REVIEW – WICKED LUST (The Wicked Horse, #2) by Sawyer Bennett

January 5, 2016April 29, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

Cain Bonham is as big and bad as they come. After serving in the Marines, he’s returned home to Wyoming and now works as head of security at the exclusive sex club, The Wicked Horse. His job is to protect not only the patrons, but to zealously guard the secret existence of the club itself.

Sloane Preston is all about discovering secrets. As an undercover reporter, she’s determined to reveal the truth behind the facade of The Wicked Horse and expose it for all the world to see. She just didn’t count on her pathway into the club coming at the hands of one gorgeously scarred and bad ass bouncer who manages to easily possess her body and soul.

While Cain’s not looking for anyone to catch his eye, Sloane did it all the same, and he’s not bemoaning the fact that she’s as wickedly kinky as he is. As both get caught up in the sinful fantasies that only The Wicked Horse can create, secrets and loyalties will be tested and hearts will risk being broken.

**Warning: this book has sex in it. Lots of sex. Dirty sex. The Wicked Horse Series is a bit different than what Sawyer Bennett normally writes. While you’ll still enjoy fabulous characters, a suspenseful story, some witty banter and an epic romance, there’s just… a lot of sex. You’ve been warned.

*****Mel’s Review*****

5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

Sloane Meyers is a woman born & raised in Tennessee. When her job as an undercover reporter sends her to Wyoming, she is on a mission to expose the sex club she believes the Wicked Horse night club is a front for. Determined to reveal the existence of this sex club, Sloane starts hanging out nightly at the Wicked Horse. She is instantly drawn to a dark, scarred man named Cain Bonham.

Cain Bonham is pure sex on a stick. Sinfully delicious & the head of security at the Wicked Horse. A former Marine with a lot of debt to pay off, Cain also works two part-time jobs at the Double J Ranch & at the Silo, the private sex club on the Double J’s property. At the Silo he often plays in fantasies & helps to protect the secrecy of the club.

Cain finds himself looking for a stunning blonde woman each night at work. She caught his eye & he can’t get her out of his mind. He usually doesn’t take such an interest in any one woman, but can’t quit lusting over this one. He has no clue she has a personal agenda, & hooks up with her. He quickly becomes addicted to her, & Sloane finds herself obsessed with a man that is completely out of her comfort zone. She is excited by him & everything he does to her body, but suddenly she is having feelings for Cain.

They develop an intense bond & connection neither can deny. All the sudden trying to gain information for her career takes a back seat to feelings for Cain. As she’s immersed into his kinky world & also his heart, she just wants more. He’s crazy about her to, but when he finds out her ulterior motives we get some angst & drama. I really loved this book! It was on fire hot & omg please please give Bridger a book next! I need some Bridger!!! 😀

-My lust for Sloane is centered on this burning desire to show her all the depraved things that can make her feel so good.

-I cannot wait to show her my world and maybe dirty her up a bit.

-“This is so different from anything I’ve had before. I want more of it, and I’ll do what it takes to keep it.”

-I wonder if there will ever come a time that I’ll see Cain for the first time in any given day, and not have my entire body just sigh with pleasure over the magnificence of this man.

HAPPILY EVER NINJA (Knitting in the City, #5) by Penny Reid

January 5, 2016May 12, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

There are three things you need to know about Fiona Archer… I would tell you what they are, but then I’d have to kill you.

But I can tell you that Fiona’s husband—the always irrepressible and often cantankerous Greg Archer—is desperately in love with his wife. He aches for her when they are apart, and is insatiable when they are together. Yet as the years pass, Greg has begun to suspect that Fiona is a ninja. A ninja mom. A ninja wife. A ninja friend. After fourteen years of marriage, Greg is trying not to panic. Because Fiona’s talent for blending in is starting to resemble fading away.

However, when unexpected events mean Fiona must take center stage to keep her family safe, her response stuns everyone—Greg most of all. It seems like Greg’s wish has come true.

Except… not.

When all is said and done, can Greg handle this new version of his wife? Will his irrepressible cantankerousness push her away? Or can the couple find a way forward without either being forced to step back into the shadows?

