The Darkest Flame (Roadmap to Your Heart #1)
     by: Christina Lee

Publication Date: Aug. 17, 2015
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: M/M Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via BocciPR in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 265 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

From the author of There You Stand, a new male/male romance about an errant motorcycle recruit and the captivating bartender who sends his wheels spinning down an all too tempting road.

Vaughn O’Keefe has been part owner of the Hog’s Den for years. Privy to plenty of Disciples of the Road business, he’s never been more ruffled as when a new recruit named “Smoke” walks through the door. Something about the man gets his blood pumping, but he knows to keep his preferences under wraps around the club.

“Smoke” Callahan has done a couple of rehab stints and is finally clean, thanks to help from the Disciples. He’s on the right path and isn’t about to get sidetracked, no matter how much the guy who manages the bar gets beneath his skin. Besides, his last relationship with a man left him scared, alone, and with a nightmare of an addiction.

When the Hog’s Den becomes shorthanded, and Smoke is ordered to help out the one man he can’t have, his longing for the bartender reaches blistering proportions. Vaughn figures a night together should be enough to satisfy their mutual attraction. But neither banks on just how scorching hot it might be.

As Smoke’s past unravels and the one person he hopes never to lay eyes on again messes with all he holds sacred, it’s time to involve the Disciples. Problem is, he’ll have to risk his membership, his heart, and his own hide to keep everyone he cares about safe.

 

 

I am a huge fan of Christina Lee's books, so I was excited to read this first one in her new series! I have had really great luck with motorcycle club books, so I was interested in seeing how Lee would spin a m/m romance out of it! I thought she did a great job of making this one gritty and real, and I enjoyed Smoke and Vaughn together.

 

I liked that we had two very masculine, tough as nails guys as our main characters and that we got both their POVs. However, my one issue was that I really struggled to remember who was narrating because their voices sounded the same. Even though this was an ARC, and they are uncorrected proofs, I found myself doubly confused at times because the wrong name would be used. For example, it would be Vaughn's chapter and we would be getting his POV, but then it would refer to Vaughn as if Smoke were narrating. That may not be an issue in the finished copy, but it did make reading a bit more challenging for me personally.

 

Christina does not hold back in bringing the steam, that's for sure. The tension between Smoke and Vaughn is pretty intense and it's even more so because they had to hide their true natures from the others in the MC, for fear of not being accepted. The MC is a huge part of both Smoke and Vaughn's lives. While Vaughn may not be in the actual club, he runs their bar and is considered one of their own. I loved that the gang didn't hesitate in offering their protection to Vaughn after his apartment had been broken into. Having come from a different MC, Smoke is glad to be a part of the Disciples. His last club introduced him to a heroin addiction and a lover who treated him poorly and he is grateful to the Disciples for the chance to be a part of their group.

 

There is a bit of suspense involved in this one, as Vaughn and Smoke are dealing with a jealous ex who isn't afraid of messing with Vaughn and what's his. Even though I expected a bigger showdown towards the end, I have to admit, that big scene was already tense enough and I was nervous reading because my mind was going to dark places and I did NOT want to see Vaughn and Smoke go through what was planned for them.

 

This book probably won't be for everyone. It has a grittier and more in your face tone than some of the other m/m romances I've read. While it didn't bother me personally, I did want to point that out. It's also pretty heavy on the sex scenes and does include one brief one that included a ménage a trois with a female. I did feel some of the scenes overshadowed the plot and I think I would have liked a bit more action on the MC end. Nevertheless, I love Lee's writing and storytelling, so I am excited to see who the next book in the series will follow!

 

The Darkest Flame

by: Christina Lee

M/M Contemporary Romance

Expected Publication: Aug. 17, 2015

 

From the author of There You Stand, a new male/male romance about an errant motorcycle recruit and the captivating bartender who sends his wheels spinning down an all too tempting road.

Vaughn O’Keefe has been part owner of the Hog’s Den for years. Privy to plenty of Disciples of the Road business, he’s never been more ruffled as when a new recruit named “Smoke” walks through the door. Something about the man gets his blood pumping, but he knows to keep his preferences under wraps around the club.

“Smoke” Callahan has done a couple of rehab stints and is finally clean, thanks to help from the Disciples. He’s on the right path and isn’t about to get sidetracked, no matter how much the guy who manages the bar gets beneath his skin. Besides, his last relationship with a man left him scared, alone, and with a nightmare of an addiction.

When the Hog’s Den becomes shorthanded, and Smoke is ordered to help out the one man he can’t have, his longing for the bartender reaches blistering proportions. Vaughn figures a night together should be enough to satisfy their mutual attraction. But neither banks on just how scorching hot it might be.

