Confessions: Julien ~Ella Frank

People are complex. 

Love a double-edged sword. 

And when it comes to a broken heart, there are no rules, only time… 

For the past eight years, Julien Thornton has been living with a secret. One that only a handful of people know about. 

To the outside world, he has it all. 

A thriving career. A loving husband. And a face that the American public fell for by the millions, on a reality show that inadvertently saved his life. 

But behind the shine of celebrity, behind the easygoing nature, a crippling truth fills Julien with pain and self-loathing. It’s a truth that he fights to overcome daily with the help of his husband, Joel Priestley, and now their boyfriend, Robbie Bianchi. 

But unlike Priest, Robbie doesn’t know what he’s helping Julien to fight. He doesn’t know what Julien did all those years ago. And with the anniversary of his sister’s death fast approaching, the time for explanations is running out. 

And thus the question: will the princess be able to forgive the prick as the priest once did? 

Only time will tell. 

How wonderful are these men? I just can't get enough of Julien, Robbie and Priest. They are so hot together and its just enough angst and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat without making you crazy. 

These characters are so well written and complex. Priest is very emotional even though Robbie always thought he wasn't. We see a new side of him here that just has me loving him even more. 

Julien's baggage is one that can be understood. The why and the how of his tragedy are devastating. Yet here comes their light, Robbie, to brighten their darkness. 

Robbie is just awesome. He's so fun and happy. He is someone I'd want to keep around forever too. His love for these two is so apparent, even if he thinks he's not giving anything away, I think Priest and Julien can see it. 

I need Priest's story ASAP!! Please and thank you! 

Confessions: Robbie (Confessions Series Book 1) ~ Ella Frank

Relationships are complex.

Love ever-changing.

And when it comes to rules of the heart,

they were made to be broken…

That’s what Robert Antonio Bianchi was telling himself, anyway.

Otherwise, he really had no excuse for what—or who—he’d done.

No excuse, except for his lonely heart, a pitcher of margaritas, four Bitter Bitches, and the apparent need to confess all his weaknesses to the two men he knew would bring him nothing but trouble.

But trouble was nothing new.

Just ask his crazy sisters or any of his friends, and they’d be the first to tell you:

If there was a bad decision to be made, Robbie always had a knack for making it.

And thus begins the story of the priest, the princess, and the prick.

After Logan and Tate, I wasn't sure if I would have more room in my heart. I always loved Robbie's character and was super excited for his own story. Ella did not disappoint. These three are hot, sexy and complicated. 

I wasn't always a fan of Priest. Nothing bad about the guy, but he was always very standoff-ish, blunt and brutally honest. That being said, this story has changed my feelings about him. I get him a little more now. I am super excited to dive in more though.

Julien is smooth, suave and a complete teddy bear. I only saw a glimpse of the "Prick" he was regarded as. Learning and understanding a little of his back history completing puts that attitude in to perspective though. 

Robbie is still lovable and fabulous. He had me smiling through the whole book. His heartache was palpable after Tate and Logan got married, but I think now he realized that there are others that are willing to give him "everything."

I really enjoyed these three. I was super shocked by the reaction that some had for their arrangement. Surprised is more like it. But when I read more I realized that it was guilt and protectiveness fueling that reaction. Priest, Julien and Robbie are doing what is best for them. They are following their hearts. I'm super excited to see how things go as more wrenches are thrown in their plans. 

"Regrets only happen when you aren't brave enough to try something that scares you." ~Robbie

Signed ~ Marni Mann

A one-night stand with James Ryne, the hottest actress in LA, was a night I’d never forget… 

James: I can’t stop thinking about you.

Brett: I didn’t know America’s sweetheart was such a dirty girl.

James: It gets better.

Brett: You’re too young for me.

James: Eighteen’s the age of consent.

Brett: The things I want to do to you right now…

James: Are you ever going to tell me who you really are?

Brett: The best you’ve ever had. That’s all you need to know.

James: When are you coming back to LA?

Brett: Next week—and you’d better not be wearing panties.

Brett: What the hell did I just watch?

James: Oh my God, Brett! It’s going viral!

James: My life is ruined. My career. My reputation.

James: Are you there?

James: Will you let me explain?

James: Brett?

Brett: Forget everything I said before. Forget us.

I tried to forget her…until she walked into my office, begging to get signed.

 Huge Marni Mann fan here! ::Waves excitedly:: When I saw this book, I realized the cover was not a dark-romance-type cover like the last three books of hers that I have read. Very intrigued, I read the blurb. While I am not usually a fan of the Hollywood/rock-star lifestyle romance, this is Marni, so I gave it a shot. 

