Her Forbidden Hero Review

Her Forbidden Hero by Laura Kaye

Book description...
She's always been off-limits...
Former Army Special Forces Sgt. Marco Vieri has never thought of Alyssa Scott as more than his best friend's little sister, but her return home changes that...and challenges him to keep his war-borne demons at bay. Marco's not the same person he was back when he protected Alyssa from her abusive father, and he's not about to let her see the mess he's become.
...but now she's all grown up.
When Alyssa takes a job at the bar where Marco works, her carefree smiles wreak havoc on his resolve to bury his feelings. How can he protect her when he can't stop thinking about her in his bed? But Alyssa's not looking for protection—not anymore. Now that she's back in his life, she’s determined to heal her forbidden hero, one touch at a time... 


So I've been in this what I'm calling a reading funk for the past week or two... not that I haven't wanted to read because a day without reading would seem like a day without water to me.... My problem was I couldn't find anything that grabbed my attention in the way I wanted.  I read some good books but they just weren't what I was looking for... The heroines would piss me off for whatever reason and the heroes just weren't alpha enough for me.  So, I did a lot of rereading my favorite books... which I loved at the time but then realized maybe that wasn't such a great idea... because.... it seemed like my standards got even higher..... sigh... I know, I'm a pain in the behind.. but whatever!  Anyway, I decided I wanted to read one of those super sweet, makes you smile, and almost makes you groan with frustration because of how sweet everything is in the story kind of books..... Well, that was a mistake too, because... well... I just got frustrated thinking, that isn't even close to being realistic and quite frankly any man who acts like that is nothing but a pansy.  And then..... while playing on Facebook, I saw where Laura Kaye had advertised her newest release and I thought.... Hmmmm, a "forbidden love", a wounded soldier, and a young woman who's been in love with this man for like... ever? - Umm... SOLD!"  So I bought it.... and can I just say... YAY!!!! I'm cured, THIS story was what I needed to get me out of my "funk"!  So thank you Laura!


Alyssa has kind of hit rock bottom and moved back to her home town... well more like drifted back since her old roommate kind of screwed her.  Short on cash and knowing a place where she can work as a waitress she makes her way to Whiskey's to apply for the job.... knowing full well that her brother's best friend... and the man she has secretly been in love with her whole life... works there as a bartender.  I had mixed feelings for Alyssa.... one minute, I loved her and thought... wow this girl has got an amazing back bone for a 22 year old, then the next minute I couldn't help but feel like she still had a lot of growing up to do... but then I found out about her past and well..... all those negative thoughts I had for her flew right out the window.... after all she endured as a child she grew into a beautiful, strong, smart, and caring woman.... all of which is thanks to her awesome brother Brady (I wouldn't mind reading his story... hint hint Laura!!) and his best friend Marco.


Mmmm, Marco.... can I just say that the Lake scene... was... ummm, like... major yummy... major yummy!  Marco was my kind of hero... he has a lot of demons that need to be faced and instead of actually facing them he's just kind of existing and trying to make it through each day.  When he first sees Alyssa he's happy to have his Aly-girl back... but then he notices that she has grown up... like notices... if you know what I  mean and his protective instincts come full force especially when he sees on of the bar patrons getting a little too handsy.   He struggles with these feelings and they begin to overwhelm him because she is off-limits... best friend rule and all.. yeah, yeah... So he decided to push her away and keep distance between them... like that plan was actually going to work... especially once he finds out that she's staying in a hotel and struggling to make ends meet.  So he tells her to move in with him, that he wants her with him.  


I don't want to give away too much here because it will just take away from the story but I will say that what develops between them is very sweet, beautiful, and became something to cherish with everything they had.  Obviously the book would have been even shorter had they actually communicated with each other and understood each others feelings from the start.. but with that said I don't think true feelings would have been realized nor would a certain character have gone to the extreme they went to... to prove their feelings.  


Her Forbidden Hero by Laura Kaye  was a great little read... it was easy, it was lovable, it was touching, and most of all it broke me free of my reading funk!  I love Laura's writing style, her books are mostly fairly short but her stories are always touching and her men are almost always the kind you want to fall in love with.  

Happy Reading! 

Deborah Cooke Blog Tour and Giveaway

Thanks for stopping by to check out Deborah Cooke's Blazing The Trail Blog Tour.  I'm so excited to be able to share these exiting books with you and also let you in on a little giveaway....

Deborah will be giving away a Paper back copy of Blazing the Trail to a US resident.... EEK!  Details to enter are below.

Deborah Cooke

Deborah Cooke has always been fascinated with dragons, although she has never understood why they have to be the bad guys. She has an honours degree in history, with a focus on medieval studies. She is an avid reader of medieval vernacular literature, fairy tales and fantasy novels, and has written over forty romance novels and novellas. She has also been published under the names Claire Cross and Claire Delacroix.

Deborah makes her home in Canada with her husband. When she isn't writing, she can be found knitting, sewing or hunting for vintage patterns.

Connect with Deborah:

Website:  http://deborahcooke.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeborahCookeFanPage

DRAGON DIARIES Series

By Deborah Cooke

"Flying Blind" - Book 1

Zoë Sorensson is perfectly normal – well, as normal as a girl with an obsession with drawing dragons can be. The thing is that she’s always been told she’s special and destined for great things. It’s not just because of her good grades, either. Zoë’s the Wyvern, the one female dragon shapeshifter with special powers. But Zoë is at the bottom of the class when it comes to being Pyr and her powers are AWOL. Worse, there’s no reference book to consult and the last Wyvern is dead…
Everything changes when Zoë’s best friend is bullied and Zoë reacts. Before she can blink twice, her inner dragon is loose, she’s suspended from school and headed to a boot camp for thePyr guys she’s known all her life. But soon she’s doubting her powers—and even some of her friendships.
Zoë quickly realizes that she has to master her powers yesterday - the Pyr are in danger and boot camp is a trap. The Mages want to eliminate all shifters and the Pyr are next in line—unless Zoë and her friends can solve the riddle, work together and save their own kind…
Buy Links:  Amazon / Amazon UK / Barnes & Noble / IndieBound


"Winging It" - Book 2

Zoë Sorensson yearns to come into her powers as the only female dragon shifter. But being part of two worlds is more complicated than she expected. It’s bad enough that she’s the target of the Mages’ plan to eliminate all shifters—she also has to hide her true nature from her best friend Megan, a human. For her sixteenth birthday, all Zoë wants is one normal day, including a tattoo and a chance to see hot rocker Jared.
Instead, the Pyr throw her a birthday party but ban Megan from attendance, putting Zoë in a tight spot. Things get even worse when Zoe is invited to the popular kids’ Halloween party and Megan’s left out. Zoë knows the party is a trap laid by the host, an apprentice Mage. When Megan gets a last-minute invite, Zoë must save the day—and her best friend—without revealing her fire-breathing secrets…
Buy Links:  Amazon / Amazon UK / Barnes & Noble / IndieBound


"Blazing The Trail" - Book 3

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and Zoë Sorensson’s love life is heating up. Cute, loyal, and understanding, wolf shifter Derek is pretty much the perfect guy. He likes Zoë, and he knows what it’s like to have to keep a secret. Yet, Zoë can’t help but wish it was rebel rocker Jared asking her to the Valentine’s dance instead. But Jared’s too busy playing hot and cold with her heart, calling Zoë his dragon girl one minute and then taking special interest in her best friend the next.
Zoë is just about ready to breathe fire, especially once she uncovers a new threat that targets her friends. Although Zoë thought the Mages were defeated, they’re back and have invoked an old spell to give them new power – they plan to eliminate all shape shifters on the night of the big dance. Now, Zoë must lead an alliance of young shifters to battle the Mages and figure out exactly what – and who – she wants, before it all goes up in smoke…
Buy Links:  Amazon /  Barnes & Noble / IndieBound

Click HERE to see what other stops Deborah will be making on her Blog Tour and make sure to check them out along the way!!!!  

