Promises Hurt Review

I wasn't planning on falling for Ethan Jamison, hell I wasn't planning on our paths ever crossing. He’s the most popular guy at school and a complete player. Me; I’m the perpetual good girl, trying to carry out one last request. But when you make a promise, how far do you go to see it through? 

~ Blair

It’s a running joke that I’m a terrible liar, if only people knew the truth. My whole life has been spent making excuses and deflecting questions. I was pretty good at it until Blair Thomas entered my world. She saw through the mask that everyone is so willing to accept. She makes me want to tell her all my secrets, but can she promise to keep them?

~ Ethan

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How far would you go to honor your best friend?  If they left you a bucket list of things to finish for them because they were unable to complete before they died, would you fulfill it as their dying wish?  Where would you draw the line?  Blair was the best friend of Emily.  Blair never plans on getting anywhere near Ethan Jamison, the player that her best friend had a secret crush on.  Their lives pass in a way that is totally unexpected.  Will their first encounter be love at first sight?

Blair can see through Ethan’s scarred heart, but is it just his heart that bears the scars he is hiding?  Are the people in our lives that are expected to be the ones that we can trust and confide in, the ones who hurt us the most?  Will the secrets that Blair promises to keep hurt herself by feeling Ethan’s pain or will her own secrets she promised to Emily hurt Ethan? 

I loved this story and I totally was not expecting the cliffhanger at the end.  I hope you enjoy it and I can’t wait to read book 2.  I gave it four stars.  I didn't think I would like this story because of the age of the characters, but I like to think I can live vicariously through the characters in their high school years.  There was high emotion, drama, and love that soothes my hopeless romantic side, but some sexy scenes that satisfies that erotic side as well.

**ARC given in exchange for honest review**

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Review: Wrapped In Shadows by Lisa Eugene

One night of shadows. One night of bliss. One night it all fell apart.

Katherine Regina Vandercamp has everything. Wealth. Beauty. Social standing. She’s the heiress to the Vandercamp fortune and engaged to the man of her dreams. One night it all shatters…

Finding her fiancé with another woman, she is distraught and makes a reckless decision to go with a friend to a sex club. Needing total anonymity, she has sex with a stranger in a room of total darkness, a sensuous cocoon of silky shadows. She has no idea who this man is or what he looks like. But it is in the shadows she finds solace. In the shadows she finds bliss.

She can’t forget this stranger’s touch, his taste, his scent. He infiltrates her dreams and holds her thoughts and body captive. But has she made a false assumption about her fiancé? Was he truly unfaithful? She regrets her hasty actions and is tormented by guilt. She is determined to marry the man she loves and forget her stranger.

Sinister events unfolded at the sex club. There was a gruesome murder and her stranger has been charged with the crime. Katie knows he’s innocent because she was with him at the time of the murder. She is more shocked to find that he’s not a stranger after all. What will she do? Will she reveal her horrible secret? Will she besmirch the Vandercamp name? Will she risk losing the man who has her heart to save the man who’s touched her soul?

Her life is in turmoil. All because of that one night.

A night that was wrapped in shadows...

You want to know what really gets me?  I mean, what really just grabs me and and punches me in the gut and makes me love one character and absolutely loathe the other?

A lying, cheating bastard.

So, its safe to say that this book had me from the very beginning.

Was it an absolutely perfect read?  No... but it was damn close.

It had everything I like.  I got romance, hot sex, mystery and suspense.  I was in book heaven.

Kay and Luke's chemistry was off the charts and popping off the pages.  I was so into this that I stayed up until 3 am reading it, and even then I didn't want to stop.

I'll be honest with you, halfway through I thought I had this figured out.  I was 99% sure I knew exactly what was going on.  I was looking forward to the end when I could say "HA, I knew it!".

Lisa Eugene didn't give me that chance.  She threw me for a loop and totally surprised me.  I was halfway there, but I definitely did not see that coming.

And ugh!  Talk about a bitch.  I wanted to hit Kay's mom up side the head with something.  She pissed me off so frickin' bad.

