Sunday, September 20, 2015

Review: Hard as Steel

Title: Hard as Steel
Series: 1001 Dark Nights | Hard Ink/Raven Riders Crossover
Author: Laura Kaye
Publisher: Evil Eye Concepts, Inc.
Release Date: September 22, 2015
Pages: 128
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

After identifying her employer's dangerous enemies, Jessica Jakes takes refuge at the compound of the Raven Riders Motorcycle Club. Fellow Hard Ink tattooist and Raven leader Ike Young promises to keep Jess safe for as long as it takes, which would be perfect if his close, personal, round-the-clock protection didn't make it so hard to hide just how much she wants him--and always has. 

Ike Young loved and lost a woman in trouble once before. The last thing he needs is alone time with the sexiest and feistiest woman he's ever known, one he's purposely kept at a distance for years. Now, Ike's not sure he can keep his hands or his heart to himself--or that he even wants to anymore. And that means he has to do whatever it takes to hold on to Jess forever.




This book was over in a blink of an eye. I want more Ike and Jess!!!

The sexual tension between Ike and Jess was so apparent right from the very beginning. I love how Ike was the typical alpha male: protective, guilt-driven, and secretly a teddy bear. How cute was that?! I also loved that Jess was a firecracker. In Ike's words, she was "unapologetic" for being who she was. She was carefree and honest, which I totally loved!

She asked Ike to get Pop-Tarts and Hot Pockets at the store, and he came home with fruit. Go figure. "Toast is boring. Doritos are life."

I've always loved Laura's writing. Although since I've read the whole Hard Ink series, I've noticed quite a similar theme: woman in distress, protective alpha male, they kind of like each other...  No matter what, though, I loved this book! The tension was so thick, but they always had each other's backs. 

He was sick and flat on his back, but something about the quickness of his answer and the intensity of his gaze sent a ripple of awareness through her body. "Well, then scooch over, ya big lug." "You say the sweetest things," he said, voice like gravel. "I know, right? I'm such a peach."

I definitely would recommend this book. I wish it was longer, for sure, but I can't wait for the Raven Riders series!!! *fangirls*


Arianne

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Review: Inhibition-X

Title: Inhibition-X
Author: Bobbi Romans
Publisher: Loose ID LLC
Release Date: June 22, 2015
Pages: 96
Buy Link: Amazon

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Blurb:

One kiss. One single, innocent kiss shared a long-ago summer imprinted on her soul in a way no lover ever-after had. Heather decides the time has come to forget the kiss and stop letting a childhood crush interfere with a grown-up love.

Where better to do it than an island where anonymous pleasures are the name of the game, and no two experiences are ever the same. A tropical paradise where the only limits are the ones you set for yourself.

Heather yearns for wicked release. Little does she know, her childhood crush Mick still burns for the woman he never had. And he’s going to get her.

Welcome to Inhibition-X.




The storyline of this book was amazing. The characters were well-developed and I really enjoyed the story. I did think it could use some more editing, but besides that, I would definitely recommend this book!

Heather was such a conservative. If I had known her in real life, I would have thought her boring and uninteresting. On the other hand, her friends were carefree and adventurous. It made me wonder for a while how she ended up being friends with them.

Anyway, when Heather finally decided to break free and take a chance at something wild, she experienced something she never thought possible. The island and the people in it were like a dream.

Besides the typos, I did notice that this book was quite predictable. I knew who the mystery guy was even before the characters arrived on the island. It was romantic, though, and that was all that mattered to me.

Give this book a read. I think you'd really enjoy it if you like stories similar to this.


Arianne

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Promo: Darkness Rising

Today, we have a prequel to a paranormal series you probably have seen before. If you've not seen it before, check out Dark Stranger here.

Title: Darkness Rising
Series: Chateau Seductions, #0.5
Author: Lisa Carlisle
Self-Published
Release Date: July 7, 2015
Pages: 61
Buy Links: Amazon | Google Play | ARe

Blurb:

Antoine Chevalier harbors a secret.

Born a gargoyle shifter in Paris, he wants nothing more than to cultivate his art. His hard work pays off the night he completes his greatest sculpture. But the excitement of his accomplishment doesn’t last.
He’s drawn the eye of the wrong group—a coven of vampires. Antoine wakes into darkness, changed. Shattered. His dream of becoming a renowned sculptor is destroyed.
One question remains—how will he ever survive an eternity of darkness alone?
Darkness Rising is part 0.5 of the Chateau Seductions series by USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Carlisle.
Readers have requested more on the dark and mysterious Antoine. In this short story, Antoine tells his tale, which continues in the series with Dark Velvet. Dark Velvet is written from Savannah’s perspective as a newcomer to an art colony, intrigued by the proprietor.

