Saturday, February 27, 2016

ARC REVIEW Borrowing Trouble by Stacy Finz

Nugget, California book 6, already can you believe it! This little town is really securing it's way into my heart with every book. This one was a treat, and constantly was making me hungry with all that talk about food. I have been patiently waiting for Brady's story/backstory since he first appeared, I mean he's a hot tattooed southern boy who knows how to cook, rwar! I love Sloane she is such a girlie girl but a tough as nails when she's in uniform. When it first introduced Sloane in the last book I figured, I assumed, she was leaving LAPD because of a sexual harassment charge with a superior and being ostracized by fellow cops. Well I wasn't quite right. She was being ostracized but not for what I thought it was something much more. Brady's backstory finally comes out and honestly I had no idea what to expect from him and was kinda wishing it hinted more to it in other books, foreshadowing.

Sloane McBride had to leave LA, she was being threatened and feared for her life. The tiny town of Nugget was just what she needed but she wasn't sure if she could transition to small town life without dragging her problems with her. She doesn't want to get to comfortable afraid she's just going to have to pick up and move again. She doesn't realize how welcoming, understanding and protective Nugget is of it's citizens especially those who need it. Sloane is fitting right in when she unintentionally starts a youth program for some of the outcast kids at the high school. Brady Benson ran from his troubles too, he is in hiding from a potentially dangerous situation. He happened upon Nugget and stayed, keeping his past and who he was back in LA a secret finding it amusing every time one of old timers came up with another hypothetical backstory for him.

Trouble finds Sloane and Brady easily enough between the skeletal remains found in town and both Sloane and Brady's respective troubles finally showing up. Even though Sloane is a cop and very much able to take care of herself Brady has an urge to protect her, thankfully Sloane is smart enough not to argue with him; with a bunch of brother and her dad, all Chicago PD,she knows what battles to pick. Brady's crazy ended up kind of anti-climatic but Sloane's more than makes up for it.

Overall, I love these two. I enjoyed the gradual falling in love and acceptance of it. New character, Sloane's brother!! *excited*          

Thursday, February 25, 2016

ARC REVIEW Drive by Sidney Bristol

I love Sydney Bristol she always has a well written story and sympathetic characters. I love cars, I know almost nothing about the internal workings of cars but I love cars. This is like Fast and the Furious (really the second one) and Sydney does a fabulous job writing the action both with the cars and with roller derby. Sydney use to do roller derby herself so the action sequence for the bout was worded so well I could easily picture it in my head. Madison is a great character, I loved her she got dealt a bad hand she made a bad decision and now she is trying to fix her life for the better, away from her manipulative ex-husband. Aiden is a heart throb, bad boy with a heart of gold, stuck in a situation he must see through no matter how difficult it winds up being doing things he would rather not do. Aiden didn't think he deserved Madison but she was just what he needed.

Trying to finally nail something on a drug lord an undercover group street racers on contract with the FBI have personal reasons for tying to get this guy busted but after three years they finally have a break it lies with one of his minions, Dustin. Aiden has managed to earn Dustin's trust as much as you can earn a drug dealers trust. Dustin wants Aiden to steal a hard drive his ex-wife has hidden away. It should have been easy but as soon as Aiden sees Madison skating around the drive-in diner he knows this just got way more complicated than ever. Madison left her husband three years ago, but the divorce was finally finalized six months ago. Finally free of him and she still wasn't free of him he kept sending goons over to try and steal something from her, she also has police on her tail trying to get her to turn states evidence against him. Madison has learned her lesson about dating bad boys, so when the bad boy in the hot rod shows up she's hesitant, but then the unexpected he outright admits that he plans to ruin Dustin and needs her help. Madison doesn't like that she is so strongly attracted to Aiden but she can't help it. Slowly he earns her trust enough to give him what he wants.

Overall, with the car races and roller derby bouts this is a hot action packed story; emotional turmoil and steamy love scenes it rounds off the first book of the series and make me anxious for more.  

RELEASE WEEK BLITZ Bare Your Soul by Rochelle Paige



Release Week Blitz

Bare Your Soul 

by: Rochelle Paige

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Release Date: February 22, 2016

BLURB:
Angelica Rose's mom always told her that desperate times called for desperate measures. Walking into a strip club and asking for an audition certainly qualifies as desperate, but when her mom's battle with cancer ends months before Angelica is due to start college, she doesn't feel like she has much choice.
The moment Morgan Cadwell sees her on his stage, he knows she's the one woman who could make him break all the rules. There's no way he's going to let Angelica dance for other men, so he hires her as his live-in personal assistant instead.
Morgan's offer lets Angelica keep her clothes on...but little does she know that, in the end, he'll make her bare her soul instead.