I don't have a whole lot to complain about with this one.  Some of Kay's actions didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, she just made things more complicated than they needed to be.  Other than that, my only gripe is the vocabulary.  Every now and then a word would be used that just seemed out of place.  Not because it didn't make sense, just because it isn't a common word.  I am by no means a dummy, although I do have my moments, but I had to go to the dictionary and look up a few words while reading this.

So... all in all, I enjoyed this.  I enjoyed this a whole hell of a lot.  Definitely worth the read.

*Copy received from author in exchange for an honest review.


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Splintered Hearts/New Hope Trilogy Review

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Book #1

New Adult contemporary romance. Due to sexual content and heavy subject matter, this book is intended for mature readers.

“If you’re broken, I’ll fix you…”

I’m only twenty-one and already damaged goods. A slut. A failure. A disappointment to my picture-perfect family as long as I can remember. I called off my wedding to William Bailey, the only man who thought I was worth fixing. A year later, he’s marrying my sister. Unless I ask him not to…

“If you shatter, I’ll find you…”

But now there’s Asher Logan, a broken man who sees the fractures in my façade and doesn’t want to fix me at all. Asher wants me to stop hiding, to stop pretending. Asher wants to break down my walls. But that means letting him see my ugly secrets and forgiving him for his.

With my past weighing down on me, do I want the man who holds me together or the man who gives me permission to break?

This is book one of the New Hope Trilogy.  I gave it 5 stars.  It was a lot of suspense and romance that just kept me intrigued all the way through.  You definitely need to read this series in order to completely understand everything. 

Maggie Thompson is “the example” of the family, the one child that everyone says don’t follow in her footsteps.  She is known as a slut, failure, college dropout.  She is even nicknamed “Lucy.”  When you hear yourself called something for so long, you begin to believe that’s what you are.  Is her heart scarred beyond repair?  Can someone come and pick up all the broken pieces and mend her back together? 

Asher Logan, ideal bad boy and former rock star, has his secrets and past that he is hiding.  He wants to help Maggie tear down those walls around her heart and allow her to open up to him.  But will their pasts collide and prevent their history from allowing them to move forward together? 

Is it easier to be with someone who will help you stay in one piece or someone who will allow you to shatter? 

Let’s just say I am very happy with Maggie’s decision.  She goes through a lot of heartache to get exactly where she should be.  Things work out for her and her man in more ways than one.   After everything she’s been through, will everyone see the real truth?  Has she been the victim or the home wrecker everyone claims she is?  See for yourself and please continue reading because this series is awesome.  

I felt like Nickelback's "Figured You Out" helps explain more about Maggie & her man.  Hope you enjoy it!

Book #2

Cally… 
A sexy smile. Intense blue eyes. A goodness that makes him want to save me from these rumors when no one else would care. I didn't ask for a hero. William Bailey was never supposed to be anything more than a wish, a dream, an unrequited crush. Not for a girl like me--a girl whose fractured family has stolen her chance at a decent life.

William… 
Since the death of my parents, I've always done what’s expected of me, what's "best" for me. Until Cally. The moment her haunted eyes meet mine, the fractured pieces of my heart feel whole again. I don’t just want to save her. I need her to save me.

Stolen chances. Unbroken wishes. Two lonely souls grasping for hope in the darkness. 


**This novella takes place seven years before the events in WISH I MAY and shows William and Cally falling in love for the first time. It can be read before or after WISH I MAY or on its own.**

**Contains sexual content and adult language and situations. Intended for mature readers.**

This novella is 1.5 in the New Hope Trilogy Series.  I gave it 4 stars.  It takes place 7 years prior to Wish I May (Book #3).  It must be read in order to understand the series of events that takes place and catches you up to speed with the town of New Hope and all their drama. 

Cally is a young girl that had a mom with a bad reputation.  Is she trying to prove she is not like her or live in her footsteps?  Will William Bailey be her saving grace? 

William Bailey is the hottie on campus, with money and a future any girl wants to find themselves involved with.  Will Cally be what’s best for William or will he do what’s always been expected of him and be with a nice rich girl?  

Book#3

New adult romance from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Unbreak Me. Due to sexual content and heavy subject matter, this book is intended for mature readers. 
~ ~ ~ 
Nothing about her says cute. Everything about her says sex. And mine. 

