Thursday 29 August 2013

ARC Review - Finding My Way by Megan Keith


Finding My Way by Megan Keith

Genre - New Adult

My Rating = 3.75 stars rounded up to 4 (for the DJ!)


The Blurb

Breaking up is hard to do… moving on is even harder…

When twenty-three-year-old Emma discovers that her ex is moving on with his life, she decides to harden up and get on with living her own. 

Who knew that just opening up to the possibility of a new relationship would be all that it took? 

Things start looking up when her hot new co-worker Seth notices her. He had been the subject of her fantasies, but she never thought she stood a chance. 

Then there’s Nick, the sexy and self-assured guy she met at the train station that she cannot get out of her head.

When even more prospects begin to show it seems that life is finally looking up. Top it off with a new career opportunity and Emma finally believes she can 'find her way' to a whole new life.

WARNING: Mature content 18+ readers



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My Review

*ARC received direct from the author in exchange for my honest review

This was a book was about new beginnings, lost loves and new loves but mostly it was about the journey in life we take and how one turning can lead us to an entirely different direction we did not intend to take. 
Emma is finally moving on with her life after her long relationship with Josh who she has been with since a young age, is finally over after she finds he has now moved on himself. Now there is no turning back and she must grasp life with both hands and take up new opportunities and adventures. This leads her to a new role in her career and Seth and Nick.

Seth is new to the company Emma works at but they finally notice each other and the growing attraction they have for each other. The innocuous eye contact and lift interactions push this to another level.
Nick sees Emma everyday as she makes her way through the train station on her way to work. One day with her thoughts in the clouds she is beaming a big smile which Nick notices and as she comes to the kiosk he works at he finally makes the first conversation they have had, which leads to a growing friendship but could this be more?

This book is written with three POVs which at the best of times is hard to undertake with two characters but with three it can get a little confusing for the reader. Here we had Emma and her family, Emma with Seth and Emma with Nick. Then both Nick and Seth with their friends and family. Further into the book all of them together but with separate chapters working the same scene. I must admit I did find it a little confusing and also the same scenes were written over and over leading the reader to be taken through the same situation in order to be given how each character was being impacted. It was this that I found frustrating as I found it tedious to be taken though the same things which only lead to me wanting to flick through pages to get to the overall outcome. I would have preferred the actual scene to be concluded to one character then to be told in reflection how this was impacted on the other two. 

I realise as a first book in a trilogy it is required to set up the situation and the background stories of the characters as we move through the story but we were given every little tidbit of the characters day to day lives, even down to minute detail. 

I know that Emma is coming to a crossroads in her life (hence the title of the next book) but I wasn't able to invest in the relationship development she had with either Seth or Nick. Her depth of feeling for both of them was on a par so you felt you wanted to have them move on to the conclusion of who it was going to be but this was not until much later in the book and then this was given another curveball near to the end. 

I liked the characters of both Seth and Nick and each offered wonderful attributes in their own strengths. This also made me anxious as I didn't want either of them not to be the victor – unless the author went for a ménage a trois! I totally understood why Emma was cautious as she had invested her life to someone at an impressionable young age and had gotten hurt by that but sometimes I just wanted to give her a shove and say “Choose now!” To be fair she does do this later in the book and we are on the happy trail for a while but then the curveball is thrown. 

It is good that the author does get the anxiousness feeling across as this is what someone making a change in life would be feeling, especially after coming from a stage in life where all was safe and predictable – like Emma’s was with Josh. But then she grows to the next stage in her life which brings new anxieties.
There isn’t a HEA per se for this book, although nothing bad happens it just left me wanting. But then as a trilogy I guess that’s the idea! A snippet of the next book does give an indication for the theme we can expect. I do hope Emma gets her HEA but I want the same for Seth and Nick. 

Overall I did enjoy this book but it did need time investing in it to read – a whopper of a 500 pager! I am looking forward to the next book Crossroads as I am keen to see what happens next for all three characters. 

A lovely story of transgression and adulthood and all that that entails – the good and the bad!

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Review - Glitterland by Alexis Hall


Glitterland by Alexis Hall

Genre = m/m, romance

My rating = A glittering hunjed pahcent Five Stars plus!
The Blurb

The universe is a glitterball I hold in the palm of my hand.

