Cowboy Take Me Away (Rough Riders #16) by Lorelei James

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

I don't even know where to start for my review.  I have so many emotions swirling around inside me after finishing Cowboy Take Me Away. On the one hand, it was such a fantastic read and I adored every moment I got to spend with the McKay family once again. But on the other, I'm so very sad to see the Rough Riders series come to a close making it very bittersweet too.  I found myself only able to read a bit at a time not only because it was so very emotional, but because really I just didn't want to reach the end either.  This book made me laugh, made me cry both tears of joy and sadness, and I overall made me cherish each and every single moment I got to spend with them.
 

"Hey, sugar. I'm here beside you. I know you can hear me. I need you to hear me. Come back to me. I need you to know that I'm right here, I ain't goin' anywhere."

In this story, you get to see how Carson and Carolyn fell in love witnessing just how truly special these two characters are. They have an extremely rare and eternal type of love that has already spanned fifty years when the story starts. I'm not going to divulge any particulars, because I would never dare spoil anyone's enjoyment of this story.  Just know that as we revisit their past through their memories, you will not only get to see the loving times that brought them together, but also the hard times that shaped their relationship as well. 
 

"Damn straight you're mine, Carolyn McKay. You've been mine since the moment I saw you and you'll be mine until my last breath."

Now for me as a reader, the Rough Riders books have always been the embodiment of everything I've ever looked for in a series. I've watched the family grow and change through all their struggles, but I've also known that the real glue of the family has always been Carolyn and Carson. Being able to go back and read their story was so very sweet, sexy and romantic, and it really showed me how their love is the enduring type that will carry them through anything that is thrown their way. I admire the love and devotion they have for each other and their family, and I envy the bonds that tie them all together. Through thick and thin with laughter and tears, this is one family that will always stand the test of time for us readers. I look forward to what Lorelei has for us in the future, and I hope she realizes what a significant impact her series has had on all of us.  I want to thank her so much for writing this amazing series of books.

"The bond between parents and children was special. But a bond between husband and wife was sacred."

If you'd like to check out more about this series or other books by Lorelei, please head over to her website.

http://www.loreleijames.com/

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Deeply in You (The Wicked Dukes #1) by Sharon Page

 

Reviewed by Tabatha ✰✰✰✰

 

I think that Sharon Page does exceedingly well writing erotic historical romance, so needless to say I was very eager to get my hands on this first book in her newest series, The Wicked Dukes.   Deeply in You was a delightful mix of suspense, mystery, and dark pleasure, but it was also so much more as well.  From the fantastic line up of characters, to the intense amount mystery and intrigue, this book kept me captivated from page one and wouldn’t let me go.  I just know that all of you naughty regency nuts out there are going to love this one!

Helena Winsome agrees to spy on the Duke of Greybrooke for the crown in order to expose his secrets to settle her brother’s gambling debts.  What she doesn’t anticipate is how deeply drawn she would be to the handsome Duke.  Greybrooke feels that he is incapable of loving anyone due to his horrible past, and he embraces his darkest desires on his own terms now.  Although he is used to getting everything he wants when it comes to women, his sister’s new governess is a temptation he just can’t resist no matter how innocent she is.   He pursues her with single-minded intent to make her his mistress, but he is further intrigued with her when she resists all of his efforts.  Once they engage in their torrid affair of pleasure seeped in lies and intrigue, the deceptions will work their hardest to tear them apart.
 
All I can say is, wow, these two were so different from what I’ve read in the past, and I mean that in the very best way possible.  They were great characters who were so intensely erotic that each scene was sexier than the last.  But that wasn’t all they had going for them either.  I also think that Greybrooke is so endearing, and I could not blame Helena for her pursuit to save him from himself and from others who meant him harm. She was a constant source of support for him, even when she wasn’t altogether truthful, and she pushed him to want things he never before thought possible.  Together they were a great combination, and Page did a wonderful job setting the scenes to the point where I could actually picture myself experiencing each one.  I do have to mention two points that I had issue.  First of all was that the blackmail.  This was made to be overly complicated, and also drug on a bit too long for me too.  Secondly, the bad guy was a bit too predictable for my tastes and we do have some big hints along the way, but at least his motives were a surprise to me so that was a bonus.  If I cast these two things aside though, it was still an overall thrilling story to read.  I think that Page did a great job balancing by keeping the story engaging, but also packing plenty of heat between the characters as well.  I’m definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the Wicked Dukes series to see what happens with the other cast of characters.  Like I said above, all you naughty regency lovers out there will enjoy this one, so I am definitely recommending it to you. 

