Road to Ruin (New Orleans Nights Book 1) ~ Callie Hart and Jonny James

Malicious Destruction of Property.

Two counts of breaking and entering.

Two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Four counts of assault.

Three counts of illegal gambling.

Three years served in Orleans Parish Prison.

Tommy ‘Havoc’ Kendrick’s rap sheet reads like a recipe for disaster: one part mayhem to three parts chaos. There’s no arguing the matter; he’s a bad guy, or at least he used to be. For the past five years, Tommy’s been on the straight and narrow, keeping his head down and staying out of trouble. He left the French Quarter behind, along with the New Orleans crime syndicates and underground fights that used to pay his bills. Trading in the high-octane thrill of earning money with his fists to work in an auto mechanic’s was hard, and yet somehow, despite everything, he’s made it work.

Until now.

Tommy hadn’t planned on seeing his brother again. When David Kendrick turns up on his doorstep with a bag full of money and four broken ribs, Tommy finds himself heading back to the place he swore he’d never return. Back to the fights. Back to the drinking, the drugs, and the women.

Back to a life he thought he’d left behind for good.

Nikita Moreau has lived in New Orleans all her life. She learned to drive there, lost her virginity there, bought her first house there, and she’s damned if she isn’t going to die there, too. As a prison psychologist at one of the country’s most dangerous facilities, she runs the risk of dying in the state of Louisiana on a daily basis, and yet she wouldn’t give it up for the world. There’s nothing more satisfying than helping those everyone else has given up on. Nothing more rewarding than fixing something everyone said was broken.

The day she meets Tommy Kendrick, however, she learns a painful lesson: sometimes a person is too broken to be fixed. Sometimes a person is beyond reach and cannot be saved. The tall, dark and handsome, tattoo-covered devil is danger personified. She knows this. She knows he’s bad news. So then why can’t she stop thinking about him? Why can’t she stay away from him?

And, most importantly, why won’t she save herself?

 

When I saw the cover for Road to Ruin, I wanted to read the book. Holy Hotness Batman. I am just like Nikita...I love a man with tattoos. Tommy Kendrick is super hot and a complete bad ass! I was super disappointed that this read was so short and I would have to wait for the next one. I wanted more of these characters now!

The environment Nikita works in is not ideal. At first I think she is a meek, quiet psychologist, but she surprises me. She's passionate about her job and her patients. So much so that it could get her in to some trouble and puts her right in Tommy's path. After several turn of events it almost seems like she is walking right in to Tommy's path, which is not a bad thing in my eyes. 

Tommy does not need to get involved with a woman right now. He needs to have his head on straight to get through the past he has walked right back into. He's a scary man with scary enemies. While he tried to get away from it before, now he has no choice but to be right back in the thick of things. 

I really liked these characters and wanted to see what happens to them. I was super bummed that I have to wait to find out, but I'm sure it will all be worth it. Callie and Jonny wrote a good dark read that I cannot wait to get more of. 

Rooke ~ Callie Hart

Amazon US

Watchmaker. Car thief. Heartbreaker extraordinaire.

Rooke Blackheath has spent enough time in juvie to know that he really doesn’t want to go to jail. The food sucks, the clothes itch, and there are absolutely no women in sight. Well…none he wants to fuck, anyway.

He should probably stop boosting cars, but the money is stellar and the high is out of this world. And why should he turn his back on something that sets his soul on fire anyway?

The answer to that question comes in an unexpected form: a petite five-foot-three firecracker named Sasha who refuses to give him the time of day no matter how thick he lays on the charm.

Rooke’s not easily deterred, though. Just like the watches he builds from scratch, Rooke knows all too well how women tick. Women are a game to him. A game he always wins.

Sasha doesn’t stand a chance.

***

Sasha Cross’s life has been permanently derailed since her son died five years ago. You wouldn’t know it to look at her, of course. She has a great job, a beautiful house, and caring friends. Every week, she hosts a book club featuring the sexiest, most romantic stories on the planet, and every week she falls for a new fictional knight in shining armor.

Fictional men are perfect, though. They don’t hurt you. They don’t break your heart. They don’t cheat on you after your child dies, and they rarely ever leave the toilet seat up.

