ARC Book review: No Better Man (Heart of the Rockies #1) by Sara Richardson

Available May 26th 2015
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

When it comes to business, Avery King always comes out on top. So after a very public breakup, work is the perfect excuse to flee the Windy City for the gentle breezes of Aspen, Colorado. Her mission: acquire the land of a rundown mountain ranch. Avery expects an easy win . . . until she meets the rugged and irresistible rancher who won't give up his property without a fight.

Bryce Walker is stunned by the stubborn beauty determined to get what she wants. But what she wants is his last connection to the life he used to have. Bryce has plans to return the ranch to its former glory and no way will he sell his family home. Yet the more time he spends with Avery, the more her sweet touch makes him forget his painful memories. Now Bryce must decide whether living in the past is worth losing his future . . 

This is Sarah Richardson's Debut book. I didn't realize this until after i read the book and checked out here website. This is a classic contemporary romance with a lot of drama and likable characters. Avery King comes to Aspen, Colorado to secure a multi million dollar ranch for her dad. Bryce Walker is the owner of said ranch and is on the brink of losing it because he is to far behind on payments.  That's the situation in this story but in reality it's just the tip of the ice burg. There is a lot of pain that the characters in this book have to deal with.  The personal tragedies of the main characters and their families play a big part in this story. They are covered well without it being shoved down your throat and that could easily have happened in this book. I was glad to see how the author dealt with all of it without it being uncomfortable for the me as the reader. Avery and Bryce had chemistry from their fist appearance in the book. Both were hurting but both fought to get past it and do what was right for each other and themselves. It wasn't a easy road. Loved the secondary characters and chapter one for the next book in the series is at the end of the book so you can see what's coming next. I enjoyed No Better Man and admire how the author had the character's work through their issues and the strength it showed in them getting there.

Find out more about Sara Richardson and her work here www.sararichardson.com

ARC Book review: Lance (Male Model Chronicles #2) by Christi Snow

Available June 5th 2015
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

As the owner and CEO of Lancer Industries, Matthew Lancer spends his days in three piece suits and conducting meetings that affect the world financial markets. What the world doesn’t know is that Matthew Lancer has a deep, dark secret. He’s actually super-hot, super-sexy, and covered in tattoos. When he can, he spends his free time letting loose as bad-boy male model, Lance Jones. No one knows and it has to stay that way or Lance will lose the one thing that’s keeping his high pressure life sane.

Andi Kelly writes erotic romance. Day in and day out, she imagines a world filled with bondage, multiple partners, and just a few whips and chains. But that’s the fantasy life in her novels. In the real world, she’s an introvert who spends her days at home living out her fantasies through her laptop. Andi’s finally worked up the courage to ask Shauna Kruse if she can sit in on the photoshoot for Andi’s next novel…with her model-crush, Lance Jones.

But Lancer Industries has a mole and it’s put both Andi and Lance in danger. Lance’s two worlds collide and when corporate espionage meets erotic romance, there’s no telling what might happen.

The cover , blurb and story behind this series intrigued me enough i wanted to check this book out.  Matthew Lancer leads a double life. To get away from his high tension stressful public life he moonlights as a male model Lance Jones. This is a release for him and a way to be himself. That job puts him in contact with shy Andi Kelly. Andi writes erotic romance and teaches BDSM rope work to other authors who write the genre . An extremely bad experience with ropes and BDSM in college took a toll on Andi's confidence. Even though she is engulfed in the BDSM world she is afraid to engage men. For Lance he's attracted to her the first time he sees her. Lance/Matthew's company has a dangerous situation going on and it suddenly leaks over into Andi's world. They have to fight together to get out. This is a mix of erotica and romantic suspense.  This is a new author for me and i asked around about her and this series and told i would enjoy it. It's a refreshing twist on classic romantic suspense and i really enjoyed the character's. Andi is a little bit hard to like at first but once she finds her way and is forced to fight for her life she is a dynamo. Matthew/Lance is a a great guy who just wants to be himself but finding Andi finally makes him rethink his future. Love the writing and enjoyed the story and watching Andi and Lance find their way to each other. Both deserve happiness.

Be sure to check out www.christi-snow.blogspot.com  to find out more about this author and this series.

