Perfectly Imperfect by Harper Sloan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fabulous story of personal growth & a beautiful romance.

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Mirror, mirror, who's the fairest of them all?I still cringe when I hear that line. A fairy tale that had girls pretending they were the fairest, the most beautiful, and the most entitled. A fairy tale most couldn't grow out of turned my haunted childhood memories into a living nightmare. Girls who grew up believing that pile of garbage became the meanest of all "mean girls." And those mean girls were right. It was a line meant for all the beautiful people in the world, and I knew the answer would never be me. The answer would always be the women with long legs, flat stomachs, and perfect chests-the type of women Kane Masters gravitated toward. Well, that's definitely not Willow Tate. No. That will never be me, because I'm completely imperfect. I have no idea what Kane could possibly see in someone like me when he could have them.

Bossman by Vi Keeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fabulous read and everyone romance reader needs to grab a copy now.
The characters were so lovable and their backstories are sad, but it's what draws them together. The intrigue of their backstories keep you guessing and whether Bossman and Buttercup will ever really get together.

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Drive Me Wild by Shari Slade
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This would have to be my favourite so far in this series. So much drama and intrigue. Who is really loyal to the Devil's Host MC? What does fate have in store for Noah and Star?

Drive Me Wild tells a small part of Star's backstory and shows how quickly her feelings and loyalty towards Noah is escalating.

I am biting my nails waiting for the fourth episode.

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Ride Me Hard by Shari Slade
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this short read, but felt it was missing some emotion. I loved the characters and the overall storyline, but there was just something about this one that I couldn't make that connection to LOVE this book.

But after saying that, I am definitely going to continue reading the series. The characters are interesting and I need to know what happened to Star in her past, what will happen between Star and Noah and if they will find Harry.

I am also loving the serial style series and look forward to finding more.

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Ride Me Hard by Shari Slade
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this short read, but felt it was missing some emotion. I loved the characters and the overall storyline, but there was just something about this one that I couldn't make that connection to LOVE this book.

But after saying that, I am definitely going to continue reading the series. The characters are interesting and I need to know what happened to Star in her past, what will happen between Star and Noah and if they will find Harry.

I am also loving the serial style series and look forward to finding more.

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Summary: Is finding one’s true love worth committing the greatest sacrifice of all?

Taken as a teen, prisoner 194 was stripped of his name and freewill, meticulously honed to be a ruthless machine. Even as he tries to fight his captors hold on him he knows that obedience is the only way to save his sister, who is the one person that keeps him from turning into a monster.

 

As a young girl Zoya Kostava barely escaped the brutal attack that killed her entire family. Now twenty five she lives in secrecy. That is until she hears her brother also survived and is living with their greatest enemy.

 

Zoya risks her safety and anonymity to find the brother she thought dead and is captured by a beautiful, brutal man. A man who both captivates and scares her, in him she sees a soul as lost as her own.

 

They both have so much to lose will they be able to save each other…and survive.

Title: Ravage
Series: Scarred Souls #3
Author: Tillie Cole
Publisher: St Martin’s Press
Released: 16th August 2016
Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
Format: eGalley
Source: via Publisher on NetGalley – thank you!

**Please note that this may contain spoilers for previous books in this series.**

I absolutely love this series. It’s dark, mysterious, dramatic, romantic, with alpha males up the wazoo. Tillie Cole has written a fabulous world surrounding the Russian Mafia and an underground slave ring that had me gasping in horror and oooohhhhing in possessive love. Scarred Souls is a series that must be read in order from beginning to end; each book contains a story of a couple, but the characters from previous books are still included within each novel. Ravage was no less addictive than Raze or Reap and only adds to the intrigue surrounding the war between the Volkov Bratva and the Georgians.

The story begins in an orphanage, a brother trying to protect his baby sister, but that night ends in horror and begins the unspeakable life of the two children. The Night Wraiths had come!

It is now fifteen years later and Zoya Kostava has learned of new information that will change her life forever. She’s free! Her clan is free to come out of hiding and her lost brother has been found. She’s desperate to see her brother and cannot wait another minute. Sneaking out, Zoya uses her training to hide in the shadows and see for herself if Zaal is in fact alive. But what she didn’t factor into the equation was that others were also watching Zaal and Zoya is taken before she even gets to meet her brother.

