Review Post: Obligation by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by mkcooke

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[ob-li-gey-shuh n]

An obligation is a course of action that someone is required to take, whether legal or moral.

At six years old, Myla was sent to a family her father and mother had chosen for her when they knew their time on earth was almost up. What they were unaware of was what they thought would be her safe haven would become her living hell.

Kai has been watching Myla from afar since he took over the family business from his father and inherited the responsibility of keeping her safe. When word gets back to Kai that Myla is not only in danger, but that his assets are being compromised, he immediately jumps into action and does the only thing that can be done at the time by marrying her.

Neither Myla nor Kai would have thought that something that started off as a farce would become the most important thing either of them could’ve ever done.

Excerpt #1

“Everyone is looking for you.”

I turn my head, pulling my hair out of my face as I watch a boy I’ve never seen before climb up the stairs and into my tree house.

“Who are you?” I ask him as he sits across from me.

“Kai,” he smiles, looking around. He looks a lot different than the other kids I know. His hair is long, and his skin is a lot darker than mine. “Why are you hiding?”

I shrug and look away from him. Daddy was yelling earlier; he was so mad that he was turning red. Then Mommy started crying, and Daddy started yelling louder. I heard Mommy telling Daddy that he had to send me away. I don’t want to go away. I try to be good, but sometimes, I forget to listen.

“Why are you crying?”

I look up at him and wipe my face. “I’m scared,” I whisper, wiping my nose.

“Come on. I’ll protect you,” he says, holding his hand out to me.

Then my mommy calls my name again. I look at his hand, move Mr. Bear under my arm, and put my hand in his.

“Myla!” Mommy yells, running towards me.

I can tell she has been crying again.

“Where did you go?” Her hands grab my shoulders and she shakes me hard.

“It’s my fault. I asked her to show me the tree house,” Kai tells her.

She stops shaking me then looks at him. “You shouldn’t have done that. You knew we were looking for her,” she says angrily her head.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking,” Kai says softly, putting his hands in his pockets and looking at the ground.

I look back at Mommy, and she shakes her head before grabbing my hand and pulling me with her. When I look over my shoulder at Kai, he smiles, making me smile back.

Excerpt 2

I feel the sun on my closed eyelids and something sharp poking me in the face. Moving my hand, trying to get away from the pain, I whimper when it scrapes against my cheek. I lift my head and run my fingers along the side of my face, feeling wetness. Opening my eyes to see a light smear of blood on my fingers. I flip my hand over, and then I see the gaudy ring that is now taking up residence on my ring finger.

“Great,” I whisper, closing my eyes and laying my head down again.

I prayed earlier, before I went to sleep, that when I woke up, the ring I’m wearing now and the man who put it there would be nothing but a bad dream. No such luck. I roll over and take a shaky breath, wanting to close my eyes for a few more seconds, wishing I could just sleep until everything was back to normal.

5 Huge Stars

Obligation is the next installment in Aurora Rose Reynolds utterly fantastic Underground Kings Series. Each of Aurora Rose Reynold’s books have been absolute must reads for me because boy does she know how to write one heck of a story, with an absolute gem of an alpha male, and the perfect female counterpart with her own wonderfully distinctive personality.

Obligation is no different. It has every aspect and more that makes me love a book, and the reading experience it gives me.

I’ve loved all of her books, but there’s just something about this series that just gets me. Something that just hooks me into it all that much more. The darker and more intense feelings because of the nature and premise of this series has me beyond enthralled. I also seriously love how much these characters and their storylines just push the boundaries a bit more.

It just works, and I can’t get enough.

Obligation, and Kai and Myla’s story was one I absolutely loved for what it gave me as a reader. I honestly wish I could spend more time in their book, because I loved both of those passionate people immensely. Their story in Obligation is one that will just have you realizing once again what it means to read and experience a truly fantastic book.

What I loved about Obligation:

The softness and strength of Myla. Myla had such a grace and softness to her. I was kind of taken aback by how beautiful her character was, and I don’t just mean physically. Her emotions and the things she felt, the essence that was her, her spirit, and just the things she said and did over the course of the book were just beautiful and showed a real sense of strength from within her. After all that she went through and overcame in her life, to have that perfect blend of softness and strength just kind of left me in awe of her character.
Kai’s unyielding self. Kai was a character I was sold on the instant I met him. He is a protector, someone who will go to the ends of the earth to do what needs to be done for all those he cares about, and it just so happens one of those people is Myla. What Kai embodied in this book with just the general magnificence that was him melted my heart because of the fierceness of what he felt, the passion behind it, and all the meaning and reasoning for his actions. Kai is the ultimate protector, and you feel that as the reader. It’s also going to have you wishing that you had your own Kai in your life because of what that man makes you feel.
That wonderful push and pull. There is a lot of will they or won’t they in this book. Aurora Rose Reynolds creates the perfect amount of push and pull between Myla and Kai, and that will just have you clawing at what these two could share together. Fighting and praying that they’ll get it together. All that push and pull and back and forth will have you feeling as if you’re building towards something pretty spectacular, and let me tell you that that push and pull will just have you soaring with love for Myla and Kai, and what they experience as a result of that push and pull.
The perfect amount of counterbalance. Where Myla is soft and sweet, Kai is that perfect counterpart of hard and not so sweet. They balance each other out phenomenally, and I couldn’t get enough of seeing that balance attempt to come together. I also effing loved what these two brought out in one another. In a way Kai makes Myla stronger, and in another way Myla makes Kai softer. They make each other better, and they make each other whole, and getting to see how all that balance tries to unfold is just outstanding.
All the feeling. I can’t say enough how much I felt this book in every way, shape, and form. All the passion, all the want and desire, all the doubts and questions, and all the possibilities. You feel it in your bones because of the outstanding way Aurora Rose Reynolds writes this book. You’re experiencing and feeling it all as you read this book. Those feelings just amplify everything from the page, and connect you more and more into what you’re reading.
Twists and turns galore. One of my favorite aspects of this series is the nonstop action. I never know what or where the story will take the characters in, and what twists and turns are around the corner. I love the excitement that that brings, and how much that just engages me in the story. Aurora Rose Reynolds adds in just enough drama and excitement to keep you more than interested, but more importantly it all makes sense for the story and the characters. It flows extremely well, and all those twists and turns have you dying to know what will happen next.
How it all unfolds. Myla and Kai have an unusual beginning to their story. It’s not typical, but that’s what makes the difference. Getting to know these characters and their story the way that it’s developed with all its intricate and detailed layers is fantastic. It all just works together so well, and slowly but surely you get more pieces to the puzzle that is Kai and Myla’s extraordinary story. And the more you see the more you love it, and the more you live it, the more you will be praying with all you’ve got that everything will work out for these two.
Underground Kings all the way. This series has the title Underground Kings for a reason, and the way the author brings the theme of this series into the individual stories is exceptional. There is almost a tangible level of excitement and danger, but at its core it shows that these men and these characters are willing to give every ounce of their being to do what they know is right for the people they love and care for. Feeling and experiencing that kind of theme, that kind of devotion, that level of protectiveness, and just meeting characters that fully embody that sentiment is just effing spectacular. It also exemplifies the absolute best things from the characters and stories in this fantastic series.

Obligation was another must read for me by Aurora Rose Reynolds. It had so many aspects to it that I just loved, and I simply couldn’t get enough of spending time with Kai and Myla’s phenomenal characters. They were just kind of the bees’ knees because of all they were and had to offer, and this author’s fantastic and well-crafted writing just brought them and their story to life.

Myla and Kai and their fantastic story will have you feeling it all right along with them, and will have you fighting like crazy that these two fiercely passionate people can find a way to make it all work. Their story is going to take you on one helluva ride that is full of so much amazingness, and in the end you’ll be very sad to say goodbye, but at the same time you’ll just be ecstatic that you got to experience it all.

Trust me. I have one heck of a book hangover because of that.

Obligation is just another magnificent addition to Aurora Rose Reynolds’ Underground Kings series, and I for one cannot wait for more. Like I might be needing that tomorrow, because I am dying to jump back into the spectacular world this author created with this book and this series. Fingers crossed the next book is out very very soon!!

Assumption (Underground Kings #1)

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Blurb

as·sump·tion:

a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof

They say when you assume that you make an ass out of you and me. Kenton Mayson learned this lesson firsthand when he made assumptions about Autumn Freeman and the kind of woman she is based on what little information he had. What he finds out is she’s not only beautiful, but also smart, funny, a fighter, and exactly the kind of woman he wants to share his life with. Autumn made assumptions of her own about Kenton, and now he needs to prove her wrong in order to protect her and their future.

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.

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17Feb2015

Releasing Now: Reclaimed by River Savage

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by mkcooke

Title: Reclaimed (A Knights Rebels MC Novella 2.5)

Author: River Savage

Publication Date: February 17, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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Purchase Links:

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When the woman you love is lost, how hard will you fight to get her back?

Following the birth of her daughter, Kadence Knight finds herself in a battle she never prepared for. With desperation and unhappiness threatening to overwhelm her, a sense of hopelessness pulls her away from the one thing she has always longed for: a family.

As Nix watches his wife struggle with something he doesn’t understand, he can’t help but feel disconnected to his woman. The Kadence he once knew has drifted into the darkness. In her place is a shadow of the woman she once was, one who is fearful of the impossible…failing their daughter.

This Valentine’s Day, Nix has one goal — to reclaim the woman who gave him everything.

*Please note this is a novella and features the characters from the previous storyline.

The events of Reclaimed take place after Incandescent and Affliction. Book one and two in the Knights Rebels MC.

To get the full advantage of the story, and character development, I strongly suggest you read in order.

“I don’t know what you want from me,” I whisper. Communication was never this hard. The distance growing further between us as each day passes makes me afraid that this is what we’ve become.

“I just want to bring you happiness, baby,” he sighs, but before I can tell him I don’t think he can, Harlow’s cries come through the monitor. I move off the bed to go to her, knowing she will need to be fed.

“You walk out of this room, Kadence, you walk out on me.” His cold tone stops me from moving any further. It’s the same tone he used in the bathroom. “Leave her,” he commands, but the thought of continuing this conversation, where we tear each other down, has me fighting him.

“Nix, I have to check on her.” I continue to the door.

“Don’t you dare leave this fuckin’ room. I’m important too. I’m your fuckin’ husband. Do you hear me? We are important.” His hand sweeps across his nightstand, causing one big crash that sends everything tumbling to the floor. I’m frozen in place, my hand resting on the door handle. The room is silent. The shock of what has gone on tonight so raw I don’t think either of us knows how to process it.

“I don’t know what you want from me,” I repeat, closing my eyes when Harlow’s cries grow louder, sending my anxiety rising. Doesn’t he know he’s only making it worse?

“Jesus, I don’t know. Give me a look, smile at me…fuckin’ touch me. Give me a connection that says we’re on the same fuckin’ side. I can’t continue to stay in this place we are in. I’m drowning here, Kadence. We both are, and I just don’t know if I can keep treading water for both of us. You have to help me, baby. You have to want us to survive.” He falls to the bed, his head dropping to his hands. Seeing him like this, in this state makes me realize that our situation is bigger than me, than him. It’s bigger than either one of us realize.

“That’s not fair.” I release the handle and turn, collapsing against the wall. The wind knocks out of me as his words resonate within me. We are drowning and I have to stop fighting. At this realization, my knees become weak. Standing becomes too hard. I slide down the wall, dropping my ass to the carpet.

“Life isn’t fair, Kadence. I wish it was, but it just isn’t. Look where we both have come from; look where life has taken us. We won’t survive if you won’t talk to me, Kadence. Talk to someone.” He stands to come to me, but having him in my space only makes things worse.

