Wednesday, December 31, 2014

These are a few of my favorite....authors of 2014

I'm terrible at making top 10 lists. There is no way I could even come up with a top 10 of my favorite books of the year. So instead I am going to make a list of authors I discovered and absolutely LOVED TO PIECES in 2014. Once I started reading these authors' books I could not put them down.

This list is in no particular order:

1. Rebecca Yarros

Rebecca's debut novel, Full Measures, had me crying like a baby from the very beginning. Then the moment came when I met Josh Walker and I was HOOKED. I laughed...I cried...I wanted to read it again as soon as I was done. And her second book, Eyes Turned Skyward was just as good. I read a lot of books and I sometimes find myself rereading parts of Rebecca's books because I love them so much.

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00HY03FJM

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00PP6IKRY

Author's website: http://www.rebeccaelizabethyarros.com/
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaElizabethYarros
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaYarros

2. Chloe Barlow

Chloe Barlow knows how to write yummy men. While reading City of Champions, I started using #wyattistheswooniest whenever I tweeted about the book...I loved him that much. She can also write a kickass heroine and if the women in her books were real I would want to be BFFs with them. I am anxiously waiting for her upcoming books. She's giving us a yummy, tattooed computer "geek" and I can't wait to know him better.

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/1497317924

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00P8H9EB6

Author's website: http://chloetbarlow.com/
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ChloeTBarlow
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chloetbarlow

3. T.K. Leigh

You will experience a lot of emotions while reading T.K.'s book. You will laugh. You will cry sad tears. You will cry happy tears. You will yell at your e-reader. You will throw your e-reader down on your bed/couch/chair. You will want to throw your ereader at the wall, but hopefully you won't. And you WILL have book hangovers like you have never experience before and you will LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00LDUVA4G

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00MQHV5QS

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00NDAAVZI

Author's website: http://tkleighauthor.com/
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/tkleighauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TK_Leigh

4. Claudia Connor

I read Worth the Fall after I saw the blurb posted in a FB group. The premise was a little different from what I usually read, but I gave it a chance and I freaking LOVED it. Claudia's second book Worth the Risk isn't out yet, but I was able to obtain an ARC through NetGalley. The McKinney brothers are quite the bunch...a good looking, loyal, sweet, loving group of men. Bring 'em on!!

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00J1IQX4E

Amazon pre-order link: http://amzn.com/B00L6YJ6AE

Author's website: http://claudiaconnor.com/
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ClaudiaConnor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Claudia__Connor

5. Beth Ehemann

Hockey is not a sport that I ever find myself watching, but after reading Room for You I found myself thinking "Maybe I should start watching hockey." Brody Murphy is an amazing guy and these are amazing books. All I say is that there is a scene in Room For Just a Little Bit More that had me crying like a baby, but the tears were happy tears. You definitely cannot go wrong with these books.

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00G4DIWDY

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00J4RDQ6U

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00MKS5U82

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/BethEhemann
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Claudia__Connor

6. Jamie Rae

Jamie's novel is coming out next week and I want EVERYONE to read it...it's that good. The hero in the book is a good looking, BRITISH, fighter pilot and the heroine is completely kick ass woman. She also introduces the readers to a bunch of secondary characters that I really want to know better. *fingers crossed*

Amazon pre-order link: http://amzn.com/B00OZUMI7O

Author's website: https://www.jamieraewrites.com/
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/JamieRaeAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamieRaeWrites

7. M.E. Carter

You know what I love more than a sports romance novel. A sports romance novel where the male main character is a stand up guy. Don't get me wrong...I like when the guy a bit of a jerk and the woman is able to reform the guy, but if you make your guy a good guy from the beginning...I will like your book even more! But the author didn't stop there. Oh no. She threw in an adorable child that I fell in love with as soon as he appeared in the book. And then the stand up guy formed an amazing bond with the adorable child and I fell in love with this book! If you love sports romances, this book is for you!

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00QZKEYSI

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorMECarter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMECarter

Saturday, December 27, 2014

4 Star Review: Ripped (Real #5) by Katy Evans

Synopsis

A ripped rock star with attitude.

An ex-girlfriend with a reckless plan.

Pandora assumed getting her heart broken by her bad boy ex could only happen once--until Mackenna Jones comes back to town for the biggest concert of his career. They say girls are getting pregnant just thinking about the Crack Bikini tour and it's destined to be a huge hit.

