Vicious
Book 1 in the Sinners of Saints series
Romance
328
Four stars

Buy it here

Emilia

They say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances, and it’s true. 
The man who comes to me in my dreams also haunts me in my nightmares. 
He is a brilliant lawyer. 
A skilled criminal. 
A beautiful liar. 
A bully and a savior, a monster and a lover. 
Ten years ago, he made me run away from the small town where we lived. Now, he came for me in New York, and he isn’t leaving until he takes me with him. 

Vicious

She is a starving artist. 
Pretty and evasive like cherry blossom. 
Ten years ago, she barged into my life unannounced and turned everything upside down. 
She paid the price. 
Emilia LeBlanc is completely off-limits, my best friend’s ex-girlfriend. The woman who knows my darkest secret, and the daughter of the cheap Help we hired to take care of our estate. 
That should deter me from chasing her, but it doesn’t. 
So she hates me. Big fucking deal. 
She better get used to me.

I'm so glad I found this book. I was in one of my book slumps (oh, who am I kidding? I've been in one for months now), and taking a gander in the store like I always do. The cover caught my eye, I mean, come on. I know we aren't supposed to judge a book by the cover, but how can you not when it's this great?

Anyway.

This one is a bit different from the usual read I like. Vicious is mean, and hateful. He teases Emilia down to her last breath, and he enjoys every second of it. Deep down, he's a guy who's just looking for revenge. Which is where Emilia comes in.

Emilia is poor, at least compared to Vicious. She doesn't get to throw caution to the wind like he does. She has to work for it, and to help out her family, she does so without being honest to her parents boss, Vicious. This causes problems. Major ones. I like Emilia, she doesn't take Vicious' crap and throws insults right back at him, which of course he doesn't enjoy.

The story moves on a few years and they're basically in the same situation. Vicious is still a jerk with more money, and Emilia is working two jobs to keep her apartment with her sister, who is sick. There was some serious sexual tension between these two, and I just wanted to squeeze them together until they both realized that they like each other. It drove me nuts. But when it finally happened, it was great. Explosive.

This is a standalone story, and I'm looking forward to book 2, though I have no idea what it's about. Shen really knows how to write a story and draw you in. I couldn't put this one down, and I hope it's broken the silly slump I'm in once and for all.

7 Best Books of 2016

2016 has been a year of many lows and many highs. But alas, this is a blog for books, not for the astoundingly crazy, stupid, horrifying things that have happened this year. I've started a Booktube channel, finished and published my fourth book (book 2 in the series), and started this book blog for reviews. It's been plenty busy and new, and looking back on it all, I'm astounded at how much I've accomplished. So here's to 2017, may it be peaceful, loving, and full of books!

The first book on my list doesn't come as a surprise if you know me. It's my top favorite book of 2016, and will probably remain so for 2017:

                                                                               


This is book two of A Court of Thorns and Roses, and it doesn't disappoint. In fact, I loved this one way more than book 1! That doesn't happen often. I realized I never made a review for this one, so when I read it again (because I will!), I'll make sure to remember and leave one here.













The second book on this list is one that, for some reason, has stuck with me. It's confusing, maddening, and downright ridiculous:

Wink Poppy Midnight makes no sense, and yet it makes total sense. It's one of those books that stick with you for a long time just because you're still trying to figure it all out. Here is my review, and if you have read it, wanna discuss?
















The third book on this list is one that is also a mystery but with like, fantasy, paranormal, and who knows what else involved:




The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is one of those that is everywhere. It started as a regular non-fiction mystery with a tad of romance I expected and then it just went off the rails into some other territory. Here, read my review if you want to know more. Not that it'll help probably, but take a gander.
                                                                   













The fourth book on this list is one that tugged at my heartstrings and had me reading till 3am to finish in a puddle of salty tears:

This one certainly knows how to wrap a fist around your heart and soul and crush it without feels. It's about two people who begin to heal with each other, despite not wanting or knowing they needed to. Review.












The fifth on this list is one I had been waiting for, because I was dying to see the conclusion and make sure it ended the proper way. Otherwise, I'd have to have a serious talk with Mrs. Cass!