“Please don’t.” I draw in a breath, defeated. His frustration and concerns only prove what a bad mother I’ve been, what a bad wife I’ve become.

“Don’t what, Kadence? Don’t make me walk away. I want my wife back. I don’t know what’s happened, but I don’t like who you’ve become.” His voice is pained, as broken as my soul feels. His confession doesn’t surprise me, but it still burns. I know I don’t like who I’ve become. How do I expect Nix to like me?

“You don’t think I ask myself that question every day? That I don’t look at myself and ask what is wrong with me? I don’t know who I’ve become, Nix. All I know is I should. I should know who I am.” My head thuds against the wall in defeat. I can’t keep going on like this. I can hear Harlow’s cries quietening, as she resettles herself, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting out of this room.

“I know who you are, Kadence. You’re the woman I love. The most amazin’ mother to our daughter, our son.” Saying Z is my son pulls at me harder. The fact that he, too, is affected by what is happening hurts even more. Nix walks over and squats to my level, careful not to get into my space, but close enough for me to reach out and touch him if I wanted to.

“Why don’t I know that? I should know that Nix.”

“You don’t have to know. I know, the kids know and that’s enough.”

“It’s not enough for me.” My hand itches to touch him, to feel his hardness under my fingers, but sitting broken on the floor of our bedroom, I know I can’t. I can’t touch the man who means everything to me and I hate myself for it.

“When did you stop trustin’ yourself?”

“I don’t know. When did I stop being myself?” I counter, and my admission halts him for a moment. He crawls forward, coming closer into my space. His warmth, his calming presence wraps itself all over me.

“The first step is askin’ for help, baby. Let me help you. You don’t have to be alone. Let me learn to breathe the ugliness you see. Let me share the darkness, Kadence. Just don’t push me away.” His pleading pulls at me, pulls at the hatred that has settled inside.

“I’m not doing good, Nix,” I say, looking up and giving him what he needs. What I need. “Somewhere along the way, I woke completely lost and overwhelmed. And every day, it gets harder and harder to deal.” A sob tears from deep within me, and walls I’ve been hiding behind crumble down.

“I know, baby.” He pulls me into the hardness of his chest. “We’re gonna be okay,” he promises, and everything in me wants to believe him. Everything in me wants to trust he has me. That he has us. But the truth is, I’ve drowned in so much self-doubt and uneasiness, that trust seems so far away.

5 AMAZING Stars

The instant I met Nix and Kaydence in Incandescent, I was just enraptured in the fierceness that is them. I effing love their characters. Their passion, their love, the dynamic of the connection they share, everything.

Going into this novella, I knew I would get more Nix and Kaydence, but I didn’t know how much emotion, pain, and vulnerability I was going to find with them in Reclaimed. This story pulled at every single emotion I had, and at times it hurt my heart so much to read what Nix and Kaydence were going through, but I cannot tell you enough how utterly phenomenal this novella was.

What River Savage creates in this story will pull at your heart again and again. She created a chapter in Nix and Kaydence’s story that packs one serious emotional punch. She tackles a subject that is very very real, and very very raw, and she does that with such a magnificent level of authenticity.

Bottom line: she does it justice.

That’s probably the aspect I took away most from this novella. I love me some Nix and Kaydence something fierce, and will never tire of reading a story filled with their amazing selves, but what River Savage creates and takes on in this novella is something else. Something more. She tackles a real live struggle that many women face, and does so with an immense amount thought and care.

I myself am not a mother yet. I’ve never personally experienced the things that Kaydence goes through with creating the most extraordinary thing, a new life, to then being thrust into something you were never prepared for. Something you never expected to have happen, feeling things you never wished to feel. I’ve never felt what Nix experiences when he watches someone he loves fade away into a pain filled numbness, all while losing a parts of himself in the process.

I’ve never experienced that kind of pain or felt that level of internal and external struggle, but after Reclaimed I feel like I have such a better understanding of it all, because of what River Savage created. The writing and development of this story and its characters makes it so easy to connect into all that is going on and all they go through, which makes for an unforgettable reading experience.

Nix, Kaydence, Z, and Low’s story is brought to life, and within all of their pain and struggle is so much breathtaking strength at what they fight through and attempt to overcome together.

My heart still aches from the full on emotional and pain filled story within Reclaimed. But at the same time my heart also soars after reading this story because of what River Savage wrote, created, and brought to the page. While this story pulled at my heart more times than I can remember, it also tried to heal it over and over again with the continuation of Nix and Kaydence’s spectacular story.

Reclaimed takes Nix and Kaydence to their most vulnerable. It pushes them to places they never expected to be, but it also brings them to an extraordinary place. All that struggle, all that pain, all that fight comes out in Reclaimed, and I guarantee you’re going to be blown away from it all.

While Reclaimed is definitely a heavier emotional read, it also has everything else that I’ve come to effing love from this author and this series. All of the outstanding characters from this series are back, and just add to the entire extraordinary picture that is Reclaimed. Jesse, Sy, Holly, Beau, Brooks, Z, and everyone else come back to wow you. Their wonderful and distinctive personalities continue to shine through, and I love them all the more. And Jesse’s book needs to get here like yesterday. Just saying.

This book also packs some serious heat and heart. You feel the love and you feel that connection Nix and Kaydence share, and the passion they have for one another that you’ve come to know from the other books just catapults off of the page. All those moments of searing heat and passion, and all those moments of heart melting love, fit into this story seamlessly and will just make you whole heartedly believe again that what they share is worth fighting for with all you’ve got.

What can I say? I heart me some Nix and Kaydence. River Savage writes a well-developed and thoughtfully crafted story within this novella, and she does these characters and their emotional story the justice they warrant. The events of this novella make them fight like crazy to reclaim what they once had, but let me tell you: it’s one helluva fight that shows the true power and breathtaking beauty of love.

I’m just blown away yet again by everything this story had. All that pain, all that vulnerability, all that emotion, all that enrapturing passion and love. It all just fit together like the pieces of a well-made puzzle, and it’s just going to knock your darn socks off.

Reclaimed was just so much of everything, and I loved every little thing about it. Even those heartbreaking moments, because they were real and raw, and they were a part of Nix and Kaydence’s story that needed to be told.

This is a phenomenal addition to this series, amplifying all that makes these books and characters exceptional, and I for one cannot wait for more.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Amazon AU / B&N / Kobo / iTunes

______________________________________________________________________________Series Reading Order

Incandescent (Knights Rebels MC #1)

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA

Amazon AU / B&N / Kobo / ibooks

Phoenix ‘Nix’ Knight thought pulling his club out of the illegal shit his Pops got them into was difficult.
Until he meets Kadence.
Kadence Turner has no business lusting over a student’s father, especially the president of the Knights Rebels MC. Nix is crass, obnoxious and dangerously sexy and for some reason, Kadence can’t seem to hate him for it. The bossy biker breaks down her defenses, but unlike the old Kadence, the woman she is today won’t give in without a fight.
The tension is undeniable, the attraction fierce. A man that wants what he wants and a woman that will fight him every step of the way.

Add to your TBR Today: Goodreads

****

Affliction (Knights Rebels MC #2)

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CAAmazon AU / B&N / Kobo / itunes

Three little words are all it takes to rip his world apart. Lost in his own affliction, Sy has been living in a darkness that he doesn’t ever want to let go of.
Until she arrives and shines her light so bright that nothing else mattered.
She was only in it for the chase, for the thrill of capturing the unattainable.
But what happens when her world shatters around her, spiraling her into the darkness beside him?
Can his affliction be her resurrection?
Or will two lost souls living in the depths of deception let it destroy them?

Add to your TBR Today: Goodreads

______________________________________________________________________________

River Savage is the author of the Knights Rebels MC Series.

An avid reader of romance and erotic novels, her love for books and reading fueled her passion for writing. Reading no longer sated her addiction, so she started writing in secret. She never imagined that her dream of publishing a novel would ever be achievable.

With a soft spot for an alpha male and a snarky sassy woman, Kadence and Nix were born.

River would love to hear from you. You can contact and/or follow her via…

Facebook / Twitter ( @RiverS_Author ) / Pinterest / Website / TSU / Youtube

Email: riversavageauthor@gmail.com

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19Jan2015

Review Post: Rescue Me by Kathy Coopmans

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by mkcooke

Rescue Me (Book two of The Shelter Me Series) by Kathy Coopmans BLOG TOUR

Jan.12th-22nd

Erin McIntyre is a survivor. Four years ago she bundled up her six year old daughter and set sail into uncharted waters with nothing more than the will to survive. When offered a place to stay and a new job by her best friend’s cousin Adam, she simply cannot refuse…but Adam quickly becomes more than a friend. Scared to love again, and convinced that giving her heart to a man will only lead to pain, Erin remains steadfast, certain the only person she can trust is herself. But when her past comes knocking, threatening to tear her carefully constructed world apart, and the support of a person who believes in her more than she does herself will be the one thing that can keep her head above water. Will old habits prove too hard to break and leave Erin drowning in a sea of self-doubt, or can she let go of her fears and learn to love once more?

Adam Payne never thought he would find Love. He really wasn’t even looking for it. He fell hard and he fell fast for Erin McIntyre. Determined to show her that she is worthy of not only his love but worthy of herself. He will stop at nothing to make this woman his and when their love for one another surfaces into a love that Erin never thought would come her way her past comes back to haunt them all. Will Adam be able to Rescue Erin from her worst fear or will she pack up and run for the simple reason that the only thing she has ever known is her will to try and survive.

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23360849-rescue-me

Amazon:

http://amzn.to/14MMPc5—-> US

http://amzn.to/1FJBE4W—–>UK

http://bit.ly/17yMVWC——> AUS

http://amzn.to/1AGzRbe—–> CAN

Barnes and Noble—–>http://bit.ly/14zfEsj
Amazon—->http://amzn.to/1DYylCi
Kobo—–>http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/rescue-me-36
ITunes—->https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/rescue-me/id957343856?mt=11

Shelter Me (Book one of The Shelter Me Series)

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4.5 Wonderful Stars

Rescue Me by Kathy Coopmans was a fantastic book that I was so looking forward to reading. After reading her first book, Shelter Me, I was more than eager to get back with the characters that captured me in, and to spend more time in the awesome book world that she created.

This book tells the story of Adam and Erin. We met both of them in Shelter Me, but Rescue Me is truly their story. It’s a story of overcoming the pain of the past, recognizing the strength in yourself, and recognizing the power and passion that comes from love.

I loved this book. I loved Adam and Erin to pieces. They were both such endearing characters that had qualities I couldn’t resist loving. Their story is filled with so much emotion and passion and vulnerability, and it truly captures what it means when two people attempt to rescue one another.

