The Lies Between Us by M.N. Forgy

The Lies Between Us by M.N. Forgy

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I was ecstatic when the review opportunity for The Lies Between Us came up. I have enjoyed how Ms. Forgy weaves romance with the action and danger that accompanies a one-percenter motorcycle club. That said, I really had a hard time getting into this one. I suspect part of that was on me because even though I have been anxiously awaiting The Lies Between Us to pop up on my schedule, I was dealing with a headache when I started the book and found a lot of the interactions between Cherry and Lip to be annoying – actually I found the characters themselves to be annoying. Based on my past enjoyment, I stuck with it though because Ms. Forgy has proven her skill time and time again, but once I hit the mid-point and wasn’t any less annoyed with Cherry and Lip (you can stop smirking now), I knew I had to step back for the night and try again the next day.

While I’m happy to report that the level of action in the second half of the book increased immensely and made the read more enjoyable for me, I never connected with Cherry or Lip. Considering what we knew about Lindsay (aka Cherry) at the time, I was astounded with how quickly things progressed between her and Lip. Not the one-night stand because uh … yeah, hello? I totally got the whole bad boy biker thing. Rather my issue is that within a week’s time she’s moved into his home and he’s bought her a car, yet her concern is that they might have had sex too soon. This is a woman whose father physically abused her, who got knocked up on her first time, had her baby legally “stolen” from her by its father simply because he could, and who’s homeless because someone’s trying to kill her so she can’t go home to her brother. Girlfriend is seriously lacking in the self-preservation instinct department. But hey, she’s still really young so I forgave her for her hormone driven behaviors, even if she seemed on a direct course for a repeat of the past. While I found Lip’s head-over-heels courtship of Cherry to be uncharacteristic of the men we’ve come to know from the Devil’s Dust MC, I tried to go with the flow. Honest, I really, really did and thankfully it paid off when it came to Lip because once he gets out of prison we find out why he was so smitten with Cherry. THAT was shocking. But Lip wasn’t the only one with a secret and The Lies Between Us delved into what was the breaking point of their relationship – when is your trust shattered irrevocably?

Despite the spike in action, I still never connected with Cherry. I think had the author shown us some of what Cherry did on behalf of the club during the six years that Lip was in prison, I would have had a better understanding of her character and been able to connect with her – yes, we were told some of what she did but a sentence here or there really doesn’t make the same impact. As it were, I sympathized with her plight to get her daughter back and figure out whether or not she had a future with Lip, but I just wasn’t as invested as much as I have for the past heroines. I did enjoy the twist that Lip’s brother introduced and I look forward to seeing how that story thread unravels. The ending the author crafted for the couple was perfect for them and it as well as the action is what saved the book for me. Although The Lies Between Us is not my favorite of the series, I am looking forward to the next book and spending more time with the Devil’s Dust MC.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out The Lies Between Us by M.N. Forgy Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Repentance: The Story of Kace Haywood by Meghan Quinn

Repentance: The Story of Kace Haywood by Meghan Quinn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Flippin’ heck!!! Repentance was awesome! Having read the Bourbon series, I was quite familiar with Kace and jumped at the chance to review this book (which I also bought). At least I thought I knew Kace. While I knew that our moody, broody, sexy as sin former boxer’s story was going to be intense, I was not prepared for the rollercoaster ride that Ms. Quinn took me on. Truth be told, I should have been because the author has ripped my heart out and repaired it with each book in the Bourbon series, from which Repentance hails, and yet I was still taken by surprise time and time again as Kace’s story unfolded.

To begin with, I had drawn my own conclusions as to the events of the night that changed Kace’s life. Fans of the Bourbon series know that Kace killed a man while he was drunk one evening and I had always assumed that it was a drunk driving incident. The truth of that night was both better and worse than I imagined. Yes, Kace killed a man. Yes, he was drunk when it occurred. But it wasn’t the black and white situation that I had believed it to be based on Kace and Jett’s conversations about the past. While Kace did indeed feel a boatload of guilt over his actions, the main reason was because of the family he destroyed – taking away a husband and a father. I had wondered how Jett managed to cover up Kace’s crime and when we see that night play out, any doubts I had about Jett’s actions that night were obliterated. Even though Jett managed to keep Kace out of jail, he couldn’t keep Kace from living in his own self-imposed prison. What made this whole situation even more devastating was that it came on the heels of the loss of Kace’s boxing career. I nearly cried when Kace learned that his trainer had been doping him without his knowledge. To have your dreams stolen by the person you’re supposed to be able to trust – I can’t even imagine. I was devastated for him. I knew that Kace’s life had not been a good one, but until this book I had no idea of just how bad of a hand he had been dealt. The one thing that Repentance did reaffirm for me was that despite his outward demeanor, Kace Haywood is a good man.

Ms. Quinn presents Kace’s story by alternating between the past and the present and it works beautifully. We get to see the work that Jett, the girls, and Kace have put into the community center that Jett decided to open so he could help more people than just the Jett Girls. This format allows us to see the damage that Kace is doing to himself and those around him as he drowns in his guilt that has been increasing over the years. We get to see him try to destroy his relationship with Lyla even as we see how it started. Thankfully Lyla is just as spunky as Goldie and despite Kace throwing some seriously damaging blows to their relationship, she soldiers forth until she can make him see that she wants him – Kace, the man – bad moods, emotional baggage, sexy abs, and all. Let me assure you that Ms. Quinn still has it when it comes to writing steamy sex scenes. Yowser! Though I won’t say that I knew that the healing revelation was going to be what it was, I will say that I had begun to hope with all my heart that the situation would turn out that way because I could see no better way for Kace to find his redemption. And those scenes were made even better by Kace sharing them with Jett, his best friend and the man who had walked the journey with him, refusing to abandon him. And yes, tissues were needed. While Repentance is not officially a part of the Bourbon series, it is a must read for Bourbon fans because you not only get Kase’s story, but you also get to keep tabs on the lives of Jett, Goldie, and the Jett Girls. If you haven’t read the Bourbon series don’t worry because Repentance easily stands on its own, but you may find yourself adding three books to your to-be-read list. Well done Ms. Quinn! I cannot wait for the next spin-off.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Repentance: The Story of Kace Haywood by Meghan Quinn Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Best-Laid Plans by Willa Okati

Best-Laid Plans by Willa Okati

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have to say this and get it out of way so I can move on from it. I nearly did not read this book because of the cover. I have a tendency to scan past books with cartoonish covers for some reason – they literally repel me. Fortunately I noticed the author’s name and as a fan of Ms. Okati’s writing I ignored the cover and dove right in and I am so glad that I did because watching the romance between Teddy and Jefferson unfold was absolutely delightful.

