No Pants Required written by Kim Karr (314 pgs) – finished reading 7/27/16 – 4 stars - Contemporary Romance

What a fun and sexy read! Yes, there’s a lot of sex in this book, but it’s sweet and funny! Just the type of book I needed to read after the two intense books that I just finished. I enjoyed Camden and Makayla’s love story immensely! They have great chemistry! They just fit. The author writes with humor and honesty. Her characters are one of a kind. They sparkle all on their own. Yes, both main characters had pasts that weren’t pretty, but it was not due to their mistakes. They just trusted the wrong people. There’s a great supporting cast also, which I hope the author has plans to tell their stories eventually. This was your typical summer beach read that kept me entertained throughout the entire book. Glad I picked it up...

Review Written, 8/4/16

Unbelievable (Beg For It, #4) written by Callie Harper (267 pgs) – finished reading 7/4/16 – 4.5 stars - Contemporary Romance (Billionaire)

I know when I pick up a Callie Harper romance it will just have me swept away into the thrill of it. And, that’s exactly what Ms. Harper does again this time. I loved Colt and Caroline’s story! Both characters are exciting and intelligent! Yes, Colt is a larger than life billionaire. He gets whatever he wants. He marches to the beat of his own drum. But, he’s caring and honest. He’s loyal and passionate. I’m not one for all the billionaire books that are out. I pick and chose pretty carefully, but this one was better than most. It was thrilling! And, passionate. The characters. The storyline. And, the island. Oh, my goodness!! The island scenes!! HOT, HOT, and Hotter than HOT!!! There was not a thing that I didn’t like about this book other than I’m just not a billionaire romance junkie. And, Caroline, she’s a feisty young hoot! I’m always one for a baking/cooking romance. It’s definitely always hot in the kitchen!! Colt just really does it for her even though he’s arrogant and wants his own way. She just can’t resist the spark between them.

Ms. Harper still keeps us in the loop with her past characters in this series. So, the reader is privy to what’s going on in other characters’ current lives. I can’t say that I really have a favorite, but I tend to lean towards that mountain man, Heath. With his quite crazy big physique. He’s just to die for!!! But, then there’s rockstar, Ash, who’s just sex on legs. He’s all muscles and tattoos, and who can’t resist him. I’ve yet to read Declan’s story, but those Kavanaugh brothers are some sizzling specimens, so I’m sure he’s just as attractive.  And, Colt’s story doesn’t disappoint.  Some twists and turns liter the pages as Colt and Caroline’s relationship hits a somewhat bumpy road at times. But, there’s a connection there and neither can hide it.

This book was keeping with the other books of the series by being entertaining. I just couldn’t put it down. From first picking it up, I managed to read it in one sitting. It kept me engaged and excited. So, looking forward to Gigi’s story. Now that girl seems to be one interesting character as we are introduced to her in the previous books...

Review Written, 7/22/16

Moore to Love written by Faith Andrews (264 pgs) – finished reading 7/22/16 – 3.5 stars - Contemporary Romance

***POSSIBLE SPOILERS PRESENT WITHIN REVIEW***

I don’t know. I had mixed feelings about this one. A few times I found myself stopping and putting it down, just to find myself pick it up to find out how everything ended. Leni was an engaging and humorous young woman. Because of the sensitivity of her being overweight, though, she lacked confidence and self-assurance when it came to men. With a few great friends, she decides to commit to losing weight and working with a trainer. Eventually she does lose some weight and is proud of herself, but she still has that lack of trust when it comes to men. Her friends try to get her to see that she’s so much more than she allows herself to see. But, until she finds that guy that she knows will prove herself wrong as far as what’s on the outside, she still has confidence issues. She does eventually let Lane into her life. He seems to be everything that she could possibly want. Good-looking with a killer body. Sweet and kind. But, there’s something just holding him back from letting her in. And, when she finds out what that is, she’s beyond heartbroken. He lied to her! And, for whatever reason he did, she’s not willing to listen to his excuses. So, she runs and cuts him out of her life. Will Leni give Lane a chance to explain?? Will they be able to repair the damage??