This is a full length, 100k word novel, and is the 5th book in the Knitting in the City Series. All books in the series can be read as a standalone except book #1.5

*****Dee’s Review*****

6+ You are my Superhero Stars******

(ARC kindly provided by Author)

Refreshing, entertaining and completely delightful. Happily Ever Ninja was completely different from all the other books in this series. Penny Reid created a story that was thrilling because of it’s unpredictability and also because, she was able to take something ordinary like a married couple, and turn it into something marvelous that makes the reader feel as if they are right and center inside the story.

Greg and Fiona have been married for a long time and have two amazing kids. They met while in college and everything about their life is standard. Fiona works from home, takes care of the children and manages the household. While Greg works as an engineer overseas, so essentially he is more away than he is home . Everything about this family is very typical (*wink), they love each other relentlessly and unconditionally but don’t go thinking that is what THIS book is only about, because Fiona is not only funny but she is so extraordinary that the people around her and mainly her husband are convinced she is a Ninja. And Greg is so sexy, smart and talented that he managed to turn sarcasm into a superpower.

Like any other wife and mother Fiona starts feeling overwhelmed by the daily struggles and Greg’s absence is starting to weigh heavy on her. After Greg’s short, last visit, that ended in an argument, Fiona is feeling even more restless. Imagine what happens when she finds out, her husband has gone missing. No! Actually you can’t imagine, because these are no ordinary characters, after all. Fiona will have to dust off her Ninja attire and enlist the help of her inventive and crazy bad ass group of friends to design a plan to go and rescue her husband.

“Fe?
Yes?
My heart keeps discovering new ways to love you.”

You will be delighted with this story as you laugh and relate with all the shenanigans Fiona and all the ladies from the knitting group create this time around. This story was beautiful and tender but also very, very funny. I thought Fiona was so cool that I wanted to be her, but then I came to the realization that I sort of am her. Which brings me to,Thanking Penny Reid for writing a book where moms are cool, sexy, and awesome. And you know what? We are. I’m not one to pat myself on the back, ever, but perhaps we should. Maybe us wives, mothers, husbands, caretakers should feel good about all the hard work and all the sacrifices we make on a daily base for those we love. Maybe we are all Ninjas. So, thank you Penny for making me realize that I too can be cool.

If you haven’t discovered this wonderful series yet, how very silly of you. Go and pick up any of them, so you too can join the masses and enjoy and worship all the awesomeness that is Penny Reid; creator of a world where knitting, drinking and panty parties are the law and friends are part of the family.

REVIEW – EVERYTHING I LEFT UNSAID (Everything I Left Unsaid, #1) by M. O’Keefe

January 3, 2016May 12, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

Fans of Jodi Ellen Malpas, K. Bromberg, and Joanna Wylde will be unable to resist this sexy, deeply intimate tale of a woman running from her past, and the darkly mysterious man who sets her free.

I didn’t think answering someone else’s cellphone would change my life. But the stranger with the low, deep voice on the other end of the line tempted me, awakened my body, set me on fire. He was looking for someone else. Instead he found me.

And I found a hot, secret world where I felt alive for the first time.

His name was Dylan, and, strangely, he made me feel safe. Desired. Compelled. Every dark thing he asked me to do, I did. Without question. I longed to meet him, but we were both keeping secrets. And mine were dangerous. If I took the first step, if I got closer to Dylan—emotionally, physically—then I wouldn’t be hiding anymore. I would be exposed, with nothing left to surrender but the truth. And my truth could hurt us both.

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****FOUR STARS*****
{Netgalley ARC}

I took a deep breath, feeling overwhelmed by the empty space around me, usually filled in with so much fear. Without that fear, with the rules – said and unsaid, implicit and explicit – I felt undone. Unmade. As if I’d been pruned, allowing —God, please, please allow–new growth.

Annie McKay is a young woman who is trying to start her life over in a new town far from her old home in Oklahoma. She had been planning her escape for quite some time. Annie’s married to an abusive man, and she knew that if she didn’t leave soon, her days were numbered. She hasn’t had an easy life because she grew up with a mentally abusive mother. She went from one abusive relationship to another in her short life time.

Annie has escaped to a small town in North Carolina and is making a new home for herself at the Flowered Manor Trailer Park, where she also has landed a job which entails cleaning up the landscape for the trailer park. On her first day in her new home she finds a cell phone that is ringing and something compels her to answer the call. A seriously sexy voice is on the other end and she ends up having a conversation with the man. Dylan asks if she could keep an eye on one of her neighbors in the trailer park, named Ben. For some reason Dylan and Annie become intrigued by one another. They carry on this weird relationship through several phone calls.

