Review: Hold Tight by Alexa Riley

Hold Tight (For You #2) by Alexa Riley

Publication Date: October 16th 2017 by Carina Press

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

New York Times and #1 ebook bestselling author Alexa Riley returns with Hold Tight, the next novella in the For You series

A hotshot consultant hired to streamline Osbourne Corp. meets his match in Pandora Justice—the more she plays hard to get, the more he wants her.

They say that like recognizes like, and the day I looked into her deep blues, I met my other half.

Pandora Justice took over as head of security at Osbourne Corp. after her father's retirement. Eighty-hour workweeks are normal; being brushed up against by hot consultants with ridiculous names is not. And she doesn't like it. Not even one bit.

It's amazing how easily she can lie to herself.

I had to have her. Plain and simple.

The first time Pandora sees Royce in the ring—all tattoos and sinew, covered in sweat—he looks at her like he's just won more than the fight. Like he won her.

I won't play games with her. I'll wait, and it will kill me, but I'll do it for her.

Royce's cocky grin with deep dimples makes Pandora melt. Once she wanted to smack that look off his face—now all she wants to do is kiss it. For the rest of her life.

The thought of spending the rest of my life with Pandora warms the place in my chest I didn't think was alive. I've put my claim on her—she's the one, and I'm done. It's that simple. 

My Thoughts:

Pandora Justice takes pride that’s she’s tough and good at her job, as head of Osborne Security she must be, but that hasn’t left much time for a personal life.  That’s okay, because unlike her twin sister, she hasn’t found anyone that sparks an interest.  That is until her cousin hires Royce to help streamline their department.  He’s handsome, cocky, and annoying, or so she keeps telling herself.  Pandora can’t stop thinking, dreaming and lusting after him, but with little experience with the opposite sex she’s a little hesitant to get involved.  There’s a bit of cat-and-mouse here, a fun sexy chase! More fun when Pandora allows herself to be caught, though!

Royce has been takes one look at Pandora and knows he has to have her.  He feels the heat between them so even though she keeps pushing him away, he’s determined to claim her. Yes, claim, lol. This is a complete alpha-hero here, but it’s fun, fantasy fiction so I’m totally okay with that! Royce and Pandora are completely unable to resist the powerful pull between them and steam up the pages all the way to a HEA!

You can always count on a smoking hot, good time when picking up Alexa Riley’s romances, and Hold Tight lives up to their reputation.  Novellas are always a fast-favorite way to satisfy my romance addiction! You might say that I do enjoy a hot quickie, lol!  Now I need to go back and read the first book in the series, Penelope (Pandora’s twin sister) and Ivan’s romance in Stay Close, because they are super cute together as side characters! 

4 Suns

Connect with Alexa Riley:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: The Rancher's Christmas Song by RaeAnne Thayne

The Rancher's Christmas Song (Cowboys of Cold Creek #16) by RaeAnne Thayne

Publication Date: November 1st 2017 by Harlequin

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

Keep a song in your heart this holiday season… 
Music teacher Ella Baker's plate is already full. But when single dad Beckett McKinley's wild twin boys need help preparing a Christmas song for their father, Ella agrees on one condition: they teach her to ride a horse. She's hoping that'll help mend her strained relationship with her rancher father; it certainly has nothing to do with the crush that's lingered since her one and only date with Beck.
It isn't disinterest spurring Beck to keep his distance—if anything, the spark is too strong, with Ella reminding him of his ex-wife. Soon what started as an innocent arrangement is beginning to feel a lot like family. But with the holidays approaching, Beck and Ella will have to overcome past hurts if they want to keep each other warm this Christmas…

My Thoughts:

Music teacher Ella Baker may have been a Boston city girl, but her heart never left the family ranch in Idaho.  When her father becomes too sick to manage on his own, Ella comes back home to help, and cherish time with her father.  A strained past between them sometimes makes it hard, but Ella hopes to convince her father she’s tough and capable, eager to meet the challenges of ranching life. In the meantime, Ella has her hands full as the town’s music teacher, organizing the holiday program, and volunteering at the senior center. Another distraction is Beckett McKinley, the rancher next door, and father of two energetic, but sweet, twins.  Twin boys who happen to be in her music class. Beck is a heap of confusion.  On one hand she’s a little jealous of the admiration and closeness shared between her father and Beck, and on the other she can’t help the sparks of attraction she feels anytime he gets close. Doesn’t matter though, because Beck treats Ella with nothing but cold indifference.

