Built (Saints of Denver #1) by Jay Crownover

Sometimes you have to tear everything down to build something new…

Sayer Cole is frozen inside. At least, that’s what it’s felt like for as long as she can remember. She’s yet to let anyone past her icy exterior – and the one guy she thinks might melt her heart couldn’t possibly be interested in someone so uptight.

Rough, hard and hot-as-hell, Zeb Fuller has rebuilt his life and his construction business since protecting his family sent him to jail all those years ago. His elegant client, Sayer, makes him feel like a Neanderthal in denim, but despite the many hints that he’s been dropping to get to know her better, she seems oblivious to his charms.

Just as things finally start to heat up, Zeb’s past comes back to haunt him and he needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. As these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, fire and ice collide in an unstoppable explosion of steam…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am a huge fan of Jay’s Marked Men series and was sad to see it come to an end, but the great thing about Jay’s new series, Saints of Denver, is that it is connected to the previous series. So while we get a new batch of characters to love, we still get to check in with our old favorites too. Now I don’t usually go for the bearded type, but Zebulon Fuller might have just changed my mind. Holy hottness!! This book has everything that makes Jay’s books great - real and raw characters, drama and conflict, a few twists, and plenty of passion. I loved it from start to finish, and it was an excellent start to what I know will become another one of my favorite series.

Leveled (Saints of Denver #0.5) by Jay Crownover

We all need a hero...let the Saints of Denver begin

Orlando Frederick knows what it is to be leveled by pain. Instead of focusing on his own, he’s made it his mission to help others: sports stars, wounded war vets, survivors of all kinds. But when Dom, a rugged, damaged, sinfully attractive cop, makes his way into Lando’s physical therapy practice, he might be the biggest challenge yet. Lando loved one stubborn man before and barely survived the fallout. He’s not sure he can do it again.

Dominic Voss is a protector. The police badge he wears is not only his job, it’s his identity, so when he’s sidelined because of an injury, the only thing he cares about is getting back on the force. He expects Lando to mend his body, he just doesn’t realize the trainer will also have him working toward a hell of a lot more. As attraction simmers and flares, Dom sees that Lando needs repair of his own...if only the man will let him close enough to mend what's broken.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This little novella serves as the bridge between the Marked Men series and Jay’s new series, Saints of Denver, and what a wonderful little bridge it is. Orlando and Dominic’s story is smoking hot, more so than anything Jay has written so far, and if you have read her other books, that’s saying something. But this novella is more than just steamy, it also has a lot of heart. Has Lando works to mend Dom’s body, he works to mend Lando’s broken heart. Love, love, loved this one!

The Best Goodbye (Rosemary Beach #13) by Abbi Glines

The look on Rose’s face had screamed that she was hiding something. Hell, she’d practically run away from me. There was something to that. I knew there was...

After ten years in the employ of a mysterious crime boss, River “Captain” Kipling is ready to leave his sordid past—and his cover occupation as an upscale restaurateur—behind him. The only thing standing in the way of his “retirement” is his commitment to launch a new restaurant in the resort town of Rosemary Beach. With his sister, Blaire, nearby, Captain can delay his dream of running a humble bar on the waterfront, but the unwanted attentions of his head server, Elle, have him itching to get out.

Until he notices Rose Henderson, the new server at the restaurant. All he knows about the pretty redhead with the cute glasses is that she’s a hardworking single mom from Oklahoma. But there’s something overly familiar about her laugh...something strange about the way she looks at Captain...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another great installment in the Rosemary Beach series. Ever since Abbi first introduced us to Captain, I have found him an intriguing character. There was an aura of mystery surrounding him that made it clear that there was a story to be uncovered. I was even more intrigued after Abbi’s little bombshell revelation about Captain that was dropped on us in Mase’s last book. Captain and Addy’s story is just what you would expect from a Rosemary Beach novel - plenty of drama, passion, and a happy ending. The only reason this one earned 4 stars instead of my usual 5 stars is because I felt the ending was a bit rushed. Other than that, I loved it.

Sustained (The Legal Briefs #2) by Emma Chase

A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight.

When you’re a defense attorney in Washington, DC, you see firsthand how hard life can be, and that sometimes the only way to survive is to be harder. I, Jake Becker, have a reputation for being cold, callous, and intimidating—and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand.

Complications don’t work for me—I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will turn you on. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming—and I don’t pretend to be.

Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I'm going to Mommy & Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room, and arguing cases in the principal's office.

Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent, and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be tough, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, defend her…and the kids.

And that — that, I know how to do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This installment of The Legal Briefs Series was even better than the first. Jake and Chelsea's romance is unconventional and full of heat, humor, and heart (and apparently alliteration). Jake Becker is the knight that the McQuaid family needs, even if he almost loses it all because of his own stupidity. I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't put it down. There's a nice little twist at the end, which ensures a shake up for all the characters in The Legal Briefs universe. This is shaping up to be an excellent series from Emma Chase, on par with her Tangled Series. Totally worth the read.

