Audio Review ~ Ever Over After ~ J.A. DeRouen #AudioChallenge #ShelfLove

Ever Over After by J.A. DeRouen
Over Duet #2
Narrated by: Neva Navarre and Jeremy York
Release Date: May 16, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Marlo...wild-eyed, untamed, and every single thing I've ever wanted from this life. I wasn't ready for her back then. I was a stupid boy with adult feelings and no idea what to do with them. I squandered away every chance she gave me.

Yes, love like ours either burns white hot or crumbles under the pressure.
And now I'm back to sift through the rubble.

Questions and excuses are two things I have in spades. What I need now are answers.
Answers and Low.
Always Low.

My name is Ever Montgomery, and this is my story of love resurrected.

Low Over High straddled the line between YA and NA but was essentially YA. Ever Over After jumps ahead eight years and firmly into Adult territory. I couldn't wait to dive into this story to see what would become of Low and Ever. DeRouen did not disappoint.

The way DeRouen continues Low and Ever's story was very well done. It felt fluid and she did a great job filling in the few gaps that needed filling over the last eight years so that we understood how Low and Ever came to be where they are...and what it'd take for them to find their way back to one another.

I liked seeing what they'd become in their lives despite the fact that part of their paths were not easy. I liked how DeRouen conveyed the way they'd lived without one another and how they'd not moved on in some ways. It was all very authentic and I loved how they got their second chance.

I didn't mention the emotional roller coaster DeRouen too me on in my review of Low Over High but hopefully it was evident. Ever Over After was equally as emotional if not more so. And DeRouen again proved her prowess with character development creating a new cast of secondary characters along with incorporating a few of the ones we'd already met. I admit that I missed Low's dad and Nana in this installment but Low's friends and Ever's best friend, Jeb, made up for their absence.

Again the narration from Navarre and York kept the story flowing smoothly as well as bringing these characters, whom I've come to adore, to life. I will look for other books narrated by both these voice actors. And, of course, I'll be reading more books from DeRouen!

My TBR List Review *February* ~ Once Bitten, Twice Shy ~ C.C. Wood #COYER #MyTBRL #ShelfLove #TravelingtotheTerminus

My To-Be Read List is a meme hosted by Michelle @Because Reading. 



Once Bitten, Twice Shy by C.C. Wood
Bitten #2
Release Date: March 4, 2014
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased on Nook
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER, #ShelfLove, #TravelingtotheTerminus
Goodreads

Synopsis
I used to think my life was boring. I resigned myself to the rut I was stuck in. Then my entire existence was turned upside down.

In the last six months, I've learned things that would get me committed to an asylum if I repeated them. First, I was kidnapped by vampires. Yes, vampires. Sounds crazy, right? My best friend, Donna, became one of the fanged after that little adventure and hooked up with a hot, Scottish vampire named Conner. They're even planning a wedding.

Secondly, I learned not all vampires are evil. In fact, some of them are downright sexy.

Alexander Dimitriades has it all. He's tall, dark, and handsome and manages to give me tingles in all the right places and also make me laugh. Unfortunately, to be with him, I would have to give up my humanity and I like being human. Then, there's the fact that the whole drinking blood thing gives me the heebie jeebies.

To make matters worse, there are plans in motion to change the place vampires hold in the human world. And I'm caught in the middle, between the vampire I'm falling in love with and a group that wants to create a vampire dictatorship, with humans as slaves.

Now, all I want is my calm, normal life back. As my friend, Ricki, likes to say, "Be careful what you wish for because it might come and bite you on the ass." I hate it when she's right.

*This work contains BDSM elements/themes, spanking, bondage, anal play, and a bossy, persistent Greek vampire.

I don't know why I put off reading more of this series. This was an exciting second installment and I had to scratch my head over why I took so long to pick it up. Time, I suppose. But I plan to read more - dare I say finish? - this series soon!