Once the golden boy of the English literary scene, now a clinically depressed writer of pulp crime fiction, Ash Winters has given up on love, hope, happiness, and—most of all—himself. He lives his life between the cycles of his illness, haunted by the ghosts of other people’s expectations.

Then a chance encounter at a stag party throws him into the arms of Essex boy Darian Taylor, an aspiring model who lives in a world of hair gel, fake tans, and fashion shows. By his own admission, Darian isn't the crispest lettuce in the fridge, but he cooks a mean cottage pie and makes Ash laugh, reminding him of what it’s like to step beyond the boundaries of anxiety.

But Ash has been living in his own shadow for so long that he can’t see past the glitter to the light. Can a man who doesn't trust himself ever trust in happiness? And how can a man who doesn't believe in happiness ever fight for his own?


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My Review

It feels like this book had slowly been intertwining itself into my very soul for the last few months even without me realising it! Little tidbits here and there, then glimpses of the cover and it finally had me unconsciously being willed to read it! Some things I guess are just meant to be and this book and I together were one of them.

Basically it is a story of opposites – my favourite kind. You have the deep and obscure Ash with his posh accent, middle class and designer clothes, then you have the bright and brassy Darian with his faux/copy designed glittery shoulder padded clothes with his childlike but entrancing demeanour. So yes, this was going to be something that would immediately hook me in to read. But what made it for me was the writing style and content. It had me conducive to bring out every emotion I had. It had me open mouthed shocked at some of the behaviours, it had me near to tears with sorrow but the best bit? It had me absolutely shrieking with hilarity at the dry humour inflicted across the chapters. I mean serious laughter – belly shaking ‘stop it I cannot breathe!’ laughter. Now you would think a book that touches on depression, bi-polar and attempted suicide was not a matter you would think would induce hilarity but it was the way Ash’s character came out with the one liners and the synonyms. Superbly done. 

Ash has been so gripped in his mental illness since he left university it has become the be all and end all for him. It totally controls his life and those of his close friends, especially Niall. He feels trapped in a deep, dark void that he is unable to pull himself out of. His only escapism, if you can call it that, is his writing. He has built up a successful career as Rik Glass, a top published author at the peak of the ratings. This is part due to his friend and agent Amy who makes him attend the marketing ploys required by that of a successful author otherwise he would just trap himself in his study content in his solidity and writing. Ash is afraid to change or take a chance on life and he lets his illness monopolise every aspect of it. That is until the opportunity to change was thrust upon him on a rare night out with Niall and Max on Max’s stag night where he first sets eyes on Darian, the sexy uninhibited man on the dance floor. That eye contact was the start of the cycle of change for Ash and also Darian.

Darian was an absolute joy to read with his brash behaviours and his tacky Essex accent he was the ultimate escapism in a character EVAH! He was so darn funny but again his flamboyant and carefree attitude was also a cover for his insecurities in life. This was to do with his mother who left him at a young and impressionable age but the book didn't really delve into that part of Darian’s life much. He was so over the top with his soul bared for all to see. He has no airs and graces and that to me was part of his attraction. He and his friends (also sung as the Common People a la Paul Young!) were so supportive and loving of each other they really were the white to the black of Ash’s old friends from University. What a set of pompous arses they were with their one-upmanship and snobbery. Cack! Again with the opposites – one side open armed and welcoming where the other were closed off and uninviting to outsiders. 

I loved every aspect of this book but I suppose one ickle thing that maybe I would have changed was the way Darian’s accent was written. Now I don't know if this is me being a Brit (hunjed pahcent!) that I know how the Essex accent sounds, so for me I would have preferred the written word in their correct form. However I do realise that this maybe would not come across with those not fully au fait with the Essex sound (just go look up TOWIE on Youtube or Rylan Clark – yes he was the voice I kept hearing when I really needed Darian to sound like Mark Wright!) But it was not a dealbreaker for me, no way at all.

This book was amaze-balls, fantastic and one of the best I have read this year. Top five definitely. Oh and I have a new author to stalk …er follow!


