+Giveaway: 1 ebook
Contemporary -novel
TBR Reviewer: Shyla

Review


 I really felt like I knew the heroine Maddie, and not just because she was a writer ;). Sort of shy, soft spoken and a wee bit awkward,  Maddie, often wishes she lived the life she’s made up for her pen name, Kathryn West. When her ten year high school reunion approaches, Maddie vows to make a splash and be more like Kathryn She’s convinced the way to do that is to come in on the arm of a bad boy. Hilarity ensues as she hits the bars in New York in search of Mr. Bad ass for hire. She’s in her third bar nursing her first beer when she meets Scott Brady. I have one word for this hero, YUM. 

Scott Brady is a leather jacket wearing, bike rider with a heart of gold. His lithe tattooed frame and dress make it easy to misjudge him. Scott is amused not only by the offer, but by the woman herself. When she has three too many beers he sees her home personally on his Harley and agrees to go along with her plan in exchange for some acting of his own. He needs to convince his close friends he’s paired up so they’ll stop setting him up on blind dates. They seem to have an agreement until one kiss sets them both on fire, and changes everything.

Rules of the Game was a delightful romance full of humor, secrets, and good old fashioned sexual tension. I have to say Ms. James, far acceded my expectations. The blurb did not do this book justice. I had no clueI was going to be taken on such an interesting journey. The twist and turns of this story kept me wondering as I devoured one page after another. I did have some issues with the way she choose to handle an issue that happened in her past, so this ended up being rated a four instead of a five. Sometimes I think honesty is the best policy, and the decision to keep certain details under wraps, didn't sit right with me. I would go into more detail but that would ruin the surprise, so instead I say, read ahead and find out.  

It’s been a while since I enjoyed a contemporary so much. Ms. James not only earned a wonderful rating, she earned a fan.

Excerpt

After striking out in five other bars, I wound up at Trixie’s. At least that would be the name of the place if all of the fuchsia neon lights had been working.

The first bar I’d chosen had great potential. Plenty of buff guys. Oodles of black leather. So much testosterone it left a haze in the air like some masculine version of cigarette smoke.

The third guy I targeted finally had mercy on me and told me everyone in the place was gay. Shit, my gaydar had to be way off.

At bar two, the moment I walked in the average age of the customers dropped a good twenty years. Gray hair and black leather really weren’t a sexy combination, and I had to fight hard to prevent images of Grandma and Grandpa dressed like Hell’s Angels from forming.

I blocked memories of the other three bars in hopes of avoiding post-traumatic stress disorder.

Trixie’s in Jersey City looked as good a place as any to end this humiliating night.

The bar area was crowded, smoky and smelled of stale beer. Surely in this group of men I would be able to find a guy who fit the bill. All he had to be was gorgeous in a roughneck sort of way, a good actor and poor enough to need the money Ioffered.

My tired yet still desperate eyes swept the long wooden bar. This was a saloon and pool hall, for pity’s sake. There had to be plenty of guys to choose from, any of which would knock my old high school classmates on their asses. Figuratively speaking.

Okay, maybe literally speaking.

The music thrumming through the place seemed the ultimate in the irony that constantly surrounded my life. I needed something like “It’s Raining Men,” but what I got was “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” That sure didn’t bode well.

At least there were plenty of guys to choose from. Almost every barstool was occupied. One by one, I judged them like pieces of steak at the supermarket.

Too much fat.

Past the expiration date.

Just don’t like the looks of it.

Damn it. The guy I needed was nowhere to be seen. Maybe Trixie’s wasn’t my lucky spot after all. Strike six, and you’re--

“You want a drink?” a husky Lauren Bacall voice called.

I want several. Do you make a good mimosa? I looked over to see a woman with gray hair and the brightest red lipstick I’d ever seen. A half-smoked cigarette sat pinched between her lips, and a bar towel lay slapped over her shoulder.

“Um…I guess,” I replied.

“What’s your poison,sweetheart?” she asked as the three guys sitting close to her turned to stare at me. They appeared to have come straight to the bar from some local meeting of Over eaters Anonymous.

Three sets of bloodshot eyes raked me from head to toe. I might have been desperate, but I was definitely not desperate enough to choose Larry, Curly or Moe.

Where’s Russell Crowe when I need him?

I almost ordered a wine cooler until I realized Trixie’s probably only carried the rough stuff and beer. “Whatever domestic you’ve got on tap.”

