Monthly Archives: August 2017
The Girl Worth Fighting For by Julia Goda #Review
Bruises fade.
A cut can be bandaged,
A broken bone healed.
But can a wounded heart mend?
Deeply damaged by her father’s abandonment when she was thirteen years old, Rainey Miller has let the fear of getting hurt shape and trap her to the point she refuses to connect with people on a deeper level. She is popular and has friends, but her strict dating rules prevent anyone from the chance to touch her heart.
Up and coming boxer, Logan Danvers, has his eyes set on the raven-haired beauty with the cerulean eyes. No matter how hard she tries to push him away, he will push back even harder.
Until she gives in.
Until she is his.
Because once he sets his eyes on what he wants, he doesn’t give up.
It’s who he is.
But what will he do when he realizes it’s not who he is but what he is that could cost him his chance with Rainey? Will he give up or will he find a way to make her realize she is The Girl Worth Fighting For?
I was given this book by the author and chose to review it. Rainey is a social worker at a shelter for teens and Logan is a volunteer at that shelter. Now Rainey has a problem with Logan he’s a boxer. The reason that’s a problem is because Rainey’s father was a champion boxer and life was good. When he lost his title he crawled into a bottle and eventually ran her and her mother off. Because of that Rainey has cut herself off from everyone but her mom and a few close friends. Her number one rule is NEVER EVER date a boxer, musician etc. anyone who wants to be famous. From the minute Logan walk into the shelter he’s been after Rainey but her rule has him off limits at least in her mind. Logan is not giving up on her, he’s determined to change her opinion of him. He’s not the egotistical player that she believes him to be. So what does Logan have to do to convince Rainey that he’s the man for her?
Told from both POV it’s easy to follow because each time they switch at the beginning of each chapter it tells you who’s POV it is and I really appreciate that. A sweet love story between a stubborn girl and a determined boy.
If you’re into love stories this is definitely one that won’t disappoint you.
Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock. 4 sweet and stubborn hearts.
Kiss, Don’t Tell by Holly Hart #Review
One glimpse and I’m hooked. One Kiss is all I need.
I ruined Kim’s life before I even said hello. Life has taught me one thing: guys like me don’t get second chances. I never wanted one. Not until I saw Kim’s face.
Kimberly Sawyers is a good girl, and she lives next door. The more she pushes me away, the more my body aches for her. I can’t sleep. I can’t think. I need her. I need to taste her pinks, and I need to possess her curves. I’m going to make her moan like no man ever has.
The problem? We have a past.
Now I’m undercover, and Kim’s my mission. I’ve put my girl in mortal danger. I’m going to protect her, whatever it takes.
It’s Kim’s first time. She’s my second chance.
Kiss, Don’t Tell is a standalone, 70,000 word undercover bad boy romance. Holly Hart’s books are dark and dirty, she hates cheating, and guarantees a happily ever after every time.
Book Review – Kiss, Don’t Tell
>This is a standalone novel with an HEA. Kim is a girl with fairly low self-esteem. She was bullied in high school due to her crush on a boy. She gets a job in computers and lives in the company apartments next to the cutest man ever, Nate. She figures out Nate is the boy from high school she had a crush on and is furious that he doesn’t remember her. Kim’s new job is pretty uncomfortable. She is proud of the job, but the male co-workers are slimy and sexist. There is a hidden story behind all of Kim’s experiences, though.
>Nate is the cute neighbor, boy from high school and also an undercover operative, using Kim as a mark to get to her boss and his illegal activities. Nate truly did not remember Kim and now finds the mission in jeopardy when she knows him not by his alias. The story is very fast-paces and exciting. The relationship between Kim and Nate, along with the danger Kim gets into keeps this story going.
>Kim is not a typical mark. She does get in to trouble thanks to Nate, but is smart enough to keep herself relatively safe until help comes. I like those kind of heroines. This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am a reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock. I am giving the story 5 stars.
>Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1826445040?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
>Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/review/R310YDTJJ5NG2P/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01MSICJ9A
The Darkest Shifter by Anya Nowlen
Sometimes, a dragon can only find himself when he’s hidden away from everything… except for his mate.