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Wednesday 28 August 2013

ARC Review - Claimed by Stacey Kennedy


Claimed by Stacey Kennedy

Genre - m/f erotica BDSM

My rating = A sinful four stars!

The Blurb

Presley Flynn is ripe to experience her secret fantasies . . . and Dmitri Pratt wants nothing more than to fulfill them. Once inside the elite Club Sin in Las Vegas, Presley is nervous but excited—and determined to surrender to her every desire. Dmitri is her Master, and his touch is like fire. With each careful, calculated caress, he unleashes her wildest inhibitions, giving her unimagined pleasure.

Presley is different than the other submissives Dmitri has mastered. The BDSM lifestyle is new to her, and so are the games they play at Club Sin. From the start, Presley stirs emotions in him far beyond the raw purity between a dom and the perfect sub. For the ecstasy they share goes beyond the dungeon igniting a passion that claims the very depths of the heart.

Authors note: “Thank you for visiting Club Sin, an erotic fiction series. The books are not intended to be an actual portrayal of the BDSM lifestyle; nor are they meant to be a real representation of a BDSM club. The rules of Club Sin, and the kink used by Club Sin Masters, are created by the author’s imagination for the series. Welcome to the elite BDSM dungeon, Club Sin.”

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My Review

*ARC provided by Loveswept (Random House Publishing Group) via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

I liked everything about this book – the cover, the character names, the plotline and the light BDSM scenes. I was pleasantly surprised and entertained with this read having not read this author before, and shall look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Presley Flynn has recently finished her eight year relationship with her boyfriend, who she had moved to Las Vegas with, after she found out the scumbag had been cheating on her. Luckily she had made a new friend in Cora who had taken Presley under her wing. She notices the books that Presley is reading are all about BDSM and as this is the scene Cora is into being a sub, she tells Presley and offers to get her a meeting with the Club owner and Master, Dmitri.

Master Dmitri (rawr for the name alone!) is entranced by the little sub, who is as nervous as a kitten and not knowing what she is letting herself in for. He therefore agrees to take her under his ownership and teach her all she needs. This is unknown for him to take on a novice but he feels a pull he cannot explain. His fellow masters are shocked at this but still find the time to rib him relentlessly for it. This is what I liked about this book in that there was banter between the masters and it wasn't all portrayed as dark and brooding. They were your everyday guys in professions such as the police and law who also just happened to have a particular kink they expressed in their own club – Club Sin. 

Presley was a little shy and hesitant but she was no shrinking violet and wanted to learn all she could from Dmitri. I liked how he pushed her to be open with her inner feelings and not be oppressed and feel she had to always be the nice girl and please everyone all of the time, even if it was not what she really wanted to do. This was not what a sub should be. 

This was a light and fun read of BDSM which is why I liked it. Sometimes the dark and oppressive reads are a little hard going at times so this was a refreshing change.

The characters of Presley and Dmitri were a well-balanced pairing and I liked the relationship development even though neither of them were looking at this as a relationship. The secondary characters were also well portrayed, especially the masters (playing pool!) and Cora, she was a minx!

It was a fast paced easy read for me and the flow just kept it moving along nicely for a summer’s day read. So if you want to ease yourself into BDSM books then this is a definitely a good one to start with before you move onto the hard stuff.


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ARC Review - Elite by Rachel Van Dyken


Elite by Rachel Van Dyken

Genre - New Adult

My Rating = A bizarre three stars!

The Blurb

When I won the annual Eagle Elite College Scholarship lottery, I was thrilled. After all, my grandma had just died and I wanted to take care of my aging grandpa — he couldn't be a farmer in Wyoming forever. And graduating from Eagle Elite meant opportunity. But I wasn't counting on meeting Nixon. Nor was I counting on the rules of the Elect. 1. Do not touch The Elect. 2. Do not look at The Elect. 3. Do not speak to The Elect. And worst of all? Don't discover the secret they hide, because in the end, you may just realize... it's about you.

 *This is a New Adult Book, blood, violence, cursing, sexual references, and drug use. Not recommended for those under 17*

My Review

*ARC provided by NetGalley - Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in return for my honest review

Humph. OK I don't really know where to start with this book as it confused the heck out of me. I have read this author’s work before and really enjoyed them. This is a little different and totally not what I was expecting. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I’m still on the fence about that. In some ways it kept me entertained so I guess that is good but the plot line was a little strange to say the least. 

Trace, who is recovering over the death of her Grandmother, wins a scholarship to the Elite College. This is a huge opportunity for her but her arrival, when her Grandfather drops her off, is met by the most unwelcoming party if ever there was one. The Elect are headed up by Nixon and his friends Phoenix and Chase. They have their set of rules that must be obeyed which I found to be extremely bizarre. For instance nobody is allowed to touch, look or speak to them. Everyone must comply with their orders and demands to keep the school running to a perfect acceptance. Their first meeting with Trace was absolutely disgusting and why the poor girl didn't go running for the hills is beyond me but then she finds solace with, strangely enough, Nixon’s sister who she finds out she is to share a room with. From then on the story just got more complex and bizarre as the plotline unfolded. 

When Trace eventually finds some balls and starts standing up for herself it appears this was the magic turnaround for her and The Elect suddenly start to include her into their World. This goes on for a while and Trace finds herself being pulled towards Nixon who initially reciprocates the attraction but then in the next chapter he is back to treating her like a piece of crap for no apparent reason. Yes, this is why I found it a confusing read. I understand this is YA/NA but it was a little immature even for this genre.

However, this confusing behaviour was the least of this books reveals. The truth about the ‘secret’ was totally off the freakin’ charts! We find out who Nixon is and what his control is all about. The history and truth about her Grandfather just had me in a whole bunch of WTFery, and do not get me started on the cows!

So did I enjoy this book? Well to be truthful it wasn't my kind of thing but it did keep me reading, if only to find out what the heck was going on. Would I recommend this book? Probably not to the average NA fan but maybe to a younger (not under 17) reader. So overall it was OK but very bizarre, so that is the word that conjures up this book. Bizarre.


Tuesday 27 August 2013

Amazon sale - Finding My Way by Megan Keith - 2 days only!!

Hurry - 2 days only!!

Grab your copy of Finding My Way by Megan Keith
Only 99c !



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Monday 26 August 2013

ARC review - Armed with Steele by Kyra Jacobs



Armed With Steele by Kyra Jacobs

Genre - mystery/contemporary romance

My rating = a stellar four!

The Blurb

What happens undercover, stays under covers.

Jessica Hartley is looking for answers surrounding the mysterious car accident that nearly claimed the life of her best friend. She's willing to risk it all, even her fledgling business, to find the person responsible and bring them to justice.

Nate Steele is more than willing to help Jessica, but for reasons all his own. He's been watching the infamous Maxwell Office Solutions for some time now, convinced thereis more going on than meets the eye. When his chief issues a cease and desist order yet again, Nate has no choice but to accept inexperienced Jessica as an undercover partner outside the letter of the law.

Will Jessica and Nate be able to flush out Maxwell's elusive villain, or will their growing attraction for each other sabotage their undercover ploy? Motives aren't always what they seem when Jessica finds herself armed with Steele.

CONTENT WARNING: Beware drool-worthy men in uniform, touchy-feely coworkers, and vindictive ex-girlfriends. A Lyrical Press Contemporary Romance - Hometown Heroes

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My Review
*ARC received in exchange for my honest review

I was quite surprised by this book, even though I had not read this author before I was expecting a titillating sexy read about a BDSM loving cop. How wrong I was and delightfully so.

Jessica Hartley is devastated to find out that her best friend Grace has been in a serious car accident and is in a coma. This brings her into contact with Officer Nate Steele who is investigating the crash. Driving past the scene of the accident, Jess stops to look around and finds an insinuating clue. Nate then confesses when telling her the state are not pursuing the case, that he is carrying out his own private investigation which coincides with Jess’s evidence she found. Both link to where Grace was working, Maxwell Office Solutions.

As part of this private investigation, Nate ask Jess to go under cover and work for Grace’s company to dig deeper into what is happening behind the doors of Maxwell Office Solutions. Jess is reluctant at first, not only as she does not want to step foot into Grace’s office but also it will mean closer contact with Officer Steele, who’s twinkling blue eyes, sexy smile and hot body are some things she is trying to resist.

