Hello hello! I'm back with some more books that didn't really work for me, but might be winners for you.
Let me know if you've read any of these or plan to. I'd love to know your thoughts :)
Forever Kind of Guy by Khelsey Jackson
Gretchen Elliot wasn’t looking for love, she’d had enough of ‘love’ to last her a life time. All she wanted was a little fun and a good time, and she’d found it in one passionate night with Claus. Now with her divorce about to be final, Gretchen can’t help but think back to that amazing night with that amazing man. Too bad they’d promised never to contact each other again.
Stefan Romano never imagined that he would meet the woman who’d been haunting his dreams again, let alone arrest her for car theft. Now he can’t wait to get her beneath the sheets again. He just hopes he can keep her there this time, while fooling himself into believing he’s not a forever kind of guy.
Can two people not looking for love, avoid falling for each other and keep things on a no strings attached level? Gretchen and Stefan believe they can…
My Rating: ★★ — I read this book based on the sexy beast on the cover. Yes, I'm a bit of a cover whore. If you don't want a bite out of him then something's wrong with you lol. Unfortunately the story didn't live up to his hotness. Yes there were grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors but that wasn't my problem. The story was so fast and there was absolutely no conflict resolution that I couldn't connect with the story or the characters. There was some meat there but it needed to cook longer.
contemporary romance
contemporary romance
Obsessed with Him Boxed Set by Hannah Ford
COLT
I wanted to screw her from the moment I saw her.
I wanted to take her curvy body and full lips, wanted to pull her hair and bend her over and take what was mine.
I didn’t mind helping a damsel in distress, but she was going to have to give me something in return.
I didn’t want to shatter her heart. But she was just too damn tempting, with her soft skin, her long blond hair, her tight little…
She claims she hates me, but her body tells a different story.
I’ll just have to show her how good a bad boy can be.
OLIVIA
I hated him from the moment I saw him.
I hated his dark brooding eyes, his smartass mouth, and that cocky grin that always made it seem like he was in on some private joke I knew nothing about.
I hated his need to control me, his bossy attitude, his dominating stare, the way he could make women drop their panties just by looking at them.
But I was in deep trouble.
I had no family, no money, no one to save me.
So when he offered me a job and a place to stay, I had no choice but to say yes.
Now I’m around him all the time, and I can’t stop thinking about his rough hands on my bare skin, his kiss on my lips, my neck, my…
I’m too smart to think I’m the one who can convince him to change. Guys like him never change.
I know he’s going to break my heart into a million pieces. The problem is, I’m powerless to stop it.
My Rating: ★★ — I honestly thought I would like this series more because I have enjoyed other books by Hannah Ford, but I didn't. I couldn't connect with either Colt or Olivia. I tried and tried but it proved to be an impossible task. There was a lot of potential for a brilliant story, but it seemed pretty rushed to me. Olivia was a cutter but aside from her slicing and dicing herself, then using sex with Colt as a substitute, there wasn't much else to that part. To be honest, she wasn't a likeable character. She was a fan of biting the hand that feeds you and looking a gift horse in the mouth. Colt was forced to be involved with drugs and prostitution but other than a few track marks and an interrupted fellatio session, nothing else was really mentioned. The one action scene wasn't even intense. I'm sorry, but I was disappointed in this series and found it a lackluster product of Ms. Ford's great skill.
contemporary romance
contemporary romance
His Naughty Maid by L.M. Roberts
Axel Hart is the big time CEO/Founder of Hart's Inc. He’s in the business to get people off. Literally. He owns one of the top sex toy companies in the world. He’s all of six foot and he puts the HO in Hottie. He's labeled as a wham, bam, thank ya ma'am kind of guy. Most would call him Mr. Ice, or my favorite Mr. Iron Buns. He has all the money in the world, yet no one to share it with. At the moment he's branching out with his new line, "Get Down and Dirty with Axel." Needing a spokesperson/model to head his line up, he is then informed of a stripper in the Miami area, Kandy Kane.
When Kandace Kross comes to work at his home in the outskirts of Miami as a house maid, he can’t help but be drawn to her. There's just something about her he can’t peg, she has a certain quality that begins to melt his icy heart. Looks however can be deceiving. She isn't just any girl, she is the Kandy Kane. One of the best Stripper's in Miami and she works at Club Inferno. She likes to keep her facade Kandy Kane a secret, reasons unknown. No one can put two and two together when it comes to Kandace and Kandy. She keeps both lives completely separate and for good reason.