What I loved about Rescue Me:

Adam’s sweetness. Adam was just about the sweetest man that could be. I could not get enough of that man. He was so effing sweet and the words that came out of his mouth just about had me melting in such a good way. Through his actions, the things he says, and just the way he is, you can tell the goodness that just emanates from him. I am telling you that you will bask in all of the sweetness that is that man, and there is no way that you won’t fall under his spell.
Erin’s strength. Erin’s character is probably the definition of strength. Though she doesn’t always feel that and she doesn’t always know that she possesses the strength that she does, her characters is beyond strong. That strength defines her in the best possible way, and it will have you admiring her, loving her, respecting her, and caring for her with all you have. Erin is the epitome of a strong female character, and I have no doubt that when you meet her character you will instantly love her for who she is.
The depth of feeling. The feelings and connection that Erin and Adam share are conveyed extremely well in this book, and you will feel how deep those feelings truly go. You will feel that when you read this book in the words they speak to each other, the heartwarming moments they share, and even in those moments when things are not so easy. You will just feel and embrace all of that feeling because it will show you how intense and deep Adam and Erin feel about one another.
The realness. One of my favorite aspects about this book was how real it was. The characters, the story, the issues that come up. They are all real, and they feel real. That makes this everything feel so believable and it just made this book all the more enjoyable to read because I believed everything I was reading. Rescue Me also presents some very real issues. I won’t say what they are, but just know the way Kathy Coopmans addresses and writes these issues feels so authentic, and you will just be blown away by that.
The fantastic pacing. The pacing of this book was out of this world. I couldn’t put the book down because of how well paced it was. Nothing felt too fast or too slow, it all just felt right. The events of this book keeps you engaged in the story and the characters the entire time. That pacing just enhances everything that you’re feeling when you’re reading too. This book will have your heart melting and breaking at times, your adrenaline pumping at others, and your whole self dying to know how it’s all going to come together.
The distinctive supporting characters. There are some pretty awesome and distinctive supporting characters in this book. They each have their own unique personality that adds to the Erin and Adam’s story. I was happy to be back with many of the characters I met in Shelter Me, but I was also thrilled to meet the new additions to this book. Shayne, Luke, Antonio, Shelby, and all the rest of the engaging supporting characters are just another factor that will have you loving this book.
The feeling of family. There is such a feel of family to this book, and I just loved that. You feel that with the friendships and different relationships that all of these characters share. Feeling that sense of family just amplifies what is going on in this story, and it will just have you falling more in love with these characters and Erin and Adam’s story.
All the fight. There is so much fight in this book and I just love that. Erin is fighting to find the strength that lies within herself. Adam is fighting for what the two of them could share together. They’re both fighting for what they could share together, and they’re both fighting against the pains of the past that seem to be lurking around the corner. That level of fight makes you want to fight right along with these characters, and you will just love the reading experience that that fight gives you.

Rescue Me was just a fantastic book that had characters I loved, a story I couldn’t put down, and just so many aspects that made it great.

Erin and Adam have a story that has so much wonderfulness to it. They’re story is one that will capture you in from the moment you start it, and in the end you will be dying for the next chance you get to spend more time with these characters.

If you’ve yet to begin these books by Kathy Coopmans I urge you to start Shelter Me this instant, so that you can soon thereafter find yourself encapsulated in the fantasticness that is Rescue Me. Erin and Adam’s heartfelt story is waiting for you, so get to reading it this instant!

Playlist:

http://open.spotify.com/user/1263212534/playlist/4YBJkbDt88e9xfAGIWk95N

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugfb0fTePfs

“Ready?” I ask as I approach him and continue on into the kitchen to get my purse.

“Yup, and I am starving. Let’s go.” He advances towards me. “Damn, woman! You’re not wearing those jeans, are you? No fucking way.”

Bewildered and totally caught off guard by his statement, I stand there with my hands on my hips.

“What the hell are you talking about? There isn’t anything wrong with these jeans.”

“No there’s not, and that’s the problem. Your sweet, fine ass looks too good in those jeans. I don’t want to have to kick someone’s ass for checking you out, especially when I have the girls with me. Can you go put on a baggy pair of sweatpants or something?”

“What are you playing at, Adam?” I remove my hands from my hips and place one of them on his forehead. “Are you coming down with something?”

He gently pulls me into his rock hard body.

“Oh, sweet cheeks. I came down with something three months ago when I checked out that ass of yours when I was in Texas,” he says with humor and as low-key as he can be. “And I am not playing.”

“You’re unbelievable,” I say, rolling my eyes.

Adam lifts me up onto the counter and whispers in my ear words that leave a tingle of pure pleasure down my spine.

“Although I love every tantalizing, sexy curve of your body, I am most definitely an ass man, sweetheart. And this ass,” he says as he places his hands underneath me and gives my bottom a light squeeze, “Has been in my dreams for the past three months. I can’t wait until I can feel it uncovered because Erin, I am going to make you feel like you have never felt before.”

“Oh my God, Adam.” I can barely get out a word as I feel my throat tighten up and, holy hotness, this man is mentally seducing me and I love it.

“You feel it too, don’t you, Erin?” he speaks in a ragged, raspy voice as he trails soft kisses up my neck.

“I do,” I whimper.

Kathy is a Michigan native where she lives with her husband Tony. They have two son’s Aaron and Shane. She is a sports nut. Her favorite sports include NASCAR, Baseball and Football. By day she is a hairstylist and loves her job. She has always been an avid reader and at the young age of 50 decided she wanted to write. She claims she can do several things at once and still stay on task. Her favorite quote is “I got this.”

Author Links:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKathyCoopmans

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8290626.Kathy_Coopmans?from_search=true

http://www.amazon.com/Kathy-Coopmans/e/B00MZMPCYU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1408987455&sr=8-1

coopmans@chartermi.net

16Jan2015

Sweet Addiction & Sweet Possession by J. Daniels

Posted in Books I love, Review Post by mkcooke

Do you ever just want to slap yourself silly for leaving PHENOMENAL books on your TBR list for too long? Yeah, me too. That happens all the time, but none more so than with the 2 books I just devoured. I loved them. And that’s putting it mildly. They had EVERYTHING that I love in a book:

-A main couple that rocks my socks off with their dynamic personalities. Check.

-Tons and tons of glorious humor. Check. Check.

-Supporting characters that bring it all together. Check. Check. Check.

-An amazing story that I won’t EVER forget. Check all the mother effing checks on this one.

Those books were Sweet Addiction and Sweet Possession by J. Daniels. And they were fucking amazing. I loved everything about them. Everything.

Sweet Addiction and Sweet Possession tell the story of Dylan and Reese. Let me give you the lowdown on these two:

Dylan: A sassy spitfire baker with personality for days. Dylan is one of the most authentic characters I’ve read, and you’re just going to love her little firecracker self. That girl tells it like it is, and you will heart her something fierce by about page 2.
Reese: A hot, and I mean HOT, accountant with a seriously enamoring possessive streak. (Who knew they even made hot accountants?!) Reese has passion for days and he’s guaranteed to melt your heart ten ways to Sunday.

They meet in Sweet Addiction when they both attend the same wedding, and have hopes of random hot wedding sex, but both of them aren’t prepared for what happens after. These books tell Dylan and Reese’s unforgettable, seriously heated, and immensely enthralling story. All the ups, downs, and turn arounds. The pushes, the pulls, the love, the passion, the firework level chemistry.

These books consumed me for two days because I could not get enough of Reese and Dylan’s story. It was so worth the lack of sleep to devour both of these outstanding books. I am telling you that Dylan and Reese are going to hook you in, and you won’t ever want them to let you go.

It also helps that all of their friends are hysterical and endearing as all get out too. They’re all the bees mother fucking knees in my opinion. Joey, Juls, Billy, Ian, & Brooke just had me loving each of their little distinct selves, and they add so much vibrancy and charm to these outstanding books.

I dare you to not fall in love with all of these fantastic characters, and with Reese and Dylan’s exceptional story. Sweet Addiction and Sweet Possession just have it all. J. Daniels seamless writing allows you slip right into the wonderful world of these characters, and you’ll be sad to see them end after you’ve become sufficiently addicted and possessed by them.

Believe me when I tell you that Sweet Addiction and Sweet Possession are going to have you sold on their amazingness faster than you can say, Goddamn it, Billy.

(Read these books and you’ll get that and why that line had me dying of laughter every time I read it. Every damn time.)

~Sweet Addiction~

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“And once again, there is silence between us. But this kind of silence, the kind where no words are welcome because just being together, holding each other, is better than anything that could possibly be said. This kind of silence is perfect. And then I pass out from my favorite form of intoxication. Reese Carroll”

“I need Reese more than I need my next breath.”

Synopsis:

Wedding hookups never amount to anything.

Those who partake in this wicked little activity know the rules. Get in. Get laid. Get out. There’s no expectation of a relationship. It is what it is.

Dylan Sparks knows the rules. She’s familiar with the protocol. And she engages in the best sex of her life with a complete stranger at her ex-boyfriend’s wedding.

Reese Carroll doesn’t care about the rules. He wants more than just one night with Dylan.

And Dylan finds him too addicting to pass up.

Sweet Addiction is the story of one woman’s struggle to keep things casual, and one man’s desire to never let her go.

Read my 5 star review of Sweet Addiction

~Sweet Possession~

“I can’t stand to be away from you either, so don’t you dare act like this addiction is one sided. I’m just as obsessed and selfish as you are.”

“Fuck” he pants, eyes flashing open. “You unravel me every second, love. Every time I look at you.”

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Synopsis:

I am not including the synopsis for this book in this post because if you read the synopsis for Sweet Possession before actually reading Sweet Addiction, then it spoils a big part of the storyline.

And we all know I don’t like to spoil shit on here.

All I will say is that Sweet Possession is a continuation of Reese and Dylan’s story.

Oh, and it’s fucking awesome.

If you click HERE you will be connected to the synopsis of this book.

Read this at your own risk!

Read my 5 star review of Sweet Possession

Discover more about the amazing J. Daniels at the following links below! Be sure to check out Sweet Addiction and Sweet Possession, as well as her Alabama Summer series. That’s up next on my TBR list!

Website Facebook Twitter Goodreads

12Jan2015

Releasing Now: Feel Again by Faith Andrews

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by mkcooke

Feel Again

By: Faith Andrews

Release Date: 1/12/15

A dare.

A dying wish.

Fate…

After years of loneliness, widowed Gabriella is ready to fill the void—as long as she doesn’t have to give her heart to another man.

Caleb’s screwed himself right into a dead-end existence. Faced with an ultimatum, he’s hell-bound on changing his reckless ways.

A chance meeting has these two instantly attracted to one another, but when their paths cross again—this time as professor and student—the roles reverse on Professor Edwards as Caleb teaches her how to feel again.

As I stretch my vision past Aubrey, to another group of barely-dressed girls, I notice her. Long, coffee-brown hair falling down her back and almost touching her perfectly rounded ass. The ass that’s encased in a skin-tight black number and silky legs accentuated by heels that look dangerous. It’s a sin that someone who looks like her should have her eyes focused on the ground. Focus them on me, I will her. A package as beautifully put together as she is deserves attention—my attention. If only she knew she blows every woman in this room away. And not just because of how striking she is. There’s something about her, something different. This woman is a rare find in a room full of cookie-cutter imitations.

Her shiny waves cascade over her shoulders, bouncing as she walks in my direction. The deep chocolate hue compliments her radiant olive skin tone and her glistening green eyes. This woman is fucking gorgeous. Not the kind you take home to screw, the kind you take home to Mom . . . or, er, Grandma.

“Caleb. I was talking to you.”

I snap back to find Aubrey’s hands around my waist. “Conversation’s over. There’s someone I need to talk to.” I walk away, not even glancing back at Aubrey. I need to know who this woman is. I’m not a spiritual man, but she just might be sent from heaven. She’s the type of woman who could change the whole game. At least that’s the vibe I’m getting.

As I escape Aubrey, it’s as if I’m being magnetically pulled toward the woman now sitting at the bar. I watch her from afar at first, gauging her body language. Her fingers tap on the marble bar top as she waits for the bartender’s attention. She’s new to this. No regular waits for her order to be taken when she looks the way she does. Dude, I want to scream at the bartender, how can you not see her? She’s . . . God, not only is she gorgeous but there’s something about the way she’s fidgeting that tells me she’s completely out of her element. How could this sophisticated beauty be out of her element in a club full of women who wish they had half her class? And why is she here alone? If she were my girl, everyone would know it. My arms would be wrapped around her, my fingers settling on the small of her back, claiming her as mine.

I watch this classy creature as she plays with the curled edges of her hair, twisting the strands around her index finger. I play with my hair when I’m nervous. Is she nervous or just timid? Either way, I want to know. I want to know everything about this damn woman, starting with her name.

When she orders herself a Ketel and Seven I decide to be brave. “Make that two,” I add, getting comfortable in my stool.

At first she eyes me like I’m some creep, but then . . . shit! When our eyes meet it’s as if the universe has made up for every shitty thing that ever came my way.

5 AMAZING Stars

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Faith Andrews and her phenomenal books. I’ve absolutely loved each and every one of her books to pieces. There’s just something about her writing, the way she creates her remarkable characters, and the emotionally driven stories she tells through her books.

I was not surprised one bit to find that I loved Feel Again immensely. I was taken in immediately with the emotional, beautiful, and spectacular story and characters within its pages.

Feel Again is hands down just a breathtaking story that tells a story of two people who know a heck of a lot about pain and loss, but are just beginning to see possibilities of light beyond all that darkness they feel. Gabriella and Caleb’s story is a journey as they explore what it could be like to open themselves up to the possibility of feeling again, of embracing again, of loving again.

What I absolutely loved about Feel Again:

The realness of Gabriella. Gabriella was such a real character to me. The things she felt and experienced felt so authentic to me, and that realness made her character come to life as I read her heart tugging story. It also made it so easy to connect and relate to her, even though I’ve never experienced anything like she has. That relatability and level of connection allowed me to understand and love her character more, and it gave me the remarkable chance to step into her shoes. Faith Andrews creates such an authentic female character with Gabriella, which allows all the doubts and questions, and love and feeling she has feel extraordinarily real because of how magnificently Gabriella’s character is created and developed.
Charming and confident Caleb. I think I need a little bit more Caleb Waters in my life. His character oozed charm and a level of confidence that had my heart beating faster while simultaneously making me fall head over heels in adoration with him. There is so much more to Caleb than meets the eye, and Feel Again gives you the opportunity to see the true depth that there is to him. Getting to understand who Caleb is, will allow you the chance to see the amazingness that is him. Caleb is sweet, charmingly protective, and just a person looking for something he never knew he wanted. Caleb honestly just melted my heart throughout this entire book, and to say I loved his character is putting it too mildly.
The family relationships. I loved the family dynamics that come into play in Feel Again. Creating these unique, interesting, and truly engaging dynamics is one of Faith Andrews strong suits in my opinion. I loved reading these interactions and relationships that Gabriella and her family had. Each experience with these relationships made me smile, or made me feel something I’ve felt in my own family relationships, or made me feel even more connected into the story than I already was. The family relationships in Feel Again are fantastic, and they add just another phenomenal layer to Gabriella and Caleb’s story.
The attempt to overcome the pain and loss. Both Gabriella and Caleb have an immense amount of pain and loss in their respective pasts. Each has experienced their own darkness, and at the beginning of the story they’re still kind of living in that darkness. The events of this book allow both Caleb, but especially Gabriella the chance at overcoming that pain and loss. It gives them the opportunity to experience the lightness that they both deserve. Reading how these two attempt to overcome the pain and loss they’ve felt for so long is nothing short of breathtaking, and it’s going to pull at your heart in the best possible way.
The push and the fight. The events of Feel Again force Caleb and Gabriella to push and fight. Both Caleb and Gabriella push each other to be more. They push each other to places they never thought they’d be or even knew they wanted to be. The level of fight that goes along with that pushing characterizes these two in the best possible way. Their story together isn’t an easy one. It’s filled with so many emotional and heart pulling moments, and that push and that fight from them for what they want will have you fighting like all get out right along with them in hopes that they actually get it.
The little and big things that add up to seriously beautiful things. There are so many little pieces to this story that add up to make bigger pieces that just make a simply beautiful picture. There are the signs that speak volumes, and the interactions between all these wonderful characters, and then there’s the little nuances they all have. The glances, the feelings, the pushes and the pulls, and all the emotions in between. There are just so many little things that create big things that end up making something truly magnificent. And you will love the fact that you get to experience that. Trust me.
What this story makes you feel. The level of feeling I had reading this story is one of the things I loved most about it. I didn’t just read this story and I didn’t just meet these characters. I felt this story, I experienced this story, and I was enveloped into this story fully. You will feel every big and little thing these characters do, and that will connect you into their story in an extraordinary way. At times my heart soared and at others it hurt like all get out, and in between there was plenty to smile at, instances that will bring a tear to your eye, and many moments that’ll warm your heart and your cheeks. You’re going to feel this story immensely and the enormity of what Caleb and Gabriella share together.

Feel Again is a poignant story about Caleb and Gabriella, and the chance they explore together as they attempt to overcome their pasts and see the light that they could share and feel together. Their story has its ups and its downs, and it’s not without sadness, but it’s also filled to the brim with so much hope and light.

I absolutely loved this book. Caleb and Gabriella’s journey together just really spoke to me and I loved how connected I felt to their characters. This book, these captivating characters, and their truly emotional story will have you feeling it all again in no time. I promise you.

I want to end this review in a somewhat different way in an effort to show you how much Caleb and Gabriella’s story really meant to me, and how much I connected with it. I have a quote that’s become a favorite of mine. I read it years ago, but it’s always stuck with me. Reading Feel Again, and meeting Caleb and Gabriella’s enamoring characters instantly made me think of this quote, and something tells me they’d approve of it. I know this might not make a ton of sense, but the fact that Feel Again brought this favorite quote of mine to mind, is an instant tell that this book is one I’ll remember and love forever.

“Keep your heart open. There can be hope after grief. Surround yourself with love. Immerse yourself in the many things that make life, not just bearable, but worth it. Don’t close doors. In fact-do the opposite-keep flinging them open. Cherish the love you receive. Remember, the heart’s capacity for love is unending. Make the decision to live. It would be wrong not to.”

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About Faith Andrews

Faith Andrews lives in New York where she is happily married to her high school sweetheart. They have two beautiful daughters and a furry Yorkie son, Rocco. If she isn’t listening to Mumford and Sons or busy being a Dance Mom, her nose is in a book or her laptop. She’s a sucker for a happily ever after and believes her characters are out there living one somewhere . . .

Connect with Faith

Website / Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter

Click the link below to enter the giveaway!!

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10Jan2015

The Marked Men Series by Jay Crownover

Posted in Books I love, Review Post by mkcooke

So I found another series that I just LOVED. And yes, I am super way fucking late to this series, but what else is new with me. I have spent the last week devouring these books, and I loved every single one of them.

They had passionate characters who were so remarkable and unique. They’ve also got a plethora of tattoos between them, and that was just kind of the best.

These books had storylines that just didn’t quit. Each one took you on a new twist or turn, and took these characters to places they never thought they’d be.

Each book was full of moments that pushed these characters. These books are filled with passion, and fierceness, and more charm than you can shake a stick at. But there’s also way more than meets the eye to these characters, and I guarantee you’re going to find yourself wondering what you’re going to learn and experience next with them all.

Rest assured there’s never a dull or boring moment with the characters in this series.

Each and every one of these books felt so real and authentic. The feelings the characters had, the emotions they experienced, the events they went through all shined with so much authenticity.

This author’s writing creates a world that feels extraordinarily real, where the flaws you have and the things that make you stand out is what makes all the difference in the world..

Suffice to say, I loved The Marked Men Series by Jay Crownover. Each book in the series was a 5 star read for me, and had me loving these fantastic characters and their ever unique personalities. Diving head first into all those well developed and wonderfully crafted layers was just fantastic, and it made me love each and every one of these books and characters more.

I am telling you that you won’t be able to resist this series. It’s so easy to read, and easy to love. It’s got so much going for it, and I couldn’t get enough.

The Marked Men Series by Jay Crownover tells many different and wonderfully intertwined stories. They’ve got characters you’ve never met before and stories just waiting to be devoured, but most of all, they’re phenomenal.

~Rule~

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“I think it’s genetically impossible not to be kind of in love with him when you come equipped with a vagina. It’s just something about all that angsty, moody swagger he has that makes you want to cuddle him up and make him feel better.”

Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight-A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want—and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other.

Read My Review of Rule

~Jet~

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“Love isn’t perfect. It’s hard work and sometimes it’s more effort to be in love than it is to just run away. If you keep looking for perfect, the real thing is going to pass right by you.”

With his tight leather pants and a sharp edge that makes him dangerous, Jet Keller is every girl’s rock and roll fantasy. But Ayden Cross is done walking on the wild side with bad boys. She doesn’t want to give in to the heat she sees in Jet’s dark, haunted eyes. She’s afraid of getting burned from the sparks of their spontaneous combustion, even as his touch sets her on fire.

Jet can’t resist the Southern Belle with mile-long legs in cowboy boots who defies his every expectation. Yet the closer he feels to Ayden, the less he seems to know her. While he’s tempted to get under her skin and undo her in every way, he knows firsthand what happens to two people with very different ideas about relationships.

Will the blaze burn into an enduring love. . . or will it consume their dreams and turn them to ashes?

Read My Review of Jet

~Rome~

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“Relationships are not tailor-made and people are flawed. You have to work around that and love the other person anyway. Our flaws are what make us unique,”

Sometimes the wrong choice can be just right . . .

Fun and fearless, Cora Lewis knows how to keep her tattooed “bad boy” friends at the Marked in line. But beneath all that flash and sass is a broken heart. Cora won’t let herself get burned again. She’s waiting to fall in love with the perfect man—a baggage-free, drama-free guy ready for commitment. Then she meets Rome Archer.

Rome Archer is as far from perfect as a man can be. He’s stubborn, rigid, and bossy. And he’s returned from his final tour of duty more than a little broken. Rome’s used to filling many roles: big brother, doting son, supersoldier—but none of those fit anymore. Now he’s just a man trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while keeping the dark demons of war and loss at bay. He would have been glad to suffer through it alone, until Cora comes sweeping into his life and becomes a blinding flash of color in a sea of gray.Perfect may not be in the cards, but perfectly imperfect could just last forever . . .

Read My Review of Rome

~Nash~

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“All I can see is you. Why can’t you understand that? No one shines as bright as you in the sky I’m looking at. To me there is no sun, no moon, and no stars in the sky, just endless miles of storm clouds and pretty, pretty gray.”

Will their past determine their future?

Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming of nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there’s no room for love. She doesn’t need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he’s the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused. But he turned her world upside down… and now he’s trying to do it again.

Saint has no idea that Nash isn’t the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he’s struggling to figure out his future. He can’t be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can’t ignore the sparks that fly between them —or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she’s the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.

When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now, Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again?

Read My Review of Nash

~Rowdy~

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“It’s okay to be scared, I really think that’s how that whatever it is you’re meant to be doing matters, but it’s not okay to not find that thing you’re supposed to be doing because you’re afraid of something new.”

After the only girl he ever loved told him that he would never be enough, Rowdy St. James knocked the Texas dust off his boots and set out to live up to his nickname. A good ol’ boy looking for good times and good friends, Rowdy refuses to take anything too seriously, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Burned by love once, he isn’t going to let himself trust a woman again. But that’s before his new co-worker arrives, a ghost from the past who’s suddenly making him question every lesson he ever learned.