Deborah is giving away a paper back copy of Blazing The Trail the 3rd book in The Dragon Series to a US resident.  To enter leave a comment with your email address and I will contact the winner.  A winner will be drawn randomly on  June 15, 2012... Good Luck!!!!

***Update***

Congratulations to Michelle Kilgour for winning a copy of Blazing The Trail!!!!  

Happy Reading!

 

Fever (Phoenix Rising #1) Review

Fever by Joan Swan

Book description....
When Dr. Alyssa Foster is taken hostage by a prison inmate, she knows she's in deep trouble. Not just because Teague Creek is desperate for freedom, but because the moment his fingers brush against her skin, Alyssa feels a razor-sharp pang of need...
A man with a life sentence has nothing to lose. At least Teague doesn't, until his escape plan develops a fatal flaw: Alyssa. On the run from both the law and deadly undercover operatives, he can only give her lies, but every heated kiss tells him the fire between them could be just as devastating as the flames that changed him forever...

Okay so before I say anything about this book let's just take a minute and enjoy that beautiful cover.... YUM-A-LICOUS!!!!!

I've got to be honest here and say that I was unsure if I was going to review this book or not.  I have struggled with my thoughts on this book for the past 3 days and finally decided I just needed to sit down and just start thinking to see if I can actually put my thoughts into words that will actually some what make sense.... So just be warned, this review will probably suck and most likely my thoughts will be all over the place lol.


So first things first... Bad Boy?  Ummm.... sign me up... Wait... never mind.... NO!  Sign me up.... these were my thoughts through out the book when it came to Teague.  When I read the product description I thought... "well well well.... a bad boy to the core, sounds like my kind of book" so when I started reading I had this unrealistic expectation that he was going to sweep Alyssa off her feet and charm her panties off... without any violence.  Okay, so I obviously was wrong and that's what I get for getting my hopes up, not to mention that would be pretty unrealistic right?... note to self.... "Lori, if you want a book to go your way... write your own!"  Pfft, yeah right.. I'd rather just read them!


So Teague... who is HOT.... literally... in every way you can imagine, and when I say every way... I mean... EVERY WAY!!!! has just escaped prison in what I would call a pretty clever way.... not that it's right, and this will be the only time in this review that I will say that because for some strange reason I felt it was necessary for me to say I don't approve of someone escaping prison, regardless of his/her reasons.... ANYWAY, he escapes and grabs a hostage in the process.... one very sexy little Dr Alyssa Foster.  He's got some issues he needs to work out, he's on the run... obviously because he just escaped prison, but that's not the only reason he is on the run.  A lot has happened in Teague's past... things that need to be figured out, regardless if he wants them to be solved or not, plus he has an amends to make.. not that he wants to do that either, and quite frankly I don't blame him... however, I see where it needs to be done.  So he has all this to face while dragging Alyssa along for the ride because he needs her... actually needs her to get what he wants... but is she the right girl?


Alyssa is on a mission right now in life and is trying to break free so she is the one chosen for the fellowship at the hospital she's working at and once she is held hostage... everything she worked, hard, to accomplish all went down the drain.... and she is one pissed off woman who is full of attitude and is not ready to give up and give into Teague's demand that she shut up and behave!  I absolutely loved her!  She knew what she wanted, she was smart.. extremely smart, and knew when not to give up.  I admired her strength, although sometimes I wish she would have shoved a sock in it... most of the time I absolutely loved her.  There was only one thing that grated on my nerves and that was her almost desperation to be with him.  He was dealing with his own demons, had been without a woman for years... and was extremely attracted to her, was on the run not only from the law but also from some pretty bad people who wanted Teague... G.O.N.E... gone, and he had a future he had to figure out with someone special to him.  Don't get me wrong I understood the attraction and it was obvious that she felt his desire for her but she just would not take no for an answer.... granted it worked out for her in the long run but I personally like to see the heroes do the chasing, not the other way around.


Here is where I would normally continue on with my thoughts on these characters and the relationship either soared or crashed... but... I'm not going to... I actually can't.  I'm still struggling with my thoughts and everything they went through together... the challenges they had to face and then to be quite honest I have to say that I still have unanswered questions and I'm hoping that this series will continue on with Alyssa and Teague instead of moving on to another character.... Or I should say, I want my questions answered and then maybe we could learn a little more about Luke or Mitch... yeah....sigh... I wouldn't mind knowing more about those two!!!!  Then there is the fact that if I give you any more info to go on then I'll basically be giving the whole book away..... This is one of those books where you really do need to pay close attention because there is so much going on that it would be easy to get lost... actually it would be so easy to get lost in this book, I'm considering a reread just to make sure I didn't miss anything the first time around!



Fever by Joan Swan was a good read... it was fast paced, kept me on the edge of my seat, and had me rooting for the hero and heroine to find their happily ever after.... did they find it?  I won't tell you because quite frankly I don't even know but I will say that I was satisfied, even with all the unanswered questions I still have.  Joan definitely sucked me in and I am not going to wait... not patiently.... for the second book Blaze in the Phoenix Rising Series which according to Joan's Facebook page is expected to be released in October of this year.


Happy Reading!

Motorcycle Man (Dream Man Series #4) Review

Motorcycle Man (The Dream Man Series) by Kristen Ashley is a fabulous end to an amazing series!!!

