Some recent treasures that found their way to my Kindle

So – It’s been a little while since my last post.  I haven’t meant to stay away but my eyes have been glued to my Kindle.  I recently came across a few treasures….some great reads that unfortunately, I did not review – not because I did not want to, but because I let too much time pass, and too many other pages read, between the time I finished them and the time I sat down at the computer.  I am finding I must review right away, if I intend to, and that proves difficult sometimes when I am wrapping up a book at 2:00-3:00 in the morning….then I start a new book the next day and I am lost again.  So - here is what I recently found:

The Crash Series - by Nicole Williams.  The trilogy consists of Crash, Clash and Crush.  I read them all in a matter of 4 or 5 days and loved the series.  Here is the synopsis of book #1:

Jude Ryder and Lucy Larson are this generation's Romeo and Juliet: Explosive. Sizzling. Tragic.

A steamy summer encounter with bad boy Jude means trouble for Lucy. Her sights are set on becoming a ballerina, and she won't let anything get in her way . . . except Jude.

He's got a rap sheet, dangerous mood swings, and a name that's been sighed, shouted, and cursed by who knows how many girls.

Jude's a cancer, the kind of guy who's fated to ruin the lives of girls like Lucy—and he tells her so.

But as rumors run rampant and reputations are destroyed, Lucy's not listening to Jude's warning. Is tragedy waiting in the wings? This racy romance is hot, hot, hot!

So – after diving in, I found that the characters were a little younger than I normally read.  But as I have said before, it seems all the good books lately are starring younger and younger characters.  Doesn’t anything hot and steamy happen after the age of 35-40?   Anyway, I wonder if I had known the ages of the characters, if I would have proceeded with reading?  Not sure, but I am so glad I read this book.  I just love falling in love with the bad boys!  If someone asked me what this series compared to, I would suggest the Thoughtless series.    Bad Boy, angsty relationship, second guessing and trust issues, etc.  It was a great series and was my first introduction to Nicole Williams writing.  I will certainly check out other books from her.

Strings (Hard Rock Harlots #1) by Kendall Grey.  This also was my first introduction to this author.  I gotta say this was my most , ummm, interesting read lately.   An author page that I “like” on facebook recommended and had commented on the disclaimer written on the book.  Well, once I took a look and read the disclaimer, there was no way I could not proceed.  This book was unlike anything I had read to date.  Ummm – you are just gonna have to take a look for yourself.  Check out the disclaimer and synopsis below:

WARNING: STRINGS is not suitable for slut shamers, uptight stone throwers, Holier-Than-Thou prudes, humorless virgins, persons with chronic neck or back pain, pearl-clutching bitties, those who disparage crude humor or vulgarity in their many forms, closed-minded people with sticks up their asses, or anyone under the age of 18. The vile, base language and shocking, unholy sexual acts contained herein are not condoned by anyone with a lick of sense and should certainly not be reproduced without proper training and protection. The potty-mouthed and perpetually horny "heroine" (the term is used loosely) of this book does not resemble a normal, well-adjusted, or remotely believable person in any way, shape, or form. The author acknowledges that the characters in this book are shallow and two-dimensional; the plot is both ridiculous and insipid. She makes no apologies for any of it.

* Readers are strongly advised to wear latex gloves whilst reading to minimize contamination risks.

Free-spirited musician Letty Dillinger adheres to a strict, "no strings attached" policy when it comes to men. After a wild night of unabashed sex in a fancy hotel room, she never expects to see the adventurous stud she dubs "Shades" again. When her all-girl rock trio books a tour at the last minute as the opening act for their archenemies, Letty's shocked to discover she knows the competition's new lead singer. Intimately. Shades is no longer a one-night stand. Now he's the guy she has to one-up on stage every night for the sake of her career.

Sharing close quarters on a bus with her sexy nemesis and his bad-boy buddies puts Letty's Golden Rule to the test. On this tour, guitar strings aren't the only things being played. And when heartstrings are pulled too hard, they're bound to snap sooner or later.

