Showing posts with label ARC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ARC. Show all posts

September 6, 2015

Mikky's Reviews! Sloe Ride, Sinners #4 by Rhys Ford


It isn’t easy being a Morgan. Especially when dead bodies start piling up and there’s not a damned thing you can do about it.

Quinn Morgan never quite fit into the family mold. He dreamed of a life with books instead of badges and knowledge instead of law—and a life with Rafe Andrade, his older brothers’ bad boy friend and the man who broke his very young heart.

Rafe Andrade returned home to lick his wounds following his ejection from the band he helped form. A recovering drug addict, Rafe spends his time wallowing in guilt, until he finds himself faced with his original addiction, Quinn Morgan—the reason he fled the city in the first place. 

When Rafe hears the Sinners are looking for a bassist, it’s a chance to redeem himself, but as a crazed murderer draws closer to Quinn, Rafe’s willing to sacrifice everything—including himself—to keep his quixotic Morgan safe and sound.



Sloe Ride.. Well, I loved it!

Because I am that moron who jumps at the chance of reviewing for one of my favorite authors, I read this book and had no clue what was going on. Still, I enjoyed every second of it.

Rafe has been through hell and lost almost everything. Being kicked out of his band after one of his wild nights, he comes back home where he tries to piece his life back together.

But, coming back reminds him of everything he left behind and brings him close to that one who got away.

Quinn is a very complex character. Everyone sees him as a nerd and that’s not far from the truth but that’s just one “side” of him. He’s … special and he’s stronger than anyone thinks which shows over and over again throughout the book.

I’ve read a few of Rhys’s books, but this one was brilliant. One of the fascinating things about this series is how Rhys created each and every character.

There’s so much more to them than what’s immediately obvious. You’ll just have to learn how to read between the lines. I’m curious to find out what everyone who reads this book will see in Quinn.

The chemistry between the MC’s is off the charts and their connection is still present after many years apart and a lot of changing for both of them.

There’s no insta-love here. The story builds one step at a time and there’s a lot going on. The way Rhys managed to interwave the more dramatic aspects of this novel with the romance and the occasional humor, kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

It was so easy to connect with the characters, to love them; Quinn for his quiet strength and unwavering support when it came to Rafe, and Rafe for his determination and his willingness to take back what he lost, for not allowing the disappointments to rule his life.

Definitely a must read I highly recommend.

NOTE- this is NOT and standalone novel. In theory, it could be read as a one but you won’t understand much of what has happened before and you won’t be able to connect the characters and various stories. If you’re willing to give this series a try (and you should), start with Sinner’s Gin.

Happy Reading!!






Rhys Ford was born and raised in Hawai’i then wandered off to see the world. After chewing through a pile of books, a lot of odd food, and a stray boyfriend or two, Rhys eventually landed in San Diego, which is a very nice place but seriously needs more rain.

Rhys admits to sharing the house with three cats, a black Pomeranian puffball, a bonsai wolfhound, and a ginger cairn terrorist.

Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and a red Hamilton Beach coffee maker. 

But mostly to the coffee maker.



September 4, 2015

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway! Unsaid, The Manhattanites #3 by Avery Aster




For fans who loved the snarky wit of Will & Grace and the epic love drama found in Brokeback Mountain comes Avery Aster's new full-length, standalone contemporary erotic M/M romance novel, Unsaid.

Chelsea’s hottie Blake Morgan III has reemerged from a nasty breakup. His marriage was a frigid disaster beyond repair, and he vows to be single—forever. Bruised, but still hot in Prada, he creates his Seven Desires wish list, his sexiest imaginings. Blake soon realizes there’s only one man he may trust to make these uninhibited intentions come to fruition: his best friend Miguel Santana.

Lower East Side multimedia artist extraordinaire Miguel Santana may be known as the cocky Latin stud in the city, but all he’s wanted since college was Blake’s hand in marriage. He was livid when Blake walked down the aisle with the wrong guy. Miguel has his own list titled the Seven Needs, which are quite contrary to Blake’s dirty-boy deeds. They involve serious commitments, which may leave his new-to-the-singles-scene buddy sprinting for the door, destroying any hopes Miguel has for happiness.