Going through trials at work to get to see Kandy Kane, Axel decides to have a little fun with Kandace in the process. Which could only lead to one thing, and who knows how far their willing to go to get what they want.
My Rating: ★★ — This book had a lot of potential but...
I got sucked in by the blurb and the book did not meet my expectations. At all.
Editing was all over the place. Contradictory facts. Zigzag of plot. Bits and pieces of steam. I think the author had a great idea for the story but lacked follow thru. In my humble opinion.
contemporary romance
I got sucked in by the blurb and the book did not meet my expectations. At all.
Editing was all over the place. Contradictory facts. Zigzag of plot. Bits and pieces of steam. I think the author had a great idea for the story but lacked follow thru. In my humble opinion.
contemporary romance
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Feral Guardian by Ember Holt
Rating:
Standalone - The Princesses of Ruin #2
Genre/Trope: Fantasy Romance / unrequited / protection / royalty
POV: Dual 1st person
Heat: - slow build, more than descriptive and less than explicit
Source: eARC provided by the author
Length: 312 pages
A prophecy of ruin binds him to her.
She wants nothing more than to escape.
Lily has never been the delicate flower she was named after. She preferred silly pranks and dirty poetry to needlepoint and politics, which is why the queen sent her off to a “proper” royal academy. Now that her magic is developed and her manners are passable—barely—it’s time for her to return home and attract a powerful man to rule by her side. Except Lily doesn’t want a king or a kingdom. She wants freedom. And nothing feels more freeing than adventuring with her bodyguard, Alastair.
Alastair is an honor-bound knight, tied to a prophecy from his people, and he doesn’t experience desire. At least, that’s what he likes to tell himself. In truth, he wants nothing more than to sweep his ward off her feet and take her away to a dark corner of the world where he can keep her safe from that dark prophecy. There’s just one the prophecy states if Lily doesn’t become queen, the tentative peace in the kingdoms will crumble.
When their journey home from the royal academy lands Lily in the custody of cutthroat pirates, Alastair will stop at nothing to protect his princess. But the biggest danger of all may be Alastair himself, because if Lily doesn't stop trying to make him break his vow of chastity, he may forget about honor and risk everything to have her to himself.
She wants nothing more than to escape.
Lily has never been the delicate flower she was named after. She preferred silly pranks and dirty poetry to needlepoint and politics, which is why the queen sent her off to a “proper” royal academy. Now that her magic is developed and her manners are passable—barely—it’s time for her to return home and attract a powerful man to rule by her side. Except Lily doesn’t want a king or a kingdom. She wants freedom. And nothing feels more freeing than adventuring with her bodyguard, Alastair.
Alastair is an honor-bound knight, tied to a prophecy from his people, and he doesn’t experience desire. At least, that’s what he likes to tell himself. In truth, he wants nothing more than to sweep his ward off her feet and take her away to a dark corner of the world where he can keep her safe from that dark prophecy. There’s just one the prophecy states if Lily doesn’t become queen, the tentative peace in the kingdoms will crumble.
When their journey home from the royal academy lands Lily in the custody of cutthroat pirates, Alastair will stop at nothing to protect his princess. But the biggest danger of all may be Alastair himself, because if Lily doesn't stop trying to make him break his vow of chastity, he may forget about honor and risk everything to have her to himself.
"Why does your touch feel so good?
Like my soul is bruised and you're the salve."
Like my soul is bruised and you're the salve."
Now that's how you make me come back for more!
Lily is heir to the throne and Alastair is the man duty-bound to protect her. When she sent him away four years ago, he was at a loss. With his charge out of his reach, he bided his time until he would see her again. And when he did... he wasn't about to let her out of his sight ever again.
Lily has loved Alastair almost all of her life. Believing that they have no future, she sent him away to get past her feelings. However, when she sees him again, she quickly realizes how foolish and impossible it was to try to wish her feelings away.
I fell in love with everything that was brewing between these characters. I was curious about their secrets, their goals, their choices, and their end. What do the runes mean? Who are the individual gods that power these runes? Who are their true allies? Their foes? And would these two find a way to be together?