OK – so I laughed at the warning disclaimer – but it is no joke.  I started this book and many times thought to myself, I CANNOT read this….there is no way I could continue.  But there was also no way I could really stop either.  It was DIRTY.  I found myself so embarrassed that I was reading such things.  Letty talks worse than sailor.  The things that come out of her mouth and mind just floored me.  I felt like I should be hiding in the corner and peeking over the edge of my ereader to make sure no one was watching me and trying to read my facial expressions.  I am imaging my face was all shades of red….just about every page I felt like I needed to be cleansed……BUT if you can get thru the X-rated smut and vulgar language, the story hidden in the pages was really quite good!  Take that disclaimer VERY VERY serious.   If you think you can handle it – go for it.  You don’t have to tell anyone you read it…….but I bet you will.  Just don’t tell your momma! She would not be proud of your taste in books - but she would be proud for your bargain shopping, as this little trinket is currently 99 cents.

No Attachments by Tiffany King.  Guess it’s a time for new author, because this was my first read from Tiffany King.  I really enjoyed this book and will read more from her.   I feel in love with the characters and their witty banter.

Here is what I shared on Goodreads:  I loved Ashton and Nathan’s story.  I love a book where I can smile and laugh through the dialogue.  I loved their fun and witty banter.  I loved their dates, I loved that I was still surprised, even though I thought I knew where things were going.  I loved that I giggled through their dialogue, swooned through their emotions (the ones they fought within themselves, as well as one another) and I cried through the emotional battles, and sighed with a very full heart.

So what’s it about?  Here is the synopsis:

** Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations, language and mature subject matter **

Ashton Garrison walked away from a privileged life in order to hide from the one thing she's not willing to face. She knows she left behind a trail of pain, but in the long run, her betrayal will hurt less than the truth. She now has one goal: Live life to the fullest with no regrets and no attachments. She has high hopes that a move to new surroundings will provide the escape she desires, but what Ashton doesn't count on is how fate always seems to find a way to screw up any good plan. Sometimes, when love comes knocking, the pull is too strong not to answer. Suddenly, what she thought she wanted to escape from is what Ashton now wants more than anything.

Nathan Lockton has one mission: find his target and complete the task he was hired to do—no attachments and no emotion necessary. He's done it over and over again. What he thought was a typical lost-and-found job has turned into a life examining moment as Nathan is forced to deal with something he has always ignored--his feelings. Now faced with a decision, Nathan must choose to either follow his heart or complete the job.

Love can come when you least expect it. The question is: If the odds are stacked against you, how far are you willing to go for the one you love?

Download to your Kindle today – only 99 cents!

Book Review – Twisted Perfection (Perfection #1) by Abbi Glines - FIVE STARS

Book Review – Twisted Perfection (Perfection #1) by Abbi Glines  - FIVE STARS

I fell in love today…….with Woods Kerrington.  Yes, we met him in the Too Far series by Abbi Glines.   She thought he deserved his own story and I could NOT agree more.    What is not to love?  He’s handsome, drives a truck, has a little money in his pocket and is a hands-on, fix-it kind of guy!

Here’s the synopsis:

Life outside of her house was a new experience for Della Sloane. The dark secrets of her past weren’t something she ever intended to share with anyone. They would never understand. No one would ever get close enough to find out. There was always a chance she’d go crazy sooner than they expected…

Woods Kerrington had never been one to be attracted to fragile females. They seemed like too much work. He wasn’t in it for the work just the pleasure. A night full of naughty fun had been exactly what was on his mind when he’d laid eyes on the hot little number that didn’t know how to pump gas and needed some help.