The Paper Swan By Leylah Attar

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. They lie. For 21 days she held on. But on Day 22, she would have given anything for the sweet slumber of death. Because on Day 22, she realizes that her only way out means certain death for one of the two men she loves.

A haunting tale of passion, loss, and redemption, The Paper Swan is a darkly intense yet heartwarming love story, textured with grit, intrigue, and suspense.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a truly amazing novel. It was loaned to me by my very best book friend with the order of stop everything and read this now. I read the synopsis off GoodReads before diving in, but it did not at all prepare me for the story that I got. I don't want to give anything away, but I was so engrossed in this book that I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to finish it. There was just no good stopping point. 

I was able to figure out a few mysteries along the way, but there were certainly twists that I did not see coming. I also wasn't sure how Leylah was going to resolve this love story. The couple in this novel had every possible odd stacked against them, but their story speaks to the power of true love.

This little stand alone is a complete gem and so worthy of a read.

Better When He's Brave (Welcome to The Point #3) by Jay Crownover

Titus King has always seen his world in black and white. There is a firm right and wrong in his mind, which is why as a teenager he left behind the only family he’d ever known to make a better life for himself. Now a police detective in one of the worst cities in the country, he can’t deny his life has turned into a million different shades of gray.

The new criminal element in The Point has brought vengeance and destruction right to Titus’s front door, and walking the straight and narrow seems far less important now. The difference between right and wrong is nothing compared to keeping those he loves alive. To add to his already strained moral compass, the beautiful and mysterious Reeve Black has made her way back to town. This girl might be as dangerous to Titus as the guy trying to destroy the Point but he can’t walk away because he needs her—in more ways than one.

Reeve knows all about the threat trying to destroy The Point. She knows how ruthless, how vicious, and how cruel this new danger can be… and instead of running away, she wants to help. Reeve knows that she has a lot to repent for and saving the city, plus the hot cop that she hasn’t been able to forget might just be the only way she can finally find some inner peace.

With an entire city poised on the brink of war, Titus and Reeve stand in the crossfire—and it will take two brave souls to fight for the ultimate love.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hot damn, this series gets better and better! Just when I think Jay can't top herself, she delivers a character like Titus King (best name ever!). "Hot Cop" doesn't even begin to encompass all that he is. I was curious how Titus was going to fit in with the resident bad boys of The Point, and worried that his "righteous, do-gooder" persona would come off boring compared to Bax and Race. Boy, was I surprised (and wrong)! 

Our "Hot Cop" turned out to be an incredibly complex character. I love Bax and Race, but Titus is just something else. He is a tightly coiled spring that is somehow just...more -  more intense, more tortured, sexier, just more...everything. He is the ideal hero - forever willing to stand on the front lines and protect the innocent. He's Atlas, carrying the weight of entire city on his shoulders. Strong and brave. Yet he doesn't belong on a pedestal. He's not perfect and battles everyday against his inner demons - his background, his past choices, where he grew up. He makes the hard choice everyday to walk on the right side of the law, to not take the easy way out, in a place that doesn't often reward that. 

Reeve was the perfect counterbalance to Titus, and I liked her "git 'er done" attitude. I liked the push and pull between her and Titus, and how she never seemed to back down. She's a strong female character up against an intense, overwhelming male character, but she holds her own. Their love story is ripe with tension, and when it explodes, it will leave you in need of a (or several) cold shower. I loved this book, from cover to cover and every page in between!

Up next in the series is Nassir and Keelyn's story, due out in Spring 2016. Can't wait to return to The Point!

Something Beautiful (Beautiful #3) by Jamie McGuire

America Mason, a sassy undergrad at Eastern State University, is in love with a Maddox--Shepley Maddox. Unlike his cousins, Shepley is more lover than fighter, but a road trip to her parents' home in Wichita, Kansas could mean the next step, or the end of everything.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't be fooled by this novella's small size. It packs a huge and dramatic punch! I love America and Shepley and just like many other fans of the Beautiful series, I wanted more of this adorable couple. We get glimpses of this couple throughout the Beautiful and Maddox Brothers series, but I enjoyed getting to spend some one-on-one time with them. Jamie doesn't disappoint either. This novella starts out slow, but then switches into high gear and doesn't let up until the very satisfying end. Love, love, loved this novella! 

Cover Reveal ~ Built (Saints of Denver #1) by Jay Crownover

Introducing the cover of the first book in Jay's new series, The Saints of Denver. World, say hello to Zeb Fuller! Isn't he wonderful? I love all the Marked Men and Point Men, but I think Zeb gives even Rome a run for Jay's best cover. I am super excited for Built, and to see what Jay has in store for us next! If you don't know Jay or her books, get thee to a bookstore STAT!!

Look for Built coming January 5, 2016. Keep reading for a synopsis and a sneak peek at the first few pages!

Synopsis

Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn’t be more different. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk, he’s all denim and flannel.

Zeb’s wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn't matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest—either that or she doesn't return it. Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior.

But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can’t risk what’s at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored.