The blurb states that “Teddy and Jefferson get along like a house on fire.” – that’s an understatement. Jefferson can’t open his mouth without ticking Teddy off and while at times Teddy’s anger may seem a bit exaggerated (read “drama queen”), there are just as many times when it’s not unwarranted. But as we get to know the two guys better it becomes apparent that Jefferson isn’t an intentional arse, he just doesn’t think about how what he says can be hurtful. But nothing unites enemies like a common foe, so when the ex-fiancé and ex-best friend Beau shows back up in town and threatens the relationship of Teddy and Jefferson’s besties, they call a truce and unite forces to keep Beau from ruining everything. When they decide to add sex to the truce, what a united front they present?!?!? Their natural antagonism toward one another equates to some intense passion inside the bedroom. But as they spend more time together outside the bedroom, they find that they are far more compatible than either ever believed.

I loved Teddy and Jefferson’s pre-truce antics. Their pranks had me chuckling on more than one occasion and I loved watching them fall in love. I adored Teddy and his snarky attitude. I liked how the author integrated the relationship triangle between Noelani, Emmett, and Beau into the story, making it important without letting it overshadow Teddy and Jefferson’s romance. The “A-HA” moment was entertaining but not nearly as so as when Teddy found out that Noelani was playing him – I wasn’t sure if Noelani was brave or stupid for telling him. Either way it was hilarious. I thoroughly enjoyed Best-Laid Plans and it has joined the author’s other books on my re-read list. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Okati’s writing.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Best Laid Plans by Willa Okati post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Cowboy Delight by Cheryl Brooks

Cowboy Delight by Cheryl Brooks

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Yeehaw! Now that was exactly what I was hoping for. I discovered Ms. Brooks several years ago when I stumbled upon Slave as a Kindle freebie. As sci-fi erotica is one my guilty pleasures, I quickly devoured it and the next five books in her Cat Star Chronicles series (all that were available at the time) in less than a week. As you probably figured out, she is one of my go-to authors for sci-fi erotica. When she ventured into the contemporary romance genre with her Unlikely Lovers series, I was once again at the front of the line to buy and read them. And while I did enjoy them, her Cat Star Chronicles have reigned supreme as my favorite Cheryl Brooks’ books. However, after finishing Cowboy Delight, the Cat Star chronicles may have a challenger for that title.

As this is a novella, the story moves rather quickly and occurs over a period of less than 2 days. After a rather amusing (to me) sequence of events, Lauren finds herself in Steve’s pickup on her way to meet her fiancé’s parents – and no, Steve is not her fiancé. He’s just the widowed cowboy who agreed to give her a ride and yes that trip your mind just took to the gutter is right on point … thank you Ms. Brooks! When Mother Nature steps in and presents Steve with the perfect opening, he proceeds to demonstrate why bench seats are a good thing in a pickup truck while giving Lauren a preview of things to come. And as hot as that scene was, it had nothing on the actual sex scenes. Holy crap on a cracker can Ms. Brooks write a squirm inducing sex scene! She gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “Ride ‘em cowboy!” But when a new day dawns, Lauren must decide between a life of luxury with her fiancé or a life of comfort with her cowboy. Cowboy Delight is a lovely little tale of finding oneself served up with a heaping helping of steamy sex. This is one novella I know I will read again and I look forward to reading Cowboy Heaven to find out what delights Ms. Brooks has in store for the next cowboy.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Cowboy Delight by Cheryl Brooks Spotlight Tour post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Cowboy Heaven by Cheryl Brooks

Cowboy Heaven by Cheryl Brooks

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Ms. Brooks certainly knows her way around a cowboy or two or three… Cowboy Heaven is the second installment in the series and unlike Cowboy Delight it is a full-length novel, so while we still get plenty of hot cowboy action, we also get fully-developed characters, romance, and a little bit of suspense.

Obviously sharing the name with the main female character makes it even easier to imagine myself in Angela’s place as she picks up a sexy cowboy who’s hitchhiking. Her tendency to fantasize about Troy, her newly acquired stray, made me to connect to her even faster. While Angela’s fantasies were hot, they had nothing on the real thing when Troy shows her just how well he can ride. Having been alone since her husband’s death 2 years earlier, Troy proves to be just what Angela needs in her life but hiring him on at the ranch has farther reaching consequences than she ever anticipated. Angela soon learns that her ever-respectful cowboys have been kept at arm’s length by the ranch foreman and she sets out to shake things up by getting to know them and spending time with them – some more than others. Troy’s presence also seems to light a fire under Dusty’s butt and he makes his interest known and poor, lonely Angela finds herself the recipient of not one, but two cowboy’s attention.

As usual, Ms. Brooks did not let me down when it comes to the sex scenes. The chemistry between Angela and Troy was lustful and appropriate to their fling. Later in the book when she and Dusty finally get together, their shared history and feelings for one another generated a deeper connection that I felt when they interacted – especially after Dusty’s near misses. Fortunately for the reader, Angela is a woman who enjoys sex and isn’t afraid to admit it, so the resulting sex scenes are toe-curling hot. While there is a LOT of flirting going on, I liked that the three primary recipients (yes, I said three) took it for what it was and didn’t allow it to cause friction in the bunkhouse. On the contrary, there was quite a bit of ribbing and egging on of the flirtatious encounters. I will admit that Cowboy Heaven ended up having a heavier feel to it than I expected, but I thoroughly enjoyed the added dimension the suspense element added to it. Cowboy Heaven has been added to my reread list and I’m already looking forward to Cowboy Bliss, the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Cowboy Heaven by Cheryl Brooks post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Irresistibly Yours by Lauren Layne

Irresistibly Yours by Lauren Layne

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Do you want to know what the biggest problem with Irresistibly Yours is? It’s that I have now added four more books to my ever-expanding to-be-read list because I must read the Sex, Love & Stiletto (SL&S) series from which the Oxford series seems to have spun-off. Is it because I was lost while reading Irresistibly Yours and need to read the SL&S series first to know what’s going on? Nope, not at all. The Oxford series is set to focus on the men who work at Oxford magazine and it is my hope that the SL&S series contains the same level of humor, romance, and steam as the ladies from Stiletto magazine make several appearances in Irresistibly Yours and I want their stories. But I digress…

