Review: Sylvia Day – Bared to You

Crossfire Series:

Book 1:

Bared to You: Eva Tramell and Gideon Cross

Purchase on Amazon: Sylvia Day – Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel

Summary:

From goodreads.com

Our journey began in fire… Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness-beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I’d never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily… Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other’s most private wounds… and desires. The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn’t tear us apart…

Review:

From the moment Eva and Gideon met the chemistry was explosive! Their attraction scorched from the pages, but like two moths to a flame their attraction was not without the burn.

This is possibly one of the most tumultuous relationships I have ever read about. From the moment they met it was hot and well hot, but they pushed and pulled at each other. One moment in a passionate embrace the next minute they are in full argument mode. This should have annoyed the crap out of me and if it had been any other book with any other characters it probably would have. But these two, are so engaging and so absorbing that you just roll with it. Eva and Gideon suck you in from the first pages; they grip you and just do not let you go, much like their relationship with each other. From the beginning of this book to the end of the book it only lapses about 2, 3 weeks top but you feel like you just lived a year with these two, it’s that intense.

Eva and Gideon are two of the most damaged characters I have encountered. They are both so emotionally scarred from their childhood traumas you don’t know if they will be able to overcome these huge emotional hang ups but damn you want them too. Both are extremely jealous and possessive of each other and have no idea how to function in a normal healthy relationship. The minute they seem to find a groove something happens to tear them apart. I think what keeps the reader from going crazy as these two are trying to find their way is just knowing how damaged they really are but how hard they are trying to overcome the baggage that they both carry. The odds are so stacked against them, you as the reader have little hope for them, but what shred of hope you do have burns brightly.

Despite his baggage Gideon seems to understand Eva to depths that I don’t think Eva even understands. He seems to know when he needs to push her sexually and when she needs touch, which is often when it’s Gideon. Eva is perhaps one of the few people that can actually handle Gideon when he is being himself (which he can only do with her), she understands the depths of his torment and doesn’t give up on him emotionally. As these two are tearing into each other, it also seems to help to bring down more of their barriers. Each time Gideon pushes Eva away or F’s up and Eva runs, they come back to each other and somehow manage to talk it out and bare a little more of their souls.

One of the most predominate side characters is Carey, Eva’s best friend who is just as emotionally scarred as Eva and Gideon. He is a warm funny character that you will fall in love with and he adds to this book.

This book is also quite a funny book, I found myself laughing at unexpected times and I LOVE to laugh. One of the lines of the year was at the beginning of this book.

“Listen to yourself. Why even call it a F (censored lol)? Why not be clear and call it a seminal emission in a preapproved orifice?”  I laughed my arse off when I read it. It’s better in the whole context but that should give you an idea.

This book is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, one roller coaster you should not miss.

Rating: 4.5 Orchids

ARC Review: Christine d’Abo – Calling the Shots

Long Shots Series:

Book 4:

Calling the Shots: Josh Scott, Beth Norris and Oliver Stephenson

Order on Amazon: Christine D’Abo – Calling the Shots (Long Shots)

Release Date: October 8^th, 2012

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

He’s had a wild ride, and now sex club owner Josh Scott is looking for a change of scene. But first, he’s determined to bring two friends together, and he’s willing to be a third wheel to move things along…

Beth Norris is eager to be set up with hot bartender Oliver Stephenson, but she’s equally attracted to matchmaker Josh. Soon she’s fantasizing about both men at once—and about being the one to call the shots in the encounter…

Ready to move on with his life post-divorce, Oliver is conflicted by the realization that he’s attracted to women and men. Or more specifically, to Beth and Josh. He tries to keep his distance, but it’s not long before the chemistry between the trio combusts in a night of mind-blowing sex.

In the light of day, it’s clear something deeper than desire is growing between Josh, Beth and Oliver. But though Josh has helped others find love in unconventional relationships, is he willing to take a chance on one himself?

Review:

I love this series, I love the characters, and they make this series what it is. Sure the sex is hot, but without good characters or story, it’s just that hot sex with no substance. I had been waiting for Josh’s story, I liked him in the previous books and wanted him to have a HEA (Happily Ever After). What I didn’t expect to happen was to like the other characters as much if not more than Josh.

