Tough Enough (Tall, Dark, and Dangerous #2)
    by: Michelle Leighton

Publication Date: Nov. 3, 2015
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 336 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 2/5 stars

From the author of the New York Times bestselling Bad Boys novels comes the second book in a dark, sexy contemporary trilogy.

He’s a fighter who never loses, but is he tough enough to win her heart?

There was a time when I had everything–a wonderful family, a bright future. Love. But all that was taken away in a single night, torn from me like flesh from bone. Since then, I’ve hidden away in my second-choice job as a makeup artist. But I prefer it that way, actually. I’m comfortable in the shadows, where no one can see my scars.

Kiefer Rogan literally took my breath away the moment I met him. MMA champion-turned-actor, notorious playboy, charming to a fault—he’s everything I vowed to avoid.

But he just wouldn’t stop until I opened up and let him in. Maybe I should’ve tried harder to resist him. Maybe I shouldn’t have fallen in love with him. Because I, of all people, know that everyone has secrets. Scars. And that they’re usually ugly and painful and destructive to the people we love most.

I just never guessed that they could be deadly, too.

 

 

Having enjoyed the first book in the series and the romantic suspense it offered, I was really looking forward to this second book, featuring the oh-so-sexy Kiefer Rogan we briefly met in book one. Everyone seems to be swooning over Rogan and for good reason. He's an amazing guy and I loved how he treated Katie and got her to open up to him. Katie has been through a horrific past and has the physical scars to prove it. Once a vibrant, outgoing woman, she now prefers to remain behind the scenes and tries to make herself unnoticeable. Rogan sweeps into her life and is making her feel all these things she thought were long dead and is slowly bringing her out of her shell.... and back to life.

 

I hate feeling like the black sheep when it comes to books. However, this book and I had quite a few issues and I just couldn't end up overlooking them. Had the plot been more engaging, maybe I could have, but for so much of the book I don't feel like there's enough going on. It's mainly Rogan chasing after Katie and trying to convince her to let him into her life. I was really hoping for more suspense and we really didn't get that until much later in the book. What we do get are two scarred human beings who each have their own cross to carry from their pasts and it's a more emotional type of read. I feel some of the things that ended up occurring were too 'convenient' if you will, to spur their romance into action. I obviously don't want to sound insensitive, but I feel like sexual assault and its aftereffects are starting to become a sort of trope in romance and I don't particularly care for that. I felt like it was a plot device here and that does not sit well with me. I am also not a fan of insta-love, and while it may have taken Rogan awhile to wear down Katie's defenses, I still felt their romance progressed too quickly.

 

I also couldn't help but be bothered by some of the inner dialogue. While this is in first person, the "Oh my God!" and other similar exclamatory statements just came across as awkward and even a bit juvenile to me.

 

While this one didn't work for me, do not let that influence you. This book has gotten so many wonderful reviews on Goodreads, so while this wasn't my cup of tea, it just might be yours! That Rogan is awfully swoony after all.

 

Strong Enough (Tall, Dark, and Dangerous #1)
    by: M. Leighton

Publication Date: Aug. 4, 2015
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Age Group: Adult
Source: Physical copy received 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

From the author of the New York Times bestselling Bad Boys novels comes the first in a dark, sexy contemporary trilogy. Is she strong enough to trust the most dangerous man she’s ever met? And is he strong enough to let her?

How would I describe myself? Well, I’m Muse Harper. I’m a twenty-something painter who loves red wine, quirky movies, and men with a fatal flaw. But that was before I met Jasper King. He became my fatal flaw. Eight months ago, I had a choice to make—abandon everything I’ve ever known to protect my family, or stay and risk someone getting hurt. I chose the former. My plan was working just fine until I found out my father had gone missing.

That’s when I met Jasper. A bounty hunter with the eyes of a tiger and the nose of a bloodhound, he was supposed to help me find my father. What I didn’t know was that meeting him was no accident. Hunting people isn’t all that Jasper does. And helping me was only part of his plan. I just wish I’d found out sooner, before my heart got involved. But even then, I don’t know if I’d have done things differently.