Highlights

• Lex & Ivie
  I enjoyed the romance between these two even if Ivie made me want to shake her at times. The differences between them due to length of living made for entertaining interplay. Since the story is told from Ivie's POV I felt I got to know her better and I liked being witness to her learning more about herself as she fell for Lex. I enjoyed the way Lex took care of Ivie - letting her get used to him and their bond slowly, not wanting to scare her off. He was gentle with her even when he wanted to strangle her.
• Secondary Cast
  Getting to spend time with Donna and Connor, from book #1, as well as their friends made for a more entertaining read. It also gave me glimpses into who they next couples might be.
• Plot
  Although Wood is focusing on a different couple in each book, their stories are all bound together with an overarching plot involving vampire politics. Wood is slowly disseminating the machinations behind what's brewing with the vampires and she incorporates it well with her world building using vampire history and a Dallas setting

This installment was exciting, entertaining, and steamy. BDSM is mentioned in the synopsis but don't let that scare you away. It's barely an element, the smexy scenes are more just your typical smokin' hot sexy vamp sex scenes, and the plot doesn't revolve around BDSM in any way. I really am anxious to read the next installment as I think it may involve a werewolf and his witch. *wink*

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #77 ~ Once Bitten, Twice Shy ~ C.C. Wood

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is a weekly meme hosted by my blogger wife, Lexxie, @(un)Conventional Bookviews. It's a way to highlight a book using quotes that revolve around food and/or drinks. Every Thursday, post a line or two...or heck, a whole paragraph, that spoke to you in some way using food or drinks. *wink* Don't forget to link up!

My pick this week for Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is from:

Once Bitten, Twice Shy by C.C. Wood

So Lex is the bossy Greek vampire but in this scene he shows he's very capable of caring for his woman. 

***

"Lex put a stew together for our lunch this morning before the guys left," she said.

I jerked my hand back from the lid of the pot as though I'd burned myself. "What?"

She went to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water before she went to the bar and sat down on a stool.

"Yeah. He knew you hadn't eaten breakfast and said you were losing too much weight. He put all that together in like fifteen minutes and told me to make sure you ate a bowl of it around noon."

I stared at her blankly for a few seconds. "He said I'm losing too much weight?" I asked incredulously.

I was short, but not a small woman. In fact, my mother, who had been the same size since high school, gave me a huge guilt trip about my weight almost every time we spoke. I even had a bit of a complex about it. I had curves and I likely always would. No way in hell would I starve myself to fit what society considered the 'norm'. Did I want to be healthier? Yes, but I didn't necessarily think those stick-thin women were healthier either. A person who enjoyed good nutrition shouldn't be able to count every rib.

Donna smirked at me. "Yeah, apparently the Greek god agrees with me that you're gorgeous just the way you are."

#COYER Review ~ Hate to Want You ~ Alisha Rai

Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai 
Forbidden Hearts #1
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER
Goodreads

Synopsis
One night. No one will know.

That was the deal. Every year, Livvy Kane and Nicholas Chandler would share one perfect night of illicit pleasure. The forbidden hours let them forget the tragedy that haunted their pasts - and the last names that made them enemies.

Until the night she didn't show up.

Now Nicholas has an empire to run. He doesn't have time for distractions and Livvy's sudden reappearance in town is a major distraction. She's the one woman he shouldn't want...so why can't he forget how right she feels in his bed?

Livvy didn't come home for Nicholas, but fate seems determined to remind her of his presence - and their past. Although the passion between them might have once run hot and deep, not even love can overcome the scandal that divided their families.

Being together might be against all the rules...but being apart is impossible.

Oh so much to love about Hate to Want You! Alisha Rai is a new-to-me author that I picked up after reading Nick's review (@Nick and Nereyda's Infinite Booklist) of book #2 in this series. Thanks for the recommendation, Nick! You've made me a fan of Rai!

