Hard (A Sexy Bastard Book) ~ Eve Jagger

Strong. Arrogant. Hard. 

Ryder Cole is the King of Atlanta’s nightlife — and the one man who can erase my past.

I’m running from secrets that could destroy me and there’s no room in my life for someone like him: too damn cocky, and sexy as hell. I should keep my distance, but smart goes out the window the minute he looks my way. And when he puts his hands on me … A girl could forget her own name.

But what happens when the past catches up with me, and all the things I’m hiding from tear our lives apart again? I can’t keep running forever, and Ryder always wins.

He's not the kind of guy to let me go gently, Ryder will give it to me Hard.

Ryder Cole  is one scary, sexy man. At first you’re not sure if he really is a “good guy” and he will probably tell you he isn’t, but the truth is, he is the best for Cassie. All his hard edges and walls come down for her and she just gets under his skin. His past and things that Cassie is hiding could create a wedge between them, but I really want these two together.

Cassie is a beautiful, smart and sassy woman who just returned home from England. You know something happened to her in England, but we are left to make our own assumptions until about half way through the story. When I learned of all she went through, I was frustrated that she didn’t tell Ryder up front, but totally understood why.

When Cassie’s ex comes in to the picture, it could destroy what Ryder and Cassie have been building. Ryder and Cassie’s attraction has been electric from the beginning. With Cassie’s past rearing its ugly head, you can’t help but root for Ryder and hope that he can understand why Cassie was so humiliated and afraid to tell him what really happens.

I really hope we get to see more of these two ::hint hint:: or even more from the other characters. This story had a different spin on the underground boxing ring, gambling and club scene. Yes, it was boy meets girl, falls for each other type formula, but it was also different. I was kept on my toes and definitely hot and bothered by their steamy sex-capades. Loved, Loved this book. 

Say My Name (Stark International Trilogy #1) ~ J. Kenner

 

 

Say My Name features Jackson Steele, a strong-willed man who goes after what he wants, and Sylvia Brooks, a disciplined woman who’s hard to get—and exactly who Jackson needs.

I never let anyone get too close—but he’s the only man who’s ever made me feel alive. 
 
Meeting Jackson Steele was a shock to my senses. Confident and commanding, he could take charge of any room . . . or any woman. And Jackson wanted me. The mere sight of him took my breath away, and his touch made me break all my rules.   

Our bond was immediate, our passion untamed. I wanted to surrender completely to his kiss, but I couldn’t risk his knowing the truth about my past. Yet Jackson carried secrets too, and in our desire we found our escape, pushing our boundaries as far as they could go. 

Learning to trust is never easy. In my mind, I knew I should run. But in my heart, I never felt a fire this strong—and it could either save me or scorch me forever.

Say My Name is intended for mature audiences.

4.5 Spank-tastic Stars!!

I loved this trip back with J. Kenner. I loved the Stark Trilogy and the beginning of Stark International does not disappoint.

Sylvia Brooks is a smart and strong woman. Dealing with a past that makes her feel ashamed, she has run from Jackson Steele before. As strong as she is that she survived, she needs Jackson….and not just for the resort.

Jackson Steele is one hot, sexy alpha male. One look will reduce you to a puddle of mush. He’s always wanted Sylvia and was ripped apart when she told him to walk away from her. Now she needs his help and he will do anything to get back in her life. While his original intentions were to hurt her like she hurt him, he realizes he loves her, but demons of his own past cause new obstacles that they will have to overcome.

These two sizzle and the sex is off the charts. Their passion and love is plain to see, but will they be able to overcome both their pasts, Sylvia’s nightmares and Jackson’s “family?”…. I can’t wait to find out!!

The Frenchman (Crime Royalty Romance #1) ~ Lesley Young

 

Fleur Smithers rarely veers off the straight and (excruciatingly) narrow. So moving to the seaport town of Toulon to live with her newfound biological mother—an inspector with the French National Police—for one year is a pretty major detour. 

Son of France’s crime royalty family and international rugby star, Louis Messette, is devoted to his sport, famille and nothing else. But the carefree American he meets one night changes everything. She sparks a desire in him like no other. Possession takes root. She will do as he commands. 