ARC Book review: Beyond Innocence (Beyond #6) by Kit Rocha

Available now!
eARC provided by author

For years, Jared has existed on the fringes of both Eden society and Dallas O'Kane's Sector Four gang. He travels between these worlds, protected by his money and power--money he earned selling his body, and power that comes from knowing secrets. He's untouchable—until he starts a new life gathering intelligence for the O'Kanes.

Lili Fleming walked out of Sector Five with a gun, the bloodstained clothes on her back, and an icy determination to survive. She finds herself in a world where people live hard and love harder, and nothing's more terrifying than how much the O'Kanes wake her up, make her feel—especially Jared.

Emotion is a risk he can't afford, and a complication she doesn't need. But neither can resist the lust simmering between them, and the sparks that could either melt the ice around both their hearts…or get them killed. Because the only thing more dangerous than loving an O'Kane is loving a spy.

I have enjoyed this series since book one. For me it was different and exciting and dangerous with some sexy romance mixed in. Jared has always been interesting to me because he was not a O'Kane even though they wanted him to be. He was there but didn't really belong. Beyond Innocence is his book. It's sometimes crazy who the love interests are for characters in these books and this time it's Lily Fleming. I did not see that coming. We really don't see a whole lot of her before this book and what we do see tells us nothing about the real Lily. Problem for Lily is she doesn't know who she is either. Jared is the one person she is drawn to right away once she is a part of Sector 4. Jared is also attracted to her. He doesn't want to be but he can't help himself. This is probably my favorite book since book one. I just wanted to keep reading and reading and see what happens next. Lily appears weak at first and she thinks she is as well but little by little she finds out who she is and finds she does have power. Jared is more than he thinks he can be too and it takes his long time friends and the O'Kane's along with Lily to realize it. I loved seeing Lily work to empower herself and the O'Kanes and Jared standing with her. Great addition to the series. Looking forward to more.

Find out more about this series and the author here www.kitrocha.com

ARC Book review: Rescuing the Bad Boy (Second Chance #2) by Jessica Lemmon

Available May 26th 2015
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

NOT ALL SCARS HEAL

For Donovan Pate, the lake town of Evergreen Cove is a minefield of tough memories—including the day he had to let go of Sofie Martin. Years later, he still can’t forget the taste of her lips and the feel of her killer curves. He knows he’s too damaged, that he should stay away for her own good. But what the head says and the heart wants are two very different things…

Seven years ago, Donovan broke Sofie’s heart. Now her career depends on playing nice in order to pull off the charity fundraiser of the decade. She vows to keep things professional…yet working by his side every day doesn’t make it easy to fight temptation, and it isn’t long before she finds herself falling for this bad boy all over again. But loving Donovan means helping him face his past–so they can fight for a future together.

This is my first Jessica Lemmon book and while i hate to start in the middle of a series  something about the cover and blurb of this book caught my attention. Jessica Lemmon's name keeps popping up for me here and there so my curiosity got the better of me and isn't that just one of many ways to find a new author? I was told by others i should go back and read book one. I'm not sure if that is for continuity's sake of the series or because they liked book one that much. In my opinion it wasn't hard starting with book two. The relationship between the main characters of book one was explained enough for my satisfaction. Book two starts out in a bit of a prologue to show you what happened between Donovan Pate and Sofie Martin seven years earlier. How Donovan took a sweet beautiful girl that had a deep crush on him and seemingly used her then threw her away and then left town. He comes across and broken and mean and cold and she walks away with her heart broken. Seven years pass before fate makes their paths cross again. Donovan is back to sell the mansion where  he suffered abuse as a child from his dad and his grandmother. His dad long since dead and his grandmother recently deceased. All he wants to do is fix up what needs fixing and get out. Problem is Sofie now a event planner has a contract to be able to use the mansion for a benefit dinner and auction for abused kids. Something that hits a little to close for Donovan. Even though they pretend it doesn't matter the sparks are still there. Things get interesting when Donovan decides to let Sophie have her benefit dinner while he's fixes the place up. Donovan doesn't realize it at first but he's getting his second chance with Sofie. Years later he can look back and see how he used her and hurt her. In a lot of ways she saved him back then. It didn't seem like it at the time but she did. It was fun to see Donovan fall to Sofie's charms. Sofie worms herself into his heart little by little but Donovan is a die hard wanna be loner right til the almost bitter end. He does self torture like a pro and if it wasn't for Sofie and his friends, that he knows he doesn't deserve he'd be totally lost and alone. Hot romance and sweet moments mixed together to be pretty explosive and if you read this story you will understand when i say i want that shower Donovan builds in the mansion.
Find out more about the Second Chance series and Jessica Lemmon here www.jessicalemmon.com

