Book review: Perfect Ruin (Unyielding #2) by Nashoda Rose

Available now
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Kai

There is nothing I care about.
No attachments.
No connections. 
Outwardly, I’m a perfect gentleman.
Until my target sees my knife.
I fear nothing, not even death.
In my world, death is considered a privilege.
But my life comes with unbreakable cruel strings and 
when I met her, I should’ve walked away. 
I didn’t. 
I was too selfish.
And that sealed her fate.
Because one week with me led her into the hands of ruin.

London

We all have unique layers that make up who we are. 
What makes us vulnerable or strong.
What we fear and what excites us.
But peel back those layers and you’re left naked and exposed.
They did that to me. 
Each piece was slowly stripped away then burned.
I merely existed.
But there was one layer they overlooked.
The most important of them all—the tie to one man.
The man responsible for me being this way.
The man who found me.
And the killer who would do anything to protect me.

Book two in what i understand is a three book series. I stumbled upon book one in this series and knew i had to read it. I was floored by how dark and sexy it was. While there is a HEA for these couples they are hard fought for and never easy. Kai and London also travel a extremely difficult path to get theirs. The characters in this book thoroughly fleshed out that you feel you know them. They hurt and you hurt for them. Both Kai and London have strength although at times they don't think they do. They feed off each others strength. The dialogue is definitely swoon worthy at times but never cheesy. Heartbreaking and emotional Perfect Ruin us just that a story about two people whose lives have been ruined by others actions but still they are perfect together. An awesome read from page one til the end. In a word "Intense"!

Find out more about Nashosa Rose here www.nashodarose.com

If you hurry Book one and two are on sale for 99 cents each. See authors website above for details. Limited time sale. 

eARC Book review: Always a Cowboy (The Carsons of Mustang Creek #2) by Linda Lael Miller

Available August 30th 2016
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

He's the middle of the three Carson brothers and is as stubborn as they come—and he won't thank a beautiful stranger for getting in his way! 

Drake Carson is the quintessential cowboy. In charge of the family ranch, he knows the realities of this life, its pleasures and heartbreaks. Lately, managing the wild stallions on his property is wearing him down. When an interfering so-called expert arrives and starts offering her opinion, Drake is wary, but he can't deny the longing—and the challenge—she stirs in him. 

Luce Hale is researching how wild horses interact with ranch animals—and with ranchers. The Carson matriarch invites her to stay with the family, which guarantees frequent encounters with Drake, her ruggedly handsome and decidedly unwelcoming son. Luce and Drake are at odds from the very beginning, especially when it comes to the rogue stallion who's stealing the ranch mares. But when Drake believes Luce is in danger, that changes everything—for both of them.

I haven't read a Linda Lael Miller book in quite a long while. I decided i need to get back and read her cowboy stories again. Drake Carson is the middle Carson son and he runs the ranch. He's always been so focused on the ranching business he hasn't really taken time for finding love. Then it walks right on the his ranch and becomes a huge pain in the butt for him. Luce Hale is at the ranch to study the wild horses on the ranch. Drake isn't the most welcoming on the Carson family but that's OK. She'll go her way and he can go his. To bad it doesn't work out quite that easily. This a lovely contemporary romance but while i enjoyed it there was really no conflict. While Drake and Luce clash and the beginning they get over it quickly and things progress i was starting to wonder when there might be a shake up for them but it never came. If you just want a relaxing read with no real surprises this is the book for you. I really wanted to see some conflict. Something to bring some sizzle. 

Find out more about Linda Lael Miller here www.lindalaelmiller.com

eARC book review: Dirty Little Lies (Men of Summer #3) by Lora Leigh

Available August 30th 2016

eARC Provide by publisher through Netgalley

THE HEART HAS ITS SECRETS.
Zack Richards knows he’s asking for trouble. Trying to protect a member of the notorious Maddox family could get a man killed—even a battle-scarred, muscle-ripped alpha like Zack. But the woman who has captured his wildest fantasies is nothing like the rest of her power-hungry clan. She’s innocent, beautiful, and has quickly become the one shining light in his dark, desperate world. The only woman worth fighting for…and dying for…

BUT PASSION NEVER LIES.
Her name is Grace Maddox—and everybody knows that she is a marked woman. Targeted for her family’s sins and hunted like a wild animal, Grace has no choice but to accept Zack’s protection. In his arms, she finally feels safe. In his eyes, she sees an insatiable desire that mirrors her own. But the truth is dangerous—and could end up tearing them apart. Will surrendering to Zack end up being the biggest mistake of Grace’s life?

Zack Richards has loved Grace Maddox since she was only 5 and her father was killed. He's looked out for her ever since and at the same time gave her the cold shoulder and his disdain. No more of that. Now he has to protect her and keep her alive while trying to figure out who the traitor is. While enjoyed this book i was confused more often than not. It felt like the book starts out in the middle of a scene and i am totally lost as to what the backstory is and what is going on. There needed to be some back story even if was told in previous books. There are to many secondary characters to keep track of everything. Somehow i still enjoyed the book. I focused on the relationship between the two main characters and a few of more major characters and just let the other characters go. No other way to read it. There is just enough interest for me to think about reading the next book in the series. 

Find out more about Lora Leigh here www.loraleigh.com

eARC Book review: Run to You (Risking It All #1) by Rachel Lacey

Available August 30th 2016
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

ONE LITTLE LIE. A WHOLE LOTTA TROUBLE.

Moments after meeting the most gorgeous guy ever, Gabby Winters promptly gets stung by a zillion yellow jackets and falls-not gracefully-into a stream. Yup, Ethan Hunter is trouble with a capital "hot," and Gabby definitely needs to keep her distance. Except in the small town of Haven, there's nowhere to hide from Ethan's sexy, infectious grin . . . and all the residents are conspiring against her.

