Addicted (Outlaws #2)
   by: Elle Kennedy

Publication Date: June 28, 2016
Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Genre: Dystopian Erotic Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: ARC provided via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 368 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars

From the New York Times bestselling author of Claimed comes the second enticingly erotic novel set in a world on the brink of chaos.

Lennox used to live in a paradise on earth with his best friend Jamie, in a place where visitors came and went, allowing their desires to run free. But everything changes when a deadly attack forces them to take up with Connor Mackenzie’s band of Outlaws. Lennox knows Jamie is hung up on someone else, but he’s always believed he’s the man for her—and won’t let her go without a fight.

Even though Jamie is well aware that Lennox is one hot specimen of a man, she refuses to let sex ruin the most important relationship in her life. But when the object of her interest spurns her, she indulges in a little pleasure-filled revenge with her very magnetic, very willing best friend. One thrilling night with Lennox is enough to awaken Jamie’s unexpected desires for him. And now that she’s had a taste, she’s not sure she can ever give him up...

 

 

I can't even begin to tell you guys how much I love this series. I love the fact that it's also dystopian. A very, very SEXY dystopian at that. At first, I was a little unsure of how I would handle the non-traditional sex scenes, but Kennedy handles it so well. They completely work and feel natural in this type of environment. We have a group of Outlaws living on the fringe of 'society' and they make their own rules. They aren't ashamed of how they live their lives and they aren't afraid to be themselves. I quite admire that mindset.

 

This book picks up where Claimed left off, with Connor sending assistance to Reese's camp. Lennox, Pike, Rylan, Jamie, and Kade all head to Foxworth to help get Reese's people more battle ready. At the start, Jamie is lusting over Rylan (and who wouldn't?!) but you can tell the tension is simmering under the surface between her and Lennox. I absolutely love that they have been together and best friends for so long. There is already so much history there, so seeing them make that transition from friends to lovers was quite sexy and fun. However, they do have to learn how to navigate this new relationship. As much as they both want to maintain their friendship and keep things the same, it's an impossible feat, especially now that intimacy is involved.

 

Jamie was such an awesome character. She is tough as nails, but she hasn't lost all hope at a future. I loved that balance. A heroine who longs for things like love and a family, but isn't afraid to call out her best friend on his crap. In a very alpha male dominated setting, she is a fiery one that demands they be partners and equals. I loved every second of that. Kennedy has written some seriously strong females in this series amidst these alpha males and it's awesome to see them bring those males to their knees.

 

Lennox was a great character too. He is a tough guy, but he has a soft spot for his best friend. They have been together for so long and he feels it's his responsibility to take care of her and protect her. (Which gets him in trouble several times) He is tired of pretending he doesn't want his best friend like he does, but he is also terrified of losing her. I love that Kennedy has him feel this way, but doesn't create a story filled with that frustrating push and pull effect.

 

Reese and her people at Foxworth are living in a precarious situation with their unstable alliance with the Enforcers. We really see this firsthand and are reminded of how gritty and dangerous this world really is. You'll experience a myriad of emotions with the one folks- humor, love, heartache, happiness, and sadness.... but the fierceness and loyalty of these characters will penetrate your soul and leave you desperate for more! I am SO excited for the next book in the series, Ruled. It's going to be a game changer, I can already tell.

 

Claimed (Outlaws #1)
    by: Elle Kennedy

Publication Date: Oct. 6, 2015
Publisher: Signet
Genre: Dystopian Erotic Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 368 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

The bestselling author of the Killer Instincts novels “knows how to write scorching sexual tension” (USA Today). Now she really sets it on fire in a new series about men and women living on the edge of violence, sex, and life and death.

After a devastating war decimated most of the world, Hudson Lane has only known the oppressive life under her own father’s tyranny. She finally escapes, branding herself an outlaw and hunted by the Enforcers. Her best chance at survival is Connor Mackenzie, an aggressively sensual fugitive who opens her eyes to the wicked possibilities of a world without rules.

As the leader of a band of outlaw fighters, Connor can’t resist the beautiful stranger who asks for his protection. Despite his reservations, he agrees to introduce her to a whole new way of life. But when Connor discovers Hudson’s connection to the enemies of liberty, he wonders how far he can trust the woman who has abandoned all inhibitions to challenge every forbidden desire.

 

 

I don't even know where to start with my review. This book was scorching hot and I honestly could have kept reading about these characters for hours on end. Not to mention, I LOVED that it was dystopian! I am so excited about this new series.

