ARC Book review: Holding Strong (Ultimate #2) by Lori Foster

Available March 31st
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley for review

An up-and-coming MMA fighter wants more than just one night from a woman fleeing her past in New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster's irresistible new novel 

Heavyweight fighter Denver Lewis plays real nice, but he doesn't share. That's why he's been avoiding top-notch flirt Cherry Peyton. But a man can only resist those lush curves for so long. Their encounter surpasses all his fantasies, bringing out protective urges that Cherry's about to need more than she knows… 

Denver's combination of pure muscle and unexpected tenderness has been driving Cherry wild. Yet no sooner does she get what she's been craving than old troubles show up on her doorstep. And this time, Cherry can't hide behind a carefree facade. Because the man by her side is one who'll fight like hell to keep her safe…if only she'll trust him enough to let him…

This is the second book in Lori Foster's new MMA fighter series. Denver Lewis has had a thing for Cherry Peyton for a while but he doesn't like games and Cherry seems to like to flirt with everyone. Once he finally gives in though he is all in. Cherry has been interested in Denver for a long time but something in her past comes back to haunt her and she has to try to put away her hard fought independence to let Denver and his friends help her. There is the romance between Denver and Cherry going on as well as the threat to Cherry by her former foster brothers.  Finding out what they are after and keeping Cherry safe becomes a big part of Denver's life along with training for a big fight he has coming up and helping out at the rec center. While i enjoyed the book the secondary characters were more entertaining to me that the main characters. For some reason i just could not click with Denver and Cherry.  It seemed to drag here and there for me too. Enjoying the series but this one is not my favorite. 

Find out more about the book and series as well as Lori Foster's other work here www.lorifoster.com

ARC Book review: Texas Bossa Nova (Texas Montgomery Mavericks #5) by Cynthia D'Alba

Available March 31st
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley for review

He plans to take the wander right out of her wanderlust.

Magda Hobbs’s job as ranch housekeeper—and its daily dose of cowboys—wreaked havoc on her libido. Especially one certain cowboy she couldn’t resist. Scared of going down the same path as her mother, Magda jumped on her motorcycle and hit the road.

Five months later, her father’s mild heart attack has forced her back to Whispering Springs. While she’s grateful for the cleaning job at one of the Montgomery ranch houses, she’s not so thrilled one of the cowboys she’s looking after is the one she fell for last spring.

Reno Montgomery’s parents hiring a housekeeper for him and his brother is a nice surprise, but he’s shocked to discover it’s Magda, the woman who up and left just when things were getting serious between them.

When a freak snowstorm cuts off the outside world, the isolation rekindles their desire. But when the weather and the roads clear, Reno has to work hard and fast to keep the woman of his dreams from accelerating right out of his life again.

Warning: Contains a woman born with a bad case of wanderlust, and a cowboy determined to show her that life’s a dance that doesn’t have to two-step her out of his life

Magda Hobbs is a wanderer. Her upbringing never gave her the stability of a permanent home. Her mom  raised her on her own til she passed away when Magda was only 12. It wasn't until she was grown that her biological dad found her and finally gave her her first real home. A hot relationship with Reno Montgomery scares the crap out of her. She doesn't want to repeat her mothers mistake of falling in love with a man who doesn't love her back, so she takes off. A phone call that her dad has a heart attack to bring her home. Being home means seeing Reno. Reno and his twin brother Darren get Magda as their housekeeper as a gift from their parents for Christmas. Magda needs the money and thinks she can handle being around Reno. Not as easy as she thought when a storm traps them alone together with the power out and Reno falling in the freezing pond. This was a fast one sitting read. Gave myself a book hangover staying up to finish this it was so good. The page sizzles with Reno and Magda together. The Montgomery clan as always is fun and interesting . I'm left wondering if Darren, Reno's twin has a story in the works.  One can only hope! 

