Hush (Black Lotus, #3) written by E.K. Blair (276 pgs) – finished reading 4/13/16 – 2.5 stars - Contemporary Romance (Dark Erotica)

2.5 star rating

My rating for this book is way below the other two books of the trilogy. Why you ask? Two words – THE ENDING!! I was just so disappointed with it. That’s it? That’s how the author is leaving it?? That’s nothing like how I pictured this series concluding.  And, to be honest it wasn’t just the “caterpiller” that swayed me, it was the ending as a whole. It just wasn’t what I saw happening at all. It more than let down this reader who was so invested in the series. About three-quarters through I could feel the suspense building. I was ready for the big explosion, but what I got was a dud! Now don’t get me wrong, there are a few big reveals in this installment. But, I was still waiting for that huge climax. I think that the author, being such an engaging writer, should have offered an alternate ending so the reader could pick what was more appropriate for Elizabeth and Declan’s big finale. I think that readers would have been totally okay with that scenario. All-in-all, I would rank the series a 3.5 since I was so disappointed with Hush while Bang and Echo were so amazing. I will still be looking out for Ms. Blair’s next release. I would like to see her write a stand-alone, though. And, see how she could pack a punch in just 300-400 pages. I’m sure that it would be no less short of impressive.

Review Written, 4/15/16

Echo (Black Lotus, #2) written by E.K. Blair (335 pgs) – finished reading 4/11/16 – 5 stars - Contemporary Romance (Dark Erotica)

***POSSIBLE SPOILERS PRESENT WITHIN REVIEW***

Again, this was another mind-blowing read from E.K. Blair. The thrilling ride was just all over the place with chills. The darkness, the raw grit – it’s all there. Some reveals were heart-stopping. Didn’t see that coming! Elizabeth is now on her own. She’s lost. So she goes to Scotland to I guess connect with Declan. What she finds, though, will rejuvenate her life. Give it hope. This installment is also graphic in nature, but it was vital to the story. The book also ends in a cliffhanger. I will be totally hanging on until I read Book 3 – Hush. Thankfully, I waited until Hush was released before starting this amazing trilogy!

Ms. Blair’s words are nothing short of excellent! She never deviates from Elizabeth’s twisted need for acceptance. She lived through some pretty horrific nightmares that would break anyone. And, she teeters on relinquishing her mind to her demons. But, she’s strong. Cunning. The need for her to survive is powerful. And, Declan’s controlling and condescending ways are just as raw as ever. He shows her no mercy. In fact, I was so shocked by something so hurtful and violent he did that I just saw a huge crack in his armor. He actually lost it, and I thought that was huge. I never thought he would break and lost control. That was a tearful moment for me.

I really enjoyed this book! It kept me on the edge of my seat reading every word in just one day. Once I started reading it, I had to know how it ended! And, that cliffhanger will have you jumping right into the next book. Can’t wait to see how the series ends! I’m hoping that it will be one explosive conclusion...

Review Written, 4/11/16

Bang (Black Lotus, #1) written by E.K. Blair (418 pgs) – finished reading 4/10/16 – 5 stars - Contemporary Romance (Dark Erotica)

I totally loved this book! It was twisted. It was dark. It had me cringing in disgust and sadness. I loved the whole revenge plot. Involving another male into the mix was genius. It captured my attention. It held my interest, and I was thrilled. There’s so many things that go on in this book that I have to watch for spoilers while writing this review. The four main characters are top-notch. They had me riveted from one scene to the next. There are some pretty graphic incidents that take place, which will make the reader speechless with horror. So beware! It also contains some mild BDSM, which just adheres to the book’s darkness.

Nina/Elizabeth is just one screwed up chick. Her quest for revenge against her husband consumes her. And, with help from her foster brother, Pike, they will make people pay for the horror of her childhood. When she meets Declan McKinnon, she knows he’s the right one to help with their plan. But, her usual turned off feelings somehow weave their way into her heart. And, the moment that she realizes she can’t go through with her original plan, everything goes to hell. What started out as a simple scheme, is now a botched nightmare.

This was one wild ride riddled with ups and downs and twists and turns. And, on top of the fact that the writing was unpredictable, which I love, it was brilliant. Calculating, thrilling, dangerous, masterful are just a few words I would use to describe this excellent book. Of course, this book ends in a cliffhanger, which I knew going into reading it. That was why I held off jumping into this series until all three books were released. I just didn’t want to get invested in the series and then have to wait two years for all the books to be out. I’m so glad that I’m now able to read this series. The first book was amazing! Onto Book 2 – Echo!!