Warning: This book is about an alpha caveman and a sweet but fierce virgin heroine who fall ridiculously fast in insta-love. If you're okay with that, then enjoy!



I love Rochelle Paige. She has such wonderful narrative. She is one of the few authors who writes in first person that I go out of my way to read. I fell in love with her paranormal romance and this contemporary is just as good. One thing kept going through my mind when reading this and that's the BDSM dynamic of Daddies/littlies. OK before you jump to conclusions it's not in a traditional/ taboo sense and he doesn't treat her as a little girl but their relationship falls into that kind of dynamic being more Dom/princess. (Technicalities she would more than likely be a warrior princess submissive) I love how patient Morgan is with Angelica and how he is ready to take on the world for her.

Angelica wasn't ready to be an adult but her circumstances didn't give her a chance, after spending most of high school taking care of her dying mother and making sure she would go to college she didn't have much time to be a teenager. Soon after graduation she was faced with having to make arrangements for college. Desperate for a job her only chance to make enough to pay tuition was stripping. She was thorough, she did her research and found the place safest and paid the best. But things didn't go as planned with her audition.

Morgan knew instantly that Angelica would never dance for him, he wanted her in his bed too badly. Angelica was ready to walk out of his life forever because she needed the work so he offered her a better position, as his personal assistant. Morgan is ready to pamper her and make everything better for her, with her hard life before hand she deserved someone to take care of her for a change. Angel doesn't need Morgan to take care of her she can do it on her own but with her feelings for him, she wants him to be happy, so she lets him.
Nothing is easy though, Morgan wants to make sure Angel wants the same thing before he bring her to his bed. Even after that Morgan has to fight for her to maintain her safety after her absentee father screws up.

Overall, this was a short and eroticlly wonderful story. I also have one question for Ms. Rochelle Paige... Will we being seeing more of Brecken???






“Hey, I thought there was no touching in lap dances?” I tried to protest. 
“There will always be touching between you and me,” he answered. 
I knew it shouldn’t get to me. I didn’t know this guy and I was acting a part to try to get a job. But holy hell his words and his touch were turning me on and confusing me. If I was honest with myself, I’d admit that there was crazy chemistry between us and maybe—just maybe—I was using this situation to my advantage to see what happened. 
“There is no you and me,” I retorted as I tilted my body away from him. 
“There will be,” he insisted. 
Some of my uncertainty must have shown on my face because his hands gentled and he ran them from my hips to my back and stroked softly. He lightly tugged on the material but it didn’t fall any further. “Show me more.” 
I could feel his cock hard underneath me, my pussy resting over it and driving me more than a little wild. I’d never been in a situation like this before. His dark eyes burned into mine and I threw all caution to the wind as I undid the rest of the buttons on my dress. It fell, the material gathering around my waist. Morgan held my eyes as his hands moved away from me to grasp my dress and toss it to the ground. 
He practically growled as his gaze roamed over my body. I’d chosen my lingerie carefully this morning, choosing the nicest set I owned. It was white lace, so I was worried it made me look too innocent when I’d picked it out, but I didn’t have a lot of choices. Now I was thrilled with my selection because it fit the role I was playing to perfection. 
“Maybe if you’re very good for me I’ll forgive you for being naughty,” he said as he trailed a finger down my chest and snapped the front clasp of my bra open. 
His action surprised me, and I moved my hands to cover my chest without realizing what I’d done. He quirked an eyebrow at me in a subtle challenge, like he’d known all along that I wouldn’t be able to stay in character. Taking a deep breath, I remembered the role I needed to play if I wanted this job and forced my arms back down. 
“What if I want to be bad for once?” I asked as he slid my bra straps down my arms.
It was like he’d woven a seductive spell around me, making me forget why I was here and all of my troubles. I’d never felt anything like this before. My skin was on fire, goosebumps running along my flesh. My panties were damp and I couldn’t stop myself from rubbing lightly over his length. My body was tightening in anticipation of what would come next. 
“As long as you’re with me, you can be as bad as you want to be, Angel,” he whispered before closing his mouth over one of my nipples. Each hand held one of my breasts, squeezing lightly. He plucked at the other one with his finger and thumb, making it pucker with need. 
“Ohmigod,” I gasped at the sensation, closing my eyes so I could pretend this wasn’t actually happening. 
“Look at me,” he ordered, and my eyes popped back open to find him staring up at me. 
“You keep your eyes on me, Angel. I want to see every single thought that runs through your head. No hiding.”




