BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Dirty Pleasures (The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy #2)

GAH! This series! I'm loving it so much! Dirty Pleasures only built upon the foundation that was laid in book 1, Dirty Billionaire. I needed more Creighton and Holly, and boy did Meghan March deliver. Read on for my review and learn more about this awesome series. 

Dirty Pleasures (The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy #2), by Meghan March
Publish Date: December 29, 2015
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(Synopsis) I did it. I married a billionaire.

My reasons are my own, but the last thing I expected was to feel owned.

I may have taken vows, but I’m still determined to be me.

Now his rules are taking over my world, but I’m not the kind of girl to just obey.

There’s only one problem: I might actually be falling for him…

I have no idea how this marriage is going to go, but holding onto a piece of myself while succumbing to his dirty pleasures is shaping up to be the ride of a lifetime.

While Dirty Billionaire might've been Holly's story, Dirty Pleasures is definitely Creighton's. In the 140 or so pages of this book, Creighton comes to an awareness about himself that rocks him to his core and changes his world. But, his learning curve is great, as is Holly's. And that leads to more problems as they try and navigate this new relationship in which they find themselves. 

Creighton definitely proves himself when he immediately comes after Holly and decides to stay with her while she's on tour. It gives him a front row seat as to what it's like to be her. And, I think it was the best thing for both of them. I don't think Creighton fully understood her or her life, or really had any intention to. He is a hard worker, but he didn't know how hard Holly worked too. Or how talented she was. And, once he had this knowledge firsthand, it caused him to look at her in a new light. 

The problem is, neither Holly nor Creighton are good with using their words to communicate. Oh, they definitely know how to use their bodies. They are very, very good at that. But words - they definitely need some help with that. Neither of them feel so inclined to tell the other how they have grown to feel about one another, and that made me absolutely CRAZY. 

"Things change, Holly. And everything has changed for me because of you. If you haven't figured that out yet, then I'll just have to show you."

Creighton may still be overbearing and controlling at times, but in Dirty Pleasures, we see a much softer side of him. I absolutely loved Creighton in this one. And, more than once, I was really irritated with Holly for not giving him more of a break. I understand why she still doesn't trust his motives, but that doesn't make her disbelief of them any easier to take. 

Like Dirty Billionaire, Dirty Pleasures leaves you hanging at the end, wondering how Holly and Creighton can make it out of this mess still together in the end. So, be prepared for that, but know that the last part of this awesome story is right around the corner, so you won't have to wait long for, what I'm positive will be, an epic satisfying finish. 

Meghan March is the author of contemporary and erotic romance novels.

Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She's also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she's ever had. She loves hearing from her readers at meghanmarchbooks@gmail.com.

Website: http://www.meghanmarch.com/
Newsletter: http://www.meghanmarch.com/#!newsletter/c1uhp
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8184875.Meghan_March 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Meghan-March/e/B00LBN0UNW/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeghanMarchAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Meghan_March

EXCERPT REVEAL: Aced (Driven #4)

You guys! There are only two weeks left until ACED by K. Bromberg comes out, which means you only have two more weeks to wait until more COLTON. And Rylee, too, of course. To hold you over until January 11, check out this new excerpt and don't forget to pre-order Aced!

Aced (Driven #4), by K. Bromberg
Publish Date: January 11, 2016
Publisher: JKB Publishing LLC
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

(Synopsis) Rylee and Colton's ride continues...

One moment. Six years ago.

The night she made the world around me so much more than just a blur. Now it's the catalyst that threatens to tear us apart.

Our happily was supposed to be ever after. So why do I feel like it's slipping through my fingers?

How can one moment, when our world seemed so right, resurface and cause our perfect life to spiral out of control?

I can't lose her.

She's my checkered flag.

“I talked to my parents. To Tanner. To Shane.” My voice fades off as the disbelief I have to take stock and let him know the damage control I’ve done takes hold. Unsure how to respond to me when he’s always so sure, he just nods his head as our eyes hold steadfast. “I just don’t know...” My voice is so soft, it sounds so very different than the storm of anger that rages inside me, and yet I can’t find it within me to show my emotions. I can feel his fingers tense from my comment, see his Adam’s apple bob from the forced swallow, and notice the tick of muscle as he clenches his jaw.

“We’ll get through this.”

The condescending chuckle falls from my lips, the first break in my fraudulent façade because it’s so damn easy for him to say. “I know.” Voice back, emotion nonexistent, tone unsure.

Colton stares, willing me to say more but I don’t. I just match him stare for hollow stare as images of myself from Google flickering through my mind. Finally he breaks out connection and reaches his fingers to pinch the bridge of his nose before blowing out a sigh.

