Review: Control by Charlotte Stein

Out of 240 pages, I'm estimating that 235 of them were full of kink and sex.  Depending on what you're looking for this could be good or bad.

For myself, with a book that is 240 pages long, there should be some type of story, plot, and character development.  Based on that, I would give this 2 stars.

That being said, if I was just wanting to read some great book porn (which I do like to do), I would give this 5 stars.

I can see Madison's predicament with Andy and Gabriel, she's caught in between, not knowing whether she wants to be in control or the one being controlled.  I get it.   What I didn't get was that she claimed at one point to have been in a very long dry spell, but with the way these three are going at it, I get the impression that she is a nymphomaniac and I'm unclear as to what her definition of a dry spell is.

Andy and Gabriel... What can I say?  Opposites attract.  I dunno, one is overbearing, the other is a pushover.  That's really all I have on these two.

Somehow, in these 240 pages, there is a love match.  When this happened, I'm not sure.  All I know is that in the last few pages I love you's are exchanged and plans are made for the future.

I almost think I would have liked it better if all 3 of them had decided to stay together as a threesome.  You know, where they all love each other and there is some man on man action mixed in.  Don't get me wrong, the kinky sex factor is already high on this one, but don't they all deserve a happy ever after?  Why should one be left out.  It could have really blown my mind if Andy and Gabriel had fallen in love and Madison was left out in the cold.

I'll just say this again.  If you want a story with your kink, this is probably not gonna do it for you.  If you're in the mood for ginormous amounts of kink and sex, this is it.

Copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


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Review: Sempre by J.M. Darhower

For me this was an exceptional book. I had a couple of issues, nothing major.

My emotions ran the gamut.  I was confused, pissed, elated, devastated and probably anything else you can think of.

I don't know how true to life this world is that they are living in, but while I was reading this I was in it and it was crazy.

Carmine and Haven had my heart from the beginning and despite the synopsis calling it a "sexy novel about two seventeen year olds" it didn't come off that way, thankfully.  It was a great love story and a painful one.

Carmine has had everything and Haven has had nothing, but they are both just as lost as the other.  Watching them find themselves and helping each other to do it was amazing.

The losses they suffer, the realizations they come to and the decisions they have to make are insane and heartbreaking.

Watching Carmine's father was confusing.  I didn't know what to think of him, still don't really.  But, I will say everyone in this book does whatever it is they do with a purpose, whether right or wrong, there is a purpose and in their mind it is a worthwhile one and what they do must be done.

I honestly can't wait to read the next one in this series.  I can only hope that my heart and mind can handle whatever is thrown at me.

Copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.



Amazon Links:  Sempre | J.M. Darhower
Kobo Links:  Sempre
Goodreads Links:  Sempre | J.M. Darhower

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Review: Hard As It Gets (Hard Ink #1) by Laura Kaye

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Title: Hard As It Gets (Hard Ink #1)
Author: Laura Kaye
Series: Hard Ink
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Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.

Tall, dark, and lethal...

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey's tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome--pure temptation to a very jaded Nick. He's left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander's daughter. Loyalty won't let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn't expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge...

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My Review:

Ok, so I'm star-struck.  I am totally in love with every single man in this book.  For men who came back from Afghanistan broken, they are strong-willed and bad-ass as hell.  And they are the good guys.

It breaks my heart what they've been through and then the cover-up just adds insult to injury.  And Becca, she's been through the ringer too.  You have two broken people who have great chemistry and need each other.  It took so long for them to get it together, every time I thought they were there, something happened and they pulled back.  It made it so much sweeter (and hotter) when it finally happened.

And Becca is not your typical heroine.  She is a strong character.  She may break down at times but she holds her head up and pushes through, even if she's on her own.

What I love the most is that these men came home on the brink of death and you find them here fighting to clear their names and save lives.  Separately, they may have their own weaknesses but together they are stronger than ever.  They may not be military Special Forces anymore but they damn sure are a force to be reckoned with.