As Smoke’s past unravels and the one person he hopes never to lay eyes on again messes with all he holds sacred, it’s time to involve the Disciples. Problem is, he’ll have to risk his membership, his heart, and his own hide to keep everyone he cares about safe.

Two of Hearts
    by: Christina Lee

Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Publisher: NAL Trade
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 304 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

A gripping standalone adult contemporary romance about finding yourself while taking a second chance at your first love…

Dakota Nakos was always the resilient, strong-willed achiever. But when her father dies and she’s entrusted with the family’s casino, she feels vulnerable, scared, and more than a little emotional —not exactly the best time to see an old lover she’s never really gotten over.

Dakota once meant the world to Shane Garrity. Then suddenly he left town to train as a U.S. Marshal, and their love for each other crashed into a memory. Now he’s come home for her father’s funeral, and one look at the girl he left behind stirs up both memories and regrets, and reignites a fire he feared he’d lost forever.

Dakota may be the same driven girl she always was, but she’s also changed in ways neither could have anticipated. She’s not just a young woman searching for own identity in the Native American community in which she was raised, but one questioning her new life outside her father’s shadow. Above all she wonders if Shane can push past her weakened defenses to rekindle what they once had, or whether the intense blaze between them will ultimately reduce her heart to ashes.

 

 

I am a huge Christina Lee fan, so when I saw she was writing Dakota's story I was super excited. We briefly met her in Whisper to Me, as she is Kai's sister. I had no idea this book would be more of a romantic suspense, and I have to say- I adored that! The romance is weaved into the suspense-filled plot so effortlessly and I found myself completely engaged from start to finish.

 

This book is really plot heavy on the building tension with the Casino Association. After Dakota's father dies, the casino is left to her and her Dutch mother, which makes some question their devotion to preserving Native American culture. This is a huge slap in the face to these two women, as they have devoted so much of their time and life for the well-being of the casino and ensuring that their heritage is preserved. Even though Dakota's mother doesn't have any Native American blood coursing through her veins, she loves the community and respects their traditions- and has for a long time. With Dakota's father being murdered, U.S. Marshal Shane Garrity, Dakota's former flame, comes back into town for the funeral, but finds himself feeling like there's an imminent danger that goes beyond just Mr. Nakos's murder.

 

Shane still has strong feelings for Dakota, and she him, but both never could seem to communicate their feelings well enough in the past. Now, Shane refuses to let Dakota shut him out. He is there to help and I love his protectiveness over her and her family. Dakota and Shane have some serious simmering sexual tension and I love how it plays out. There is relatively low angst with these two, which worked really well, considering there was so many other suspenseful factors. Shane takes Dakota's safety very seriously, as he should. There are some very disgruntled people over the fact that Dakota and her mom are not full blooded Native American and some of the other casino board members are pressuring them to sell, along with Dakota's Uncle Elan.

 

I honestly didn't guess who was beyond the threats until pretty late in the book. I was always wary, but it didn't really click for me until a bit before it was revealed.

 

Fans of Kai and Rachel from Whisper to Me will be happy to see them make a few appearances in this book. I loved checking in with them and seeing how they were doing.

 

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I thought Lee did a brilliant job of creating a suspenseful plot, while still creating a palpable relationship between Dakota and Shane. Their journey isn't an easy one, as they are both afraid they will end up in the same position they were five years ago. Thankfully, they both have grown up since then and have a better idea of what they want... and what they're willing to fight for.

 

When We Met
   by: A.L. Jackson, Molly McAdams, Tiffany King, and Christina Lee

Publication Date: Nov. 4, 2014
Publisher: NAL Trade
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 400 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Today’s premiere New Adult authors combine their talents to tell four original stories from inside one house.

When four girls decide to live off campus together as juniors at a college in Michigan, they expect it to be their best year yet. Little do they know, it’s a year that will change the rest of their lives.

BEHIND HER EYES by A.L. Jackson
Unable to live down her ex-boyfriend’s deception, Misha is determined to avoid betrayal. When, the new guy next door, Darryn starts to get under her skin, her defenses start to crumble. But trusting Darryn seems impossible, especially if he’s not sure he can trust himself.

SAVING ME by Molly McAdams
On the outside, Indy is always ready for a party—but inside she’s breaking. Kier makes a weekly routine of saving the girl next door from herself on Saturday nights… but when will she be ready to remember him on Sunday morning?

FOULING OUT by Tiffany King
Working at a sports bar, Courtney has become a pro at sidestepping propositions from arrogant jocks—which makes her a more elusive catch for campus basketball star Dalton than he expected. But when he falls for the saucy waitress, Dalton will have to rethink his game plan to prove he’s not the jerk Courtney expects.