Indifference is not the problem Beck has with Ella.  He struggles with overwhelming attraction every time she’s near. Beck’s under the impression that Ella is a city girl just like his ex-wife who couldn’t stand ranch life, leaving him and their (toddler!) twin boys to fend for themselves. Beck doesn’t want a repeat of that mistake.   But, when his boys offer riding lessons to Ella there’s no way to avoid her, and he finds their time together changing his initial impressions.  He knew she was smart, and beautiful, but discovering her sweet, and brave side makes him wonder if Ella just might be his dream girl after all.

The Rancher’s Christmas Song was a heartwarming delight!  Ella and Beck’s back story was sad and touching, showing the great strength each had to have to overcome the past.  As they get to know each other, the powerful attraction they’ve felt for each other blossoms into something deeper, and far more irresistible!  Oh, there’s a bit of angst in this one! Not too much, mind you, I’d hate that! Just a little bit to make the longing palpable, and real!  To make Beck and Ella’s giving in so much sweeter!

RaeAnne Thayne is a new to me writer, and I’m catching onto her appeal!  The Rancher’s Christmas Song was a heated romance filled with touching family moments that brought a tear or two to my eyes!  

4 Suns

Review & Giveaway: Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt

Duke of Desire (Maiden Lane #12) by Elizabeth Hoyt

Publication Date: October 17th by Grand Central Publishing

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | TBD

About the book:

A LADY OF LIGHT

Refined, kind, and intelligent, Lady Iris Jordan finds herself the unlikely target of a diabolical kidnapping. Her captors are the notoriously evil Lords of Chaos. When one of the masked-and nude!-Lords spirits her away to his carriage, she shoots him . . . only to find she may have been a trifle hasty.

A DUKE IN DEEPEST DARKNESS

Cynical, scarred, and brooding, Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore, has made it his personal mission to infiltrate the Lords of Chaos and destroy them. Rescuing Lady Jordan was never in his plans. But now with the Lords out to kill them both, he has but one choice: marry the lady in order to keep her safe.

CAUGHT IN A WEB OF DANGER . . . AND DESIRE

Much to Raphael's irritation, Iris insists on being the sort of duchess who involves herself in his life-and bed. Soon he's drawn both to her quick wit and her fiery passion. But when Iris discovers that Raphael's past may be even more dangerous than the present, she falters. Is their love strong enough to withstand not only the Lords of Chaos but also Raphael's own demons?

My Thoughts:

Iris Jordan finds herself in the middle of the Lords of Chaos latest diabolical plan when they mistake her for the Duke of Kyle’s wife and kidnap her.  Lucky for her Raphael is there, trying to infiltrate their horrid group rescues her from rape, torture, and possibly death.  These men are despicable! Unaware of Raphael’s true intentions, Iris shoots Raphael as he’s trying to get her to safety. Ooops! 

Snatching Iris away from the Lords of Chaos as his own was no easy task.  To continue the deception Raphael realizes he must marry her to keep her safe.  Which is in no way a hardship since he’s longed for Iris from afar for quite some time now.  Unfortunately, Raphael believes his tainted line must die with him and, so he plans on the marriage to be in name only. Poor Raphael. 

Iris has met Raphael before, they shared a dance and she was fascinated and maybe a little afraid of the man. Just being next to him felt dangerous and thrilling, but she never counted on marrying him!  As they get to know each other well in a short period of time, she hopes their marriage can be a love match after all.  Raphael may feel responsible for the sins of his father, but Iris has other ideas for the two of them.  She’s drawn to him and she knows he’s attracted to her even though he fights it every step of the way.  Can she dispel his fears?  Add to their dilemmas are the Lords of Chaos scheming to take them out for good.

Iris and Raphael had some obstacles to overcome with their romance, and I loved their journey!  Raphael had damage from the past, but Iris was determined to help him to see the light, and prove he was someone worthy of love and happiness. My heart ached for Raphael, so I was happy he had Iris to help with his dark times.  Raphael couldn’t resist his desire for Iris and every time they were alone they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Lusty, heated encounters between them crumbled Raphael’s resolve a little more each time.