 Book description...
Stuck in a colorless world, Tyra Masters decides to chuck her old life and starts searching for something. She doesn’t know what it is until she meets her dream man. The goateed, tattooed, muscled, gravelly voiced motorcycle man who plies her with tequila and gives her the best sex of her life. But she knows it isn’t the tequila and sex talking. He’s it. He’s who she’s been daydreaming about since she could remember.
Until he makes it clear she isn’t who he’s looking for.
Tyra slinks away from his bed, humiliated. The problem is, he’s her new boss. She just may or may not have forgotten to tell him that part.
Kane “Tack” Allen has a rule. He doesn’t employ someone he’s slept with. And he lets Tyra know that in his motorcycle man way. Tyra fights for her job and wins it using sass and a technicality. Tack challenges her that if she hits his bed one more time, she loses her job.
Tyra is determined to keep her job and keep away from Tack. But she makes a big mistake. During their head-to-heads, she lets it all hang out and shows Tack she is who he’s looking for. And Tack has had a good woman slip through his fingers, he’s not about to let that happen again.
Although Tack colors Tyra’s world with a vibrancy that’s blinding, being with him means she has to live in his Motorcycle Club world. Full on, no holds barred. And since Tack’s world, not to mention Tack, is a little scary, Tyra isn’t so sure.
It's Tack's job to convince her.

So I have to say that I am sad that the Dream Man Series has come to an end because... I LOVED these characters, as usual KA's characters all flow so nicely together.  Not to mention I love getting those little glimpses of past characters... and/or... in MM case a little glimpse into a couple from a completely different series!  KA has a special gift when it comes to getting me so attached to her characters that I actually get little excited butterflies in my belly when I see them in other books... yeah, yeah, I'm a big nerd... and I'm proud!  Anyway, like I said, I'm sad that this series has come to an end.. but what an end it was... amazeballs!!!  Oh wait... did I say I was sad?  Oh.. I did... and I am... but there is a very special surprise after the beautiful epilogue that had me smiling like a crazy woman at one o'clock in the morning when I finished this book.... want to know what that little surprise was?  OH, well I'd tell you but then it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?  And trust me when I say that after reading MM and then seeing what that surprise was I was excited and what made it so exciting... was the fact that I didn't know about it UNTIL I finished MM... Okay, I'll stop rambling now!

I have to say that I really liked Tyra... obviously she did and said a few things that got on my nerves... but I honestly really liked her.  She was sweet, caring, knew how to break out the sass, and my favorite was.. she was real... real in the sense that, yeah she had some insecurities and they scared her when it came to Tack but she talked them out with him... maybe she needed a little of that alpha coaxing but she still did it... the best was when she admitted that she needed to be handled with more care because she may dish it out but she can't take it.  Personally, I'm not a big fan of those who can dish it out but can't take it.. and I say that because I can dish it out just as good as I can take it, so I don't have a lot of patience for those who can't take it... now with that said, I had the patience with Tyra for one reason and one reason only.... she owns up to it... so I have to admit, I admire her for that!  The sass... wow, the sass was fantastic because Tyra was hilarious when she would go off on a rant.. especially towards Tack. Then there was the self pep talks... they cracked me up too... at least in the beginning...

"I embrace my inner slut.  Sluts wouldn't blush, act like idiots or shrews.  They would just go about their business.  Therefore, I am a slut and I am proud."

Then there is Tack.... Tack is... well.... he's hot, no doubt about it... BUT I have already admitted this to my girls and now I will admit it to you.... had we not have known Tack the way we do from previous books... NO WAY, would I have thought he was funny... No freaking way! I would have thought he was a class A asshole who needed to get his head out of his ass and learn some freaking manners.. not that bikers should have manners... but you know what I mean.  BUT, since we've met him... and quite intimately... in previous Dream Man books, I thought the whole class A asshole act was hilarious, and while I'm being honest here... I couldn't get enough of it!  Now... take a look at this visual....make it a good look too cause that is all man right there..... The awesome thing about this visual is I get to give credit to KA herself on this one, I know she said one of her girlies sent it to her... but she posted it and as she says "This has Tack written all over it"... So thank you my lovely Kristen for sharing this picture cause, girl, you gave me the ultimate visual for this review!!!!

As the description says... Tack does not sleep with his employees... so when Tyra shows up the following Monday after... their little.. we'll call it exercise... he isn't exactly thrilled to find out that she is his new office manager... actually he tells her to give him her number so when he gets a taste for her he can call her but that she needs to go.... But Tyra is having none of that and throws him some serious sass.  He gives in and while we may not get his POV at this particular point it's made quite obvious that he is seeing Tyra for Tyra and not the girl he "slam-bam-thank-you-mam'd" a few days earlier.  He is seeing a good woman that he wants... and as usual what happens when these ultimate Alpha men see what they want?  They don't hold back.. they go for what they want.. and I think they quite enjoy the work it takes to get it.. because they always get it!

"And you're gonna take what I have to give, Red.  You're not gonna resign.  You're not gonna disappear.  you're gonna be where I want you to be, you're gonna do what I want you to do and you're gonna listen to what I have to say and if you don't do it, I'll find a way to make you do it."

I have to admit, while what he says is kind of a tad on the crazy side, it's also hot because he is determined...and I mean DETERMINED... to get what he wants and there isn't any room for the word "No".

Of course these two hit obstacles... and what they hit, ranges from down right scary to so sweet you can't help but smile one of those sweet knowing smiles at what they are giving each other... because what they give each other is downright beautiful... so beautiful that I was shocked.. not because they don't deserve it but because of the things that Tack would admit to Tyra, the way he reacts to her finally sharing her feelings she has for him, how real they both really are.. and when I say real... I mean that in the sense that even though Tack is a badass biker dude he has got one heck of a soft, sweet spot that would have even the hardest woman melting at his words.  I was more shocked over my reaction to Tack.. because quite frankly there were numerous things he did or said that would have had me mad at him.. but I didn't get mad at him... instead I found myself mad at Tyra for wanting to give up, instead of talking about them with Tack... like he wanted.  Not that I didn't understand her reasons for wanting to give up because as a woman with a heart fully invested in a relationship and the situations she was put in I understood it and I felt for her in a big way... but the fact that she did not want to talk about it just made me lose a little faith in her being the right woman for him....

"Truth, honesty, perseverance, strength, love of all kinds and forgiveness are all beautiful, Tack.  The most beautiful stories ever told are the most difficult to take."

That is until she proves that she IS the woman for him.. and not only for him but for his kids too.  The situation that proved this to me was not a good one, but at one point I could not hold back the laughter... because it was that awesome, I mean... she just bursts in, all pissed off woman and goes off... and I mean she goes OFF.. I know that makes no sense right now but when you get to that point in the book... the point where in the middle of a terrible situation, Tack's brothers are still smiling at her reaction, you'll get it... and I hope you're feelings are as warm and fuzzy towards Tyra as mine were...

Then there is the fight between Tack and Tyra that leads to them sharing their feelings and all I can say is .... WOW.... I honestly fell for Tack even more when he explained why he does some of the things he does.. especially a certain thing that had me a little concerned for a good portion of the book.. but he explains it and not only is his explanation hard to hear but it's also in some way quite beautiful... and then there are his words... the words he uses to tell Tyra how he feels for her... absolutely beautiful words that left me speechless... left me with my heart in my hand and ready to hand it over to Tack, just to hear those words.

