The Great Escape (Dilbury Village #2) ~ Charlotte Fallowfield

A tropical beach paradise in Mexico was the last place Georgie Basset expected her decimated heart to be jump-started again, not after she’d been jilted the year before by her fiancé, leading to said breakage. But when she spotted Weston Argent jogging along the beach, all bronzed with ripped muscles like some Greek God out of a modern day Baywatch scene, she nearly choked on her cocktail. She knew immediately she was in trouble, she’d never reacted so strongly to a man on first glance.

However, after a disastrous first date with him, she headed back home to Dilbury, resigned to never seeing him again. That is, until Weston turned up unexpectedly at her dog grooming parlour with Bertie the French bulldog, a species she had a real weakness for. She couldn’t help but wonder if fate was playing a helping hand. But each time she saw him, their encounters never went smoothly, resulting in some mortifying and hilarious escapades. Despite their undeniable attraction, there was something about Weston that she couldn’t quite put her finger on, something that concerned her.

When Weston finally confessed that all was not as it seemed, Georgie was convinced that all men were dogs, except she knew that was an insult to dogkind. Ever the meddler, her best friend, Abbie, intervened, knowing in her heart that despite what had happened, Weston was full of good intentions, and was undoubtedly Georgie’s Prince Charming.

The question remained, could he convince Georgie of that, or would he forever remain in the dog house?

This was a super fun vacation. Georgie, being the great friend that she is, takes off on this holiday with her best friend to just get away. Her bestie having a horrible time with her man, needed to escape and Georgie is the shoulder to cry on. (There's more about this story in the first book of the series, but this story can totally be read as a stand alone). Sand, beach, fruity drinks.....ah, what a way to relax. The scenery is nice too...and I'm not talking about the beach. 

Weston is super sexy and athletic. He has a great smile and makes Georgie a complete basket case. It's almost like Georgie has never flirted with a man before, yet she was engaged. Weston stirs some primal feelings that completely terrify her. She did swear off men after she left her fiance, but why not give it a go. What follows? One of the worst dates ever. 

Even though Georgie tries, the night fails. I was actually surprised they made it through the entire date and that Georgie even put herself out there the way she did. After being shut down only to have Weston show up later is a completely lovely surprise. There was something suspicious about Weston, I will agree with that, but I also felt that it was Georgie'a guard she built. She felt she couldn't trust men after her fiance, so it was almost like she was looking for something to be wrong. That is until Weston's major mess up (trying to be PG here) and we realize Georgie had every reason to be reserved. 

I laughed so much in this book and my heart broke a little too. Charlotte does a great job of putting the pieces back together though. I love Charlotte's characters and I was happy to see how the other character's progressed. She did a great book of getting you up to speed on the other characters, while not seeming redundant for those who did read the first book in the series. I definitely can not wait for the next book in this series. 

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. 

Finley ~ Ella Frank

It's time to come home, Finn.

It’s been seven years since Daniel Finley left his hometown in Florida for the hustle and bustle of Chicago’s city life.

Since then, he’s worked hard for his position at the prestigious law firm Leighton & Associates, even when it’s caused distance and isolation from his family and friends. But that’s all about to change.

On his thirtieth birthday, he receives the one thing he never dared hope for. Something that was promised to him years earlier—a note. One simple sentence from the man he’s never been able to forget.

Six words will forever change the course of their lives.

Brantley Hayes has it all. Or so he thinks. When he first made the decision to take a job down in Florida, his family thought he was crazy. But, after years of living in the quiet beach town, he finally feels a sense of community. He’s surrounded himself with friends who are like family, has a job he loves, and owns a spectacular beachfront property that is his sanctuary.

Yet he still feels unfulfilled, as if a piece of the puzzle is missing, and he knows exactly which piece it is. On an impulse, he follows through with a promise he made years earlier. A promise to call home the one he sent away.

Nothing is as simple as it seems.

After years of separation, the former lovers are reunited, but Brantley wasn’t expecting to encounter the high walls now guarding Daniel’s heart.

Daniel may not be the same person he was when he left, but he knows that the first step to healing is the note in his hand.

So this was my first book from Ella Frank (hangs head in shame), so you can understand why I am kicking myself for waiting so long to pick her up. Well not her specifically, but…well…you know what I mean. LOL

I really liked Finn and Brantley’s story. Besides their hot-as-hell chemistry, they seemed to really love each other. This is why it kills me that Brantley sent Finn away! I mean, I get that Brantley wanted the best for Finn, but the Finn that went away and the Finn that returned are two different people.

The heartache that they both went through just guts me, since they both loved each other so much. I still think Brantely has insecurities about his age, but I could feel Finn’s love through the pages. Brantley never needed to question that his age was an issue, but like all people, we all have our own struggles.

Even though I didn’t read the temptation series, I was able to follow this story and can definitely be read as a standalone. The only thing that bugged me is at times I had a difficult time with the his on his this, or he and he that. I was trying to keep track who was stroking or kissing whose stuff, but got a little confused. Other than that, I loved Brantley and Finn!! I’m dying to know what’s up with Derek and Jordan though….