PREORDER LINKS:

Amazon US ** iBooks ** Barnes & Noble ** Kobo

Sneak Peek

Prologue

I met her at a bar.

She had a beer bottle in her hand even though she looked like she should be sipping champagne out of an expensive flute, and that inexplicably turned me on. She was pretty and looked completely out of place in the no-name bar sitting across from one of my longtime friends who also happened to be her long-lost brother. He was the reason she was here. In that split second that I laid my eyes on her I wanted to be the reason she stayed.

I knew it was rude and that the two of them needed some time together, some time to figure out what they were to each other now that she had blasted into his life unannounced. If I was a better friend I would have left them alone. As it was, I made my way over to the tiny table and sat down. I was covered in sawdust and had drywall mud caked in the hair on my head and on my face, but she didn’t flinch or bat an eyelash when I purposely broke up their party of two and placed myself as close to her as I could without actually touching her.

My buddy Rowdy St. James lifted his eyebrows at me as I stared at her while he introduced us. Sayer Cole. Even her name was elegant and sophisticated sounding. She was an enigma, this pretty woman that seemed like she should be in any place but this bar with the two of us. She’d showed up out of the blue a couple of months ago claiming to be Rowdy’s half sister, claiming that they shared a father, claiming that all she wanted was to be in his life and have some kind of family of her own. She looked too delicate to be that brave. Came across as way too proper to have said “fuck it all” and picked up her life to move it someplace unknown without being sure of her welcome. She looked like silk, but if my guess was right about her, it was silk wrapped around steel.

Luckily Rowdy was a good guy. After the shock of discovering he wasn’t alone in the world, and once he realized he had someone tied to him by blood forever and ever, he had warmed up to the idea of having a sister and appreciated that the sister was Sayer.

I liked Rowdy a lot. He was a stand-up guy and a good friend, but I had a feeling I was going to like his newly found big sister even more. In my usual tactless way I asked him without looking directly at the knockout blonde, “So you have a sister? A hot, classy sister?” A sister that was also a lawyer, so beautiful and smart.

I expected a giggle from her or an eye roll at the outlandish compliment, but what I got was a wide-eyed stare of disbelief as eyes bluer than anything I had ever seen on earth danced between me and her brother like she wasn’t sure what to do with herself or with my overt interest in her.

I thought that I had gone too far, pushed the beautiful stranger too far out of her comfort zone. I was a big guy and knew I looked far wilder and rougher than I actually was. I figured it might be too much for a woman already obviously out of her element and depth to take.

Instead, Sayer surprised me and I could see by the way he stiffened that she surprised Rowdy, too. While she wasn’t exactly overflowing with welcome and warmth, she did ask me about the current project I was working on after Rowdy explained I was a general contractor and had rebuilt the new tattoo shop he worked in. She seemed genuinely interested, and when I told her that my specialty was rehabbing old houses and giving them new life, her eyes practically glowed at me. I wanted to touch her to see if she felt as smooth and polished as she looked. I wanted to leave streaks of dirt on her perfect face to mark the fact that I had touched her, that she had let me touch her. It was a primal and visceral reaction that I couldn’t explain and I liked the way it felt. Liked the weight and heft of it in my blood even if I knew the feeling wasn’t likely to be returned.

She told me all about a fantastic but crumbling Victorian she had purchased that was falling down around her. She asked me for a business card and I saw Rowdy stiffen across the table. I sighed and rubbed a hand over my already messy hair. I watched her eyes follow the light cloud of dust that escaped the strands. I was great at my job, loved what I did, but I couldn’t do anything with her or for her without laying everything on the line. Especially not with Rowdy giving me the death glare from just a few feet away.

I dug the card out of my wallet, and when I handed it over our fingers touched. I saw her eyes widen and her lips part, just barely. She looked a little dazed when I grinned at her.

“You take that card, but understand that the man giving it to you has a past.”

She blinked at me and cleared her throat. “What kind of past?”

It wasn’t something I liked to tell a beautiful woman when I first met her. It was something I liked to work up to, liked to prove it was behind me, but with this one it seemed like I wouldn’t get that chance.

“I tell everyone that I do any kind of work for or that considers hiring me on for a project that I have a criminal history. I spent time locked up for a few years, and while I’m not proud of it I can’t deny it happened. I was a hotheaded kid and it got me in trouble, but I’m the best at what I do, so I hope that doesn’t discourage you from giving me a call.” Hopefully for more than some construction.

Usually I got a concerned frown followed by a hundred questions about what had led me to serving time. I got none of that from the stunning blonde. She tilted her head to the side and considered me silently for a long moment before reaching down and slipping my card in her purse. If anything, I could have sworn she was wearing a look of sympathy when she told me softly, “I see it every day from the inside. Sometimes the system simply gets it wrong.” A slight grin turned her mouth up at the corners, and I wanted to lean over and kiss it. “People make mistakes. Hopefully they learn from them.”

