Romance Readers Retreat: December 2015

Monday, 28 December 2015

Review: Kill Without Mercy (ARES Security #1) by Alexandra Ivy

****4 Stars****

Love the cover but it was the blurb that drew me in.

Five military friends make it back from the Taliban hell hole prison to set up their own security agency but the storyline is mainly based on the relationship development of Rafe and Annie.

Annie the female lead is having visions of women being murdered, fifteen years ago she lost her father, he was known as the serial killer 'Newtown Slayer', Annie wants to uncover what actually went on and put her nightmare visions to rest and uncover the truth.

Rafe is in town to clear out his granddad's house that he plans to put up for sale then he can get back to his life in Texas.
I like Rafe as a character but he came across as a complete mystery, i never felt like i fully connected with him like i did Annie, don't get me wrong Rafe is one hot as hell Alpha but i would like to know more about him.

The plot line surrounding the hunt for the serial killer had me on my toes the suspense killed me so for me this was the best part of the book.

Overall Kill Without Mercy was a good start to the series and will be keeping an eye out for the next installment.

Reviewed by Gemma Curran

From the hellhole of a Taliban prison to sweet freedom, five brave military heroes have made it home—and they’re ready to take on the civilian missions no one else can. Individually they’re intimidating. Together they’re invincible. They’re the men of ARES Security.

Rafe Vargas is only in Newton, Iowa, to clear out his late grandfather’s small house. As the covert ops specialist for ARES Security, he's eager to get back to his new life in Texas. But when he crosses paths with Annie White, a haunted beauty with skeletons in her closet, he can't just walk away—not when she’s clearly in danger…

There’s a mysterious serial killer on the loose with a link to Annie’s dark past. And the closer he gets, the deeper Rafe’s instinct to protect kicks in. But even with his considerable skill, Annie’s courage, and his ARES buddies behind him, the slaying won’t stop. Now it’s only a matter of time before Annie’s next—unless they can unravel a history of deadly lies that won’t be buried.

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

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1OgS33C

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Review: First Touch (First and Last #1) by Laurelin Paige

*****4.5 Stars*****

Dear Laurelin Paige,

I am not your friend right now! Why, you may ask? Well after that ending, it's because I have to wait until book 2 comes out.

Just when I thought I had this book worked out, you go and throw in a twist that throws a complete spanner in the works.

I'm led to believe that book 2 is out June 2016, so please please please can you please make time move forward until then?

Yours sincerely
A Desperate Reader

I'm not going to explain what this book is about as I feel the synopsis explains it all. I will say though that this book was quite slow to build. I wasn't sure if I liked the characters, but i do have an affinity to books where I love to hate the main guy and this one is no exception. Reese to me was a complete A-Hole for a lot of this book, but then he'd go and do something that made me love him again. By the end though I was head over heels, but I have a feeling his badness hasn't completely disappeared and I'm hoping it makes an appearance again in the next book.

Emily, was a weird one for me. On one hand I had absolutely no connection to her sexual preferences. She is naturally submissive, something which I'm not, but it was her extreme masochistic tendencies that had me so far removed from her as a character and wondering how anyone could be so drawn to that lifestyle to the extreme that she was. It was also partly why I didn't like Reese, but when all is said and done they were perfect for each other. He loves to dominate. I will say this though about Emily. I was sympathetic to how she was also blighted by her past and this certainly does explain her preferences now. But my god that girl needs limits. My heart can't take it.

Half the time I was cursing Amber, Emily's missing friend. All I wanted was for Emily and Reese to live happily ever after from the start, but then that wouldn't have made the book as good as it was and being the glutton for punishment that I am, I loved the uncertainty.

Now you may wonder how it is possible to love a book where the characters are not always likeable and I have to point out that Emily and Reese are so far removed from Alayna and Hudson (Fixed series) that at times it felt that this book was written by a completely different author, but no less brilliant. What I absolutely loved about this book was the mystery, the suspense, the fact that Reese wasn't all hearts and flowers and what really did it for me was that ending. Wow! Is all I'm saying.

I really had a sense that Laurein didn't hold back with this book and has given us something really gritty and raw and definitely a lot darker than what I've come to expect from her as an author and I for one love that.