Signed did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The angst had my gut churning and had me on the edge of my seat. The emotion hit me right in the feels. While there is a minor age difference between Brett and James, they were on the same level. 

James's character, while young in age, was older in her emotion and mind set. While she may have done things normal teenagers do, she had a strong work ethic, she had regret and remorse and a general sense of self not many 18 year olds have. She definitely gave Brett a run for his money. 

Brett is super sexy and smoldering between the sheets. But, man, did he piss me off a couple times. While I may have understood his hurt and confusion, his reaction to said hurt had me wanting to slap him through the kindle. That being said, he did try to redeem himself and he managed to work back in to my good graces. 

I loved everything about this book and the characters. It was well written and kept me glued to the pages. Brett and James won me over and made me realize, not all Hollywood romances are the same. I was so happy to be proved wrong. 

True (Temptation Series Book 6) ~ Ella Frank

True - adjective: That which is accurate or exact.

I dare you to try.

I think you’re my truth.

Terrify me.

Marry me.

Marry me.

Marry me...

Four years ago, Logan Mitchell walked into Tate’s life and challenged him to see it differently.

He dared Tate to try a kiss, when normally he wouldn’t have.

He begged him to take a chance, when he probably shouldn’t have.

But most importantly, he asked Tate to trust that he would love him, and he did. From that moment on, Tate realized exactly what his life had been missing—Logan.

Happily-ever-afters come in many different forms. But for Tate Morrison, there’s only one ending he wants. The one where the guy marries the guy and true love conquers all.

Now all he has to do is tell Logan.

Join Logan and Tate as they finally realize what the rest of us knew all along. That they belong together for better or worse—always.

These guys are where #relationshipgoals comes from. I just love Logan and Tate. True was everything I hoped it would be. This is bittersweet because its a wonderful conclusion to their story, but I could still read about them all the time. I love Ella's note to the fans, because she too understands how invested we are in these guys. I am completely attached to Logan and Tate.

True was fun, witty, romantic and emotional. Hit me right in the feels through the entire book. I laughed and had happy tears. We ran in to some old people and while I though the meeting would be disastrous, it turned out pretty well. The twists and surprises were excellent and I cannot wait for our certain flamboyant friend to get his own story.

I cannot say enough amazing things about Logan, Tate and Ella's writing. She is just brilliant. I love her books almost as much as I love Logan and Tate.

A Little Bit Like Love ~ Brooke Blaine

What if you had everything in the world you wanted…except the man you’d left behind?

Jackson Davenport, the charismatic, strait-laced heir to the Davenport fortune, has a secret. One he’s been hiding since he graduated from South Haven all-boys academy—and that secret’s name is Lucas.

When a work trip takes Jackson back to his old stomping grounds, memories of the year he shared with Lucas come crashing to the surface. With growing pressure from his father to settle down and take over the family business, Jackson knows he’s on borrowed time, and sets out to find the free-spirited daredevil he once knew.

But Lucas isn’t the same man he was eight years ago.

One night. A shattered heart. And an endless parade of nameless faces. Lucas Sullivan is South Haven’s ultimate playboy, a reputation he’s honed since the only boy he ever loved left without a trace. To the world, he’s brash and confident, an in-demand artist who spends his days designing one-of-a-kind pieces and his nights as king of the downtown scene.

Many have tried and failed to get past the barrier he’s carefully constructed, but it’s the shy, studious boy he once coaxed out of his shell who still haunts him.

Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe it was lust. Or maybe…it was a little bit like love.

I absolutely LOVE Lucas and Jackson! I could not get enough of them and their story. Victims of a homophobic father and an almost practically arranged marriage, Lucas and Jackson look to be doomed from the beginning. But that doesn't stop the love these to find for each other.

Pressure from your family to carry on the name and/or the business is heavy enough. Couple that in with some family tragedies and your destiny is written. There's nothing else you can do to break away right. It's scary and unknown. Going to back to what you always knew is easy and expected. But, just once, you want to live for you. You want to live and be happy. I wanted this so badly for Jackson. Lucas was his happy place, even if he didn't realize how much Lucas meant to him at first. 

Lucas's broken heart spoke to me. His own family tragedies hit me on a personal level and his loneliness was palpable. Of course, the stubborn man would tell you he wasn't lonely. He'd even convinced himself he was happy....That is until Jackson shows back up. He's completely thrown on his a*$. 

I loved these characters and their friends. I was completely sucked in from page one and I read this book in two days. What I enjoyed the most is that there wasn't a conflict of a label. They didn't have to be gay, straight or bi. Even though they were asked, the boys didn't have to battle with their emotions on their sexuality. Who they loved is who they loved. Their drama was due to outsiders, not who they chose to love. I felt that was just...EVERYTHING!

