ARC Saving Steel by Anne Jolin

First let me say that I received a advanced readers copy of Saving Steele a Book 5 in the Rock Falls Series by Anne Jolin in return for my honest book review.

OMG! I just finished Saving Steele and I am floored! I can not believe what a mess I am after inhaling this book. I started late last night reading, and continued this afternoon until I was done. Let me say that while this is book 5 of a series, this is actually my very first book that I have read from this author. With that being said this book could definitely be a stand alone book, however there are so many characters that are on the edge of many scenes that I have every intention of grabbing the first book in this series and continue on through them.

The characters were so well developed. They were so real. Jackson is a contractor business owner, who gets the surprise of his life when his 6 year old son Ryker  he never knew existed shows up on his doorstep. Then when Ryker starts first grade, Jackson gets to meet his teacher, the obsessive post it note, control freak Miss Kennedy Cross. While both Jackson and Kennedy have major life issues that have turned them into the people they are, they find each other and start to build this relationship that includes Ryker. We learn that all there of these characters are flawed, and have wounds that we cant see. Just when you think things are going well, life throws a monkey wrench in. The twists and turns that the novel takes were heart wrenching. This book made me laugh, made me cry, made me nervous, and made me hot!

I was so surprised with how easy it was to get sucked in by the authors amazing writing. I can not wait to go back and start the series from the beginning to read more about these characters and this world she has so masterfully created. I also am crossing my fingers that the next book of the Rock Fall Series we can see a happy ever after for Colt. ;)

Midnight Sky~ Book 2 in the McKenna Chronicle by Elizabeth Miller

Book two from the McKenna Chronicle by Elizabeth Miller was an absolutely amazing continuation of Charlie and Colin's Story. While Colin is running for President and Charlie is running his social media campaign they fall in love. However they each have been so wounded in their past that it makes their live story so tragic and suspenseful. Add in the fact that Charlie attracts danger, and the fact that with the campaign they are never in the same city for more then a few days and you have a fast pace amazing story with great characters who are so real and so charming, that you just want them to be together.

I grabbed book two quickly after finishing book one because I was desperate to find out of these two can move past what has happened to them, or if the drama of a stalker will cause them to fold their relationship before it even really has a chance. This story was fast past, with dark suspenseful plot twists that left me as a reader flipping pages faster and faster. I gobbled this book up in about 12 hours. It was the best way to spend a sick day in bed with the flu.

Now I have to patiently await the next book in this series to find out what happens. I'm desperate to know the answers to so many question!

Midnight by Elizabeth Miller ~ Book 1 from the McKenna Chronicles

I grabbed the first book, Midnight, in the McKenna Chronicle by Elizabeth Miller the other day. I devoured it within less than 24 hours! First off its a book about a presidential hopeful Colin McKenna. We meet Charlise "Charlie" Carter who is a free lance writer who the campaign is interested in hiring to work on the social media of the campaign for McKenna for President.

While this book is about a politician, is soooo not a political book. this book is gripping because of the writing, the character development as well as the story line that will drag you in and not let you go. This is a new author for me, and I'm hooked!

This is not one of those books that's just about a hot guy and a curvy not so perfect girl with tons of sex scenes as filler. This book is dark, with a twisting plot that leaves you questioning everything about these two characters. When the book ends your are definitely left with the questions "What is going on?" So you immediately need to grab book two, Midnight Sky!

Definitely a five star book! *****

Dark Desires 1 ~ Touched By You~ By Emily Jane Trent

Another cliff hanger people! This short story is not very long. It is the first part of another series that gives you just a taste to wet your whistle, and leave you hanging at the end. 

This story showed we have Natalie and Trent, who meet up four years ago for a little elicited fun at a concert. Fast forward 4 years and Natalie has landed a dream scholarship to a dream design school in NYC. She gets a room to rent from a former model and all her dreams are coming true. That is until she bumps into Trent. The man who gave her and incredible orgasm at a concert four years ago and then disappeared. She has held this man to such high standards that no man can ever compare. When she meets him she is shocked and excite. Trent goes out of his way to whoa Natalie, really wining and dining her. Until Natalie realizes, after giving up her virginity to him, that he has been manipulating her life to lead her back to  him.

The characters are kind of week, and you definitely get the sense that it cheesy romantics, but under it all Trent is supposed to be a dormant who likes rough. Sex, while Natalie is niece and innocent in so many ways. The story is kind of slow, and makes you hope that the other parts of this series will pick up the pace. 

It not a bad read, if you need something to read to kill and hour or so of your time.

Unlawful Attraction Vol. 1: Alpha Billionaire Romance by M.S. Parker

First, again we have another short story, not a full novel. However I was expecting this because Ms. Parker is known for these types of stories. But this the only thing I knew before reading this book. After the first page I knew this book was unlike all the others.

First we have Dena, she is a character we've seen in the Club Prive books. Dena is quitting her job to take a job as and Assistant District Attorney. Her dream job. While she's looking at how her life is changing , how one door is closing and another is opening, she is definite feeling lonely.

We quickly learn that Dena is having a difficult time finding a man who meets her needs. See she's not a true sexual submissive, or a true female dominant, she actually a switch. Someone who likes to dominate men sometimes, and other times likes to be dominated. It's truly difficult for her to find someone like herself. We get to see her as a female dominate, which is smoking hot. But it doesn't completely satisfy her. 

We get to meet Arik, who is new to NYC and to Club Prive. He is also an Attorney but for the other guys, he's a defense attorney. We learn how unsatisfactory Dena's new job is and hoe frustrating her whole life is, in walks a very sexy Arik, to Leather and Lace , another NYC BDSM club. They hit it off instantly, you could almost feel the heat coming off the pages. But then your left wanting. 

This book has great character development and we really dive into this world, which we have had glimpses at from Ms. Parker's pervious books. I look forward to grabbing the rest of Dena and Arik's story and hope they can find a happy ending.

The Billionaire's Toys- Book One- Brooke Ravenwood

This first thing I have to tell you about this book, is that it is not a full length novel. It is only the first part of a series of short stories. This story is about 71 pages long, so a great quick read, but does leave you hanging. 

The idea of this story is you have a cute young lady named Jennifer, who is busting her butt working in a lingery store, and ear lying her degree in fashion design. Her goal is to one day be a designer of beautiful women's undergarments. She meets a beautiful man named Jack Montgomery. He was a customer at the shop she worked at and he left his credit card behind. Jennifer is asked to bring it to him. She soon realizes this man is a sexy hot billionaire who wants to show her how sexual she can be and really push her limits. The characters ar developed really well. And the heat is evident between the to character. The only problem with this book, is its so much like all these others ut on the market. Boy meets girl, boy wants to dominate girl, girl does what guy wants. Pretty much a Pretty Women Movie reference. It wasn't a bad story, but it wasn't very remembrance either.

Life Blood by V. M. Black

I read Life Blood, by V. M. Black on a bonus day off. It was a super quick read. I had the heads up that this was more like a short story, that is left in a cliff hanger. There are several of these short stories, so I strongly recommend getting all of the short stories so you can read them more as a whole novel. I grabbed this book via kindle on one of the free days. 

So knowing that this story was short, and left a cliff hanger, I was surprised how fast I got sucked into this story! You have a young girl, a senior in college with her whole life in front of her, except she has terminal cancer. Her doctors have suggested hospice. But she also gives her a card with no name, just a phone number. She has so many questions, but you really don't get the answers you need to really understand what she's signing up for. The only thing we know is that we have a devilishly handsome man who she can't resist and the determination to live, even when everything says she's dying. 

The charter development of the female lead is really well done, especially within  such short number of pages. I get drawn in to this world, wondering who is Mr. Thorne really? And wondering first what choice Cora is going through make, and how will that choice play out for he. You definitely get sucked in because of the life or death h situation that Cora is in, the more curious when Mr. Thorne presents another option which has a 1 out of 100 chance of actually working. 

I definitely recommend grabbing this free version, and if you like it, grab the next five books in this series! 

Satan ~ book 5 of The Hades Squad ~ by Jianne Carlo

This past long weekend I was able to tucker down and devour several books! Not only did I finish Dead Ice and The Bourbon Kings, but I also read Book 5 in the Hades Series.  Satan's book was so good! 

First you have a typical story where girl meets guy, guy reacts to girl, girl wants to have four days of hot monkey sex and fun, before she goes off on a mission to killer her families murderer. Angel (gotta love the play with names 😏) is trying to get all of her ducks in a row and bide her time until she can kill the man that has murdered her parents and brother. Meanwhile, you have Satan who is very anti-social leader of a black ops security group who are all ex-navy SEALs. 

When Angel shows up a his door step, he has a immediate physical reacting, but he's a guy, so no big surprise. But this perpetual bachelor, quickly finds that Angel is quickly making room in his house, life and heart. Angel is so much like Satan, that it's surprising. These two are hot together, plus there is mystery, decent, and suspense in this amazing story. We get to see some of our previous characters and get to enjoy a great story.