"The ride is not over but if I can keep my Club together and find a sweet, feisty woman who's got my back and enough to her that she'll stay there, holding me up not draggin' me down, I figure I'd find my way to beauty eventually. And I'd find absolution because I'd know, I earned the love of that woman, a woman who's got so much to her it'll take years to dig down and find the heart of her, that would be my reward."

Motorcycle Man (The Dream Man Series) by Kristen Ashley was another fabulous read that kept me consumed to the point that I was trying to rush the evening along so I could get back to reading... unfortunately my kids didn't exactly help me out in that aspect, but they're too cute to say no to sometimes.  As always, you all know my absolute obsession with KA and her amazing books so I don't have to go into my usual rant about it... but I will tell you this.... I don't know how she does it, and believe me... I wish I did, but Kristen is one amazing woman who is one heck of a writing machine!  I don't know any other authors who crank out the books as quickly as she does... and keeps them as fantastic as they are... What I wouldn't give to be able to spend a few days in the mind of Kristen and see how her creative process works!!!!  Like I said, she is amazing... so as a fan I want to give Kristen a big huge THANK YOU for putting in so many hours to get us fans her work so quickly!!!

Happy Reading!

Take Me (Take Me #1) Review

Take Me by Bella Andre

Book description...
 
Lily Ellis has curves -- soft, beautiful curves. The kind of voluptuous body she fears Travis Carson, the man she's always loved from afar, would never crave. But Lily is about to be proven wrong. Her adventure begins when the demure San Francisco interior decorator agrees to model a plus-size dress for her fashion designer sister. Watching this sensual beauty move down the runway, Travis can't believe it's the same Lily he's always known -- and always rejected. In a whirlwind of electric attraction, Lily is soon moaning Travis's name in his bed, not just in her wild fantasies. But Lily is all too aware that she's nothing like his past lovers.
Determined to beat Travis at his own game by guarding her true feelings, Lily partners with him on a business deal that takes them all the way to Italy. In the seductive warmth of the Tuscan sun, Lily plays a game of desire with the hot-blooded Travis. Will she be burned by an all-consuming ecstasy or will Travis open his heart to the sexy, exciting, and lasting love she has to offer?

Have you ever read a book and the heroine is just perfect... she's the most beautiful woman in the world, her body is perfect, she's got perfect hair, the most infectious smile, and every man wants her?   It seems that most books out there give us exactly that and I have to say that sometimes it gets old!  Personally... because I'm just crazy like that... I like to picture a real woman... a woman with beautiful curves, a woman who can embrace her beauty no matter her size!  THAT, is exactly what I LOVED about this book....

Lilly.... sweet, kind hearted, beautiful Lily!  She's a woman with natural beauty and natural curves but she doesn't find that beauty in herself... well at least not entirely until the night her baby sister needs her to stand in for a model who was unable to show up for a fashion show.  Lily embraced her outer beauty for the first time... wearing a dress her sister had made... she, for once, felt beautiful and even took in the joy of others complimenting her on how wonderful she looked.  Then she comes face to face with the man she has been in love with since they were kids... the man who has looked right through her since his mother died and he began to shut her out.... the man who also happens to be her best friend's (Luke) twin brother.

Travis.... oh how you are the type of man I love to watch get knocked down a few pegs... he's arrogant, completely full of himself, and has this ridiculous standard when it comes to women... a standard that Lily doesn't even come close to....  well until he gets a good look at this gorgeous woman walking down the run way with some "luscious" curves that he just has to have.

So they have their one night stand where Lily takes off before Travis wakes up.  He's feeling a bit self conscious over this... in fact he can't seem to get Lily or how right she felt in his arms out of his head..... and then.... his brother puts some self doubt about his "performing abilities" in his head.  I find it hilarious when a man thinks he is not only God's gift to women but also the Man in bed.... I honestly could not help but laugh and snort while reading all these thoughts going through Travis' head.  I mean he truly believes he is the best lay in town and that women come to him and beg for what he can give... and then with a combination of Lily leaving, him not being able to get her out of his mind, and his brother planting some amazing ego knocking thoughts in his head... Travis becomes determined to give Lily the best orgasm of her life... whatever it takes.

And boy does it take them somewhere... after a little work and convincing he manages to get Lily agree to work with him and they take off for Italy.... and that's where it all happens.  Finally able to realize how he feels Travis gets taken on one heck of an emotional ride... and quite frankly my favorite kind of ride to watch when it comes to these overly cocky heroes....

The story was actually beautiful in the sense that this man is coming into himself for once in his life since his mother died... he's facing the facts and he's doing it without the emotional guard he's kept up all these years... which include how he has treated Lily since they were 10 and he decided to shut her out, and most importantly he's facing falling in love, not only falling in love but realizing the feelings he's had for Lily the entire time he's known her.  The other beauty was watching an insecure yet beautiful woman realize she not only has the inner beauty of an angel but has the outer beauty of a goddess.  When these two come together it's explosive and when feelings are admitted they are sensational.

There was only one thing that bothered me... it wasn't big, quite frankly it's just me being a pain in the ass, but it did bother me.... At one point Lily hears people talking about her and basically confirming her own thoughts she already has about herself... they were hateful and ugly things to say about anyone and I wish Travis would have heard them or at least heard about it so he could go all alpha male and tell these people where they can shove their ugly comments... and then list all the things about them that make them ugly.... Okay, so I'm a tad vindictive but whatever

Take Me by Bella Andre was a great little read.... it was light and easy with just enough smut to have me yet again question myself on why I read these books while my husband is out of town.  I love Bella's writing style, she gives us wonderful light reads with just enough sugar sweet to make you smile that sappy romantic smile without being too sweet you're afraid of a cavity!  The next book in this series Love Me (Take Me #2)... which is free on Amazon right now, hurry and download it before it's no longer free!!!!!... is Luke and Janica's story.  So I'm hoping to see more of Travis and Lily and how happy they are together!

Happy Reading!

Unforgivable (Untouchable #2) Review

Unforgivable (Untouchable) by Lindsay Delagair

Book description...
  Annalisa believes she finally has a chance to share forever with Micah, but her fear that something will destroy their happiness grows stronger every day. He changed everything to be with her, leaving his horrible past far behind as they begin to see a bright and beautiful future together. Unfortunately, someone in the mob isn't willing to let go of their best hit man.
The second book in the Untouchable trilogy takes you on a journey of love, passion, sacrifice, heartbreak, and hope. She touched his heart, but what happens next should be…Unforgivable.

Okay so just a fair warning my girls and their awesome opinions will be joining me... again... in this review.  I've got a few texts and some Facebook comments that, well... I just have to share.  Now it may come off as kind of bitchy and even a tad crass.... but quite frankly they're so flipping funny and honest that I have to share them with you.

So... at the end of Untouchable, Micah comes back for Leese and pops the question.  Super sweet... right?  Well.... as much as I LOVE super sweet I can't help but feel like for the first 21% of Unforgivable Micah was.... broke.... he lost his edge.  Here is conversation number 1 via Facebook...

Sam: I loved serial killer Micah! I want to eat him with a spoon.

