ARC Review: RAIN SHADOW (Bluewater Bay, #10) by L.A. Witt

Summary:

Jeremy Rose came to Bluewater Bay to work as Anna Maxwell’s bodyguard, not to escape his increasingly bitter relationship with his estranged kids. He just wants to focus on his job and be alone for a while. He’s done with love, especially now that three years after his long overdue divorce, he’s got a front-row seat to the rapid deterioration between Anna and her girlfriend. Cynical doesn’t even begin to describe him.

Then Anna and Leigh’s attempts to reconcile put him in the crosshairs of marriage counselor Scott Fletcher. Scott’s exactly what Jeremy needs right now: gorgeous, hot, horny, single, and 100% uninterested in a relationship. The problem is, too much no-strings-attached sex—and too much time in each other’s company—inevitably builds emotional connection.

Except Jeremy refuses to seek counseling for his broken family, and Scott refuses to get seriously involved with men who work dangerous jobs. They both need to realize they can only hide for so long from the pain they came here to escape. They must face their pasts before they lose their shot at a happy future.

 

Buy links:
Riptide Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo |All Romance eBooks | iBooks 

Connect with the author:

 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

Review:

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars, which means, you know, I really liked it!

I was dead, wasn’t I? And heaven was actually a hot guy’s bed with an eternal supply of lube, wasn’t it?

NetGalley is addictive -- why didn't anyone warn me?! Just when I was telling myself I have more than enough books to read and review, I saw Rain Shadow, and, damn it, I just had to click on that Request button. I had to! I hadn't read any of the Bluewater Bay stories, but always wanted to. It's L.A. Witt, so of course I wanted to read it. But the most important reason was that lately I've been in a no-excessive-drama-or-angst-in-books mood, and I expected/hoped this would be a story about a hot relationship between two men, laced with some problems they would promptly solve, and all that in just the right number of pages: not too few, not too many -- just right. And I was right: Rain Shadow was all I hoped it would be.


This is Bluwater Bay story #10, but it's my first, so I believe it's important to point out that for me it worked perfectly fine as a standalone. While reading it, I never felt as though I was missing something because I hadn't read any of the previous books. I think it's possible some of the characters that did appear here were the main characters from some of the previous stories, and if that's true, those who've read about them would be happy to see them again. To me they were strangers, but I didn't mind it one bit. This was Jeremy's book (he's the one whose idea of heaven is at the beginning of my review ;)), and it never stopped being Jeremy's book.


What I learned from reading other people's reviews of some of the previous installments is that the stories revolved around Wolf's Landing, the TV-series that's being filmed in Bluewater Bay. I wouldn't say Rain Shadow revolved around it, but it was mentioned, and it is thanks to that series Jeremy Rose moved to Bluewater Bay: he was hired as the bodyguard of one of the directors/producers of the show, Anna Maxwell, who, I see now, will be getting her own book! Yay! But, back to the MC at hand, Jeremy. He may claim he made the move because his company sent him there, but the truth is more complex. After a long-overdue divorce, and what it did to his relationship with his children, he just needed to step away from it all for a while, and think of a way to repair it. Dating is definitely not an option for him, so when he meets Scott Fletcher, a man who pushes all his right buttons, and is also not interested in dating, especially someone in Jeremy's line of work... Well, as Jeremy put it:

A hot, insatiable man with no interest in a relationship? Color me hooked.

He was hooked, and they hooked-up a lot. Always fun --  by "fun" I mean sexy -- times when Scott and Jeremy got together, which is why I was glad they got together as often as possible. Things would get very hot very quickly when those two were in the same place, which is what I've come to expect from L.A. Witt's books, and exactly what I had hoped would happen.
Jeremy & Scott's sexy time sure were enjoyable, but so were the parts in between when they were learning how much they enjoyed each other's company, just being together. It was sweet, even if it did lead to the inevitable holy-shit-this-got-too-serious breakup. I knew they wouldn't take too much time in resolving their issues -- L.A.'s characters never do -- and they didn't, which was also sweet.
Ah, many good feels in this story...

