5 Smooches!

Synopsis

Raised as a prototype for the Georgian Bratva’s obedience drug, 221 fails to think, act, or live for himself; he’s his master’s perfectly-crafted killing puppet. Standing at six-foot-six, weighing two-hundred-and-fifty pounds, and unrivaled in to-the-death combat, 221 successfully secures business for the Georgian Mafiya Boss of NYC, who rules the dark world of the criminal underground. Until his enemies capture him.

Talia Tolstaia dreams to break from the heavy clutches of Bratva life. She dreams of another life–away from the stifling leash of her Russian Bratva Boss father and from the brutality of her work at The Dungeon, her criminal family’s underground death-match enterprise. But when she stumbles upon her family’s captive who is more monster than man, she starts to see the man underneath. A powerful, beautiful, damaged man whose heart calls to hers. But sacrifices must be made–blood for blood…life for life…souls for scarred souls…

Review

OK.  So, I basically have never read a Tillie Cole book before in my life.  I have purchased many and I hear stellar things about them so I took this opportunity to review this one since I had heard such amazing things.  And while I may have been hella confused the first 25 percent of this book I ended up absolutely loving the love story aspect of this book.  You see, Luca is one of the main characters in this book and apparently there is a whole book about him and his life involving the italian and russians mobs and injecting humans with super human serum that make them crazy killing machines.  So I missed all of this in his book so I was completely confused for a bit and then I caught on and man this story was really amazing.

“You are … for me?”

221 is a killing machine and has been enslaved by his master for over 20 years.  His story is completely heart breaking.  He has been given no love or kindness or light in his life since he and his twin were abducted at age 8.  Talia doesn’t want to love much less like 221 but the heart wants what the heart wants and he is IT for her.

‘The betrayal to my family was complete;  realized and profound.  But so were my feelings for Zaal.’

This story really was a special one.  It was almost like a modern day tale of Beauty and the Beast complete with forbidden love.  And the writing.  Tillie Cole is an amazing writer and I completely get why everyone loves her books.  I will defintely be checking out more books by her in the future.  Even though it took me a while to catch on to the story in this book I still gave this 4.5 stars because the actual romance part of the story was top notch and the writing was just fabulous!

“I am … for you.”

~Amie

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5 Smooches!

Synopsis

I wanted to jump.
He made me fall.

As a celebrity, I lived in the public eye, but somewhere along the way, I’d lost myself in the spotlight.

Until he found me.

Sam Rivers was a gorgeous, tattooed stranger who saved my life with nothing more than a simple conversation.

But we were both standing on that bridge for a reason the night we met. The secrets of our pasts brought us together—and then tore us apart.

Could we find a reason to hold on as life constantly pulled us down?

Or maybe there’s only one direction to go when two people fall in love at rock bottom—up.

Review

I have read all of Aly’s work and I do really really really enjoy her books.  They are some of my very favorite out there.  Original stories with fantastic writing and sexy alpha heroes are always the main themes of her books.  I admit, though, I was apprehensive about reading The Fall Up.  I typically shy away from books about famous people.  I find it hard to connect with the characters in these types of books.  The themes, most of the time, usually do not appeal to me.  So, I thought maybe I had finally encountered an Aly Martinez book that just ‘wasn’t for me’.  I was SO wrong.  Because Sam Rivers may just be my most favorite book boyfriend ever of her’s.  He is sweet, totally over the top, and just a genuinely good character.  Like right from the heart good.  SIGH!

“I’ve never in my life wanted to lose myself inside a woman more than I do with you.  In my driveway.  In my bed.  In my car in the middle of a hospital parking lot.  Anywhere. Levee.”

So. probably the best part about this book is that it isn’t really about “being famous”.  I mean Levee is a very famous pop star but that isn’t what the main plot of the story is about.  This book actually deals with some very sensitive and emotional subjects.

“I’m fine.”

 Levee and Sam have a lot to overcome, Levee especially and while this book might deal with some very heavy topics, it is broken up so well by bouts of hilarity and awesomely funny characters.

“Damn it.  Why is heterosexuality such a cock block?”

So, I guess what I am trying to convey is that the book reads mostly like a rom com.  Even the main characters are just gloriously humorous. The Fall Up is full of snarky texts, sweet words, and hilarious come backs but it has plenty of feels for all of the angst lovers out there.  And Sam.  God, Sam.  What a fabulous character Aly has given us in him.  He is a beautiful soul through and through and the amazing things that he does for Levee in this book literally made me tear up.  I don’t know how Aly comes up with these authentic ideas for her guys but they ALWAYS surprise me.