BENEATH YOUR LAYERS by Christina Lee
In order to ace her fashion internship, Chloe must team up with local college dropout and set builder, Blake—much to her chagrin. But after some "hands-on" experience, Chloe will have to ask herself if Blake factors into her carefully laid plans…

 

 

I really enjoyed this anthology! All four authors did an awesome job with the college setting and creating a really great atmosphere for these four girls to fall in love. Each story focuses on a different girl and I love how each author kept the stories interconnected but made each their own.

 

The first story is Misha's, and after being heartbroken and utterly humiliated, she has turned tail and run back home to get away from everything that went down. Her story begins with her return, but she is a shell of a person- hiding from everyone, shutting the world out because she's afraid of being hurt and vulnerable again. She feels shame over what happened, even though it wasn't her fault. Her new, sexy as sin next door neighbor Darryn makes her feel things she knows she shouldn't, because she won't let herself be played a fool again. Out of all the stories, this was probably my least favorite. I found myself irritated by how many times she referred to Darryn as a boy-man-god. I got that he was hot the first time. I didn't need to keep hearing it repeated. I also found Misha to be a difficult character to like. I get her hesitations and hangups, especially after what was done to her, but I just couldn't connect to her. Darryn wasn't my favorite either, as there was a scene that really bothered me, where he was going to follow through on something when Misha was upset and in a really vulnerable place and that rubbed me the wrong way.

 

I did like Indy and Kier though. Kier is a sweetheart who takes care of Indy night after night when she is too messed up to do so, and she never remembers who it is that is always taking care of her. Like Misha, Indy starts off her story walking into a rather awkward situation, which completely blindsides and hurts her deeply. Ever since, she has been losing herself in endless parties, wanting to numb the pain of not only what happened between her and her ex, but also the pain of her past as well. Kier has his own past that he finally reveals to Indy, explaining why he is so quiet and never the life of the party. He is a good guy and I like how sweet he is to Indy, wanting nothing more than to take care of and protect her from her own self-destruction.

 

Our third novella is about Courtney, who we don't see much of in the first two novels, as the girl works like crazy. If she's not in school, she works as a waitress at a popular bar near campus. Her love interest is the uber popular star athlete, Dalton, who she once shared a friendship with when they were younger. Forced to concentrate on basketball, he had to made some sacrifices and his friendship with Courtney was one of them. Now, seeing her again at the bar she works at, he finds he wishes she didn't treat him with such disdain. He wants to rekindle not only their friendship, but aim for something more. I love Tiffany's writing style. It is so fun and humorous! I loved that Courtney didn't just fall into bed with the hot basketball player. Instead, she made him work for it and prove she wasn't just another girl to him. Their sexual tension was so great and OMG- I was in full on swoon mode over some HAND HOLDING. Sigh. So great.

 

Finally, we have Chloe's story and she is another one we really don't see hardly at all up until this point. She is busy working as well and trying to make it through her final years at school so she can abandon ship and head to NYC to pursue a career in fashion. With an overbearing mother concerned about her future, Chloe doesn't have a lot of opportunities to just let her hair down and be spontaneous. She is less than thrilled when her new internship requires the help of Blake, her boss's nephew. There is no love lost between the two and working together is going to prove quite difficult with such underlying tension between them. Chloe and Blake have made a lot of assumptions about one another, so I liked seeing them realize they don't know the other person at all. Their games of Truth or Dare are so cute and fun to watch because it's their way of trying to make things right and get to know one another. Blake is another great guy, who has sacrificed his own dreams to take care of the people closest to him. He finds himself enjoying Chloe's company and looking forward to working together, as it is a welcome escape from what he has to deal with at home.

 

I really like when authors team up and use the same set of characters and setting to fuel their stories. We also got to see how the other couples were faring in the novellas that followed theirs, which was sweet to see. I did expect to see a stronger friendship between the girls, but for the most part, their romances were the primary focus of these novellas.

 

 

Welcome to my stop on the Promise Me This blog tour hosted by Penguin!

Today I am excited to share my review, as well as a giveaway with you all!

Promise Me This (Between Breaths #4)
    by: Christina Lee

Publication Date: Oct. 7, 2014
Publisher: InterMix
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 246 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks
My Rating: 4/5 stars

A new love will test the boundaries of passion between a privileged boy next door and the tattooed, blue-haired girl who helps him embrace his wild side...

Nate has developed quite a playboy reputation around campus. It's not that he doesn't respect or trust women; he doesn't trust himself. The men in Nate’s family are prone to abusive behavior—a dirty secret that Nate’s been running from his entire life—so Nate doesn't do relationships. But he can’t help himself around one girl…

Jessie is strong, independent, and works at a tattoo parlor. Nate can’t resist getting close to her, even if it’s strictly a friendship. But it doesn't take long for Nate to admit that what he wants with Jessie is more than just friendly.