Jeremy's main problem, what was worrying him the most, his strained relationship with his children, mainly his daughter, wasn't so easily fixed, but they've come a long way. I believe they'll make it.
More good feels...

And more good feels, I think, are to come in the next book, Stuck Landing, which will be about Anna. She kept appearing in this one as she was the one Jeremy's job was to protect, so I grew curious about her. I'm glad hers is the next story. I want to see what happens in her love life after everything she went through in that department in this book.


All in all, Rain Shadow is a book I've enjoyed reading immensely, and because I've enjoyed it this much, even though I have not read the rest of Bluewater Bay stories, I'll say this was a great addition to the series.
Recommended to L.A. Witt's fans, fans of this series, and hot M/M romance lovers in general.


***ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***

Until next time, happy reading!

XOXO,

 

SPOTLIGHT TOUR & CHARACTER BIO: Sinders and Ash (The Pennymaker Tales Series) by Tara Lain

Sinders and Ash

(The Pennymaker Tales Series)

by Tara Lain

Blurb: 

Housekeeper Mark Sintorella (Sinders) works diligently at a resort hotel while designing clothes anonymously, hoping to get into fashion school. Then his carefully planned life is upended with the arrival of Ashford Armitage, son of the fifth richest man in America—and the most beautiful guy Mark has ever seen. Ash must find a wife or he’ll lose his grandfather’s inheritance, and he settles on Bitsy Fanderel. But secretly Ash is gay, and the guy who cleans the fireplaces sets his heart ablaze.

Further stirring the pot is the little elf of a man, Carstairs Pennymaker, who has Mark wearing his own designs and masquerading as a girl to impress the fashion investors in the hotel. When the clock strikes twelve, two beautiful princesses line up for the wedding—but one isn’t a woman. Will the slipper fit? Only Mr. Pennymaker knows for sure.

Available for order at 

     

Character Bio - Sinders

Name: Mark Sintorella (Sinders) 

Age: 22 

Hair: Black and long; his mother loved his “crowning glory” so he keeps it long but hides it under a cap 

Occupation: Works in housekeeping for a resort hotel; aspiring fashion designer, trying to develop a portfolio so he can go to design school 

Family: He comes from a large Italian family. Only his mother supported him after he came out as gay and when she died, they threw him out and he lived on the streets


Motto: Work hard, stay anonymous, don’t expect much 

Passion: Falls hard for Aston Armitage, the billionaire’s son, the moment he sees him at the hotel 

Secret Weapon: Mr. Carstairs Pennymaker, his unexpected mentor and “fairy godmother”

About the Author

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her best­selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. 

She lives with her soul­mate husband and her soul­mate dog in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

You can find Tara at

               

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REVIEW: Woo Me by Karina Bliss

The Outback Bachelor Ball novella series

35,000 word novella (approx 100 pages)

Release date: Oct.20th 2015

Connect with Karina Bliss:

Official website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Summary

Can true love overcome a bad hide day and a series of unfortunate events?

Disillusioned in love, Jen Tremaine is done with men. So when her best friends dare her to wear a cow costume to their reunion at an Outback Bachelor & Spinster Ball, she's all over it. Who would have thought dressing as a heifer would make her irresistible to a bunch of lasso-twirling, drunken cowboys?

Maybe you should have thought this through, says the sexy security guard who keeps finding her at the center of trouble. Even though Jen's always dismissed soul mates as a load of bull, the sizzle between them is making her wonder: What if you met The One while wandering lonely as a cow? Would you find the courage to become a believer?

When ex-Special Forces soldier Logan Turner is roped into helping out with security at the B&S ball, he isn't expecting to find love - but after months in all-male company he sure is hoping for lust. Hecertainly isn't expecting to fall for a feisty, funny, trouble-making Cowderella. Only problem is, she's leaving Australia tomorrow.