Review Written, 4/10/16

BOOKS READ MARCH, 2016

Corrupt written by Penelope Douglas – 5 stars

Sex Sessions: Uncut (Camera Tales, #1) written by Charisse Spiers – 5 stars

Fight For You (Broken Souls, #1) – Charisse Spiers – 5 stars

Slave to the Rhythm written by Jane Harvey-Berrick – 5 stars

It’s All Relative written by S.C. Stephens – 5 stars

Waking Olivia written by Elizabeth O’Roark – 4.5 stars

Under the Influence (Chosen Paths, #1) written by L.B. Simmons – 5 stars

Out of Focus (Chosen Paths, #2) written by L.B. Simmons – 5 stars

The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller written by L.B. Simmons – 5 stars

Unsocial written by Nicole Dykes – 5 stars

Undone, Volume 1 (Undone, #1) written by Callie Harper – 3.5 stars

Undone, Volume 2 (Undone, #2) written by Callie Harper – 5 stars

Undone, Volume 3 (Undone, #3) written by Callie Harper – 5 stars

***This was a great month for my reading. I don’t think that I’ve ever read so many 5-star books. There were so many great books released recently. It’s so hard to decide what to read. And, April promises to be no different...***

Awaken Me (The Jaded, #4) written by Alex Grayson (427 pgs) – finished reading 4/8/16 – 5 stars - Contemporary Romance

One of my favorites so far this year!!

***POSSIBLE SPOILERS PRESENT WITHIN REVIEW***

I knew this was going to be one grueling read. The books in this series leading up to this one are filled with intensity and compassion. So, I was set to be on the edge of my seat with Nick and Chris’ story. And, this amazing author did not disappoint! Nick loses the love of his life in a horrific manner. He passes through each day with sorrow and booze. He’s gone to a really dark and dismal place, and no one can reach him, except for maybe Chris. He hates her, at least he talks like he does. He can no way be with or give his heart to another woman. He was meant to be with his Anna. And, the guilt that he suffers from as her life was devastatingly taken, eats him up inside while destroying his soul. He has no heart left to give anyone else. It shattered when Anna passed, leaving him broken and unable to care if he lived or died. And, here’s Chris. Beautiful red-headed Chris who’s so vibrant and good. Her life has had its ups and downs, though. Kidnapped by a madman. Held at gunpoint not knowing if she would live or die. Having two parents that did not support their children. If it wasn’t for the love and protection of her brother, Jase, and for the good friends she had, who knows what her life would be like. All she wants to do is help Nick, but he won’t let her in. He’s rude and nasty. Some of the things that he says to her are downright vicious. But, Chris is tough. She can handle it. What she can’t handle, however, is all the back and forth that goes on between them. So, when a life-altering situation finds Chris needing love and support, Nick finally takes responsibility for once and makes her his number one obligation. He helps Chris dig herself out of the depths of darkness and live again. Do these two broken individuals have a chance at being a couple in the end? Or has too much damage been done to repair their broken hearts??

I knew this was going to be a tough one to read because of all the hinting the author did in the previous books of the series. This was one intense read! It had me a blubbering mess at times. Some of the things said were just so cruel and spiteful. It did make for the story, but it was hard to read. I was so rooting for this heartbroken couple nonetheless. They deserved to find their “happily ever after”. And, what the author puts them through to finally find get that is nothing short of agony and sadness. They’ll get there, though. It’s just by one step at a time that they finally see what is standing right in front of them. HOME! A life worth living. A love everlasting. And, a kind of peace like no other. Nick has been waiting his whole life for Chris, he just didn’t know it. What a gripping story that will have you holding your breath until finally getting to the bitter end. There really was no suspenseful mystery in this book, however. But, I do think that there was a  romantic mystery present that had the reader guessing whether or not Nick and Chris would finally be together in the end. And, surprisingly so, Anna is with them in a roundabout way to find that. I loved this book!! Loved it! This is one series I would definitely read again!! Ms. Grayson did a bang-up job of completing this series with heart and soul. I will truly miss these amazing characters along with their friends and families. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Grayson has next up her sleeve!! She is one author that is at the top of my TBR list!!

