Review: Claiming Carlos (Sanchez Sisters #2) by Rachelle Ayala

Book #2 of Sanchez Sisters Series

Choco Sanchez is stuck in a rut. She's never hit a softball and has been friends forever with Carlos Lopez, the head cook at her family's Filipino restaurant. When flashy restaurant consultant Johnny Dee hits her with a pitch, she falls head over heels and gets a makeover

Carlos Lopez is not about to lose one for the home team. Johnny launches a full scale change on the menu, and Carlos sends him straight into the dumpster. Claiming Choco's heart proves more difficult. But never underestimate a man who can cook hot, spicy, and steamy, and we ain't talking just food.

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Review:

Alright, I have to say, I have been stewing on this book for a couple of weeks now, trying to wrap my head around what I think and how I feel about it.  I'm still having a hard time.

I like Choco and I like Carlos.  Hell, at first I liked Johnny.  As the story progressed, I found myself getting angry.  Not at the story, but just some of the characters' attitudes.

The more I've thought about it, the more I think that maybe my problem is that this was not at all what I was expecting.  I was expecting something a little lighter, and maybe others won't see this as heavy, but I did and it lingered.

Honestly, I liked the story.  It kept me entertained and I wanted to keep reading.  There's no way in hell I would've stopped.  I just spent a lot of my time pissed off while I was reading.  I can't even tell you why I was pissed because it's spoilerish and I don't want to give things away.

All the things you find out by the end just kinda make your mind spin.  I knew something was up, but definitely did not see that bombshell coming.  Not to mention, all the other little surprises that got thrown in there.

I rated it 3.5 stars, and I'm really not sure if that's the rating it deserves.  Its 2 weeks later and my mind is still going around in circles.  That right there tells me, this book is something worth reading. I will probably re-read this to try to wrap my brain around it better.  And if Ms. Ayala is up for it, I'd love to chat with her about Claiming Carlos, maybe she can help me out of my angry phase.

*Copy received in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author

Rachelle Ayala is a bestselling Asian American author of dramatic romantic suspense and humorous, sexy contemporary romances. Her heroines are feisty and her heroes hot. She writes emotionally challenging stories but believes in the power of love and hope.

Rachelle is the founder of an online writing group, Romance in a Month, an active member of the California Writer's Club, Fremont Chapter, and a volunteer for the World Literary Cafe. She is a very happy woman and lives in California with her husband. She has won awards in multicultural and historical romance

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Review: Hard To Come By (Hard Ink #3) by Laura Kaye

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Hard to Come By on Goodreads

Caught between desire and loyalty…

Derek DiMarzio would do anything for the members of his disgraced Special Forces team—sacrifice his body, help a former teammate with a covert operation to restore their honor, and even go behind enemy lines. He just never expected to want the beautiful woman he found there.

When a sexy stranger asks questions about her brother, Emilie Garza is torn between loyalty to the brother she once idolized and fear of the war-changed man he's become. Derek’s easy smile and quiet strength tempt Emilie to open up, igniting the desire between them and leading Derek to crave a woman he shouldn’t trust.

As the team’s investigation reveals how powerful their enemies are, Derek and Emilie must prove where their loyalties lie before hearts are broken and lives are lost. Because love is too hard to come by to let slip away…

*Complimentary copy received for review purposes.

Oh my goodness. I love this series.  I love, love, love Derek!  One leg, two legs, no legs... I don't care, I'll take him!

With everything that he's been through, he's still upbeat and has his sense of humor.  Out of all of the Hard Ink men, he has the best attitude coming out of their shit storm.  The rest of the world could learn a lot from him.

For Emelie, I hate that she was married to a jack-hole who apparently suppressed her sexuality.  That being said, I love that she was able to break out of that and reclaim it with Marz.  And the funniest part, the "leg rule".  I thought I was going to pee myself when I read that.  No lie.