After everything the author gifted us with this book, from the danger to the romance to the utter hilarity that was Lily, I want more. I need to read the first book because Lily's older sister sounds like a hoot and I'm utterly fascinated by the unique magic all of these characters possess and wield.
If you love suspense, mystery, love and humour, you'll enjoy this story as much as I did.
Ember loves all things with heat! A glass of wine, a comfy, oversized sweater, and a spicy book next to a fireplace is her ideal night. She likes to read about powerful heroines and protective heroes, and write about them, too.When she’s not writing, Ember is a fox in the henhouse, causing all kinds of hell. She enjoys making pasta while listening to big brass bands, taking long walks with her favorite audio books, playing D&D, and painting—but not very well.
Some of Ember’s favorite authors include Laura Thalassa, Shannon Mayer, and Raven Kennedy. Their powerful heroines inspire her daily to get out of bed and to do her best (or stay in it to keep reading!)
Visit emberholtwrites.com for more information.
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Today's flashback is The Burrows series by Tara Brown. I read this back in 2016 and back then it was titled The Single Lady Spy series. It's an exciting book series full of suspense, action, and one heck of a kickass heroine. Per the synopsis: Betrayed by her husband. Sold by the government. Owned by a mortal enemy. Underestimated by everyone. It’s been one hell of a week for Evie Evans. And it’s only getting worse.
Each book is told from Evie's perspective, but it's done so well that you get a feel for all of the characters involved.
Have you ever read these books? Are you interested?
Please Note: I only read the first 3.5 books of the series. For some reason, the fourth book eluded me, but I don't really feel like I'm missing anything. If you think I am, please let me know and I'll search for that book so I can read it :)
1. The End of Me
Twelve years ago Evie left behind a dangerous job to be a full-time mother and wife. Now widowed and left to raise her children alone, Evie is prepared for anything. Well, almost anything. There are actually two things she isn't prepared for at all. The first being a sexy young counter intelligence agent named Coop. The other is an arms dealer named Servario. But the world of espionage has changed and unfortunately, so has Evie. The minivan-driving mother of two couldn't be further from the woman she once was and doesn't have time to catch up. At every turn there seems to be a secret or betrayal awaiting the inexperienced spy.
Rating - ★★★★
Evie has been made into a widow recently. Her rotten, cheating husband got himself killed and she's left picking up the pieces for their two children. Her world has been rocked but she has to remain strong. Unfortunately, her life is not what it seems. Her husband left her in some big doo-doo and she gets called back into serving with the agency she used to work for, Counter Intelligence (CI), prior to starting her family.
Secrets and betrayals abound. Conspiracies are revealed. Throw in two hot as sin men, one an agency man (Coop) and the other a drug runner/arms dealer (Servario) and this author has created a winner.
I'm a bit twisted but I'm sorta #TeamServario. I think it's because I'm a sucker for the anti-hero and he's definitely that. But I also caught many glimpses of his true heart in this book and I couldn't help falling for this character. Not to mention he was incredibly sexy. But then again, so was Coop. Gosh it's so hard to choose. Can't Evie have them both???
Evie has been made into a widow recently. Her rotten, cheating husband got himself killed and she's left picking up the pieces for their two children. Her world has been rocked but she has to remain strong. Unfortunately, her life is not what it seems. Her husband left her in some big doo-doo and she gets called back into serving with the agency she used to work for, Counter Intelligence (CI), prior to starting her family.
Secrets and betrayals abound. Conspiracies are revealed. Throw in two hot as sin men, one an agency man (Coop) and the other a drug runner/arms dealer (Servario) and this author has created a winner.
I'm a bit twisted but I'm sorta #TeamServario. I think it's because I'm a sucker for the anti-hero and he's definitely that. But I also caught many glimpses of his true heart in this book and I couldn't help falling for this character. Not to mention he was incredibly sexy. But then again, so was Coop. Gosh it's so hard to choose. Can't Evie have them both???
2. The End of Games
See you at Christmas!
The words are still burning a hole in Evie Evans' mind and undergarments. Not that she really has time to think about it. Not with the world ending, as always, and the kids' school starting back up.