 

I was really interested in the set up. People are grouped into Enforcers, Citizens, Outlaws, and Bandits. Citizens are those who live in the cities and Enforcers are the ones who keep control in cities (and even have bases of operation outside to keep Outlaws and Bandits in check). Outlaws are those who have decided to live their lives completely separate from the laws of the Global Council. Many of them such as Connor and his band of men don't agree with how GC runs things and would rather do things their own way. Bandits are wilder than Outlaws, more desperate and can be quite dangerous. Connor, Rylan, Pike, Xander, and Kade are our sexy Outlaws and I have to say I fell for all of them. Connor is the leader of the group, even though he never asked to be. He is good at being in control and the others recognized that inherent leadership in him. Rylan is probably the closest to Connor and I ended up really liking their friendship. Rylan is more fun-loving and easy going, where Connor is serious and gruff. I will say Kennedy definitely created a rather.... interesting dynamic to their friendship, especially where our heroine Hudson was involved. Pike was the most stoic one and definitely didn't warm up to Hudson like the others did. I wasn't sure if I would like him, but sure enough Kennedy had him win me over. Xander and Kade were also good guys, though we didn't get as much of them as the others.

 

I really liked Hudson. She may be from the City and on the run, but she is not weak. She can hold her own, but she isn't immune to fear. She's realistic and I liked that because she was a heroine we could actually buy into. Having run into Connor and his group at a bar, she isn't too proud to admit she needs help. Connor is pretty against the idea, even though he's seriously attracted to her. He doesn't let outsiders in because they are liabilities. Once you find out his past, you can't really blame the guy for being the way he is. Connor and Hudson have sexy as hell chemistry and their scenes are five degree burn hot. Kennedy knows her way around a good sex scene and she isn't afraid to push the boundaries either. Sex is very open and freeing among the Outlaws. They aren't ashamed of it and they certainly aren't afraid of a little voyeurism.

 

Seeing Hudson and Connor progress to more definitely made me happy though. Their feelings ran too deep to be blasé about their sexual experiences so I definitely enjoyed seeing them become more intimate together. Hudson is keeping a pretty big secret from Connor though and you know that it's not going to end well, considering Con's nature. I really hope we get more about Hudson's brother in the future. I don't think his story is finished yet. We met so many other intriguing secondary characters and out of all of them I hope we meet Reese in future books. She is the leader of a nearby community and she is one of the very few that can resist Rylan's charms, so naturally I would love for the next book to feature those two. 

 

I really can't wait for the next book in the series. I am definitely hooked and I am already excited to see the group again. We still have some incredibly sexy Outlaws to learn more about....

 

Driven by Fate (Serve #5)
    by: Tessa Bailey

Publication Date: Feb. 16, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 181 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars

Francesca “Frankie” De Luca always pays her debts. Even when it means stepping inside Serve, the sensuous Manhattan club that caters to particular adult desires. For Frankie, it's a taste of something she's always wanted, and never received. Until a sharply dressed Brit orders her into his room, and instructs her to undress before delivering the carnal punishment she so desperately needs. Then he offers Frankie a deal she can't refuse—and the only thing she owes him is submission...

 

 

Driven by Fate is the third Serve book written by Tessa Bailey and it is definitely the darkest and most intense. I had no idea Porter would turn out the way he did and I have to say, I'm really glad Eliza didn't get her chance with him. Frankie is much more suited for him than she was, even with Frankie being a newbie to the BDSM environment.

 

We also met Frankie very briefly in the previous novel, as she is the recipient of the Preston's memorial scholarship fund. She is my kind of girl- tough, sarcastic, and proud. It kills her to take handouts and doesn't want to feel indebted to anyone. However, without that scholarship she wouldn't be taking business classes at Columbia University either. She does have a plan of action and that is what lands her at Serve in the first place. She would be lying if she said this world didn't intrigue her. Which is why she steps into Porter Evans' room in the first place. She knows he's expecting someone else, but after he commands her to come inside... well she can't help the temptation she feels from the sexy Brit.

 

Porter's tastes are more intense than I thought they would be and while that wouldn't be a bad thing, I felt his cold, detached demeanor was too harsh at times. He isn't a man to show vulnerability. In fact, he doesn't even bother with kissing because that is too personal. Frankie is vibrant and willing, but I didn't like how he handled a lot of things with her. He knows Frankie is new to this world and he doesn't even try to ease her in gently. The Dom is supposed to take care of the Sub's needs and Porter did not do that for Frankie. He pushed too hard, was in too deep with his feelings of lust for her that he caused her real emotional pain for the way he treated her. He is not completely to blame though. Frankie is still a consenting adult and she didn't safe word either, instead just getting upset and running away afterward. That was the one thing I had a problem with in this book. I didn't really see Porter's redemption. He purposefully distances himself from her instead of showing her his true feelings and I hated seeing Frankie hurt because of that. It isn't until the end where Porter makes his grand gesture that I saw a glimpse of a guy who was hiding behind his hardened exterior. I do like the epilogue in this one, as it showed that he was earning his way with her.

 

I had trouble with them as a couple because I didn't feel their connection. I would have liked to see them talk more and have more playful, fun moments with one another to offset the harsh, upsetting ones.

 

With that all being said, this is still an incredibly steamy, sexy book. The scenes of them together where he wasn't breaking her trust were great. I especially loved the one at her house before he went all freak out in his head. It showed a sweeter, more playful side to him and I would have liked more of those.