Gah!  There was so much going on in this.  Everytime you think you get a handle on who's up to what and who's involved, good guys, bad guys... it all flips and changes.  Shit.  I... I just don't know anymore. I mean, I had a theory at the beginning of this book about Manny and I was hoping for a particular outcome.  I didn't get it, but I hope I find out later that my theory was at least part way right.

And I like where I see some things heading.  I'm so excited for what's next I can hardly wait.  Laura Kaye has definitely made a fan out of me.

Now, I can't leave this without talking about Jeremy's shirts.  All I can really do though is squee and and fangirl all over the place.  And I did, I swear.  Let me just say, I read Hard To Hold On To and Hard To Come By back to back, so they ran together and I'm not sure which book(s) these shirts were in, but it doesn't matter cause they were there and that's all that matters.  And yes, I could just be making a big deal out of it to make myself feel better, but its my blog, my review and if I want to be delusional I will.  So there. Hah!

Oh... the point?  Sorry.  Awhile back, when Hard As You Can was released, I held a giveaway.  It was a "Jeremy worthy T-shirt" giveaway.  And Laura Kaye picked the winning shirt and when I saw it described in the book, I about died.  And then... she described another shirt and I thought I would fall out in the floor, because it was another one that was entered in the contest.  So lets just say I was a mess of "squeeeeeeeeeeees" and "I can't believe its".  Even if she forgot about them from the giveaway and found them again later and put them in there, I don't care... and I don't want to know. Let me be delusional.

Oh, no... I won't tell you what the shirts say, if you want to know, you need to read the books.  You won't be disappointed.


About Laura Kaye: Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
        

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Review: 'Til Death (Volume 1) by Bella Jewel

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They say there's a fine line between love and hate.

There is.

I married a douchebag.

I didn't know it at the time.

He came in like a handsome stranger and blew me off my feet.

I fell madly in love, like the naive girl I am.

Then he left me high and dry.

Turns out, I was nothing more than a business plan for billionaire playboy, Marcus Tandem.

He needed to be married in order to obtain his grandfathers business, and I was the poor victim in his path.

I believed in what we had, until the truth reared its ugly head.

I never meant anything to Marcus. Not a damned thing.

With my world spinning on its axis, the girl I once was has long since died.

Instead he left me as this empty, emotionless shell.

I may have made a vow before God to love and cherish him ‘Til Death do we part, but it’s time for me to give back to Marcus, exactly what he gave me.

He has to pay.

And pay he will.


*This is part of a two book series and it will contain a HEA – Readers over 18+

*Complimentary copy received for review purposes

Oh, oh, oh... where to begin with this...

From the synopsis I thought this would be a story of revenge, but that wasn't the case.

I feel twisted because I know Marcus is an ass, but at the same time I can see his feelings coming through even when he's trying to push them away. Such a complicated, confusing man.

And poor Katia, how much can she get thrown at her at one time. So much happened towards the end of this, so many twists and turns and craziness. My head was spinning. It was great.

And then... then... it just ended. and I was left all "wtf". I need the rest NOW!

If you want something fluffy, this ain't it. And you'll probably be hurt at the end, I was. Man, I thought Marcus was getting his shit together and then BAM! Nope.

My only issue was the "Then" and "Now" back and forth. I kept getting distracted and confused and losing track of what was then and what was now.

I do have to say, though, that cover... damn. I wanted to lick my e-reader... and my computer screen. I think I'll print that out and hang it up at work, put one on the visor in my car, maybe on my shampoo bottle. I'll be able to see it everywhere. I could stare at that body all day.

Bella Jewel

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Review: DOM by Ethan Radcliff

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In the world of pain and pleasure, Charles Damien Macavoy reigned. He was a man apart, one who require more than most. He was a Master of BDSM.
He’d been asked by another Dom and good friend to train the Dom’s current sub and love interest. Charles had trained many, but found himself attracted to his new trainee.
He was aware the fascination would wear off, it always did, and he’d returned the trainee to her Master willing and ready to submit.
Lurking in the shadows of a world few are accustomed to is evil. Sometimes a thing of beauty has hidden thorns. Sometimes the hunter becomes the hunted.