Reviewed by Louise Dale

When Emily Wayborn goes home to visit her mom while on hiatus from her hit TV show, she receives a voicemail from her former best friend, Amber. Though the two were once notorious party girls, they haven't spoken in years. Although the message might sound benign to anyone else, Amber uses a safe word that Emily recognizes, a word they always used to get out of sticky situations during their wild days. And what's more chilling than the voicemail: it turns out that Amber has gone missing.

Determined to track down her friend, Emily follows a chain of clues that lead her to the enigmatic billionaire Reeve Sallis, a hotelier known for his shady dealings and play boy reputation. Now, in order to find Amber, Emily must seduce Reeve to learn his secrets and discover the whereabouts of her friend. But as she finds herself more entangled with him, she finds she's drawn to Reeve for more than just his connection to Amber, despite her growing fear that he may be the enemy. When she's forced to choose where her loyalty lies, how will she decide between saving Amber and saving her heart?

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

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1mKN6Wr

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Review: Untouchable Darkness (The Dark Ones Saga #2) by Rachel Van Dyken

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

I couldn't wait to read book two in the Dark Ones Saga and catch up with Cassius and Stephanie.

Cassius has been given a test, 30 days to get Stephanie to fall in love with him, easy right? No the catch is he has to be human for this to happen.

Untouchable Darkness is in dual POV that goes from past to present which i really loved,
We find out why Cassius has done the things in the past and understand why, we also get to see Stephanie on a path to self discovery which was good to see unfold.

I have never laughed and cried so much reading a book but this book gives you the ultimate feels, we have twists, turns and edge if your seat moments that will keep you glued to your kindle.
Rachel Van Dyken has a real talent for writing a really good para and pays attention to her storyline and character development, now i cant wait to read the third installment.

Reviewed by Gemma Curran

To love a Dark One is to invite death...

It is wrong to love her.
It is worse to want her.
It is sin to consume her.
I desire all three.

I've been given thirty days to prove my love to another immortal--as a human. Cursed to use nothing but the side of myself I've always despised to win her affection. I am Cassius, the King of the immortals, A Dark One.
And today I tasted fear for the first time.
How can I win her when my human emotions over take every ounce of logic I possess?
A darkness is brewing.
One I cannot stop as a human.
One that Stephanie, my loves visions, have shown, will be my end.
Thirty days ago I was King of the immortals.
Today I know fear.
Today I know how I will die.
By her hand.
The woman I love.

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

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

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Review: Out of Plans (The Mercenaries #2) by Stylo Fantome

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

It is so difficult to review this book without giving spoilers away for those that haven't read book one, so please be forewarned if you haven't but I will try.

The author has done an amazing job in keeping the pace and action of book one going through this second book and I loved it just as much. It really is action packed from start to finish and Lily is even more kick-ass.
At the the end of book one I wasn't sure where life was going to take Lily and I really wanted to strangle Marc for her. However they both went off on their own track to achieve the thing that Lily wants the most for it to bring their paths back together and when it does the energy between them is explosive, literally. Kingsley Law is now also firmly in the middle of them both and the tension is tangible between them all.

Marc is still as boneheaded, Lily is still stubborn and headstrong and Kingsley is still a suave manwhore. I loved how the story panned out between them and though it was quite sad I think Lily made the right choice for them all. I loved the outcome of this series and still think it would make an excellent movie as you really feel like you are watching an action movie as you read. I laughed, I cried and I cussed out a few times as I read this in one sitting, just fantastic.

An amazing series that I have really enjoyed and would highly recommend to anyone looking for something a little different in the romance genre. And I am really hoping to see more from this series as I'd love to know more of Kingsley Law's story.

Reviewed by Vikki Ryan

THE NEW PLAN:

* Find Marc
* DON'T find Marc
* Take down a Russian Bratva boss
* Don't have sex with Kingsley
* Find Marc
* Take down a Colombian drug lord
* Don't fall for Marc again
* DON'T FIND MARC
* Kill every ..
*
*
*SCREW THE PLAN AND JUST WING IT

This is the story of what happens when best laid plans fail, and a vengeful woman is forced to find her own way once again. A bond broken, trust shattered, and too many lies to keep track of find Marc and Lily all out of plans and running out of time. Can they find their way back to each other before trouble finds them first, or is it really the end of their journey?

