Book Review : Something Reckless (Reckless & Real, #1) by Lexi Ryan

Something Reckless

Reckless & Real, #1
by Lexi Ryan

Released:
December 22nd, 2014

Source:
Author

Review Opportunity by: AToMR

Synopsis:

He talks dirty to me, but I don’t know his name.  

He wants to tie me up, but I don’t know his face. 

He turns me on, but I couldn’t point him out in a crowd. 

I’ve fallen for an anonymous stranger, and now the anonymity ends. I want more than typed secrets and texted promises. I want something reckless. Heat. Passion. The thrill of being entirely possessed. 

Because I suspect this anonymous stranger isn’t a stranger at all. 

*****

Lizzy Thompson met riverrat69 online through a service promising to deliver meaningful relationships by forbidding its users to share names or photos until they’ve reached a certain benchmark. She was looking for love. He was researching an investment. They hit it off. Talked and flirted, hid behind screen names and cartoon avatars. 

Now they’re breaking the rules and meeting in person. But Liz is prepared. She’s picked up hints and followed clues. She’s nearly convinced she’s discovered the identity of her dirty-talking online friend. 

She wonders if her ex-lover Sam Bradshaw knows her identity too. When she rolls the dice on one reckless night, her chance at something real could crumble. 

Something Reckless is part one of the Reckless & Real series. Part two, Something Real will be released in 2015.

Purchase links for Something Reckless:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Reckless & Real Series on Goodreads

Review:

Holy Crapola!

What in the world just happened??? I almost lost my kindle at the hands of Something Reckless...Sweet mother of God! I freakin' lost it!!! That ending?!?!?! Gah!!!!!! It's my first time reading a book by Lexi Ryan and I'm seriously wondering how in the world did I not read one of her books before?!?!? Her writing style totally captivated me from page one!

I highly suggest reading Something Wild before reading Something Reckless. It's a prequel/novella that sets the stage for this passionate and sexy new series by Lexi Ryan. In this new series we follow Liz and Sam. Liz has been in love with her best friends brother since a young age. Sam has always been the one who made her heart skip a beat and set her body on fire. When they are in the same room, tensions run high and they can't deny the chemistry between them. One moment of intense passion was all it took to make them crave for more, but many obstacles are thrown their way. Will Sam and Liz be able to find a way back into each other's arms?

I honestly don't want to give away anything about this book because you absolutely need to embark on the roller coaster ride that is Something Reckless. Sam and Liz have been attracted to each other for a long time. Even if events out of their control made them live apart, they never stopped thinking about each other. A few years have passed, and when they come face-to-face, they can't deny that sparks still fly when they are in the same room. Liz and Sam have both done things that they regret, but will they be able to forgive and forget and give their love a chance?

Great characters, steamy and passionate scenes, awesome storyline and nail biting cliffhangers! I absolutely loved Something Wild and Something Reckless! If you are not a fan of cliffhangers, I suggest you wait until the last installment of this series is out. It's one hell of a cliffhanger that is at the end of this book. Even if I guessed where the storyline was going, I was still shocked when I read the last chapter. I could not freakin' believe what was happening!! My jaw dropped to the floor!!! WTF?!?!?! Nooooooo!!!! This book was filled with twists and turns that I did not see coming!

Liz and Sam have an awesome chemistry together. I loved both their POV's and how the author wrote their story. Liz is a firecracker and she's not afraid of going after what she wants! I loved that about her. Even if she knew that she might get her heart broken, she went after the man that makes her feel alive. Where do I even start with Sam? He's such an intriguing character to follow. He hides behind walls that are hard to break down, but once Liz gets under his skin and he starts falling .... He falls hard! Secrets and lies could ruin everything for Lizzy and Sam. Will their relationship be able to survive the unexpected? That is exactly what I need to know!!! That ending is driving me nuts!!!!! I officially have no more nails!!!

Overall, I really loved my reading journey and I can't wait to see what happens next! I need to go take a look at Lexi Ryan's other books. I need to read more of her stories to keep me busy until the conclusion to Liz and Sam's story comes out next March!

Rating:

I give, Something Reckless, 4.5 sensual, intriguing, page-turning, exciting, Sam Bradshaw is the new dirty talker in town stars!