I remember when this series came out and I finished all three in two days and was in desperate need for the rest. Should have paced myself out, because all I ended up with was a hangover the size of Russia and a few months wait for the next one. Check out my review here.















Book six on this list still amazes me:



This is a retelling of Peter Pan with a neat twist. This one is set in a post apocalyptic future with a steampunk setting, a bunch of lost boys, a girl fighting for her family, and a hot, young, man in Hooks place. What more could you want? Review.












And last but not least:

This is book 2 in the Lunar Chronicles, and I love it. While Cinder was a little slow in pace, Scarlet really knows how to kick it up a notch. I loved reading about her and Wolf, and how the story unfolds with parts from book 1. It's a pretty neat series, so try to make it through Cinder.

Review: Rescuing Harley-Susan Stoker

Rescuing Harley
Book 3 
Romance
320
Four and a half stars

Buy it here

Video game coder, Harley Kelso, thought a tandem skydive would help her make her latest game more realistic. Instead, it literally put her in the arms of the sexiest man she s ever seen. Geeky to the core, Harley is the polar opposite of big and burly Beckett, but that doesn t stop her from wanting to play more carnal games with the sexy soldier. 

When Beckett Coach Ralston offers to fill-in at a friend s skydiving club, he doesn t suspect he ll meet a woman who will change his life and he definitely doesn t expect her to save it. But that s exactly what happens when an accident mid-air forces Harley to land them both safely. She s earned Coach s complete gratitude, and even more, sexual interest 

Until she disappears without a trace. 

With Harley missing, a happy ending might not be in the cards for the man who loves her especially when he becomes the main suspect.

I swear, every time I read a book that wasn't asked for me to read, I end up forgetting to highlight quotes. So here I am, stuck because I forgot to highlight the stupid quotes. Guess I'll just have to improvise and actually write a review for once. << Joking! You totally know I actually write reviews with less quotes than words all together in the actual book.

Heh. Yeah.

Anyway, I've been reading Mrs. Stokers books since the beginning. Like her first character, Caroline. So, yeah, I feel a little cool at that fact. Let me bask in it.

Harley Kelso is cool. So cool, I can use the term like a bowtie is cool, because I can. She's a video game artist, meaning she makes games and is kickass at playing them, because, duh. I love her personality and how down to earth she is. Mrs. Stokers characters are always down to earth, but since we're talking about Harley, I'll point out her down to earthness. As Harley is making her current game, she can't seem to get the scene to look real enough and decides to skydive.

I mean, why not?

This is where Harley meets Coach, one of the tandem skydivers that helps out. He's hot, strong, and obviously an alpha male. Like all of Mrs. Stokers fine specimens of guys she writes about, Coach is there for Harley and falls for her quick. It's hot and strong, something he can't back away from. He wants Harley, and with patience, he'll keep her.

Their relationship is adorable and hot. He's so slow with her, not wanting to rush anything and show her that looks don't always matter and that he loves her for who she is. Geeky clothes included. And she's there to reign in his grr grr, I'm full of testosterone maleness. They're perfect together.

But this isn't just a regular, everyday romance. No way. Throw in some suspense and action, and you've got a great story. I love seeing all the other characters in this book. That's what I love most about these books, is that characters from different series come in to play. It's cool to be reminded that they're all in the same world. I'm always looking forward for the next character and their book, never letting a second slip by when its pre-order time!

The only reason I gave this four and a half stars is because I felt like the suspense and climax were rushed. It wasn't drawn out and left me with white knuckles as I realized the truth and what not. It seemed like that part was second to their romance, which isn't a bad thing. I just expected more.

These are all HEA, standalone stories but I highly recommend reading in order OF SERIES when beginning this journey with hot guys and non damsels-but always in trouble women.

Review: Vampire Academy-Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy

1 of 6 

Young Adult, paranormal, vampire

340

5 stars

Buy it here

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever

“Taking a deep breathe, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life.
I walked away.” 

