Ghosts of the Past by T.M. Marie
Novella - Romance
TBR Reviewer: Brutally Honest
Jessie was just paroled from jail for vehicular manslaughter, she fell asleep at the wheel and killed a man. She’s sent to a farm far away from the city to try to put the pieces of her life back together after surviving prison. Tex is one of the workers on the farm and he is a damn fine looking cowboy. 

I liked these characters. They were bold and both caught in their own troubles. There were few editing issues but the problem was the pacing. It was so rushed, every scene felt like an outline rather than a story. If the story had been fleshed out I think this would have been a solid 4 or even 5 stars. As is, Ghost’s of the Past is a good read and I would recommend it to those that enjoy cowboy romances.

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+Giveaway: 1 ebook
Fantasy - novel
TBR Reviewer: Daniella

Review

This is the second book in The Embers series and when I picked up the book I had not read the first one. There was enough background information to understand what had happened previously. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I think one gets more out of this book if one starts with the first book. If not for the world building, then for a greater understanding of the relationships between the different characters. 
 
Kiera, a human fire mage, has been transported from our modern day Alaska to an alternate version of the state. In this parallel universe there are elemental mages, who rule the realm and shapeshifters, who are often enslaved by the most powerful mages. When this book begins Kiera and her shifter husband Laszlo are the newly appointed governors of Fairbanks. They previously overthrew the old rulers and set all slaves free. Governor Vrishka, in the neighboring city, see them and their mission to free all slaves as a threat and plans to
attack Fairbanks and restore the old order in the city. Kiera and Laszlo have to fight to keep their city, their people safe and fight off both the threat of the other governor as well as the traitors they have in their own city.  
 
The world building in the story is very interesting. It has elemental mages, wielding magic by controlling one or more elements and shape shifters. The politics of the world and the balance between the different people is very thought through (and very cruel and unfair).  The author has set clear rules for how the elemental magic works, which is very good. I did have to consult the glossary though to understand how it all worked. It is possible that I would have understood it better if I had read the first book.

The story was a little slow at times, with a lot of hanging around and talking. The last third was excellent though with much action, battle scenes and a daring rescue mission, where one finally gets to see the powerful mage that Kiera is. I like Kiera as a person, although sometimes she is a little naïve and jumps to conclusions too fast. Her heart is definitely in the right place and her magical powers are very interesting. However, she as a ruler makes no sense to me. She just does not seem right for the task and it seems strange that the city functions as well as it does. 

Blowing Embers is a well written fantasy in a compelling alternate universe.

Excerpt

Some say Death glides in on angel-black wings while others say that it kisses
away one’s last breath like a gentle grandmother. Kiera’s reaper, however,
hurtled down the frosted field on four razor-clawed feet.


Narrowed eyes sharpened the terrifying vision of more than two thousand pounds
of raging bear, leaping as he ran, and larger with every heartbeat.


So much larger.


Again she set her feet and leaned forward, hands up. Her throat squeezed when
she swallowed.


“Hold it fast,” Lady Agni yelled from the sideline, spurring a snake of
annoyance to wind through Kiera’s chest.


Adrenalin shook her hands, numbed her lips. Further crisped the details of the
horror coming for her: ruddy fur, erecton rippling shoulders. The needle white
of bared teeth. The grunt of forced breath each time those massive front feet
crushed circles into the snow.


And then he was there.


What must have been fifty thousand pounds of force slammed into her shield,
shoved her back three yards and to her knees.


The shield held, and fire sung in her veins. “Ahh!” she screamed joyously.
Defiantly. Her feet pushed her back up as she leaned forward and fed more air
into the space between them, forcing him back.


Undaunted, the bear continued his drive.Twisting like a cornered wolverine,
he clawed furiously, used knife blade teeth to tear the unseen barrier between
them, but as her air continued to flow, the space grew larger, wider, and she
knew he was losing. All at once he drew back, away from the shield’s edge, and in
that split second Kiera wondered if hewould accede defeat. A smile began as he
threw himself like a supplicant to the ground at her feet, but instead of begging
her mercy, open jaws roared his furor. Giant claws blurred, ripped bloody gashes
into the black earth dividing them.