Find out more about this fabulous series and Cynthia D'Alba here www.cynthiadalba.com

ARC Book review: The Risk (Xtreme Heroes) book one by Skye Jordan

Available now!
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

Former Olympian turned physical therapist to the elite Julia Bailey knows all about pushing the limits. But when a sexual harassment suit costs her a dream job—not to mention her reputation—she takes on the biggest risk of her life. Rehabilitating the X Games’ most notorious bad boy might be just what she needs to secure the funds for her own treatment center. Problem is, the only kind of recovery her new client is interested in is under-the-covers freestyle—gear optional. 

Daredevil snowboarder Noah Hunt is a rock star—on and off the slopes. A recent accident might have him down, but he’s far from out. He doesn’t care what the sexy therapist with the sweet curves says. He’s got sponsors to impress and trophies to collect, and taking things slow and steady just ain’t his style. A little dirty talk and a sizzling night later, Julia learns just how fast and hard he likes to play. Too bad for him, his heart goes all in, and one wrong move could cost him more than just his career.

This is the first book in a brand new series by Skye Jordan. It's always kind of exciting to see a brand new series start. Julia Bailey is hiding out from a scandal by working in a nursing home as a physical therapist. Her friend Drake comes to offer her a chance at getting back to her dream career. Rehabbing Noah Hunt who is a bad boy, risk taking high profile snow boarder. A serious injury combined with the stubborn Noah thinking he can rehab himself when he needs to be 100% in time for the X Games.  The two get off to a rough start with Julia eventually walking off and stealing Noah's car.  Julia had a hot career as a physical therapist until one client ruined it for her and destroyed her life. Noah is her chance to get back in there. Noah is in denial over his injury and as much as he'd like it's not getting better. Once he gives in and let's Julia start working with him he slowly gets better. One night of passion makes everything harder when Noah wants more and Julie trying to protect herself says no way.  Not while she is working with him as a client. There were also several fun secondary characters and some interesting technical information about health and diet. I loved how the story between Julia and Noah developed slowly but steady and the details about their lives came out and what happened to Julia before the book began that messed up her career. Can't wait to see where this series goes next!

Find out more about this series and Sky Jordan here www.skyejordanauthor.com

ARC Book review: Rock Hard (Rock Kiss #2) by Nalini Singh

Available March 10th 2015
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

In New York Times Bestselling author Nalini Singh’s newest contemporary romance, passion ignites between a gorgeous, sinfully sexy man who built himself up from nothing and a shy woman who has a terrible secret in her past… 

Wealthy businessman Gabriel Bishop rules the boardroom with the same determination and ruthlessness that made him a rock star on the rugby field. He knows what he wants, and he’ll go after it no-holds-barred.

And what he wants is Charlotte Baird.

Charlotte knows she’s a mouse. Emotionally scarred and painfully shy, she just wants to do her job and remain as invisible as possible. But the new CEO—a brilliant, broad-shouldered T-Rex of a man who growls and storms through the office, leaving carnage in his wake—clearly has other plans. Plans that may be equal parts business and bedroom.

If Charlotte intends to survive this battle of wits and hearts, the mouse will have to learn to wrangle the T-Rex. Game on.

This is the second book in the Rock Kiss series and book one takes place at the same time as this one pretty much. You can read this one as a stand alone as well. Gabriel is this tall, sexy and smart ex rugby player turned business guru, He takes failing companies and turns them around to make them profitable again. Charlotte has had some really bad things happen in her life and ever since then she is very careful about the people around her. Especially men. Her first meeting with Gabriel she runs into him at her work which he is the new boss. Alone after work hours she hear someone and thinks it's a intruder and throws a stapler at him. Charlotte starts out at the beginning of this book like the back of the book blurb says as a mouse. Gabriel sees something in her that attracts him though and little by little brings Charlotte out of the dark shadows she's spent the past few years in, Then the threat from her past comes back and it's sink or swim time for Charlotte. Go back to the way she was or let Gabriel be there for her and fight. I loved Gabriel and Charlotte both. Gabriel is visually described at this really big guy over 6ft tall, wide shoulders and muscular and Charlotte is described as a small and delicate. Gabriel doesn't hold back in the way he talks to Charlotte describing all the things he want to do with her but still he controls himself physically around here giving her time to get used to him. Even though he helps her a lot the help isn't just one sided. Gabriel has some issues himself with some things from his past and Charlottte helps him with it. Once she starts getting her self confidence and security in herself back she doesn't let Gabriel get away with anything. There banter is fun and her T-REX knickname for him just seems to fit. There is just so much about this book to love. It makes me wish i could unread it so i can read it again for the first time. 

