REVIEW: By Design by Jayne Denker

By Design

by Jayne Denker

4 HEARTS

From Goodreads

She’s got loads of talent, a massive crush—and no confidence. Now she just needs a plan…

Interior designer Emmie Brewster is having one of those…decades. Her overbearing boss believes she’s only qualified to make coffee. Her boyfriend treats her like a booty call. And her widowed father is dating again—more successfully than she is. Then Emmie lands a client who happens to be the hottest man she’s ever encountered. Too bad Graham Cooper is already involved with the kind of woman Emmie longs to be. If only she had the courage…

Emmie’s always been content to dream—about having her own business, her own Mr. Right—but something about Graham makes her want to take action. Maybe it’s time she used her talent for creating beauty and order on herself. She has Graham’s admiration—does she dare go for more? With a little encouragement from her friends, and a lot of newfound motivation, Emmie’s ready to try…

By Design was my first book by Jane Denker and it will not be my last. This book brought all kinds of feelings in me. At times I found myself laughing out loud and other times I was yelling, inside my head, at the characters. I enjoyed it a lot!

Graham Cooper needs to get his life together. After the death of his wife he’s done all he could to be everything his little girl needs. He’s a good man, great father and a successful architect. Right now, his biggest problem is getting the beautiful, old building that he bought livable, so he and his daughter can settle in. He meets Emmie when he is ready to hire a designer and is immediately smitten. He quickly finds to make things work with Emmie he needs to make a clean break with a very unhealthy relationship that he has going on. Can he do this before he loses everything?

Emmie Brewster is a walking doormat. She allows everyone to take advantage of her and this drove me crazy. Her boss is the boss from hell. He talks to her like dirt and treats her like a minion rather than the competent designer that she is. Since the death of her mom her father just pops in and out of her life at will. Heck, she even has an ex-boyfriend, who openly cheats on her, pop back into her life whenever he wants. She has only 2 good people in her life and that is her best friend, Trish and her newest friend Avery. So, I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that she allowed herself to be bounced around by Graham, as he sorted out his own problems.

Seriously, there were times in this book I wanted to take Emmie and shake her. How can you just sit back and allow people treat you like dirt and then whine that people treat you like dirt? Graham comes across as such a good guy and I really think he is, but he’s just as bad as Emmie. Instead of standing up to the woman he has been seeing and telling her he’s done he pitter patters around her and allows her to repeatedly manipulate him. This drove me crazy. I just don’t understand how you can be such a successful business man in a very masculine business, yet not have the balls to stand up for what is best for you and your daughter. It just doesn’t add up.

I really wanted to hate this book since the 2 main characters annoyed me so bad, but I couldn’t. This book is really good! The characters are likeable and easy to identify with, even though they need to buck up and find their voices. The banter is hilarious. I loved how Emmie interacts with her friends. The things that they would say to one another made the book.

“So, I hear you kicked Kyle out on his ass.” “Yeah, but It’s okay. He landed on Caitlynn’s boobs and they cushioned his fall.”

I would like to thank NetGalley.com for the loan of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Hotness Rating
2 out of 5

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The Silk Romance by Helena Fairfax

The Silk Romance

by: Helena Fairfax

From Goodreads

Jean-Luc Olivier is a courageous racing-driver with the world before him. Sophie Challoner is a penniless student, whose face is unknown beyond her own rundown estate in London. The night they spend together in Paris seems to Sophie like a fairytale—a Cinderella story without the happy ending. She knows she has no part in Jean-Luc’s future. She made her dying mother a promise to take care of her father and brother in London. One night of happiness is all Sophie allows herself. She runs away from Jean-Luc and returns to England to keep her promise.

Safely back home with her father and brother, and immersed in her college work, Sophie tries her best to forget their encounter, but she reckons without Jean-Luc. He is determined to find out why she left him, and intrigued to discover the real Sophie. He engineers a student placement Sophie can’t refuse, and so,unwillingly, she finds herself back in France, working for Jean-Luc in the silk mill he now owns.

