Gian (Trassato Crime Family Book One)
By Lisa Cardiff
SUMMARY
I only ever had one dream—my name in bright lights for the world to see. And I had a plan to make it all happen.
Move to New York. Find an agent. Work hard. Then with a little luck mixed in with some natural talent, I’d be a Broadway star.
One devastating injury and a broken engagement later, I have nothing to show for my life except an empty bank account and a jaded heart. Desperate to salvage my dreams, I agree to interview for a job with my best friend’s brother, Gian Trassato.
Gian is charming. He’s magnetic. He’s connected to the Trassato Crime Family, and everything I should stay away from, but I don’t have a choice. I need the job.
Just when I thought I was about to get my life and career back on track, I make one thoughtless mistake. I go back to the club to pick up my purse and witness something Gian’s enemies would kill to keep secret.
Now I’m being sucked deeper and deeper into a terrifying world I don’t understand…
Friends and enemies are interchangeable. Honor and family are everything. And the scariest part of all…I might actually be getting lost in Gian.
REVIEW
What a kick ass story!
I can't believe how good it was. I had to keep reading and couldn't put it down!
Evie was an interesting woman. She had gone through so much and was with the biggest jerk. She kept getting herself into more trouble. Then she hooks up with Gian. She pulls it together at the end and I am so proud of her.
Gian is sexy as hell. It is a little far fetched when he does what he did to protect her, but it starts his and Evie's journey so it had to happen. He is honest with his feelings and I liked that.
The plot has some twists I guessed it but I didn't realize how twisted it was until it all was spelled out. The next book gets sets up with this one and I am so reading it. The author sure knows how to pull you in and she is an excellent story teller!
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Dex (Kinky Shine, #1)
Dex (Kinky Shine, #1)
By Stephanie Witter
SUMMARY
She succeeded in making him feel like a man. A normal functioning man when he hadn’t felt that way in years.
"Who're you f*cking?"
When my father, manager of the worldwide phenomenon Kinky Shine, asked me to come and help the band members appear more approachable I never thought my first meeting with Dex Bowers would start with such a question.
Immediately, I wanted to strangle him, wipe the smirk off his face and force him to mutter more than three words.
But there's something mysterious about him that was electrifying and the more he pushed me away and angered me, the more I wanted to know him and push through his hangups.
"Trust. That f*cking trust thing didn't come easily to me."
In the five years since my band became famous, not once had I been photographed with a woman. I knew it fed the supposed mystery surrounding me, but the real truth was far more humiliating than I was comfortable with.
That was until Harley Floyd walked in and I was left with a mind numbing lust for her that scared me shitless. It should be easy to let go and trust her just enough to have fun, to be happy I could finally come up with new material for our next album. But nothing was easy and with a life made of sex, drugs, and rock n' roll I wasn't sure if anything could last. Not even my band.
"What twenty-five year old was f*cking lost when his cock was rock hard when close to a gorgeous woman? One answer to that; a man who hadn’t had sex in a really long time."
REVIEW
Not sure how I feel about this one. 31/2-4, I guess.
Great characters very interesting. I guess we never realize the pressure celebrities have on them to plot out every move just to keep their status.
I liked Harley she seemed to have it all together and appeared not to take anyone's crap. But then she gets dazzled by the rock star and seems to change overnight to a girl that likes to be treated like crap because she wants to have sex with the rock star.
Dex well he is a jerk. He has issues, but tends to take it out on everyone else. He turns on Harley and says awful things and doesn't really apologize about it. He always thinks he is right. Then the stuff he says about her to the band...he gets mad at their comments but his aren't all that great.
There are sexy times, bit I just really didn't feel their attraction.
It was an ok read not great but not bad.
Received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
By Stephanie Witter
SUMMARY
She succeeded in making him feel like a man. A normal functioning man when he hadn’t felt that way in years.
"Who're you f*cking?"
When my father, manager of the worldwide phenomenon Kinky Shine, asked me to come and help the band members appear more approachable I never thought my first meeting with Dex Bowers would start with such a question.
Immediately, I wanted to strangle him, wipe the smirk off his face and force him to mutter more than three words.
But there's something mysterious about him that was electrifying and the more he pushed me away and angered me, the more I wanted to know him and push through his hangups.
"Trust. That f*cking trust thing didn't come easily to me."
In the five years since my band became famous, not once had I been photographed with a woman. I knew it fed the supposed mystery surrounding me, but the real truth was far more humiliating than I was comfortable with.
That was until Harley Floyd walked in and I was left with a mind numbing lust for her that scared me shitless. It should be easy to let go and trust her just enough to have fun, to be happy I could finally come up with new material for our next album. But nothing was easy and with a life made of sex, drugs, and rock n' roll I wasn't sure if anything could last. Not even my band.
"What twenty-five year old was f*cking lost when his cock was rock hard when close to a gorgeous woman? One answer to that; a man who hadn’t had sex in a really long time."
REVIEW
Not sure how I feel about this one. 31/2-4, I guess.
Great characters very interesting. I guess we never realize the pressure celebrities have on them to plot out every move just to keep their status.
I liked Harley she seemed to have it all together and appeared not to take anyone's crap. But then she gets dazzled by the rock star and seems to change overnight to a girl that likes to be treated like crap because she wants to have sex with the rock star.
Dex well he is a jerk. He has issues, but tends to take it out on everyone else. He turns on Harley and says awful things and doesn't really apologize about it. He always thinks he is right. Then the stuff he says about her to the band...he gets mad at their comments but his aren't all that great.
There are sexy times, bit I just really didn't feel their attraction.
It was an ok read not great but not bad.
Received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
Friday, June 24, 2016
The Bourbon Thief
The Bourbon Thief
By Tiffany Reisz
SUMMARY
When Cooper McQueen wakes up from a night with a beautiful stranger, it's to discover he's been robbed. The only item stolen—a million-dollar bottle of bourbon. The thief, a mysterious woman named Paris, claims the bottle is rightfully hers. After all, the label itself says it's property of the Maddox family who owned and operated Red Thread Bourbon distillery since the last days of the Civil War until the company went out of business for reasons no one knows… No one except Paris.
In the small hours of a Louisville morning, Paris unspools the lurid tale of Tamara Maddox, heiress to the distillery that became an empire. But the family tree is rooted in tainted soil and has borne rotten fruit. Theirs is a legacy of wealth and power, but also of lies, secrets and sins of omission. The Maddoxes have bourbon in their blood—and blood in their bourbon. Why Paris wants the bottle of Red Thread remains a secret until the truth of her identity is at last revealed, and the century-old vengeance Tamara vowed against her family can finally be completed.
REVIEW
Oh my! What an epic story! 5 epic stars!
I first have to say that I never thought I would be approved to receive an ARC for this story. I never get approved for the big books and authors, I am a small fish in the ocean of reviewers. I was just shooting in the wind when I requested it. I was also weary about reading this author again. I was caught up in the original sinners series until I got to the last book and I returned that book and got my money back. I was so mad at it, I never thought I would read her again. Well as the book says fate has a way of interfering, I got approved and started reading.
This book was OUATANDING! It was a true tale of sex, vengeance, evil, love, and slavery. It wound itself so tight and memorized me beyond reason. I had to keep reading no matter what. The Maddox family made me think of the Kennedys or Vanderbilts, who had tons of money and no real happiness; just scandals, bribery, unfaithfulness, corruption, and jealousy. It was so real that it could have happened and many parts of it has in real life. Wealthy men are corrupt and will do anything to make their legacies live on. It becomes a sickness, an obsession till it consumes until there is nothing left.
I can't really talk about the story because it will give it all away. It is dark and disturbing in its own right about how power and wealth are all corrupting and destroy all in its path without discrimination. Just know that the main characters are strong beyond belief and really tried to set things right. They are amazing and beautiful and just so tortured.
Ms. Reisz knows how to spin a tale and breathe life into her characters. It is great to see she expanded from her series and brought me back to her fold of fans! I highly recommend this book and beware that you need to schedule out a time to read it all!! I think I may read it again!
Received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. (less)
By Tiffany Reisz
SUMMARY
When Cooper McQueen wakes up from a night with a beautiful stranger, it's to discover he's been robbed. The only item stolen—a million-dollar bottle of bourbon. The thief, a mysterious woman named Paris, claims the bottle is rightfully hers. After all, the label itself says it's property of the Maddox family who owned and operated Red Thread Bourbon distillery since the last days of the Civil War until the company went out of business for reasons no one knows… No one except Paris.
In the small hours of a Louisville morning, Paris unspools the lurid tale of Tamara Maddox, heiress to the distillery that became an empire. But the family tree is rooted in tainted soil and has borne rotten fruit. Theirs is a legacy of wealth and power, but also of lies, secrets and sins of omission. The Maddoxes have bourbon in their blood—and blood in their bourbon. Why Paris wants the bottle of Red Thread remains a secret until the truth of her identity is at last revealed, and the century-old vengeance Tamara vowed against her family can finally be completed.
REVIEW
Oh my! What an epic story! 5 epic stars!
I first have to say that I never thought I would be approved to receive an ARC for this story. I never get approved for the big books and authors, I am a small fish in the ocean of reviewers. I was just shooting in the wind when I requested it. I was also weary about reading this author again. I was caught up in the original sinners series until I got to the last book and I returned that book and got my money back. I was so mad at it, I never thought I would read her again. Well as the book says fate has a way of interfering, I got approved and started reading.
This book was OUATANDING! It was a true tale of sex, vengeance, evil, love, and slavery. It wound itself so tight and memorized me beyond reason. I had to keep reading no matter what. The Maddox family made me think of the Kennedys or Vanderbilts, who had tons of money and no real happiness; just scandals, bribery, unfaithfulness, corruption, and jealousy. It was so real that it could have happened and many parts of it has in real life. Wealthy men are corrupt and will do anything to make their legacies live on. It becomes a sickness, an obsession till it consumes until there is nothing left.
I can't really talk about the story because it will give it all away. It is dark and disturbing in its own right about how power and wealth are all corrupting and destroy all in its path without discrimination. Just know that the main characters are strong beyond belief and really tried to set things right. They are amazing and beautiful and just so tortured.
Ms. Reisz knows how to spin a tale and breathe life into her characters. It is great to see she expanded from her series and brought me back to her fold of fans! I highly recommend this book and beware that you need to schedule out a time to read it all!! I think I may read it again!
Received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. (less)
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Rake's Redemption (Wind Dragons MC, #4)
Rake's Redemption (Wind Dragons MC, #4)
By Chantel Fernando
SUMMARY
Rake is known for being up for anything, in and out of the bedroom. He’s wild, he’s deadly, yet quick with a joke or a stolen kiss. Known as the player of the WDMC, he loves women, the more the merrier. However, behind his womanizing façade, Rake hides the pain of losing his first love, Bailey. He hasn’t loved anyone since, and doesn’t think he ever will.
Seven years after their split, Rake and Bailey run into each other at the MC’s favorite club. Old wounds resurface, secrets are spilled...and passionate feelings are awakened. But they’ve each done things to hurt the other, hurt them too badly to get over it—haven’t they? Only when Bailey’s connection to Rake puts her in danger from another Club member does he realize that there’s nothing he won’t do to protect her—and claim her as his once again.
REVIEW
I was worried about reading this because I haven't read the other books in the series, but you can read this without being lost. There are a few references but you aren't really left in the dark.
I liked this book for the most part there were a couple of parts I was not thrilled with.
Rake aka Adam, was a real ass at the beginning. Now I am not saying he didn't have his reasons, but he was over the top at times and almost ruined his character. He is a man whore and that is a great deal for Bailey to live with. Now I know he turned it all off when he got with her, but Bailey's comment on how he jumps over all the men who approached her, but she can't feel hurt when all his conquest talk to him. He is sexy and adventurous!
Bailey was ok. She seemed to have it all together, but then just gives everything up when with Rake. She says her kid is everything to her, but once she meets up with her old friends and Rake she is a party girl...even on a school night? Kinda not consistent. I am not saying a mom can't have fun.
Overall good story. The side characters were interesting. It as a good read.
Received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for a honest review.
By Chantel Fernando
SUMMARY
Rake is known for being up for anything, in and out of the bedroom. He’s wild, he’s deadly, yet quick with a joke or a stolen kiss. Known as the player of the WDMC, he loves women, the more the merrier. However, behind his womanizing façade, Rake hides the pain of losing his first love, Bailey. He hasn’t loved anyone since, and doesn’t think he ever will.
Seven years after their split, Rake and Bailey run into each other at the MC’s favorite club. Old wounds resurface, secrets are spilled...and passionate feelings are awakened. But they’ve each done things to hurt the other, hurt them too badly to get over it—haven’t they? Only when Bailey’s connection to Rake puts her in danger from another Club member does he realize that there’s nothing he won’t do to protect her—and claim her as his once again.
REVIEW
I was worried about reading this because I haven't read the other books in the series, but you can read this without being lost. There are a few references but you aren't really left in the dark.
I liked this book for the most part there were a couple of parts I was not thrilled with.
Rake aka Adam, was a real ass at the beginning. Now I am not saying he didn't have his reasons, but he was over the top at times and almost ruined his character. He is a man whore and that is a great deal for Bailey to live with. Now I know he turned it all off when he got with her, but Bailey's comment on how he jumps over all the men who approached her, but she can't feel hurt when all his conquest talk to him. He is sexy and adventurous!
