn romance. No big sex scene until the end, but you don’t even realize it with how well the story and characters are written. I have loved all of Sara’s college romances and this is another great addition to her catalog.
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Love Online by Penelope Ward
So, this book was NOT what I was expecting at all! This is not your typical love story. Not your typical characters. Not a plot line I’ve ever read before. I was thinking quick, hot & cute online romance with a few secrets sprinkled in for fun, not this taboo and twisty book with layers of unexpected depth and intensity. This story proves that love can be found literally anywhere and that everyone is deserving of it… period. It is NOT a book for the overly judgmental, but if you’ve got an open mind and want to take a journey in finding love through the dark corners of the internet with some unique and solidly written characters, you’ve gotta check this one out.
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Fumbled Love by Lila Rose
Lila had me falling in love with Reagan’s no filter mouth from the beginning, and the meet-cute between Carter and Reagan was awesome. I loved both of their families, they will have you laughing with their antics and matchmaking. This is definitely a slow-burn romance because Carter has to work to show Reagan he wants more than friendship, but the story never loses steam, even when Reagan’s arch nemesis tries her hardest to ruin it. I hope we get stories about Carter’s brothers and Reagan’s BFF – she was hilarious, too.
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Until You’re Mine by Sabre Jones
This story picks up right where Don’t Say A Word ended, and it is just as thrilling and captivating as book one. Ryker and Mia find themselves in different situations, now separated with Mia living in fear and Ryker fighting his own demons. The secondary characters get more involved throughout this book and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. A lot of emotions and heat throughout this story keeps it fast paced and it ends with a cliffhanger the way the first book did, BUT BIGGER! This trilogy promises to be a favorite of mine!
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My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren
What a super-cute story!! Millie and her buddies join a dating site to find dates for an important work function. She’s not impressed with her profile so creates an “alter-ego” profile. What could possibly go wrong? This book takes a hilarious look at online dating and how who you get to know online might not match with the person once you meet IRL. SHOCKING! It’s a sweet and sexy friends-to-friends with benefits-to-lovers story. Reid is sweet and sensitive while Millie is sweet but incredibly closed off. The supporting characters and the banter between friends create a real, loving, hilarious backdrop. Fun read!!
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Anointed by Charity B
My first book by this author and I feel like I stumbled upon a hidden gem. I love a deeply disturbing plot with my romances. I think it is the mix of highs and lows throughout a story that keeps me focused and intrigued, almost like real life. Charity B nailed it with Anointed. She writes in such a way that you imagine what you are reading in detail and feel the same emotions those characters are feeling. Zebadiah and Laurel Ann were born into the “cult world” they are living in and know nothing outside it or beyond it. There are terrible things that take place on the Anointed Land, and very disturbing imagery, but through it all, a love is born, and the story follows its struggles and setbacks. At times I did not feel like I was reading a romance, and I think that is what I loved most. The plot was amazingly complex on its own but throwing in the innocent love and lust filled passion between these deprived characters added a whole other layer. This is a dark read and it is very detailed so be mindful of that before deciding to read. My dark lovers will enjoy this one though!
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My Bad by Lani Lynn Vale
One of my favorite tropes – the oops baby – I loved Hoax and Pru’s romance. Neither of them was ready for a relationship but they easily fell into friendship and then romance. It was a bit of a whirlwind since Hoax was leaving in 2 weeks, but I didn’t feel the romance was rushed. There were plenty of sweet and sexy moments, getting to know each other and meeting family as well as Hoax’s MC friends. There was a bit of drama with the hospital that even I wanted to punch the bad guy, but watching everyone come together to help was pure magic. And there are plenty of funny scenes and quotes that I highlighted, along with the sexy and sweet ones.
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The Darkest Star by Jennifer Armentrout
If you have read my past recommendations then you know that I LOVE Jennifer Armentrout! Her Lux series was the first of her work that I ever read, so I was really excited when she returned to the world of her super hot aliens! You don’t have to have read the Lux books to enjoy this book, but if you have, you will love the cameos made by some familiar faces!!! (Daemon, squeeeeee!!!) The Darkest Star tells Luke’s story, and wow, has he grown up nicely!!! His story with Evie is full of twist and turns, mixed with some unresolved sexual tension that is part super hot, and part painful (but it hurts so good). I wouldn’t call this one young adult, but I will warn you that there’s no instant falling into bed here! Still, if you love a good paranormal world as much as I do, you definitely have to read this one!!!
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Once Burned by Jesse Jordan
Chrissy & Dan’s story was so well written, I honestly felt like these two characters were people in my real life. You connect with them on such a deep level, it made me sad when their story ended. Dan was such a broken man, it hurt my heart to see what he went through for so long. Watching Chrissy open herself up to him and be there for him when so many others turned their back was emotional and inspiring. Their chemistry is insane and the sex between them is so hot and full of dirty, lust filled moments. There is no denying the attraction between them. One of the most engaging and romantic books I have read in a while.
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Cooper by Melissa Foster
I received a copy of this recently and realized I had never read this series before! Now I want to go back and read the entire thing because this story was really great! Cooper and Cici have a past that involved a lot of heartache and drama but they get a second chance at love and it is an emotional journey to say the least! Lots of sexy moments and perfectly crafted main characters that you connect with from the start. I feel silly that it took me this long to discover it!
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Buried by Brenda Rothert
Loved the plot of the book. It was original, realistic, emotional and gripping. Derek and Erin end up in a bunker (yes, a bunker) during an “end of days” situation. The beginning of this journey is rocky and tense and full of mystery but soon feelings begin to grow, and they find themselves questioning their fate and the reason behind all of this. I was thoroughly intrigued to the very end and am so pleased to have stumbled upon this author!