Find out more about Nalini Singh and her books here www.nalinisingh.com

ARC Book review: Chain of Command (Greenway Range #1) by HelenKay Dimon

Available March 9th 2015
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

Retired marine Sawyer Cain can't forget all he's seen and lost, but he can try to start over. Opening a gun range with his closest friends is the first step toward a new life—one where he finally buries the guilt he can't seem to shake. So much depends on the property he needs to buy…and the gorgeous but completely frustrating woman who refuses to sell it.

Hailey Thorne is done—with loss and with anything military, after the closest thing she had to an uncle died in Afghanistan. When Sawyer shows up on her porch he has military written all over him. He's one more in a long line of people who wants the land she inherited, and suddenly he's everywhere she goes. Hailey can't get the broad-shouldered, dirty-talking, dead-serious man out of her head. Or her life.

Sawyer's not above using his skills in the bedroom to try to convince her to sell, and Hailey is more than willing to let him. Their pleasure-only arrangement works…until emotions get in the way. But Sawyer has a secret he's convinced will have Hailey hating him forever, and Hailey's not willing to risk loving anyone she could lose.

The beginning of a new series  Sawyer and friend Marcus and Jason along with Sawyer's sister Molly are trying to start a business with a gun range. The men all ex military know their weapons so it's the perfect business for Sawyer to keep them all together and have a income.  A friend of Sawyer's from his time in Afghanistan offers him a piece of land.He is killed before he can put anything in writing. Hailey friend  Rob who she always considered a uncle is killed in Afghanistan and leaves her his home and a large amount of property. The same land Sawyer needs. Hailey has sworn off military men and even Sawyer being ex military doesn't mean anything since uncle Rob was ex military as well and went back as a contractor and still lost his life. She can't go trust that it won't happen again. The relationship starts out slow because Sawyer needs the land but he also has a attraction for Sawyer. Once it gets started though it's sizzling hot. My only problem with this book was it seemed like the separation between the personal relationship of Hailey and Sawyer and the land Sawyer needs from Hailey was eventually at a stalemate. Sawyer and Hailey burned hot and heavy then the land roadblock. It just got a little old by the end. I believe this was just part of new series set up. I love all the secondary characters and i'm excited to see where this series will go. 

Want to find out more check out HelenKay Dimon website here www.helenkaydimon.com


http://helenkaydimon.cthiom/m

ARC Book review: Need Me (Dark Obsession #3) by Cynthia Eden

Available now!
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Innocent…or guilty?

The cops think that Julianna Smith is a murderer. No one will listen when Julianna claims she’s innocent, and as the suspicions mount against her, only Julianna knows the truth…a killer is hunting her. Somewhere in the darkness, a stalker is closing in and preparing to deliver a final justice that she can’t escape.

He’s her only option.

Devlin Shade isn’t a man who trusts easily, and when Julianna Smith walks into VJS Protection, he’s well aware of her reputation—the sexy blond could be a cold-blooded murderer. Only when he looks at her, cold is the last thing that Devlin feels. There’s an instant attraction between them—hot, fierce, primal. And he agrees to take her case. He’ll be her bodyguard. He’ll keep her safe from the enemy hunting her, and he’ll also find out the truth about the mysterious Julianna. If she is a killer, he’ll turn her over to the cops himself. 