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AUTHOR BIO:
Rochelle Paige is the Amazon bestselling author of thirteen books. She absolutely adores reading and her friends growing up used to tease her when she trailed after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. She loves stories with alpha males, sassy heroines, hot sex and happily ever afters. She is a bit of a genre hopper in both her reading and her writing. So far she's written books in several romance sub-genres including new adult, contemporary, paranormal and romantic suspense.
She is the mother of two wonderful sons who inspired her to chase her dream of being an author. She wants them to learn from her that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.

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Tuesday, February 23, 2016

ARC REVIEW Seize the Dawn by Heather Graham

I love Heather Graham historicals, I appreciate all the research and time she puts into it to make it so much more than just a bodice ripper. Heather Graham historicals are more than just romance novels they are a journey to the past. With as much strife and bloodshed that happened at the turning of the 13th to 14th centuries it would be hard not to write an emotional, heart wrenching novel that takes place in that time. Mrs. Graham created a love story around the Scottish fight for freedom where you see all sides the conflict. The British Army to the south and the Scottish fighters to the north and all the innocent people who got stuck in the middle. She even brings in William Wallace, I love her version of him, because I too like the romanticized version of him, and yes in the end I cried just like I did at the end of Braveheart. He was a loyal man who knew exactly what he was standing for and wouldn't give it up for some pieces of gold.

Lady Eleanor and Brendan Graham met on the battlefield. Eleanor was fighting to protect her family's ancestral land and Brendan was fighting for Scotland. They were both young and Brendan gave her mercy when he found out she was a girl, but Eleanor bopped him on the back of the head with the hilt of her sword when he turned his back. Years later Eleanor has been backed into a corner she must marry and unless she wants the King picking out her husband for her she must go with the only one she finds acceptable, an old friend of her father's a French titled Lord with enough money in his coffers to save her lands. On her way to France her ship gets attacked by pirates and then she gets saved by a ship of Scots. Her rescuer, none other than Brendan Graham.

Brendan has been a faithful servant and friend to William Wallace and on their way to France to seek help from the French King they come across a British ship being attacked by a notorious French pirate. Brendan and his cousins crew save Eleanor. Eleanor's life changes from that moment on, her perception on the world and the British/Scottish conflict is also altered as she learns their side and gets to know them as people instead of just dirty barbarians. Brendan is determined to protect Eleanor, even from herself. When the French Pirate admits he was paid to make sure the Lady didn't arrive in France Brendan's protectiveness spikes. He will see her safely to her finace and get a good foot in with the French King. As much as Brendan wanted to hate Eleanor for being English and for knocking him out the first time they met he can't help but feel the pull of attraction and admire her for the strong, loyal, and beautiful woman she is; but he knows he can not have her. Eleanor feeling the same is willing to give what she has while they can.

The story progress slowly but there is so much story there. What I have summarized above is just the beginning. Once Eleanor returns to England broken hearted at having to leave Brendan and that part of her life behind something more sinister occurs and that brings Brendan running back into safe her. There is so much to this story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the historical aspects she put in it and William Wallace.      


ARC REVIEW How to Wed a Warrior by Christy English

Book two of Christy English's Broadsword & Ballrooms, How to Wed a Warrior. I liked this much more than the first book. This one had a little more substance to it. Robert and Pru were a very entertaining couple to read. It's a light read, and very entertaining. As always I freakin' love Mary Elizabeth and with a bit of teasing for her story I can't wait for the next book.

Mary Elizabeth is up to her usual mischief, but as usual it's not intentional. Brandishing her broadsword on an unsuspecting gentleman she is saved by a prim lady. Prudence Whittaker is hiding from the ton, all of her friends abandoned her when her brother disappeared at sea with a good portion of money financed by their friends. Pru believes he is dead because no way could he steal all that money and just leave her there to face the consequences. Pru has put on the appearance of a widow to find work as a companion. She was suppose to go and work for one young girl and help her introduction into society when she runs across Mary and her her broadsword pointed at an old friend of hers. Pru successfully gets Mary and Robert out of that situation. As soon as Robbie sees her and the way she seamlessly handled Mary he know he must hire her for Mary. He also didn't expect the rush of lust her felt for her.

