RELEASE DAY REVIEW: Fighting for Everything (Warrior Fight Club #1)

Fighting for Everything (Warrior Fight Club #1), by Laura Kaye
Publish Date: May 22, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(Synopsis) Loving her is the biggest fight of his life…

Home from the Marines, Noah Cortez has a secret he doesn’t want his oldest friend, Kristina Moore, to know. It kills him to push her away, especially when he’s noticing just how sexy and confident she’s become in his absence. But, angry and full of fight, he’s not the same man anymore either. Which is why Warrior Fight Club sounds so good.

Kristina loves teaching, but she wants more out of life. She wants Noah—the boy she’s crushed on and waited for. Except Noah is all man now—in ways both oh so good and troubling, too. Still, she wants who he’s become—every war-hardened inch. And when they finally stop fighting their attraction, it’s everything Kristina never dared hope for.

But Noah is secretly spiraling, and when he lashes out, it threatens what he and Kristina have found. The brotherhood of the fight club helps him confront his demons, but only Noah can convince the woman he loves that he’s finally ready to fight for everything.

What an outstanding start to a new series by one of my favorite authors...

Noah is a veteran who has come home not quite whole. His time served has left him with a loss of hearing, sight and equilibrium, along with a boat load of PTSD. Noah is approaching rock bottom, and rock bottom is a dark and dangerous place for him to be.

His only light is his best friend Kristina. They've been friends since they were kids, but since Noah has come home, he doesn't want to taint her with his darkness, so he's trying to shut her out and protect her from what he's become. But, Kris is not a fair weather friend, and she's determined to help him in any way she can.

Like most friends-to-lovers stories, once things turn physical between Noah and Kris, there's a lot of stop and start between them as they try and decide whether continuing their relationship in that way would damage the solid foundation on which their friendship is built. In this case, the struggle is particularly difficult for Noah because, in addition to worrying about hurting the best relationship with a girl he's ever had, he also doesn't see himself as worthy of Kris' love and attention.

Out of all the books I've read by Laura Kaye (and there's a lot of them), Fighting for Everything was, by far, the most emotional. Noah's demons are very real and incredibly heartbreaking. He's a hero who sees himself as a failure. He's worthy of so much love from so many people, and the fact that he doesn't see that made me want to yell at him and hug the crap out of him all at the same time. I was reduced to tears more than once while reading this book.

I expected more of this book to be about the Warrior Fight Club, but in actuality, the Club was only introduced around 60% in to the book. Initially, I found that to be strange, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Fighting for Everything was a book that set the backstory for the rest of the series. Noah gave us a perfect example of someone who desperately needed the kind of therapy offered by the WFC. I would imagine that the other people in the Club would have similar reasons for being there. And, despite our limited time spent in the Club, we did get to meet other members and see the kernels of their stories taking seed.

Laura Kaye is doing all the right things with Fighting for Everything. She brings attention and sensitivity to a very real problem concerning our veterans, but still manages to weave in her stellar storytelling and super hot sexy scenes. I'm really excited to get the stories of the other members of the WFC and to spend more time there now that the setting has been established. This is going to be a great series.

RELEASE DAY REVIEW: Flesh Into Fire (Original Sin #3)

Flesh Into Fire (Original Sin #3), by J.A. Huss and Johnathan McClain
Publish Date: April 17, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the authors
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4 STARS

(Synopsis) Payback is owed.

And Maddie Clayton is going to collect. This time Carlos and Logan have gone too far. People are dead, lives have been changed, and she’s had enough. Plus, she’s got the Devil on her side, so when an enemy turns into a friend with an idea of how to take Carlos down, she’s in.

Tyler Morgan has been fighting back his whole adult life. He’s ready for anything when it comes to payback. But endangering Maddie can’t be part of the deal. Unfortunately for him, once Maddie gets an idea in her head, there’s no stopping her.

Her debt has been paid in blood and she wants revenge.

His fight is still there, but now he’s got more at stake than himself.

The end is coming.

But even if they win against Carlos, they can still lose each other.

Only these two - only Maddie and Tyler - could find themselves up to their ears in this much crazy. 

Things have come to a head with Mexican drug lord Carlos and his menace of a nephew Logan, and Maddie is finished hiding away from the problem, working herself and her soul to the bone for what she knows is a futile effort. Her happiness is going to be hard fought and hard won, and it's going to happen with Tyler by her side. 

For the first time in the Original Sin series, the main thrust of the story is not Tyler and Maddie figuring out their relationship. They're there. Maddie has given up the fight and recognized what Tyler knew all along - that they were made to be together. And that no matter what, he's never leaving her again. 

Unfortunately, that makes Maddie's desire to go undercover in Carlos' compound not Tyler's favorite plan.

Both Tyler and Maddie are trying desperately to hold on to the slice of happiness that they've found in each other. Both of them were without that kind of happy for so very long. They were both at the bottom of the barrel, and now they've clawed to the top, found a partner, and are ready to take a break from the bad. 

It's weird to be on such equal ground with someone. Someone's... partner, I guess. But it's completely awesome at the same time.

But, their methods of finding that new life together are very different. While Tyler is the brawler who has never backed down from a fight, he is the one who would be perfectly content to fly to a deserted island somewhere and never come home. Maddie, on the other hand, wants to be able to look at herself in the mirror every day. She wants to actively fight for the life she wants, and if that means she might die in the process, well then, at least she went down fighting the good fight. 

Seeing this dynamic shift between them was really interesting, and I thought it showed an enormous amount of growth in their relationship. They haven't even been together for very long (although, they knew each other for years growing up), and while they spent the first few weeks fighting their attraction - at least Maddie did - now that they know in their souls that this is it, it's like everything has changed for them. And I love that. 

Some people search their whole life looking for that one place they belong. For that one person who gets them. Who brings them into their world, lets them fall easily into the pull of their gravity, and lets them just... be. Just exist. Quietly. Naturally. Freely. This is Tyler for me. The center of my universe. The man around whom I now orbit.

I mentioned craziness - there's plenty of that in Flesh on Fire too. Maddie's in a ton of danger nearly from the very beginning of the book as she enters Carlos' compound under false pretenses. There are fights and explosions and near misses and - once again - fires. And, although this book does come to more of a definite close than the first two books in this series, there's some pretty big loose ends left flapping around that I'm sure will lead us into the final book in the series. 

I can't wait to see what insane thing Maddie and Tyler will do to punctuate this fun, sexy and exciting series. 

