Review: Cruel & Beautiful by A.M. Hargrove & Terri E. Laine

*****5 Stars*****

 

 

5 heartbreakingly beautiful stars!!!

The synopsis and prologue will suck you in and break your heart before you even really start the character's journey. This is one of my top 2015 reads of the year! It was so heartbreakingly beautiful and will stay with you for long after you finish reading. It hit me in all the feels and took me on the rollercoaster of a lifetime, making me feel every single emotion in the book. I highly recommend bringing tissues along with you for the ride because you will need them! I cried so hard that I couldn't see past my tears to the words on my Kindle! I had to stop reading at times till the tears subsided!

A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine alternated from the past to present which I loved! It was confusing at times to keep up with the back and forth of past and present times but it was so worth it in the end! I drove myself and everyone around me crazy trying to figure out what was really happening in the book because the storylines seemed to contrast in the back and forth of the overall story. I had to force myself to pace my reading and not rush towards the ending, no matter how badly I wanted to figure everything out.

I don't want to give any spoilers to ruin the story for anyone, but I will say that I loved Drew and Cate's journey and love story, although I wanted to yell at the authors at times till the very end! This was the first time reading anything by these two lovely authors and I cannot wait to see what else they have to offer to the book world.

 

Reviewed by Ashley Ziegler

 

 

Cate Forbes , a dedicated college student with a carefully plotted future, doesn’t know the first thing about love. When she accepts a blind date with a rumored tasty piece of eye candy, she thinks she can get by with a night of fun. Cate’s plans quickly unravel when she gets one look at the sexy…

Drew McKnight.

The relentless hockey-playing medical resident knows what he wants— a career in Oncology and Cate. Although he’s heard the gorgeous brunette is a little relationship skittish, a single night out isn’t what he has in mind. Determined to have her — in every way possible— he shows her just what a future with him would hold.

Only life has other plans. The unthinkable happens and everything begins to shatter. Both in too deep, they will have to fight the cruel and hang onto the beautiful.

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Hvg1Hu

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PTo4QM

 

 

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Review: New Love (Angels Warriors MC Trilogy #3.5) by Dawn Martens

*****5 Stars*****

 

 

I loved reading this novelette after the last book, UnBreak this Heart nearly destroyed me. If you've loved Mason "Reaper" Harris throughout the other books in the Angel Warriors MC Trilogy, then you will definitely be thankful to have New Love to read. You will get the closure you so desperately needed at the end of book 3. Mason will make you want to yell and throw things at him, but he definitely redeems himself in this short novelette. I was very happy with the ending and cannot wait to read more from this amazing author, especially since some of the Angel Warriors guys pop up in her other series' she has out.

 

Reviewed by Ashley Ziegler

 

 

Mason ‘Reaper’ Harris recently lost his wife under tragic circumstances, leaving him to care for a newborn son on his own. Mason doesn’t do hearts and flowers. He has all but given up on love until he meets the nurse who worked in the NICU while his son was there. Fighting his growing attraction to Moira, he feels guilty, believing he doesn’t deserve a second chance at love.

Moira Parker has worked hard to achieve her dream job as a nurse. It’s there that she meets the man of her dreams, Mason. However, he just lost his wife, and she feels wrong for desiring him. Brought together by his grief, Moira shows Mason his life is just beginning.

This is the untold story of how Mason found new love.

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Q4ClJ5

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PTnnHh

 

 

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Review: Eighteen (18) by J.A. Huss

*****5 Stars*****

 

 

Gahhhhhh Where do I start with this one. Shannon has just turned 18 but she’s been through more than most and has moved schools several times over the last couple of years. Shannon gets told at her new school her credits are useless for graduation as she took some of them to early so she goes into total meltdown mode because one of the ones she needs to retake is Trig in maths. However the school don’t offer that class so now she has to enrol with a night school and do private tutoring with who she finds out is a total sex god. Enter Mateo her new 28 year old Trig teacher. Wow chemistry off the charts and all that. The rest of her home life sucks as well so yeah being 18 officially sucks big time.

 

Okay I am not going to rehash more of the story because the one thing this book has is enough twists to give you whiplash. It’s hot, twisty, sexy, risky and very taboo, not to mention the whole student/ teacher thing or anything lol. I think this has now got to be my favourite JA Huss book. After reading a chapter or two and those of you that have read will know which bit, I was like OMG did I just read that did she really just do that ? Haha gobsmacked would be a good way of putting it. Guys if you don’t mind reading the descriptive I set above then you really need to read this. I promise if your mind is like mine then you won’t be disappointed.

 

Reviewed by Claire Lamb

 

 

Eighteen is hard.

And so is Mateo Alesci.

He’s hard to read, hard to predict, hard in every way that counts. He wants things from me.

Dirty things, nasty things, forbidden things.

And I have to give in.

His attention is completely inappropriate, but I can’t say no. The way he looks at me… the way he watches me through my bedroom window… the way he drags me deeper and deeper into his completely forbidden fantasy world just… turns me on.

He knows it turns me on.

He holds all the power. He holds all the cards.

He holds my entire future in his hands.

And I have to give in.

Because Mr. Alesci is my teacher.

And I need everything he’s offering.

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Spbgjc

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1jpG8Un

 

 

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Review: Two Truths and a Lie (PRG Investigations #1) by Ashley Stoyanoff

****4 Stars****

 

 

In this book we meet a young girl Elena who has spent the past year as a missing person. until one day she realises she needs to stop hiding and running from the one person she hates most in the world. A new friend who helped her for a couple of months sends her to the one person who he knows won’t turn her away. This is where Elena meets Jason Pierce a private investigator. Jason is a hottie which complicates things no end but can they keep their hands off each other until Elena is safe??

I really liked this book it was angsty and drew me in as a reader. I dropped a star for 2 reasons, I thought a couple of little parts were slightly immature in their reactions but mostly because my expectations on her reason for running were maybe to high and so it lacked originality for me when the reason was revealed. However I will be trying out more of this authors work as it flowed well and the story was really enjoyable.

 

Reviewed by Claire Lamb

 

 

One year ago, I became a missing person. I left everything behind—family, friends, school. It seemed like a good idea at the time. My only option, really, until I realized running from a police officer isn’t as easy as I thought it would be.

It’s been exactly three-hundred and sixty-five days since I left home, but I’m finally ready to take the step I should have taken a year ago. I’m done hiding. I’m done running. I’m going to take my life back.

It was supposed to be easy. A meeting with Jason Pierce, a private investigator, was set up for me. All I had to do was go to him, let him do his thing, and then I could go home, or so I thought.

That is, until I met Jason and things got … complicated.

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1XnmJWU

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1MKOkJz

 

 

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Today's New Releases!

 

 

Zero Hour by Lili St. Germain

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1NqoG09

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1MAlpYq

 

Sacked by Tabatha Vargo

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TcNJma

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1N6bTJQ

 

Denial by Lisa Renee Jones

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1lHuypw

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1lfVPim

 

Bound In Darkness by Jacquelyn Frank

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1R4b0HD

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1MP39J0

 

Butterfly Dreams by A. Meredith Walters

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1T0ASmr

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Si9kZB

 

Vegas Love by Jillian Dodd

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TcSBYu

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PXnmk8

 

The Truth About Him by M. O'Keefe

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Ie6Tl9

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1TcSTP9

 

A Summer With Snow by Hallie Swanson

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1NbDldG

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PMu6CP

 

Taking It Off by Claire Kent

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1NbECkM

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1P6BXex

 

Accelerate by Tracy Wolff

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1LxQPuH

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1OeCAkX

 

The Harder You Fall by Gena Showalter

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TcX79j

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NqxUcS

 

Hold Me Close by Megan Hart

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1N6k0pL

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1MAunVE

 

Lone Star by Paulina Simons

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1SihH7y

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PMy7al

 

Steal Me by Lauren Layne

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1LxRFYl

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1jifAEu

 

Breaking Love by B.B. Reid

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1N6kGvl

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1LxRV9P

 

Fighting For Devlin by Jessica Lemmon

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1NNzXll

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1QGvgjl

Review: Butterfly Dreams by A. Meredith Walters

****3.5 Stars****

 

 

OK, let me clarify, this book was not bad. I can't fault the writing or the story, but what I would have expected from this book was that knot in your stomach kind of feeling that you get from an emotional read, but what I felt was barely a flutter.

In theory, this book should have been everything.

Beckett, I really did love him, I loved his whole outlook on life, even the one he tried to hide from everyone. I did however have a hard time relating to the other characters and again I can't even explain why.

As for Corin, I really do have to tread carefully, because despite my aversion to her, I really do imagine that her hyperchondria would have been completely debilitating, but as a reader and someone who has had no dealing with this disorder, I felt that her character could have been so much more likeable. She has such a negative view about a lot of things and whilst I understand why, she just didn't give off enough warmth and that made it hard to see what Becketts attraction to her was. To put it into context, she very much reminded me of Kristen Stewart from Twilight and maybe that was my problem and not the authors, so again I have to reiterate that this book wasn't a bad read at all.

Having said that, she did become so much more likeable by the last 25% of the book. In fact my entire view changed about this book as a whole and went from a story that was slow to get going, to one that I couldn't put down by the end, I just wish I'd felt that way a little earlier on.

 

Reviewed by Louise Dale

 

 

She’s waiting to die. . . . Corin Thompson is paralyzed by her obsession with mortality. Having lost both of her parents, she is terrified by the idea that she too will die young, and she loses control at any sign of illness. But when Corin connects with someone who has survived a very real brush with death, she begins to see the world in a whole new way.

He’s learning to live. . . . As Corin struggles under the weight of her neuroses, Beckett Kingsley is attempting to rebuild a life that feels all too temporary. With the ever-present threat of heart failure never far from his mind, he just wants to make the most of whatever time he has left. And that means pursuing the girl he never expected to find.

Together, Corin and Beckett finally learn to let go of their fears and take solace in everyday pleasures. Who knows what the future holds? After all, nothing lasts forever—the only promise they have is right now.

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1T0ASmr

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Si9kZB

 

 

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Review: Zero Hour (Gypsy Brothers #8) by Lili St. Germain ~ New Release

*****5 Stars*****

 

 

I don't even know where to start. Sometimes when a book is so good, I struggle to find the right words and I really want to find the right words to do this book justice.

After reading One Love, I always thought there was more to Jase and Juliette's story. I also know we had a glimpse of what was happening to the couple in Hells Kitchen, Lili's collaboration with Callie Hart.

Each chapter is dedicated to either Juliette, Jase or Elliot. The trio are on the run from the remaining Gypsy Brothers and the Il Sangue Cartel. Who can they trust? The DEA? Will they ever be free from the violence and continuous running? All these questions seem to have been answered, but I have learnt to expect the unexpected from Lili, so maybe there is more to come, maybe not.

Having read this series in its entirety I have an overwhelming sense of unease each and every time, you just never quite know what is around the corner and I mean that in the best possible sense. I love the fact that I squirm at certain parts, I love the parts that made me unsure whether I wanted to turn away or carry on reading. And having read quite a few dark reads now, I have become immune to certain things, but not with The Gypsy Brothers series. Talk about shocking the unshockable.

This penultimate book is truly brilliant that is all there is left to say and Lili does tie up all those loose ends, so why do I get the feeling this is not the last time we'll be seeing Julz and Jase, or is that just my wishful thinking? Here's hoping!

 

Reviewed by Louise Dale

 

 

They say a human being needs few things to exist.

A purpose,

Hope for the future,

But most of all...

Love.
Juliette Portland had all of those things. Her purpose was simple: Seduce. Deceive. Kill. Avenge. Once Dornan Ross and his sons were dead, her future was supposed to be clear. Her life was finally going to begin. And love... Against all the odds, she had the love of a boy she never thought she'd see again.

Everything should have gone according to plan. Everything should have been easy.

Of course, life has a way of f*****g with even the most meticulous of plans, and calling in owed debts can have the most severe consequences. Thanks to Juliette's diabolical retribution, the Il Sangue Cartel has lost it’s Kingpin, but not for long. There’s always someone in the wings, ready to step onstage and seize power. The Gypsy Brothers Motorcycle Club might be reeling from the deaths of their President and his six patch-wearing sons, but they’ve come back swinging.

Two deadly enemies, hundreds of bloodthirsty members, both sides eager to punish those that would try to topple them.

Two survivors, a man and a woman, forced to flee in the night.

For Juliette, vengeance is a hollow victory.

It never, ever ends.

The flames of incomplete vengeance are licking at her heels, and it’s only a matter of time before the Il Sangue cartel and the Gypsy Brothers catch her in their grip and crush her.

Unless she crushes them first.

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1NqoG09

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1MAlpYq

 

 

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Review: Sacked by Tabatha Vargo

****4 Stars****

 

 

I'm a little on the fence about this one, don't get me wrong I really enjoyed it but there was just something about it that I just didn't feel. Though I loved Sawyer from the off it took me a while to get into the story.

Sawyer is quite the character and I loved his dirty randy mind, the author really got into her teenage boy state of mind for Sawyer, the things this character came out with had me chuckling and wanting to smack him round the head at the same time. He is a walking ego and being the star quaterback only seems to make that ego grow. Until he encounters Gretchen and it was great to see Sawyer handed his own.

Gretchen has an agenda and a score to settle with Sawyer but he doesn't know it so when the two make their play a whole different game begins, what they both don't reckon on is emotions getting in the way. I really did want to shake her at times but her loyalty was endearing.

I think the reason for Gretchen's plan was a little off for me and I did find the situation a little juvenile at times but then these are college kids so it fits with the story, just didn't do it for me. That said I loved the interaction between Sawyer and Gretchen and did find myself engaged with the story after a slow start. And I loved the epilogue.

 

Reviewed by Vikki Ryan 

 

 

When Sawyer Reed wants something, he gets it.
And I WANT her.
She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s already mine.
Her resistance is futile because once I start a play, I always follow through. And I ALWAYS win.
Nothing, not even the deep-seated hate I have for my rival, Jacob Byrd, is going to keep me from my end game.
And my end game is Gretchen Cole.
But I have to keep my head in the game. Everyone knows what happens to a quarterback when he loses focus. He gets SACKED.

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TcNJma

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1N6bTJQ

 

 

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Reviews: Beyond the Surface (The Breakfast Club #1) & Betting on Forever (The Breakfast Club #2) by Felice Stevens

Beyond the Surface (The Breakfast Club #1)

 

****4 Stars****

 

 

There was a lot I liked about this story and a couple of areas I was a little unsure of but overall a great start to this series.

I loved the cast of friends at the heart of this series and look forward to their individual books, This is Julian's story and I was a little unsure about him at first with his detached manner until we learnt of his back story and my heart broke for his teen self. Even though he seems to be on the verge of greatness in the world of men's design Julian is a little lost and when things go pear shaped he is left questioning everything in his life.

Nick was a lovely character but I was a little unsure on some of the elements of him, as a firefighter that had survived a great tragedy I felt he would have been grabbing life by the horns a little more but then I know nothing about life as a firefighter in New York. Nick is very much in the closet due to his career and what he thinks his family's expectations of him are, and I loved how he handled the situations when he decides to stand by the truth of who he is.

A fling as young teenagers left its mark on both men so when life brings them back together they are both tentative but soon find a reason to make changes in their lives for themselves and each other. I loved the side story each character had going on within their careers that helped strengthen their relationship. I found Julian a little pushy at times and wanted him to back off but I guess Nick needed the push.

I'm so happy to see Zach's story is next in the series and can't wait to learn more about Marcus too.

 

Reviewed by Vikki Ryan

 

 

On 9/11, firefighter Nick Fletcher’s world changed forever. He's unable to rid himself of survivor’s guilt, made worse by the secret he hides from his family and co-workers. Nick's life is centered around helping burn victims, until he is reunited with the man he’d once loved but pushed away. Now he has a second chance at a love he thought lost forever.

For fashion designer Julian Cornell, appearances mean everything. His love affairs are strictly casual, and the only thing he cares about is making his clothing line a success. A chance encounter with the man he loved long ago has Julian thinking for the first time in years there may be more to life than being seen at the best parties and what designer labels to wear.

When Julian’s world takes an unexpected turn, it's Nick who helps him regain perspective on what matters most in life. Julian, in turn, helps Nick accept who he is and understand he isn’t responsible for tragedies he couldn't prevent. Lost love found can be even sweeter the second time around and after all the years apart, both men learn to look beyond the surface to find the men they are inside.

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1XoGS9H

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1TcM5kn

 

 

 

Betting on Forever (The Breakfast Club #2)

 

****4 Stars****

 

 

 

This is the second book in this series based around a group of three friends, I wouldn't say you have to read the first one to understand this story but it would be a shame not to read them in series order.

So this is Zach's story and from the first book we have already learnt he is the shy reserved geeky one of the group that is the butt of a lot of jokes from his friends. Following a challenge by his friends Zach decides to rise to the bet for himself and so attends an IT convention with a whole new agenda. I loved confident Zach, even if we knew it was all an act, it was great to see him strut his stuff.

Sam was quite a deep character I thought and I liked how he and Zach complimented each other. Sam is at a loose end in life following the abrupt end to his Police career and a messy end to a relationship. Until he meets Zach and life suddenly has a focus again.

I loved how the relationship between these two started off a little rocky following some misunderstandings. It was great to see Zach finally grasp life for himself and find the happiness he and Sam deserved. I loved romantic Sam so much.

Another great addition to this series and I really cannot wait for Marcus' story already.

 

Reviewed by Vikki Ryan

 

 

A weekend fling in Atlantic City couldn’t be more out of socially shy Zach Cohen’s comfort zone, but a bet with his best friends forces him to put aside the humiliation he’s hidden for years and step away from behind his computer screens and online world. When he meets Sam Stein, despite their spark, Zach expects nothing more than a night of passion and a kiss good-bye. Yet weeks later, he can’t keep the man out of his head.

After a split-second decision with tragic results ends his twenty-year police career at the same time as his relationship falls apart, Sam Stein is drifting through life. At his best friend’s urging, he agrees to a trip to Atlantic City to clear his head. What Sam doesn’t plan on is meeting Zach Cohen, whose sweet nature and honesty has him thinking maybe he could move forward, until Zach leaves him without explanation, reinforcing Sam’s belief that people can’t be trusted.

Well-meaning friends refuse to let Zach and Sam hide from each other, forcing them to realize their weekend was much more than a one-night stand. Before that can happen, Zach must come to terms with his past and stand up for his own independence, while Sam has to learn to take a chance and believe in himself and people again. All bets are off when dreams become reality, and forever doesn’t seem to be long enough.  

 

 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1NbBg1l

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1QGk5Y6

 

 

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