When Rooke Blackheath shows up at Sasha's workplace, it’s clear he’s nothing like the men who grace the pages of Sasha's favorite books. Dangerous, arrogant, sharp-tongued and sarcastic, Rooke’s not the kind of guy she needs in her life. Not to mention the fact that he’s eleven years her junior.

They don’t live in different worlds. As far as Sasha is concerned, Rooke lives in a different galaxy altogether. She’d like to keep it that way, but fate appears to have other plans.

When Cinderella lost her shoe, Prince Charming showed up at her door.

When Sasha Cross loses her book, an entirely different kind of rogue comes a-knocking.

I have to say after reading the first chapter, I though this book would go in a completely different direction. To say there are some twists and drama, is an understatement. There’s a lot going on in this book and I think this book could have been split up in to a couple different books.

Rooke is an alpha hottie, no doubt. He seems older than his 23 years, but that could be because of his time in Juvi and the experiences he has had in his past. He has his own demons and unsavory people in his life that could affect their relationship or even the start of one.

While Sasha can’t seem to get past her own tragedy, Rooke is the calm to her freak-outs and is the only person to break down her walls. Her tragedy is definitely a tragedy that most could not overcome and she seems to have a lot happen to her for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

This is an action-packed story with a lot of different things going on and it seemed to wrap up rather quickly. I would have loved more of the two of them and maybe more of the backstory of Sasha’s past. I’d even like more of Rooke’s past and what has made him so angry, even before the stent in Juvi. Still love Callie and her writing, but wanted more with Rooke. 

Between Here and the Horizon ~ Callie Hart

AmazonUS/Amazon UK

“You think you know me. You think you want to know me. But trust me, Miss Lang. Pursuing me will be the worst mistake you ever make. I’m broken beyond repair…

…and I take great pleasure in breaking everyone else around me.”

Ophelia Lang needs money, and she needs it bad. Her parent’s restaurant is going under, and ever since she lost her job teaching third grade elementary, scraping enough cash together to pay the bills has proven almost impossible. Her parents are on the brink of losing their home. The vultures are circling overhead. So when Ophelia is offered an interview for a well-paid private tutoring gig in New York, how can she possibly say no?

Ronan Fletcher is far from the overweight, balding businessman Ophelia expected him to be. He’s young, handsome, and wealthy beyond all reason. He’s also perhaps the coldest, rudest person she’s ever met, and has a mean streak in him a mile and a half wide. A hundred grand is a lot of money, however, and if tolerating his frosty temperament, his erratic mood swings and whatever else he throws at her means she’ll get paid, then that is what Ophelia will do.

Her new boss is keeping secrets, though. Awful, terrible secrets.

The ghosts of Ronan Fletcher’s past are about to turn Ophelia’s future upside down, and she can’t even see it coming.

OMG! What a phenomenal book!! I was already a Callie Hart fan, so I instantly had to get BHATH!! I didn’t even read the blurb, so I was floored, shocked and enthralled with in the first few chapters.

To not give anything away, I will say, I was at about chapter 5, reading along and loving it, when something happens. You know that something that happens when you go back a few pages to say, wait, that really didn’t happen, right? Jaw was on the floor. 

And then the story continued to grow and get better.

If that wasn’t enough, sure enough 80% in, wha-bam! Another twist! While I had my suspicions, I didn’t get the whole story, but Callie laid it out and made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

I loved these characters, this story and Callie’s writing. Her stories always have a smooth, understandable flow, even if there are flashbacks. You always know where you are and what’s going on. I cannot say enough amazing things about this book. One of my top reads of 2016!!

"So...don't walk away for good. I get it if you have to walk away for now. But make sure you come back, okay? This isn't done yet and you know it."
~ Sully

Savage Things (Chaos & Ruin #2) ~ Callie Hart

Zeth

At the eye of a violent storm, everything is calm. It’s only when the storm shifts that your life explodes into chaos.

The $#*& is finally about to hit the fan for Zeth. After months of blissful quiet, the wolves are at his door, teeth bared and snarling, baying for blood, and the sinister elements of the Seattle underground are closing in tight. In other words, things are about to get bad. Real fucking bad.

Zeth Mayfair isn’t your average criminal, though.

If the New York mob wants his allegiance, they’re gonna have to force him to submit. If the cops want his ass in chains, they’re gonna have to catch him first.

He’ll kill the wolves. He’ll ride out the storm. He’ll make his enemies suffer. Zeth Mayfair is about to crown himself ruler of the city, and fuck anyone who dares to take on the king.

