Beautiful Bastard- Christina Lauren

Wow!  After all the reviews I read regarding BB, I am not sure I even read the same book. I really liked this book!  I think that Christina & Lauren did a nice job. This is not FSOG or BTY, but there are some similarities. I think it is a stand alone book that does a good job at giving the reader insight into two very strong characters.

Chloe and Bennett are two very head-strong characters that love perfection and expect performance in both their roles. Even though Bennett is a raging asshole, I seemed to love him by the end of the book. The reader discovers that he has a human vulnerability and her name is Chloe Mills! 
Chloe is great!  She can dish it as well as she takes it. Her determination to get her MBA and prove her worth is awesome!  She is loved by her friends and co-workers and this shows all throughout the book.

There is a shift about 3/4 of the way through the book that turns from the annoying banter and hate and leads to a more functional relationship. This is where I realized I was enjoying this read.
Overall, I do recommend Beautiful Bastard as a 3.5-4.0 star rating.

BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY- THE WAY BACK TO ME K.L Conlon & T.D Waesch

Lexi Reynolds is facing a game changer. Three years ago, under the insistence of her husband, she walked away from a promising career as a special education specialist with her eyes set on becoming an administrator so that she could be a stay-at-home wife and mother. Now with the demise of her marriage along with her self-esteem and heart, Lexi must face the task of building a new life.

Layla Karsten is not one to sit idly on the side lines. Seeing the crushed spirit of her sister, Lexi, she is bound and determined to push her sister back in life....even if it means tapping into Lexi's inner slut to do it.

Intended for ages 18 and over. Mature content and language.

These are a few things that rang through my head while reading this book:

Wow!
I think I just peed in my pants.
Did that just happen?
Did she really say that?
Did he really say that?
Why doesn't someone slap him? ( and there are several hims)
Don't be a douche- please.  Too Late

Okay- ready to tell you about this book. I loved this book there are only a few minor complaints, but they will come later.

In the very beginning of this book you are introduced to a 30-something divorcee  (Lexi)who  has lost all self confidence and personal drive. She has been cheated on  by her husband- who by the way had an affair with his personal trainer-and she has no career because she gave it up to be a mother and wife. You instantly learn that her sister is not going to let this go on because she has formed her own form of "rehabilitate Lexi" plan. This is where it gets GOOD!!
There were parts of this book that had me laughing out loud with tears in my eyes. (Anyone want to go jogging with Lexi & Layla?) Then there was raw emotion of finding yourself in a situation where Lexi has to accept that her perfect planned life has changed and never will be the same.
Layla is such a main character- I don't even consider her secondary. She is righteous! We are introduced to 2 very sexy men that help lead Lexi on this path of discovery and understanding about her internal make-up and what she needs to be happy now. Both Patrick and Sebastian- albeit assholes- have an intricate part of helping Lexi.  They both introduce her to side of herself she never knew existed. I will tell you now, I hated both men in this book in many ways. I don't like "loose ends" and "controlling values" but they rocked it!  In the end it is almost like a flip-flop of which guy you are pulling for.
Throughout her journey to discover what changes are in store for her  and you root for her to come out on top because she is JUST THAT AWESOME!

Okay, now here is what I have a problem with- I felt like the end just hit-BAM!!!! I needed a little more from the confessions. And I needed clarification on Benjamin's feelings for Gracie. She's a twit! 
I needed to know where Lexi's head is at and what Patrick and Sebastian are thinking.
I am a girl that wants closure...... I understand we can expect a second book this spring. So please hurry up!

ABOUT THIS BOOK:

Release Date: November 18 2012

Series / Stand Alone: Series (Book #2 to be released early March 2013)

Genre: Erotic and Contemporary Romance

Add it on Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16207944-the-way-back-to-me
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am a stay-at-home mom for the second year in a row. My three young children keep me on my toes as well as our crazy dog and hamster. Thank goodness I have such a loving and supportive husband!!

Writing has been my secret goal that I put on my bucket list of things to do before I hit 40. As my loving sister pointed out to me last summer, I turn 40 in a few short months. There are definitely things that were on the bucket list that I had to just remove. For instance, I will never be a size 6 again. I removed it from my list by tearing it off and shredding it.

However, writing was one that I just couldn't bring myself to erase from the list. Knowing this about me, my sister pushed and prodded me to just start writing something...she strongly suggested something with adult content.

So caving to her pressure, I started to write The Way Back To Me. I gradually pulled her into the writing process as she had spent an enormous amount of time reading "mommy porn" and together we completed The Way Back To Me in November 2012. We have already started a sequel that should be ready to go by the end of February 2013.

I am also in the beginning process of another romance novel that I hope to complete by the summer of 2013.

Find the Author:

Goodreads • Goodreads Blog • Facebook 

This book tour post was organized and designed by:

Enter The Giveaway• [book:The Way Back To Me|16207944]

Collide- Gail McHugh

Okay, I am not even sure where I want to start with this review. I can't honestly say I am disappointed, but I am not thrilled either. I probably would not have chosen to read this immediately if I would have know there is a sequel expected sometime soon. With that being said- I did like this book and will buy the sequel when it is released.
This was my first book by Gail McHugh and I truly enjoyed her writing. I liked the consecutive POV's throughout the book and knowing that Gavin was captivated from the beginning. As a matter of fact, I think Gavin captivated me from the first mention of him....... swoon.There is now another character to add to the growing list of fictitious boyfriends and his name is Gavin Blake! 
Gavin aside, I have to touch on Emily- whew, this woman is a bundle of confusion, anxiety, tension, depression...... should I go on?  Not to mention she is a HUGE PUSHOVER!  So many times in this book I wanted to punch her into waking up. I understand her devastation over the death of her mother, but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WOMAN!  Please get over yourself. Stick up for yourself!!!
This is a true love story with steam,sass, tension, angst, and hurt. All secondary characters are awesome! 
Gail does a good job of making the reader feel like they are literally a silent spectator of what is happening, as if in front of your own eyes.
I will pick up "Pulse"  when it is released just to follow Gavin. But I will also beg Gail to hurry up and get the rest of the story to us.