RELEASE DAY REVIEW: Fallen Ink (Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs #1)

Fallen Ink (Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs #1), by Carrie Ann Ryan
Publish Date: April 17, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(Synopsis) The Montgomery Ink series continues with a spin-off in Colorado Springs, where a familiar Montgomery finds her place in a new tattoo shop, and in the arms of her best friend.

Adrienne Montgomery is finally living her dreams. She’s opened a tattoo shop with her brother, Shep, and two of her cousins from Denver and she’s ready to take the city by storm with her art—as long as she can handle the pressure. When her new neighbors decide her shop isn’t a great fit for the community, however, she’ll have to lean on the one person she didn’t expect to fall for along the way… her best friend.
Mace Knight takes pride in two things: his art and his daughter. He knows he’s taking a risk by starting over in a new shop with the Montgomerys, but the stakes are even higher when he finds himself wanting Adrienne more than he thought possible.
The two fall fast and hard but they know the rules; they can’t risk their friendship, no matter how hot it is between the sheets and how many people try to stand in their way.

The Montgomery cousins are open for business at Montgomery Ink Too, which is nothing but awesome for we readers, since that means that the well of stories based around this amazingly close-knit family hasn't even come close to running dry. 

The first book in the Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs spin-off series, Fallen Ink, centers around Adrienne Montgomery, one of the two new owners of the satellite tattoo shop (she owns it with her older brother Shep). Adrienne and Shep only have a small staff right now which includes tattoo artists Ryan and Mace. Mace happens to be Adrienne's best friend, and after some opening day stress and a rainy night, things between these two escalate to seriously hot heights. 

It seemed as if Mace and Adrienne were poised to take that next step, even if both of them were in total denial about it. No one was surprised when it finally happened. It reminded me so much of Maya Montgomery and Jake Gallagher's relationship (Ink Enduring). It is a good thing they have that strong basis as friends, because stress is coming at them from all sides, and it makes starting a new relationship with your best friend all that more challenging. 

First, the new shop is targeted relentlessly by someone who doesn't appreciate people with tattoos in their otherwise idyllic white bread neighborhood. The vandals become increasingly violent and hateful, and it's difficult to find out who's behind it all. 

On top of that, Mace suddenly has to care for his daughter on a more permanent basis, so he has to balance work hours, quality time with his daughter and personal time with Adrienne - who also happens to technically be his boss. It's crazy and dangerous and the whole time I was reading I kept thinking that, if anyone can make it, a Montgomery can. 

The one hold-over from the original Montgomery Ink series is the presence and importance of family - both by blood and by heart. It's my favorite part of this series. I love how close the Montgomery siblings are and how they're always there to watch each other's backs and to meddle when necessary. 

Fallen Ink is a well-thought out spin-off of a beloved series and is rife with tons of plot bunnies just waiting to take off and make the Colorado Springs series just as amazing as the original. 

REVIEW: Pecker Briefs (Legal Affairs #7)

Pecker Briefs (Legal Affairs #7), by Sawyer Bennett
Publish Date: April 17, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) I never thought a pecker would get me in so much trouble.

I mean, sure… if you’re talking about a certain anatomical feature of mine that the ladies just love. Given my bachelor status and appreciation for all things curvy and feminine, I could absolutely see that. But a different pecker is making my life much harder than it needs to be.

My name is Ford Daniels, partner at the law firm of Knight & Payne, and my latest case has me wading through the finer points of peckers—woodpeckers that is. Specifically, the red-cockaded woodpecker. I swear, I can’t make this stuff up but that’s what the sexy-as-hell blonde chained to a tree told me this morning.
Her name is Viveka Jones and she is so much more than a pretty face. She’s got wit, charm, and razor-sharp smarts. Turns out my client is looking to bulldoze the red-cockaded woodpecker’s natural habitat in favor of a multimillion-dollar subdivision and the sexy attorney with legs for days (and days), just happens to be counsel for an animal rights group looking to put a halt to construction.

My client’s pissed, but all I can think about is getting Viveka across the table from me. And then on the table underneath me. Perhaps up against the wall. And then—

Well, let’s just say when it’s all said and done, I’m hoping the red-cockaded woodpecker isn’t the only pecker that gets some attention from Miss Viveka Jones.

Sawyer Bennett has finally brought us back to the law firm of Knight & Payne with Pecker Briefs. Sawyer's legal romances are some of the absolute best out there because they're so... legal. You can tell that she used to be a lawyer, because her expertise in this field shines brightly and lends a sense of realism to the story that other books set in law firms just don't have. 

We were introduced to Knight & Payne two-and-a-half years ago when we met Leary Michaels and Reeve Holloway and watched them fall in love as they stood on opposite sides in a heated court case. Pecker Briefs is similar in that Viveka Jones and Ford Daniels are arguing opposite sides of an animal rights case about woodpeckers. We met Ford in Friction as he was Leary's on-again off-again friend with benefits. Nowadays, since Leary and Reeve are married and expecting a baby, Ford is just the BFF - no benefits. 

But, the moment he meets Viv, he feels the instant connection and knows her presence in his case is going to be problematic. Viveka too feels what's between them, and although she tries to fight it for the good of her case, she knows that giving in is inevitable. 

You would think that Viv and Ford's relationship would be the big drama point of the story, but it's really not. And I kinda loved that about this book. There were no games, no push and pull, no dramatic misunderstandings - none of the usual plot devices designed to rip budding couples apart. And what a marvelous thing that was. No - the real drama came from the increasing danger Viv finds herself in due to a disgruntled opponent and how she's supposed to stay safe and do her job at the same time. 

Ford and Viv are a great couple with a ton of chemistry. Viv, especially, really impressed me. She's a great example of a strong female character. She's intelligent, brave and confident, yet she's not afraid to ask for help or to be upset when the situation warrants it. 

The set-up of The Pecker Briefs might somewhat mimic Friction, but it's definitely got a lighter feel to it. A lot of that has to do with the subject matter. Viv is defending the red-cockaded woodpecker, so you can imagine all the word puns that came into play. Viv and Ford are electric between the sheets and incredibly sweet and adorable when in public. 

As expected, I loved The Pecker Briefs. I certainly hope that this is not the last story we see come out of Knight & Payne. 

RELEASE WEEK REVIEW: Close Cover (Masters and Mercenaries #16)

Close Cover (Masters and Mercenaries #16), by Lexi Blake
Publish Date: April 10, 2018
Publisher: Evil Eye Concepts
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult suspense/contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) Remy Guidry doesn’t do relationships. He tried the marriage thing once, back in Louisiana, and learned the hard way that all he really needs in life is a cold beer, some good friends, and the occasional hookup. His job as a bodyguard with McKay-Taggart gives him purpose and lovely perks, like access to Sanctum. The last thing he needs in his life is a woman with stars in her eyes and babies in her future. 

