BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Escape (Getaway #3)

Escape (Getaway #3), by Jay Crownover
Publish Date: January 30, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(Synopsis) Everything inside of him is screaming that he needs to run, he needs to go, he needs to escape.

Lane Warner is used to being overshadowed and overlooked.

After all, he’s the youngest brother and the most laid back one in the family. He’s the one known for going with the flow and not making waves, even when things seem to be at their worst.

Very few things in life have had the ability to rile Lane up and get under his skin. At the top of that list is his childhood friend Brynn Fox…no…Brynn Warner. The fact that they share a last name was the one thing that has the power to light him up and spin him out of control like no other. There was no calm, cool and collected when it comes to all the reasons why Brynn had to become part of his family.

It’s slowly killing him to keep wanting what he can’t have, so Lane sees only one way to stop himself from doing something they’ll both regret…he has to leave.

Everything inside of her is calling out to find him, to follow, to bring him home.

Brynn Warner is used to being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

After all, she’s the daughter of an unrepentant gold-digger who never once blinked at being the cause of her daughter’s pain and suffering.

Very few things in her life have ever brought happiness and a sense of security. At the very top of that list is Lane Warner. She has unwaveringly loved the youngest Warner since the first minute she laid eyes on him. He was everything Brynn ever wanted and everything she knew she could never have.

Sometimes the right choice is the one that hurts the most and Brynn’s had to make a few that felt like they might be the end of her.

When Lane takes off, one thing is clear, the only choice Brynn has is to go after him.She’s going to bring her wayward cowboy home….whatever it takes.

I'm not ready to leave the Warner Ranch! Witnessing Cy, Sutton and Lane battle the elements and bad guys and sordid pasts to come out on the other side with their other halves and their HEAs has been awesome. While Cy and Sutton had to battle literal bad men in order to be together, Lane and Brynn's barriers to their HEA were much more complicated and difficult to overcome. 

Lane and Brynn were once as close as BFFs could be until her home life forced her, Lane and Lane's father to make drastic choices and decisions. The result of those decisions destroyed their friendship and complicated their feelings for each other. Ten years passed, and things between them have finally come to a head. They either need to sort out their pasts and get over old hurts or call it quits for good. 

This has been a long time coming. Its been clear since book 1 that Lane and Brynn had something strong and complicated between them. The great thing is, we find out in Escape that Lane and Brynn have never even kissed each other, much less done anything else. Their feelings are so strong, and are based solely on experiences, proximity and affection. I loved that about them. There was no lust or physicality getting in the way - it was pure love between them. Which made how far apart they were in the beginning so much sadder. 

About three-quarters of Escape doesn't take place on the Warner Ranch. Lane and Brynn decide to take a road trip from California back to Wyoming, and they definitely take the long way. Being alone in Lane's truck for that long, meant they had tons of time to talk. And that was what they needed so badly. Those conversations were difficult and sad, but also cathartic and therapeutic. It gave them time to reset and clear up the past. 

Of course, Lane and Brynn can't have an easy time to rediscover their love for one another. Like both his brothers before him, Lane ends up thrust in the middle of a seriously bad situation headed up by some seriously bad guys. It just wouldn't be a Getaway book without that, now would it? Lane and Brynn, along with the help of some of their friends, go from Sacramento to Las Vegas to Denver and along the way have to dodge bullets and run for their lives. They also meet someone new who desperately needs help only they can provide.

Through it all, though, Lane and Brynn finally cut through all the BS that has plagued them for so long. When these two are together, they are TIGHT. I love this couple so much. Brynn never wanted to settle for anything less than the best, and because she held out for the best, that's what she's expecting from Lane. And Lane is finally in a place to give it to her. And Lane's best is impressive. 

Jay Crownover included a few little surprises from some of her other series in Escape. When the gang hits Denver, they meet up with a character from her Marked Men series. And the new character that comes into play early in the book happens to be from The Point. It was awesome how she wove those other two series into this one so seamlessly. 