Teasers:

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author Lexi Ryan’s novels have been described as intense, emotional, and wickedly sexy. A former college professor, she now writes full-time from her home in Indiana, where she lives with her husband, two children, and a neurotic dog. Find her on Facebook or Twitter to chat about books, TV, and her children’s latest antics. 

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Book Review : Where Darkness Lies (Criminal of the Ocean, #2) by Bella Jewel

Where Darkness Lies
Criminal of the Ocean, #2
by Bella Jewel

Released:
December 16th, 2014

Publisher:
Montlake Romance

Source:
Publisher via NetGalley

eARC received in exchange of an honest review

Synopsis:

Anger and pain brought them together, but their passion might just set them free. 

Dimitri wants only one thing: revenge. His stepfather, Hendrix, has caused him nothing but pain and heartache. At last Dimitri can take something—someone—important to Hendrix and make him pay: Jess. 

Jess is feisty and strong headed. Her past haunts her and connects her to the dangerously dark Dimitri in an unexpected way. Dimitri keeps his secrets locked deep inside, and Jess is drawn to this broken man like no one before. 

With little to cling to besides their haunting pasts, both could have been doomed to lives spent raging against the darkness that holds them prisoner. Instead, it seems that as their pain draws them closer together, it is their desire that will set them free. 

Criminal of the Ocean Series on Goodreads

Purchase Links:
Enslaved by the Ocean
Amazon|B&N

Where Darkness Lies
Amazon|B&N

Review:

All hands hoay! It's time to escape with some pretty sexy and dirty talking pirates!

Where Darkness Lies, by Bella Jewel, was such an exciting reading escape! When I found this series on Goodreads, I was really excited! I love watching pirate movies, but I never really read a book with pirates as the main characters. A while ago I bought Enslaved by the Ocean, which is the first book in the Criminal of the Ocean series. I had it on my TBR list for so long!!!! I'm so happy that I finally got the chance to read this series back-to-back. I really loved Enslaved by the Ocean and I could not wait to start reading Where Darkness Lies after the first book left us with a big cliffhanger. 

I usually do a little recap of the story at this point of my review, but I won't get into details about what happens in this book.  The synopsis gives you a pretty good idea about the story without giving anything away. I highly recommend reading Enslaved by the Ocean before reading Where Darkness Lies. The stories connect well, and if you skip the first book you are seriously missing out on a fantastic read!

I really love the characters in this series. They all bring their little touch of awesomeness to the story. Jess and Dimitri were an awesome couple to follow and the sexual tension between them was WOAH!!!! Jess is a tough cookie and she drove Dimitri nuts!!! I was cheering for her from the very beginning. Dimitri acted like a jerk at the beginning of the book, but the more he got to know Jess, the more I got to see the real Dimitri. I loved how they opened up about their past. They both have a dark past that they wish they could forget. They have emotional scars that only started healing when they started spending time together. The more time they shared together, the less Dimitri was thinking about his revenge towards his stepfather and more about Jess and the feelings he had for her.

This book had a good balance of romance, steamy scenes, funny and exciting moments. It kept me turning the pages until early morning. I have no clue when the next book will be out, but I can't freakin' wait! It will be Drake's story and I really like him!

Rating:

I give, Where Darkeness Lies, by Bella Jewel 4 steamy, fast-paced, exciting stars!

About the Author

Bella Jewel is a self published, USA Today bestselling author. She’s been publishing since 2013. Her first release was a contemporary romance, Hell’s Knights which topped the charts upon release. Since that time, she has published over five novels, gaining a bestseller status on numerous platforms. She lives in North Queensland and is currently studying editing and proofreading to further expand her career. Bella has been writing since she was just shy of fifteen years old. 

In Summer 2013 she was offered an ebook deal through Montlake Romance for her bestselling modern day pirate series, Enslaved By The Ocean. She plans to expand her writing career, planning many new releases for the future.

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Book Review : The Last Cowboy in Texas (Deep in the Heart of Texas, #7) by Katie Lane

The Last Cowboy in Texas

Deep in the Heart of Texas #7

By: Katie Lane

Published: December 16, 2014

Publisher: Forever Romance

Source: Publisher (eARC for Review)

Add to Goodreads

GR's Summary:

No Sad Songs Here, Darlin' 

Country music princess Starlet Brubaker has a sweet tooth for moon pies and cowboys: both are yummy-and you can never have just one. Now Beckett Cates may not be a cowboy, but he certainly has the heart, soul-and body-to whet her appetite. He's a sexy ex-Marine with a touch hotter than the scorching Texas sun and arms strong enough to catch her when she lands into trouble. 