I don’t know that “wrong” was accurate in my case so much as misguided, but the complete lack of judgment or censure coming from her made me want to pull her into my arms and hold on to her even more. I had made a mistake, a huge one, one that I was forever going to have to carry around with me, but I had learned from it, was still learning from it. That kind of understanding from a total stranger was so rare, especially coming from someone in the legal field. I wasn’t accustomed to someone looking at me and seeing me, just me, not an ex-con loser after I explained where I had been. It was wildly refreshing and attractive. I couldn’t quite get a handle on what made the woman tick, but I would welcome any opportunity she gave me to figure it out. I found her outwardly flawless and pristine demeanor tempting to taint with my dirty hands and ways, and there was something about the way she watched me, the way she turned toward me like she was drawn to me, that made me think maybe I wasn’t alone in the inexplicable pull department.

Rowdy left and she stayed.

We had a couple more beers and talked some more about her house and what she wanted done with it. She already hired one contractor but felt like the guy was ripping her off. It happened a lot in the industry, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the guy was taking her for a ride. Spending time with her was easy. She was fun to talk to and really fun to look at. I really wanted to get my hands on her house and of course on her, and I felt like she was maybe, kind of, slightly leaning in the same direction when I made the mistake of asking her about her past.

I asked about where she had been before she found out about Rowdy and decided to move to Denver so that she could get to know him. I was curious what kind of life she had where she could leave everything behind and not be missed. Really I wanted to know if she had a boyfriend or husband stashed somewhere, but the simple inquiry must have touched a nerve. The next thing I knew she had paid out the tab for both of us and disappeared into the night. She went from glowing and bright to frigid and untouchable in the span of a heartbeat.

I figured I blew my shot by being too blunt, as always. I assumed she probably did have someone else in the picture and had been friendly and polite only because I was good friends with her brother. I thought I would never hear from her again and was baffled why the thought of that made my chest ache and my heart feel like it weighed two tons.

Imagine my surprise when she called me and hired me to renovate her house a week later without a bid, without a contract, without even knowing if I was half as good as I claimed to be.

Of course I accepted, but I knew once I was inside I would need to knock down and rearrange more than just the walls of the house, in order to get at something beautiful and lasting.

About the Author:

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men and The Point series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.

Links:

Website ** Blog ** Facebook ** Twitter

BUILT Goodreads ** Jay Crownover Goodreads

Gus (Bright Side #2) by Kim Holden

The journey that began in top-rated, best-selling Bright Side, continues ...

This is the story of Gus.
Losing himself.
Finding himself.
And healing along the way.

“ … but the honest-to-God truth is I don’t even know how to function anymore. Bright Side wasn’t only my best friend; she was like my other half ... the other half of my brain, the other half of my conscience, the other half of my sense of humor, the other half of my creativity, the other half of my heart. How do you go back to doing what you did before, when half of you is gone forever?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Confession: I bought this book back in May when it was released, but I have been unable to bring myself to read it until now. I have been simultaneously dying to read this book and wanting to avoid it. It's an interesting feeling that I have never experienced with a book.

I loved Bright Side. Kate's story was so heartbreakingly beautiful. She was beautiful. Her story left me a sobbing, emotional mess. It was more than a book hangover...it was grief. I grieved for this character. It was days (maybe a week) before I could pick up another book. I've never had a story stay with me like that, and I've read some amazing books. Shortly after finishing Bright Side, I found out that Kim was releasing Gus's story. I wanted to know what happened to Gus after he walked away from Kate's funeral. I wanted to hope that the devastation he was feeling would end, and that happier times awaited him. Yet when the book arrived, instead of diving into the pages, I found myself putting it aside. It sat on my bedside table for months, and every time I looked at it, I found myself thinking, "not yet." I wasn't ready to feel her loss again and again on each page.

I'm glad I waited until I was ready to read this book. I'm not sure I would have the same reaction to it had I read it right away. It's perfect, and I found myself once again wrapped up in the story from the very first page. I relived my feelings of grief right along side Gus, taking an emotional journey that lasted from the first page to the last. I was deeply sad like Gus, I was angry like Gus, I was disappointed in Gus, and eventually, I was hopeful like and for Gus. I loved Scout and I think Kate would have loved her too. I loved taking this journey of healing and hope with her and Gus. Kate was there every step of the way, too. Not physically, but her presence was definitely felt, and it was a good thing.

It was nice to be reminded of and to watch Gus remember Kate's ultimate lesson:

"There is something epic that happens in every day if you look hard enough for it. And every day is a chance to go out there and do epic. The key is putting forth the effort. She did. Every fucking day she did. We all should. Is it harder? Hell yeah. It's much easier to complain...or self-destruct...or do nothing at all. But where's the magic in that?"

Life is hard, and it is easy to get bogged down in the negative. Kate certainly could have. The hand she was dealt certainly didn't make for an easy life. She could have become bitter, cynical, and hateful, but instead she chose to make the most of the life she had been given. She chose to see the "bight side." And Gus (eventually) does the same. He could have continued down his destructive path and lost everything, but he realizes that by doing this, he would miss out on all the good stuff too. The same can be said of Scout and everyone else who knew and loved her. Her example is life altering. We all have different definitions of "epic," but really what it boils down to is those moments in life that make it all - the pain, the strife, the struggle, the disappointment, etc. - worth it.