Although that appears to be the end of the Getaway series for now, the very end of Escape created a huge loose end that I, for one, very desperately want to see tied up. So, hopefully Jay will feel compelled to write at least one more book in this awesome world. Because I would love another chance to check in with the three Warner brothers and their women. 

Brynn

For the first time in days, it felt like my world was set back to rights.

Everything was crooked and off center the minute Lane walked out of the house in Wyoming and disappeared. I couldn’t think straight. Every step I took was wobbly and unsteady. From the moment I opened my eyes, to the second I fell into a fitful sleep at night, it was like I saw things through a grainy black and white filter. There was no color in any of my days when Lane was gone. There was no joy or light. There was only a massive void where I knew I should be able to feel my heart hurting and my soul suffering, the way they always did when it came to the youngest Warner, but when he left there was nothing.

I thought I knew what it felt like to have everything inside of me freeze and shatter. When word came that Lane had been shot while trying to protect his niece from a madman hell-bent on destroying everything that was important to Sutton, I was sure I would never be able to breathe or feel again. That icy pain, that frigid fear had nothing on the numbness that followed when Lane walked out the door seconds after Jack dropped to his knee. At that moment, I knew I was supposed to focus on the man asking me to share his life with him, the one who wanted me for me, and not because he was driven by some chivalrous need to save me from my messed up family and tumultuous home life.

But I hadn’t been focused on Jack. All I could see was the resignation and regret flashing through Lane’s pale blue eyes. We were both reliving the moment another man had asked me to marry him. Only that time, Lane hadn’t been able to escape the outcome. He’d been reminded of it for years, every waking moment when I’d technically held the title of his stepmom. I was something neither one of us could get away from no matter how hard we tried. It was amazing how much one little yes could change everything.

Now that he was standing in front of me, looking much thinner and more haggard than he had even when he came home from the hospital, I finally felt like I could inhale again. Everything that was fuzzy and blurred around the edges pulled back into sharp focus. I could look at the sky behind his tousled head and see that it was the same stormy blue as his eyes. I could also focus on the lines of tension and stress radiating out of the corners of those eyes and the bruised, dark hollows underneath them. Without him, nothing felt like it mattered. There was no home. There was no peace of mind. There was no safety and security.

When he was close, the littlest things felt hugely important and essential. The twitch of his lips into a wry grin spread warmth that chased away the emptiness for the first time in what felt like forever. The heat radiating off of his long, lean body made my heart kick back to life. When his arms wrapped around me for a seriously overdue hug, I finally felt alive. Finally felt something other than the echoing loneliness and hollowness that consumed me the minute he turned his back on me. Even with Daye trapped between us, I still felt a tingle at every single spot where his body touched mine.

“It’s so good to see you.” I meant it with every fiber of my being. Looking at him, even as worn and as drawn as he appeared, settled something deep inside of me.

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, the Point Series, the Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.

Website: http://www.jaycrownover.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayCrownover?ref=hl
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/JayCrownover
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Crownover

RELEASE DAY: The Upside of Being Single

Emma Hart's THE UPSIDE TO BEING SINGLE is live!

The Upside to Being Single, by Emma Hart
Publish Date: January 30, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

(Synopsis) If anyone asks, I knew better than to flash my boobs for Mardi Gras beads.

I still don’t know why I did it.

Maybe it was the dare from my two best friends.

Maybe it was the guys on the balcony saying they’d throw Fireball shots with the beads.

Or maybe it was the quiet guy in the corner of that same balcony with piercing gray eyes, wavy dark hair, and a smile so tempting I wanted to climb up there and lick it off his face.

Maybe it was because I never thought I’d see them again.

Not that it matters. Not today.

Because the hotel I manage was finally bought—and the guy who walks in and introduces himself as my new boss is Mr. Tall, Dark, and Silent.

There are many upsides to being single.

Your new boss knowing what your boobs look like?

Not one of them.

