I've always been extremely picky when it comes to historical romance because I find it difficult to deal with the different setting and the terminologies and culture that go with the time frame. But I've decided to give Heart of the Highlands: The Beast a chance because the book has won several awards and it was highly recommended. And to be honest, I had the hots for the man on the book cover. So here's what I thought about this story set in 1500's Scotland.

For hundreds of years, Scotland has battled the English for their freedom. Now, they face a new enemy. In a divided world between politics and religion, the young King James V faces the threat of his own people rebelling against him. As civil war breaks out among the Highland clans, James recruits a secret group of warriors for protection. He calls them the Protectors of the Crown.

Ian MacKay has one mission; to defend the crown no matter the cost. Along with his men, Ian's mission is to hunt down one of the most dangerous men in the Highlands. But when the daughter of an enemy enters his life, his heart becomes captured instead.

Keira Sinclair has lived a life of peace and simplicity until now. With her clan on the verge of losing everything, she is forced to wed a Laird from a neighboring clan to ensure that hers survives. During her travels to her new home, her carriage is attacked and Keira is taken hostage by a ruthless man.

Caught in the middle of a war that she does not understand, will Keira's secrets be safe, or will she succumb to the Highland warrior who now threatens to capture her heart?

Going through the first few pages of Heart of the Highlands: The Beast, I was greatly intimidated when I realized that the story takes place in Scotland during the 1500s. I have to admit, my brain's Scottish accent (the one I use when I picture the scenes happening in my mind) needs some serious work and so I worried if I could truly immerse myself in the dialogue and the scenes. But lo and behold, when I got to Ian MacKay's POV and saw the action and rawness of the setting, I was hooked. 

I loved that, as the story unfolds, the complexity of the plot deepens. There were a lot of hidden ties, unclear agendas, and treachery happening at every corner. This isn't just a simple historical romance about how a man and a woman came together and encountered a speed bump on their way to their happy-ever-after. No, this amazing tale also involves matters of character, politics, war, alliances, etc. It's some serious Game of Thrones-level sh**. 

I would be remiss if I don't talk about the chemistry between Keira and Ian. From their first meeting, I already knew that their relationship would be explosive and intense. The strength of our hero matched with the feistiness of our heroine makes for a fun read. Their exchanges were definitely amusing. 

I have to point out though that, in the book, Keira referred to Ian as a cold-hearted beast a bit too often for my liking. But in my opinion, he doesn't really deserve that description. From the very beginning, he has shown her tenderness and consideration that belies her assumptions of him. I mean, maybe it's because of the customs or -- I don't know. This is why I've always found historical romance to be tricky territory sometimes. 

Anyway, this is excellent work, in my opinion. The characters were not dull and one-dimensional, there's a lot of backstory that we only got a glimpse of, the future still has a lot to behold, basically the foundation has been perfectly set. I'm excited for what's in store for these characters in the future.

SUMMARY:

When I opened the book, I never expected the story to turn out the way it did, and that's a good thing. Sometimes, when you've read one too many romance books, it can be quite predictable. And I'm glad Heart of the Highlands: The Beast broke away from that mould. 

I definitely enjoyed every minute I spend reading it and getting to know it's characters. I felt excited, nervous, scared, curious, maybe a bit turned on *cough cough* all while absorbed in the intricate storyline of Heart of the Highlands: The Beast. I look forward to reading the following instalments in this series because I want to find out more about Ian and Keira's future (the ending was too abrupt, in my opinion) as well as his brothers. 

April is an Award-Winning Author for her Scottish Historical Romances. For more than ten years, she has worked full time in the direct marketing business, but developed a passion of historical romances through her love of reading, history and genealogy.

I won't sugar coat what I have to say about this book -- Enigma is an erotica. It's romantic, yes, but it's a collection of different role-playing sex scenes a loving husband and wife take part in. 