This isn't the first time I've read this book. Or series. If I had to count, I couldn't possibly do so because I can't even count that high. 

So, it's a lot. 

This story follows Rose Hathaway, a Dhampir in training who has the personality of, well, myself. She's sarcastic, blunt, and often times doesn't know when to stand down. Rose is brave but emotional, keeping herself in check because Dhampir's shouldn't be emotional. They're job is to protect the Moroi, the special ones of their kind. They are vampires. Rose is my abosolute favorite character, the way she draws us into her mind is perfect. I feel like she's my best friend, and her snarky side is the best. 

“Jesse: " Hey Rose, welcome back. Still breaking hearts?"
Rose: " Are you volunteering?”

Vasilisa is her best friend, and Rose is determined that she'll become her Guardian, the one who will always watch over her. Lissa is a princess, and is a huge target for those out to take the Moroi down. I love their friendship, it's the epitome of what friends should be like. They're there for each other all the time, both physically and emotionally, especially Rose for Lissa.

“She accused me of wearing pants from the salvation army."
"Rose, your pants ARE from the salvation army."
"That's SO not the point!” 

Dimitri Belikov is surely on the top of my book boyfriend list. He's dreamy, he's large, and Russian. What does Russian have to do with it? No idea, but he's hot. He tries to stay distant from Rose, needing to be only her teacher and nothing else but that doesn't work. Who can resist Rose? Certainly not Dimitri. He's tough and is hard on her, getting her to understand it's not a walk in the park to go after Strigoi, the Moroi turned bad. 

“My name is Dimitri Belikov. I've come to take you back to St. Vladimir's Academy, Princess.” 

This will always remain my favorite series out there. It has so much action and drama, it's so different compared to other vampire stories I've read and that's what I love about it. Please check this out, you won't regret this series. 

Review: Between Here and the Horizon-Callie Hart

General
Between Here and the Horizon
Series: Standalone
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Pages: 270
Rating: Four and a half stars

Buy it here

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. 

“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.”

Let me begin by saying...

What.

Happened.

Okay, let me give you a little background. This story started out typical. I figured the heroine would end up with the lonely man with two kids after having a rocky start. It happens, I've read plenty of romance books with this premise.

But then things got... weird.

Okay, now a little more background. Ophelia needs money for her parents, or their restaurant will go under, and since she lost her job as a teacher, she needs something. A interview to tutor two kids for six months appears just at the right time, and she takes it, hoping that it'll go okay. It doesn't, or so she thinks. 

After taking the job, she starts. It's only been a few days since she got hired and she's gotten to know the man who hired her. Ronan is a single father after his wife died. He's been trying to make it work but knows he isn't doing the best job he can. So he brings his kids to his home town to fix the gaping hole that has built over time. Only Ronan has some secrets, and Ophelia is about to learn them... whether she wants to or not.

Um, yeah. So this book was crazy. Like I said, I totally thought it was like every other romance I've read. Single woman falls for single father who's wife died some years before. He's stubborn and they fight before he comes to his senses. Yada yada yada, right? Well this one isn't like that. It does a complete 180 and I was thrown-not for a loop but from a shove off a cliff. I was gobsmacked. So much so, I just wrote gobsmacked. I can't say much more without giving something away, yet I want to discuss this book so much. It affected me, that's for sure.

“He was a man possessed. I was a woman lost. Together, we were two halves of something fragile and delicate, beautiful in its complexity.” 

Review: Chasing Wishes-Nadia Simonenko

General
Chasing Wishes
Series: Standalone
Genre: New adult, romance, fiction
Pages: 303
Rating: Four and a half stars

Buy it here

For sixteen-year-old Nina Torres, it feels as if life is nothing but a dead end. Despised by her rich classmates and afraid that she'll become just like her drug-addicted mother, Nina's future seems to get dimmer every day.

There is one bright spot in her life though...

Sitting beside her one night, the only person in the world who cares about her makes a promise. No matter what happens—no matter how much Isaac's wealthy family disapproves—he and his girlfriend Nina will be together forever.