“I just—I don’t get it.” I threw myself onto the sofa and almost sent the box of donuts flying onto the floor.
Thankfully, Peyton was quicker than the box. She grabbed it and sat back, hugging it to herself. “First, watch the donuts. I got the last two pink sprinkles, and I’m partial to them.” She stroked the top of the box. “Second, what don’t you get? How he doesn’t care about your boobs? I don’t care about them either.”
“You’re not supposed to care about my boobs. You’re a woman, for a start.”
“I care about your boobs,” Chloe interrupted, tucking her blond hair behind her ear. “I think you have great boobs. Bra or no bra.”
“Usually no bra,” Peyton added.
“I’m not afraid to throw something at you,” I warned her. “This is awkward.”
“Ugh! Get over yourself, Melanie!” Peyton snapped her fingers. “You are a grown woman. He is a grown man. He saw your tits. So what? Steven Lawrence saw your tits five times in junior year.”
I snatched a donut from the box. Don’t tell my hips. “We were dating! It’s entirely different!”
Chloe delicately picked up a white-iced donut before saying, “She’s right. It is different, Peyt. They were dating, and Jacob is her boss. You can’t expect her to just get over that. It is partly your fault.”
“It’s just as much your fault,” Peyton reminded her, then looked at me and nodded toward Chloe. “Drunky smurf over here shook her Tic-Tacs like she was in front of a bachelor party leaving a curry house.”
I choked on my laughter. “That’s not the point. You got us drunk. It’s almost entirely your fault.”
“Look, sunshine,” she said, tearing a bite of donut off the ring so her words were muffled. “I didn’t grab your shirt and whip it up like a two-dollar hooker on overtime. You did that, so grow a pair and take responsibility for your actions.”
“You sound like you don’t want to take responsibility for yours.”
“Hey. You’re big girls. You can refuse cocktails.”
Chloe and I shared a glance. “Refuse cocktails?” she said. “I don’t understand.”
“You have us mixed up with your other friends,” I continued. “But, wait. You don’t have other friends.”
“I have plenty of friends,” Peyt said.
“Friends without penises. Or benefits.”
She paused. “We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about your hot boss who knows what your tits look like.”
“You’re not helping.”
“I’m not trying to help. I’m trying to slap your size-eight ass into reality, you idiot.”
“Slap mine into reality and I’m putting yours on a catapult. Right into the middle of the gulf.” I tore my donut in two and gave her boobs a pointed look. “I always wondered if silicone would float.”

By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies—usually wine—and writes books.

Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love.

She likes to be busy—unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.

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RELEASE DAY REVIEW: Moonlight Sins (de Vincent #1)

Moonlight Sins (de Vincent #1), by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publish Date: January 30, 2018
Publisher: AvonBooks
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4 STARS

(Synopsis) Julia Hughes has always played it safe until she learned a very painful lesson. Now Julia’s starting over with a job in the Louisiana bayou—and a scorching encounter with a stranger, only to discover he’s Lucian de Vincent... her new employer. The de Vincent brothers share a massive fortune and a dark reputation. Julia cares for their troubled sister, but a menacing presence in the mansion—and the ever-present temptation of Lucian—prove dangerously distracting.

Lucian’s grandmother claimed de Vincent men fall in love once—and hard. Apparently, it’s Lucian’s turn. Julia’s compassionate care of his twin makes Lucian want to lay himself bare. But some secrets are better for Julia not to know.

The recent “suicide” of Lucian’s father is the latest in a string of deaths on the estate. Someone is eliminating the de Vincents. And the best way to get to Lucian may be through Julia...

Ten Things You Can Expect From Moonlight Sins

1. Three Hot Brothers

Moonlight Sins centers around the de Vincent clan, which admittedly, by the time we join the story, has dwindled to only a handful. But, it does include the three de Vincent brothers - Lucian, Gabriel and Devlin. All three are super hot, super rich, and super complicated. They even have foreboding nicknames - Lucifer, Demon and Devil. Charming, right? Each brother seems to be messed up by their family, and it's manifesting in different ways. But, you can be sure that, if a de Vincent is present, there will be smoldering broodiness. 