Highlights

• Diversity
  Maybe it's a strange thing to lead with but I adored the fact that Rai's characters were diverse in looks, race, ethnicity, religion, and even sexual preference. Fantastic!
• Mental Illness
  Rai also wrapped part of the plot around mental illness. She discussed therapy, treatment, and the toll it takes on everyone. Rai did this authentically and realistically and I appreciated it.
• Plot
  The plot revolves around a couple divided by feuding families. The families weren't always at war and Rai did a great job of giving us backstory - both the good and the bad. I liked how she wasn't always forthcoming about information - giving us rumors and speculation - so we could draw our own conclusions about a few things. I also liked how she went about giving our MCs their second chance despite family politics.
• Livvy + Nico
  These two have quite the history. They both made decisions thinking of everyone but themselves...and they spent ten years being miserable. The way Rai brought them back together was compelling and I was happy to be along for the ride as well as being there once they reached their destination.
• Secondary Cast
  Rai did well in creating a secondary cast that I enjoyed spending time with and hope to learn more about in future installments. I especially hope to uncover more in regards to the things not explicitly explained about the feud.

Overall, I'm pretty dang excited about my introduction to Rai. Livvy and Nico's story was one I wanted to know and I'm eager to get a few others' stories now as well.

Audio Review ~ Low Over High ~ J.A. DeRouen #AudioChallenge #ShelfLove

Low Over High by J.A. DeRouen
Over Duet #1
Narrated by: Neva Navarre and Jeremy York
Release Date: April 11, 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
I fancy myself a purveyor of truth, a sifter of lies, a cutter of bullshit. It's not a gift, but rather, all skill, honed to a razor's edge after one too many trips down the rabbit hole.

Some may dismiss my talent as misplaced and misguided cynicism, but they'd be wrong. Cliches about hope and faith in mankind are concocted unicorn farts, an effort to keep the dreamers dreaming. Experiences don't lie - people do.

While I'm not proud of the circumstances that led me to this way of thinking, I respect the journey. The road to enlightenment can be dark and foreboding, but the destination makes it all worthwhile.

But funny thing about the past - it's a defiant child refusing to stay in time out. No matter how deeply buried, it can always pop up when least expected, and sink its fucking claws into the flesh of your heart. No, not my heart - I no longer have one. I foolishly gave it away years ago, but I still feel the ripping in my chest as I fist the crumpled note left on my porch.

I've avoided this day, ran from it, for the past eight years.
And still we meet again.

But to truly understand...to feel my dread and fear my future as I do, it's important to know what happened in my past.

Or who...

My name is Marlo Rivers, and this is my story of corrupted love.

MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY 18+
Warning: This book contains graphic content which may not be suitable for sensitive readers.

Note: Despite the warning, this book is what I'd consider Young Adult.

I've found a new (to me) author to put on my favorites list! Low Over High - there was just something about it that resonated with me. And I can't wait to hear the rest of the story!

DeRouen created characters in Low (Marlo's nickname) and Ever that I couldn't help but fall for. Low is this feisty girl who can toss insults at the boys like nobody's business. She's always been more of a tomboy so it was also a lot of fun watching her befriend her new roommates at Orleans Academy - who were very girly - as well as Evelyn...her estranged mother. Low is also emotionally stable, having grown up in a loving home surrounded by people who love and support her...the exact opposite of Ever.

Ever is this hot and broody *sigh* young man who clearly has issues. When he and Low meet, they're like oil and water. But as they spend time together - time forced upon them - they become so close and much more than antagonistic acquaintances. But Ever has secrets and when something terrible goes down - something he won't share - Low worries she'll lose him to the ways he employs to escape his demons. And then something equally awful happens to Low that makes her broken on a level equal to Ever.

So the story is compelling and I loathed having to remove my earbuds. DeRouen's writing is flued and she also crafted a secondary cast that gave Low and Ever that much more depth.

I've a new favorite narrator in Neva Navarre as well. She embodied Low and even though she couldn't quite get a New Orleans accent, her voices for the many characters was great. Jeremy York also did well as Ever. His range for female voices lacks but it doesn't detract from the story. 

On to Ever Over After!

#COYER Review ~ Sparrow ~ L.J. Shen #ShelfLove

Sparrow by L.J. Shen 
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Troy Brennan

Every southie in Boston knows that name. The son of a dead mobster. The heart throb with steel blue eyes. "The Fixer" who can make or break you in this city. 

Oh, and my new husband.