‘She’s going to be okay.  And so would we.’

So, as you can tell I was wrong.  I went into this book with the totally wrong perception of it being “another famous person book”. It is so incredibly different.  Sexy, smart, heart felt, and hilarious are all words I would use to describe this amazing book.  It is a must read, folks. so make sure to pick this one up ASAP!

“Would you calm down?  She is probably getting the dick right now.”

~Amie

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5 Smooches

Synopsis

Nothing ignites a fire like the perfect match…

Anna Weber is every inch the proper librarian–old-fashioned, conservatively dressed right down to her tightly clipped flaming red hair. She’s just moved to a small Texas town, and is determined to spend time with her friend before she has to disappear. Relationships aren’t easy for her. She knows too well what it means to be burned. And the last thing she ever wants to do is fall in love…

Especially not with a fireman who’s hot enough to set the entire state of Texas on fire.

Cowboy can’t resist the fiery little librarian, and he’s determined to make her his. Beneath that prim-and-proper exterior is a woman he very much wants to know–if she’d let him. She’ll test his patience. His control. Hell, his very sanity. And for the first time, Cowboy wonders if he’s found the one fire he can’t control…

Review

“I was going to say you looked like an angel. But that’s not quite right. With your fiery red hair, deep blue eyes, and that rebellious little pout, I think you look more like . . . a fallen angel.”

I absolutely ADORDED Rules Of Protection so when I saw Playing With Fire up for review I got giddy with anticipation. Boy was I right to be excited because Playing With Fire blew me away and proved once again that Alison Bliss can deliver a perfect fun and exciting story. Everywhere Anna goes a suspicious fire seems to start which does not look good to the sexy firefighter, Cowboy. He doesn’t know if he should be suspicious of her or protective of her but what he does know is he can’t stay away from her.

‘One look at Cowboy and he was already screwing with my hormones again.’

A curvy librarian who actually does not dress sexy, HELL YES. Anna was so real to me. She wasn’t perfect but Cowboy wants her, dowdy clothes and all. He was relentless but Anna tried her best to fight the urge to jump his bones. His reputation for being a love em and leave em kind of man made her hesitant to even carry a conversation yet alone give in to the many offers he throws her way. But thank god no one can resist that man for too long. I think what I love most about alpha stories is there is one woman for ever man and vice versus. Both of these characters have their flaws but to the other those flaws are beautiful and make them who they are.

“Funny how one woman can make everything around you look so different isn’t it?” Cowboy rubbed at the back of his neck and grinned. “Like getting lost in my own backyard.”

I could write a four page love letter to Cowboy but I doubt you all really want to read that so instead I will just let you all know exactly how much I loved this man. We first met him in Rules Of Protection and based off that I expected him to just be a fun loving playboy, so I was blown away by the depth of his character and the pure kindness he possesses. But don’t mistake these word to mean he is weak or a beta male because trust me this man is pure sex and pure alpha and I desperately want him for myself.

“You’re so hard,” I said, then blushed a little as I realized I spoke out loud. “I mean, you have a lovely, um. . .” Damn I still can’t say dick out loud.

I love a rom com but I am pretty picky when it comes to them. They still need depth and heart. I need some drama to carry the story and I prefer fun wit to straight up crass humor and Alison delivers all of these and so much more. As the story develops you fall in love with these two characters and then you get the joy of watching them fall in love with each other. Both are complex and have more to them than you would ever expect. The story itself is very well developed with suspense, drama, angst and a ton of characters that leave you desperate for more in the series.

‘Well, never again. Never again would I give my heart to a man . . . especially since I’d left all the broken pieced of mine at Cowboy’s feet.’

A sexy cowboy, a curvy librarian and a story that makes your heart swell and your eyes tear this book had everything I was looking for and am happy to say I read it in one sitting and  I am already excited about the possibility of starting it all over again.  This was my second book by Alison Bliss and I will forever devour anything she puts out the moment I can get my hands on it.

~miranda

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4 Smooches

Synopsis

Miller “Buck” Butterson has been banging his way through life ever since a puck to the face fixed his messed up front teeth, and he was drafted into the NHL during his first year of college. After five years of deflecting goals on the ice and scoring them with puck bunnies across the Continental US and parts of Canada, Miller is ready for a girlfriend. A real girlfriend of the non-bunny variety. One he takes on dates and doesn’t jump into bed with after five seconds of conversation.