194 wears a collar that injects a serum into his veins. This serum turns him into an unfeeling beast with only one thing on his mind, KILL. Mistress is 194s owner, she is the only one he is to obey, but he has no choice when they hold his sister, 152, captive to motivate him.

194 sees images of his sister and is promised to be reunited after a mission, but every time a mission is completed, he still only sees an image. Will this time be any different? 194 has no choice but to follow orders. He has a new target now and is told to take his time, use anybody necessary to get close and destroy.

Zoya discovers she’s been kidnapped by a beast, but the more time she’s in his presence, the more she realises just how similar they are and that under the horrifying exterior, there is a soft hearted, beautiful and possessive man.

Will 194 reclaim himself? Will Zoya be able to convince her kidnapper that he isn’t a complete monster? Will 194 be able to break free of Mistress and free his sister? Will Zoya get to reunite with her brother?

Follow the intense forbidden love of Zoya and 194, how they can find love in the most horrific of circumstances and convince everyone that their love is real and forever. This action packed, dark, sizzling hot intriguing romance is a must read. Ms Cole is a fabulous writer and I cannot wait to read number four, Riot, due out in 2017.

THE SERIES:

About the Author

Tillie Cole hails from a small town in the North-East of England. She grew up on a farm with her English mother, Scottish father and older sister and a multitude of rescue animals. As soon as she could, Tillie left her rural roots for the bright lights of the big city. After graduating from Newcastle University, Tillie followed her Professional Rugby player husband around the world for a decade, becoming a teacher in between and thoroughly enjoyed teaching High School students Social Studies for seven years. Tillie has now settled in Calgary, Canada, where she is finally able to sit down and write, throwing herself into fantasy worlds and the fabulous minds of her characters. Tillie writes Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Young Adult and New Adult novels and happily shares her love of alpha-male leading men and strong female characters with her readers. When she is not writing, Tillie enjoys dancing, singing, reading, horse riding, listening to music or spending time with friends and family. Her books include Raze, Reap, and Ravage

Wattle Creek by Fiona McCallum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Always love an Aussie read (or listen). The narrator was fabulous and the interpretations of each character was fun to listen to. Wattle Creek sounds like the typical Australian small town with gossip mongers galore and drama around every corner.

Shows the fantastic community support of small towns and how they pull together when somebody's in need.

Can't wait to read the sequel, Standing Strong.

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Summary: Wall Street meets the Sons of Anarchy in Hard Rules, the smouldering, scorching first novel in the explosively sexy new Dirty Money series from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones.

How bad do you want it?

The only man within the Brandon empire with a moral compass, Shane Brandon is ready to take his family’s business dealings legitimate. His reckless and ruthless brother, Derek wants to keep Brandon Enterprises cemented in lies, deceit, and corruption. But the harder Shane fights to pull the company back into the light, the darker he has to become. Then he meets Emily Stevens, a woman who not only stirs a voracious sexual need in him, but becomes the only thing anchoring him between good and evil.

Emily is consumed by Shane, pushed sexually in ways she never dreamed of, falling deeper into the all-encompassing passion that is this man. She trusts him. He trusts her, but therein lies the danger. Emily has a secret, the very thing that brought her to him in the first place, and that secret that could that destroy them both.

Title: Hard Rules
Series: Dirty Money #1
Author: Lisa Renee Jones
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Released: 9th August 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: eGalley
Source: via Publisher on NetGalley

This is my first experience reading a book by Lisa Renee Jones and it definitely won’t be the last. I am hooked and cannot wait to read book two in this series, Damage Control, which is due out in February 2017. Ms Jones writing style was just awesome and the non-stop action-packed read kept me on edge until the very end. Emily and Shane are complicated characters that drew me into their lives and with all the drama going on, I was completely addicted.

Emily Stevens is twenty-seven and running from a big secret. But with a chance meeting in a coffee shop, Emily crosses paths with Shane Brandon and cannot deny their electrical connection.