I never thought I'd see her again. Didn't think I wanted to. But the moment Cally Fisher returns to New Hope, I know I could forgive her the most unthinkable secret, if only she would tell me. 

This time, I'm fighting for her. 

After seven years. After breaking his heart and dismissing my own, I'm still very much his. 

I never intended to return home, but to help my sisters, I'll confront my past...and William Bailey, the man whose eyes remind me of the girl I was, the things I've done, and the future I've lost. This would all be easier if William hated me. But he wants to be in my life, my secrets be damned. 

If he learns the truth, it will destroy him.

This is book #3 in the New Hope Trilogy Series.  You must read this series in order.  I gave it 5 stars.  I hope the music I’ve chosen helps you to understand the story where words just aren’t enough to describe this wonderful story.

After 7 years, William Bailey sees Cally Fisher and is he still just in love as he was back then?  Did she walk into his life at the perfect time? 

Cally Fisher never intended to come back to New Hope, but she will do anything to help her sisters.  Will William be able to forgive Cally for her past or not be able to forgive her for what she did to him 7 years ago? 

Cally’s love for her sisters is unconditional and she would do anything for them.  Does that mean following in her mother’s footsteps?  Offering sexual favors for money?  Will honest work pay the bills? 

How much of a fight is William willing to go through for Cally?  Tracking her down across the county?  Having her whole family live with him?  A little bit of Strawberry Wine brings back a lot of memories.  Will they rekindle that first love that can never be forgotten or will they both go their separate ways after seeing each other?

New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author Lexi Ryan’s novels have been described as intense, emotional, and wickedly sexy. A former college professor, she now writes full-time from her home in Indiana, where she lives with her husband, two children, and a neurotic dog. Find her on Facebook or Twitter to chat about books, TV, and her children’s latest antics.

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**ARC given in exchange for honest review**

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Review: Take (Temptation #2) by Ella Frank

Synopsis

TAKE – verb: to reach for and hold in one’s hands or get into one’s possession, power or control. 

Logan Mitchell is a man who’s always been more than happy to take what he wants. It’s a philosophy that’s proven lucrative in both his business and personal life, and never was it more apparent than the night he laid eyes on Tate Morrison. After pulling out all the stops and convincing the sexy bartender to give him a try—he’s hooked. 

Now, Logan finds himself in a predicament that demands more from him than a smart-ass answer and his innate ability to walk away when things get too deep. 

He has a choice to make, and it’ll force him to do something he’s never done before—take a chance.

Tate Morrison knows all about taking a chance. He took the biggest one of his life the night he showed up at Logan’s apartment to explore his unexpected reaction to the man. 

Ever since then, he’s thought about little else.

At first he was convinced his attraction was based solely on his body’s curiosity. But the more time he spends with the silver-tongued lawyer, the more Tate realizes that their physical chemistry is only the beginning. 

He’s starting to catch a glimpse of what life with Logan would be like, and it’s one full of excitement and satisfaction—a far cry from what he had in the past with his soon to be ex-wife.

Each man will face their fears as they begin to understand the true meaning of give and take. Their feelings for one another will be tested, as will their very beliefs. But now that they’ve found love where they least expected it, will they be brave enough to reach out and take it?

Review:

I am completely and totally in love with Tate and Logan.  These two have me so wrapped up in their emotions I don't know what to do with myself.

These two are smokin' hot and their sexy times are unbelievable. They are just so passionate with each other, whether they are being gentle or rough.  You see their emotions in everything they do.

My heart aches for both of them and the things they have and are dealing with but at the same time I'm kinda jealous of what they have with each other (yes, I know they are fictional characters).

I really want to jump inside this story.  I have so many things I want to say to Diana the Cunt and to Tate's bigoted parents. I was just shaking my head back and forth reading this.  Not even a lick of understanding at all.  I know people like this.  It drives me insane.

Logan and Tate's story has captivated me and I can't wait for the next book.  Even when their story is finished I have a feeling it will stay with me for a very long time.

This series is definitely a must read for fans of the M/M genre and a good starting point for newcomers.

*Copy received in exchange for an honest review.

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Ella Frank is a #1 Amazon Bestselling Author. She writes both contemporary and erotic fiction and is best known for her Exquisite Series, Try and her most recent novel Veiled Innocence.