2. A Kick Ass Setting

Once again, Jen Armentrout has brought us to NOLA as a setting for one of her books. But, this time, we're not in NOLA proper. We're in the legit bayou. Complete with antebellum house, Spanish moss and humid nights. I love books set in interesting places - it makes them even more intriguing. Speaking of the house... 

3. A Creepy House

The majority of the book takes place in the de Vincent mansion, an old, southern-style home with widow walks, columns and secret passageways. And people use those secret passageways to their advantage many times during Moonlight Sins. 

4. A Brave Girl

Julia is a nurse hired by the de Vincents to take care of their comatose sister. She's out on her own for the first time and is determined to take charge of her own life for a change. The de Vincents are domineering and scary, and Julia is not a bit happy with Lucian who first met her under false pretenses. She does her job well and asks questions when she needs answers. And she's careful, but not afraid to go after what she wants when she recognizes it. 

5. A Mean Girl

Devlin's fiancee is a pretentious, snooty socialite, and I promise you'll get so mad at Devlin for being with her every time she's present. 

6. A Slow Burn

It's clear from the beginning that Lucian and Julia have crazy amounts of chemistry, but thanks to a bad choice made by Lucian in the beginning, Julia fights it for a long time. And good for her, too. I'd be so flaming pissed if I was in her shoes. But, when they're living together and helping to care for the same person, it's inevitable that her walls will fall and they give in to all that heat. 

7. A Hot Romance

Lucian might be a enigmatic, cagy bastard, but when he falls for Julia, he falls HARD. He is so protective of her and so taken with her, it's impossible not to fall in love with him too. There was no hope at all for Julia. Especially when he puts the moves on her. And this man has MOVES.

8. A Dysfunctional Family with a Mysterious Past

The brothers' family is seriously messed up. There's a "curse" that affects any woman the men in their family fall in love with. Their mother died a tragic death. Their father died under mysterious circumstances, Their sister is catatonic after having been missing for ten years. Their uncle is a controlling jerk. And the brothers themselves aren't super warm and fuzzy with each other. It's a complicated history that has affected their presents. 

9. A Mystery to Solve

Where has Lucian's sister been all this time? Is she really sick? How did the brothers' father die? Is the curse real? There are many mysteries to uncover within the pages of Moonlight Sins, and for the most part, by the end, you have your answers. At least some of them. There's some questions left unanswered, and some new ones created that will take us into Gabe's book next. 

10. An Exciting Beginning to A New Series

Moonlight Sins pulls bits of lots of stuff I love about Jen Armentrout's books and brings them into one book. There's heat and heart and a mystery to solve. There's an epic romance and a complex family. I'm excited to see where it goes next.

REVIEW: xo, Zach

xo, Zach, by Kendall Ryan
Publish Date: January 23, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4 STARS

(Synopsis) The first time we met was at a party. 

Your ex arrived to show off the person he'd left you for last month, and you asked me to pretend to be your date.

I was more than happy to help. You were attractive, smart and witty--and that kiss we shared? It left me wanting you for days.

The second time we met was in my office on campus where we were both surprised to discover you were the new master’s degree student in poetry that I would be working with. You promised to be professional. I did no such thing.

The late nights and intense study sessions spent alongside you majorly throw me off my game. I want you, and I fight with myself daily over this fact.

I know I'm crass, that my sexual innuendos and dirty mouth annoy you, but I live for those two bright spots of color in your cheeks. If that's the only reaction I can get out of you, I'll gladly take it.

You hate Mondays so every Monday I slip an anonymous poem into your bag and your smile gets me through the week.
I think I'm falling for you, and I know it's wrong. I know that I'm only supposed to be the adviser to your program and nothing more, but here's the thing. I think you're falling for me too.

xo, Zach

Zach may be the perfect man. He's sexy, smart, thoughtful and he writes personal love poems. Swoon. City. Poppy has lady balls of steel, because she resisted this manly package of perfection for far longer than any other warm blooded girl would have. For a while, I found that frustrating. Until it became clear what she was so worried about when it came to him, and then I felt so badly for her, because talk about being between a rock and a hard place. 

