You can see my picks for #WOTR18 #UGLYCRY #DARKROMANCE #EROTICA #PARANORMAL #NA #INSTALOVE if you want to see my top 5 from January to June 2018 click HERE
Where do I even begin?? The last 6 months my reading has been all over the place from erotica to dark romance to RH to Contemporary Romance to mythology. I had such a hard time picking my top 5…er scratch that top 6! My Blog My Rules!!
Out of my 5 books ALL of them are books you can find at my author event called Writers on the River. It is in Peoria, IL on July 20.
**Quick event plug**
VIP, Early Access, General Admission and After Party tickets are still available for at HERE
Ok here are my top 5…errrr….6 …….In NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!!!
The Ties That Bind by Mary Martel
The Ties That Bind is book 4 in the Ariel Kimber Series.
Ariel Kimber isn’t like most seventeen year old girls. She’s different because she’s a witch with magic and it’s rare for females to hold magic anymore. She’s settling into her new place amongst her coven of guys while she’s settling into her new home at the same time.
The Council’s appearance into their lives has put everyone on edge. With good reason. Ariel is forced to meet with one of them on a regular basis so that they can learn from each other. Really, though, they just want to get to the bottom of where Ariel came from and she is more than happy to comply with them.
Because there is one thing she wants more than anything else in the world, and that’s to find the man who has been searching for her for years. Her biological father.
And Ariel is willing to go through any and every thing to find him.
This is the fourth book in a slow burn Reverse Harem Series
My Review –
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
Man, this book…in a word….INTENSE!! There is a lot that goes on this this book plus a hella-lotta of set up for the next few books. You better buckle in friends because shit is about to get crazy!!
Before I begin, I gotta say I LOVED seeing Ariel spend time with Dash *Blushing* I dunno what it is about him but he is just *Sigh* so sweet. I also loved Ariel starting to date the other guys she hasn’t bonded with. We see the bonds she has with Her Salt & Pepper Twins, Uncle Panty Thief, Tyson, and even Dash but Her date with Damien…seriously put him on my radar!!! Then her time with Julian even if it was brief…..Yeah I loved it!!
You guys so much happens in this book…like for real…so much. Rain makes an appearance and I am still not sure if he is the wonderful Father Ariel is hoping for OR a Sociopath…like I am on the fence and you will be too when you read this book. We see more of the Council, Chucky and even *GASP* Annabelle appears in this book. *Grumbles under my breath about that skank*.
But the biggest reveal comes when we find out about Ariel and her Biological Witch Family….WHOOOOOOO that is some heavy stuff!!! But I think learning more and more about the Council gives me the chills because Ariel is gonna have some serious problems if they find out her true nature as are her seven coven boyfriends!
I cannot wait for more because this series is getting just so much better and more complex with each story!!
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Tray , Hells Harlem #2 by JM Walker
Despair. Hunger. Pain. Need.
It started the moment she bumped into me.
Ecstasy. Danger. Seduction. Terror.
She was off-limits, but it didn’t stop me from wanting her.
My life was empty. My thoughts were dark. My heart was stone.
Feeling unwanted for most of my life, I didn’t know where I belonged or what my purpose was. He was all I had until she came along and brought out emotions I never knew were possible. She was innocent. Pure. Untouched. She was the daughter of a rival club member, but that didn’t stop us. It only heightened the desire, the passion we felt. We were happy…until someone she trusted made a move that no one saw coming…
My Review
Holy hells bells friends. Strap in for a bumpy, sex filled ride with our favorite Mistress of Teasing!!
Tray…man I loved him in Greyson’s book. I so wanted to know more about this fun guy. I was a bit shocked at all that he was hiding from us seeing how fun and light he was with Eve. He has major layers people. He is dealing with his guilt over treating his best friend so badly and hoping to salvage their friendship when he meets Zillah. He is stunned stupid at her beauty and her sassy mouth!!
Zillah has lead a bit of a sheltered life. Her dad is a bad ass MC President who will not let any man look at his daughter as anything other than HIS LITTLE GIRL!! She is naïve to the way of the club and to the way of seasoned men but when she sees Tray, she is hooked. She needs to see where this connection will go.
The two have an insta-love-ish story but it’s also built on mutual respect and their love of horror movies! Tray hides a little bit about himself because he wants to make sure someone loves him for him and not the bad ass biker everyone thinks he is. Along the way we find out someone is stalking the couple and it makes them both a bit on edge because who would be following them.
When Zillah gets a call and the Hell’s Harlem get some news all the shit erupts in an epic battle of good guys vs bad guys!! The why for the stalking is crazy and what happens later is even crazier!! Dude but Zillah is one bad ass chick. I have a total girl crush on her and you will see why when you read it!
JM got a few emails from me yelling at her because she made me cry A LOT in those parts of the book…good tears, happy ears and of course, sad tears!! The epilogue and bonus epilogue ….have tissues because damn it they killed me.
I am so happy with Tray’s story but my heart aches for Catch…it just aches…..but who is this River kid and when do we get to read about his!!???