Sparrow Raynes

That's me. No one seemed to remember my name up until he barged into my life.
But then he caged me.
Kidnapped me.
And killed every chance I had to runaway from the place where we grew up.
Put simply, Troy Brennan clipped my wings.

I have dreams, big ones, but I doubt he'd ever let me chase them. I have no idea why he'd decided to take me as his wife. But I do know this: pissing off this man will not do me any good. At all.

Sparrow is a standalone, full-length novel. It contains graphic violence and adult situations some may find offensive.

I've been hearing a lot of good things about LJ Shen recently and since I happened to have a few of her books already on my kindle, I decided to give her a go. Although I had a few issues with Sparrow, I can see what the fuss is all about *wink* and I'll definitely read more of Shen.

What Worked

• Character Development
  This is an area where Shen excelled. I'm not certain but I think Sparrow may be Shen's debut and so her characters are impressive. In Sparrow we have this street-smart young woman who's this total spitfire. She stands tall even in the face of fear and I admired her. In Troy we have...well, a hardened criminal, really. His father was the head of the Irish mob and even though Troy is no longer mob, he was raised immersed in it. He's a man driven by revenge - for the death of his father - and loyalty, fulfilling promises her made to his dad...including one concerning Sparrow.
  Y'all know I'm a fan of character growth and Sparrow has it, especially in Troy. I quite enjoyed watching their fall and particularly how emotion changed Troy.
• Setting
  I've never been to Boston but I feel like Shen did well in conveying the look and feel of the city.
• Emotion
  She was able to make me feel the emotional upheaval Sparrow felt at her situation...the far, the confusion, the anger, and eventually, the love. I could also clearly see Troy transition from cold and calculating to a feeling being. Shen uses dual POV to tell the story and that certainly made it easier to understand Troy.

What Could Have Worked Better

• Plot
  While the plot was compelling, I never felt it was exactly what it was aiming to be. I didn't feel like Sparrow had no choice in matters. I also felt liker the resolution was a bit too convenient. I didn't buy that Troy, doing what he did for a living and having been raised in the mob, wouldn't have done his due diligence.
• Editing
  There were things about the story that could have been tighter - made the story more solid - with some editing. I'm referring to content editing, not typos. There were a few things that could have been stronger, a few holes filled, had someone helped Shen focus.

Overall though, I'm happy I have Shen a try. I'll absolutely read her again. I'm eager to see how her writing progresses.

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #76 ~ Lord Midnight ~ Donna Cummings

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is a weekly meme hosted by my blogger wife, Lexxie, @(un)Conventional Bookviews. It's a way to highlight a book using quotes that revolve around food and/or drinks. Every Thursday, post a line or two...or heck, a whole paragraph, that spoke to you in some way using food or drinks. *wink* Don't forget to link up!

My pick this week for Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is from:

Lord Midnight by Donna Cummings

I'm really not much of a brandy drinker but it does have its purposes and I like how Marisa used it to suit hers...and Gabriel's.

***

He sat down, his eyes widening at the heavily-laden tray on the table between them. "'Tis a veritable feast! And brandy no less! I imagine that request must have raised a few eyebrows belowstairs."

The lass was eminently resourceful, and he would be wise to remember that.

...

"I convinced Daphne that even my father espoused the medicinal properties of brandy on occasion. Of course," she confessed, "Father would add the blatant falsehood to the list of my failings should he ever learn of it."

#COYER Review ~ Lord Midnight ~ Donna Cummings #ShelfLove

Lord Midnight by Donna Cummings 
Release Date: November 13, 2013
Genre: Adult, Historical Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
GABRIEL DeVAULT, a dashing highwayman, lives to avenge himself against the uncle who stole his title and tried to kill him as a child. One night's robbery yields unexpected riches when his uncle's spirited bride-to-be falls into Gabriel's arms. Now his plans for vengeance include seduction of the innocent miss, in the home that once was his own.

MARISA DUNSMORE is blackmailed into wedding the cold and calculating Edmund DeVault, Lord Westbrook, to protect her beloved aunt. When her attempts to escape the upcoming marriage fail, she turns to the man she knows as Lord Midnight, entrusting him with her love, and her future.