*Complimentary copy received for review purposes.

So I started reading this book and thought “this is hot, but what in the hell is going on?” It just seemed to take a long time to get going. I personally am a big fan of erotica and BDSM. The act of submitting yourself fully to your master is so hot. I think a lot of erotica is just about the hot and steamy moments and that it steers away from an actual storyline. There are definitely some hot and steamy moments in this story. There is deceit, lust, and love, all of which will keep you intrigued. I think anyone would agree that they want a piece of Master Charles.

Charles Damien Macavoy was asked by a friend to take on a submissive to train. Charles had trained many subs and this task was no different than those of the past. He did find himself attracted to this sub, but the infatuation did not last. The sub returns to her master and life must go on. There is jealousy among the submissive in training and the submissive that Charles is about to claim as his own.

Charles decides to take on a sub to keep him company in his home and be his full time submissive. But what is it about this one? Will she be the one that wins Charles’ heart? How will she affect his decisions as a DOM? Who is the one that must earn the trust and loyalty in a BDSM relationship? Is it the DOM or the sub? You will not believe whose and which skeletons come out of the closet. I totally did not expect the outcome of this book. After the storyline started to pick up, it got good and then ended. This is not a cliffy, but I felt like the outcome totally came out of left field. Maybe there is more to come in another story where the answers of what lies next will arise? I hope there is more of this story or even a second book to come.

Ethan Radcliff

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Review: Hart Attack (Titan #5) by Cristin Harber

Outside of Titan Group, there are few people that Roman Hart would die for. He’s a soldier, a protector, and he’s haunted that one of the people he should’ve been able to protect didn’t let him. That was years ago, and now a hardened heart and a cocky attitude are his impenetrable shields, until one woman—one challenge—drives him to distraction.

On the outside, Beth Tourne has it all. Luxury car, gorgeous condo, and a job partying with the rich and famous. It’s a plush CIA cover, but she wants more. Anything for an adrenaline rush that can override her guilty numbness and let her forget the tragedy she never saw coming.

Their scars make them perfect operatives. Their mirrored pasts give them deep, wounded reasons to stay alone. But the more they ignore the tension, the more vulnerable they become. Survival means trust. In one another, behind closed doors, and on the job. The only way they’re making it out alive is if they find peace while waging a war.

Gah! It feels like its been forever ago since I got down and dirty with the Titans.  I've missed them so much!

I knew it... I just knew I was going to love Roman.  Don't get me wrong, Cash is still my favorite, but Roman is running a close second.  What I wouldn't give to be the center of a Cash and Roman Sandwich.

Beth, she just... I was heartbroken for her. Total devastation.

Beth has walls, Roman has walls... but they play this game and they enjoy their game. In my mind I picture them like Chinese finger cuffs, they keep trying to pull away from each other, but the more they do, the harder it is and the closer they are.  You almost want to just smack them both to knock some sense into them.

I loved their story and how they played off of each other.  They were scorching hot together.

And then I got the little bits and pieces of everyone else.  And SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!!  I'm so excited for a few of them.

I think it was a little over a year ago when I found Winters Heat up for review on Netgalley.  I am so thankful I requested it and discovered Cristin Harber. She really has become one of my favorites.  I feel fortunate to have followed this series since its birth. She has a gift and a talent for weaving sexy, passionate love stories into a suspenseful, edge of your seat, nail biter.

I've been lucky enough to receive ARCs of most of the books in the series, but I love them so much, I've bought them all, as well.  I think I even have some of them on my Kobo and on my Kindle app. That's just a testament to how great they are.

If you're someone who hasn't started the series yet, Winters Heat is free across all platforms and I believe Sweet Girl is too.  I guarantee once you start this series you'll be hooked.