The Bourbon Kings by J. R. Ward

The first book in a new series by famed author J.R.Ward is The Bourbon Kings. This story is set up similar to her New York Times Best Seller Series, The Blackdagger Brotherhood Series. You have a story that revolves around one main couple, but actually encompasses everyone near by. So you have all these amazing characters Witt their own problems/issues, that cause there to be multiple story lines, with different plots going on within one amazing story. The character development is spot on with this southern gentlemen and ladies of southern privilege. There is such deceit and back stabbing that your drawn into this southern soap opera. 

The story does start off slow, in my opinion, simply because it's a new series and so much back story that we need to learn about. . But it quickly sucks you in until your drowning in these characters and wondering what drama they are going to have to face next. The amount of tragedy this family has to face would even make Jerry Springer say "wow!"  I was able to read almost this entire book (minus 54pages) all on a quiet Saturday before the Patriots Game ;)

 I kept wondering when Lane and Lizzie would just get their sh*t together. One of my favorite terms is God won't give you more than you can handle, but for this family you just want them to catch a break. This is not a fairytale story where everything is wrapped up at the end with a happy ever after ending. Instead you are left worry about these characters, you are emotionally wrecked after finishing this novel and are so consumed by the characters, that it's almost heartbreaking to realize you have to wait for the next novel.

So Ms.Ward, like always, I am patiently awaiting the next novel in the Bourbon King Series, so I can jump back into this amazing world you have created. I have so many questions unanswered and want to see what happens to these extraordinary characters you have created. however maybe the Television Series that the rights were sold, may help me also :) check out the link to this new article! http://deadline.com/2015/08/the-bourbon-kings-nbc-drama-series-kentucky-1201503538/

Dead Ice; A Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novel by Laurell K. Hamilton

I have been a huge fan of Anita Blake Vampire Series for a few years now. I love the fact that this series is so long! It gives a gal like me a chance to dive into a book, with amazing characters and live with them for weeks! This book was no different. I was taken aback by how huge it is, and though it might be filled with some 'fluff' but I should of known better. There is no fluff in this book. It is intense wild ride that you have to hold on and enjoy. There is so many different dynamic's that just take you back through the series. Sometimes it gets hard to keep up with Anita and all her lovers, but the thoughts and ideas are incredible. I get sucked into Anita's world and sometimes wish I could live there. This book is dark, but also a little nostalgic with a look back at some of Anita's pasts zombie/vampire hunts. It is so fast paced and so developed it's hard to keep up. I promise if you hold on you'll be in for an increasable ride.

Demon~ Book 4 of The Hades Squad by Jianne Carlo

Demon is book 4 in The Hades Squad Series by Jianne Carlo. This book is a stand alone book or can be read in order. I personally think that the other books have to be read in order, but this book takes place on location, verses with the rest of the Hades Squad. We do get to see some of our favorites, but not till the very end of the book.
This story is Demon's story. While he finds his lady love and has a similar story of where he falls hard and fast and wants to make this young girl his, its different because there is such mystery as well as a suspenseful story of trying to remain safe and hidden. Which of course doesn't happen because that would be a boring book. However the leading lady is strong and can more then take care of herself, I just wish she didn't have to face such difficulties in her young life. But because of all she's been through and all she faces in this book, show more than deserves to find a man who will love and protect her.
I loved this book because you have a strong alpha man who is ex-SEAL, and while he gets into many tight situations, its actually Jacinta who is only 20 years old, a virgin and lived her life at a cloister convent who shows how strength and determination can perceiver.
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars, is because I missed the dynamics of having the whole crew together. Having it just be Demon and Jacinta kind of felt like a dimension of the story was missing.

Devil~ Book 3 of The Hades Squad by Jianne Carlo

Devil is book 3 in The Hades Squad Series from Jianne Carlo. I loved this book. It was probably one of my favorites of the series. I loved the character development as well as the stead rhythm of the story.

We get to see Devil, like we have never seen him before as well as Jess, the best friend of the wife of Devils Friend, Sinner (Book 1). I loved that this book started off in a BDSM club, but these two really learn more about each other and their likes in dislikes in life (and the bedroom). It's not just about hot smoking sex, but that is there in full force in this book. But this book has such mystery that needs to be solved, with danger and discovery. I loved it!

Lucifer~ Book 2 of The Hades Squad by Jianne Carlo

In Book 2 of The Hades Squad we get to meet Lucifer, or Sax. He is a member of this elite team of former special ops military strong alpha men. The story starts off with an amazing one night stand that Sax is floored by. Up to this point, sex had just become a function that was a way to relieve stress. He wasn't into one night stands and preferred his sex buddy back home or masturbation. Until Sante Fe and this hot women who mad a bee line for him.

