Blog Tour and Review: For Real by Chelsea M. Cameron

We all have that friend that we sometimes look at and think “Why are we friends?” They’ll do something so incredibly stupid or insensitive, it makes us wonder. But then, they’ll turn around do something so amazingly sweet and wonderful it all makes sense. For Shannon, that friend is Hazel. But, no matter how badly Hazel behaved, and it was bad, she is the reason Shannon found Jett. She’s also the reason Jett and Shannon ended up together.

Shannon is a virgin. Her friends are doing everything they can to get Shannon to just get her cherry popped. Which leads to Shannon doing something stupid, getting into the car with a man she doesn’t know. It’s also one of the smartest things she could have done. Jett is amazing. She was lucky it was him she got into the car with.

Shannon and Jett then embark on a fake relationship to keep their friends of them. His friend, Javier, and her group of friends included.  Over the course of time, the fake relationship becomes real.

This was an enjoyable read. There wasn’t much going on. It was really about two people who become friends and then eventually lovers. It was sweet and at times romantic. Jett was an awesome boyfriend for Shannon. She needed to lighten up a bit, and eventually she did.

I did find their first time believable. Sometimes I read stories and the first time they have sex, the angels sing and confetti falls from the sky and all is glorious and wonderful. Now, I realize for some, it is like that. But, for a majority of us, not so much! It was refreshing to see a more realistic telling of a first time.

I happen to like a bit more angst and drama in my stories and this was relatively angst and drama free. However, still an enjoyable read about falling in love for the first time!

Find it on GoodReads!

Review: Saved by Venom (Grabbed #3) by Lolita Lopez

The Grabbed series by Lolita Lopez has brought a wonderful new world to me. It’s the future. We have hot alpha males out to get their brides. The brides are looking for a better life, but they’re scared of the rumors about the sky warriors. You gotta love propaganda!

Once again we have a warrior who had earned the points needed to be part of the Grab and get a bride. Once again we have a bride who doesn’t roll over and take what ever he dishes out. Even though these aspects have been the same in all three Grabbed stories, the stories themselves have been different.

Ms. Lopez has kept to the original premise of the series, without making them all the same. Each of the characters has been unique, but carries the characteristics of their race and culture.

Venom is an alpha-male who loves ropes and bondage. Dizzy has always felt most comfortable when bound or weighted down. They are a match made to be together. Venom goes all alpha-male, chest thumping and Dizzy stands up to him.

As usual, things are not as they seem. We have some intrigue, some people with secrets, others have secrets revealed, there’s a little fighting, a little mayhem and some pretty tense moments. We also have some seriously hot lovin’ going on!

I’m loving this series and I can’t wait to see what Ms. Lopez comes up with next. I know who I hope gets his HEA next. I guess I’ll have to wait and see.

Review: Innocence Defied by Lainey Reese

WOW! Just WOW! Lainey Reese can write one HAWT HAWT story. I was hooked from the very beginning and could not stop. Now, this is the third in the New York Series and I love all the characters! I’m really hoping we get more from this series.

I really enjoyed seeing the couples from the first two. I loved seeing how they’ve grown and changed. I’ve enjoyed seeing where they are now in their relationships.

The relationship between Oops and Gage is different from those in the other stories. Gage is looking for a Master/Slave relationship. He’s not just a Dom who wants control in the bedroom, he wants control in every aspect of their lives. Oops, or Zoe, is virgin. She’s saved herself for Gage and she’s determined to have him. How in the world is this bright eyed innocent girl, barely out of high school going to be able to handle a Master/Slave relationship. And how is her brother Brice going to handle her being with Gage?

I will be the first one to admit that I’ve never really understood the Master/Slave relationship.  While I’ve read and enjoyed stories with these types of relationships, I never really understood them. After reading Gage and Oops’s story, I understood a little bit better. Not completely, but closer than I was before. Add into this that Gage is a hot Texas Cowboy with manners and control like you’ve never seen before and OMFG!

While Oops was a wide-eyed innocent, she did go into things willing to try to understand what was happening. When Gage explained his needs to her, she did research. She didn’t run away or get pissy, she just did research. I liked that she was wiling to research and listen. I also liked that she was open to new things without a lot of coaxing from Gage. Now, Gage did push her boundaries, but he watched and listened to her, so it was never too far.