I really liked the characters in this book – not only the main pairing but the secondary ones too, especially Nate’s best friend and partner in business, Charlie. He was such a dirt bag but hot with it – he deserves his own book too! As for the friends and colleagues of Grace, it really had you second guessing each of their behaviors to see who was behind the mysterious goings on at Maxwell and if it would lead to finding out what exactly had caused Grace’s car to crash that night and why.

Whilst there is some romance intertwined in this story, I would say I felt the main plot-line was the mystery and suspense, thus it would deliver to a wider audience than just to the romance genre.

The story was well constructed and kept the reader guessing at every step. It was not a predictable plot either as the one person I thought was behind it all ending up being far from being the baddie!

I really enjoyed this book, it was intriguing and entertaining with believable characters and plot.



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FLIRT'S "BACK TO SCHOOL" NEW ADULT BLOG HOP GIVEAWAY



Welcome to Flirt University's Back to School celebration! It's time for the Three R's, Flirt style—Reading, (W)Riting, and Romancing! In the spirit of getting to know one another on the first day of school, Flirt, Random House's New Adult imprint, has set up a New Adult blog hop so you can discover other blogs that love the hottest new romance genre.

As part of the hop, Flirt is giving away its signature "I ♥ New Adult" tote (for carrying books, ereaders, and other fun things), and its signature "I ♥ New Adult" mug (perfect for that morning coffee pick-me-up)! Just check out the Rafflecopter below—stop by each blog for more chances to win, and to meet awesome New Adult fans and reviewers! 

Head back to Romance at Random on Tuesday, September 3 to find out if you won (we'll email winners, too!), and don't miss your first Flirt University "lecture" from one of Flirt's esteemed New Adult Author Professors! They'll be sharing their thoughts on everything New Adult!




Hop away!
  1. Cocktails and Books
  2. Evie Knight
  3. Bookhounds
  4. Manga Maniac Café
  5. What I'm Reading
  6. The Book Tart
  7. Acting Balanced
  8. The Jeep Diva
  9. Reading Under the Willow Tree
  10. Stuck in Books
  11. Books of Love
  12. Book Lovin Mamas
  13. From the TBR Pile
  14. Book Flame Reviews
  15. Romance Crush Junkies
  16. My Book and My Coffee
  17. Bout a Book Blog
  18. Mackable Book Babes
  19. Tonya's Bookshelf
  20. Book Mom's Reviews
  21. The Revolving Bookcase
  22. Victoria's Gossip
  23. Dr. Pepper Diva
  24. Mad Book Reader
  25. Rose's Book Blog
  26. Renee Entress's Blog
  27. Book Addicts Not-So-Anonymous
  28. Go and Read Now
  29. Whirlwind Books
  30. Live. Laugh. Romance
  31. Brenda's Book Beat
  32. Crafty Momma
  33. Stories and Swag
  34. Book-A-Holic Anon
  35. Foxylutely Book Reviews
  36. Fictionators
  37. Zakirrah's Books Blog
  38. Feeling Fictional
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In addition to the above Flirt are offering one NetGalley review copy of Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne. All you need to do is leave a comment below stating why you love or are excited about New Adult or the book. That's it! Simples!

Isn't She Lovely
Flirt New Adult Romance
Written by Lauren Layne
On sale October 28, 2013
978-0-345-54911-2

The rules are clear—until they’re broken. Lauren Layne puts a New Adult spin on Pygmalion, also the inspiration for Pretty Woman, and gives the classic love story its edgiest twist yet.
 
“Who knew that pretending you’re not falling for someone would be so much more difficult than pretending that you are?” 
 
Stephanie Kendrick gave up her whole summer to ace her NYU film school screenwriting course, so she’s pissed to be stuck with a preppy, spoiled frat boy as her writing partner. Then again, with her piercings, black-rimmed eyes, and Goth wardrobe, Stephanie isn’t exactly Ethan Price’s type, either. He’s probably got his eye on some leggy blonde with a trust fund . . . or does he?
 