I loved how all three interacted with each other, the push pull of attraction between them as well as Beth and Oliver exploring new heights in their sexuality made for an endearing and entertaining story. Beth is a complete sweetheart, she will do anything for the people she cares about and that includes Oliver and Josh, but she has a harsh past when it comes to relationships that has left her gun shy. Her ex Mitch had done a number over on her, leaving her self esteem lower then she would prefer. With Oliver and Josh she begins to find herself again, to start to believe in herself and her sexuality for the first time in a long time. I loved how she could navigate between the needs of Josh as well as Oliver, she made a perfect foil for the two. For me she was kind of the glue that brought them together. I think that Josh was supposed to be, but without Beth none of it would have worked. She was such a great character I don’t think anyone could hate her as our heroine.

Although, I loved both Beth and Josh it was Oliver that ended up intriguing me the most, which is surprising. Usually, I go for the more dominate male. Oliver is surprisingly more submissive. He genuinely likes to do whatever he needs to make his partner happy. He’s a giver! What I think drew me to Oliver was his vulnerability, he is getting out of a marriage that burned him… bad! She cheated and stole all of his money. To say his self esteem is in the gutter is an understatement. For me it’s Oliver that kind of has to get over the most, although, Josh is pretty damaged as well. Oliver not only has to get over his failed marriage, but come to terms with being a submissive as well deal with these new found feeling towards a male. He has always been straight and has never really looked at a man before.. until Josh. I liked to see how Oliver dealt with everything and by the end he was stronger, more confident, a man comfortable in his own skin and that is irresistible to me.

Josh, oh Josh, how you can dish but can’t take, oh how you preach but don’t take your own sermons. Of the three I think Josh had the hardest problems with the feelings that threaten to overwhelm him. He is confused and doesn’t know what steps to take even though he is the one with the most experience. Hardships from his teenage years have shaped Josh into what he is today, but he never truly dealt with the issues. He’s basically been skating by with a façade in place. His loneliness is tangible and it makes your heart ache for him. You would think that Josh would be the one that would keep them all together but it is Josh that tears them all apart.

Aside from the sexual play in this book which is scorching, there is actually a bit of a mystery added to the plot line. There is a person or group that has been going around and vandalizing clubs in the area but it is Mavericks that seems to be targeted the most frequently and the vandalization escalates threatening everything that Josh has built up over the years.

I just wanted to touch on the BDSM factor in this book or the non-factor. I would say the actual BDSM in this book is so light that I wouldn’t even necessarily say this book fits into that classification. Yes, Josh is considered a Dom, as he likes to be in control but there is very little to no bondage or sadist/masochistic behaviors in this book. Oliver takes a spanking but that is about it. So if you are a little skeptical about BDSM this might be a good entry level book for you.

*This book was provided to me through NetGalley for an honest review. No other compensation was provided.

Rating: 4.5 Orchids

Review: Jolyn Palliata – Connected

Twists of Fate:

Book 1:

Connected: Addison Calomino and Rhys Alexander

Order on Amazon: Jolyn Palliata – Connected (Twists of Fate)

Summary:

From goodreads.com

A rock group’s rhythm guitarist, Rhys Alexander, dies and finds himself bound inside the body of a woman he’s never met. Can she help him move on to the other side, or will he end up finding the love of his life…after his has already ended?

Review:

I am so glad I didn’t read the summary before I read this book, otherwise I may not have read this title. I picked this book up on Amazon purely from a recommendation of a Goodreads friend.  She had seen that I liked the Sinners on Tour by Olivia Cunning and told me I would love this title too and she was right! I did!

From the beginning you are sucked into the story. We start out in a haze where Addison’s energy meets Rhys’s energy in the afterlife. Rhys not wanting to be left behind grabs onto Addison’s energy as she leaves the haze and she takes his essence or soul back with her into life, well her into life, and him as a voice or essence in her head. Addison wakes up from surgery finding out that she had died and has a voice in her head. Of course she thinks she is going crazy, it takes Rhys a little while to convince her otherwise but once she is on the same page as him they really get entertaining.

Rhys is a total smarta$$, his comments will have you cracking up. Addison in the past wouldn’t have kept up, but something about Rhys allows her to let go and give as good as she gets. Being in each other’s head leaves little room for shyness and secrets so they get past normal boundaries really quickly. After a little while they learn to block each other but they mostly remain open to each other. This forced intimacy causes feeling to develop between these two that they have no business developing. Rhys is certain he is dead, so he doesn’t have a life to give Addison, but that doesn’t seem to matter.