Ms. Andrews writes a story that had me intrigued because this has been something that I myself have struggled with my entire life – being overweight. It’s not something easy to deal with. It’s frustrating. And, tiresome. People can be mean. And, it can consume your entire life. The counting calories. The exercising. And, getting on that big bad scale. It’s exhausting. So, I know what she’s going through. Hopefully you meet people that are your biggest supporters. Your friends. Your family. And, your significant other. That’s the most important thing of all. Knowing that they love you no matter what. And, Leni had that with her family and friends. When Lane reveals his lie, I knew that it was something relatable to Leni, but I just wasn’t sure what it was. The only problem that I had with it, was that it was taken a little too lightly. I thought that it was wrapped up a little too quickly, and I thought Leni needed more time to deal with it. This was something big that should have bigger ramifications since it was such a big deal to her. This was right where her heart was especially since Lane meant so much to her. He should have known that this would devastate her. He just didn’t know how to tell her. But, I also got where the author was coming from. Leni should have realized how difficult this was for Lane too, and that he was only trying to protect her. She had to know that Lane was so into her regardless of her plus size. She was just such a nice, caring, and beautiful person. Her curves and lust for life just made her more attractive to him.

I wish that I loved this book more. I wanted to, but I wish that it been a little more intense. I wanted more from Leni and Lane’s relationship. More intimacy. More details. More emotion. Such a tough subject to write about I’m sure. But, it’s one that so many people struggle with each and every day.

“Love yourself and the rest will follow.” ~ Faith Andrews

Gorgeous cover!!

Review Written, 7/22/16

The Angel (The Original Sinners, #2) written by Tiffany Reisz (416 pgs) – finished reading 7/18/16 – 4 stars - Erotica (Dark - BDSM)

There’s a lot that goes on in this book. The pacing is perfect, and it shows underlying connections between the characters. Things that were just starting to take shape in Book 1 are now becoming more apparent in this book. There is more pain and darkness that comes to light. The reader gets to know the characters in more intimate detail. And, right now Griffin is my favorite. Such a funny and heartstopping character. And, that dirty mouth, Oh God!! Soren is starting to grow on me. I’m liking him better in this book than the first. I enjoyed his scenes with the reporter. He showed his dry sense of humor, which had me smirking. And, Nora always the dominant and feisty female. Never taking s**t from anyone! Jeez, she gets more intimate action than any character I’ve ever read about!! Of course, we get to know more about Michael as his character is  explored more deeply. And, Kingsley who could not love a Frenchman?? That accent. His ability to be so sensually appealing. No one can possibly resist him.

It’s an addictive book! Every time I put it down to do something, I can’t resist going back to it for another peek. It’s very consuming because at the end of each chapter the author leaves you hanging. That’s so my type of book!! There’s still tons of questions that need to be answered. So, it’s onto book 3 whereby some anticipated secrets hopefully will be revealed...

Review Written, 7/21/16

Six written by James Crow (176 pgs) – finished reading 7/17/16 – 2.5 stars - Erotica (BDSM)

2.5 star rating

I don’t know really what to make of this one. Okay, it was probably the dirtiest book that I’ve ever read. Things were, let’s put it this way, interesting. I was shaking my head numerous times. It wasn’t a bad book, but it was just way over-the-top for me. It’s a pretty short story, so not many details. And, holy crap, if you like erotica in your books, than this is one for you. The kink and the sex. Wow, blushing with a bright red face...

Jonathon Gold sells more than sex. He sells experiences. Mindblowing hot and heavy sexual experiences! Emma Jane is engaged to be married to a man that she despises. But, it’s all for her parents’ sake that she decides to go through with the hopeless situation. Emma Jane loves sex too. She’s got more partners than she has stablehands. Her aunt talks her into a sort of last hurray of singledom. So she finds herself on her way on a trip that’s sure to meet her wildest expectations.