But "Do Epic" isn't a passive thing. I think Gus sums it up best:

"I’m at the tipping point of a transformation that began months ago, an intentional decision put in motion. And it feels so fucking good. I’ve come to the full realization that my happiness, my life, falls squarely on my shoulders. No one’s gonna do it for it me. I’m the one who makes it or breaks it.  

It’s a choice. 

 A choice that demands action in exchange for reward. Idleness and complacency lead to mediocrity. Sometimes action is really fucking hard fought, but that’s when the payoff’s the highest. 

That’s when great things happen. 

 Not good things … but epic things. 

And I’ve fallen in love with epic.

It’s the only way to live.”

"Do Epic" is a choice that you make every day. It's choosing to seize the opportunities that come your way and choosing to see the bright side in everything life throws at you. It's about being an active participant in life, even when it's hard, because that's what makes life worth it. That and the people you chose to take along on the journey. This is the lesson that I took away from Kate and Gus's stories. It's probably one of the most important lesson I've ever learned. That is why these books and these characters will forever be in my heart. All of these characters - Kate, Gus, Scout, Keller, all of them - are amazing examples of what it means to "Do Epic." It is something that I will strive to live out in my life every day. This is Kate's legacy. Thank you Kim Holden for these books and these characters. I am forever indebted to you and your talent. 

There's only one thing left to say...DO EPIC!!

Overruled (The Legal Briefs #1) by Emma Chase

As a DC defense attorney, Stanton Shaw keeps his head cool, his questions sharp, and his arguments irrefutable. They don’t call him the Jury Charmer for nothing – with his southern drawl, disarming smile and captivating green eyes – he’s a hard man to say no to. Men want to be him and women want to be thoroughly cross examined by him.

Stanton’s a man with a plan. And for a while, life was going according to that plan.

Until the day he receives an invitation to the wedding of his high school sweetheart and mother of his beloved ten-year old daughter. Jenny is getting married — to someone who isn’t him.

That's definitely not part of the plan.

***

Sofia Santos is a city raised, no-nonsense litigator who plans to become the most revered criminal defense attorney in the country. She doesn’t have time for relationships or distractions.

But when Stanton, her "friend with mind-blowing benefits" begs for help, she finds herself out of her element, out of her depth, and obviously out of her mind. Because she agrees to go with him – to The-Middle-Of-Nowhere, Mississippi – to do all she can to help Stanton win back the woman he loves.

Her head tells her she's crazy...and her heart says something else entirely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What a fantastic start to a great new series! I have loved Emma Chase's writing since being introduced to Drew Evans and the Tangled Series, so I was definitely curious about what she would be releasing after that series came to a close. It was nice to visit briefly with Drew at the beginning of this story, but Stanton and Sofia definitely steal the show in this book. Plus it takes place in D.C.! Right in my backyard! 

Emma had me hook, line, and sinker from page one. This book lacks a little bit of the humor that made the Tangled Series so great, but I wouldn't put that down as a negative...just different. There was definitely a step up in the sexy department, as some of the love scenes left me wanting to turn the AC up from the heat. I love how the book jumped back and forth between Stanton and Sofia, because it allowed the reader a front row seat to both character's thoughts as they realized their causal relationship was anything but. The story line was genius and it wasn't predictable or cliche at all. It was a highly enjoyable read from start to finish. I'm excited to get my hands on the next installment, Sustained, which comes out later this month, and see where this series goes. Highly recommend that you pick this one up!

2015 Reading Challenge: A book with a love triangle

Sweet (Contours of the Heart #3) by Tammara Webber

He’s the love of her life, but he doesn’t know it.
She’s his one moment of sacrifice in a lifetime of survival.

He was damaged and wild, but resilient.
She’s always been obedient. Now she’s restless.

Home for the summer between college and med school, Pearl Torres Frank knows two things: Boyce Wynn is the embodiment of everything she should run from, and everything she wants to run to. Rebellious and loud. Unconcerned with society’s opinion of him. Passionate. Strong. Dangerous.

And one more trait he hides from everyone but her: Sweet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lucas Maxfield is easily my favorite contemporary book boyfriend. I fell head over heals for him in Easy and Breakable, and I was even more thrilled to find out that Tammara was continuing with the series. 

This book tells the story of Boyce, Lucas's best friend from high school, and Pearl. The couple have know each other practically all their lives, and their story is a mix of past and present. I loved watching this couple dance around their true feelings for each other, both constantly on the brink of falling, but refusing to let go. The constant push and pull made for a page turning good time that I didn't want to put down (which I didn't...read this in one sitting!). There is plenty of drama and conflict, but the ending was perfect and earned a book hug from me. Love, love, love this book!

