REVIEW ~When We Met by Susan Mallery~

Title: When We Met

Author: Susan Mallery

Series: Fool's Gold #13

Release Date: April 29, 2014

My Rating: 4 Stars

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery invites you back to Fool's Gold, where a newcomer to town might finally meet the man she never knew she needed…

Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can't be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool's Gold, California, he's cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he's not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe.

Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing—she can go toe to toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction…and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses.

Even in four-inch heels, Taryn never backs down. Unless, somehow, Angel can convince her that surrender might feel even better than victory.

It never ceases to amaze me that we are now 13 deep into the Fool's Gold series and I'm still devouring every book. Over the last half of this series Ms. Mallery has been expanding this quaint small town, while keeping intact its charm and endearing qualities. Let me just say, I have thoroughly enjoyed the fresh meat that has come along with the growth of this town. Football players, yes please! Back on track, When We Met follows in line with the free spirited nature of the previous books. The hero and heroine, Angel and Taryn, have very unique communications skills. I found them both to be quippy, and easily incite laughter throughout the pages. The two of them had a very comfortable relationship, that you can tell stems from basic friendliness. Even if they weren't romantically involved I could still see them hanging out and confiding in one another. Their relationship was one of those that came out of left field and left them both a little stunned.

This book jumps right into the deep end with Taryn and Angel. When we see them for the first time Angel is warning her, that under no uncertain terms their chemistry and relationship is going to come to a crossroads soon. They both intrigue each other, almost to a fault. They also drive each other crazy. I feel that their personalities may be different, which is why they get along so well. However, they both have suffered in the past. That connects them on an even deeper level. For their own reasons they try to keep people at arms length, and it takes a little twist of fate and the smothering love of this small town to knock down their walls. I will say one thing, this book made it clear that their is a difference between scarred and broken. These two may have scars that run deep but, they are clearly not broken and refuse to be. They try to make the best of the life they are living but, I think it took their connection to really make it all click. 

When an author can pull together hilarity, a little bit of steam and tragedy and make it into a captivating story, you know you've got a winner. I've just fallen completely in love with this town and Ms. Mallery's ability to have my heart aching for a character one minute then laughing out loud the next. She is surely one of my go-to authors for a light-hearted, entertaining read. When We Met was a blissful break from my angsty, emotional books.  I can't wait to see who gets a hold of those aforementioned football players in the upcoming books!

Happy Reading!

*ARC provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Links to Buy:

Connect with Susan:

COVER REVEAL ~Until Nico by Aurora Rose Reynolds~

Title: Until Nico

Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds

Series: Until #4

Release Date: June 3, 2014

Sophie Grates has never had it easy, but she’s finding her way through life one step and one day at a time. That is, Until Nico comes in and flips her world upside-down. He forces her to see you cannot live life from the outside looking in, and sometimes you have to step out onto the ledge so you can really enjoy the view. Nico Mayson knew the moment he saw Sophie Grates that she was the one. His whole life, he has been judged by what’s on the outside, so finding a beautiful woman who sees the real him only makes his feelings that much stronger. Nico knows the kind of man he is, and the things he is capable of, and he will do everything in his power to help Sophie fight her demons so they can have their happily ever after. Everything in life worth having is worth fighting for.

PREVIOUS BOOKS

Title: Until November

Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds

Series: Until #1

Release Date: September 19, 2013

November is looking forward to getting to know her father and the safety of a small town. After leaving the Big Apple and her bad memories for Tennessee, November starts working for her dad at his strip club doing the books. The one time she’s allowed there during club hours she runs into Asher Mayson. He’s perfect until he opens his mouth and makes assumptions. November wants nothing to do with Asher but too bad for November, fate has other plans.

Asher Mayson has never had a problem getting a woman, that is until November. Now all he can think about is making November his and keeping her safe.

Warning 18+ sexual content and a strong Alpha Male.