Lisa Daley’s life is finally going in the right direction. She has finally graduated from college after years of putting herself through school. She’s got a new job at an accounting firm and she’s finished her Sanctum training. Finally on her own and having fun, her life seems pretty perfect. Except she’s lonely and the one man she wants won’t give her a second look.

There is one other little glitch. Apparently, her new firm is really a front for the mob and now they want her dead. Assassins can really ruin a fun girls’ night out. Suddenly strapped to the very same six-foot-five-inch hunk of a bodyguard who makes her heart pound, Lisa can’t decide if this situation is a blessing or a curse.

As the mob closes in, Remy takes his tempting new charge back to the safest place he knows—his home in the bayou. Surrounded by his past, he can’t help wondering if Lisa is his future. To answer that question, he just has to keep her alive.

A few books ago in the Masters and Mercenaries series, McKay Taggert set up a bodyguard - a.k.a. close cover - division and staffed it with several talented, sexy men. We've met all these men, peripherally at least, in previous books and novellas in the series. This was all a well-planned set-up for Lexi's Masters and Mercenaries crossover collection that she worked on with Larissa Ione, Corinne Michaels, J. Kenner, Carly Phillips and Susan Stoker. Each author took a guy (and a McKay Taggert admin) and wrote an awesome book about them. Close Cover is Lexi's contribution and follows team leader Remy Guidry.

Remy is hired by the Daley siblings (whom we've met in several different novellas) to protect their youngest sister Lisa from a mob boss whose crimes she discovered while working as an accountant for his company. Lisa and Remy have a history - she propositioned him at Sanctum and he flat out turned her down. Remy's attraction to Lisa is off the charts, which is why he rebuffed her - he's not planning on staying in Dallas, and he knew she might make him want to.

Close Cover is an awesome second chance story. While Lisa is, at first, not happy that Remy is her new neighbor, he quickly convinces her that they can use their proximity to burn off this chemistry between them before he leaves in a month.

When will these boys learn? I know girls get together and talk about all the details in their relationships, but honestly - the men could do with some of the same. Because, if they did, perhaps Remy would've known that lying to Lisa about the reason he is suddenly front and center in her life again - especially after sleeping together - was absolutely not the correct course of action. As many of his counterparts have discovered in the past. 

Close Cover features all the delicious danger and espionage that we have come to expect from a M & M book. When it's clear that Lisa is in grave danger, Remy's cover is blown and he's forced to take her with him to his hometown in the Louisiana bayou. The tension between Lisa and Remy - both sexual and anger-fueled - that carries on for quite awhile added the perfect amount of angst to the story. I also loved the change in scenery for part of the book. Remy's hometown is full of colorful and interesting characters, and watching Remy and Lisa settle in there was fun.

The prologue and the epilogue prove that the other stories in this crossover collection have been happening simultaneously, which means there's no real order in which to read them. I think you'll be able to appreciate each one individually and together as a group. While Close Cover is the only one in the collection that I've read so far, it's most definitely not going to stay that way. 

REVIEW, EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: The World's Worst Boyfriend (Bad Boyfriend #1)

Erika Kelly kicks off a brand new series about four brothers who are rich, talented, athletic and total idiots when it comes to love. Check out my review and an excerpt from THE WORLD'S WORST BOYFRIEND.

The World's Worst Boyfriend (Bad Boyfriend #1), by Erika Kelly
Publish Date: April 3, 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) Six years ago Fin Bowie made a decision that cost him the love of his life. Now his ex is coming back to town for her brother’s wedding, and he can finally make things right. Except, right before the event, a text he sent goes viral. Overnight, he becomes an international meme. And it’s hard to win your woman back when the whole world’s calling you The World’s Worst Boyfriend.

The last thing on Calliope Bell’s mind is getting back with Fin. Not when her life’s just gone sideways, forcing her to spend the summer in her hometown. She can’t be away from the New York art world this long, so she comes up with the idea to turn the hottest pop culture event of the moment into a museum exhibition.


The two have every intention of avoiding each other—until the county judge sentences Fin to community service…helping her exploit the meme he's trying to make go away.

Quite awhile ago, Erika teased me on Twitter, telling me that she was working on a new series about four brothers who would knock my socks off. 

She was right.

The World's Worst Boyfriend kicks off her new Bad Boyfriend series, and it does, indeed, provide a good introduction to the Bowie brothers, each of whom are beautiful, athletic, and totally stupid when it comes to women and priorities. But, it's not their fault. They were raised by their loving father who doted on them and provided for their every need and want with his billions of dollars. He taught them the importance of family. Apparently, youngest brother Fin took that lesson a bit too far. 

Because many years earlier, he proved to the love of his young life that she would never come first. His priority has always been and will always be to his brothers. And, she couldn't live with that (rightfully so). So, Callie left him - and not only him. To escape the devastating hurt she felt, she left her town, her family, her friends - everything that was tied to him - behind as she pursued her own dreams. 

Now, Callie is back in town for her brother's wedding and forced to see Fin for the first time in more than six years. But, before Fin arrives, a text to a friend goes viral, the meaning is interpreted all wrong, and Fin becomes a living breathing embodiment of douchebag exes everywhere. 

Both Callie and Fin have to learn how to embrace things you can't change and move on from them in healthy ways. That's something they haven't been able to do. In her effort to escape her heartbreak, she cut herself off from everyone who loved her. She transformed herself into someone she's not. It took her longer than it should have for her to realize how much she cost herself by doing that. But, she did eventually figure it out and set out to make amends. I loved the growth I saw in her and appreciated how difficult it must've been. 

Fin can't change how the meme snowballed or how it might affect his career. He also can't change the bad choices he made. But, he is determined from the very beginning to do better now. Especially since he never stopped loving Callie. But this man is clueless. He might say and feel totally devoted to Callie this time around, but it's impossible to change 25 years of conditioning overnight. His first instinct is to be with his brothers, and Fin has to learn the hard way that he can't do that and be with Callie the way she needs at the same time. It's about balance, and that's something Fin has always struggled with. And, as a result, as much as I loved Fin, I struggled with my desire to yell at him to stop being a dumbass. 

None of the remaining Bowie brothers seems to be much better at organizing priorities correctly - particularly in regards to the bomb that's dropped at the end of this book, which will undoubtedly lead us into the next book and the next brother's story. Can't wait to see what's in store for these boys next.

“Guess what, Callie? Love isn’t safe. It’s messed up and crazy and it hurts like hell. But why would you want anything less than what we had? Jesus, what we had—it was more than love. It was…Dammit. Why do I have to explain this to you? I’m empty without you, and no other woman, no friend or brother—no one can take your place. You’re part of me. And I’m sorry but I’m not buying that you’ve moved on. We screwed up, and we got lost, but I will be damned if I accept that you’d rather have some boring, bland relationship than me.” He reached for her, pulling her hard against him, gaze focused on her mouth.

Slowly, he leaned in, overwhelming her with his masculine scent. He pressed a soft, gentle kiss that sent an alarming rush of desire through her body. A lick of his tongue across her lips had her mouth opening to him, welcoming him, and then it happened.

Fin kissed her. Kissed her the way he always had—hungry, desperate, a barely contained expression of carnal need.

He kept his hands to himself, their mouths the only point of connection. His kiss tasted sweet like love, hot like passion, like everything beautiful in the world grew out of this, the tender intimacy of two souls finally, finally rejoining.

The moment she reached for him, restless for the press of his hard body against hers, he tore his mouth away. “You wanna settle for less than that?”

Award-winning author Erika Kelly has been spinning romantic tales all her life--she just didn't know it. Raised on the classics, she didn't discover romantic fiction until later in life. From that moment on, she's been devouring the genre and has found her true voice as an author. Over three decades she's written poems, screenplays, plays, short stories, and all kinds of women's fiction novels. Married to the love of her life and raising four children, she's lived in two countries and seven states, but give her pen and paper, a stack of good books, and a steaming mug of vanilla chai latte and she can make her home anywhere.

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REVIEW: Angels Fall (Original Sin #2)

Angels Fall (Original Sin #2), by JA Huss and Johnathan McClain
Publish Date: March 27, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the authors
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(Synopsis) Sometimes angels fall. 

Maddie doesn’t really owe drug lord, Carlos Castillo, money. So she hadn’t taken his threats seriously. Until now. He wants it, whether she owes it or not. And if she doesn’t have it in six weeks he’s gonna take her as payment instead.

Tyler would save the world if he could. That’s a fight that lasts forever. And if there’s one thing he’s good at, it’s fighting. So if Maddie thinks she’s gonna deal with an insane drug lord on her own, she’s crazier than he is.

She’s got a debt she can’t pay. He’s got more money than he needs.She’s not gonna fall for his charm. He’s gonna make sure that happens.

They’re destined to be together. Even if Maddie doesn’t know it yet.

Sometimes your soul mate isn’t who you’d choose, it’s who you need.
Good thing you don’t get to choose.

Two books in to the Original Sin series, I'm totally on board with this brand new writing duo. I've been a big fan of Julie Huss' for years now, but this series is her first foray into co-authoring, so I didn't know how it would go. You know? I think I can safely say at this point that I love the work that she's putting out in partnership with actor and audiobook narrator Johnathan McClain. It feels like a JA Huss book, but yet it has a slightly different flavor and voice, which, I think, really is enhancing this reading experience. 

Since this is the second book in a four-book series, and a lot of the events in book two are a continuation of things that started in book one, I can't go into a lot of detail about what happened. However, here's what I CAN say...

#RelationshipGoals

In the beginning of Angels Fall, Maddie and Tyler had an insurmountable gulf to overcome if they were to have any sort of relationship. They were also in two very different places as to their future goals - Tyler was all in. He was going after Maddie full boar and was not going to take no for an answer. Maddie, however, wanted nothing to do with Tyler and was sure she could never get over her anger and disappointment in him. However, Tyler's persistence and Maddie's acceptance of things that can't be changed made huge strides, and toward the end of this book, we saw them finally moving in the right direction, which made my heart so freaking happy.

Angry Sex (... and Make-up Sex... and Kinky Sex... and Tunnel Sex... and...)
Maddie hating Tyler for a period of time during this book didn't put any damper on their sex. Like, AT ALL. I was cool with that, because it proved that, even though they were not in a good place, there was still all this passion between them, and that's a start. Even the super angry sex signified hope to me, because if Maddie truly didn't want anything to do with Tyler, I have every confidence, she would've put him in his place and moved on. Instead, they took out their frustrations and their sadness and their love and their anger on each other, and it made for some incredibly awesome reading.

Revisiting the Past
The big focal point of Angels Fall is rehashing what happened to Scotty and how it affected Maddie and Tyler, both individually, and now as a couple. We heard Tyler's account of the events in book 1, and in book 2, we get Maddie's perspective. We get to see the healing affect it has on both of them. Even before Maddie talks to Tyler about it all, we see her taking steps to get past the tragedy - steps she should've taken a long time ago. But, it's in these actions that we can see that, even though she's still incredibly mad at Tyler, his influence in her life now is a positive one. The character growth that the authors have injected into Maddie and Tyler is incredibly satisfying and very well done.

Hope in the Face of Tragedy
Despite Maddie and Tyler getting to a hesitantly good place together by the end of Angels Fall, there's no doubt that there's still plenty of bad stuff swirling around them - particularly Maddie. Drug lord Carlos Castillo still wants his money, and his henchman Logan is wanting a little extra punishment on the side. Both Maddie and Tyler have been so despondent in their lives lately, to the point of each of them contemplating suicide. But, the reconnecting that Maddie starts and the healing that Tyler starts gives them the desire to finally start fighting back. There are some events at the end of Angels Fall that dramatically affect them, and now there is a fire lit beneath them that will carry into book 3. Carlos and Logan better watch out...

RELEASE DAY REVIEW: Tempting Little Tease (Forbidden Desires #4)

Tempting Little Tease (Forbidden Desires #4), by Kendall Ryan
Publish Date: March 20, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4 STARS

(Synopsis) She's the tutor I hired to teach me Italian.

She's way too young for me, but she's also gorgeous, bright and filled with a curiosity about life that I find incredibly refreshing.

It's fucking adorable.

I’m old enough to know better, but this pretty young thing tempts me beyond belief. And for the first time in my life, I can see myself falling.

***
Is this what it's like to be pursued by an older man? The complete confidence, the lack of expectations, the sincerity?

My God, it's exhilarating.

Quinn Kinglsey is totally unexpected. I'm moving to Italy in three weeks to teach English, and while I never expected something so real to develop between us so quickly, our chemistry is explosive.

There's something so sexy about this back and forth he and I share. Flirting with this man is like playing with fire, and I'm bound to get burned.