See, Zach is Poppy's advisor for her masters class. He's not her professor, but he is the faculty member who is assigned to grad students to help critique their work and to point them down the right career path. Although it's not as bad as if he were her professor, it's still frowned upon for a grad student to be objectifying her advisor. And due to her life circumstances, Poppy has no room for error. 

Zach is equally in a tough spot. He can't stop thinking about Poppy, even when he knows he should. The thing I loved the most about Zach is that he never adopted any pretense with Poppy. No games. Just the truth. From the get-go, Zach told her that he was thinking of her. That he wanted her. For sex AND a relationship. He tried to dial back his attraction, but when it became clear that it was a lost cause, he abandoned it and was determined to find a way for them to be together. So, in addition to being sexy, smart and thoughtful, he's also a straight shooter. See? Perfect man. 

There was a ton of push and pull between these two, and most of it was on Poppy's side. She'd give in a little, then pull back. Give in... pull back. It ramped up the sexual tension between them, that's for sure. It seemed to simmer forever. But, when they finally gave in, it was so incredible. 

Zach's mother threatened to steal the show every time she showed up. She was absolutely hysterical, and the relationship she has with her son is wonderful. Her unfiltered commentary on his sex life was the absolute best. 

xo, Zach was another Kendall Ryan winner with a swoony boy and a bookworm girl who fall into forbidden love. 

RE-RELEASE DAY REVIEW: Siren in the City (Texas Sirens #2)

Siren in the City (Texas Sirens #2), by Lexi Ryan
Publish Date: January 23, 2018
Publisher: DLZ Entertainment LLC
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult erotic romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) Jack and Sam married Abby. It was supposed to be for forever, but lately Abby wonders where her alpha male has gone. Jack has retreated and life has become decidedly vanilla. It isn't the true marriage she and Sam wanted. Sam and Abby know the time has come to fight for what they need. A call from his mentor forces Jack to revisit the club where he discovered his sexuality. Jack's half-brother is in the city and interested in a little blackmail. Can Jack handle two defiant subs and a brother in need of some tough love?

Sometimes all it takes to find the way home is a little love and a lot of mischief.

Lexi Blake continues with her Sophie Oak re-dos with the second book in her Texas Sirens series, Siren in the City. It's a continuation of the story we saw begin in book 1 in this series, and although this triad saw a happy-for-now end to Small Town Siren, it was clear that there was more story to tell - especially when it came to Sam and Jack. Any dissatisfaction or longing for more that you might have felt at the end of book 1 is most definitely taken care of it Siren in the City. I liked this one better than the first.

The events at the end of book 1 have affected Jack more than he is letting on to Abby and Sam. As a result, he's taken a much softer, more hands-off approach with them, and that is definitely not what they signed up for. They miss their domineering Master and want him back, so they go to extreme lengths to force his hand. And force it they do. The result is nothing short of explosive and so incredibly satisfying. 

I absolutely loved this sequel to Abby, Jack and Sam's story, not just because of the perfect conclusion to their getting together, but also because we are introduced to new characters that I just know will have starring roles in their own books later in the series. In book 1, BDSM club owner Julian Lodge is mentioned, but we get to spend a significant amount of time with him in book 2, and I am utterly fascinated by this man. He is the main character in book 3 of the Texas Sirens series, so be prepared to want to keep right on reading as soon as you're done with Siren in the City. 

The other new character we are introduced to is Jack's half brother Lucas Cameron. Despite the front he puts up at the beginning, from the moment he came on the scene, I loved this kid. It was clear there was so much more to him than all his blustering at first. I'm a sucker for a broken soul who needs love, and Lucas most definitely fits the bill. Come to think of it - so does Julian. 

Lexi Blake brings her signature sexual fire to this triad, and since 95% of this book takes place in Julian's BDSM club (named The Club), it's even hotter and better than before. And, it wouldn't be complete without a murder plot and some hateful villains, so you get those too. But, there's so much love in this book too. Since Jack, Abby and Sam start out already in love, there's no wooing necessary. This is a book about self-discovery and settling into the roles that make this triad work perfectly and happily. I loved that so much. 