About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Lisa Carlisle loves stories with dark, brooding heroes and independent heroines. She’s honored to be a multi-published author writing in different genres since she’s wanted to be a writer since the sixth grade.  For much of her professional career, she’s written non-fiction — but she’s discovered writing romance is the most fun. Her romances have been  named Top Picks at Night Owl Reviews and All Romance Ebooks.
When she was younger, she worked in a variety of jobs, moving to various countries. She backpacked alone through Europe,  and lived in Paris before returning to the U.S. She owned a bookstore for a few years as she loves to read. She’s now married to a fantastic man, and they have two kids, a cat, and many fish.

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Review: Touchstone of Love

Title: Touchstone of Love
Author: Beth Barany
Publisher: Firewolf Books
Release Date: January 5, 2014
Pages: 93
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb:

From present day modernity to medieval France. 

When a thunderstorm transports software expert Rose Waldman to thirteenth century France, she meets hunky stonemason Julien, who is secretly creating a gargoyle in defiance of his master mason. Can independent gadget loving Rose trust her life and heart to Julien, and can she really never go home again? 




Rose was a very logical woman who knew what she wanted in life and how she would get it. In a way, I liked that she was practical and focused on finding a solution as opposed to being upset about her situation going awry. 

On the other hand, Julien was a traditional man who was definitely not accustomed to modern women like Rose. I enjoyed the scenes where Rose would do something completely acceptable like touch his skin, and Julien would be completely offended.

This book was about love transcending time. It was quite beautiful. I'd recommend it if you want a short and sweet read :)


Arianne

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Promo: Courting Innocence

Today, we have another sexy, modern romance involving escorts! Hope you'll check it out! I'd definitely want to read this!

Title: Courting Innocence
Series: Courting Series, #1
Author: Kimberly Dean
Publisher: Harper Collins Mischief
Release Date: July 30, 2015
Pages: 248
Buy Links: Amazon | BN | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo | ARe

Blurb:

Even Nice Girls Have Needs.
Erin starts using matchmaker Luxxor Limited, not realizing that the company is truly an escort service. She meets a series of hunky men, but the dates are disappointing. She wants a man that will awaken her senses, challenge her thoughts, and rev up her body. But she gets more than she bargained for when Luxxor sets her up with another client, lawyer Colton King. Her big brother’s best friend.
Erin has always lusted for Colt. Dark, muscled, and brooding, he was her first teenage crush. Now he’s her favourite fevered fantasy. He’s just never taken notice of her before. She has his attention now.
Colton is horrified when he learns the scandalous game Erin has been playing with Luxxor’s escorts. He orders her to stop, but things go a bit too far … and become a bit too sexy … Soon Colt is escorting Erin straight to his bed.
Years ago, her family forbade him to touch her. How will he defend himself when they learn how impure his thoughts are for their innocent, loving daughter? The one who’s grown up into the sweetest, naughtiest, little temptress.


‘Colt –’

She didn’t get his whole name out, because his mouth was suddenly covering hers in a kiss so hot, she worried her shoes would melt.

He caught her wrists and pressed them flat against the wall on either side of her head, and arousal gushed inside her. Slick and viscous, it filled her veins, making her muscles tense and relax at the same time.

It had been good when she’d kissed him before. Fantastic.

This was the first time he’d taken the lead, and the sensuality was insane.

He tore his mouth away from hers. His chest was rising and falling in jagged movements. ‘You have to stop this,’ he said hoarsely. ‘You have to stop teasing me. Stop tempting me.’

‘No, I don’t.’ Her breaths were coming hard, too, and she ran her tongue over her lips. ‘Give in.’

‘Erin.’ His voice was sharp, like when he went after someone on the stand.

She arched sexily. She wanted him to come after her.

‘I have,’ she whispered.

His eyes flashed to nearly the colour of midnight. His fingers bit into her wrists, and Erin revelled in it. A sound left the back of his throat, and his mouth came down hard on hers again. Their lips sealed tight, and his tongue laved hers.

‘Mmm,’ she hummed when her need cranked up a notch.

He had her trapped, held down, but she arched her back to rub against his body. His weight pressed against her as he leaned in, his chest hard against her breasts, plumping them and making her nipples pinch.

The kiss went on and on. It had been years in the making.

‘Take me upstairs,’ she whispered when they were forced to come up for air. ‘To my old bedroom.’