Io sono attratto da te I'm attracted to you, he tells me.

But is our attraction enough to get us through the complications of a massive age gap and an international love affair? Only one way to find out…

Tempting Little Tease spells the end of the Forbidden Desires series... or is it? Each of the books has followed one of the three Kingsley brothers (books 1 and 2 were both about middle brother Gavin), but Kendall Ryan threw us a delightful twist in this book that opens the door just a bit for at least one more book in this sexy series. I'm TOTALLY down for that. 

While the first three books in the series were angsty and emotional and very much a roller coaster ride of highs and lows, Tempting Little Tease was much more steady and sure. It's really only right that it's like that, since oldest brother Quinn has always been the calm in the Kingsley storm. He's been Switzerland while Gavin and Cooper went through their problems with each other, never picking sides, and always trying to play the peacemaker. 

Quinn has stood by and watched Gavin and Cooper find the loves of their lives. He's seen them settled and his business taken into a good place after a bit of scandal. It's now his time to find love, and it just so happens to be with a woman who is quite a bit younger than him. I wouldn't exactly classify this relationship as a true May/December, but there's definitely enough of a gap to give both Quinn and Alessandra pause. 

To be fair, they didn't pause long. They knew immediately when she walked into his office to help continue his Italian lessons that there was a big connection there. I was so glad they didn't make their ages a big deal. Quinn is 38 and Alessandra is 22 - both are completely legal and able to decide who they want. 

The biggest roadblock to them being together is the fact that Alessandra has a one-way ticket to Rome that leaves in three weeks. She intends to move there permanently to live and teach in a new country. Again - there wasn't a ton of over-amplified drama around her impending move, which I also appreciated. There was more of a quiet determination on Quinn's part to squeeze as much substance out of their time together as possible, and maybe she will fall so hard for him, she'll decide to stay. It's a solid plan - much better than any games or hyped up angst that you see in some books. 

The only thing I felt was missing from Tempting Little Tease was Forbidden Desires. While Gavin and Cooper's romances developed at work, and as such, we saw a lot of the inner workings of the company, Quinn and Alessandra fell in love outside of work. I missed the workplace banter between the brothers and I missed some of the drama a business like theirs comes with.

Although there is a door that was opened to a possible fifth book in this series, but even if there isn't one, the ending of Tempting Little Tease - and the Forbidden Desires series - was completely satisfying. I really loved Quinn and Alessandra as a couple, and I loved the catch-ups with Gavin and Emma and Cooper and Corinne. It was a sexy, sweet romance from the amazing Kendall Ryan.

RELEASE WEEK REVIEW: The Prophecy (Titans #4)

The Prophecy (Titans #4), by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publish Date: March 20, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: new adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) History is on repeat…

Seth never thought he’d have a future. But now he’s on the brink of having it all with Josie: A tomorrow. A family. A forever. And all that's standing between him and that forever is the Titans. If he helps Josie entomb them -- without killing them, a nearly impossible task for him -- everything he could ever want will be in reach. But he soon realizes that as a god, every little choice he makes can reshape the world for the better… or worse. And in meddling with the Titans, Seth may have just set into motion catastrophic consequences that will force the Olympians to enter the mortal realm and reshape the delicate balance of power that keeps the world from total collapse.

A price must be paid…

Entombing the Titans is Josie’s top priority. After all, it was what she was born to do. But the plans her father put into play to help her are no longer an option, and the odds she and Seth face in forging their own path are grim. The escalating violence between halfs and pures only increases the danger closing in on them and their friends. Josie knows their chances of succeeding in their task are slim at best -- and if they fail, they might lose everything. But she also knows she's not fighting just for herself -- she's fighting for the man she loves, for their future, for the world. Together with the Army of Awesome, Josie and Seth will face the unthinkable. And to win this war, the ultimate sacrifice must be made.

For the end is here and the Prophecy will be fulfilled….

The end of this series - and these characters - has been a long time coming. Nearly seven years ago, Jennifer Armentrout introduced us all to The Covenant world, which is full of the best heroes, the worst villains, and the most shocking events. And now, nine full-length books and a hand full of novellas later, we have to say goodbye. But, Jen Armentrout has given us the perfect send-off to these beloved characters in The Prophecy. 

I can't tell you a lot about what happens in The Prophecy without giving away major spoilers from the first three books in The Titans series. I can tell you that revelations at the end of the third book have definitely changed Josie's frame of mind. She's a different person in The Prophecy - more confident, more determined and definitely more careful and calculating. She still wants to help save the world, but she isn't going to be going in guns blazing anymore. 

"I could never give up on you. Not just because I love you, but because you're worth fighting for, Seth. You're worth loving, and if it takes a hundred years to prove that to you, I will."

Seth, too, is different, although not in the same way. He's still headstrong and foul-tempered most of the time. But, he's also now looking ahead to the future, and learning that his actions have consequences. He's trying to protect the woman he loves and save the world alongside her, without too many irreparable repercussions. That shows a ton of maturity in this character that has never been known for being a grown-up. 

Truth was, I still wasn't worthy of her, but I was working on it.

If you like a lot of emotion in your books, then this one is definitely going to rank high on your list. I expected some feels - it IS the end of a series, after all. The heroes need to work and suffer a bit for their HEA. But, peoples... I needed SEVEN TISSUES to get me through the end of this five-star book. There's a lot of angst leading up to the events at the end of the book, and most of it centers around Josie's intense need for her dad. Things look so hopeless for her future, that, at one point, she cries out desperately for her father to come to her and help her. Or maybe just talk to her and give her his shoulder to cry on. She needs a father figure so badly, and yet, he continues to hide himself from her. My heart broke over and over for Josie in that regard. 

Since this is the end of the series, we see all of our favorite characters from the original Covenant series, as well as our new favorites from The Titans. Alex, Aiden, Luke, Deacon, Alexander, Laadan, Marcus, Erin and Colin all make appearances. I am amazed at Jen Armentrout's ability to bring things full circle. Events from The Covenant series came into play in remarkable ways in The Prophecy, and the result was a perfect feeling of satisfaction and closure at the end. 

"What I feel for you increases every waking moment and sometimes that scares the hell out of me, but I love you. Yesterday. Today. A thousand tomorrows from now, I will be in love with you."

Over the years, I've read about so many epic romances, but none equal the two from this world. First Jen gave us Aiden and Alex and then she gave us Seth and Josie. She created flawed, but brave men of integrity and passion. She wrote about badass women who love fiercely, fight courageously and screw up... well, quite a bit, actually. They might be fictional characters with crazy powers that can't possibly exist in our world, but they have never seemed more real. I appreciate that so much. I'll miss this amazing world, but The Prophecy has ensured that I will most definitely remember it fondly. 

