Wednesday, March 28, 2018

eARC Book review: Ivan (Gideon’s Riders #3) by Kit Rocha

33905098

Available March 28th 2018
eARC Provided by self published author

As the sheltered princess of Sector One, Maricela’s life is defined by duty: to her people and to her family. Her wealth and influence have allowed her to build a better world, but they come with a price---the responsibility to secure political stability with a practical marriage. Maricela cherishes the idea of marrying for love, but there’s not much romance in the endless line of suitors interested only in prestige and power.

And her handsome, brooding new bodyguard isn’t helping the situation. 

Ivan is the perfect, deadly warrior, a man trained from childhood to be the ultimate protector to the Rios family. His focus on keeping her safe is intense--and a little intoxicating. When the threat of danger cracks his icy control, Maricela realizes she’s not the only one fighting against temptation.

Ivan knows that the blood on his hands makes him unworthy of the pure-hearted princess. But from the first kiss, their forbidden affair feels inevitable. He can give her a glimpse of life outside her gilded cage and a lover who wants the woman instead of the crown. The only thing he can never do is promise her forever.

Because spurning her noble suitors to marry her bodyguard wouldn’t just be a scandal. It could set off a political firestorm that would tear Sector One apart.


The writing team that makes up Kit Rocha takes us back into sector one. Maricela is the sector one princess. The youngest Rios and it's up to her to marry well to add to the Rios' power. Love would be a nice side benefit if she can find it with one of the noble suitors hounding her. Problem is Maricela already has someone in mind and he's not exactly noble. Ivan is Maricela's bodyguard. Wherever she goes he goes. Their attraction to each other is something that  they can't give in to until the one day they decide they can. This story is a definite slow burn. You're going to have to wait for quite a while for the steamy parts but once they start it's pretty intense. Maricela's life might seem pretty idyllic until you see how constrained she really is. There are a lot of expectations from her and in a sense she only there to be used to make alliances through marriage. Ivan on the other hand had a really tough upbringing. He and his mother were shunned by something Ivan's uncles did years ago. His only thought for a long time is how he can redeem himself though being one of the Riders and protecting the Rios family. It's kind of heartbreaking to see the struggles both Ivan and Maricela deal with considering their very different upbringings. I really  liked Ivan and Maricela but I'm excited to see what happens with the other Riders and of course Gideon. There was a new character introduced in this book and while they didn't get a lot of page time I'm curious to see where the author takes him in future books. 

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

Friday, March 23, 2018

eARC Book review Stay with Me (Return to Haven #1) by Jules Bennett

35754787

Available March 27th 2018
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Small-town Haven, Georgia, is home to generations of families, plenty of Southern charm, and an airport that's seen better days. But as three friends are about to discover, love gives everything wings . . . 

At eighteen, Olivia Daniels left Haven behind and never looked back. Doggedly climbing the corporate ladder, she's finally nearing the top when her father dies--leaving her part-owner of the run-down airport that was his first love. It's a complication Olivia intends to wrap up quickly--buying out her co-owner and selling the land. Good thing her childhood best friends are with her for moral support. Because one look at her new partner is proof that her tidy plan has hit turbulence . . .

Jackson Morgan practically grew up in Haven's airport, and no one could have been a better mentor than Olivia's dad. Flight is in Jackson's blood, but his roots are firmly planted, and there's no way he's giving up the airport--not even for sassy, headstrong Olivia, his childhood crush. Coming to an agreement won't be easy, especially when the attraction between them soars to new heights every day. Love definitely wasn't on the itinerary, but is it enough to keep them together for a lifetime trip? . . .


Olivia Daniels and Jackson Morgan have a past from when they were kids. They have a connection through her dad and the family airport business. Olivia left home at 18 with her mother when her parents divorced with  the idea that her dad didn't think they were important. She never looked back and now he's passed away and she's back in Haven to settle his estate. She's going to sell her childhood home and her half of the airport she inherited. Unfortunately the man who owns the other half doesn't want to sell. Watching these two go around and around was sweet and entertaining. Both can't seem to help falling for each other and throw in Jackson's 4 year old daughter and it only sweetens the deal. Jackson's two cousins Cash and Tanner are in the mix always helping out and Olivia's two girlfriends Jade and Melanie have her back and clash with the cousins for several laughs. Hopefully a preview of sorts for books to come. Jules Bennett writes a interesting mix of drama and laughs while we watch two people fall in love.

Find out more about Jules Bennett and this series here www.Julesbennett.com

Friday, March 16, 2018

eARC Book review: Claimed: A for Her Novel: A Full-Length for Her Novel (For Her #3) by Alexa Riley

35415785

Available March 27th 2018
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Jordan Chen is the man behind the screen. As part of the elite security team for Osbourne Corporation, he has an iron grip on protection, all without having to make close connections with people. Until he meets the beautiful Jay, and suddenly his quiet life doesn’t seem so perfect anymore. He needs more. He needs her.

A workaholic to her core, Jay Rose doesn’t have a lot of men in her life. Smiling in the face of her enemies gets her the results she wants at work, but doesn’t exactly project a warm, welcoming vibe. So she’s surprised when the enigmatic security expert strikes up a friendship with her—surprised but flattered, and maybe a little bit turned on.

A company as powerful as Osbourne Corporation has powerful enemies, and when Jay becomes a target, Jordan realizes there’s nothing he won’t do to bring her home safe.


Jordan is a security expert and when he meets Jay Rose assistant to the boss it's love at first sight.  Jay seems to put him directly into the friend zone. Jordan takes his times coaxing her to out of that belief. Once he does though things get hot. This book confused me at times. I liked Jordan and Jay but  the intensity and focus of this story seem to slip from one extreme to another. I thought it was a contemporary romance but when Jay gets into some serious trouble things get extremely intense. Jordan comes across as this nerdy type in some ways and alpha in other ways. Jay is this strong woman who knows how to handle herself at work and then let's Jordan tell her what to do. I somehow still really enjoyed the book. I loved Jordan and Jay because they would do anything for each other. 

Find out more about this this Alexa Riley and this series here www.alexariley.com