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: Surviving Raine (Surviving Raine #1) & Bastian's Storm (Surviving Raine #2) by Shay Savage

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As the captain of a schooner catering to the elite on the Caribbean Seas, Sebastian Stark does his best to avoid any human encounters. Interacting with people isn’t his thing, and he prefers the company of a bottle of vodka, a shot glass, and maybe a whore. There’s no doubt he’s hiding from a checkered past, but he does well keeping everything to himself…

…until the night his schooner capsizes, and he’s stuck on a life raft with one of the passengers.

Raine’s young, she’s cute, and Bastian would probably be into her if he wasn’t suffering from alcohol withdrawal. As the days pass, DTs, starvation, and dehydration become the norm. Even the most closed person starts to open up when he thinks he’s going to die, but when she realizes their traumatic pasts are connected, it’s no longer the elements that have Bastian concerned.

He has no idea how he’s going to Survive Raine.

*Complimentary copy received for review purposes.

Sebastian Stark, aka Daniel, is the captain of the schooner, The Oblation. He is not a people person, but is a chain smoker, alcoholic, and spends most nights divulging in different whores. He is very kept to himself. When the oblation goes down, he ends up on a life raft with the book nerd, young Raine.

Raine is a sweet innocent young girl just trying to get away and enjoy a small vacation. She is saved by Sebastian out of the water and put on the life raft with him. She helps save him through DTs of alcohol withdrawal, nightmares, and his past that keeps haunting him.

Being stranded with no one else to talk to, or with nothing else to do, has Bastian opening up to Raine to reveal his past. As soon as she reveals her last name and why she has taken this trip, their pasts will collide in a way Bastian never thought expected. Will Raine be thankful to find out who Bastian really is or too scared and mad to be around him at all?

Raine’s inquisitive conversation could be dangerous for them both, if she knows everything. Will they survive or will they die from dehydration and starvation on the life raft?

I loved this book and gave it four stars. Sebastian’s past continues to haunt him every night no matter what he does. Without alcohol, he cannot drown out the memories, but with Raine will he be able to survive through all the nightmares? I cannot wait to see what is to come in the next book, Bastian’s Storm.

Sebastian Stark just isn’t cut out for normal life with a girlfriend in the hot and humid city of Miami. All in all, he’d rather be back on the island where it was just the two of them, and he could keep everything in balance. The bar down the street tempts him daily, but he’s determined to remain strong. Adjusting to normal life is difficult, but Bastian is doing his best to keep himself together and the nightmares away. Raine’s happy, and that’s what matters to him the most. But not all nightmares can be driven away. When Bastian’s former mentor comes into the picture and presents him with an ultimatum, Bastian slips into old habits. Though he wants to shield Raine from the truth, the shady circumstances of his past form into a hurricane he can’t control. In an effort to protect her, Bastian has no choice but to throw himself back into his old job – death match tournaments – just one last time. Dropped into the arctic wilderness with weapons loaded, Bastian has to compete against representatives from major crime lords all over the states. He’s studied his competition, he knows their weaknesses, and he’s ready to battle for the woman he loves. There’s only one opponent in the mix that causes him any concern. In order to guarantee Raine’s safety, Bastian will be pitted against the key hit man for Chicago’s largest mob family – a guy who’s known as one hell of a shot. A guy named Evan Arden.

*Complimentary copy received for review purposes.

This is book 2 of the series, and you must read book one Surviving Raine to understand Sebastian and Raine’s Story. It picks up exactly where Surviving Raine left off.

Bastian never wanted to leave the island where he and Raine made it to. He could’ve lived there forever. They had each other, shelter, food and water. Everything was perfect. Once they are found, they are living in Miami. He doesn’t like the idea of having to share Raine with the rest of the world, but he is willing to do whatever makes her happy. He loves being near the water and listening to the ocean, but it is one thing that Raine wants to stay as far away from as possible. Is being with Raine enough to drive the nightmares away?

The only father like figure that Bastian has ever had, Landon, shows up with an ultimatum. Bastian has one option only, to compete in one last tournament. The stress of all this makes him struggle with an old habit that has been a daily battle.

Bastian is competing against people who represent several major crime lords throughout the states. He has studied his opponents, knows their strengths and weaknesses. He is willing to do what it takes to return to his woman. There’s only one person who is cause for concern during the tournament. That person is Evan Arden, the sniper who isn’t known for his missed shots.

How will Bastian survive the storm that has arisen with his life? Will he get to have the perfect family that he never thought he would have or will he die fighting in the tournament life that he was supposed to be retired from? I loved this book as well and I hope you love it as much as a I did. I was very pleased with the outcome. I could only hope for more, but not sure if this is the end of the series or not.

Shay Savage

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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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Setta Jay:
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