Title : Sex, Secrets and Happily Ever Afters

Author : Deb Julienne

Series : The Twisted Sisters Club #2

Rating : 4 Stars

Blurb : Angel Talbot is anything but pure—in fact some might even consider her a bit wicked. How else would you describe the manager of an ‘adults only’ store that specializes in helping ladies find that special O. But Angel could use a hand herself. Or two. That is until she stumbles into sexy businessman Travis Wellington.When the Wellington Family had a problem, they sent Travis to fix it. Being the CEO of his family’s multi-million dollar enterprise means Travis is used to getting his hands dirty. But the pressure of looking out for the company, along with his family’s well-being was beginning to take its toll . . . until he found his Angel…

Review : This book is the second book of the Twisted Sisters Club series that will be published August 4th 2015. After reading I can say that even without reading the first book of this series, this one can be read as a stand-alone which is very surprising, refreshing and different.

After reading the blurb, I was exited to find out who Angel really is as I never have read a book including such a female protagonist. What I got as a reader is a book filled with romance, drama and hilarious scenes which made me feel all sorts of emotions. Travis and Angel make a great couple as they both definetly can fill this novel with their thoughts and actions. The only thing I would critizise is the fact that in some situations, Angel’s reactions are kind of frustrating which is in general not bad, but in this case sometimes just too much. If you need a book which sets you on fire, this is the book you are searching for!

> > > I have received this book as an ARC from the publisher. < < < > > > In exchange, I promised an honest review. < < <

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Claimed

Sarah Fine

Servants of Fate Book 2

4 Stars

Galena Margolis, a brilliant scientist with a tragic past, is determined to fulfill her destiny and develop the vaccine that could save millions. Yet when Galena’s test subjects meet with foul play, it’s clear that someone is still determined to stop her, and that Galena herself is a target. As the Ferry empire forges a plan to keep her safe, Declan Ferry, the politics-hating black sheep of the family, steps forward to protect her—but the emotional cost may be more than either of them is willing to pay.As unknown enemies close in, it becomes terrifyingly clear that they threaten to destroy not only Galena’s lifesaving work but also the very fabric of fate. As Galena and Declan race to uncover the traitor, they also forge a special bond that could save both Galena and those she’s sworn to help. Torn apart by the past and hunted by those she trusted, can Galena find room amidst her fears for a passion that could make her stronger than ever? And even if she and Declan can find their way together, will it be enough to keep the future from coming apart at the seams?

It seems that the “dystopian” view on the world really is one of the few book style (together with historic novels) that I have to be very careful in choosing. I just finished Sarah Fine’s “Servants of Fate” books – Marked, Claimed and Fated. Drawn in by the interesting plot I started reading but felt it hard to connect to the characters. While the writing is good and flawless, I somehow could not understand certain parts of this world that Ms. Fines drew for the readers. I am not sure what the reason is that it is easy for me to follow a book with a paranormal creature in a contemporary setting , yet so very hard to imagine anything in a dystopian setting.Still the plot kept me going and finishing and Fans of Dystopian worlds will surely truly love this book I believe. So please do not hesitate to read this book if you’re a Fan as the writing and storyline is very good.

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Marked

Sarah Fine

Servants of Fate Book 1

4 Stars

In a broken landscape carved by environmental collapse, Boston paramedic Cacia Ferry risks life and limb on the front lines of a fragile and dangerous city. What most don’t know—including her sexy new partner, Eli Margolis—is that while Cacy works to save lives, she has another job ferrying the dead to the Afterlife. Once humans are “Marked” by Fate, the powerful Ferrys are called to escort the vulnerable souls to either eternal bliss or unending fire and pain.Unaware of Cacy’s other life, Eli finds himself as mesmerized by his fierce and beautiful partner as he is mistrustful of the influential Ferry clan led by the Charon—who happens to be Cacy’s father. Cacy, in turn, can no longer deny her intense attraction to the mysterious ex-Ranger with a haunted past. But just as their relationship heats up, an apparent hit takes the Charon before his time. Shaken to the core, Cacy pursues the rogue element who has seized the reins of fate, only to discover that Eli has a devastating secret of his own. Not knowing whom to trust, what will Cacy have to sacrifice to protect Eli—and to make sure humanity’s future is secure?