“Scream at me, Ry. Yell. Rage. Take it out on me. Do anything but be silent because I can’t handle when you’re silent with me,” he pleads. All I can do is shake my head, dig down within myself to will the emotion to come. When I can’t find the words or the feeling behind them, it unnerves him, worries him. “I’m sorry, baby. Were we stupid? Maybe. Do I regret it?” He shakes his head. “I regret all of this, yes, but that in general? No. So many damn things happened that put you and me where we are now. So for that? I’m not sorry. You pushed me that night, made me question if I could give someone more of myself.” He reaches his free hand up to brush a thumb over the line of my jaw. His touch reassuring, his words helping soothe the sting of our situation.

“It’s not your fault,” I say, trying to ease the concern in his eyes.

“Maybe not directly . . . but I made you color outside of your perfectly constructed lines . . . do something against your nature, and look what happened. I’m so sorry. I wish I could make this right,” he says, dropping his head as he shakes his head in defeat. “All I can try to do is mitigate the damage. That’s it.” He throws his hands up. “It’s killing me because I can’t fix this.” The break in his voice and the tension in his body would have told me everything I needed to know even if he hadn’t uttered a sound.

I look at my achingly handsome husband, so distraught, so desperate to make wrongs right that aren’t his to be held responsible for. And seeing him as upset as I am makes me feel a little better and allows me to dig into the deep well of emotion. I finally find the words I need and want to tell him. The decisions I came to last night when I sat on the deck and considered the life-altering situation we were in.

“Stop. Please quit beating yourself up over this. I don’t blame you.” I pause, my teeth worrying my bottom lip as I put words to my thoughts and wait for him to hear that last sentence.

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

She’s a mixture of most of her female characters: sassy, intelligent, stubborn, reserved, outgoing, driven, emotional, strong, and wears her heart on her sleeve. All of which she displays daily with her husband and three children where they live in Southern California.

On a whim, K. Bromberg decided to try her hand at this writing thing. Since then she has written The Driven Series (Driven, Fueled, Crashed, Raced), the standalone Driven Novels (Slow Burn, Sweet Ache, Hard Beat, Aced (a new Rylee and Colton novel releasing 1/11/16), and a short story titled UnRaveled. She is currently working on new projects and a few surprises for her readers.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media.

Connect With Kristy --> Facebook • Twitter • Website • Goodreads

RELEASE DAY REVIEW: Mastered (The Enforcers #1)

Mastered (The Enforcers #1), by Maya Banks
Publish Date: December 29, 2015
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Format: e-ARC, provided by NetGalley and the publisher
Genre: adult erotic romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Rating: 3.5 STARS

(Synopsis) What he wants, he takes with no remorse or guilt.

She stood out in his club like a gem, unspoiled and untouched. A lamb among wolves, she clearly didn’t belong. Drawn to her innocence he watched as she was surrounded by men who saw what he did—but no one but him could touch her. He summoned her to his private quarters. He sensed her fear. He also recognized the desire in her eyes. And he knew she wouldn’t leave before he possessed her. She had no need to know his secrets. Not until he had her under his complete and utter control.

What he wants, she isn’t sure she can give him.

The moment he told her want he wanted, she couldn’t resist. Instinct told her to run, but her heart said stay and walk the fine line between pleasure and pain. Though she wasn’t sure she could ever completely surrender, the primal part of her wanted to try, even knowing this man could break her in ways she never imagined. Because once he possessed her, he owned her and it would be too late to turn back. She can only pray that he doesn’t destroy her in the end.

There was a lot that I liked in Maya Banks' new erotic BDSM series, The Enforcers. There was also a lot that didn't quite work for me. As it turns out, one of my favorite parts of this book was not the relationship between Drake and Evangeline, but rather the introduction of his crew of bodyguards/right-hand-men/BFFs (The Enforcers - DUH). These guys seem really interesting in their own right, and I'm excited for where this series is going to go with them. But, as such, Mastered, was Drake's and Evangeline's story, and, well, I just didn't connect with them as much. 

If you are not a fan of insta-love, insta-infatuation or any other insta-anything in books, you may want to look elsewhere. Because as soon as Drake sees Evangeline in distress due to her ex's torment in the middle of Drake's club, he swoops in as her knight in shining armor and declares her his. He moves her into his penthouse

To her credit, Evangeline has lived a very sheltered life. I do actually like those stories where the innocent, sweet girl is dirtied up a bit by a worldly, experienced, alpha male. So, that part of this story was one I definitely liked. Drake and Evangeline were definitely on two polar ends of the spectrum. She was one of the most sheltered characters ever, and Drake was one of the most commanding. So, I'm not really sure what drew him to her in the beginning. 