And since Lexi is starting to work these stories into the Masters & Mercenaries world, I thoroughly enjoyed when those familiar characters showed up and stole the show. Ian, Adam and Jake make appearances, and through their dialog, you're able to set a handle on the timeline and how Siren in the City fits into things. But, the absolute best thing is literally watching Sanctum be born right in front of your eyes - in a sense. If you're already a fan of Lexi's Masters & Mercenaries series, this book is an absolute must-read, if only because of that. 

I am completely and totally sold on this series and this world. I'm looking forward to spending a lot more time in it, and can't wait to see what other little M&M nuggets Lexi will plant for us to find. 

REVIEW: Judgment Road (Torpedo Ink #1)

Judgment Road (Torpedo Ink #1), by Christine Feehan
Publish Date: January 23, 2018
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) As the enforcer of the Torpedo Ink motorcycle club, Reaper lives for riding and fighting. He's a stone-cold killer who turns his wrath on those who deserve it. Feelings are a weakness he can't afford--until a gorgeous bartender gets under his skin...

Near Sea Haven, the small town of Caspar has given Anya Rafferty a new lease on life. And she's desperate to hold on to her job at the biker bar, even if the scariest member of the club seems to have it out for her. But Reaper's imposing presence and smoldering looks just ratchet up the heat.
Anya's touch is everything Reaper doesn't want--and it brands him to the bone. But when her secrets catch up to her, Reaper will have to choose between Anya and his club--his heart and his soul.

Holy moly - what a crazy awesome intense book Judgment Road was. I'm a sucker for a good MC romance book. To be "good" for me there has to be a perfect balance between hard and soft - darkness and light. I love a conflicted alpha hero who isn't always right and who does things that we might consider bad or extreme - but he does them for the right reasons. And I love when that hero finds someone to love, and he gives his whole heart over to it. I love a motorcycle club that is more of a family than a club. And, Judgment Road delivers on all these points - in spades. 

At first, Reaper is a tough character to love. He keeps to the shadows - quite literally - as one of the main enforcers in his motorcycle club, Torpedo Ink. His job is to guard the president, Czar, by any means necessary. He's quiet, broody, and aloof. He loves his fellow brothers, but doesn't even enjoy their company or their touch for too long. He is truly a tortured and lonely soul - until he sees the new club bartender Anya. 

Before he knows it, Reaper is acting totally out of character when it comes to Anya. He's watching out for her. He's talking to her. He's letting her touch him and get in his space. He recognizes her as the light that can break up all the darkness inside of him, and that scares the crap out of him. As a result, he makes some bad choices along the course of their budding relationship - and some of those choices are REALLY bad. But, for the first time, Reaper is having to make some impossible choices between his loyalty to his fellow brothers and sisters and his loyalty to the woman he could love forever. It was easy for me as a reader to forgive him for his poor choices when you understand how agonizing it was for him to make them - especially early in the book. 

Judgment Road is a super sexy book. Reaper and Anya are so wonderful together, and they absolutely light the pages on fire. Their relationship is a roller coaster of highs and lows, but through all of it, there's no denying their connection. 

Torpedo Ink is a club made up of members with an absolutely horrific and tragic past. They are brothers and sisters born out of circumstance and pain, which makes their bonds so incredibly strong. They back each other up without thought, even if that means someone else has to die. Make no mistake - this is not a hearts and flowers kind of book (although Reaper and Anya have some moments that get close to that, in their own way). There is death and pain and loss in these peoples' pasts, and that has carried over to their presents, in some way, shape or form. The club is not without blood on its hands. But, they have a code, and that makes their actions much easier for the reader to take.

I know Christine Feehan writes mostly in the paranormal genre, so I wasn't entirely surprised to see some really cool paranormal elements in Judgment Road. It's most definitely not at the forefront of the story, but you'll see instances peppered throughout the book where a paranormal element comes into play. It's done perfectly so that it doesn't overwhelm the story, but it does make things a little bit more interesting. I really loved that. 