She filled a mug from the tap and handed it to me before turning back to flirt with the Three Stooges.

As I sipped my beer, the clink of balls on a pool table drew me toward the attached pool hall. The smoke grew thick. As my eyes adjusted, my mood improved.

This was what I had been searching for all night.

Bikers in black leather encircled all eight pool tables. Some younger than I needed. Some a little older. As I looked at each man, I started to feel like Goldilocks, fearing none would fit the bill.

Then I saw Mr. Just Right.

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+Giveaway
Contemporary, Romance - novella
TBR Reviewer: Amanda

Review

After ten years together, Oceane "O" Dubois, a half-French poet and writer and Maxim Wajda, her boyfriend since high school, hit a brick wall. Maxim allowed his insecurities to surface, and on the cusp of his band hitting it big-time started using cocaine to fuel his creativity while writing music. After walking into their apartment to find Maxim over-dosed, O kicked him out until he stopped doing drugs. Six months later, he comes back, hoping to win her again for good.
 
I appreciate that O makes Maxim agree to no drugs, less alcohol, couples counseling and a twelve-step program when she takes him back. I also liked that they both had a part to play in their co-dependence rather than it all being Maxim's fault. I'm not sure that there shouldn't have been even more angst in the making up process, though. It was almost too easy for her to take him back. On the way to recovery, Oceane was sometimes suspicious for no reason, which also felt realistic. Of course, being surrounded by nosy family and friends was sometimes more hurt than help as well.

Overall, I liked the story, but it was short for the amount of time it covered and could have stood a little better editing in spots. It did leave me curious as to what will happen for Oceane's sister, Aurelie, who is shown as having a mysterious heart-break in her past that makes her extra-cautious, and is quite the contrast to Oceane as she has followed her father's footsteps into business. I liked O and Max's happy ending, especially with the two surprises at the end of the story.

Excerpt


His hands began a gentle massage on her lower back then crept up her spine and into her hair. The growing bulge in his pants pressed against her stomach and her panties grew moist. It had been so long since she’d felt him move inside of her. His width and girth were almost too much to take and his thick cock occupied every inch of space inside her walls. He was just too male. The thought of it made her face heat.

“God, Maxi.”

She clutched the back of his shirt. Her nipples strained against the cotton that teased them. The material was an annoyance to the heavy mounds that ached to be fondled. She fought the need to grind against him as her body trembled, begging her to relieve the tension that made her pussy pulse as her cream continued to flow like a hot fountain.

“Oceane,” he whispered. God, how did he manage to make her name sound so damn sexy? “I want you mon ange.”

His nimble fingers stilled in her hair and slid down to cup her face as he bent to meet her gaze. “I long for you. Please don’t deny me this.” She remained silent as his soft lips met hers. All rational thought abandoned her as she permitted the passion that flared between them to scald her.

His tongue traced the seam of her lips before it plunged inside her moist cavern. Each swirl felt like a possession as he claimed her mouth in the name of Maxim. Her shaky knees weakened and she clutched his shirt tighter while leaning her weight against the counter. Mews left her mouth and she sucked his tongue deeper. Her legs crept up to wrap around his waist as he lifted and set her on the counter. She spread her legs wide and he wedged himself between her thighs. When they finally came up for air she rested her head against his chest and used the rhythm of his heart beat to steady herself.

“We can’t do this, Max; I won’t go back to the way things were.”

"Why not?”

“Because when you’re using you’re a lunatic, you go on rants, you disrespect me and every time I leave I worry that I’m going to come home and find you overdosed.”

“I’m not using like that anymore, baby, I’ve cut down a lot.” He attempted to soothe her with gentle strokes through her hair and butterfly kisses along her jaw, up to the sensitive area behind her ear.

 “A lot isn’t good enough, Maxi! You’ve been using on and off for years, what about kindling? The little bumps you think of as harmless could easily spell your death!” Her voice broke as she looked up at him with watery brown eyes.

She fought down the urge to let his charm sway her and continued her rant. “And then what would I do? Life without you is unthinkable. I feel like a zombie as it is. Like my life has been placed on hold for the past six months.”

“Then why do you keep us apart?” he asked before he delivered a nip to her neck that made her gasp.