But, as he got to know her, it became clear that Evangeline's innocence and goodness was what caused him to fall in love with her. No woman had ever broken through his carefully erected walls to get to his heart. I also loved this part. There's something so awesome about a story where a stony, stoic man is affected by the most unexpected woman. That trope is definitely in play here. 

Now, in my favorite BDSM books, the man is the boss in the bedroom, but outside of the bedroom, his woman has her own life, her own friends and her own mind. That is not the case in Mastered. Evangeline is owned in every way by her master Drake. She lives to please him, even if that means her friends don't want to associate with her anymore. It's just so hard for me to respect a woman like that, and therefore, I didn't respect Evangeline. Not even a little. She seems like a doormat to me, which was a constant source of annoyance. I realize this is my own hangup - it's absolutely no fault of the author. I just don't prefer this type of relationship. If you do, then you will enjoy this book far more than I did. 

Despite the nature of their BDSM relationship, this was still a crazy sexy book. Drake has some moves, and he's very eager to teach Evangeline. Even though he's too controlling in regular life, he was sex on a stick in the bedroom. 

Drake's muscle - the Enforcers - are completely taken with Evangeline. Although it was almost funny at times how they fell all over themselves to do things for her and spend time with her, it was also sort of sweet. They each have their own story that affects their mannerisms and attitudes now. I have no doubt that those stories are doozies, and I can't wait to get to them. 

But, first, we must get to the end of Drake's and Evangeline's story. Despite my troubles with some parts of the book, the last 10% kept me on the edge of my seat right up until the horrifying, get-wrenching cliffhanger ending. It completely guaranteed that I will be snatching up book 2, Dominated, when it comes out in May 2016. 

I think Mastered will definitely appeal to people who like their BDSM of a certain flavor. Although that flavor was not my own, I still found things that kept me moving through the story, and the explosive ending sealed the deal. 

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4)

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4), by Marissa Meyer
Publish Date: November 10, 2015
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Format: audiobook, purchased
Genre: young adult fantasy/sci-fi romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

ALL THE STARS. This book gets all the stars. I don't even think I can tell you how much I loved it in this review. What I can tell you is that Winter was the perfect ending to this sweeping epic tale of love and loss and friendships that will last forever. 

It's impossible to recap everything that happened in this 827-page book. Where things left off at the end of Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) was with Cinder and all her friends trying to piece together a plan to get to Luna and reclaim the throne for Selene, effectively putting an end to Levana's tyranny. 

With the first three books in this series taking place on Earth, it was so awesome to finally shift the story to Luna. Marissa Meyer paints the moon with a bright and colorful brush. They way she describes the different sectors and how they're organized into industries and how their domes protect them from the atmosphere - it was wondrous and intriguing and so perfectly described. 

Except for a few chapters that were set on Thorne's Rampian spaceship, the entire story is set on Luna. But, from nearly the beginning, the group is split up into different groups, both by choice and by accident. They each have different roles to play in their revolution as they try and rally the beaten down Lunars to their cause. 

Of course, things do not go smoothly. For any of them. There was a part of the book, about 40% in, where it seemed like nothing was going right for anyone, and I had absolutely no idea how any of them would make it out of their various predicaments alive. To quote Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own, "It's the hard that makes it great." The way all the characters dig deep inside themselves to find those unique characteristics to pull them through their trials was so awesome. 

Winter was big on emotion. There was a TON of it - of all sorts. I laughed a lot - mostly at the things that came out of Carswell Thorne's mouth. I shed a few tears. It wasn't hard to do since there were times when things looked really bleak for our heroes. 

And, of course, I swooned. Oh, there was so much swooning. Each of our four couples - Cinder and Kai, Scarlet and Wolf, Cress and Thorne and Winter and Jacin - have these moments where the events swirling around them stop and they have a chance to profess their love for one another. OMG, I loved those parts so much. 

As you might expect from the title, there is a lot of focus on Princess Winter and how she is dealing with the sickness that is a result of her choosing to not use her mind control powers on other people. Her choice to be a good, honest person when everyone else around her is not comes with serious consequences, and she takes them all on. She was amazing, and her relationship with Jacin is both complicated and sweet. 

But, the big event - THE event - is Cinder's revolution. There is a crazy amount of action in Winter. There are little skirmishes that take place between various groups of people throughout the book, but the big battle at the end for all the marbles was everything it needed to be. It was hard. It was deadly. It was nail biting. And not everyone made it through unscathed. In a word - it. Was. PERFECT.