Shane Brandon is determined to get his family’s empire out of the dirty circle they’ve gotten themselves into. But the problem is, his brother doesn’t really like that idea and is determined to win the votes and gain control of the empire before Shane. Their father isn’t very helpful and seems to enjoy the competitive streak his sons have, will Brandon Snr live long enough to see who the victor will be?

Shane’s coffee order is commandeered by a beautiful woman and he’s just mesmerised by her. When his phone rings though, Emily makes her escape, leaving her coffee behind. Shane takes it hostage in the hope she will return.

Seth Cage is Shane’s right-hand man and together they are making a plan to turn Brandon Enterprises legit, but Seth keeps finding evidence of dirty deals and money being hidden. Will Shane really be able to win the war that has begun between the siblings?

It seems fate has brought Shane and Emily together again. This time Shane won’t let you get away and talks her into having dinner with him. He’s desperate to spend more time with her; there’s something about her that he just can’t deny. And Emily seems to feel their connection as well. Just for one night?

"This is about tonight. Just tonight. He won't want to know my past or my future. He's looking for a diversion, and the truth is, if I spend one more night alone, trapped in guilt, worry, and my fast-looping replay of how I got to this point, I might go insane."

location: 443

Will Shane and Emily share their past, their secrets? Who is Emily Stevens and what is she running from? Who can Shane truly trust? Which side is his mother and father really on? Who will win the war to control the Brandon empire? Will Emily ever be free from guilt or ever feel safe?

Hard Rules is a fabulous sizzling hot read full of intrigue and a complicated world surrounding the Brandon family. There are a lot of questions left unanswered and I definitely want the next book now to see who, what and how Shane will proceed. I love Emily and her quiet innocence, but is she truly innocent? This was a fantastic introduction into the world and I’ve added another favourite author to my list.

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT SERIES, and has now in development for a cable television show, to be produced by Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland). In addition, her Tall, Dark and Deadly series and The Secret Life of Amy Bensen series, both spent several months on a combination of the NY Times and USA Today lists.

Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 40 books translated around the world. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Picture and bio from St Martin's Griffin website

Firstlife by Gena Showalter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am a huge fan of Gena Showalter and her White Rabbit Chronicles. I haven’t had the chance to read any of her other books, but do have quite a few in my collection. When I learned of Firstlife being released, I was super excited to read such a unique book that held me captivated until the very end. I’ll be honest, I was a little confused about the whole firstlife and everlife worlds and the afterlife. There were so many elements happening at once that I was little muddled about what would happen and when, spirits or humans or none.

Tenley Lockwood or Ten to her friends, is a seventeen-year-old girl that has been incarcerated for the past thirteen months. She is an inmate at the Prynne Asylum and is counting down her days until her release on her eighteenth birthday. Ten is a numerology girl, everything she sees, reads and thinks has a formula of numbers in it.

Ten’s story:
17 = years of age – existed
1 = boys she’s dated
2 = friends she’s made and lost since being in the whack shack
2 = lives she’ll live
2 = number of choices she has for her eternal future (1. Do as her parents say; or 2. Suffer)

There are two realms, Myriad: boasts about autonomy, bliss, indulgence. Firstlife is a stepping stone to the Everlife. Everything happens for a reason and when they experience 2nd death, death in the Everlife, their spirit returns to Earth to fuse with another spirit. They are willing to negotiate a contract to win over a human.
Troika: structure, constant study, absolute conformity. Firstlife matters as much as Everlife. Fate is a myth. When they experience 2nd death, they enter the REST, never to be seen by human or spirit again.
The two realms are complete opposites and have been at war with each other for centuries.

There is also another realm, a 3rd spirit realm, THE REALM OF MANY ENDS. This is where nightmares come to life and is where you are sent when you haven’t made a choice between Myriad or Troika, you are classed UNSIGNED.

Ten is an UNSIGNED and the asylum is meant to be neutral territory where it’s the doctors job to “persuade” you to choose. Everybody knows though that Dr Vans can be bought and they don’t care how the job gets done as long as they have their desired result.