Now, I have another choice to make—trust the man that I’m falling in love with and hope that he’ll do the right thing, or run as far away from him as I can get.

 

 

I am all about the romantic suspense lately! It just adds this extra layer that really gets the adrenaline going and keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen. Strong Enough jumps right into the fray with Muse hiring a bounty hunter to find her father who has gone MIA. However Jasper King is more than just a simple bounty hunter and has secrets that could potentially destroy her...

 

I liked the dynamic between Jasper and Muse. They are both clearly attracted to one another, but Jasper has a darkness to him that keeps him from getting too close to anyone. My heart ached for him because as we see in the book's opener, he has had a brutal childhood with memories and scars that will never heal. Even without his past, his job is one that does not allow for anyone to get too close. Always having a target and always being targeted doesn't make for the white picket fence kind of life. Still, Muse manages to weave her way into his life and as hard as he tries to stay away from her, the temptation is too great to pass up. I did feel some sentiments were a bit repetitive, with Muse constantly thinking about how attractive Jasper is and later, how Jasper tells her again and again that he has to walk away from everything that has to do with her. It wasn't something that overly bothered me, but I did feel they were a bit unnecessary in the grand scheme of things.

 

I really liked the direction the suspense went as Muse's father has a much larger role to play than just a man who didn't call his daughter like he normally does every month. While Strong Enough wraps up Muse and Jasper's story, the bigger storyline of who is behind everything will continue in the next book Tough Enough, which is about another member of Jasper's team, who we meet briefly in this book.

 

Can I take a minute to mention how giddy I was that we briefly saw Olivia, Cash, and Gavin from Michelle's Bad Boys series? I love when series have little crossovers to keep us up to date on how other characters are doing.

 

Overall, I enjoyed this one. Jasper and Muse have some pretty intense chemistry and are just an intense couple in their own right. Leighton always does a great job of invoking strong emotions in her readers and this book is no exception. There were some pretty heartbreaking moments along with the sexy, raw ones and she did a great job of laying these characters bare for us. If you are a romantic suspense fan like I am, I would give this one a try.

 

A story of heartbreak, loss, redemption and second chances: Pocketful of Sand from New York Times bestselling author M. Leighton

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“She’s beauty for my ashes. And I’m hope for her heartache.”—Cole Danzer

I don’t know what makes a great love story. Is it that instant attraction when boy meets girl? The passionate kisses and the fairy-tale ending? Or is it a lifetime of tragedy, paid in advance, for a few stolen moments of pure bliss? The pain and the suffering that, in the end, you can say are worth it for having found the missing piece of your soul?

The answer is: I don’t know. I don’t know what makes a great love story. I only know what makes my love story. I only know that finding Cole when I did, when Emmy and I were running from a nightmare, was the only thing that saved me. That saved us. He was more broken than I was, but somehow we took each other’s shattered pieces and made a whole. If that is what makes a great love story, if that is what makes an epic romance, then mine…ours is the greatest of them all.

Contains material that some may find disturbing. Not intended for readers under the age of 18.

After helping with the cover reveal of this book, I knew I instantly wanted to read it. Not only did I love the cover, but the blurb drew me in and I do enjoy a good, emotional love story. I had no idea how emotional this book would be when I received it for review. Having only read Leighton's Bad Boys series, I have to say the content and the emotional depth of this one really struck my heart and when Eden and Cole share their pasts with one another I was in no way prepared for what they have endured and are still haunted by.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Leighton has an engaging writing style and can do intense, emotional so well. This is truly a beautiful story of two broken people finding love even amidst all the pain their pasts have to offer. I really admire Eden for her strength after everything she's gone through and how resilient she is. I can't even imagine the kind of past she's had and while it hasn't been easy, she cannot break down and show weakness for the sake of her adorable little girl, Emmy. Emmy was absolutely precious and I loved seeing her interact with Eden, as well as Cole. She is a very shy little girl so seeing her open herself up to Cole with these tiny little gestures absolutely melted my heart. Kids are so intuitive and it's like she knew Cole was someone she could trust and befriend from the very beginning.