With Jessie, he can be himself and explore what he’s always felt was a terrifying darkness inside him. Even when Nate begins to crave her in a way that both shocks and horrifies him, Jessie still wants to know every part of him. Testing their boundaries together will take a trust that could render them inseparable… or tear them apart.

 

 

"Give it all to me," she murmured in my ear. "The wild and the sweet, the light and the dark. Because I need them both."

 

 

All the feels people! I have ALL THE FEELS right now over this book! I really loved Nate and Jessie together and their story is one filled with hope and the promise for something better. The two couldn't be more different- she is artistic with her tattoos and love for photography, where Nate is built like an athlete and fits the preppy, frat boy image. The tension between them has been simmering for quite some time, but it's only now that they start to see each other for more.

 

Jessie knows Nate is a playboy, never hooking up with the same girl twice, but to accidentally walk in on him kissing another girl and actually see him in action, makes her see him in a completely different light. She can tell he is holding back, that there is a wildness brewing beneath the surface that is desperately trying to break free. Nate has always been interested in Jessie, but feels they have too good and easy of a friendship and the last thing he wants is to destroy that by showing her who he really is. An overnight trip to Nate's hometown changes everything between them, as they get to know each other better, and slowly start to reveal parts of themselves they never dreamed they would.

 

I really liked watching Jessie and Nate get to know one another in this book. They have been friends sure, but they really didn't KNOW one another. Jessie always assumed Nate lived this privileged wealthy life, but in reality, she couldn't have been more wrong. Nate is terrified of becoming like his abusive father, and therefore never lets himself go the way he longs to when he's with another woman. He feels shame by his darker sexual desires, as he never wants to hurt a woman like his father has hurt his mother. He doesn't see that there is a difference between the two, especially if it is a consensual experience. Jessie isn't afraid of this 'darkness' as Nate would call it. It's quite the opposite. She likes the things Nate does to her and likes his dominance in bed. He is too caught up in believing the worst about himself, that he completely misses that she is granting him the one thing he is too afraid to seek out but desperately needs- acceptance.

 

Jessie was such a great character and such an amazing support for Nate. He can't get past his demons and is too afraid to drag her down with him. Even when he pushes her away, she is still there for him as a friend, encouraging him to seek professional help to heal the emotional scars his father has left him with. Until Nate finds his own acceptance and realizes that he is nothing like his father, he will never be able to move forward to pursue a deeper relationship with Jessie.

 

I have to talk about the kissing in this book. I loved it! So many people underestimate the effect of a really good kiss, but Christina nails it. Jessie and Nate kissing was so incredibly hot, passionate, and INTENSE! I loved their scenes together because there is so much underlying tension between them that they won't be able to deny for long. The result is explosive and I like that they don't hold back with one another.

 

I really like that Christina makes family an important aspect of this book. Not only do we see Nate's problems with his father, but we see the shell of a woman his mother has become, and how his brother Luke is changing- and not for the better. Nate loves his mother dearly and is heartbroken over her situation, wanting nothing more than to see her shine with happiness again. We also get to see Jessie interact with her mother, and their dynamic is totally different. Her mother is supportive and wants the best for her, but also warns her to be careful with her heart. She is a good woman and I love that she reaches out to Nate's mom. Jessie's memories of her father are pivotal in this book, as he has made a great impact on her life and what she wants to do with her future. He not only impacts Jessie, but his words leave quite the impact on Nate as well.

 

I always enjoy Christina Lee's writing, so it's no surprise I also enjoyed this book. I am a huge fan of the series, so it was nice to see Avery, Bennett, Ella, Quinn, Rachel, and Kai again. I am quite curious as to whether Jessie's friend, Emmy, will get a book of her own in the future. Fingers crossed!

 

 

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip gloss, salted caramel everything, and believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm super excited to announce that Christina Lee's All Of You is now available in print! Enter the giveaway below to win a copy of your own paperback edition!

 

 

Avery has just met her hot upstairs neighbor. He's irresistible. Tattooed. And a virgin.

Nursing student Avery Michaels wants nothing to do with dating—she's perfectly happy single. Privy to too many of her mother's bad decisions and even worse taste in boyfriends, all Avery can handle is a string of uncomplicated hookups whenever the mood strikes.

When she meets smoking hot tattoo artist Bennett, she wants him—for just one night. But he won't accept a no-strings-attached arrangement. He lives by a straight-laced code of values based on his own troubled upbringing.

Bennett sees something special in Avery and he wants more from her. Way more. As Avery wrestles with her emotions for Bennett, danger and tragedy force them to open up to each other. And Avery must face the terrifying realization that she wants more from him, too.

So she needs to make a choice—let Bennett go or finally let him in.

