Bound with Honor (Regency Reimagined, #4) by Megan Mulry

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

I'm not going to lie, the whole idea of this book really appealed to me after reading the blurb, and the cover was definitely intriguing. Two guys in a loose relationship of sorts and two women in a solid relationship, but somehow it all comes together? Sign me up, because that sounds like fantastic conflict! Bound with Honor totally lived up to all of my expectations in a big way, and I'm going to encourage you guys to give it a try. Love is love, and these four express it in a beautiful way once they get past all of their hang-ups.

The only thing that I was hoping for was more interaction between the four of them. Things for all of them didn't come together until the very end, and I just wanted to see a bit further down the road into their relationship. One thing I wasn't expecting was just how well written this book was. I loved it, and I will definitely be checking out more from this author in the future. Bound with Honor was packed with plenty of steam, conflict, and tension so it is no wonder I couldn't put it down. I read this in one sitting if that tells you how much I loved it. Take a chance, and you might just be surprised how much you like it too!

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*  

For more information about this series or more of Megan's books, please check out her website.

http://www.meganmulry.com/

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Tough Love (Ultimate #3) by Lori Foster

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

For some reason this new Ultimate series just isn't appealing to me in the same way Foster's books have in the past. I've been trying to pin point the issue for me, and I think it is just that they seem forced and rather farcical. The plots points just don't seem to work in the same ways for me that her other books have, and sadly Tough Love fell into this category for me as well.

Stack is your consummate playboy, and Vanity wants nothing more than to tame him. She hatched a plan to set things up in a way to ease him into a forever relationship. This deception, or really lack of deception and more the regular progression of a relationship, didn't really jive well for me. I know Stack has trust issues and hates lies, but easing him into a relationship wasn't exactly a lie even by omission to me. *shrug* I also think that the conflict with the brother-in-law and ex didn't sit well either. It was almost comical in the way that part of the plot played out, and it was entirely predictable.

On the plus side though, these two definitely had plenty of sexual chemistry and tension going on! I loved that they were fun and almost playful in the bedroom. It made those scenes special, but lordy be if they got interrupted one more time I was about ready to scream myself. Overall, both Stack and Vanity were strong characters, and I liked them immensely. They both brought baggage to the table, but they were endearingly sweet together. I so wanted them to be able to keep the dogs, because they were so cute together with them!!!

I'm not giving up on this series though, and I think aside from my issues with it that you guys will still enjoy reading it. I've been anticipating Armie and Marissa's book for some time now, and the tension between them is KILLING me. I seriously can't wait for all of that to explode!

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

For more information about this series or more of Lori's books, please check out her website.

http://www.lorifoster.com/

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Spiral of Need (The Mercury Pack #1) by Suzanne Wright

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

Spiral of Need was a really great read, guys. It was action packed with plenty of Wright's trademark steam between her Alpha shifters. I did like that she broke away from the pattern that seemed to develop over the course of the Phoenix Pack series, and I'm excited for where this new series is going to go.

I've been looking forward to Derren finding his mate since the last Phoenix Pack book, Dark Instincts, where he was a bit of a turd to Shaya (although she might have deserved a bit of it). I've got to say that Wright made a perfect match for him with Ally despite Derren and his pack's immense hate for Seers. That added a great amount of conflict to their relationship. Both of these characters have an immense amount of baggage, but I liked they also weren't afraid to share those parts of themselves with one another as their relationship progressed. Oh boy, did these two pack a punch with their sexual chemistry and tension, but Derren had this tender side to him that I just adored as much as Ally did. Ally was one kick-ass heroine, just like all of the females are in this series, and

So needless to say, you've got to read this one! Personally, I'd start off with the Phoenix Pack books although I think this could be read as a standalone as well. I just think you get a better feel for all of the characters and the dynamics between them if you start at the beginning. :) Definitely give this one a read though, because I know you'll love it as much as I do.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author in exchange for my honest review.*

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

http://www.suzannewright.co.uk

  Spiral of Need will be released on September 29, 2015

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Running with Scissors by L.A. Witt

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

I was really impressed with Running with Scissors, and I'm going to fan girl a bit for this review.  I simply love LA Witt's books, and this is going to go down as one of my favorites from her. Boy can the girl write!  This book had a perfect balance of angst and romance, and the intense chemistry between Jude and AJ will downright set your ebook on fire.

I don't think you can get a more complicated situation than what Jude is facing, but you have to admire him because he definitely steps up to the plate to handle the mess of his own creation when it comes to the band. Unfortunately, things are not exactly easy for him and the tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife.  He promised Kristy, the band's manager, that he wouldn't engage in a relationship with any of his fellow band mates for the sake of the band, but the draw to AJ is more than either of them can take. Seriously guys, the sexual tension between these two is pretty heady stuff, and once they give in it is pure, carnal, and so much more than just a simple case of lust. But when the band finds out what has been going on behind their backs, Jude's impulsive behavior is going to be the least of his problems.