Bailey was ok. She seemed to have it all together, but then just gives everything up when with Rake. She says her kid is everything to her, but once she meets up with her old friends and Rake she is a party girl...even on a school night? Kinda not consistent. I am not saying a mom can't have fun.
Overall good story. The side characters were interesting. It as a good read.
Received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for a honest review.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Bound Beneath His Pain (Dirty Little Secrets, #1)
Bound Beneath His Pain (Dirty Little Secrets, #1)
By Stacey Kennedy
SUMMARY
Real estate mogul Micah Holt exerts absolute control over all aspects of his life. He keeps his dark side hidden away from the press, who will chase down any hint of scandal. He’s always in command of his world, careful to expose his closely guarded secrets only to those he knows he can trust. Then Allie Bennett shakes his legendary discipline. She’s beautiful, pure, untainted. But is Micah willing to sacrifice her innocence for his own selfish obsessions?
When that sexy smile makes her body burn, Allie tries with all her might to ignore it. For one thing, Micah's her new boss. For another, he's as complicated as he is devastatingly handsome. Still, Allie can only fight so much before she gives in to his dangerous games. She knows he's got dark secrets. But when she discovers the true depth of his pain, Allie must decide how far she's willing to go to light the way for love.
REVIEW
3 1/2- 4
I didn't know what to expect from this book, I have never read this author. This book had ebbs and flows. Sometimes it clicked with me and other times I was like that did not really happen...that was the big reveal?
I liked Allie. She really seemed to know who she was and what she wanted. She was not the type of girl that settled. I liked how she was her own person and didn't want to depend on anyone. I really didn't get the relationship between her brother and her. It would be interesting to see what he felt he owed her.
Micah well he was a tad dramatic about things. His big reveal was like...oh well so.. I don't understand the big deal and how Allie needed protected. He was a jerk to her twice and I wondered why she kept him around, but I guess she saw straight through him. He was a charming billionaire.
The next book was set up at the end. It has me interested.
I received an ARC from Loveswept via NetGalley for a honest review.
By Stacey Kennedy
SUMMARY
Real estate mogul Micah Holt exerts absolute control over all aspects of his life. He keeps his dark side hidden away from the press, who will chase down any hint of scandal. He’s always in command of his world, careful to expose his closely guarded secrets only to those he knows he can trust. Then Allie Bennett shakes his legendary discipline. She’s beautiful, pure, untainted. But is Micah willing to sacrifice her innocence for his own selfish obsessions?
When that sexy smile makes her body burn, Allie tries with all her might to ignore it. For one thing, Micah's her new boss. For another, he's as complicated as he is devastatingly handsome. Still, Allie can only fight so much before she gives in to his dangerous games. She knows he's got dark secrets. But when she discovers the true depth of his pain, Allie must decide how far she's willing to go to light the way for love.
REVIEW
3 1/2- 4
I didn't know what to expect from this book, I have never read this author. This book had ebbs and flows. Sometimes it clicked with me and other times I was like that did not really happen...that was the big reveal?
I liked Allie. She really seemed to know who she was and what she wanted. She was not the type of girl that settled. I liked how she was her own person and didn't want to depend on anyone. I really didn't get the relationship between her brother and her. It would be interesting to see what he felt he owed her.
Micah well he was a tad dramatic about things. His big reveal was like...oh well so.. I don't understand the big deal and how Allie needed protected. He was a jerk to her twice and I wondered why she kept him around, but I guess she saw straight through him. He was a charming billionaire.
The next book was set up at the end. It has me interested.
I received an ARC from Loveswept via NetGalley for a honest review.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Her Highland Rouge (Wild Highland Guardian, #1)
Her Highland Rouge (Wild Highland Guardian, #1)
By Violetta Rand
SUMMARY
Errol MacRae’s days of gallivanting across the Highlands are nearing an end. His father’s health has taken a turn for the worse, and rumors are swirling that the crown intends to transfer ancient lands into the hands of the MacKenzies, the clan the MacRaes are sworn to defend. Errol expects to lead his men into battle soon. So he isn’t pleased when his father instead sends him to retrieve a beautiful flame-haired lass who has fled into the mountains.
Orphaned as a young girl, Aileana vividly remembers how the MacRaes rescued her and welcomed her into their clan. For ten years, she has served them loyally—until the night she’s nearly despoiled by one of the laird’s captains. Aileana risks her life and her reputation to seek refuge in the snowcapped peaks of the Five Sisters, the one place that has always felt like home. But after the strong-armed, strong-willed Errol tracks her down in a blizzard, she finds herself tempted to risk something even more dangerous: her heart.
REVIEW
read.