I was kind of bored during the first half of this book and I was seriously questioning all the really great reviews. Annie and Dylan’s conversations turn into sexy talk rather quickly which had me shaking my head because, seriously, Annie had been so sexually repressed by her abusive husband, I found it a little unbelievable that she was that eager to have phone sex with a total stranger. Even though the thought of having phone sex with a hot stranger is a serious turn on, those scenes seemed a little awkward.

Later on in the story, we find out who Dylan is and then it starts to get interesting. At about the 60% mark the two finally meet and that’s when I was seriously invested in this story. I couldn’t put it down and the sex was explosive!! This went from being a Three Star to a Four Star read for me at this point.

I kind of predicted what would happen at the end but that didn’t stop me from wanting to jump right into the second book. Luckily it’s out and I can get my answers now.

REVIEW – APPEALED (The Legal Briefs #3) by Emma Chase

January 3, 2016April 22, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

When Brent Mason looks at Kennedy Randolph, he doesn’t see the awkward, sweet girl who grew up next door. He sees a self-assured, stunning woman…who wants to crush the most intimate – and prized – parts of his anatomy beneath the heels of her Christian Louboutins.

Brent has never let the loss of his leg in a childhood accident affect his ability to lead a fulfilling life. He sets high goals–and then he reaches them.

And now he has his sights set on Kennedy.
**
When Kennedy looks at Brent Mason, all she sees is the selfish, Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue-worthy teenager who humiliated her in high school to join the popular crowd. A crowd that made those years a living hell.

She’s not a lovesick social outcast anymore – she’s a DC prosecutor with a long winning streak behind her. Brent is the opposing attorney in her next case and she thinks it’s time to put him through a little hell of his own.

But things aren’t exactly working out that way.

Because every fiery exchange has her wondering if he’s as passionate in the bedroom as he is in the courtroom. Each argument and objection only makes him want her more. In the end, Brent and Kennedy may just find themselves in love…or in contempt of court.

APPEALED is a sexy, humorous romance about first crushes, second chances and the final verdict of the heart.

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****4.5 STARS*****
{ARC Provided by Author in Exchange for an Honest Review}

This beautiful, sweet, strong girl in my arms. She got to me forever ago – under my skin, into my heart – and she’s been there, waiting, ever since.

This was another FABULOUS series written by the amazing Emma Chase. Since OVERRULED, I have had a little crush on Brent and I have to say after having read this one I am seriously in love with him. APPEALED has two of my favorite tropes, friends to lovers, and second chance romance.

Brent is the last of the crew to remain single. Even though he has a prosthetic leg, it doesn’t stop him from being the ultimate ladies man. He’s a serious charmer and sinfully sexy as well. He’s never had the desire to commit to one woman, or truth be told, he hasn’t been tempted since his high school years.

All this changes when he runs into his old childhood friend, Kennedy Randolph. She was the “girl next door”. They were the best of friends as children and for a brief moment in High School, they almost became something more, but a misunderstanding ended their romance before it even had a chance to blossom. Kennedy was a little geeky during their teenage years and had to deal with bullying, which Brent wasn’t fully aware of at the time but he also didn’t stand up for her back then. When they meet again, she has gone through a transformation which is making Brent’s head spin, but even back when they were kids he was head over heels for her.

Now they end up being on opposite sides of the court room. Kennedy is the prosecuting attorney in a case that Brent is working the defense for. Sparks fly instantly. There seems to be so much animosity on Kennedy’s side that you know you are in store for some seriously STEAMY sex, and hell yes, it was panty melting HOT!!!

Brent has never been able to get close to a woman because in the back of his mind he was comparing them all to Kennedy and they all came up lacking. Now that he has a chance with her, he will do anything to win her heart. The only problem is that Kennedy has had about the same social life as Brent. She has never gotten serious with any man and runs in the opposite direction when a man tries to tie her down. Things that hurt her in the past keep her from opening herself up to any potential heart break. Brent has his work cut out for him as far as Kennedy’s concerned.

The whole gang is back this last book in the series and I couldn’t have been any happier. Stanton, Sofia, and Jake will be the voice of reason when Brent really needs them the most. I really love all these characters and am kind of sad to have to say goodbye to them now, but I am HIGHLY recommending it to all of you who have not picked up this series yet. You will NOT be disappointed.

I know that I will read ANYTHING that Emma Chase writes. I am a fan for life!