“B-because I refuse to let you think it’s okay to continue to do this.” Her brain had started to feel like it was coated with molasses. Her thoughts slowed, her focus grew dull. She was losing the battle.

“I know it’s not okay, O.” he said. The suction on her neck added more to the pool of liquid that had formed between her legs. Desperate to break the sensual spell he weaved she brought up the white elephant in the room.

“Don’t you remember what happened six months ago!”

“How could I forget?” Max’s body grew rigid. His hands stilled and dropped to his side. His shoulders slumped as he moved away.

“I came home and found you laying on the floor unconscious with blood pouring from your nose.”

“If I could take it back, I would. That memory haunts me on a daily basis. God, your face when I came to…” He shuddered and shook his head. His blue eyes clouded over with a cocktail of pain and self loathing.

"I can tell it’s eating you up.” She said. “What I don’t understand is why you won’t just stop.”
She lowered herself down from the counter knowing she’d dodged a bullet. The vivid memories, doused the flames of desire he’d stoked. She rushed to door, gripped the metal knob, and kept her eyes downcast and turned away from him. “You need to leave now.” One more look into those azure jewels and she’d be fall back under his spell.

 “Oceane—”

“No, it’s easy to forget what’s happened when you come here like this and you’re so much like your old self. But zilch has changed.” Oceane flipped the latch and spun the lock, desperate for him to leave.

She jumped when Maxim’s heavy hand came down against it the door to keep it shut. He pressed the length of his body against her own and bent to nibble his way down her neck to nip at her shoulder.

“Tell me you don’t want me.”

His large hands cupped her breasts as he ground his hardened cock against her ass. The skin on the back of her neck was caught between his teeth. The slight pain sent an electric pulse straight to her core. Her hips gyrated back against him of their own accord.

“That’s my girl.” His husky whisper was accompanied by the tweaking of her pert nipples and the continuous nudging of his rigid cock between her ass cheeks finally wore her down. She widened her legs and gasped when his stroke extended to hit the area that needed his attention most.

“You’re so wet you soaked through your boxers.” He groaned. “I want to touch that pretty pink pussy of yours, Oceane.”

“W-we shouldn’t be doing this-”

“Shh, this is just for you love. Let me do this, I need this and you do, too.”

“B-but noth—.” Maxim’s hand slipped beneath the band of her boxers putting an end to all her protests.

“No, Panties? What a naughty little girl.” His finger stroked along her drenched slit, captured her cream and took it back to her engorged clit.

“Oooh, God,” she said.

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+Giveaway: Anna Keraleigh is giving away the first chapter of this book to everyone who comments below!
Contemporary, erotica - novella
TBR Reviewer: Brutally Honest

Blurb

Jade is an unhappily married woman.

Ryan is a sexy Private Investigator who loves her.

He brings her secret fantasies to life, ice cream covered flesh, dominance, handcuffs and the ultimate desire of another woman. However, their wild sexcapade ends when Jade’s husband returns and their oasis returns to a desert. Can they survive apart now that they’ve tasted true love?

These lovers have a one-week affair that will change their lives forever.

Warning: Does contain adultery.

Review

Read the warning first, yes to adultery. So, if you're against that, even though Jade's husband is a bastard, don't read this. That said, what a freaking hot novella!

This starts off smoking hot and by the end, it’s flames on the pages. Jade is a great character. She’s just looking for someone to love her for who she is. Ryan is completely, madly in love and has the task of making her realize just how perfect they are together. There only problem, her crappy husband that treats her so bad. Will they find a happily ever after?

This is similar to eight short stories rolled into a novella. I really enjoyed this. Each ‘chapter’ had a new sexual adventure for Ryan and Jade while bringing them closer together emotionally. I would have liked a little more on their background but as is, this was so freaking entertaining. That car adventure nearly knocked me out of my chair and then there's the beach which had me blushing. The ending is a funny twist and I won't tell you if it's happy or not but I will say it glows in the dark. 

I highly recommend Seven Days in Jade; this is a sexy treat for all your senses.

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+Giveaway
Contemporary, Romance - Novel
TBR Reviewer: Daniella

Review

After two bad marriages, Katy Gilligan has no trust left in men. Katy works as an interior decorator and when she gets the chance to decorate the offices of Walsh Publishing she knows it will be her big break in the business. When Katy first meets the newly appointed CEO of the publishing house, Jack Walsh, the attraction between them is immediate. A, to Katy, humiliating misunderstanding between them, gets them off to a bad start. It also makes Katy certain that she needs to stick to “Rule Number One”.The rule says to not get
involved with clients, as the last time she did, she married a no-good, cheating weasel. Now Jack has to convince Katy that he is different and that the third time is a charm. 
 