Breaking Stars (The Celebrity Series #2) by J. Sterling

An actress since she was fourteen years old, Paige Lockwood finds herself craving a little normalcy after a scandal rocks her otherwise predictable world. With everyone in her life attempting to control her, she takes matters into her own hands and leaves town without so much as a plan or a destination.


But the destination finds her as car trouble forces Paige to settle down in a small Southern town as she waits for repairs. There she meets the handsome, albeit standoffish, Tatum Montgomery, and both of their lives are forever altered as they learn that sometimes when you aren't looking for love, it finds you anyway.

But the real question is: Can you hold on to it when you're from two completely different worlds?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another home run for J. Sterling! Alright, this series has nothing to do with baseball, but baseball and J. will forever be synonymous in my mind because of a certain lovable book boyfriend we all love (I'm talking to you, Jack Carter!!). But I digress.

This is the second installment in J.'s Celebrity Series and it's even better than the first. I loved these characters. Paige is a down-to-Earth girl that I could totally see myself hanging out with, and Tatum is sexy and ornery, a lethal combination. I loved watching Paige break down his walls and watching him trying to fight a losing battle. I liked that the book switched perspectives so that you got to be inside both character's heads and the ending was swoon worthy. Gotta love those grand romantic gestures! This book can be read as a stand alone, but it does mention characters from the previous novel in the series. This book (and series) is completely worth your time.  

All Played Out (Rusk University #3) by Cora Carmack

First person in her family to go to college? CHECK.
Straight A’s? CHECK.
On track to graduate early? CHECK.
Social life? …..yeah, about that….

With just a few weeks until she graduates, Antonella DeLuca’s beginning to worry that maybe she hasn’t had the full college experience. (Okay... Scratch that. She knows she hasn't had the full college experience).

So Nell does what a smart, dedicated girl like herself does best. She makes a "to do" list of normal college activities.

Item #1? Hook up with a jock.

Rusk University wide receiver Mateo Torres practically wrote the playbook for normal college living. When he’s not on the field, he excels at partying, girls, and more partying. As long as he keeps things light and easy, it's impossible to get hurt... again. But something about the quiet, shy, sexy-as-hell Nell gets under his skin, and when he learns about her list, he makes it his mission to help her complete it.

Torres is the definition of confident (And sexy. And wild), and he opens up a side of Nell that she's never known. But as they begin to check off each crazy, exciting, normal item, Nell finds that her frivolous list leads to something more serious than she bargained for. And while Torres is used to taking risks on the field, he has to decide if he's willing to take the chance when it's more than just a game.

Together they will have to decide if what they have is just part of the experiment or a chance at something real.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This series just keeps getting better and better. I loved Nell! She is a girl after my own Type A, list making heart! I can totally relate to her story, having experienced a similar realization myself early on in my college career. Although my "list" didn't exactly look like Nell's, the motivation behind it was the same. I also loved Mateo's character and discovering the vulnerable side lurking underneath the confident exterior. On the surface, this couple shouldn't work, but somehow they end up being the perfect fit. This book is fun, funny, and sexy as hell. I loved the back and forth between Nell and Mateo, and watching their love story unfold. Don't be put off by the football thing, if you're not a fan of the sport. I'm not a huge fan either, but this series is totally worth the read.

Up next in the series is All Closed Off, which is Stella and Ryan's story. Looks like we should expect it sometime in 2016. I'm super excited about this one and have a feeling that it is going to be awesome!

Beautiful Sacrifice (Maddox Brothers #3) by Jamie McGuire

Falyn Fairchild can walk away from anything. Having already left her car, her education, and even her parents, the daughter of the next governor of Colorado is back in her hometown, broke and waiting tables for the Bucksaw Café. After every shift, Falyn adds to her shoebox of cash, hoping to one day save enough to buy her a plane ticket to the only place she can find forgiveness: Eakins, Illinois.

The moment Taylor Maddox is seated in Falyn’s section at the Bucksaw, she knows he’s trouble. Taylor is charming, breaks promises, and gorgeous even when covered in filth—making him everything Falyn believes a hotshot firefighter to be. Falyn isn’t interested in becoming another statistic, and for a Maddox boy, a disinterested girl is the ultimate challenge.

Once Falyn learns where Taylor calls home, everything changes. In the end, Maddox persistence is met with Falyn’s talent for leaving, and for the first time, Taylor may be the one to get burned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whew! This installment of The Maddox Brothers brings new meaning to the classic hit, "Love is a Battlefield." The odds seemed to be stacked against Falyn and Taylor the entire time. There was no reprieve and it seemed like every time they took one step forward, they got knocked back three. They battled their own issues, outside forces, and misunderstandings at every turn. It certainly made for an emotional journey and I found myself riveted to their story and turning the pages as fast as I could to find out what happened next. 

