Desired by Stacey Kennedy

Desired is the third book in the Club Sin series. This is an erotic romance with BDSM. The story begins with Kyler noticing Ella at his friend’s wedding reception.  Ella has been invited to the wedding of her boss, Aidan Knight. Ella and Kyler have not met before the wedding. Kyler is instantly attracted to Ella but has a problem. He wants to pursue her but feels she probably will not fit into his world of Club Sin.

Ella has moved to Las Vegas to escape a painful past and to start over. She wanted a new start in life to erase the pain and hurt she suffered at the hands of an ex-husband. Feeling betrayed by those she called friends she left all of them behind.

Ella brings out the protective nature in Kyler. She is secretive and has an abusive past the she is trying to heal from. Kyler wants to be the person that helps Ella overcome her fears and heartbreak.  However, Ella wants to keep the relationship friends with benefits. Kyler wants more from Ella and is determined to help her learn she can trust again. He introduces her to the lifestyle of Club Sin with the hope she will learn she can trust him as a man and as her Dom.

I loved how caring and gentle Kyler was with helping Ella to heal and recover from her past trauma. As hard as Ella fights to keep her past a secret it rears its ugly head and she is forced to face it. Luckily, she has Kyler to help her as well as the friends that she has made since her move to Las Vegas.

ARC provided thru Netgalley, author Stacey Kennedy, publisher Random House Publishing Group- Loveswept.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/954906576

Cracks in the Armor by Helena Hunting

This book is a short novella focusing on Chris and Sarah, as they begin their relationship. This short read is a teaser leading into Chris and Sarah’s own full-length novel.  I am a fan of the clipped winged series and enjoyed reading this short story about Chris and Sarah.

Chris is a tattoo artist and is a co-owner of a tattoo shop Inked Armor. Chris and his friends worked together to create a business that would be able to support them and would give them an opportunity to do something that they loved. Chris was kicked out of his home at the age of sixteen and has been fending for himself since then.  As he was helping to build the tattoo business with his friends, Chris helped turn the friendship into a relationship that felt like a family. Chris may look like a tough bad boy but he is sweet and loyal to those he considers family.

Sarah Adamson, is a grad student and working at a local strip club, the Dollhouse in order to make ends meet. She hates her job as well as her terrible bosses Xander and Sienna. She is anxiously waiting for the day when she has graduated and has her MBA. She is working hard to be independent so that she does not have to rely on anyone to take care of her.

Again, this is a short read about the beginning of Chris and Sarah.

ARC provided via Netgalley-  by the publisher Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books, author Helena Hunting- Thank you

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/870277070

Overwhelmed by You by Nashoda Rose

This is the second book I have read from Nashoda Rose and I loved it as much as I loved Torn from You. I cannot get enough of the Tear Asunder series and the characters. The series is not for the faint of heart, it has dark and serious storylines. However, this one did not begin with darkness and brutality; it built slowly and was exposed close to the ending of the story.

The story began with Kat and Ream becoming friends and moving that relationship to lovers. It was total bliss and rainbows until Ream discovered Kat’s secret and pretty much lost his cool and made a dick move. Ream tries to make amends before he leaves on tour but he really tore the budding relationship to pieces. Kat is done.

Ream is the lead guitarist for the rock band Tear Asunder and has returned from an eight month tour. He has not given up on Kat and returns with one thing in mind. To get Kat back!!

The wooing of Kat by Ream is sweet and it is intense. He is determined to repair the broken relationship. One of my favorite lines by Ream is:   Ream told me he didn’t need a second chance because he was still working on his first.

 Overwhelmed is a perfect title for the characters in the book. Ream is overwhelmed at the beginning of the relationship due to his own issues that come up with Kat’s secret. He has a history of darkness and brutality that he keeps hidden from everyone.  Kat is overwhelmed by the intensity and relentlessness of Ream to continue the relationship. I absolutely adored Ream. He worked hard to repair the damage and pain that he caused in the relationship.

Just when things seem to be coming together for the two love birds….. Nashoda lowers the boom and gives the reader a dark twist to the story.  Ream is forced to deal with his past. A past he thought he had put to rest.

I recommend this book to anyone that likes their contemporary romance with dark twists. It will not disappoint.  I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.

