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Archives: Reviews

  • Hard to Be Good by Laura Kaye

    Every time I read a Laura Kaye novella, I am amazed as to how much story she can fill in a few short pages. I’m thrilled Jeremy and Charlie got their story in Hard to Be Good. Laura peels back the layers and we see the vulnerability in their relationship. ~ Nelle [April 2015]

  • When I’m Gone by Abbi Glines

    I fell in love with Mase Colt-Manning in Take A Chance. I love how protective he was of his sister, so I knew he’d make a fantastic book boyfriend. I was not wrong. His intense need to protect Reese, even before he knew her, was so sexy. He is sex personified. His dirty, dirty mouth mixed with his Texas-sized heart, it’s easy to swoon over this cowboy. I love the way this series is progressing. As the characters get older, they’re more mature (read: dirty) and there’s less of the silly drama. Except for Nan, who is still the bitch we love to hate. [April 2015]

  • Silver Bastard by Joanna Wylde

    You pick up one of Joanna Wylde’s biker books knowing you’re in for a dirty ride. And then you think she won’t go there, but she goes there. Repeatedly. There’s a line most romance authors won’t cross for fear of reader sensitivities, but Joanna sees that line, toes over it, giggles to herself, then she jumps. With Silver Bastard, Puck lives on the other side of the line, and that’s where we fall in love with him and Joanna Wylde.

    Joanna Wylde is the reason I love bikers. She’s also the reason I lost many hours of sleep last night. Her style of writing is just so relatable that it sucks you in. I was so invested in Becca and Puck’s story, right from the first page. I couldn’t help it. I swear, resistance is futile. This book is so hot—obviously, hot bikers, hopping parties, crazy shit going down, and alpha biker sex—it’s not just the sexy (though there was plenty of sexy), but also the pace of the story doesn’t allow the reader to disengage. It is so very good—so well written. Joanna Wylde has set the standard for all biker books for me—a high standard. A MUST READ. Love love love. ~Lina

  • The Deal by Elle Kennedy

    Way to make me love college boys again, Elle. Not since I was in college have I thought twice about bedding a hunky college boy, but since you put Garrett in my life, I’m seriously thinking about re-enrolling. Not only is Garrett majorly swoon-worthy, but the story and banter made The Deal a fun and sexy page-turner. The Deal definitely spares no punches with the reality, and Elle brings out the best of both Hannah and Garrett. I loved it!

  • Soaring by Kristen Ashley

    If you’re looking for a nice new adult story, this is not for you. This is about finding that second chance at love late in life, about blending 2 families, about a mother finding herself and reclaiming her life, and I’m pretty sure Kristen Ashley was inside my head while I read this. It was eery the things I was reading about, the feelings I had while reading Soaring, they seemed to describe exactly what I’ve encountered in my life. Don’t worry, you still get your KA Alpha and strong heroine, even if it does take her a bit to find her strength again. P.S. She threw in a tiny reference to Fairytale Come Alive which had me smiling so hard since it’s a favorite story of mine. [March 2015]
    One of the many things I love about Kristen Ashley is the fact that she writes about older characters. Grown-ups who have screwed up and are trying to learn from their mistakes and move on. That sums up Soaring. It’s about second chances. At life. At love. It’s about starting over. New Town, new friends, new outlook on life. With all of that, we get the Alpha Man, the sassy heroine, the detailed descriptions and the hot sex we always get from Kristen Ashley. Fantastic.