Convincing Jen they can still have a future together may wind up being the toughest mission of his life.

***MY REVIEW***

Logan and Jen sure did woo me! The novella begins with a Bachelor and Spinster Ball, Jen and her friends Beth and Ellie are all dealing with some love issues so they all decide to go to this country ball. Each novella deals with a separate heroine and her respective adventures; Woo Me focuses on Jen.

Now, due to a dare she can’t refuse, Jen goes to this ball dressed in a costume – as a cow. Logan is an ex-soldier who helps out his little sister by working security at the ball. Now, you may think this couldn’t possibly work, but it does! Jen is an urban girl, independent, strong – I liked her a lot. Logan, despite his tough exterior hides a caring and protective personality. They’re so well matched, IMO and their chemistry was incredible. There was no instalove, which is always appreciated; the characters do get to know each other a bit before getting together.

Moreover, I loved the tension, and I’m pleased to say I liked both characters separately before I liked them as a couple. That’s always good, in my book. Furthermore, the sexy times – once the moment arrived, it was sizzling HOT! Jen and Logan have some mean chemistry together. It didn’t feel like a one night stand at all (not that there’s anything wrong with those, mind you!), it’s just that I really felt the connection between Jen & Logan; like I knew them for a long time. And I sure wouldn’t have minded knowing them a little longer either. This novella is only some 100 pages long, but it made me swoon, laugh and ache. There were a lot of secondary characters, for example Wayne, who provided comic relief – I really would’ve loved more scenes with him, LOL. Then Lily, Logan’s little sister… Had this been longer I’m sure all those characters would’ve been further explored!

Overall, it left me wanting more. And I believe this just speaks about Karina Bliss’ amazing writing abilities. It takes talent to create good romance in just 100 pages. Novellas are always more difficult to write than full-length novels, at least that’s what I think.

This is my second time reading Karina Bliss, and her stories are always real, but never dull, sexy and emotional at the same time. I can say she quickly became one of my favorite romance authors.

*A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

*Read my review of Karina Bliss' novel RISE --> here.* 

xoxo,

Beatrix

ARC Review: DARK ECONOMY by M. Keedwell

Summary:

Love can’t stay buried.

Medical student Cadell Meredith has been known to acquire “volunteers” from the occasional pauper’s grave in order to improve his surgical skills. While the legality of this practice is a bit murky, he wouldn’t go so far as to call it out and out robbery.

His latest acquisition, however, is different. The body on his table was obviously healthy, wealthy—and murdered. Cadell feels compelled to seek justice for the dead man, but while dissection comes naturally to him, crime investigation is unfamiliar territory.

Furthermore, he’s caught the attention of one of those new police officers, Blaine Breton. A handsome, sentimental fool who insists Cadell is a criminal. A criminal! Cadell is the first to admit he’s no saint, but he’s no killer.

A marvelous game of cat and mouse ensues as Cadell seeks to expose the truth while hiding his own secrets. A task that grows ever more difficult as his desire for Breton grows…and the danger deepens.

Buy Links:

Samhain Publishing | Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo | ARe 

Connect with the Author:

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review:

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.


One of my favorite parts of Samhain Publishing books is that warning that comes at the end of book blurbs. They are always fun to read, and for me not even a warning, but actually a list of things to look forward to in a book. With Dark Economy it was: This story contains mystery, mayhem, and a male romance that starts off in the most delicious way possible—mutual hostility. Awesome warning, right? No surprise, right after I finished the book, the first sentence I wrote was:
A whole lot of mystery, quite a few suspects, and a bit of romance in Dark Economy...
 

Mystery is rightfully mentioned first as it was what the book was mostly about.


