Review: Taking Chances By Molly McAdams

Her first year away is turning out to be nearly perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything.

Eighteen-year-old Harper has grown up under the thumb of her career marine father. Ready to live life her own way and to experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit, she's on her way to college at San Diego State University.

Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family, and emotions. She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with both her new boyfriend, Brandon, and her roommate's brother, Chase. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both men adore Harper and would do anything for her, including taking a step back if it would mean she'd be happy.

Normally I wait until after the tears have stopped flowing before I write a review, it kind of helps with the whole seeing the screen thing but I am almost compelled to do this right now.  I just previously read another of Molly McAdams’ series when my self-proclaimed book bestie Gabrielle (although she really is) almost bullied me into reading Taking Chances saying that this will shred me but I have to read it.  So I gave in pretty quickly and said okay let’s see what all the fuss is about.  I wish I could share my text messages that I sent her during my reading of Taking Chances, but I will spare you my sometime curse word creative bitching while at the same time couldn’t put it down messages about my feelings while reading.

We have Harper, Chase and Brandon in a love triangle that has your emotions on high alert from almost the start.  Chase is this asshole who can get under Harper’s skin like no other but she is falling in love with the bad boy while she is in a relationship with Brandon, the good guy who even though I tried to hate him because I was team Chase from the get go I just couldn’t.  (Bite me Gabrielle I know when you read this you will say some smart ass comment.)  We watch both relationships begin and end because of feelings that can’t be denied aren’t and hearts are broken.  I am warning you right here and now you will need boxes (yes boxes damn it) of tissues because something happens that not only makes you violently throw your kindle one minute but has you so broken down the next that you have to re-read what you just read to make sure it actually says what it does.  Hell here come the tears again just thinking about it. 

Now, am I conflicted about events that happen later in the book?  Yes I am.  Did it make me hate the book?  No it didn’t and do you know why?  Because it still made me feel all those heart wrenching feelings I had felt from the start, but just for another reason this time.  I want to read Stealing Harper right now to get Chase’s POV but I am waiting because I am so emotionally distraught and drained from Taking Chances that I need to go into it with fresh emotions. 

I want to say thank you Gabrielle for making me read this book and I still love you despite what I said to you in my texts when my emotions were so high from what I was reading.  I also want to say that Molly McAdams, damn women you know how to totally destroy your readers and have the talented ability to make us feel so many different emotions that we just don’t know how to turn off those emotions when we are finished with the book.

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Review: Always By: Kindle Alexander

Born to a prestigious political family, Avery Adams plays as hard as he works. The gorgeous, charismatic attorney is used to getting what he wants, even the frequent one-night stands that earn him his well-deserved playboy reputation. When some of the most prominent men in politics suggest he run for senate, Avery decides the time has come to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. With a strategy in place and the campaign wheels rolling, Avery is ready to jump on the legislative fast track, full steam ahead. But no amount of planning prepares him for the handsome, uptight restaurateur who might derail his political future.

Easy isn't even in the top thousand words to describe Kane Dalton's life after his father, a devout southern Baptist minister, kicks him out of the family home for questioning his sexual orientation. Despite all the rotten tomatoes life throws his way, Kane makes something of himself. Between owning a thriving upscale Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown Minneapolis and managing his long-term boyfriend, his plate is full. He struggles to get past the teachings of his childhood to fully accept his sexuality and rid himself of the doubts brought on by his religious upbringing. The last thing he needs is the yummy, sophisticated, blond-haired distraction sitting at table thirty-four.

Always tells the story of Kane and Avery’s relationship from the start and plays out throughout their lives.  Avery and Kane’s relationship is intense from the start.  Avery can’t believe his attraction to Kane is so intense that he is speechless the first time they meet.  Kane is just as attracted to Avery but has no idea that he feels the same way.  The feelings between the two quickly turn into love and never fades, these two are soul mates.  They love hard, intensely and are there for each other during the good and bad times.  Their relationship starts back in the 70’s when being a gay man wasn’t as accepted as it is today. 