I admire Falyn and Taylor's willingness and ability to fight for each other and their love in the end. To be honest, I wasn't sure how this one was going to work out and there were plenty of twists in the plot that kept the story interesting and from becoming predictable. This is certainly no "easy" love story, but I think that's what makes Falyn and Taylor such a special couple. You will need to hang on tight through this one, but if you are willing to battle it out with this couple, I know that you will love where they end up. I would definitely recommend reading the other books in the series, as there is a lot of character/plot crossover, but this installment stands out as the best in the series so far.

When You're Back By Abbi Glines

The future is bright for Reese Ellis. She has Mase Colt-Manning, the man of her dreams, and a family she didn’t know existed until her long-lost father arrived on her doorstep in Rosemary Beach. After growing up with a cruel mother and abusive stepfather, Reese is eager to get to know the caring and charming man who wants to be a part of her life. Everything is finally falling into place.

While Reese is visiting her new family in Chicago, Mase spends time with his “cousin,” Aida, who has worshipped him since childhood. Though they’re unrelated by blood, Mase and Aida have been raised to think of each other as family. But when Reese returns, she can tell something isn’t quite right with Aida, who clearly resents Reese and excels at manipulative little games. And though Mase is unsuspecting, Reese knows Aida doesn’t love him like a cousin should...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is little to say about this book other than that Abbi delivers another work of perfection. I am sad that this series is coming to an end, but Abbi certainly has not let up at all. This was the perfect ending to Mase and Reese's story. It has all the drama, romance, mess ups, and make ups that make this series great. The proposal scene was enough to make me swoon ten times over! 

There are some great twists and a shocking revelation about a certain character (Captain...Holy Cow! Didn't not see that coming!) that made for a great read and built anticipation for the upcoming installments. This book gets five giant stars from me!

Up Next...

The Best Goodbye - Captain's story: October 2015

Up in Flames - Nan's story: March 2016

Untitled book for Dean: December 2016

Inspiring You (Unraveling You #4) by Jessica Sorensen

Ayden knows it’s time to remember what really happened four years ago, so he can help save his sister. With the help of Lyric, he faces his past head on.

But dealing with the truth is difficult.

Will Ayden finally be free of his past so he can move forward to his future?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This was a short and sweet ending to Ayden and Lyric's story. While I enjoyed the story, I was slightly disappointed by this one. I felt like events from the previous books really built up anticipation for some of the events in this final installment that just feel a little short.

For example, the supposedly highly risky memory treatment that Ayden considers undergoing in an effort to help find his sister. Spoiler Alert: Ayden undergoes the treatment. However, it does not turn out to be as dramatic as I would have anticipated. Another example (and another spoiler!!): Finding Ayden's sister, Sadie. Again, the build up to this event was so great throughout the whole series that I just thought the actual event would have been much more...something.

In the end, I was happy about how Ayden and Lyric's story played out, but felt this book lacked a lot of the drama and excitement that I have come to expect from a Jessica Sorensen novel. Having said that, I still think the series is worth the read.

There are two more books planned in this series. Up first is Sadie and Sage's story, Forget Me Not, followed by Iridescent, which is Fiona's story. I am excited for both and hope that these installments will bring back the drama I so love!

Grey (Fifty Shades #4) by E L James

In Christian's own words, and through his thoughts, reflections, and dreams, E L James offers a fresh perspective on the love story that has enthralled millions of readers around the world.

Christian Grey exercises control in all things; his world is neat, disciplined, and utterly empty—until the day that Anastasia Steele falls into his office, in a tangle of shapely limbs and tumbling brown hair. He tries to forget her, but instead is swept up in a storm of emotion he cannot comprehend and cannot resist. Unlike any woman he has known before, shy, unworldly Ana seems to see right through him—past the business prodigy and the penthouse lifestyle to Christian’s cold, wounded heart.

Will being with Ana dispel the horrors of his childhood that haunt Christian every night? Or will his dark sexual desires, his compulsion to control, and the self-loathing that fills his soul drive this girl away and destroy the fragile hope she offers him?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh, Fifty, Fifty, Fifty! What can I say? You remain a complete and total guilty pleasure for me. I was so excited when I heard that she was going to release this book (I totally did a happy dance!). For me, this series is all about Christian and I loved the opportunity to see things through his eyes. He is by far the more compelling, complex, and dynamic character. This book did not disappoint at all. In fact, I think that I like the story from Christian's perspective even more. Don't worry, if you are a fan of the original POV, you still get all the good stuff. 

This book is also by far and away better written then the previous three books, which although I love, are in need of a professional editor. It is clear that Ms. James now has a team behind her, and the result is a much improved writing style. There is still the occasional "one to many times" repeated phrase, but not nearly as many as the other books. It also has an amazing cover.

Grey only covers the first book and there is no word on whether or not James will be releasing the other two books from C's POV. I sincerely hopes that she does. There are so many more scenes that I would love to see through Christian's eyes. I guess we will have to wait and see. If you are a fan of this series, then Grey will not disappoint, in fact, it left me wanting more...

10 Years Later by J. Sterling

Cammie:
It’s been ten years since I've seen him. Ten years. I have no idea what he’s doing, where he’s been or if he’s even still single. Have I thought about him over the years? Of course. Absolutely. But that doesn't mean anything, right? Just because you think about the boy you used to be in love with doesn't mean you’re still in love with them now. Does it?