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Sins Duet by CD Reiss
WOWOWOWOWOW! You may think you know Margie Drazen, but you have no idea. You’ve probably met her siblings, Jonathan (and if you haven’t, you need to get on that!), Theresa and Fiona. Margie is the eldest on the Drazen siblings, always in the background taking care of everyone. I knew she had a story to tell and I was not disappointed! We meet Margie as a wild teenager, totally in love with two rockers. Circumstances cause Margie to change course and grow up fast. Fast forward a few years and her past comes roaring back. Secrets come out and all hell breaks loose. This is a story about secrets, family and love. It’s raw and my heart literally hurt the entire time I was reading. Thank you, CD Reiss, for weaving this epic love story. Your magnificent writing and beautiful story-telling knows no limits. Exceptional.
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The Wish Collector by Mia Sheridan
I’m not even sure how to properly classify this book… it’s in a league of it’s own. It’s modern, but it’s historical, it’s mysterious, honest, sweet, endearing, simple, intense, tragic, suspenseful, spiritual, supernatural, deeply thought provoking, and basically just magically enchanting! Mia has truly outdone herself with this one. If you’ve read and loved Archer’s Voice, The Wish Collector is for you. It has the same feeling but with completely new and exciting characters in a story that is so uniquely captivating it will stick with you for days after… we’re talking serious book hangover here! TOP READ of 2018 for me, hands down and I DON’T say that lightly. I’m in love with this book ❤ Bravo Mia…bravo!
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Until Cobi by Aurora Rose Reynolds
I love the Mayson men, and Cobi was another great addition to this spinoff series with the children of the Until series men. If you love when the hero falls into insta-love, then these men will have you swooning. I loved how Cobi recognizes the woman for him and doesn’t stop wooing her until she realizes they are a perfect match. Aurora gives us some humor, a little suspense, a sassy heroine, and the introduction of her to an awesome family. It will make you feel all warm and fuzzy seeing the Mayson families welcome Hadley from the beginning.
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Daring You by Ketley Allison
I loved that this was not your average “fall in love with your best friends sister” story. Astor & Ben’s tale is SO much more than that. There is heartbreak and lies. Lust and playful sex. Suspense and drama. Every chapter intrigued me more. There was a great connection to the characters. My heart hurt for Astor and you could feel her emotional turmoil throughout the story. Can you imagine thinking someone close to you and your family used you and then carrying that pain for YEARS only to know in your gut that you are connected to that person in such a deep way? Ben struggles with his own issues and it is interesting reading about the facade he works so hard to create. The two of them are like fire and ice, but you cannot deny true love.
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Heart2Heart: A Charity Anthology, Volume 2 by R.G. Alexander, May Archer et al
This is the second fundraising anthology based on the Heart 2 Heart app. All seventeen short stories revolve around a raffle sponsored by the popular dating app. From Boston to Scotland, to Melbourne the stories are amazing! They range from Hallmark Channel style sweetness to molten heat! All proceeds from this anthology benefit the authors’ favorite LGBTQ charities, so you can feed your Kindle and support love in every form!
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Don’t Say A Word by Sabre Rose
Captive reads are one of my favorites (we all know I like my books disturbing) and Don’t Say A Word delivers on all accounts. I loved how descriptive the author gets, creating a world you become fully immersed in. Sabre Rose makes a captive plot sinfully sexy! Mia’s character was completely believable, her actions & thoughts really pulled you into the story and connected you to her. Even though she is forced into the situation, she slowly gives in to her own carnal needs and wants and it gets pretty hot. There is a strong plot here as well and I loved where it left off. Cannot wait for the next book in the series!
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Don’t Be A D**k by Felicia Fox
A short and sweet story that is full of humor and sexiness. This is the perfect “in between” read when you are having an emotional hangover from a book. Carrie is sassy and knows what she wants from her life… until Ryan comes knocking. Their dynamic is playful and fun but when it gets heated, it gets HOT!
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Daughter of Death by Lexi C. Foss
Daughter of Death is another amazing world from the mind of Lexi C. Foss. It tells the story of Evangeline, an ass-kicking, sarcastic, strong willed heroine who I want at my side the next time I am in a fight; and Xai, a dark angel who can be a dominant asshole, but who has a soft side, too. (SHHHH! Don’t tell him I told you that!) This book has Angels, Demons, intrigue, suspense, and really hot sex, as well as another intricate world that draws you in and leaves you wanting more. I cannot wait for the next book in this series, and I cannot wait to continue to devour everything that Lexi has written!!!
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Wait Until Dark by Kat Martin
There is a lot of action packed into this novella and it shows promise for an exciting series. I like the mystery surrounding April’s amnesia and what actually happened the night of the murder. I tried to keep my expectations low as this is a prequel and I knew it would be short and fast, but I do feel it was slightly rushed at times. My hope is that it is was just setting the foundation quickly for a suspense filled, sexy journey. I did love the chemistry and attraction between April and Jonah and look forward to more!
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Control by K. Bromberg
This novella has it all. Sexy SWAT officer, Reznor (what a cool name!) takes leave from his job and meets independent and carefree Desi. Sparks immediately fly and Desi keeps finding herself in hilarious, embarrassing situations in front of Rez. She fights the attraction but it’s no use. Their attraction is so intense that they don’t even have to be in the same house to give each other mind-blowing orgasms! Control is funny, sweet and so HOT!