It appears that Ten is extremely important to both realms and they have sent their best labourers to “convince” Ten to choose their realm. The problem is, Ten has no intention of choosing and seems to be developing feelings for both of them.

Which side will Ten choose? Why is Ten so special to both realms? Does The Realm of Many Ends truly exist? Will Ten ever truly be at peace?

Firstlife is a great introduction to the series and the characters within. I loved Ten and Killian, Bow too is a fun and entertaining character. Even though I was a little confused with the realms, it was certainly an action packed adventure that everybody can fall in love with. It has a little of something for everybody, including romance. Fantasy lovers should definitely give this a go.


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Summary: From the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Haleigh Lovell, comes a sexy new standalone novel.
His best strokes can be found off the court.
Ender Hemsworth has been called many things:
A Cock on Legs.
Captain of Sigma Chi.
Big man on campus.
Star athlete at UC Berkeley.
And he's always scowling like someone just took a piss in his Cheerios.

Adelaide Vikander has been called one thing:
Twenty Types of Trouble.
And she likes to take the proverbial ‘piss’ in Ender’s Cheerios.

When they’re forced to live together off campus, sparks fly and panties drop.

Will Ender, the cold and unfeeling ‘Cock on Legs’ grow a torso, a head, and a warm, beating heart? THE SLAM is a sexy and flirty New Adult Sports Romance that will make you laugh, make you wet, and warm your heart.

Title: The Slam
Series: (maybe a sequel?)
Author: Haleigh Lovell
Publisher: CreateSpace
Released: 1st April 2016
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC
Source: from author for an honest review - thank you

I am a massive fan of Haleigh Lovell and couldn’t wait to read her latest book. The Slam was definitely a grand slam for me and a fabulous insight into the mind of people from all walks of life. I loved The List series and cannot wait to read what Ms Lovell brings next. I loved the humour throughout, it kept me guessing and captivated. Adelaide is just such a wonderful character and the ASD aspect is something that is very close to my heart. It was extremely interesting to read a romance with a character that is on the Autism spectrum and how her thoughts came across throughout the book.

Enderson and Edricson Hemsworth are two famous brothers on the Berkeley University campus. These two tennis hotshots certainly get up to a lot of mischief and are known for their frat parties. Ender is especially known for his womanising, but the girls don’t seem to mind and there’s always a line waiting to get into his bed.

Ender finds a letter and discovers an old family friend is coming to stay and arriving that very day. In a panic the boys leave and expect to find an awkward, bucktooth, tomboy Australian girl at the airport. But what they realise is that Adelaide Vikander is not that girl anymore.

In the letter, Adelaide’s legal guardian explains that she sometimes has trouble understanding social or emotional situations and asks Ender to watch over her. As Adelaide begins classes, she realises just how much she doesn’t grasp and in the end asks Ender for her, especially when it comes to dating and boys.

It appears the boys on campus have realised how hot Adelaide is and all vie for her attention. When she asks for physical guidance with boys, Ender’s feelings become more intense and intimate. He realises just how special Adelaide is, how amazing and brilliant, but if he doesn’t tell her soon, it may be too late.

Will Ender be able to end his womanising ways and tell Adelaide how he truly feels? Will he live his life the way HE wants and not his fathers? Will Adelaide be accepted by her peers for her quirks and innocence?

The Slam was filled to the brim with sizzling scenes, laugh out loud fun and drama around every corner. Adelaide had a black and white mentality when it came to everything in her life, she helped calm Ender with her knowledge and showed that everybody sees life in a different light. Her ramblings were the most detailed and fun parts of this book and I loved every second. I would really love a sequel with Edric’s story and highly recommend this book and this author to all romance readers.

About the Author

Haleigh Lovell is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of THE LIST series. She studied Journalism at the UW-Madison.

Despite training as a journalist, Haleigh found she also enjoyed making up her own stories . . . stories with heat, humor, and heart.
Speaking of hearts . . . the ones who truly have Haleigh's heart are her DIY husband, her tween daughters, and her three rescue dogs.
Oh, and sleep. Haleigh also loves to sleep the sleep of a thousand martyrs.