Links to Buy:

Title: Until Trevor

Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds

Series: Until #2

Release Date: October 31, 2013

Trevor Mayson had his life planned out - make the family business successful and play the field for a few more years before eventually settling down. Then he sees her. Liz Hayes was beautiful, shy and everything that he could ever want...but she didn't fit into his plans. After Trevor painfully rejects her, Liz finally starts to move on, but Trevor is finding it difficult to truly let her go. It seems the more he tries to stay away, the more intense his feelings for her become. Like a stretched rubber band, he can only take so much before snapping.

Liz Hayes is done waiting for Trevor and isn't interested in getting her heart broken by him again, but Trevor is making it difficult for her to forget him when he shoves his way back into her life.

Can Trevor prove to her that he is worth falling in love with again, and is he ready to change his life plan to let her into his heart?

Links to Buy:

Title: Until Lilly

Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds

Series: Until #3

Release Date: February 24, 2014

When Cash Mayson was forced to choose between the love of his life and his unborn child, he knew exactly what he had to do. No matter how broken it left him.

When Lilly Donovan was forced to accept that the guy she loved wasn’t who she thought he was and became a single mother, she knew exactly what she had to do. Proving just how strong she was.

What happens when years later you find out that everything you thought you knew was a lie?

Can two people who once loved each other overcome the obstacles that are thrown at them and fall in love all over again?

Cash Mayson had forgotten how it felt to be loved Until Lilly came back into his life. And now that he remembers, he will do everything within his power to keep not only the woman that he loves, but also his children.

The power of love is a beautiful thing.

Links to Buy:

Meet Aurora Rose:

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who's husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She's married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it's beauty.

Connect with:

ARC REVIEW ~Searching for Perfect by Jennifer Probst~

Title: Searching for Perfect

Author: Jennifer Probst

Series: Searching For #2

Release Date: April 29, 2014

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

The up-and-coming matchmaking agency Kinnections is the hottest thing to hit Verily, New York—just like Kennedy Ashe, social director for the service she owns with her two best girlfriends. A coach, consultant, and cheerleader rolled into one super-sizzling package, Kennedy creates dream dates, encourages singles to shine, and never refuses a challenge—not even Nate Ellison Raymond Dunkle, rocket scientist, nerd extraordinaire, and Kennedy’s newest client.

Kennedy vows to work her magic and transform this hot mess in a lab coat with a disastrous relationship track record into the most wanted man on the Verily dating scene. If only she could turn the wand on herself . . .

Though she radiates confidence and sex appeal, Kennedy harbors deep-seated insecurities from a tormented past and lifelong struggle with weight issues. When she realizes she and Nate are cut from the same cloth and might be perfect together, can Kennedy learn to let her heart lead the way? Or will her fears sentence her to the sidelines as Nate finds love—with someone else?

I will be honest, this book started a little slow for me. However, once it got started, it got hot, hilarious, and touching. When Kennedy and Nate finally stopped fighting their instincts, their chemistry sparked off the page. With his social awkwardness, their collective intelligence and her battered heart, they made a perfect couple. Their commonalities helped them build more than just physical relationship. I was thoroughly surprised by Nate's 180 turnaround. He went from geek to filthy mouthed man in the span of a few chapters. Total turn-on. Kennedy was my window into the emotions of the book. She has had a rough go, that makes it hard for her to accept anyone's genuine interest and love in her. Her raw emotions and hurt bled off the pages and I truly felt for her. 

This was a fantastic book. Everything that I have come to expect from a Jennifer Probst novel and more. Ms. Probst can weave a tale of humor, love, and heat like no other. In her Searching world, that is loosely linked to her previous Marriage to a Billionaire series, we are introduced to three spunky, love woed women. Kate, Arilyn and Kennedy run Kinnections, a matchmaking service. Searching for Perfect follows Kennedy's story. She meets Nate Bunkle at a speed dating session. He is just too sad, and too socially awkward for her to not take on as a project. Kennedy delves into helping Nate remake himself and bring out the man beneath the geek. Soon enough the lines blur and Nate and Kennedy are treading a fine line between friends and lovers. They can't help but succumb to their passion. But when Kennedy runs scared, Nate may finally have to throw in the towel and make the decision to give up on a lost cause.