Kit Rocha~ Beyond Innocence Release day! Book 6 Beyond series #Giveaway #Kindle #rafflecopter

Available today!


blurb
For years, Jared has existed on the fringes of both Eden society and Dallas O'Kane's Sector Four gang. He travels between these worlds, protected by his money and power--money he earned selling his body, and power that comes from knowing secrets. He's untouchable—until he starts a new life gathering intelligence for the O'Kanes.

Lili Fleming walked out of Sector Five with a gun, the bloodstained clothes on her back, and an icy determination to survive. She finds herself in a world where people live hard and love harder, and nothing's more terrifying than how much the O'Kanes wake her up, make her feel—especially Jared.

Emotion is a risk he can't afford, and a complication she doesn't need. But neither can resist the lust simmering between them, and the sparks that could either melt the ice around both their hearts…or get them killed. Because the only thing more dangerous than loving an O'Kane is loving a spy.


Purchase Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XK6SNUA/ 
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beyond-innocence-kit-rocha/1121905615?ean=2940151530323
iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/beyond-innocence-beyond-book/id994007238?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/beyond-innocence-beyond-book-six
ARe:https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-beyondinnocencebeyondbooksix-1802807-149.html



Excerpt from  Beyond Innocence   by Kit Rocha

He didn’t say anything, just watched her for so long that the intensity would have terrified her if being the focus of his attention wasn’t thrilling in a different way. Finally, he sighed. “I don’t know what to do with you, Lili Fleming.”Her heart lurched, and the words that spilled out were reckless—the most unguarded of her life. “What do you want to do with me?”Again, the hesitation. “There are ways I could help you,” he admitted, rubbing his thumb over the bowl of his glass. “Ordinarily, I  would have already offered. But somehow it seems complicated now.”

She watched his thumb make another slow sweep and couldn’t not imagine it smoothing over her skin. That was what he was talking about—he had to be. Touching her. Showing her the things her body wanted, even as her mind shrank away.

“That’s not why—” Her voice cracked, and she took a long sip of wine and wished it was whiskey. “I’m not asking you for that. I don’t know if I—if I could…” God, she couldn’t even say it, her tongue tangling around the mildest of euphemisms.

“I know you’re not asking.” He shrugged. “I guess that’s what makes it complicated.

”Because trades were simple. They never left you vulnerable. And he hadn’t really answered her question—he was so deft that she hadn’t noticed. “What do you want to do?” she repeated softly.

Jared held her riveted, so completely that she barely noticed when he moved. She couldn’t look away, even when he took the glass from her hand. Even when he laid his hands on her face, his fingers curled around her neck to hold her, and lowered his mouth to hers.

She’d imagined kissing. Mouths touching, lips brushing.

She’d imagined wrong, because Jared’s tongue was the first thing she felt, hot and shocking, as if he knew it would make her gasp. Because when she did, he went deeper, his tongue finding hers.

Find out more about the Beyond series and Kit Rocha here www.kitrocha.com

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ARC Book review: Let It Ride (Thompson & Sons #3) by Vivian Arend

Available 5/19/2015
eARC provided by author

He’s her rock in the midst of the storm

When Maggie Ward’s world is torn apart by sudden tragedy, the only thing that makes her days bearable is Clay Thompson’s unwavering presence. He’s protective, caring, and everything she could ask for in a friend. But when she finds herself longing for more than friendship, it will take a little seduction to convince the stubborn mechanic she’s ready to start living again.

She’s his heart, whether he knows it or not

Clay Thompson’s got the taking-care-of-others business down pat, only he’s never faced this particular challenge before—the one woman he’s always wanted is unexpectedly his to care for. Suddenly it’s not just responsibility driving him, but a wild desire to make Maggie truly his. But following his heart might mean sacrificing the family he’s held together for years.

If you have been reading this series you must like those Thompsons. Clay Thompson finds himself in a good place and a bad place at the same time in the 3rd book in this series. This one might be a little hard to read at times for a variety of reasons. Maggie Ward was on Clay's radar years ago until family obligations left him no time for looking at girls and only responsibility. Years later Clay finds he's still attracted to Maggie and her husband is one of his best friends. When a tragic accident on icy roads takes his friends life and leaves Maggie alone and vulnerable Clay is there. He works hard at just being a friend to her but there is always that edge of attraction that sparks between them. Guilt is something that can weigh heavy on people and even though Clay is feeling it for wanting his  deceased friends wife he doesn't want Maggie to feel it at all so he tries hard to just be the friend she needs. Maggie feels it too and although she is happy to have his friendship at some point she wants more. Once they let it be known the attraction is mutual it's a slippery slope when someone close to Clay doesn't approve. This one is hard. On one hand Maggie just lost her husband a man  it is clear she loved deeply. How d,o you honor that without losing yourself to loneliness? In some people's minds maybe four months isn't enough to mourn but is it? I think you have to be in those shoes to know. Then there is guilt. Guilt is something that can come into play here for many reasons. Clay and Maggie both have some and have to work there way through it. I don't think Maggie's husband would want her alone and i think having his friend be there to take care of her would be something he might want.  I enjoyed the story immensely and in between the romance there was some questions i had to ask myself but in the end i was satisfied with the ending chosen by the author.  I do love those Thompsons!

Find out more about the Thompson and Sons series here www.vivianarend.com

ARC Book review: Touch of Amber (Hot Rods #7) by Jayne Rylon

Available now!
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

Perfect isn’t a destination. But the journey can be one hot ride.

Hot Rods, Book 7

As the planner for the Hot Rods’ quadruple wedding—one of which involves her sister, Nola—Amber Brown needs every ounce of her formidable attention to detail. Which is just fine with her.

She’s a teensy bit envious of the raw sexual power contained within the Hot Rods’ polyamorous circle. But after watching her mother suffer the heartache of her father’s death, Amber won’t risk her heart, not even for the super-sexy lawyer on the guest list. 

Gavyn has handled enough divorce cases to witness the horrors people who supposedly loved each other can inflict. Yet when he assists Amber with the wedding prep in exchange for her advice on his new venture, it’s hard to ignore the steam rising between them.

Finally, they agree to a single night of strings-free sex. Except one taste isn’t enough to curb their hunger. Until Amber makes a shocking discovery that sours her appetite for the man she thought could satisfy her for a lifetime. And leaves Gavyn negotiating desperately for a future he never thought he craved.

Product Warnings: Powerful emotions, like love—or self-loathing—can be intense to witness. But rescuing someone from soul-deep bitterness is worth the risk. 

I have read several Jayne Rylon books and enjoyed them so i was excited to check in with the Hot Rods gang.  This is book 7 in the Hot Rods series.  Although i had read a few of the books in this series i missed a few as well so i hoped when i read this i wouldn't have a issue.  Amber Brown is in charge of  planning a group wedding. While the thought of that might make most people run screaming into the night this is the kind of thing that Amber loves. Unfortunately it makes her just a little too uptight and over stressed.  Gavyn is the complete opposite of Amber. He's laid back and easy going. To get to that though he went through hell as a divorce lawyer put through the ringer. To cope he turned to drugs and alcohol. Now working on his recovery and restarting his life he offers to help Amber with the wedding and help her loosen up. Amber in return offers to help him with his business venture. It doesn't hurt that the chemistry between is them is razor hot!  Loved this couple. They sizzle together on the page but even though insecurity knocks them down a time or two they don't give up. Just regroup and lean on each other and their hot rods friends and family. A fun but emotion read worth getting the box of tissues out.

Find out more about the Hot Rod series and Jayne Rylon here www.jaynerylon.com

ARC Book review: Zack (Cold Fury Hockey #3) by Sawyer Bennett

Available June 9th 2015
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley


Rising star Zack Grantham has been stuck in a downward spiral of grief ever since the car accident that left him a single dad and put his career on hold. Back on the road with the Carolina Cold Fury and still crippled by emotional baggage, he’s in need of some serious help with his son. But while the nerdy new nanny wins his son’s heart, Zack isn’t sure he’s ready for a woman’s touch—even after getting a glimpse of the killer curves she’s hiding under those baggy clothes.

Kate Francis usually keeps men like Zack at a distance. Though his athlete’s body is honed to perfection, he refuses to move on with his life—and besides, he’s her boss. Still, the sparks between them are undeniable, tempting Kate to turn their professional relationship into a personal one. But before she makes a power play for Zack’s wounded heart, Kate will have to open him up again and show him that love is worth the fight.

