Dirty Promises (Dirty Angels, #3) by Karina Halle

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

I really had no words after reading this one to describe how good it was. It was so incredibly brutal, but yet in the end beautiful in its own way too. No question about it, Javier is evil so going into this book you know it isn't going to be a sweet romance story. I think Karina even surprised me with just how bad he could be, but in the end you still find yourself rooting for him. I still can't figure out why that is, because I've always been so firmly set on liking the good guys. I guess in this book what it boiled down to was the lesser of two evils, and boy oh boy was Esteban pure evil.

Dirty Promises is one hell of a roller coaster ride with plenty of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. It's going to make you question just how much you can handle, but then it throw you right past that point giving you far more than you ever thought you could. It's intense and wild and sexy and just sooo much more. You cannot read this as a stand-alone, so I highly suggest you read all of the Dirty Angels books before you even attempt to read this. Better yet, read the Artist series before that too, because it will truly give you a bigger picture on Jaiver's character.  I've loved this series so much and I'm sad that this is the end, but I think Javier deserves to just rule his empire in what little peace he can find in his line of work.

Karina...once again you amazed me with your incredible talent. You are so mind-fuckingly brilliant I just can't handle it sometimes, so keep up the wonderful work! lol

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

http://www.authorkarinahalle.com

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A Whisper of Desire (The Disgraced Lords #4) by Bronwen Evans

Reviewed by Tabatha   ✰✰✰✰

 

I've been contemplating this review for a bit, because while I loved this book I did have some issues with the way it ended. Bronwen Evans writes amazing historical romance with so much mystery and intrigue you can't help but get sucked into the story. I simply love everything I've read, and each of these Disgraced Lords books has kept me hanging on for the next book to see what is going to happen next.

So I bet you are wondering why I said that I had issues with the ending. Well, I'm not going to tell you simply because it would ruin the book for you, and I'm not about to do that to anyone. Let's just say that something happens that not only made my heart ache as if it had been beaten to a pulp, but I even ugly cried. I hate ugly crying!!!  It probably had more to do with me on a personal front, but I just felt doing that to the characters wasn't necessary and it kind of ruined the book for me there at the end. BUT...and I say a big BUT because leading up to that this book was everything that I've come to love from Evans writing, and I do still highly suggest it. The romance between Marisa and Maitland was just  a thing of beauty when they were together. He struggled in vain to keep her at a distance hurting Marisa emotionally, but once he gives in it is truly beautiful.

I'm just dying to get my hands on the next book, because something major is about to go down! If you love historical romance, I promise you can't go wrong with Bronwen Evans so definitely give the Disgraced Lords series a read.

Reviewed by Kim   ✰✰✰✰✰

 

I am never disappointed by this author or this series. The Disgraced Lords series combines mystery, intrigue, romance, and history bring it all together in wonderful and thrilling story. In the beginning, I wasn't sure I was going to like Marissa. She seemed to be a beautiful but spoiled young woman, but the story progressed she becomes a very caring and compassionate woman. Maitland was just an amazing character. The control that he imposed on himself as punishment for his fathers behavior was heartbreaking and commendable. This is the kind of character that makes you want to take him and make everything better for him. These two unlikely characters are a perfect match all the way through. The strength and brilliance of the writing and prose shine through with all the twists and turns of a real page turner.  

*Review copies were received from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for our honest review.*

http://www.bronwenevans.com/

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Some Girls Lie (Outback Heat, #4) by Amy Andrews

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

I guess I'm coming in on the end of the series, but this one can definitely be read as a stand-alone because I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything other than getting to know some of the secondary characters more. After reading Some Girls Lie though, I'm definitely going to be going back and reading all the rest of this series for sure. My heart hurt so much for JJ being in loving a man who not only was her best friend, but who also couldn't even manage to see her as a woman. She was always just his rock steady friend when she wanted so much more. But we all know guys are dense, so it wasn't really a shock. I think what it boiled down more to was that he just didn't want to ever lose that relationship with JJ that he held so dear, so he never thought of her in that way.

I loved the Aussie Outback setting. I just adore books set in Australia, so it was a big highlight for me. When these two embark on their charade, they really aren't fooling anyone but themselves. They all know that the only person who is really going to get hurt in the end, is JJ. I mean Ethan is a great guy and all, but he has so many hangups that I found it hard to believe his about face with JJ. I think too much focus in the book was on his not being able to love that when he finally admits to being in love with her, it just didn't seem real. Aside from that, I really enjoyed this book and like I said I want to read it from the start so I get more time with all of these awesome characters. It was a fun read and I definitely suggest it.

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

http://www.amyandrews.com.au 

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Calling the Play (Birmingham Rebels #2) by Samantha Kane

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

Overall I enjoyed reading Calling the Play, but I won't say that I was blown away by it either. Am I the only one that thinks this one just ended really abruptly? I just felt like it ended with no real rhyme or reason giving this book a less than stellar finish. That kind of irritated me, because I thought there was more to the story than that.