Oh, it'll be a hit alright--when Pandora comes out swinging. She and her friend Melanie are determined to humiliate him onstage. But when they're caught by security and her ex is summoned, Mackenna decides not to press charges if she'll join him on tour and follow certain conditions--rules designed to give him the upper hand and keep her in close contact with him once again. Soon, the passion they once shared is reignited, and no matter how much Pandora wants to hate him, her hard exterior starts to crack.

And worse: Mackenna knows it, too. But he hasn't uncovered all her secrets...

My Review

Full disclosure: I am not a huge fan of Pandora, so a book about her wasn't something I was excited about. But I am a fan of the REAL series so of course I was going to read this book. And I am really glad that I did. This book gave a lot of insight into Pandora and helped explain the person she is today. I liked her much more after finishing the book, but she is still not my favorite. Having said that, for me, this book is all about MACKENNA FREAKING JONES. Holy shit that man is hot. Like panty melting hot. Anyone who had read any of the other books in this series knows that Katy Evans can write a delicious alpha male, but she outdid herself with MacKenna.

“He kicks the door shut behind him. He’s wearing aviators, so I can’t see his eyes, and ohmigod, I hate him with a passion. I came here to hurt him, but I’m so overcome by my anger, I can’t seem to do anything but stand here with my breath getting trapped in my lungs, my heart squeezing in my chest, my body trembling as all my suppressed anger bubbles up inside me.

He is tall and dark, and the remains of a red gooey liquid trickle down his chest.

But what a perfect chest, and then that thin trail of hair that leads the way from his navel to his dick. Tight leather pants mold to his bulging thighs. A bulging cock too. I swear girls might think he sticks a loaf of bread down his pants, but I can assure you that fucker is real. As huge as his fucking ego, and I remember it used to get as hard as his fucking head.

Not everyone can pull off a buzz cut, or a diamond stud earring, but he has a perfectly shaped head that makes you want to curl your hands around it and trace the curves with your lips. The diamond glints almost menacingly in his right ear, and when he takes off the sunglasses with an angry jerk, I see his brilliant, furious silver eyes, and I swear that it feels like coming home.”

MacKenna and Pandora have a past. And throughout the book we learn that it is a very complicated, heartbreaking past. Pandora hates MacKenna (she mentions that A LOT) and would love to get some revenge. While he is in town with his band, Pandora comes up with a plan. Let's just say that the plan does not quite work and before she knows it, Pandora is on the road with Crack Bikini (I would love to know where they got that damn name...it makes me crazy). And when I say "on the road" I mean those two are sharing a tour bus...it is close quarters. Of course sparks fly and they have some HOT sexy times, but the book is not just about that.

These two met while they were in high school. They were the typical boy from the other side of the tracks meets girl, they fall head over heels in love...high school love. But now they are both VERY different people and they have to get to know each other again. MacKenna knows the real Pandora and can see past the tough, bitchy woman she is and Pandora knows that what MacKenna has accomplished in his life is extraordinary and she can't fault him for that. And that's why these are a great couple...although they have been apart for a long time, the sparks are still there and they cannot deny that. I couldn't wait for the moment when they were able to get past all the bullshit and realize that they belong together....they always have.

I loved that in this book we got a little bit of Pandora's partner in crime, the crazy Melanie and also a little bit of Remy and Brooke. We got to see them in a casual setting and not just a fight scene, which I found refreshing.

The ending of the book is a bit open ended and I'm not sure what the author has planned next, but I hope we haven't seen the last of these two. I think a lot of us would love to see a nicer, more chill Pandora. What do you say Ms. Evans?

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00EMDPZRO

Monday, December 22, 2014

GUYS! Alexander Burnham has a BROTHER.

We first met Mr. Tyler Burnhan in T.K. Leigh's "Beautiful Mess" series. He was always around to give his brother advice and I instantly liked him. Well know he is GETTING HIS OWN BOOK! Well two books to be exact. And from what I have seen so far, Tyler is going to give his brother Alexander a run for his money when it comes to being on my book boyfriend list.

I AM SO EXCITED FOR THESE BOOKS!

Make sure to put them on your TBR!

Book 1: Chasing the Dragon

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23497443-chasing-the-dragon

Book 2: Slaying the Dragon

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23897004-slaying-the-dragon

Series Spotlight: The Beautiful Mess Series by T.K. Leigh

I am jealous of people who buy the Beautiful Mess series as a box set? You know why? Because they get to read all three books one after another while I had to go through the torture of reading them as they were released...TALK ABOUT PAINFUL. I was hooked after reading the first book, "A Beautiful Mess" and waiting for each book to come out was torture...I'm sure we have all experienced that feeling at some point.