Salem Cruz grew up in house with too many rules and too little fun—a world of unhappiness she couldn’t wait to forget. But one nice thing from childhood has stayed with her; the memory of the sweet, blue-eyed boy next door who’d been head over heels in love with her little sister.

Now, fate and an old friend have brought her and Rowdy together, and Salem is determined to show him that once upon a time he picked the wrong sister. A mission that is working perfectly—until the one person that ties them together appears, threatening to tear them apart for good.

Read My Review of Rowdy

~Asa~

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“I never claimed to be an angel and even the devil could only play with fire for so long before he gave in to unholy temptation and danced in the flames.”

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.

Read My Review of Asa

To find out more on the awesomeness that is Jay Crownover, be sure to check out the following links!

Make sure you also check out her other books. Better When He’s Bad is the next book on my TBR list, and she’s got some new releases coming up, so get to reading my friends!!

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29Dec2014

My Top Reads of 2014

Posted in Books I love, Review Post by mkcooke

So there were a crap ton of fantastic books released this year. As we come to the close of 2014, I wanted to highlight my top reads of the year.

Now we all know I read a lot, so let me just say that narrowing this list down was extremely tough because I read so many phenomenal books this year, and I would highly recommend many of the books I read to y’all, but the books on this post just stuck out to me in one way or another. These are books that just went above and beyond and gave me some truly unforgettable reading experiences.

I struggled so much that I you’ll find many of my top reads for a particular book include the follow up to those books. (For instance you’ll notice that many series are listed as top reads because I LOVED all of the books and couldn’t pick a favorite. That happened. A lot.)

The struggle is real people. Very real.

So below you’ll find my Top Reads of 2014. These books were just my favorites for so many reasons. All of these books were exceptional, and magnificent, and phenomenal, and just about every other positive adjective you can think of. They have it all and were all more than 5 star reads! They were just the best.

They truly are Top Reads, and I couldn’t recommend them more to you, so be sure to check them out!

**All books in this post were released in 2014.

Top Reads of 2014

~The Hacker Series: Hardline & Hard Limit by Meredith Wild~

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“It means that every waking breath you take, every step you take, you don’t just take to move your own life forward, but ours. You take it knowing I’m right there with you, irrevocably tied to every decision you make.”-Hardline

“You’re in my soul, Erica. I couldn’t hide from you if I tried. Just….” I knit my brows together. ‘What?’ ‘Just be careful while you’re in there, okay? You have more control than you think.” -Hard Limit

Both of these chapters for Blake and Erica were just fantastic. Each one pushed these characters more and more, and the results of that was nothing short of phenomenal. I felt so much reading these books, and the level of emotion they have is so varied and just breathtaking. These books are some of my all time favorites, and I for one cannot wait to see what comes next for the ever dynamic Blake Landon and Erica Hathaway.

Read My 5* Review of Hardline Read My 5* Review of Hard Limit

~The Wake Series: Bait by M. Mabie~

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“If flying from one part of the world to another across time zones and datelines gave one jet-lag, what was it called when a persons heart traveled from one man to another man and then back in mere minutes? I’d love to know.”

Ah, Blake and Casey. I fucking love these two. So hard. Casey made me want to swoon. Constantly. Blake was so real, and even when I wanted to slap that girl silly, I loved her and I got her. Blake & Casey land, aka Bait, was one of my favorite places to be. It’s full of flaws and it’s messy as all get out, but it’s glorious and so full of love too, and I for one cannot get enough of Blake & Casey. Or Casey’s hair.

Read my 5* Review of Bait

~The Hale Brother Series: Drops of Rain & Starless Nights by Kathryn Andrews~

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“So quickly I went from feeling like I was drowning in the water to drowning in him. No guy has ever stirred these types of emotions in me or caused the sensations rippling through me. I never want to come up for air.” -Drops of Rain

“Beau, why do you like the stars so much? Because they remind me of you.” -Starless Nights

Drops of Rain and Starless Nights were such emotional and beautiful reads that I just loved. All the feels, all the emotion, and all the love. Drew Hale, Ali Rain, Beau Hale, and Leila Starling just molded themselves to my heart when I met their characters. You’ll love the intricate and just plain wonderful layers to these books, stories, and characters, and I guarantee there’s no way you won’t be loving the Hale brothers by the end of these books.

Read My 5* Review of Drops of Rain Read My 5* Review of Starless Nights

~Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan~

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“Sometimes an understanding silence was better than a bunch of meaningless words.”

This was my first book by Mia Sheridan and her writing just drew me in. Archer’s Voice is one of those books that just welcomes you in with welcomed arms, and you won’t ever want to leave those arms. This book is beautiful. It’s vulnerable. It’s breathtaking. It’s feeling. It’s emotion times ten. It’s love and heartache all in one. It’s so much. The beauty of this book will have you feeling everything, and there’s no possible way that Archer Hale won’t be your latest book boyfriend after this book.

Read My 5* Review of Archer’s Voice

~Picking Up the Pieces by Elizabeth Hayley~

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“I think when you meet the person you’re meant to be with, your heart just knows, even if it takes your brain a while to catch up. You can deny it and fight it all you want. But it’s no use. there is no living without that person.”

Holy mother effing love triangle. This is one of the best love triangles I’ve read because I really did not know who Lily, the main character would pick. Sure, I knew who I wanted her to pick, but you’ll be dying to figure out who she chooses. Elizabeth Hayley are two of my favorite writers and the way they combine hysterical humor, sarcasm, and authenticity with a crap ton of love and emotion just had me loving this conclusion to their Pieces Series. This book will have you loving Lily, Adam, and Max and their crazy selves over and over again.

Read My 5* Review of Picking Up The Pieces

~The Wrecked & Ruined Series: Changing Course, Stolen Course, Among the Echoes, Broken Course by Aly Martinez~

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“When I’m with you, Jess, everything else is silent. It’s magical. I can’t change anything that’s happened. I can however, try to move forward with my life.”-Changing Course

“Our relationship is not simple or straightforward. It’s not perfect the way young couples dream about. It’s rough and flawed, but it’s ours. And sometimes, if you get really lucky, something truly beautiful can come from the imperfections.”-Stolen Course

“Fuck your fairytale. I just want you. I’ll make my own God damn happily ever after. But you’re the one who is mistaken. You’ll be at the end of that story, beautiful. You either come willingly or you force me into the dark after you. It doesn’t matter to me, because either way, I’ll find you.”-Among The Echoes

“I love you. I love you despite it all, and now, I’m standing here, begging you to love me despite it all too.”-Broken Course

Years ago one fateful night changed it all. It sliced through life as these characters knew it, and it put them all on paths they never expected to find themselves on. Those paths are ones laced with so much emotion they will take your breath away. This series follows all of these unique and thoughtfully crafted characters as they try to make sense of it all, all while trying to figure out where they go from the painful night that changed everything. Each of the outstanding books in this series follows someone touched and affected by that night, and I LOVED each one so freaking much.

Read My 5* Review of Changing Course Read My 5* Review of Stolen Course

Read My 5* Review of Among the Echoes Read My 5* Review of Broken Course

~Rules of Protection~

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“Jake smiled, as if he enjoyed my temper tantrum. “Patience is a virtue.”
“Yeah, well, so is virginity, but I don’t have that anymore, either.”

This book has everything going for it. It’s got an alpha male, a sassy female, and more humor than you can shake a stick at. The main characters are absolutely wonderful in every way, the family that makes up the supporting characters will have you feeling the love, humor, and the southern awesomeness, and the story itself will hook you in from the first word to the very last. It’s magnificently balanced with the love story and suspense, and you’ll want to fight for Emily and Jake and what they have together throughout the entirety of the book.

Read My 5* Review of Rules of Protection

~The Dearest Series: Dearest Clementine & Finding Dandelion by lex Martin~

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“Where I’m uptight and anxious, he’s cool and collected. Where I often feel lost and aimless, he’s focused and driven. He’s the shore to my tumultuous waters.”-Dearest Clementine

“We stay together.’ He holds my face with both of his hands. ‘Because you’re what makes me want everything else.”-Finding Dandelion

The Dearest Series is one of my favorites because it has witty characters, plenty of humor, and just so much feeling within its pages. These books are true new adult books, and I connected so much with these characters as I read them. They were beyond believable to me, and I loved that. Lex Martin does a fabulous job of creating so many engaging and dynamic characters that will make you swoon, laugh, and smile all while bringing a certain blush to your face. Both books do a fantastic job of balancing the light and heavy, the funny and serious, as well as creating stories where you just can’t help but root for the main characters.

Read My 5* Review of Dearest Clementine Read My 5* Review of Finding Dandelion

~Bright Side by Kim Holden~

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“Today, my life is awesome.
I don’t want to think about tomorrow.
Or the day after that.
So I repeat to myself: Today, my life is awesome.”

Bright Side by Kim Holden is a book that changes you. I can’t say enough good things about this book and the utterly emotional story encapsulated within its pages. This book made me feel the gamut of emotions. It made me think and feel and experience with everything it had. This was a full bodied reading experience that was nothing short of phenomenal. Bright Side made me cry like a mother effing baby too, but with tears pouring down my face I devoured this book and was just enveloped by its amazingness. Reading Bright Side is like reading literal magic, and I honestly don’t have the right amount of words to describe how wonderful that is.

Read My 5* Review of Bright Side

~Fade In by M. Mabie~

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“Baby, just be honest. Please, just say you feel this. Feel it for real, not just fro some fling. Not just to scratch an itch. I want you so badly that I’m losing my mind, baby. But I won’t stop after you say go. Tatum, give us this.”

Oh Benny and Tatum, how I love thee. In my opinion Benny and Tatum are the bees motherfucking knees. Fade In is a book full of humor and plenty of fun times, and it is so heartwarming that you will just be feeling all the love and emotion. Ben practically had me on the floor from swooning so much during this book, and Tatum and her spitfire self had my cheeks hurting from smiling so much at the things she said. Fade In is bursting with laughs and humor, but it’s also bursting with so much love and emotion and vulnerability that’s just going to make your heart happy. Bottom line: I love me some Benny & Tatum!

Read My 5* Review of Fade In

~The Rocker Who Wants Me by Terri Anne Browning~

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“There is no one-not one fucking person-that makes me feel what you do….Remember that, Dallas. Always remember that.”

Boy do I love me a rocker book, and no other series delivers like The Rocker Series by Terri Anne Browning. I have loved every book and every single rocker I’ve met in this series, but I think it’s safe to say that Axton Cage is my favorite. Dallas and Axton are still two of the most stubborn characters I have ever read, but I absolutely loved that about them. Their stubbornness just adds to their passion and it made me love them more. Dallas and Axton are getting a third chance in this book, and their story is one you wont soon forget. These two have such an undeniable chemistry together that you won’t soon forget. Not to be outdone, all the fantastic supporting characters just round this book out, and they’ll have you feeling all the rocker love.

Read my 5* Review of The Rocker Who Wants Me

~On My Knees by Meredith Wild~

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“It had never been so blatantly clear that deep down she needed me as fiercely as I needed her. Knowing that she did bound me to her in a way that I’d never felt before, ever. I was going to put her back together. I’d unbreak everything I’d broken and bring her back to me if it was the last thing I did.”

On My Knees follows Maya and Cameron and their scorching off the page chemistry, as they try to figure out what is what between them as they get a second chance at being together. They are drawn to one another for a lot of reasons. This story follows them as they try to find, build, and cross the bridge from where they were to where they actually want to be. Their journey is wholly theirs, and makes for an extremely engaging story that will have you in tears one moment, breathless from the visceral moments so eloquently written in the next, smiling like a fool in others, fanning yourself from the connection you feel between them, and in the end you will just feel balanced from how it all comes together.