Thrown together for a few short weeks in Lyon, the romantic city of silk, their mutual love begins to grow. But it seems the fates are conspiring against Sophie’s happiness. Jean-Luc has secrets of his own. Then, when disaster strikes at home in London, Sophie is faced with a choice — stay in this glamorous world with the man she loves or return to her family to keep the sacred promise she made her mother.

“I’m sorry,” she said, the words tumbling out of her rapidly. “I didn’t realise…If I could take that night back, I would.”

“Take it back?” His hands tightened fiercely on hers, his tone incredulous.  “Sophie—”

Before she could react, before she even guessed his intention, Jean-Luc pulled her toward him with the sweep of one powerful arm. Her breath left her body in a small gasp. With his other hand he swept her chin up to meet him, and then his lips were on hers. In an instant she was responding with an urgency of her own. He was holding her to him with all the force in his powerful arms, her body so tight against his chest she could feel the violent thudding of his heart against her ribcage.

Dimly, she registered the car was moving. Her senses filled with the warmth of him, the urgent heat of his mouth exploring hers. With no thought of breaking free, she reached up one hand to circle it around his strong neck, leaning in towards him, pulling him closer. Her gentle, passionate response brought Jean-Luc to his senses.  He pulled himself away, muttering under his breath. Sophie felt the grip of his hands on her shoulders as he pushed her at arm’s length, the force in him eating into her so that she felt like a rag doll under his grasp.

“What is it?” Her breathing was uneven. She tried to regulate it, to sit up straight, but was powerless to move. She saw the direction of his gaze fall on her long bare legs as she twisted herself under the strength of his grip. With a curse, he dropped his hands from her shoulders and ripped his gaze away, so that now all she could see was his stark profile.

“Sophie,” he began again huskily. “Sophie, this is not what I want.”

“Isn’t it?” In that moment, a hollowness rushed to fill her, so that she could barely bring herself to speak. She turned her own face away in bewilderment.  Outside the window, the black waters of the river Rhône could be seen as they crossed the bridge, orange lights bobbing and rippling on its surface. She let her curtain of hair swing forward to hide the misery in her expression and pressed her forehead unseeing to the glass.

*~~~~~~~~*

About The Author

Helena Fairfax was born in Uganda and came to England as a child. She’s grown used to the cold now and that’s just as well, because nowadays she lives in an old Victorian mill town in Yorkshire, right next door to windswept Brontë country. She has an affectionate, if half-crazed, rescue dog and together they tramp the moors every day—one of them wishing she were Emily Brontë, the other vainly chasing pheasants. When she’s not out on the moors you’ll find Helena either creating romantic heroes and heroines of her own or else with her nose firmly buried in a book, enjoying someone else’s stories. Her patient husband and her brilliant children support her in her daydreams and are the loves of her life.

REVIEW: To Serve is Devine by R.E. Hargrave

To Serve is Divine

by R.E. Hargrave

4 HEARTS

From Goodreads

Catherine O’Chancey is a reserved, demure, and graceful submissive. All traits she trained hard to enhance when she discovered the world of Dominance and submission in college. In an attempt to start fresh after the unexpected death of her last Dom, Catherine moves to Dallas, TX to escape the shroud of darkness he left behind in her life. She has tried to fight the need that resides deep within her to submit, but finally has to admit she can’t for it is not a choice, but part of who she truly is. After months of mental preparation, she ventures back into the lifestyle by attending a coveted open-night event at Dungeons and Dreams, an exclusive BDSM club.

Is it fate or coincidence that Catherine garners the attention of one of the club’s board members who happens to be on the hunt for the perfect sub – a partner who enjoys receiving pain and pleasure as much as he enjoys doling it out?

Jayden Masterson is many things: a firm Dom, a shrewd businessman, and a gentleman. What he isn’t, is someone who partakes in relationships outside of contractual ones with his multiple, un-collared, regular submissives. While he likes rough sex, he is not an animal, and can find pleasure only if it is consensual. What his harem is missing is a pain slut; could there be one in his future?

Upon meeting Catherine, Jayden feels an instantaneous spark inside him that has him wanting to know not just her body, but her mind. He wants to unravel her mysteries and discover her secrets. Through pain can they find the pleasure they seek? Can part-time pain lovers find full-time fulfillment when it’s not in their contract?

I really enjoyed this read because it was heavy on both the sex and the plot. Those are my favorite kinds of books. It is too intense to be something I read every month but it will definitely be making my re-read list. I think the second book will be even better. 

Catherine has suffered a lot at the hands of an abuser who thinks he is a Dom. As I was reading it I got a little upset at the fact Catherine didn’t try and run but eventually my anger was re-focused on where it needed to be. She is submissive to the bone and the way R.E. wrote her was breath taking. I like the fact she refused to move in with Jayden saying she needed her independence.

Jayden oozes hotness and dominance. He is a great Dom but I struggled early on with him having more than one sub. Then I realized how many he cared for them and the Catherine was his main focus. He did his best to try and help Catherine through all of her “issues” and that made him even hotter. 

The sex scenes were explosive.  The BDSM was very well written and you could tell the author knows her stuff. The wax play scene was beautifully written and I thought I was going to need some ice water after because it is just so insanely hot. The only thing I really didn’t like was that Catherine was supposed to talk in third person about herself. That drove me batty, but eventually I got used to it. I can’t wait until the next book because I think it is going to be epic! This is a good read for BDSM readers or anyone looking to branch out.

~Special Thanks to the author for the loan of this book in exchange for a honest review.~

Hotness Rating

4 out of 5

EXCERPT/ GIVEAWAY: Desires of a Dark Lord by Jae Lynne Davies

Hey all! I’m Jae Lynne Davies, author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. I’d like to thank the lovely Delilah for inviting me to share a sneak peek of my newest release, Desires of a Dark Lord.

Blurb

Ordered to claim the soul of a particular human woman, rare incubus demon, Ronan accepts the challenge with the promise of power and freedom.

He meets his target—curvaceous attorney, Ginevra Gimes and vows to deliver her every desire so long as she promises her soul in return. But when the two connect on a level neither one expects, Ginevra and Ronan succumb to mutual passion.

While an undeniable bond exists between them, can he surrender her to another or will he risk eternal slavery to claim her for himself?

The elusive depths of Ronan's eyes glistened with concealed intent. “My species thrives on sex and seduction, Ginevra. We crave it, thrive on it for nourishment, strength, satisfaction. Humans tend to cooperate with any desire when my kind is involved. Even now, as much as you resist, you want to give in. With my assistance, my den master is guaranteed success. I’m insurance. The ultimate weapon.”

He said it directly, but there was an unmistakable swell of pride to it as well, power. Ronan stood a force to be reckoned with, and he chafed at the chains holding him. It didn’t matter what other feelings he had about the matter. She was a means to an end.

She pushed the thought away. “You still haven’t narrowed down the specifics. How do you acquire my soul?”

He laughed wickedly. “Simple. I bed you three times. After our third time together, your soul is transported to hell and will be at Braddock’s command. Then he’ll grant my freedom.”

“I’m going to give away my soul to sleep with you?” Ginevra stared at him, then burst out in a fit of harsh laughter. “Seriously? I mean, I know you’re an incubus, but you must have one hell of an ego if you believe something like that.”

Ronan went still. In the space of an indrawn breath, she was enveloped by his heat, that intense spice scent. Though most of the kitchen separated them, it felt as though his body was pressed against hers, his mouth covering every inch of her skin, her body writhing, begging for his touch and her soul screaming for him.

His powerful display was a ruthless takeover of her senses, and when he pulled it back, she was gripping the counter to remain upright. Her gaze snapped to his face, and she saw she’d insulted him in a way he’d never known.