As the first book in this series, Hard As It Gets is a great start.  I can't wait for the next one.  I have a feeling this series is going to be awesome.

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About the Author:

Laura Kaye is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Laura grew up amid family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with storytelling and the supernatural. A published non–fiction author, Laura's work as an historian and training as an archaeologist help her create vivid and accurate portrayals of other times and places. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Review: Addicted For Now by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Title: Addicted for Now
Author: Krista & Becca Ritchie
Series: Addicted #2
Pub Date: November 30th, 2013
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Summary:

He's addicted to booze. She's addicted to sex...staying sober is only half the battle.

No. More. Sex.

Those are the three words Lily Calloway fears the most. But Loren Hale is determined to be with Lily without enabling her dangerous compulsions. With their new living situation—sleeping in the same bed, for real, together—Lily has new battles. Like not jumping Lo’s bones every night. Not being consumed by sex and his body.

Loren plans to stay sober, to right all of his wrongs. So when someone threatens to expose Lily’s secret to her family and the public, he promises that he’ll do anything to protect her. But with old enemies surfacing, Lo has more at stake than his sobriety.

They will torment Lily until Lo breaks.

And his worst fear isn’t relapsing. He hears the end. He sees it. The one thing that could change everything. Just three words.

No. More. Us.

My Review:

Lily and Lo grabbed me in the first book.  I was completely taken in my their dysfunction. This time around I was captivated by their bravery and persistence to beat their addictions.  Not to mention, they actually let other people in to help them.

I loved the intensity of the love and friendship they had when they were dysfunctional, but watching them overcome their addictions together was just as powerful.  There is no way either could have done it without the other.  Not to mention, without Rose, Connor, and Ryke.

Now, add Daisy to the mix and you've got one big bowl of dysfunctional soup.  But its great, they all play off of each other and some of their conversations are hilarious.

On a serious note though - I would think bringing the stigma associated with being a woman suffering from a sex addiction to the forefront would be a difficult task, but the authors did a wonderful job.  I don't know how accurate Lily's treatment was compared to the real world, but I did appreciate the realism of how hard it was to find a qualified therapist (its hard enough to find one for more mundane things), as well as the prejudices against someone suffering from sex addiction.

And I can't wait to read Kiss the Sky and Hothouse Flower.

About The Authors:
Becca Ritchie claims she's from Mystic Falls, but really, she lives in Atlanta where humidity is her greatest foe. She loves comic books, blue nail polish and Jonathan Taylor Thomas circa 1995. She frequents Twitter to dish about too many TV shows, and when she's not blogging, she writes novels and has teamed up with her twin sister to collaborate on a New Adult series.

Krista Ritchie has a clone...or someone who looks exactly like her. If she's not writing books with her twin sister, she's pouring over entertainment news and ingesting copious amounts of pop culture. She likes tennis, that thing called the TV, and beating Becca (her clone) on Sega Genesis. She created YA Book Exchange to combat her book buying addiction and started Nawanda Files, a YA Book Blog that features books into movies news, to share her love for all things bookish. Oh, and she does something called science. Whatever that is.

Krista: Goodreads | Twitter
Becca: Goodreads | Twitter
Website | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest

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Review: Lucky Girl (Dear Rockstar #2) by Emme Rollins

As much as I enjoyed Dear Rockstar, this one left me feeling a little flat.

I was excited to head back to the 80's with Sara and Dale and to see what was in store for them.  Part of my problem was that it didn't have that same 80's feel as Dear Rockstar and that is what really drew me in.

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this.  I just had a few issues.

What made me really, really happy?  The ending.  I am really glad that it turned out this way, because my heart was breaking.  And I really did not see it coming.