They will obey, or they will fall.

The choice is theirs.

Sloane

Death is a bitch.

Sloane Romera sees death every day, looks it square in the eye, and she does not flinch. When Mason Reeves brings his little sister into St. Peter’s emergency room, a dark cloud hangs over the kid—one Sloane recognizes all too well. Millie is gravely ill, but it's not too late. Sloane's determined to do everything in her power to help her, regardless of the cost, regardless of how many rules she must break in the process.

Mason’s struck a deal with the devil, though. A deal that has painted a huge target on Sloane’s back. There’s every chance she’ll be dead by morning, and the man she loves might not be able to save her this time.

If there’s one thing Sloane knows, it’s that you can’t cheat death. When the Grim Reaper demands a life, a life must be given. Bargaining won’t work. Begging is futile.

A life for a life.

The debt must be paid in full.

OMG! Why, oh why do I do this to myself?! It’s because I love Zeth Motherfucking Mayfair!!! Gah Callie Hart does it again with another fabulous installment in the Chaos and Ruin series. I just can’t get enough of Zeth and Sloane. And Michael too!

I know Zeth is supposed to be the asshole of all assholes, but he keeps surprising me and I can’t stop loving him. He is a changed man since the first book of the Blood and Roses Series, but I love him even more. He is the Alpha Male personified, but he has his sweet spot for Sloane. Only for Sloane. Always.

Sloane is one bad ass bitch. To be able to work as a doctor, face death, destruction and pain every day, but still want to help others….that takes a special person. On top of that, she’s not afraid of Zeth. Well, she may be afraid of how he’ll react to things and afraid that someone may try to take him from her (kill him), but she’s not afraid to stand up to him. That takes some balls. Balls that some of the men that come in to contact with Zeth just don’t have.

"I know my life changed irrevocably when I met him. That change is burned deep inside my very being - in my mind, in my heart and in my soul." ~ Sloane

Mason....The twists that are happening with this kid, I just can’t even. The burden he bears by taking care of his sister Millie, coupled with the guilt he must feel….Well, I wouldn’t want to be those shoulders. I am hoping he starts to see clearer and not blame himself. I hope that he can find peace in where his life is at. My heart breaks for this kid, but if he pulls out of this mess, he will be that much stronger. He will be a force to be reckoned with.

I could read about these characters forever. And don’t even get me started on Michael. There are some things going on with him that I’m dying to know what they are, but he’s such a closed book. I need more. I cannot wait to read more about them. Zeth, Sloane and Michael are more of a family than they realize. Their love for each other is overwhelming and powerful. I hope, for Mason’s sake, he’s brought in to their fold. They all are going to need each other’s support.

I absolutely loved Savage Things. I cannot wait for the next one and for that matter; I hope I’m not waiting too long. Hint, hint. Callie Hart is definitely a go-to author of mine and Zeth and Sloane will always have a place in my heart. #ZMFM

Calico ~ Callie Hart

AmazonUS

AmazonUK

Coralie

Twelve years ago, I ran to stay alive. 

Port Royal, South Carolina, was my home. I was born there. I fell in love there. And I nearly died there. I never thought I’d go back. Now, after so many years, I have to return to bury the man who made my life a living hell. Some nights, I used to cry myself to sleep, praying my father would die. Other nights were different. Other nights, there was him. 

Callan Cross. 

My first confidante. My first kiss. My first love. My first everything: Callan was the glue that held me together when everything else was falling apart. He was my savior. He was there for me whenever I needed him…

Until he wasn’t.

Every night, I’ve seen the love of my life in my sleep. 
I just never thought I’d have to face him again.


Callan 

Twelve years ago, I f*#@ed up big time. 

Living life through a camera lens is sometimes easier than dealing with it head on. Scratch that. It’s always easier. For over a decade, I’ve been a master of my art, taking photographs all over the world. Yet despite all of the countries I’ve visited, the amazing things I’ve seen, the beautiful women I’ve screwed, my heart has remained in pieces.

Coralie’s the only woman I’ve ever loved, will ever love. And I’m determined to show her that we’re meant to be together. Even if it means unearthing the bones of the past in the process. 

A lifetime and a thousand miles have stood between us. 
Now, there’s no length of time I won’t wait, no distance I won’t travel, in order to make her mine.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review. 