Can these two hunks conquer their intimate fears and love one another as only best friends can? Join the star-studded cast in The Manhattanites series and see for yourself!







Exciting him all the more, Miguel pushed him against the table. His friend’s actions may have been plain old-fashioned lust, but someone sought him, in the flesh. Not for his monetary assets, but for his ass. “I want my tongue inside your hot mouth.” He wrapped his right leg around his friend’s tight waist. The warm friendship blanketed them, making him feel desired. He’d never been kissed by anyone but his ex-husband before. This felt different. Real. Mutual. His buddy tilted his head to the side. Bit by bit, Miguel gazed down over his forehead and finally rested upon his eyes, almost speaking intently, as if saying, I’m going to give you the passion you’ve always wanted. I’ll fill your need. Miguel brought his tongue to a long-stroked lick over Blake’s bottom lip before plunging into his mouth, deep and hard with a grunting moan. Breathless as a teenager kissed for the first time, his cock stiffened all over again. “You’re going to be my niño this week,” he muttered in a thick accent. “All mine.” Relishing in the forceful kiss, exhilarated in agreement, he forgot the Hell and nightmare he’d been living in and answered, “Yes, I’ll be your boy this week.” Blake wondered how he’d ever be able to walk away from him once the lists were completed. Would they be able to go back to being best friends? More importantly, if he told Miguel the truth, could he keep it a secret?



Finally!! The story we’ve all been waiting for!!

Miguel has been in love with Blake for ten years and, seeing him walk down the aisle with another man broke his heart. 

Being always the “best friend” hasn’t been easy and, as much as he wants them gone, his feelings are even stronger than before.

Blake is finally free from a marriage that left him broken and disillusioned. Trying to piece his life back together is not easy but he’s determined not to fail and, with the help of his friends and a Seven Desires list, he might just find what he’s been always looking for.

A piece of advice – you might want to read this book where you can have easy access to a shower. You’ll need lots of cold ones, trust me. 

Avery is one wicked, wicked woman. I mean that in the best way *wink*

As you probably noticed in the previous novels in this series, every story is very complex and so much more than an erotic tale.

I had a little bit of a difficult time getting into this book in the beginning because the focus kept changing from Miguel and Blake to Lex and Massimo and it was a little bit confusing. Once I got used to it though, it was so easy to read.

Blake and Miguel finally have the chance to set things straight and give into the attraction they feel for each other. Who better to help Blake with his list than Miguel who is an excellent Dom and can give him exactly what he needs.

We see Blake evolve from a insecure and sometimes shy person into a sexy, adventurous sub who blossoms under the care of his lover. 

Their journey from best friends to lovers and, finally, partners, is one hell of a hot ride *ahem! phew!* and, if you liked them before, you’ll fall in love this time around.

I have mentioned Massi and Lex before. Well, Unsaid isn’t only about Blake and Miguel. Looks like the surprises aren’t over for the other couple. While busy planning a wedding and taking care of her baby and business, Lex discovers more about her parents and some of those findings are quite shocking and unexpected. 

A nice twist to the story which made it even more interesting. Actually, this isn’t surprising when we’re talking about Avery Aster. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about her writing style is that things get a strange and totally unpredictable turn when you least expect it.

Not a bad thing especially if it keeps the book from dragging and becoming boring. She sure knows how to keep her readers on their toes.

All in all, Unsaid was a very good book and I highly recommend it. 

One thing- I know the description says this can be read as a stand alone but my advice is to start from the beginning. 

There are too many characters and so many things happening that you’ll have a hard time understanding who’s who and what’s happening. They are all friends and they interact a lot with each other and are always present in each other’s lives so their stories connect in one way or another.

Other than that I don’t know what to say except, READ THE BOOK!! You’ll love it!

NOTE: This is an M/M erotic novel with scenes of intense BDSM play. If you’re not comfortable with either of these scenarios you might want to skip this one.

Happy Reading!



New York Times bestselling author Avery Aster pens The Manhattanites, a contemporary erotic romance series of full-length, stand-alone novels, and the naughty new adult prequel companion series The Undergrad Years.

As a resident of New York City and a graduate from New York University, Avery gives readers an inside look at the city’s glitzy nightlife, socialite sexcapades and tall tales of the über-rich and ultra-famous.