Fate plays a cruel trick on Nina, though, and a visit from Child Protective Services the next morning turns Nina Torres into Irene Hartley, a woman with a future but who will never see her beloved Isaac again.

Nine years later, a blind and incredibly handsome young entrepreneur hires Irene to be his personal assistant. Terrence Radcliffe reminds her so much of Isaac that she can hardly believe her eyes, and she's falling for him fast. Irene knows that fairy tales don't come true, but she allows herself one last wish. She wishes that she could finally say goodbye to Isaac and let herself take a chance on Terrence.

What she doesn't know is that Terrence is also searching for someone: a shooting star who streaked through his life nine years ago, and he won't give up until he finds her...

"I wish I didn't have to go home. I wish I was someone else—someone with a future..."




This book was unrealistic, cheesy, and predictable. But it's also cute, fun, and just full of "aw" moments. It made me happy, and didn't give me the killer tendencies I usually get when reading New Adult romance. To be honest, often times I love the cheesy, predictable stories. They're isn't a main character that makes me want to beat my head into the wall because she/he doesn't want to be loved or whatever.

Nina wants to be loved. She wants to go away and be with someone who is nice, and loves her because she certainly isn't getting it at home from her mom. She's had a tough life and dreams of getting free of it and the violence that goes on. Her mom pays for drugs by using her body, an embarrassing fact to Nina. She's the brunt of teasing at her school, which is how she meets Issac.

Issac wants to help Nina. He wants to be her friend in a place where no one else wants her. She doesn't believe him when he says that and tries to stay away. But Issac, my man, doesn't give up. He wants Nina.

Long story short, because I don't want to give spoilers, life happens.

But then they meet up years later. Just not as them.

Nina is now a young woman who is an inspiring voice actor with a job at a sandwich shop. Not exactly where she wanted to be her in life, but doesn't give up. She's been fighting for so long, she won't quit now. And one day, while reading stories to children at the library, she sees this guy who she finds handsome. And they meet at the sandwich shop.

Terrance needs someone to help him get around, and really add details to the descriptions from the world around him. He's blind, and his old friend doesn't cut it. Nina comes into his life at the right moment, and he ends up hiring her to get him around.

But what neither of them expected was to fall in love.

And that their past isn't too far behind them...

This is a standalone, new adult romance and I loved it. It's just fun to get away for a quick, cheesy read and this is what I needed. The times Nina describes places for Terrance is great, it becomes real in my mind. And the side characters are good, they definitely served their purpose. So if you're looking for a fast, loving read, here you go.

“I just want the feeling that I'm safe, the feeling that things can work out and that there'll be a happy ending someday.” 

Author Tour with Mira Stanley

Hey everyone! This is a little different from my usual posts but it was an opportunity I couldn't pass! Today I get to speak with Mira, author of her new release, Irresistible Jerk, which I got the chance to read. Mira is on a blog tour, and one of her stops is mine. This post has Mira's bio, author interview questions, the review, and the rest of the blog spots to visit!

 Mira dreams of a life where hairy-chested, foul-mouthed pool men serve cocktails while she reads in the embrace of a shady hammock. Her reality looks more like errands, carpooling, sneaking in writing time when she can, and snuggling with her husband and kids after a regular-old day in the Pacific Northwest. 

Sex is sacred. It’s also fun. That’s why Mira writes smut with feeling. In her perfect world, every woman who wants it would have access to entertaining, titillating, thought-provoking stories in an environment free of shame.

Learn more about Mira and her books at www.mirastanley.com







Author interview!

Welcome all! Today I’m lucky enough to be interviewing Mira Stanley, author of Irresistible Jerk.

Hi Mira, thank you for doing this interview. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

1.       Which writers inspire you?

Thanks so much for having me! Thank you for starting with an easy question.

My absolute favorite erotic romance authors are Charlotte Stein for her quirky, introspective heroines, Cara McKenna for her crazy hot heroes and intense subject matter, and Alexa Riley for her heroes that just can’t wait to breed their women.