The minute she began her love affair with reading, she became and avid supporter of the romance genre and has never looked back. 

Ella is Australian born and bred but currently resides in Houston, Texas with her husband.

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Review: Ecstasy Unbound (Guardians of the Realms #1) by Setta Jay

As one of the twelve Guardians of the Realms, Urian has spent the last several centuries in a constant battle to keep the inhabitants of Earth’s Realms under control. Humanity needed to evolve, hell beasts needed to die, and Immortal races needed mates. Unfortunately, he found that he cared less about duty, and more about when his sexy voyeur would again grace the shadows to watch as he and his brother Guardian shared one of the human females frequenting the club. All Guardians were forbidden contact with the little goddess and her brothers, but his need for her was escalating. He found it more difficult than ever to keep from pinning her face down on the nearest surface, and making her his.

Alexandra and her brothers have avoided exile from the human Realm for centuries, ever since the Creators sent the Gods to sleep for their sins against humanity, and banished the Immortals. She has always known that she was needed on Earth. Only once had she gone against her instincts and the price she paid will forever haunt her. It is for that reason she forces herself to stay away from the only male that has ever truly enticed her. The only one that has ever made her flesh heat, and her stomach quiver with desire.

In desperate need to help her beloved brother, she will have to go to the enthralling Guardian, her dark obsession. He is her best hope to get the help she needs, even though he would surely attempt to exile her. She won't go easily…

Really, I don't know where to begin with this.  Just from reading the prequel I was already head over ass for Erik and Vane... yeah, and Alex too.  Then you add all these Guardians into the mix and I think I may spontaneously combust.

And just so you know, there is a story here, its not just a whole lot of hot immortal type sexual shenanigans (even though the shenanigans are quite nice).  The world-building and back story kept this interesting and the powers that the Immortals and Guardians have are intriguing.

Aside from the main couple in the book and the immediate story, it seems there is an ongoing story-line throughout the series that I've undoubtedly been sucked into.

I really, really, really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the next one.

There is another side to this as well.  This book is educational.  I want to thank Setta Jay for teaching me to never read her books while sitting in my living room with my family.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to hide a dirty talking Uri induced orgasm?

"Keep eating me up with those eyes, little Goddess, and I'll be so deep inside that hot little pussy you won't remember what you came here for."

That line does it for me every time!


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Review: Beyond All Boundaries by J. Lea

23-year-old Nia Price is a dancer. But she is not an ordinary dancer. She is a pole dancer. When her best friend enters her in the talent show, her life turns upside-down and threatening letters she receives from a mysterious admirer, don`t help her either.

In the hallway of her apartment, she meets a dark, mysterious man with sky blue eyes, who literally takes her breath away.

29-year-old Jason West is a ladies' man. He loves women and is not hiding it. He's a man every woman desires. But he also loves his profession. He and his best friend are private investigators, who run their own PI agency.

When Nia enters his life, he finally meets a person who does not succumb to his charm. Jason, however, does not give up. He can't forget the feisty and attractive girl who rejected him.

Jason discovers that someone is threatening her, so he takes matters into his own hands and tries to help her desperately. Will he make it in time to save her? To save the girl who stole a part of his heart? Is he willing to go beyond all boundaries?

Adult content: It contains strong language and graphic sexual content.

This is Lea J.'s debut novel and I was really excited to have the chance to read it.  I was immediately drawn in by the cover and synopsis.

The story itself was interesting and kept me reading.  I had a theory and *had* to know if I was right.  Even though I was right, she still hit me with a few surprises at the end and I totally didn't see those coming.

Unfortunately, I wasn't really able to connect emotionally with the characters and I was more interested in finding out if my theory was correct than I was with what was going on with the characters.

I do think that its important to note that Beyond All Boundaries was written in Slovenian and translated to English.  There were some phrases and words that just seemed off or out of place.  I think this is part of why I had a hard time connecting to the characters.

I think that for her debut novel Lea J. did a pretty good job.  I have no doubt that her books will only get better with time and experience.

*Copy received from author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Try (Temptation #1) by Ella Frank

Try – verb: to make an attempt or effort to do something or in this case…someone.