  • Deep by Kylie Scott

    I hate to say that during the times between reading the Stage Dive books, I tend to forget just how much I love Kylie’s writing and the characters she writes about. She has a way of writing a story with simplicity that makes it so easy to love, yet with complexity of character that makes falling for each one of them inevitable. In Deep, we get to check back in on all of the couples from the others in the series — PUUMMPKIINN! — and find our way through Ben’s love story. That big hunk of Sequoia gives one of my all-time favorite sex scenes (see: 1st time), and puts Deep firmly on my Certified Favorites list! Leave it up to Kylie Scott to turn an oops-baby plot on its head. Kylie’s signature humor and style comes through loud and clear in Deep. Kylie brings this bearded wonder to life and will quickly change your opinion to #TeamBeard if you’re not already on board.
    What a great way to end the series!! Ben is the stereotypical rocker….music, booze and women are his focus. Funny how a baby on the way can change things. It took me a while to fall in love with Ben, I didn’t like his aloof attitude toward Lizzie. But, as always, Kylie Scott made it impossible for me not to fall for the bearded wonder. Deep is sweet, funny and totally hot. I’m gonna miss these boys! When a favorite author gifts you with a favorite odd book category, you demolish that story in one sitting. The “oops baby”, as I affectionately call it, is just something I love to read about. I wanted to see Ben and Lizzy grow right along with that baby, see how they dealt with the stress of impending parenthood, and then how they found that magical HEA. Not only did I get that, but I was ecstatic to see the rest of the Stage Dive couples, to laugh at Mal’s antics and to see how sweet Jimmy was with Lena now that he knew what love was. I’m going to miss these rockers and the ladies who “tamed” them. [March 2015]

  • The Virgin by Tiffany Reisz

    First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the teen virgin corrupted by Eleanor in the convent without a baby carriage.

    Like the other two books in The White Years (The Saint and The King), The Virgin is a flashback story that not-so-gently fills in many of the holes opened in The Red Years. We finally learn about the mysterious year Nora spent with her mother, the nun, and why she is sequestered away at a convent. And because Tiffany Reisz is a literary sadist, she keeps us on our literary-loving toes while we’re teased and taunted with a book-long cliffhanger. And still, I want to be teased, taunted, left hanging, and resolved, all while never wanting it to end.

    I can’t say enough about this series. The Virgin bridges the gap between “book”and “literature.” It reaches the highest highs and the tear-your-heart-out lows. Tiffany pushes the boundaries, as always and keeps the story moving forward while answering questions left from The Red Years.

    As usual, I was blown away by Tiffany Reisz. I really don’t know how she continues to surprise me with her genius. And that’s what this book is…..Pure. Genius. I laughed, I cried (more than once), I fell in love, I squealed. I enjoyed every second of this story. Everything Forever.

    The Virgin comes in like some sort of breach in the security of literature. Curl up with Søren, Nora, and Kingsley for the bedtime story of a lifetime. It is gut wrenching and beautiful and brutal and honest and erotic and…. everything. It is everything. Another jewel in the Sinner’s crown. Perfection.

    The only bad thing about reading Tiffany Reisz, is that anything you try to read after Tiffany Reisz… kinda sucks.

    *wanders around sad and bookless, holding cardboard “will work for more Original Sinners” sign* [January 2015]

  • Easy With You: A With Me In Seattle Novella by Kristen Proby

    We had a little peek at Asher and Lila in Easy Love, but Easy with You exposes what happened behind the curtain. Kristen Proby brings the heat and the danger in this quick little read. You’ll get all the love wrapped up in Cajun flavored spice. ~ Nelle [March 2015]

  • After Dark by M. Pierce

    I’ve lost myself in hundreds of books, but I’ve found myself in precious few.

    After Dark is one of those books.

    To me, what takes you from a good story to a great story, is the readers ability to personally connect with it. Connect some part of themselves to it. Recognize that thing that lives inside them that says “God. YES. That’s it. I feel it too.” That thing you want to hold and hide all at once. After Dark is like reading that inner most part of you that you aren’t even completely honest with yourself about.

    A vulnerability so brutal and honest and true, you feel sort of relieved that someone managed to get it down on paper.

    I smiled and I laughed and I giggled girlishly.

    I burned and I raged and I bristled.

    I blushed and I squirmed and I ached.

    I broke and I cried and I hurt.

    I felt.

    Perfection.

    More than a romance, and beyond a love affair, After Dark is a story of devotion.

