Review: My Bachelor by Tess Oliver

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

Eliot is our heroine in this book, I had a real soft spot for her. She does so much for everybody around her and works herself to exhaustion juggling two jobs and college classes to help her family out with finances. She's a very unassuming heroine, not at all conceited and just generally a sweet girl.

Rafe is our tall, dark and handsome hero. They meet when Rafe signs up to to be the eligible bachelor on the show Eliot works for. Her job is that of the bachelor's assistant, the show is kind of like the American show The Bachelor, similar format to that where the bachelor is filmed over a period of several weeks getting to know a group of women and whittling them down to a final one with the intention of there being a proposal by the end of the season. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and got through it in less than a day. I found it to be a sweet, easy read in keeping with Tess's usual writing style with likeable characters, a sweet and humble heroine and a sexy, bada$$ hero with a soft side. I find I always connect well with Tess's writing and stories and this one was no different. This book is a standalone so if you're looking for a sweet story to get stuck into in between series then this is the book for you.

Reviewed by Steph Lewis

A sexy new standalone from New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Tess Oliver.

He was, for lack of a better word, an Adonis, a Greek god of manly perfection.

American hero. Self-made millionaire. All-around badass. 

Sealed with a Kiss has never seen a bachelor like Rafe Rockclyffe before. The long haired, motorcycle riding heartthrob is exactly what viewers of the reality show have been waiting for. Twenty beautiful women will compete to win his heart and hand in marriage, a hand he doesn't really want to give.

It was all just a crazy bet . . . The last thing Rafe expected was to fall in love.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2djDNgN

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2dqUrHp

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Review: The Silent Waters (Elements #3) by Brittainy C. Cherry

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

This is part of the Elements series but each book is a standalone and so can be read on its own. Brittainy has once again brought us a beautifully written story of broken characters that find their way thanks to the power of another’s love. The story is told in 3 stages, in a dual POV with the beginning being that of the characters at a young age through to adulthood. The author once again creates well rounded characters that keep you engaged in the story that is well delivered.

I loved this book though I will admit the initial POV of the very young Maggie didn’t grab me at first but I did fall in love with her and her cheerful outlook and this story is so much more, so stick with it. Once the event that robbed Maggie of her voice occurred I was hooked and read this book in one sitting. Maggie’s story is both a tragic and beautiful tale of the effects of an incident (not of any physical nature) in childhood causing life changing trauma not just to Maggie but all those around her and my heart broke for her and her family. 

I loved Brooks from the offset and from the very beginning he was looking out for Maggie and keeping her safe. I loved the connection that the two characters shared from such a young age and Brooks’ empathy for Maggie was endearing. As the story progressed into adulthood and life got in the way for a while I was devastated for them both but further tragedy brings them back full circle as Maggie has to face her biggest fears to help return the support to Brooks. 

I loved the outcome of this story which I didn’t find to be as emotional as the previous two books and I hope there may be more to come in this series.

Reviewed by Vikki Ryan

Moments.

Our lives are a collection of moments. Some utterly painful and full of yesterday's hurts. Some beautifully hopeful and full of tomorrow's promises.

I’ve had many moments in my lifetime, moments that changed me, challenged me. Moments that scared me and engulfed me. However, the biggest ones—the most heartbreaking and breathtaking ones—all included him.

I was ten years old when I lost my voice. A piece of me was stolen away, and the only person who could truly hear my silence was Brooks Griffin. He was the light during my dark days, the promise of tomorrow, until tragedy found him. Tragedy that eventually drowned him in a sea of memories.

This is the story of a boy and girl who loved each other, but didn’t love themselves. A story of life and death. Of love and broken promises.

Of moments.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2cIeu2K

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2dmyZTM

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Review: Four by S.C. Daiko

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

Max, Lauren and Steve are back and just as hot as they were in Three. Four picks up right where Three left off. Our trio have been living the dream in their passionate and unconventional relationship. They are deeply in love and making plans for the future, which include trying for a baby. Things could not be more perfect, but as we all know, life and love rarely go exactly as planned. Enter, James, an old friend of Steve. He's in town and he comes with an agenda that could tear the lovers apart. Soon, the Steve they know and love changes into someone almost unrecognizable. Can their love and passion keep their relationship strong or are some things destined to not last?

Where Three was all about explosive sex and intense passion, Four is more about the emotional impact one faces in a relationship and when faced with people's past. Don't get me wrong, there is certainly plenty hot and sexy bdsm in this book, but it was so much more emotional. Three had a lighter feel to it and this one was much deeper and emotional. In fact a few sections had me a bit of a basketcase. My heart absolutely broke for the characters. I'm being especially vague because there were some twists in this book I don't want to spoil. I will say suggest that you have tissues handy! I also will say that I loved this book even more than its predecessor. The only reason I took off a half star was because I really wanted to get inside Steve's head. We get dual povs from Max and Lauren and I really was wishing it was three povs. While this is billed and in theory could be read as a standalone, I strongly encourage you to read Three first for the full impact (and emotional turmoil) of this story.