Jenny: I loved serial killer hard ass Micah as well.  Her and her heavy duty hymen ruined him.

Lori: He was ruined before that.  He went from hot as shit badass to being lead around by his dick.

Sam: Leese needs to be taken down a peg.  She needs a hemorrhoid or a wart on her super pussy or SOMETHING.  Something that makes her less attractive.  A personality flaw, gah.

Lori: To me she isn't all that attractive.  She's a size zero for Christ sakes... eww that's just skin and bones.

Sam: Right Lori and then Sam comes along with her full figured naughty librarian self and he goes "oh snap" and naughty Sam says "come to mama serial killer boy, let me show you some..... books" "I can, um, read to you all day long"

Lori:  Then naughty catholic school girl Lori, with all her curves comes out to "teach" him what naughty religious girls do...umm... during Sunday school.

Sam:  Right and then naughty Sam and naughty Lori give naughty Micah a spanking for being such a bad boy.

Jenny: then Lady Jennifer comes along with her bosom's spilling over her corsets and has Micah screaming OH GOD even though i don't have a heavy duty hymen

Lori:  OH yes, and then give him the happily ever after he deserves for being such a hot as fuck badass

Sam:  That review will bring all the bad asses to our yard.

Lori:  We could teach them but we'd have to charge

Sam:  I like reviewing with you!

Lori:  Me too ♥

So yes we kind of got a bit carried away there... But we were on a roll and having fun so there.... Now still on the first 21% on the book here we have an entire conversation based on Leese's visit to the OBGYN's office where we learn all about her choice in birth control which makes me wonder how in the world an 18 year old knows so much about the Rhythm Method... I sure as hell knew nothing about it until my husband and I were trying to get pregnant and I happened to read about it.... But then I told myself... "Okay Lori, shut it... you've got to remember that Leese isn't your average teenager, she's super smart, extremely mature, and seems to have an old soul with a need for speed"  And then I got over it... BUT, then came the part about... ummm... well, breaking her seal.  Most girls by 18 have already had their seals broken for whatever reason but Leese... well, her's was kind of a special Hymen?  LOL, I don't even know how to word that but we'll go with it.  Here is conversation number 2 via texts....

Lori: Of course she's a double virgin... can she be any closer to the definition of every mans dream?

Sam: Hahahahaha! Yep, she has a super vagussy

Lori: Good Lord.... well he sure is a lucky guy getting to penetrate fort knox and all that shit... lol

Sam: I know right?

Lori: What's the deal with the cramps?  Who gets cramps after an orgasm?  There's her flaw, her body is stupid...

Sam: Hahahaha! Maybe she got cramps because he had to use a jackhammer to penetrate her hymen.

Lori: LMAO... maybe so but if that's the case I'm glad I wasn't cursed.. I mean blessed with a super duty hymen.

So again... we kind of got carried away but once we get started we just can't seem to stop.  I mean she is a tad too perfect but then again I have to wonder... was she made this perfect because of what life has thrown her way so far... and then what still has yet to come?  Or... will something happen in book three where we'll see a glimpse of the Leese who isn't so wonderful and doesn't come off as a martyr or a victim?  Or... will she do something that will just piss us all off to the point where we realize that she really is just another fictional human and then love her because she made a mistake?  I can't help but wonder these things.

Now before you all start thinking that my girls and I didn't like the book... STOP, because we did... quite frankly once you get past the first 21% it's actually really good... not that the first 21% isn't because it is.. it's just that I found myself rolling my eyes a few times and wondering when the action was going to come... and then when it did I couldn't put it down.

There is so much I want to say about the rest of the book... I want to share my feelings for a few characters, I want to tell you about the decisions that were made and how they made me feel but I can't because one word and the whole book will be given away.  But I will give you conversation number 3 via Facebook...

Sam:  The hottest part of the book was when Ryan beat the crap out of Micah. He so deserved it and it redeemed Ryan in my eyes.

Lori: Oh, I fell for Ryan in this book... actually to the point where I wish she would have gone for it with him.

So there you go.... But I do have to warn you at the end of this book there is something bad that happens.  I want to give you an actual warning on it because I kind of wish I would have been better prepared for it but then again if I do, I'll end up ruining the book for you.. but I will tell you this... the bad thing that happens... is my guess on what the title means!

Unforgivable (Untouchable) by Lindsay Delagair is a good read... a little slow at the beginning but definitely faced paced enough that it kept my nose glued to Luke.. except when I was busy texting with Sam.  It took me a few days to gather my thoughts on this book for a few different reasons which are not discussed in this post but when I received and email from Lindsay and she gave me a little teaser about a certain character that I really do like and want to see him redeem himself I became anxious for book three to come out... especially now that my curiosity is through the roof.


Happy Reading!

Michelle Warren Releases Title and Cover for the next book in the Seraphina Parrish Trilogy

Have you read Wander Dust???  Are you Ready for the next book in the series???  I know I am and I was lucky enough to receive and email from Michelle the other day... and in it, she shared the cover and title of the next Seraphina Parrish book... Protecting Truth.

Now if you haven't read Wander Dust yet, I suggest you go get it and read it... like now.... because it's a fabulous story of these teenagers (who quite frankly are wayyy more mature then their age) that time travel.  It's a fascinating take on time travel and I look forward to reading more in this series!!!

Check out my review for Wander Dust..... HERE... and make sure to go get your copy today!

Wander Dust (The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy)

9 Years!!!!

So today... May 17, 2012 is the 9th anniversary of the day I married my best friend.  A man who makes all my dreams come true.  A man who loves me, even though I'm crazy.  A man who thinks I'm beautiful inside and out.  A man who makes me feel special every day.  A man who gave me two of the most beautiful children a woman could ask for.  A man who supports my reading addiction.  Most importantly.... A man who would do anything to see me smile. 

I love him more today then I did the day we got married... if that's even possible.  I fall in love with him all over again each time he graces me with one of those beautiful smiles that melts my heart.  I love his sense of humor.  I love that he's not afraid to hurt my feelings but will do it gently.  I love how he puts out kids happiness above his own.  I love how willing he is to make sure we're all happy.  I love his addiction to stupid reality TV, because I can make fun of him.  I love his beautiful blue eyes.  I love his dimple, that hardly ever pops out unless he's smiling big.  Most of all I love him... Every. Single. Thing about him!

So Happy Anniversary Babe!  You're more than I ever could have dreamed for and I'm truly blessed that you picked me to spend a life time with!