This is one book that will definitely have you either turning the pages in anticipation as to what the author will think up next or have you skimming because of the ridiculousness of it all. Whichever you decide, the author has definitely gotten your attention. There was one part of the story concerning the loss of a side character that I really did not think was necessary. Maybe it just brought a little more depth to Jonathon’s character. And, the other thing that I didn’t like was that Jonathon seemed more a bit more dominant in the beginning than at the end of the story. I felt that he just didn’t grow much as a character. Emma Jane, though, seemed to come out the victor in the conclusion. She got her cake and ate it too while sticking it to the ones that tried to take advantage of her.

Let’s just say that Six really got my attention in more ways than one. What will Mr. Crow come out with next is my highly anticipated question??

Review Written, 7/21/16

Finding Me written by Stephanie Rose (224 pgs) – finished reading 7/18/16 – 4 stars (iPad) - Contemporary Romance (New Adult)

Now Owen was one swoon-worthy hunk of man! With his long hair, green eyes, and dimples! And, what a sweet southern guy! Oooo la la!! And, Bella was a smart city gal with heart. She just wanted to be able to trust a male. The only ones that she seemed to be able to trust was her brother and her stand-in “dad”, Lucas. At least that’s true until her biological dad comes back into her life and has her questioning her parents’ relationship.

I really loved this one! So many romantic moments. And, Bella and Owen’s love story was beautiful for a young couple. I had goosebumps when they finally got together. Just the perfect set-up for a young innocent love! Ms. Rose definitely had me hooked from the very first page turned in her newly released book...

Review Written, 7/21/16

Full Tilt (Full Tilt, #1) written by Emma Scott (334 pgs) – finished reading 7/1/16 – 5 stars - Contemporary Romance (New Adult)

***POSSIBLE SPOILERS PRESENT WITHIN REVIEW***

What a wonderful wonderful novel! This one will touch your very soul. I could totally feel the love. Don’t read this late into the night, though, because when you finish it you won’t be able to sleep. It’s that remarkable! Words just fail to come as I struggle to write my review because it so affected me. Just read it and you will experience such a beautiful romance. It’s amazing!! And, very powerful!! The characters. The storyline. The climax. You will be a blubbering idiot! I wish I knew that there was another book after this one. It’s not so much that there is a cliffhanger, but there’s more to the story than just this first book, and I can’t wait wait to read the second one.

When beginning this book, I just thought that it was going to be another deliquent rockstar book. But, when digging deeper into it, I realized that there was just so much more to this story. It’s intense and intimate. Heartbreaking and real. Raw and complex. And, the characters?? So vibrant and exposed. Their vulnerability evident as truths are revealed and brought to life. But, there’s also sadness and pain. The pain from all is obvious when time is running out. It’s slipping away. And, they all need more time. Time to deal with the reality of it all. Oh, wow! It’s agonizing to read! These individuals who are losing control. Pining for a miracle that just isn’t going to happen. I could actually feel it. The writing was so superb that I couldn’t help but feel the sadness. The undying love. And, the rockstar part of the story is just the undertone to a beautiful romance that takes the couple out of their comfort zones. Both main characters find that there’s so much more to life as they open themselves up to other possibilities – even if it’s for a short period of time. Live a little. Love a little. Explore a little. It can be so self-satisfying. Even if it’s tormenting.

But, it’s also a story about two brothers. Their relationship is close. And, when one can’t do anything from stopping this debilitating illness from claiming the other, it’s excruciating to contemplate such an eminent fate. Oh, my, and when the time arrives, it’s heartbreaking. Boy, tissues, tissues, and more tissues.

Can’t tell you how much I loved this book!! How much I’m looking forward to the next one! And, how this author made me a fan for life!! Such an amazing book that really is one of the best I’ve read this year!!! Brilliant!!

And, I also loved the author’s note at the beginning. So inspiring...

“You are a universe” ~ Emma Scott

Gorgeous cover that just begs the reader to take a chance on reading this book!!!

Review Written, 7/13/16