Things are set up for book 2, and I'm super excited for that to come out. Now that I've been introduced to these wildly fascinating characters, I can't wait to read more. 

RE-RELEASE REVIEW: Small Town Siren (Texas Sirens #1)

Small Town Siren (Texas Sirens #1), by Lexi Ryan
Publish Date: January 9, 2018
Publisher: DLZ Entertainment LLC
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult erotic romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(Synopsis) Two cowboys looking for love… 

Jack Barnes and Sam Fleetwood met in foster care. Over the years, they’ve become best friends and partners. They share a business as cattle ranchers and a house. There’s only one thing missing: a woman to share. The men are sure they’ve found that woman when Abigail Moore arrives in their small town, Willow Fork, TX.

A woman trying to find her place in the world…

Abby left her hometown twenty years before under a cloud of scandal. She’s raised a daughter, forged a new life for herself, and is ready for the next phase when she meets the handsome cowboys.

One small town that’s ready to explode…

They’re a dream come true—Jack is the sexy Dom, and Sam the playful lover. It’s everything she’s ever fantasized about. There’s only one problem. She’s still not welcome in Willow Fork, and someone is willing to kill to keep her away.

Did you know that Lexi Ryan hasn't always written under the name Lexi Ryan? She wrote two full (completely awesome) series as Sophie Oak before Alex McKay and Ian Taggert ever even existed to start McKay-Taggart and the Masters & Mercenaries series. 

Recently, Lexi Ryan was able to re-tool the series she wrote as Sophie Oak and incorporate elements from the Masters & Mercenaries series to bring them all into the same world. The first book she's re-releasing with a brand new cover and added elements is Small Town Siren, and if you've never experienced Lexi Ryan in all her menage glory, this is a perfect place to start.

In Small Town Siren, Abby comes back to Willow Fork, Texas 20 years after being run out of town by the town's rich mayor. She's coming back to care for her sick mother, but as soon as she's better, Abby intends to leave again. The rich people in the town still label her and her mother as trash, and no amount of time will change that. 

However, there have been some new people to move into town who aren't aware of all the drama that happened twenty years earlier. The most notable are Jack Barnes and Sam Fleetwood, wealthy ranch owners that have spent the past ten years building up their business and wealth so that even the worst people in town can't touch them. Therefore, they don't care one bit about Abby's past or how her reputation could blow back on them - they want her, so they will do what it takes to have her.

I liked that Sam was so eager and Jack so reluctant when it came to her. It was a nice dynamic to start things off - and very satisfying once Jack got on board. And it reminded me very much of another popular Lexi Blake triad that came a few years later in her Masters & Mercenaries series.

Let's face it - a triad relationship is not exactly traditional, and although Abby is a little reluctant at first to take on both men, they quickly are able to convince her it would be worth her while to give it a shot. VERY worth her while. Now - come on. This is Lexi Blake. Even her earlier works were full of so much sexiness and heat - Small Town Siren was absolutely no different and not lacking in the hotness. For the most part, the relationship remains m/f/m for the majority of the book, however, toward the end, the guys finally cross those lines and we start to see some delicious m/m/f dynamics.

Although the drama created in Small Town Siren is wrapped up in an exciting and satisfying way, it's clear that Abby, Sam and Jack's story isn't done yet. Sam and Jack are just starting to explore their physical relationship with each other, and their triad relationship is still so new.

As for this remastered version of this seven year old book, I am SO in love with it. Knowing that Lexi has added elements from her other series, I was on the lookout for them, and that was so much fun. It was like searching for Easter eggs. And these new cover designs are so awesome too.

Everything that I love about Lexi Blake's books are in Small Town Siren. There's danger and drama and even some humor. There's tons of heat and those BDSM elements that she does so well. I loved all three main characters so much and was rooting for them to figure out how to successfully be together. I am so looking forward to the rest of her Texas Sirens series to be rereleased so that I can rediscover them all over again.