We quickly find out that Rhys is actually a famous guitarist and a popular band, which adds a fun rock and roll vibe to this tale. I love when Rhys sings to Addison to help her sleep. When Addison is researching Rhys’s death for him, they find that his brother Xavier is planning on ending the band. This gets Rhys’s really upset, he knows that the band is his brother’s life and it would kill him to not have his music any longer. Rhys realizes that his brother is his “unfinished business” and sets Addison on Xavier to convince him to keep the band together. We meet Xavier and his heartache for his departed brother is tangible.

Towards the end of the book, I was literally crying! Addison and Rhys had me so tied up that I was moved to tears. This doesn’t happen often but when it does it shows me how much I had come to care about the characters and story. I am so glad I gave this story a try and I cannot wait for the next in the series. I hope that it comes soon and we aren’t left hanging.

Rating: 5 orchids

*this review can also be viewed on my other blog www.paranormalromancenovel.com .

Review: Kit Rocha – Beyond Shame

Beyond Series:

Book 1:

Beyond Shame: Noelle Cunningham and Jasper McCray

Purchase on Amazon:

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

All Noelle Cunningham has ever wanted is a life beyond–beyond the walls of Eden, where only the righteous are allowed to remain, and beyond her stiflingly restrictive existence as a councilman’s daughter. But only ruins lie outside the City, remnants of a society destroyed by solar storms decades earlier.

The sectors surrounding Eden house the corrupt, the criminal–men like Jasper McCray, bootlegger and cage fighter. Jas clawed his way up from nothing to stand at the right hand of Sector Four’s ruthless leader, and he’ll defend the O’Kane gang with his life. But no fight ever prepared him for the exiled City girl who falls at his feet.

Her innocence is undeniable, but so is their intense sexual attraction, and soon they’re crossing every boundary Noelle barely knew she had. But if she wants to belong to Jas, first she’ll have to open herself to the gang, to a dangerous world of sex, lust and violence. A world where passion is power, and freedom is found in submission

Review:

Kit Roche is actually the pen name of two best friends that are more popularly known as Moira Rogers.

So originally I had given this book a 4 star review but as the days passed, I realized just how much my mind returned to the story. It definitely captured my attention and held on. I read, a LOT, over 175 titles already this year, so when a title sticks out in my memory there is something extra with that book, something that deserves to be considered when rating or reviewing. It is so easy to like or love a book right after you finish it and you want to give it a 5 star, but so often that book fades and is mostly forgotten within a week or less or as soon as you pick up the next title. So when a book actually sticks out and lingers on the mind that’s something special not often found.

So at first I wasn’t sure if I’d like the erotica genre going dystopian, but I have to admit; I loved it! Having the dystopian angle I think added an edge to this book and allowed the authors to really build a whole new world where anything goes. Life in the sectors is nothing like life in the city. In the sectors survival is their way of life. The more carnal of pleasures can be found and the people live their lives to the fullest. Alcohol, touch, ink and your clan family (For Sector four it’s the O’Kane’s) are the cornerstones of life which is everything the City stands against. Noelle is from Eden which is the City, in Eden basically anything that is considered morally corrupt is a crime. There is no drinking, drugs, premarital sex and even looking up pre-flare content is illegal. People do not show affection, they barely even touch each other. They have basically made anything pleasurable illegal.

Noelle is STARVING for pleasure, she wants to touch and be touched, she wants to enjoy life, but her family is one of the elite and perfection is expected of her. She finds herself rebelling which gets her thrown out of Eden, it is in Sector Four where she finds her redemption in the arms of the man that caught her just as she fell. This book is mostly about Noelle finding herself as a person as well as her sexuality. Growing up so restricted she has no idea who she really is, but she wants to know and every day in Sector Four with the O’Kane’s she finds meaning to her life and a little more of who she is. She knows that there is no way she could have gone on in Eden, life there was slowly suffocating her. Her innate innocence is what draws Jasper to her, even when she is participating in the most carnal of pleasures; she still maintains her wide eyed innocence. As a newly minted member of the O’Kane’s she finds that she can become more then she ever thought possible, she knows her new family will have her back and will not judge her. More and more Noelle spreads her wings, but her teachings in Eden are hard to let go and even as her new feelings are wonderful to her there is still a sense of shame lingering.  Watching Noelle blossom into her new life is an amazing thing. With Jasper she starts to think that maybe a new life is possible, but outside forces may take her new found freedom or worse, her very life.