 

Through it all, Frankie is one resilient girl. Even with Porter acting the way he does, she still manages to keep her pride and dignity. She is a smart woman with great ambition and I loved seeing that take on an important part of this book. I love the idea behind her business venture and I don't know if something like that actually exists, but wow- I would be so down for that. She has a big heart and I loved seeing how much her 'family' meant to her. Frankie is definitely someone I would want to be friends with and want in my corner. Oh and there's a cameo from Tessa's Line of Duty series, so that was really fun to witness and made me smile. While this isn't my favorite of the Serve books, I did still enjoy it and look forward to more books in this series.

Exposed by Fate (Serve #2)
    by: Tessa Bailey

Publication Date: Oct. 27, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: Gifted
Page Count: 226 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

He’ll train her to lure another man. She’ll lure him instead.

When interior designer Eliza Ballas accompanies a friend to New York’s premier BDSM club, she’s taken aback by the sheer want that overruns her body—especially when a sexy Brit assumes Eliza is adept at dark, sensual arts. If she’s going to play, she’ll need an erotic education, and she knows just the man to teach her how to submit…

Oliver Preston isn’t one to turn down pleasure, but Eliza’s his sister’s best friend, and he’s torn between a sense of duty and his rock-hard need to find out if she tastes as delicious as he’s dreamed. Unable to handle thought of another man owning her body, he draws Eliza deep into his world of exquisite pain and pleasure.  He has three lessons to instruct her. Three lessons to drive them both to the brink of ecstasy. And three lessons before he must give her to another man...if he doesn’t lose himself first.

 

 

After reading Owned by Fate, the first book in Tessa Bailey's new Serve series, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one! I love the best friend falling for the sibling trope, so I was already rooting for Eliza and Oliver before the first book ended.

 

Oliver has quite the reputation as a notorious playboy, and for a long time he's been fine with that title. At the start of the book he isn't looking to change that. When he sees his younger sister's best friend at Serve with another man, his jealousy flares up, taking him by surprise. He's always been attracted to Eliza, but being his sister's best friend, he knows he could never go there. He'll be damned if he lets her go upstairs with another man and so he intervenes. His intervention leads them both to realize maybe she's not ready to enter that world just yet, so Eliza asks Oliver to teach her, opening up a whole other can of worms in the process. The woman he has been attracted to for years is offering herself to him for three lessons, no strings attached. It's the perfect arrangement for a guy like Oliver who isn't looking for anything long term.

 

I love the easiness and familiarity between the two. The fact that they infuse such humor into what could be an awkward situation really worked. Their sexual tension is sky high and bubbling over the surface, so adding in some playful banter was even more endearing. Bailey switches between Oliver and Eliza's POV, so I loved being in Oliver's head as he can't stop thinking of making her his. He is jealous over the fact that he is training Eliza to be with someone else and suddenly he finds himself wishing he never agreed to prime her for someone that wasn't him. Instead of owning it and telling her, naturally he keeps it to himself. Both of them are too afraid to admit the depth of their feelings for one another, thus leading to faked indifference and more jealousy. That was the most frustrating part of this one- watching them both hesitate to tell the other their true feelings and let miscommunication cause problems.

 

We really just skim the surface of Eliza's past- we don't know much, just that her mother always gave in to her father and never spoke up for herself. Eliza doesn't want to be that kind of woman. She doesn't want her choices taken from her, so that is why she became so angry with Oliver in this one. She mistakes his possessive sentiments as a way to control her and keep her from someone else, instead of understanding that Oliver is falling for her and doesn't want her to be with anyone but him. Oliver struggles himself with feeling he isn't good enough for her, having felt feelings of inadequacy before from his father when it comes to work, and now with his sister railing about his playboy status.  

 

Out of all the Serve guys I've met so far, I have to say Oliver is probably my favorite. He is sexy, gorgeous, and truly a good man, who is afraid of letting himself fall for a woman who could break him. He is one of my favorite kind of alpha males- strong, but tender at the same time. There were a couple of scenes toward the end in this one that just gutted my heart at how vulnerable and raw he is when he lays it out there for Eliza. I wanted to bonk him on the head for not just coming out and telling her how he felt! To be fair, it's a two-way street and Eliza wasn't exactly forthcoming either in her feelings. Nonetheless, everything worked out the way it was meant to and I was left wanting more from these two!

Betting on Fate (Serve #4)
   by: Katee Robert

Publication Date: Jan. 5, 2015
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Erotic Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 195 pages
Order Links: Amazon
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

This time, all bets are off...

Penelope Carson loves to steal clients from Will Reaver. Yet something in her business nemesis's icy blue eyes makes Penelope...nervous. It certainly doesn't help that the man is the living embodiment of a Norse god. A controlled, powerful Norse god. Which she really should have remembered before she made a bet with him—because losing means becoming Will's personal submissive for a week. There's nothing Will would like more than to have Penelope kneeling before him in complicit submission, her fiery dark eyes inviting him in. Challenging him. But their bet takes Will and Penelope deeper than either of them have ever been. Where control is an illusion, and boundaries are pushed aside. And where hearts become the stakes in a game that neither Dominant nor submissive can win...