#LoveIsLove

Mister Moneybags ~ Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

I met Bianca in an elevator.

She was on her way to interview me when we got stuck.

The beautiful, raven-haired reporter assumed I was a delivery guy because of the way I was dressed.

She had no clue I was really Dex Truitt, the wealthy, successful businessman she’d dubbed “Mister Moneybags”—her afternoon appointment.

Bianca told me how much she hated Dex’s type—snobby, over educated, silver- spooned men who didn't appreciate the simple things in life.

So, after the elevator finally started moving again, I cancelled the interview and let her believe I was someone I wasn’t—a bike messenger named Jay. I loved the way she looked at the fake me and didn't want it to end.

I began dating her as “Jay”—all the while letting her interview the real me over email.

I didn’t expect that our chemistry online would be just as hot.

I didn’t expect the mess I’d gotten myself into.

I didn’t expect that Jay and Dex would fall in love with her.

And she was falling for two men.

Only, both men were me.

And when she found out, we were both going to lose her.

Nothing could have prepared me for that day. And I certainly wasn't prepared for what came after.

All good things must come to an end, right?

Except our ending was one I didn't see coming.

 I really liked Mister Moneybags. It was super cute, funny and sexy. It’s amazing the preconceived notions we have about people. Whether that is from past experiences or things we are told by others. There are many times people are thought of as mean or snobby, but they really are shy. The same can be said about the rich and famous.

Mister Moneybags is on the elevator with Bianca and she has no clue. Not until an unexpected situation causes her to get in an awkward conversation with the sexy voiced man behind her. This awkward conversation divulges Bianca’s preconceived notions about the man she is about to interview. I loved this exchange and it made me giggle when I read Dex’s point of view. His panic that he wanted more time with Bianca, but knew it would be over the minute the interview started, was super cute. While the idea to pretend to be someone else was not ideal, it did make for some fun and interesting exchanges.

Bianca and Dex’s relationship has a rocky start, but Dex was completely taken with her. He was willing to do whatever he could to get close to her. Even go so far as finding her hobbies and trying to make some of them his own. As their relationship grows, so does the drama. There’s ex issues, family problems and skeletons that come out of some old closets. The twists are some that I definitely did not expect. Totally threw me for a loop.

Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward are “go to” authors. If you see something new from them, one-click immediately! I always enjoy these collaborations and have a great time reading them. 

Egomaniac ~ Vi Keeland

Amazon US/Amazon UK

The night I met Drew Jagger, he’d just broken into my new Park Avenue office. 
I dialed 9-1-1 before proceeding to attack him with my fancy new Krav Maga skills.
He quickly restrained me, then chuckled, finding my attempted assault amusing. 

Of course, my intruder had to be arrogant.
Only, turned out, he wasn’t an intruder at all. 

Drew was the rightful occupant of my new office.  He’d been on vacation while his posh space was renovated.
Which was how a scammer got away with leasing me office space that wasn’t really available for rent. 
I was swindled out of ten grand.

The next day, after hours at the police station, Drew took pity on me and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.  In exchange for answering his phones while his secretary was out, he’d let me stay until I found a new place.
I probably should have acted grateful and kept my mouth shut when I overheard the advice he was spewing to his clients.  But I couldn’t help giving him a piece of my mind.
I never expected my body to react every time we argued.  Especially when that was all we seemed to be able to do.

The two of us were complete opposites. Drew was a bitter, angry, gorgeous-as-all-hell, destroyer of relationships.  And my job was to help people save their marriages.
The only thing the two of us had in common was the space we were sharing. 
And an attraction that was getting harder to deny by the day. 

Egomaniac was super fun, sexy, sarcastic and emotional. Drew and Emerie are fun and flirtatious characters you can’t help but love. Their dynamic is hilarious from the start. I love how rude and arrogant Drew is, but still lovable. Emerie is quirky and finds herself in awkward situations. She cracks me up and the spot she has herself in with Drew is an interesting one.

The side of Drew that we don’t see initially breaks my heart. The reason he is so bitter and single-minded to end marriages makes me super angry for him. His belief that relations ships can’t work is just sad. Considering Emerie’s job is to keep marriages together.  Can we say “Irony”?

When Drew lets Emerie stay, she realizes there’s more behind the sexy body and the arrogant attitude. He has a huge heart, that and the fact that they get all feisty when they argue. Talk about super-hot!  These two sizzle, so I was hoping all they could get though all the drama because they fit each other so well.

I always enjoy Vi’s writing. She makes you love the main characters and want to punch their adversaries in the face. The story is easy flowing and I flew through the book quickly.