Duke of Desire was full of passion, peril, and conflicted emotion, but wrapped up so very sweetly! I’ve read and loved the Maiden Lane series, so I’m sorry that this is the last book!  Elizabeth Hoyt’s beautiful writing made this series come alive; exciting and daring, making each book a thrilling read! I’m anxious to find out what she plans next!

4 Suns

I'm offering up a giveaway of One Book from the Maiden Lane series by Elizabeth Hoyt to one reader. From US Amazon, US Barnes & Noble or The Book Depository.  Winner's choice. The giveaway is International as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.  

Review: Once a Charmer by Sharla Lovelace

Once a Charmer (Charmed in Texas #3) by Sharla Lovelace

Publication Date: October 17th 2017 by Lyrical Shine

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

Charmed, Texas, is a close-knit small town where people’s dreams of love can come true. That’s not to say that some people aren’t still waiting, and dreaming . . .
 
By day, Allie Greene stays busy with her family diner, and keeping tabs on her teenage daughter. What’s really exhausting Allie, however, are the nights. Not that she minds Bash Anderson unbuttoning her naughty desires—if only in her dreams. But what was he doing there at all? He’s her best friend, and a father figure to her girl. Talk about awkward. Talk about OMG-heat-and-fireworks that are flipping fifteen years of normal upside down. And now, when Allie needs him as a friend more than ever, logic doesn’t stand a chance against his lips and irresistible deep-blue eyes . . .

Sure, Bash has fantasized about Allie, but there’s no way he’d act on it. She and her daughter are the closest thing to family he’s ever known. With the exception of one drunken moment fifteen years ago, he and Allie have stayed on this side of the line—until that impulsive kiss of hers knocked him on his butt. That’s just one hurdle. Not only does Allie need Bash’s help to save her diner, but his apiary is in trouble, too. To stir the pot further, they’ve been roped into vying for the town’s Honey King and Queen contest—a sweet event that’s making them closer than ever. Something’s bound to come undone. Bash just hopes it’s not the friendship he’s worked so hard to hold on to.

My Thoughts:

Allie and Bash have been best friends since they were teenagers, always there for each other through thick and thin, a makeshift family without intimate benefits.  Never wanting to jeopardize their friendship they ignored the mutual attraction until recently.  A passionate kiss, three months ago, left them both discombobulated.  Avoiding the issue, they’ve grown apart just when they need each other most.  Allie finds out she could lose her diner, and her fifteen-year-old daughter, Angel is discovering the opposite sex! Bash is having his own business struggles, as well.

Once a Charmer ended up being a touching best-friends-to-lovers romance! I had my doubts because up until about the 37% mark I was getting a little frustrated that Bash and Allie weren’t communicating.  I guess this was somewhat necessary because before this book I didn’t really know their history, only that there was some underlying sexual tension between them. Their romance really took off for me after that, with lusty, can’t-keep-our-hands-off-each-other exchanges, but I loved the close, tender moments between them just as much. I melted over how protective Bash could be with Allie and her daughter Angel. He made such soul-baring declarations, in public no less, that completely stole my heart!  Bash and Allie truly completed each other, and with Angel they were a perfect, sweet, ready-made family!  

4 Suns

Connect with Sharla Lovelace:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The Charmed Series:

(Click on cover for Goodreads link)

Review: Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

Publication Date: October 3rd 2017 by Atria Books

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness.

The Voss family is anything but normal. They live in a repurposed church, newly baptized Dollar Voss. The once cancer-stricken mother lives in the basement, the father is married to the mother’s former nurse, the little half-brother isn’t allowed to do or eat anything fun, and the eldest siblings are irritatingly perfect. Then, there’s Merit.

Merit Voss collects trophies she hasn’t earned and secrets her family forces her to keep. While browsing the local antiques shop for her next trophy, she finds Sagan. His wit and unapologetic idealism disarm and spark renewed life into her—until she discovers that he’s completely unavailable. Merit retreats deeper into herself, watching her family from the sidelines when she learns a secret that no trophy in the world can fix.