It starts off with the hero Cadell Meredith breaking the law. As a medical student keen on learning as much as he can, he finds his classes rather unsatisfactory in providing him with the knowledge he so desires. Therefore, he's forced to be creative in the ways of learning human anatomy, meaning occasionally acquiring bodies from pauper's graves, which was exactly what he was doing at the beginning of the story, and thus breaking the law. Right then and there we also meet the policeman who will throughout the book be his main adversary as he is an officer with a firm belief practicing on cadavers is an awful practice, which sparked many an argument between them. He will also be the man to wake a part of Cadell he spent years ignoring. But back to the mystery at hand. The body Cadell brought home to dissect did more than offer insight in the intricacies of anatomy, but also in the life and death of the person it used to be. For one, it was apparent the body didn't belong to a pauper, but to a rich young man. Second, the young fellow had clearly been  murdered. That knowledge woke in Cadell the need to investigate. Why he chose to go on the mission of finding out who the man was and what happened to him, he'll ask himself several times without having a definitive answer. He felt he owed it to him, he supposed, for helping him in his medical studies, but over time it became more:

“Kind of funny that you dragged me back to life by dying.”

 
His investigation required he get help from an old friend who had been at one time more than that, he made new friends, and his path kept crossing with the bloody policeman who occupied this mind until even they made peace with each other, and for all that Cadell was grateful. Which brings me to this: Dark Economy is a story I liked, but (there's always a but) it would've been a story I loved -- the book would've been an easy five-star read -- had a few parts been handled differently. The parts I'm referring to are the ones relating to Cadell's personal life. His love for medicine and his dedication to it was well described. His dedication to his chosen studies and eagerness to put his knowledge into practice was so palpable it made me happy for him for having found a profession he feels that way about. What I would've liked to read more about was his personal relationships, past and present, as that is something that interests me about characters. It was obvious he had issues with his family, and that something happened to drive them apart. Same thing with his friend. His past love life, I thought, deserved more page space. Not to mention his present love life. He and his main love interest had little time together for the majority of the book. They didn't even become lovers until the very end. I knew going in the main focus would be solving the mystery of Treswick's murder, but I had hopes the romance would have a slightly bigger part in the plot. Why this was as it was, I do not know, but since this book seems as one of those stories that could get a sequel or more of them, if it happens, I do hope the attention shifts more to Cadell's private life. All this, of course, is because of my preferences. I do watch crime/investigation TV-shows, and even then, the episodes I enjoy most are the ones that are about cases that are personal to the main characters.



Uncovering Treswick's life and death piece by piece was interesting. In fact, it was so interesting and complicated, I wished he were alive so we could get a book about him -- I think it would've been a good one. Alas, he's swimming with the fishes. However, as much as it was interesting, keeping track of everything and everyone proved to a hard task for me, and more than once I would find myself confused by all the information as there were quite a few suspects (this is something that happens to me while watching criminal investigations in TV-shows as well). Nevertheless, as a whole Dark Economy, Cadell Meredith and Blaine Breton have left a good impression. I look forward to seeing what the author will come up with next! 


In the end, I believe Dark Economy would appeal most to mystery lovers who don't mind a tiny bit of M/M romance thrown in the mix. I'll continue hoping M. Keedwell's next book will contain more than a tiny bit of romance. *fingers crossed*


***ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***

Until next time, happy reading!

XOXO,

 

ARC Review: IRRESISTIBLY YOURS (Oxford, #1) by Lauren Layne

Summary:

Meet the men of Oxford magazine! In the first captivating spin-off of Lauren Layne’s Sex, Love & Stiletto series, a not-so-friendly battle of the sexes turns into a scorching office romance.

Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he’s got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes—and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can’t take his eyes off her.

Penelope Pope knows all too well that she comes off as just one of the guys. Since she’s learned that wanting more usually leads to disappointment, Penelope’s resigned to sitting on the sidelines when it comes to love. So why does Cole make her want to get back in the game? The man is as arrogant as he is handsome. He probably sees her as nothing more than a barrier to his dream job. But when an unexpected kiss turns into a night of irresistible passion, Penelope has to figure out whether they’re just fooling around—or starting something real.

 

Buy links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo |All Romance eBooks | iBooks 

Connect with the author:

 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

Review:

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars, meaning it's right between liking it and really liking it. :)


Irresistibly Yours is the first book in a new series by Lauren Layne. Oxford is a spin-off of Sex, Love & Stiletto series, so if, unlike me, you've read about the Stiletto group, you've already met the hero of this book Cole Sharpe, and you've probably been wishing for him to get his own story. Judging from what I see on the cover and what I've read, I can see why. What can I say, I kind of liked him from page one when he was staring at a woman focused on a game, instead of focusing on that game himself. The woman -- she was Penelope Pope, the heroine of this book, and the woman Cole was worried would steal his job, when he should've been worried about her stealing his heart.

 
Nothing like a bit of rivalry to spice up the beginning of a romance. Both Cole and Penelope had good reasons for wanting that sports editor position as much as they did, so I never really picked a side. That's why I was pleased with the outcome, more so because it meant more bickering. Pen and Cole were so cute when they argued. But that friends/co-workers (who liked to give each other a hard time) relationship proved insufficient for both of them. Penelope wanted Cole, because apparently he was a hard man not to want, and Cole came to a realization that a short (tiny even), skinny, sassy woman who knows about sports maybe more than he, and who's genuine through and through, was really his type. And Penelope, used to always being in the friend zone, and being only disappointed in love, didn't consider herself in Cole's league, but she would take what she could get.

 
And, so, Pen & Cole started seeing each other not only during office hours, but out of the office too for sexy times. Yes, there were sexy times in the book, which is something I usually look forward to, but as I said these two were so cute when they argued, I was sad when they didn't. I may have once or twice wanted to stop them getting all smoochy and say: Noooo! Fight, fight, fight! But that's just me...

 
It's clear I liked the main characters arguing about the magazine cover and whatnot, but I also found them likable as individuals. Penelope was so sweet and great it broke my heart to see over and over again just how low her self-esteem is. But after everything she's been through, I couldn't find it in me to judge her, only to be happy for her whenever she would overcome some of her insecurities.

 
Cole was one of those heroes with enough charm to spare, and a part of his life he prefers to keep private, which makes you like him more. He was also one of those heroes who just before the ending, have a freak-out, so they break up, then break down when they realize what they've done. It's inevitable. Of course, they always come around, but when you have meddling friends as supporting characters, all that goes much faster, thankfully.

 
As I've mentioned at the beginning Oxford is a spin-off series of Sex, Love & Stiletto. I have not read that series, so I can safely say this book works perfectly fine as a standalone. But it also works as an incentive to read that series that started it all. Those meddling supporting characters were the stars of Sex, Love & Stiletto and I am curious about how their stories went.

 
As for the stories to come, I must be one of many who wished Lincoln's book would be next. Funny, charming, a bit secretive man who's in good terms with all the women he's been with -- how could I not. Alas, his is the third book. Book two, I Wish You Were Mine is actually about a player, who will be familiar to anyone who reads the epilogue of Irresistibly Yours.


In the end, all I can say is that this book was a light, sweet romance which made it easy and fun to read. It's perfect for when you need that type of quick, headache-free read.

 

***ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***

Until next time, happy reading!

XOXO,

 

SPOTLIGHT TOUR: Dirty Little Secrets by Erin Ashley Tanner

Dirty Little Secrets by Erin Ashley Tanner

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Mafia

BLURB:

Danger ignites a passion neither of them can refuse. 

Ava Hill learned early in life that to survive, she has to be twice as smart, twice as ruthless as those who seek to undermine her. And as the widow of a mob boss with a daughter to raise, nothing is more important than protecting what’s hers. Her determination to shield her child from the ugliness of her past takes a hit when a man claiming to be her late husband’s son barges through her front door. 