What he didn’t know was she was as fragile as they came.
The carefree girl who spoke her mind and didn’t care what the world thought of her was more breakable than he could ever imagine…

Again, this book is a spin off from Abbi’s “Too Far” Series, and could be read on its own.  However, I would recommend you read Fallen Too Far and Never Too Far first…..because if you don’t, you are only depriving yourself of NOT falling in love with Rush and Blair’s story.  (Note:  the 3^rd installment of the Too Far series will be released sometime this summer)

Anyway, about Twisted Perfection:   I loved the banter and attraction between Della and Woods during their first encounter.  My first thoughts of Della were “what a floozy!”  but I fell in love with her too…her story, what she is overcoming, getting over her fears, taking life by the reigns....we should all be so carefree at times in our lives.   Woods could easily offend you…..he is very direct in his sexual desires – never hesitating to say what he wants and how badly he wants it.  He was never looking for love.  Hell, he never knew he wanted it.  His family certainly has other plans for him.  Della is scared and a little damaged.  Woods so desperately needs to heal her and I don’t think there is anything that can stop him…..I can’t wait to see where the rest of their story goes.

This author has really captured me.  This is only the 3^rd book I have read from this author.  She pulls me totally in every time…..this one might be my favorite yet. You know you are in deep when you find your body slightly swaying, as Woods holds Della to him, cradling and comforting her through her fight with demons.   You can bet my kindle will be filled with many of her writings.

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Book Review: Collide (Vol 1) by Gail McHugh – FIVE STARS!!!

Book Review:  Collide (Vol 1) by Gail McHugh – FIVE STARS!!!

OMG!!!!  I just finished this book!   I started it yesterday and was up until 3am reading it this morning, when I finally had to force myself to go to sleep because I had to be up at 6.  As soon as I got home from work, I immediately dove it.   My emotions, right now, are all over the place.  I am hoping I can put coherent thoughts together long enough to make a decent review.

Holy Cow – where do I begin….Let’s start with the synopsis:

A missed first encounter…

Colliding with a second chance…

On the heels of graduating college and trying to cope with her mother’s death, Emily Cooper moves to New York City for a fresh start.

While harboring secrets of his own, Dillon Parker takes care of Emily through her grief. Knowing he can’t live without her by his side, he’s sweet, thoughtful, and everything Emily has ever wanted in a man.

Until she meets Gavin Blake—a rich and notorious playboy who is dangerously sexy and charming as hell. Emily tries to deny the instant connection she feels, but Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome is not inclined to let go so easily. Recovering from his own painful past, Gavin will stop at nothing to win Emily over.

This unexpected encounter compels Emily to question her decisions, forcing her to make a choice that will destroy friendships, shatter hearts, and forever change her life.

This book (the first of a 2 part series) encompassed it all…..

I empathized with Emily with the loss of a parent, and fear of the unknown.   At briefly appreciated the first signs of possessiveness of her boyfriend, Dillon.  I mean come on, what girl doesn’t want their man to feel a little possessive every now and again.  And how he took care of her….how can you not love him for late?  Later, I wanted to beat the crap out of the guy. 

Emily drove me nuts……how can she believe a guy who lies to her over and over and not believe the one who is honest?    Yet, I felt for her……to feel obligated to one love and so passionate for another.   To stare at temptation…….i remember that feeling and remember how scary it is trying to make the right decision.

I immediately fell in love with Gavin.  I loved his playfulness, his passion, his banter, his will-power and yet the lack of will-power.  My heart broke for him.  I became his #1 cheerleader.  Inside my head, I SCREAMED at him when he made one very stupid decision. 

“Your mind and your body will never forget the things I’m going to do to you tonight.   Every…single…inch of your body if going to feel me”

HAVE MERCY!

And what a cliffhanger ending!!!  I gotta change my ways – waiting for sequels is killing me. I keep saying I am no longer going to read a series until each book has been published.  But I am such a sucker and must enjoy being tortured.  This book ended with my pulse quickened and breathless.   Summer can’t get here soon enough – when Pulse, book 2 of the 2 part series, is released!!!!

Book Review - The Edge of Never by J.A Redmerski - 5 STARS!!!!

Book review – The Edge of Never by J. A. Redmerski

 

I read this book in early February and LOVED it! Definitely 5 STARS....one of my favorite books ever read so I had to sit down to write a review.  I was a little hesitant to read it at first, because the characters are younger that I really wanted read.  However, I am finding that is the case with many of the books I am loving right now.  Surely exciting things happen to people above the age of 30.  Right???   OK – don’t answer that – it could depress a lot of people. 