My issues:

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Review: Dear Rockstar (Dear Rockstar #1) by Emme Rollins

Wow. Ok, so this book dragged me back to the 80's and it was awesome. I loved it. The whole time I was reading this all I pictured in my head was old school DeGrassi. I was in heaven. Granted, I haven't been alive through many decades but out of the 3-ish I've been around for the 80's were by far the best.

So, while I was in my fabulous 80's flashback I was told the story of Sara and Dale.  They had this undeniable connection and I really liked that.  It was like he was made for her.  But then, they both have their issues.  We know from the start what they mostly are.  I spent a lot of time trying to figure out exactly what Sara and her step-beast's issues actually were.  I wish she had told Dale (and I) sooner so I could have spent the correct amount of time despising the bastard.  The actual reason she missed graduation broke my heart.  The whole situation all-around broke my heart.  And her obsession with Tyler Vincent.  This girl was cracked!  But, I guess she had every reason to be.

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Review: Death's Lover (Eternal Lovers 1) by Marie Hall

I'm not sure what it is, but there is something about this cover that is making me just stare at it mindlessly.

Eh.  Anyway, review time.

Although I did enjoy this book, it was very hard for me to get through.  I liked the world building, but my brain kept losing focus.

I had a hard time with the beginning, I really wasn't liking Cian and yes, it was because he was death and I guess I wasn't really grasping the point.  Even still, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about Eve falling in love with someone else after she was so obviously in love with her husband.  And even though two years had passed for Eve, it was hard for me to remember that.

Other than that, it was like it would drag at one point and then rush forward really quickly.

Towards the end I was confused by Lise's harshness with Eve.  I mean, I get it because it was explained but really, how did she expect Eve to react.  For me it was really unclear, almost like no matter what Eve did she was going to be wrong.

Poor Cian, I think he was just as confused as I was.

I did like this book and I will probably read the next one.  I am curious about Frenzy and where his story will go.  I'm also curious about some of the other characters.

Amazon:  Death's Lover (The Eternal Lovers Series) | Marie Hall
ARe:  Death's Lover
Goodreads:  Death's Lover (Eternal Lovers 1) | Marie Hall

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Review: The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers (Demon Slayer 2) by Angie Fox

This one is going to be short and to the point.  Yay!

The second novel in the Demon Slayer series was true to form.  It picked up where the first one left off and kept up the campy feel.

While I did enjoy it, it felt like it was dragging a bit.  I thought Dimitri would have played a bigger role in the book, but it seemed this one was more about Lizzie coming into her own in the supernatural world.  Although, in the end she needed help to do so.

Like I said, I did enjoy it.  It was what I needed since I've been reading some pretty heavy stuff lately.  Granted there are parts of this that should feel heavy, but they don't.

Angie Fox has a knack for writing things in a way to keep them light even when they are very heavy.  Kudos to her.  I didn't feel like I needed to crawl in a hole, curl into the fetal position and bawl like a baby at all while I was reading this.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


Amazon Links:  The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers, An Urban Fantasy Romance (Biker Witches Mystery, Book 2) | Angie Fox
Kobo Links:  The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers
ARe Links:  The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers
Goodreads Links:  The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers (Demon Slayer 2) | Angie Fox
Angie Fox on Facebook
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Review: Law Man (Dream Man #3) by Kristen Ashley

Books that you can identify with are great, but every once in a while you find that one book that hits a little too close to home. It was bound to happen sooner or later, so I'm glad it was a book that I really enjoyed.

So, lets start this off right.

Assclowns suck.
Irresponsible assclowns suck more.
The trailer park family of said assclowns suck the most.

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Review: Addicted To You (Addicted 1) by Krista & Becca Ritchie

I want to preface this by saying that I don't think I have a clear rational explanation for giving this book 4 stars.  Some things just are.  THIS IS 4 STARS.  and its that simple.  It happens sometimes.  But because this is a review blog and I'm supposed to write a review, here goes.

This book is ugly.  It made me cringe.  I wanted to cry.  I wanted to throw it across the room.  But at the same time I could not stop reading it.

