erotic – My YA & NA Book Obsession

Blog Tour: Wicked Wish (The Wicked Horse Vegas #2) by Sawyer Bennett

Today is my stop during the blog tour for Wicked Wish (The Wicked Horse Vegas #2) by Sawyer Bennett! I’ll share my review for this book, an excerpt and soem teaser images :).

Title: Wicked Wish
Author: Sawyer Bennett
Series: The Wicked Horse Vegas #2
Rating: 5 stars
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Links:

Blurb:
Jorinda Pearce thought she did everything right – graduated from college, married her long-time sweetheart, established a career. But what does she have to show for it now? A degree she doesn’t use, a job she hates, and an ex-husband that broke her heart.

Looking for a long overdue adventure, Jorie takes a walk on the wild side and attends a masquerade event at The Wicked Horse Vegas. It’s exactly the escape she’s looking for, and even better, she can explore anonymously. Drawn to the man masked in black leather with the body of a god, Jorie finds the greatest pleasures of her life at the hands of a stranger.

Walsh Brooks is the most sought after man in The Wicked Horse. Sex is nothing but a game to him and he’s the type that will always leave at the end of the night without looking back. Unfortunately for Walsh, there’s no way he can walk away from the mysterious green-eyed beauty behind the mask of sapphire feathers, because he knows exactly who she is.

Jorie is his best friend’s little sister and there’s not another woman in the world that’s more off limits.

My Review:
A standalone best friend’s sister forbidden romance with erotic scenes.

This is the second book in Sawyer Bennett’s Wicked Horse Vegas series, but it can be completely read as a standalone title. I loved every wicked, delicious page of this book, from the well-developed, intriguing characters to the consistently-paced plot which held my attention the entire time.

I love forbidden romance especially when they are keeping the relationship secret and there is lots of sneaking around and heated stolen moments. Walsh and Jorie reconnect by chance and end up in a very steamy encounter in The Wicked Horse. Once they realize who each other is, they try to stay away from one another but their old attraction hasn’t died and soon they are throwing caution to the wind.

Sawyer included a great note at the start of the book which I wholeheartedly agree with. This is a great character-driven story with erotic scenes but I love the fact that she takes time to carve out her characters and that there is substance to their development and the plot development. It was my perfect kind of read.

I especially loved the little anecdotes from the past and I felt the strength of their bond as well as their sizzling hot chemistry. I wanted to kick Michah into next week for being such an interfering old grump but it added some delicious tension and drama.

Sawyer is a fantastic writer and this book was superbly written. I can’t fault anything about it. I loved it, and I’m loving this series. Thank you for an exhilarating read, and I can’t wait to read more in this world.

Thanks to the author and Inkslinger PR for providing an ARC of this book which I am voluntarily reviewing.