Irresistibly Yours brings us the story of Cole Sharpe, soon to be Senior Sports Editor of Oxford magazine, and Penelope Pope, soon to be Senior Sports Editor of Oxford magazine. Yeah you read that right – Cole and Penelope are vying for the same position at Oxford magazine. A position that Cole thought he had in the bag as he’s been freelancing for years as a sports writer for the magazine and is close friends with the magazine’s editor in chief. But there’s competition for the position and Cole is only mildly concerned until he meets said competition. He’s just not sure what upsets him more – that Penelope is competing for the same job or that she’s off limits because she’s the “enemy.” When Cassidy makes his decision, the two former competitors must figure out if they can work together for the sake of the magazine. As they work closely together, their bond builds and their friendship strengthens. As does their chemistry. Boy howdy! These two are HOT together. They do a good job of keeping their work lives and personal lives separate – until they don’t. Fun times, fun times. But when tragedy strikes and Cole strikes out at Penelope, he has to figure out how to man up and get his girl back once the dust settles.

I loved Penelope! She was an absolute hoot. I was laughing a lot as I read Irresistibly Yours and loved the banter between her and Cole. And Cole? Oh my goodness. Cole was a dream come true who was made even more heavenly by the love for his brother, Bobby. As if the chemistry and romance between Penelope and Cole were not enough, the men of Oxford and the women of Stiletto made for an amazing cast of friends that left me wishing I was part of the gang. And they’re why I have four more books to read. This is only the second book by Ms. Layne that I’ve read, but it certainly won’t be the last as I enjoy her writing style and hope to find her sense of humor infused into more of her books. At least I have an entire series to read as I wait for the next book in the Oxford series to be released, Playing for Keeps.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Irresistibly Yours by Lauren Layne Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Breathe Deep by Willa Okati

Breathe Deep by Willa Okati

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have read several of Ms. Okati’s books, including the previous books in this series, and I have enjoyed them all because I love her style of writing. Although Breathe Deep is written slightly different than what I have become accustomed to, the writing was no less enjoyable. In the other books of Ms. Okati’s that I’ve read, the main characters are either already involved romantically or tend to know one another well and because of their familiarity with one another, there is a kind of shorthand way in which they interact (i.e., they already know or can accurately anticipate the other characters’ needs and much goes unsaid). Now as Shepherd and Kit have never met prior to this book this kind of shorthand communication would never work and the author doesn’t even attempt to use it. So for me, Breathe Deep offered me the chance to experience another style of writing by an author I enjoy and it proved to be an excellent read.

In case you’re like me and started reading the book without rereading the blurb, the author uses the Prologue to introduce the reader to Kit and show what it is that he is dealing with. It’s clear rather quickly that Kit is of the mindset that if he doesn’t admit that his leukemia is in relapse, then it’s not real. I don’t have to have a fatal disease to recognize Kit’s coping mechanism or empathize with him as I’ve done the same thing myself in situations that don’t even begin to compare. This not only gives me an immediate connection with Kit, but I found myself fully invested in his story within a matter of pages. As if the universe is trying to balance out this devastating development, Kit meets a big bear of a man – Shepherd. Kit’s finally found a man who’s everything he’s ever wanted and it happens at the same time he’s worried (at least subconsciously) that he’s in relapse. Despite his best intentions, Kit can’t stay away from Shepherd nor can he bring himself to tell Shepherd about his leukemia. As the men get close – and boy howdy do they get close! – Kit’s secret gets harder to keep. Of course such a secret can’t be kept for long and when it came out, my heart broke for both Kit and Shepherd. Thankfully the author did not make me wait too terribly long before putting my heart at ease.

I was completely torn over Kit’s decision to keep his leukemia a secret. It’s not like it’s something you just mention in casual conversation to virtual strangers, which is what he and Shepherd were and all Kit expected them to be. As Kit got more attached to Shepherd, figuring out how to tell him about the leukemia got worse because Kit was afraid of losing him. Not to mention, Kit was still in denial himself and when he finally accepted that he was in relapse he no longer knew how to broach the subject. Of course when there was no way to hide it anymore, I was reading through tears because of how Shepherd reacted, especially as it occurred at the end of such a perfect day for the two men. As this is a novella, the author opted not to take readers through Kit’s actual treatment and I for one am grateful because I don’t know that I could have watched Kit suffer through it. But this makes the jump in time to the Epilogue actually frightening because with how it began, I had no idea as to how the treatments turned out and whether or not the relationship was still intact. Thankfully Ms. Okati didn’t make me wait too long for the resolution and I found it both realistic and hopeful. Already I am looking forward to future installments in the St. Hawk’s Medical series in hopes that the author will provide occasional updates regarding Kit and Shepherd. Breathe Deep was an excellent addition to the series and well worth every tear I cried.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Breathe Deep by Willa Okati post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Don't Stake My Life on It by Bailey Bradford

Don't Stake My Life on It by Bailey Bradford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I know this is only the second book but I am so loving this series. After Tony and Augustin's unconventional romance in My Life Without Garlic I was excited to see what Ms. Bradford had in store for Claude's coven. Don't Stake My Life on It does not disappoint as Radney sets out to prove that he's not the loser or psychotic vampire his stunt with Augustin would indicate. And if along the way he happens to meet someone that captures his attention, well that's all for the better.

Truth be told I really didn't remember who Rad was until mention was made of his encounter with Augustin, which still only left me with a vague recollection of him. As the details of Rad's past are hinted at and revealed I realized that there was far more to him than previously known. While it's pointed out in the book that few vampires had a good experience when turned, we learn that Rad's was worse than most and that his early years were particularly traumatic due to a sadistic sire. Because of this he is squeamish about biting humans and avoids it whenever possible. Yeah, you read that right! A vampire who doesn't like to bite humans. Can you understand why I love this series? Ms. Bradford's characters do not fit the usual vampire romance stereotype. In the same vein (no pun intended), Andrew is not a super sexy human whose body is cut beyond belief. No, he's a slightly nerdy college student with a "soft" body, a big heart, and a double-dog dare from his twin brother to sex it up with the next attractive gay man he meets. It turns out that the attraction is mutual and that makes for one seriously hot make-out session.