In Winter, you will love. It's impossible not to with heroic hotties Kai, Wolf, Thorne and Jacin taking center stage. In Winter you will hate. You will hate BIG TIME because Levana is one of the evilest villains I have ever encountered in any book ever. In Winter you will be proud. Because Cinder is the best heroine ever. She doesn't always do the right thing, and she admits she's scared and doesn't know if she can be who she needs to be. But, her heart is ALWAYS in the right place. And her heart is big. I promise you will never regret having read Winter.

About the Audio Version
Rebecca Soler should read all books everywhere forever. Hands down, she is my favorite narrator. I can imagine that Winter was a difficult project for her to undertake. First of all, it's hella long. At just over 24 hours in length, it's the longest audio book I've ever tackled. And, secondly, there are so many characters! Besides the eight main heroes, there was also Levana, her right hand man Amery, Cinder's bestie Iko, Kai's advisor Torin, several Earthen delegates (from Australia, the UK, Texas and Africa), and scores of other minor side characters. And, somehow, Rebecca Soler gave them all a unique voice. How does she do that?!

I never got tired of listening to this book. I was constantly looking for extra opportunities to sneak in a chapter. It was incredibly entertaining and masterfully produced. I do own Winter in hardback. But, I chose to purchase the audio version and listen to that instead, as I have all the other books in this series. I've just enjoyed the audio versions so much - I'm sad to see it all ending. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Rebecca Soler's other narrations, though. 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, my friends! I hope today is full of all the best things - family, friends, food, and of course BOOKS!

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Love So Hot (The Lawson Brothers #1)

Love So Hot (The Lawson Brothers #1), by Marquita Valentine
Publish Date: January 12, 2015
Publisher: Createspace
Format: audiobook, provided by Wordsmith Publicity
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Rating: 4 STARS

(Synopsis) Bank Teller and all around good girl, Sydney McKnight, is tired of being the girl all the guys want to have as a friend. Who better to help unleash her inner vixen than her best friend and secret crush, Brody Lawson? Only, Sydney has no idea how to ask him, without their friendship going up in flames, until that is, the town of Jessamine's annual Firemen's Auction gives her the perfect excuse to set her plan into motion.

Fire Captain Brody Lawson has been in love with his best friend, Sydney, for years, but he would never risk their friendship by confessing his feelings to her. So, when Sydney beats out the competition to buy his time at the annual Firemen's Auction, Brody can hardly believe his luck until she asks him to teach her how to seduce a fellow fireman.

Now, it’s up to Brody to show Sydney how perfect she already is and convince her that the only man for her is him, because if Sydney is going to seduce any man, it’s going to be him. And once he has her in his bed, he’s not letting her go.

The one thing you can always count on in the friends to lovers trope is a lot of frustrating stupidity. Don't get me wrong - it's part of the charm and a reason why I love it. And, despite knowing it's coming, when these two besties, who are obviously in love with one another, keep denying their feelings so that they can continue being friends, it makes me want to scream. Because the best lovers are ALSO friends. DUH. But, I digress. 

That's all true here in Love So Hot. Sydney and Brody have been best friends for so many years, they don't remember a time when they weren't. They've also been in love with each other for a long time, but neither is going to admit that to the other for all the normal reasons - fear of rejection, fear of humiliation, and worst of all, fear of losing their friendship forever. So, they go on dating people they really don't like that way, all the while wishing they were with their best friend. 

At least Sydney finally decides to do something about it. I liked her, and I felt her frustration, but I was happy when she finally sought out help to get her man from an unlikely person. So, she and Brody embark on a relationship... sort of. When she asks him to teach her about seducing a man, he thinks she is talking about someone else. So, they have all these hot times with each other under false pretenses. They're together, but they're not together, and it made me want to scream. 

I liked a lot about Love So Hot. The pacing was perfect, and I loved the back and forth between Brody and Sydney. It was a great introduction to the Lawson brothers and their vastly different personalities. It is told in dual POV, which is my favorite. And, the sexy times were plentiful and really hot. Which is ALSO my favorite. 

The audio version was really well done. This is my first experience with narrator Piper Goodeve, and I would definitely check her out again. She did a really good job voicing both Sydney and Brody. And it was a really quick listen for me. At less than 5 hours long, it only took me three days to listen to it from beginning to end. 

I'll definitely be adding more Lawson Brothers books to my Audible library in the future. 

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This is one meme I can get on board with - I LOVE lists! I'll show you mine if you show me yours!