I couldn't get enough of this book, and I'm seriously hoping that we will get a series out of this. I want the to see the other band mates fall in love and what complications that is going to bring to them as a group. I think the most deserving though is Connor. That scene there at the end cemented it for me that he deserves his own book. So pretty please can we have more with Running with Scissors????

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

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

 

http://www.loriawitt.com/


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Lights, Camera, Cupid (Bluewater Bay #6) by LA Witt, Amy Lane, SE Jakes, Anne Tenino, and Z.A. Maxfield

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

Just Another Day by L.A. Witt     4 stars

This was such an adorable read! I loved that they have conflict, but the way that they resolved it was so endearingly sweet. I just can't get enough of these two.

Nascha by Amy Lane      4.5 stars

At first this short story was quite confusing, but once I figured things out it was quite good. My heart was breaking for three people so obviously in love that couldn't actually be together because of society being accepting. Despite it being heartbreaking at times, it was realistic so I enjoyed that. I felt so much for Nascha for everything he had to endure in his life. It was a bittersweet read for sure.

No Easy Way by SE Jakes     4 stars

Cary and Dylan have an undeniable connection, and Dylan was quite the romantic. Their story was kind of sad given all the time that has passed, but I think it will make their relationship that much stronger in the end. I didn't like the vague cheating going on, but the story needed some kind of conflict I guess and everything did seem a bit rushed. Overall though, I did enjoy this one.

Helping Hand by Anne Tenino      5 stars

I really loved this one. I didn't know what to think at first with it being a high school kid, but it was sweet, heart breaking, and just a wonderful read overall. I feel like something is there between these guys, so I can't wait to read their book.

I'll Be There by Z.A. Maxfield     2 stars

I find that there is always one story in an anthology that misses the mark, and unfortunately I'll Be There was my least favorite. I can't stress how much details matter, and this author had them all kinds of messed up. I could go on to point out all of the errors, but I'd rather just focus on the story itself. While reading, I just felt like this story was crazy. Literally, I felt like the characters all needed ADHD meds. It was erratic and frantic, and I just didn't enjoy that. The room mates on the other hand were quite funny, so I did like them. Overall, I just wasn't impressed with this story and unfortunately I doubt I will read the companion story for Spencer and Nash.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*  

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Broken Play (Birmingham Rebels, #1) by Samantha Kane

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

Can I just say that I am just loving the cover to this book? It's just as positively scrumptious as the book! I was beyond excited to see that Samantha Kane was going to be doing a contemporary series featuring football players. She writes some of my absolute favorite historical M/M/F books, and I've gotta say that Broken Play was just as sexy as those are, if not more so.

Cass has been Beau's rock and helped him through his drug addiction. He has a very commanding personality that suits Beau.  Cass even took him with him to play for the Birmingham Rebels, because these guys come as a packaged deal in every way. Sadly while they've always been close friends, they've never quite been able to bridge the gap to take the next step in their relationship...well that is until Marian.  While she may be the missing link for these guys, Beau and Cass show her how to let go of the past and embrace her inner sexual goddess.

I'm telling you guys, these three steam up the pages, but that last scene was full of surprises all the way around. I think my only complaint from the book, was that it felt like the ending was far too rushed. I wanted more with just the three main characters, and we didn't really get that.  Now given that last scene, I'm chomping at the bit to get my hands on the book for the other guys on the team, so I'm eagerly anticipating the next in the series. Keep up the fantastic work, Samantha!

*I received a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

For more information about this series or Samantha's books, please check out her website. 

http://samanthakane.us 


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Penalty Play (Power Play, #3) by Lynda Aicher

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

So the third book in the Power Play series finally hit the mark for me. Admittedly, I was really disappointed in the heroines in the first two books, but this one was much better. Jacqui still had her hangups and liked to run away when things got serious, but I could understand her rational which made it that much easier for me to like her. She was a remarkable character with such strength despite her very real fears that made her react out of preservation for others far too quickly. I loved her family, and that she gave Henrik a family he so deserved with them.  Her brothers were an absolute riot, and I kind of wish we could get their stories, too. :)

Henrik, on the other hand, was quite a surprise to me on every level. I should have known better given how he acted in the previous book that he had hidden depths to him, but yet I was still surprised. He was a passionate man with an unbelievable capacity to love. He was also underestimated from everyone around him that thought they knew the real him.  I think the only thing that hung me up was when he was in Boston, because I just didn't feel like that reveal was a driving force for him to do what he did at the end. I would have understood him doing it for himself and not having this push from an outside force in the story.

This story was emotional, and I really enjoyed it through some tears both happy and sad.  Now I'm curious to see if Aicher plans to do anymore books for this series, because I think I'd enjoy getting books for some of the other guys on the team. Definitely check out this book guys, because I think you are going to really enjoy it. 

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

For more information about this series or Lynda's books, please check out her website.

http://lyndaaicher.com

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