REVIEW – LOUD IS HOW I LOVE YOU by Mercy Brown

January 1, 2016May 12, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

One girl’s heart gets rocked to the core in the first novel in this sexy New Adult series.

Twenty-one-year-old front girl Emmylou knows that getting her band noticed in the ‘90s indie rock scene will be no easy task. She definitely knows better than to break the number one rule of the band: Don’t sleep with your bandmates! But after she ends up having the best sex of her life with her guitarist, Travis, she finds following that rule is a lot harder than it sounds.

When the band gets the gig of their dreams, making it big seems just within reach. But Emmy’s inability to keep her hands off Travis threatens everything they’ve worked for. Can Emmy find a way to break the rules and not blow the chance of a lifetime?

*****Dee’s Review*****

5 Bright Stars*****

(ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review)

Loud Is How I Love You is the debut novel of author Mercy Brown. I instantly fell in love with her writing style. The way she writes makes you love and relate to the story so easily , it felt like I was sitting at a coffee house, talking to my best friend and she was telling me the story about how she fell in love with her guitarist. The passion in the words were deafening and the melody in the story are something I’ll be dreaming about for many nights to come…

Emmy is passionate about one thing and one thing only, being in a band. Music is in her blood, creating tunes and rockin’ in front of audiences, with her best friends is all she ever wants to do with her life. She’s 21 and going to college to satisfied her mother. She’s an English major whose heart belongs to music.

Emmy has a few rules she’s very strict about following to ensure the longevity of her band. The first rule and perhaps the most important one is: DO NOT have sex with anybody in the band. But then there’s Travis, her sexy, sweet and smart guitarist. She’s been crushing on him for two years, they have a ton in common and have the best time together. Travis is not only her guitarist but her best friend.

One night after too much fun and celebration, neither Travis or Emmy are able to hold their feelings for each other any longer. Their chemistry in the sheets is just as powerful and beautiful as it is on stage, and after that one night of passion it will be very hard for them to keep their relationship as it was before. Because as we know, sex complicates everything…

Emmy is naturally a very dramatic character ( -being a very sensitive musician and all). Immediately she starts freaking out that the sex will mess with the friendship she and Travis share, and will ultimately break up the band. Emmy has seen time and time again how being in a relationship with a band member only brings problems. She is scared of losing everything she’s worked so hard to achieve, and especially now that her band is finally getting noticed by some very important members of the music scene.

Travis is a very logical person and he knows Emmy best, so he handles her freak-outs beautifully, but there’s only so much a guy can take in the name of love. Will they be able to figure things out and reach an understanding where both love and music can be a priority?

If there’s a romance novel about music, I want to read it! AndLoud Is How I love You was exactly everything I love about this genre.

There were a few times there where Emmy got on my nerves because she was so indecisive about something that seemed so clear to me. But as I read more, I understood the pain and abandonment issues she had and that were caused by her rock star father.

When you find something you are really passionate about and it makes you feel like you finally belong somewhere, you do whatever it takes to preserve it. That is Emmy’s fuel behind everything she does and I really felt inspired by her.

Travis was beyond dreamy. His patience and love for Emmy was endless and the way he could just set her on fire with just a stare, drove me crazy with love for him. The steam level in this novel was high and the kind of connection between these characters was just something brilliant.

If you love music, romance and awesome writing, do not hesitate and read this book. I have no doubt that everyone will adore, Love Is How I love You.

This amazing novel releases on January 19th, 2016. You can pre-order today at:

http://www.amazon.com/Loud-How-I-Love…

“Loud is how I love you.
Loud is how I know you’re there
Stay loud so I don’t lose you
I will follow the sound of you anywhere.”

*working on a music playlist for this review.

REVIEW – WINTER WISHES (The Play, #1.5) by Karina Halle

December 30, 2015May 12, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

Lachlan McGregor and Kayla Moore have fought hard for their happily ever after, so one would think their first Christmas together would be a piece of sugarplum cake.

But even though the city of Edinburgh is absolutely magical during the holiday season and the sizzling duo has enough steam between them to make snow melt, Christmas often brings its own share of troubles.

Kayla misses her mother and San Francisco while trying to adapt to life in Scotland, Lachlan struggles to stay on top of his ever-present demons (which pack more punch during the holidays) and his older brother Brigs is facing difficult memories of his own.

One thing is for sure though – this will be a Christmas they’ll never forget.