Offering Pru an obscene amount of money to help Mary, Robbie figures he could easily make her his mistress; Pru has other plans. Pru hears rumors floating around that her brother is still alive and hiding out on the docks. With the Waters family to help Pru is sure to find out the truth eventually. In the meantime she is trying hard not to fall in love with Robbie. Robbie soon finds out it's not just lust he is feeling for Pru and he works hard to prove to her that once he has her he will never let her go. Even if it means saving her brother.

Overall, there was a lot more to this book than the first one and it also introduces the eldest brother, I really can't wait for that one; and of course Mary Elizabeth meets her match.      


Thursday, February 18, 2016

ARC REVIEW Once Upon a Regency Fairy Tales and Fables anthology



Once upon a time nine historical romance authors created a fairy tale inspired Regency world… 


This is a great anthology it is all retold fairy tales and fables that take place in, well duh, the Regency era. I loved reading it, it was fun trying to figure out which one it was some were very obvious and others no so much. All these authors are extremely talented and great at storytelling. The novellas range  from sweet to steamy.


Resisting Romeo by Samantha Grace :  This is the only one I really can't pinpoint a fairy tale or a fable to, The obvious Romeo and Juliet, but I see this more of a Taming of the Shrew in the Kiss Me Kate style. I loved it this is one of my favorites in this batch. I love the theatre, and sometimes I miss being on the stage myself, then I remember I'm not that good an actress and pop that dream bubble.  
Claudine Bellarose is an actress, she is an aspiring playwright and the former mistress of an abusive man. Claudine is on the verge of performing her breakout play when the manager gets a letter stating the building is going to be sold and they all have to leave. Russell Hawke is the owner of the theatre, it was left to him by his father. Russell love the theatre but in order to save the family coffers he must sell but one look at the place and it's beautiful headstrong lead  actress and Russell makes a deal if they are successful in performing Claudine's play they can stay. Sabotage and mischief, things keep happening at the theatre (you think they were performing MacBeth) Russell winds up acting in the play too and with Claudine's guidance he becomes a halfway decent actor. 
The misshapes lead to more serious problems and there are secrets hidden in the theatre, all come unveiled and  lead to one very happy HEA.       


Enchanted by the Earl by Amanda Mariel : Admittedly this one took me a while to guess, it wasn't until the end that it became blindingly obvious what it was and I am ashamed it took me that long to figure out. I liked this one, it is a sweet romance and a unique way of telling Little Red Ridding Hood.
Rose is a seamstress, who lives with her grandmother. Hunter Thorne is the Earl of Aubry who by chance meets ose when escorting his sister to her house for a fitting. Mr. Dewitt Wolfe is former family friend that was suppose to be betrothed to Rose, before she broke the contract and now he will stop at nothing to make her his wife. (See why I'm ashamed that I missed the obvious connection...  Hunter, Wolfe, Grandma!) Hunter stubborn oblivious male is determined to help Rose, but he doesn't know why. Rose is determined to save herself but when Wolfe threatens to take away her home she reluctantly accepts Hunter's help.
This was a good adventure romance, I loved the characters especially the secondary characters Lady Julia and Garret Tumbly, Viscount Sinclair.   


Wish Upon a Kiss by Meara Platt : This one is one of the obvious ones, she has three godmothers who raised her and her middle name is Aurora. This is a good retelling of Sleeping Beauty, I love what Meara Platt did with the story and how she changed it up to fit in the Regency era. The "Prince" very sexy mysterious Alpha male, viking.
Lady Winifred Kingsley was rushing off to the opening of the May Fair when she quite literally ran into the man of her dreams. Lucky she did because then she was attacked by a pack of mad dogs, if he hadn't of been there she surely would have died. She ran off after it was safe and made in time for the opening MayFair dance around the pole. But when Winnie tried to convince everyone about the dogs no one believed her. She didn't believe her prince when he introduced himself as Captain Ardaric Mariner but she gladly accepted his escort on her journey home good thing too. Ardaric was convinced someone was out to kill her and kept her inside while the wild dogs ran rampant outside. Soon after getting home she fell sick and fell asleep. It was love at first sight for Ardaric Sinclar fourth Duke of Blantyre, there was something different about Winnie that separated her from all the debutantes' he ever meet and the fact that she was in danger brought out every protective bone in his body.
The secrets of the wild dogs tie directly to Winnie and her past. This was a great retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales. 