Too late Kiera understood, and before she could send a sheet of air deep into
the winter’s dead soil between them, theknife’s-blade claws broke through to her
side of the shield. Without pausing, he leapt up and back, lifted the shield, and
Kiera, off the ground. A vision of trees, mountains, fog, and sky flashed across
her eyes, and her breath, and the elemental air that she held, oomphed out when
her back slammed into the snow.

An enormous naked man landed on top of her, a rare grin lighting his face. For
a moment, she stared into deep brown eyes set in a god’s rugged mien, skin as
dark and warm as umber, as the wind blew a tendril of black hair across his
jaw.


“Damn it,” she wheezed.


Instead of answering, he kissed her mouth.

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+Giveaway: 1 Ebook
Paranormal, Romance - Novella
TBR Reviewer: Shyla

Review

This is a completely different take on vampires and the way they operate. I liked the rich details, creative angle and social hierarchy Ms. Pilla set up. From the moment the heroine Anastasia enters the invitation only ball, it feels like we’ve entered a time warp. Hotel Sinn is exquisite, the drinks flow freely and the man who invited her, aka Mr. Sexy is present. We learn soon after that Mr. Sexy is a vampire and the hotel is not what it seemed to be at all. 

A magical entity in itself, it’s like the hotel mentioned by the Eagles, You can check in any time you want but you can never leave. ( yeah I quoted them) . Every one hundred years the hotel revamps itself ( no pun intended) and the vampires invite humans over for a ball that spans a weekend. The catch is these humans became a sacrifice.  You have more questions about this I’m sure, and I’d love to go into detail. But that discovery is for you to make on your own as you read. ;) Despite all the action occurring on the pages, Pilla doesn’t skimp
on the sex. The passion between Anastasia and VIctore is potent and strikes in the most interesting palces. :Coughs: Against the wall on the balcony. I enjoyed her growth throughout the story and the glimpses of her humanidio syncrasies really kept the story on point. IE if I was thrust into the crazy world of vampires and had people messing with my mind I might suddenly develop a pension for panic attacks too. In my mind the small additions like that really helped sell the story. 

The hero, Victore is someone I’m torn about. He was dark, sexy and dangerous, but his emotions seemed a bit off. He went from being amused and attracted to Anastasia to being in love and risking life.  Pacing was a bit of an issue for me with Hotel Sinn. I liked the concepts, but I was overwhelmed by how much I had coming at me.  I think the story as a whole would have benefited from additional length, with Ms. Pilla spending more time on each new twist she introduced to the story.  I enjoyed this story and  I really reccomend it to vamp lovers looking for a new spin.

Excerpt

"I'm glad you came."


More dirty thoughts crossed her mind. Oh Lord help me, his voice sounds like
sex. Is that even possible? “Yes, I'm glad I came too. My name is Anastasia, by
the way." She held out her hand to shake his. He took her hand in his and turned it to kiss the top. His onyx eyes never left hers. Her body melted, her knees went weak,
and she felt a tingle between her thighs. Staring into the man's black eyes, the world
around her seemed to fade away, leaving just him and her.


"My name is Victore." She barely heard him speak, and when he let go of
her hand, she came back to reality. Weird.


"Are you feeling all right?" he asked, concerned.


"Yes, I'm okay; it's just a bit warm in here, and I've had a few glasses of
wine already." Victore extended his hand, and she immediately took it without
a thought. Get a grip, girl, control yourself.


"Come, let me show you the terrace and you can get some fresh air."


She could barely think with her arm in his, feeling like a hormonal
teenager. Anastasia didn't go gaga over a guy like one of those brainless girls.
Did she?


"Do you like what you have seen so far?" he asked. Anastasia nodded
slowly, regaining control over her brain cells. She liked everything,
including Victore.


"Everything is exquisite." She pointed to the ceiling. "Were those carved?
The beams?" she asked.


"Yes," he said simply, and she frowned. Music began to play as they crossed
the ballroom floor.


"Oh, Victore, would you care to dance with me?" she said excitedly.


"I thought you wanted to get some air?" he replied.