Fed up with the lies, Merit decides to shatter the happy family illusion that she’s never been a part of before leaving them behind for good. When her escape plan fails, Merit is forced to deal with the staggering consequences of telling the truth and losing the one boy she loves.

My Thoughts:

I was really worried about picking up Without Merit because I hated the last book I read by Colleen Hoover.  I was pleasantly surprised and relieved to like Without Merit as much as I did. It made me feel a whole range of emotions, and I read the story in one afternoon, unable to put it down.

The romance isn’t angsty or the main focus really, but it was the sweetest part to me.  As the story starts you’re just kind of thrown into the middle of Merit’s world, but in a pretty fantastic moment.  That moment is sort of shattered, but no worries, all sorts itself out.

Merit’s family life is far from happy.  Her father divorced her mother and married his mistress when mistress was pregnant with his child, yet everyone, including Merit’s mother continue to live in the same house!! I was not happy with Merit’s father, and even with all the explanations at the end, I still wasn’t thrilled with the man, but no one is perfect and he did seem to be trying the best he could with the screwed-up situation.  Still, all kinds of f*cked up IMO.  I’d say the circumstances were way out there in terms of real life, but unfortunately, I’ve had to deal with a somewhat similar situation in my own life, so I could totally relate to Merit’s feelings and reactions.

Merit bounces back and forth between being a fun, quirky character to someone with a lot of anger.  As the story progresses it becomes apparent she’s depressed. I think the feelings of depression and reactions felt very real to life.  Those feelings can just sort of creep into your life and take over without even realizing it.  It’s a dangerous thing, but I’m happy that Merit, had people there for her, which included her screwed up family.  

4 Suns

Connect with Colleen Hoover:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Holiday Release Blitz-SMP Romance

I'm excited to be part of the SMP Holiday Romance Blitz, because it's getting close to the season where you want to pick up a romance to warm your heart while you read by a cozy fire! Any one of these titles will put you in the Holiday Romance mood!  I read With This Christmas Ring by Manda Collins (see my review below) and loved this second chance romance!  As part of this post the lovely people of St. Martin's Press have generously offered up a giveaway of one of the print titles.  See below for details and enter for a chance to win.

With This Christmas Ring by Manda Collins

Publication Date: October 3rd 2017 by Swerve

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

A wallflower determined to fulfill a dying promise, the rogue she jilted years ago, and an orphaned baby are all brought together amidst the magic of Christmas in this new novella from Manda Collins.

Miss Merry Parks makes a deathbed promise to a schoolfriend that her infant daughter will be taken to her absent father. There’s only one problem—to find the baby’s father, she’ll have to consult his cousin, Viscount Wrotham, the man she jilted five years ago. The man she couldn’t forget.

Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham, is stunned to find Merry Parks—looking more lovely than ever--on his doorstep with an infant in her arms. His shock soon turns to dismay when he learns his own cousin William is the man who abandoned his wife and child. As head of the family he’s duty bound to see right is done. But he can't let this opportunity pass. He’ll take Merry and the baby to his cousin, but he’ll woo her back in the process.

Merry agrees to travel with Alex and the baby to Wrotham Castle, where the entire Ponsonby family has gathered for Christmas, but her plans to see the baby settled then leave are ruined by a snowstorm. After five years apart, Alex and Merry will spend the week getting reacquainted. Perhaps it’s the spirit of the holiday, or the magic of the season, but there could be something else in the air this Yuletide…A Christmas Reunion.

My Thoughts:

Circumstances throw Merry and Alex together after Merry ended their engagement five years ago. Merry was bullied by Alex’s grandmother, the dowager Lady Wrotham, to break things off unbeknownst to Alex.  The moment they lay eyes on each other again the attraction and longing rush right back up, but Merry doesn’t expect Alex to give her a second chance.  However, it doesn’t seem Alex is holding a grudge, he’s had some time to think about the past and suspects his grandmother had a hand in ending things so when Merry shows up in his life again, he’s determined to take this opportunity to set things right and find happiness with Merry at long last. 