Excerpt:
Squaring my shoulders, I march into The Royale and head straight for the concierge desk. I haven’t been in this casino before. Hell, I haven’t been in hardly any of them. Sure, I’d only grown up about forty-five minutes away, but gambling and all-you-can-eat buffets held no interest to me.
From Micah bragging about his best friend over the years, I knew Walsh orchestrated the purchase of the land, then pulled together financing with two other partners to build this casino. It’s one of the most popular on the strip, boasting five-star dining, old-world elegance, and superior customer service. Again, all this from Micah, but honestly… I’m so proud of Walsh, too. We may have lost touch over the years, but I’ll never forget all the ways in which he acted as a big brother to me.
Ick.
Okay… that’s gross. Thinking of Walsh like a brother.
I scrub my mind clean of that thought and demand myself never to do that again.
Rather, I’ll never forget all the ways in which Walsh provided me friendship and support in my formative years.
Yes… much better.
“Can I help you?” a man behind the concierge desk asks with a genuine and friendly smile. Not snooty as I would expect in a fancy hotel, and I guess that goes to the superior customer service The Royale strives for.
“Yes… hi,” I say as I nervously tuck my hair behind my ears on both sides. “I need to see Mr. Brooks. How do I go about getting access to his apartment?”
Micah told me some time ago that Walsh lives here.
The concierge never loses his friendly smile, but a single eyebrow arches high at my temerity.
“Oh, gosh,” I stammer. “That came out stalkerish. Mr. Brooks… I mean, Walsh… and I are longtime friends. He used to babysit me.”
“Your name?” the man asks as he pulls up something on his computer.
“Jorie Pearce.”
After a moment of scanning, he looks up at me. “Your name isn’t on the approved list.”
“Well, he’s not exactly expecting me.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Pearce,” he says with true regret in his voice. “But our policy is strict. No one gets up to the private penthouse without their name on the list.”
I lean on the desk with one elbow and lower my voice. “Just out of curiosity… are there any women on that list?”
The eyebrow shoots up again.
“No, wait,” I say hastily as I hold my palms toward him in a silent plea to not process my last request either mentally or on the computer. “That’s totally stalkerish, and I didn’t mean that.”
“Miss Pearce,” the concierge says, now with a hint of annoyance. “Perhaps you’d like to leave a message? I can get it up to Mr. Brooks today and he can call you.”
“No, I need to see him now,” I tell him firmly. “And I swear it’s not to cook a rabbit in a pot on his stove. Can you please just call up to his apartment?”
“That’s not our policy—”
“Look,” I snap as I lean across the desk slightly. “I’m a lifelong friend of Walsh’s. My brother is his best friend. We lost touch for a few years, but we ran into each other last night. I really need to talk to him about something that happened last night, and I’m not leaving this hotel until you call up to his apartment.”
The eyebrow doesn’t arch but it does draw inward to meet its match on the other side as he considers what I just said.
“I swear to you,” and here I pause to look at his name tag, “Bentley. Please just call him. He won’t be mad.”
With a sigh, he relents and picks up the phone receiver, punching in a five-digit number. After a pause, he says, “Mr. Brooks… I’m very sorry to disturb you, sir, but there’s a Miss Jorie Pearce here to see you. She says she’s a longtime friend.”
I watch as Bentley listens, but I can’t gauge what’s being said as his face remains blank. Finally, he says, “Very good, sir.”
I take this to mean I’ll be getting an escort to the penthouse suite, but Bentley replaces the receiver and says, “I’m sorry, Miss Pearce. But Mr. Walsh told me to tell you he’s busy and can’t receive you right now.”
My eyes narrow at Bentley. “I don’t believe you. Call back and let me talk to him.”
“I assure you, I just talked to him and that’s what he said.”
“Call him back,” I order as I point to the phone.
“I can’t,” he says almost with a wail. “If I do, he’ll fire me.”
Okay, that hits home. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble, so I say, “Fine. Give me just a moment.”
I take a few steps away from the concierge desk and pull my iPhone out. I shoot off a quick text to Micah. What’s Walsh’s phone number?
I wait a few moments, but I know Micah is awake in San Francisco at this hour. His phone is always on, and he never ignores a text from me.
He responds with the number before I can even start to tap my foot with impatience, adding on, Why?
I hate the lie, but I write back, Came to Vegas for the day. Thought I’d see if he could meet up for lunch. Haven’t seen him in years.
Cool, he writes back. Tell him I said, “what’s up, douche?”
I roll my eyes as I text back, Real mature. Love ya. Later.
After I save the number to my contacts, I open a new text to Walsh. Let me up to see you or I’m going straight back to The Wicked Horse to satisfy some further curiosities I have.
I hit send and then walk back to the concierge desk. I merely lean one elbow on it and watch Bentley with a silent smile. The phone rings about ten seconds after that.
Bentley’s eyes fly to mine as he listens, and then says, “Yes, sir. Right away.”
When he replaces the receiver, he says, “I’m to show you to the penthouse elevator.”
“Thank you, Bentley,” I say brightly.

About the Author:
Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

Links:

Review: Sinfully Mine (Lessons with the Dom #2) by Kendall Ryan

Title: Sinfully Mine
Author: Kendall Ryan
Series: Lessons with the Dom #2
Rating: 5 stars
Genres: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Links:

Blurb:
She was forbidden.

I didn’t care.

As my best friend’s little sister, Macey Hale was off-limits, but the girl was tempting as sin and forbidden as fuck. I wish I could say that stopped me. I wish I could tell you I behaved like a gentleman.

I didn’t.

When she waltzes back into my life with that same spark I fell for, looking every bit the beautiful woman I knew she’d grow into, I have to force myself to remember I’m different from the man she once knew. I’m colder. Harder. And for good reason.
With my heart on lockdown and my hands aching to touch her, I set out to prove that I can keep myself in check this time.

No strings. No attachments.

And definitely no falling for her again.

If you love steamy romance, you won’t want to miss this older brother’s best friend romance.

This is book two in the Lessons with the Dom series, following The Gentleman Mentor. Both are complete standalone novels featuring sexy Dominant men you’re sure to fall in love with. Enjoy!

My Review:
This is the fourth Kendall Ryan book that I’ve read, and though I’ve enjoyed the others, this was easily my fav. I had just finished an ARC of Slow and Steady by the same author and she included two samples in the back of the book. Read the first three chapters of Sinfully Mine and I was intrigued by Reese and Macey and the promise of a brother’s best friend forbidden romance. So, I one-clicked.

I was hoping this wouldn’t be one of those books where the erotic sex prevailed over plot and characters. Thankfully, it was the complete opposite and like a breath of fresh air. Yes, there is BDSM but it is more in the background. I loved the emotional complexity between our couple, and both characters were expertly crafted. The journey back into each other’s arms was filled with plenty of angsty torturous moments as they struggled to relinquish their vulnerability and let each other back in.

The writing was great and the book flowed smoothly. My only complaint is it was too short. Read it cover to cover in 2.5 hours. I would have liked a little bit more, but only because I enjoyed the characters and the story so much.

Highly Recommended.

Review: Forever with You (Fixed #3) by Laurelin Paige

Title: Forever with You
Author: Laurelin Paige
Series: Fixed #3
Rating: 5 stars
Genres: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Links:

Blurb:
Alayna Withers relationship with Hudson Pierce has tested both her and his ability to trust. They decide that the only way they can move forward together is with open doors and transparency. It won’t be easy for the scarred lovers, but they’re committed to each other more now than ever. Alayna, in particular, has grown through their trials, and has emerged more confident and faithful to the man she loves.

But while the pair is focused on the future, their past shows up again to threaten their fragile bond. Promises that were made are broken, and Alayna learns that Hudson still has very potent secrets—secrets that will tear them both apart. As much as she feels for him, her ability to forgive and forget is tested beyond her limits.

Even though she found the only man who could fix her, a forever with Hudson seems more and more out of reach.

My Review:
Omg. This book gave me so many feels. Though I was shocked at how quickly Alayna forgave him, there is no way I could rate it less than 5 stars. Emotion drips off the pages and I felt everything. Such dark complex characters. Wow.

FULL REVIEW

Well, that was one hell of a read, and a fantastic way to bring Laynie and Hudson’s story to a close.

Initially, it started off a little slow and I wondered if there was enough of a story to support a third book. I’m happy to have been proven wrong. Once Laynie watched the recording things started accelerating at a manic pace. I knew immediately what Hudson and Celia had done and I was sickened to my stomach. Though I was hoping I was wrong, it turns out I wasn’t. I pretty much hated him a lot of this book as his actions really rocked my faith in him.

This book was so emotive – I felt everything Laynie felt. Explosive passion, scintillating chemistry, and the gut-wrenching angst of betrayal and heartache. I was a basket-case reading this book.

At one point, I wanted to kill Hudson. And don’t even get me started on Celia! Those two were so fucked-up! Alayna looked like a saint next to that pair and that’s saying something.

I was annoyed that Alayna forgave Hudsn so quickly. I would have loved her to have shown some strength of character and to keep him at arms length for a few months, so that when they finally reunited it was on her terms, not his.

But there is no way I could rate this book any less than 5 stars becaue it seriously blew my mind.

Another stomping read from the very talented Laurelin Paige. I wish I could read Hudson straight away but I’ve a ton of ARC’s lined up already so it’ll have to wait for a couple of weeks.

Review: Find Me (The Found Duet #2) by Laurelin Paige

Title: Find Me
Author: Laurelin Paige
Series: The Found Duet #2
Rating: 5 stars
Genres: Contemporary Erotic Romance/ Suspense
Links:

Blurb:
The Conclusion of Gwen and JC’s Story

Gwen Anders came to The Sky Launch to begin fresh, away from the horrors of her past. She fit in quickly, becoming good friends with her co-manager, Alayna Withers and the owner of the club, Hudson Pierce. Though the circumstances that brought her here were not the best, she’s never felt more at home.

But starting a new life means letting go. And there are some things she doesn’t want to leave behind – like JC, the man who taught her how to let loose. The man she wasn’t supposed to fall in love with. The man she doesn’t want to lose.

Now, with the reason she ran still a threat, Gwen fears she’ll never be able to move on completely. And if she does, can she still hold out hope that JC loves her enough to come and find her?

My Review:
I downloaded Find Me the minute I finished reading Free Me because I couldn’t wait even one second to find out what was going to happen next.

We finally learn the full story behind JC’s fiancee’s death and the extent of the danger he’s in. JC really wants to protect Gwen, but he can’t stay away from her even though he risks exposing her. Though they are initially a little wary of one another, their relationship pretty much picks up where they left off.

There is the added complication of Chandler who has unfortunately grown attached to Gwen and he hovers around making a nuisance of himself. Gwen feels rotten that she ever indulged him, and she’s also carrying a massive chip on her shoulder over Cory. She very much feels like she’s playing second fiddle, even though JC never treats her like that. It’s pretty much all in her head. JC is still quite controlling, but he’s a real sweetheart too.

This book ticked all the boxes – great plot development, complex characters, superb writing, and lashings of the steamy stuff.

I enjoyed reading about Alayna and Hudson and I’m definitely going to check out their book. I’m totally hooked on this series now, and can’t wait to read more from this author.

All in all, an epic read.

Review: Found in You (Fixed #2) by Laurelin Paige

Title: Found in You
Author: Laurelin Paige
Series: Fixed #2
Rating: 4.5 stars
Genres: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Links:

Blurb:
Alayna Withers has only had one kind of relationship: the kind that makes her obsessive and stalker-crazy. Now that Hudson Pierce has let her into his heart, she’s determined to break down the remaining walls between them so they can build a foundation that’s based on more than just amazing sex. Except Hudson’s not the only one with secrets.

With their pasts pulling them into a web of unfounded mistrust, Alayna turns to the one person who knows Hudson the best—Celia, the woman he almost married. Hoping for insight from someone who understands all sides of the story, Alayna forms a bond with Celia that goes too far—revealing things about Hudson that could end their love for good.

This is the first relationship where Alayna hasn’t spiraled out of control. And she might lose Hudson anyway…

My Review:
Actual rating 4.5 stars.

Man, oh man does Hudson have a fucked-up family. They were very entertaining to read about though. LOL. I loved Mira and Jack and despised Sophia. She’s such a nasty piece of work.

Hudson and Laynie are together, but there are still so many secrets and lies threatening to tear them apart. Neither of them has any experience with relationships so they are both feeling their way as they go. It was downright painful at times, and there were plenty of gut-wrenching moments. He thinks he isn’t romantic, but he really was – actions speak louder than words.

Alayna needed a swift slap to the head in this book. It was so obvious that Celia was playing games, and Laynie was so stupid to trust her. And yes, I was screaming at my Kindle. It’s pretty ironic that Celia played Laynie so well given her stalker past.

This book was well written, fast-paced, full of drama and intrigue, with tons of the steamy stuff, and plenty of angst-filled love.

I lapped it up.

Excellent author. Excellent series.

Blog Tour: First Touch (First and Last #1) by Laurelin Paige

Today is my stop during the blog tour for First Touch (First and Last #1) by Laurelin Paige! I’ll share my review of this awesome book with you today!

Title: First Touch
Author: Laurelin Paige
Series: First and Last #1
Rating: 5 stars
Genres: Romantic Suspense/ Erotica
Links:

Blurb:
When Emily Wayborn goes home to visit her mom while on hiatus from her hit TV show, she receives a voicemail from her former best friend, Amber. Though the two were once notorious party girls, they haven’t spoken in years. Although the message might sound benign to anyone else, Amber uses a safe word that Emily recognizes, a word they always used to get out of sticky situations during their wild days. And what’s more chilling than the voicemail: it turns out that Amber has gone missing.

Determined to track down her friend, Emily follows a chain of clues that lead her to the enigmatic billionaire Reeve Sallis, a hotelier known for his shady dealings and play boy reputation. Now, in order to find Amber, Emily must seduce Reeve to learn his secrets and discover the whereabouts of her friend. But as she finds herself more entangled with him, she finds she’s drawn to Reeve for more than just his connection to Amber, despite her growing fear that he may be the enemy. When she’s forced to choose where her loyalty lies, how will she decide between saving Amber and saving her heart?

My Review:
My initial thoughts:
Honestly there are no words. Why isn’t there a ten-star rating, hell a gazillion star rating? I’ve read some amazing books recently but they all pale in comparison to First Touch. That cliffhanger is the best cliffhanger EVER. Damn, this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s sick and twisted and depraved and the most addictive story ever. LP is a phenomenal writer. Okay, must stop gushing now, need sleep. Freaking amazing book.

FULL REVIEW:

Laurelin Paige delivers another scintillating good read that will blow your mind. Wow. Superb writing combined with complex characters and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat has ensured First Touch a place on my absolute favorite reads of 2015.

Emily appears to be the consummate up-and-coming TV personality on the outside; beautiful, intelligent, professional, and self-sufficient. But underneath that carefully created exterior lurks a girl who is almost the exact opposite. Since she parted ways with bestie Amber seven years ago (on bad terms) she has reinvented herself and tried to suppress that side of her nature. Now, Amber has reached out, indicating she’s in trouble, and out of a misguided sense of loyalty, Emily sets out to uncover the truth behind her friend’s disappearance.

Her quest for the truth brings her to elusive billionaire Reeve Salis, hot hotelier with a somewhat dubious rep. Ah, Reeve. Love the name, and by the end of the book, I loved the man. At the outset, I believed everything that was said about him, and I was scared for Emily, but as the story progressed and Emily’s opinion started to change so did mine.

I really enjoyed the mystery/suspense element of the plot and the mob connection. My personal view is that Reeve was being coerced or blackmailed, and I never believed he was willingly involved in that whole scene. What he says toward the end seemed to corroborate that view. I am so curious to see where this goes in the next book.

Sex, power, and control are a huge theme in this story. The relationship between Reeve and Emily is abusive though consensual. She liked to be debased and hurt and it was the sickest, most depraved thing I’ve ever read. But weirdly addictive. Even as I was disgusted at several scenes I couldn’t stop turning the pages. As they grow closer they start to open up to one another and we see a different side to both of them as individuals and as a couple. In the last few chapters, they are very close to admitting the love they share, and certain things are brought front and center stage. Then that cliffhanger happens. OMG. I can’t say the thought hadn’t crossed my mind because it did, but it was still an electrifying, suspenseful end to this book. I have not been able to stop thinking about it and I think I’ll die if I don’t get to read what happens next.

This is such an incredible read and it’s hard to find words to properly express how amazing it is. This is sheer genius. Superb writing (as I’ve come to expect from the phenomenally talented Laurelin Paige) bang-on pacing, subtle yet strong plot development, excellent characterization with both mains being steadily developed with their fair share of complex strengths and weaknesses. Emotional depth is there – I felt a strong connection to the two mains, and the secondary characters are decent too.

This may not be for everyone as some of the scenes are difficult to read, but if you are a Laurelin Paige fan, or you enjoy well-written erotic romantic suspense, then is is a MUST read.

Thanks to the publisher for supplying an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author:
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling author Laurelin Paige is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She is represented by Rebecca Friedman and Friedman Literary.

Links:

Review: Betrayal (Infidelity #1) by Aleatha Romig

Title: Betrayal
Author: Aleatha Romig
Series: Infidelity #1
Rating: 5 stars
Genres: Contemporary Romance/ Erotica
Links:

Blurb:
One week. No future. No past. No more.
Alexandria Collins has one week to live carefree—no ghosts of her past or pressures of her future haunting her. Reinventing herself as “Charli,” she is knocked off her feet by a sexy, mysterious man who brings her pleasure like she never imagined. With her heart at stake, she forgets that decisions made in the dark of night reappear in the bright light of day.

“Some of my tastes are unique. They aren’t for everyone. I understand that.”

Lennox “Nox” Demetri is wealthy, confident, and decisive—he knows what he wants. From the first time he sees Charli at an exclusive resort, he knows he wants her. Although he is usually the one to make the rules, together they agree on one:

One week. No more.

When betrayal comes from those closest to Alexandria, she must decide how far she is willing to go to survive. Choices are not always easy, especially when they involve the heart, body, and soul. After all, Infidelity is a business, and some rules are meant to be broken.

“Is it really cheating if you’re doing it to yourself?”

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Aleatha Romig comes a sexy, new dominant hero who knows what he wants, and a strong-willed heroine who has plans of her own. With classic Aleatha Romig twists, turns, deceptions, and devotions, this new epic dark romance will have readers swooning one minute and screaming the next. Have you been Aleatha’d?

BETRAYAL is a full-length novel and the first of five in the INFIDELITY series.

My Review:
What a sensational read! I’ve just read a couple of books that were a bit meh, so this book was like a welcome breath of fresh air. I loved it in its entirety – the beautiful writing, solid, consistent character and plot development, steady pacing, and steamy romance. This book had it all in spades and it sucked me in from the very first line.

There was a heady, enticing mix of romance, mystery, and suspense, combined with dark secrets and plenty of skeletons in the closet. The premise is so intriguing – one week to be someone else, and to indulge pent-up (hidden) desires, one week to escape the trap lying in wait. Who wouldn’t want an opportunity to enact out some fantasies with an amazing, hot guy before taking a return trip to reality?

I felt shivers all over whenever Alton was in the frame. I know where this is going and it’s going to be explosive. No wonder she referred to herself as Rapunzel – her childhood was a prison and her family do their best to lure her back in. I loved that Alex was strong enough to stand up to them, and so willing to forge a future path in life on her own terms, even though she is letting go of everything she has known and taken for granted. She was a strong character who wasn’t afraid to stretch herself out of her comfort zone with Nox either, and it can’t have been easy to relinquish control to him, but she was brave.

I’m intrigued to find out more about Nox. We only get one chapter from his perspective and I’m hoping the second book has more in his voice. I still need to understand what really makes him tick.

When Infidelity was introduced I was blown away by the unexpected turn in the plot – totally unpredictable, and I love when a book catches me by surprise. Though I did foresee where it was going with our couple after that revelation, it was still a fantastic twist.

And that ending? Sweet Jesus, I think I’ll DIE if I don’t get my hands on the next book, like NOW!! I need it like I need air to breathe. I know plenty of people hate cliffhangers, but I love’em even though they are the worst form of bookish torture. I like them because it makes the book MEMORABLE and difficult to forget. This is definitely one that is going to stay with me until I can get my hands on the continuation of this story.

I would highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy strong storytelling, complex characters, and flawless writing. I also think it will particularly appeal to fans of Laurelin Paige, Lori Foster, Elle Kennedy and Addison Moore.

Favorite Quotes:

“Dreams, like Fairytales, all come to an end. We wake or turn that final page. There’s no escaping it. It may take days, years, or an entire lifetime, but forever doesn’t truly exist. No matter how hard we wish or try, the end always comes.”

“The void in my chest gaped open. It was so painful I feared looking down. If I did, I was sure I’d see bloody shreds of vessels and flesh where my heart had been.”

About the Author:
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of nearly thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!

Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers.

Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romance with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK will be published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Browne & Miller Literary Associates.