Rock Chick Regret (RC #7) Review

Rock Chick Regret by Kristen Ashley


Book description...
Sadie Townsend is known by all as The Ice Princess and she’s worked hard to earn her reputation. Her father, a now-incarcerated Drug Lord, has kept her under his thumb her whole life and she’s learned enough from living in his world to give everyone the cold shoulder. But one inebriated night, she shows the Real Sadie to the undercover agent she knows is investigating her father, the handsome Hector Chavez, and he knows he’ll stop at nothing to have her.
Hector makes one (huge) mistake; he waits for Sadie to come to him. Tragedy strikes and Sadie’s got a choice, she can retreat behind her Ice Fortress or she can embrace the Rock Chick/Hot Bunch World. Guided by Hector, the Rock Chicks, the Hot Bunch and her new gay roommates, Buddy and Ralphie, Sadie negotiates a life out from under her father’s thumb, a life that includes poison, arson and learning how to make s’mores 


There is so much to discuss about this book... because the book was freaking amazeballs awesome.... but because there is so much to get out about it, I was struggling with where I wanted to go with this review so of course my girls came to my rescue... So first and foremost big huge thanks to Nikki and Gitte for their thoughts on my second favorite Rock Chick book!!!

Nikki:  Rock Chick Regret had me from the prologue. It was one of those moments I will never forget in my reading life - and I don't mean that lightly, I mean I was literally SPELLBOUND. 

Gitte:  Hector and Sadie are my FAVE KA hero/heroine...and their story is my FAVE in the RC series!!!

It all starts off with Sadie... the adorable Fairy Princess or as she refers to herself the Ice Princess... sucking up her uncomfortable feelings and seeking out some help.  She needs protection and she wants to hire the best so she goes to the best... the one and only Lee Nightengale....

Gitte: Sadie...she broke my heart, I wanted to pick her out the book and put her in my pocket to keep her safe. This gorgeous resilient and brave girl who kept her head up and hid the real Sadie behind her protective wall of self preservation and defense mechanisms which were forced upon her by circumstance. Sadie the Ice Princess who lets no-one in...until Hector (*SIGH*) Chavez. Sadie took a piece of my heart with her beautiful soul!

Nikki: The prologue started with Sadie going to Nightengale Investigations for help in accessing protection from those crazy mobster brothers and damned if the whole encounter didn't grab me by the heartstrings.  Reading about Sadie maneuvering her way through that awkward meeting with Lee and Hector and then feeling the rebuff from all the characters present in that scene was enough to make me fall for Sadie then and there.

Uh, yeah... I couldn't have said that better myself.  I completely felt for Sadie here... granted all the characters had their reasons for acting the way they did... and I get that... but I couldn't help but feel my heart going out to her because these reactions to her presence were cold and a tad unnerving once you find out why they acted this way... and then how it in no way was her fault...

Nikki: And then Chapter 1 hits and boy does it HIT.  It hit me in a way that my soul was touched when reading that chapter, Lori, I mean, wow.  From there is was just a steady progression of me crushing on Sadie and Hector equally through out the ups and downs of their relationship.

 Gitte:  The car park scene..I CRIED...and couldn't get it out my head...I felt her pain, it broke my heart...Hector seeing her there crushed on the stairs..my heart broke for him because he has been waiting for her, loving her in secret and must have felt so helpless and broken. I found this part really hard to read but it was so well written and emotional.

Yep... again, I completely agree.  I was floored by chapter 1... so floored I was crying, not only at what happened but what Sadie was saying to Hector, and the fact that you could just picture the look on Hectors face... a look I'm sure would show his heart just breaking at her admissions....

"It only matters if there's someone to care if you don't wake up.  It's okay if I don't wake up because there's no one to care."

I actually felt my heart rip in two when I read that.... had we not have gotten that glimpse into Sadie... a very hard glimpse to watch play out... but had I not have gotten that I don't know that I would have been as patient with her through out the book.  But I was, I was extremely understanding of her thoughts and her insecurities because she didn't know any better... to her what she was experiencing once the Rock Chicks descended was not real because in her eyes she didn't deserve it because she saw them as good, kindhearted people... but saw herself as a mobsters daughter... The Ice Princess.  

Gitte: I loved her place in the Rock Chick family. The way it came about by her asking for help from the Nightingale gang..not getting it..how they spent the rest of the story trying to make up for it...it got me completely, they took care of her, did everything they possibly could to protect her . But ultimately they gave her a family!!!

Me too, definitely me too.... She finally got what she had been missing her entire life and... It. Was. Beautiful!

Now, let's talk a little about Hector... mmmm, Hector... Let me just put it this way.... If Luke Stark didn't remind me of my husband so much that I actually feel like I'm reading about him then Hector would be my number one guy... I mean for starters take a look at that freaking visual.... Thanks to my lovely Gitte for that too, girl you are killer when it comes to finding visuals...Kill-Er!!!  He's freaking hot... or as Ralphie (One of Sadie's Best Friends) calls him "Hispanic Hottie"... the stuff that comes out of this man's mouth had me reacting to the point where I was having full body shivers.... and then on top of it he is sweet as can be....

"Mamita, it was funny but I've never seen you laugh like that before.  No way in hell I was missin' the chance to watch that."

He was patient with Sadie.. he knew she was worth the effort he was going to have to put into her and even though he got frustrated he didn't seem to mind... at all.

Nikki: The passion and sexy times between these two were panty melting hot but incredibly sweet.  They were both exceptional, smart, and strong characters but also very vulnerable.  Even Hector.  He was like a Sadie-whisperer... any sudden wrong moves had him rolling all the way back to square one.

See?  And that is why I loved Hector so much.... He really was like the "Sadie - Whisperer" He knew what it would take to try and win her trust along with her heart.... he knew that was going to take extreme work and an even more extreme level of patience and he stuck it out... it was hot... it was sweet... and most of all he was gentle....

Gitte:  Hector (I am fanning myself cause he is so HOT) Chavez. There is no doubt about it Hector Chavez stole my heart from the very beginning. The way he takes care of Sadie is breathtakingly beautiful and when he whispers endearments to her in Spanish - YUMMY HOT. His care and patience WOW so touching!!! She’s been so badly hurt, is emotionally broken and Hector knows he needs to take things slowly - his patience and care with her is so very beautiful to read. Hector helped Sadie grow, he encouraged her to find herself under the ice queen facade, he helped her get stronger which resulted in her sticking up for herself and thereby finding the REAL Sadie that's been buried deep inside.

Nikki: I loved that Sadie was actually quite reserved and trying to find herself throughout this story.  It made her dealings with Hector a little more.... gentle then some of the other Rock Chicks and their Hot Guys.  There wasn't a lot of personality clashing involved and it just felt super sweet and all heart-melty

Again.... I have to Ditto you my beautiful Girlies!!!  The clashing between Hector and Sadie had little to do with personalities as much as it had to do with the danger that Sadie was in.... and more importantly Sadie trying to figure out exactly who she was because she played a game her entire life.... and that game was to keep her safe.  Like I said earlier... had we not have had that small glimpse into Sadie's past, i wouldn't have gotten that her game was for safety reasons.. but I did and it made me sympathize with Sadie even more.  At 29 years old she had to discover herself, and let me tell you once she did... I loved her even more.... and her relationship with Hector was even more beautiful!

So Nik, Gitte, and I have a lot of the same favorite quotes from this book and this one I'm going to share because it's down right hysterical... 