Dalton:
I haven’t seen her in ten years. She’s the whole reason I’m even coming to this reunion. If it wasn't for her, I would have stayed home. I made mistakes back in high school. Hell, I was just a kid then. But I’m here to right my wrongs, tell her I’m sorry and win her back. She changed my whole life and she doesn't even know it. It’s time she knew.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

J. Sterling delivers a truly sweet story with this one. I loved the ten year reunion plot line and appreciated the fact that she stayed focused on the relationship, and didn’t turn it into a “cop drama.” I loved the characters and was completely wrapped up in their story from the very first page. Dalton’s no Jack Carter, but he is a great leading man. Cammie is sweet and I liked how her history played into the story’s plot. Overall, a fantastic read!

Asa (Marked Men #6) by Jay Crownover

Starting over in Denver with a whole new circle of friends and family, Asa Cross struggles with being the man he knows everyone wants him to be and the man he knows he really is. A leopard doesn’t it change its spots and Asa has always been a predator. He doesn’t want to hurt those who love and rely on him, especially one luscious arresting cop who suddenly seems to be interested in him for far more than his penchant for breaking the law. But letting go of old habits is hard, and it’s easy to hit bottom when it’s the place you know best.

Royal Hastings is quickly learning what the bottom looks like after a tragic situation at work threatens not only her career but her partner’s life. As a woman who has only ever had a few real friends she’s trying to muddle through her confusion and devastation all alone. Except she can’t stop thinking about the sexy southern bartender she locked up. Crushing on Asa is the last thing she needs but his allure is too strong to resist. His long criminal record can only hurt her already shaky career and chasing after a guy who has no respect for the law or himself can only end in heartbreak.

A longtime criminal and a cop together just seems so wrong . . . but for Asa and Royal, being wrong together is the only right choice to make.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This was a very bittersweet read for me. I love the Marked Men series, and I am sad to see it come to an end. It's hard to chose a favorite, but I think Asa is definitely at the top of my list. I love the cover of this book, too (Rome's is still my absolute favorite, though). He is exactly how I pictured our little southern charmer to look like. 

What I love about this series is it's heart. At first glance, these are not the type of characters that you would necessary root for. They're tough and a little rough around the edges. However, if you look beyond the colorful exteriors, they are everything you could want in a friend or lover. They are loyal, caring, self-sacrificing, protective, and sexy as hell. All of the characters in this series are so well developed and complex, that you can't help but fall head over heals for them. 

Asa and Royal's story is no different. Their story is as much about self-love and forgiveness, as it is about two people finding their way to their own happy ending. Watching Asa and Royal learn to forgive and love themselves was so touching, and such an important message. People can change. They can make better choices and learn to do and be better. We don't have to be defined by our appearance or what others perceive us to be. This is what I learned from reading Asa and Royal's story.

Don't worry, there is still plenty of sexy time in the book, but for me, this book was so much more than just another NA novel. It's hard to put it into words, but it just felt like more. Maybe because it was the last, I don't know, but this story felt important to me. It wasn't just a book to be read and enjoyed, it was a book who's story was meant to crawl into your heart and take up residence, and it certainly did for me. I thought it was perfect. Asa and Royal are perfect. How this series ended was perfect. Book hugs all around!

I'm excited to get to know the new characters that Jay introduced that will be apart of the spin-off series, The Saints of Denver. It looks like the first book, Built, featuring Zeb and Sayer, will hit the shelves in January, 2016. I can't wait!

When I'm Gone (Rosemary Beach #11) by Abbi Glines

Mase Colt-Manning has always preferred his humble life as a Texas rancher to his birthright as the son of a legendary rock star. In fact, he rarely visits his father’s rarefied world in Rosemary Beach, especially if it means bunking at his vile half-sister Nan’s house—until one visit leads to a chance encounter with a young, gorgeous house maid who awakens him with her off-key but spirited imitation of a country music star…

Reese Ellis finally has her freedom. After escaping a lifetime of abuse from her parents and classmates for an undiagnosed learning disorder, she seizes the opportunity to be a house maid to some of the richest families in Rosemary Beach. But her job is in jeopardy when she causes an accident at the home of her most important client, Nan Dillon. When a hot, half-naked stranger with a cowboy’s swagger comes to her rescue, she’s intrigued—then afraid once he shows his own interest. Reese has never met a trustworthy man in her life. Will Mase be any different?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is not much to say about this book, except that it is yet another amazing read from the amazing Abbi Glines. Mase is the perfect cowboy/white knight and Reese is the underdog that you can't help but root for. Together they make an adorable couple. Although there is some mention of characters from previous novels, this book can be read as a stand alone (although I would highly recommend reading the entire series...it's amazing...you won't be disappointed...you're welcome in advance). Just be prepared for the cliffhanger, as the sequel is due out in June. This one got a big book hug when I finished it.