Much better then the other time period book I read from this author. I loved her contemporary books so I tried another historical romance by her.
I liked it it had a twist that I haven't read before. I did guess the secret reveal...well part of it. The Aileana description reminded me of the character from Brave! She was a tad wimpy but seemed to find her voice along the way.
Errol was hot and sexy. A tad in love with himself, but what man isn't. It was kinda insta-love or it was in front of my face and I never saw it love. It happened really fast. Errol did take advantage of Aileana in some sense. I am glad I didn't live back then with no choices.
Good read nothing serious or soul wrenching and that is ok!
Received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley for a honest review.
By Violetta Rand
SUMMARY
Errol MacRae’s days of gallivanting across the Highlands are nearing an end. His father’s health has taken a turn for the worse, and rumors are swirling that the crown intends to transfer ancient lands into the hands of the MacKenzies, the clan the MacRaes are sworn to defend. Errol expects to lead his men into battle soon. So he isn’t pleased when his father instead sends him to retrieve a beautiful flame-haired lass who has fled into the mountains.
Orphaned as a young girl, Aileana vividly remembers how the MacRaes rescued her and welcomed her into their clan. For ten years, she has served them loyally—until the night she’s nearly despoiled by one of the laird’s captains. Aileana risks her life and her reputation to seek refuge in the snowcapped peaks of the Five Sisters, the one place that has always felt like home. But after the strong-armed, strong-willed Errol tracks her down in a blizzard, she finds herself tempted to risk something even more dangerous: her heart.
REVIEW
read.
Much better then the other time period book I read from this author. I loved her contemporary books so I tried another historical romance by her.
I liked it it had a twist that I haven't read before. I did guess the secret reveal...well part of it. The Aileana description reminded me of the character from Brave! She was a tad wimpy but seemed to find her voice along the way.
Errol was hot and sexy. A tad in love with himself, but what man isn't. It was kinda insta-love or it was in front of my face and I never saw it love. It happened really fast. Errol did take advantage of Aileana in some sense. I am glad I didn't live back then with no choices.
Good read nothing serious or soul wrenching and that is ok!
Received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley for a honest review.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Unholy Code
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley exchange
for an honest review
Unholy
Code
Thomas
Whaite
Summary:
The
“Summer of Blood” explodes. The U.S. is under siege from foreign jihadists and
domestic terrorists. When a brilliant exploit strikes at the heart of the
National Security Agency’s own network, former NSA operative Lana Elkins
discovers that it came from within the United States itself. More surprising
still is the attacker: “Steel Fist,” a cyber-savvy radical white supremacist
whose legions feed on his anti-Islamic exhortations. His popularity only grows
when a jihadist team carries out a bold, but baffling, attack on the Louisiana
coast, bringing ashore a lethal invader no one can see.
Most mysterious of all are Golden Voice, a hacker of unparalleled skill with a murderous agenda and a secret past, and Tahir Hijazi, a Muslim refugee from Sudan with his own shadowy history. When Tahir’s young nephew starts dating Lana’s daughter Emma, Steel Fist calls upon his fans to embark on a new mission: assassinate the entire Elkins family.
As extremists battle each other—with Lana fighting both ends from the middle—the conflict becomes deeply personal, the stakes tragically high.
Most mysterious of all are Golden Voice, a hacker of unparalleled skill with a murderous agenda and a secret past, and Tahir Hijazi, a Muslim refugee from Sudan with his own shadowy history. When Tahir’s young nephew starts dating Lana’s daughter Emma, Steel Fist calls upon his fans to embark on a new mission: assassinate the entire Elkins family.
As extremists battle each other—with Lana fighting both ends from the middle—the conflict becomes deeply personal, the stakes tragically high.
Review:
I
really wish I could give this book a higher rating than I am. The plot and characters are complex and feel
real. The only problem with this book is that throughout it. there are many sentences
that seem to be missing words, so it makes it hard to read. To me, there is
nothing worse than grammatical errors.
It shows that the editing job is incomplete.
If
I was going off just the over all plot this book would be a four point five
star book. I love how the over all story
flows. The dialogue feels and sounds so real as you read the story.
Conclusion:
Would
I recommend this book to others? Yes, but I’ll tell them there are grammatical errors,
and if you’re the type of person who can over look them, then this is a great
read.
Would
I read other books written by this Author?
Yes, I’d love to check out other books believing the editing process
will be complete.
Is
this book a Novel or Novella? Novel and a very nice length.
Is
this book priced correctly? The paperback copy is a little pricey for me
because I’m a budget book buyer, but the eBook is priced correctly.
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