"Yes, I do, but after one dance," she pleaded. What was happening to
her? Pleading? She didn't plead. He twirled her around, and she faced him and
his dark, sexy eyes. His pale skin brought out every dark feature—his hair,
his eyes, and his suit—against his flesh. He pulled her close to him, his
arm wrapping around her waist. She felt the heat from his body and something
else. No, it couldn't be.

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+Giveaway: 1 Ebook
Erotica - novella
TBR Reviewer: Shyla

Review

Renee is a woman in a man’s world. As a woman in a place of power in Corporate America she’s known for being a heartless bitch who busts balls. While her accomplishments are impressive, what they say is true. It’s lonely on the top. This is why she finds herself in a Sex Toy shop on a Friday night, drooling over the attractive young man whose standing yards away. Curious about why he’s inspecting dildo’s she strikes up a conversation and discovers, the cutie’s name is Toby and he wants the Dildo used on himself. Though he’s not gay she
completely understands why that particular fetish might send many woman heading
for the heels. What shocks her is that she isn’t one of them.Thoughts of dominating Toby via dildo dance in her head and lead her to dinnerwith the charming young man followed by a trip to his house. I know what you’rethinking, what if this guy is a murder? Ms. Brooks approaches that with Renee checking id, calling a friend to relay her address, and give a date and time to contact the police by if she’s not heard from. That small touch really helps keep you in the scenario Ms. Brooks and was much appreciated by me. There’s nothing worse than being taken out of the story because you just can’t believe what’s going on.

Toby is a sweet guy who went from geek to sheik when he made millions off a video game he created and sold. Lance is the opposite of Toby at almost seven feet, with golden blonde hair, a well-muscled body, and a pension for leather, whips and submissive behavior. His abnormally large cock has been a barrier between him and women for a while now. He’s hopeful Renee will be willing to take him on , but his sweet nature would make him happy to see Toby get what he wants from a decent woman.

From the minute I read the summary for Small Medium, and Large I was intrigued. Just what was pegging?( If you don’t know the answer, it is when a man has a dildo used on him) My next question, once I goggled the term ,was how is that going to work  into the story ?  The answer to my surprise and delight was very well, with a dash of humor, a ton of passionate sex, and a carefully chosen cast of characters. It took just the right type of men and the
right  woman to make this kinky ménage work, and Ms. Brooks positioned each of them together like a puzzle piece. There was a rightness that resonated throughout the story, and tapped into the basic concept of those who did not belong finding their niche together. 

I’m glad I took a chance on this story. I enjoyed Small, Medium and Large immensely, and learned many new things. I’d recommend this to those who like their romance on the scorching side, but be warned, if M/M interaction makes you squeamish.

Excerpt

Renee followed Toby to a part of town she’d never visited before. The houses were nice, rather than ostentatious, and the lawns were spacious and well-groomed. Except for Toby’s yard, which looked like a botanical experiment run amok. 

“There’s something I should tell you before we go inside.”

Oh, here it comes…

“I have a…roommate.”

Isn’t that just ducky? Hook me with the pocket Adonis and then toss me to the troll that lives under the bridge. “And what does he like? Whips and chains?”

He cleared his throat.“Well, yes, but only if you use them on him.”

Oh, joy… “You mean he wants a dominatrix?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Does it have to be me?”

“Well…you don’t have to if you don’t want to, but I’m sure he’d appreciate it.”

“I’ll just bet he would,” Renee said dryly. 

“Haven’t you ever wanted two men?”

“I dunno,” she replied with perfect truth. “Never really thought about it.” One was usually bad enough.

“If you’ve never thought about it before, this might be a good time to start. He’s a really nice guy, but he’s…well, you’ll see.”

Definitely a troll. “Does he have a name?”

He nodded.“Lance Svahnstrom.”

“Lance.” The name conjured up all manner of images, chief among them a timid little toad
  given that name by parents who hoped to inspire him to be a warrior prince, or at least a quarterback. “Geeze, I don’t know, Toby.”

“That’s okay. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want, but could you please at
least think about it?”

“What the hell. By the time I’ve finished fucking your ass with a strap-on, beating the shit out of another guy oughta be a piece of cake.” 
 