Top Ten Books I Want Santa To Leave Under My Tree

1. When You're Back (Rosemary Beach #12), by Abbi Glines

2. The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1), by Rick Riordan

3. Burn (Breathless #3), by Maya Banks

4. Eighth Grave After Dark (Charley Davidson #8), by Darynda Jones

5. Sweet Surrender (Sweet #1), by Maya Banks

6. Walk Through Fire (Chaos #4), by Kristen Ashley

7.  Caressed By Ice (Psy-Changeling #3), by Nalini Singh

8.  Black Moon (Alpha Pack #3), by J.D. Tyler

9. Voyager (Outlander #3), by Diana Gabaldon

10. Beyond the Cut (Sinner's Steel #2), by Sarah Castille

COVER REVEAL: Wolf Bite (Wolf Cove #2)

I loved Wolf Bait when I read it last month, and after that awesome ending, I can't wait until book 2, WOLF BITE, comes out in February. Now, we have a cover and a description!

Wolf Bite (Wolf Cove #2), by Nina West
Publish Date: February, 2016
Publisher: self-published
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon

(Synopsis) Isolated in the luxurious Wolf Cove Hotel in Alaska, Abbi Mitchell is thousands of miles away from her family and friends.

In the hands of a predator. Potentially.

After discovering condemning information about the mercurial man who controls her day-to-day work life and, now, her most intimate private life as well, Abbi's not sure she can continue on with... whatever is going on between her and Henry Wolf. Especially when he's about to be thrown into a fiery media circus ring, and she, along with her reputation, will undoubtedly get dragged into it with him.

But breaking things off with the Big Bad Wolf now likely means losing her job and her summer of freedom, and going back to the farm and her controlling mother.
She's not doing that.

Abbi does have something to hold over Henry's head. If he forces her hand. If she has the guts to do what amounts to blackmail.
But will the all-powerful Henry Wolf concede, or will she finally feel his bite?

Nina West lives in the city but spends her summers in the wilderness with her husband. She loves having a steaming cup of cocoa in one hand and a steamy story full of angst in the other. Follow her on Facebook or on Twitter!

2015 Audiobook Challenge - the Final Wrap-up

The end of 2015 is just around the corner, which means it's time to wrap up this year's Audiobook Challenge. I did so much better than I thought I would! I have listened to some really good books and been exposed to some phenomenal narrators. Let's take a look at the list. 

Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you?) - 20-30

Quarter One

1. One Week Girlfriend (One Week Girlfriend #1), by Monica Murphy
2. Second Change Boyfriend (One Week Girlfriend #1), by Monica Murphy
3. Rusty Nailed (Cocktail #2), by Alice Clayton
4. Off the Record (Record #1), by K.A. Linde
5. On the Record (Record #2), by K.A. Linde
6. For the Record (Record #3), by K.A. Linde
7. Dirty Little Secrets (J.J. Graves Mystery #1), by Liliana Hart
8. Savage Awakening (Alpha Pack #2), by J. D. Tyler
9. Conviction (Club Destiny #1), by Nicole Edwards

Quarter Two

10. A Dirty Shame (J.J. Graves Mystery #2), by Liliana Hart
11. Play With Me (With Me In Seattle #3), by Kristen Proby
12. No Limits (Ultimate #1), by Lori Foster
13. Dirty Rotten Scoundrel (J.J. Graves Mystery #3), by Liliana Hart
14. Ruined (Ethan Frost #1), by Tracy Wolff
15. Rock With Me (With Me In Seattle #4), by Kristen Proby
16. Curing Doctor Vincent (The Good Doctor Trilogy #1), by Renea Mason
17. Addicted (Ethan Frost #2), by Tracy Wolff
18. Dare to Love (Dare to Love #1), by Carly Phillips
19. Wild Card (Elite Ops #1), by Lora Leigh

Quarter Three

20. Release Me (The Stark Trilogy #1), by J. Kenner
21. Dare to Desire (Dare to Love #2), by Carly Phillips
22. Twisted (Tangled #2), by Emma Chase
23. Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling #1), by Nalini Singh
24. Visions of Heat (Psy-Changeling #2), by Nalini Singh
25. Wicked Ties (Wicked Lovers #1), by Shayla Black
26. The Sweetest Game (The Perfect Game #3), by J. Sterling
27. Own the Wind (Chaos #1), by Kristen Ashley
28. Easy Charm (Boudreaux #2), by Kristen Proby
29. Watch Me, by Shayla Black
30. Naughty Little Secret, by Shayla Black
31. Safe With Me (With Me In Seattle #5), by Kristen Proby
32. Overruled (The Legal Briefs #1), by Emma Chase
33. Fire Inside (Chaos #2), by Kristen Ashley

Quarter Four

34. Loving Cara (Love Under the Big Sky #1), by Kristen Proby

35. Delicious (Wicked Lovers #3), by Shayla Black

36. Tied With Me (With Me in Seattle #6), by Kristen Proby

37. Claim Me (Stark Trilogy #2), Julie Kenner

38. Breathe With Me (With Me in Seattle #7), by Kristen Proby

39. Priceless (Rothvale Legacy #1), by Raine Miller

40. Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4), by Marissa Meyer

41. Love So Hot (The Lawson Brothers #1), by Marquita Valentine

42. The Marriage Bargain (Marriage to a Billionaire #1), by Jennifer Probst (currently listening)

In this last quarter, I listened to my longest book ever. At just over 24 hours long, Winter took me several weeks to finish it, but I definitely didn't mind. This was the best book of 2015 for me, without question. Rebecca Soler is an amazingly talented narrator. She made this entire series come to life.