*Copy received in exchange for an honest review.

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Cristin Harber is a USA Today bestselling romantic suspense and military romance author. Fans voted her onto Amazon’s Top Picks for Debut Romance Authors in 2013, and her debut Titan series was #1 romantic suspense, #1 military romance, and a USA Today Top 100 bestseller.

She lives outside Washington, DC with her family and English Bulldog.

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Review: Nobody Knows by Kyra Lennon

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It's not easy being friends with rising rock stars - especially when you're the glue that holds them together.

Razes Hell has taken off in the charts, and Ellie can't believe her childhood friends, Drew and Jason Brooks, are on TV and drawing crowds after years spent playing in dodgy bars. From obscurity to overnight success, Ellie soon realises life in the public eye isn’t all it’s cracked up to be as dark secrets become headline news and old conflicts are re-ignited. When a fake feud meant to boost the band’s popularity threatens to rip the boys apart for real, Ellie finds herself torn – a position which only gets more uncomfortable when her loyalty to Jason collides with her blossoming relationship with Drew.

Nobody knows how deep their issues run; nobody but Ellie. With friendship, a music career and a new love on the line, can Ellie keep their tangled pasts from ruining their futures?

*Complimentary copy received for review purposes.

Ellie grew up with 2 best friends, brothers & rock stars, Drew & Jason Brooks. She is known as the glue that keeps them together.

The band, Razes Hell, has started to take off and hit big. Life in the eyes of the paparazzi isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Secrets and the past are brought up about all three. A fake battle that is set to raise the band’s numbers, has put Ellie in a position where she has to side who she going to pick. Is it going to be with Drew where her heart now belongs or with the bad boy Jason.

Jason is the younger of the two Brooks brothers. He is the sexy, ladies’ man that will make you want to melt by just the sight of him.

Drew, the drummer of the band, is the older, more mature brother that seems to always have the better choices and decisions for not only the band but for Jason as well. Drew doesn’t want to end up second best. He wants to be number one. He resents being compared to Jason even though he is older, wiser and seems to keep things together better.

Ellie is caught in the middle. Her relationship starts with the Brooks brothers as kids. She has been there for them through thick and thin. How much longer will she make it? Will her career survive the media and the lifestyle she has been leading by following the band. What type of name will she give herself?

I tend to always fall for the bad boy rocker, the one that everyone wants. But this time, my heart belongs to Drew. He is the softie. He only wants what is best for Jason and Ellie, but will that involve himself or exclude him from their lives? This is book 1 of the series and can be read as a standalone. This is not a cliffhanger. I definitely can’t wait to see what is in store for the rest of the series.

Tracy A. Ball

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Review: His Frozen Heart (Brewer Brothers #1) by Nancy Straight

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For best friends, Candy and Libby, money is tight with hardly enough to cover their living expenses. When they are desperate for grocery money, the girls bet on their pool playing skills to add to their income.

A simple wager on a quiet winter evening has devastating results, with a stalker determined to kill them both. With Libby in the hospital after a vicious attack, and Candy being pursued by the same stalker, she vows to find Libby's attacker.

What she finds is Dave, an old friend with a secret past filled with misfortune. Will Dave’s past provide the answer to all of Candy’s problems or will it become Candy’s worst nightmare realized?

*Complimentary copy received for review purposes.

Candy Kane, what a name right? Well you have no idea where her story is about to take you… Candy and her best friend Libby are hard up for cash. Desperate for grocery money, the girls hustle money at pool halls. One bet gone wrong will change both of their lives forever… Libby suffers a brutal attack that winds her up in the hospital and Candy getting stalked. Candy’s one mission is to find the person who attacked Libby.

Candy stumbles upon Dave, someone from high school who endured a rough upbringing. How will Dave’s past collide with Candy?