 

After reading the previous book, Mistaken by Fate, I was excited to read about Garrett's sexy and in control twin brother Will. We also meet Penelope, who turns out to be one of Will's biggest competitors in their line of work. She insinuated her and Will had a past, so I thought this novel was going to go in a slightly different direction than it did.

 

Will and Pen are both Dominants, so their paths have not really crossed except in the business sphere, where Will thinks Pen steals his clients right out from under him. This causes some tension between them, as both are incredibly dedicated to their companies and want to succeed. Vying for the same client, both of them think they will land the account, so they make a bet for the loser to play submissive to the winner for one week. No matter the loser, they are dominants for a reason- relinquishing control is going to be quite the challenge, as losing that control brings out vulnerabilities and insecurities they fight to keep buried.

 

Where the last book didn't venture quite so far into BDSM territory, this one did. While the scenes between Will and Penelope were quite steamy and hot, I felt I had trouble connecting with them and the story in general, as it lacked the emotional depth I was looking for. Will was a hard character to like because of his need to dominate and exert control is all things. He is dubbed The Ice King and that title is very fitting for his personality. Having been abandoned by his mother certainly plays a role in his coldness, as he feels relationships change people and end up disappointing you in the end. He feels himself falling deeper into this thing with Penelope than he knows he should, so naturally he pulls away and tries to distance himself from his feelings for her. He does so too late, thus really hurting her in the process. Penelope has worked hard to get where she is and she doesn't want to let her father or her company down. Will muddles things for her, distracts her from what she should be focusing on: work. She knows she needs to take a step back, as her heart is already getting too involved in a temporary arrangement.

 

This book is also heavily set at Serve, so we get to see a lot of different scenes play out and see just how far Will and Pen are willing to push one another. They walk a fine line, where even the slightest misstep can really break the other. This lifestyle is all about trust because it's a complete surrender to the other person. The submissive has to trust the dominant will not take them farther than they can go and meet their every need, and the dominant has to trust the submissive will communicate with them when things are not feeling as they should. It's definitely interesting to venture so deeply into Serve and witness some of the more adventurous scenes.

 

Overall, while this wasn't my favorite of the Serve books, I did still enjoy the short, sexy read. Had I felt a bit more connected to my characters and seen more of their emotional development, this would have worked a bit more for me. I am excited to get Garrett and Will's sister's story. I am even more curious about her now, as Will is concerned about the job she does and her cold attitude during the family dinner is quite intriguing. I have no doubts Robert will once again bring the steam and I'm hoping I'll connect to Sara's story a bit more than I did Will's.

The Librarian Principle
   by: Helena Hunting

Publication Date: Dec. 21, 2014
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Erotic Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by BocciPR in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 298 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Annaliese Harper knows that one tiny mistake can jeopardize a career before it’s even begun. Letting your boss find the extensive collection of porn on your personal laptop is one way. Sleeping with him is another. Liese manages to do both.

As the new librarian at a prestigious small-town private high school, Liese is drawn to her sexy, charismatic principal, Ryder Whitehall—an attraction she refuses to acknowledge given their relationship and her recent liberation from a delusional ex-boyfriend.

Liese is certain Ryder’s flirtation is the product of her sex-deprived imagination—until he discovers her digital porn stash during working hours and demands a private meeting. Behind closed doors, their attraction explodes into a dangerous, passionate affair that not only threatens their jobs and reputations, but most of all, their hearts.

 As a teacher myself, I have to admit- when I first heard the premise of this one, I was beyond excited. A forbidden workplace relationship that just so happens to take place between a principal and a teacher? Oooh boy. However, what really seals the deal is how their relationship begins. Hunting had me chuckling one minute and then wanting to hide my face the next because I was so embarrassed for our female lead, Liese. Hunting did a great job of taking something so scandalous and turning it into a seriously sexy time though.

Liese has just taken the open librarian position at a prestigious high school in the town of Fullerton and has been harboring secret lustful thoughts for her new principal ever since she interviewed. Her best friend Marissa finds it extremely entertaining to photoshop Liese and Principal Whitehall (Ryder) into very sexy, very compromising videos.... which she keeps stored on her personal laptop. Naturally, when Liese can't find her flash drive to save something she's working on with Ryder, she brings her entire laptop to school with her... and accidentally clicks on the naughty stash for him to see. So... talk about embarrassing! As angry and affronted as Ryder seems upon finding himself involved in such actions, he's actually incredibly turned on by what he finds and has barely been keeping it together when it comes to Liese. 