Now the sex scenes, whew did those pack that awesome Samantha Kane punch as always. But on the other hand, we were also teased with a few scenes that were never followed through as well. Not nice to tease, Samantha. *tisk tisk* Anyhoo, that was kind of a let down, but the biggest one was the the weak plot and the lack of emotional connection I felt between the characters. Maybe it's just me. *shrug*

I really want to love this series, trust me I do. It has all the right components that I love, but it just isn't working for me the same way Kane's books have in the past. Her Brother's in Arms series is fantastic! Now I think the potential is there though, so I'm definitely not going to be giving up. Like I said, I enjoyed this book but I didn't love it. If you love menage, then you are going to enjoy it too because it is worth reading just for those sex scenes alone. *winks* Now I wonder who is next of the Rebels. Danny and Tim perhaps? Guess I will wait and see!

*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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White Hot Christmas: A Heart of Fame Christmas Story by Lexxie Couper

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

Oh Nick, I can't even begin to count the ways in which I adore you. In White Hot Christmas, we find Nick waiting in the Sydney airport trying to make his way through customs so he can spend the holidays with Lauren. Unfortunately for him, quite a lot stands in the way of his goal. I just loved the cameo of Curtis in here, and when Nick finally arrives home things get sizzling hot pretty quickly. This was a short and sweet holiday story, and I will always read something that has my favorite rock God in it. :) Seriously, if you guys haven't read the Heart of Fame series, I definitely suggest you do. There is something about this whole crew of rockers that just melts me and I cannot get enough of them!

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

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

http://www.lexxiecouper.com

 

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Rain Shadow (Bluewater Bay #10) by L.A. Witt

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

I just love returning to Bluewater Bay, and LA Witt always makes it such an enjoyable visit too! Rain Shadow was a wonderful addition to this much beloved series, and I just adored Jeremy and Scott!

Being a bodyguard for Anna means Jeremy already has to deal with a lot of drama going on, and things between Anna and her girlfriend Leigh are about to explode. But Jeremy also has his own set of issues as well. His divorce has created a huge divide between him and his kids that seems insurmountable. It is also distracting him from his job when distraction could easily lead to someone getting hurt.

Scott came to Bluewater Bay to escape the pain from when his boyfriend was shot in the line of duty. Now twenty years later, being alone is exactly how he prefers to live his life. Even though his profession as a family counselor helps others work through their relationships, the last thing he wants is to get involved in another relationship himself.

When these two meet by chance on an early morning trip into the wilderness, the sparks are immediate and scorching. Neither one of them want to get into a relationship, and they decide to stick with having amazing sex as often as they can instead. But as the weeks go by, they find that is exactly what they have right before they lose it.

Jeremy and Scott were a great couple once you look beyond all the baggage that they both carry. These two are oh so sexy, and I'm telling you guys they rock it in the bedroom! Whew, were they hot! I also liked that both men were older. Being more experienced means they both have learned the hard way to be okay with who they are and what they want in life. I think that also helped them when it came down to repairing their relationship. Age and wisdom can do wonderful things, and both of them showed that they had a relationship worth fighting for even when they both didn't intend on having one in the fist place. Like I said, this was a great addition to the Bluewater Bay series, and now I can't wait for Anna's story!

*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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Rock Me Two Times (Rock Band #1) by Dawn Ryder

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

Rock Me Two Times was an overall enjoyable read. I thought the characters were interesting enough, even if I did hate the hero's name and kept replacing it with Simon instead. (Don't ask, it's just something I do) I liked that Kate wasn't a push over when it came to following her rules. But all it took, was one sexy rock star to make her change her mind and all her preconceived notions along the way as well. I don't blame her one bit though. Syon, on the other hand, was a delicious package of dominant, sexy goodness with a head for business that separated him from any other rock star type I've read. Perhaps it was his military background that gave him that extra edge? I don't know, but it worked for me. I also found it too funny that the author compared him to the Goblin King in Labyrinth. Now all I can think of is Syon in Lycra blue pants leaving nothing to the imagination. LOL

Anyhoo, I digress. :)  So what was up with Ramsey? I was all for the three of them getting it on together, and the title even alludes to Kate being rocked twice, so I was so confused by this "connection" the guys had. Kate was uncomfortable with it at first, but just when she was warming up to the idea Syon flips a switch and it is all becomes just him and Kate. I didn't understand it, and I think it would have been far better had that been left out given the lack of follow through. It was pretty easy to figure out who the "bad guy" was in the story making it predictable, but it also didn't deter from the story in any way. I do have one question though.  Why did Kate have to sit out in the crowd anyhow if Syon was worried about her safety all the time? Plenty of people watch from the side of the stage, right? It seemed rather silly is all I'm saying if he was that concerned. So overall, there were a few inconsistencies I noticed throughout the book, but like I said it was overall still an enjoyable read despite a few hangups. Now will I read more about the guys from Toxsin? We'll see...

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

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

http://www.dawnryder.com/ 

 

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