*****Mel’s Review*****

5 Stars!

After spending some time apart dealing with their own struggles, Kayla has moved across the country to Edinburgh, Scotland to be with Lachlan. They have both been through a lot, but took a risk on love & are crazy about each other. They were both lost when they were apart, & now feel whole again. They are just better together

Lachlan & Kayla are so happy to finally be able to build a life together. Lachlan is still playing rugby for Scotland & Kayla is looking for a new job. She has left her family & friends in San Francisco & everything she’s ever known to follow her heart, & be with Lachlan. He is just “it” for her & she realized that when they were separated.

-Kayla, beautiful Kayla, is staring at me with so much love, my heart can hardly take it.

The couple is excited to be spending their first Christmas together with the McGregor clan. They also thoroughly enjoy the holidays together in their home in Edinburgh. We get an extremely steamy story full of kink, dirty talking, & fantasies fulfilled. It’s a white Christmas full of everything magical & delicious!

We get some issues with Lachlan struggling with his own demons & Kayla missing her mom, but for the most part this story is pure Christmas bliss. It’s set in a winter wonderland, with a castle, a bunch of sweet dogs, & on FIRE sexy times! I have adored this couple & can’t wait for Brigs book next! 😀

-Christmas may be over. But we have just begun.

REVIEW – LOST IN YOU by Serena Grey

December 29, 2015May 12, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

One night.
One love.
One heart.
One forever.

The concluding part of the Swanson Court Trilogy

What do you do when you take a leap of faith, and you don’t get what you expected?

You move on.

That is exactly what Rachel plans to do, to put aside her heartbreak, and concentrate on her work and the people she loves.

But Landon is not easy to forget. When he reappears in her life, is he offering the perfect ending she wants more than anything, or just another flirtation with heartbreak, pain, danger, and devastating loss.

*****Dee’s Review*****

****3.5 Sweet Stars****

(ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review)

Lost In You is the conclusion to the very sexy story of the gorgeous hotelier and the reporter who met under very peculiar circumstances. The city of New York plays the perfect backdrop for a sensual story where two lost hearts finally find each other…

Rachel left Landon in San Francisco after a night of heated passion that concluded in heart break. She had confessed her love to him but his fear of commitment has once again pushed her away.

When Rachel gets back in town a few surprises await her. Her ex lover Jack is leaving the magazine where they both work, her cousin has not only reconciled with her boyfriend but is now marrying him and the dream job she had applied for years ago has called her in for an interview. A lot of reasons that should make Rachel happy but her heart feels empty without Landon in her life.

Determined to forget about him, Rachel submerges herself in work and in the preparations for her cousin’s destination wedding.

A few weeks later she receives the surprise of a lifetime when Landon finally comes back to her to tell her not only that he loves her but that he is ready to be with her forever. For these two passionate lovers it will be very easy to get lost in each other , but Landon’s past comes back with devastating force, threatening to separate Landon and Rachel, forever.

Will their new love be strong enough to survive?

Read this romantic story and find out…

REVIEW – GRIT (Dirty, #6) by Cheryl McIntyre

December 29, 2015May 12, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

Link and Rocky’s story continues.

Three. This is my number. The sum of reasons why I continue to go on.

One: She needs me.

Two: I have to protect her.

And three: With her, I feel human.

But the weight of a man’s secrets is a thousand pounds on his shoulders. Two thousand more on his chest. Trapping him.

Crushing him.

My secrets are slaughtering me.

Fear and regret—of what I’ve done, of whom I’ve become, and of what I’ve let go—are dragging me into a hole, and I can’t claw my way out.

The deeper I sink, the farther I push her away.

The farther she goes, the more my mind spirals. Down into a black abyss. It’s dark here. So damn dark.

She needs to know what I’ve done. I have to tell her. But how can I battle the darkness if I lose my light?

This is what my life is now. I’m a shadow of a man in a scarred body, longing to live again.

*THIS IS THE FULL-LENGTH SEQUEL TO THE DIRTY NOVELLA SERIES.

**DUE TO STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT AND SCENES OF VIOLENCE, THIS SERIES IS RECOMMENDED FOR READERS 18+ ONLY.

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****FIVE STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author in Exchange for an Honest Review}

She is my second chance at living, at loving. The realization washes over me, settling in my chest like an anchor, holding me in place. Everything I never had with Livie, I could have now with Rocky. All I need is to let it happen.