    Masterfully written, intensely emotional, and achingly erotic. M. Pierce finishes the trilogy with my favorite book in the series. [March 2015]

  • Taken by a Dragon by Felicity Heaton

    I’ve always had a thing for dragons, and Loke is like most: possessive, inquisitive, protective. I liked how he didn’t force Anais to do anything, he was always thinking of her comfort, didn’t go alpha-hole on her. The sexy times were perfect since it was the mate attraction that make it more like love at first site. He was sweet, yet fierce when he was defending her. Anais tended to get herself into trouble and Loke had to rescue her more than once. Even when he thinks she betrayed him, he still can’t force himself to remain angry at her and tries to protect her even though she wasn’t in danger. I also liked seeing some of the previous couples pop into the plot line, but you don’t have to read those to understand the story. [March 2015]

  • The Risk by Skye Jordan

    Never doubt Skye Jordan to deliver the goods. She kicks off this new series with the wicked give and take between Julia and Noah. While Julia is exerting control, Noah is spending ever moment unraveling her. LOVE! ~ Nelle [March 2015]
    I’ve been going through a Skye Jordan withdrawal for months, and this story hit the perfect spot. We get great background story, character depth, a hot sex scene within the first few chapters. In fact, the in-and-out of the bedroom scenes still show Skye at the top of her game. Plus we get a few funny side characters that I hope we get their stories in this new series. [March 2015]

    There isn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t want a Skye Jordan man of her very own. I was a huge fan of the Renegades, and this new series does not disappoint! Not only does Ms. Jordan pen good men, she writes the most wonderfully strong women. Engaging, entertaining, and hot hot hot. I can’t get enough. ~ Kyleigh Jane [March 2015]

  • Roped In (1001 Dark Nights) by Lorelei James

    Sexy cowboy lovers, this novella is for you! It’s a quick read that will turn up the heat. The perfect combination of give and take between the main couple (hero and heroine). He was deliciously alpha and she was sassy and sexy. [March 2015]

  • Changing Tides by Sarah Darlington

    Talk about a whirlwind romance!! Ellie and Nate meet on a plane and are immediately attracted to each other. You’ve heard this before, right? What makes Ellie’s attraction to this famous TV star special is the fact that she’s gay. Yep. Never found men attractive at all. But something about Nate draws Ellie to him, and him to her. She’s not like the usual women he’s attracted to. But as we all know, you can’t control who you fall in love with. Throw all of this in with some intensely crazy family drama and you get an emotional, heartfelt, sexy story. [March 2015]

  • Soul Rest by Joey W. Hill

    The most beautifully written D/s resides in this book. I always come back to the Knights of the Boardroom series when I need a hot Master fix. And now I’ve added Leland Keller to my KotB fantasy bank. He is everything I want in a Master, and Celeste embodies all my insecurities (though for different reasons), which makes this story so very relatable for me (and hopefully for other readers as well). The story is masterfully crafted, characters are brought to life, and all their pain and joy comes off the page and right into the reader’s gut and heart. Or at least that’s how it was for me. I savored this book, took my time. I couldn’t bear for it to end. I’ll be adding this MUST READ to my re-read shelf. ~Lina [March 2015]

  • Coda by CD Reiss

    Dammit. CD Reiss brings the dirty again, and this time, she leaves us wanting even more from Jonathan and Monica. We all thought we’d heard the last from the dirty King and Goddess, but now that we’re reminded of we were missing, we just want more! Jonathan steps up his game in Coda. And by “steps up his game” I mean “makes every part of me tingle and quiver.” I’m a girl who never says there’s too much sex in a book, so if you’re like me and loves excessive sex scenes with intensity of love, you MUST read this whole series!

  • Chase Me by Tessa Bailey

    This is a different side of Tessa. We’re all accustomed to her dirty talking alphas, but Louis is a different kind of hero. Oh, don’t get me wrong, he can still do the dirty, but it’s a funnier/lighter take on her hero. Prepare yourself for a super-fun and sexy ride. ~ Nelle [March 2015]

    Tessa does New Adult like she does contemporary romance…..with lots and lots of HEAT! We get the usual dirty talking hero and sassy heroine. We get the usual scorching hot sex. But we also get some funny, some sweet and light moments that make this book a winner.