As the summer scene kicks off in the Hamptons, Ethan is desperate to make his snobbish mother forget the pedigreed girl who broke his heart. While Stephanie’s a stretch as a decoy, the right makeover and a pastel cardigan just might do the trick. She may not love the idea of playing Ethan’s brainless Barbie girlfriend, but the free rent and luxurious digs make a tempting offer. So does the promise of a ready-made screenplay idea inspired by their charade.
 
But when Stephanie steps into Ethan’s privileged world, the “acting” begins to feel all too real. The kissing and touching that were intended to fool the Hamptons crowd wind up manipulating them. And Stephanie faces a question she’s too afraid to ask: Is Ethan falling for the real her or for the dolled-up princess he wants to see?

About Lauren Layne
Lauren Layne graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in political science that she has yet to put to good use. After dabbling in an e-commerce career in Seattle and Southern California, Layne moved to New York City, where she now writes full-time. She lives with her husband and their plus-size pomeranian in a tiny Manhattan studio.
Connect with Lauren:

Good Luck!!

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Sunday 25 August 2013

Countdown to the drum roll - Beats in four days!!


Beats by Kendall Grey

Book two in the Hard Rock Harlots series


Book one is Strings so if you've not read this yet you still have time to catch up


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Cover Reveal - Crossroads(Finding My Way #2) by Megan Keith

Cover Reveal
Book - Crossroads, Finding My Way book two
Author - Megan Keith
Genre - New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date - 13th September 2013



SYNOPSIS

Nick is about to head overseas on an adventure of a lifetime.  It’s what he has always wanted, to travel the world, to experience new cultures, see the places he’s dreamed of for so long.  He should be over the moon.  Instead, he’s been in a slump ever since he lost his friend Em.
Nick is a player, always has been.  The first time he ever wanted more from a girl he was shot down.  So now he’s left licking his wounds.  Emma made her choice and now Nick has to live with it.
Or does he?  When he finds out that Emma is single after all, will he fight for her?  Will he be able to convince her to give him a chance?  And if he does, what will happen when he leaves?
Nick has reached a crossroads in his life - the girl or the dream.  Seems like an easy choice when the girl of his dreams is Emma.  But what if she doesn’t see things the same way? 


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COVER DESIGN

The book cover for Crossroads was designed by Kari Ayasha at Cover to Cover Designs. 


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Author Bio


Megan Keith is a married, mother of three, living in a small country town in New South Wales, Australia.  She has a constant thirst for a good story, whether it is in books, music, movies, on TV, or just plain old-fashioned gossip.  She has always had a creative side and loves to let her imagination run wild.   On a few occasions over the years, Megan has put those imaginings into a written story, but never dreamed of publishing.  She has always loved to read, but it wasn’t until she got given a Kindle that it became a full-blown addiction.  Her introduction to the world of Indie Authors re-ignited her passion for writing.  Megan published her first book Finding My Way in June 2013.  Crossroads is the sequel and the second book to the Finding My Way trilogy.

Author contact info


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COVER REVEAL GIVEAWAY

There is a Rafflecopter giveaway to celebrate the cover reveal for Crossroads.  It begins at 12:00 AM AEST 26th of August and ends at 12:00 PM AEST 31st of August.  It is open internationally.

Prizes
2 x $10 Amazon Gift Cards
5 x Finding My Way ebooks



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Friday 23 August 2013

Review - Free Falling by SE Jakes


Free Falling by SE Jakes

My review = A foxy four!

The Blurb

Sometimes falling in love is the most dangerous thing of all...

Blue’s a thief who lives for adrenaline and danger. When he meets Mick, a mercenary and a hitter, he feels an immediate attraction. But Mick reneges on a bet they’ve made, leaving Blue pissed and confused.

When they meet again a year later, Blue’s in terrible danger after having walked into the middle of one of Mick’s jobs. Mick saves him, and although the two men have fallen for one another, they have no idea how to handle that kind of intimacy that's been forced on them. 

But when Mick goes missing on a job, Blue’s the one to go after him, determined to save the man he loves no matter the cost

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My Review

This is my first read of an SE Jakes book and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and entertained. 

I immediately fell for the characters Mick (ex CIA now mercenary) and Blue (career thief) which were a classic case of opposites attract and what an attraction! Whoosh!