Links:

Release Day Blitz: The Truth About Him by Molly O’Keefe

Today is my stop during the blog tour for The Truth About Him (Everything I Left Unsaid #2) by Molly O’Keefe. I share my review with you and there’s a giveaway!

Title: The Truth About Him
Author: Molly O’Keefe
Series: Everything I Left Unsaid #2
Rating: 5 stars
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Links:

Blurb:
We played our roles, told each other lies.

But now Dylan is no longer just a mysterious deep voice on the other end of the line. We’re face-to-face and our relationship is very, very real.

We still have secrets—but so much is crystal clear:

The thrilling danger.

The raw, naked desire.

The need to keep feeling the way he makes me feel. Forever.

Dylan is putting up walls, trying to keep me safe, but he can’t shut me out. He has seen my darkness and rescued me. Now it’s my turn, if only he will let me.

My Review:
Emotionally charged. Dark. Destructive. Compelling. Hopeful. Addictive. Those are just some of the words I’d use to sum up this book. This story had me hooked from the get-go and I found it very difficult to put this book down – and I only did so because I had to. All I could think about during the down period was how quickly I could get back to my Kindle so that I could finish it. Honestly, this book made me feel all the feels. It really sunk its teeth into me and didn’t let go until I had devoured every last word.

Dylan Daniels (I love that name – doesn’t it just roll so smoothly off the tongue?) keeps himself well and truly caged inside his damaged skin. It’s not all that surprising when you consider that those who are supposed to have loved and protected him let him down so badly. Now, he lets no one in, trusts no one, not even himself. He has built a mountainside fortress where he lives and works and he has basically become a hermit. Until he crossed paths with Annie and his world turned upside down. Annie has had her own fair share of trauma and she also has a troubled background. Definitely a case of two tortured lost souls gravitating toward one another.

I hadn’t read the first book when I read this book (I have since ) but I didn’t need to. The author did a superb job of backfilling the story and it was easy to pick up the plotlines. Boy, did this book open with a bang and I was instantly pulled into the world.

Annie and Dylan intrigued me from the minute I met them. I’m in awe of this author’s ability to create such complex-multi-layered characters who are flawed but also such nice people underneath all the shit life has thrown at them. I was rooting for them so badly and really hoped they would get their HEA. Both of them deserved it. They struggle to share the truth but gradually they learn to let each other in as they grapple with the evil forces threatening to pull them apart. When Dylan told Annie that no one had ever said I love you to him, I thought my heart would split wide open. I felt his pain as if it was my own. Now, that’s talent.

I love books with strong romance once there is another dimension to the story, and once the romance doesn’t overtake the story at the expense of all other plotlines. This book skillfuly combined all plotlines and there was a strong subplot bobbing beneath the surface which added supsense and mystery and more than a hint of danger.

The romance was sweet and depraved in equal measures and the chemistry was scorching between our couple. Steamy stuff.

I thoroughly enjoyed Molly’s writing style and the pacing is perfect – there was no urge to skim as every word had meaning and added value

For me, the underlying message is that no matter how dark and disturbing life can be, true love can elevate your world from dark into light, and that love can appear in so many different guises. This was a book of hidden depth and meaning about love, family, relationships and the challenge of life.

Summary: If you enjoy emotionally complex well-developed characters, strong worldbuilding, and excellent writing, then you will love this book. I know I did.

About the Author:
Molly O’Keefe has always known she wanted to be a writer (except when she wanted to be a florist or a chef and the brief period of time when she considered being a cowgirl). And once she got her hands on some romances, she knew exactly what she wanted to write.

She published her first Harlequin romance at age 25 and hasn’t looked back. She loves exploring every character’s road towards happily ever after.

Originally from a small town outside of Chicago, she went to university in St. Louis where she met and fell in love with the editor of her school newspaper. They followed each other around the world for several years and finally got married and settled down in Toronto, Ontario. They welcomed their son into their family in 2006, and their daughter in 2008. When she’s not at the park or cleaning up the toy room, Molly is working hard on her next novel, trying to exercise, stalking Tina Fey on the internet and dreaming of the day she can finish a cup of coffee without interruption.

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