Hooker (L.A. Liaisons #2) ~ Brooke Blaine

Whoever said singles were missing out by not finding true love and getting married before the age of thirty had never experienced the sheer pleasure of nightly romantic comedy viewings in their underwear while eating one of Licked’s famous Crazy Cat Lady sundaes. Because life just doesn’t get better than that. 

At least, it doesn’t for Shayne Callahan. It didn’t take more than a handful of broken hearts after college to solidify that she was better at pairing up those around her than herself. As a matchmaker at the elite HLS—Hook, Line, & Sinker Matchmaking Company—in the City of Angels, she has a knack for finding the other halves of even the most eccentric clients:

Sugar daddy with a foot fetish? Gross, but no problem.

A severe case of nudophobia? Match made before lunch.

But even the most happily independent of women can find their best-laid plans screeching to a halt when they meet that guy. For Shayne, that guy comes in the form of boyishly handsome, suspender-lovin’, dimple-poppin’ Nate Ryan on a pantsless (we’ll get to that later) Metro ride. 

Of course, relationships can never be easy. Before the destined lovers can ride off into the sunset, they must overcome a power-hungry and sexual-punning boss, a celebrity scandal and cover-up, and let’s not forget Shayne’s dreadful foot-in-mouth disease—with which there can never be a happily ever after. 

Will fate throw Shayne a freakin’ bone? Or will she be destined to live out her life as sexy(ish), single(ish), and L.A.’s finest Hooker.

What a fun and sexy read! I completely love Brooke’s characters in the L.A. Liaison series. I feel like my friends and I could hang with these ladies. They are all independent, strong women, but they belong to this group of girls and each of them contributes something to their crew.

"All right slutbags. Let's do the damn thing."

Shayne and Nate. Gah! That chemistry, the sparks that flew. I wanted to smack Shayne a couple times for being so rough with him, but apparently Nate liked the challenge since he kept coming back for more. He’s persistent, stubborn and sexy as hell. Exactly what Shayne needs.

Let’s get to the only thing I disliked about Hooker…..Shayne’s boss Val. That woman is a B*&ch!! I hated how she treated Shayne and wanted to punch her in the throat several times. She is just a nasty person and I’m wondering what happened to her to make her that way. I guess it’s just a testament to Brooke’s writing to make me feel so strongly (in a negative sense) about a character.

Not giving too much away, I’m extremely proud of Shayne and truly feel she followed her own path. She did her best to make it on her own and took so much pride in her work that she stuck at a job for years that paid her crap. But she kept at it because she loved what she did and she did it for the couples she worked with. That takes determination and pride. Shayne kicks ass.

Nate’s not too shabby either. He had a lot of obstacles to go through to hook Shayne. It wasn’t an easy pursuit, but he kept at it. He was sweet, romantic, but also was one of the people who felt Shayne needed to get away from her boss (but supported whatever she decided).

Hooker was fun, sexy and also touched my heart. People were hurt, treated terribly, but also loved fiercely.  I cannot wait for the next in the series. 

Royal Savage ~ Victoria Ashley

 ROYAL SAVAGE 

I CAN’T CLOSE MY EYES… I refuse to. Every time I do, all I see is blood, death, and pain. I can feel it - almost taste it, bringing me back to that night. 

It doesn't matter that I'm still breathing; I no longer need it, I no longer want it. I despise it along with everything else around me. 

The only thing I long for is to fucking fade away. I've given up. Until her at least… 

AVALON. 

She comes into my world, knocking me on my ass. 

It turns me on to have her around me. Makes me want to wrap my hand around her tight little throat and fuck her until she feels my pain, feels the monster in me, but also makes me want to protect her from the very thing that she should be afraid of... me. 

Once she sees the damage that I’m capable of; she’ll look at me like everyone else around me does: with fear. 

AVALON KNIGHT 

HIS EYES... THE DARKNESS IN them draws me to him, making me want to taste him, feel him… and save him. I shouldn't have gotten on the back of his motorcycle that day. I know that now. Colton warned me. I was told it was dangerous. I was told that nothing would be the same. He was right. 

ROYAL is dangerous, dark, and seductive; the very thing that keeps me hanging on, willing to give my last breath just to touch him… breathe him in. 

He’s savage, inked, and highly captivating. So different from his brother… 

He's hazardous to my health, mind, and body, yet the only thing that I crave. I want to free him. I want to change his mind, but I'm afraid that he’s already too faded… 

So I have to admit, this was my first Victoria Ashley book. Why the hell did I wait so long to pick her up?! I absolutely loved Royal Savage!

Royal, bad ass with a big heart and traumatic past, blows right in and steals your heart. He’s sexy scary in all the best ways, but completely messed up in the head. He’s more romantic and emotional then he’ll ever admit, constantly wanting to keep his walls up, but he can’t stay away from Avalon. She’s sucked him in and she is all he thinks about. He wrestles with his past and if he can move on with this beautiful, sexy, smart woman, while letting go of what he had.