Its not until after their escapade that he realizes once will not be enough with this women. But she rebuffs him, and informs him she's engaged! Sax is furious, as this amazing women walks out. It's such an amazing role reversal right at the beginning of a story that sucks you right in.

We soon find our that the one night stand is Nalini, she actually knows Lucifer and sought him out. She is Indian and in an arranged marriage that she ran away from two years ago. She thinks having sex, losing her virginity will make the marriage contract null and void. Plus she has always had a thing for Sax since they knew each other back in Norway. When Lucifer realizes who she really is, he is pissed to say the least.

The emotions are real and very interesting. You have a women who doesn't want to be tied down to anyone, and the though of not being free, being her own person terrifies her. She ran away from everything and made it on her own so doesn't want to give u her freedom. However the man she was contracted to marry is not going to give her up without a fight.

This is another great story, with amazing character development that sucks you in, with interesting emotions as well as the dilemma of the marriage she is attempting to break off. This story gives us great emotions, with such hot sex scenes. I also enjoyed seeing some of the characters from the first book, as well as other members of Hades Squad.

Sinner ~ Book One of The Hades Squad by Jianna Carlo

I started this new series from a new author, similar to other ways I find new authors. I usually find them through Instagram recommendation from other book lovers, or via a daily email that I get about free or discounted books on Sale.

Sinner, the first book in The Hades Squad got my attention in one of my emails. It was a free Amazon book, and after reading the little description and seeing the Hot guy on the cover I gave it a chance.

This book is HOT! First you have a alpha male, who is military. He's a Navy Seal. He latterly falls out of the sky into a tree while, Destiny is in Alaska attempting to edit a book with an Author she despises. This girl is a strong chick! And actually rescues the big strong seal out of the tree. I love that the characters are both strong individuals. They don't need each other, and while they fight their chemistry, they eventually fall into bed. Thanks in part to a blizzard that blows in fast and trap's them in this remote cabin with no power.

While they each have their own struggles to deal with, Destiny learning that he father basically kidnapped her from her biological mother, and that her name isn't Sara Parker, but really Destiny Driven. A funny name that she makes her sound more like a porn star then a book editor. They both attempt to work on these issue through the book, while figuring out their feelings for each other.

I really liked the fact that you have this big strong alpha man, who took such a possessive claim on the leading female character. It's almost the opposite of what life gives us, with men more afraid to commit and admit their feelings towards a women. Sinner is not afraid to admit to himself and her that he's head over heals for her!

The character development was great, you really got to know these two plus others within the Hades Squad which leads you up to other books in the series. This is also a story that has more then hot steamy sex scenes. This book actually has some mystery and intrigue that helps draw you into the story.

This book, and the other in the series could be stand alone books, but I recommend reading them in order. I highly recommend this book.

Sinfully Mine ~ Kendall Ryan

"Sinfully Mine" by Kendall Ryan, is a stand alone book, but I think should be read after "The Gentleman Mentor". We get to pick up almost where that book ends. We have Macey, who is Hale's younger sister and then Hales best friend and BDSM club owner Reece. These two had a relationship back when Macey was younger, but nothing relay happened because Reece was older, and attempting to be the gentleman, and send his best friends little sister off to college without having a true romantic relationship. Now it's six years later, and Macey is back home in Chicago and looking for a good f*ck. She's surprised to learn that her first love owns and runs a BDSM club.

Once again Reece is thrown into the past and his emotions for Macey come flying at him. While he still wants to respect Macey and his friendship with Hale, he is floored by his feelings for this women. He had a hard time letting her go, and doesn't think he can do it again. When Macey asks him to teach her about BDSM he is flabbergasted. After talking to Hale, who said not just no, but Hell No!, he goes ahead and agrees to four lessons with the beautifully stubborn Macey.

The character development is well done, the dialogue is great because they fight each other without realizing they are fighting themselves. The sex is hot, but doesn't take up the whole book. There is actually a story here about these two people and what they have both been through.

This was my 2nd Kendall Ryan book, and I'm hooked on her writing style.

Happy New Year!

Sorry I've been gone a while. I was attempting to enjoy the remainder of my holiday before reality broke back in.

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and New Year. Mine was relatively quiet, which I'm not complaining about!

This year I decided the idea of resolutions was futile, so instead I'm setting some realistic expectations for myself. For instance, this blog. I hope to e able to up date this blog every 2-3 days with the books I'm reading. I also want to reach 100 books read this year. I've never actually counted how many books I read each year, so this will be interesting.

With this new year we get to whip the slate clean and start fresh. I hope that you all enjoy you new year and attempt to make peace with your self and the world around you, and resolve to read more ;)
The image below seems to sum up my thoughts, even if it is out dated.