I really liked this book. I think it was a clean, sweet romance. I gave it four stars. It kept me intrigued throughout the whole book. I did feel like I got what I wanted in the end, but yet something was missing. I didn’t have any idea as to which way this story was headed. I kept trying to figure out who was responsible and figure out who the stalker was. I thought one person had multiple personality disorder. Needless to say, I wasn’t right with anything I tried to predict. Although my thoughts on how I wanted the book to end wasn’t how it panned out, I did get my happily ever after. But like I mentioned, I felt like something was missing. I’m not sure if this is it for these characters? I don’t know if this is part of a series. I just felt at some points I got too much information and at some points I didn’t get enough. This is not a cliff hanger, but like I said, something just feels like it’s not there. I do recommend this book if you are looking for a short and sweet romance.

Nancy Straight
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Review: Miss Congeniality by Marie Garner

Synopsis

Miss Congeniality doesn’t curse. Miss Congeniality doesn’t have tattoos. Miss Congeniality doesn’t drink shots. Miss Congeniality doesn’t ride motorcycles….Or does she? When America’s sweetheart… Brea Richards is America’s sweetheart. Dubbed Miss Congeniality by the media, Brea has spent years honing her current reputation. And being one of the leading stars of a prime time television show…priceless. It’s a long way from her humble beginnings, but that’s her secret to keep. Or at least that’s what she believes until she gets the phone call. Meets America’s bad boy… Lance Holder is America’s bad boy, the guy they love to hate. He lives life the way he wants, and makes no apologies, regardless of what anyone thinks. All everyone sees is the tattooed, motorcycle riding, reckless movie star, preventing anyone from looking beneath the surface. And that’s just fine with Lance. Until his new gig puts him right in the path of Brea. Will either one escape unscathed? Lance is the newbie on Brea’s show, and everyone is watching to see if America’s bad boy will influence Miss Congeniality. They don’t know Brea’s worst influences happened long before Lance entered the picture. And Lance seems to be one of the only ones to see beyond her current façade. Maybe America’s bad boy is just what America’s sweetheart needs…

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Brea Richards is known as America’s sweetheart, and Miss Congeniality.  She doesn’t swear, get inked, drink, ride motorcycles.  Or better yet, does she? 

Lance Holder is known as America’s bad boy.  He is the tatted, motorcycle riding, actor who lives life carefree with no regrets. 

Brea & Lance hit each other head on.  Will she know what has hit her?  Lance is the newcomer to the show that Brea has been a part of for several years.  Will he be the bad boy that turns the good girl?  Or is the good girl not as sweet and innocent as she seems?  Brea’s past will come barreling back into her life.  Will Lance be what she needs or just something she longs for? 

I really liked this story and I gave it four stars.  Lance stole my heart from the very first panty dropping wink he gave Brea when he made his entrance.  I felt like Brea & Lance had a lot of drama and bickering in their relationship, but the makeups they had were well worth it.  I was totally deceived by this cover.  This cover wasn’t something that intrigued me about this book.  As they say, you can’t judge a book by its cover.  This is definitely true in this case.  I know this is book one of the series and I don’t really know what and who the rest of the series is about, I felt like Brea & Lance’s story wasn’t fully explained.  I just felt like more information needed to be given at the ending.  Maybe there is more to come from both of them in the next 2 books.  Either way, I really liked this story and I highly recommend it.  This wasn’t an emotional rollercoaster, but it did have its couple & actor/paparazzi drama.  I look forward to see what is to come in the rest of the trilogy.  

About The Author

Marie Garner hails from North Carolina, and has had her nose in a book for as long as she can remember. Story ideas have been floating around in her head for as long as she can remember when she finally decided to write them down. She is an avid football fan, often found rooting on her Washington Redskins or her alma mater NC State. She has taught for the past 7 years, with a short break to earn her Masters degree. She loves London, having lived there for a year, and loves taking all those crazy ideas to make stories you enjoy!

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