He came back in, stopped in front of me and held up a device.  My eyes grew round with excitement.  "This is a --" he started but stopped when my hand whipped out and snatched it from him.  "It's a stun gun!" I cried, I was so excited I was being nearly as loud as his family "Veronica Mars has one of these"

What's a Rock Chick book without stun guns right?  It's kind of bad actually because I was just on the phone with another one of my girls and we were talking about how we want stun guns so the next time we go out on the town to paint St. Louis our own crazy version of red we're prepared... after all is this the most dangerous city in the US... eek!  But anyway, this quote cracked me up and it also plays into something Nik loved about the book....

Nikki: The Veronica Mars references. I am a HUGE Veronica Mars fan.  In the book, Sadie and her friends Ralphie and Buddy are (when they manage some spare time from the hotties and action) pulling a VMars marathon and Sadie wishes she could be all kick ass like Veronica. It's super cute and totally made me squee cos I knew exactly what she was talking about when bringing up Veronica, Logan, Duncan and the evil Fitzpatrick clan.  Totally awesome!

I personally knew very little... I know who Veronica Mars is and I watched it occasionally, and have to admit the show was cute and I wished I would have watched it more.. BUT it was on at the same time as another show I was more involved in and we didn't have a DVR back then... I may have to pick up the seasons on DVD because not only did Sadie and her Veronica excitement make me want to check it out but Nik has me feeling like I've missed out as well!

Then you've got the quote that is so freaking hot you can't help but read it... stop... reread it... and then if you're anything like me you think "Holy Shit that was so freaking hot I think I need to read that line again"....

 "Mamita, his voice was rough with what sounded like laughter and something else altogether, you think you could handle my mouth between your legs without you freaking out?"

Ummm.... I'm over here Hector... waving my arms in the air, trying to get your attention to let you know that there is no way in HELL I will freak out of you want to put your mouth between my legs... Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't admit to that...

Gitte:  Seriously Hector is bloody HOT!!!!

Tell me about it babe!  I couldn't agree with you more.

Okay so there's more... I'm still debating on if I want to share this with you all or not because the entire chapter is not only funny as can be but there's also hot as  hell moment that my girl Gitte absolutely loves.... Okay here's what I decided... I'm going to share but I'm going to be a complete tease about it..... Here is Gitte's exact words to me regarding this scene but I have ** out the words I don't want you to know... I know, I'm a bitch... it's not like I haven't heard it before....

Gitte: Sadie ********..a black panther fierce, intense and graceful...it reminds Sadie of Hector. "...I stopped talking because Hectors hands moved away from my hip and they closed around my waist, tight. So tight, his fingers were digging in and that got my attention....and those black eyes I told ******* about were intense, beyond intense, they were burning right into me. How fucked up are you he asked..I was still confused..Sadie, fucked up. Shitfaced, Trashed. Loaded. Drunk....Sadie answer me....You ******. To show my appreciation I'm gonna fuck you until you scream my name and I wanna make sure you remember it. Now how fucking drunk are you?" OMFG - this scene has got to be one of the hottest KA scenes EVER!!!

Oh, it was hot alright but if you want to know exactly what happens you're going to have read this book.... this book is just too good NOT to read.  Like I said before, if I didn't connect, emotionally, the way I do with Luke and Ava.... THIS would be my book.... THIS is a book I will continue to keep my my reread list because it is amazing, it's beautiful, and most of all Hector is down right the definition of drool worthy... rough around the edges, whispers sweet nothings in Spanish,  is patient and gentle?   Yeah... the only coherent word I can come up with at this exact moment now that Hector is consuming my brain...is.... YUM!

Rock Chick Regret by Kristen Ashley is an absolutely amazing book.... has gone on my reread list will it will remain because quite frankly I can not get enough of Hector and his adorable Spanish endearments nor can I prevent the smile that graces my face every time I see Sadie come into herself and show the world what a beautiful woman she is..... As usual KA had me consumed with these characters.  She does a phenomenal job of  maintaining the secondary characters in her books to the point where you look forward to seeing them again... at least I do!  I'm extremely anxious to find out when the 8th and final Rock Chick book will be released... We've seen so much of Ally in the first 7 books that I can not wait to see what KA has planned for this bundle of energy in her own book!

Happy Reading!

 

Rock Chick Reckoning (RC #6) Review

Rock Chick Reckoning by Kristen Ashley

Book description...
Stella’s the lead singer and lead guitarist of the Blue Moon Gypsies and Stella used to be Mace’s girl. Mace broke up with her though and the loss of him rocked her world. But Stella gets a call, late at night (again) from one of the members of her crazy band. She has to go play clean up (again) and runs into Mace (and a shed load of police) and ends up getting shot.
Mace finds he doesn’t like it much that his ex-girlfriend got shot, right in front of him but it’s worse. A very bad man has thrown down the gauntlet and ALL the Rock Chicks are in the firing line. Stella doesn’t want Mace to be the one to keep her alive but she has no choice… mainly because Mace isn’t giving her one.

So I decided to get a little help with this review for a few different reasons..... One being I love it when my girls want to be a part of my reviews, simply because I love showing all of you how we interact which most of the time is quite hilarious.  Especially considering we are from all over the world and have only known each other a short time but have connected so strongly it's like (as my husband says) we were all separated at birth.  Two, I struggled with this book... not because I didn't like it but because it wasn't exactly up to the normal, explosive, awesomeness that is Kristen Ashely.  Don't get me wrong RC Reckoning was still good... but... it was also lacking.  So before I begin I want to give a big huge Thank You to my girl Gitte for helping me out with this review and discussing your thoughts with me!  I love ya Gorgeous!!!!

Stella... I don't know what it was about Stella but I didn't care for her... LOVE her name.... but she just grated on my nerves.....

Gitte:  When KA writes her main characters they are usually done with such skill that you end up emotionally connected to them and you feel them. However, I never got Stella, she drove me crazy!! She clearly loved Mace but never fought for him, she came across as having no real backbone in her relationships and love. The only time she redeemed herself was when Mace needed her due to his past!

Umm... totally ditto what GG said!

Gitte:  I loved the idea of her..a TOTAL Rock Chick not only in name but the lead singer of a rock band...she should have been an amazing character, tough, full of grit instead though she seemed slightly weak and haunted. Oh and she never really developed any form of relationship with the rest of the Hot Bunch and Chicks which made her seem like an outsider.

Maybe that's what bothered me?  I loved the idea too... I loved her set lists even more though.  I still have Black Betty stuck in my head... it was also one of my brother's favorite songs so that could have something to do with it.... Then there was her band, I hated that she felt she had to babysit them... they're grown men and if they don't make the right decisions... well... too bad, so sad... shit happens.

Now Mace... well, let's just say I still have mixed feelings about him.  One minute I'm totally in love because I absolutely ADORE his nickname for Stella... Kitten, how cute!!!!  But then the next minute I just want to scream at him to open up a little more... give us some of that hot badass vibe that every other hot bunch boy gave....