Caution: This is not a read for the faint of heart. *wink*

Title: Enigma (The Enigma Trilogy, Book 1)

Author: Vanessa Liebe

Book Type: Fiction

Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance, Marital Heat

Published By: Red Sage Publishing

Publication Date: October 1, 2016

Source: Given by Tour Organizer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32324953-enigma

SYNOPSIS:

Mark and Lucy Fuller have a great marriage, or so they think. But there is always room for improvement and there is one side to their marriage that they have never discussed or indulged in and that is their fantasies. When Lucy is referred to a new club where they can enact their fantasies, albeit only be intimate with one another, they become members and discover a whole new side to their marriage with some interesting and positive results.

READER ALERT:

Mark had no idea being kidnapped by his wife could be so arousing or that she could spank so well. Caution! When you read about Mark and Lucy’s sexual fantasies you may need that cold shower. Join them on a wet, wild and deliciously sensual ride and dare to wonder about your own.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Red Sage

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

REVIEW:

Let me start off by saying that I'm no newbie when it comes to erotic romance novels. I have read hot stories, and I've also enjoyed the filthy, question your sanity kind. Enigma is still on the decent side. Author Vanessa Liebe managed to find the perfect balance between sweet, sexy, naughty, and dirty. 

The chapters of the book are basically the different scenes they engage in. Honestly, I found a few that I wanted to try for myself. I think the part that resonated with me the most is that Mark and Lucy are just a normal happily married couple. They love each other, they respect one another, and they still have sex. But Vanessa Liebe addressed a matter that I believe married couples should be aware of: you need to spice things up to make your relationship better. 

For wives, this is not an obligation. Don't think going above and beyond to keep your husband's interest in you is insulting or degrading. Exploring these desires is very much for you too. You become more in tune with what you want, what turns you on, and how to enjoy the foreplay and sexual act. You form a deeper understanding of what pleasures your partner and what makes them tick. 

I liked this book a lot. It almost reminds me of short sex stories written by Lexi Maxxwell. Enigma is only about 80-90 pages long so it doesn't get boring. There's not much to say about it except it's honest. We all have certain fantasies that we wish to fulfill, but we might think that our current circumstances won't make it possible. Well here's to never saying never. 

RATING: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Vanessa Liebe is the author of fun, sexy erotic romance, and erotica, both contemporary and historical. She mostly writes in the Fantasy and Paranormal categories as she likes a man with bite. 

Vanessa is married with three children and resides in Hampshire, South East England. When not house training her children, reading or writing, she likes to sit in the garden with a glass of rose wine.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Blog: https://vanessaliebe.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009945581362 ; https://www.facebook.com/vanessa.liebe.author

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/author_vanessa 

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13740310.Vanessa_Liebe

TOUR ORGANIZED BY: 

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MAFIA STORYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!! Ever since I came across author J.J. McAvoy's Ruthless People series, I knew right away that organized crimes mixed with romance is and will forever be one of my favorite book genres. So when an opportunity to read and review Where the Sun Hides by authors Bethany-Kris and London Miller came up, I grabbed it with both my hands and feet. Was I left satisfied? A big fat effin' YES, and then some.

Title: Where the Sun Hides (Seasons of Betrayal, #1)

Author: Bethany-Kris and London Miller

Publication Date: June 6, 2016

Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Organized Crime

Source: ARC Given by Tour Organizer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29500183-where-the-sun-hides

SYNOPSIS:

In places where the sun can hide, the darkest betrayals are made.

Violet Gallucci and Kazimir Markovic have grown up in the same city, but on opposite sides of the game they call life—Violet, an Italian principessa della mafia, and Kaz, a Russian Bratva heir. Lines have been drawn, and they know not to cross them.

Their paths crossed once, a long time ago, but when they meet again, the territory and rules set out by their families that have kept them separated seem to bleed away.

She’s more than her last name …

He’s more than a Russian …

But secrets from the past—and the people determined to keep them hidden—have other plans for Violet and Kaz.

Rival families.

One city.

Star-crossed lovers.

They should be enemies.

It could mean war.