These two people are such a spectacular mess.  All they have is each other... and their addictions.  And its been this way for a very, very long time.

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Review: Westin's Chase (Titan #3) by Cristin Harber

Oh Jared!  I think I love you!  Wait... I think I love Colby and Cash too.  Hell, lets throw in Rocco, Roman and Brock as well.  For all that, lets add in the Delta Team.  Hmm... Can I have a Titan harem?  Oh the fun I could have with those boys! *fans self*

I think the thing I love most about this series is that the guys are not the ones running from the relationship.  They see it for what it is and they don't deny it.  They want it.  They embrace it.  And it adds a whole other layer of sexiness to them.  I think that is what makes this series stand out from the crowd.  These boys can get down and dirty and then turn on the gentleness.  It just makes you melt.

Alright, I'll stop swooning now.  On with the show.


Jared and Sugar.  Yeah, we knew it was coming.  We could see it a mile away and so could all of Titan.  I really wasn't fond of Sugar until the end of Garrison's Creed.  But, she changed my mind and I saw a whole different side to her.  She's tough and badass but she's also vulnerable.  Let's face it as much as she doesn't want to admit it, she needs Jared.

And "Jared The Babysitter"!  Loved it!  So funny.

I really don't know what to say about Jared.  Master of the Universe really says it all.  Cause if I say more, it will be naughty, dirty, obscene and probably downright raunchy, so I will keep that all to myself.

As far as action and suspense goes, this one has it in spades.  It keeps you hanging on page after page.

I freakin' love this series.  I'm so glad there were 3 novels and 2 novellas all released at the same time.  I can binge on these and then anticipate Rocco for a little while.

Amazon Links:  Westin's Chase | Cristin Harber
Kobo Links: Westin's Chase
ARe Links:  Westin's Chase
GoodReads Links:  Westin's Chase | Cristin Harber
BookLikes Links:  Westin's Chase | Cristin Harber

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Review: Searching for Someday (Love Spells #1) by Jennifer Probst

Expected Publication Date: November 26, 2013

Overall this was an enjoyable read.  I liked it, but there was just something holding me back.

It was light-hearted and fun.  It had humor and great characters.  It had a little bit of magic.  It had a super sweet, super smart canine.

I liked the gift/curse aspect of the story.  I liked Kate and I liked Slade.  Their chemistry was off the charts.  The secondary characters were great and I can see this series going on with some good stories for them.  I loved Kate's mom, she was awesome.  And Robert, he was so sweet.

So my issues?

Well, the whole virgin thing.  I mean, I guess I can see it, but I don't think it was necessary for her to be a virgin.  I think the relationship had plenty of other complications without that one thrown in.

And... the whole push away/pull back thing.  It just went on for too long.  Every time you think they've got it together and everything is good to go, one of them does something stupid and it starts all over.

Really, not too bad.  Will I read the next one in the series?  Probably.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon Links:  Searching for Someday | Jennifer Probst
Kobo Links: Searching for Someday
GoodReads Links:  Searching for Someday | Jennifer Probst

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Review: Audition (Southern Belles #1) by Amanda Heartley

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Fun and exciting... Dark and deceptive...

Annie
So, I'm a small-town girl, but I can still dream big.
Maybe I'm naive, but I'm in the audition of a lifetime.
One that could launch my acting career into stardom.
If I can navigate the director's couch.

But sex and starlets are what drive men like Vicktor Rossen.
He’ll say and do anything to get what he wants.
Like so many other women, I saw it, and now I'm out for revenge.
And my gay best friend, Daveed knows exactly what to do.

But my world is shattered when a phone call from home changes everything...

This novella was ok. While I was reading it I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but in the end I did.

One of my issues with this was the use of the word "snatch". Might just be my issue but I hate that word. I can understand if a guy uses it, but I just can't see any woman referring to her lady bits as her snatch.  It just put me off.  Luckily, I only saw it a few times.