Gitte:  Now I did love Mace but it took me a bit longer than normal for a KA hero because of how he left Stella the first time. I didn't think the reason was good enough, though I can see how totally annoying it would be to clean up Stella's mess all the time and get nothing in return, which was my take on the break up. He is one of the only KA heroes I have cried over because his past was heart breaking! I didn't like the ending for him becoming a security manager!!!!

Ditto again GG....  I too hated his reasoning for walking away from Stella, it just didn't really seem like a real reason to me, or something a total badass alpha male would do... and yes, I too would have gotten annoyed with having to take care of Stella's band, but that would have been my reason number one for walking out... they would have driven me nuts. Talking about the end it was almost as if he all the sudden became her bitch instead of her Alpha... I didn't care much for that either.

I hate to admit this but I have to give you guys my honesty and so that's what I'm going to do.... I actually got more out of the other's POV's in this book than I did with Mace and Stella.  I loved catching up with them, seeing where they were emotionally with their men... because to me each Rock Chick and Hot Bunch had massive amounts of chemistry... like consuming, get me all hot and bothered chemistry.... and I just felt that Mace and Stella were lacking in that department.  The story seemed to focus on everything else other than the actual relationship.

Gitte:  I loved the side line stories and catching up on everyone else and as I said Mace's story broke my heart...I did love Stella's love of music and the idea of her..but together I just didn't get the connection...

The epilogue... The queen of Epilogues delivers as usual... BUT.....

Gitte: The epilogue...KA is known for her AMAZING epilogues, she is the queen of epilogues so I was a bit sorry to read the fast forward. it ruined it a bit for me to know what happened to Hector and Ally...I know we were warned not to read but how can you not??? Saying that though...Hector's book was my FAVE and Hector YUM..my Fave RC man!!

To me, it didn't really ruin it... but then again I am that person you can describe the entire book to, still read it, and feel the same emotional connection that I would have even if I didn't know what was going to happen... actually I can sometimes get MORE out of a book if I know what to expect because I won't be skimming through everything trying to find out what happens next..... but I do have to say that with this Epilogue it was almost like the series is over... which it is not!

Oh!  And I'm gonna throw a big DITTO to what Gitte said about Hector... YUM!  He is quite... delicious, not quite my fav because in my eyes NO ONE can replace my Luke... BUT... he comes in a close second.  The things that come out of that man's mouth... HELLO HOT BALLS!!!!!

Rock Chick Reckoning by Kristen Ashley... while still consuming and a good read, is not my favorite KA book.... Where most of my KA books earn themselves a solid (if not more)★★★★★.... RC Reckoning got a ★★★ rating from me.  I wish I could say more happy things about this book and tell you all how much I loved it but after reading the other stories, I just can't because I honestly felt like this one was lacking.... Now with that said, don't skip it just because of my thoughts, there are still some extremely awesome moments in this book and you also get a glimpse of Hector... our next KA Alpha to take on a Rock Chick.

Happy Reading!

Guarding Jess (McCormack Security Agency #2) Review

Guarding Jess (McCormack Security Agency) by Shannon Curtis

Book description...
 
Jessica Pennington's work as an etiquette coach requires her to be polite and proper at all times, especially now that she has a book coming out. The only thing that rattles her reserve is the increasingly violent emails and texts from her persistent stalker. With the book launch in jeopardy, she reluctantly hires a bodyguard.
Noah Samuels hates stuck-up, prim people like Jessica. He's more the blunt, straightforward type. But to advance up the ranks at McCormack Security, he has to take the high-profile assignment. After a near miss on his first day on the job, Noah realizes that the stalker isn't just hype cooked up to sell books—the threat is real.
As the stalker escalates from letters to letter bombs, Noah sees a vulnerable side of Jessica that rouses more than just his protective instincts. But can she let down her guard long enough to trust Noah before it's too late?

I just found out that Guarding Jess is book two in the McCormack Security Agency Series... so if you're a stickler for reading books in order... even though I had no problem keeping up... then check out Viper's Kiss  first.  The only question I had at the end of the book was how Noah had been hurt, so the answer may be in the first book... OR, because I started reading this before my kids were in bed... I may have found out at the beginning and the constant "Moms" distracted me enough not to retain it... hate to admit that but it's been known to happen before.

So I really enjoyed this book, Jess is all prim and proper... to the point where it grated on my last nerve because she kept everything in for fear that letting her emotions get the best of her would ruin her image.. an image she had to maintain because of her profession... I eventually got over it.  I got over it when she let her guard down while playing a little game called talking ball in jeans and a sweat shirt.  It was nice to finally see Jess the way she is meant to be... because the sophisticated outfits and constant guard on her manners just didn't seem to fit her... and that's probably why I didn't warm up completely to her until about 1/2 way through the book.

Now, Noah... well... I have to say that I didn't fall for him, I crushed, but I didn't fall.  He's hot as hell and has that broody man that every girl wants to change thing going on... and the chemistry between him and Jess is undeniable... I just didn't feel the full effect of what could have been.  Noah, hasn't exactly had the best of luck... he's recovering from an injury, he's estranged from his father, he's got major trust issues with women because of his ex-fiance', and he comes across as quiet but arrogant.

I may not have completely warmed to the characters but I loved the story... it was faced paced, it kept me guessing until the very end, and it was sweet watching Noah and Jess fight their feelings for one another... until, they finally give in... which let me tell you was pretty explosive... the first time, and all that was, was a mini make out session that left me pretty hot and bothered.  Then, of course, Jess "puts Noah in his place".  I felt for Noah here because it was clear that he was not only developing true feelings for the prim and proper "Miss Prissy" as he calls her, but she reminded him of his past and made him feel like she was no different then his ex-fiance'... to be honest it was a little hard to read his feelings on that because, even though I didn't fully warm up to Jess, I was still rooting for her to show Noah that not all women are like his ex. 

So they go back to the professional relationship.. and I have to say, I got a little bored with that... okay I got a lot bored with it, I wanted to see some chemistry... even if it was just a simple touch or even a look... but all we get are thoughts.. thoughts from both of them fighting their own emotions about each other.... BUT... I didn't have to wait too long for it all to pick back up again after all hell breaks loose..... and what do you know?  Noah is there to comfort Jess and boy does he struggle with knowing how to make things right between them, how to comfort her because all he wants to do is pull her into his arms and take away her pain.... and when they think the situation has come to end they come together in an extremely hot, fast, satisfying way that had me pleased to no end that these two... somewhat emotionally lost characters would find true happiness with each other.

But there problems don't end there.... unfortunately the real problem is only just getting warmed up...


Guarding Jess (McCormack Security Agency) by Shannon Curtis was a great easy, fast paced read that had my nose buried in Luke until the very end.. and the end?  well what can I say other than I let out a soft dreamy little sigh with a big smile on my face.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the McCormack Security Agency series!

Happy Reading!