This is a fun and light read. The story is very well written and the characters are good, fun people. It is a pretty standard romance story, but the main characters and all the people that surround them are interesting, engaging and easy to like. I like that the relationship between Katy and Jack develops slowly and how Katy thaws, realizing that not all guys are bastards. There is also a great little side romance, which in itself makes the book worth
reading.

This story does not really need a deeper analysis than that. This is a great book to pick up for a sweet, romantic, no angst and no big complications read, with a guaranteed happy ever after for a charming couple.

Excerpt

“You really are a Renaissance woman, aren’t you, Katy Gilligan?”

“That’s me, Jack,” Katy replied, trying to ignore the little flicker of heat low in her belly. “Stage a house. Refurbish an historic building. And then serve up the beer. What can I get you to drink?”

“I’d love a Guinness.” As she turned toward the bar, he added, “But only if I can watch you pull it.” The look in his eyes said plainly that he was interested in more than just filling a glass, but as he followed her to the bar, he said innocently enough, “I’ve heard that pulling a
Guinness is an art. Is that true?”

Katy’s heart pounded in her chest, but she walked calmly to the bar, too aware of Jack following a few feet behind her. Just be cool, Katy, she reminded herself in spite of the deluge of heat his presence created. 

Jack watched her move in front of him, fighting the urge to simply grab her and pull that lovely behind up against him. He could feel every muscle tighten, some more than others, as he imagined putting his arms around her. Letting his hands wander over her warm, flat belly, maybe tug that T-shirt out of her jeans and allow his fingers to explore her soft
skin--
 
“Jack! Watch out!” Katy’s voice brought him up short.

Damn! He’d almost run into the bar. Very smooth, Walsh, smash your face into the brass pole, that’ll impress her. After all, you’ve already damn near dumped a beer in Jeff’s lap. What a putz! He forced himself to look composed and smiled at her. “Okay, so what’s this mysterious process?” he asked as he stepped behind the bar with her. 

“Aye, well, ’tis an art, pullin’ a pint o’Guinness.” Katy’s brogue was a perfect replica of Doyle’s. Jack was immediately enchanted. “It takes years o’ practice to perfect it. I’ve been workin’ at it since I was a wee lass.” She shook her auburn curls off her forehead and grinned at him.

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8 Comments
 
 
Contemporary, Romance - novella
TBR Reviewer: Shyla

Review

I don’t know how Ms. Hightower managed to pack so much into just seventy-nine pages! Despite the shortened length, I finished feeling completely satisfied!  This author writes from a place of realness that makes me believe in the characters and the plots she’s unveiling at the time.  As a military wife I can be particular about an authors’ portrayal of the lifestyle, but she was spot- on. I appreciated the research I’m sure she put in, as well as
the disclaimer at the end of the book.  I highly recommend this to anyone looking for an uplifting tail of romance, struggle, triumph and sensual loving.  I say sensual because though it steamed up the page, the focus was always on the emotions the couple invoked from one another. 

Crystal is a woman in a man’s world.  As one of the few female mechanics she’s subjected to unfair treatment and harassment on an almost daily basis. Despite the obstacles she refuses to compromise her beliefs by lowering herself to their level and staying in what they deem to be a “Woman’s role”.  It’s these characteristics that make this heroine a woman after my own heart!  I was rooting for Crystal from the very beginning and practically yelling at the screen when her low down, snake in the grass co-workers turned a blind eye to the harassment going on. Three years in the hostile environment has left Crystal gun shy when it comes to men. But then she meets a Grant.  A handsome chocolate skinned pilot who has manners and a major dose of swag going. When he asks her to meet him out at a club on base she breaks her own rule of “No pilots” and sets a series of exciting, nerve wracking and difficult situations in motion. 