Read My 5* Review of On My Knees

~Crashed by K. Bromberg~

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“I accept you, I tell him. All of you. The broken parts. The bent parts. The ones filled with shame. The cracks where hope seeps through. The little boy cowering in fear and the grown man still suffocating in his shadow. The demons that haunt. Your will to survive. And your spirit that fights. Every single part of you is what I love. What I accept. What I want to help heal.”

Crashed is the fantastic conclusion to The Driven Trilogy by K. Bromberg. I’ll be the first to admit I was late person to the whole Colton Donovan party, but boy when I got there did I want to stay forever. Crashed was everything I wanted and more in a conclusion. K. Bromberg knows how to go out with a bang, how to hit it out of the damn park, and how to write the endings of all endings. There was so much that happened in Crashed, but I loved how much the events of Crashed pushed Rylee and especially Colton. This series, but especially this book pushed them to exactly where they needed to be, even if they both didn’t know it at the time. This book is just more and it was so worth the lack of sleep to devour.

~The Belonging Duet: Beloved & Beholden by Corinne Michaels~

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“I told you I’ll always find you, but you have to want to be found. Let me find you, Catherine.”-Beloved

“Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. That may seem like a stupid thing to say, but you should remember it. If your life isn’t what you wanted-you can change it. You have the power to make a change. Live the life you want to live. If someone doesn’t treat you well…cut them loose. If you want something bad enough…go after it. There’s nothing in this world that comes easy. Take your life by the horns and don’t let go.”-Beholden

Beloved and Beholden were two beautiful and emotional reads that tell the story of Catherine and Jackson. Catherine has spent her entire life feeling like she isn’t enough. Jackson Cole was a male character that you will just adore. Reading how things unfold between them was humorous at times, hugely emotional at others, and just made for a truly phenomenal read with both these books. These books and characters pulled at my heart, and with each minute I spent with them, I was more in love with their story. Catherine and Jackson just felt so real to me when reading, and you’re going to feel every ounce of every emotion and feeling these two share. You will feel every ounce of happiness, and pain, and doubt, and questioning, and joy, and elation.

Read My 5* Review of Beloved Read My 5* Review of Beholden

~Black Lies by Alessandra Torre~

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“True love makes a person reckless, makes them take risks and make sacrifices. True love tests the boundaries of our person, makes us yearn to be better and fight for the ground we stand on. I will fight for this love. Lie for it. Steal for it. It’s worthy of that.”

This book blew my mother effing mind. I don’t think I have ever read a book like Black Lies, and honestly, I don’t know if I’ll ever read another book that will make me think as much as this book did. The book description is right on for this story. You think you’ve read a story like this before, but you are oh so totally wrong. Layana, Brant, and Lee will blow you away. There are many lies building their way through this book. You’ll read this book, and be so engaged in it, that by the time you figure out what’s going on, you will just be blown away. This is the redefinition of a love story. It changes everything you think you know about love stories.

Read My 5* Review of Black Lies

The Breathing Series: Rescue Breathing & Life Support

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“You’re the only one I want to be with. If you need me to tell you all the ways I want you, I’ll do it. I could go on all night. What this is between us, it’s good, Olivia, and I don’t want it with anyone else. You own me Olivia. Don’t you see that?” -Rescue Breathing

“Listen carefully to me. I love you. I need you, and there will never be anyone else. I’ve found what I didn’t know I was even looking for in you. When I’ve found my other half, why would I need to continue looking? I want you and only you-forever and always. I may be the guy who’s out there saving people every day from burning buildings, but you save my life every single day. You give me life. You give me confidence and strength I didn’t know I had. And more importantly than all of that, you give me your love, which I know, without hesitation, I would die without. “-Life Support

Rescue Breathing and its phenomenal follow up Life Support have a hot as all get out fireman who’s got charm out the yin yang. They also have a female main character that is one of the realest and most authentic characters I’ve ever read. And you’re going to love her the moment that you meet her lovable butt. Owen & Olivia are just plain awesome. These two meet after a chance encounter and what ensues after is hot and real and so flipping good to read. Both these characters feel with everything they’ve got and they were so real to me with everything they felt and did. These two will engage you with their fiery magic from the moment you meet them, and you will be very sad to let them go, but that in no way lessens the fact that they will blow you away with everything they’ve got.

Read My 5* Review of Rescue Breathing Read My 5* Review of Life Support

~Locke by Harper Sloan~

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“In all the years I’ve known her and dreamt about having her in my arms, there is nothing that could ever have prepared me for the sense of peace that settles my soul by having her here.”

I knew that Maddox Locke was going to be my favorite P.O.V. from The Corps Security Series by Harper Sloan, the first moment I met him in Axel. I am not lying one bit when I say that. I knew then that that complicated and dark man was going to blow my mother effing mind away, and let me tell you:Maddox Locke doesn’t let you down one bit.Maddox Locke’s story is one filled with so many things, but after finally stepping into his dynamic head, I’ve realized that Maddox Locke is what male characters should be made of. He’s fierce, he’s intense, and his story is one filled with so much varied emotion that I couldn’t love him more if I tried. And don’t even get me started on how much I absolutely LOVE Emersyn, the lucky little sassy lady who enraptures Maddox Locke from the moment they first meet. This was the perfect conclusion to this series, and I for one was sold from the first word.

Read My 5* Review of Locke

~Conflagration by Tessa Teevan~

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“You came into my life at a time when I’d all but given up on love. What I didn’t know was that every painful moment, every broken heart, every disappointment was leading me to you.”

The first time I met Branson Wellington in Incinerate, I wanted to punch him in the face. Hard. By the end of Conflagration I still kind of wanted to punch him in the face, but then I wanted to hug his stubborn butt so hard. Branson Wellington will prove you wrong in this book. And Ari, the main girl of the hour? Be prepared to love her so hard you won’t be jealous one bit about the fact that she’s the one Branson Wellington chooses to finally risk it all for. I don’t have the right amount of words for what Ari and Branson have and how beautiful and powerful that is, but I will say that what they have together is built on many things, but at its core it’s built on the idea that love has the power to change you if you let it. Conflagration is about one Branson Wellington not giving up. It’s also about one Ariana Covington believing those same words, and practicing what she preaches. Give this wonderfully flawed man and his fierce lady a chance, and you’ll be oh so happy you did. Their love will revive your faith in the power of love.

Read My 5* Review of Conflagration

~Consequences of Deception by Ella Fox~

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“This man can bring my body to life with pain and pleasure, but when he loves he loves big, and hat is my favorite thing about him.”

This was the first book I ever read by Ella Fox, and I think it’s always going to be my favorite. I love me some Killian and Sloane something fierce. They are complicated and dynamic and messy and so damn fierce. Sloane and Killian have a past history together. Four and half years ago, they were on the fast track to starting up something fierce when a tragic and horrible event brought that all to a screeching halt. Consequences of Deception is the story of what happens when Sloane and Killian are thrust back into each others lives for reasons you don’t fully find out until much further into the story. Its got drama, some very raw and emotional moments, plenty of times that will make you want to hit someone, or cry, or laugh, or smile like a fool, and of course its got just enough romance to make you want to melt into a puddle asap.

Read My 5* Review of Consequences of Deception

~Knights Rebels MC Series: Incandescent & Affliction by River Savage~

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“I want to relish in the feeling of now, of in this moment knowing it’s something I’ll want to remember. That pivotal point when you know the man you’re giving you’re body to just took a little of your heart. Lust my ass, my heart sings.”-Incandescent

“So I’m going to do just that. I will sit in the darkness waiting, waiting for her to come and guide me back out. And while I wait, hoping the light comes soon, I will thank God I’m not afraid of the dark.” -Affliction

Incandescent and Affliction were my first real MC reads, and they just hit it out of the damn park for me. These books were hot with a capital H, and they had characters that just didn’t quit. Incandescent is Nix and Kaydence’s story, and he’s one dirty talking alpha male and she’s a sassy little school teacher. Boy did those two just work. Their book was just so fucking fun to read, and even in all those light and sassy moments there was so much passion and feeling with them. Holly and Sy took me on a seriously emotional journey in Affliction. I wasn’t prepared for how much I would feel for these two or the pasts that they had, but I embraced everything they made me feel because it was nothing short of exceptional. I felt for those two so fucking much. These books are heavy on the emotion, heavy on the heat, and seriously heavy on the love and feeling. River Savage’s fantastic writing along with the dirty talking alphas and sassy spitfire women just keep winning me over again and again.

Read My 5* Review of Incandescent Read My 5* Review of Affliction

~Redeeming Justice by Suzanne Halliday~

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“You haven’t taken anything. I’m giving it to you. All of it. All of me. Whatever you need, I’m yours.”

So we all know by this point that I love me a dark horse. I LOVE reading male characters with pasts they must overcome in order to be with the women they love. That’s one of my favorite kinds of stories and male characters to read, and Alex Marquez and Redeeming Justice deliver on that tenfold. There’s just something that gets me about attempting to overcome all that darkness. It also helps when there’s a sassy female character in tow, and Meghan O’Brien certainly fits that bill. Redeeming Justice is a book about a lot of things. It’s about redemption for things in the past. It’s about healing from past hurt. It’s about finding the light, and it’s about finding the love that makes all the pain worthwhile. This book was out of this world remarkable, and made for a truly great reading experience you won’t want to miss. The characters are great, the story is magnificent and well paced, and in the end, you’ll be so happy you had a chance to experience it!

Read My 5* Review of Redeeming Justice

~Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover~

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“Love isn’t always pretty. Sometimes you spend all your time hoping it’ll eventually be something different. Something better. Then, before you know it, you’re back to square one, and you lost your heart somewhere along the way.”

You know I couldn’t end my top reads list without a bang, right?! Ugly Love was the book that introduced me to Colleen Hoover. I loved this book so vehemently that I didn’t even care that it made me break down in tears in the middle of Disney World. In fact, I think that’s part of the reason I loved it so much. Ugly Love introduced me to the seriously wonderful thing that is Colleen Hoover’s books, but it also gave me Tate and Miles. I felt so much reading Ugly Love, and I connected with these characters and all they went through in such an extraordinary way. It’s an unconventional love story that at certain times hurt my heart, but at others made my heart whole with all the love. Miles and Tate just had a story so full of emotion and pain and hurt, but also full of so much love. The best kind of love and ugly love. This book will always be one of my all time favorites because it introduced me to one of my favorite authors. It’ll also remain one of my favorites because it really is a book about overcoming and accepting it all, even the bad parts, and that just blew me away, and it still does.

Read My 5* Review of Ugly Love

So there you have it folks. My Top Reads For 2014. I LOVED all of these books so much. They all made me feel, and think, and experience so much between their magnificent pages. They left me in awe and just blew me away for what they all brought to the proverbial table.

I promise they are all worth a read, and I couldn’t recommend them all to you more, so be sure to check them out today!

Here’s to many more Top Reads in 2015!

23Dec2014

Review Post: Bright Side by Kim Holden

Posted in Books I love, Review Post by mkcooke

Let me start this review by saying I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this, and that’s what made all the difference.

Sometimes you start reading a book and at some point you realize this book is going to change you. It’s going to move you. It’s going to make you think, and feel, and breathe it all in. It’s going to envelop you in fully with all its glory, and by the time you’re done there’s no way you could possibly be the same. Books like that change you, and that is probably the biggest reason I read: to find books like that.

Bright Side by Kim Holden is a book that changes you.

I can’t say enough good things about this book and the utterly emotional story encapsulated within its pages. This book made me feel the gamut of emotions. It made me think and feel and experience with everything it had. This was a full bodied reading experience that was nothing short of phenomenal.