Bit by bit Fleur slips into the Frenchman’s realm of wanton pleasure agreeing to his one condition: that she keep their affair secret. She serves up her heart without reservation in the hub of the glittering Côte d’Azur, and the along the soulful Seine in Paris, unaware of the danger she is in. For her new lover’s family business will pit her against her mother, the police woman sworn to bring down the Messettes. And by then, far more than Fleur’s heart will be on the line.

 

Louis is one straight up sexy, hot alpha male. Throwing cell phones in to walls give any indication? His dirty talk in French was all sorts of yummy! ::swoon:: I loved Louis, but there were times I didn't understand what he was trying to show or prove. I often became frustrated with his "games" that he kept telling Fleur he was not playing.

As innocent as Fleur was, she learned and grew up quick. I felt bad that her heart was broken, but also proud of her for standing up to Louis and her mom. She had a great attitude considering her biological mother put her up for adoption and her adoptive dad left her adoptive mom. She wasn't bitter and even felt fortunate for all the love she did receive.

When Fleur pushed Louis away, I knew she had to to it. I knew Louis loved her, but he couldn't come to terms with letting her in. He didn't know how. Don't want to give away too much, but I definitely recommend it. No Cliffy on this one.

Ricochet: Extraction Point (Ricochet #3) ~ Heather C. Leigh

Rick "Ricochet" Brennan served eight years as an elite Marine special ops Force Recon soldier. After an injury, and the terrible memories from that night, he retires and goes to work for his former Command Officer, Howard "Mack" McEvoy, at his training center in Atlanta.

Sanctum MMA appears on the surface to be a normal gym, training elite fighters to be the best. Except each trainer, hand-picked by Mack, possesses a special background that allows Mack to run one of the best-kept secrets in the country.

When twenty-three year old Quinn Wallace finally escapes her abusive husband, she turns to her father’s old Marine Corps buddy, Mack, for help. Broken and skittish, Quinn finds herself surrounded by large, intimidating men— men who could easily overpower her. She avoids them the best she can, but when Rick turns out to be more than just a rough fighter with bruised knuckles, she finds herself wondering if she can allow herself to trust again.

Quinn and Rick kick ass! As frustrated as I was at them for their lack of communication and sharing of secrets, I loved seeing how strong Quinn truly was.

In the conclusion to the series, we see what Quinn went through at the hands of her ex-husband…..the bastard. She went through so much emotional and physical abuse. I was so proud of her for fighting back and getting away from him!!

When Quinn goes missing, Rick will stop at nothing to find her and get her back. I can completely understand his freak outs, frustrations and anger as the minutes pass. I can also understand his rage and need to kill Quinn's ex.

I don't want to give away if Quinn is found or what happens to her ex-husband because.... You need to read this book! Action pack and dramatic through the whole story. Loved!!

Unpredictable (The Key West Series Book 1) ~ C.A. Harms

*Click Pic Above to "One-Click"*

Have you ever wished for a moment that you could pretend to live the life of someone else? Escape the harsh reality that your own is anything but perfect?

Quinn Tucker had always been forced to put her own needs last.

With an absent father and a mother who drowns herself daily in a bottle of Rum, there was no other option.

Jett Jameson was the distraction Quinn needed, even if it was just for one night.

A void filler, and a chance for a moment to allow herself to feel something other than emptiness.

He wasn’t what she expected.

Gentle.

Her life didn’t have room for a man like Jett.

Unpredictable.

But now it was too late, there was no turning back.

Desire.

Nothing would ever be the same…

This was the first C.A. Harms book I read and I loved it!!!! Quinn is such a kick ass woman, but has to put herself last. Her mother is an alcoholic and her father "abandoned" them before Quinn was born. Instead of being able to go to school or go out with her friends, Quinn is forced to get home right away in the event her mother stumbles into the house or gets arrested.

Jett doesn't want or need a distraction. He's married to his restaurant and rightly so. He didn't take his father's handout and built the business up himself. Meeting Quinn at a random party that he didn't even want to be at was the best thing to happen....for both of them.

Secrets start to unfold as Quinn breaks and tells her mother she's tired of being the adult. Truths about her father and where he's been the past 25 years place a strain on the already fragile relationship between Quinn and her mother. Jett, one of the best men I've read about, continues to be there for Quinn, even when she tries her hardest to push him away.

Get the tissues ready, because when Quinn's father comes back, they receive some sad news that causes Quinn to fall....But Jett will be there to pick her up, always.