Cole has closed himself off from the rest of the world, and while the small town of Millers Pond talks about his crazy, Eden doesn't let that stop her from ogling the deliciously sexy man who works across the street. She is surprised by the intense need that flares up while she watches him work, especially since she isn't looking to be intimate with anyone. Her daughter is her priority and will always put her first and foremost no matter what. Cole's gruff nature doesn't exactly lend itself to making new friends, but Eden can't help but think about him. She isn't the only one having problems either, as Cole feels the same way. Only Cole is angry that she evokes these feelings in him- feelings that he swore he would never allow himself to feel again. I liked Cole a lot, but there is one scene that really bothered me with him and given the content of the book, I didn't like the way it came across. I know it was inserted to trigger events, but still. I was able to push past it though because he really does care for Eden and Emmy and as much as he wants to believe he doesn't need them in his life, he does.

I am torn on the ending though. I can't say much for fear of spoilers, but I'm still not sure how I feel about it. On the one hand I loved it because it was everything I wanted after an emotional book, but on the other, I was so confused and left feeling like I didn't understand anything. For those of you who have read the book, I think you'll surmise what I'm trying to point out here. I trust Leighton and I'm no stranger to her crazy twists and turns (DOWN FOR YOU!) so I guess I will have to wait and see before I make any final decisions.

This is not an easy book to read. Please heed the warning in the blurb. It is not graphic in disturbing material, thankfully, but it's still enough to make your stomach churn and your heart ache. However, there is hope even after all the darkness these two characters have been through and that is a comforting thing to hold on to.

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author M. Leighton is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

Coming March 15, 2015 from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author M. Leighton: A story of heartbreak, loss, love, and new beginnings. 

 

Coming March 15, 2015!

 

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Everything For Us (The Bad Boys #3)
   by: M. Leighton

Publication Date: Sept. 3, 2013
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult/Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by InkSlingerPR, NetGalley, and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 336 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

When it comes to passion this hot, it’s all or nothing.

Olivia Townsend’s wealthy cousin Marissa had everything a girl could ask for—a great job, a privileged life, and all the friends she wanted. Or, at least, all the friends money could buy. But one case of mistaken identity has turned her privileged world upside down.

An abduction gone wrong lands her right in the lap of the sexiest, most dangerous man she’s ever met. To Marissa, he’s an enigma, but one to whom she’s irresistibly, inexplicably drawn.

With him comes a new world of freedom and passion, of dark shadows and dangerous secrets, a world where nothing is what it seems—except for the blind passion that Marissa can’t escape—or maybe even survive.

 

 

*Includes spoilers from the first two books in the series Down to You and Up to Me*

Can I just say... I think Michelle ended this series PERFECTLY. The hopeless romantic that I am was absolutely SWOONING like crazy! Sigh. Ok. Let's see if I can write a coherent review.

First of all I fell in love with Cash and Olivia. I loved their chemistry, their desperate need for one another, and their journey to learn how to trust one another implicitly. With that being said, I was really unsure how I was going to like this book, especially since it is Marissa's story. Marissa was not a character many people liked in the first two books. She's a stuck-up, overly privileged daddy's girl who always gets what she wants. She doesn't care who she hurts in the process and only looks out for number one. Everything about her screams prissy socialite- her circle of friends, her clothing, and the way she looks down on others. How would I ever like this girl?

Marissa ended up surprising me, that's for sure. Her vulnerability really shows in this book. After having gone through a frightening ordeal- she's not quite the same. Having your life flash before your eyes will definitely do that to you. Her eyes were opened and could see things more clearly. The way she treated others (especially her cousin) were deplorable. And she really sees that in this book. She gets a lot of flack from the guys about her transformation, but she isn't concerned with what they think. She only wants to prove herself to Olivia and make things right with her. However, what starts out that way turns into something more. Marissa wants to prove herself for her. She doesn't want to be that vapid person she used to be. She is tired of being Daddy's perfect little girl.