While the couple may have had a typical ending scenario, I was more thrilled for them to find their HEA than I am most couples. Kennedy and Nate dug into my heart, and I wanted to see it work out so much that I was waiting with bated breath for most of the book. The character development in this book is astounding. The couple both make huge strides in their relationship, as well as their personal lives. In true Jennifer Probst fashion this book will tug on your heart strings and get you hot and bothered. For me, this is a must-read! I cannot wait for Arilyn's story and I HAVE to know what's going on with Gen! I'm so excited for this series to continue :)

Happy Reading!

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

Links to Buy:

Connect with:

REVIEW ~Quintessentially Q by Pepper Winters~

Title: Quintessentially Q

Author: Pepper Winters

Series: Monsters in the Dark #2

Release Date: December 13, 2013

My Rating: 5+ Stars

“All my life, I battled with the knowledge I was twisted… fucked up to want something so deliciously dark—wrong on so many levels. But then slave fifty-eight entered my world. Hissing, fighting, with a core of iron, she showed me an existence where two wrongs make a right."

Tess is Q’s completely. Q is Tess’s irrevocably. But now, they must learn the boundaries of their unconventional relationship, while Tess seeks vengeance on the men who sold her. Q made a blood-oath to deliver their corpses at Tess’s feet, and that’s just what he’ll do.

He may be a monster, but he’s Tess’s monster.

I literally felt like I was breaking right along side Tess and Q in this book. While I know by now not to expect warm and fuzzies from Ms. Winters, I do look forward to a less agonizing finale for this pair in Twisted Together. However, just to make myself clear, I'm not referring to the nature of their relationship. Quintessentially Q upheld the dark, gritty, erotic, and traumatizing road that Tears of Tess set into place. A summary of my feelings while reading are as follows: Happy, Sad face, Fist pump, Every explicative I can think of, Explicatives continue, And continue, Double fist pump, Major depression, Contented sigh. Obviously, it was a very bumpy and emotional ride. If you thought Q and Tess were broken in the first book, this book will tear you to shreds, as it did to me. 

You may be wondering why, if it tore me to shreds, I am rating it so high. A lesson well taught by Pepper Winters is: not everything is rainbows and sunshine. There are love stories where the couple find their own happiness in the twisted and screwed up reality that they live in. Tess and Q are a perfect example of this. Whether I understand their mutual need for pain, or not, they make each other happy. To see an absolute worst case scenario be made into a beautiful love, time and again is something that I thrive on. Is it a heartbreaking and hard read? Hands down, yes. Tess is put through the hardest test of her life and it breaks her. I mean, completely obliterates her. It takes the the greatest sacrifice in the world from Q to bring her back. That is true love. Ms. Winters may have broken my heart... again but, the beauty of the story she melds with its broken pieces is worth every bit of heart crushing I experienced. 

I think I'll always feel this way about Ms. Winters' books. I procrastinate so long to read them because I have to be in the right head space to finish them and show due diligence towards them. I finally reached my breaking point where I just had to read Quintessentially Q, and I inhaled the book. Tess and Q leave marks on my heart as they do on one another. I read so many books that they sometimes begin to blend together. Quintessentially Q and Tears of Tess are ones that stand out among a crowd. This book is unapologetic in its crudeness, violence, and unequivocal love. If you want to read something that will blow your mind, this is that book. I do have to strongly warn readers though- this a DARK erotic romance. It's a little scary and intimidating at first, but its well worth a read.... or 10 :)

Happy Reading!

Links to Buy:

Connect with Pepper: