5 Smooches

Synopsis

New York’s Finest
Blogging as *The Socialmedialite*
April 22
LADIES AND GENTS! I have an announcement!

You know that guy I featured on my blog a few months ago? The really, really hot Irish rugby player who plays the position of ‘hooker’ in the RLI (Rugby League International)? The one with the anger management issues, the body of a gladiator and the face of a movie star? The one with the questionable fashion choices leading me to ask whether he was the lovechild of a leprechaun and a hobbit? Ronan Fitzpatrick? Yeah, that guy.

Well, I have a confession to make…

THE HERMIT

Annie Catrel, social media expert extraordinaire at Davidson & Croft Media and clandestine celebrity blogger, can make anyone shine in the court of public opinion. She is the Socialmedialite, anonymous creator of New York’s Finest and the internet’s darling. Virtual reality is Annie’s forte, but actual reality? Not so much.

THE HOOKER

Ronan Fitzpatrick, aka the best hooker the world of rugby has seen in decades, despises the media—social or otherwise. The press has spun a web of lies depicting him as rugby’s wild and reckless bad boy. Suspended from his team, Ronan has come to Manhattan to escape the drama, lay low, fly under the radar. Only, Ronan isn’t easy to overlook, and he can’t escape the notice of the Socialmedialite…

THE PLAN

When Ronan is sent to Davidson & Croft Media to reshape his public image, he never expects to cross paths with shy but beautiful Annie, nor does he expect his fierce attraction to her. He couldn’t be happier when her boss suggests pairing them together.
What lengths will Annie take to keep her virtual identity concealed? And what happens when the hooker discovers who the hermit really is?

The Hooker and the Hermit is a collaboration between authors L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid, is a full length 100k word novel, and is a standalone.

Review

“Some strange, long dormant, and heavily suppressed instinct urged me to run back to the restaurant and wrap him in my arms. My heart gave a little twist. I wanted to kiss away his hurts . . . or at least make his hurts some cookies.”

Ever read one of those books that is so smart, witty, fun and fascinating that you just about basically highlight the whole damn thing. I already knew that Penny was a must read for me but I am excited to add L.H. Cosway to that list now too! Hooker and the Hermit was a beautiful collaboration when so often these joining of styles can go very wrong.

 “Holy heathen in hell, it wasn’t even his looks. He was . . . overwhelming and magnetic. Sensual and in-your face sexual. Also not helping matters, he has no concept of personal space.”

 Annie is a hot shot social media guru who prefers to blend in and work alone. While in the outside world she appears shy, unassuming and a loner, inside her apartment she lives a secret life as The Socialmedialite! As a anonymous celebrity blogger she has the power to say what she wants and not hold back. She allows her true self to shine online. She is unashamed and open online. She has friends and followers and it is clear that there is so much more to her than she allows the outward world to see.

“There was something about her timidity that appealed to me on a very base level. I could just imagine how easily she’d . . . submit”

Ronan is in need of a social media makeover and comes to Annie’s company for a media face-lift. Upon meeting meek Annie he demands she work with him and decides this mouse of a woman is just right for the cat in him. I loved so much about Ronan, he exuded sexuality and watching him flirt shamelessly with all business Annie got me way too excited. I can only hope that a man can watch me eat an éclair and get excited the way Ronan does! Also, let’s all hope that the man in question is my husband! Just saying, I would hate for this book to be the cause for the demise of my marriage.

“I noticed that Annie was still insisting on addressing me formally, but I wasn’t going to let it get to me. Truth be told, her calling me Mr. Fitzpatrick was a bit of a turn-on.”

These two characters together created magic, while Annie appears to be quiet and unassuming when it comes to Ronan she can also be snarky and flirty. She knows her professional boundaries and is determined to keep them there along with all the walls that she has built up from her messed up childhood. Walls that Ronan has made it his mission to tear down.

“You never have to ask permission. Okay? Not unless I’m fucking you – then you always ask permission.”

So for much of the book I got the feeling that Ronan was sexually a bit dominate, mostly just in the sense that you can tell he likes to be in control. Well imagine my surprise when things took a slight turn for the kink. I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING but oh geez was I happy it did. Could a handsome alpha Irish rugby player get any sexier  . . . yes yes he indeed can. It might be possible that Ronan and all his excitedly kinkiness have ruined me for all other hookers!

“I was a kinky fucker, simple as that.”

Truth! And Ronan I loved you for it!