Reviewed by Kim ✰✰✰✰✰

 

Wow, Wow and Wow again! This book was awesome! At first I thought this was just going to be an erotic historical but then the intrigue started building. I was completely hooked first by the eroticism of the two characters finding each other. I really enjoyed Grey's pursuit. Helena tried so hard to fight but how could she not fall head over hills for this decadent, exciting man. At first the intrigue was light, just the typical scandal to resolve but that quickly changed into a gripping story all it's own. This book could have been an erotic historical and it would be complete or it could have been a suspenseful historical and it would have been complete, but to bring those two together so smoothly and efficiently and to resolve both sides was a true example of writing talent. I cannot wait to read more about the Wicked Dukes! 

*We both received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for our honest review*

If you'd like to check out more about this or other books by Sharon, please head over to her website.

http://www.sharonpage.com 

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Legal Briefs (Lawyers in Love #3) by N.M. Silber

 

Reviewed by Tabatha  ✰✰✰✰✰

 

Legal Briefs was suggested to me by my friend and co-blogger Kayla, and I'm really happy that I gave it a chance. I think that this author has a great voice, writes exceedingly well, and that she is just very talented overall. So with that being said I, of course, totally enjoyed Lily and Adam's story. I haven't read the previous two books in this series, but I found that I didn't really need to.  Legal Briefs is led with a great cast of characters, and it is full of sexy romance and suspense that will keep you guessing as to what is really going on. 

The romance between Lily and Adam was just too cute for words, and holy smokes did they burn it up in the bedroom.  I think I loved it more because it wasn't just sex for the sake of sex, and you could really feel the connection between these two.  The one negative that I had, which seriously wasn't that big of a deal, was that the climax moment was just a bit too much on the ridiculous side. I see where the author was going with it, but it was just a bit over the top.  Now I think I might have found a kindred spirit in Silber though, because I loved every single song and reference she made in this book. I have to say that it really did enhance my overall enjoyment of the story, and Lily and Adam's sarcastic wit helped immensely too. I'd give this one a solid 4 1/2 stars, but I'll round up just because of the Mazzy Star song Silber mentioned! :) I'm definitely looking forward to reading the previous two books, and for where Silber will take this gang in the future. Nicely done!

Reviewed by Kayla  ✰✰✰✰✰

 

I am a HUGE N.M. Silber fan. I've been supporting her since before her first release, and I honestly can say this is her best book to date. I LOVE Lily and Adam. If she could just write about these two characters, I'd be set for life. They are just so real and when reading, I felt like I was following along with them -- not just reading. I could easily picture scenes as if I was standing there with them. As usual, the characters (secondary especially) were hilarious. Love the fact that we got to see the crew together and their interactions. I actually love how they all are such good people and friends. I think the fact that Adam and Lily have a history made them that much more understandable. I could relate and it was easy to see why they felt and said the things they did. Lily's apartment building is so crazy - but in an oddly good way. Mostly because all the other tenants in the building had such great characters! Strange, but so amusing.

I was so bummed when the book ended. I'm still mourning the end of the book. Ms. Silber created such an amazing read, and I can't wait for their next installment.

So many laughs, lots of emotions, and way more heat than Ms. Silber's previous releases. Great read. Highly recommend. 

 *Kayla's copy was provided by the author in exchange for honest review and Tabatha purchased hers*

If you'd like to check out more about this series, please head over to NM's website.

http://nmsilber.com/home.html

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Some Like It Hot by Olivia Cunning, Nicole Edwards, Cherrlie Lynn, Kristen Proby, and Lainey Reese

Reviewed by Tabatha

Some like it hot? Well...I think a few of the stories in this anthology brought hot to a whole new level. So hot in fact, that I'm finding it really hard to express my feelings on this collection of stories.  One thing I do have to say, is to be prepared because you are going to definitely want your significant other near by when you read this one guys!

Olivia Cunning ~  One Starry Night (Sinners Novella)  ✰✰✰✰✰

By far the best out of all of the books in this anthology, so it opened with a quite the bang. I think that Olivia tried really hard to set my e-reader on fire! I'm telling you that these three were <i>scorching</i> hot, and I absolutely loved every minute of this story. It might seem a bit fast paced as far as her jumping into bed with two old high school friends, but something about this story just really worked for me. You can't tell me that any woman in her right mind would pass up on the opportunity that was presented to be part of a Jake and Devlin sandwich!

Nicole Edwards ~  Boots Optional ✰✰✰✰

This was an introduction into a new series for Nicole, and it looks to be just as great as her other series I've read by her. This will follow the Lambert sisters, and I'm definitely eager to see where this story goes from here with the subsequent books because this left me wanting more.

Cherrie Lynn ~  SHAMELESS ✰✰✰

I've always loved the type of story of the girl falling for her brother's best friend, and Cherrie delivered in the best way! Both Cameron and Meredith have always had feelings for each other, but Meredith is finally pushed into action after over hearing Cam with another woman while on vacation.  The only thing that niggled me a bit was the aspect of her overhearing him with another woman. Yeah it was sexy when she didn't know who they were, but I think I would have had issue with that personally and been too gutted to make my move. Overall though, this was still one sexy read and I enjoyed it.