So, now I'm looking ahead to 2016. Based on my 2015 listening habits, it's clear I need to challenge myself a bit more. Maybe I can hit 50. Game on. 

COVER REVEAL: Love in the Light (Hearts in Darkness #2)

In the past year-and-a-half, Laura Kaye has become one of my most favorite authors. The stories she tells suck me in and capture my heart in ways that no one else's do. My love of her books started in April 2014 when I read HEARTS OF DARKNESS, a short book about two people who fall in love while trapped in utter darkness in a broken down elevator. I've always wanted more from Caden and Makenna. And, thankfully, at long last, Laura Kaye has granted my wish. LOVE IN THE LIGHT (Hearts in Darkness #2) comes out January 12, 2016, and this is what it looks like...

Love in the Light (Hearts in Darkness #2), by Laura Kaye
Publish Date: January 12, 2016
Publisher: self-published
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | iBooks

(Synopsis) Two hearts in the darkness… 

Makenna James and Caden Grayson have been inseparable since the day they were trapped in a pitch-black elevator and found acceptance and love in the arms of a stranger. Makenna hopes that night put them on the path to forever—which can’t happen until she introduces her tattooed, pierced, and scarred boyfriend to her father and three over-protective brothers.

Must fight for love in the light…

Haunted by a childhood tragedy and the loss of his family, Caden never thought he’d find the love he shares with Makenna. But the deeper he falls, the more he fears the devastation sure to come if he ever lost her, too. When meeting her family doesn’t go smoothly, Caden questions whether Makenna deserves someone better, stronger, and just more…normal. Maybe they’re too different—and he’s far too damaged—after all…

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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REVIEW: Dirty Billionaire (The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy #1)

Dirty Billionaire (The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy #1), by Meghan March
Publish Date: December 8, 2015
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) I've got a big dick and an even bigger bank account. That's pretty much where my bio ends. Honestly, I don't need to say anything else. I've just sold 99% of women on going home with me.

Do I sound like an asshole to you?

That's because I am.

And guess what? It works for me just fine.

Or at least it did.

Until I met her.

Books talk about sparks flying. Fuck that shit. With her, it was like emergency flares mixed with jet fuel. Or maybe just straight up napalm.

Only one problem.

She didn't leave her name or number when she disappeared from the hotel room after the hottest fucking night of my life. Now I've had a taste of unicorn pussy—the sweetest, rarest of all pussy—and I need it again.

So what's an asshole to do?

I took this problem to the street. A missed connection gone viral.

And when I find her? I'm keeping her.

Dirty Billionaire was an exceptional beginning to this trilogy about a very unlikely pairing of two people who needed each other for different reasons. I definitely think they need each other, but not for the reasons that they think. 

Creighton Karas is a billionaire that is surrounded by people, and yet is still lonely. On Christmas Eve, he decides to seek solace in a one-night stand that he picks up in a hotel bar. He assumed that the woman he chose would be hot, yet vapid. He didn't count on running into a beautiful young woman who looked nothing like his usual conquests. 

Holly Wix won a recording contract in a televised country singing competition. All her dreams should be coming true, except her label has shackled her with a washed up country star who can't keep it in his pants. As low woman on the totem pole, her options are limited, so she's forced to have the public think she's dating this womanizing loser. Intent on drowning her sorrows in her beer on Christmas Eve, she wasn't opposed to taking a man to her room, but she was definitely not counting on Creighton Karas.

Initially, I was afraid that Holly would be a doormat when it came to Creighton, and I didn't want that for her. I felt so badly for the situation in which she found herself with her record label - mostly because she couldn't take charge of the situation. They had her by the lady balls, and that sucked so much. So, at least in one area of her life, I wanted to see her be in charge, and thankfully even Creighton's beautiful body and billions of dollars didn't compromise who Holly was. 