Jasper, is one of the most trusted members of the O’Kane clan. He has stood beside its leader Dallas from the beginning. When Jasper catches the fallen Noelle he brings her into the clan, after they find out who she is they know that she could be trouble, but Lex and Jasper take her under their wing despite the possible ramifications.  I enjoyed Jasper; he is an alpha male at its finest. He is a protector, dominate and is loyal to his family. When he takes in Noelle he accepts responsibility for her including helping her find herself, he pushes Noelle further then she has ever been taken before. He knows where to take her more then she knows herself, in his arms she is safe and protected. I don’t feel like I knew Jasper as well as I should have by the end of the book, however, he was still utterly delicious and I didn’t mind so much. As the violence in the sector increases, Jaspers protective instincts rear their head and he realizes that he may have to give up what he most wants in the world if he wants to keep it safe.

In this book the O’Kane family is everything, each member is featured in this book and plays a part in Noelle’s transformation. Each member also had a clear personality and you came to care about each member as much as the leading characters Noelle and Jasper. You are fully immersed in their lives and I for one can’t wait until the next book comes out. I am already awaiting it anxiously.

This book was provided to me through NetGalley for an honest review, no other compensation was provided.

Rating: 5 Orchids

ARC Review: Tiffany Reisz – The Angel

The Original Sinners Series:

Book 2:

The Angel: Nora Sutherlin, Soren, Griffin Fiske and Michael Dimir 

Purchase on Amazon: Tiffany Reisz – The Angel (Original Sinners)

Release Date: September 25, 2012

Summary:

No safe word can protect the heart Infamous erotica author and accomplished dominatrix Nora Sutherlin is doing something utterly out of character: hiding. While her longtime lover, Søren—whose fetishes, if exposed, would be his ruin—is under scrutiny pending a major promotion, Nora’s lying low and away from temptation in the lap of luxury.

Her host, the wealthy and uninhibited Griffin Fiske, is thrilled to have Nora stay at his country estate, especially once he meets her traveling companion. Young, inexperienced and angelically beautiful, Michael has become Nora’s protégé, and this summer with Griffin is going to be his training, where the hazing never ends.

But while her flesh is willing, Nora’s mind is wandering. To thoughts of Søren, her master, under investigation by a journalist with an ax to grind. And to another man from Nora’s past, whose hold on her is less bruising, but whose secrets are no less painful. It’s a summer that will prove the old adage: love hurts

Review:

This book takes place 13 months after the ending of The Siren. Nora and Sørenare back together and Wesley has returned home to the south. He still calls Nora weekly, but she never answers. Nora is incrediably happy to be back with her heart Søren, but thoughts of Wesley linger. Søren is up for a possible promotion, but if the truth of his life underground gets out, it can ruin everything. With that in mind, Nora and Michael must get gone for the summer while Søren handles his business.

For me this book was less about Nora, who still is the main character, but more about the journeys of Søren as well as Michael. If I just worried you, don’t be worried Nora is still the bulk of the book, but it was Michael’s story as well as Søren’s that captured me the most.

We get an in depth detailed look of Søren’s history. We go all the way back to some of his earliest memories. What you find here is nothing you would have ever expected, it is shocking and disturbing and really gives you perspective on the adult Søren. If you may not truly understand his lifestyle after his back story you can certainly begin to understand how he came to be the way he is. It becomes all that more shocking that Søren is as well adjusted and how he still has so much kindness and understanding in his heart. In the first book you keep hearing Nora say that Søren is amazing and the best man she knows, but you have a harder time believing it in that book, because of what he does to Nora behind closed doors. In this book, you truly do start to see how good of a person he really can be. Yes, he is a sadist, but there is so much more to him, and being a sadist he could have gone in a completely different direction that he ended up in. By the end of this book I was truly a Søren fan.