While not fraught with the same level of snark as book one, Ms. Bradford insures that there are plenty of amusing moments to lighten the mood when needed. I like the new element she has added with the introduction of the hunters as they present a danger for both the vampires and the humans who love them. The relationship that develops between Rad and Andrew is sweet because they don't jump right in – at least not emotionally – preferring to get to know one another better before making an eternal commitment. I loved their chemistry and how well their personalities complemented one another. The end was great as Claude showed in no uncertain terms why he's the head of their coven. Don't Stake My Life on It was a great combination of humor, sexy fun times, romance, action, and a KILT and I enjoyed every page of it. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to find out who finds their mate next.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Check out the Don’t Stake My Life on It by Bailey Bradford post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Deadly by Ker Dukey

Deadly by Ker Dukey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Were you ears burning Ms. Dukey? Because I pretty much cussed you out – out loud much to my dog’s dismay – when I got to certain point in the book. It wasn’t nice either. I used words I don’t tend to use unless I’m really angry or upset and you made me both. I know you know what point in the book I’m referring to. You made me cry and the worst part about it was that I didn’t know who I was crying for. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, I absolutely loved this book. Then again I have been fascinated by all of the books in the series because the author creates characters whose insanity is horrifically realistic.

There’s not much I can say about the book itself for fear of revealing spoilers, but I’ll do my best not to let the cat out of the bag. Deadly takes place three years after Vacant and we learn that Ryan is still trying to get Cereus to accept who she is by owning her actions. There are parts of Deadly that are confusing, but they’re meant to be. The book is written from the points of view of Ryan, Cereus, and Blake and only one of those three is actually sane … maybe. We learned in Vacant that Cereus was not only sociopathic like Ryan, but she was also hallucinating – seeing and talking to people who weren’t there. Needless to say, her chapters are those that will make you question what the heck is going on, what’s real, and what is not. Don’t be afraid to reread passages to make sure you grasp what’s going on – remember, crazy people are narrating. Adding to the confusion is that the story begins in the present and jumps to the past so that you can see the events unfold that lead to Cereus and Ryan being where they are – pay attention to chapter and section headers because they will help reduce timeline confusion … maybe. Again, crazy people narrating. As for me, just when I thought I had it figured out, the story took a turn and I was wrong. Boy was I wrong and I was so very glad to be wrong.

I enjoyed getting to catch up with Mel and Blake, even if it wasn’t under the best circumstances. Mel’s visceral reaction to Blake’s betrayal was only surpassed by his reaction to her refusal to keep him in her life. If you have read the previous books in the Empathy series, then you won’t be shocked by the violence in this installment. If you haven’t read them, don’t start with Deadly because none of the books in the series are stand-alone reads. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, romantic suspense, and sociopaths and serial killers, then I strongly recommend this series. Deadly is an excellent addition to it and I love that it ends in such a way that it serves as a conclusion, or an opening for another book. Yet again Ms. Dukey, I am impressed with your mastery of the sociopathic mind.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Deadly by Ker Dukey is Now Available & Reviewed post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

The Heat of the Moment by Katie Rose

The Heat of the Moment by Katie Rose

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have read a string of great sports romances in the past two weeks and The Heat of the Moment is no exception. Once again Ms. Rose combines the right amount of sports and romance with just a bit of conflict and a whole lot of lovin’ to create an enjoyable book that I look forward to reading again. Unlike the earlier books in the series, Gavin is new to the Sonics and New Jersey. Coming from California is enough of a culture shock, doing it during winter when it’s still sunny and warm in Cali makes it worse, but the fact that he’s still recovering from surgery to repair an injury he sustained while playing and has basically been dumped by his team makes it the absolute worst. While Gavin is not exactly pleased about the situation, he’s nowhere near the belligerent player he could have been and still been forgiven for because he got a raw deal. Once the shock of the trade passes, Gavin is determined to get back to his peak physical condition and make the Sonics glad they gambled on him – and if the Dodgers come to realize what they’ve lost by dumping him, well that’s just a bonus for him.

Fortunately for Gavin, what the Sonics lack in club amenities they make up for in staff and his physical therapist not only knows her stuff, but Jessica proves to be quite the unintentional motivator as Gavin comes to realize that he has a weakness for redheads – or at least one redhead. Because Jessica grew up in a home with a father and five brothers who lived, breathed, and ate sports, she not only knows baseball and can talk about it, but she understands that male athlete’s mindset (including an injured one) and Gavin finds himself drawn to her in a way he hasn’t experienced before. But Jessica has been burned by a professional athlete in the past so Gavin doesn’t only have to contend with her need to maintain a professional distance, but also that of a past experience that left a REALLY bad taste in her mouth. Luckily for the reader and Jessica, Gavin understands anything worth having is worth the effort and he’s not only willing to put in the work on his rehabilitation but also on making his physical therapist a permanent part of his life.

I am really enjoying Ms. Rose’s The Boys of Summer series and I liked how she took this book in a direction that gave us a different perspective of the sport, yet kept the book immersed in baseball. There is an immediate comfort level between Gavin and Jessica that makes the way their relationship develops and changes seem real. I did feel that their first time together occurred rather quickly, but then again I believe the author intended it to feel that way. The chemistry between Gavin and Jessica was electric and I loved how quickly a simple kiss could become so much more. I also enjoyed watching Gavin become part of the Sonics and how he cemented those relationships gradually, as would be expected. I will say that I expected more conflict to arise between Roger and Jessica, but I’m actually glad the author chose to keep the conflict between Roger and Gavin instead of having Roger attempt to force the issue with Jessica. I think what impressed me most (outside of the actual romance) was that the author presented the story in such a way that I wasn’t sure as to whether or not Gavin would be able to play once his injury was healed. And nope, I won’t tell you how that turned out. You’re just going to have to read it for yourself. The Heat of the Moment was the perfect addition to The Boys of Summer series and I cannot wait to read more about the New Jersey Sonics.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out The Heat of the Moment by Katie Rose Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Ryker by Sawyer Bennett

Ryker by Sawyer Bennett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I LOVED RYKER!!! But seriously, how can you not love a book that starts with a single dad making his little girl giggle by asking her if aliens have landed? Then Ms. Bennett follows that up by showing said dad, who is the 6-foot-6 goalie for the Cold Fury hockey team, being terrified of a spider. One of the best book openers ever. I was laughing at and falling in love with Ryker all at the same time. Add to that a tough-as-nails leading lady who refuses to be intimidated by men twice her size and has no qualms taking on the job as general manager for the Cold Fury hockey team or the soon-to-be ex-wife who’s come to realize that the grass wasn’t greener on the other side and it was a total winner in my book.