I spent most of this story either being pissed at Vic for being such a dick or being pissed at Annie for being so stupid.

Although there was some sex in this, I would not consider this erotic.  The sex was off-putting because of the situation surrounding it.

This books redemption came in the form of the ending.  It was great.  I didn't expect that at all.  My jaw dropped and I was laughing my ass off at the image I had conjured in my mind.  And I have to admit it felt good.  Payback is a bitch.

If you're looking for romance or a HEA, this isn't it.  If you want something that will probably piss you off and then make you laugh, then here you go.

And I am tempted to read the next one in this series.  If I do, I'll be crossing my fingers that I will not see the word snatch.

Amanda Heartley

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Review: Consequences, Truth and Convicted by Aleatha Romig

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When I first picked up Consequences back in April I didn't really know what to expect. I didn't read the synopsis. I believe I found it on a Listopia list of “mindfucks”. I read some reviews, but all I really gleaned from them was that it was going to screw with my mind. I actually didn't really believe that it would, after all, it was just a book.

It was NOT just a book.

While reading it I found myself “compartmentalizing” right along with Claire. I had to periodically stop reading just to absorb what was going on. I just could not wrap my brain around it. In the beginning, I was devastated for Claire and I loathed Tony. Then I found myself wondering why Claire stuck around given everything that had happened. I still loathed Tony and wanted to kill him myself. Thinking back on it, I still wonder sometimes about some of the things Claire did, but I can see where being put in a situation like that and “compartmentalizing” everything away could skew her perspective. It also didn't help that Tony flip-flopped with his horrendous behavior and not so horrendous behavior (I couldn't find the right adjective; tender, sweet and romantic just don't fit). By the end I was proud of Claire for standing up for herself and not going along with the insanity plea. I was hopeful at that point, even being where she was, Claire would be able to “out” Tony.

At this point I was invested. Claire and Tony were in my head. I was constantly thinking about them and trying to find some kind of peace for myself. It didn't happen. Reading Truth was a given, I couldn't not read it.

I forged on and delved into Truth. I met Harry. I loved Harry. I wanted Claire to be with Harry forever. I still wanted Tony to die! Phillip Roach, I met him too. I thought he was a little creepy, but eh. Claire was free and she got herself a plan. She was strong and trying to be as independent as she could. I was so, so proud of her. She was taking charge. She was finding out information. She was finding witnesses to things. She was taking on Tony. It was liberating. It was also dangerous.

Enter Tony. Manipulative bastard. Claire tried, she really did but she crumbled. He trumped her and she crumbled. He took advantage of her. But she started seeing changes in Tony and he was trying to be better. Tony was also doing some other activities that I was unsure about. By the end, we find Claire and Tony back together in Iowa. Harry is crushed and broken-hearted. Everyone else is thinking Claire is the stupidest person on the planet.

Oh, but wait! Strange things are happening in Iowa. Threats and such. Sweet, motherly Catherine (that bitch) wants to help Claire keep herself safe. She shows Claire something. Claire runs with Roach.

I am floored. I am upset. I was beginning to start to maybe like Tony a little bit, now I don't know what I think. I'm still unsure about Roach.

My mind, again, is in turmoil and I need time to process. I need someone to talk to about this. I think I am obsessed with this. I find a friend and convince her she MUST read these books. I need to know that someone else is as screwed up over this as I am.

She reads them. I re-read them. We are both a little messed up, me more so. She hates Tony, doesn't like him at all, not even a little. We talk and we talk and we talk. I see a release date somewhere for Convicted. I immediately call her. She is excited too. Then I find Chapter 1 on a Goodreads group. I read it and call her. She will not read it. So I share. We are distraught by this chapter. It hurts. We don't understand. Then I see Chapter 2 on this same Goodreads group. (I can't figure out if Aleatha likes to gift her readers or tease them) Again, total confusion. Why are Roach and Claire acting so married in private? Its too much. I can't take it. I think I may be losing it. I call my friend. She talks my insane ass down.