  • Step-Lover by Bella Jewel

    First off, regardless of this new step-sibling category, I enjoyed the story, the writing, the characters. Plus, Blade and Aria’s love started way before they were step-siblings. I like how we see Aria learn to love each of the 3 brothers separately, even if she’d already been in love with Blade prior to meeting his family. I think this may be the first Bella book that had me teary-eyed as well. Bella did a great job writing the emotional upheaval in the brother’ and Aria’s lives before and after they became a family, I felt my heart break at the two other brother’s stories, and I hope we get their stories too. [March 2015]

  • Love the Way You Lie by Skye Warren

    Love the Way You Lie might not be the captive-dark that we’re used to getting from Skye, but it still hits on the darker themes and plucks at all the emotional strings. It’s gritty, edgy, and sexy, served to you in the well-written, absorbing style that Skye is so talented at delivering. I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the Stripped series.

  • Rock Hard by Nalini Singh

    Rock Hard was ravenously devoured in a day, and now I want a T-rex of my own. Gabriel had to slightly couch his Alpha tendencies because Charlotte was a bit of a mouse in the beginning. He had the patience of a saint, though, because he had a lot to overcome in regards to Charlotte. But it was worth it, watching him push her in small increments until she got her backbone straight and began pushing, too. I highlighted a lot in this book, and I’d get sucked back into the story when re-reading some of them. Though I loved the other books in this series, this one gets all the extra Gold stars. [March 2015]

    After waiting with bated breath for T-Rex (or Gabriel – he’s #NotARealDinosaur) and Charlotte’s story, I didn’t come up for air until The End appeared on my Kindle. I adore Nalini Singh and this is my all time favorite Nalini book. That is saying something, considering that I’ve read the whole Psy-Changeling series, some of the Guild Hunter series, and thoroughly enjoyed her standalone books. Rock Hard had it all: tension, humor and sass and plenty of quirk, romance, lots of sexiness. This is a MUST READ. T-Rex gets all my love. [March 2015]

  • Easy Love by Kristen Proby

    Kristen Proby brings her signature style to a whole new family with Easy Love! She brings the (Alpha A-hole) Eli to life and makes New Orleans another character in the story. She also ramps up the drama, showing us a whole new side to they typical Kristen Proby family saga.~ Nelle [March2015]
    Kristen Proby brings the heat from Seattle to New Orleans!! It was great to get a glimpse of the Boudreaux Family and their dynamics. The swoon-worthy southern gentlemen (and I use that term loosely because Eli was not gentlemanly behind closed doors) and the strong, feisty women will be a pleasure to read. And if the others have half the sexual chemistry of Eli and Kate, we’re all in for a treat!! [March 2015]

  • Stealing Rose by Monica Murphy

    I have a soft spot for bad boys, especially those that redeem themselves in the name of love. I also love that instant, explosive chemistry between two people that are meant to be together. Most of all, I love a love story. This book is all of that. It may technically be new adult story, but has the heat worthy of an erotica novel. It’s fun and extremely sexy and I’m looking forward to the next one!!! [March, 2015]

  • Rock by Kendall Grey

    There’s a reason why Hard Rock Harlots is on SBC’s list of Binge-Worthy Series. It’s been one of my favorites since I first met Letty, Shades and the rest of Killer Buzz Float. Letty’s middle-finger-to-the-world attitude is what I love most about it. So what makes this book different? We get the vulnerable side of Letty Dillenger. Crazy, right? Kendall Grey finds a way to balance the balls-to-the-wall Letty with the vulnerable girl just looking for love and acceptance, and still brings the HEAT.

    Brilliant.

    And don’t even get me started on the Birthday Club…….

  • Confess by Colleen Hoover

    Colleen Hoover loves a mystery wrapped in a love story. Or is it a love story wrapped in a mystery? Either way, she does it again in Confess. While I felt the first half of the book was a bit slow, the last half of the book took off with its surprises and building sexual tension. This book defines what the New Adult genre is struggling to label. If you’re a fan of Colleen Hoover’s books, Confess is a definite must-read!