“Yesterday I was comatose, heartbroken and depressed beyond measure. Now I couldn’t stop grinning as I punched my fist into the air in victory. Yeah, that right, I just victory-punched, but-naked in the shower.”

 From the storyline to the characters to the witty writing so much went right with this book that I don’t even know how to summarize it in one review. If you are a fan of quirky girls, alpha and a bit of fun kinkery than make sure you give this book a go. Trust me to say you won’t be let down.

“Ronan Fitzpatrick was fucking me, and it was uncomfortable and ungraceful and sexy as hell.”

So the all important question that this book raises is can a blogger and an incredibly sexy Irish rugby player with alpha tendencies have a steaming hot yet emotionally fulfilling relationship . . . I dunno but this blogger is more than happy to help find out!

“I was in love with her. And I was fucked.”

Ronan and Annie have that perfect balance along with unbelievable chemistry that has you melting and desperate for more. The worst part of this book was the part where it says The End!

~miranda

5 Smooches

Synopsis

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jay Crownover, comes the second book in a combustible new series, Welcome to the Point, that is sexier, darker, and better than ever.

There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who is bad. . . . Welcome to the Point.

In a dark and broken kingdom, a ruler has be fearless to control the streets and the ruthless people who run them. Race Hartman is just bold enough, just smart enough, and just lost enough to wear the crown. Places like The Point will always have bad things and bad people, but the man in control of all that badness can minimize the devastation. Race has a plan, but can he prevent total annihilation without destroying himself?

Brysen Carter has always seen the real Race—a guy too pretty, too smooth, and way too dangerous. Basking in his golden glow is very tempting, but Brysen knows she’ll eventually get burned. She has enough problems without the risky danger and mayhem that comes with a guy like Race. Too bad Brysen faces a threat close to home that might be more dangerous than anything The Point has ever produced.. And the only person interested in keeping her safe is the one man she can’t allow herself to have.

Sometimes being bold is the only way to stay alive. But can she let Race save her life . . . if it means losing herself to him?

Review

“To keep Race and those traitorous feelings at bay, I was awful to him . . .I mean really, really awful. I was cold. I was disinterested. I was rude, and sometimes I was flat out mean.”

Can I just say how much I LOVED Brysen and Race. Brysen is Race’s middle ground in my opinion. She comes from right between the Hill where Race was raised and the Point where he has decided to make his home. To say they are attracted to each other would be a VAST understatement but Brysen knows that Race is BAD and TROUBLE and pushes him away at every chance she can. That is till he saves her and pulls her out of a party where someone opened fire.

“You’re the only one I was worried about.”

In the face of danger emotions get out of control and Brysen allows Race to kiss her and from there on out they can’t turn back. But where does a smart, intelligent middle-class girl like Brysen fit into Race’s life in a place like The Point.

“I kissed him back. It wasn’t romantic, it wasn’t sweet and filled with tangible longing or loving care. It was brutal, violent, hard and hot, and nothing in my entire life has ever felt better.”

What I love most about the men of The Point is that they are not good guys, they do bad things to get by and have no regrets in the end. Race is running a crime empire and someone out there is showing him up by causing trouble all over the place and that trouble seems to always involve Brysen. Rae knows something is different about this girl and feels incredibly protective over her.

“What is going on with you, Brysen? Why does every single thing you’ve said to me tonight make me want to hurt things and various people?”

When it becomes evident that neither can really control their feelings around each other they have to decide if they care enough to withstand the crime and drama that comes with a place like The Point. Brysen isn’t sure she can live a life where the man she cares for does bad things and puts himself in danger everyday and Race is not willing to give up the standing he has worked and sacrificed so much to achieve.

“You think you are going to single-handedly pull the Point out of the fire, Race?”  “No. But I do think I can control the burn,”

Often in books the man is either the Good Guy Hero or the bad man you love. What Jay does so well is mixing the two, the men of The Point don’t apologize for the things they do nor are they willing to stop doing them but still somehow you cannot help but see the good in them, Even if sometimes that good is hidden behind layers of illegal activity and questionable decisions.

“”Brysen Carter was a good girl. A pretty blonde from the right side of town, but, man, could she kiss like a dirty girl,”

The Welcome to the Point series is so different than The Marked Men series that Jay is famous for but no less captivating and fun. The stories are exciting and fast paced with just the right touch of a sexy anti-hero and a good girl willing to go a little bad for the man she loves. Jay Crownover always delivers characters you can love and a story you want to jump into!