Grant Masters is a man who was raised right. He’s intelligent, polite, and handsome to boot.  (I know you’re wondering where you can find a man like this, right?)  Despite his suave façade and successful career he’s been hurt badly in his past. That he over comes his apprehension to dating white woman when he’s a man of color speaks volumes. ( The apprehension comes with a good reason y’all, I would tell you, but then I’d give everything away. You have to read it to get the 411!) Never one to let the past hold him back he pushes a side his past experiences, and pursues the intriguing Crystal.  The passion between them is explosive, and the connection they share is deep. Stepping into a relationship feels like coming home to both of them, but not everyone is pleased to see the interracial romance blossom. In the end they’ll have to face not only themselves, but outside forces. If their love proves strong enough they may just discover a romance that will last a lifetime. 

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+Giveaway
Erotica - novel
TBR Reviewer: Daniella

Review

Sven Larsson, Hollywood movie star, needs to repair his scandalous reputation if he wants any chance of making another movie. Then he meets Sylvia, a young widow and a mother of three, who is as far from the world of movies, gossip and paparazzi as can be. The attraction is instant between the two and although their troubled pasts tell them not to get involved with each other their hearts say otherwise.

This is a pretty classical romance, but what made it extra good was the two main characters. They have lived very different lives, one the Hollywood dream and the other as a suburban mother of three, but they still share a lot of experiences on the emotional plane. They have put their trusts and faiths in people close to them and been let down. Even though I don´t always agree with the characters actions, I can see why they think and feel certain things. When they are with each other though, they both bring out the better sides of their partner, which is what makes them such a good pairing.

This story also deals with a couple of tough things, such as abuse and fatal genetic diseases, and mostly the author deals with this gracefully. A small detail that I don´t think will bother most readers, but that bothered me, is the Swedish that Sven speaks. In the translation a lot of the words have ended up in plural or in the wrong tense. The endearments Sven uses seem translated straight from English to Swedish and end up being words that not many Swedes would actually use.

I do highly recommend this book, as I really liked the characters, flaws and all. Scandinavian Scandal is a strong four star read for me. A great story with interesting characters, some drama and a hot couple.

Excerpt

They both froze at the shrill sound of a phone, and, with another groan, he released Sylvia gently. Her jelly knees were grateful for his body holding her up against the wall. With a muffled curse and a rueful smile in her direction, his breathing as heavy as her own, he flipped the phone open. Sylvia did not understand a word of the rapid conversation that ended in a curt, "Tack, George."

"That was my driver. Let's get you out of here and somewhere more comfortable and finish this, shall we älskling?"

He grabbed her with one hand, propelling her along and out of the door along the narrow corridor, leading them further backstage in the elusive club before she even realised what
was happening.

"Hang on, stop will you? I'm not going anywhere with you. I don't even know your name."

He stopped so abruptly she would have  fallen over, had he not steadied her. His expression was unreadable.

"You really have no idea who I am, have you?"

He mumbled something under his breath, his expression softening slightly before it turned grim at the commotion behind them.

"Here come the vulture; no time to explain. Just trust me, will you?"

Sylvia stared at the outstretched hand, a horrible suspicion dawning on her at what she heard behind them, before grabbing his hand with a feeble nod. Then he pulled her through the nearby fire exit. The fresh air hit her like a sledgehammer, and she stumbled, barely aware of his muffled curse and the flashlights exploding around them. As bodies closed in around her, she struggled for breath.

Strong arms came round her waist to hold her up and a worried voice growled in her ear. "Are you okay?" Blissful darkness claimed her before she could make sense of any of it.

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Contemporary, Dark, Suspense - novel
TBR Reviewer: Luta Wolf

Review

At Eighteen years old it often seems the world is your oyster but two years prior Diana Walker found how just how not invincible she was. Now at eighteen she embarks on another summer at the same camp that stripped away her innocents such a short time ago. This time she is joined by Cheryl Redmond and in her already chaotic emotions she feels the stirrings of something else. Can Cheryl help her let go of the past or will she prove the catalyst to turbulent times. 

It took me a long time to review this book, I had to take a step back and really analyze how I felt about it. At first glance the plot seems simple enough, a young woman coming of age feeling the stirrings of lust for another female. That’s what the plot appears to be any way and as you first get into the book all appearances having you believe this too. The characters act like teens and the sexual tension between the characters is angst filled and high octane.
Then you get deeper into the story and it’s like opening a journal to find deep dark secrets. The plot began to take on a sinister, creepy feel. 

 There wasn’t really a single character that I liked but I totally got them and I fell into who they were and their impact was large and impressionable. The pace was really interestingly done in that the author eases you into the gruesome and then picks up the pace. 