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/22eE8Rw

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NSz1Np

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Review: Subordination: Chronicles of a Domme by Katie Ashley

*****4.5 Stars*****

We meet Mistress Juliette (Sophie Marie Jameson, Sophie has her life all planned out ahead of her, but with student debt and her fathers health declining she needs cash and fast, she decides to become a domme at the club, she enjoys her clients but has never had the need to have a relationship outside of the club until she meets William Foster who oozes raw sex, one night with William is all it takes for Sophie's walls to come down, will this one night lead to more once Sophie is no longer a domme?

The sexual chemistry and connection between William & Sophie was off the chart, this is my first time reading a book with a domme and i have to admit i really enjoyed it, i also have to note that BDSM isn't my usual read either but a mixture of brilliant writing, well thought out and developed characters and a good solid storyline which made for an enjoyable read.

Reviewed by Gemma Curran

When Sophie Jameson first became a domme at Club 1740, it was more out of financial necessity than it was for personal pleasure and sexual exploration. But over the years as she rocked her leather corsets and boots while wielding every crop and flogger imaginable, she grew to love the thrill and adulation that her clients brought her. But all along, her path in life and her heart was with a different profession—one she was planning to embark on at the summer’s end.

And then he changed everything. Tall, dark, impossibly built—William was the complete opposite of whatever image a male sub conjured up. After all the subs, Sophie finally felt true lust and desire. Although he was the proud stallion who needed breaking, he became the one to make her break all her rules and let down all her walls.

But it was just supposed to be for that one night, but an accidental encounter days later outside Club 1740’s protected walls had the two seeing each other in a different light—as simply Sophie and William, not Domme and sub. While they should have parted ways, they couldn’t. While they should never have gone back to her place, they did.

And that simple mistake has a serious price for both of them.

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

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

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Review: Sofia (Bittersweet Familia #4) by Melissa Jane

*****4.5 Stars*****

WARNING: If you've not read the other books in the Bittersweet Familia series then this review may contain spoilers. These books cannot be read as standalones and must be read in order.

This is Sofia's story who we first met in Little Doll. You may remember her as the woman at Hector's mansion who was in charge of getting the girls ready for the nights they were to be paraded in front of potential buyers. Now, she didn't come off particularly well in Little Doll in her dealings with Laila but this book really helps you to understand what she was going through and how the things she did she did only to survive. Some parts of this book are hard to read, Sofia went through so much that you can only admire her strength and durability.
You get to find out how Sofia to came to be at the hell on earth that is Hector's mansion and it gives you a great understanding of her character. The events of this story occurred in Little Doll and Crimson Desert but obviously we see it from Sofia's point of view. I did find at around 70% in that because I knew what was coming my interest wasn't as piqued as it could have been but reading from Sofia's POV was giving me a different enough view point that I still enjoyed the story.
I was very pleased with the ending and overall I have immensely enjoyed this series. I definitely wouldn't hesitate to pick up more of this authors work.

Reviewed by Steph Lewis

Everyone has a story.
For Marcela Ortiz, hers is not one she wants to remember.
Deceived by those closest to her, Marcela is thrown deep into a world of violence, corruption and trafficking. The dark, sinister world belonging to one Hector Florez, Mexico’s leading cartel boss.
What he wants is control.
What she craves is her freedom.
To survive, Marcela must overcome the demons who promise to destroy her and challenge fate to a story she has only dreamed of.
SOFIA, the final instalment of the Bittersweet series is built on heartache, revenge and redemption.
One unlikely group of people.
One common enemy.
Many stories.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1PseP7q

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Zx6K6p

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Review: Laughing Eyes (Bittersweet Familia #3) by Melissa Jane