I'll start out by saying i have not read this author before. I have seen the name pop up quite a bit on social media and all of it good. I even asked around about this book and series a bit before reading it. It's book three in a series and it can be read as a stand alone or i would never have read it without reading the books i had missed. I am not used to the dual point of view. With as many books as i have read over the years i do not often come across books written this way. I neither like it or dislike it. It's just different so it might just mean i need to get used to that style. It makes me feel like a outsider to the story instead of drawing me in this case though.  While i liked parts of both characters there were parts i didn't like. I didn't care for Zach getting into a relationship just 4 months after losing his girlfriend. For me that seemed soon with him having a child. He kept saying it wasn't a relationship and he could never have one but it was a relationship. He had to be the only one that didn't know it. Kate let him be mean to her just to many times for me before finally deciding to put herself first.  It just didn't work for me. I kept reading waiting for it to happen. For me to get excited about the story. I liked the secondary characters more than the main characters. That just isn't right. Will i give up on reading Sawyer Bennett? Probably not. There was enough about this book that i liked that i would definitely give this author another shot. 

Find about more about this series and Sawyer Bennett here www.sawyerbennett.com

ARC Book review: Hot Alphas (Wounded Warriors #3) by Lora Leigh, Laurelin McGee, Shiloh Walker, Kate Douglas

Available May 19th 2015
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

In Erin’s Kiss by Lora Leigh, ex-Marine Turk has become Erin’s sworn protector. The consistent target of her CIA-operative brother’s deadly foes, Turk is the only port Erin has to cling to in a storm. He promised her brother long ago never to touch her—but how can he resist a woman who aches to be with him as much as he burns for her?

In misTaken by Laurelin McGee, Jaylene Kim is a strong independent woman whose feminist values run deep. Even though attractive men are her weakness the last thing she wants is one telling her what to do. Until she meets her mysterious new neighbor. He makes her realize that you can still be strong and relinquish control . . . in the bedroom. But as their passion consumes them both Jaylene isn't so sure he is who he says he is.

In Burn for Me by Shiloh Walker, Tate longs to spend his nights with Ali, a woman he’s loved for years. But while Ali’s heart pines to be with Tate, her head has reservations. Ali knows that Tate has never forgiven his father for the fight he had with his mother right before she left the house—and was never heard from again. Tate's unresolved anger is a force to be reckoned with . . . but the heat that blazes between them is undeniable. Now both Tate and Ali are left to wonder: Can love really conquer all?

In Tangled by Kate Douglas, Nate shows up to work at Tangled Vineyards ready to do all the things he loves best—work with his hands, grow the grapes, and craft award-winning, full-bodied wines. But when something better comes along in the form of Cassie, the winemaker and former owner of the vineyard, Nate becomes completely love-drunk. Getting involved with Tangled’s number-one mixologist is a bad way to start off a new job, but with Cassie as a constant temptation, Nate doesn’t stand a chance

I'm not a big fan of anthologies unless i read all the authors included and/or follow the series the novellas are connected to. Now sometimes anthologies are good to find new authors. This only works if the novella's included are written with enough info for you to get a good picture of what's going on. For me Hot Alphas was difficult to read and enjoy. I have only previously read two of the authors included but liked what i have heard of the other two authors so thought it would be ok. The first three stories just did not grab me the way i had hoped. They were good in some ways but lacked enough detail to give me that clear picture i mentioned earlier. I ended up spending time wondering about certain details and back ground information. I actually almost gave up and didn't read the last novella by Kate Douglas. I'm so glad i didn't stop. Even though this is obviously a short novella there is enough detail to tell a fairly complete story. It's fast paced (pretty much has to be) but Nate and Cassie make a connection right away. It's believable and there is more story than the two of them getting together. There is some suspense and mystery mixed in. I was really glad i stuck it out and finished the book. Kate Douglas totally made it worth while for me. Overall the book was okay and i realize it's hard to write a novella length book and pack in enough detail and tell a story at the same time but it definitely can be done. Those are the kind that make me want to find out more about the author and what else they have to offer.

Find out more about the authors here:
Lora Leigh www.loraleigh.com
Laurielin McGee www.laurelinpaige.com
Shiloh Walker www.shilohwalker.com
Kate Douglas www.katedouglas.com