May 26, 2015

Release Day Review! Color Me Crazy by Carol Pavliska



Never fall for a rockstar...

Julian Wheaton views the world through a kaleidoscope of synesthesia, seeing the colors of every sound he hears. His life as an iconic rock guitarist was a stressful psychedelic trip that nearly destroyed him. Now he’s abandoned the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle for the peaceful sanctity of his recording studio, but when fiery Cleo Compton comes to work for him, she brings chaos with her.

Cleo Compton has had her flings with rockstars—and it’s left her wary and bruised. Julian may have those sexy bedroom eyes and drool-worthy tattoos, but Cleo is determined to keep things strictly professional—until Julian turns out to be every dream she’s ever chased. When he risks it all to hit the road with a band again, Cleo fears he’ll return as the one thing she can no longer abide—a rockstar.


Julian tingled all over. His vision was clouded with colors that weren’t even associated with sounds. A guitar would help.

Cleo was killing him. It was time to power through the outer edges of lust and get to the eye of the storm. In other words, to where reality set in and her endless faults irritated him instead of turning him on.

She had moved in under the guise of working until she could get back on her feet. Nobody had come out and said that, but it was the unspoken understanding. Instead, she was working her sweet little ass off and doing a bang-up job. And if that weren’t bad enough, he fucking liked her. And he didn’t want to like her.

He sat on the bed and reached for his faithful Fender. Predictably, it was already plugged into an amp. He liked predictable. He ordered his life around it. And now Cleo had muddied it all up by barging into his life—and his heart— uninvited.

That had only happened once before, and it had been disastrous.

He ran his fingers over the tattoos on his forearm, feeling the small scars beneath the ink. If only everything in his past was as easy to hide.

He leaned back against the headboard, letting the weight of the guitar settle into his lap. If he was patient, a song would come.

At first, it was a single turquoise note, but he quickly teased a rainbow out of it. A few sexy thoughts of Cleo were teased up as well, and he settled the guitar lower on his hips. His head sank back as a melodic strain poured through him. The instrument moaned in ecstasy as he bent a note up, coaxing, enticing, and sweet-talking a candy-apple wail out of it before bringing it down with a shudder.

With Cleo in mind, he tickled the strings and stroked the neck, caressing a deep, mellow tone from somewhere inside the guitar’s polished wood. He raised his hips and built a crescendo, bringing the guitar to a fucking scream. He’d like to make Cleo scream…

“Knock, knock. Julian?”

With a pathetic flat wail, he tossed the guitar aside and hastily sat up.

“Excuse me,” Cleo said, exploding into a scarlet blush. “I’m sorry…”

“I was just playing guitar,” he stammered. Not wanking off.



This book is awesome!! There’s no other way to describe it. 

I can honestly say I was hooked from the beginning.

Cleo is the kind of girl that seems to find trouble, or trouble finds her at every step. 

She’s funny, smart, sweet but also impulsive.

Julian is a rock star who’s trying to get his life back on track and who has an unusual quality- he’s a synesthete. He can actually see music.

The chemistry between these two is off the charts and their journey to HEA will have you in tears from laughing so hard. 

I’m usually reluctant when it comes to reviewing debut novels but Carol did a wonderful job.

The writing style is brilliant, the characters are a little bit crazy and a little bit flawed but perfect in their imperfection and it will be so easy to fall in love with them.

The story is fast paced and captivating and it will definitely leave you craving more. This is one novel you don’t want to miss, trust me.

What a great debut into the literary world. Congratulations, Carol! Cannot wait to read the next book!

Happy Reading!!




Carol Pavliska began her writing career as a family humor columnist and blogger, a pursuit she abandoned when her children grew old enough to realize they were being exploited. To save them from further embarrassment, she turned to writing fiction. Her debut novel is a steamy contemporary romance so, unfortunately, the children are still embarrassed.
Carol and her husband, both diehard Red Hot Chili Peppers fans, raise their vegan brood of mortified offspring on a cattle ranch in south Texas. No lie.



May 22, 2015

Diana's Reviews! Hold on You by M.S. Brannon

Hold On You front


“My heart lurches, and the agony throbbing in my side is soon masked by the feeling of uncertainty this moment has brought.” ~ Madison Stone

Life has a way of always keeping you tethered to someone or something in your past. It grabs you, threatening to never let go, and when you eventually attempt to release it completely, you are forced to face it, instead. For Madison and Nate, that is certainly true.