Michael, is a young masochist in the true sense. He is only 17, but he already knows that he craves pain. At 15 Michael tried to take his own life, his father had made him believe that there was something wrong with himself. Only Father S. and Nora have kept him from hurting himself since his attempted suicide. Now almost two years later he has graduated from high school and is off to college in the fall and has not once hurt himself, but the crowning moment of his young life was when Nora took his virginity (happened in book 1). Now because of Søren’s possible promotion he has to take off with Nora to train to be a submissive. Finally life is looking up for this young man. I enjoyed his interactions with Nora, but what really took me in was his interactions with Griffin. In this time we find Michael start to truly find himself. More and more he starts talking and interacting with people. Before the summer had started he didn’t talk to anyone, he was there but that’s all. With Nora and more so Griffin, he finds that it’s ok to be who he is. There is no judgement, no yelling, no calling him a freak, just calm acceptance. With Nora he can explore life as a submissive, with Griffin he finds that he can actually talk to other people even people as intimidating  as Griffin. I loved Michaels journey, I wish he could have been at least 18, 17 makes me feel a little pervy, but at least he was a HS grad. LOL

I loved Griffin! He just has an infectious attitude.  He is free spirited and doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He loves life and it shows. He freely shares his enthusiasm for life and affections. Nora is one of his best friends and is openly affectionate towards her, but he finds a growing friendship with Michael as well. He helps to bring Michael out of his shell. I feel like I should also note that Griffin is also very much a Dom! He is one of the top Doms in the underground and it very much comes out in this book.  But even Griffin has to answer to the top Dom, Søren.

We also have a journalist poking around in Søren’s background. It is through her ruthless investigating that we find out about Søren’s horrific childhood. The reporter Suzanne has a journey of her own to go through for the duration of this book. It is through Søren that she is able to find some closure from her brothers death.

Again, there is explicit, graphic sex scenes possibly more so then the first book, but I never found them to be too much. I found that they seemed to add value to the book rather then just being a gratuitous sex scene that was unnecessary to the plot line. I find Ms. Reisz to be a master of writing a sex scene that matters. This book has some M/M (male on male) scenes, so if that bothers you a lot, you may want to refrain from this title although I never found it to be disturbing in the slightest and M/M is not really my thing.

What I did miss from this book was Zach! I can’t help it, I really liked him in the first book and while he does have a few scenes in this book he is mostly absent. *sad face*

At first I thought that I enjoyed the first book more so then this one, but now that it has been at least a week I find that this book is taking up just as much thought as the first book. I didn’t cry in this book, but that does not make it any less then the first. Now after both have been read and thought about, I find that I liked this title just as much as the first and I find myself impatiently waiting for the third book “The Prince” to come out in November.

*This title was provided through NetGalley for an honest review, there was no other compensation given.

Rating: 5 Orchids

Review: Tiffany Reisz–The Siren

The Original Sinners Series:

Book 1:

The Siren – Nora Sutherlin

Purchase on Amazon: Tiffany Reisz – The Siren (The Original Sinners)

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

Notorious Nora Sutherlin is famous for her delicious works of erotica, each one more popular with readers than the last. But her latest manuscript is different—more serious, more personal—and she’s sure it’ll be her breakout book…if it ever sees the light of day.

Zachary Easton holds Nora’s fate in his well-manicured hands. The demanding British editor agrees to handle the book on one condition: he wants complete control. Nora must rewrite the entire novel to his exacting standards—in six weeks—or it’s no deal.

Nora’s grueling writing sessions with Zach are draining…and shockingly arousing. And a dangerous former lover has her wondering which is more torturous—staying away from him…or returning to his bed?
Nora thought she knew everything about being pushed to your limits. But in a world where passion is pain, nothing is ever that simple.

Review:

So I originally picked up the second book The Angel on Netgalley before I picked up this book. I had started reading it and felt like I was missing something. So my friend Ann from Under the Covers told me that I had to read the first book first, that there are some spoilers for the 2nd. I am so eternally grateful that I took her advice and went back and picked up The Siren! It is one of the best books I have read all year!

I don’t even know where to start with this book, I just loved ALL of it. So I really haven’t read much BDSM and Ann warned me that I was going with the big guns with the series. I told her then “When I go in, I go ALL in!” and she wasn’t kidding that this series is BDSM all the way!I was expecting more raunchy and nothing but sex, but what I got was so much different.

This book turned out to be as emotional as it was sexual. I ended the book with tears streaming down from my eyes. Not only was this tale emotional it was surprisingly funny. Laughing was the LAST thing I expected to be doing while reading this book, but it was really funny.  This book has everything to make it a stand out novel. Even weeks later I can’t get this book and it’s sequel out of my head.  Even though I’ve finished the two books the story and the characters are still lingering, they have a vice grip in my head. The characters, humor and sensuality are really what make this book!

Nora is exactly what I want to be when I grow up! LOL! She is confident, sassy, funny as hell and a woman that knows what she wants and is not afraid to get it. She owns her sexuality and makes no apologies for it. She is a complex character that has many dimensions that keep you engaged and keeps you on your toes. You never really know what Nora is going to do next, she also holds a big secret from Zach. She is one of the most interesting characters I have read. As one of the premier erotica writers she knows she has more to give to her writing. Her newest book is good but she needs to take it to the next level and the person that can take her to the next level is Zach one of the best editors in the business. He is tough as nails and does NOT want to work with Nora. Nora refuses to take no for an answer, even if she has to seduce a “yes” out of the hardass Zach.

Zach knows he is the best in the business and working with an erotica writer is an insult to him, but with 6 weeks until he is off to LA and his boss that wants Nora’s next book, he has little choice in the matter. When he meets Nora she is nothing that he expected. After his recent separation with his wife he knows Nora is a temptation he should not want, but may need. Watching the attraction between Nora and Zach grow is quite entertaining. Zach fights and fights his attraction to Nora, but his loneliness and Nora’s bold attitude start to wear him down. I loved Zach, he was one of my favorite characters, just his devotion to his estranged wife tugged at my heart strings. His pain and loneliness are tangible and Tiffany Reisz really makes you feel what he is feeling.

Soren is Nora’s ex-lover, the love of her life. She feel in love with him when she was 15 and left him around 27, now 5 years later she still misses him with everything that is in her. Soren also happens to be a Sadist and the one that taught Nora everything that comes along with being a submissive. Wesley, Nora’s roommate and best friend can’t stand the elusive Soren, but knows Nora still sees him and has feeling towards him. In this title Soren is still somewhat mysterious, we learn so much more about him in the second title. But what we do know about him is intriguing as all get out.

Oh, Wesley, cute, adorable yet so incredibly young, Wesley. I adore Wesley, I don’t know anyone that wouldn’t adore him. He’s kind, caring and utterly in love with Nora, if only he could make her see that. He knows he could be the best thing that ever happened to Nora, he can show her what love can be. That she doesn’t need to be hurt or hurt anyone to love. Watching Wesley with his heart on his sleeve with Nora not seeing really touches that part of every person that had a secret love or crush on someone you thought was out of your reach. It’s the relationship between Nora and Wesley they pulls at you that keeps hope in your heart and finally breaks it.

What I want to make sure that everyone knows is that this is NOT a romance, there is no real happily ever after in this book. This is an emotionally engaging tale that can not hope to have a real happy ending, someone will get hurt, maybe not just one person but maybe everyone involved gets at least a little bit hurt in more then one way. There is also very explicit sex scenes, BDSM is not for everyone and it can be very graphic in this title. Now BDSM is not my particular kink, but I found with this title it wasn’t as off putting as I thought it would be. I’ve never really understood the appeal, but I found myself better understanding those who choose or need this life style.  Despite that this is not a romance and does not end like one, I still highly recommend this read to anyone bold enough to give it a try. Forget 50 Shades of Grey! This is the true story, this is one of the best books of the year!

Rating:

5 Orchids

#FF–Worth all the hype!

Welcome to the Feature & Follow

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Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers — but you have to know — the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools — keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them “hi” in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to WordPress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don’t have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

Question of the week!

What hyped up book do you think was worth all the talk?

Answer:

Darynda Jones – Charley Davidson Series (1st book is First Grave on the Right)

Why you ask? 2 reasons: 1. Because it’s hilarious! and 2. Reyes!

I held off on this one even though my book soul mates loved this series. I’m not sure why I waited so long to read tem, but I was mad at myself that I did wait.

 

The Siren – Tiffany Reisz

It’s just Freakin amazing! I don’t think I ever got so emotionally attached to characters in erotica before. I have’t reviewed it yet, but will be soon!

 

 

Book I HOPE is worth all the hype Bared to You – Sylvia Day, because I’ll probably be reading it in the next couple of days.

 

Review: Christine d’Abo – Long Shots: Books 1-3

The Long Shots Series:

Books 1-3:

Long Shots: Featuring the Long Siblings

Summary:

From Goodreads.com:

Welcome to Pulled Long café, where the coffee is hot, and the sex is hotter! Meet your hosts:
Sadie Long has been lusting after her friend Paul for years, and when she visits him at Mavericks, the sex club where he works, she’s suddenly fantasizing about being with Paul and his sexy boss Josh—at the same time.

Paige Long can’t help but be attracted to gorgeous firefighter Carter, especially once she learns he’s a Dom. But can she trust in her own desires and submit to happiness?

Ian Long doesn’t want to be the rebound guy for a brokenhearted man—even after a little exhibitionist play with Jeff satisfies desires he didn’t even know he had…

Review:

Review as a collective whole:

really enjoyed this as a collection. Each novella stands on its own but read together it is quite enjoyable. I’m not quite sure what me request this title from NetGalley, but something made me take the risk and I am glad I did. The stories are not so hardcore to turn off someone like me who hasn’t read much erotica of this sort before and no M/M at all.  You get your HEA (Happily Ever After) at the end of each story, which makes the romance genre fan happy. On top of that the characters are so very lovable. I fell in love with the siblings very quickly. They are a tight knit family that function as a family. Even as they are driving each other crazy as only siblings can do there is still the overwhelming feeling of love and protectiveness for each other. Also, there is a surprising amount of emotion involved in each story. In each story one or both of the partners has to overcome something, so this collection is not just fluff but gets you involved emotionally.  The only downfall of this collection… not knowing if the owner of Mavericks, Josh is going to get his own HEA. He appeared in each story and is intriguing in his own right!

As a collective whole I give this collection a

Rating: 4.5 Orchids

Reviews of each story:

Sadie and Paul:

Sadie and Paul had been friends for 10 years, for that whole time Sadie has been nursing more then friendly feelings for her friend.  When Paul invites her to Mavericks the local sex club where he works, she is unable to resist the temptation to go. As it turns out he has an offer she cannot refuse, her shop catering an event at Mavericks.  I adored Sadie, she is cute and someone that inspires protective feelings.  Her crush on Paul is also quite endearing, I like how she gets all flustered whenever he is around. Her behavior is exactly how you would expect one to act if hiding a crush on their best friend. lol. Paul, finally, finally seems to waking up to the appeal that is Sadie. When Sadie comes to visit him at Mavericks he challenges her to give up her fantasies. I like that she held out on him, even under a front assault in the bakeries fridge. It showed she is no push over.  When Sadie does give up her fantasy, it turns out to be a doozy, it involves Paul and ….  But can Paul give her, her fantasy and still be able to be friends or more? Read to find out!

Paige and Carter:

For three years after a relationship gone wrong, Paige has been denying herself what she needs most. Her sexual tendencies are far from vanilla, but she no longer trusts herself to get what she needs from a man for herself. She is starting to fall apart when Carter walks into her coffee shop. It’s obvious he’s on his way to Mavericks the local sex club and from his stare she can tell he’s a Dom. When Carter asks Paige out her body is SCREAMING at her to say yes, but her head is saying no way! She knows Carter is a temptation and she doesn’t know if she can trust herself. Carter is sexy as hell and so very supportive of Paiges wants and needs. I’ve never had much interest in starting up the BDSM lifestyle but if I had a Carter staring at me, I don’t think I’d say no! LOL. I felt so bad for Paige, after an experience gone so horribly wrong I don’t blame her for giving up the lifestyle and exactly what she had thought would happen, did. This tale is really about Paige learning to trust not only herself but in her partner as well. But trust is not something that comes easy for anyone but especially not as easily for Paige and she may never be able to trust what’s  right in front of her.