Reap by Tillie Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’d had Raze on my Kindle for almost twelve months, but when Reap was offered for review, well I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read the first two in the series and OMG what an addictive and intriguing series. It’s totally different from anything I’ve ever read. Ms Cole is a fabulous writer and pulled me into the world of the Russian mafia and the scarred souls within. After reading the first, I couldn’t help but pick up the second as soon as I’d finished. This is a definite favourite and I cannot wait for the next one, Ravage that is due out in August this year.

The Georgians, the Russians and the Italians are at war. The Russians have claim over New York and the Georgian’s plan on bringing the Volkov’s down. They’ve created a drug that has a 100% success rate with total obedience with their fighters/slaves. It not only keeps them hyped, but puts a block around their memories, their past; 221 is the prime example of full obedience.

Luka Tolstoi is the Russian mafia prince and is struggling with life. With the season just beginning in the Dungeon, the cage fights are like a drug to him, but Luka can only watch. He only has one focus and that’s on seeking vengeance for his friend 362, as promised. The guilt and nightmares are getting worse, but with his girl by his side, Kisa Volkova, he is just barely coping.

Now, Talia Tolstaia is Luka’s sister. Her duty is recruiting sponsors for the Dungeon and finding the best fighters. She’s never failed, season after season. Beginning to burn out, Talia has planned a vacation away from everything and everyone. But when she’s trying to relax at the Tolstoi country estate, her vacation turns into a nightmare and then into an erotic dream.

A HUGE naked, unconscious man is being held in her basement. Talia’s curiosity gets the better of her and she ventures into the basement. He’s covered in strange marking and scars and when she learns who he truly is, well she’s horrified. 221 is her family’s worst enemy and he’s the only man Talia think about.

Talia began watching 221 via security cameras. She became obsessed and after two weeks of being weaned off the drugs, he stopped moving, breathing. She ventured down to the basement to check on him and that was the day everything changed.

Talia has gone against everything she had ever been told about their sworn enemy, but she is drawn to 221 and their connection cannot be denied. Will they be able to overcome their ancestors war? Will everyone accept their obvious bond? Will they be able to prove that 221 isn’t the devil incarnate they all believe he is?

Reap is one emotional rollercoaster. Talia and Luka both discover their strength and show where their loyalties lie. Finding their soulmate is a sure-fire way to find happiness, but it could also cause a rift between families and perhaps even a war. This is one highly recommended dark romance for all that are chasing something different and want to experience all emotions within one book.

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Summary: I knew this story could launch my career, but I never thought it would lead me down a path of sin and decadence...bondage and submission. He was my subject; I became his slave.

Ashley's first lead feature as a reporter should have been simple: interview Darien Gallagher, a real life Dom, for a magazine article and launch her career as a leading journalist, but with Dare, nothing is ever simple... Mysterious, wealthy, sexy as sin, and completely off limits, Ashley knows she shouldn't crave his touch, his kiss, but she does. Even though he's her best friend's stepfather...

What started for Dare as a lesson in domination suddenly has become so much more. He knows Ash is younger, more sheltered, friends with his former stepdaughter, but he can't deny the spark between them, even though he knows it's wrong.

With every word, every lesson, Dare tests Ash's resolve and pushes her boundaries. While Adam, Ashley's boss, has her craving things she shouldn't. The assignment that was supposed to land her on the top is about to topple her to her knees.

Title: My Best Friend's Stepfather

Series: My Best Friend's Stepfather #1
Author: Opal Carew
Publisher: St Martins Press
Released: 3rd November 2015
Genre: Adult Erotic Romance
Format: eGalley
Source: via Publisher on NetGalley - thank you!

 I am a big fan of Opal Carew and the step-romance genre has been quite popular of late, so I couldn’t resist reading this 3 book serial type series. A little different and definitely exciting, My Best Friend’s Stepfather Part 1 is fun, intriguing and sizzling hot. As is the norm with Ms Carew, this was another well written book with fun characters and a cliffhanger that will make part two to be picked up ASAP.

Ashley works for a magazine and has found the perfect article to research and share with their readers. Given that everyone seems interested in the life of dominant-submissive relationships since Fifty Shades of Grey, her idea is to share tips and the story behind a dom-sub connection.