Miller thinks he’s found that woman in his teammate’s sister. Except, unlike Alex Waters, center, team captain and all round nice guy—who happens to be dating his step-sister—Miller’s manwhore reputation is well earned, and not blown out of proportion by the media. Beyond that minor detail, Miller doesn’t know the first thing about having a girlfriend. But he’s determined to make it happen.

What he doesn’t take into account is the amount of time and effort relationships require, or that constantly letting bunnies take selfies with him to post all over social media isn’t going to win him any points in the boyfriend department. Miller learns—not so quickly—that if he wants to make Sunshine “Sunny” Waters fall for him, he going to have to do a whole lot more than show her his stick skills in the bedroom.

Review

“I think the brain surgeons would love to take a peek inside your head – you know, for science, so they can learn more about what happens when yetis and humans mate.”

Pucked Up is the second standalone book in Pucked series and is told in first person completely from Buck’s point of view. I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed first in the series. The humor was not as outrageous, it was still crass but not as over the top as Pucked which I was very happy about. When the book starts out Sunny and Buck are already in the beginning stages of a relationship, having met in book one Puck when her brother (who is his team mate) and his step sister get together.

“There are no refunds and no exchanges with love. It comes with flaws and imperfections. It’s raw, unfiltered, and sometimes it isn’t easy.”

Buck took me by surprise with his sweet personality and complete dedication to Sunny. Sunny for her part was mostly enjoyable but at times frustrating. A vegan and a virgin she could not have been more different than Miller “Buck” if she tried and yet from the moment they met in Pucked he knew she was worth changing his ways for. Do to his past indiscretions and constant skewing of reality from the media Sunny has a very hard time trusting Buck. This was hard for me, probably since the book was from his point I had a much easier time sympathizing with Buck. He really isn’t doing anything wrong and is constantly punished for it. Add that to the fact that both Sunny’s best friend and her older brother (and his team mate, Alex) are against them being together and Buck had a very hard road in front of him when he decides to go for the real deal with the only girl who captured his heart and attention.

“If there was a Stanley Cup for orgasms, you’d definitely get it.”

Funny, sweet and sexy reading Pucked Up was a great way to spend a lazy afternoon. While for me the drama was a little light the fun humor and Buck overall made up for it. Having gotten to know more of the side characters in the series I am excited for Pucked Over in January.

~miranda

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5 Smooches

Synopsis

Robert would have done anything for Liz, even let her go when she claimed she needed to be alone. With his life in shambles, he dove into his work as a Silver Council enforcer.

Liz never fit in, but to protect her first love, she walked away when a wild burst of magic nearly killed him. Tremaine found her, and helped her put her life back together.

The man who tore her world apart awakes from a 21 year slumber with revenge on his mind. Nothing will stop James from tearing the power from Liz’s body.

After learning James is alive, Robert rushes to Liz and bands together with Tremaine to keep her safe. Facing her worst fears Liz realizes she can only fall apart or fall into place.

** Spoiler/Fair Warning **
The romance winds up in a permanent threesome

Review

Brandy know how to write great and complex paranormal stories that capture your mind, heart and can steam up any window. Falling Into Place was no exception and once again I had a hard time pressing pause to get back to my regular life, instead wanting to stay immersed in her captivating mind and this very intriguing world.

Falling Into Place is now the seventh story I believe that I have read by Brandy and I am still amazed as how she keeps all these intertwining characters and storylines straight. This story in particular revolves around three characters I have been desperate for since I was first introduced to them, Robert, Liz and Tremaine.

I am hesitant to give away anymore of the plot than the synopsis allows mostly because the spoilers that would involve would impact the way you read this book, and trust me going in with as little knowledge as possible will make for an incredible reading/listening experience. But I will say that not only does this story pass many, many years that involve heartache, loss and learning to survive alone but it also involves these three characters learning that not all great loves are made out of cookie cutter molds.

Still full of the epic madness that comes with good fighting evil, Falling into Place is action packed and full of surprises. But even more so than her previous books this story is full of heart and even had me tearing up on multiple occasions. Who would have guessed that the book that’s ends in a permanent threesome would be the one packed full of emotion. I highly recommend this book and series on audio, the story flows nicely and is narrated beautifully.  I enjoyed every moment of it and cannot wait for more in the series.

~miranda

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