Reviewed by Rosemary Feil

It's been a year since Max and I overcame our commitment fears and chased away our demons, a year in a blissful poly relationship with Steve. And now we’re all set to become four.

It should be the best time of my life, of our lives; trying for a baby with the two hot men who keep me warm at night. 

But when Steve’s friend James arrives from London, an over-the-top-theatrical scene player with his own agenda, and a whole lotta history just waiting to reignite, Steve suddenly doesn’t seem like the guy we fell in love with. 

He’s changing, morphing into a different man before our eyes.

***

Lauren Price is happy living with the two men she loves and life couldn’t be any sweeter. What started as just a little fun a year ago – a girl, two guys, and a whole lot of sex – has become a deep three-way love she hopes will last forever. 

They want to be a four – Max, Lauren, Steve and their unborn baby. That’s what they said, that’s what they planned. 

But life in love doesn’t follow the rules, and soon four doesn’t look quite like the three-plus-one Lauren intended it to be.

***

Although a sequel to “Three”, S. C. Daiko’s first Erotic Menage Romance, “Four” is a standalone story and, like its predecessor, contains vivid erotica and scenes involving MF, MFM, MMF, MM and some BDSM. All consensual, but most definitely 18+ only.

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Amazon USA -http://amzn.to/2cZ6CwZ

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Review: Ruin by Clarissa Wild

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

I'm a long time Clarissa Wild fan and am always excited when she has a new book out. When I first read the blurb for Ruin I was instantly intrigued. This is one of those books that is emotional, gripping and very hard to rate and review. It is very different from what we're used to from Wild as this is based in part on the author's actual life. It is also quite different from what I was expecting going in based purely on the blurb.

Maybell is a young woman with Asperger who faces constant bullying from classmates because she is different. She manages to keep a smile on her face and finds an outlet through her passion for writing, dancing and video games. Despite her parents not being supportive of her dreams, she sets out to become a professional dancer. After news of an unsuccessful audition she gets into a car accident which changes the course of her life.

After the accident Maybell is faced with a long hospital stay and the possibility of never being able to dance again. A spot of light in her current turbulent day to day is Alexander, a hospital volunteer who she befriends. Alex is instantly drawn to Maybell (we find out they actually share a connection not apparent at first and that he has secretly had feelings for her for some time). Alex has not led a perfect life and is a high school drop out. He doesn't think he is deserving of this amazing young woman and feels like he may be her ruin. He is so sweet and genuine with Maybell. I just loved their scenes together. Alex thinks its best for her if he isn't in her life, but Maybell isn't about to let one of her first friends and someone she cares so much about slip out of her life.

I really loved both Maybell and Alex. They were interesting characters and I wanted both to have happy lives so badly. I'm not entirely sure how old they are, but I'm assuming their in their very late teens or early twenties. This is definitely more of a sweet love story than a steamy one. It's very much about two people, trying to live their life despite to the best of their abilities and overcome the obstacles that life can throw at them. I am always a sucker for stories about love overcoming obstacles and adversity so that aspect definitely appealed to me. This was an interesting and heartfelt romance based on a true story. I'm not sure it will appeal to all fans of Clarissa Wild's normal stories, but in mu opinion, it is definitely worth a read if you enjoy a sweet love story were two people find their soulmates in a realistic and touching way.

Reviewed by Rosemary Feil

Maybell Fairweather was the girl of my dreams.

Always smiling brightly, she kept going, despite the names her classmates called her behind her back.

She was full of curiosity and independence, the extent of which I could only be jealous of. Even though she had all odds stacked against her, she knew what she wanted from life and pursued it, no matter the cost.

She was completely my opposite in every way.

Perfect, even though she couldn’t see it.

Perfect … until me.

Because this is the story of how I ruined her.

Based on a true story. Standalone Romance. No cliffhanger.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2d8hs1c

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2czl65B

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Review: Three by S.C. Daiko

****4 Stars****

I love menage stories, especially m/m/f menage stories. Add in m/m and bdsm and I am in my element. Three by S.C. Daiko ticks all the boxes on my favorite things list and I was very excited to read it.

Lauren has been having a hot and heavy online affair with her boss Max. The virtual bdsm is hot and he has a regular staring role in her nightly fantasies. When he invites her to travel to Italy to work with him in person she jumps at the chance. A gorgeous Italian Vila with a sexy Dom she plans to have lots of casual and off the charts hot sex with. What could possibly go wrong? Enter Steve, a colleague of Max also staying at his Vila. If one sexy man is good, two sounds even better. Before long, all three are engaged in a passionate affair that has them engaged sexually in every combination imaginable and it isn't long until more than just their bodies become entwined.

This story was ridiculously hot. Max, Lauren and Steve will burn up the pages of your kindle in every position possible. Their sexual chemistry was electric. All three characters were unique enough to keep things interesting. Though there was tons of sex, there was enough of a storyline and the added emotions of the trio as the book progressed to keep this from venturing into pwp (plot what plot) territory.

Reviewed by Rosemary Feil

I shouldn’t want this, shouldn’t want them, and I definitely shouldn’t want all the dirty things they do – not just to me but to each other.
Except I do want it.
I want it so bad I can’t keep my head straight.
Why does dirty have to feel so damn good?
It’s lust, simple as that. No strings, just two guys, a girl and a whole lot of filth.
I can handle that.
Sure I can.
No big deal… it’s not like I’m going to fall for them or anything, right?

***

Sexy Italian Max has had the starring role in some hot dreams and wild nights for Lauren. Now she will be living with him, leaving her life in Seattle behind while she works for his company in Rome, Italy. There she meets gorgeous Englishman Steve, who is also rooming at Max’s villa. Soon crazy ideas start to form in Lauren’s mind about having both men in her bed. When Lauren’s fantasy becomes reality, the two sex gods take her to heights of filthy pleasure she never imagined possible. So what could possibly go wrong?
***
Advisory: vivid erotica and scenes involving BDSM, MF, MFM, MMF. All consensual. Most definitely 18+ only.

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/2d8hLZW
Amazon USA - http://amzn.to/2dgAB1c

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Review: Spiralling Skywards (Falling #1) by Lesley Jones

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

I just love Lesley Jones’ style of writing and Spiralling Skywards is once again a joy to read. I just feel a connection to the characters that this author creates and when the banter is flowing between them it’s like being with a group of friends laughing at the good humoured insults that occur. And Lesley has created another group of friends that I want to join down at the pub every week.

The main characters Liam and Sarah are fantastic, they both have their own issues that seem to be the result of their pasts and pressures brought about by their family lives, though at times due to their own interpretations of them. Though they are coming from completely opposite ends of the spectrum in many senses they connect instantly and you are rooting for this couple to get it right from the offset. Liam has a past he is trying to resolve and Sarah has a past that has left her scarred, when Liam's omissions of facts catch up with them they are left trying to cope with the fallout.

I was hooked from the start and read this in one sitting with an air of anticipation waiting for Lesley to pull the rug at any minute, till I got to the end and was left smiling. There is some angst but not the heart ripping kind, there is the character you want to poke in the eye and there is the supporting cast of characters that keep the banter flowing even in the midst of the angst. Then there was the sneak look at the next installment of this series and the Kindle throwing occurred. Lesley Jones you are evil.

I can’t wait for book two now but I am also hoping this series expands to include stories on some of the supporting characters that I would like to know more from.

Reviewed by Vikki Ryan

It only takes one defining moment.
One look.
One dance.
One conversation.
Sarah knows from the second she meets Liam that their connection is more than just instant attraction. It’s deep, it’s consuming, and has the potential to be the real thing. But true love comes at a price.
Fuelled by Liam's past, Sarah's issues, and a messy web of family ties, business partnerships, and exes, the combined forces threaten to snuff out their new found relationship. Will that spark be smothered by outside forces? Or will they be carried like smoke from the ashes and sent spiralling skywards?

Written in Lesley Jones’ usual heartfelt, witty, and emotional voice, this dual point of view story is just the beginning of her Spiralling series. Look for book two, late 2016.

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/2d1kNA5

Amazon USA - http://amzn.to/2clAu2B

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Review: Darkest Before Dawn by Stevie J. Cole

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

I've got to be honest and admit that it took me a little while to get into this book. I think that's because initially, I didn't really connect with Ava.

However, this is the web that Stevie J Cole has spun and I guarantee that if you take this journey, you are bound to be caught up.

Max is forced to return to a life he had left behind but he embraces the darkness for the better good. What he finds is that his light, is in fact darkness itself but can he accept it?

All Ava wants, is to forget and to be wanted. Things take a turn and she loses a part of herself. It's a part she doesn't want back, despite feeling destined to live a half-life.

This book is beautifully written. It so perfectly captures the feelings of despair, desperation, hope and love.

I cannot recommend this this book highly enough. It's emotive and thrilling and a must read in my opinion.

Reviewed by Vivienne Kauffer

Sixty-four days in captivity. Sixty-four days to lose yourself—or find yourself.

I’m Ava Donovan. I was abducted at the age of nineteen. I’m told I’m a survivor, but the truth is, I only survived because he saved me. Even when he kept me locked in that room—he saved me.

Constantly wondering when and how you will die, that does something to you. To your mind. But what do you do when it does something to your heart? What do you do when the man holding you captive seems just as broken as you are, when his mere presence becomes a comfort you crave—when you love him even though you shouldn’t?

You smile and tell yourself it’s okay because love has no morals.

Sixty-four days in captivity gave me a love most people will never have and my freedom took it all away.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2cVTdHt

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2ciBDg5

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