Dominic Sambarino demands half of her daughter’s inheritance. Ava wastes no time showing him she’ll come out swinging with everything she has. But no amount of fight in the world can prepare her for the instant, smoldering chemistry between the two of them. A friend’s invitation for a weekend getaway is a welcome chance to regroup, or so Ava thinks. But she soon finds herself caught in a circle of her dead husband’s secrets and lies that threaten to cost her everything. And her only safe haven is the one place she vowed she’d never go—Dominic’s arms. 

Warning: Strong language, graphic sex scenes between a woman whose well-ordered life is turned upside down by the only man with arms strong enough to catch her when she falls. 

BUY LINKS:

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Barnes and Noble

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EXCERPT

 

Dominic caressed her cheek. His voice grew soft. “I can be your happy ever after.”
And then his lips were on hers. Taking. Consuming. Forcing her to admit the truth that her body had already decided. She wanted him. He gripped her face tight as he kissed her with ardent passion. Ava moaned against his mouth as his other hand slid between her legs. Rubbing. Caressing. She pressed herself into his hand. His tongue slipped into her mouth, mimicking what he was doing with his finger. Her breasts were crushed against his chest. Her hands gripped his shoulders pulling him closer to her. She whimpered when he stopped kissing her.
His eyes burned into hers and she was surprised when he picked her up and placed her on the counter. He wedged himself between her thighs. Her bottom lip trembled as he played with her breasts.
“I’m not going to force this, Ava. If you say stop, this goes no further, but I think you want it too.”
He leaned down and kissed her neck softly. Repeatedly. Her body was screaming, begging her to give in to his seduction. It wasn’t like she hadn’t already enjoyed the fruits he had to offer. Why not, Ava? She tried to ignore the voice in her head, but she couldn’t. Not with the way her body was humming.
“Tell me, Ava. Do you want this just as much as I do?” he whispered against her neck.
Her body tingled and she bit her tongue trying to hold back her response. Trying to deny her body what it wanted most. But every kiss across her neck weakened her resolve. “Yes.”
“Yes what?”
“I want you.”
Dominic kissed his way back along her jawline. “What do you want? Tell me how you want it.”
“I want you kissing me. Touching me. Rubbing me. Pleasing me.”
“Pleasing you how, Ava? Tell me. I want to hear you say it,” he whispered.
“I want…I want…”
“I’m waiting.”
“I want you to go down on me and don’t stop until I tell you to.”
Her hands flew to cover her mouth. She was sure her cheeks were red with embarrassment. Dominic’s laughter rumbled in her ear. She made a move to push him away, but he stopped her.
“Your wish is my command.”
She didn’t breathe as he pressed her back against the mirror behind the counter and dropped to his knees. He grabbed her thighs and opened them wider. The first lick of his tongue made her nerves dance. Bracing herself on the counter, she closed her eyes and gave herself over to the pleasure he made her feel. He lapped at her, licking and sucking like she was a juicy sweet mango. His grip on her thighs was tight. And already hovering closer was the promise of an orgasm.
“More. More.”
He complied by sucking her harder. Her pleasure increased and before she knew it she was grabbing his hair holding on to him.
Her entire world burst to life between her legs and the force of the orgasm left her trembling.
“Everybody freeze. Right now.”
Ava opened her eyes. Two uniformed men were standing in the entrance of the bathroom with guns pointed at her and Dominic.

   

 AUTHOR BIO 

A proud Alumna of the University of Central Florida and Florida State University, Erin Ashley Tanner specializes in steamy tales with romantic suspense elements. Prior to journeying into the world of contemporary romance, Erin wrote paranormal romance for Evernight Publishing. Her debut novel, Goddess of Legend released in October 2013, was an Amazon bestseller and was the first in her Demi-God Daughters paranormal romance series. The follow up, Goddess by Chance was released in November 2014. Dirty Little Secrets is Erin's first book with Samhain Publishing. Her next release with Samhain, Devious Little Lies is scheduled for release in March 2016.
 

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