ARC provided thru Netgalley,  author Nashoda Rose - Thank you

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/828532408

Blind Faith by Rebecca Zanetti  Publisher Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

First of all, I love this story and I plan on reading the rest of the series. I am kicking myself for not reading this series earlier. This is the third book in the Sin Brothers series and it is packed with action, suspense, and romance.

I want to read this story over and over.  Nate is such a sweetie but far from being a pushover.  All he has ever wanted was to have a normal upbringing and a safe and happy family. He knows at a young age how meaningful his family is and he is willing to risk everything for their happiness and safety.  He and his brothers are genetically engineered and have been used for years on secret missions. The consequences for failing a missing will be detrimental to the brothers, that are waiting back on base for the safe return of the brother, that has gone on the mission. They endured the trauma of being used, abused, and threatened since childhood by holding together and by forging a strong family bond. Each brother has his strengths that he brings to the family to keep them safe, healthy, and happy. Nate makes countless sacrifices of himself to make sure his brothers are happy and feel safe.  

Five years have past and Nate has resurfaced to find out how to stop the expiration date on him and his brothers. He has to reconnect to the past to have a future.  Audrey Madison is his past and is his future. I loved these two together. Nate is not the only one that had a childhood full of misery and suffering. I thought Audrey was pretty strong and resourceful for all of the hardships she went through.

Nate and Audrey reconnect, each with their own agenda on how to stop “something bad from happening (this would give away the whole story).” Nate is a total alpha badass and struggles with convincing Audrey to accept his over the top protectiveness. She feels tremendous guilt over the past and is working on a project to end the harm that the “government unit” is responsible for. But there is more… lots more that comes out and kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end.

 This was a lovely story of past connections, guilt, emotional and physical trauma, with some well written heartbreaking moments. I wanted to hug, kiss and snuggle Nate. I guess I would have hugged Audrey but really I would rather cuddle with Nate.  And the suspense kept me glued to the pages. I definitely, without a doubt will be reading the rest of the series and any other book written by Rebecca Zanetti. Pick this book up if you like contemporary, military, romantic suspense. Take a chance and pick it up anyway. I think this series is that good.   

ARC provided via Netgalley-  by the publisher Forever (Grand Central Publishing), author Rebecca Zanetti  - Thank you

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/935973180

Liam: Branded Brothers By Raen Smith

Liam is the first book in the branded brothers’ series and it is a contemporary romance novel with some suspense and mystery in the story. There is a reason that it is titled Branded Brothers but if I go into that, I will give away the whole plot of the book.

Charla Taylor has recently graduated from a nursing aide program and decides to answer an ad in the newspaper, from Jack, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and looking for a live in caregiver. One of the conditions of taking the job is to deliver a letter to Liam Murphy upon the event of Jack’s death.

Liam Murphy owns a bar and is a bounty hunter. His life is pretty much set with running his business and going out on bounty runs to bring in the bad guys. It all changes the day he is given the letter from Charla. The letter contains information that Liam wants Charla to help him with and she agrees to help Liam with his search to solve the mystery that Jack has just sent him.

This one had a dangerous antagonist but his crimes and evil doing were kept off screen and the reader was not given any gory details about his actions. I enjoyed the introduction of the other characters in the story and hope to read their own story soon.

The romance between Liam and Charla was sweet and easy going. There was not much conflict with the romance between the two characters. The main conflict in the book is solving the mystery that Jack opens up with his death and the letter.
I enjoyed this story. I usually go for more dark and gritty contemporary romantic suspense novels but I like this one. It definitely had elements to it that I like in contemporary stories.

ARC provided thru Netgalley, publisher Raen Smith Publishing, author Raen Smith- Thank you

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/926176834

Hot Secretsby Lisa Renee Jones

Book 1 Tall Dark & Deadly Series

Hot Secrets is the first in the tall, dark, and deadly series and is my first read from author Lisa Renee Jones. I enjoyed this sweet, hot, steamy romantic suspense novel.  Lauren is an Assistant District Attorney and is known to work cases that are dangerous. She is tough as nails and keeps pushing even when there is known danger.