COVER REVEAL: The Upside to Being Single

Emma Hart is back with a brand new novel, coming in less than a month - check out the cover of THE UPSIDE TO BEING SINGLE!

The Upside to Being Single, by Emma Hart
Publish Date: January 30, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Genre: adult contemporary romance comedy
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

(Synopsis) If anyone asks, I knew better than to flash my boobs for Mardi Gras beads.

I still don’t know why I did it. Maybe it was the dare from my two best friends.
Maybe it was the guys on the balcony saying they’d throw Fireball shots with the beads. Or maybe it was the quiet guy in the corner of that same balcony with piercing gray eyes, wavy dark hair, and a smile so tempting I wanted to climb up there and lick it off his face. Maybe it was because I never thought I’d see them again. Not that it matters. Not today. Because the hotel I manage was finally bought—and the guy who walks in and introduces himself as my new boss is Mr. Tall, Dark, and Silent.

There are many upsides to being single. Your new boss knowing what your boobs look like? Not one of them.

By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies—usually wine—and writes books.

Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love.

She likes to be busy—unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Whiskey Secrets (Whiskey and Lies #1)

Welcome to a brand new series from Carrie Ann Ryan! WHISKEY SECRETS kicks off her Whiskey and Lies series about a trio of brothers living in Whiskey, Pennsylvania.

Whiskey Secrets (Whiskey and Lies #1), by Carrie Ann Ryan
Publish Date: January 2, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(Synopsis) Sparks fly between a former cop-turned-bartender and his new innkeeper in the first installment of a Montgomery Ink spin-off series from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan. 

Dare Collins is a man who knows his whiskey and women—or at least that’s what he tells himself. When his family decides to hire on a new innkeeper for the inn above his bar and restaurant, he’s more than reluctant. Especially when he meets the new hire. But he’ll soon find that he has no choice but to work with this city girl and accept her new ideas and the burning attraction between them.

Kenzie Owens left her old life and an abusive relationship behind her—or so she thought. She figures she’ll be safe in Whiskey, Pennsylvania but after one look at her new boss, Dare Collins, she might still be in danger, or at least her heart. And when her past catches up with her despite her attempts to avoid it, it’s more than her heart on the line. This time, it might mean her life.

I am so glad Carrie Ann Ryan decided to write this series. We met the hunky Collins brothers in Ink Exposed when they came to Colorado to help out their little sister Tabby. They were three strapping men whose overprotectiveness and overall wonderfulness kinda stole the show. So, Carrie Ann gave them their own show.

Dare is the ex-cop who left the force when he lost his partner. You might take the man out of the police force, but you can't take the police force out of the man. Dare takes care of the people and things around him. He manages his family's restaurant and bar almost single-handedly. His son is the light of his life, even though he doesn't get to see him much. So, when his parents hire an woman to manage their inn, he's initially not to happy about that. But, when he sees that Kenzie also needs someone to watch out for her, he takes that role seriously. 

Kenzie's doing her best to escape the toxic people in her life, and that starts with her new job at the Collins' inn in Whiskey, Pennsylvania. But, she's skittish and nervous and not a fan of the hostile welcome Dare gave her when she arrived. All those things should've combined to make him completely unattractive to her, but Dare's love of his family and his work ethic (and his hot body) broke down her walls pretty quickly. 

Carrie Ann Ryan frequently adds a bit of mystery and danger to her books, and I love it when she does that. It's not nearly enough for this to be classified as a romantic suspense book, but there's the right amount to give the reader something else to turn around in their heads while they're waiting for Dare and Kenzie to get their acts together and realize they were meant for each other. 

Whiskey Secrets gives us a really good introduction to the two other brothers that make up the Collins family - and the two other stars of their own upcoming books. Each brother is very different with distinct personalities and lives. I expect we will see a lot of Dare and Kenzie in the next two books, and I'm looking forward to that. 

Carrie Ann Ryan brings her usual flair for writing heartfelt stories and passionate people to Whiskey Secrets. It's a fantastic introduction to this fascinating family. 

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

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