I was afraid I wasn't going to like Ryder very much for the crap he pulls on Liese after their first night together. I'm still not thrilled with his reasoning behind why he acted the way he did, but I did eventually get over it. He is a good guy though and afterwards goes above and beyond to prove this to Liese. Liese, however, was so awesome. She refuses to put up with his crap and isn't afraid to call him on it. I was really proud of her! She is no weak heroine who will let a few pretty words make everything ok. She makes him work to earn her trust! He does redeem himself for the standoffish way he acted the morning after their first time together though. He doesn't want to let her go and wants to pursue a relationship with her, despite their precarious situation. They are treading very dangerous waters with their relationship, especially since they can't seem to keep their hands to themselves! I loved the flirty, sexy touches though- it really ramped up the sexual tension between them. Plus, the fact they could get caught is definitely a bit exhilarating.

I really enjoyed our side characters Marissa and Blake. Marissa is Liese's best friend and is really there for her whenever she needs it. She worries for her friend's safety when it comes to her stalker of an ex and she definitely is Team Ride-Me. I mean, Ryder. Blake is Liese's co-worker and I was a little wary of him in the beginning, but he was actually a good guy also. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. This was a fun story that managed to make me blush, giggle, and gasp as I read. I liked Ryder and Liese's chemistry and watching them navigate the forbidden waters of a relationship while trying to keep their careers intact. They walk a very dangerous line, but the reward is worth the risk.

  

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Owned by Fate (Serve #1)
    by: Tessa Bailey

Publication Date: Sept. 29, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Erotic Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 200 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...

Her mind rejects his world. But her body knows its master.

Journalist Caroline Preston arrives at Serve, New York City’s hottest BDSM club, with one goal—to hate it. If her brother wasn’t trying to turn the family’s respectable financial magazine into a publication that features “lifestyle” pieces for the wealthy and adventurous, she wouldn’t even be there, trying to write an article about a world she doesn’t understand. But then she sees him.

Jonah Briggs doesn’t leave his post for just anyone. As the owner of the club, his sole purpose is to ensure that his clientele get everything they need, but when he sees Caroline, his only thought is what he wants—to dominate the sexy little reporter and give the most exquisite pleasure she’s ever experienced.

Caroline has no intention of entering that particular lion’s den—not with her family’s reputation at stake—no matter how dark, sexy, and complex the lion in question may be. But with every encounter, she craves more, and with every slide of his lips, she realizes Jonah might just be the man to break down all her defenses…if she’ll let him.

 

 

Being a huge Tessa Bailey fangirl, I couldn't wait to check out her new series! While I don't read many BDSM books, I was intrigued to see how Tessa would pull it off. We already know she can write some seriously hot, dirty-talking alphas- so the jump to hot, dirty-talking, Dominant shouldn't be too much of a stretch!

 

Our heroine, Caroline, is only headed to Serve for research purposes. In no way whatsoever is she the least bit interested in what takes place in the oh-so-sexy and dangerous BDSM club. She is there to gather information about the club so she can write an article in her family's floundering financial magazine. Then, powerfully sexy Jonah Briggs strides up to her and issues her a challenge she just can't seem to find the strength to refuse. Caroline is pretty close minded when it comes to this world. Her brain finds it abhorrent and yet her body is sending her a very different message.... She thinks Jonah's attraction to her and how he can pull her in is unhealthy for her and I hated that she felt that way, because he doesn't see his lifestyle has one intended to harm.

 

Caroline really cracked me up. She claims the one night with Jonah is the only one she'll ever have and yet her body betrays her at every turn. It's like chocolate. You know too much is bad for you, but that doesn't stop you from eating it! The same goes for this lifestyle Jonah has introduced her to.

 

I really loved Jonah's character. He is such a good guy. He may be dominant in the bedroom, but there is this vulnerability about him that made me want to squeeze him and never let him go. Bailey doesn't go too in depth with his past, but it's clear people have belittled him and made their opinions of his career choice known and it's a barb to the heart. He knows he shouldn't pursue Caroline because she doesn't hide her distaste for the BDSM world and what it offers. He doesn't like that she makes him feel less than what he is, simply because of the club he runs and what he finds pleasing. That was the hardest part to read because he is such a great guy and doesn't deserve to be hurt because of Caroline's ignorance.

 

Caroline and Jonah's scenes together are uber sexy though. He is commanding and fierce, but he knows how to take care of a woman. Watching Caroline let herself go and embrace the pleasure Jonah can bring also made for some extremely steamy scenes.

 

We are also introduced to Oliver, Caroline's older brother in this book. Oliver is the one who is encouraging the merger to make their magazine a bit more liberal in their articles by including lifestyle pieces that may appeal to the financially well-off. His playboy status is referred to, and I'm really hoping the next book in the series will be about him. We also meet Eliza, Caroline's best friend, who accompanies her that first night to Serve. Eliza is all about letting go and embracing the wildness the club has to offer, but I think she may be harboring feelings for someone who doesn't know she exists.... or he is well aware of the fact and is trying to stay away because of the potential issues it could cause....

