Review: Lust is the Thorn by Jen McLaughlin

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

This is the second book that I've read by the author and I absolutely loved it! It is filled with angst, forbidden love, tragic pasts, and secrets. I could not put this book down! It seems like the author has a thing for the whole forbidden love theme and she does it very well!

In the beginning, we meet Thorn McKinney who is getting ready to take his vows to become a priest. A tragic past sends him running to prayer and seminary school to help him get past it. Only their is something holding him back: his best friend's little sister, Rose. He promised her brother that he would always keep her safe and when danger comes lurking, he does just that. When she hits rock bottom, he is there for her, but the passion ignites between the two. It is strictly forbidden but their is no denying the spark between these two. Will he choose his rightful path to priesthood that he has been working towards his whole adulthood or the girl who is his only family and also the one he loves? You'll have to read to find out.

I absolutely loved this book, but at times Rose drove me nuts! I get that she didn't have the best childhood but whenever Thorn tried to help her and buy her stuff, she argued every step of the way. When the man you love wants to help you, don't argue, just go with it!

I loved Thorn and Rose and cannot wait to see what Jen McLaughlin has in store for us next.

Reviewed by Ashley Ziegler

From the bestselling author of Bad Romance comes an edgy novel about a reformed bad boy training to be a priest and the fallen angel who makes him think twice about giving up earthly pleasures.

Growing up hard and fast on the mean streets of Chicago, Thorn McKinney didn’t have a prayer—until tragedy inspired him to join the seminary. Now the time has come to take his vows, and yet he’s haunted by the woman he can’t leave behind: his best friend’s little sister. Despite Thorn’s promises that he’d keep her safe, she’s going through hell. And now he finds himself torn between duty and desire, entranced by the seductive pull of her trusting eyes, innocent heart, and sinfully sweet curves.

Trying to let Thorn pursue his calling, Rose Gallagher has been hiding some things: namely her abusive boyfriend and her job as a stripper. But when she hits rock bottom, Thorn is there for her—and now there’s no denying the raw temptation that draws them together in their darkest moments. Rose may have found salvation in his strong arms, but she knows that Thorn must choose his own path: in the church, or in the warm embrace of a woman’s love.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Vws3pI

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1XBf4Af

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Review: Dirtiest Secret (S.I.N. #1) by J. Kenner

****3.5 Stars****

For me this book, started out so well. Just the opening to a book that I like, but after the prologue and the first couple of chapters, it seemed to lose momentum.

This book starts out 17 years ago when Dallas and Jane were abducted and the details of this kidnapping and what they both had to endure is explained throughout.

The character details, especially for the secondary characters, were a little too brief at times and it was often hard to understand who was who and how they fit into the story. The family trees at first confused me, although that did eventually become clear.

Individually, I liked the main characters, Dallas Sykes and Jane Martin, but together some may find their coupling a little to much to handle. Dallas came across as a total player, which is pretty much the point to the book and Jane appeared to be the more stable of the two.

There is a definite pushing of boundaries with this book, but I for the most part, was able to look past that.

As for the sex scenes, there seemed to be more masturbation than sex itself and for me it often distracted me from the couples chemistry. There is a sort of reason why this is the case, but I would have liked a little more from the sex scenes if I'm honest, especially having read and loving the Stark Trilogy.

On the whole, I feel there's so much more to this story, but my concern is that, by the next book, I will have forgotten many of the important details especially some of the characters.

For me, J Kenner had the added pressure of giving us a couple to come close to the dynamics of Nikki Fairchild and Damien Stark and sadly I just didn't think this book achieved that, but still there were some good moments in this book and I really do hope things pick up in the next book.

Reviewed by Louise Dale

It was wrong for us to be together, but it was even harder to be apart.  
The memory of Dallas Sykes burns inside of me.

Everyone knows him as a notorious playboy, a man for whom women and money are no object. But to me, he’s still the one man I desperately crave—yet the one I can never have.

Dallas knows me better than anyone else. We bear the same scars, the same darkness in our past. I thought I could move on by staying away, but now that we’re drawn together once more, I can’t fight the force of our attraction or the temptation to make him mine.

We’ve tried to maintain control, not letting ourselves give in to desire. And for so long we’ve told ourselves no—but now it’s finally time to say yes.

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

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1p6OR0A

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