  • His To Take by Shayla Black

    This is one of my favorites in the Wicked Lovers series to date. The emotional journey of Joaquin and Bailey is heartfelt, complicated and beautiful! I laughed, cried and yes got seriously turned on!!! Shayla Black can write the shizz out of a hot sex scene and this one is no different!

    Melt…

    Take two people who have felt alone most of their lives, thrust them together into a suspenseful situation, and you get a highly combustible plot. Joaquin channels a newly emerging inner Dominant thanks to a few characters from previous books, and Bailey works wonders on this gruff agent who’s kept himself apart from relationships since he was young.
    Watching Joaquin slowly come out of his shell and see that he not only has loving family but also new friends to rely on, it tugged at your heartstrings. Joaquin and Bailey become their own universe, learning to banish the need to remain aloof from others, all while trying to stop the terrorist organization after her. One of my new favorites in this series. [March 2015]

  • Infected Series by Andrea Speed

    So I’ve been reading this series for over two years and I’m pretty brokenhearted that it’s over. This is THE shifter series, but it goes so far beyond that I have no words for it. One of the reasons why it took me so long to read it, is because I needed a six month break after the second book before I could move on. The way this series will make you feel… guys, it’s exceptional. You won’t come across this kind of story telling very often. The romance storyline is sprinkled throughout all books. It’s certainly more mystery than romance if you look at it book by book, but it only leaves you craving more in the best of ways. Roan will sink his teeth in your soul and he won’t let you go. Not that you’ll want him to. There’s one more book coming in this series. I don’t want to give too much away about that, but I’m steeling myself guys. It’s going to rip my heart out. Also, there’s another character that will get his own spinoff, and I cannot WAIT for his story either. If you haven’t yet, start reading. You won’t regret it. The highest of recommendations. ~ Solange [February 2014]

  • Tight by Alessandra Torre

    With each new book, Alessandra Torre discovers a new way to twist my brain and then twist it back again. With Tight, she’s twisted my mind up into a hot and bothered mess. Combined with her just-shy-of-nasty sex scenes, the story takes all kinds of detours until I close the final page with a smile on my face. Tight is an excellent sexy mystery, perfect for readers who love guessing games and dirty sex scenes. [February 2015]

  • Slow Burn by K. Bromberg

    I’ve been in love with Beckett Daniels since I met him in Driven, the bromance between him and Colton was one of my favorite things about the Driven Trilogy. So I had VERY high expectations for this book. To say that I was blown away is an understatement. And the best part? Beckett and Haddie’s story was totally unexpected. The build up and sexual tension is fantastic. I loved their banter and arguments and passion. I loved that we got Colton and Rylee, but they were just a small part of the story. It’s a crazy, passionate, intense emotional roller coaster that I never wanted to end.

  • Ember by Rachel Van Dyken

    I freaking love this series, and I have loved to hate Phoenix. He’s a monster, worse than most mafia men, and this is his redemption story. There’s probably never been a more broken hero, or a more determined heroine. I absolutely love Bee. She’s sheltered and naive, feisty and brave. Their banter and sexual tension is fantastic. Just like the other books in the series, Ember is violent and sexy and hilarious, with a hero to swoon over and a strong heroine to admire. I can’t wait to see what happens next! [February 2015]

  • Point of Surrender by Stacey Lynn

    A damaged, dirty talking Aussie vs a single mom on the run: you can guess who wins in Point of Surrender, and it isn’t Crocodile Dundee. I’ve been waiting for Finn’s story since the beginning, wondering why he seemed to volunteer for the dangerous things and avoided relationships. And his story is definitely heartbreaking, especially when he tries so hard to avoid falling in love with Meg and her little boy. Meg is also trying to move on from heartbreak and death, while also keeping her son safe. Having a little dalliance with Finn while on the run ends up being the best thing to happen to her in years, even though he tries to break her heart along the way. [February 2015]

  • A Desperate Man: Volume 2 by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine

    Wow! Evan and Reagan’s relationship starts to unfold and we find out some secrets about their past. The chemistry is still off the charts and we’re left guessing until the end. ~ Nelle [February 2015]