Ms. Bennett addresses the double standard that many professional women face and does it in a unique setting. Right off the bat, Gray is greeted with disdain by some players solely for being a woman. It doesn’t matter that she played hockey in the Olympics twice and medaled both times, nor that she was responsible for recruiting a large number of the players on the team as the head scout, they’re disturbed by the fact that she has to sit to pee. Surprisingly little is made of the fact that her father is the team’s owner as there is far more hate slung at her simply because she wears a skirt – and she does because Gray is proud of the fact that she is a woman and refuses to hide it because she knows what she’s capable of. Unlike some of his teammates, Ryder holds her in high regard because she is responsible for getting him signed with Cold Fury and when she explains her management style, he is even more impressed with her ideas for the team’s future. But he is equally astounded when he finally sees her as a woman and wonders how he missed all that before and how he’s supposed to keep his hands off of her now. Because the attraction is not a one-way street, a good amount of sexual tension builds and it is hot when it finally explodes. The chemistry between Gray and Ryker is off the charts and that makes the fact that they have to hide their relationship even worse. This is where the double standard comes in because if anyone were to find out that she is involved with one of the players, her reputation would be shredded even though as the general manager she has absolutely nothing to do with who plays when.

The conflict that arises when Ryker’s soon-to-be ex (just waiting on the judge to sign-off) tries to reconcile makes for some serious and entertaining scenes. I was flabbergasted when Hensley found out about Ryker and Gray and had the nerve to call Gray a homewrecker. Seriously!?!?! Woman you cheated on your husband and left him for one of his teammates, willingly leaving your daughters with their father so you could travel with your new man and you’re calling Gray a homewrecker? I had some unpublishable names for that woman! And I for one did not feel bad at all with the threat that Ryker made to Hensley if she exposed his and Gray’s relationship because her threat was uncalled for. I had no sympathy for that woman. As scary as it was, the incident between Gray and the dismissed team player was just what she needed to make her realize what was truly important in her life. That she had a great dad who helped her to set the stage for the best possible outcome made the outing of Gray and Ryker’s relationship perfect. I absolutely loved Ryker and am already salivating for more of Ms. Bennett’s Cold Fury Hockey series.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Ryker by Sawyer Bennett Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Sustained by Emma Chase

Sustained by Emma Chase

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Ms. Chase is one of my favorite romantic comedy authors and I jump at the chance to review her books. Having read and loved Overruled, I could not wait to begin Sustained, but I had to because I had to insure that I had the proper reading environment. You know the one – a place where you can read uninterrupted and not be bothered while laughing like a loon. Oh yes, Ms. Chase did not disappoint and there were a few times I was laughing so hard I suspect my upstairs neighbor was questioning my sanity. Why? Because being inside Jake Becker’s head is a riot. Add to that his prowess in the bedroom (or bathroom, or pantry, or door … you get the idea), and Sustained was everything I had hoped for and more.

While not a great day for Jake, I absolutely loved the wake-up call he got regarding his revolving bedroom door. The manwhore is a popular character in current contemporary romance, especially the reformed manwhore, but few authors write scenes that include the consequences of being one. Not only did Ms. Chase give Jake a huge dose of reality, she still manages to infuse the related scenes with humor (for the reader) while still conveying the seriousness of the issue. Doing so makes his first “real date” hilarious and his encounters with the McQuaids extremely entertaining. Considering what we learn about how the Judge helped Jake turn his life around, I wasn’t surprised by his reaction to Rory and the subsequent encounters with the McQuaid children. Even though Jake convinced himself that he was “helping out” for a chance at Chelsea, it became clear quickly that there was more to the situation than that. That it had the side benefit of getting him into Chelsea’s good graces (and pants) that much quicker was just a bonus. And man what a bonus that was! While there is plenty of drama to go around, the relationship angst is kept to a minimum and is understandable when Jake tells Chelsea about his father. Fortunately for Jake, he has an awesome group of friends that have no problem give him the metaphorical kick in the arse he needs to keep him from throwing away his chance at happiness.

Watching the romance between Jake and Chelsea build was great, but it’s the interactions of the “family” as a whole that made the book truly entertaining for me. I will admit that kids in a romance are an iffy subject matter for me. Some authors focus too much on the children and they take over the book and while that’s fine for a family drama, it’s not so good for a romance. But knowing Ms. Chase’s style of writing I wasn’t too concerned about that happening and, again, she proved me correct. The six, yes SIX, McQuaid children are a hoot. They are a delightful group of endearing, frustrating, c**kblocking (Jake’s word) kids that enrich Jake’s life and the book. I fell in love with the kids just as much as I did with Jake and Chelsea. I cannot believe I’m going to say this, but I’m not sure what I enjoyed more – the hot as heck sex scenes or the heartwarming interactions between Jake and the children. While I loved that we got to see Jake in action in the courtroom, the circumstances surrounding it were heartbreaking. But the ultimate ending of Sustained made it all worth it. I was so glad that Jake was able to rectify the professional dilemma he found himself in and I cannot wait to see how that venture unfolds in Appealed. Ms. Chase has another hit on her hands with Sustained and I have another book to add to my reread pile.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Sustained by Emma Chase is Now Available & Reviewed post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Delayed Penalty by Sophia Henry

Delayed Penalty by Sophia Henry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Delayed Penalty was a refreshing surprise. Why? Because in the hockey romances that I’ve read, Russian hockey players have a bit of a reputation as being major players off the ice, with a tendency to over-indulge in the smorgasbord of American puck bunnies available. Despite his rather cheesy introduction at the beginning of the book, Aleksandr doesn’t live up to that stereotype. Granted Auden doesn’t realize this because she buys into the public image and hype and this is what made the book a treat to read – the breaking down of preconceived notions, fears, and walls as two people get to know one another and fall in love.

Reeling from the loss of her spot on her college soccer team and scholarship, Auden is thrown for yet another loop when the translation client her grandfather assigned her to ends up being the hottie from the bar the night before who she embarrassed herself in front of. Making matters worse is learning that said client is a minor league hockey player who doesn’t actually need a translator. As I was not in Auden’s shoes when she discovered that tidbit of information, I found the scene to be quite amusing. Obviously she did not and that’s why her response added to my amusement. But the more time Auden spends with Aleksandr, the less hostile their relationship becomes until their simmering sexual tension boils over. Oh Yeah! As their relationship develops it becomes clear that theirs won’t be an easy road as Aleksandr not only has to overcome Auden’s personal walls, they each have people in their lives who don’t want them together.