Now I wait. I'm counting down to October 8. I'm thinking of taking that day as a vacation day. The closer it gets the more excited I get. I can't wait. BAM! My computer at work dies, guess who is not taking a vacation day. My plans are ruined.

Date: October 7       Time:  around 9 pm        Event: A twitter post with a link to CONVICTED on Amazon. I immediately buy it.

Now, just for reference, I DO NOT SQUEE, AND I DO NOT FANGIRL, I ALSO DO NOT DO .GIFS.

I did the first two, and strongly considered the third. Not only did I squee and fangirl at home, I went to work the next day and did it some more and I was still doing it the day after that.

I have finished Convicted and I am still squeeing and fangirling all over the place. Anyhow, just wanted to give you an idea of my excitement level.

Now, onto Convicted and back to ClaireAndTonyLand.

WARNING: The following may or may not be a jumbled and confused mass of statements and questions. It may or may not make any sense at all. I may or may not have gotten a total of 6 hours of sleep in the past 48 hours because I was busy READING THIS BOOK! I also may or may not have taken a yellow hornet caffeine pill today. My brain is also still processing everything I read.

Harry... Harry... Harry... That hurts. I loved you, Harry! How could you do this? And then to find out your history. Its kind of sad. I'm pissed at you Harry, but I think I may still love you. But this Liz chick, I'm not so sure about her. I am suspicious.

Tony, I am completely convinced that you love Claire more than anything and that she loves you too. But there is a whole lot of shit between the two of you and it keeps getting deeper.

Oh! And I think I may be in love with Roach too. Why did I not realize he is ex-special ops?

Meredith Banks, girlfriend, you have redeemed yourself!

Emily, I understand why you do what you do, but it just ain't right.

Catherine, UGH!

Sophia & Derek, I have no words.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way. I am sad to see this series end, but I know that it has to. All of these characters feel like a part of me and all I did was read the damn books.

Reading this last one you realize that things are not always the way they appear, even to yourself. No matter who you are, what you do, how much money you have or how in control you are, there is always someone who can trump that and they can do it without you even knowing. I will say, I did enjoy seeing Tony's transformation and seeing him admit to the power that Claire has over him. And he let go of the control... sometimes.

For most of the book I was just waiting nervously for the scene where Tony dies. I know, I know... I said earlier that he needed to die, but I changed my mind. I really didn't want him to.

Honestly, I'm not really sure what I wanted. When I got to towards the end of this, it was tearing me apart. Every page I turned sent me in another direction, I felt like a yo-yo. I'm still mulling over the ending, trying to figure out exactly how I feel about it. It feels good, but at the same time I still feel a sense of loss.

This series was a long, hard, emotional journey. There were highs and there were lows. There was great elation and there was great despair. Not only for the characters in the books, but also for me, and you as readers, and I'm sure for Aleatha as the author. I don't think I've ever read anything that has made me feel like this series has. It was amazing... and now I'm getting weepy.

To sum it up in Claire's words, “I've lived this story...”

And I do feel like I did live it right along with Claire.

Amazon Links:  Consequences | Truth | Convicted | Aleatha Romig
GoodReads Links:  Consequences | Truth | Convicted | Aleatha Romig

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Review: Escaping Reality (The Secret Life of Amy Bensen #1) by Lisa Renee Jones

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Infinite possibilities….
Infinite passion…..
Infinite danger….

His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.

At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loves to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she’s finally dared to believe she is forgotten–even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets down her guard, the ghosts of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run.

On a plane, struggling to face the devastation of losing everything again and starting over, Amy meets Liam Stone, a darkly entrancing recluse billionaire, who is also a brilliant, and famous, prodigy architect. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Amy. Refusing to take “no” as an answer, he sweeps her into a passionate affair, pushing her to her erotic limits. He wants to possess her. He makes her want to be possessed. Liam demands everything from her, accepting nothing less. But what if she is too devastated by tragedy to know when he wants more than she should give? And what if there is more to Liam than meets the eyes?

