BLOG TOUR REVIEW + GIVEAWAY ~Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh~

Title: Rock Addiction

Author: Nalini Singh

Series: Rock Kiss #1

Release Date: September 9, 2014

My Rating: 3.75 Stars

A bad boy wrapped in a sexy, muscled, grown-up package might be worth a little risk…

Molly Webster has always followed the rules. After an ugly scandal tore apart her childhood and made her the focus of the media’s harsh spotlight, she vowed to live an ordinary life. No fame. No impropriety. No pain. Then she meets Zachary Fox, a tattooed bad boy rocker with a voice like whiskey and sin, and a touch that could become an addiction. 

A one-night stand with the hottest rock star on the planet, that’s all it was meant to be…

Fox promises scorching heat and dangerous pleasure, coaxing Molly to extend their one-night stand into a one-month fling. After that, he’ll be gone forever, his life never again intersecting with her own. Sex and sin and sensual indulgence, all with an expiration date. No ties, no regrets. Too late, Molly realizes it isn’t only her body that’s become addicted to Fox, but her heart…

Rock Addiction calls for another of my good, bad and overall reviews -
The Good 
This is my first Nalini Singh books, and after my experience with Rock Addiction and how she drew me into ALL of the characters, she will definitely hold a place on my TBR list. This book has some serious WOW factor when it comes to the romance and sex. Fox is absolutely to die for. He's a hard rocker, with a dirty mouth, a temper and a sweet disposition (most of the time). I truly loved his character. Molly, while she wasn't perfect or badass, she was real. She and Fox both have very troubling and scarring pasts. Fox doesn't let it define him. He's learned to live for himself. Molly, on the other hand, does the exact opposite. She lets her past into every aspect of her future and present. It screws with her relationships and how she sees the world. But, she's also not adverse to learning from Fox. That's the beauty of their relationship. He teaches her how to move on, and not harp on the bad you've experienced in your life. Their relationship and lives really struck a chord with me. It wasn't sunshine and roses, or even utter heartache and angst. It was two people that had a shi**y hand in their past and learned from it and each other. I can get behind that. Why? Because what I saw in Molly was a lot of character growth. That's what makes this book so good. The growth in Molly and Fox as the formed a life together what fascinating to watch.

The Bad
I mentioned the sex above, well there might have been a little too much of it. I get that it's a connection for the characters, and normally I'm complaining that there wasn't enough sexy times, but I think Rock Addiction just went a little overboard. It wasn't unbearable by any means, but I did find myself beginning to flip pages during the down and dirty. The only other downside I have to this book is the reiteration of what Molly went through. This was mostly just a problem for me during the first, maybe 15% of the book, the rest was much better and the story line flowed incredibly well, in my opinion.

Overall
Would I recommend Rock Addiction? Absolutely. Despite the few negatives I mentioned there are so many positives. This world Ms Singh has built is truly captivating. I loved, loved all of the characters and I can't wait to get their stories too. Fox and Molly were both a good intro for the series and I can definitely see them being the "Mom and Dad" of the group now. In the end, the good FAR outweighs the bad and places this book as a good read. And the writing, while my dislikes cover the content, the writing of this book is superb. Very engaging. I will definitely be keeping my eye open for more from Nalini Singh!

Happy Reading!
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for and honest review*

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Title: Rock Courtship

Author: Nalini Singh

Series: Rock Kiss #2

Release Date: September 30, 2014

Happy 

What happens when the Gentleman of Rock decides to play dirty?

A drummer for the hottest rock band on the planet, David has a single, powerful weakness: Thea, the band’s publicist and the woman who steals his breath away with her every move. 

Only problem is, Thea doesn’t date clients—or musicians. Emotionally scarred by a cheating ex, she’s not about to risk her heart with a man who has groupies buzzing around him like flies. Even if his sexy smile ties her up in knots. 

What she doesn’t know is that David is a one-woman man...and he’s madly in love with her. David’s determined to prove he’s worth the risk, and willing to court her, step by exquisite step. Thea’s about to discover just how long and hard this handsome drummer can play.

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Meet Nalini:

NEW YORK TIMES AND USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series Nalini Singh usually writes about hot shapeshifters and dangerous angels. This time around, she decided to write about a hot and wickedly tempting rock star. If you’re seeing a theme here, you’re not wrong.

Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing. If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. Once Rock Addiction is out, swing by the site to check out the special behind-the-scenes page, complete with photos of many of the locations used in the book.

