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Review: The Con by Justine Elvira

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

Aaaawwwww I loved Jagger and Ronnie, I didn't want this book to end, I wasn't ready for it to end!!! The only semi-negative point I can think to give to this book is that I wanted to experience more of their HEA with them because I felt so invested in them as characters.
I'm a sucker for a childhood sweethearts sort of romance and although Ronnie and Jagger aren't your conventional childhood sweethearts, I do think this book should fall in that catagory. I loved how the story was written, over the span of over 10 years, watching them grow and change as characters, and I enjoyed their sporadic but sweet interactions.
This is my first book by Justine Elvira but it won't be my last, I'm really looking forward to discovering more of her work.

Reviewed by Steph Lewis

Synopsis

Jagger had three rules for every con:

1. Don't back out
2. Don't forget the story
3. Don't fuck it up

I broke them all.

I first met Jagger when I was just nine years old. He was an older boy who gave me twenty dollars to buy a new pair of ballet shoes after I dropped mine in the mud. That's when I fell in love with him.

And love would be my downfall.

I would run into Jagger over the years and I'd watch him as he'd hustle strangers out of their money with his latest scam. He lied, he cheated, and he took advantage of anyone he could. Most importantly, he never got caught.

Well, until he needed me to help him pull off his biggest con to date.

I thought I could do it. He told me it was easy to make money through deception, and I believed him because he had a lot of it.

But I should have known that nothing is guaranteed.

My name is Ronnie and now we're on the run.

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Review: On Paper by Shae Scott

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

Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved this book!!

Keaton Harris is a news journalist turned romance writer. However, he is a romance writer who does not believe in love whatsoever. He wants it easy and doesn't want to ever have to change his life for someone else. His career as a romance novelist has him in constant contact with fangirls, several of whom he has bedded; He has quite the reputation as a known player. The moment he meets Quinn, he knows he has to have her. Her reluctance to be with him only fuels his desire for her that much more.

Quinn is a self-proclaimed book nerd. She is a very cautious person who loves to plan things out before she does anything. She doesn't ever do anything reckless, but when she meets Keaton Harris he makes her want to throw all her well thought out plans out the window. She was reluctant to give his arrogant, cocky self a chance, but when her friend Lily insists, she throws caution to the wind and gives in her desires. She doesn't want to be another notch on his bedpost, but he proves himself to be more than his public persona. Soon she has committed to a one week fling with him, and since she knows their relationship has an expiration date, she gives herself over freely to him.

However, neither of them thought their feelings would get so strong so fast. Quinn makes Keaton want to be a better man, and Keaton makes her want to be brave and spontaneous and take a leap of faith on their desires for one another. They are definitely not ready for it to be over after their one week is up.

This is the first book by Shae Scott that I have read and I think I have found myself a new author. This book was filled with chemistry and sexual tension between the two characters. I could definitely feel their desire for one another through the pages. On Paper had me at the edge of my seat, chewing my fingernails down while reading because their was so much sexual tension and drama throughout the pages. The connection between the two characters was palpable and I could definitely feel it; I could feel their connection, their pain, their struggles, and their tenderness and love for one another. I enjoyed Quinn and Keaton's journey of self discovery from who they were when they met to who they ultimately grew into by the time their story came to its final pages. I cannot wait to read more from this amazing author!

Reviewed by Ashley Ziegler

Synopsis

“Expectation is the root of all heartache.” William Shakespeare

Keaton Harris always thought he would be reporting from the front lines as a hard-hitting news reporter. He never expected to become a best-selling romance writer. But the job definitely has its perks, like the long line of ladies who are eager to become his muse for a night.

He doesn’t expect to meet Quinn Ryan at a book convention. He doesn’t expect to be taken with her so quickly. She is beautiful. Smart. Quiet…and totally giving him the cold shoulder.

Quinn has no interest in becoming a Keaton Harris groupie, no matter how hot he is. She learned a long time ago that playboys make dangerous playthings. But when he proves to be more than she expected she finds herself weakening to his charms.

One week. That’s all it was supposed to be. One week to have an adventure, to be someone else. It was never supposed to go any further than that.

Maybe that Shakespeare guy was on to something.