At the center of the town's matchmaking is Ethan's grandmother, who's convinced their relationship is a done deal. Rather than break her heart, Gabby and Ethan find themselves cornered into pretending to be falling in love. The problem: there's serious sizzling attraction between them. And if this charade continues, they won't fool just the entire town - they might fool themselves too . . .

First is a new series by Rachel Lacey, Gabby Winters meets Ethan Hunter is the most unusual way. Trespassing on his land and getting stung by a bunch of yellow jackets and jumping in the river.  Not the best first impression. Staying out near the town of Haven in a cabin near Ethan's property Gabby is trying to get back to her old self after ending a bad relationship. Last thing she needs is getting tangled up with Ethan. Ethan isn't looking for a relationship either. A former Olympic swimmer, he and two of his friends are trying to get a new adventure business off the ground. Off the Grid adventure's in their dream but the town council isn't making things easy. Ethan also is dealing with his grandmother dying. She raised him and he is devastated that he can't do anything to help. Ethan's grandma has a bucket list for herself and a plan for Ethan and Gabby. Somehow she thinks Ethan and Gabby are dating forcing them to pretend for her sake. Fake relationship turns to love and denial. I loved the characters in this book. Ethan and Gabby are good for each other. They compliment each other nicely and the secondary characters help push the story along and give us a curiosity about who they are without stealing the spot light. Gabby deals with her past with help and support from her new friends in Haven and of course Ethan and he gets through everything with his grandma and business. Then he blows it all away and almost loses everything.  This is the first book from this author for me. I am happy to say i will hopefully be reading more. I was engaged before the end of the first chapter. A solid read from beginning to end.

Find out more about Rachel Lacey here www.rachellacey.com

ARC Book review: Personal Protection (Hauberk Protection #2) by Leah Braemel (re-release)

Available now.
This title is being re-released.
eARC provided by author for review

She can cover him with one hand tied behind her back. Maybe two.

Hauberk Protection, Book 2

Sam Watson excels at keeping other people safe. Now a stalker is targeting him, but so what? A few doctored photos and a couple threatening phone calls are no big deal. He can watch his own back. Then again, the view from behind the sexy spitfire assigned to protect him isn t so bad

Rosalinda Ramos has managed to keep her attraction to Hauberk Security s owner tightly under wraps. It's just as well he doesn't know. One slip in the bedroom or on the job will cost her her heart and her career, so she s got only one thing on her mind. Protect Sam, whether he wants it or not.

The stakes and the heat rise exponentially when she discovers Sam belongs to an exclusive sex club one she must investigate for potential suspects. Suddenly she finds herself immersed in a world that pushes her boundaries.

Sam delights in leading Rosie deep into his sexual shadows until they go one game too far. Making him wonder if he can allow the woman he loves to take a bullet for him."

If you read book one then you met Sam. He literally jumps right off the page and says look at me! No joke. I immediately wanted more of him. Well i got my chance with Personal Protection. Sam is a badass through and through. Former FBI he runs a huge security company of his own now. Rosalinda is one of his best employee at only 5 ft one she might be small but she can kick ass. With someone threatening Sam he finds it hard to accept he's the one who needs protection. It put him in close contact with Rosalinda whom he finds himself extremely attracted to. Dangerous since he's her boss and he doesn't want to get sued if she doesn't feel the same way. I really enjoyed  Sam and Rosie's book. Sam had a pet name for Rosie, Rosebud and it was so sweet when he called her that. Sam can't see himself loving someone again but he wants Rosie She had her own reasons for being wary of him. These two were fun to watch dance around each other. As badass as Sam is he is still vulnerable and it was a bit shocking to see just how much. Gut wrenching when he thought Rosie was in serious danger. Once he finally finds out what is going on, and you do have to ask yourself how he could be so clueless, he finds he can open his heart and let go of the past. Gut wrenching but funny too. Sam and Rosie are  an exciting couple. The cast of secondary characters are all so different and interesting. Even though it's easy to figure out what's going on (especially if you know what happened in book one) this was a complex story and Ms. Braemel tells it effortlessly.


Find out more about Leah Braemel here www.leahbraemel.com

eARC Book review: Cadillac Cowboy by Cynthia D'Alba

Available August 11th
Kindle worlds
eARC Provided by author for review

A Texas lawman finds more than fall foliage during a drive in an antique convertible Cadillac to his new home.

Newly-hired Texas cop Shade Gruber agrees to drive his grandmother’s prize car from Chicago to his new home in Big Branch. He expects some car issues. He doesn’t expect to pick up a runaway bride.

On the run from her mobster fiancé, Victoria Vaught dashes from the church thirty minutes before the I Do’s. Stranded in her bridal attire by an unreliable car, she starts walking, needing as far from Chicago as possible.

Their road to love is filled with twists, turns and bumps. Hanging on to the one you love can be roller coaster ride with surprising results.

This is a novella length story in kindle worlds by Cynthia D'Alba. Known for her cowboys she gives us a fun read you can get through in a evening. Shade is leaving his job as a Chicago police officer to move to Texas to be close to family where he'll be a Texas state police officer. On his extended road trip to get there he picks up a unlikely hitch hiker in runaway bride Victoria or Vivi as she is known. She doesn't give away much but he knows exactly who she is since she's a Chicago socialite. The guy she ran out on is a very bad guy and very controlling as well as her parents so she hopes Shade will let her tag along.  It was fun to watch these characters find each other and learn stuff about themselves and each other they didn't know before. Shade let's Vivi spread her wings and she brings the fun. There isn't much danger present until the end but with a novella length book it's expected. Fun and entertaining you are sure to smile before you get to the end. Might even be a surprise in store.

Find out more about Cynthia D'Alba and her books here www.cynthiadalba.com