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW + GIVEAWAY ~Taking Control by Jen Frederick~

Title: Taking Control

Author: Jen Frederick

Series: Kerr Chronicles #2
Release Date: September 2, 2014

Rating: 5 AMAZING Stars!

I thought I needed only one thing in my life--the money and power to crush one man. But the moment I laid eyes on Victoria Corielli, my thirst for revenge was replaced by my craving for her.

No rule would keep me away; no obstacle too large to overcome. Not her will, not our differing social positions, not my infamous past. When she lost everything, I helped her pick up the pieces. When she trusted me with everything, she sealed her fate.

I've convinced Victoria she can put her heart in my hands. Now I have to protect it--from her shady stepfather and my business rivals, from enemies known and hidden. I'll do anything to keep her. And I might have to prove it, because now Victoria''s risking more than her heart to be with me; she's risking her life.

I LOVE this series. It's the perfect blend of erotica and a thrilling story. When we left Ian and Tiny in Losing Control, there were still questions to be answered. When we pick up in Taking Control, we see that Tiny is having trouble adjusting to life with its recent changes, including living with Ian. Although she may love him to the ends of the earth, she can't get used to his dedication, overwhelming love, and most of all the financial support. Suffice it to say between these two there is a lot of tug-o-war. Yet, at their very core as a couple they are completely in sync, and definitely beloved form a reader's standpoint. I have to say Ian could very well be one of my favorite heroes of all time. He can be sweet, intense, dirty-mouthed, devoted, cunning, and the list goes on and one. This man can melt you, inside and out, in a heartbeat.

What makes this book so worthwhile, in addition to the amazing chemistry between Ian and Tiny, is the story. It develops in so many different avenues without becoming too much. It never occurred to me that it was too busy, and the characters were being pulled in too many different directions. It flowed effortlessly, and with a terrific style that kept me amazed and engaged throughout the book. Ian and Tiny, definitely have their work cut out for them. There are too many evils coming at them at once. It seemed almost inevitable that something terrible was going to happen. But I never knew where it was going to come from. You add in the secondary characters and you also have the makings of some very witty moments that will steal a laugh or several from you.

If it were possible to make a reader sit down and give a book a chance it would probably be this one. It's all encompassing of what I look for in my books. The heat level is off the charts, the depth of the characters, especially Ian, is refreshing, and the book as a whole left my with warm fuzzies. I do highly recommend, the Kerr Chronicles as a duo series. They raise the bar for contemporary erotica/new adult books. I saw a few stepping stones being formed while reading Taking Control and I sincerely hope Jen Frederick decides to pull us into this world with a few of the secondary characters. I'm dying to know if Jake, Steve, and Kaga find their happily ever afters, and with who!!

Happy Reading!
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Losing Control

Author: Jen Frederick

Series: Kerr Chronicles #1
Release Date: June 16th, 2014

Rating: 5 STARS!

I’d do anything to keep my mother alive.

Anything, including ask Ian Kerr for help. I don’t know much about him, except that he has more money than some small countries. And he’s willing to spend it on me. Just one catch: there’s a string attached, and not just the one I feel pulling me into his arms and his bed. There’s also the plan for revenge he wants my help with.

Every time he says my name, it makes my body shiver and my heart stutter. I know he’s going to wreck me, know there won’t be anything left of me but lust and sensation by the time he’s done with me, but even though I can see the heartbreak coming towards me like a train, ready to crash into me, I can’t get out of the way. I want what he makes me feel. Want what he’s offering.

This may have started out as something to save my mother, but now…now it’s about what he makes me feel. I’m in danger of losing everything that’s important. Worse? Ian's whispered words and hot caresses are making me believe that's okay.

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Meet Jen:
Bestselling author Jen Frederick lives with her husband, child, and one rambunctious dog. She's been reading stories all her life but never imagined writing one of her own. Jen loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at jensfrederick@gmail.com.

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BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY ~Dare to Submit~

Title: Dare to Submit
Author: Carly Phillips
Series: Dare to Love #4
Release Date: September 8, 2014

My Rating: 5 Stars

Decklan Dare knows about the unexpected loss of loved ones and for this reason, he values control in all areas of his life. Amanda Collins enjoys the freedom she finds in casual encounters without the emotional connection a relationship brings. They meet and their physical attraction is mutual but both experience feelings that could run deeper – if they drop their guard and let each other in. Decklan is first to trust, but when he discovers the secret Amanda’s been hiding, will he forgive? Or will he rebuild every wall before she has a chance to explain? 