His curse echoed in her ear. ‘Do you really want my head on a platter?’

She didn’t understand. She wanted his body on a bed. Or the floor. Or right here.

His mouth ran down the side of her neck, and his teeth closed around the muscle that led to her shoulder. She let out a moan and twisted into him. The sound echoed down the hallway, but he cut it off with another blistering kiss.

Erin strained against her constraints. She couldn’t touch him, couldn’t hold him. It was hot as hell, but so frustrating.

‘Let me touch you.’

‘Not going to happen.’

Yet he didn’t stop kissing her. Or rubbing intently against her breasts.

But he deliberately kept his hips away. She could feel his hardness barely brushing against her belly. She wanted more. She needed to feel his hot, muscled body against hers.

She did the only thing she could; she climbed him like a tree.

Swinging a leg high around his waist, she hitched herself up. His hips swung forward, almost as if they had no other option. She took advantage of the opportunity. Knowing he wouldn’t drop her, she hopped up and wrapped both thighs around his waist.

When she settled down, his erection was right where she needed it the most. Big, hard and hot. They both shuddered when she ground against him.

‘God! Sunny, I can’t do this. Not here.’

‘Then where?’

‘No.’ He shook his head as if to clear it. ‘That’s not what I meant.’

Erin had never felt a desire so intense or a need so strong. She had to be with him. She needed to feel him inside her. It was the only thing that would douse the heat in her core. She was ready to burst into flames at the smallest spark.

She rolled her hips almost frantically. This was no dry hump this time. Just a few more strokes, and she would be ready to come. He pumped up to meet her, and she let out a whimper of need.

‘Erin?’ They both froze when her mother’s voice came down the hallway.

Colton tore his mouth away from hers, and his muscles went taut.

‘Yes?’ Erin called, her voice squeaky.

‘Could you bring me a cup of tea, dear?’

Erin swallowed hard, but her voice still came out all wrong. ‘Sure, mom. Just . . . ohhhh . . . just give me a moment.’


About the Author
When taking the Myers-Briggs personality test in high school, Kimberly was rated as an INFJ (Introverted-Intuitive-Feeling-Judging). This result sent her into a panic, because there were no career paths recommended for the type. Fortunately, it turned out to be well-suited to a writing career.

Since receiving that dismal outlook, Kimberly has become an award-winning author of romance and erotica.  She has written for seven publishing houses, both domestic and international, and has recently focused her efforts on the exciting world of self-publishing.

When not writing, she enjoys movies, sports, traveling, music, and sunshine. In her mind, a beach, some rock ‘n’ roll, and a good book make for a perfect day.



Monday, July 27, 2015

Promo: The Mesmerist

Today's post is about a time travel romance with a ghost. Hope you'll check it out!

Title: The Mesmerist
Series: The Hope Chest, #1
Author: Pam McCutcheon
Publisher: Parker Hayden Media
Release Date: August 23, 2014
Pages: 256
Buy Links: Amazon | BN | iBooks | Kobo

Blurb:

An antique hope chest containing five unique objects . . . five people inexorably drawn to the items inside . . . each sent to the past where they must accomplish a task and find their own path to true love with the help of a magical matchmaker determined to bring soul mates together, even across time. 

On the eve of her wedding, dog trainer Gina Charles finds her fiancĂ© in flagrante delicto with her maid ofdishonor, so she flees to a hotel in a nearby town. Unfortunately, her room already has another occupant—a ghost with compelling dark eyes who cuddles up to her in the middle of the night. 

Gina reluctantly agrees to help the ghostly mesmerist, Drake Manton, learn how he died. When her investigation leads her to the burned-out Chesterfield hotel, Gina finds a hope chest in the ruins and is drawn to the melted dueling pistol inside. When she touches it, she and her faithful terrier hurtle back in time to 1883 where she comes face-to-face with the very alive, very sexy mesmerist. 

Now all Gina has to do is prevent Drake’s fiery death so she can return to her own time. Or will she give up her life in the future for a lifetime of love in Drake’s arms? 



About the Author

Pam McCutcheon is the award-winning author of romance novels ranging from fantasy, futuristic, paranormal and time travel to contemporary romantic comedy. She also has two nonfiction how-to books for writers in print, has published fantasy short stories as Pamela Luzier in various anthologies, and writes the Demon Underground New Adult urban fantasy series under the name Parker Blue.

After many years of working for the military as enlisted, officer and civil service successively, she left her industrial engineering position to pursue her first love—a career in publishing. She can be found in beautiful Colorado Springs with her rescue dogs or on her website. You can also visit her on Facebook.