WOW!!
This series is simply fantastic. Each book successfully kept me captivated. I fell in love with Link and Rocky. My heart ached for these two broken souls and I hoped that they would find true happiness together. I wanted their future to heal the gut wrenching pain of the past. I can’t even tell you how anxious I have been to get my hands on this book! I want to say a huge <b>THANK YOU</b> to Ms McIntyre for giving these two an ending that left me so satisfied that I am happy to put this story to rest now.

Link and Rocky are trying to move on with their lives together. All of the men who raped and murdered Livvie and attacked Link, are now either dead or in prison. They should be feeling optimistic about their future but they’re both still very affected by the past. Link holds on to the guilt for not being able to protect Livvie and hasn’t been able to let her go. He feels that he is betraying her by moving on with Rocky and every day his heart is being filled that much more by Rocky which means the space held for Livvie gets smaller and smaller. His biggest fear now is that he will fail Rocky the same way he did Livvie, since he almost didn’t make it in time to save Rocky from Carter Bates. He worries that someone else will try to get to Rocky and he won’t be able to protect her.

Rocky is very much shaken by the break in and recent attack by Carter. She also is haunted by the rape that occurred when she was in High School. This upsets Link because he wants her to feel safe with him. Their lives are about to change in a huge way, which causes Link to want to ensure that none of the threats from their past make a reappearance. They both end up making some bad decisions and do things that puts their relationship in jeopardy.

Link and Rocky have fallen in love but neither comes right out and confesses their feelings. Rocky is afraid that Livvie still has Link’s heart and believes that she will always come in second. But Link is falling hard for Rocky and is afraid that something will come along to take it all away from him.

I had thought that this was going to be one huge epilogue since all the bad guys had been dealt with by the time we got to the end of book five, but I actually enjoyed the fact that there were still some loose ends to tie up, because that meant we got some action and tense moments. There were times I worried that Link and Rocky were not going to get their HEA.

Those of you who read the <i>DIRTY</i> series, will not be disappointed with this conclusion to Link and Rocky’s story. I highly recommend the entire series. It has been pretty amazing from beginning to end.

REVIEW – WE WERE ONE ONCE: Book 2 by Willow Madison

December 28, 2015May 12, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

A DARK ROMANCE

Past collides with present. Love, lust, pain, desire, hope, hopelessness, want, need, anger, release. It’s all the same in the end. Because Fate chooses to toss us into the deep end every time.
Only the strong of body will learn to swim through what Fate throws our way. Only the strong of mind will learn to float with it. What we can’t resist will consume us. What we can’t overcome will become us.
Even death isn’t a release as it too consumes.
Only love or hate exists in the end. In all its twisted and messed up forms. Love always knows how to float. Hate always knows how to pull us down.

This is the ending to this story. Be warned…it’s a dark ending and not exactly happy.
But I’m happy with it ~ Willow

Excerpts:

It’s her eyes I remember most. How they would dart around in fear; how they would relax and widen in perfect submission; how the deep chocolate brown was made darker with her emotions. Always so readable, always so expressive, her eyes gave everything away so easily even in her blankest looks. Tonight was no different.
….
The others don’t understand pain. Don’t get what it can be, what it can do. With the lash of a whip, I tear through the memories we five share and the darkest memories I keep to myself. I merge the feel of a new mark with ones I’ve worn in our past. I amplify the pain with the memories, adding fire to the fever of every sexual encounter, even the most vanilla.
It’s how we survived, how I thrived.

*****Dee’s Review*****

4 Stars****

(ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review)

I’ve been really looking forward to reading this book ever since I discovered this series. I was drawn to it by how dark and unique it was. This author has a true talent for words and she is not afraid to take you inside the very intricate world that is the life of Gillian, a woman with multiple personalities.

My expectations were met by the thrilling conclusion of this story. This is one of those tales that will continue to play in my mind for a long time. Truly a decadent read.

The way the story continued in this second book was by going back and forth from past to present. Little by little we start to understand the relationship between Gillian and Miles. How they shared a past full of firsts, love and pain.

Miles had been looking for her and after three years of searching he finally finds his woman again. The problem with Miles is that his love for her was without understanding, he wanted to beat her into being something she couldn’t be. He was never able to fully accept her for who she really was and even after submitting her to doctors, treatments and a lot of cruel discipline the only thing he was able to achieve was her disappearance from his life.