*Complimentary copy received from Netgalley for review purposes.

I want to start by saying this is a very hard review for me to write.  I'm not sure what to say.

Did I like it?  Yes.

Am I intrigued enough to read the next one?  Absolutely, I would even go so far as to say that reading the next one is a must.

So, I will try my best at this.  Here goes.

The first thing I noticed when I started this was that it was written in the first person.  Normally, I'm not a fan but in this case it works.  I can't explain how or why, it just does.

This book has me curious.  I've been told just enough to know something hinky is going on, but not enough to know what it is.  And dammit, I want to know!

The relationship between Amy and Liam just seemed off from the beginning. It was just too much, too soon. Yes, it was hot, steamy and sexy but it was also possessive, overbearing and scary.  And frankly, I think I much preferred Jared to Liam.  I've been contemplating what a relationship between Amy and Jared would've been like.  Maybe in book 2? A girl can hope right?

If I was Amy, I would've been running around grabbing everyone's wrists looking for that damn symbol. Crazy?  Maybe, but at this point who cares, she doesn't know who to trust or what to do.  And I think I am as lost and confused as she is.  A few times my brain was screaming for Amy to do something but at the end of the last page I was glad she didn't.

Are you confused? Yeah...

Now I want to apologize.  If you have found my review scattered and confusing, I am very sorry.  But that is how this book left me. Scattered and Confused and wanting answers.

Lisa Renee Jones

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Review: Beyond Shame (Beyond #1) by Kit Rocha

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All Noelle Cunningham has ever wanted is a life beyond–beyond the walls of Eden, where only the righteous are allowed to remain, and beyond her stiflingly restrictive existence as a councilman’s daughter. But only ruins lie outside the City, remnants of a society destroyed by solar storms decades earlier.

The sectors surrounding Eden house the corrupt, the criminal–men like Jasper McCray, bootlegger and cage fighter. Jas clawed his way up from nothing to stand at the right hand of Sector Four’s ruthless leader, and he’ll defend the O’Kane gang with his life. But no fight ever prepared him for the exiled City girl who falls at his feet.

Her innocence is undeniable, but so is their intense sexual attraction, and soon they’re crossing every boundary Noelle barely knew she had. But if she wants to belong to Jas, first she’ll have to open herself to the gang, to a dangerous world of sex, lust and violence. A world where passion is power, and freedom is found in submission.

Beyond Shame = textbook for transitioning into life in Sector Four

• Forget everything you think you know about Sector Four. It is probably wrong.
• Dallas is in charge of everything (except for Lex).
• Have no shame. Exhibitionism, Voyeurism, menage-a-(insert random #), orgies, BDSM and anything else you can think of is A-OK. It's actually encouraged.
• If you start thinking you don't know who you are anymore, its ok. The way to find yourself is through hedonistic sexual exploration. (Please see above for examples.)
• Know the difference between dirty and obscene.
  "Dirty's saying I'm going to make you come. Obscene's saying I'm going to spread your pretty pink pussy lips open and spank your clit until you come all over my face.”
• O'Kane is for life.
• Strands of pearls are not an accessory you wear around your neck.
• Tattoo chairs are multi-purpose.
• O'Kane's are bad-ass. Don't fuck with them.
• Party = Orgy
• The men are alpha. They think they know what's best. Be patient and teach them a torturous sexual lesson. That will fix it.
• Our afterwork activity of choice is cage fighting. The men get to work off steam and it makes the women horny.
• If one of these alpha men thinks you are his and his alone, he will want you marked, as in a tattoo. You do remember that the tattoo chair is multi-purpose, right?

*sigh* If only my high-school textbooks had been like this.

Kit Rocha

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