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Review: Never Say Never (Sniper 1 Security #2) by Nicole Edwards

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

This is book 2 in Nicole's Sniper 1 Security series. It's M/M and very very hot!!
This is RT's and Z's story and it all starts off when RT has to let go of his lover and employee Kevin. After the heart break he vouches never again to have the work/love relationship with any of his team again. However a few years down the line and he can't stop thinking about 1 man, 1 man who also can't stop thinking about RT in return. However it seems not one of them is giving into temptation. Then everything changes when left alone to spend time together whilst setting up the mission. Who will make the first move and will they manage to work it all out? Well just read it and I promise you won't be disappointed.

This was a roller coaster ride for me. I loved getting to know RT and Z. They are both alpha male and very hot. Z has a secret that made everyone think he was a bit of a manwhore and you will get to find out all about his story in this book. As usual Nicole has the sex scenes going off the charts with hotness. As always another amazing book from Nicole and I look forward to the next instalment.

Reviewed by Claire Lamb

Synopsis

Ryan Trexler has devoted his entire life to his family’s security business. And now that he’s slated to take over the reins for the company, RT knows that his life is only going to get more complicated. Add in the fact that he’s lusting over one of the men who works for him and RT knows that there are some serious tough times ahead.

Zachariah Tavoularis—nicknamed Z—has been employed by Sniper 1 Security for a decade. Despite being known as the most loyal enforcer outside of family, Z also has a reputation of being quite the playboy, though that was based more on rumor than fact. When an assignment comes up that forces the two of them to work together, Z knows it’s time to show RT he’s not the man he thinks he is.

Can they complete the mission, despite the fact that it puts them in a tenuous situation, bringing them closer than either of them ever expected? And will Z allow RT to convince him that they can never be together, no matter how much they both want it?

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Review: Sin and Swoon (Blood and Bone #2) by Tara Brown

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

I was really taken with the first book in this series that really was a journey down the rabbit hole that messed with your head and which you really do need to read to understand this second book. I have been really looking forward to this next installment to see how the characters all fared. While the story wasn’t as mind blowing as book one now that I understand the procedure that takes Jane "in", Tara still delivers a complex and gut-wrenching story.
We are once again sucked into the complexity of Jane’s mind from the off as we find her in the middle of one of her ‘mind visits’ and once again she is sucked into a maze of indicators to try and piece together the puzzle. And what a dark twisted puzzle this is, Jane is trying to piece together what happened to Ashley a young girl found on the brink of death on a frozen river shore. Her story is disturbing even to read and leaves Jane reeling from its impact.
Jane can’t let Ashley’s story go and is determined to find the person responsible for the things she learned during the mind visit but life suddenly becomes as complicated in reality for her. Her relationship with Dash takes an unexpected turn and suddenly her partner also appears to not be who she thought. The case keeps taking deeper and deeper twists and becomes bigger than Jane ever imagined. Can Jane work through the clues to find justice for Ashley?
This is a great series that has a superb main female lead in Jane who is an elite army officer. It is complex and really sucks you into each story and I am once again looking forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Vikki Ryan

Synopsis

Not even the warning label on the experimental project could have prepared Jane Spears for the nightmare she would walk into when the Ashley Potter case landed in her lap. Deep inside the victim’s mind, Jane finds clues hinting at the worst crimes she has ever come upon. But the bread crumbs don’t lead anywhere, and in the waking light Jane discovers nothing is as she believed. The conspiracy goes deeper than she can reveal, and the crimes are too hideous to leave unsolved. But can she stop it all in time, or will she be sucked in—trapped by the deranged mastermind?

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Review: Undeniably You by Jewel E. Ann