 

Overall, I enjoyed Owned by Fate. I did find that I wasn't as engaged and pulled in as I usually am with Bailey's stories, but some of that might have to do with Caroline, as I just didn't like how she kept making Jonah feel as if he weren't good enough for her. I don't think she meant to do it intentionally, as she was drowning in a world she didn't understand and didn't know if she wanted to be saved or immersed even further! I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series and my fingers are crossed that it's about who I want to it to be about!

 

 

 

Linger (In Vino Veritas #3)
   by: Lauren Jameson

Publication Date: Sept. 2, 2014
Publisher: NAL Trade
Genre: Erotic Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: Physical copy provided via the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 304 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

From the author of Breathe and Blush comes a blisteringly hot new novel about baring it all.…

On her last night in Nevada before embarking on a yearlong veterinary internship, Scarlett Malone is celebrating—and looking for one night of incredible pleasure. But the man who draws her eye is not her usual type: He’s a cowboy whose alpha-male tendencies tempt her beyond belief. Scarlett can’t understand why she wants this man and no one else, but she’s determined to entice him to submit.…

Dr. Logan Brody lives an isolated life in rural Montana, running a ranch and suppressing his submissive tendencies. Only on his occasional trips does he give into his hidden urges. He can’t deny his scorching attraction to Scarlett or that she makes him want more, but he never lets anyone break him down fully. He’s hers for one night and one night only.

But when Scarlett shows up at Logan’s door as his intern for the year, he realizes that the walls around his heart are about to crumble—and that this sexy dominant woman has no intention of letting him keep control.…

 

 

I don't typically read many books in this genre, but I saw this one involved a sexy cowboy from Montana, so naturally I had to get my hands on it. I thought the role reversal in this one was extremely intriguing, as I usually read books with alpha males. Imagine my surprise when we meet 'Mistress' Scarlett! I was amazed to see how quickly her demeanor could go from sweet and nurturing to that of a very in control woman who does not like to be bossed around.

 

Dr. Logan Brody does not come across as a submissive in the least bit. The night he meets Scarlett at Veritas, he pushes her buttons and tempts her like she wouldn't believe. She can't deny the chemistry between her and this beautiful man and she is determined to have him submit to her for just one night. It kills her to walk away from him at the end of the night, but knows with her leaving to start an internship it would never be able to be anything more.

 

Of course, she is beyond shocked when their paths cross yet again, as her new internship in Montana happens to lead her straight to his door. Now, the two will have to decide if they can handle a Dom/Sub relationship in addition to working together on a daily basis. It is clear that Logan is the boss when it comes to the job, but once work is over? It's a whole other ballgame. Scarlett wants to have a relationship with Logan, but the Domme in her refuses to let him try and take control. Which he does. Often.

 

I don't know much about the BDSM lifestyle, but it was interesting to see how their roles of Dom and Sub come into play and how by Logan's struggle to submit, actually hurts Scarlett and she is afraid of getting very hurt by him. It isn't that Logan doesn't want to submit to her. From what I gathered, truly submitting to someone else is to completely bare yourself to that other person. You are entrusting them with so much. Logan is holding things back from his past from Scarlett, which really causes problems for their relationship. She wants him to trust that she will take care of his needs, but the alpha in him really wars with that. There are moments HE wants to be the one to take care of and pleasure her, but that only infuriates her more.

 

The two definitely struggle to find their balance and while this seems like more of an arrangement than passion and love, it's actually not. There are quite a few tender moments between Scarlett and Logan and I actually found I enjoyed reading those more because I could see how deep they were falling for one another.

 

I also really liked that this book had an actual story behind it. Sometimes when you read erotica, that's all there is. I liked seeing them work on their relationship, as well as realizing what they want from life and where they truly want to be. Scarlett has goals of her own and Logan knows without a doubt he won't leave the wide open country and pastures.

 

I'm glad I had the chance to read this book. I think Jameson is a talented writer and I liked reading about a lifestyle that I don't think I'll ever witness firsthand. I do still like my alpha males, but it was neat to read about such a dominant female. Though, how she managed to keep her wits about her when Dr. Logan Brody was going all alpha on her, I have NO idea!

 

 

Title: Final Call (Call #2)

Author: Emma Hart

Genre: Erotic Romance

Release Date: June 16, 2014

 

 

Synopsis

 

We crashed and burned like a falling plane. Hard and fast with an inevitable explosion. Another few weeks together changed my life the way the first did. At twenty-four, I became naïve again. I became a dreamer again. A believer. And walking away hurts just as much as it did seven years ago.   But over doesn’t have to mean over-at least in Aaron Stone’s mind. His pursuit is relentless, his determination unwavering. He’ll go to any lengths to keep me and prove that I belong to him. Unfortunately, love isn’t easy, and whether or not I forgive him is irrelevant to his past catching up with us. Once again, our relationship is haunted by a secret, one that could destroy everything, and the secret is born from the need to protect the other…   But the tables have turned, because the secret is mine.  