OK – back to the book.  Here is the synopsis:

Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett thought she knew exactly where her life was going. But after a wild night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she shocks everyone-including herself-when she decides to leave the only life she's ever known and set out on her own. Grabbing her purse and her cell phone, Camryn boards a Greyhound bus ready to find herself. Instead, she finds Andrew Parrish.

Sexy and exciting, Andrew lives life like there is no tomorrow. He persuades Camryn to do things she never thought she would and shows her how to give in to her deepest, most forbidden desires. Soon he becomes the center of her daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But there is more to Andrew than Camryn realizes. Will his secret push them inseparably together-or destroy them forever?

I gotta tell ya, I can’t really explain the connection I felt to the characters is this book.   This book pulled me in on such a personal level.  So the book starts in Raleigh, NC…near where I live.  The main characters meet on a Greyhound bus….um, my parents met on a Greyhound bus, fell in love and were married for over 30 years, until cancer took my father when he was too young to die.  I fell in love with these characters.  I loved their inner struggles and the struggles with each other……I loved their quick banter (their Wal-Mart banter had me giggling like a school girl), I loved their journey.  It was fun and suspenseful and sexy and emotional….it was inspiring and it was exhausting.  I laughed, I cried.  OH GOD, did I cry!!!!  I remember reading on my lunch break at the office.   My coworker heard me sniffling and asked if I was crying….those cries became emotional sobs…..like body quivering kind of sobs….with the walnut chin (you know what I am talking about – everyone who does the ugly cry gets that walnut looking chin – don’t say you don’t!)  I was probably pretty useless the rest of the day. My lunch break ended and I was about 85% through the book.   I did complete my work for the day, but I can’t say my work was efficient and accurate….I am sure I was in a daze for the remainder of the day because those words put on paper CONSUMED me.  At quitting time, I was very surprised I did not just sit in my car in the parking lot to finish the book.  But, I wanted to be in the privacy of my own home when the emotional breakdown that I just knew was coming hit.   

"For the first time in my life, I've felt whole, alive, free.  You were the missing piece of my soul, the breath in my lungs, the blodd in my veins.  I think that is past lives are real then we have been lovers in every single one of them.  I've known you for a short time, but I feel like I've known you forever." - Andrew

The author pulled me in and sucked all emotion form me.  I was done……and I will read every book this author publishes.

Discovered a few goodies last week

Last week was a heavy reading week.  I was able to log some good mileage on the treadmill, but that was followed up with a day of rest with a good book when I was not feeling well on Sunday.  After finishing up Reckless last week, I picked up a few other books.  I am finding that many of the books have characters that are younger than I might like to read.....but I guess no one wants to read about those in their 40's :)   I really liked them all!

**Please note - all photos below will link you to amazon link for the book**

Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines
Description:

To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter.

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother.

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far.

 Blair and Rush's story continued in Never Too Far.  I won't post the synopsis of this one, to eliminate spoiling the outcome.    There will be a 3rd book, but it will focus on a different character that we met in books 1 and 2.  The author has recently shared that she has decided to give us more of Rush and Blair in book 4, but no title or release date has been shared.


Beauty From Pain by Georgia Cates
Description:

A New York Times and USA Today Bestseller....

They agreed on three months...but their love knew no boundaries.

Jack McLachlan is a winemaking magnate and easily one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors. His success and wealth makes him no stranger to the complications of romantic relationships and that’s why he goes to extreme measures to avoid the hassle. He prefers simplicity in the form of a beautiful female companion with no strings attached. He arranges relationships like business deals and they’re always the same. No long term relationships. No real names.

It’s his game and his rules. He’s content to play as usual, but when Laurelyn Prescott enters his life, his strategy must change because this player is like none he's ever encountered. His world is turned on its head after he begins a three month affair with the beautiful American musician. Nothing goes according to plan and as he breaks more and more of his own rules for her, she’s exceptionally close to becoming something he never thought possible. His ultimate game changer.

Beauty From Pain is an adult contemporary novel and is not intended for younger readers due to mature content.

Rule by Jay Crownover  **note - this one had quite a few spelling and grammatical errors, but still a very good story and the author take note of his editing errors in the closing....not bad for one of his first books**

Description:

I loved Rule Archer since the first moment I ever laid eyes on him. He was everything I shouldn't want and the only person I went out of my way to not try and please. He only saw me as a brat, as an entitled, stuck up princess but worse than that all he saw when he looked at me was his deceased twin brother's girl. It broke my heart because as much as I had loved Remy Archer there was never anything romantic between us and no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that loving Rule was a terrible idea, my poor heart just wouldn't listen. We tolerated each other, barely. We forged an uneasy alliance until one night I had too much to drink and changed the way we were forever. Suddenly life long secrets were no longer hidden and the one thing I always wanted for myself seemed obtainable as long as I was willing to go through hell to hold onto it.

Shaw Landon was a class act and I had no idea what to do with her. She was tied to my family, tied to the person that was my other half so I tolerated her and her haughty attitude because I didn't have any other choice. What I didn't know was that a short skirt and too many cocktails on her birthday was going to change my outlook on her for the rest of my life. Some people thought I hid behind all my tattoos and piercings, that I tried to distance myself from my dead twin, Shaw saw through it all and wasn't scared of what was underneath.

We weren't supposed to be together, weren't supposed to be anything except uncomfortable acquaintances but that all changed in the blink of an eye. Now I had to figure out just how a girl like her and a guy like me were supposed to be in love without destroying each other. Add in her custom made ex and two disapproving sets of parents and the whole situation sounded to me like it was more trouble then it was worth.

Recommended for mature readers due to sexual content, language and drinking

All good things come to an end.......

I waited and waited.....finally March 5 arrived.  No - it was not a birthday, not an anniversary - it was the release date of RECKLESS, by S. C. Stephens.  This was the final book in the Thoughtless Trilogy.   I had been counting down the days, had alerts set on my iPhone calendar.  I was prepared and anxious as could be.  I am usually a night owl, but the night of March 4th, I was so tired!   I wanted to stay up until midnight, in hopes that Amazon would have the link to the ebook live and ready to purchase.  I didn't make it....sleep took over.  HOWEVER, I am not entirely certain that I did not wake up at 3am, grab my iPhone beside me and look on Amazon to see if the link was live for purchasing.  It either happened, or it was a dream....either way, is that pathetic?   I woke later, at 5am and quickly made my purchase and began reading as soon as it downloaded on my Kindle.  I was able to squeeze in an hour of reading before I had to get up and get ready for work. At the end of the day, I rushed home, guilty of all kinds of traffic violations.... immediately changed into my workout gear and jumped on the treadmill.   After about 3.5 miles, and my lungs still recovering from a sinus infection, I had to give up the walking.   I am not sure if it was the treadmill or the book that was leaving me breathless.  I LOVE THIS TRILOGY.  I love the drama, the passion, the angst, the intensity, the characters, I love everything about it.   I sat there reading, for the next 6 hours.   As much as I could not wait to read the entire book....to find out what emotions and treasures I would find within, I knew that I should slow down and give it a rest because I knew I never wanted it to end.   Finally, at almost 1am, I forced myself to put the book down and let sleep take me ......I woke the next morning, an hour before my alarm went off.....normally I would have gone right back to sleep....I am SO not a morning person and value my sleep......but no, I grabbed the Kindle to squeeze in as many pages as I could before having wake my son and start our morning routine for work and school.   Let me tell you, the work day could not end soon enough!  After a quick errand, I was home, in my happy spot, Kindle in hand!!!!  I read for hours and then the disappointment set in - not because it was not the ending that I was looking for, but because it had to end at all.   Reading those last pages and closing the cover, a sadness set it.  The only negative thing I can say about the book is that it was the end......and with that it left me wondering, now what????  How can one author suck me in and get me so attached to these fictional characters??