With This Christmas Ring was a sweet, second chance romance that warmed my heart.  There’s no drama between Alex and Merry once they meet up again. They are truthful and bond over the loss and longing they’ve felt since parting.  All conflict comes from outside sources and they meet those problems head on, as a united front. 

The Holiday setting will get you in the mood to take a snowy sleigh ride, snuggling up to your loved one, staying warm under blankets and the heat of attraction.

4 Suns

About the author:
Manda Collins is the author of the Studies in Scandal series, The Lords of Anarchy series, The Ugly Duckling series and the Wicked Widows series as well as several other Regency-set romances. She spent her teen years wishing she’d been born a couple of centuries earlier, preferably in the English countryside. Time travel being what it is, she resigned herself to life with electricity and indoor plumbing, and read lots of books. When she’s not writing, she’s helping other people use books, as an academic librarian.

Below is the SMP Holiday titles featured.
(click on title for Goodreads link)

Saint Martin's Press has generously offered up a copy of one of the Print titles above to one lucky reader.  The giveaway is open to US Residents only.  Winner can choose one Print Copy from the following titles:

A Season of You by Emma Douglas

Christmas at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer

Hope at Christmas by Nancy Nagle

The Christmas Cowboy Hero by Donna Grant

Review & Giveaway: Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Viper (Guild Hunter #10) by Nalini Singh

Publication Date: September 26th 2017 by Berkley

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles | Kobo | TBD

About the book:

Enter New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s breathtakingly passionate Guild Hunter world with the story of a woman who isn’t a vampire or an angel…or human…

Once a broken girl known as Sorrow, Holly Chang now prowls the shadowy gray underground of the city for the angels. But it’s not her winged allies who make her a wanted woman—it’s the unknown power coursing through her veins. Brutalized by an insane archangel, she was left with the bloodlust of a vampire, the ability to mesmerize her prey, and a poisonous bite.

Now, someone has put a bounty on her head…

Venom is one of the Seven, Archangel Raphael’s private guard, and he’s as infuriating as he is seductive. A centuries-old vampire, his fangs dispense a poison deadlier than Holly’s. But even if Venom can protect Holly from those hunting her, he might not be able to save himself—because the strange, violent power inside Holly is awakening…

No one is safe.

My Thoughts:

Holly’s backstory is touched on, and I was horrified by what she went through in her past, captured and tortured by Uram, an archangel who went insane.  She witnessed the brutal murders of her friends and then was force fed his blood changing her into a vampire and more.  The experience could’ve easily broken her, but she had the archangel Raphael and all his clan (not sure if that’s the right word) at her back.  Not only that, she’s had the unconditional support of her family, not caring what she’s turned into, they still love her without reserve. Holly’s definitely a strong, admirable woman.

The more that she’s turning into is what worries Holly, because she’s plagued with crazy thoughts and powers she shouldn’t rightly have as just a vampire.  She fears Uram left a bit of himself in her that might eventually consume and overtake her.  Add to that, there’s a bounty put on her head. Someone has paid a high price to acquire Holly. 

Enter Viper. They’ve apparently had an antagonistic relationship since meeting and he’s back at the Tower in Manhattan where she lives.  Worse, the two of them are assigned to work together to find the person who wants to capture Holly. But as they work together they come to realize they have more in common than any of the other creatures at the Tower, and the attraction neither has wanted to acknowledge increases and electrifies!

Viper and Holly’s romance was a slow build, first a bit of sniping back and forth, and then mutual respect, trust forming a bond that made their attraction more than a fleeting feeling. Viper was a sought-after chef before he become a vampire, hundreds of years ago, so he cooks up the most delicious sounding meals for Holly to care for her, which seduces her even more.  I love it when a man (my husband, lol) cooks for me and does it well!

I’ve read and loved books from Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series, but had never picked up anything in her Guild Hunter series, so I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it as much as I did; coming in blind, unfamiliar with the world or creatures.  I was immersed in the mysteries and worried for Holly as the story progressed.  It was a thrilling nail-biter in places! I’m sure any fan of the series will love Viper’s Archangel just as much as I did or more!

4 Suns

Connect with Nalini Singh:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Berkley has generously provided a Paperback Copy of Viper's Archangel to give away to one reader.  The giveaway is open to US Residents only.  Please fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win.  Good luck!