You can feel the love between Kane and Avery and how much it has grown each year they are together.  They have a family, something that just made their relationship even stronger.  Neither one is ashamed of who they are, although at times Kane is torn because of his religious beliefs that he was raised in.  They support each other completely.  They will love each other always.  Always is a theme throughout the book and it is beautiful, to know that you will always love the person who holds your heart so truly that you know there will never be another, is the type of love everyone deserves to have in their lives. 

Always is emotional, you will need tissues because it is heart breaking.  I cried big ugly sobbing tears.  There is so much emotion and love that you can't help but feel the pain that is felt in the book. Words just can’t express the total spectrum of emotions that I felt while reading Kane and Avery’s story.  Always just isn’t an emotional book, it is sexy too.  Kane and Avery never lose the heat they feel for each other, both are perfect in each other’s eyes and don’t let things cool down in the bedroom. 

Kindle Alexander is quickly becoming one of my favorite m/m romance authors.  She shows that love whether that love is between a man and a woman, two men or two women, that it doesn’t matter what their sexual preference is as long as there is a strong bond between partners and that the love they have is strong and unbreakable.  Always is a book that shows the true beauty that is love, especially when it is an all consuming , soul merging love that not even death can sever. 

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Always-Kindle-Alexander-ebook/dp/B00IX21D4E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1396152173&sr=1-1&keywords=always

Review: Uncaged by Harper Sloan

You have to have read the rest of the Corps Security series before reading this one, it is NOT a standalone but a continuation of Cage’s story.  Please take the time to read the first 3 books in the series before reading Uncaged.

Greg Cage’s life is more fulfilling than he ever could have imagined. He’s married to the love of his life, has an amazing son, and in a few short months, his family will grow again with the birth of his twin girls.

The past year has been a tough one for the Cage family, but they are now on the road to healing by learning to let go of the past and looking forward to their future.

When situations beyond his control threaten to take away so much of what Greg holds close to his heart, he has to learn that he doesn't always have the control he tries to maintain in their lives. Will he be able to handle the stress of knowing his wife and newborn daughters are beyond his protection?

Join the Cage family as they embark on yet another one of life’s journeys with a rambunctious four-year-old, pregnancy complications, and the fear of the unknown.

Will the love that Greg and Melissa share hold true as they fight to overcome the obstacles that face them?

The continuation of Cage and Melissa’s story is one that I felt so much emotion with that a box of tissues was a constant by my side.  We see how their relationship has progressed, with the birth of their twins on the horizon.  We see how Cohen is still his adorable heart stealing self.  You can see the strength of the bond that Cage and Melissa share in not only their marriage but the way they are raising Cohen.

You feel the excitement that the couple is feeling with the upcoming birth of the twins.  Even Cohen is super excited about the upcoming arrival of his sisters, it is so sweet.  They need this bit of happiness after the past painful year for the crew. 

Just when you think everything will be a happy ending like they deserve, something so upsetting happens that you will ball your eyes out.  Now I cried big ugly tears when I had read Beck, I cried ugly tears when I read Uncaged as well.   When I wrote my review for Beck I cried remembering the reason and once again I am crying now writing this review of Uncaged.  I will not spoil it and tell you what happens because to feel the true emotion of this book, you have to read it.  Unless you are a cold hearted person who has no emotions this book will bring forth strong feelings.  I can promise you that you will need tissues.  I can promise you that you will not take for granted the ones you love always being by your side, that you will cherish each moment you have with them.

Harper Sloan has truly won me over with this series.  From the beginning with Axel’s story, to the continuation of Cage’s and the future books in this series she has me hooked wanting to read more of the men Corp’s Security and see all of their stories unfold.  Please if you are a fan of this series, make sure that you read this one because Cage, Melissa and especially Cohen will pull at your heart and leave their mark.

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Uncaged-Corps-Security-Book-3-5-ebook/dp/B00IWSNSJ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396140491&sr=8-1&keywords=uncaged+corps+security+3.5

Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway: Now or Never by Jamie Canosa

You always hurt the ones you love. Even if you’re trying to protect them, or maybe because you try to protect them. But no matter what, you’re stronger when you do things together, stand together.