But when Evie and the team stumble upon something no one expected, her and Servario are reunited much sooner than anticipated. Only the reunion is not the one they had planned.
Once again she finds herself in the arms of the bad guy and making alliances with the wrong side.
Rating - ★★★★★
This book was intense. Evie has really gotten the hang of being an agent/spy again. She's stronger, faster, fiercer, she's using deductive reasoning, etc. This volume was action-packed, thrilling, scary, sexy and I loved it!
There was so much humour amidst the chaos.
If there was one thing I really didn't like about this book, it would be that Evie kept leading Coop on. She needed to leave him alone once and for all and stop being damn selfish. I need Coop to have a love interest outside of the group. Thanks!
Anyway, Evie and Servario were finally somewhat honest with each other:
Coop and Evie were finally opening up about their feelings as well:
I find it amusing that Evie's husband NEVER wanted her. He seemed to want everyone else but her. But yet here are these two incredibly handsome and sexy men who are practically salivating all over her and tripping over themselves to get with her. It was nice to see her get her groove back, but not at the expense of the feelings of these men. I hope she's soon forced to make a final decision.
I think the most surprising thing to happen was discovering the secrets of Evie's mother!
So badass!! So. Freaking. Awesome!!
This book was intense. Evie has really gotten the hang of being an agent/spy again. She's stronger, faster, fiercer, she's using deductive reasoning, etc. This volume was action-packed, thrilling, scary, sexy and I loved it!
There was so much humour amidst the chaos.
"He sighed, making the thick nose hairs shudder. The same ones that had bothered me ten years ago, and yet were still somehow in the meeting with us today, living the dream." Evie about her boss
"The tight jeans were too much. I could see birthmarks and his religion in those jeans." Evie perving on Coop
"The tight jeans were too much. I could see birthmarks and his religion in those jeans." Evie perving on Coop
If there was one thing I really didn't like about this book, it would be that Evie kept leading Coop on. She needed to leave him alone once and for all and stop being damn selfish. I need Coop to have a love interest outside of the group. Thanks!
Anyway, Evie and Servario were finally somewhat honest with each other:
"I think I love you most days... I love you, a lot. I always have." Sevario
"I love you, Gustavo. I have loved you all along. You scare me, but I love it." Evie
"I love you, Gustavo. I have loved you all along. You scare me, but I love it." Evie
Coop and Evie were finally opening up about their feelings as well:
"If I let you in, Evie, it's going to be all the way and then neither of us is ever going to go back."
I find it amusing that Evie's husband NEVER wanted her. He seemed to want everyone else but her. But yet here are these two incredibly handsome and sexy men who are practically salivating all over her and tripping over themselves to get with her. It was nice to see her get her groove back, but not at the expense of the feelings of these men. I hope she's soon forced to make a final decision.
I think the most surprising thing to happen was discovering the secrets of Evie's mother!
So badass!! So. Freaking. Awesome!!
2.5 The End of You
Evie Evans is a spy—she’s just not a very good one.
Years of soccer mom duties have softened her in all the wrong places.
But being thrust back into the spy world and forced to join an elite team of assassins has hardened her up in a hurry.
When the team is sent to Dubai to stop a trafficking ring, she isn’t sure she can stomach the life she is being forced to live.
Of course the affection from the sexy man in her life, Coop, her younger superior officer, should make it all just a little bit more bearable.
But Evie isn’t a girl anymore.
She’s a woman who’s smart enough to know her own heart. She just isn’t sure about the decisions it has been making as of late.
One in particular.
Rating - ★★
I'm incredibly disappointed with the direction this story is taking. I hate... hate... hate... HATE what is being done to Coop. I'm so unbelievably pissed off about the FMC, Evie, getting away with her crap! Why?! Why am I supposed to condone her behaviour??? I believe that if she truly loves Servario, she should be with him and stop with the nonsense. Leave poor Coop the f*ck alone!!!
Ok, so the action was good. Everything else was swell. Otherwise...
Thanks!
I'm incredibly disappointed with the direction this story is taking. I hate... hate... hate... HATE what is being done to Coop. I'm so unbelievably pissed off about the FMC, Evie, getting away with her crap! Why?! Why am I supposed to condone her behaviour??? I believe that if she truly loves Servario, she should be with him and stop with the nonsense. Leave poor Coop the f*ck alone!!!
