ARC Review: Southern Nights and Secrets

I met Robin Covington at the RWA Conference last July. I'd previously read her books before and I really enjoyed them. So, when I saw that her new release was up on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. Check out my thoughts below!

Title: Southern Nights and Secrets
Series: The Boys Are Back In Town, #4
Author: Robin Covington
Publisher: Entangled: Indulgence
Release Date: September 19, 2016
Pages: 208
Buy Links: Amazon | BN | iBooks | Kobo | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

Blurb:

Being a doctor is everything to me, but I’m not going to let bureaucrats tell me how to practice medicine. It’s about saving lives no matter what, screw them and their paperwork.

When the one woman I could never forget, Ginger Crawford, shows up as my boss all bets are off. The heat between us is tough to ignore but I have to if I want a future at this hospital. It isn’t easy. Every time we argue, I want her even more.

But I’ve got secrets she can never know, and she’s always going to be way too good for me. So it’s best if she hates me…at least that’s what I keep telling myself.

I love, love, love this book! From the very beginning, it was action-packed, and frankly, that was how you properly start a story. Well done, Ms. Covington!

"These are people. Patients. Not outcomes."

Dr. Beckett Sutherland... Gee, where to start? Oh, let's start with the cover. One thing I noticed was the model's lips. How appropriate were those lips to represent Dr. Sutherland? So sexy. Anyway, Beck was a complicated character, but he had the biggest heart. It might not have been obvious, however, because he chose to hide his true self. He didn't think his actions were enough to atone for his mistakes when he hadn't a choice as a kid. 

"Dr. Sutherland. Didn't your mama ever tell you that you get more flies with honey than vinegar?"

"My mama didn't stick around long enough to teach me shit, and you know my tongue can be mighty sweet when I want it to be."

Virginia, aka Ginger, was a force to be reckoned with. Being the daughter of a NAVY Seal, she learned many skills including the ability to shut off her emotions most of the time. To be honest, I found that very admirable. Her character was fiery when she wasn't hiding behind a mask. She was a firecracker when Beck was able to push her boundaries. Their chemistry was explosive!

Ginger had always spent a ridiculous amount of money on underwear that barely covered the fun parts.

Who could resists Beck's charms? He had the ability to even charm some men, but I bet that had something to do with his pure heart rather than him actually trying. I'd say he was probably one of my favorite book boyfriends this year. 

The serpent in the Garden of Good and Evil had nothing on Beckett.

The cameos of the other boys from this series made me want to read the previous books. Where had I been living? A rock?! I totally missed out!

Want some more? Check out the sexy snippet below by clicking on the button... if you dare. 

He moved forward, his arms raised and his hands placed flat against the door.

"Gin, baby, let me in," he whispered against her ear, his warm breath brushing the tendrils of her hair against the skin of her neck. She arched her neck involuntarily, her silent plea answered by the fleeting brush of his lips against her lobe. She shivered, her keys almost slipping from her fingers.

Fuck, she wanted him. Beckett didn't have to wear her down like the waves crashing against the shore, his power was like the undertow, swirling around her, playfully enticing her farther out into the water. The harder she fought against the pull, the more seductive his movements became. Take this move--she should have expected him to show up at her door, but she didn't. It didn't fit in her ordered plan for her world, and the surprise delighted her inner romantic who refused to see that being swept off your feet usually led to a painful crash. She couldn't let him in no matter how much she wanted to.

Virginia braced her trembling hand and inserted the key into the lock, twisting until the tumbler gave way and she released the keys to grab the doorknob.

Beckett's hand closing over hers halted her movement and prevented her escape. Or was she planning to invite him in? She had no idea.

All she knew was that her blood was hot, her sex was wet, and her heart rattled against her chest like it was trying to escape.

"Let me in." His voice was deeper, rougher, and accompanied by a tender scrape of his teeth along her shoulder, lingering on the spot where it sloped upward into the exposed skin of her neck.

She let out a long, shuddering breath.

"If you let me in I will fuck you until you cannot move. I know how to make you feel good, and I promise you will feel the pleasure a week from now." He huffed out a breath caught between a laugh and a moan against her flesh. "You know I can fucking do it."

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ARC Review: Billionaire Blackmail

I'm excited for this review because Alison has become one of my favorite authors. I met her when I edited her debut novel. I didn't get to edit this one, but I was so grateful I got to read it! I'm also really excited that she's with Entangled - my favorite publisher! Anyway, without much rambling, check out my review of her first Entangled novel :)

Title: Billionaire Blackmail
Author: Alison Aimes
Publisher: Entangled: Indulgence
Release Date: July 11, 2016
Pages: 213
Buy Links: Amazon | BN

Blurb:

After a childhood spent on the streets, ruthless billionaire Nik Valenti has had his share of dealing with crooks. He thought that was behind him. Until the woman he's been casually dating turns out to be the biggest con artist of them all. Now, with pride, money, and his company's survival at stake, he won't rest until she's experienced his own brand of justice.  

Sara Turner knows she's no angel, but a few deliberate omissions...well, compared to the rest of her family, that's choir girl behavior. But now the one man whose heart she'd hoped to steal is accusing her of embezzling from his company. Worse, he wants answers. And he's come up with a foolproof way to ensure he gets them. One Sara must accept if she doesn't want to end up in jail. 

Nik might be trying to save his company, but he has a tough time ignoring the way Sara makes him burn. The passion between them is all-consuming, and each time he peels away a layer, he discovers there’s more to her than first meets the eye, but he can’t give in to his need. Nik will put everything on the line to find the truth...except his heart.

So relatable, I almost wish I'd meet a billionaire and fall in love!

When I started this book, it was interesting, though it didn't grip me quite as immediate as I had expected. However, when the ball got rolling, I couldn't put it down. I just wanted to read it through the end, but at the same time, I didn't want it to end. You all know what I mean if you're a bookworm like me.

Nik Valenti was one ruthless bastard - literally. He didn't know his father and he was really ruthless when it came to business. Running his company was all he'd known, so everything in his life was a business deal. Except, he didn't realize that there was no such thing as a love contract. His struggle with trust was so relatable because I felt the same way. 

Sara, on the other hand, was believed to have been the villain of the story. Poor woman, she worked so hard to have people's respect, only to be accused of a crime. It was just as well that Nik couldn't keep his hands off her. He felt such a protectiveness towards her, which I really enjoyed reading about.

Overall, I loved how stiff Nik was at times, but Sara was the one that broke down all his defenses. I also enjoyed a bit of comedic breaks once in a while. Even when Nik was negotiating, his bossiness would show, and to me, it was very entertaining.

Check out two of my favorite scenes below.

Nik: "There's no going back. You belong to me now."
Sara: "My time. My time belongs to you."
Nik: "That's what I said." 

~~~

Nik: "Open this damn door, woman."

Sara: "Two more minutes. You know what happened last time you talked me into a quick shower together. I'm not sitting through another lecture from Alatza on scheduling. Mrs. Rogers insisted we be ready by eight."
Nik: "Using Mrs. Rogers against me? That's cold. You know that woman scares me."

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