Jay and Em’s story continues in Now or Never. It’s a heart-wrenching, gut wrenching emotional roller coaster. Jay and Em don’t seem to be able to catch a break. No matter what they do, life keeps throwing things at them. They fight, they try, they can’t get ahead. Then Jay’s past and Em’s past catch up to them. It threatens everything.

This is definitely not your typical romance. Jay and Em have issues and problems most people could never imagine in a million years. They’re fighting so hard. As I was reading this story I wanted to hit Jay so many times. He’s a typical male in that he wants to protect Em. But his problems are not typical. His methods were not typical. He just ended up hurting Em over and over.

Em, bless her heart, tried. She kept loving Jay. She tried to get him to listen, but he just pushed her away and fed into her fears. I was so proud when she finally took a stand and made Jay realize what they had to do. It was amazing.

Hopefully Jay and Em will have their HEA now. But you never know as life has a way of keeping you on your toes and throwing curve balls.

Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Ravena, NY with her wonderful husband and three crazy kids . . . plus the dog, the bird and the rabbit.

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Excerpt:

Slowly, he lowered them both back down to the mattress with Em still tucked close. When Jay’s lips brushed over her forehead, Em shut her eyes. She loved nothing more than the feel of his lips . . . except maybe the taste. Luckily, he wasn’t done yet.

Equally as desperate to avoid returning to the horrors that awaited them both on just the other side of consciousness, Jay covered her hair and face with tiny, feather light kisses until she could hardly catch her breath. When his tongue finally tangled with hers, heat raced through Em’s veins like some kind of igniter fluid. She couldn’t have stopped the gasp that escaped her lips if she tried, and when she felt Jay smile against her mouth, she was glad she hadn’t.

His talented lips continued their trail downward, along her neck, and Em tipped her chin up to give him better access as Jay’s fingers toyed with the hem of her shirt. He lifted it up an inch and stopped, waiting on her go-ahead before taking things any further, as always. When she arched her back and began tugging at the shirt herself, Jay took the hint and finished the job.

They’d been this far before—more than once—but it still made Em’s pulse race. Mostly with excitement and anticipation, but there was always that ever present fear lingering in the back of her mind, a small nagging presence that kept things from ever going any further. For months, Jay had been infinitely patient with her, never pushing, never even asking, but could she really expect him to wait around for her forever?

The coarse scruff on his jaw rubbed against the delicate skin just below her ear, setting her body on fire. Christ, she loved when he did that. His delicious scent surrounded her. She bathed in the smell of him, the touch, the taste. A small moan escaped her lips before she even knew it was coming. He just felt so . . . good.

Propped up on one elbow, Jay trailed his mouth back down her torso, along the curve of her neck, down her collar bone, over the swell of her breast, and continued downward. Teeth scraped her sensitive flesh, causing waves of heat to wash over her. When he reached her bellybutton, his warm, wet tongue dipped inside.

Panting, Em fisted one hand in the sheets and the other in Jay’s hair. So good. So good. He groaned against her lower belly and she felt the tingles all the way to her toes. As Jay made his way, slowly, up her body again, Em’s eager hands slid over his toned shoulders and down his back, gliding right over the numerous puckered scars she hardly even noticed anymore. To her they were beautiful. He was beautiful, everything about him, including his past. Even if parts of it were unbearably ugly, it had made him who he was—the man she loved.

His muscles rippled under her caress and his breath quickened. Tiny puffs of air fanned her face as his chest slid over hers and she could feel his heart pounding an almost violent rhythm against her own. So distracted by the way she affected him, Em didn’t notice his hands moving until they hooked behind her knees, dragging her legs up and around his waist.

Jay’s full weight pressed her down deep into the mattress. Holding her. Pinning her. Trapping her. Sweat broke out across Em’s skin and her heart started racing for an entirely different reason. Lost in his affections, Jay didn’t notice when her breaths turned to gasps.