Royce Walker has always been attracted to Lauren and takes the opportunity to become more involved with her when he finds out she may be in danger. He is a former badass FBI Agent and has opened a private security firm with his brothers. When the brothers are together their antics are funny and endearing.

There is an insta-connection with this couple that happens pretty quick in the story and it builds from there. Royce pretty much takes over with wanting and trying to protect Lauren from harm. The villain in the story is creepy and it was surprising was a little surprising to me at the end. Overall, I enjoyed reading this one and will check out the next books in the series. I want to read more about the brothers.

One of my complaints is that sometimes Lauren came across as slightly dense, I mean how many red flags do you need to figure out that maybe something is not right.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/901040268

Booklikes:

ARC provided thru Netgalley, author Lisa Renee Jones

The Broken by Shelley Coriell

A true suspenseful novel, that will keep you guessing who the serial killer really is, all through the book. I kept thinking I had figured out who the killer was but then a twist would happen and I would have to go back to trying to discover who the killer was and why was he after female broadcast journalists.

There was plenty of suspense, mystery, and danger. This could have become a gruesome book but most of the murders being committed were done off screen and talked about after the fact. The journey to finding the serial killer was filled with many enjoyable characters that made the book come alive with their antics. I think Smokey made the book.

Agent Hayden Reed spends his life chasing vicious criminals that cause pain and destruction to the community. He pretty much spends most of his waking hours working on solving crimes that seem impossible to solve. The case of the broadcast butcher comes across his desk and he is not able to let it go. The only survivor from the case is missing and he is determined to find her. He is just as determined to earn her trust, to help with solving this case and catch the monster once and for all.

Kate is on the run and has been living her life in hiding, since the day she survived a vicious attack, that was meant to leave her dead. She does not trust easy but, is just as Hayden ready to catch the broadcast butcher and put an end to her nightmare. There are lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing to the very end.

This book was heavy on the suspense, thriller and light on the romance angle but overall a good romantic suspense novel that will keep you guessing who the broadcast butcher is.

ARC provided thru Netgalley,  Publisher Forever (Grand Central Publishing), author Shelley Coriell

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/903001644

The Temptations of Anna Jacobs (Dangerous Liaisons #2)

by Robyn DeHart 

I decided to read this book based on the story line of Jack the Ripper murders. I was intrigued on how the author could write a historical romantic suspense novel based on a horrid subject matter. I was not disappointed. This book had mystery, suspense, and plenty of drama.

Drew Foster and Anna Jacobs are not the typical Victorian England society darlings. Drew's life has spiraled out of control and he sabotages any attempt to change it for the better. He spends his days and nights in a drunken stupor and does not care to salvage his life or his reputation. After spending some time in jail, for crimes he did not commit, Drew is ready to put his life back in order.

Anna Jacobs is on a mission... A mission to finish medical school and to become a physician. She has been raised in an affluent home with every opportunity to become a wife of a respectable man. She cares very little for society rules and even less that she is ridiculed by her peers for her choices.

Drew and Anna's first meeting/introduction does not go so well, he acts like a total jerk and she has no problem giving it back to him verbally. They keep running into each other due to his work and her location for studying.

Drew is working undercover with Scotland Yard, to help solve the mystery of who is Jack the Ripper and often requires Anna's medical knowledge to assist him. The two finally team up to help solve the mystery. They are a cute, charming couple and I enjoyed how much snark and spunk the characters had with each other. I enjoyed reading the steps Drew made to overcome his demons and work through his painful past. 

Jack the Ripper gets his own POV, which is creepy but I think it added to the mystery and intrigue of the book. I plan on reading the rest of the series.

ARC provided thru Netgalley,  publisher Penguin Group Berkley NAL/Signet Romance, DAW author  Robyn DeHart  -  Thank you

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/897387680

A Need So Insatiable – Cecilia Robert

Lovely  and touching story of a couple that have a past connection. I thought this was a beautifully written story with heartbreaking sacrifices, shame, secretive pasts, and heart wrenching guilt.

I am in total love with this story and with Rafael Arie Van Rees. Rafael has put his past behind him and wants it to stay behind him. He has deep dark sins and secrets that he never wants to visit again. But then he reconnects with a part of his past the he never forgot and never wants to forget. Her name is Sophie Fisher, the one true light that he has always treasured.