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Reviving Kendall by Brandy Slaven
“I’m not so sure that I’m strong enough to take yet another blow to the heart.”
Growing up, I’ve always lived on the wrong side of the tracks. I’m used to the stares, name calling, and disrespect. A tragic accident that leaves me short three of the only people I’ve ever loved, has me devastated enough to try to end my own life. Just when I think there’s no hope, I find a reason to live again, or four of them as a matter of fact. Lucas, Maverick, Teagan, and Goose. But what happens when those bonds are tested? I’m not so sure that I’m strong enough to take yet another blow to the heart. My name is Kendall Davis and what if my story doesn’t have a happy ending?
*This is the first book in a Contemporary Reverse Harem Trilogy.
My Review
I received this book from a friend.
SHUT UP!! #WhyChoose is why I LOVE RH!!! My friend Mary was all “DUDE you need these books in your life” and then she gifted them to me. HOLY HELLS BELLS!!! I sat and read 50% before I knew it. Kendall is so awesome and feisty and yet so broken and damaged. The guys IE Mav, Teagan, Goose/Grant and Lucas made my heart just beat so fast and so hard for each of them. Each guy is so different but such a needed part to make Kendall whole again.
Kendall is the only girl who has the strength and NERVE to take on these 4 different guys. “The Quad”, as she calls them, are sweet and hard headed but so in love with our girl. They are so confused and yet they can’t wait to try and make her theirs separately and as a group.
Kendall has had so much hardship losing her parents, her nana, her dying grandpa and her VanPelt brothers AKA her boyfriends. She is just living and dealing with a jealous rival named Derrick. Kendall has no idea why he hates her yet he won’t leave her alone.
The Quad comes to her restaurant and she is none to pleased at their come on so gives them the business!! She may live in a trailer park and everyone might THINK she is less than, but she lives by a certain code of honor.
As the story unfolds, we see the guys showing up and helping her out but individually stealing kisses and moments. When a fun trip to the mountains turns sour, Kendall turns her back and runs. When her crappy life gets eve worse, she is shut off to the world until her guys come back and refuse to leave her.
When the 5 decide to give things a try, we can see the stress of the unknown disappear. When the decide to openly claim each other as THEIRS, we can see the group becoming closer and tighter. I can’t wait to read the net book and have it downloaded to start right away!!!
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Secrets by Aleatha Romig
The twisted and intriguing storytelling that you loved in Consequences and Infidelity is coming back at you with an all-new alpha anti-hero in the dark romance series Web of Sin, by New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig.
I’m Sterling Sparrow. You’ve no doubt heard my name or read it on the top of tall buildings. There’s more to my business—my realm—than what is seen aboveground.
Within the underbelly of one of America’s largest cities lives a world where a man’s word is either his most valuable tool or his most respected weapon. When my father ruled that world and that city, he promised me someone who would one day make my reign complete.
Since that day, long ago, Araneae McCrie has been mine.
She just didn’t know.
My father is now gone.
The city and the underbelly are now mine.
The time has come for me to collect who was promised to me, to shred her life of secrets and make her who she’s always been—mine.
Have you been Aleatha’d?
*Secrets is book one of the Web of Sin trilogy.
My Review –
I received this book from an honest review from the author.
Holy crap on a cracker!!! Gah!! This book!!!! #Anxiety #NeedADrink #GodIsHeSexy
Sterling is so alpha, so domineering and so yummy yet I know he is going to break my heart at some point in this series!! I can already feel it. There are so many secrets and things he isn’t telling Kennedy/Araneae my anxiety is through the roof!!! But can we talk about how much of an ass he is and yet he only followed her instruction…Snicker……the airplane scene is the BEST!!!!
Kennedy was thrown a huge curve ball in the beginning of the story and we know once the Sparrow family finds her things will go dark and bad. Ugh but why does bad have to come in such a yummy package!!! I feel for her because she is a caring person and it seems caring for others is the weakness that will get her killed. I only hope she can finally listen to Sterling and realize he is the one trying to protect her from others who want to harm her….or is he?????????
This story is an amazing set up for what is surely to come. The final scene has me going “Oh snap!!” I mean gahhhh!!!! I am dying to know what exactly will happen because it seems Sterling didn’t tell our girl the whole story about what is going on and what is happening.
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See Me by M. Jayne
Throughout history, The Lady, Goddess of the Lycan world, has gifted werewolf packs with humans who carry her mark. Theodora Morrissey’s plans to return to college for her graduate degree are ended when she is awakened by an otherworldly voice on a rarely used airstrip in Nebraska. Injured and disoriented, she has no idea the discoloration on her back has marked her as a Seer, and that she is now a possession—and the prisoner—of the Novus Pack of Lycans.
To the Novus pack, the word of their leader, their Laird, is the law. With compelling gray eyes and long dark hair, Raider Black rules his pack with intelligence and ruthlessness. To cement the security of his pack, Black has committed to mate another Packleader’s daughter. But he’s finding it impossible to fight his attraction to the pack’s alluring new Seer, claiming her as his own.