Playing bodyguard to America's sweetheart isn't easy for Beckett. But falling for her sure is. Unfortunately, Starlet has a reputation for keeping a guy or two wrapped around her finger and Beckett refuses to be anybody's backup. So now it's up to Starlet to prove that she's put her cowboy-crazy days behind her. Otherwise, she'll be singing solo instead of living in harmony with the man who's loved her even before her fame and fortune.

Deep in the Heart of Texas Series:

Add this Series to Goodreads Here

 

My Thoughts:

The Last Cowboy in Texas was a great story!  This was the first book that I've read in the Deep in the Heart of Texas Series by new-to-me-author Katie Lane.  Let's just say after this book, I want to go back and read the whole series!  The reason I decided to read this book in the first place was because of the sexy looking book cover, the synopsis, and I heard that it could be read as a standalone.  While I agree that, yes it can be read as a standalone, I would say that for the main characters this works.  Whereas, when it comes to the secondary characters, I felt a bit lost at times keeping track of who was who, and knowing their stories.

The Last Cowboy in Texas focuses on Star Bentley and the youngest Cates' Brother, Beckett.  Before Star was the beautiful and famous sweetheart of country music, she was an ordinary girl, with a huge crush on Beau Cates.  Beckett was a scrawny, and nerdy guy at the time that didn't hold a candle to Beau.  Now, many years later, Beck is a filled out, sexy, ex-marine, who Star doesn't recognize at first glance.  

Beck gets pulled in to protecting Star by his sister Brianne (Star's best friend,) when it becomes evident that she is in danger.  Star and Beck end up having a push-pull dynamic when the both realize that they have an intense attraction and chemistry with one another.  Yet, Beck has always thought that Star isn't genuine and knows how to manipulate others, while Star never understood why Beck didn't like her.  Will these two be able to sort their feelings for one another before misunderstandings and miscommunications end their chance for something serious?

The Last Cowboy in Texas was filled with action, suspense, humor, and chemistry between the two main characters.  Star and Beck shared some very hot chemistry.  There is a certain fan scene that was scorching hot!!!  The townspeople added a fun dynamic to the story with their gossip, goof-ups, secrets, and kinship.  Some of my favorite secondary characters were Brianne and her husband Dusty, and Beck's oldest brother, Brant.  The ending to the story was very sweet and romantic.  I loved the way the Epilogue brought all of the characters in the series together.  

My Rating:

I give, The Last Cowboy in Texas, by Katie Lane, 4 Addictive, Fun, Fast-Paced, Funny, and Sexy-Sweet Stars!!!  I am adding this whole series to my TBR!  

Book Teaser:

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks 

About Katie Lane:

Katie Lane’s interest in romance was sparked in high school in the backseat of a ‘65 mustang—okay, so maybe it wasn’t romance as much as raging teenage hormones. Still, coupled with a wild imagination, those make-out sessions inspired many a steamy storyline along with a strong belief that true love does prevail. Katie lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with the owner of that mustang and is the bestselling author of the Deep in the Heart of Texas series.

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Release Promo Blitz & Giveaway : My Beloved (Thin Love, #1.5) by Eden Butler

My Beloved

Thin Love, #1.5
by Eden Butler

Released:
December 8th, 2014

Source:
Author

Synopsis:

Keira Riley was the girl Kona Hale loved first, the woman he wants to love last. They’ve battled addiction, forgiven betrayal and healed from heartache, coming through it all bruised but hopeful that their future will be limitless. 

Kona Hale was a blinding flame that Keira Riley gladly burned inside—his touch, his kiss, his overwhelming love, all made her dizzy, desperate and desired, made her believe in a love worth bleeding for, a love that ignites the heart with an unquenchable flame. But when you fall in love with an NFL darling who can’t seem to let go of the spotlight, sometimes even that flame can be gutted by the buffeting winds of opportunity, can be lost behind the brilliant flash of fame. 

As Keira and Kona get caught up in plans for an extravagant march down the aisle, the hard won sanctuary they've found in each other's arms begins to erode. Will they be able to see through all the beckoning glitz and glamour to what they have worked so hard to build together, or will their love be lost in the spotlight? 