Donovan Silvertip has hidden away from the prying eyes of Shifter Grove for as long as he can remember. Nestled in a mountain that’s barely accessible, he guards his hoard and revels in his loneliness, until one day, everything changes. The most gorgeous and infuriating woman stumbles upon him on Halloween of all nights, and despite all the questions Donovan has, one thing prevails above all – he has to have her. Even if it means giving up everything he’s believed in so far.
Sabrina Corrolie is a woman willing to face her fears. You know, like spooky haunted houses in the middle of nowhere… Why she had to pick Halloween to tackle her phobias, she isn’t entirely sure, though. One thing is certain, she didn’t expect to stumble on a real, live dragon in the process! While this dragon is scary, he’s also hotter than the fire he breathes and sexier than sin… Maybe he’s just what she needs to conquer her insecurities?
Or maybe a fairy tale is just too good to be true, dragon or no dragon.
The Darkest Dragon is a holiday novella set in Shifter Grove. It includes plenty of steam and spooky haunted houses, so be warned!
Sabrina has come to Shifter Grover to face her fears. She wasn’t supposed to be alone though. Staying in a creepy house overnight, secluded up a mountain and hearing things, she never expected to find what she found.
Donovan is the last of the Sivertip clan. No one even knows he’s still around. To protect his and his families horde, he really is pretty much trapped in his house. Yet someone has entered the cavern and gotten past his traps. He awakens to a beautiful woman staring at him. A human woman, that is his mate….
I had fun with this novella. I like Sabrinas wit and her kick butt bravery! Not only conquering her fears, but gaining more and overcoming those as well. Donovans sad story broke my heart and him just surviving to protect all he had left, so lonely! Happy endings make me love this even more. It was a fun, quick, fantasy romance that I would recommend.
Reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1833948662
https://www.amazon.com/review/R2PXB5IAT56M1D/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv
Strip Tease by Angelique Voisen #review
How can the normal guy and the sexy male stripper make it work?
Dirk Thompson thought he found his one and only…then his husband cheats on him. Heartsick, lonely, and full of anger, Dirk can’t find the courage to move on until he meets Ken.
It’s not like Dirk to take a wild ride with a stranger, but Ken strips him bare and turns his world upside down.
Strip Tease is the first book in a promising MM romance called Down and Dirty. First, I must confess this is my first time reading an MM book. I was a little worried before I started reading it because I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to have an objective view because I have never read anything of the genre before. Nevertheless, I found myself enjoying the plot from the very first pages. Without a doubt, this book is a fast-paced page-turner that won’t allow you to put the book down until you read the end.
Dirk Thompson is a brokenhearted accountant who was left by his cheating ex-husband, Warren. I must confess I was shouting at Dirk when I saw how insecure and hurt he was because of that good for nothing cheater. I thought he deserved to shout his lungs out, throw the ring at the face of the cheater, rip all the photos with Warren and try to move on. However, Dirk seemed so defenseless and reluctant to leave the past behind. I didn’t like that about him very much. However, every character needs a low point so it can evolve and I believe this is Dirk’s.
Ken, I must confess, is my favorite character of the story. Well, he and Dirk. Ken or Diesel (stage name) is a combination of a ray of sunshine and the energizer bunny. He is funny, cheerful, playful, and easy-going. At first, I was a little reluctant when it came to him and Dirk. I mean, Warren and Dirk were complete opposites and everything when from perfect to hell itself in the blink of an eye. I can’t be blamed for trying to protect Dirk. Nevertheless, I found myself thinking that maybe, just maybe, Ken would be good for Dirk. Ken was a difficult past and is broken too. However, you get the feeling that even with this stripper profession and the playful character he has a fragile heart that longs to be as cherished and loved as Warren was once.
When the pasts of Dirk and Ken come knocking at their door, the insecurities of both might be too much for their starting relationship. What do you think ladies? Is there going to be a happily ever after? Will the past repeat itself over again? Wish I could tell you, but I don’t want to ruin a very interesting if a little predictable and cute, plot. Nevertheless, I assure you that you will love the plot. Our main characters undergo a huge character development as they face their insecurities. In fact, I loved how Ken broke Dirk from his low self-stem shell when he was at his lowest point.