This is just the beginning …

From authors Bethany-Kris (The Chicago War) and London Miller (Volkov Bratva) comes a thrilling, sexy new series—Seasons of Betrayal. Where the Russians and Italians clash in culture, mafia … and love.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Where the Sun Hides (Seasons of Betrayal, #1)

Amazon (#FREE with #KindleUnlimited)

REVIEW:

Where the Sun Hides is not the first book written by either Bethany-Kris or London Miller I've read, but I believe it's the first one I've read them write together (that is if there are others). I've read and reviewed London Miller's Volkov Bratva series -- which if you take a look at my review, you'd know that it was awesome -- and I've started reading The Chicago War series by Bethany-Kris. These two authors write amazing organized crime/romance stories separately, but together they are fantastic. I honestly believe that Where the Sun Hides is better than the other two mafia stories/series I mentioned earlier -- it was that good!

This heart-racing--in more ways than one--novel will take you in a world full of danger and destruction, and romance and redemption. While I was reading the blurb of this book, Romeo and Juliet came to mind. Two people from rival families discover that they are meant to be together and tries to fight against all odds. But we all know how Romeo and Juliet ended right? It's not without its fair share of pain, heartache, and DEATH.

I don't know why and how Bethany-Kris and London are so in-the-know with the politics or the goings-on of the mob life--Russian Bratva and Italian Mafia--but after reading this book, I even felt like I AM part of the mob. I felt tougher like I have people who would kill for me and would want to kill me. I think that's when you know you've found a kickass book when the lines between reality and fiction have started to blur.

I liked how this book didn't sugar coat the harshness of the crime life. It's definitely not all rainbows and butterflies, but the people who are part of these two organizations aren't just ruthless and heartless for no reason. Yes, there is a lot of power play, but you also see the biggest differences between the Italians and the Russians. One of which being Italians care for family, while Russians care for business among all else.

Can I just say that at first I was thoroughly annoyed with Violet and her two friends? I mean, for three women who grew up in "their world" and who knew the rules, they had to break them without thinking about the possible consequences, meaning bloodshed. I can never relate to such selfish actions as I tend to always think about what the ripples of my decisions would be and who it would affect.

Anyway, I don't want to give much away because I'm still too excited about this. But I cannot wait for the following installments, and I cannot wait to see more violence, romance, and drama.

If you guys didn't get it just yet, PICK UP A COPY, RIGHT NOW. I promise you, you will love it!

RATING: 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to three young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.

To keep up-to-date with new releases from Bethany-Kris, sign up to her New Release Newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bf9lzD

Website: http://www.bethanykris.com/

Blog: http://bethanykris.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bethanykris

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethanykriswrites?_rdr=p

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277744.Bethany_Kris

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bethanykris/

Mailing List: http://facebook.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=38574ace51a0f7a1f9a116c4c&id=e941fcdc12

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Bethany-Kris/e/B00FF78PVO/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1459491155&sr=8-2-ent

With a degree in Creative Writing, London Miller has turned pen to paper, creating riveting fictional worlds where the bad guys are sometimes the good guys. Her debut novel, In the Beginning, is the first in the Volkov Bratva Series. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two puppies, where she drinks far too much Sprite, and spends her nights writing.

Website: http://www.londonmillerauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/londonmillerauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LMAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7246705.London_Miller

Newsletter: http://londonmillerauthor.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d05591a9a188b02c7432c92cb&id=4f5496a51e

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/London-Miller/e/B00G71HF2W/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1459487359&sr=8-1

TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

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I was debating with myself whether or not to pick Artificial by Jadah McCoy up because I've never been a fan of novels written in a different time -- past or future. But the blurb got me curious enough that I did end up reading and reviewing this book. Did I like it? Did I not? What were the strong points? What were the weak ones? Would I recommend it? Let's answer all these questions.

Title: Artificial 

Author: Jadah McCoy 

Published by: Curiosity Quills Press

Publication Date: April 4th 2016

Genres: New Adult, Science Fiction

Source: ARC Given by Tour Organizer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28682101-artificial

SYNOPSIS:

She struggles to feel human.

In 2256, the only remnants of civilization on Earth’s first colonized planet, Kepler, are the plant-covered buildings and the nocturnal, genetically spliced bug-people nesting within them: the Cull. During the day, Syl leaves her home in the sewers beneath Elite City to scavenge for food, but at night the Cull come looking for a meal of their own. Syl thought gene splicing died with the Android War a century ago. She thought the bugs could be exterminated, Elite city rebuilt, and the population replenished. She’s wrong.