RELEASE DAY REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Sin With Me (Original Sin #1)

SIN WITH ME is a crazy awesome start to a series I can't wait to continue. Check out my review and enter the giveaway...

Sin With Me (Original Sin #1), by J.A. Huss and Johnathan McClain
Publish Date: March 6, 2018
Publisher: Science Future Press
Format: e-ARC, provided by the authors
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(Synopsis) Two broken people in a city fueled by sin.

Maddie isn’t looking to be saved. She knows the only person you can count on is yourself. Her moral compass might not point true North these days—but at least she’s still standing.

The Military taught Tyler about loyalty. Being there for your brothers is the only thing that matters—but when it mattered most, he wasn’t.

She’s got a ticket straight to Hell. He’s already been there and back.

She needs to win. He just needs to stop fighting.

Some sins scar your soul so deeply, you'll never be the same.

But this Devil in disguise might just be the angel he needs to forgive himself.

One of my favorite authors, Julie Huss, has teamed up with audiobook narrator and actor Johnathan McClain to write a series of romance books. Between a best-selling romance author and a romance audiobook narrator, I'd say they have the credentials to give us something good. 

And, based on book 1 in their Original Sin series, it's not just going to be good - it's going to be great. 

Maddie's and Tyler's lives have taken two different paths to the same place - rock bottom. When Sin With Me begins, that's where both of them are, even though rock bottom looks slightly different for each of them. 

Maddie is more than broke. After a string of failed business ventures, she's not only in debt, but she owes a very bad man a big sum of money. With a college degree and yet no professional prospects on the horizon, Maddie is forced to strip to pay her bills, and every time she does it, it sucks a little more of her soul away.

"...at eighteen, bad things, one after another, just kept delivering themselves to me, and now, seven years later, here we both sit. It makes me want to cry. Or scream, or run away. Or all three. But I can't. It's not who I am. I can't quit, I can't lose it and give in to weakness. I have to just knuckle down and keep going. Sometimes... sometimes I wish I was a quitter. It would be easier."

Tyler has more money than he can spend, but he hates how it came into his possession. His time as an explosives expert in the military is over, and now that he's home in Las Vegas, he doesn't know what to do next. His experiences while deployed and the fates that have befallen his friends are haunting him, and no amount of women or booze is helping him to move on. 

Both Maddie and Tyler need something to live for, because neither of them have that now. At various times in the book, both of them contemplate ending things for good. Truthfully, these two are some of the saddest and most despondent people I've ever read about. And yet...

When they are together, despite them both being total and complete hot messes, I actually have some hope that they could be okay eventually. It's this underlying hope that keeps the book from being utterly depressing. They are good for each other, even though I don't think they know that yet. They certainly are hot together, and they both definitely know that, even though Maddie continues to fight it every step of the way.

I just... want to listen to him. Hear his voice and see his smile. I want to feel his bare chest under my fingertips and know that we're in this night together. Whatever pain we have. Whatever regrets and bullshit are haunting us. We're in this night together.

There's something that ties Tyler and Maddie together, and while the reader is clued into this thing pretty early on, our main characters don't find out until the very end. And, that big reveal provides the backdrop for a jaw dropping ending. 

There's a lot of stuff for Maddie and Tyler to work out over the next three books. Maddie's still being chased by very bad, murderous men. Tyler is also in a bit of hot water by the very end. And they are definitely not at a good place in their relationship. I promise, you're going to want to read the next book in the series right away - I know I do. But, most of all, I just can't wait for Maddie and Tyler to find some freaking happiness. I have faith in Julie and Johnathan that eventually they'll get there. But, the journey looks like it's going to be quite a bit bumpy. 

Two accomplished writers come together to create unforgettable sexy romance. JA Huss is the New York Times bestselling author of 321 and has been on the USA Today bestsellers list eighteen times. Johnathan McClain is a veteran actor and writer whose work, either performed or written, is probably airing on at least one of the channels on your television right now. You can contact them on their website www.hussmcclain.com or find them at their social links below.

STALK JULIE
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJAHuss
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/JAHuss
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jahuss/

STALK JOHNATHAN
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/misterjmcclain
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/misterjmcclain
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/misterjmcclain/

JOIN THEIR FACEBOOK FAN GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/shrikebikes/

Enter below to win one of five $50 Amazon gift cards or one of 25 copies of Sin With Me signed by both authors (INTL).

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REVIEW: Baby Daddy

Baby Daddy, by Kendall Ryan
Publish Date: February 27, 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 STARS

(Synopsis) We met in a trapped elevator.

Emmett was on his way to work, sophisticated and handsome in his tailored suit and tie.

I was on my way to the sperm bank. Awkward, right?

At thirty-five, my life hadn’t taken the path I thought it would and I was tired of waiting—I wanted a baby. And I was ready to take matters into my own hands to make it happen.

After our ill-fated elevator encounter, Emmett insisted on taking me to dinner—he also insisted on something else—that I ditch my plan involving a turkey baster and let him do the job. He would be my baby daddy. He was a wealthy and powerful CEO with little interest in diapers or playdates. And since he didn’t want kids, I’d be on my own once his bun was in my oven, free to go my own way.

But once his baby was inside me, it was like a switch had been flipped, and I got a whole lot more than I ever bargained for.

*dreamy sigh*

Could Kendall Ryan make a more perfect man than Emmett Baxter? No. No, she could not. I mean, this guy is a sweet alpha male - a unicorn! He's rich, commanding, gorgeous, sexy humanitarian - he's willing to endure the pain and suffering of having tons of sex with a fascinating woman who desperately wants a baby. He's willing to give up all rights to the child and give her what she wants while getting what he wants - a hell of a good time. What a giving man. You know what they say about the best laid plans...

While I instantly fell in love with Emmett's charm, Jenna Porter was a character that I took a bit more time to warm up to. She's a business woman who has learned the hard way that men will disappoint you. Every. Time. She's 35 and wants a baby, so she's going to do it all by herself at the sperm bank. But, when the elevator malfunctions with her and Emmett in it, those plans are blown to pieces. Although she accepts his offer to put a bun in her oven, she acts very cold toward him for a very long time. She tries so hard to keep this situation strictly a business transaction, and in the face of Emmett's sweetness, that was frustrating.