“You doubt my ability, Ginevra? I’d bet my freedom that in another moment, I’d find the skin of your nipples puckered so tight, the mere touch of your clothing would be blissfully painful. Just like my mouth against that same hardened flesh, the heat of my breath, my tongue covering that very place, would make you scream in ecstasy. Care to test my theory?” he said with a flick of his tongue across his lower lip.

Ronan Brimstone was devastatingly handsome and he made her ache with a need so profound, some might kill for the release he could bring. But she wasn’t ready to pay the price for a fleeting moment of pleasure. But those lips…full lips she’d never grow tired of nibbling on. She shook her head free of fantasy. “You need to go, Ronan,” she said, catching her breath.

His expression softened. “I’m sorry, love. But I can’t leave until my task is complete.” Angered by her body’s betrayal, a fuse snapped deep inside, in a place where she didn’t know fear and gave the term toe-to-toe a literal meaning when she kicked the tip of his designer shoe with her flip flop.

“You should leave of your own accord before you grow tired of rejection, Ronan. Go back to your master and tell him to find another human. This one will fight you to the last breath. You. Will. Fail.”

She said it with an upward tilt of her chin and a determined gaze. In answer, his amused gaze swept her sparkling flip-flop and then he dipped his head, lips hovering dangerously close to hers.

“As I stated previously, I can’t leave. You spoke the words of your own free will and invited me in, which means I’m bonded to you until my task is complete. I will tempt you night, day and in your dreams, to a point that you’ll want me with such a maddening need, you’ll beg for my touch before the end.” He caressed her lower lip with his thumb. “I do enjoy a challenge almost as much as I enjoy sex. That said, consider yours…accepted.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What sort of party would this be if I didn’t come bearing gifts? I have an ARC e-book copy of Desires of a Dark Lord for one lucky commenter.

Once again, a very special thanks to Delilah for having me today and I hope you’re as excited to read Desires of a Dark Lord as I was to write the story. This has been one exciting journey.

Approximate release date: 6/21/13

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author....

Meet Jae Lynne Davies, author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy.

Jae Lynne is a proud wife, mother and author who wishes there were more hours in a day to balance all three and a full-time job. But whenever she finds a spare moment (usually in the late hours of the night when her husband and two young children are visiting the land of dreams), you’ll find her sitting in front of her laptop typing the next chapter!

Jae Lynne has always had an affinity for writing of any kind. However, it wasn’t until she lost her beloved grandfather, and found herself writing a heartfelt eulogy, that her true passion awakened. After a somber delivery to honor her treasured family member, she decided to place fingers to her laptop keyboard. The rest, as they say, is history.

Her favorite stories are those that don’t involve an average everyday couple. Instead, she prefers conflict and believable, but forbidden relationships. In fact, the more complex, the better, which might explain her desire to create erotically-charged paranormal tales that she hopes leaves readers intrigued and thirsting for more.

To learn more about Jae Lynne’s work, you can find her at her Website, Facebook and Twitter.

Holy hotness how about that excerpt! *fans self* I'm so excited because the fabulous Jae Lynne Davies is giving away an ARC copy of Desires of a Dark Lord in e-book book format to one lucky commenter! All you need to do to be eligible for this INTERNATIONAL giveaway is fill out the rafflecopter form below. Good luck everyone!

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REVIEW: A Chance of Fate by Emleigh Walsh

A Chance of Fate

(Dominion Creek Pack #1)

by: Emleigh Walsh

3.5 HEARTS

From Goodreads

HE’S TERRIFIED

Chance McGregor is known as one of the toughest werewolves around. As the Dominion Creek Pack Guardian it’s his job to protect the pack and its laws. Even if that requires him to find his true mate or mate with someone of the council’s choosing. With the Mating Ceremony fast approaching – and Chance a very unwilling participant – he has more on his mind than pack safety. It’s enough to make even the baddest werewolf whine like a puppy.

SHE’S IN CONTROL

Stephanie Taylor is finally making her way in the world. She’s out of a bad marriage, starting a business with her best friend in a great new town, and in control of her stable – if not sometimes boring – life. She can handle boring and she doesn’t need a man to tell her what’s best for her anymore.

WHAT’S A WOLF TO DO?

When Chance runs into Stephanie on the street, he realizes that he found his woman. The problem is she’s a human. Not a problem for him though. Now all he has to do is convince her that they are meant to be together forever; talk the ever-meddling pack council into allowing the mating; and protect his pack from a group of rogue wolves wreaking havoc across the state. With their hearts, and lives, on the line Chance and Stephanie will do the only thing they can…

TAKE A CHANCE ON FATE

This is a very enjoyable first book in a new Wolf shifters series. It flowed well, it was easy to read, and the characters were well enough developed that it enhanced the experience.

Stephanie was a likable heroine, although I found her to be slightly lacking in some spots. Overall, I thought she was a strong and intelligent woman, with a great personality to match. She had a lot to overcome in her past, but she grew up to be a beautiful woman with a good view on life. She accomplished what she wanted, despite her hardships, and made wonderful friends. She enjoyed her life and those in it. She was determined and fearless at times to, which made her all the better. However, I felt at times she was either too accepting or two naïve. Almost like she wasn't thinking the situations through all the way. Despite that, she was a very well-rounded heroine.

And Chance, like all amazingly yummy Wolf shifters, was a great hero. He knew who he was, what was expected of him, and gave everything he did one hundred percent. Never mind the silly-minded counsel trying to force decisions down his throat. He was a very loyal person, not only to his mate, but to his pack. He did everything for them, whatever was necessary to keep them safe. He even went as far as to sacrifice things in order to achieve what he wanted. He was strong and unyielding in his belief that every decision he made was the right one--no matter what anyone else said. He was everything a Wolf shifters should be.

The other characters really added to the story to, especially Dane. He was the best by far. The story was simple, but later. Once one problem was figured out, another grew worse than before. It The story moving in the characters developing.

Overall this was a very good story. I might have to check the others out when they come out.

Romance Rating: 3 out of 5

 

INTERVIEW/GIVEAWAY: Tara Rose

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a wife and mother who just happens to love kink, and I love writing about it in stories laced with intrigue and suspense.

How did you come up with the Racy Series?

The original inspiration for it started as a fascination with the miles of wind turbines that line Interstate 65 in northwest Indiana. I started researching them, and the series took off from there. Racy is a fictional town that is…well… racy, but the series name is also a play on words as car racing is huge in Indiana.

What is your favorite type of scene to write?


A sex scene. J

Do you have a favorite book in the series?

Right now it’s book 5, Taming Her Racy Ways because of the tornado that strikes Racy. I wanted to show the community banding together the way I watched Murfreesboro Tennessee do that four years ago after an EF4 tornado struck their town.

Since you write ménage, who would you pick as your partners in crime?

Well… if Daniel Craig and Johnny Depp wanted to join me in some real-life research, I wouldn’t turn them down. J

Can you tell us about a fan moment?

The best thing is when someone emails or sends me a message on Facebook, telling me how much they loved a book or a character, or that one of my stories touched them in a personal way.

How does your hubby feel about your writing? Does he like research?

My husband is the most wonderful supportive man ever. He loves my writing and is always willing to help me with “research.” J 

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Creating worlds and characters. I’ve been doing that since I was a kid, whether it be on paper or in my imagination.

What is your favorite thing about Facebook?

Connecting with readers and other authors in such a personal way. These people are my friends, even though I haven’t met most of them in real life.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Watching mindless TV and playing Solitaire in my iPhone. J 

You are a Siren Exclusive Author. Could you explain what that means?

It means my pen name Tara Rose is exclusive to Siren.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I’m working on the new series, Passion Peak, Colorado. This series will also be MFM ménage with BDSM and HEA in every book, and the books will be a bit longer than the Racy Nights books so I can bring readers a richer, more developed town and deeper characters.

Tara is giving away an Pleasing Her Racy Doms book 6 of her Racy Night Series.