Sex. Logan Mitchell loves it, and ever since he realized his raw sexual appeal at a young age, he has had no problem using it to his advantage. Men and women alike fall into his bed—after all, Logan is not one to discriminate. He lives by one motto—if something interests you, why not just take a chance and try?

And he wants to try Tate Morrison.

Just coming out of a four-year marriage with an ex-wife from hell, a relationship is the last thing on Tate’s mind. He’s starting fresh and trying to get back on his feet with a new job at an upscale bar in downtown Chicago.

The only problem is, Tate has caught the unwavering and unwelcome attention of Mr. Logan Mitchell – a regular at the bar and a man who always gets what he wants.

Night after night Tate fends off the persistent advances of the undeniably charismatic man, but after an explosive moment in the bar, all bets are off as he finds his body stirring with a different desire than his mind.

As arrogance, stubbornness and sexual tension sizzles between the two, it threatens to change the very course of their lives.

Logan doesn’t do relationships. Tate doesn’t do men. But what would happen if they both just gave in and…tried?

GENRE: M/M

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect from this.  While this wasn't my first M/M, this one hit me differently than the others had.  I'll admit, in the past I've been a little uncomfortable reading this genre, but I read it anyway because sometimes its the uncomfortable things that are the most remarkable.

Oddly enough, I wasn't uncomfortable reading this.  At all.  But I still think it is remarkable.

Logan and Tate's relationship had me from the beginning.  The push and pull, the whole dynamic between them was amazing.  It drew me in, I think even more so because it was two men.

While I was reading it though, I wasn't even thinking in the context of it being two men, I was just thinking its two people that are attracted to each other and this extended to the sex scenes.  They were written so sensually and beautifully that all I could think about was the beauty of what they were doing.  And that right there made it hot as hell.

For people who take issue with the M/M genre, this may be a book for them try.  Maybe while reading this they will be able to see the beauty behind it and open their minds a little bit more.

Ella Frank has a way with words.  With each new book I read from her I am blown away all over again. She writes things so beautifully that even when its not a tear-worthy moment, I still want to cry.  I think she is amazing.

*Copy received from author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Cowboy Take Me Away (Rough Riders #16) by Lorelei James

The final Rough Riders book.

Settle in for the hot McKay romance that started it all...

The moment Carson McKay saw the sexy blonde at the dance hall, he wanted to throw her over his saddle and gallop hell-bent toward the closest church. Given his reputation as a lover and a fighter--not necessarily in that order--it wasn't surprising she gave him the cold shoulder. But he hadn't expected the mean right hook when he tried to steal a kiss.

Carolyn West might look sweet and innocent, but she's no fool. The good-looking cowboy with the heart-stopping smile didn't really want to marry her; he just wanted to take her for a test ride. But when he kisses her a second time, she doesn't fight her burning attraction to him...until she learns he's one of the McKay cowboys she's been warned about.

Carson doesn't care about the long-standing feud between their families; he knows that Carolyn was meant to be his. And the more intimate they become, the more Carolyn sees the real man behind the wild cowboy reputation--a man who wants the same forever kind of love she does...and who will lead her into a love story that spans fifty years.

Warning: Crazy, hot, sexy and sweet--good girl meets bad boy cowboy and they prove lust can last a lifetime.

I am so sad that this is the last book of this series.

Lorelei James has done such a spectacular job with the Rough Riders Series.  Each book is special to me in one way or another.

This family, the McKays, they are amazing. I'll admit, I've wanted to take a trip to Wyoming a time or two just to see if I could find them. I've been through so much with this family its almost like I'm one of them.

Just know that this is a series that I have not only read numerous times but I will continue to read over and over again. I think anyone who starts this series won't be able to stop, they will become addicted to the McKays.

*deep sigh* Cowboy Take Me Away. This was the absolute, most perfect ending for this series. Carolyn and Carson are magnificent even when they are in a rough patch. I laughed, I cried, I reminisced. We got a glimpse of Carson's brothers that we hadn't seen before and it shows you, all of the McKays are crazy, but in a good way.

I really don't know what else to say. I love this series, I love this book, I love the McKays & the Wests and I think I may love Lorelei James.

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