"I've done this all my life- cater to Daddy, pander to Daddy, yield to Daddy. It's always come naturally. He's the type of man who demands it, without ever really having to ask for it. But today, for the first time I can remember, I choke a little bit on the words." (eARC 46)

It's not too late for Marissa to salvage the person she wants to be. She just needs to have others believe in her and to believe in herself. She really gets that with the male lead in this story. Both MC's have such baggage, self doubt, and self loathing that they end up seeking comfort in one another.

I really don't want to spoil who the male love interest is, because I've done such a good job keeping my reviews spoiler free in that aspect. Let me just say- the man has been through hell and back. He has had everything taken from him and has lived a shell of a life. His life has consisted of being on the outside always looking in, and save for his mother, has never really known the love of a woman. He is all hard edges and oozes bitterness. Upon meeting Marissa, he only wants to use her as a means of forgetting. He desires her and loves the chase associated with her. He is definitely not looking for a relationship, yet the more time he spends with her, the lines he's so carefully drawn for their interactions are beginning to blur. Yet even after confessing some of the horrible things he's done- she doesn't withdraw from him. He knows he's falling into a dangerous spiral he won't be able to come out of. Will he be able to let his need for revenge and justice go or will he let his anger consume him to the point of no return?

I loved watching these two together. He especially is relentless in fighting his feelings for her. He starts letting that self doubt creep in and makes himself believe he isn't good enough to be with her. She's his dream that he will never allow himself to have and he's the dream she would do anything to hold on to.

For my Cash/Olivia fans- do not fret! They do make quite a few appearances in this book and there is one in particular that will leave you very satisfied. :) We also get plot resolution in this book as to what had been occurring in the last two books concerning Cash and Nash's father and the trouble they found themselves in.

Marissa and her leading man's journey together is not an easy one- it is filled with heartache, passion, and love.  Yet, sometimes in order to truly appreciate the good things in life- you have to leave it all behind so you know exactly what it is you're missing.

Down to You (The Bad Boys #1)
   by: M. Leighton

Publication Date: Sept. 21, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: Purchased from B&N
Page Count: 215 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

The scorching tale of one girl, two brothers and a love triangle…that’s not. Olivia Townsend is nothing special. She’s just a girl working her way through college so she can return home to help her father run his business. She’s determined not to be the second woman in his life to abandon him, even if it means putting her own life on hold. To Olivia, it’s clear what she must do. Plain and simple. Black and white. But clear becomes complicated when she meets Cash and Nash Davenport. They’re brothers. Twins.

Cash is everything she’s always wanted in a guy. He’s a dangerous, sexy bad boy who wants her in his bed at any cost. He turns her insides to mush and, with just one kiss, makes her forget why he’s no good for her. Nash is everything she’s ever needed in a guy. He’s successful, responsible and intensely passionate. But he’s taken. Very taken, by none other than Marissa, Liv’s rich, beautiful cousin. That doesn’t stop Olivia from melting every time he looks at her, though. With just one touch, he makes her forget why they can never be together.

Black and white turns to shades of gray when Olivia discovers the boys are hiding something, something that should make her run as far and as fast as she can. But it’s too late to run. Olivia’s already involved. And in love. With both of them. Both brothers make her heart tremble. Both brothers set her body on fire. She wants them both. And they want her. How will she ever choose between them?

 

Well ladies and gentlemen- why in the world did I wait so long to pick up this sexy goodness? Someone answer that question for me! Seriously- I DEVOURED this book! It took me no time to read at all! I love Michelle's writing style- it flows so incredibly well and was such a fast read for me! I was seriously unhappy when I had to stop reading and go to bed and then work today. I snuck some reading time in on my lunch period!

We have one heck of a love triangle, folks! Cash and Nash Davenport, sexy, good looking twins, but different in every way have both caught Olivia Townsend's eye. The problem? Nash is dating Olivia's cousin Marissa. Nash knows Olivia is off limits, but he can't help the fact that he's drawn to her and he can't stop thinking about her. Olivia is different in Marissa in so many ways- besides physically (Marissa is tall, blonde, and thin; where Olivia is shorter, curvier, and has dark hair). Olivia has a sweetness and vulnerability to her that both men are attracted to. Marissa, on the other hand, is a bitch. I really didn't care for her in this book. She talks down to Olivia and doesn't treat her cousin with respect at all. Why Nash is even with her is quite the mystery!