He is relentless in his pursuit and protection of her. For her, he will sacrifice everything he has built for himself.

Sophie is trying to keep her head above water and succeed with keeping herself and Lillie out of financial ruin, since the death of her father. She discovers she is connected to Rafael in more ways than just her past.

They are both working through tragic events that keep promising to end in heartache and darkness.  This was a lovely story of two characters working through pain, trust issues, and heartache. The steam factor and sexual tension was smoking hot. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, Hawke has definitely intrigued me. I wonder what is up with Dani and her aloofness. Great supporting cast added funny moments to the book.

ARC provided via Netgalley-  by the author  Cecilia Robert- Thank you

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/897795676

Against the Cage -  Sidney Halston

I enjoyed Against the Cage. It  is a sweet,  touching story of past connections, emotional trauma, guilt, and need. The story has angst and heartbreaking moments but is written with humor and lots of snarkyness from the heroine.

Chrissy Martin left her hometown behind with the intent of not returning anytime soon. Well, you know what they say about good intentions. She ends up back home in Tarpon Springs, Florida due to a phone call from her brother.

During her visit she is pulled over by a cop that she has known most of her life. Jack Daniels cannot believe the girl he once known has turned into a hot sexy woman. He is totally smitten with her and is willing to do just about anything to convince her that she needs him.

Jack is a possessive male and pretty much thinks Chrissy needs to follow his directions. But he also has one hot sweet, soft side to him. Such a sweetie. Chrissy is independent, snarky, and never fails to let Jack and everyone else know, exactly what she thinks.

This is a story of love, overcoming preconceived notions, working through judgmental thoughts, and through past pain. It has somewhat of a dark storyline but was well balanced with some humor included.

There is a whole lot more to this story but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. Read it, I think you will enjoy it.

ARC provided via Netgalley-  by the publisher Random House Publishing Group-Loveswept, Threshold, Pocket Books, author Sidney Halston- Thank you

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/897114176

Hard Time- Cara McKenna

Oh my goodness, I really loved this story. And that surprised me, since the relationship was totally inappropriate and it involved the love of a felon. I didn't know that I could find felon love hot or sexy or interesting. I was sorry to see the story finish, I could have kept on reading about Eric and Annie for days.

Eric Collier is a sexy, hot, thrilling, romantic convict. He begins a relationship by sending erotic romantic love letters to Annie. His pursuit of her is one of the hottest things I have read in a long time.

Annie Goodhouse has recently relocated to Darren, Michigan and is working as a librarian. Part of her job includes working at Cousins Correctional Facility as an outreach librarian. She is nervous with working with incarcerated men and worries about the danger she will face while encountering the men of Cousins.

Annie is receptive to the secret illicit romantic adventure she is having with Eric but has guilt and fear that keeps intruding on their relationship. I think the story has two parts the relationship during prison and the relationship after prison.

Annie is struggling to work through some traumatic issues from her past and they come in to play during her relationship with Eric. At times she is open and caring but then she seems judgmental and closed off. Eric has his own issues to work through. He is romantic, caring and willing to sacrifice everything for those he loves but also he is pretty gullible and easy to take advantage of.

He is not forthcoming with her on the reasons behind his incarceration or the fact the he is up for early parole. This leads to some of the angst of the story between the two characters. After, his release these two characters burn the pages off the book. I want to read this book over and over. I am a fan Cara McKenna. Where have you been woman!!

ARC provided via Netgalley-  by the publisher Penguin Group Berkley, NAL/Signet Romance, DAW, author Cara McKenna- Thank you

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/890956202

Unintentional Virgin- A. J. Bennett

I enjoyed this sweet story. Karma Points is on a mission to lose her virginity. She is turning twenty soon and feels she should have lost it a long time ago. During one of her “missions” to lose her virginity she meets the gorgeous tattooed bouncer at an underground club.

Jax is more than willing to hit it with the sexy Karma, until he finds out she is a virgin. He is intrigued by the sexy girl and strikes a deal with her. He is willing to be the one that helps her with her virginity problem but first she must agree to his terms.

 This is a sweet, charming, funny story of a couple beginning a relationship. It has some steam but most of the story is about learning to trust each other, having fun adventures, and nurturing the growth of the relationship.