She can’t let him get too close…

Julianna knows that she is walking a dangerous line with Devlin. She never expected to want him so much, and as they grow closer, she realizes that he’s working to uncover her secrets. But the secrets that she carries are worth killing for…and she can’t let anyone discover the truth, not even Devlin.

Killer or victim…

Soon the thin line between right and wrong is blurred. For Devlin, the case becomes personal, and all that matters is Julianna—keeping her safe and stopping the stalker who is on her trail. As he slides deeper into Julianna’s dangerous world, Devlin’s own darkness rises up. He’s played the good guy for so long, but now his mask is falling away. He isn’t controlled, he isn’t safe, and when Julianna is threatened, he will cross any line to keep her safe.

NEED ME. 

Some needs can push you to the edge of sanity…

This is the third book in the Dark Obsession series by Cynthia Eden. Devlin is the last of the guys to get a story and he is the one you would believe would be the last to fall so it's only fitting. Julianna Smith walks into VJS protection hoping someone can help her prove she isn't a murderer. It looks pretty bad for her so finding anyone who will help is next to impossible but Devlin Shade sees something in her he likes. He's not sure if she is a liar or if someone is framing her but it doesn't take him long to figure out something isn't right. Then someone tries to kill Julianna and more and more Devlin believes she is innocent. This is a fast paced story from the beginning to last page. Devlin with some help from his partners and Julianna scramble to get to the answers before someone else dies. Of the three books in this series this one was my favorite. Devlin and Julianna really have to go through a lot emotionally in this book and it really endeared me to them both. 

Find out more about Cynthia Eden and her work here www.cynthiaeden.com

ARC Book review: The Three Fates of Ryan Love (Beyond #2) by Erin Quinn

Available now!
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

Two star-crossed souls discover that their fates are intertwined—for better or worse—in the second book in the Beyond series of paranormal romances that began with The Five Deaths of Roxanne Love.

Step into a world of angels and demons, where there are fates worse than death and love larger than life.

Ryan Love’s life is about to go up in flames—literally—when a mystical being named Sabelle appears, claiming to be from the Beyond, the realm of heaven, hell, and mysteries both awesome and terrifying. As Ryan’s family business and home are destroyed in a freak explosion, Sabelle saves him just in time. So why does Ryan feel like she’s the one who needs saving?

Sabelle is a Spinner, or agent of fate, whose sole purpose is to guide Ryan through his life choices. But the time is coming when she must part with him forever and entrust her job to someone else—someone who cares much less about him. And she can’t bear the thought, because each time Ryan touches her she falls more in love with him…

But maybe there is a way to stop the ticking time bomb. She’s heard rumors, and no one knows for certain if it works. It’s forbidden, of course, and dangerous—undoubtedly. Sabelle must leave the Beyond and bind herself to Ryan forever. But how will Ryan react when he learns what she’s done? And are their destinies forever connected, or can Ryan still pave the path of his future?

It's been a while since i have read a Erin Quinn book. A couple chapters into The Three Fates of Ryan Love I remember why i like them so much. Ryan Love is the guy who takes care of things. He's taken care of his brother and sisters for years. Stuck as the owner of a bar that his late father owned but because of his past, he keeps at it even though his hearts not in it. He's not really living. Then comes along a thunderstorm and a seemingly scared naked women in the alley behind his bar. From that point on nothing is the same for Ryan again. I have no idea how Erin Quinn writes these stories. They are complex yet interesting and exciting. You are never sure where the story is going but you're hoping for a Happy Every After. The journey to it in this story is nail biting. Sabelle is everything Ryan needs but she is not what she seems and he has to come to terms with his fears and his feelings for Sabelle. I was doubly happy to get to see Santos and Ryan's sister Roxanne from book one. An amazing ride from beginning to end.

Find out more about Erin Quinn are her other work here www.erinquinnbooks.com