Kristen Proby Playing With Fire ✰

This was my first read of Proby, and it will certainly be my last.  I hate to say that, but everything about this story annoyed the crap out of me. From the alternating first person point of view between the three characters, to how everything played out...I just didn't enjoy it at all. I think her writing style isn't for me.

Lainey Reese ~  Guarding Nadia ✰✰✰✰

I enjoyed this suspenseful little short story even if it was a tad on the predictable side for me for who the stalker was.  The heat and chemistry between the three characters really worked for me, and it was an overall great and kinky short story.

If you'd like to check out more about these authors or their other books, please head over to their websites.

Olivia Cunning ~ http://www.oliviacunning.com
Nicole Edwards ~ http://nicedwardsauthor.com/
Cherrie Lynn ~ http://www.cherrielynn.com
Kristen Proby ~ http://www.authorkristenproby.blogspot.com/
 Lainey Reese ~ http://www.laineyreese.com/Home.html

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Burned by Tara Sivec

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

Holy hell Tara, that one just about set my e-reader up in flames! Guys, this was one super steamy hot read! Tara does a great job in any genre she writes, but I will be honest here and tell you that I did find a few plot snags. First off, I thought that it was a bit much to think that after seventeen years passing that Finnley would just jump right into bed with Collin. The second issue I had was her staying with a dead beat like Jordan for as long as she did. Her reasoning might have sounded logical to her, but it wasn't working for me.

So casting those two issues aside, I think the good out weighed the bad for me in this one. I've always been a big fan of Tara's writing, but I didn't know she had it in her to write something so sizzling hot!!! Finnley and Collin had such an intense amount of chemistry in and out of the bedroom, and I liked that I was able to connect with these two characters. Yes, I would have enjoyed a bit more of a sneak peek back to when they were together to see how they fell in love, but I adored that he supported her and wanted more for her than what Jordan had allowed her to have because of his own jealousy. Overall, this was a good short read and I couldn't put it down. From page one you will be captivated, and I promise you will find all those trademark things you love about Tara's writing in this one. It's sweet, sexy, funny, and just an overall sizzling hot read that will leave you needing a cold shower when you are done. :)  

If you'd like to check out more about this or other books by Tara, please head over to her website.

http://www.tarasivec.com 

 

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Packing Heat by Kele Moon

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Reviewed by Erica

 

Spicy, spicy, spicy. I love Kele Moon's writing and she does an absolutely splendiferous job with any erotica that she chooses to write but I really feel like she has a gift when it comes to writing about hot guys in bed together. Beyond Eden was amazing, but for a book with no vaginas anywhere in sight, this one was amazing. Take one hot cut ripped firefighter who is out and proud, put him in an apartment with a tall buff cop who is in the closet but doesn't want to be, and watch the sparks fly. Seriously. Oh, yeah, did I mention that Gavin has handcuffs and doesn't mind using them? Yeah, mmmphm, it's hot. If you like guy on guy action, this is a must-read. And there are emotions there. Big ones. It's just an awesome read with a nice plot and for being so short, you get a really good look at both histories of both men to see why they are who they are. Wonderful book! 

If you'd like to check out more about this or other books by Kele, please head over to her website.

http://www.kelemoon.com 

 

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Forged in Steele (KGI #7) by Maya Banks

 

Reviewed by Tabatha  ✰✰✰✰✰

Oh Steele...let me count the ways that I just absolutely adore you! 

I don't think Banks can top this one, because Steele just stole the show for me. We've always known him to be very cold and quiet, but who knew such a softy lurked underneath that tough Alpha male? I loved Maren's personality, and the honest banter between her and Steele was adorable. I've been patiently awaiting Van's story because he has always been my favorite, but all I have to say is that he has some big shoes to fill after this one! I could gush more, but I don't want to spoil any of the story for anyone. :) 

Reviewed by Erica  ✰✰✰✰

After reading the first six books in this series, never in a million years would I have pictured Steele to be so...romantic. I don't really know what I expected when I started this book, but it really does seem like the hardest asses of them all fall THE hardest in love and that is no more truer than in this book when Steele is captivated by Maren and her cute little glasses and falls head over heels on his tight ass in love. He is romantic. He is hot. He is sweet. He is alpha male to the max. He doesn't shy away from her secret. It's just...awesome. This series...well, the Kellys better keep adding staff because I don't ever want to see this series come to an end. Military guys with a strong sense of family, big hearts and an undying devotion to the women that love them? Yes, sir, may I have another? 

For more information on this series and Maya's other books, please check out her website.

http://www.mayabanks.com/

 

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