I liked that Creighton realized right away that Holly was very different from who he was used to. I also loved how he sought her out after waking up alone and realizing he didn't even get her name. The man is determined and resourceful, I'll give him that. And, once they find each other again, they realize that they can help each other out. Their relationship can be mutually beneficial, and I'm not talking about just between the sheets. But, seriously - what an added bonus. Because Creighton very clearly knows what he's doing in that area. 

Major props to Holly as she tries desperately to keep her head on straight in the face of the tornado that is Creighton Karas. He is so used to handling everyone and everything that it's hard for him to step back and give Holly some space. And this is something she desperately needs in order to feel like she's in charge of her life and career. It's something that takes some couples years to master, and they are only together a few weeks before things start to crumble to bits. 

Dirty Billionaire ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. But, it's okay since book 2 in the trilogy comes out on December 29. It's a pretty short read - I finished it in a few hours. But, I enjoyed it immensely and can't wait to see what happens next between this simple country girl and rich city boy. 

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This is one meme I can get on board with - I LOVE lists! I'll show you mine if you show me yours!

Top Ten Books I Read in 2015

(Just 10? Are you kidding me?!)

If anything, this list should demonstrate how eclectic my taste in books can be sometimes. My top 10 books of 2015 include young adult, new adult, adult, fantasy, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. The one thing that all these books have in common is that they are all written by authors that were not new to me in 2015. I know who I like, and although I'm always trying new authors and genres, I do tend to keep coming back to those authors that I am confident will deliver a book that I will love. 

1. Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4), by Marissa Meyer

Amazing. Incredible. Best. Series. Ender. EVER. I just finished listening to this audiobook a few days ago, and I just can't shake these characters. This series is the best YA series I've ever read, so I think Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Winter and their men will be with me forever. 

2. Nowhere But Here (Thunder Road #1), by Katie McGarry

Katie McGarry's back with a new series, and this YA MC series rocked my socks! It was exciting and mysterious and romantic. I can't wait to read book two!

3. Blood Kiss (Black Dagger Legacy #1), by JR Ward

This new spin-off series by JR Ward brings the best of two worlds together - you have a story from an original BDB brother, together with a story from a new couple. This is classic JR Ward, which is PNR at its best.

4. Sustained (The Legal Briefs #2), by Emma Chase

I could've put either Overruled or Sustained on this list - I easily gave them both 5 stars. But, it was Jake Becker that put Sustained on top. This guy - I haven't loved a sweet asshole this much since Drew Evans. It's no surprise that both men came from the mind of Emma Chase.

5. The Great Hunt, by Wendy Higgins

This is the only book on this list that isn't out yet, and I can't wait for you all to read it. Wendy Higgins has outdone herself with this new, sweeping fantasy based on a Grimm fairy tale about a beast terrorizing a kingdom and the race to kill it and marry the princess. It's pretty awesome.

6. Trust the Focus (In Focus #1), by Megan Erickson

Megan Erickson's new adult In Focus series kicked off with Justin and Landry's soul searching and life changing trip across the country. Both books in the series so far have been emotionally charged and so, so good. I can't wait for more.

7. Need Me (Broke and Beautiful #2), by Tessa Bailey

Although all three books in the Broke and Beautiful series were awesome, I LOVED hot nerd Ben the most. You would never guess it, but that guy could talk dirty like no one's business. His and Honey's relationship was so fun to read about.

8. Hard to Let Go (Hard Ink #4), by Laura Kaye

This series - every single book was incredible. But, Beckett's story was especially impactful. It was the last in the series, so the entire team's efforts to clear their names come to fruition, and Beckett and Kat have their chance at a real relationship. Beckett is one of my favorite guys, all broody and complex. It was just the perfect end to this series.

9. Wasted Lust, by JA Huss

Deciding which JA Huss book to put on this list was hard. So many of her books make my 5-star list. I was down to deciding between Eighteen and Wasted Lust, and it was Sasha's chance at an HEA that she more than deserved that pushed Wasted Lust over the top. Well, that and hot and sexy Jax. That man and how he felt about Sasha was all kinds of awesome.

10. Dark Debt (Chicagoland Vampires #11), by Chloe Neill

Eleven books in to the Chicagoland Vampires series, and the magic is still there. Merit and Ethan are settled, but thankfully, Chicago is not. They will always have work to do, and the best part of Dark Debt was that their work involved Morgan Greer for a change. We haven't seen much of him lately, but his presence was front and center in Dark Debt, as was the incredible love that Merit and Ethan have for one another. 