I felt it all. I experienced it all. I loved it all.

Bright Side tells the story of Kate. She’s Bright Side. That’s her nickname and let me tell you, it fits her to a T. She’s living her life to the fullest, no regrets, no guilt, and no time for sadness. She is a bonafied gem of a female character. She is sunshine, she is light, she is happiness, and there’s no way you won’t love her immensely.

Reading her character was like experiencing real magic. She was exhilarating and never failed to make me smile. It warmed my heart to read her character. It kind of broke my heart too, but it was so real and so magnificent that I was nothing short of blown away by her and her story.

Bright Side is also about how Kate touches so many lives. First, there’s Gus. He’s kind of the best. So much spunk, so much charisma and charm, and so much else that just made me love his rocker self. He’s Bright Side’s best friend, and by the end of this book you’ll want him for your best friend too. He’s a surfer, a rocker, a friend, a bandmate, and he feels. He feels so damn much.

Then there’s Keller Banks. He had me head over heels in love with his character about 5 words into the first time I met him. True story. Keller is just something more. He feels more. He loves more. He is more. There are so many intricate layers to Keller, so much to understand about him. There’s also a bit of mystery to Keller, but when Kate and him meet things start happening. Big things. Those things lead to big things and small things and more monumental things, but ultimately they lead you to Kate and Keller.

This book is also about Duncan, and Shelly, and Clayton and Morris too. Then there’s Maggie and Gracie and Audrey and Stella, and those fabulous men from Rook. You can’t forget about Pete or Romero or even Star, or practically anyone else you’ll meet in this book because honestly, they’re all pretty unforgettable. You’ll meet them. Most you’ll love instantly, some you’ll want to slap silly, but mostly you’ll just love what you get to experience and feel with all of them.

You’ll also just love what Bright Side brings out in them. Or what she doesn’t.

You see, Bright Side is a story about Kate and all that encompasses her breathtaking self. It’s about the people in her life, and just the amazingness that is Kate.

If you think I’m being super vague about this book, you’re correct. I can’t really explain to you what this book is about because that would ruin the reading experience it’ll give you. Experiencing this book is something that I’ll never forget, and you deserve to feel the same way. So I’m not telling you what all goes down, or really any of the many events that will just leave you in awe of this book and this magnificent author’s writing.

What I will tell you is this is by far one of the best books I’ve ever read. It made me feel every single thing it had. It had me in love with Kate and all her friends in about 2 seconds flat. It had me thinking about the story, and where it would go and how it would all end. It had me crying like a mother effing baby, and I loved every outstanding second of it.

Bright Side is beautiful. It’s emotional. It’s visceral at times with how much you feel and hurt, and how vulnerable it makes the characters and in turn you as the reader. It is nothing short of amazing. It will heal you, break you, and put you back together again. It will make you see the best of things, and want to scream at the top of your lungs at the same time. It’ll make you want to jump into the book and experience Bright Side in all her and its glory.

This book will do it all and then some, because it has it all and then some.

It is bounding with epicness. It’s amazing to say the least. It left me with a book hangover I’ll never recover from.

Bright Side is a book about a lot of things. It’s about a girl named Kate who lives in the Bright Side. It’s about her best friend Gus who takes you on a wild ride. It’s about the man she doesn’t want to fall in love with, but soon realizes that saying no to Keller Banks is like saying no to the sun.

This book is about living. This book is about loving. This book is about seeing the best in things no matter how dark and dismal it may seem. This book is about feeling and experiencing those emotions. All of the emotions.

It’s about learning to let loose and live, and dance, and laugh. It’s about fight and surrender, and the power of it all. This book is about so many wonderful things. It’s about so many heartbreaking things. This book is about life and love and all that happens in between, but most of all…

This book is about living.

Kim Holden gave me an exceptional reading experience with Bright Side. She is golden in my eyes after this book. Even after making me cry my eyes out, I couldn’t be in more gratitude to her for what she wrote. Her book changed me. I don’t even know how yet, but like I said, you don’t read a phenomenal book like Bright Side without it changing you a little.

Maybe you’ll laugh a little more. Maybe you’ll live a lot more. Maybe you’ll dance around like a fool every once and awhile now. Maybe you’ll do it all.

You might even be a bit more epic after reading Bright Side.

But just don’t be epic, do epic.

If there’s one thing I’ll take from this book, it’s that. I’m going to take a hell of a lot more than that with me, but that’s the one thing that’s going to stay with me forever.

So this review has told you very little of the plot of Bright Side, but I hope it gave you a small glimpse into what it’s like to feel like you’re reading literal magic. I don’t have the right words to describe what that feels like, but if you read Bright Side by Kim Holden, you’ll get to experience that for yourself.

And experiencing that literal magic is nothing short of every positive adjective you can think of.

Experiencing that is the best part of living, so get to doing it.

Get to living.

Get to doing epic.

Get to reading Bright Side.

Check out more on Kim Holden and her books at the following links:

Facebook Website Goodreads

Amazon Barnes & Noble KOBO iBooks

18Dec2014

Review Post: Justified by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by mkcooke

Meet Nolan & Chloe is this HOT, quick read

by Aurora Rose Rose Reynolds

NOW AVAILABLE!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1GI8Q89

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1yOZOC4

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1ssDa5K

Justified (Alfha Law #1) Novella

After the first sighting, he’s fascinated.

After the first smile, he’s infatuated.

By the first kiss, he’s obsessed.

Nolan sees Chloe through a window of a bakery in downtown Manhattan. At first sight, something about her calls to a piece of him he thought was lost. Without thinking, he begins watching her, and when the moment presents itself, he strikes, claiming Chloe for himself. For a man who is used to getting what he wants Nolan wont let anyone or anything stand in his way.

Excerpt #1

“You look stunning.” I step towards her, running my index finger down her bare side. “I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the evening without killing every man who looks at you.” That’s not a lie, I think, tracing the edge of her breast.

“You didn’t pick this, did you?” she asks.  I lift my eyes to meet hers and shake my head. “I can change.”

“No. You look…” I shake my head, trying to think of a way to describe her. “You look absolutely beautiful.”

Excerpt #2

“GET UP,” I tell Chloe as I walk into the bedroom. “For what?” she asks, looking at me from over the top of her

Kindle, not moving. “You’re not going to lie around and pout all day. Now, get

up.” “I’m not pouting.” She frowns. I shake my head, walk over to her, rip the Kindle out of her

hand, and toss it onto a chair across the room. “Hey! I was reading that,” she complains, crossing her arms

over her chest and glaring at me. “I don’t know what happened to my submissive little Angel,

but I’m telling you now—what you’re going to be doing is getting undressed, getting on your knees, opening that pretty mouth of yours, and sucking my cock until I tell you to stop. Then, if you’re good, I will eat your little pussy until you come,” I growl, pulling her out of bed. “When I’ve had my fill of your taste, you’re going to climb up on my cock and ride me until we both come.”

4.5 Hot Stars

I have loved every book that Aurora Rose Reynolds has written, so I was not surprised one bit to find that I loved Justified, her newest novella and the first installment in her Alfha Law Series.

Justified (Alfha Law #1) by Aurora Rose Reynolds was one firecracker of a novella. This book was hot with a capital H, and it takes you on one hell of an alpha male ride. Justified is packing a whole lot of punch to it, so don’t worry one bit that you won’t get one helluva story packed into this fantastic novella.

Justified is going to give you everything you want and need within its well written and seriously heated pages.

What I absolutely loved about Justified:

The wham bam thank you ma’am. This novella just hits the ground running, and it doesn’t stop until the very last word. I loved that I was thrown right into the thick of it and straight into all that heat. This novella is fast paced, searing hot, and you will be hooked into all of that immediately. All of that combined to make this novella impossible to put down.
Holy hot alpha male. Nolan is definitely an alpha male to a T. He’s possessive, protective, strong willed, and stubborn, and I for one couldn’t get enough of him. I loved that this novella was completely his perspective, as it was fantastic to spend the whole thing in his head. Let me tell you, that man has one highly intriguing head. You also get to feel everything he feels for Chloe, and that just won me over times ten. That man feel so fiercely with all of he has, and you will feel that over and over again. It also kind of helps that the words coming out of his head are nothing short of melt worthy, so I pretty much guarantee Nolan will have you melting in no time.
Brimming with feeling. This novella really packs a punch. It’s a quick read, but it doesn’t lack one bit with the amount of feeling it will have you experiencing. Nolan, Chloe, and their story pack a ton of emotion and feeling with them, and you will feel that in so many ways which is beyond enthralling. In their words, their actions, their feelings and emotions, their vulnerabilities, you will feel the depth of love they share and it’ll just warm your heart among other places.
The firework worthy chemistry. Chloe and Nolan have such a fiery chemistry together and you are thrown right into all of that headfirst. That connection just exemplifies all that they feel for one another, and I’m telling you you’re going to feel all that heat and fireworks for yourself when you read this novella. All of those fireworks just helps the love these characters have leap off the page. Those fireworks are explosive, and hot, and so effing good to look at too, so be ready to experience their full glory in Justified.

Justified is a novella that is short, hot, and to the point, but it is brimming with all of that emotion, feeling, heat, love, and alpha male goodness that will make you swoon. It’s also got two characters with plenty of personality that just didn’t quit.

It’s a solid read, and I for one can’t wait to read where the future novellas in this series take some of the other characters, as well as Nolan and Chloe.

Additional Books by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Until Series

Until November (Book 1)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1i3ebMV

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1k2XK31

Smashword: http://bit.ly/1hvNQZj

Until Trevor (Book 2)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1l8YYfN

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1iWBUQK

Smashword: http://bit.ly/PBepBh

Until Lily (Book 3)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1mMEJro

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1pzOdYk

Smashword: http://bit.ly/1ik18ci

Until Nico (Book 4)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1m0JaZO

Amazon UK: http://amzn.uk.to/1m0JaZO

B & N: http://bit.ly/1kZqgpl

Assumption (Book 1) Underground Kings Series

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1onxQI0

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1qaNWJ3

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1pdSccC

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/1olp5C0

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18Dec2014

Review Post: In The Mix by Jacquelyn Ayres

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by mkcooke

Book: In The Mix

Author: Jacquelyn Ayres

Genre: Erotic/Romance/Humor

Goodreads Book Link

*** This book contains the GEGs! For those of you who don’t understand that warning: GEGs= strong language. gut-busting LOL moments caused by best friends who check their maturity at the door when they’re together, and impromptu Kegel exercises. This book does not come with batteries. Though it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the series in order since all books will have a continuation of EVERYONE’S story. Enjoy! ***

CiCi O’Brien has a weapon of mass destruction—her mouth. It’s always loaded and ready to strike, whether the situation calls for laughter or a professional smartass. It’s been her strongest defense against unwanted feelings over the past fifteen years. If she acts like she doesn’t care, then she won’t, right?

Yeah . . . keep telling yourself that, Ceese!

Luckily for CiCi, she’s surrounded by friends and family who can easily see through her façade. They (and the furballs she takes care of at work) are who enrich her life, have been the ones she’s needed. That is, until the day her life changed—when she grabbed it by the balls.

No, seriously . . . she grabbed him by the balls. Not kidding.

Kyle Cooper has it all. He’s smart, handsome, and a ninja (not really, but that’s what Mitch likes to call him). As vice president of Colton Technologies, he travels around the world with Mitch, bringing companies the latest innovations in automobile technology. At home, he’s a force to be reckoned with, always hanging out with his parents and sister or . . . working.