 

 

(Originally posted on 9/20/13)

Oh my. I am STILL in mega swoon mode from this book! It was so deliciously sexy and my stomach was in a constant fluttering state for the majority of the book! I really enjoyed both Avery and Bennett's characters and I feel Christina did a great job building their relationship.

Avery was a very likeable character for me. She has been through a lot in her life- having dealt with a mother who was more concerned with her own love life than taking care of her children. Avery feels responsible for her younger brother Adam and the only reason she bothers to speak to her mom is to check on him. After seeing her mother string along man after man, Avery is determined to not let herself fall for any guy. She does one night stands and has a friend with benefits but does not want a serious relationship of any kind. After spotting the oh so delicious Bennett at a party, she knows she wants him to be her next conquest. However, Bennett isn't like other guys. He ignores her advances, leaving her very confused.

I loved Bennett's character. While he may not have given Avery the time of day at the party, he finds her hard to ignore especially now that he's just moved into the same apartment as her. An almost break-in to Avery's apartment ends up bringing the two closer together and we realize that Bennett is definitely NOT immune to Avery. However, he knows the type of girl Avery is and he won't do that with her. He wants commitment and right now she can't give him that. Bennett has also come from a very similar family situation as Avery, and after seeing his own mother go through relationship after relationship and be treated like shit, he vows he won't be that guy to have casual, meaningless sex. I felt bad for him because he is completely at war with himself. Physically and emotionally he desperately wants Avery, but she has made it all too clear she doesn't do relationships. He's also been burned before by a girl he thought he loved and he won't go down that road again. He guards his heart and won't give it up for anything less than love. SIGH. Hello, wonderful.

These two have serious sexual tension. Seriously, I thought I was going to internally combust. But good Lord- Christina writes the sexiest kissing scenes! Whew! There were so many times I wanted to smack Avery for being so stubborn, especially with a guy as great as Bennett, but she really did have to do things on her own terms. She couldn't be pushed into something she wasn't ready for, because she would only end up hurting both herself and Bennett. Slowly she begins opening herself up to this beautiful, patient boy who can't see anything beyond her.

Another favorite character would have to be Mrs. Jackson. She was such an incredible role model and inspiration to Avery. They say some people come into your life at the exact moment you need them, and I feel Mrs. Jackson was that person for Avery. Mrs. Jackson is a patient at the nursing home Avery works at. She sees past Avery's façade and encourages her and believes in her- something she hasn't had since she lost her own grandmother. It is through Mrs. Jackson that Avery really sees the purity and beauty of true love. Mr. Jackson comes to visit his wife every day and the two are absolutely precious together. Where Avery didn't have that example of love in her life from her own mother, she saw it at work through the Jacksons.

I also liked Ella, Avery's best friend. She knows all of Avery's past- even the messy parts and is a true friend to her- telling her she should confide in Bennett and take a chance with him. Unfortunately I wasn't a very big fan of her other friend Rachel. Rachel is also a big player and doesn't treat guys with much respect. She really sticks her foot in her mouth concerning Bennett and I was irritated Avery didn't stand up for him to her friend.

Good guys like Bennett are rare finds- he is a guy who wants to worship, cherish, and love his woman. I love that he didn't give up on Avery- there were so many times where I wondered when he would say enough is enough and just walk away, but he didn't. He saw something in her and I'm glad he decided to take a chance on her. She needed someone to prove that she was worth loving and that her heart was capable of love.

This was such a great NA read and I loved every minute of this book!

 

 

 

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip gloss and salted caramel everything. She believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job. 

Author of the Between Breaths series from Penguin. ALL OF YOU, BEFORE YOU BREAK and WHISPER TO ME available now, PROMISE ME THIS on October 7th, 2014.

Also the creator of Tags-n-Stones (dot com) jewelry.

 

Connect with Christina:

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Twitter

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Giveaway Rules:

 

 

-Giveaway is US only.

- Winner must be 18 years old to enter.

-Winner will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter and contacted via email.

-Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Giveaway will run July 3rd- July 10th.

 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Promise Me This (Between Breaths #4)

by: Christina Lee

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Expected Publication: Oct. 7, 2014

 

A new love will test the boundaries of passion between a privileged boy next door and the tattooed, blue-haired girl who helps him embrace his wild side...

Nate has developed quite a playboy reputation around campus. It's not that he doesn't respect or trust women; he doesn't trust himself. The men in Nate’s family are prone to abusive behavior—a dirty secret that Nate’s been running from his entire life—so Nate doesn't do relationships. But he can’t help himself around one girl…

Jessie is strong, independent, and works at a tattoo parlor. Nate can’t resist getting close to her, even if it’s strictly a friendship. But it doesn't take long for Nate to admit that what he wants with Jessie is more than just friendly.