Early Review: Happily Ever After: A Day in the Life of the HEA (Rook & Ronin #3.5)

Happily Ever After: A Day in the Life of the HEA (Rook & Ronin #3.5), by JA Huss
Publish Date: December 16, 2015
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: new adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) Life in Rook & Ronin’s world has been bliss for fifteen years. Rook, Veronica, and Ashleigh are still BFF’s raising their kids together. Ronin, Spencer, and Ford have managed to go legit and stay out of trouble. And they have a pack of kids running around the eight thousand square foot Vail mansion they all share for the holidays—begging for gifts, and fun, and love.

But every HEA has problems.

Five is fifteen now, and getting ready to go off to college. He’s put it off as long as he could in order to stay close to Princess Shrike, but his stay of execution is over and in three weeks he’s off to Oxford. But Five can’t leave until he gets the only thing he’s ever wanted. The heart of his Princess.

Ford and Ashleigh never had any more children after Five. And now that Kate is sixteen, Ashleigh is out of her head with desire for just one more chance to have a baby in the house.

Rook and Ronin have two beautiful daughters, but Sparrow is growing up too. And she just got a job offer that has Ronin crazed with paternal worry.

And Spencer is the father of a fifteen-year-old princess who looks way too much like her Bombshell mother for his comfort level.

Join the whole Rook & Ronin gang for a Team Christmas you will never forget.

It has been nearly two years since JA Huss ended the amazing story of BFFs Ronin, Ford and Spencer, a.k.a. The Team, in Guns: The Spencer Book. Except for a few brief glimpses here and there in books about side characters from their story, all has been relatively quiet in Fort Collins, CO as the three couples got married, started families and settled down to live their lives. But, JA Huss is granting us a Christmas wish and letting us see a day in the lives of these three awesome families - Christmas Eve, to be exact - 15 years after the events in Guns. 

What struck me the most about HAPPILY EVER AFTER is that is was REAL. Sure, Ronin, Ford and Spencer are stupid rich and hanging out in a tricked out mansion in Vail for the holidays. But, as we see pretty quickly, they are still real couples with real problems that we real people can relate to. 

Ronin works a lot, and he's starting to realize that, if he doesn't slow down a little bit, he might miss his daughters growing up. Sparrow is 13 now, and going on her first modeling job, which has him totally freaked out. It's not what he wants for her, having lived that life and seen its pitfalls. Starling is now 6 and involved in activities that Ronin didn't even know about. Although his relationship with Rook is solid, he's starting to question what's really important.

Ford's two kids are 16 and 15, and he's enjoying his life now that the time they'll still be living at home is drawing short. Ashleigh, however, has swung in the opposite direction, and with her children getting older, she finds herself wanting another baby more and more. 

Spencer's recently welcomed his sixth, and final, child into his family, and he thinks life can't get any more perfect. Until he realizes his oldest daughter, at 14, isn't a little girl anymore, and Ronnie seems very sad all of a sudden. After six babies, his Bombshell is feeling tired and fat and ugly and old, and he's desperate to make her see how much he still loves and desires her, but just the words don't seem to be doing any good. 

Happily Ever After is told entirely from the four main male POVs - Ronin, Ford, Spencer and Five. Yes, 15-year-old boy genius Five gets his own chapters, as he tries to woo his princess Rory before he leaves for Oxford. Those chapters were absolutely precious. Five has been in love with Rory since they were babies, and he's scared to death that once he leaves, she will move on to other boys and forget all about him. So, he gives her a Christmas Eve she will never forget.

These men love their women EPICALLY. I mean it - these three couples are the stuff of sigh-inducing legends. It doesn't mean they don't get pissed at each other or that they always say or do the right things. It means that, even when they are idiots, they love each other unconditionally anyway. The way Ronin, Ford and Spencer treat their wives should be a model for every other man on Earth. This entire series should be required reading before couples get married.  The depth of love that they have for their wives and for their children brought me to tears. Big, fat, ugly tears. 

I love how close all three families still are, even after so much time has passed. There are now 10 kids between them all, ranging in age from 16 years to 6 months, and they're all the best of friends. The Team lives on, even though their activities have changed to ski trips and dance recitals. I know that, should any of the three families need anything, the remaining two would drop everything to be there. 

Happily Ever After will make the most sense if you read the entire Rook & Ronin series, plus the spin-offs in order: Tragic, Manic, Panic, Slack, Taut, Guns, and Bomb. If you haven't read this series yet, you really, REALLY need to. It's one of my favorite new adult series ever. And, I promise you, this novella will make it 1000% worth it. 

Stacking the Shelves - 12/11

I love seeing everyone's book hauls for the week. It's exciting, and fun and it tells me what sales are still going on. :) And, thanks to Tynga's Reviews, we can do that with Stacking the Shelves! So, I'll show you mine, if you show me yours.



Digital ARCs for Review

Paperback ARC for Review

Audiobook for Review

Purchased

Gifted