A Duke Worth His Salt by Allison Merritt : I'm guessing at this one, it wasn't half bad but one part of it really confused me, I'll get to that, this is a Cinderella story. I liked the story and the characters but the one thing that confused me kind of messed with my opinion of the story.
Lady Eleanor is the beloved middle daughter, that is until her father suffers a head injury and can no longer recognize her and starts spewing all these horrible things about her. She thinks it would be best if she left while he recovered, her Aunt forbids it but Eleanor's sister helps her escape to the Sussex property their father just inherited from a distant relative. Eleanor to avoid the scandal of her being without a chaperone disguises herself as a shepherdess. The only problem Eleanor faces is her neighbor the Duke of Greenebuck has meet her once before. This is where I got confused; Daniel Goodwin, the Duke, knows Eleanor is there and when he meets "Leah" the shepherdess I thought I knew it was Eleanor in disguise and was just playing along apparently not. It's my fault I read something wrong but it just skewed my view of the book. Eleanor becomes Leah and wants nothing more than to learn everything she can about sheep and return the estate back to it's former glory. But when Eleanor's Aunt comes to fetch her back to London everything changes.
It is a good story and I liked it well enough.      


Masquerading as a Miss by Ari Thatcher : This was another great retelling of one of my favorites, The Little Mermaid. I really like this alter ego of Aileen Fish. I love her sweet romances and this one is just a tad bit naughty and I really liked it. The story flowed beautifully the characters were honorable and passionate.
Both Colin Wentworth and Cassandra Franklin are on a journey to London from Jamaica; Colin is returning and Cassandra is of to live with relatives she never knew she had. But as these things happen they hit a horrible storm and the ship sank, only Cassandra and Colin surviving. It was love at first sight but Colin was too seasick to realize it. Back on dry land Cassandra lost her the only information she had about where and who to see once she got there Colin thankful to her for saving his life promises her he will find her family. Cassandra is scared to let herself love Colin she has no idea who her father is and doesn't want to disappoint his family and title if she isn't worthy of it. Colin finds her family and the truth and nothing is going to stop him from marrying her. Even if it means breaking a contract with his father's partner by refusing to marry his daughter and potentially ruining all business dealings with them.
I like this one it was a good twist on an old classic. There was no definite bad guy just a bad situation

  
 
Searching for My Rogue by Dawn Brower : This one threw me for a loop but was really good. One of my all time favorites, so much so I named my daughter after her, Alice in Wonderland. I love Alice in Wonderland and I am usually really picky about people's creative license with the story but this one was different enough with a smig of Yankee in King Arthur's Court that it really made a pleasant story. 
Alys Dewitt was just barely surviving her sister's wedding and tolerating the pompous best man the groom's step brother and Duke of Weston. After the wedding Alys went for a walk  to get some fresh air she accidentally fell over the side of the cliff; when she awoke she was in 1815. James survived the Napoleonic Wars only to come home to a dead brother and a title he never wanted. On his way home he finds a young woman on the beach knocked unconscious. He brings her home and in her half conscious ramblings he assumes she was his brother's betrothed and immediately feels guilty for lusting after her. When Alys wakes up she is stunned but adapts quickly to the situation. James leaves to London almost immediately to obtain a special license so he can marry her and protect her better. Alys in the meantime befriends his sister who confides in her that her brother's death might not have been an accident. Smugglers and spies make an appearance and make the plot intriguing. Alys' skills as a doctor also come in handy.
This is one of my favorites in the anthology.

   
   
The Enchanted Cave by Sue London : This one is probably my least favorite. It is a retelling an of Irish fable and while the author did a good job with that the plot was interesting; however I didn't like any of the characters. All the guys were kind of lecherous and creepy and the girls were all backstabbing whores all except Maeve who was a self righteous prude. 
The Enchanted Cave is a fight club where women box other women. Baron Galen Mornay is trying to save his friends from the evil clutches of the women at The Enchanted Cave. He is always pulling his friends out of hot water and he knows they will end up in trouble again if they continue visiting there. Especially the unofficial leader Finn, Lord Cole who is fascinated with the main attraction Maeve O'Malley. The Fighting Irish Sister earned their fame thanks to Maeve but they are all getting tired and just want a man to offer them their protection and to take them on as their mistresses. All except for Maeve who is a good Catholic girl and wants a husband. The attraction between Maeve and Galen is purely physical at first but the more Galen spends with her trying to figure out her motives the more he grows to like her as a woman and appreciates her strengths and resolve and her loyalties. When the owner of The Enchanted Cave gets more desperate for money he pits Maeve against a man fighter. Maeve must fight the man to win her freedom from The Enchanted Cave.
It was a good story I just couldn't like any of the characters. 