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

I LOVED this book, from the beginning I was laughing out loud at Sydney and her clumsy antics. As the author introduced more characters to the story we encounter somewhat of a love triangle along with the way. The story is delivered in a diarised manner which works well and starts with a pre-dated entry that I almost forgot about as I was so sucked in. That is until around the 50% mark when we revisit the date again and the brakes were thrown on for me and the kindle throwing part of this story began. For me, this really was a book of two halves which I really wasn’t expecting.
Sydney is a girl with a life plan and nothing is going to derail her ambitions, to fund those ambitions and school Sydney has taken a year out being paid to travel the world while house sitting. For the month of June she agrees to house and dog sit for her aunt in Palo Alto where she meets Dale the reserved vet and the cheeky fun “pool guy” Lautner both in humorous manners.
As Sydney befriends both guys feelings inevitably develop and some are unrequited as her relationship with Lautner becomes much more than Sydney had expected but the clock is always ticking as we watch her 30 days in Palo Alto pass by. Arghhh I wanted to shake Sydney at times with always having one eye on the time element but her reasons seemed valid until they weren’t. The end of June sees a messy end to their brief affair despite their feelings.
Sydney leaves for her next house sitting job in Paris but her life plan is suddenly stopped in its tracks and this is where the story is turned on its head from the laugh out loud to tearjerking angst. The inevitable misunderstandings and meddling from outsiders send Sydney further off her life plan and we come back to the prologue event that I am sure made me hear the sound of a needle dragging over an old vinyl. I have to admit at this moment I hated Sydney, hated her.
Sydney and Lautner’s lives once again cross paths and the truth of their pasts come to light in a terribly complex and heartbreaking way. Poor Lautner, I really felt for him. As they work through the web of mess, they have to face that the feelings from their brief affair are still very real but will they risk the lives they’ve built for the sake of them?
I honestly love this book and it is one I have been recommending even before I had finished reading. And Lautner has truly earned himself a place on my book boyfriends list for life. Sydney I may have forgiven her a little for hurting him.

Reviewed by Vikki Ryan

Synopsis

One crazy dog—one awkward vet—one naked pool guy—and one life-changing month in California to make friends, fall in love, and twist fate.

Who gets paid to walk a dog and recline by the pool all day? Sydney Montgomery, aspiring museum curator and professional house-sitter, that’s who.

When her aunt and uncle need a house and dog sitter for thirty days in Palo Alto, Sydney can’t turn down the chance to be closer to her sister in L.A. Within twenty-four hours of her arrival, Sydney’s cleaning up runny dog poo, taking an uncooperative pooch to a handsome yet awkward vet, and being rescued from the bottom of the pool by a naked “pool guy.”

Lautner, “pool guy,” has a hot body and a cool persona. With eyes of iridescent blue oceans, he is mesmerizing, sexy, and addictive. What he is not—the pool guy.

Dr. Lautner Sullivan is a college wide receiver turned pediatric resident. He knows how to woo a woman with flowers, pastries, and sweet tea. Lautner is every girl’s dream, but Sydney is not every girl. She’s immune to rainbows, fairytales, pixy dust, and the “L” word.

The attraction is immediate, the friendship is earned, and the love is undeniable. Thirty days is their forever, but forever is not long enough.

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Review: Fourth Debt (Indebted #5) by Pepper Winters

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

Within seconds of starting this, the fifth book in the Indebted series, I was instantly transported back to the utter despair at the end of book #4. My breath was short as I nervously turned page after page.

As this is the fifth book, you must read books #1-4 first and as such, this review may contain spoilers although I always try to avoid them.

All seems lost when Nila is turned over into the psychotic hands of Jet's brother, Daniel. With the brutal patriarch leading the way and the witch, Bonnie, seemingly controlling everything from the background all hope is lost.
But an unlikely ally steps up....can anyone ever save Nila from the final debt? Or, with her heart in tatters, like the discarded off-cuts of fabric, does Nila even care anymore? Is all hope lost?

Once again, Pepper Winters has produced a breath-taking masterpiece. I was on the edge of my seat, heart racing and feeling utter despair and at times just had to take a break. Just when hope blossoms, like a flickering flame coming to life, it's snuffed out and darkness once again consumes you.

Will Nila be able to sew her own fate? Or will the Hawks hunt and feed off the final debt?
5 glowing stars from me!

Reviewed by Vivienne Kauffer

Synopsis

“We’d won. We’d cut through the lies and treachery and promised an alliance that would free us both. But even as we won, we lost. We didn’t see what was coming. We didn’t know we had to plan a resurrection.”

Nila Weaver fell in love. She gifted her entire soul to a man she believed was worthy. And in the process, she destroyed herself. Three debts paid, the fourth only days away. The Debt Inheritance has almost claimed another victim.

Jethro Hawk fell in love. He let down his walls to a woman he believed was his cure. For a moment, he was free. But then he paid the ultimate price.

There is no more love. Only war. Hope is dead. Now, there is only death all around them.

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