Henry does a nice job of infusing the right amounts of hockey, relationship building, outside interests, humor, steamy make out scenes, and conflict to balance out the romance of Delayed Penalty. While the initial stages of their relationship occur over the course of 4 weeks while Auden is out of school, the author unfolds the story in such a way that it didn’t feel rushed to me. I’m assuming that because they spent so much time together between her translation duties and their “hanging out” it felt longer than it was. I loved how well matched they were and how their Russian heritage factored into their relationship, which helped Aleksandr win over her grandparents. I found their actual relationship to be rather sweet – far sweeter than I would have expected from a hockey player – and that’s what made their separations so hard to witness. While I thoroughly enjoyed Delayed Penalty, I will advise hardcore sports romance readers that there seemed to be more emphasis on the romance than the hockey in my opinion. Keep in mind, Auden enters Aleksandr’s world as his translator so much of their time is off the ice which results in less on ice time, but there is still a good bit of hockey played. I for one cannot wait to read the next installment in the Pilots Hockey series to find out Landon’s story.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Delayed Penalty by Sophia Henry Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

To the Max by Elle Aycart

To the Max by Elle Aycart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Have you ever read a book and gotten mad at yourself once you finished the book because you enjoyed it so much that you’re left questioning your sanity for putting it off for so long? Yeah? Then you know what I’m feeling now that I’ve finished reading To the Max. The worst part about it is that I LOVE Elle Aycart’s writing. I know I love her books and STILL I put off reading To the Max. Between the combination of a sexy as sin Bowen brother, a witty heroine, loads of laughs, and seriously hot sex scenes, I must be batsh!t crazy for depriving myself of the read for as long as I did. And as expected, Ms. Aycart more than delivered on the “hitching” of the youngest Bowen brother, Max <= queue the mournful wails of the single women of Alden.

Because it has been a couple of years since I’ve read More than Meets the Ink and Heavy Issues, I didn’t remember Annie; now Max being a Bowen was another matter entirely because you just don’t forget the Bowen brothers. Once the circumstances behind her pregnancy were revealed, I knew that I had indeed met Annie before and hunkered down to enjoy the fireworks that were practically guaranteed when I realized that a 35 year-old pregnant forensic accountant/heiress was about to take the final Bowen brother off the market, even if she had no intention of doing so and started her journey by vomiting all over his shoes at his brother’s wedding reception. Yep! What a way to begin a book and a relationship. When Annie finds herself homeless due to fire damage at her condo Max offers her lodging at his home by the lake, in exchange, he asks her to take care of his pets while he’s gone on a movie shoot for several weeks. Annie reluctantly agrees and the meeting of Tango and Cash was priceless. Suicidal guinea pigs indeed!

I suspect because of the age difference and her pregnancy, Annie was more comfortable in Max’s presence than she expected. While she was intimidated by his looks, she never considered herself a viable option for “the county’s most famous landmark” and this is what allows her to be herself – cracking jokes with Max, geeking out over TV and movies, and being as comfortable in sweats and yoga pants on the weekend as she was in business suits and pearls during the week. And because he got to see the “real” her, Max found himself falling for Annie as he spent time with her. In fact, Max does such a good job of hiding his attraction to and feelings for Annie, that as the reader I couldn’t pinpoint when he actually fell for her. This gradual development of their relationship is what made the romance aspect of the book so enjoyable. But I certainly enjoyed when their relationship entered the physical phase because Max demonstrated the benefits of being a serial dater. Boy howdy does that man know his way around a woman’s body!

To the Max was a thoroughly entertaining read. I laughed until my stomach hurt over far more scenes than I expected, but each and every time they used their nicknames for one another. I teared up when Max revealed a very powerful memory from his childhood and later when his dad, Nate, claimed Annie’s child as his first grandchild. I felt Annie’s fear when Max jumped in front of a bullet for her and Max’s fear when Annie’s condo exploded – oh yeah, there’s a bit of mystery embroiled within the book as well. I understood Annie’s hesitancy at introducing Max to her family – not in fear that he would not live up to their expectations (which he wouldn’t because no one would), but that meeting her family would send him running away from her as fast as humanly possible. I without a doubt found their myriad of sexual encounters to be extremely stimulating, yet was thrilled when Annie called him out after the gym encounter and equally as pleased that they worked that out almost immediately. I was amused by the doomsday preppers’ evac drill (don’t even try to decipher that without reading the book). Most of all, I was swept away by Max and Annie falling in love and making their own family. And the icing on the cake is that I have found my new hashtag for blogging – #Cliterature – I cannot wait to use it. The bad part of finally having read To the Max is that now I’m hankering for a Bowen marathon but alas my schedule will not allow it. Fortunately a Bowen novella is slated to be released next month so at least I can return to Alden sooner than I expected.

Check out the To the Max by Elle Aycart post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Tricks of the Trade by Spencer Dryden

Tricks of the Trade by Spencer Dryden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Oh my goodness that was hot! Mr. Dryden opens Tricks of the Trade with a scene that seems to come straight out of a porn video – lonely older housewife, hot young plumber, and plenty of pipe. And yet, as I read on I quickly found that there was far more substance to this hot little novelette than the first page would suggest. When Will comes to Mitzi’s plumbing rescue, he does so by giving her a little lesson on basic plumbing. While it is true that Mitzi shows her “gratitude” with a little oral pleasure, she takes it one step further and gives Will a lesson in women, specifically older women. Because Mitzi is a sexually confident woman who hosts sex toy parties, she’s quite adept at “schooling” our young Will. I really liked how her instruction was provided during the course of their sexual interlude – the author managed to make it sexy without feeling clinical. Oh yeah!

Now don't let me lead you to believe that Tricks of the Trade is erotica with no story because it’s not. Actually Will’s interlude with Mitzi is only the first half of the story because it’s Friday night and Will has plans to go clubbing with his buds. Thanks to Mitzi’s Intro to Cougars 101, Will is far more aware of the older ladies in the club than he was on previous nights out. He decides to use the disco dancing skills his momma taught him to meet some new ladies. I loved that Will’s mother taught him to dance and that he got the opportunity to use them to woo the ladies. I was delighted when he made a connection with one of his dance partners. That she was a massage therapist made it even better because it gave Lucy the opening and confidence she needed to make an overture to Will. And yes we are treated to another steamy scene as Will proves that he was definitely an apt pupil. It is through Will’s interactions with Lucy that Mr. Dryden gives us the romance that keeps Tricks of the Trade from being relegated to being strictly erotica. I was quite impressed with how the author managed to pack so much story into 44 pages, giving me not only hot sex scenes and romance, but also a few laughs at Will’s inner monologues and his friend Smitty. And he did it without falling into the insta-love trap by giving readers a look at the beginning of a romance. Tricks of the Trade was a great little read that has been added to my re-read list – hence the 5-star rating – and I look forward to reading more of Mr. Dryden’s work as I enjoyed his writing style.