About The Author

 

 

By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies – usually wine – and writes books. Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love. She likes to be busy - unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.  

Find Emma online at:

 

Blog: http://www.emmahart.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmmaHartBooks

Twitter: @EmmaHartAuthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6451162.Emma_Hart

 

Excerpt

 

I throw a few bills at the cab driver and slam the door behind me as I get out, my eyes tracing the silhouette of Aaron Stone sitting on my bench. “If this happens again, Mr. Stone, I may have to look into taking legal action. Two nights in a row? I hardly imagine you sitting outside my house is a coincidence.” He looks up, his eyes piercing in the evening darkness. “Back to work, Miss Black?”

“I have a job. As much as I’d love to sit around and feel sorry for myself, I’m afraid I have far more important things to do.” I stroll past him and put my key in the door. He closes his hand around mine. “Things, or people?”

“I fail to see what business it is of yours.”

“It’s very much my business, as you’re well aware.”

“Perhaps in your opinion. But if it will make you feel better, it’s things, not people.” I turn around. “I’m not back to work fully. Yet.”

“Yet?”

“I have to earn money somehow, and my big spenders aren’t pretty little rich boys who need a date for the night. So yes, yet.”

“Never,” he growls, leaning into me. “You aren’t fucking another guy, Dayton.”

“That’s not your decision, Aaron. You had your chance to decide that, and you blew it. Now if you’d like to remove yourself from my property, I’d appreciate it.”

His lips touch mine in a scorching, forceful kiss that knocks me backward. I gasp at the sudden touch, and he slides his tongue between my lips. His hands cup my face, holding me against him, and my back is flush against the door. He tastes of the woody whiskey he adores, and he tastes of power and determination and finality. “Tell me one thing,” he says, his lips brushing across mine with his words. “Has anyone else kissed these lips?” His thumb comes between us and flicks my bottom lip. Who the fuck does he think he is, answering that question? I’m ready to push him away, to shove him on his ass, but instead what happens is a whisper of, “Fuck you.”

“Answer the fucking question, Dayton.” My chest heaves at the thickness of his voice. I can hear the emotion beneath the demand. “No. They haven’t,” I answer. His lips crash against mine once more, rougher, harsher. I can feel nothing but his palms rough against my cheeks and his lips soft against my own. His tongue sweeping through my mouth and owning it completely. The ball of need building in my lower stomach and sending aches down through my pussy. He kisses me deeply, completely dominating my mouth, possessing me until I’m consumed by him and for a long moment, I forget why this shouldn’t be happening. Until he pulls back, his nose resting alongside mine, and I remember again. I take a deep breath, meeting his eyes as the reality of what just happens settles into a heavy ball in my chest. “You have five seconds to get your ass out of here before I go crazy at you.”

He smirks, igniting a new kind of fury inside me. “Remember that next time you think what you do is none of my business.”  

Buy Late Call (Call #1)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes And Noble| I Books

 

 

Giveaway

 

 

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Welcome to my stop on the After this Night blog tour hosted by InkSlingerPR!

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

After this Night (Seductive Nights #2)
    by: Lauren Blakely

Publication Date: May 12, 2014
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by InkSlingerPR in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 282 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N | iBooks
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

This is the conclusion of Julia and Clay's story that began in the New York Times Bestseller Night After Night.

"Why do you like me tied up sometimes?"
"Because the way I feel for you is so out of control that this is one way for me to feel in control again."

Their world was passion, pleasure and secrets.

Far too many secrets. But Clay Nichols can't get Julia Bell out of his mind. He's so drawn to her, and to the nights they shared, that he can't focus on work or business. Only her. And she's pissing him off with her hot and cold act. She has her reasons though-she's trying to stay one step ahead of the trouble that's been chasing her for months now, thanks to the criminal world her ex dragged her into. If only she can get out of this mess, then maybe she can invite the man who ignites her back in her life, so she can have him-heart, mind and body.

He won't take less than all of her, and the full truth too. When he runs into her again at her sister's wedding, they have a second chance but she'll have to let him all the way in. And they'll learn just how much more there is to the intense sexual chemistry they share, and whether love can carry them well past the danger of her past and into a new future, after this night...

Please note: This book is intended for 18+ due to dirty talk, light bondage, and lots of sexy scenes. 

 

Don’t miss the prequel novella, FIRST NIGHT, and the first full-length novel, NIGHT AFTER NIGHT, in the Seductive Nights Series!

Amazon ** iBooks ** Barnes and Noble 

 

 

Lauren Blakely is one of my go-to romance authors. She writes such likeable characters, creates fun and engaging storylines, and really knows how to bring the steam with her romance scenes. One of my absolute favorite things about Lauren's books is that they are all connected. Her books can be read as stand-alones, but those of us who have read Lauren's other books/series will recognize certain strangers and places in her books and I really loved that about this one especially.