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GUEST POST: Being Creative with Carolyn Wren

Are people born creative?  I always thought so.  Don’t you hear it all the time? Mothers talking about their children, ‘oh yes, little Johnny was born to be a dancer, he’d give us recitals in the living room when he was five years old.’ Or, ‘Abigail was destined to be an actress, at age three she’d start performing when the fridge light came on.’

Me? Not so much.  I’m a numbers girl.  The book-keeper.  The person everyone turns to on June 30^th to do their tax returns.  I’ve never had a creative bone in my body.  My attempts at drawing are laughable.  At school, during drama class, I was the one behind the scenes keeping track of the actors and costumes.  I am not a creative person.

Or so I thought.  

‘She shifted, just a small adjustment to bring her leg closer. The movement disturbed a

fold in the heavy silk of her red ball gown, and it flowed open like water, exposing her calf to

gleam pale in the moonlight.’

I woke up with that phrase in my head, and an image.  No matter what I did, the phrase and the image refused to go away.  She was sleeping, he was wearing a tuxedo.  The room was dark except for the light of the moon.  Go away random image and phrase! Nope, it remained stubborn, going around and around in my head.

Fine! Whatever! I know, I’ll write it down. The computer has some sort of writing software doesn’t it? Word? Office? Yes? No? Darn where is it? Not installed.  Never mind.  I’ll write it in an email.  875 words of a random, unknown scene of people with no names.  Cue a couple of hours later and a few very bemused friends with strange ramblings in their in boxes.  

“Uh, Carolyn? What’s this?”

“Don’t know, it came to me about 3am this morning.”

“O-kay,” (visions of friends calling for men in white coats) “what happens in the next bit.”

“No idea.”

“Well, can you think of something?”

Just like that, I became a writer.  By the end of that week, the random 875 words had become an eighteen thousand word novella.  Followed by a second novella, and a third…Five months later I had seven.  

Six more full length books followed. Fantasy books, paranormal books, historical books.  Where the heck was all this coming from?  Damned if I knew.  Three years later, I still don’t know.  I’ve never taken a writing course, never read a writing craft book, my English at school was dreadful.  My math’s was brilliant, straight A student.  English? Nah, I never could figure out where the commas went, still can’t.  Thank goodness for editors!  

So here I am, the girl with no creative genes, being a published, award winning author, complete with a seven book contract with Secret Cravings Publishing.  And I love it.  At any given time, half a dozen stories are fighting for position in my brain.  I cannot go a day without writing.  My laptop goes with me everywhere.  

Something happened three years ago. A light came on somewhere in my head, and I hope it never goes out.

Here is a little information about my latest Romantic Suspense release.  The Protectors, Book 4, The Hostage.

Winner – 2012 RWA Emerald Award Category Section (The first writing contest I ever entered)

Finalist – 2012 Daphne Du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense (The second writing contest I ever entered)

Omega.  She came to me at 3am as well, all my best ideas seem to.  And it was love at first word. 

‘He was kneeling. Although the word seems to signify submission, there was nothing submissive in the pose. His knees were spread apart to balance his weight, his body bent backwards to equal out the pressure on his spine the awkward position created.’

Picture a woman looking at a man in a dark damp cell, and wondering how on earth she’s going to get him out. That’s the opening scene of The Hostage.

Omega - a covert operative, obsessively secretive.  She doesn’t want, or need, anyone in her life.  I love her as a character, her wit, her skills, her way of thinking. She features in the other three Protectors Books but The Hostage is her story.

James Northam - rescued by a tiny, brave woman he is desperate to find.  Except no one knows who she is.  I like ‘North’ too.  His determination, his sense of humor, his internal emotional scars caused by the kidnap ordeal.

I had the best time writing this book.  The intriguing relationship between Omega and North is one of my favourites.  I really hope other people enjoy it too.

Carolyn Wren.