       
Taming Beauty by Lynne Barron : If you couldn't tell by the name this is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Leave it to Lynne Barron to turn this into an unexpected story with a beautiful and unique heroine. I'm a big fan of Lynne Barron and always love the heroines that she creates. A woman with a reputation the granddaughter and daughter of infamous courtesans she herself lives a life she wants to lead and an impoverished scared Baron looking to seek revenge.
Lord Dunaway is a horn dog! Not only did he get his own wife pregnant four time three girls, but he also had three other daughters by three different women. Not only that he seduced a young woman away from Baron Malleville, Jasper Grimley. Malleville also known as The Beast of Breckenridge used his fortune to ruin Dunaway, the only way to settle the debt his daughter's hand and thirty thousand pounds with interest, three percent per annum. Dunaway is escorting his sweet and innocent daughter Lady Priscilla Josephine Worcester, Sissy, to her betrothed estate in Cornwall. Along to act as chaperone Miss Lilith Aberdeen, Dunaway's oldest bastard child. Dunaway's plan is for Lilith to seduce Malleville and have him call off the debt and break the contract. But once their Lilith feels an unlikely kinship with with Jasper and falls in love with the man but being who she is she won't let Jasper ruin everything to be with her she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness to see that he gets what he needs. 
I love the twist Lynne put on the story, and it manages to be funny, erotic, and heartwarming all in one.
  

Stealing a Lady’s Heart by Tammy Andresen : Oh boy this one, this one I have to say is my top favorite out of this collection. Tammy Andersen wrote it in the same style that a lot of the fables are written in. I felt like I was reading a Grimm's Tale or one of the Canterbury Tales. This one is a retelling Grimms The Four Wise Brothers.  The beginning is very succinct it introduces the characters and you get a good feel of their personalities and who they are and the story jumps right in. I loved all the characters even the villain, he was very menacing. 
Charlotte Beaumont was journeying north to visit her best friend and celebrate the birth of her first child. Along the way her father arranged that she stay with just about every eligible bachelor along the way. One such house was Harlington Manor, a house with four sons all with their own talents and trades. Thus starts the grand adventure a kidnapping, a speedy rescue from a tall tower, a chase through enchanted woods, magical battles, and a damsel in distress turned hero. Graham the third son of the house a former soldier turned locksmith fell in love at first sight with the beautiful Charlotte, but being the third son he thought himself not good enough for her. He knew it was his destiny to save her and with his brothers help he did just that. The evil dark sorcerer was hot on their tail and the only way to protect Charlotte was for Graham to marry her. It all ends in an epic magical battle between good and evil.
This was brilliant, I can't say enough how much I loved this one. It was a little cheesy and corny but it just added flavor to the story like the original fables did.         

Overall, This is one not to miss out on. It has some great stories in it.

RELEASE DAY BLITZ Guarding His Obsession by Alexa Riley


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When Drake Hart's security team is hired to find a stalker, he has no idea what's in store for him. However, the day Zoey Lewis' picture lands in his lap, there's nothing he won't do to save her. He's always been quiet and shy, but seeing her changes everything.
Zoey is missing a filter when it comes to interacting with people. She's used to being lost in her computer and being taken care of by her sister. She's an oddball, and people find it hard to deal with. But when Drake Hulk-smashes his way into her world, she doesn't feel so out of place.
When Zoey is threatened and needs protection, will Drake save the day? With a body like his, all signs point to yes!
Warning: He owns a security firm. She's a little nerdy. It's a classic trope and a recipe for sugary-sweet erotica!




I don't know how an erotic romance could be so cute but Alexa Riley managed to do just that. I have never read Alexa Riley before and I was pleasantly surprised on how this duo pulled off a no filter between her brain and her mouth nerd and made her so freakin' cute. If  Zoey was a real person she would be the type of friend that would alternately (and unintentionally) insult you and make you bust out laughing. Drake (ohh sigh) is the kind of big guy you are naturally cautious of because he is the big gruff type who looks dangerous. Zoey is uber smart and the stuff that comes out of that mouth is unbelievable sometimes but she has such a sweet and naive quality about her it's understandable why Drake feels so protective over her. Drake is tough and former SWAT but his career ended when he took a bullet to the knee. He is shy and usually keeps to himself but Zoey bring out his protective nature tenfold.