The chemistry and connection between Gage and Oops made this a hot read. I love how he slowly immersed her into his world. He didn’t jump in with everything on the first day. He slowly brought her to new heights by introducing new things to her. Oops’s reactions were priceless. She was enamored and so willing to please Gage. At the same time, she kept her own will and wasn’t afraid to stand toe to toe with Gage. So, even though she was willing to be his slave, she kept her backbone of steel.

The conflict between Gage and Brice, Oops’s brother, was perfect. Everyone saw that coming from a mile away. Brice reacted as any overprotective big brother would. Gage responded as a man in love. It was great! When Trevor and Cade got in on the action, it was even better. Terryn and Rylie were great foils to the men and their over abundance of testosterone.

I can’t wait for more of this series!

Find it on GoodReads!

 

Jerk of My Dreams #21

Jerk. Asshole. Douchenozzle. Admit it- you hate to love the jerks. That alpha male character who is so arrogant and rude but sexy as hell. That foul mouthed douche bag of a man who rocks your traitorous heart. We've all read them and we've all liked them to some extent. In real life you wouldn't touch the man with a ten foot pole. But in the fictional world? Nothing can stand in the way! Everyone would be lying to themselves if they didn't admit that the meaner the man, the further we run... Towards them! *sigh* 

That's what this weekly meme is about- those jerky delicious men! Each Friday this meme will go up, and you can share your jerk anyway you want: review, interview, lines and quotes, giveaway of a book. However you want! All you have to do is sign up HERE and follow the linky. Any time you comment on someones post, leave your link so that person can comment back.

Jerk

Ashole

Douchenozzle

Rat Bastard

Every single one of those names fit Julian King. He is the ultimate Rat Bastard.

Julian King and Heaven Deville are both hotshot attorneys at the same law firm. They go head to head over everything and will do anything to win. When they’re both up for partner, things get even more intense.

Julian’s sexcapades are legendary. He’s a manwhore of the highest order. Anyplace, anytime, any woman, just not the same woman twice.

Heaven does everything she can to downplay her looks. She wants to be taken seriously and has a no-nonsense way about her.

So, what happens when Julian catches Heaven breaking into his office and stealing his proposal for partner? He blackmails her. For 30 days she has to do ANYTHING he says. That’s right folks….ANYTHING!

Heaven, at 26 years old is still a virgin. Yep. A virgin. When Julian finds out Heaven is still a virgin, he still insists on the ANYTHING rule. So, yep, he takes her virginity.

Every single time Heaven says no to something, he punishes her. He threatens to out her to the law firm for breaking and entering. No matter how badly Heaven doesn’t want to do something, she has to. Julian would ruin her otherwise. Everything Heaven has worked for will go down the tubes. What choice does she have? NONE! Throughout all of this, he’s mean to her one minute and sweet the next. Talk about whiplash!

Julian changes everything about Heaven. He changes the way she dresses. Makes her walk around his house naked, insists on sex in the office, in the car, outside, anywhere and everywhere. This just goes against everything Heaven is. (Yes, she has a valid reason for being like this, I’m just not telling what it is.)

After forcing her to strip naked outside and then walk into the house he says to her:

You should never lower your head; you have nothing to feel shame for. You are the most beautiful thing out here, even the trees would bend in admiration for you if they could.

*swoon*

Two minutes later, right back to rat bastard!

Even though Heaven was forced to participate in all of this, she still gave Julian grief. My favorite quote from Heaven:

I hope you trip over a tree branch and break your mouth.

Another swoon worthy moment from Julian:

I need you to see what I see; I want you to know your worth. You hide your beauty away like it’s a deformity.

Over time Julian and Heaven develop feelings for each other. He does have his moments. When Heaven’s life is endangered Julian does everything he can to keep her safe. The question is, will Julian and Heaven realize how much they mean to each other before it’s too late? Before Heaven is gone forever?

I absolutely loved this book. At one point I did get a little irritated because it seemed to be the same thing over and over.

Julian: Do this

Heaven: No

Julian: I’ll rat you out to the firm

Heaven: Ok. I’ll do it

About the time I was getting irritated with the repetition, it changed. The story changed. Their relationship changed.

What really did it for me in the story was the last few chapters. The mystery, the dark shadow, the secrets, the kidnapping, all lead up to a fantastic ending.

Just remember….everytime you see the name Julian in this book, just replace it with Rat Bastard and you’ll be fine!

Find it on GoodReads!