Oh.

Kyle Cooper does not have it all, and he’s ready for a change. He just isn’t sure where to begin. That is, until CiCi O’Brien walks into his office and grabs this bull by the . . . horns (wink), which causes a spark to ignite in both of them. Kyle embraces it. CiCi does everything, short of calling the fire department, to put it out. Who will prevail? And what will that win truly mean?

* 5 HUGE Laugh Out Loud Stars *

Jacquelyn Ayres knows how to win my heart over times ten when she writes a book.

How’s that you ask? Well with gut busting, heart melting, and laugh out loud humor that could make even the toughest person crack a smile. My cheeks hurt from how much I smiled and cracked up reading In The Mix, and the first book in her GEG Series, Under Contract.

But it wasn’t just the humor that won me over repeatedly in this book, it was so much more.

It was the characters she created that never failed to bring one hell of a smile to my face with their truly dynamic and layered selves. It was the story itself that hooked me in from beginning to end with all the very real ups and downs and pushes and pulls it gave me. It was all the varied and well written feeling and emotion that this story and characters made me feel for them while reading this phenomenal book.

It was all that and more that made In The Mix a magnificent 5 star read for me. This book brought a serious smile to my face, but through all those smiles, Kyle and CiCi’s charming and fierce selves adhered themselves to my heart. Permanently.

What was utterly fantastic about In The Mix:

The laugh out loud hysterical moments. This is what I’ve loved about this series, and especially In The Mix. These moments made me laugh, crack up, smile and smirk like all get out. I never knew what these crazy fun characters would say and do next, and their hysterical vibrancy just shined through in spades. I couldn’t go a page or two without laughing, and having that level of humor along with the rest of the outstanding story just made my heart so happy. It just added a whole new level of fun and light to reading this book, making this one of the most fun books I’ve EVER read. (Right behind Under Contract of course.)
Kyle’s determined self. The one thing guaranteed to win me over from a male character is if they never give up fighting for what they want, and Kyle fits that bill. He never waivers in his determination to get CiCi, and his fight for what they could have with one another. He saw through all the bs and just kept pushing through because he knew what they could have together was worth it. That level of fight, determination, and trust just won me over repeatedly, and it showed me how much of a gem he really was. It also illuminated so much about him, and just how much of a good freaking guy he was. Plus all that determination combined with the rest of his charm made me practically want to swoon over him.
CiCi and all her fantastic layers. I don’t know if I have the right amount of words to describe how much I LOVED CiCi. There is so much more to her than meets the eye. She is fun, feisty, and spunky as all get out, and I don’t think I ever could’ve imagine what comes out of that girl’s mouth. I loved her, felt for her, cared like crazy for her, and I just believed in every layer of her. Cici is so dynamic with so many well-crafted layers that I highly enjoyed diving into. There’s the layers of CiCi that are fun, light, and carefree, and then there are the layers that show her vulnerability, her true feelings, and the depth of her emotion. The extraordinary combination of those layers just had my heart pulling for her, and I have utterly no doubt that I absolutely effing adore me some CiCi.
The fireworks. There is nothing short of fireworks between Kyle and CiCi. Those two have such a strong chemistry and pull towards one another that you’re going to feel those fireworks in your bones. Their connection and relationship is just waiting to explode and is combusting at the seams, but that’s what makes it what it is, and I guarantee it’ll bring a certain heat to your cheeks. All those fireworks will just ignite your love for these characters, and it’ll make you want to fight for those fireworks right along with them because you know how truly powerful they are when they’re together. And yeah they may be explosive as all get out, but boy are they something beautiful.
The GEG’s. These gaggle of green eyed ladies are some beyond fabulous females. They are each lovable and fun in their very own way. Each one of the GEG’s has their own story to tell, and I LOVED getting more pieces to each their vivacious puzzles, though I am still dying for more on all of them! CiCi, Charlotte, Julie, Maddie, and Ava just won me over once again, and their friendship and love for one another soared off the page in such an exceptional way from Jacquelyn Ayres writing. I felt their friendship in such a real way, and reading that just made me downright happy. There also wasn’t an instant that these ladies were together that they didn’t have me laughing and fighting the urge to pee my pants (Seriously!), but through all of that I was just enveloped in the love the characters had for one another. The female friendship dynamic in this book and series is just out of this world phenomenal.
The authenticity. I can’t stress enough how real everything in this book felt to me. I wasn’t just reading this book, I was experiencing it. I was feeling it with my heart, and my laughter, and my love. The characters, the story itself, and the events just came across in such a real way, and that truly invested me into every part of this book. That authenticity and realness also just bursts out from the characters. The events and moments that transpire with the characters also just make so much sense because of that authenticity. Nothing was forced, and it all felt so easy to understand. That realness and authenticity just made this book come alive for me as I read it, and it took my reading experience to a new level that just left me in awe.
The past and how it comes to be. CiCi is fighting what is happening and developing between her and Kyle because of the events that happened in her past. These events come to light in such magnificent ways, and not only helped me understand CiCi, but also helped me understand why certain choices and actions were made. It was very easy to see how things got from point A to point B to point C, and all that past just had my heart hurting for CiCi and what she went through. Reading her attempt to move on and accept that past just blew me away with how emotional and heart tugging it was, and it had me dying to reach in and heal CiCi because of it all. I also couldn’t help but love how much Kyle wanted CiCi’s past because he knew if he could get that past, he could also get her future. Total heart melting moment.
The push. There is a ton of pushing in this book. CiCi pushes her firecracker self out there for the world to see. The GEG’s push each other to be honest and open and to be their true crazy selves. But most of all, Kyle continues to push CiCi to admit what she’s feeling for him and to embrace what they could have together if she only tears down those walls around her heart. The way that he pushes her with their relationship is fantastic, and the pushback she gives him makes him truly think and consider what it is that he wants. That pushing brings them both to places they’re fighting like hell to get to. Even in those moments where they’re pushing so hard and it hurts like a mother, that push is exactly what Kyle and CiCi need, and what you need for that matter.
All the connections. This is the second book in this series, and I loved how it connected with the first book, Under Contract. It gave new events to characters I’ve already come to love, and getting to know more about them along with CiCi and Kyle was wonderful and so very telling. The connections between these books exemplified all that was fantastic about them both, and just made me more and more eager for the rest of the series. Jacquelyn Ayres has connected me to all of the characters and their stories in such a way that I am practically dying to see where this all goes next.
The title. This is a very specific detail to pick out, but it’s an aspect that really was so meaningful. It was one of the aspects I loved most because the way this title connects into the story had me fighting tears. (Good tears, I promise!) I’m not going to tell you what it means, or where you find that out, or how it even comes to be, but when you read the words of how this title comes into play you’ll be nothing short of blown away. It’s a phenomenally powerful moment that made my heart melt, tears come to my eyes, and just took my breath away with its beauty and meaning. (It was by far one of my favorite moments in the book!)

In The Mix was another beyond amazing addition the GEG Series by Jacquelyn Ayres. This book had me in fits of laughter, loving these characters with my entire heart, and feeling this story with everything I had. I honestly cannot say enough good things about this book, this series, and this author’s amazing writing.

In the Mix is a fun read, with plenty of moments that will bring a smile to your face or flush to your cheeks, but underneath all of that awesomeness lies a beautifully emotional story and two fierce characters fighting for their chance at having something spectacular.

Kyle and CiCi are going to win you over in an instant, and even in those moments when they make you want to bang your head against the wall because they’re being so stubborn, you will simply adore them. They’re going to make you work with everything that you have to get to that ending and place you seek to find them in, but through it all they will just warm your heart and bring one helluva huge smile to your face.

This is a 5 star read at its core, and it deserves to be devoured by you this very instant. The GEG’s and Kyle and CiCi won’t let you down one little bit, I can promise you that.

I am a domestic engineer (born and raised in NJ) whose sole responsibility is to guide three young, impressionable kids into becoming phenomenal adults. This challenging yet rewarding work requires a lot of love (coffee), patience (wine), and determination (periodic exorcisms). I work this magic from the beautiful state of New Hampshire.

Before becoming a domestic goddess (not really), I spent over a decade in the medical field, where I wore more hats than the Queen.

I have loved the written word and the great escape it provides since I was a little girl. When I wasn’t reading about people and the places they lived, I was creating my own characters and adventures.

Finding myself again through my writing in The Lost & Found Series, The One, and The GEG Series has been nothing short of a dream come true. Also, it makes people feel better when I laugh randomly or talk to myself, knowing it’s my characters and not “the voices” . . . that would be creepy.

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Other Books in the Series

Under Contract

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*****5 Huge Stars*****

Giveaway — $50 Gift Card

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*****5 AMAZING Stars*****

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****4.5 Wonderful Stars****

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~Sweet Addiction~

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Synopsis:

~Sweet Possession~

Synopsis:

Discover more about the amazing J. Daniels at the following links below! Be sure to check out Sweet Addiction and Sweet Possession, as well as her Alabama Summer series. That’s up next on my TBR list!

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Feel Again

By: Faith Andrews

Release Date: 1/12/15

*****5 AMAZING Stars*****

About Faith Andrews

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Website / Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter

Click the link below to enter the giveaway!!

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~Rule~

~Jet~

~Rome~

~Nash~

~Rowdy~

~Asa~

To find out more on the awesomeness that is Jay Crownover, be sure to check out the following links!

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**Top Reads of 2014**

~The Hacker Series: Hardline & Hard Limit by Meredith Wild~

~The Wake Series: Bait by M. Mabie~

~The Hale Brother Series: Drops of Rain & Starless Nights by Kathryn Andrews~

~Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan~

~Picking Up the Pieces by Elizabeth Hayley~

~The Wrecked & Ruined Series: Changing Course, Stolen Course, Among the Echoes, Broken Course by Aly Martinez~

~Rules of Protection~

~The Dearest Series: Dearest Clementine & Finding Dandelion by lex Martin~

~Bright Side by Kim Holden~

~Fade In by M. Mabie~

~The Rocker Who Wants Me by Terri Anne Browning~

~On My Knees by Meredith Wild~

~Crashed by K. Bromberg~

~The Belonging Duet: Beloved & Beholden by Corinne Michaels~

~Black Lies by Alessandra Torre~

The Breathing Series: Rescue Breathing & Life Support

~Locke by Harper Sloan~

~Conflagration by Tessa Teevan~

~Consequences of Deception by Ella Fox~

~Knights Rebels MC Series: Incandescent & Affliction by River Savage~

~Redeeming Justice by Suzanne Halliday~

~Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover~

So there you have it folks. My Top Reads For 2014. I LOVED all of these books so much. They all made me feel, and think, and experience so much between their magnificent pages. They left me in awe and just blew me away for what they all brought to the proverbial table.

I promise they are all worth a read, and I couldn’t recommend them all to you more, so be sure to check them out today!

Here’s to many more Top Reads in 2015!

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Check out more on Kim Holden and her books at the following links:

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Meet Nolan & Chloe is this HOT, quick read

by Aurora Rose Rose Reynolds

Justified (Alfha Law #1) Novella

****4.5 Hot Stars****

Additional Books by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Giveaway — $50 Gift Card (2 Winners) Click the link below to enter!!

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Book: In The Mix

Author: Jacquelyn Ayres

Genre: Erotic/Romance/Humor

***** 5 HUGE Laugh Out Loud Stars *****

Click the link below to enter the giveaway!!!

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5 Huge Stars

5 AMAZING Stars

4.5 Wonderful Stars

5 AMAZING Stars

Top Reads of 2014

4.5 Hot Stars

* 5 HUGE Laugh Out Loud Stars *