With Jessie, he can be himself and explore what he’s always felt was a terrifying darkness inside him. Even when Nate begins to crave her in a way that both shocks and horrifies him, Jessie still wants to know every part of him. Testing their boundaries together will take a trust that could render them inseparable… or tear them apart.

 

Pre-order Links:

Nook

iBooks

Kindle

 

 

 

 

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip gloss and salted caramel everything. She believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job. 

Author of the Between Breaths series from Penguin. ALL OF YOU, BEFORE YOU BREAK and WHISPER TO ME available now, PROMISE ME THIS on October 7th, 2014.

Also the creator of Tags-n-Stones (dot com) jewelry.

 

 

Connect with Christina:

Facebook

Twitter

Website

Goodreads

 

 

 

 

Welcome to my stop on the Whisper To Me blog tour!

Today I am excited to share my review as well as a giveaway with you all!

Whisper To Me (Between Breaths #3)
   by: Christina Lee

Publication Date: May 20, 2014
Publisher: Penguin Intermix
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 262 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

A hot and consuming New Adult romance about a wayward musician and the one girl who keeps him grounded…

At college, Rachel has a reputation for being a sarcastic flirt with a thing for star athletes. No one at school knows that she’d had her heart ripped to shreds by her high school sweetheart, who’d driven them both off the side of the road on a borrowed motorcycle, and then abandoned her. No one knows the real Rachel Mattson—except one person…

Ever since he helped nurse his sister’s feisty best friend back to health, pierced bass player Kai Nakos has been head over heels in love. But the supposed bad boy can’t risk letting Rachel know the truth—especially now that the two of them are back in their hometown for the summer, together for the first time since the months following that fateful night. Never mind that Rachel’s ex is back, groveling for her forgiveness.

Shaken by her ex’s return, Rachel finds herself turning to the one guy she knows she can trust. Kai is willing to hide his feelings for her, just to have Rachel touch him again. After all, this is only a temporary fling. Until it becomes something more. But maybe it had been more all along...

 

 

Oh my. Christina Lee has done it again! I cannot get enough of this series.... or the swoony boys she keeps on creating! I loved Bennett and Kai, but Quinn is still my favorite of the three. (I have a thing for baseball players, okay?!) Don't get me wrong- Kai is dead sexy. I mean.... seriously. His dirty talk is all kinds of HAWT and I don't know how Rachel held out as long as she did. Especially after we delve into their past!

 

Pacing: I felt we had a good pace throughout the book. As I said in my Before You Break review, Christina is the master at sexual tension. I don't know if she's an evil genius or just evil. :) Kai and Rachel definitely have some pent up tension between them. They have always been good friends and Kai was there for her during her most difficult, darkest times. He was there to support, comfort, and love her (even though she had no idea he felt that way!) He is simply one of the best guys ever, but I'll go into that later.

 

Storyline: I am a huge fan of the best friends to lovers trope, as well as the whole dating your best friend's sibling one. Whisper To Me provides us with both! Rachel is part of Ella and Avery's friend group, so we met her in book one, All of You. She wasn't my favorite of the girls, and I actually had a hard time liking her because of the way she treats guys. She is a big player and I'm glad we got to explore the reasons behind this. I really changed my opinion of Rachel and felt for her, considering we had no idea just what she had to deal with and overcome in her past.

 

Rachel is back at home for the summer and is living with her best friend Dakota, who she had grown distant with while she was at school and hopes to remedy that while she's there. She doesn't expect Dakota's brother Kai to be there also, back from Amsterdam. Kai has made a bit of a mess of his life and is trying to sort everything out and find his path. Rachel is forced to confront her past in the form of her ex, Miles and while she's over him, she can't help but wonder why things played out the way they did. She needs closure in order to move forward, because the way she acts at school is not working out for her.

 

Characters: Rachel plays the role of two different people. At school she's emotionally detached and doesn't get involved in relationships, using guys as a means to an end. She's also really feisty and sassy. The last serious relationship she had ended in heartbreak and she has definitely constructed a shield around her heart. Yet, when Kai Nakos waltzes back into her life and starts chipping away at the guarded exterior, there's nothing she can do but hold on for the ride. Rachel is pretty unsure of her feelings toward him for a good part of the book. She's attracted to him, she wants him and thinks about him constantly, but wonders if he feels the same towards her.

 

Both Kai and Rachel don't lay their hearts on the line and expose their true feelings to one another. Instead, it's a lot of wondering and what-ifs between them. Rachel is leaving for school again at the end of the summer and Kai knows she has the power to destroy his heart. But at what point do you just say screw it and go all in?