Ian and Jeff (AKA Blue Eyes):

So, I have never really read M/M (I am not counting Qhuinn and Blay AKA Qhuay from BDB), so when I saw a M/M couple was apart of this collection I was slightly intrigued. I figured here was a chance to get my feet wet with the concept with a novella that was apart of a collection. If I didn’t like this part of the collection then there were still two other tales to enjoy. Ian from the first book you adore, you just can’t help but love him. He is so openly affectionate and supportive towards his sisters. We meet Blues Eye’s also in the first book when he comes into the coffee shop for the first time and an instant flirtation sparks up between him and Ian. So you have two books prior to this one to start rooting for this couple. As for the erotica part of this tale it is pretty tame, I’m not sure what to expect but it wasn’t too much and it never made me uncomfortable. As for the romance aspect, I was rooting for these two from the beginning, I really liked Blue Eyes from the first book, but liked him even more as Jeff as Ian’s love interest in this book. Jeff is amazingly supportive of Ian, even when Ian pushes him away, repeatedly. You see, Ian has a secret, one that has been eating away at him for 10 years. This secret may just be the wedge that tears these two apart.

 

This title was provided through NetGalley for an honest review.

Natasha Blackthorne’s- A Measured Risk (Regency Risks Book 1)

This book was simply amazing. It has everything you could possibly want.
After reading this I automatically think “Fifty Shades of What”?
If you are a Fifty Shades of Gray fan than you will totally love and adore this book for sure.

First off, I have to say how well the title of this book fits! A Measured Risk

Natasha Blackthorne’s book’s just get better and better. This one is by far the best. Its really a work of art and a total masterpiece for this genre.

This book was so enticing and inviting. There has always been marriages and relationships done because of obligation or convenience and because of that the couples sex life is non existent. Natasha writes real characters in real life situations that you can relate to on my different levels.

Ann, an educated, curvy , full woman, cold on the outside but inside she has passion burning and dying to get out. She is emotionally scarred. She sees Jon as brave and courageous. She wants to ask for his help with her fear of horses and carriages but she gets more than she bargained for. He soon shows her what she has inside herself.

Jon is a sexy, confident, dominate, trustful and honorable man. He is sure of himself and knows what he wants and goes for it. When the luscious Ann gives him a come get me look. He cant help but follow her.

The ending was beautiful. I am in awe of this book. This book had everything I have ever wanted when reading this genre.

It took me a few days to read this book because I didn’t want it to end. Not only did this book affect my heart and mind but it also affected my body and soul.

Its really going to be hard for me to find a book in this genre to top this one. Its truly amazing.

Sensual, erotic, romantic, steamy, sexy, sweet, arouse, masterful and loving are all the words that come to mind when I think of this book.

This book is a keeper and a must read. This book will stay with me for a long time to come. Its unforgettable.

Rating: 5 Stars
Cover: Beautiful
Characters: Unforgettable
Will I read another book of this author? Yes! Most def!

ARC Review: Gabrielle Bisset- Blood Spirit, Book 3 in The Son’s of Navarus series

I loved this book so much. From the very first page to the last. This book took my heart and squeezed.

Gabrielle’s writing takes you to that time and place. I felt like I was a part of this book. This series is progressing and just getting better and better. With each book you understand more of the Son’s of Navarus world. This book helps you better understand the relationship between sire and vampire. I truly adored this book with every fiber of my being. Even though this is a vampire story it is very much realistic in our everyday wants and desires.

Terek, a sexy vampire, he is one of the Son’s of Navarus. He is a play boy in his own way, yet he always wants to make everyone happy. He has lived a long time and he has seen and done a lot. In all his years he has never come across that someone special just for him until one night he meets a beautiful angel.

Ilona, beautiful and strong wakes up to find herself a vampire, She isn’t sure she can accept this new life. She is very sure that she is attracted to Terek and she doesn’t like the idea of him with any of the other vampire woman.
As the days go on and she spends more time with Terek she realizes that her world has forever changed.

Gabrielle gives depth to both of these characters. Her characters never lack in anything. Her characters come to life and off the pages into your heart. This book had so much emotion. I cried, I laughed. I felt a lot of physical reactions when reading this book. Its a total pantie melter!

In this book Gabrielle takes you on so many journeys to different places. I felt like I was there with Terek and Ilona. She gives us vivid backdrops and breath taking love scenes.

This book will forever stay with me. Its a must read! I can’t wait for the next book.

Cover: Loved it
Rating: 5 Stars
Characters: Extraordinary
Recommend: Most def
Will I continue this series: No doubt!