“This” — he pointed between him and me as he pulled open the car door — “is happening.”

With just two books out, This series it is quickly establishing itself as a must mead and a top recommendation for me! I can’t wait to get dirty again with the next man from The Point!

“It isn’t always easy. You aren’t always easy, but I have yet to regret any of it, Race.”

~miranda

4 Smooches

Synopsis

Theodore Rosely.

Handsome. Intelligent. Wealthy.

Great in bed with the body of a Greek God.

Just the mention of my name has women dropping their panties.

I’m one of the city’s most eligible bachelors and women line up just to get a taste of me. I work hard to make millions during the day, and play hard at night.

Frumpy, overweight and average-looking is not my type. I like beautiful, thin women with tight bodies and an even tighter- well, you know what I’m getting at.

That’s why the mysterious woman from my health club who swims laps every morning should not hold my interest. She’s the exact opposite of what turns me on, yet I can’t take my eyes off her.

She’s intriguing… She’s fascinating… And she’s quickly becoming my obsession.

I can’t learn enough about her.

I’m used to getting exactly what I want…

…and now I want her.

Review

“Why the hell am I hiding behind a towel rack stalking a woman I don’t know, and who is most definitely not my type?”

This story is the first part in a serial from Justine Elvira and I can honestly say it has a ton of potential. The entire story is told from Theo’s point of view and is mostly about the curvy woman at his health club that he has been infatuated with, They swim next to each other everyday and although she is rounder and not as strikingly beautiful as he usually goes for he cannot get her out of his head. He even goes as far as to change his entire daily schedule just to be near her for a while longer.

“I had no idea how long I watched her that day, but I knew I should stop. This was becoming unhealthy”

Something is up with Theo and I need to know more. That is the basically how the end of this story left me feeling which I guess is appropriate for a serial. I can’t tell if something is off mentally with him or he is somehow damaged from strained relationships with his family but something has left him slightly off and just need to know! Since this book is told from his point of view a ton of it is his inner dialogue, giving us a taste of his crazy without divulging too much

.”You see. I’m sick. Maybe . . . Probably . . Slightly disturbed. Paging the nearest Psych ward.”

Overall, this was a fast and crazy glimpse into a almost stalker/obsessed mans brain and I am excited to see more of where this will go!

~miranda

5 Smooches

Synopsis

When Lena Bellows suspects her husband of cheating it rocks her world, but also sends her life into a tailspin seven years in the making. Decisions must be made, plans need to be set in place, but she can’t do it alone.
Private investigator Preston Reid was hired to prove Lena’s husband was being unfaithful, but she never expected the instantaneous and unrelenting attraction she felt upon meeting him.
She’ll need to rely on Preston to do his job without compromising her future, but they will both fight their constant and all-encompassing need to be with each other.
Only one thing is clear: No one’s affairs are private anymore.
**This is Part One of a multiple installment serial.

Review

“There are better, more gratifying ways to release your aggression.”

Seeing as how this was a surprise release I basically went into this book blind, hadn’t even seen a cover for it yet and although I knew Anie was a great writer I have fallen for this story and these intriguing characters. Often with serials, even my favorite ones the first volumes are not 5 star reads for me, mostly because you are just getting to know the story and characters so often although I enjoy them I am not fully hooked till volume two. Not the case with Private Affairs, I was hooked from the start and desperate to get the next installment!

“Was staying with him this long, suffering through what seems like a loveless marriage, really worth the money you’re fighting for now?”

Private Affairs is the story of Lena, a housewife coming to  terms with the fact that her husband has completely given up on them having a “real” marriage, and Preston, the private investigator Lena hires to get the proof she needs so she doesn’t leave this marriage worst off than she came into it. I liked Lena from the start, she really gave her marriage a shot but when secrets come out and she finally realizes that the man she loved and married is not who she always thought she was she decides to move forward with her life and in doing so hires the services of Private Investigator and beautifully alpha Preston. Preston is everything I look for in a book boyfriend, protective, a bit demanding, a bit of a dirty talker and not afraid to claim what is his.

 “I hadn’t been touched by a man in months, and being touched by Preston was proving to be the most heavenly experience of my life, even if it was just his hands on my cheeks.”

This fist part of Private Affairs proves that this has potential to be a incredibly sexy and exciting story. I am beyond anxious to get the next volume so that I can find out more about what happens to these two characters I have quickly become very attached to!

~miranda