Whoever engineered the Cull isn’t done playing God. Syl is abducted and tortured in horrific experiments which result in her own DNA being spliced, slowly turning her into one of the bugs. Now she must find a cure and stop the person responsible before every remaining man, woman, and child on Kepler is transformed into the abomination they fear.

He struggles not to.

For Bastion, being an android in the sex industry isn’t so bad. Clubbing beneath the streets of New Elite by day and seducing the rich by night isn’t an altogether undesirable occupation. But every day a new android cadaver appears in the slum gutters, and each caved in metal skull and heap of mangled wires whittles away at him.

Glitches—androids with empathy—are being murdered, their models discontinued and strung up as a warning. Show emotion, you die. Good thing Bastion can keep a secret, or he would be the next body lining the street.

He can almost live with hiding his emotions. That is, until a girl shows up in the slums—a human girl, who claims she was an experiment. And in New Elite, being a human is even worse than being a Glitch. Now Bastion must help the girl escape before he becomes victim to his too-human emotions, one way or another.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

REVIEW:

Syl is a strong female lead who does not hesitate to kick a** and will fight for what she believes is right. Because of this, I liked her a lot. Actually, almost all characters were interesting and held a good amount of mystery. However, I found little to no character development as the story progressed.

The story was interesting. I'm not sure how unique the plot is as again, I don't really read dystopian books even the Divergent trilogy, but it works for me. It did take a while before I found myself immersed in that world, but even then I can't consider myself "lost" in it. I guess Artificial as a whole is neither a hit nor a miss to me. It was good with the potential of being great but for some reason, it lacked in one way or another. It never really struck me as something I would love or would be inclined to read again. I don't know if the reason for this is my inexperience in reading this genre, but I just felt disconnected. Like I was a person looking in through a window instead of taking part in the action.

So will I recommend it? Yes, I will. Because as a whole, Artificial is still an entertaining read. You'll be introduced to a new world filled with danger and action and will get to know characters that will bring the story to life. I'd also like to point out that the author's writing style is good because of her seamless storytelling abilities.

RATING: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jadah currently lives in Nashville, TN and works in law. When not babysitting attorneys, she can be found juicing her brain for creative ideas or fantasizing about her next trip out of the country (or about Tom Hiddleston as Loki - it’s always a toss up when she fantasizes).

She grew up in rural Arkansas, yet can still write good and sometimes even wears shoes! She did date her first cousin for a while but they decided against marriage for the sake of the gene pool.

Her true loves are elephants, cursing, and sangria - in that order. If you find an elephant that curses like a sailor whilst drinking sangria, you’re dangerously close to becoming her next romantic victim - er, partner.

She cut her writing teeth on badly written, hormone-driven fanfiction (be glad that’s out of her system), and her one true dream is to have wildly erotic fanfiction with dubious grammar written about her own novels. Please make her dreams come true.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: https://jadahmccoy.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14903289.Jadah_McCoy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jadah-McCoy-Author-1570450153179469/

TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

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Title: Kiss Me That Way (Cottonbloom #1)

Author: Laura Trentham

Release Date: May 31, 2016

Published by: St. Martin’s Paperbacks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26114466-kiss-me-that-way

SYNOPSIS:

A river divides Cottonbloom in two: the upscale enclave on the Mississippi side and the rundown, rough and tumble side in Louisiana. They’re worlds apart—but nothing can build a bridge like love…

Cade Fournette never had it easy Cottonbloom. He stuck around long enough to raise his orphaned siblings and then hightailed it out West—and never looked back. Even though he’s made a success of himself in Seattle, Cade never lost the toughness and the angry edge that helped him survive down South. His only weak spot: the girl he left behind…

Monroe Kirby came from the wealthy side of town, but that didn’t protect her from her mother’s drinking—or her mother’s boyfriend. It was Cade who did that, on a long-ago hot September night, before he disappeared…along with a piece of her heart. Now Monroe is a physical therapist who can fight for herself, and it’s Cade who could use some conditioning when he makes an unexpected return back home. Will he and Monroe pick up where they left off and finally explore their mutual passion—or will the scars and secrets of the past divide them once more?

Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/04/kiss-me-that-way-cottonbloom-1-by-laura.html

EXCERPT:

“You left Cottonbloom without telling me. Without saying good-bye. I want to know why.” Monroe hadn’t meant for the words to come out at all, much less with such vehemence.

“It was complicated.” Cade broke eye contact. “You were a good kid in a bad situation.”

“Weren’t you a good kid in a bad situation?”

He shifted toward her, bracing a hand on the dash and laying his other arm over the back of her seat, invading her space. She didn’t retreat. His intensity spurred her heart rate into an erratic gallop, yet she wasn’t intimidated. Perhaps it was only echoes of the past, but he made her feel safe, even when he was the one she should be scared of.

“I grew up fast and tough.” His voice contained more than a hint of warning.

“You were nice to me,” she said softly.

“Don’t fool yourself into thinking I’m nice. I wasn’t then, and I’m sure as hell not now.”

He ran a callused finger down her cheek, the rasp igniting her nerve endings like a flint. His hand continued south and wrapped itself in her braid, the slight tug on her scalp sending shivers through her body in spite of the sun bearing down on the truck. Her nipples felt tight, and she hoped her tight sports tank masked her sudden, inexplicable arousal.

He pulled her braid, forcing her toward him. She didn’t fight him. He dropped his face next to hers, his coarse beard hair caressing her cheek, his mouth close to her ear. “If I see something I want, I go after it and get it by any means necessary.”

“How very Machiavellian.” She tried a laugh, but it came out more like a stuttering sigh. His scent hooked her even closer, and her lips grazed the outer rim of his ear.

He pulled back, his green-eyed gaze roving her face. She returned the favor, noting the faint brackets around his mouth, the crinkles at his eyes, the thick beard. A full-grown man. Yet was he so different from the boy she remembered?

“Ovid.” The movement of his lips jammed the cogs of her brain. The word made no sense. Her confusion must have been obvious, because the mouth she stared at tipped up in the corners, deepening the grooves. “The Greek philosopher Ovid, not Machiavelli, actually wrote: The end justifies the means.”

“Ovid. Of course.” Apparently, Monroe had slept through that philosophy class at Ole Miss. The fact that high-school dropout Cade Fournette was quoting Ovid made her wonder what other mysteries she might uncover if she went digging.

Just when she was ready to grab a shovel, he released her braid and slipped away. His limp was less pronounced as he took the stairs holding the cane parallel to the ground. Although he’d physically released her, she felt bound to him in some other fundamental way, incapable of tearing her eyes off him until he disappeared behind Sawyer’s front door. Even then, she sat, unable to drive away for a long minute.

How could the simple brush of Cade’s finger ignite a fire when other men left her cold? As her arousal ebbed, she realized something else. She’d just been manipulated by a master. He hadn’t explained why he left.

She spent the evening going through the motions of her life, eating when her stomach growled and heading to bed when her eyes felt heavy. A few short hours ago, her life had been tidy and predictable and boring. Cade Fournette’s return had spun her into chaos.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Google Play

iTunes

Kobo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

An award-winning author, Laura Trentham was born and raised in a small town in Tennessee. Although, she loved English and reading in high school, she was convinced an English degree equated to starvation. She chose the next most logical major—Chemical Engineering—and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years.

She writes sexy, small town contemporaries and smoking hot Regency historicals. The first two books of her Falcon Football series were named Top Picks by RT Book Reviews magazine. When not lost in a cozy Southern town or Regency England, she's shuttling kids to soccer, helping with homework, and avoiding the Mt. Everest-sized pile of laundry that is almost as large as the to-be-read pile of books on her nightstand.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website:  http://www.lauratrentham.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraTrentham

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LauraTrentham

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9802779.Laura_Trentham

TOUR ORGANIZED:

Book images from Tasty Book Tours

Have I read the first three installments of the Sinful Serenade series? No, no I have not. Do I regret anything about reading Play Your Heart Out by Crystal Kaswell? Yes, yes I do. But before you start thinking of me as a horrible book reviewer, I only meant that I regret not knowing about this band series first and not reading the other three books in the series. On that note, here's my review of Play Your Heart Out.