God, he was cute when he laughed. “That’s the spirit!”

Then he opened the door and called out to his roommate. “Hey, Lance! C’mere and say
hello to Renee.”

A deep, rumbling voice replied from an adjoining room. “Who?” 
 
Renee heard the sound of what was probably a recliner being righted, followed by a
heavy tread. Fee, fi, fo, fum was sure to be his next line. She held her breath.

As Lance entered, the first thing Renee noticed were the six-pack abs, followed by a bush of blond hair, cleft chin, square jaw, and muscles out the wazoo on what had to be a seven foot frame. And all he had on was a pair of cutoff jeans. Holy shit.

He held out his hand. Renee automatically offered her own and watched as it disappeared into his huge paw. Completely. 

“Nice to meet you, Renee.”

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Paranormal, Romance - novel
TBR Reviewer: Amanda

Review

Quenton Blake is the most powerful of the Greek Muses, immortal beings that inspire others in exchange for feeding off their souls. Unfortunately, dead Muses become Shades, unnatural beings that invade and stretch out dead bodies, creating zombie-like creatures and looking for the next meal. Quenton and his team try to kill off the Shades. When Quenton's ex dies in a car accident and becomes a shade, he heads back to the home he left behind to claim his toddler daughter. Marie is Anna's daycare provider who steps up and offers to be her nanny after the car wreck. Unknown to Marie, she is about to enter a world she doesn't understand, where she is bait but could also be Quenton's salvation, for her soul could make him mortal.
 
This book had some confusing twists and turns, mainly because Marie has no idea what is going on and keeps bumbling into things she doesn't understand. There were a lot of convoluted threads to the plot - missing women, Tobin's hostility, Anna's illnesses, Marie's fears, Quenton's close-mouthedness - but all in all, the plot was entertaining. I enjoyed the fact that it was a different version of paranormal than many others out there in the market. I
liked Marie, who as fearful as she was with her past history, still stood up to the jerks in her present. She was a strong woman character. With all the factors ranged against him, Quenton didn't come off very well, so I had a hard time seeing them as a couple. There were also several editing errors that really bothered me, but overall the story had real promise and I want to see where the series goes. It also had some great lines in it; my favorite was when Marie though Quenton looked like "An extra hulky, extra irritated mime on meth." It is certainly worth a read if you are looking for something different in paranormal romance and do not mind occasionally fumbling to understand the plot.

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+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
Paranormal, Romance - novel
TBR Reviewer: Daniella

Review

Merci is called in by her boss Arthur to do a job. He needs her magic skills to find Drake Monroe, Merci´s ex-lover. Drake, who is the wizard Merlin incarnated, has been kidnapped by a goddess who wants to destroy both him and Merci. While working together to lift the curses the goddess has laid upon them, Merci and Drake realize they never really stopped loving each other. Can they win over the goddess and lift the curse, before they are torn away from each other, this time for good?
 
This book starts very well with a compelling concept. King Arthur and his knights have been reincarnated in modern day USA and are on a mission to protect other people through their private investigations firm. The author uses the short story form well and manages to set the stage quickly, and weaves in the background story very smoothly. The story of Drake and Merci is wrapped up well enough in this book, while opening up for an interesting continuation of the series. The story does leave me with the feeling that I would have wanted more, and not just in the sense of wanting to read the rest of the series. The ending felt rushed with the “final fight” not really involving the two main characters and their abilities. I would have liked to learn more about their magic, have them work the problem a little more and seen them grow a little from the experience. 

Beloved Wizard was very good entertainment and a good romance. It got me interested to read the rest of the stories about Arthur and his knights.

Excerpt

 


“I have no wish to be the next greatest anything. I like me just the way I am. I mind my own business and no one gets into my shit. Nice, quiet and uncomplicated.”

Color rose on Nimue’s fair complexion. Merci knew she’d just crossed the line, but couldn’t seem to care, even if the goddess could squash her like a bug. The only thing that mattered to her was Drake’s tall form moving ever closer toward them.

Nimue grabbed her upper arm in a punishing grip, whirled her around to face Drake. Nimue flung her hand out and Drake flew back like a puppet on a string, crashing into the far wall of the warehouse with a sickening flesh-meet-cinderblock thud. He lay crumpled amidst the debris like a broken doll.