This book overall was great, it had humor and on a scale on one to rwar it was definitely RWAR. But it also had just enough suspense to keep it from getting too monotonous with just sex sex sex.  





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"I feel a finger lift my chin and find myself looking at him. My glasses slide back on my nose. I didn’t even hear him move towards me.

“I can protect both of you. Your sister, too. I know it will make you both feel better knowing you’re safe. What can it hurt? You won’t even notice I’m around.”

“That’s highly improbable. You’re ginormous and look like a male sex god.”

“You can’t say shit like that to me.” He runs a hand through his hair like I’ve made him uncomfortable. So much for cutting through the bullshit.

“Sorry. I—”

His mouth hits mine, cutting off my words. For a moment I’m still not sure what just happened. I thought I had pissed him off. I dig my fingers into his shirt as he continues to go at my mouth. When I feel his hands go to my ass, I gasp. He takes the opening and pushes his tongue into my mouth.

I let my eyes close as he devours my mouth. This is nothing like the kiss I had before. I push my tongue into his mouth, mimicking his movements, wondering if I’m making him feel what he’s making me feel.

My body feels like I’m buzzing. Something inside of me is coming to life. I push further into him, wanting to be closer. I deepen the kiss. He goes to pull back, but I wrap my hands around his neck, not even noticing that I’m eye level with him and that my feet are no longer on the floor as I pull him back to me.
I move against him, needing the friction. His cock is settled against my core, and I move my hips against him, taking what I want. What I need. Everything else is forgotten, my mind just shuts off.
He growls into my mouth, and I swear the sound vibrates through my whole body and goes straight to where I need it. My body explodes. A moan falls from my lips as I finally pull them from his. I let my head drop back and enjoy the sensations rocking through my whole body. I feel like I’m floating.
When I finally come back down, I realize I kind of am. My legs are wrapped around his waist and I’ve somehow ended up with my back to a wall. I feel his tongue come out and lick my neck, making my body jerk.
“I wanna do that again,” I say lazily. I think I could do that over and over again.
“Your place isn’t secure. Come to mine and I’ll do it over and over again.”
“Mmkay,” is all I say. I’d probably go anywhere he asked me at the moment.
“Holy shit.”
I roll my head to the side and see my sister standing in the doorway. A man stands beside her with a shocked looked on his face, mirroring Elle’s expression. I’m guessing that’s her guard.
“I’m keeping this one,” I say, locking my arms around him, not wanting to do a trade.
“Fuck,” Hart says, placing me on the floor. I regretfully let my arms fall from around his neck.
He steps in front of me, blocking my view of my sister and the other man.
“I don’t think you should be her guard, Hart,” I hear the other man say. His words make my heart drop.
“I’m moving in with him,” I retort, popping my head out from behind him. Elle giggles. Both men just ignore us.
“Fuck,” Hart says again, like it’s the only word he knows at the moment. He runs his hands through his hair again. It must be something he does when he’s frustrated.
“We can get Kent to guard her,” the other man says, making me scowl at him.
“No,” Hart bites back, finally giving us another word besides fuck. “I’ll get it under control,” he says before looking down at me. “Go pack your stuff.”








Alexa Riley

is two sassy friends who got together and wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football, donuts, and obsessed book heroes.
They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top, sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley is for you!
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BLOG TOUR Mated in Mist by Carrie Ann Ryan

MATED IN MIST BY CARRIE ANN RYAN

Blurb:

The Talon Pack continues with an outcast witch and a wolf who can see past the darkness.

As Heir to the Talon Pack, Ryder Brentwood carries the responsibility of not only protecting his Pack, but ensuring its future. Only no one knows that as he does this, he must also shield his people from their past. When a witch with no ties bursts into his life, he must decide if he can overcome the depravity of his secrets and trust the one person who could break the fragile hold on his control.

Grieving over the loss of her twin and on the run from the unknown, Leah Helm knows she is far more alone than she thought possible. Her coven shunned her before she was born and the wolves she sought protection with are in a war of their own. When a wolf with a whisper of secrets is forced to work with her in order to protect their people, she finds she might not be so alone after all.