It seems that the “dystopian” view on the world really is one of the few book style (together with historic novels) that I have to be very careful in choosing. I just finished Sarah Fine’s “Servants of Fate” books – Marked, Claimed and Fated. Drawn in by the interesting plot I started reading but felt it hard to connect to the characters. While the writing is good and flawless, I somehow could not understand certain parts of this world that Ms. Fines drew for the readers. I am not sure what the reason is that it is easy for me to follow a book with a paranormal creature in a contemporary setting , yet so very hard to imagine anything in a dystopian setting.Still the plot kept me going and finishing and Fans of Dystopian worlds will surely truly love this book I believe. So please do not hesitate to read this book if you’re a Fan as the writing and storyline is very good.

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Breaking Out: Part II by Michelle Diener (Part 1 included)

Michelle Diener

Breaking Out, #1 and Breaking Out, #2

4 Stars

Blurb :

Part 1:Kelli Barrack has spent the last three years imprisoned in Dr. Greenway’s facility plotting her escape, but when her chance comes one Halloween evening, it’s in a way she never expected.Nate Halliway is being removed from the facility, but he refuses to go without his special forces team-mate, Giles. When his resistance lands him in Kelli’s cell, they both get a chance for freedom, a chance they take with both hands.But as Giles, Nate and Kelli fight their way out, Kelli discovers that the most insidious danger to her freedom might lie within her, rather than in the small army out to stop them. Part 2: Kelli, Nate and Giles know what it is to be imprisoned. They spent years locked away in a secret research lab. But now they’re free, and they stole something important just before they escaped – a list of others like themselves, sent to other facilities for further experimentation.Their plan? To break out every single one.Nina Calvados has been in a new facility for four months. She’s kept a low profile, been careful to be cooperative and helpful. And so far, she’s been mostly left alone. So when two other inmates appeal to her for help, her heart may want to oblige but her head is screaming walk away.Only, something bad is going down, and Nina realizes she’s been fooling herself. No one’s bought her low profile act. And if she’s going to crash, she might as well crash hard. After all, it’s not as if anyone’s coming for her, is it?

Books like Breaking Out: Part I & Part II by Michelle Diener make me kind of angry, which is why this Book is only getting 4 stars. Strange reasoning you think ? well as always I was reluctant to try this short story for my personal reasons, that are mainly located in the lacking depth of the characters in short stories or the missing parts of background story. So usually I already know I will find them lacking in those departments, but as there is nothing more to add to those stories they usually work in some way or another. Then you stumble across a story like this, and yes there is a lot of the background missing as expected and yes the characters are lacking in depth BUT this has so much potential this could be a series of novels. I feel like the author is teasing me with a huge writing potential only to leave me standing in the rain. And this makes me kind of angry as I truly believe the author should reevaluate the potential of this story to create more out of it. I think that in a certain way she already understood the readers need as she created Part 2 but I believe her readers will want more.

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Title : From Dust

Author : Freya Barker

N/A

5 Stars

Pain punished her.The bottle numbed her.Guilt kept her trapped.In the dark alley of a pub, the words “Please don’t” take hold of her heart and break the silence she seeks. Thinking herself beyond redemption, she tentatively grabs on to the slim thread of hope that unfolds inside of her.Holding her secrets close, she can’t resist the comforting draw coming from The Skipper. The unconditional friendships it offers, the protective roof it provides, and the spark that its owner ignites in her—melting the frost off her heart, and slowly stripping away her resistance.His life flows from one crisis to the next. Under the pressure of competition crowding him out of his family’s pub and the need to protect his children from the ruins of a bad marriage, he barely breathes. That is until a mane of strawberry-blonde hair and a set of big, pale blue eyes, shake him up.He never expected the shadow of a woman he finds on the floor of his washroom to bring him the air―the balance and the light he’s been missing.