I really liked Olivia. She was a really sweet character and I hated that she felt so torn between these two men. Nash is the ultimate good guy- yet is unavailable. Cash, while available, is the epitome of a bad boy. And Olivia is done with bad boys. After having her heart broken in the past and as tempted as she is by Cash's seductive nature, she knows Nash is the type of guy she wants to be with. I felt bad for Cash to be honest. Olivia has him pegged from the get-go and while she isn't wrong- she knows he'll break her heart and he has admitted to wanting a casual thing with her, she really struggles with giving him a chance. However, there is a lot more to Cash than meets the eye- he may be the ultimate bad boy, but there is actually a lot more depth to him than you would believe.

Michelle killed me with the plot twist in the book. I had NO idea it was coming and when it did, I was floored! And then I realized it completely made sense! Genius, Michelle, genius! I can't say anymore than that, as I really don't want to spoil anything, but WOW!

And of course, let's not forget the steam factor! WHEW! Michelle really knows how to write some sexy scenes! Olivia has a shy side and watching these guys bring her out of her shell and show her just how beautiful she is was awesome. Girl has two sexy twins vying for her attention- if that isn't a self-esteem booster, I don't know what is!

If you are not a fan of love triangles, I still challenge you to pick this one up. It will definitely leaving your head spinning wondering WTF just happened!






Up To Me (The Bad Boys #2)
   by: M. Leighton

Publication Date: Jan. 4, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult/ Adult
Source: Purchased
Page Count: 289 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

For Olivia, romantic bliss has never felt so right as it does with Cash. Unpredictable, except when it comes to satisfying her desires, Cash’s �bad boy reputation is well-earned, but he’s turning his life around with the one woman who accepts him for who he is.

Until strangers from the past turn Olivia and Cash’s world upside down. What they want is something only Cash can give them. And if he doesn’t deliver, then they’re taking the one thing that Cash values the most.

Olivia always knew that in falling for Cash she was likely to get burned. But this new threat is beyond anything she imagined. Now she has to trust Cash with her life—and for Olivia that’s much easier than letting go, and trusting him with her heart.

If I thought Down To You was hot, then Up to Me is a freaking inferno. And if I didn't love Cash Davenport before, now I am absolutely GONE for him. Up to Me picks right up where Down to You leaves off. We get a ton of action in this book as the shit really starts to hit the fan for Cash and Olivia.

We found out in the first book that Cash's father is currently in jail for a murder he himself did not commit. Cash is in possession of some important documents the men who did commit the murder want and plan on doing whatever is necessary to get them. Including putting Olivia in danger. Cash hasn't come right out and admitted he's in love with her- but actions speak louder than words. He would give anything to make sure she is safe and that nothing happens to her. There is one point in the book where Cash is completely torn up about the fact that he needs her so much. He never wanted to be one of those guys dependent on a woman and now he finds Olivia is all he can think about and without her he just isn't whole. Sigh- Cash is certainly a dreamboat that will have your insides melting!

Olivia on the other hand, while she knows she's in love with Cash, is fighting an internal battle over him. She knows she wants him, to be with him- but she has these doubts that keep pushing their way to the surface. She's still so caught up with obsessing over the fact that he's a bad boy and will hurt her in the end. In this book she really must learn to place her trust in Cash, that he won't be that clichéd bad boy. Olivia wants truth in all things and wants to be kept in the loop. She doesn't want to be in the dark regarding the dangers surrounding her and Cash and I can't really say I blame her.

We do have the addition of a few more characters in this book. Gavin, is Cash's part time bar owner, and best friend. I really liked Gavin- he's sexy and fun and willing to do whatever he needs to in order to help his friend out. There is also another huge character that makes an appearance and while I'm trying to keep this spoiler free- you're head is going to spin when you meet them! I felt Michelle did a great job of making this work and I can't wait to read the final book in the series to see where she takes this development.