Alexander and Olivia have a history, but unfortunately, it is one that Olivia does not remember. Alexander has always loved Olivia and he is not going to let her get away from this time around. Now, this is not only a hot and steamy love story, but one that also has a big mystery attached to it. My attention was held throughout the whole series. When I thought that I had it figured out, something else would happen to throw a wrench in my thought process.

And Alexander and Olivia's relationship.....OH MY GOD. I could sit here and list all the words that mean "hot," but instead I will just give you a little bit of that sexiness that is Mr. Alexander Burnham.......

“You better stop with that or I’m going to throw you on the ground and have my way with you, and I don’t care who’s around to watch,” he growled, his voice husky.

Olivia’s spine straightened, her eyes growing wide. She met Alexander’s gaze, the heat emanating from it palpable. She swallowed hard. “That’s pretty fucking hot.” She grabbed another spoonful of ice cream, brought it to her lips, opened her mouth slightly, and took a bite while Alexander watched her, his expression intense. She closed her eyes, moaning as she slowly slid the spoon out of her mouth.

“Do you want me to fuck you, Olivia?” he whispered in her ear.

She opened her eyes to see Alexander looking at her with a hooded stare. “Yes,” she exhaled.

He grabbed her hair, tilting her head back to expose her neck. “Yes, what?”

Olivia’s blood spiked. She loved playing his little game. “Yes, Mr. Burnham.”

“That’s better.”

I experienced a lot of emotions while reading this series. I laughed. I cried sad tears. I cried happy tears. I yelled at my iPad. I got frustrated. I threw my iPad down on my bed. I wanted to throw my iPad at the wall, but I didn't. I had book hangovers like I have never experience before and I loved EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

A Beautiful Mess

Olivia Adler is a woman with a troubled past. After losing her parents at the young age of six and being raised by an uncle who she lost years later, she refuses to get attached to anyone, including friends. For the past decade, she has been able to remain unattached to any man, too worried about losing someone to get too close. Until Alexander Burnham walks into her life one night and changes everything. But he has issues of his own. And he’s keeping a secret that could turn her world upside-down. Will Olivia let Alexander in enough for him to get close and protect her from a force threatening her very existence, or will she push him away, scared of letting Alexander in, in order to protect her heart?

A Tragic Wreck

Haunted by her past, Olivia Adler flees Boston for a beach in Florida, leaving everyone behind, trying to shut the world out. Remaining a relative recluse in her self-imposed prison, she tries to turn everything off, wanting to feel nothing. But a new acquaintance won’t let that happen. After being away from Alexander for a month, his voice constantly ringing in her head, reminding her that her inability to confront her demons will not only destroy her, but also him, can she really be expected to want to feel again when it brings nothing but pain? Back in Boston, everywhere he turns, Alexander Burnham is reminded of Olivia… His Olivia… He tries to dull the ache left in his heart the only way he knows how… in the bed of a beautiful woman. But Alexander isn’t about to lose his Olivia. After a clue comes to light regarding Olivia’s whereabouts, can he convince her to return to Boston with him? When a force that has laid dormant for months resurfaces, can Alexander still protect her from the unknown danger? And when Alexander comes face to face with a shadow of both his and Olivia’s past, will he be able to tell her the secret that is threatening to tear them apart?

Gorgeous Chaos

Finally able to face her fears of abandonment, Olivia Adler begins to prepare for the next phase of her life. But Alexander Burnham is still holding on to all the secrets about Olivia’s past, trying to protect her. As days go by, Olivia is slowly starting to remember her past and Alexander realizes it’s only a matter of time until she puts all the pieces together and figures out who he is… And who she is... But if she remembers, her life could be in even more danger than it already is, and Alexander cannot have that happen. When shadows of Olivia’s past threaten not only her life, but also those around her, will Alexander finally put Olivia’s needs ahead of his? Will she be able to put all the pieces of her past together in order to save her own life and those that she’s close to? Can she figure out who she can trust and who is threatening her very existence?

Box set Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00LDUVA4G

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Review: Change of Hart (Hart #1) by M.E. Carter

Synopsis

My name is Jason Hart.

As the best defensive lineman in the country, I eat, sleep and breathe football. And I like it that way. I’ve only got a few more years before I’ll have to retire, so expending energy on anything other than football seems like a waste of time.

That is, until I have a random meeting with a little boy who just lost his father. We have more in common than you might think and it creates an unlikely bond. As our friendship grows, so do my feelings for his mother.