Emmett's transformation over the course of the book was my favorite part. He starts out as this island of a man - one who doesn't really do close relationships, especially with women. He always treats them with respect, but he never, ever gets close. This brilliant man thinks he can make a woman pregnant and not get close to her. As he learns, that's completely impossible. And through his interactions with Jenna - both in bed and out of it - and the possibility of a future he never even thought of, he changes his priorities and his own dreams.

Jenna took a little longer to follow in his footsteps. And as a reader knowing that these two had an additional, professional connection that was bound to blow up in their faces, and not knowing precisely when that would happen, you knew that things weren't going to go smoothly for these two for awhile. And that was okay. Because watching them fall in love and prepare for a new baby while trying to remain "friends" was a ton of fun.

Baby Daddy was a fantastic read with a dreamy hero that you won't soon forget.

BLOG TOUR EXCERPT & REVIEW: Rough Ride (Chaos #5)

I have missed my bad ass Chaos bikers.

Rough Ride (Chaos #5), by Kristen Ashley
Publish Date: February 13, 2018
Publisher: Evil Eye Concepts
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) Rosalie Holloway put it all on the line for the Chaos Motorcycle Club.

Informing to Chaos on their rival club—her man’s club, Bounty—Rosalie knows the stakes. And she pays them when her man, who she was hoping to scare straight, finds out she’s betrayed him and he delivers her to his brothers to mete out their form of justice.

But really, Rosie has long been denying that, as she drifted away from her Bounty, she’s been falling in love with Everett “Snapper” Kavanagh, a Chaos brother. Snap is the biker-boy-next door with the snowy blue eyes, quiet confidence and sweet disposition who was supposed to keep her safe... and fell down on that job.

For Snapper, it’s always been Rosalie, from the first time he saw her at the Chaos Compound. He’s just been waiting for a clear shot. But he didn’t want to get it after his Rosie was left bleeding, beat down and broken by Bounty on a cement warehouse floor.

With Rosalie a casualty of an ongoing war, Snapper has to guide her to trust him, take a shot with him, build a them...

And fold his woman firmly in the family that is Chaos.

This book - this whole series - is so spectacular. It's everything I've come to love about the MC trope. It highlights family and loyalty and dedication. It is a little dangerous and a lot sexy and romantic. These Chaos men know how to treat their women like queens and their women in turn support their men in all they do. It's easy to love these characters, especially with the way Kristen Ashley writes them. 

In Rough Ride, we swing back around to Rosalie, who we met in the very first Chaos book. When Rough Ride opens, we see that things have gone horribly wrong for Rosalie, and she's in very desperate trouble. She turns to Chaos - and Snapper in particular - for help. And once they deliver that help (as they should, since she found herself in that situation because of Chaos), she is ready to get out of the MC world for good since it's caused her nothing but both literal and figurative pain. 

But, Snap is there to remind her of all the wonderful parts of MC life that she'd be turning away from. No - it's not perfect. But, no way of living is. Plus, MC life comes with him, and he's spent a very long time loving Rosalie from afar while she belonged to someone else. He's done with that, and he's now dedicated to winning her over. 

I don't know any woman that would be able to withstand Snapper when he really pours on the charm. He treats her like gold, even when she swears she hates him and his club. He puts her needs and safety above his own. And when she starts to break down, he shows her his best moves. It was all over from there. 

Now - I'm going to warn you. Rough Ride ends in a somewhat confusing cliffhanger. If I were you, I would read all of it except for the last page. Seriously - just ignore it for now. Then, this summer, when Wild Like The Wind (Chaos #6) comes out, go back and read that last page then. You will thank me for this advice. Because I'm going out of my mind for that sixth book. And not reading the last page of Rough Ride will not affect your enjoyment or grasp of Snapper and Rosalie's story in the slightest. 

Kristen Ashley has put one more incredible book under her belt, and I'm one step closer to thinking she can't do anything wrong. 

An old-style flip phone.

A burner.

We’d joked about it, Snap and me. He’d called me Scully. He had a burner too, so there’d be no caller ID when he phoned me. So I’d called him Mulder.

I was going to call him.

Not because I was working for Chaos anymore. I wasn’t. That officially ended on that cement. Definitely not because I was protecting Bounty. I’d tell the police. Absolutely, I’d tell the police my boyfriend’s motorcycle club beat the snot out of me. It didn’t matter that I broke the code, and knew it. It didn’t matter that I’d betrayed my man, and done it deliberately.

I was trying to save him. Save his brothers. Save his club. Save everyone.

I closed my eyes tight, my thumb moving over the phone from memory, knowing the way on its own, I called him so often. That was why I was calling him now rather than 911. I knew how to get to him. To Snapper. And the effort would be less. I could dial the digits to get him up on speed dial in my sleep, so I could do it lying on a cement floor, beat to hell and practically unable to move.

I couldn’t lift the phone to my ear so I just shoved it across the floor closer to my face, listening to it ring.

“Rosie?” Snap answered.

I closed my eyes tighter as understanding hit me with a blow almost as brutal as every strike I’d just taken.

God.

I hadn’t done it to save Beck. To save his brothers, his club…everybody.

At first, I’d done it to make Beck into Shy.

And then I’d done it to make him be Snapper.

And last, I’d done it to make his club Chaos.

“Rosie?” Snap’s Eddie Vedder baritone got sharper.

Oh no.

No.

The black was creeping in again.

“Sss…” was all I could get out.

“Rosalie,” he bit out, curt, alert, alarmed.

“Hurt,” I whispered.

And then, again, I blacked out.

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA and nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorize and she hadn't taken her first breath!). Her mother said they took Kristen away, put her Mom back in her room, her mother looked out the window, and Gary was on fire (Dr. King had been assassinated four days before). Kristen's Mom remembered thinking it was the end of the world. Quite the dramatic beginning.

Nothing's changed.

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she's blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.

RELEASE DAY REVIEW: Nobody Does It Better (Masters and Mercenaries #15)

Nobody Does It Better (Masters & Mercenaries #15), by Lexi Blake
Publish Date: February 20, 2018
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult suspense romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) A spy who specializes in seduction 
Kayla Summers was an elite CIA double agent, working inside China’s deadly MSS. Now, she works for McKay-Taggart London, but the Agency isn’t quite done with her. Spy master Ezra Fain needs her help on a mission that would send her into Hollywood’s glamorous and dangerous party scene. Intrigued by the mission and the movie star hunk she will be shadowing, she eagerly agrees. When she finds herself in his bed, she realizes she’s not only risking her life, but her heart.