 

Storyline: I was fortunate enough to read this book immediately after Night after Night, so there wasn't too much waiting involved for me in regards to Julia and Clay's story. While the first book didn't end on a cliffhanger per say, it did leave you a bit unsettled as to their future. Julia is unable to open up to Clay about the mess she's involved in and Clay refuses to let himself go down a path with a woman whose life is filled with secrets and lies. However, some connections can simply not be broken. The two have realized they both have so much more than just great sex. They enjoy one another's company and are coming dangerously close to falling for one another. However, if Julia cannot open up to Clay and trust in him completely, there is no hope for the two.

 

Characters: I really like that Julia is such an independent woman. She is protective of her family and friends and refuses to let her mess seep into their lives. However, when Clay enters the picture and she realizes the depth of her feelings for him, she should have sought help from him, as she really is in a potentially dangerous situation. I felt for Julia, as she has been screwed over by her ex and left to deal with the fallout, thus causing her to constantly be on her guard and looking over her shoulder. Her loved ones are threatened if she doesn't comply and she just feels trapped. Meeting Clay in her bar was never supposed to turn into what it did, but now that it has she can't help wanting to clear her debts so she can move forward.

 

I really liked Clay's character too. He is a man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And he wants Julia. But he wants ALL of her. He is frustrated and upset that she is keeping secrets, especially after what secrets and lies did to his previous serious relationship. He won't go down that road again and he makes it clear upfront that he won't tolerate evasiveness. As much as Clay's decision at the end of the previous book sucked, I totally get it and I can't say I blame him. He put his cards on the table and the ball really is in Julia's court.

 

Romance: I enjoyed Clay and Julia's romance, even though I didn't connect to them as a couple on the level that I would liked. They have a lot of steamy, sexy scenes and their chemistry is undeniable. I liked seeing their relationship progress from sex to more. They find themselves craving the others' presence and simply wanting to spend time together. There are several email interactions between the two in this book and I really loved reading those. They are sexy and fun with serious undertones and I really just enjoyed the flirtatious banter these two have going on.

 

Final Thoughts: I was very happy with the conclusion to Julia and Clay's story. I am glad we got resolution for these two characters and I loved seeing the other characters from Lauren's novels make an appearance- McKenna, Chris, Cam, Davis, as it just put a smile on my face.

 

I am really looking forward to Michele's story, as my heart ached for her. She also deserves happiness and love and I am looking forward to seeing that in the next book!

 

 

“I wish I were there wearing your clothes right now.”

He laughed. “That’s what you want to be doing? Because I’d like to be fucking you if you were here.”

“Well, that too. But then I’d put on your shirt.”

“You like that, don’t you?”

“I know you do too,” she said.

“I do. Seeing you in my shirt and your heels is my kryptonite.”“

Oh, is that it? That’s your kryptonite?”

“Or maybe it’s just that you are,” he whispered, admitting more than he wanted to.“I think the same could be said here.”

There was a pause, and though they were three thousand miles apart, the silence was heady. He was in a drugged-out state tonight. This woman was his pill, and closeness with her was what he craved most even as he feared she would destroy his heart. Smash it to a million tiny pieces and eat it for lunch. But he had a built-in barrier in distance, and with no trips to San Francisco on his immediate calendar he saw nothing wrong with this temporary moment of relief from the pressure inside of him from wanting her. They couldn’t be together in any meaningful way, and he couldn’t get hurt if he didn’t actually see her. Right? Right, he answered for himself.

"What are we doing, Julia?” he asked, and he was sure she could hear the longing in his tone, but he didn’t care. There was no need to hide it after they’d just broken down and pleasured themselves together.

“I wish I knew,” she said, her voice wistful and full of yearning. “I really wish I knew.”

He heaved a sigh, trying to sort out his thoughts, but his brain was a mixed-up mess and he didn’t know how to untangle all the threads. Or if he wanted to remain tangled up with her instead.

“What are you going to do when we hang up?” he asked, changing direction.

“Read a book.”

“What are you reading these days?”

“A crazy story about a guy who treks across Antarctica.”

“That does sound crazy.”

“Yeah. He’s kind of hallucinating and talking to penguins right now,” she said with a small laugh.

“Can you blame him? I have to imagine if you’re stuck in the polar ice cap that talking to penguins might be a rare source of comfort.”

“As long as he doesn’t eat the penguins I’ll keep reading it.”

“Here’s to no penguin meals in the books we read.”

“What will you do?”

“I suspect I will fall fast asleep and dream of a beautiful redhead on the other side of the country.”

“She would like that dream very much,” she said in a sweet voice, the kind that worked its way beneath all the hard edges in him, and settled deep in his heart. “Will I talk to you again soon?”

He took a fueling breath, and put his armor back on, steeling himself. “I don’t know the answer to that.”

 

Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. Her novels include Caught Up In Us, Pretending He’s Mine, Playing With Her Heart, and Trophy Husband. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney.

 

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