What I didn’t like is how a lot of details were clumped together. A lot of it was given at once when it would have been better to stretch it out. Best example is that we know how Cheryl looks in the first to paragraphs, the author did this with other details through out the book. Also while I understand there is going to be a sequel the ending kind of left me scratching my head a bit. 

To be honest had I known what was in this book, I wouldn’t have read it. I just didn’t anticipate how dark this was going to be. I looked at it and thought, it’s written for young adults just how bad can it be. It can be pretty bad. With that said after taking some time to really thinking things through, I came to some conclusions. This book has high impact, it really makes you think and well that’s a mark of a pretty good book. 

I can't believe that cover is in YA, totally not appropriate! I don’t recommend this in any way for a young adult. It has too much adult content. I personally have friends that like some darkness and I’ll be recommending this book to them.

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+Giveaway
Contemporary, Romance - novel
TBR Reviewer: Amanda

Review

Jules Frayne finds her life turned completely upside down when a stranger shows up on her doorstep insisting on finding his missing wife - Julia Frances Frayne. Once Jules has satisfactorily convinced Gray Reynard, that although she IS Julia Frances Frayne, she is NOT the woman he married, she finds herself in a mystery of stolen identity and strange coincidences. As the two try to untangle the strange mystery of the other "Julia" and when she started using Jules' identity, they also have to battle an instantaneous lust for each other.
 
I really enjoyed this story with its quirky characters and strange coincidences. Jules' obsessive journal-keeping helped them unravel the mystery of the other woman, and their explosive sexual encounters made for a great read. I also really liked Sean, the investigator helping Gray find his soon to be ex-wife and the jewelry that disappeared when she did. Once all had been revealed I was satisfied with the story's end, and I felt that Jules and Gray
were a great fit. Other than a few places where I had to re-read to really understand what the author was trying to say, and some British slang or idioms that I didn't truly get, this is an enjoyable book.

Taken Identity is a quirky, hot book that I would recommend!

Excerpt

TypicallyCeltic, she thought ruefully, eyeing her red hair, green eyes, pale
skin that never tanned properly, and the myriad of freckles sprinkled over her
nose. Never was she going to be a page three girl—thankfully. But, as her mother
used to say, “What you've got is all yours!” 

Making sure there was a sturdy umbrella handy—for poking him if need be—in its
usual place in the hallway, she slipped the chain on before opening the door as
far as it allowed. A foot immediately inserted itself into the gap.

 "Congratulations," Jules said sarcastically. "A bit slow last time weren’t
you? But be warned, Mr.Reynard, that’s as far as you’ll get. An expert fixed
this chain. Now if you look to the window on your right, I’ll show you my
passport." Jules felt she could almost hear his teeth grinding. Too bad, she
 had no intention of handing her passport to a stranger. For any reason.
She moved to the side of the door, where there was a small window, set in
to bring more natural light into her otherwise darkish
hallway, and pressed the photograph page of her passport to the glass.

 "Satisfied? I, Mr. Reynard, am I! Julia Frances Frayne. Spinster of this
parish. Do you need anything else?"

 His voice was no longer sharp. More bewildered.
"Yes, actually. I want my wife. Julia Frayne."

 There was silence on both sides of the door. Slowly Jules moved to the gap
between door and jamb. When she thought about it later, she could not believe her
stupidity. Her actions went so totally against all she knew was wise. Put it down
to shock? Or the fact that somewhere, deep in her subconscious, she felt a spark
of recognition? Whatever it was, it allowed her to behave in a manner alien to
her normally cautious nature.

 "Move your foot," she advised. "I need to close it slightly to get the chain
off. The door I mean, not your foot. Although that can be arranged if you step
out of line."

 She saw his lips twitch, unexpected under thecircumstances. 

"Are you sure you can trust me not to be an axe murderer now, then?" he asked
conversationally.

Jules almost laughed. "No," she replied. "But I have a very sharp heel on my
shoe, which can cause grave damage if applied correctly. And a brother who
 has taught me very well how to defend myself when necessary. My knee
is well known for its stunning abilities. In more ways than one."