Finishing their senior year, life couldn’t have been better for them. They were young, reckless, spontaneous, and most importantly, they were best friends. However, for Madison, when the future’s path was presented to her, she only understood one notion—escape.

Ten years later, Madison believed she had all she ever wanted. She was convinced she had done everything right by pursuing a life on her own. Then it all began to rapidly fall apart. Nothing was certain anymore. In her mind, everything was lost, leading her back to the very place she had abandoned a decade ago.

For Nate, since the night Madison ran off, life had been the opposite slowly and painfully continuing to unravel around him. Over those ten years, he lost everything he held dear. As he had done time and time before, Nate found himself at the very spot where his pain had all begun, teetering on the edge of moving on or fading away.

Now, as they see all they tried to escape lying before them, Nate and Madison are forced to face the past and finally understand what it is about the other that keeps this unrelenting Hold on You.


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“AHHHH!” The scream is horrific. The boiling, hot blood pumping through my body instantly turns to ice as I witness the tragedy I am responsible for. She was standing in front of me and then, a moment later, fell over the edge, disappearing from my sight. “No!” I immediately fall to the ground, coming face-to-face with my self-inflicted hell. I surge my frame forward, landing on my stomach, half my body leaning over the edge. In that moment, I am unexpectedly able to clasp on to her hand. The wind is furious, and the jagged cliff rocks are barely visible under the crashing waves. She is dangling from the edge, holding on like hell to my outstretched hand. Any thought of my future plans vanishes the second I see her disappear. The moment my hand feels hers, I thaw in a mere second. I can feel the blood raging as it floods my veins with unyielding determination to help this woman. “Nate! Oh, God, please don’t drop me!” she screams as she tries to pull herself up, using my arm as a fleshy rope. My hand is sweaty from the adrenaline skyrocketing through my body, making my grip wet and slick. As she swings her body back and forth, she has no idea that, the more she struggles, the easier it will be to drop her. “Stop moving!” I demand as firmly and loudly as I can. “You have to help me, please! I don’t want to die, not like this. Please!” Her pleading gives me that much more strength to pull up. I came up here for selfish reasons of my own, but soon discovered I was not alone. She wouldn’t stand for me to leave her behind, and now I am forced to stare into her blue eyes encased in terror. She only wanted to help, and look where that got her—a front row seat to her imminent death. I cannot allow it to happen. If anyone should die, it needs to be me, not her, never her. “You’re not going to die, but you need to stay calm. Please…” I release a breath as I struggle to keep her attached to my hand. “I’m not going to drop you. I promise I will not allow that to happen, but you need to be calm. Do you hear me? Just keep your body as still as you can!” I shout back, digging deep and finding the strength inside myself. The wind is whipping, getting stronger by the second. I have to get her up, and it has to be now, or the both of us will be falling over the edge. “AWWWWWW!” I release a loud, gut-wrenching roar as I pull with all my power. I swear to God, if she goes over, I will go after her. I will not survive this life knowing this woman died because of me, because I was an asshole who couldn’t get past the pain of ten years ago. “Nate!” I keep my eyes on hers, seeing the panic oozing from them. She is pleading with me to save her life, a life I almost destroyed. If I don’t save her now, it will be destroyed. “I’m slipping! Please, don’t let me go!” Just as the words leave her mouth, a forceful gust of wind bounces off the walls of the cliffs and sends her body into the rocky side. Small fragments of rock fall from the edge and disappear into the rolling waves below. She could fall hundreds of feet down, and nothing but tragedy would follow. It would be my fault. It’s solely up to me to save her, but the wind is becoming too much, and my grip is weakening. She is frantically trying to climb up my arm, but with each movement, she is inching her way out of my grasp. Then she slides down farther until we are only holding on with our fingers, desperately trying to thread them together, but she is slipping. I close my eyes because I can’t watch. I simply can’t watch.


Hold on you is a story about second chances that proves love is patient and waits.

After ten years, Madison returns to the hometown she hoped she'd never see again, the one she left behind along with the boy she refused to marry. What Madison doesn't expect is for Nate to hate her so much.