MY BELOVED is a novella set prior to the THIN LOVE epilogue. 

Buy links for My Beloved:

Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords

Thank you for stopping by A Bookish Escape! You can follow the rest of the My Beloved Blog Tour HERE!

Blog Tour Hosted by:

As The Pages Turn

Thin Love Series on Goodreads

 Buy links for My Beloved:
Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords

My review of Thin Love HERE

Excerpt:

“Wildcat, they don’t care.” He pulled at her chin when she jerked away from his kiss. “They’ll be so fucking jealous that I’m up here with you and this tight body, doing things to you that should be illegal.” 

“No, they’ll tease me and talk about me behind my back anytime they are around me.” 

“And? That’s what family does.” Kona slid closer, moving his hand off Keira’s wrist and down her thigh until he grabbed the swell of her ass. “Family teases.” Kona pulled her leg over his hip and Keira closed her eyes, relishing the hard outline of his dick as he moved against her. “Family rides you hard sometimes,” he said, moving his hips down, so that thick, hot outline met the wet heat between her legs. The smile left his face and he looked down at her, eyebrows up as though surprised. “You wet for me, baby? Already? I’m barely touching you.” 

Keira grabbed Kona’s face, directing him to her lips. “Stop talking, jackass.” Then a low grunt left Keira’s throat when Kona cupped her, slipping his fingers under her panties to barely touch her, fingertips light on her wet skin. “Not…not fair.” 

“Stop calling me a jackass.” He got two fingers inside her and then Kona took over the kiss. He tugged and pulled, his movements a little sloppy, a bit addled by the beer, but even Kona comatose would know how to touch Keira, could keep her silent and busy with the slightest touch. “You still want me? Just me? You still my girl, Wildcat?” 

Keira kissed him deeper, let her tongue rub against his. Kona always did this when he drank. Those tiny little insecurities surfaced with just a few drinks, but Keira never minded it. She thought it was sweet, that after all this time, Kona still needed reassurances. 

“Only yours, bebe.” 

The noise that came from his throat was primal, deep and Kona moved his fingers faster, hit deeper inside her. “Then open up for me. Take all of me, baby.” 

He didn’t have to ask twice. 

Kona wasn’t drunk, just buzzed enough that his movements became eager, aggressive and Keira loved it. He was all male and muscle, sweat and heat when he was like this. Every grab he made on her, every hasty tug against her nipples, on her hair, just made Keira wetter, wanting Kona just like this, raw and anxious and so damn desperate to be inside her. 

She barely had his shorts down and her shirt tossed on the floor before Kona was inside her, hands on her hips, eyes down as he watched their bodies coming together. “I fucking love this, baby. The way you wrap around me, how hot you make my dick feel when I’m inside you.” Keira squeezed around him, trying to hold him still inside her and Kona closed his eyes, twisting his head as though he could only just manage the sensation of her body. “Fuck, I love you.” 

“Show me.” 

Then Keira couldn’t speak, could barely breathe as Kona moved his hands under her, cupping her butt to push harder into her. It wouldn’t be long, but Keira didn’t care. Buzzed sex was still amazing sex with Kona and she held onto him, relaxing her center, widening her muscles so Kona went deep, so she could feel every demanding stroke, every urgent thrust. 

She watched his shoulders tremble, the wide, beautiful expanse of bone and muscle silhouetted against the moonlight coming through the glass door and Keira touched his face, slowing Kona’s movements until he leaned his forehead against hers, his breath heavy on her skin. “I’m not gonna pull out. I can’t. This is too good, baby. You feel too good and I want you to feel everything I’m giving you.” 

Keira didn’t care about being cautious. She would marry Kona at the end of the week and she could think of worse things than having another of his babies. Right then, all she wanted was his hot breath on her mouth, his tight, hard grip against her hips and the delicious sensation of her core clenching, humming her closer and closer toward climax. 

“Do it,” she told him, drunk on his touch, on the taste and feel of it. “Oh God, Kona…harder, please.”


He always did what she asked, especially when she said please. And he obeyed, just then, working harder, faster to bring her over the edge of oblivion, chasing after her to his just seconds later. Afterwards, they lay silent, content for minutes, it could have been hours, turned toward each other, fingers against damp skin, breath mingling. Keira wanted this to last, to run from anything that would take them from that moment. 