When she broached the idea with her boss and best friend, Adam, he was a little sceptical and a lot jealous. It appears he has been attracted to Ashely for a long time, but has never acted on his feelings for various reasons. The idea of another man dominating Ashely doesn’t sit well with him, but Ashley is determined and knows this article will be a winner.

Since Ashely was a teen, she’s known of Darien Gallagher (Dare). Being the stepfather of one of her best friends, they used to hang around his mansion and talk from time to time. When the friends graduated though they’d distanced themselves, but Ashely was given his name as a known Dom and somebody that was willing to give her lessons on what a relationship would be like.

Since their first meeting regarding the article, Dare has pushed Ashley’s limits and it only excites her more. She was adamant though that is wasn’t a sexual experience she was after, but would she be able to continue in that direction when her emotions are controlling her body?

Will Ashely give in to her body’s desires? Will Dare fall for her? What about the stepdaughter? Will Adam finally show his true feelings towards Ashley?

Read how this intriguing story unfolds and what decisions they all make. Ashely is a strong character that has the potential to make all the men fall at her feet. With the intriguing mystery behind the stepdaughter and why Adam refuses to talk about his past, this is a definite read for those interested in a quick BDSM read. Here I come part two……

About the Author

Opal Carew is the author of Total Abandon, Pleasure Bound, Twin Fantasies and other erotic romance novels. She also writes as Elizabeth Batten-Carew. “So why do I like writing erotic romance?” she asks. “I like being able to push beyond traditional boundaries.” Opal loves crystals, dragons, feathers, cats, pink hair, the occult and all that glitters. While she writes, she listens to inspirational music, lights candles and keeps crystals near. Before devoting herself to her passion as a writer, Opal spent 15 years as a software analyst, and she has a degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo. She lives with her husband and two sons in Ontario, Canada.

Summary: Who says a wild heart can’t be tamed?

For years, I lived for the job and let it control me. Violence was all I knew. I protected, killed, and served. My name is Blake Evans, one of the best undercover cops in the country. I thought I was about to live a quiet life on my ranch in Wyoming until an old friend showed up and changed everything. He brought me her, Hadley Rivers, country music sensation and the one woman I couldn't have. I didn't want her but she had me completely roped in.

My job is to protect her, to keep her away from some psycho who wants her for himself. However, there's more to her story than I was led to believe. I promised to keep her safe and I won't back down . . . even if I have to die trying. I can't let him have her.

Title: Roped In
Series: Armed & Dangerous #2
Author: L.P. Dover
Released: 19th October 2015
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance Suspense
Format: eGalley
Source: via IndieSage PR in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t read a cowboy romance before and I can say now, I LOVE THEM! This is also my first L.P. Dover book and I LOVED IT! AAAHHHH Blake Evans, that is all! Hahahaha. Seriously, this book was one fabulously steamy and suspenseful read that had bits of everything for everyone. It was unpredictable, sizzling hot and I loved Hadley Rivers, she was always underestimated.

Hadley Rivers is a country music wonder that lives and breathes her music. Has had trouble with a stalker in the past, but everything seemed to settle down once she found a boyfriend. Her life has become hectic and now her tour is to begin. Hadley hasn’t had an easy time rising up the charts though, and some believe she only got to where she is from her daddy’s money. Hadley has proven herself and that she has what it takes to have the title of superstar.

It seems the stalker has upped the ante and Hadley is going away until the guy is caught. Her father has friends everywhere and with the Chief of Police being one of them, he knows of a very reliable and protective cowboy that has the perfect spot for Hadley to lie low.

Blake Evans inherited his Grandfather’s ranch and has fallen in love with breaking horses and raising cattle. When he received the call from his friend, Robert, Blake was not interested in babysitting a rich little Hollywood star that would expect pampering. But he’s in for a shock and won’t be able to resist for long.

I'm not going to be her servant, and she won't find any maids her. I'll keep her safe, but that's it. I won't be at her beck and call. If she wants to stay, she has to live by my rules. Got it?