Nate has been through a lot. He had never gotten over Madison and when she makes her unexpected appearance, old, bitter feelings are brought to surface.

I would like to say that the author's idea was very good and the beginning of the story is very entertaining/intriguing, making you want to know what has happened between Maddie and Nate.

Unfortunately, for me, it didn't work that way as the story kept unfolding. It was a little bit repetitive and kept dragging at some point. I really couldn't understand how they could go from 'hating' each other to realizing that they are in love in just a few pages. I would have liked to see how their relationship develops now, when they’re adults and after everything they went through.

Also, him getting better, letting go of everything just like that didn’t sit well with me. I can’t say I was impressed by Nate’s character.

I really tried to like this story. The synopsis was promising. I guess it just wasn’t for me.



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M.S. Brannon was born and raised in the Midwest. She still resides there today with her wonderful husband and son. When she is not writing or reading, M.S. Brannon spends time with her family, watching movies, and discovering new music. She writes romance because she believes love and heartache is the rawest emotion one can experience.





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May 19, 2015

Release Day Review! Illicit Canvas by Joanna Mazurkiewicz



llicit Canvas (political romance and stand alone romance) 

Twenty year old Arwen West thinks that she has everything figured out. She moved to Brussels to study art and to find her father, who abandoned her when she was only a child. The only lead that she has is an old painting that her father carried with him many years ago, the painting that was allegedly stolen. 

She starts to visit galleries, hoping to find someone who can help her with locating that last lost piece of art, but instead runs into Ethan. Older and enigmatic, Ethan elicits raw emotions in her, something that she has never experienced with her current boyfriend, Colin. 

The instant connection is undeniable, and when Ethan offers to be her guide, she is torn between her own desires and the need to gain closure on her jaded past. Ethan opens her eyes to a new world of eccentric art dealers and old art studios, promising the most illicit affair that she’d ever live through. 

Every affair has its consequences and if exposed, Arwen might not only destroy Ethan’s political career, but also jeopardise his aspirations forever.

Illicit Canvas is a stand-alone romance with intensive, political undertones that entwine art, sexual encounters and suicide.


Illicit Canvas is the story of a girl who’s trying desperately to find the father who’d abandoned her when she was just a small child.

Coming from a small village in France, Arwen is a little bit overwhelmed when she comes to Brussels to study art but that’s what she always wanted to do, that’s her biggest passion.

But there’s another force that’s driving her. Something that’s been weighing on her soul all her life.

She wants an answer, she NEEDS and answer so she can finally move on.

Arwen is the kind of girl that draws everyone to her and she has a hard time saying no to a friendship or a relationship even when that is not what she wants.

Soon after she comes to Brussels, she finds herself in a relationship with Colin. He’s nice and sweet but he doesn’t make her feel anything special.

Then, one day, Arwen meets Ethan, a sophisticated, charming gentleman she keeps bumping into and just like that, her life will take an unexpected turn.

While following the tracks of the man she’s been trying so hard to find, inside, she fights a war with herself, a war between what her heart wants and what her brain tells her she should do.

As the story unfolds, new mysteries will arise, secrets will be unveiled, hearts will be broken and relationships torn apart.

Arwen will have to decide if she’s ready to grab what she wants and face the consequences or let it go and give up her chance at happiness.

This book will captivate you from the beginning. There’s so much going on, so many twists and turns that will keep you on your toes from beginning to end. 

I was lucky enough be read it long before it was published and it’s one of the best beta reads I’ve received so far this year.

Good job, Joanna! Loved it!




Joanna Mazurkiewicz was born in Poland. She moved to United Kingdom when she was only nineteen and just finished high school. She had aspired to be a writer upon completion of the Harry Potter series but also enjoyed reading books like ‘Gone with the Wind’, ’Animal Farm’ and ‘The doll’. She graduated from Swansea University with a bachelor degree in American Studies. While studying in the UK she made a decision to start writing fiction in English. 
The “Whispers of the Sprite” is her first debut novel and she is currently working on other projects. Joanna lives in Cowbridge, a small town in South Wales near Cardiff with her boyfriend Bruce. She enjoys cycling around Welsh countryside some of which has become the settings in her first series.