He gently nibbled on her shoulder as he lowered his hips to hers. Hardness and heat pressed against her through their pajama bottoms and Em fought for control of herself. This was Jay. Not him. It was Jay. She could do this for him.

Em held perfectly still as his hands slipped down her sides. She stopped breathing entirely as they trailed across her hips. But, when his fingers tangled in the drawstring to her pants, she couldn’t stop the quiet whimper from escaping.

Review: White Trash Beautiful by Teresa Mummert

White Trash Beautiful is the heartbreaking story of a girl trying to make her life better. Through a series of choices, some hers, some not, she’s ended up living in a trailer park with her drug addicted boyfriend and mother.

Cass’s dad left her and her mother when she was a little girl. Since that time she and her mother have struggled to make ends meet. As a result Cass has worn hand me down clothes and used second hand things. Then Jax came along. He defended her to the other kids in the school and their romance began. He was the one constant in her life as it fell apart around her. Eventually Cass, her mother, and Jax moved into a trailer in the trailer park. Jax started selling drugs, then moved into using them. Then Cass’s mother started using. Then the abuse started. Jax was jealous and abusive. Cass started plotting a way to get away. She’s scrimped and saved. And hidden it all from Jax.

Then Tucker walks in. Tucker sees something in Cass he’s attracted to. He sees someone who sees him for himself and not the lead singer of Damaged. They start an affair in secret. The question become who will win Cass? Jax? Or Tucker?

Now, normally I LOATH cheating. But I have to say, in this book, I didn’t really consider it cheating. Plus, Cass had enough guilt over it for both of us! Teresa Mummert managed to write a story that I loved! I loved the characters, I loved the plot, I loved everything about it! I felt so much for these characters!

Cass was amazing. She was fighting for what she wanted. She wasn’t willing to take the easy way out. She fought for everything. She was also willing to enjoy the good that came her way in the form of Tucker. She was so amazing. She didn’t want to stand in the way of Tucker’s dream and was willing to do whatever it took to make sure he got his dream. She refused to take his dream away. She’s such an amazing, strong character. In the face of adversity, she stood out.

Tucker was amazing in his own right. He knew what was right and what was wrong. He was willing to fight for what he knew was right. He also knew what he wanted. Unfortunately for him, things didn’t always go his way. But, luckily for Cass, he wasn’t willing to give up!

On a side note. I was reading this book over the weekend as I was on vacation with a couple of girlfriends. They asked what I was reading. I told them “White Trash Beautiful”. They both said, “That’s a GREAT Book title.” I agree! Not only was it a great Book Title. It was a great book!

Find it on GoodReads!

Review: Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover

OMG! OMFG! Colleen Hoover has a way of writing stories that will rip you to shreds, devastate you (according to Holder I can’t use the word devastate, but I AM!), and give you hope all at the same time.  Hopeless complete ripped me apart. While it ripped me apart and left me reeling, it also filled me with hope. Filled me with hope that no matter what, someone, somewhere cared.

Then I read Losing Hope. Once again, my faith in humanity was restored, while at the same time, I was ripped apart.

Holder’s story begins before Hopeless. It begins with him losing Les. Holder’s nightmare began many years earlier when he lost Hope. Now, he’s lost Less and his nightmare just got worse. He’s in pain. He’s losing it. He has no control and he doesn’t know what to do.

Losing Hope is the perfect conclusion to Hopeless. While Hopeless was complete in itself, Losing Hope brings closure to all those things that we need to know. Why did Les kill her self? How did Holder deal with it? What did Holder go through as he discovered Sky was Hope? Why did he wait to tell her?  All of it. All of it gets answered.

I loved getting Holder’s story. I loved the way Colleen Hoover did it too. She didn’t just tell retell Hopeless from Holder’s POV. She gave us Holder’s story. She gave it to us in a way that made the whole book that much better. We got it from Holder as he railed at Les for taking her own life. We got it as he discovered Sky. Both as Sky and as Hope. We got it all.

I absolutely LOVED this story! You MUST read this story if you read Hopeless! If you haven’t read Hopeless, go get it. Then get Losing Hope and read it!

Find it on GoodReads!