The world knows more than they ever have before about those shrouded in darkness, while Ryder and Leah are thrust into the center of a conflict they never should have been part of to begin with. On their journey they must not only fight those against them, but the burning temptation that is flaring between them. Fate might have paved their path, but that doesn’t mean they have to follow.

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Mated in Mist is out in the world! What a long strange journey these worlds have taken me. I first started my writing career with the Redwood Pack series back in 2010. An Alpha's Path (Redwood Pack Book 1) released in Dec of 2011 and since then I've released 8 full books and 6 novellas in the series. And because I wanted to see what happened when I looked at different wolves, a different Pack in the world, I started the Talon Pack series.

Wicked Wolf started it all as a bridge between the Redwood Pack and Talon Pack worlds.

Tattered Loyalties was the book that changed the world I created irrevocably.

An Alpha's Choice was the book that broke me because of who the characters were.

Mated in Mist is the book that healed me...even if it broke me a little bit as well.

The journey the Brentwoods are taking within the Talon Pack has only just begun. There are some heavy hitters coming as well as a few surprises.

I cannot wait for you to read Mated in Mist. I hope you love it as much as I loved writing it.






This was a great one! These books just keep getting better and better. Carrie Ann Ryan has created this world where shifters, witches and demons exist; and while the genre isn't new Carrie Ann makes it her own. I love that I have been able to follow this family through heaven and hell and from parents to children. I am emotionally tied to both of these packs, what happens to them happens to me, I fall in love when they fall in love and when someone dies I cry with them. Carrie Ann is such an engaging author with a talent for in depth storylines, sexy as sin heroes, strong heroines, tortured pasts, and yet so easy to read and follow and soooo addictive.

Mated in Mist introduces Leah, a very powerful water witch. Her mother was shunned before Leah and her twin Roland were born. They have been on the run as long as Leah could remember. Leah is now alone in the world and finds herself half dead on Talen territory. Ryder is the Heir, he has survived the atrocities that happened with the past Alpha and now he lives in his own hell. He hides his curse from everyone, and knows full and well that he could never mate and share the burden of his curse with her. But the draw of attraction between him and Leah is too much for him to bear. 

When the witches must join sides with the shifters or go to war with each other Leah and Ryder are thrust in the middle. The conflict between the paranormal and the Humans First terrorist grows even more so with the help of government politicians. Kidnapping, magical battles, backstabbing, happy rough sexual rompings between two life mates, oh yeah it's all there. Teasing for the next book couple too.    






“Is he staring?” Leah asked.
 Charlotte’s eyes danced and she looked over Leah’s shoulder. “No, but he was earlier.” So Ryder wasn’t looking at her, but he had been. That sounded about right. He kept changing his damn mind. First he’d pushed her away before he kissed her. Then he’d said he wouldn’t mate her, but damn well claimed her in the Coven meeting. She still wasn’t sure what that had meant or exactly what the others had thought, but it had meant something. She wasn’t Pack, but he’d still said she was his. Or, at least, theirs. It wasn’t as if she wanted to marry him and have his babies, but it would be nice if he would make his choice and stick to it. She’d told herself years ago she wouldn’t have children and wouldn’t find a man to live her life with. She’d always thought her twin would be able to do that despite the danger, but that wasn’t for her. She hadn’t wanted her bloodline to continue with her, not with all the pain she’d lived with for so long. But letting her hands run along that wolf’s body as they both panted with need wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Her cheeks heated, and Charlotte raised a brow at her. “Interesting place your thoughts went, I would think.” She smiled and her whole face brightened. The woman was absolutely beautiful, though there was a sadness in her eyes that she couldn’t quite hide. Leah knew what Bram saw in the woman, though he, like Ryder, did his best not to stare for too long. If Leah had planned to stay within the den for any amount of time, she might have asked Charlotte what the story was behind that, but she couldn’t. She didn’t know her future and what path she would take. Therefore, making friends and promises wasn’t for her. It hadn’t been the case for more years than she cared to count. “Leah? Are you okay?”




About Carrie Ann:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan never thought she’d be a writer. Not really. No, she loved math and science and even went on to graduate school in chemistry. Yes, she read as a kid and devoured teen fiction and Harry Potter, but it wasn’t until someone handed her a romance book in her late teens that she realized that there was something out there just for her. When another author suggested she use the voices in her head for good and not evil, The Redwood Pack and all her other stories were born.

Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets *grins*) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.