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

First off, this is not a standalone, you need to have read books 1 and 2 first, Little Doll and Crimson Desert. Books 1 and 2 are Aiden and Laila's story, this book is Danny's but the timeline of this story is very much woven into the timelines of books 1 and 2 so if you haven't read them then this book will contain some serious spoilers.
The first half of this book is set before Little Doll takes place, back when Aiden and Danny were still in service and it follows a mission they were placed on out in Panama to hunt down a psychotic, murdering arms dealer known as El Leon. The second half is set at the same time as Crimson Desert, book 2. If you haven't read the first two books then it may seem like the events are a bit jumpy, like the story jumps from one event to another which not much inbetween. But as I said this is not to be read as a standalone so the author no doubt did this to avoid repetition for those who have read the series from the beginning.
I found myself getting a bit choked up at some parts of this story, there are some incredibly sad parts that will just break your heart and Danny is a great character for evoking such empathy. He's a really likeable guy and despite what he does for a living, a highly trained and talented sniper in the US marines, he's very lighthearted at the beginning of this story. He's good humoured and good natured, it's impossible not to fall in love with him a little, so when things go bad you can't help but feel what he feels.
This is shaping up to be a really brilliant series, I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to book 4, Sofia, I definitely feel as though I need some closure after the rollercoaster of emotions in this book!

Reviewed by Steph Lewis

Monsters….
They are real. They watch you from their safe place, taunting, knowing. They breathe down your neck and chase you in your dreams. You wake, but they are still there.
Saving everyone was impossible. The destruction, heartbreaking. One man was to blame. Anna knew he was there. His eyes following her every move, his presence beckoning a fate she needed to escape.
This was a war where good never stood a chance. Danny knew he was a target, trapped in a place that would bring him to his knees, survival holding no promises.
How do you win a battle that was lost from the very beginning?
Monsters…
They will destroy you.

Before Little Doll and & Crimson Desert, Danny faced the ultimate challenge, one that would scar him for life.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1me8zHc

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Zx6aFL

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Review: Pucked Up (Pucked #2) by Helena Hunting

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

It's Buck and Sunny's story and more hilarious shenanigans from the gang!!! I absolutely love this series, it's hard not to love a book that will make you howl with laughter like these ones do! Helena Hunting has a brilliant way with words, she has me in stitches with the things her characters say to each other and the unfortunate situations they get themselves in.
In this book I got to know Miller A.K.A Buck a lot better and actually there's a lot more to him than I first thought. He comes across as a loveable idiot which he is but he's also quite sensitive, yeah, who knew? Although I get the feeling that Sunny brings that out in him. I really felt for him in this book, he gets a lot of stick for his stupid mistakes and because he's so loveable you can't help but sympathise with him and want to give the big yeti a cuddle.
If you read Pucked them you'll love this next book, it definitely holds up. I can't wait to see what else we've got coming our way from this series.

Reviewed by Steph Lewis

Miller “Buck” Butterson has been banging his way through life ever since a puck to the face fixed his messed up front teeth, and he was drafted into the NHL during his first year of college. After five years of deflecting goals on the ice and scoring them with puck bunnies across the Continental US and parts of Canada, Miller is ready for a girlfriend. A real girlfriend of the non-bunny variety. One he takes on dates and doesn’t jump into bed with after five seconds of conversation.

Miller thinks he’s found that woman in his teammate’s sister. Except, unlike Alex Waters, center, team captain and all round nice guy—who happens to be dating his step-sister—Miller’s manwhore reputation is well earned, and not blown out of proportion by the media. Beyond that minor detail, Miller doesn’t know the first thing about having a girlfriend. But he’s determined to make it happen.

What he doesn’t take into account is the amount of time and effort relationships require, or that constantly letting bunnies take selfies with him to post all over social media isn’t going to win him any points in the boyfriend department. Miller learns—not so quickly—that if he wants to make Sunshine “Sunny” Waters fall for him, he going to have to do a whole lot more than show her his stick skills in the bedroom.

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

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Zx5rEy

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Monday, 21 December 2015

Freebie from E.K. Blair

Fading, book one in the Fading series is currently FREE!

It's only for a limited time though so snap this one up now!