Dare to Submit launches the Dare to Love series into a whole new ball game. I've been utterly in love with this series from its start. It shows every bit of the things I love about Carly Phillips' books and heightens them. I am confident now in saying that this series is my favorite of hers, and I've read them all. 

Back to this book in particular- Dare to Submit was definitely a step outside the box from the rest of the books. It's sexier, and delved a bit deeper into the emotions, in my opinion. Decklan and Amanda are perfect for each other, except they just happened to be two individuals who were never looking for, or wanting a relationship. Decklan, hasn't had a long-term relationship, and is scared to for fear of losing someone close to him again. While, Amanda has let the hate and evil of her mother seep into her mind and scare her away from anyone who would be remotely interested in her. Obviously, these two have a lot healing, and trusting to do. And how best to do that, than to submit? 

While there is elements of BDSM in this book, the submission is much more than bodily. Amanda and Decklan have to submit their hearts and minds to each other as well. I loved their relationship. It was utterly seductive, and entrancing. Amanda submits to Decklan in a way they both crave, but outside of the bedroom, and sometimes inside as well, she holds her own. They can go from lighthearted to making a reader furiously blush in no time at all. This book is by far the sexiest one in the series. I am all for that route continuing to be followed. Of course, it's not all about the sex. The story and characters make this book. If they both weren't equally strong the sex wouldn't save it. But they are. These characters show more depth in these pages, than some people in real life. As for the story, well there's a whole lot more at play than just Amanda and Decklan's relationship. I have to say the class with which some of this subject matter was handled is phenomenal. Its brings to light a couple of very serious issues. I'll leave it to you to read about them, but I was blown away that an author could bring such relevant and important matters into play and up the ante across the board with this book. All in all, I highly recommend Dare to Submit. It's sure to be a favorite of mine for the year and I will be laying in wait for the next in the series. 

Happy Reading!

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

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DARE TO LOVE SERIES

Title: Dare to Love
Author: Carly Phillips
Series: Dare to Love #1

When it comes to family, Ian Dare gives his all but in relationships he offers the bare minimum. Until one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor arouses his dominant and protective instincts. He will do anything to possess her … and does. But any future with Riley must include him dealing his half-brother who is a constant reminder of the pain he’d rather forget. 

Riley Taylor believes herself immune to domineering men – until charismatic Ian Dare turns a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses and she discovers she likes his brand of control in the bedroom. As their affair heats up, they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither imagined. But Riley’s past is closer than she cares to remember, and her struggles with Ian’s dominance might just cost her everything. (love story, contemporary romance, alpha heroes, beach reads, sports heroes, bad boys, billionaire)

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Title: Dare to Desire

Author: Carly Phillips

Series: Dare to Love #2

Quarterback Alex Dare, had it all -- an all-star football career and his choice of willing women -- until a severe injury forces him into early retirement. Social worker Madison Evans grew up in foster homes and knows what it means to have-not. She isn't impressed by Alex Dare’s wealth or charm. Not since she fell hard for him once before, only to discover she was just one of his too-easy conquests. 

This time around Madison refuses to succumb to Alex so easily. But Alex wants Madison. And if there is one thing Alex does well, it’s to get what he wants. Can he convince Madison to take a risk and dare to love? 

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Title: Dare to Surrender

Author: Carly Phillips

Series: Dare to Love #3

Part of Invitation to Eden

After ending a relationship to a cheating, domineering man, Isabelle Masters takes off in her leased Mercedes, only to be arrested for grand theft and hauled to a local police station. To her surprise, she is rescued by the most unlikely person possible, Gabriel Dare, a man she’s been attracted to for far too long. Gabe offers Isabelle freedom along with an invitation to Eden, an exclusive island resort where everything and anything is possible.

Although Gabe yearns to possess Isabelle, he knows all too well he must fight his primitive need to bind her to him, and instead help bring out the independent woman she yearns to become – or risk losing her for good.

A woman who needs to run her own life. A man who needs to exert control. Can she surrender to his erotic demands without losing her sense of self once more?

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Meet Carly:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today's readers identify with and enjoy. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly is making the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Her Serendipity books will still finish up in January/February 2014 via Berkley as planned. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She's a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she's a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.

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