Check out the Tricks of the Trade by Spencer Dryden Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Bo by Rie Warren

Bo by Rie Warren

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really don’t know how she does it, but Ms. Warren just keeps getting better and better with each book she releases in this series. I loved Hunter. I loved Kinkaid. And I loved Bo! As soon as he came on scene I wanted his story and I was not disappointed at all. Like Hunter, Bo is ex-military but rather than adjusting to civilian life by working with law enforcement or the government, he has decided to do his own thing and offer boot-camp style personal training – something I would LOVE to watch, but wouldn’t want to participate in myself. And the fiery red-headed Veronica Hartley may be just what the doctor ordered to help Bo get his head back on straight and have a reason to finish his reentry into the world.

Bear with me folks because I’m gonna continue throwing a lot of love around in this review. I loved getting to know Bo better, even if he forced Veronica to hunt him down after yet another missed appointment so that we could be privy to his therapy session. I loved how Veronica challenged Bo and didn’t let his past or attempts to scare her away with his war stories intimidate her. Although when we find out just why Veronica is not intimidated by his tactics…well that was a big OH-KAY moment for me as I did not see that coming? Talk about a well-matched pair. But their troubled pasts were only the tip of the iceberg when it came to how well they complemented one another – their banter was hilarious, they challenged one another both physically and mentally, and their passion and sexual intensity was electrifying. As expected, there came a time in the book when Veronica breaks Bo’s heart, but the incident that followed immediately after kept me from wallowing in despair alongside Bo as we didn’t have time for that nonsense because Veronica’s past comes back with a vengeance and it was extreme. Boy howdy was that some scary stuff. And I loved Tuck as the dog whisperer.

I want to thank Ms. Warren for showing how a responsible psychiatrist/psychologist acts when he/she has feelings for a client. As I read fiction almost exclusively, I allow authors a lot of leeway when it comes to doctor-patient relationships – things that would be unethical in real life are okay in a book when done in the name of love. But to see an author write a character who comes to the realization rather quickly that no matter how much good she thinks she can do for her patient’s mental health, she acknowledges that her attraction to him could lead to an inappropriate relationship and uses their first meeting as an intake interview of sorts to refer him to another psychiatrist. It was absolutely refreshing and made an already great read even better – if that makes sense. Bo delivered the action, suspense, freaking hot sex, and romance that I’ve come to expect from Ms. Warren; yet another book for my reread shelf. And the countdown begins for final book in the Bad Boys of Retribution MC series, Coletrane. I am giddy with excitement!

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads. (And then bought it.)

Check the Bo by Rie Warren Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Blind Ride by B.A. Tortuga

Blind Ride by B.A. Tortuga

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Even knowing that Blind Ride was the first book in a revised and re-edited, previously released series, I wasn’t prepared for it to end when it did. I’ve read a couple of Ms. Tortuga’s recent releases and found the writing and storyline in Blind Ride to be just as engrossing and entertaining as her newer works. As this is my first time reading this book, I cannot remark upon the level of revision and how much – if at all – it differs from the original. What I can say is that if you enjoy rodeos, hot cowboy lovin’, and the unconditional love and support of a man in love, then Blind Ride might be right up your alley.

As this is the first book in the series, the author spends a good deal of time setting up the Roughstock world and the men and women who live in it. Because of this, we are much farther into the book than I expected to be when the incident occurs that takes Jason “Mini” Scott’s sight. Admittedly I was already on edge as I waited for that shoe to drop because I hadn’t anticipated the author’s world building to last as long as it did. But that’s not a complaint because it gave me that chance to get to know Mini and Andy “Bax” Baxter well enough that I was devastated for BOTH men when Mini was hurt. This foundation also allowed the author to stay on track post-accident when decisions were made about where Mini was going and his rehabilitation plans because the author didn’t have to introduce the relevant characters because we already knew them. It also serves to show how close-knit their group of friends are and why it’s no surprise that they rally behind Mini after the accident.

As for the relationship between Jason and Andy, there are a few hints and throw-away statements made pre-accident that suggest that at some point in the past and in the presence of a pretty good amount of alcohol, they spent the night together. While it’s clear from their inner musings that both men are still attracted to one another, neither acts upon it. Yet when Jason’s life begins to spin out of control, Bax is there as his beacon in the storm, and the need to affirm their lives are still worth living leads them to take solace in one another and reconnect on a physical level. What I’m about to say may sound like a complaint, but it really isn’t. There is a lot of sex in Blind Ride, far more than I would have expected considering how far into the book we are before the first encounter. I repeat, I am not complaining about how often Mini and Bax get intimate because these two are hot together. What I found interesting though, is that what began as a life affirming act became one heck of an avoidance tactic used by both men when they couldn’t or didn’t want to deal with the world. The intimacy Mini and Bax share is intense and it allows them to lose themselves in one another and escape the realities around them. And considering what they had to deal with, I can’t really blame them there. As I said before, the end of this installment came sooner than I was ready for so I was quite annoyed when I got to the last page and found out I wasn’t going to get to “see” Mini ride. I can only hope that the next book in the series is re-released soon so I can find out what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Blind Ride by BA Tortuga post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Kinkaid by Rie Warren

Kinkaid by Rie Warren

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

I absolutely loved Kinkaid. That said, I was not expecting to cry – at all. After reading Steele: Into Your Heart and Hunter back to back, I was in the MC mindset. While the Bad Boys of Retribution MC is not as gritty as some MC romances because the members are not one-percenters, both books were action-packed and I was expecting Kinkaid to follow a similar theme. Yet Ms. Warren chose to mix it up, step back from the suspense element, and gave fans a heartfelt drama that is more reminiscent of the feel of Stone: At Your Service and Love: In the Fast Lane and I loved every page of it – even the soggy ones.