I know Addison, as a recent widow, isn’t ready to date again. But I want to get to know her better, in spite of all her rejections.

Is it possible that I, a self-proclaimed bachelor, could be having a Change of Hart?

My Review

I have always been a reader, but I found myself sticking to a small group of authors that I really enjoyed. Over the last year or so I expanded my horizons and took some chances on new authors. For me, it's all about the synopsis. If it grabs my attention, I will read it. I've been lucky that most of the new authors I have discovered have been great and this book is a great example of that.

When I read the synopsis for "Change of Hart" I immediately thought, "Yeah, I am going to like this book." I love sports. Can't play them to save my life, but I love watching them. Plus, athletes are just the sexiest thing ever, so of course I am going to enjoy books that have sports has a backdrop.

I can't recommend this book enough. If you like sports romance novels, this is a MUST READ. So much about this book just felt real (see excerpt below). And that is what I liked most about this book. Yes, Jason is a famous football player, but from the very beginning I could tell that he wasn't the stereotypical, conceited jock. I do get a little bored with the whole "I know he seems like an ass, but deep down he is a great guy!" story line. From the very first pages of the book we know that Jason is a good guy, with good intentions and as a reader I appreciated that.

Jason plays for the Dallas Cowboys and he is making an appearance at a local school. He makes it very clear from the beginning that he is not there for publicity's sake, but because he wants to be there. While he is at the school, he has a very memorable interaction with Jaxon. I don't want to say too much about their first meeting, but I will say that I loved this kid the moment I met him. He's so adorable and is so excited that Jason is at his school...I even got a little emotional.

Jason feels a bit of a kinship with Jaxon and the two form a special bond. He invites Jaxon to get a tour of the football stadium and it is there where me meets Jaxon's mom, Addison. Jason is immediately attracted to her, but knows that she is still mourning her husband. The two form a friendship that Jason hopes will eventually turn into more. I liked that fact that Jason was more than willing to spend time with Jaxon, even without Addison. It just stressed the fact that this all started because he wanted to be a presence in Jaxon's life, with or without Addison.

I really liked Addison. She is a wonderful, single mom trying to move on after her husband's death and is wary to start a relationship with Jason, but the reasons for her wariness aren't what one would think. Thankfully Addison does eventually give Jason a chance and these two are just the cutest. The excerpt below is exactly why I love these two. This seems like a conversation that two people would actually have, one that I could see myself having.

“You’re worried about your body not being perfect, right?” I asked her, unbuttoning my shirt and cufflinks. She bit her bottom lip and nodded, blushing slightly. I lost the shirt and yanked my undershirt over my head.

“Look at me,” I said. She looked right in my eyes. I smiled. “Not my eyes, babe. Look at my body.”

She smirked as her gaze ran down my chest to my stomach and everything in between

“What do you see?” I asked her.

“Um . . . I see a really sexy man,” she said, looking back in my eyes.

“Uh huh . . . but what about me is sexy?” I asked, trying to make a point.

“Your arms really turn me on,” she admitted. “And your shoulders. And probably your back even though I haven’t seen it yet.”

I smiled at that. “But do you see any washboard abs like those male models have?”

She looked at my stomach but didn’t say anything.

“Do you see that ‘V’ that women talk about? You know . . . the one on a guy’s hips that supposedly point to the goods?”

She cracked a smile but didn’t say anything.

“I don’t have any of that. My body isn’t made that way. I work out every single day and I’m probably stronger than most of the guys in those pictures. But my body isn’t built to look like that,” I said. “I’m more like . . . a square. Like Spongebob Squarepants.”

A smile crossed her lips. “You’re sexy to me,” she said shyly.

I nodded. “Exactly.” I walked toward her and cupped her face in my hands. “You are the sexiest, most beautiful woman I have ever met in my life. Just knowing you are standing here in my bedroom is the biggest turn-on.”

She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed me. I put one hand on the back of her neck to pull her mouth closer to mine and used the other to find the zipper on the back of her dress and pull it down. When my hands pulled the dress forward so it could fall off of her onto the floor, I finally broke away from the kiss to have my first look at this beautiful woman’s body.

It was not what I expected.

“What the hell is that?” I asked, looking down and around her.

She giggled. “It’s my Spanx. It uh . . . smoothed out all my bumps since the dress was so fitted.”

Like I said earlier, I can't recommend this book enough. You can't help but want these two to make things works. Of course there is some drama in this book, but I liked the way the author handled it. I hope the author plans on writing more books...I know I will be ready to read them!

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00QZKEYSI