If you are looking for a HEA ending or even closure to this twisted love affair- I recommend you wait until the next book arrives. And I am serious, there is NO closure.

Racing on the Edge Series- Shey Stahl

                                    


Where do I start? I lost almost 3 days of sleep trying to get through this series. I still have the last book to read, but my family decided they needed me for a little while. It is on my to do list this weekend.

Let me start by saying that I am not even sure how I came across this series, but I loved it!! I give it 4.5 hearts.Shey Stahl is brilliant in her writing style and descriptive nature. I know nothing about the sport of racing, but after reading this, I may go to the Daytona 500 next month.
Let me give you what this story is about......

• Love
• Family
• Friendships
• Dreams coming true
• Racing to the finish
• Never giving up
• Finding yourself
• Understanding
• Dysfunction
• Love, Love, Love
• Family, Family, Family

I know I mentioned love and family several times, but that is it. This family and their friendships are beautiful and enduring and must overcome so many challenges and hurdles. There is life, death, births, tragedy, winning, losing - all of it. The two main characters are mindlessly in love ( super sexy too) and it make you feel the heartache and excitement throughout the series.
I only have one complaint- the parenting ( or lack thereof). I was disappointed by the way Jameson and Sway allowed their children to act and behave -I am all in favor of open parenting but whoa!
With that said, you kind-of expect them to behave their own way.

I can't give too much of a synopsis here but I can tell you to read these books. If you are a fan of Erin McCarthy's racing series, this is for you. Even if you aren't a fan of racing-read this series!!

Devoured- Emily Snow

Let me start by saying I have never read any work by Emily Snow, but my love for tattoo's and rock & roll led me to Devoured. I am happy with the results. As you may know from my read list, I love any story that revolves around bad boys and bands (Hello- Jake & Kellan).

Devoured covers the story of Sienna Jensen forced to leave California and return to Nashville to help her Grandmother save her home. While there she realizes the man going after her home is the rock star Lucas Wolfe. Sienna and Lucas have a past and she is not happy. Through manipulation, Lucas makes a deal with Sienna that puts her in a position to act as his assistant for 10 days. If she lasts the 10 days, he will hand over the deed to the home. 

With two beautiful characters and a steamy, sexy past....... this is a fun read.

Here is what I liked- writing style, character development, steam, sass, humor, and rock and roll. While I did not fall in love with Lucas as I have others in past reads, I did like him. I do have a complaint about the ending. I felt it was rushed and we waited the whole book to get to a handful of paragraphs. Then I realized there is a book two on it's way.

All in all , I would recommend this book but you may want to wait until #2 is on the way.

Fight with Me- Kristen Proby

 MUST READ!!!

I am not even sure where to start with this review.  I loved this book!  I loved it so much that I picked it up again to re-read in case I missed anything. Let's see- is there anything that wasn't covered in this story?

Relationship Drama- Check!

Conflict and Heartache- Check!

Sexy, Steamy Situations- Check! 

HEA?- Check!

I have never read Kristen Proby prior to this series, but she is on my top authors list right now. I cannot tell you how happy I am with Fight With Me.  The love story was exceptional and I once again found myself in the fantasy world wondering where I could find a Nata McKenna.

Both characters are beautiful and Kristen kept all previously introduced characters in the mix. It was nice to see Nat and Luke again and witness the birth of their daughter.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an obsession with Contemporary Romance and general love stories.

Up to Me- M Leighton



THIS IS A MUST READ!!

Okay- I will admit,I was waiting for this book to release on pins and needles!  I re-read "Down To You" in anticipation of heading straight into "Up To Me". Once available- I read in one sitting. I ignored all daily activities and family needs just to savor this book. I was not disappointed!!

In book two, we are given more details of Cash's secret life and the growing emotional  and physical attachment between Cash and Olivia. You can literally jump into the pages and feel the heat scorching off of them. Although I found Olivia's continuous self doubt a little annoying, M. Leighton did a great job of keeping her character consistent. And I LOVED how Olivia grew in the end. I was so proud!!

Can I just say that I need a CASH DAVENPORT in my life????? He has now ranked up there with Kellan, Jake, and all of the Chase brothers!! I found myself a little worried when he started to pull back on his feeling because I saw the book coming to a close without any resolution to his feelings. BUT I WAS WRONG AGAIN!!!  The bar scene was delicious! I stopped reading in order to grab a cold beer and cool off. The I jumped right back into it.

The twists and turns on the plot line are brilliant and the reader is given an insight into what happened all those years ago when Cash's family fell apart. Let's just say that not all is as it seems in the Davenport family. I have a feeling I am going to like the new family dynamics!!!

I highly recommend both these books and can't wait for book three in the series. M. Leighton is a favorite of mine!!