 

Kai. He is such a great guy. Really and truly. He may seem like a glorified bad boy, but he has such a tender, nurturing heart. I also like that he isn't perfect. He's made mistakes. He is trying to find his direction in life, while still staying true to his passion- music. He has always cared for Rachel, but really began to fall for her after her accident and has been a goner ever since. He knows he should stay away because he wants her to want him and want to be with him. He doesn't want to be another of the guys she's been with and used. I respect him for that and it upped the tension between them tenfold!

 

We also get to check in with Avery, Bennett, Ella, Quinn and see how the happy couples are doing. Rachel has never confided in her friends about her accident. She never wanted to be treated differently or with pity so she kept her past hidden from them. Her past and present will collide and she'll be forced to tell them the truth about what happened. Thankfully, they are good friends (name-calling aside) and will back each other no matter what. We also got our first peek at Nate and Jessie, and I am excited to read their story.

 

Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed seeing Kai and Rachel's relationship develop into something more. Kai has been harboring feelings for her for a long time, so I loved seeing him get the girl he's always wanted. I'm glad Rachel was able to find solace in Kai- she calls him her anchor and she could always count on him to be her support. Christina has such an engaging writing style and as always I can't wait to read what's next from her!

 

 

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip gloss, salted caramel everything, and believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.

 

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Welcome to my stop on the Before You Break blog tour hosted by The SubClub Books!

Today I am excited to share my review as well as a giveaway with you all!

Before You Break (Between Breaths #2)
   by: Christina Lee

Publication Date: Feb. 18, 2014
Publisher: Intermix
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 226 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Google Books
My Rating: 5/5 stars

A sexy, emotional New Adult romance about a bad boy on the edge and a good girl about to lose control…

The star catcher of the college baseball team isn't supposed to have skeletons in his closet. But Daniel Quinn is hiding a guilty past so dark he refuses to let anyone get close. Except there’s something about gorgeous, studious Ella Abrams that goes beyond the electric attraction between them—something that makes him want to open up.

Ella has suffered enough heartache and guilt to fill one of her psychology textbooks, but she keeps that part of herself hidden behind a bubbly exterior. Until she receives an anonymous call while working the suicide helpline and the voice on the other end touches something inside of her that she can’t ignore.

Soon Ella and Quinn’s physical connection heats up, even as their deep and revealing hotline talks intensify. But by the time Ella realizes that her seductive jock and her sensitive caller are the same guy, it might be too late to save him—or to stop herself from falling too far.

*A companion novel to ALL OF YOU*

Praise for Christina Lee's All Of You:

"Hot, sweet, emotional, page-turner, awesome." —New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy

“This is one New Adult you don’t want to miss.” —New York Times and USA Today bestselling author A. L. Jackson

"Steamy, honest, and full of heart.” —Roni Loren, national bestselling author

Where do I even start this review?! Christina has provided us with another swoon-worthy, compelling romance that had me engaged from start to finish! I read All of You last year and absolutely fell in love with Avery and Bennett, as well as Christina's writing style! Being her debut novel, she definitely knocked it out of the park! While I loved Avery and Bennett, I absolutely fell so hard for Quinn and Ella. They are such beautifully written characters and watching them form a relationship with one another was my favorite part. Disclaimer: Christina is the Queen of Sexual Tension. Yes, really. I have dubbed her as this on Twitter so it's official. She literally had my stomach in knots when it came to these two, and it's amazing how incredibly sensual a simple touch and a gaze can be.

There is a very serious undertone to this book and I felt Christina did a good job of incorporating that into the novel as a whole. Having lost her brother to suicide, Ella now works at the campus suicide hotline, offering advice and an ear to those who need someone to talk to. While Ella has come to terms with her brother's suicide, she still misses him every day and wishes there was something she could have done to prevent it. Upon receiving a call from a boy named Daniel, she is haunted by how broken he sounds and tries to offer him solace and encouragement to open up. Ella has no idea Daniel is really Quinn and he has no idea the Gabriella (Gabby) he is talking to is really her. I liked that Quinn finally opened up to someone about his guilt and shame of his past, but I also dreaded the moment the two found out they were talking to each other, as their relationship is so fragile and new.

I really liked Ella's character. She is sweet, almost shy, and really a good girl. Her boyfriend Joel is a jerk and I hated the way she let him treat her, even when she was starting to have doubts about their relationship. I am really glad Lee didn't drag this out or make Ella one of those co-dependent girls. Joel presents familiarity and comfort and also a link to her brother. That is what makes Ella hesitate in her decision to break up with him, even though their relationship hasn't been the same for awhile. She knows it's wrong to date Joel and have such intense feelings for Quinn, so I'm glad Ella made the right call. 