ARC provided via Netgalley-  by the publisher Indie Inked, author A. J. Bennett- Thank you

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/892105419

The Kraken King – Meljean Brook

I absolutely loved part one of The Kraken King and am dying to read the rest of the story. To be totally honest, I cannot get enough of the Iron Seas series. This one started out with a bang, Zenobia decides it is time for her own adventure and jumps at the chance to go on a voyage to Australia. She definitely got her wish she is faced with danger and thrills from the beginning of the adventure. Due to several past incidents of being kidnapped, Zenobia has taken on the identity of Geraldine Inkslinger, to prevent further misfortunes.

Ariq, also known as the Kraken King is living as the Governor in Krakentown . He is charged with many responsibilities in keeping his town safe, running smoothly, and he is working on a solving a mystery that is plaguing the ports.

He is not looking for anymore adventure but when Lady Geraldine Inkslinger arrives he is definitely in the mood for more adventure. He knows there is more to her than what she is revealing and he is intrigued by the mystery that is Lady Inkslinger.

Again, I loved the start to this wonderful y written story.  It did not disappoint, it had lots of action, adventure, snarkyness,  and chemistry. I cannot wait to read the rest of this story. I would definitely recommend to steampunk fans or those of you that are thinking of reading steampunk.

ARC provided via Netgalley-  by Penguin Group Berkley, NAL/Signet Romance, DAW, author  Meljean Brook- Thank you

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/895799888

Blindness – Ginger Scott

I was not sure I would enjoy the book since there is a love triangle, cheating, and a girl that seems to leap before she looks. But I did, I really enjoyed the book. This is your typical NA book, it is filled with angst, torment, painful choices, painful past events, complications, and lovely connections.

Charlie is working toward making her life turn out to be less lonely, less emotionally draining, and to have a soft place to fall. She makes a number of choices in her life that seem to be on the right track but seriously cause her to double check those choices when she meets Cody.

I had some trouble with the female character of this story, Charlie Hudson. Mainly, because she seemed like a victim at times and took limited responsibility for some of the pain she was causing those around her. She made some of the life choices in her life more complicated by the way she handled her problems. She would either act like the problems did not exist, jump right in before thinking through the consequences, or wait to be saved.

I loved Cody Carmichael. Everyone pretty much treated him like shit, except for his friends. Cody has the misfortune of being labeled a lazy, washed up, no good loser. But he really is a hardworking, dedicated, loyal, loving, heart of gold man. The betrayal that he suffers from those that are suppose to be his family is heartbreaking.

I guess I am okay with Cody and Charlie together. She did have numerous tragedies that she was working through and she was not deliberately mean. She was just obtuse to the hurt she caused and feelings of those around her. I guess she tried not to hurt others but her actions caused a lot of pain and heartbreak to others. Anyway, I did like the book and would read it again. I enjoyed this book from Ginger Scott and will be reading more of her books.

ARC provided thru Netgalley, author Ginger Scott -  Thank you

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/871865798

Mine to Crave – Cynthia Eden

I loved this book. I totally love the romantic suspense genre. This was an edge of my seat, page turner. Drake Archer is the typical tormented, possessive, hard ass hero. He is suspicious of Jasmine from the start but cannot seem to resist her feminine wiles. Drake is a billionaire casino owner and just wants to build his empire and forget about a painful, dark past.

Jasmine Bennett is a women of mystery that catches Drakes attention from the beginning and works to lose him, every chance she has. Jasmine is snarky, kick ass heroine. Danger surrounds her and she faces it head on, regardless of the outcome.

The baddie/villain was full of hate, revenge, and ugliness. His soul purpose was to inflict as much pain and torment as he could on those he felt had wronged him.

Drake is "extra sensitive" and a hard ass about being betrayed or any  betrayal, due to past events in his life. When he believes Jasmine has betrayed him he goes into super overdrive to claim her, save her, protect her.

Both have secrets that slowly are revealed to each other, as the story progresses. Love me some action packed books. I will continue to read books from Cynthia Eden and I will read the Mine series.

ARC provided thru Netgalley, author Cynthia Eden -  Thank you

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/873093209