I am a big Callie Hart fan, from the Blood and Roses series. I was not sure what to expect since I just signed up for Calico based on it being Callie Hart. I didn’t even read the blurb, just signed up for the ARC. I was not disappointed in the least.

Coralie and Callan have this history and connection that is overpowering. It is all consuming. From the first page, I could not put their story down.

Coralie is definitely a survivor, but I may not have agreed with how she just up and left Port Royal. While I could never understand what someone goes through that is mentally and physically abused, I can understand how helpless Callan must have felt when she left. They were inseparable; at least they were away from her father.

Callan is a dick, but he really isn’t. He’s just become that why since Coralie left. An amazing photographer, Callan thinks Coralie left because of his big screw up, but when he finds out the whole story; my heart just breaks with his. The heart he thought was gone is very much alive with Coralie, but can they get through their past and all their own secrets.

Callie is just a great writer. The flashbacks were easy to understand and while we jump around here and there, it was very easy to follow. The struggle that these two went through can be felt through the pages and hit me right in the feels. I was emotionally invested in Coralie and Callan and really enjoyed their story.

"Loving you is just part of what makes me who I am."

~Callan

Rebel (Dead Man's Ink #1) ~ Callie Hart

Rebel and Sophia's story

The first of a three part series. This novel contains a small snippet which has already been released in the Owned: An Alpha Anthology, however it is followed by a full story installment.

Sophia

Sometimes, you don't mean to become another person. Sometimes the choice is made for you, and pretending is the only thing that keeps you going. When Alexis Romera is taken and her kidnappers find her fake ID in her purse, she must become Sophia in order to keep her family safe. Revealing her real identity to the man she's sold to would be easy enough, but can she trust him? Hell bent on revenging the murder of his uncle, Rebel doesn't seem all that interested in playing things safe.

In fact, nothing about the secretive, dark and brooding MC president seems safe at all.

Rebel

What do you do when the man who raised you is murdered, and the only witness is kidnapped girl who's being sold as a sex slave? You buy her, of course. As president to the most powerful motorcycle club in America, Rebel isn't lacking in power. There are strings the man can pull, and entire criminal organizations and corporate businesses alike would fall to their knees. However, along with such power comes intense interest. The DEA have their eye fixed solely on the MC...and they're just waiting for Rebel to trip up.

Getting Sophia to testify is the only way to bring the Los Oscuros cartel down. The beautiful, dark haired, dark eyed woman is belligerent and uncooperative and unlikely to bend to his will, but Rebel has a few tricks up his sleeve to make her compliant--he'll charm her until she's bending over backwards to please him.

Of course, falling for her might cause a few hiccups along the way...

“Bring it on, Rebel. Do your fucking worst.”

I loved the beginning of Rebel and Sophia’s (Alexis’s) story!! Rebel definitely proved he is a good man, but it was a struggle to get there. He hasn't done many good things in his life, but I agree with Sophia when she feels they were for the right reasons….Vengeance and Justice.

Jamie (Rebel) was a soldier, a Marine, who just tried to survive in his childhood home and not let his father down. It seems no matter what he did, his father hated him any way. I really enjoyed this glimpse in to how Rebel became Rebel and I fell for him just like Sophia. Side note: did anyone else want o punch Rebel’s father (Governor of Alabama) in the throat. Gah, was he infuriating. I don’t know how Rebel survived that….that…..man. Makes me love Rebel even more.

Alexis (Sophia) has a family that she is trying to hide and protect after witnessing the murder of Rebel’s uncle. She starts to go by Sophia and just the whole process of her pretending she’s a virgin, then to find out she is being sold, then to end up with Rebel…..Holy Rollercoaster. Talk about pins and needles. She could see the good in Rebel, but had to work it out for herself. She couldn’t believe what an educated, yet bad boy man Rebel was and that made her even hotter for him. I just wanted Sophia to give over to her feelings for Rebel since the sparks were flying the moment they met.  

I pine for Callie Hart’s books!! Even though we had glimpses of Rebel and Sophia in the Blood and Roses Series, I wasn’t sure how she would write their story. All I can say is, DAMN that woman is good! I was sucked in from page one and couldn’t put it down. I cannot wait for Dead Man’s Ink Book 2!! I need to know what happens with Hector and Maria Rosa!! 

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