Something snapped within Merci. Her blood scalded her veins. The taste of ash filled the back of her throat. Rage, cold and biting, filled her, coloring her vision in a red haze. Drawing energy from the earth, she channeled it up through her body, willing it to form. Her hands glowed, magic as hot as a stream of lava engulfed her. Her skin stung like the bite of a thousand fire ants as a small burst of electricity arched over her arms, snapping with pent up energy. The stench of ozone, hanging like a heavy cloud in the still air, filled the area. The force arched into Nimue, dropped her to the floor. Merci offered a feral smile while Nimue wreathed in pain against her magic. She bent down close enough for Nimue to hear her. “Since you don’t know me, I will explain this to you. You don’t fuck with what is mine. Drake, is mine.”

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3 Comments
 
 
+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
Paranormal, Romance, - novel
TBR Reviewer: Luta Wolf

Review

As humans we have control over our basic instincts, while the animals around us go into heat during spring we remain somewhat free from that driving desire but what if we didn’t. What if we weren’t human but something different and mating was about something other than love, a drive that is all about pheromones and doesn’t go away. Could you fight it?
 
I found the plot to this story hugely fascinating. In a way it isn’t new, you can read any shifter book and it talks about “mates” but the authors approach was unique and kept me entirely captivated. A little too captivated as I got so sucked into the emotional impact of the characters that it was hard to let go of the melancholy once the story was over. 

All the characters are well written and three dimensional. Even the so called “bad guys” were anything but and pulled you into their own individual stories. I love Teriza, there is something queenly about her. Despite all that she goes through, all the pain and confusion, she still carries herself with grace. All together what I really loved about this book was that it was thought provoking, it called to the honor inside me and asked me “What would I do had I been in this situation?”

The sex scenes are hot as well, though be warned there is a lot of sex with “other” people, meaning others outside of the relationships that they end up in but no actual cheating. My only complaint is that I wish the author had put as much effort into bringing us out of the emotional turmoil that she worked so hard to put us in, however, this is a really good book that I feel compelled to recommend.

Excerpt

“I should go.”


Teriza absorbed the quiet sound of Paul’s voice, but startled as the oven
timer beeped. “Dinner’s ready.”


“It smells delicious, but we both know it’s best if I don’t stay.”


Teriza couldn’t step out on a limb with Paul. Not yet. This was too new. She
needed time to think rationally, if her body would allow her that luxury. Such
thinking wouldn’t be possible with him so close. Even knowing that, there was a
part of her that wanted to stake her claim on Paul.


Instead of skirting the counter to leave the kitchen area, he chose to pass
by her. Gaze locked on hers, Paul drew close, then closer still. One second more
and he would pass her. He made a slight shift and Teriza’s hand shot out, her
fingers clamping over his wrist. The action was motivated from an instinct she
couldn’t trust. Having found and lost her life-mate so recently, this could
merely be a manifestation of her fear of being alone, of not ever having a
family of her own.


Paul hooked one finger inside her sleeve and tugged twice, asking her to
close the distance between them. His gaze smoldered, but he didn’t make a move.
Teriza looked away, released him and a chill stole through her chest. Another
sign? She took a baby step forward, testing her body’s reaction. Paul remained
still. Teriza inched forward until her breasts were dangerously close to
brushing his chest when he inhaled. She lifted one hand, letting her fingertips
skim over his sweater-covered bicep, up, up over his shoulder.


‘Teriza.’


Her name whispered along raw nerve endings. Raising her gaze to his face she
saw the tightly clenched jaw, the warning in his eyes. She was toying with an
open flame.


For both their sakes she had to let him go. For now.


Dropping her hand, Teriza took a step back and knew physical pain when Paul
closed his eyes and shuddered. She turned away, lest he see her indecision. A
slight movement of air preceded muffled footsteps, then the front door opened
and closed.


Only then did Teriza release the breath she held and take note of the
trembling. The ache. Not just for sex—though that was indisputably present—but
for Paul and the closeness, the serendipitous connection of a kindred spirit she
felt when he was near.

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