My contact links:

Web: http://www.carolynwren.com

Blog: http://carolynwrenauthor.wordpress.com/

Group Blog: http://www.theromanticmuse.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carolynwrenauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/carolyn_wren

Buy Links.

http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&products_id=623

http://www.amazon.com/The-Hostage-Protectors-ebook/dp/B00DBD3BP4

Blurb

A covert operative so secretive, she’s known only as Omega…

Kidnapped, held in chains, beaten and without hope. Wealthy businessman James ‘North’ Northam believes he’s a dead man. Until a daring rescue by a woman who disappears before he can thank her. North is compelled by a powerful need to track down his mysterious saviour. The truth he discovers about her is both surprising and intriguing.

Omega has always kept her covert identity separate from her real life. Until James Northam invades her world, and her privacy. This determined, impossibly distracting man is getting under her skin. Her plan is to deny everything until he gives up and goes home.

The plan doesn't seem to be working.

And so begins a battle of wits between two very strong willed people.

Neither of them realise someone else from Omega’s past has tracked her down, for much more sinister reasons.

ARC REVIEW: Master by Raven McAllan

Master

(Dommissimma #1)

by Raven McAllan

4.5 HEARTS

From Goodreads

Caden McCourt did not expect to find his estranged wife Diana at a BDSM club. When he does, the renowned Master is determined to claim back his errand wife.

When Diana left him fifteen years prior, she lost a part of herself. Seeing Cade again throws her into a tail spin.

She cannot be the sub he needs, but she can't walk away either. When she's challenged by Cade to face her demons, her her old nightmares resurface. Can they overcome the chasm between them, or are the nightmares simply too strong?

Master is an amazing story about love and devotion. It grabs your heart and doesn’t let go until “The End.” I love that it shows a different side of BDSM. The one that isn’t shown as often and it just as important; the emotional side and how it relates to each couple differently. 

Anna is a strong woman, but due to not talking to her husband Cade felt like she was being torn apart. She loved him but for some couldn’t bring up the fact that she had issues in their relationship.  It felt like she didn’t want to tell him because she felt like she would be disappointing him. She is a feisty woman and sometimes can be a bit bratty but I liked that about her.

Cade is a Master and he has quite a reputation. I loved that he was patient with Anna even when she was deliberately being a bratty sub. He went above and beyond trying to help Anna with her issues but he couldn’t see the signs because she hid them so well. Once he realized her trigger he gave it up in a heartbeat because he loved her so much.

Communication is a huge part of this book and I loved that Raven showed how important it is to tell your partner how you are feeling. She showed safewords aren’t just for the physical side but for the emotional as well. Anna and Cade’s relationship needed to be more truthful in the beginning and things would have been easier but their journey wouldn’t have been as beautiful. 

I loved this book! It has this emotional level that just grabs onto you and pulls you right into the story. Even the secondary characters are so amazingly written that it feels like you are there. I can’t wait for the next book! I will be reading more of Raven McAllan!! 

~Thank you to Raven for the loan of this book in exchange for an honest review.~

Hotness Rating

3 out of 5

SUNDAY SWAG: Rhyannon Byrd

Welcome to Sunday Swag! I absolutely love swag. I think it's the perfect thing to collect. You can have a whole bunch and it doesn't take up a lot of room. One day it occurred to me that a lot of people might have the same feelings about swag as I do. That's when the idea of a Sunday Swag feature came to me. I could both show off my love of swag and give some away! Plus, it's a great way of spreading the word about all the fabulous authors out there!

This week I'm spreading the word about Rhyannon Byrd!

Rhyannon Byrd is an avid, longtime fan of romance and the author of more than twenty paranormal and erotic titles. She has been nominated for three Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards, including best Shape-shifter Romance, and her books have been translated into nine languages. After having spent years enjoying the glorious sunshine of the American South and Southwest, Rhyannon now lives in the beautiful, but often chilly county of Warwickshire in England with her husband and family. For more information on Rhyannon’s books and the latest news, you can visit her website at www.rhyannonbyrd.com or find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhyannonByrd.