When Mick rescues Blue from a situation he makes a bet which he then doesn't follow through on leaving Blue to feel totally irked. They then don’t see each other again for a year but then when they do it is in the middle of one of Mick’s operations which he hopes Blue doesn't get mixed in with, but Blue being Blue, he wants answers and makes his presence known. However by establishing a connection, Blue, unbeknownst to him, pushes himself bang slap in the middle of a tricky manoeuvre that compromises Mick’s undercover case and leads to his disappearance. 

It is at this part of the storyline we get a glimpse of the wonderful character, Prophet. He is an enigma of a man that just draws you in (I can't wait to catch up with him in his own story). 

Prophet instigates a rescue plan to go find Mick that Blue then insists he is the best man for the part to carry this out.

I really loved the plotline of this book, especially the black market sex drug that Mick was investigating and how both men aided the recovery of each other (at separate times) when they were drugged with it. The scenes were so darn sensual and hot!

A good start to a promising series. In fact I went straight on to download Catch a Ghost, which Free Falling is a prelude to. I would recommend this short and sexy m/m read.

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Review - Unlocked (The Alpha Group #3) by Maya Cross


Unlocked (The Alpha Group #3) by Maya Cross

My rating = a lascivious five!

The Blurb

The breathtaking conclusion to the USA Today bestselling Alpha Group Series.

Who is Sebastian Lock?

The heart can lead you to dangerous places. Abandoned by the man she loves, with nothing more than sweet words and riddles for an explanation, Sophia Pearce felt like her life was crumbling before her eyes. And then they came for her. Now, things will never be the same.

Confronted with the truth about Sebastian’s identity, she’s thrust into a high stakes world beyond anything she could have imagined. A world that threatens much more than just her feelings. Sebastian’s enemies will stop at nothing to get what they want, and they want her.

Their passion for one another consumes them, but as the danger mounts, and loyalties are tested, Sophia must answer one simple question. What is she willing to risk for love?

**This book is approximately 55,000 words, or about 200 printed pages. It contains erotic content and a dominant man who always gets what he wants in the bedroom. It is intended for readers aged 18 and over.**

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My Review

What an amazing conclusion in this, the third book in The Alpha Group series. The second book left us with a mouth dropping cliffhanger that had you eager to rush onto this next book which certainly did not disappoint. It also came armed with Sebastian’s POV (as well as Sophia's) which usually is not something I particularly like as I am keen to keep my book boyfriends dark and mysterious, so knowing all that Sebastian had been thinking and feeling up to this point could have been a dealbreaker for me. It wasn’t. This book astounded and amazed me.

When I first started reading this series in Locked I presumed what ‘The Alpha Group’ stood for. How wrong I was and also to think the series would be the predictive plot found in other ‘billionaire men’ type of reads. It wasn't and it kept me thoroughly enthralled and ensnared in the intricacies of the storyline.

In this final instalment we find out what ‘The Alpha Group’ actually is and what a curveball that was! To describe my thoughts about this would totally give the game away and as a reader this part was one of the highlights when this was relayed in the book, so I don't want to fling a spoiler into the works but just let me say it was an integral part of the book but also a wonderful and original addition. 

We still had the sexy and delicious Sebastian with his dominant demands in the bedroom but we also got to see the softer side where he shared with Sophia his deepest and desperate emotions. 

Finally he pulled away, only to bury his head against my neck. "Say it again," he whispered, teasing me with a slow rocking motion.
"I love you," I breathed.
"And I love you," he replied.

Sophia and Sebastian found themselves thrown back together as the result of a dark and despicable action which is at the hands of a devious force. However, as the plot evolves even more surprises are thrown into the mix, leaving Sebastian and Sophia running for their lives and learning to act on their instincts. Throughout all this they realise and reveal their true feelings for each other which were so glorious to read and again turned this read into something much deeper than envisioned at the beginning.

The action and suspense was intertwined with the romance aspects and it grabbed the reader into another dimension of an erotic read. I must admit though I did spot who ‘he’ was from the onset but that was not through any clues the author threw in – just a throwaway guess which had me high fiving myself at the end!

So would I recommend this series? Absolutely. A wonderful series that had me clicking the button on my kindle for more and held me spellbound from the onset. Fabulous!

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