Title: Play Your Heart Out (Sinful Serenade #4) 

Author: Crystal Kaswell 

Publication Date: May 24th 2016

Genres: New Adult, Romance

Source: ARC Given by Tour Organizer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29515206-play-your-heart-out

SYNOPSIS: 

He parties like a rockstar.

She's there to make sure no one finds out...

Jess James has her eye on the prize. She is finding the money to pay for law school. Period. She is starting a new life on her own. Period. And she's absolutely staying in Los Angeles, three thousand miles away from the people who expect her to lie for them. It doesn't matter how lonely she gets on her own, how exhausted she is from working overtime as a cocktail waitress, or how deep the knife wound in her back cuts. She is going to be a lawyer, whatever it takes.

Only she doesn't have what it takes. She can barely afford to pay her rent.

Sinful Serenade bassist Pete Steele has enough to pay Jess's rent and buy her a small island in the Caribbean. The famous, talented rock star has everything... except the one thing his manager wants. Pete rose to fame as a devoted boyfriend. Doesn't matter that his ex slept with his best friend, he needs to stop screwing his way through Los Angeles to keep his reputation clean. Pete works hard, and parties harder... and the sweet, blond waitress is exactly the girl he needs on his arm if he wants to keep the record company happy.

Their arrangement is simple: he pays her tuition, she plays his girlfriend. They'll lie to the world, but not to each other. Especially not when they're alone, in his bed, him figuring out exactly which buttons to push to get her moaning his name.

Jess is good at keeping up appearances. She can play the enigmatic rock star's girlfriend. But Pete shouldn't play games with a girl who's been broken before...

REVIEW:

Going into the world of Sinful Serenade, I admit that I had a lot of reservations. I have read a few other novels with a similar plot outline--bad boy rock star, good girl falls in love with him, they struggle, they end up together, blah blah blah. So you can say that I was preparing myself mentally to not roll my eyes at cliche lines and scenes. 

"If you thought this book is unoriginal, then why did you want to review it?" you might be thinking. I have a simple answer for this: the author was obviously doing something right to get people hooked on this world, and I wanted to see it for myself. 

There are three things I'm absolutely certain as I'm writing this review: first, Crystal Kaswell is a talented and passionate author. The way she wrote Play Your Heart Out, (and her other books too, I'm sure) with such seamless story telling, colorful dialogues, and vivid descriptions prove that this is not her first rodeo. Her ability to effectively spin a story, add deep layers to its plot, and create complex and relatable characters is a testament to her years of experience, hard work, and colorful imagination. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not reviewing the author. I just wanted to show you why and how Play Your Heart Out exceeded my expectations and broke all my premature assumptions. 

Now I don't know how Pete was in the first three parts of the Sinful Serenade series, but the Pete in this book is a hard-headed man-whore who is in the road to self-destruction -- career-wise and in life. But I think for me, what sets this guy apart from all the other bad boy rock stars is he used to be a good guy who wanted a long and happy relationship but got hurt big time. So he's not who or what he is just because, there's a reason behind it making him relatable to some people who got hurt by their exes. Now Jess, she also got hurt. But because of the strength she possesses, she decided to push through in life. She's intelligent, career-minded, and goal-oriented, which should help her do what she has to do easily, but doesn't really. Jess and Pete's chemistry is great, their verbal exchanges colorful, and their pain and sadness real. 

I don't want to say too much about the book, only that it's amazing and you should read it ...  but not before parts 1-3, because you won't get the whole Sinful Serenade experience...like me. 

Check this out you guys.

RATING:

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

Purchase book 1

Purchase book 2

Purchase book 3

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Crystal Kaswell writes steamy new adult and erotic romance books. She loves when flawed characters fall head over heels for each other. Especially if they fall into bed first. She loves police procedurals, tea, and The Hunger Games series. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://www.crystalkaswell.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrystalKaswell

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8379758.Crystal_Kaswell

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystalkaswellwriter/?fref=ts

TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

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I've always had a thing for romance mixed with suspense and/or action--the different layers brought together in one heart-pounding story *sigh*, can it get any better than that?