Blake is not happy when Miss Hollywood turns up on his doorstep. Not being able to turn her away now, he puts her to work cleaning stalls and fending for herself. He pushed her buttons and he liked the fact she didn’t shy away or back down, actually fighting back and proving she wasn’t a pushover. Now it was just a waiting game.

It wasn’t long though before Hadley decided she’d had enough of the rude cowboy, Blake and runs. But what she doesn’t realise is what Blake does best is find people. It’s what he did as an undercover cop.

Blake’s opinion of Hadley changes once he realises he isn’t the soft Hollywood star he pegged her for. The more time they spend together, the more they enjoy the others company. Their attraction is obvious, but will Blake take action?

Will the stalker be found? Who is it? What about Hadley’s boyfriend? Will she continue on with her music after everything that happened? What is Blake’s story and why doesn’t he DO relationships?

A fantastic cowboy romance that had strong characters and unusual alliances. It was a fabulous insight into the world of undercover cooperatives and what lengths one will go to when the person they love is in danger. I am looking forward to reading the next book, High-Sided which is due out August 2016.

Other books in the series:

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can’t forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.

Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written over nine novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

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Summary: Five years ago we lived in the same house. He was the ultimate bad boy. And my foster brother.

Now he’s back. Tougher, harder, meaner. All of it aimed at me, because I was the one who sent him away. It’s payback time. He wants his pound of flesh, and I am helpless to say no.

Title: Better When It Hurts
Series: Stripped #2
Author: Skye Warren
Released: 4th June 2015
Genre: Adult Romance
Format: eBook
Source: Author via Xpresso Book Tours for an honest review.

I’ve read a couple of books by Skye Warren now and have loved every one of them. I am highly anticipating the second book in the Criminals and Captives series she wrote with Annika Martin, Prisoner was awesome. This is a very interesting series, written around a group of women that strip at a club called the Grand and their stories with intense suspense and hot sizzling scenes. The protagonists are strong women and I was excited to read about this bubbly confident woman I heard about in Love the Way You Lie.

Lola met Blue when they were teenagers and their connection was instant. Since she had moved from foster home to foster home for most of her teens, Lola had a tendency to attached herself to the toughest, meanest boy in the house or school for protection. But that also meant she was taken advantage of more often than not.

It’s been five years since they were separated and Lola believes with her whole being that Blue loathes her. Lola’s memories assault her and the heartache from her decisions back then hit her all over again.

Blue Eastman is the head of security at the Grand and is always watchful over Lola. But she believes it’s because he wants revenge or payment from their past not anything romantic or caring.

I know I should hate him, but I can't. I loved him too much as a girl. and even though he's colder now, bigger and meaner now, he's still the same boy I loved.

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Lola isn’t having a very good week at work and now Blue is pushing for answers and redemption. Is Blue really her knight in shining armour or the devil in disguise? What happened five years ago that changed their lives forever? What was the real reason Lola sent Blue away? Can Blue fight his own demons and open his heart and mind?

Better When It Hurts is full of surprises and is an emotional rollercoaster for Lola. Her heart is really mostly gold, but she hides it well under the persona of Lola the stripper. Will she let Blue inside that persona and let her love flourish once again? You’ll have to read to find out! Each book in this series can be read as a standalone, but you should definitely read each one to get into the hearts and minds of these amazing women who aren’t just pretty bodies that get used by men. I’m really looking forward to reading Candy’s story next, will she end up with Ivan and what is his story? I highly recommend this series to all romance readers looking for something different from the normal damsel in distress read.

THE SERIES:

About the Author

Skye Warren is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of dark romance. Her books are raw, sexual and perversely tender. For those new to her work, consider the bestseller Wanderlust, Prisoner or the Dark Nights series starting with Trust in Me.

Secret Confessions: Backstage – Chase by K.M. Golland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW WEEEEEEE! I loved this one. K.M. Golland is fabulous and this is another fabulously written short of how a couple meet & cannot deny their need.
It was a wonderful start to this short series.

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Secret Confessions: Backstage - Josh by Eden Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great quick and sizzling short about a security guard & his decision to grant a backstage pass.
I would have liked it a little longer to finish Josh's story, but otherwise a scorcher.

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