“I love you. I just wanted you to know. I love you, Nick. I have for a long time. And I know if you had let me in your heart I could have made you happy. I know you think you don’t have any love left to give. But what you don’t get is, love is endless. There’re no measurements or an end to love. The heart can hold any amount. It can be scary and frightening and it can be hard, but it can also be beautiful. The beauty comes after all the scary and hard stuff. You just have to work through it and earn it. I may not be what you want, but I could have given that to you. We could have given it to each other. I hope one day you can find your happiness, even if that isn’t with me.” ~ Chris (Chap. 20)

And, of course, another amazing cover! Just sucks you right into reading this book!!!

Review Written, 4/8/16

Intent written by A.D. Justice (218 pgs) – finished reading 4/7/16 – 3.5 stars - Contemporary Romance

3.5 star rating

I know I’m probably in the minority with this one, but I struggled with the ending. It was too predictable, and I’m the type of reader that needs surprise. I enjoyed the characters, especially the little girl, River. She was such a cutie pie and oh so funny. Ace Sharp, the male lead, was one amazing man! Good-looking, dedicated dad, passionate lover, and very protective when it came to the ones he loved. It was with the female main character, Layne, that I had some problems with. Of course, she’s beautiful and everyone loves her. She’s a lawyer and is from New York, but it’s the fact that she’s been in a seven-year relationship that seems to be going nowhere is what she’s dealing with. She wants some form of commitment from her boyfriend, and when Layne walks in on a hearbreaking situation, she knows that’s it! It’s over! So she takes her boss up on her offer to go to her home in Georgia to get away from everything. And, that’s when she first meets Ace. It’s not without harsh words and sarcasm that this pair first encounter each other.

I don’t know, Layne just seemed too perfect to me. I struggled with her going into such a committed affair when she just got out of such a long relationship that broke her so devastatingly. Maybe it’s me, but I just thought she needed more time to heal. While for the most part, I liked Ace, some of the things he said when their relationship passes the friend-zone, just seemed too cheesy and over-the-top. I found myself rolling my eyes more than a few times. I did enjoy the mystery and the suspense depicted in the story, however. There was also one reveal that I did not see coming. So I was pleasantly pleased with that. And, the fact that the author touched on mental disorder, did add some extra intrigue to the story. All-in-all, this wasn’t a bad book. It just didn’t “wow” me. Still looking forward to reading more from this author...

The cover model for this book is extremely HOT!!!

Review Written, 4/8/16

Stripped written by Allie Juliette Mousseau (250 pgs) – finished reading 4/4/16 – 5 stars - Contemporary Romance

I was looking to find something that was fun and exciting after the highly intense novel that I finished a few days ago, and this book was perfect! As two young adults fight to choose in what direction their lives should go and not have their parents call all the shots, Emelie and Stone were perfectly matched. They meet at a strip club where Stone is obviously one of the hottest acts there. Emelie is entranced with the hot male as he performs for an exciting crowd, and when he singles her out and holds her in his arms an embarrassing moment occurs that is just so wild. It’s hours later and she still can’t stop thinking about the charismatic male. Stone feels the same way, and it’s only by a chance meeting that they encounter each other yet again. And, when given a proposition by Stone, how can Emelie possibly say “yes”? But, how can she say “no” either?

This was definitely one humorous novel. With Stone’s priceless  Aussie take on things and with his oh so dirty mouth, he has Emelie laughlng and smiling throughout the novel. He’s such a great main character. He’s kind and caring. Sweet and passionate and not too hard on the eyes either. With his dark hair and blue eyes, Emelie just melts everytime she sees him. And, Emelie is one brave young woman. She’s beautiful and generous. Dedicated and a hard-worker. But, after her dream of becoming a ballerina is squashed because of a debilitating injury, she’s disappointed and lost after having to give up her life’s dream. But, through Stone she emerges into something more promising. A chance to live again. With Stone she once again finds herself.

The author writes a wonderful story of true love and life’s second chances. I loved the laugh-out-loud moments with these two and their sexy times were passionate but yet fun. Ms. Mousseau doesn’t write without a dull moment. From Emelie’s “kitten” and Stone’s “behemoth”, I found myself laughing my ass off. This was just what I needed to get me off the dark and dismal book train. Got to read me some more of this author’s work. Such a highly entertaining and amusing read!!!

And, that cover is oh so SEXY!!!! 

Review Written, 4/4/16