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1OG7yxY

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1J1ORZ5

Review: Ten (Men by Numbers #1) by Ker Dukey

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

Gahhhhhhh I have yet to read a book by Ker that isn’t 5 stars they just get better and better. TEN is the start of a new series for Ker ( My Brothers Best Friend #1) and it didn’t disappoint. It’s not as dark as some of her previous books but still has sensitive subject matter and all the twists to go with it. In this book we go through the lives of Alexandria and Dalton. The story switches back and forth from childhood to present. It pulls you in and grasps you from the very beginning. Alex and Dalton were childhood sweethearts until events ripped them apart and Alex’s mother dragged her to a new town far away from home when Alex was only 16, leaving behind her father whom was the towns sheriff and the boy she fell in love with, her brother Jonah ( Daltons Best Friend) also disappears at the same time. Dalton has always blamed Alex and her brother Jonah for the events that followed over the next 10 yrs and seeks revenge. Alex however has also harboured a secret from Dalton but knows it may come to a head when she has to return to the town she grew up in when her father dies. Alex is such a sweet character but can hold her own. Dalton is an angry mess especially when he see’s Alex is back in town. Daltons friend Six shows up in town and boy that man is a hot alpha male and I mean like sizzling hot lol! Anyway maybe he can help when it comes to Dalton’s corrupt family and his anger towards Alex. Secrets will be spilled with some major twists along the way who will survive? Well you have to read to find out.

I loved loved loved this book it pulls your mind into guessing and gives great anticipation for what happens as you read along. Dalton is a very alpha and desirable male lead even though his anger rolls off him in waves. I wanted to bitch slap him at the beginning as well as rip his skank Lisa’s head off! I seriously can’t wait for the next book which will be about Six whom is Dalton’s friend. I really need to know what secrets he’s hiding as well as getting to know his alpha ways!

Reviewed by Claire Lamb

Ten years old I fell in love
Ten years was the price of that love
Ten years later our world’s re-collide

Alexandria (alex)

My brother Jonah was possessive when it came to the things he owned; this unfortunately included the people in his life. The forbidden love between his best friend and me was just that… forbidden.
Our families were from different walks of life and as a sheriff’s daughter being with a Moore’s kid would never be tolerated. To my parents their son and Dalton Moore were on different paths and their friendship would end as soon as college began but it was my brother who had a craving for trouble. He was always looking for danger, committing petty crimes and getting away with it because Dalton would take the fall, blackening his already stained name. When Jonah found out we broke the rules by loving each other, his consequences impacted us all with immeasurable suffering.
Betrayal comes with a debt and it would be paid by all of us.
One with their heart,
one with their mind
and one would pay in blood.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Pg4R9m

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1mw15z2

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Review: Kingpin (Cartel #2)

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

Well just when I thought I knew the story of Mariana and Dornan, Lili Saint Germain goes and turns it all on it's head. My head is seriously overwhelmed with it all.

This book, which is told in Mariana, Dornan and John's point of view, takes place pretty much 9 years on from Mariana's capture. I loved Mariana in Cartel, but in this book she just goes that one step further for me as a character. Her nurturing personality really takes a hold and knowing what I know from the Gypsy Brothers series, I'm really excited and scared on her behalf for the next and final installment in this series.

Dornan, Dornan, Dornan - I really want to like him and I feel so wrong in saying that, because quite frankly the man is a coward and a complete and utter lunatic. Deep down I sense there's good in him, but maybe that's just my wishful thinking.

I really fell in love with John in this book and so wish things had been different for him. He really is the pawn in a much bigger game involving the Gypsy Brothers and the Il Sangue Cartel.

For much of this book I couldn't grasp how a certain male character from The Gypsy Brothers series has any kind of link to Dornan and Juliette, but let me tell you that all becomes clear.

This series had lulled me into what I can only assume is a false sense of security and I only hope that Lili completely turns this story on its head from the one I'm familiar with, because I'm not sure my heart can take much more. But nevertheless I've been completely blown away once again.

Reviewed by Louise Dale

They say love conquers all.

It's a lie.

Five days a week, I dressed in smart business clothes. I painted my face, and went to work as an accountant. But nothing about my life was normal.

For eight years I had been the property of the Gypsy Brothers Motorcycle Club. I laundered their money so well they'd never let me leave. My only glimmer of light was the man I loved. The man who had saved me.

Dornan.

His love had been the only thing that kept the demons at bay. But he'd become so immersed in the cartel's brutal business that I hardly knew him anymore.

Dornan had been my salvation, but he was also my undoing.

Would he pull me down into the darkness until he destroyed me? Could I save him?

Did I even want to?