Simon found Gillian, but this woman is not really Gillian anymore. She is someone who shares her body with different women and each, make whole, a creature that is sometimes sweet, sometimes all fire. Simon loves a part of every single one. Each personality gives him another piece he had been missing from his own life. It’s not easy for him to deal with everything this woman represents to him, he wants to kiss her and spank her with the same explosive intensity but the more time he spends with her the more he is sure he can’t live without the broken girls that make his life truly whole.

Gillian, Gigi, Baby, Grace; she has many different names but only two loves. Simon and Miles have both hurt and loved this woman deeply.

The brutality of her mother made Gillian retreat inside her mind, where she created a world where she had different sides of her. Each woman had a strength that came in handy when needing to fight all the pain that was offered by the hands of a sick mother, who was only capable of cruelty and humiliation towards her only child.

Who will ultimately be able to conquer the hearts of this broken woman, Simon or Miles? Will these women be able to separate for once and for all and meld into a new woman who is finally ready to live and accept true love in her life?

I love beautifully written and unpredictable stories and this one was definitely both. I can’t honestly say that in the end I was able to fully comprehend the nature of the characters in this book but I think that is part of the experience when reading We Were One Once. These are very complex characters, with very strange behaviors but with one simple goal, to feel loved and accepted by someone. The truth is, that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, so read this unique duet series and find out for yourself. I loved it, and once again I give props to the author for thinking outside of the box and creating an imperfect love story that was perfect for me.

REVIEW – MY KIND OF WONDERFUL (Cedar Ridge, #2) by Jill Shalvis

December 28, 2015April 1, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

UNEXPECTED AND UNDENIABLE…

Bailey Moore has an agenda: skiing in the Rockies, exploring castles in Europe, ballroom dancing in Argentina. Now that she has a second lease on life, she’s determined not to miss a thing. What she doesn’t realize is that item #1 comes with a six-foot-one ski god hot enough to melt a polar ice cap. She doesn’t want to miss out on him either, but Hudson Kincaid isn’t the type of guy to love and let go. And as gorgeous as Cedar Ridge is, she’s not planning to stick around.

As head of ski patrol at his family’s resort, Hud thinks he’s seen it all. But never has he run into someone like Bailey. She might look delicate, but her attitude is all firecracker. And her infectious joy touches something deep within him that he’s been missing far too long. Now he’ll just have to convince Bailey to take a chance on her biggest adventure yet . . . something rare and all kinds of wonderful.

*****Mel’s Review*****

4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

Bailey Moore is a 24 yr. old woman who grew up in a small town south of Denver. She works as a graphic designer, but also enjoys painting on the side. Bailey has had a rough time these last few years, & feels like she has a new lease on life. For so long she never had time for anything but survival, but now she has a list of things she wants to do, & she plans to live life to the fullest!

Bailey has been commissioned to paint a mural at a family owned ski resort in Cedar Ridge, Colorado up in the Rockies. This is about two hours away from home, but she figures it’s also the perfect opportunity to learn to ski better & also complete some things on her list. What she doesn’t bargain for is the drop dead gorgeous Hudson Kincaid. Hud is the head of ski patrol at his family’s resort, & also a part time Cedar Ridge cop. He’s very close to his siblings & the person everyone can always count on. He gives so much of himself to the people he cares about. So much that there’s nothing left for himself. Between the resort, his jobs & family, there is little time left for down time or dating.

Hud meets Bailey & they both feel the sparks. There’s something between them, but they decide to keep things casual. Things soon become more complicated when real feelings develop. Hud doesn’t do relationships & Bailey doesn’t let anyone get too close to her, so they both have to come to terms with their feelings. Hud begins to make Bailey feel whole again as they fall hard for one another. They both try to resist, but it’s no use. They are already in over their heads & crazy about each other. I really enjoyed this book & can’t wait for Hud’s twin brother Jacob’s book! Every time I pick up a Jill Shalvis book I know I’m going to just fall in love with the guy & get a fantastic sexy love story that takes me away to a beautiful place & makes me want the next book right away! ;))

-“When I’m with you…”

-“I feel things. You make me feel things.”

-Everything about him did it for her.

-I know you care about me because I can feel it in every look you give me, in every touch.

Wrapped Up In Reading

Category: Uncategorized

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REVIEW – MY KIND OF WONDERFUL (Cedar Ridge, #2) by Jill Shalvis

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