I love me a good, strong female character. Avalon is tired of taking her boyfriend’s crap and kicks him to the curb. She’s doing her now and dreaming about doing Royal too. She hates all the stereotypical bullshit, so she’ll do whatever she can to defend Royal against his parents, his brother or her boss. All of them think he’s a bad person for riding a motorcycle, wearing tattoos, standing up for and defending himself. They said he was destructive and dangerous, but once we find out the truth of what happened, I believe Royal did what he had to do and I don’t blame him one bit…..Neither does Avalon. She’s perfect for Royal and exactly what he needs.

"Hold on tight, Darlin', and don't fucking let go."

~Royal

While Royal Savage had death, destruction and drama, it also had love, hot sex and parts that hit you right in the feels. Love this couple and would totally love to read more about them! 

A Night With Knox: (A Sexy Bastard Novella) ~ Eve Jagger

  

 

One night. 

A sexy secret. 

And a New Year’s Eve they’ll never forget.

Pro baseball player Cooper Knox is tired of groupies and fans - so when a sassy brunette with curves for days doesn’t recognize him, he’s not about to let his secret slip. 

She wants a night to remember - and he’s going to show her a few moves she’ll never forget. 

 But secrets have a way of catching up with you - and when the ball drops at midnight, the new year isn’t the only thing that will be starting with a bang.   

For a short novella, Eve, you did not disappoint. I love Knox already and cannot wait to get more of his and Shelby’s story. A Night with Knox is fun, witty and super hot!!

Shelby is alone. Her brother scares every, and I mean every guys off. Her most recent date left her hanging on New Year’s Eve. She is smart, beautiful and quick witted. She deserves some fun and Knox is her kind of fun.

Cooper is tired of the baseball groupies and wishes he could find someone who has no clue who he is. He needs someone who could care about him, for him. When he runs in to Shelby and introduces himself, she doesn’t fawn all over him like all the other women do. Don’t get me wrong, he is super sexy, but she’s able to bust his balls and they have a lot of fun together.

The night they spend together is hot and steamy. I was totally into it and then, bam! Book over! I want more NOW! I cannot wait to hear the rest of their story

Tainted Black ~ Shanora Williams

Amazon US - http://amzn.to/1KHR8sQ

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/1KdYJxp

Dear Mr. Black,

I know you were hurting. I heard your cries. I wished over and over again that I could make it better, but as you stated I was too inexperienced; too good for someone as bad as you.

Perhaps you were right, but it didn't matter because what I did know was that I loved the way you felt--loved the way you smelled. I loved how hard you got for me, and when you called me your Little Knight.

I can still remember that day in the park, when you held me close and kissed me deep. How you effortlessly made me cry your name on top of sweet smelling grass, making me feel like the only girl in the world. I loved how you looked at me, how you spoke to me.

I had been madly in love with you ever since I was twelve years old, but I shouldn't have been.

Isabelle would have hated it--my best friend. I couldn't afford to lose her. Besides, you two had already lost enough. Losing Mrs. Black was the epitome.

It's Chloe Knight.

I wanted to be there for you no matter what, but Isabelle needed me too.

And she would have hated me if she ever found out I was sleeping with her father.

** Tainted Black is a forbidden love-story about a girl who helplessly falls for her best friend's father. After a tragic accident ends the life of Theo Black's wife, he turns to the one person he has always found interesting.

Chloe Knight, the girl from across the street, his daughter's best friend, and a person that is considered completely off limits for him. **

- WARNING: If you aren't a fan of taboo love stories, age gaps/differences, of if you're expecting a novel with that "unicorn and rainbows" type of feel, then this may not be the novel for you. But if you want to read about an alpha male with a tortured soul that rides a motorcycle and owns a boat named Dirty Black, then READ this! You may have just have found the right kind of love story for you! -

OMG!! There is so much I want to say about this book, so many memes I want to create and so many emotions that held me hostage while reading Tainted Black. This forbidden love story grips you right from the start. You know it’s wrong, but Chloe and Theo fit so right. I had a hard time reeling my emotions in for all the characters in this book. The twists, turns and heart wrenching scenes were almost too much, but that’s what makes this book so good.

The Blacks and Chloe’s family was more intertwined then I ever imagined. I was constantly on the edge of my seat and several times wanted to reach through my kindle to smack someone or hug them. Trixie was one of those people I wanted to throat punch. Not that I felt it was right that Theo and Chloe had to hide their affair, I was going to rip out Trixie’s hair for blackmailing them. 

You could feel Chloe and Theo’s love for each other. Their chemistry was explosive and the sparks could be felt through my kindle. As much love as they had for each other, their love for Theo’s daughter, Izzy overcame it all. Get the tissues ready for that. I understand and get it, but my heart is still with Theo and Chloe. (Sorry, trying not to spoil too much if you haven’t read it yet…..because you need to)