Quinn. I don't even know where to start. He is such a beautifully broken boy that I just wanted to sweep into my arms and never stop hugging. He isn't like his frat 'brother' Joel who, while having a girlfriend, is constantly on the prowl and even dishonoring that relationship. He hates how Joel treats Ella, and after taking care of her one night almost mentions that if she were his, he'd never treat her the same way. Quinn hasn't really dated anyone, only the casual hookups, but with girls outside of school. The guys give him flack for this, but Quinn hasn't found someone he wants to step into that world with- until he meets and gets to know Ella. Yet, Quinn doesn't feel he can offer her what she needs. His guilt and shame weigh him down and he believes Ella deserves so much more. Even after she opens up to him about her past, he is terrified to open up to her as he knows she won't stick around, especially with someone as awful as him. His relationship with his parents is strained, as they don't give a shit about him- they only care about keeping up appearances as his father is a politician. After the accident, Quinn had not gotten the support and love that he needed, and therefore doesn't feel he is deserving of it now.

Quinn and Ella have sizzling sexual tension, but there are so many sweet moments between the two of them and watching them essentially heal one another is one of my favorite parts of the novel. Ella is the one who shows him compassion and provides him with hope- something he hasn't had in a long time. In exchange, he is the one who shows her how a woman should be treated, respected, and revered. No one has called her beautiful or made her feel the way Quinn does before. As I said, Ella is almost shy when it comes to Quinn and her appearance. While her ex-boyfriend had no problem with their sexual relationship, she is still self-conscious, as she is curvier than her friends and other girls. Quinn erases that self-doubt and he had my heart skipping beats over how tender he was with her. 

The one qualm that bothered me was the way Ella would interact with Avery. Hearing her call her friend 'bitch' and other names like that (in fun, mind you) just seemed a bit out of character for the sweet girl. Ella can hold her own with the frat guys, as she grew up with brothers and video games, but it just seemed strange hearing her refer to Avery that way. Avery, on the other hand, I can totally see referring to her friends like that and even Rachel, but from Ella it didn't work for me.

Even then, that didn't really bother me because I loved this book so stinking much. After I finished, I instantly wanted to go back and reread it. Seeing how easily Quinn and Ella accept one another- faults, baggage, and all was really inspiring and seeing them both open up about a very painful, very real issue is pivotal to the development of this novel. I like that Quinn and Ella's relationship developed slowly as Quinn needed to get to a place where he no longer felt the crushing burden of his guilt and shame. Lee has written a beautiful story of redemption, love, and hope and I cannot wait to read Rachel's story next!

At the theater, we bought popcorn, Milk Duds, and large sodas. After we settled in our seats in the crowded room, I opened the box of chocolate caramel confections and dumped them in the large tub.

“Um,” Quinn said, scratching his chin.

“Sweet and salty—it’s a must-have for movie watching.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously.” I picked up a Milk Dud, flanked it with two pieces of popcorn, and then brought it to his lips. “Here. I guarantee you’ll fall in love. You’ll never watch a movie without them again.”

“If you say so. . . .” He dragged the sweet and salty mixture into his mouth but kept my fingers enclosed between his lips. I held in a gasp while he ran his tongue over my thumb and then sucked on my forefinger before releasing my hand and chewing what remained.

“Agree,” he said around a mouthful of popcorn. “Wouldn’t want to be without them ever again.”

Quinn’s gaze latched on to mine. It felt like a bundle of feathers had been let loose in my stomach. “Guess you’ll have to come to every movie from now on. So I don’t forget.”

Speechless wasn’t even the word for what I felt in that moment. Dumbfounded might have been more like it, or maybe just struck stupid, because I couldn’t even move my lips to form any coherent words.

When the movie previews began, he turned toward the screen and reached for my fingers, interlacing our hands. Then he leaned close to my ear and said, “I expect you to feed me just like that the entire movie.”

 

Avery has just met her hot upstairs neighbor. He's irresistible. Tattooed. And a virgin.

Nursing student Avery Michaels wants nothing to do with dating—she's perfectly happy single. Privy to too many of her mother's bad decisions and even worse taste in boyfriends, all Avery can handle is a string of uncomplicated hookups whenever the mood strikes.

When she meets smoking hot tattoo artist Bennett, she wants him—for just one night. But he won't accept a no-strings-attached arrangement. He lives by a straight-laced code of values based on his own troubled upbringing.

Bennett sees something special in Avery and he wants more from her. Way more. As Avery wrestles with her emotions for Bennett, danger and tragedy force them to open up to each other. And Avery must face the terrifying realization that she wants more from him, too.

So she needs to make a choice—let Bennett go or finally let him in.

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip gloss and salted caramel everything. She believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job. She also owns her own jewelry business, called Tags-n-Stones, where she hand-stamps meaningful words or letters onto silver for her customers. She loves to hear from her readers. You can find her on: www.christinalee.net.

  

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