“You were mad today, weren’t you?” 

She hadn’t expected his question, thought it was odd that Kona was mentioning their arrival after the past half hour that should have left them blissful and ignorant to anything but the touch of skin on skin. 

“I don’t like photographers.” 

“Baby, no one likes those assholes.” He lifted on his elbow, moving Keira’s hair off her forehead. “I know you hate all that shit.” 

“I have to deal with it. It’s your world. I’m a part of that now, right?” 

“No. You are my world. All that other stuff is business, it’s work. You’re my home, baby. You’re all that matters.” 

“I’ll adjust.” 

“I don’t want you adjusting.” Kona pulled her so close that their hips met and he could wrap his massive, tattooed arm around her waist. “I want you happy. I want to make you happy.” 

“You do, sweetie. I am happy.” 

“You’d tell if you weren’t, right?” 

Keira had seen Kona with his family that afternoon. She’d heard how loud and easy his laughter was, how he seemed settled, at peace. She didn’t care about photographers or resorts or a big wedding full of people she didn’t know. But this place, this island centered him, filled him up and the people Kona loved most wanted to celebrate with them. They wanted to honor the life they’d started together all those years before; the life that Keira once thought she would never have with Kona. 

She watched his features, the low slope of his nose, the way his full lips bent behind his teeth, as though he expected her to disappoint him, to tell him to forget everything he’d been planning the past two days. But she couldn’t do it. She wouldn’t take this from him. 

“I’d tell you if I wasn’t happy, Kona.” She kissed him, felt his body relax as she deepened the kiss. “You make me happy. You always have.” Keira felt those large, long fingers tighten on her waist, that massive hand slip low on her back and she inhaled, smiling against Kona’s mouth at the smell of his skin and sound of his pleased moan. 

“I’ll keep you happy, Wildcat.” He rolled on top of her, ready for her once again, pushing her legs apart with his knee. “Let me show you how.”

Review:

I first discovered Eden Butler when I read her debut novel, Chasing Serenity. From that moment, I have devoured every single book she has written. Her writing style is captivating and her characters are simply irresistible!

When I read Thin Love, which is the first book in her Thin Love series, I fell in love with Kona and his ''Wildcat''. These two characters together are FIRE! They are intense and their journey to finding their way back to each other was a page-turning reading escape! When I heard that they were getting a novella, I was extremely happy! 

In My Beloved, we get to read what really happened before Keira and Kona tied the knot. They travel to paradise to start their HEA, but trouble is lurking in the shadows for the happy couple. Kona's popularity steals the spotlight and Keira is feeling it big time! She loves Kona with all her heart and soul, but she has limits when it comes to their private life. Those limits are about to get tested when lies and secrets stars causing trouble for their relationship.

I really enjoyed this novella! Many times, after I finish reading a book, I want more of the characters and their story. It's not often that I get to see what happens before or after their HEA. It's such a precious gift to us readers! Planning a wedding is already stressful. Add in the extra stress of a popular fiancé's career and old insecurities coming back to haunt you, and you have a mega stressful journey down the aisle! Keira and Kona have been through a lot to find their HEA, and in My Beloved, we can see how strong their love is for each other. They have made mistakes in the past, and are still making some, but the thing about making mistakes is that you LEARN from them. It's easy to relate to their story and what they are living. Their passionate love story gets a well-deserved HEA.

In this book, we also get to know Ramson, which is Keira and Kona's son, a bit better. I'm so happy we got some more scenes with him. At the end of this novella we get a little surprise that totally made my day! I can't wait to read about his journey! 

Rating:

I give, My Beloved, by Eden Butler 4.5 ardent, sexy, love-conquers-all stars!

Teasers:

Giveaway:

Eden is offering up (2) $20 gift cards for either Amazon or B&N, winner's choice. 

They are open internationally. 

Giveaway ends December 13th at 11:59 PM CST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Eden Butler is an editor and writer of New Adult Romance and SciFi and Fantasy novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum. Her debut novel, a New Adult, Contemporary (no cliffie) Romance, “Chasing Serenity” launched in October 2013 and quickly became an Amazon bestseller. 

When she’s not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden edits, reads and spends way too much time watching rugby, Doctor Who and New Orleans Saints football. She is currently imprisoned under teenage rule alongside her husband in southeast Louisiana. Please send help. 

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