Look at the swaggy goodness that I have for you today! There's a bookmark, pen and postcard for Rhy's newest release Take Me Under as well as a postcard for Rhy's current Nook and Kindle freebie, Dark Wolf Rising. There's also a bookmarks for Ryhannon's Bloodrunners series.

For a last min chance to win Take Me Under and other goodies go HERE (contest ends midnight tonight). 

To enter this INTERNATIONAL giveaway fill out the form below.

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For more spectacular Sunday Swag giveaways check out 

The Jeep Diva, I Smell Sheep, Froggarita's Bookcase and Books, Books and more Books!

REVIEW/ GIVEAWAY: Last Kiss Goodnight by Gena Showalter

Last Kiss Goodnight

(Otherworld Assassin #1)

by Gena Showalter

4.5 HEARTS

The Blurb

The breathtaking first novel in New York Times best selling author Gena Showalter’s new paranormal romance series, Otherworld Assassins, featuring a black ops agent who is captured and enslaved…and the beautiful deaf girl who holds the key to his salvation…

THE SWEETEST TEMPTATION…

Black ops agent Solomon Judah awakens caged and bound in a twisted zoo where otherworlders are the main attraction. Vika Lukas, the owner’s daughter, is tasked with Solo’s care and feeding. The monster inside him yearns to kill her on sight, even though she holds the key to his escape. But the human side of him realizes the beautiful deaf girl is more than she seems—she’s his.

THE ULTIMATE PRICE…

Vika endures the captives’ taunts and loathing, hoping to keep them alive even if she can’t free them. Only, Solo is different—he protects her. But as hostility turns to forbidden romance, his feelings for her will be used against him…and he’ll be put to a killer test

Last kiss good night by Gena Showalter is the darkest book that I've read in quite a long while. It had abuse and evilness on a bunch of levels. In fact, I have to say that this book is probably Showalter's darkest book to date.

There was a ton of symbolism in this book. It mostly dealt with good versus evil. These basic concepts were explained in a way that everybody and anybody could understand. Vika's father as the villain was evil to this core. The man was abusive and he acted like a dictator. He ruled with an iron fist and everybody was afraid of him. His behavior was repulsive. He discussed me. This is one antagonist that I had no issue with hating. Very rarely does a book elicit such negative emotions from me But it was impossible not to have hated this man.

On the other end of the spectrum were the protagonists. Both Vika and Solo were excellent characters. They both were damaged yet had extremely redeeming qualities. They were both survivors in their own separate ways. What Vika had been through in her life was nothing but appalling. However she still soldiered through it all. She was courageous, sweet and caring even though what she had been through could have easily turned her into a bitter and heartless person. Solo on the other hand, took a different approach to life. Whereas Vika remained caring Solo bottled up those types feelings. To the outsider he appeared rough and stoic. On the inside though he was a man who dreamed of love. He hated being judged by his external appearance And longed for a true connection to another being.

Though there wasn't a lot of sex in this book there was a lot of romance. I love how Solo and Vika were so drawn to each other. Solo's feelings of protection towards her were wonderful to see.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the religious symbolism in this book. However, although there was a lot of religiosity in this book I don't feel that Showalter was trying to "push" her religion on her readers. Each chapter started with a Bible verse which is something that you don't see in paranormal romances. The story of David and Goliath was mentioned as well although their names were kept out of it. Another thing that was biblical about this book was that Solo was named after King Solomon. And remember how I said that this book dealt with the basic concepts of good and evil? Well that was portrayed by what can only be described as an angel and demon whispering in Solo's ear.

Though This book was very different from Showalter's usual style it was nonetheless a great piece of work. Showalter still packs a great punch. Though she came at this story from a different angle her creativity is still abundantly apparent and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us with this new series.

Hotness Rating

3 out of 5

Today I have a PB copy of Last Kiss Goodnight along with a bookplate signed by Gena Showalter. To enter this INTERNATIONAL giveaway just talk to the rafflecopter! 

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