The problem I find myself having with this fascination of mine though, is it's hard to satiate. It's not at all easy to look for a book that will make me properly swoon, laugh, sad, and nervous. I guess that's why I wanted to give Deep Dark by Laura Griffin a shot. I've read so many good reviews about it, so I thought it can't hurt to try. Was it any good? It was mind-numbingly fantastic!

Title: Deep Dark (Tracers #10)

Author: Laura Griffin

Release Date: May 24, 2016

Published by: Pocket Books

Source: ARC Given by Tour Organizer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25814336-deep-dark

SYNOPSIS:

A gripping new romantic thriller from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laura Griffin...

The moment detective Reed Novak steps onto the crime scene, he knows the case is going to rock his world. A beautiful young woman murdered at home. No sign of forced entry. No motive. She’s obviously not the killer’s first victim, and Reed’s instincts tell him she won’t be his last. Reed’s first clue comes via a mysterious text that links to a dating profile, but even more intriguing than the clue is the person who sent it.

As a white-hat hacker in the Delphi Center’s cyber investigation unit, Laney Knox sneaks into some of the deepest, darkest corners of the Internet looking for predators. Laney would prefer to stay away from Austin PD’s most recent murder case, but she can’t ignore the chilling similarities between that crime and her own brutal attack years ago. Laney offers to help the sexy lead detective, but he wants more from her than just a promising tip—Reed wants her trust. Laney resists, but as their relationship deepens she’s tempted to reveal the closely guarded secrets that could make her a key witness…or the killer’s next victim.

Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/03/deep-dark-tracers-10-by-laura-griffin.html 

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/46965-tracers

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Kobo

CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

Reed Novak has been in the police force for 17 years and he has seen, heard, and learn of things that made him the jaded person that he is today. His work is his life and that's a testament to his ended marriage and closed-off persona. He interrogates people in and out of the job and trusting others does not come easily to him. That's why he's drawn to this young, petite, guarded woman who believes in making the world a better place one hack at a time. She makes him want to believe in different things; even things that may go against everything he believes in.

Laney Knox is one of the best at what she does. She takes down all kinds of criminals through hacking anything and everything; nothing is impossible with her skills--only now she's faced with an enemy that is playing with her and the people she's helping. The case that she's caught in brings back a lot of haunting memories, memories that she prefer to not think about anymore. Memories of a night that forever changed the way she lived and saw the world. But being around Reed makes her feel something she's never felt in a long time...safe. so she's willing to put her life--and heart--on the line to catch the bad guy causing mayhem in their city.

REVIEW:

I'm kind of ashamed to say that Deep Dark is the first book penned by Laura Griffin I've read. I tried checking Goodreads to see what else she's written, and to say that I was surprised to see the number of books she's written is an understatement. But at the same time, it made sense to me. Deep Dark, which apparently is the 10th installment of the Tracers series, has a certain flawlessness to it. Like whoever wrote this and came up with the storyline has obviously been doing it for quite some time. And Laura has produced a number of well-loved novels.

The story's pace was perfect, scenes weren't cut short or excessively lengthened for no reason; the setting descriptions were enough to paint a clear picture of what's happening and where it's happening, which is important in this case because we're brought to crime scenes, laboratories, and other locations and scenarios that require clear details; and most of the characters have layers that we all get a glimpse of because the story is told from multiple POVs--which I prefer 100%--giving the entire story more depth and color.

I am a huge fan of crime show dramas like Bones, Castle, Criminal Minds and the like, so I knew what I was looking for in a book that boasts of suspense and crime. These are some of the things that must be noted when discussing murder: cause of death, motive, murder weapon, point of entry. I don't know if everything stated in Deep Dark is indeed possible, but Laura Griffin sure had me believing EVERYTHING she wrote. The point of entry alone had the cops baffled, and even I was starting to think about all the possibilites. I cannot tell you how many times I talked to veronica (you'd get to know her once you read the book) to look at certain places and maybe this or that is what happened. But no-o-oh, Laura had something else in mind and it's so much more awesome--and plausible--than my assumptions.