“From Dust” by Freya Barker is one of those special books. One of those whose plotline and characters remain with you for days after you finished it. I loved the plot and the writing is solid. The characters are deep and I could feel for and with them every step along the way. Yes – maybe the storyline is predictable in some ways – BUT it is beautifully told and I really look forward to read more from this author. I encourage you to read this book and judge for yourself

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Title : Maid for the Rock Star

Author :Demelza Carlton

Series : Romance Island Resort, #1

Rating : 4 Stars

Blurb : A maid at the exclusive Romance Island Resort, Audra knows how to handle rock stars, billionaires and celebrities. She keeps their secrets, cleans up their mess and makes sure their holiday is a memorable one. There’s just one rule: no relationships with guests. And Audra never breaks the rules. Jay Felix is rock royalty and he knows it. When one of his bandmates threatens to break up the band, he goes into hiding at the Romance Island Resort. Looking for a distraction, he sets his sights on the unattainable Audra. But what’s a rock star to do when the girl he wants is the one woman he can’t have? Welcome to paradise, where the romance is as hot as the weather and the tides aren’t all that’s surging beneath the surface.

Review : “Maid for the Rock Star” by Demelza Carlton takes place in a real beautiful setting. The author describes the surroundings wonderfully so that the reader is able to dive into the story and feel at home. Also the writing is solid and the story flows at a steady pace.

All main characters have enough depth to feel believable and real to the reader. At least if the reader is expecting a rock star to be a little “full of himself”. I really liked the funny and witty dialogues between Audra and Jay. But I must admit that at times the behavior of Jay was following a little “too much” the cliché of a spoiled rich guy.

But still in total I can recommend this book as a real nice summer & beach read.

> > > I have received this book as an ARC from the publisher. < < < > > > In exchange, I promised an honest review. < < <

Playing the Player

Lisa Brown Roberts

N/A

Stars

The Good Girl Vs. The PlayerRound one begins…Trina Clemons needed the money. Why else would she – the most organized, prepared student in school – spend the summer as a nanny and partner with the biggest slacker ever? Now she’s ready to tackle nannyhood with her big binder of research and schedules. Just don’t ask her about the secret job of “fixing” the bad habits of a certain high school player…Slade Edmunds prefers easy hook-ups, and Trina is definitely not his type. She’s all structure and rules, while Slade wants to just have fun. Fortunately, Trina has no idea about the bet Slade made with his best friend that he can totally get her to unwind by the end of summer…Then the weirdest thing happens. There’s chemistry. A lot of it. But nothing gets between a boy and a girl like a big, fat secret…

This book was different than I expected it to be! It’s difficult to describe what it is that makes this story so special, but I can guarantee you- it totally sucked me in! At the beginning I wasn’t sure as it felt like a nice read, but I also wasn’t impressed by it. Up to this point it was nothing I haven’t read before. But Up from the middle to the end, it felt like there was a spell surrounding me. A spell caused by characters who are special, and strong and so individual-seeing them develope was the best part. The story itself was very good, also the story line who was filled with “things to work with” all the time. But the characters….they are what makes this book so special in my opinion. And I am not only talking about Trina or Slade- I am also talking about the children, Gilly and Max, who just fit perfectly into the story. Seeing not only Slade and Trina, but also the children interacting with each other was something I have not seen this way before in other books. Of course I had some thoughts about things that are not done in a way I would have suggested them. But after some time you just have to beliebe in Slade’s advice “to go with the flow”. That’s what I did – and it was a damn good flow….

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Title : Brave

Author : Natalie Gayle

Series : Oni Fighters Book 1

Rating : 5 Stars

Blurb :

A moment in time, that’s all it took. Beauty, pain and tragedy.

Xander “Pretty Boy” Todd was a demon in the ring. A professional MMA fighter with a career that had the world a buzz—but now it’s gone. Or is it?

Eden Sommers had her dreams of an international modelling career within her grasp—and lost it. Gone within a few seconds, leaving nothing but pain.

How do you go on, when the one thing that defines you is suddenly ripped away—only to leave scars and a hollow shell in its place? Has the beauty gone forever? Or has it just retreated—to now be hidden, and dormant; guarded by the inner demons?

Can these two wounded souls find the inner strength to fight back the demons together and find the beauty in their lives once again?