2.       Where did you get the idea for Irresistible Jerk?

My Dirty Minds series started with my adoration of construction workers. There’s just something about a hard working hero who wants a neck rub when he’s done working for the day that I love. I love a rough man with a potty mouth. It was a pleasure to write my perfect man in the first two Dirty Minds books. I can’t wait to add more!

3.       What makes your main character so unique?

Kelly’s a preacher’s daughter with a dirty mind. What sets my Dirty Minds series apart, and especially Irresistible Jerk, is Kelly’s desire to break away from the expectations her family and church have placed on her. She’s tired of feeling guilty for the dirty thoughts she has, and Joe is just the guy to help her embrace that dirty-girl side of her that’s been dormant for too long.

4.       What else have you written?

I write Highlander romance and contemporary romance as USA Today Bestselling Author Jessi Gage. As Mira, I’m just getting started. I’ve got a Sci-Fi erom series in the works, and I’m writing some shorter pieces for some fun anthologies, including a naughty priest story and a werewolf ménage.

5.       What are you currently working on?

I’m raising two little kids who have more energy than seems possible. They keep me SUPER busy. But I do find time to write my kinky Mira stories and my less-kinky Highlander stories, usually while they’re at school or after their bedtimes.

My goal is to have ten novellas in the Dirty Minds series, and I’d like to have the series finished by the end of 2017. Anyone care to place bets on whether I can do it?

I’m hoping to have Mira releases just shooting out of the cannon, one after the other. So readers should join my newsletter here. That way they won’t miss anything!

6.       What genre do you write in, and what draws you to it?

I love erotic romance because of the thrill of arousal and the emphasis on relationship. I MUST have happy endings in what I read, and that goes for what I write too.

7.       Why do you write?

These stories are in my head. If I don’t write them down, they just—poof—go away. That seems so sad to me.

I also write to entertain, titillate, and encourage other women. In my own life, sexual dysfunction is a real and difficult thing. I wouldn’t have the happy marriage I do without steamy reads to help jump start my engine. I’m not alone. A lot of other women are in the same boat—or should I say dry dock—with me.

Some people frown on erotic romance or even just romance in general. They say it sends the wrong message. It’s porn for women. There’s nothing redeeming about it. It’s sinful to read and write.

I disagree. I think a woman can love God, have a good relationship with Him, and read steamy books at the same time. Both religion and romance are important parts of my life, and I suspect readers will notice themes of religion in my stories.

8.       Any advice for aspiring writers?

Write what you love, but if you want to make a career out of writing, you absolutely one-hundred percent have to write to an existing market. Find a way to mesh what inspires you with what’s currently selling. Brows retailer bestseller lists and do what those authors are doing, but add your own twist.

Thanks for the interview! I hope all goes well in your writing career.

Thanks for having me! It was fun!

I’ll leave you with a GIVEAWAY that you can earn multiple entries in. I’ve got a $50 Amazon Gift Card up for grabs as well as a few copies of the first two books in my Dirty Minds series.

Here’s where readers can find me!

Irresistible Jerk (Dirty Minds, Book 2)

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | All Romance | Kobo | Google Play | Smashwords | Goodreads

Mira Stanley links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*Spoilers ahead*

Irrisistible Jerk
Series: book 2
Genre: romance, erotica
Pages: 63
Rating: four in a half stars

Buy it here

*I received this in exchange for an honest review.*

This story revolves around Kelly and Joe, two people who are very different but want one thing: sex. This story picks up right where book 1 ended, so please read that first. I loved the first one, it was fast paced and hot, something you just need after reading long, drawn out stories for a while.

Kelly is a pastors kid. She grew up conservative, and Joe is the exact opposite of her in so many ways. She's innocent and pure, while he's down and dirty, a one way dancer with the devil. He doesn't want to be with her, not wanting to corrupt her with his darkness, but she's too tempting to resist. So they have fun.

"I wanted to let him."

I love reading about Joe and Kelly. They're great characters, each of them bringing a little something to the story. I don't want to say a whole lot, but there is conflict and they have their ups and downs. This series is a few books I believe, so their story isn't over yet.


Here is all the info on the blog tour. Make sure to cheek out these blogs also!