I highly recommend this novel to those who love a good mix of drama, comedy and romance in a very touching and slightly sexy MM novel.
Reviewer of Romance Authors That Rock
5 ❤
Her Kilted Wolf by Tabitha Conall #Review #Shifter #kilts
Two werewolves, a Scottish castle and the power of fate.
Highly ranked in her werewolf pack in spite of being female, American Mattie Sloane travels to Scotland with her Alpha, never suspecting the trip will turn her life upside down.
A rogue by nature, werewolf Colin MacPherson has to shape up fast when he finds his mate in Mattie.
Just one problem—they both love their countries and don’t want to move. How can they be mates an ocean apart?
This 6,000+ word short story is the first in the Colliding Worlds series. HEA included
What a tease!!! A short story to introduce the Colliding Worlds series, and it does its job very well!!! I will have to find the next in the series and read it soon!! Quickly grabbing my attention with a strong heroine and an interesting premise, this writer has created a world that could have numerous possibilities and interspecies couples!
As an independent reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock this short story gets four hearts only because it’s too short!! The teasers for the next book promise we will see more of these characters and I truly hope we do!!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1837255486
https://www.amazon.com/review/R2Q50ZQSR2AU1B/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
Dark Side of the Moon by Catherine Vale #review
Veronica Maxwell has never fit in. Not into the cliques in high school, not even in her own family. Her mother was only concerned about her daughter gaining weight, and her father wasn’t much better. So, she turned to martial arts as a way of venting out that anger, and that’s how she ended up in the ring, fighting her ass off, fired up and ready to compete.
Mikel Taso is used to fighting. He lives in a world of constant war; clans fighting clans and shifters fighting shifters. But when his clan is threatened by extinction, he knows he has no other choice but to abandon his planet for a thriving one: earth. And that’s how he came face to face with our kick-ass heroine, and the one woman he believes is his one true mate.
When these two fighters’ cross paths, it sets in motion a series of events that will not only test their will to survive against all odds, but to survive each other. And Veronica isn’t going down without a fight.
Readers: This is a sexy were-bear paranormal shifter romance, featuring a curvy BBW heroine, alien sci-fi action and one dominant alpha who knows how to make a woman scream his name. Snag your copy and talk a walk on the wild side of love!
Dark Side of the Moon
Veronica is a bike messenger with very little going for her when she is abducted by alien shifter Taso. He takes her back to his planet to be his mate and to fight against other shifters ultimately wanting to work towards peace. I liked this story, it held my interest from the beginning to end. Veronica is strong, both literally and in personality. Taso is a true alpha leader, but a romantic at heart. The only negative of the story was there was some major editing issues, that were distracting. I rate this story 4.5 hearts.
**Reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock***
www.goodreads.com/book/show/31754744?source=ebfg_sms
Unlawful by Nicholas Bella
“I’m an equal opportunity avenger, baby”
I’m playing things smarter now, not making the same mistakes as the last time. If we want to take down this murder syndicate–because that’s what I’m calling them–then Jordan and I have to be more cunning than they are. Right now, my new target is Mayor Cecily Danvers. Who would have thought a woman, with such a bright, warm smile, who often talked about bettering our city, would be into watching people be tortured to death? The woman spent time with inner city youths for God’s sake, helping to build community centers in order to keep them off the streets. Goes to show you people aren’t always what they seem. The bad news is, she’s highly protected, so getting to her is going to be tricky… but not impossible. The good new is, I love a challenge.
Warning: This is a novella serial series that will be coming at you fully loaded with hot, gay sex. Yes, there will be all kinds of bodily fluids splashing and squirting in all directions with each episode. Expect body parts to be sliced, diced, gouged, and even ripped apart because I don’t half step. This is a series intended for adults only, who want a superhero that loves to play dirty… and by dirty, I mean grimy as hell.
Calling His Bluff by B.A. Tortuga #Review
Patrick’s loss is Remy’s gain.