Sweet, fearless, and unintentionally funny, Theo upends Black’s world and pushes the boundaries of his rules. How far is Black willing to go, and what will he sacrifice, to save both his pack and the human Seer who’s found a way not only into his bed, but his heart?
My Review
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
Before I start this review, I am going to let you in on a little secret. I am a paranormal whore. I love love love paranormal AND shifters are like the icing on the cake for me. So, if you write a paranormal and I read it, I will judge/rate harshly. Its my favorite genre and its my go to read when I want something to read. With all that stated up front, you gotta know what I am about to say is deep and true to my soul……I. Loved. This. Book!! Like WTF!! It blew me outta the damn water. I will admit I was a bit skeptical about the whole Lady Goddess stuff at the beginning. I wondered if I would dig it or if it would be something I found to be an OK read. FRIENDS, this book rocked my world!! Like legit, ROCKED ME HARD!!!!
I absolutely loved the world M. Jayne (Melanie) created. I loved her mythology. I loved her side characters and seriously I am hard crushing over Lore BUT I am also scared outta my mind at him. Raider Black is our main character and he is so tough and bad ass but so tender when he wants to be but also please remember he is uber bad ass!!! Theo is thrust into this NEW world. She stumbles but runs into it with eyes wide open. When she is given her new title in the Pack, she tried to be 100% the best she can be. Her friends Solle and Conal are the best companions for her. They are loyal to Black but guide her and help her understand the human world is not at all like the Pack’s world.’
The story was so wonderfully written. I seriously kept saying “one more chapter before bed” and then the next thing I knew it was 11PM and I and 10% of the book left!! Might as well just read it and appreciate the reason for being grumpy the next day was because of the wonderful story telling. I thought the flow of the story was amazing. You were always wondering what would happen next. I know the angst of the two main characters fighting their pull and draw to one another was amazing. When they finally give in to one another it only made their bond THAT much stronger. The character banter was hilarious, but the emotional draw of the characters made me so excited for this new series!
I am so excited for the next book and wonder where the story will take us because I am totally hooked on the Novus Pack!! #TeamNovus #TeamLore #TeamSweetBabyJesusThoseWereHotScenes
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Blood Lust by Tricia Andersen
She doesn’t believe she has a soul.
She believes it was stolen from her when that bastard turned her into the creature she is now.
But little does she know, she does. What is there isn’t dark and twisted, defiled by the lust for blood. She is pure and loving, with a body and attitude that arouses me every moment of the day. And I will move universes and defy my father and mother to make her into something I’m worthy of loving, someone that will stay by my side through eternity.
I will fight the forces of the gods to make her mine. I won’t stop until she belongs to me forever. And how am I, just a mere fighter, going to do that?
Because, baby, I’m a god.
My Review –
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
HOLY MOLY this book knocked my socks off!!! Paranormal meets the Greek Gods?? Uhm YES PLEASE!!! When Tricia told me about this book, I was super excited. When I finally got the book, I was ecstatic. I can’t say enough how much I loved reading this book. But remembering all the Gods from college, I was like “OMG Yes I remember them.”
Juliet is a typical vampire looking to score some blood. Well our little vampire is a little more than usual because she actually cares about who she drains dry. She strolls into the underground MMA fight looking for meal, when she sees the most beautiful and sexy man EVAH!! She is all “Game on” with this one. She knows he might be a bit more of a challenge, but she is ready for it. She is stunned when all of a sudden, the man of hour is right there at the bar hitting on her …along with others things he does with her at the bar *snickers*
Ares, the God of War, is mesmerized by the vampire at the club. He knows she will be able to “handle his appetites” so he dives into a night of fun with the little minx. He is loving spending time with her because she challenges him at every turn and he loves it. He can’t get enough of her telling HIM, the God of War, No!! I love the banter the two have because they cracked me up a lot.
When Ares and Juliet discover there are serious emotions at play, they both freak. The last person Ares loves was Aphrodite and we all know how wonderful their relationship turned out….not good if you weren’t aware. The last person who Juliet loved broke her heart and turned her into the creature she is now. Love and Trust is not something these two people can willingly accept from others.
His family hates her and wants her dead. His ex has become a bit too clingy and needy…ya know I don’t want you but I don’t want anyone else to have you type of chick *eye roll*….her maker is all about claiming what is his again after hundreds of years, PLUS the vampire hunter is closing in on Juliet. There is so much action and so many plot twists you never see what will happen next!! I seriously hope we get another book really soon and I am BEGGING for it to be Aletha because I just loved her so hard but Pan would be pretty funny to see which nymph captures his heart.
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Buy Links
The Ties That Bind by Mary Martel
Tray , Hells Harlem #2 by JM Walker
Reviving Kendall by Brandy Slaven
Secrets by Aleatha Romig
See Me by M. Jayne
Blood Lust by Tricia Andersen