From the book’s description, I went in knowing that Kinkaid and Sadie are best friends until she finds out he has been stripping and lied by omission about the job. And boy what a way to find out! As the book progresses we come to realize that it’s not the lie that angers Sadie but the fact that he’s “selling his body” to strangers when she’s been harboring feelings for him for years. Of course that information doesn’t come out until Sadie and Kinkaid are fighting and it is definitely entertaining as they both realize they want the same thing. As they take their relationship status from best friends to lovers, Ms. Warren proves yet again that she can write some seriously hot sex scenes. But what surprised me (and shouldn’t have) is that she can write just as hot striptease scenes. Good grief! It’s no wonder that Kinkaid was able to pay for his grandfather’s medical bills and care by working only three nights a week. I felt like I should have been stuffing bills into my Kindle.

Be forewarned, Sadie and Kinkaid are in their early twenties so there is a bit of a New Adult feel to Kinkaid – a bit more angst than you would expect to find in an MC book. Add to the fact that Kinkaid is like most guys in a romance in that his communication skills are subpar and he’s a little slow on the uptake regarding how his stripping bothers Sadie, well there are certainly plenty of opportunities for fireworks between these two. But there is far more heartfelt emotion in Kinkaid’s relationship with his grandfather, the way he takes care of him, and the emotional upheaval he faces as his grandfather’s health declines that keep the angst from overpowering the book. It was two-tissue tearjerker for me. While you can read the Bad Boys of Retribution MC series without reading the Carolina Bad Boys series and you can read Kinkaid without reading Hunter first, it is a richer reading experience if you have read the others because there is an overlapping of characters between the books (even if the plotlines do not rely on knowledge gleaned from the previous books). I know I have already said it, but it bears repeating – I loved Kinkaid. This was a great addition to the franchise and I’m already salivating for Bo because the ending of Kinkaid teased me just enough to want to know what’s going on with our latest addition to the Retribution MC.

Check the Kinkaid by Rie Warren Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.

View all my reviews

Hunter by Rie Warren

Hunter by Rie Warren

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

I have read several of Ms. Warren’s books from the various genres she writes and have enjoyed every single one of them. As a huge fan of her Carolina Bad Boys series and having finally gotten a chance to read Steele: Into Your Heart last week, I was chomping at the bit to dive into Hunter and the Bad Boys of Retribution series. Where Steele upped the action and bad boy vibe of the Carolina Bad Boys series, Hunter increases it exponentially and shows that while the Retribution MC may be clean, its members are not without some serious baggage.

If you read Steele, then you have already met Hunter and the men of Retribution MC; if you haven’t, no worries because this is a stand-alone spin-off series and you can read on without being lost. Hunter opens on the night Cole gets patched in, which just so happens to be the night that Hunter first sees JB aka Jailbait. At 31, Hunter knows he is much too old for JB, especially if her moniker is correct – particularly as he is trying to get a job with the local police department. Luckily for the reader, JB proves to be far too tempting for him to resist and fortunately for Hunter, she’s actually 21. This is good news because they can’t keep their hands off each other…or lips…or other body parts. Whew! The heat these two generate could melt the polar ice caps. In a strange turn of events that I cannot reveal because of spoilers, Hunter finds his path crossing JB’s outside of the club and this becomes the straw that broke the camel’s back. Temptation = 1; Hunter = 0. Kinda, sorta. Much like Brodie, when Hunter makes his mind up to have his woman, nothing short of death is going to stop him. Fortunately for him, he has the Retribution MC and Walker (I hope he returns with his own book eventually) backing him up.

While Hunter is not super gritty for the hardcore MC readers, it is far more intense than the Carolina Bad Boys series and I was impressed with how Ms. Warren ratcheted up the action and sexual intensity. As her other books are pretty freaking intense sexually, I didn’t realize she could infuse anymore sexual chemistry between her characters and yet she did. Despite the fact that declarations of love seem to come relatively quickly, it didn’t feel like an insta-love situation. Maybe it was because there was so much going on with the ghosts from Hunter’s past making themselves known, but the relationship development didn’t feel rushed to me. As for Hunter’s past, oh. My! GOD!!! That was intense. Even though I had “met” Hunter in Steele, I NEVER would have guessed that his past was that sordid and I was certainly not expecting the level of action, suspense, and bloodshed that Ms. Warren brought to the book. The author managed to give the book the feel of an MC romance while keeping the club itself clean. I loved Hunter and cannot wait to sink my teeth into Kinkaid.

Check the Hunter by Rie Warren is Now Available & Reviewed post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews

Heart's Chord by Charity Parkerson

Heart's Chord by Charity Parkerson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

While this is the first book that I have read from the Ugly Eternity series (and did so with no problem), it is not the first of Ms. Parkerson’s books that I’ve read. I enjoy the author’s writing style immensely and Heart’s Chord is no exception as she manages to pack a feel-good romance with some steamy sex scenes, the right amount of conflict and angst, perfectly broken characters who see the man inside rather than the mask they present the world, a bit of heartbreak, and an ending that insured that I will go back and read the rest of this series. Thankfully the story wasn’t as ominous as the blurb’s “he’s ready to walk away from everything for good” statement had me fearing it would be. (Sated was the last book of Ms. Parkerson’s I’ve had a chance to read, and if you read it you know what I mean).

I loved the way that Austen and Finn “met” especially when later in the book we find out why Austen finally initiated contact. The unrequited attraction of both of their parts and the outright openness of Finn makes the way their relationship progresses feel right rather than rushed. Because Heart’s Chord is a novella, the author did not play out every scene of their interactions. Yet via texts between the two and their inner musings, I was able to follow their developing relationship even as parts of it happened “off page.” The conflict and angst come into play when each man’s insecurities keeps him from talking to the other. While it could easily be chalked up to stereotypical male behavior to not talk about their feelings, their issues prove to be rather sensitive subjects and I could easily see why neither man would want to talk about it. Who wants to expose their string of failures to the man he’s falling in love with? Can’t blame Finn for keeping his fears to himself. Who wants to tell his could be lover that his injury has affected his sexual functioning? Yeah, I’m not sure that would be an easy conversation for anyone, let alone Austen when he regularly questions why Finn is attracted to him in the first place. I got it and I found myself empathizing with each man rather than getting frustrated with them. But my heart absolutely broke for both men when Austen’s insecurities pushed Finn away one time too many. Fortunately the author crafted the perfect ending for these two as Austen put his fierce determination to the task of getting back his man and making Finn’s world right again. Heart’s Chord was a great novella and I cannot wait to go back and read the other books in the series.

Check out the Heart’s Chord by Charity Parkerson Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.


View all my reviews