To do this, they must first accept—The hardest demons to defeat are the ones inside. They’ll have to be BRAVE.

Review : I already read several “fighter” novels so far and I must admit all of them are compared in my mind to my most favorite one, which is “Real” by Katy Evans.

I like those slightly damaged but very lovable characters. If they are dark – even better -.Which brings me to my most obvious and somehow only negative point.

The cover of the book somehow hints to something dark but … honestly… Xander is as far from dark as can be. So for me it was kind of misleading.

That is about all that is there to say on the negative side.

Further than that (as I will not spoiler anything) – I can only say this novel was a surprise.

I liked that Xander was very unexpected to me – so different and so much more than the cliché MMA fighter. His title fit’s him just fine (AND no – I do not mean the “Pretty Boy”), the way he was described to the reader made me almost pay respect to him while reading.

And “Gem” was …well… I don’t know how to describe her. She was so strong – she just needed someone to hold up a mirror to show her who she was.

It was a great start for a new series and could easy spot some possible supporting characters that I would like to see in the next book. That is me looking at Dane and at “Gem”s best friend. REALLY looking forward to the next book.

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To Be His

Terri L. Austin

Beauty and the Brit

4 Stars

A companion novella to the RT Reviewer’s Choice Nominee His Every Need, told from the hero’s POVI didn’t amass an empire without taking risks, but I’m not a complete arse. So yes, when I offered to trade Allie Campbell three months as my mistress for her family home, it was a joke. Only thing is, she wasn’t laughing…and she bloody well took me up on it.Well, all right then; I could play that game. I figured I’d take her on, we’d have some fun, and in three months, she’d walk away with her family intact and I could get back to what I do best: making money.But I’d made one mistake along the way. I stupidly assumed that after having her, I could walk away. I was wrong. I don’t know how long this feeling—this consuming need—will last, but I’m not ready to let her go.Not now. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

“To Be His” by Terri L. Austin is an companion novella to the Beauty and the Brit series. It is a well-written nice and short read. The storyline covers everything and more – from romance to drama. On the plus side – it does not suffer from the problems other short stories have, as you can always refer to the series for more On the minus side – you have to refer to the series now – as you will want more :- )The characters have great chemistry and the writing is good, so therefore it will not be a hardship to read the series – enjoy

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Title : The Guilty One

Author : Sophie Littlefield

Series : N/A

Rating : 3 Stars

Blurb : A man stands on the Golden Gate Bridge, poised to jump…if a woman on the other end of the phone tells him to. Maris’s safe suburban world was shattered the day her daughter was found murdered, presumably at the hands of the young woman’s boyfriend. Her marriage crumbling, her routine shattered, Maris walks away from her pampered life as a Bay Area mom the day she receives a call from Ron, father of her daughter’s killer. Wracked with guilt over his son’s actions (and his own possible contribution to them), he asks Maris a single question: should he jump? With a man’s life in her hands, Maris must decide, perhaps for the first time, what she truly wants. Retribution? Forgiveness? Or something more? Having lost everything, she’s finally free to recreate herself without the confining labels of “wife,” “mother,” or “mourner.” But will this shocking offer free her, or destroy her?

Review : After reading the blurb of the book I was thrilled to read this book! Normally I wouldn’t have read this kind of book as it sounds, for me, too much like a “thriller”, some kind of book during which the characters have to find out what happened and who did what…. But I wanted to find out how Sophie Littlefield handled the plot, so I started reading. In general I enjoyed reading. I just didn’t expect what I at the end got compared with what is written in the blurb. I expected more kind of deeper characters as the general plot is about a woman who has lost her child. Confronted with the murderer, she just has to show all these different kind of emotional reactions. But that wasn’t the case in my opinion. Because of the characters which could be described in a deeper way, it was difficult to connect with the story at all-a story which definetly includes a very interesting and unique story line which could have been the basis for a fantastic book. Even then I liked the story because it was obvious what the author wanted to express- I guess, it just doesn’t become obvious the right way…. I will for sure try another book written by this author.

> > > I have received this book as an ARC from the publisher. < < < > > > In exchange, I promised an honest review .< < <