A Club Raven Novel
After his twin dies in battle, it’s Patrick Daniels’ duty to marry his brother’s fiancée. Too bad he can’t make himself do it, and in his distress, he manifests a psychic talent that’s stronger than the tornadoes in his native East Texas. Then a mysterious man from a place called Club Raven steps in and sweeps Patrick off to the booming East Coast city of Baltimore.
Club Raven veteran Remy Blanchard sees Patrick and knows, even though Patrick is very ill, that this is the challenge he’s been waiting for. He nurses Patrick back to health, and begins to teach Patrick to control his talent. His methods might be unconventional, and Patrick might be new to the kinds of sexual games Remy knows best, but the two of them find something in each other that might be just as magical as the gentleman’s club where they meet.
To Screech Their Own by Marina Maddix #Review #Shifters #havenseries
A BBW Paranormal Shifter Romance
NOTE: This book was originally published in the On the Growl anthology.
What happens at Haven… doesn’t always stay there.
Life couldn’t get much better for fun-loving housecat shifter Katie O’Meghan. She’s left her alley cat upbringing behind to become an activities coordinator at the luxurious Haven Resort, an exclusive island retreat for shapeshifters. Not even in her wildest fantasies did she imagine landing such a prestigious job and she would never do anything to risk losing it.
Arnaud Simpson hasn’t taken a vacation in two years and he doesn’t intend to start now. Work is what kept him going after his mate’s death, and it’s the only thing that helps him forget he’ll spend the rest of his life alone. Eagles mate for life, after all.
When Arnaud’s job brings him to Haven, Katie’s zest for life — not to mention her luscious curves — tempt him in ways he never thought possible. But even if he could mate again, would a free spirit like Katie ever want to settle down with a conservative corporate attorney like him? It hardly matters because the most important rule at Haven is the one rule that would keep them apart.
To Screech Their Own is the first in a series of standalone shapeshifter romances set at the mysterious Haven Resort.
This novella is the first in the Haven series and ends in an HEA. Katie is a cat shifter excited for her dream job at the Haven resort. Haven is a resort for shapeshifters. Arnaud is an eagle shifter widow. Eagles mate for life, so Arnaud does not expect to find another mate, ever. The pull between Arnaud and Katie is strong and very hot.
>Between the Haven rule of no sleeping with guests and a co-worker up to no good and out for Katie’s job, an HEA doesn’t seem possible for Arnaud and Katie. The story is short, but very erotic. The mystery involving the co-worker could have been developed into more of a story. Katie seemed to have an interesting backstory. The story could have been richer if her backstory was included in a lot more depth.
>The romance was hot, but happened so quickly. A little more build up would have made the eventual fall so much more romantic. I am a reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock. This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving the story 4 stars. There was a lot of the story missing.
>Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2037452319?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
>Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/review/R1VYW02J1M3X7C/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00TVM9KFO
A Seal’s Secret Desire by Arabella Steedly #Review
JAMES
Unbelievable! It was my best friend’s little sister who stepped off the bus as the recruit chosen to become the first female Navy SEAL.
My natural instinct was to protect the buff, leggy blond. The problem was I was Sarah’s trainer, and the regulations were clear that I could show on favoritism or fraternize with the recruits.
Her daddy was a well-connected retired Army General who called to check on her progress often.
The Navy was my life until she reappeared. It didn’t take long for me to decide I wanted her for my own. Come hell or high water!
SARAH
Why would James be assigned as my instructor? Surely, Commander Jones knew he was a friend of the family.
I had a crush on him and cried when he left town and joined the Navy. Back then, she was still skinny.
Wow!!! How he had changed. He was hot in his aviator shades. His wide chest and six-pack abs rippled under his fatigues.
Growing up, I had plenty of boyfriends and loved to go to parties, but in my heart, there was only room for one man. That man was James.
So, I was still a virgin.
****Steamy, Standalone Adult Novel****
This book is a good book. The characters develop really fast. Warning! This has some very steamy sexual situations, so for mature readers. This is a great book for any who enjoys military romances or just steamy romances.
I give this book 4 hearts.
Reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock.
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