A leading man who doesn’t do romance

Joshua Hunt is a legend of the silver screen. As Hollywood’s highest paid actor, he’s the man everyone wants to be, or be with, but something is missing. After being betrayed more than once, the only romance Josh believes in anymore is on the pages of his scripts. He keeps his relationships transactional, and that’s how he likes it, until he meets his new bodyguard. She was supposed to keep him safe, and satisfied when necessary, but now he’s realizing he may never be able to get enough of her.

An ending neither could have expected

Protecting Joshua started off as a mission, until it suddenly felt like her calling. When the true reason the CIA wanted her for this assignment is revealed, Kayla will have to choose between serving her country or saving the love of her life.

Nobody Does It Better spells the end of an era. The Masters & Mercenaries series is officially over with this book, so Lexi Blake is sending it off in style - with a Hollywood star, bold and brash Kayla Summers and several series crossovers. 

Kayla is sent to California to be the bodyguard for movie star Joshua Hunt. She's also going to be his submissive - talk about perks of the job. But, someone is gunning for Josh, and it's Kayla's job to make sure they can't get to him. In addition to Kay's commitment to McKay Taggart, she's also being used by the CIA to try and get to the bottom of Josh's seeming ties to a Mexican drug lord. 

Kay's cool with her job until she starts to have real feelings for the reclusive and private actor. He's surprisingly deep and sensitive, and incredibly good in bed. He's harboring a painful past and is not used to trusting another soul, but yet he seems to trust Kayla. And she's lying to him. 

I have to be honest - Kayla Summers hasn't always been my most favorite member of the team. She's super bubbly and seriously goofy - almost too much so. She's never seemed to have a very deep or serious moment, so it was hard to take her character seriously. All that changed in Nobody Does It Better. We get a glimpse into Kay's complicated past and how she came to be in the spy business. It's a sad and tragic story, and after hearing it, you think that perhaps most of the time, she's overcompensating. 

Josh's story is even worse though. It's impossible to not feel for this man who seems to have no one in his life he can truly love and trust. How lonely he must be. Truthfully, he and Kay make a great couple. He seems to temper her wild side and she seems to bring him out of his shell a bit. And, of course, their D/s relationship is one of perfection. They're perfectly suited. 

There's two main stories going on in Josh's world - his blackmailer and the Mexican drug lord. Kay has to protect him from both threats while keeping the fact that she's working an angle with the CIA a secret. It's a tough job, and one she starts to question as the days go by. 

Nobody Does It Better included almost every element that I love most about the Masters and Mercenaries series. There was tons of danger and mystery and intrigue. There's a lot of spy games and subterfuge. There's super hot kinky sex between two compelling characters. The only part that was missing for me was Sanctum. Or even The Garden. There's mention of Josh's club, The Reef, but he and Kayla never really play there. 

I also missed the usual team - Ian, Liam, Alex, Adam, Jake... a few of them make brief appearances, but Kayla was kinda on her own in this book. It's mainly because, Lexi is leading us into a few new spin-offs that will feature characters we really got a chance to know better in this book (but aren't totally new to us). And I do get that. It was done well, and I'm definitely looking forward to their stories. But, I still missed my MT crew. 

Stay tuned for lots more coming from the M&M world. I'm so happy that I don't have to say goodbye to Kayla, Ian and the rest of them for good. I have a feeling they'll continue popping up in Lexi's other series and in the upcoming spin-offs. Until then, I can say that this was a great send-off to an absolutely amazing series. 

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Wanderlust

Wanderlust, by Lauren Blakely
Publish Date: February 6, 2018
Publisher: Audible Studios
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) The first time I met him, his sexy British accent almost talked me into giving him my number on the spot. The second time, he nearly charmed the panties off me with his wit. Then I learned he's the key to success in my new job in Paris. The man who tempts me into fling-worthy dirty daydreams has turned out to be my personal translator, and his accent is the hottest thing I've ever heard.

My mantra is simple -- Don't mix business with pleasure. I do my best to resist him as he teaches me how to converse with my co-workers, navigate the metro and order the perfect bottle of wine at dinner. But I also figure out how to tell the charming and clever man what I most want to say -- that I want him to take me back to his flat -- tonight.
Except there's a catch...

***
One more assignment before I take off on my big adventure...

And it involves the toughest work ever -- resisting the fetching American woman I spend all my days with. But you know what they say about best intentions. Soon, we're spending our nights tangled together, and I don’t want to let her go. The trouble is, my wanderlust is calling to me, and before we know it I'll be traveling the globe to fulfill a promise I made long ago.

What could possibly go wrong with falling in love in Paris? Nothing...unless one of you is leaving.

Wanderlust has only been available in audio these last two weeks (the paperback releases tomorrow!), and for that, I'm so glad. It forced me to experience the magic that is this book as told by two perfectly chosen narrators, and I think that made me fall in love with this book just a little bit more. 

Wanderlust is about an American woman and a British man that meet in Paris and fall in love - at precisely the worst time in both of their lives. For him, Griffin is only in the city for another three months before he leaves for a world trek. For her, Joy has just gotten out of a toxic relationship and is looking to assert her independence at her new job in Paris. Neither of them are looking for a new relationship, but listening to them try to resist each other was so much fun.

Both these characters are fantastic. There's nothing not to love about them. Joy is quirky and independent and brave. I loved that she took the job in Paris because it's a city she always wanted to visit. She doesn't speak the language, but she doesn't let that stand in her way. And what a fun job she has! She gets to mix scents to make perfumes and body lotions that smell yummy. It sounds like the best use of an organic chemistry degree. 

Griffin is fluent in French and works as a translator - Joy's translator, to be exact. How they met was hilarious and it truly set the stage for how magical their connection was. Since Joy is his assignment, and he's leaving Paris to travel the world and fulfill his late brother's last wishes, Griffin tries so hard to resist Joy's charm. And Joy tries so hard to resist Griffin's sweetness. As a result, you get this crazy awesome tension that keeps building and building for what seems like forever. 

When it bursts, it's so perfect. These two are such a great couple. You will adore Griffin and how he thinks about Joy. But, the road block continues to be his brother's bucket list that threatens to take Griffin away from the little love nest these two make in the City of Lights. 

The audio version of this book is wonderful. Richard Armitage voices Griffin, and I just don't think they could've chosen anyone better. His accent is yummy, and his delivery is spot-on. Grace Grant narrated Joy's chapters, and she really captured the sweet quirkiness that Joy embodies. If you've been on the fence about trying a romance audio book, please give this one a try. I'm sure it will sway you to the YAY side. 

There's plenty of humor and sexiness in Wanderlust. It's also incredibly romantic. I loved it so much.