You know what, Deep Dark has me so excited and there are so many things I'd like to tell you guys, but I can't without risking spoilers and possible lawsuits. But I will tell ya'll this, Deep Dark--or maybe even the entire series Laura Griffin wrote--can be turned into a TV show, in my opinion. The entire book was well-written, there is an air of danger in almost every page that even made me look if my bedroom door is closed, the characters were all realistic and relatable, and the chemistry between Laney and Reed is explosive. Not much to be said about the sex, but it's totally okay because it's not necessary to make the book better...it already is excellent.

SUMMARY:

What else can I say? Hmm, I will be reading the next installment of the Tracers series and quite possibly the first 9 as well, just so I'll know if Laura is consistent with the quality of her writing, because let's admit it, there are authors who'll write a masterpiece one day and provide total garbage the next. But I highly doubt that this is the case with Ms. Griffin since again, I've been reading a lot of positive reviews.

Do pick Deep Dark by Laura Griffin up you guys. I promise you, YOU. WILL. NOT. REGRET. IT. AT. ALL. It's romantic, mind-boggling, and nerve-wracking. It'll make you feel safe one second and let you know that you're still in danger the next. It's such an amazing read, one that will put you on the edge of your seat (or bed, your choice), and make you hold your breath. Two thumbs-up to Laura and all who made this book possible. Cheers.

RATING: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author LAURA GRIFFIN started her career in journalism before venturing into the world of romantic suspense. She is a two-time RITA Award winner as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award. Laura currently lives in Austin, where she is working on her next book.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website:  http://www.lauragriffin.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Griffin/206501652717671

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/Laura_Griff

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/84181.Laura_Griffin

TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

Book images provided by Tasty Book Tours

Title: Fighter Girl 

Author: Kathryn James 

Published by: Swoon Romance

Publication Date: May 17th 2016

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29080179-fighter-girl

SYNOPSIS:

“It began three days ago with a fight. Seems that for me, everything begins with a fight…”

Sammy Jo may be strong, fast and tough, even in heels, but she gets into trouble when she fights some local thugs to save a rich boy named Gregory.

Now bad guy McCloud is after her – and he’s even more dangerous than her forbidden love for Gregory.

Fighter Girl was published in the United Kingdom under the title GYPSY GIRL.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fighter-Girl-Kathryn-James-ebook/dp/B01DL0R81Y

EXCERPT:

The wedding is over.

My beautiful bridesmaid dress is soaked in blood. Bright crimson patterning the white. The hem ragged and torn. The tulle skirt missing and the strapless bodice ripped.

My tiara is long gone. My hair stiffened with dried blood, not mousse. My legs are crumpled beneath, unable to move. I’m like a ragdoll.

I’m lying here in this circle of trees by the black water. They call it a beauty spot. I can’t see any beauty today. Only death. The magpies warned us.

Gregory is beside me, his sun­streaked, fair hair red with blood, his face white as a ghost. Shocked and injured again. It’s my fault. I want to hug him, hold him close, tell him I didn’t mean to let this happen to him. But I can’t move. Anyway, he probably hates me.

Is it over? Don’t ask me.

In the distance, I can hear emergency sirens. Has everyone found out? Has my daddy? His name is Samson Smith. He comes from a long line of champion fighters.

My name is Sammy­Jo Smith. I’m the only girl to have inherited the Smith fighting skills. Sometimes I love it, but now I hate it. I’m too fast, too strong, even in my Jimmy Choo heels. It’s brought me here, to this place of death.

It began three days ago with a fight. Seems that for me everything always begins with a fight ...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathryn lives in Leicester with her family, writing full time (and loves that!) Kathryn always wanted to become an author and wrote her first story at age eight. But it took quite a while and lots of different jobs before she got published.

She's worked with gypsy and traveller children, working from a converted bus with a rainbow on the side, doing video and photography projects, and documenting travelling lives.

Mist draws on and is influenced by her work with this community.

She's also written scripts for a local video production company, many of them for children and teenagers.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://www.kathrynjames.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kathryn_James

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6876215.Kathryn_James

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathrynjamesuk

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Book images provided by Xpresso Book Tours