Ok, so the action was good. Everything else was swell. Otherwise...
Thanks!
3. The End of Tomorrow
Just as things start to settle into a bit of a routine, a single phone call from a certain arms dealer halts everything. Evie's spy instincts kick into gear, putting being a parent on the back burner. But it's not the only thing taking a backseat to the mission. Evie's love life also takes a hit when Coop decides not to trust Servario's latest tip from the underworld, and accuses her of feelings Evie isn't sure she can deny.
But when Servario's information is confirmed by an attack on a major city, the team is once again swept up in the chaos that comes with protecting the Burrow.
Only this time the mission isn't saving the burrow from the usual suspects. This time it's saving the world from a young woman on the verge of creating something so deadly Evie isn't sure the Burrow should have it either.
But could you end an innocent's life to stop them from ending everything, including tomorrow?
Rating - ★★
Honestly, I don't know what is happening with this series. I'm lost. I'm so freaking lost!
I love both MMCs. Coop and Servario have everything to offer a woman and they are both offering it to Evie, who I think, right now, is undeserving. Yes, I said it and I stand by it because that is how this book made me feel. I cannot BELIEVE the direction that this love story has taken!
mKay so the action, suspense and thrills were definitely there in this installment. More secrets behind the Burrow and the Organization conspiracies were revealed. The team, with Servario, are still trying to figure out a way to save the world from these two factions. And book 4 is nowhere in sight :(
I really need the author to just give me what I want. Thanks!
Honestly, I don't know what is happening with this series. I'm lost. I'm so freaking lost!
I love both MMCs. Coop and Servario have everything to offer a woman and they are both offering it to Evie, who I think, right now, is undeserving. Yes, I said it and I stand by it because that is how this book made me feel. I cannot BELIEVE the direction that this love story has taken!
mKay so the action, suspense and thrills were definitely there in this installment. More secrets behind the Burrow and the Organization conspiracies were revealed. The team, with Servario, are still trying to figure out a way to save the world from these two factions. And book 4 is nowhere in sight :(
I really need the author to just give me what I want. Thanks!
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Big Nick Energy by Lani Lynn Vale
Rating -
Not intended to be read as a standalone
Genre/Trope - Contemporary Romance / bonus collection of shorts
Release - December 19, 2023
POV - Multiple 1st person
Heat - none really
Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 224 pages
Big Nick Energy is a compilation of things that I’ve written as companion pieces to already published novels.
Get updates on your favorite couples during COVID-19. These stories were written in the very first weeks of the Covid-19 Pandemic. You’ll see some of your favorite couples as they navigate that time period. Their coping mechanisms to being locked down can be kind of…flamboyant.
You’ll get some of the ‘rest of the story’ from Banner and Perry’s new life together far away from their family and friends. But don’t worry, big, rich, all grown up and famous Slone and Titus make appearances in their update. You’ll also get the story between Blue and Titus that you’ve been waiting for in Titus’s very own short story.
But don’t despair, Viddy and Trance, as well as their kids, have their own Christmas story, too!
Get updates on your favorite couples during COVID-19. These stories were written in the very first weeks of the Covid-19 Pandemic. You’ll see some of your favorite couples as they navigate that time period. Their coping mechanisms to being locked down can be kind of…flamboyant.
You’ll get some of the ‘rest of the story’ from Banner and Perry’s new life together far away from their family and friends. But don’t worry, big, rich, all grown up and famous Slone and Titus make appearances in their update. You’ll also get the story between Blue and Titus that you’ve been waiting for in Titus’s very own short story.
But don’t despair, Viddy and Trance, as well as their kids, have their own Christmas story, too!
I love when you adore a particular author's writing, fall in love with all of their characters, and want more. And when an author gifts you with that more? *chef's kiss*
That's what I got with Big Nick Energy. I got the chance to visit some of my favourite people EVER and I still want more. LLV creates such vibrant, warm, and amazing characters. People who feel as real as the people in our lives. They're full of heart and their emotions, good or bad, are genuinely felt as you read.
This was such an unexpected yet incredibly wanted gift for the holidays!
Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today bestsellers.
Visit https://lanilynnvale.com for more information.
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