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Contest: Ms. MCallan is giving away an ecopy to one lucky winner! Comment below to enter. Contest ends March 16th.
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+Giveaway and COFFEE MUG
Contemporary, Romance - novel
TBR reviewer: Amanda

Review

Sophia Ashwood is a 26 year old nanny who takes a live-in position caring for six-year old Victoria Bishop when her current nanny and Sophia's good friend leaves to get married. From the very beginning, Sophia is bothered by the intense, cold Dr. Collin Bishop, whom she mentally calls the "Antichrist". As she spends more time with Victoria and unintentionally gets to know Dr. Bishop's wealthy, dysfunctional family and friends, her life becomes inextricably mixed with his.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sophia's interactions with Victoria and how she drew the spoiled but attention-starved child out. I also like the last part of the book as all the hiccups and disagreements began to be resolved. However, I disliked Collin for the first two-thirds of the book, especially when he first pursued Sophia despite her continually telling him no and the danger to his custody of his daughter. I just could not buy their relationship for a significant part of the book; regardless of how attractive she found him, Sophia did not know Collin well and what she did know she did not like, so how they got together felt contrived.

In the end, Collin redeemed himself and I was happy with the ending, but this felt more like a soap opera with many interwoven story lines than a typical romance.

Excerpt

With the black boots, mask, and gloves in my hand, I walked into my bedroom. Two steps toward the bathroom, I started to pull at the zipper. 

“Don’t.”
 
I gasped and spun. “Good god, Collin,” I heaved. “What are you doing in the dark?” 

Stealthily, he approached me. Before I could catch my breath, his lips were on mine and his hands were sliding over the second skin costume. 

“Put the mask back on,” he murmured against my mouth. 

I pulled back. “What?” 

“You heard me.” His eyes scanned my body. “Do you know how hot this costume is?” 

“What?”My eyes widened.

He grinned slyly. “Catwoman is a personal favorite. Did you know that?” He examined my face as I shook my head. He grabbed the mask and brought it up to my head. “Please?” His eyes were intense. 

I would never have been able to fight him. Not with the way he was looking at me. I slid the mask back on. He smiled large. 

“Where’s the rest? The gloves, the boots?” 

The laugh I’d been holding back erupted out of my mouth. I couldn’t help it. He was like a teenage boy in a wet dream. He found the items without my help and rushed them back onto me. 

“You know, I was looking forward to taking this outfit off, not putting it back on,” I dead panned. 

His mouth captured mine. The kiss seared through me. His hands moved down over the suit, teasing me. I wanted to feel his bare fingertips on my skin, not through the material. When he reached my thighs, he dipped down and lifted me around his waist. 

“Don’t worry, it won’t be on long.” A boyish grin spread across his mouth. 

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CONTEST: Ms. Tice is giving away an ecopy to one lucky winner and a coffee mug! Comment below to enter. Contest ends March 12th.
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Contemporary, Romance - novel
TBR Reviewer: Luta Wolf

Review

All it takes is one phone call for Eva and Gabe to feel a mutual connection. When they meet sparks along with foul language fly. When a woman scorned comes back to seek revenge and the drama begins to unfold can this budding romance stand a chance when it’s just begun. 
 
While I wouldn’t call the plot original it doesn’t fall into the standard category of plots either and the characters make sure that it’s anything but ordinary. The pace was pretty fast and kept me entertained from start to finish with amusing and sensual, steamy scenes. 
 
I adored Eva. She is a down to earth, born and raised on a farm, girl making it as a jack of all trades but mostly chef extraordinary in her job. She is intelligent and a spit fire, but with an added hint of vulnerability with her inability to understand what Gabe sees in her. Gabe is a playboy, while he is an honest playboy in that he never leads a woman on. He likes to drape the eye candy across his arm but that all changes immediately when he sets eyes on Eva,
it was immensely fun to see him struggle with how a relationship is suppose to work. 

There are some editing issues, not a lot but enough that I took note because I would have to try and figure out the correct word needed in the sentence, which did throw me a bit out of the story. There is also no use of birth control of any kind used in the story, while this didn’t bother me because the author did such a detailed job of describing Gabe and Eva that I knew this was an unusual thing for both of them. I felt it should be mentioned as I do know some
readers who really prefer to steer clear of books like this.

I really enjoyed Beauty and The Feast it was fast, entertaining, spunky, and just plan fun. I don’t think there are many readers who wouldn’t get a kick out of it. 

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CONTEST: Ms. Barrett is giving away an ecopy to one lucky winner. Comment below to enter. Contest ends March 11th.
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