Soon Gabriel must choose: saving the woman who stole his heart, or destroying the man who stole his life.

Lord Midnight is going to stick with me for quite awhile. From the premise to the characters - I adored everything about it!

Marisa is in need of rescue. This intelligent and cunning young lady has tried everything but her father has threatened the one thing - the only thing that could induce her to agree to a marriage she has no interest in. Enter Gabriel. He's a highwayman, and along with his merry band of brigands, he relieves the wealthy of some "weight" - their valuables - as they travel along the road. It's serendipitous Gabriel should hold up the carriage Marisa is ensconced in - the one delivering her to her betrothed...

• Marisa and Gabriel
  I adored these two! Marisa is cunning but also so forthright. She's almost bewitched by Gabriel - whom she seems to trust implicitly - but having no reason to have trusted anyone save her aunt. Gabriel doesn't realize the gift her trust is. He is enchanted by Marisa's ethereal beauty, sharp mind, and sharper tongue. He's determined to help some Marisa - at first for selfish reasons - but soon for more noble ones. Gabriel has a secret - one that could be life-altering for himself, Marisa, and her betrothed.
• Lord Westbrook
  He's Marisa's betrothed and the villain. DCummings drew him in such a way thought that at times I almost felt sorry for him. Almost. At his core, he's wicked and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
• Setting
  DCummings painted a lovely setting for the story - from Westbrook's estate to Gabriel's abbey - the details were sharp and allowed me to envision it all.
• Action, Suspense
  All that goes on is so very realistic. I worried constantly over what Marisa and Gabriel were going to do and if they'd be caught. Even Gabriel's midnight visits caused me concern. It made for an exciting read.
• Secondary Cast
  The secondary cast - Gabriel's gang - Jamie, Gilbey, and Davy - and M's brother Bernard along with the test were a lively group that enhanced Maris and Gabriel as characters and added complexity to the story.

I finished this several days ago and it's still churning in my head. I can't say enough good things about it. It was exciting, entertaining , and swoon-worthy. This one awhile go on the re-read pile.

My TBR List *February* ~ And the WInner is... #MyTBRL

My To-Be Read List is a meme hosted by Michelle @Because Reading. I think it's a fabulous idea because it gets y'all in the game and it helps me knock off some of the many, many books on my TBR list. You're more than welcome to join in the fun! I've included the basic rules below but you can click on the graphic above to hop over to Michelle's site where you can find all the details. 

Here's how it works:
On the first Saturday of each month, I will make a post with three books from my TBR List (these books can be already on your ereader or bookshelf OR books you might want to purchase) and add your link on the linky that will be provided on Michelle's post. Y'ALL will help me choose which book I will read next. The following Saturday, I will announce which book won. Then the last Saturday of the month, I'll post my review.

Fun, right?!?

***

Thanks so much for voting, y'all! This month's winner by a fair margin is...


The Winner is:

Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Bitten #2

Synopsis
I used to think my life was boring. I resigned myself to the rut I was stuck in. Then my entire existence was turned upside down.

In the last six months, I've learned things that would get me committed to an asylum if I repeated them. First, I was kidnapped by vampires. Yes, vampires. Sounds crazy, right? My best friend, Donna, became one of the fanged after that little adventure and hooked up with a hot, Scottish vampire named Conner. They're even planning a wedding.

Secondly, I learned not all vampires are evil. In fact, some of them are downright sexy.

Alexander Dimitriades has it all. He's tall, dark, and handsome and manages to give me tingles in all the right places and also make me laugh. Unfortunately, to be with him, I would have to give up my humanity and I like being human. Then, there's the fact that the whole drinking blood thing gives me the heebie jeebies.

To make matters worse, there are plans in motion to change the place vampires hold in the human world. And I'm caught in the middle, between the vampire I'm falling in love with and a group that wants to create a vampire dictatorship, with humans as slaves.

Now, all I want is my calm, normal life back. As my friend, Ricki, likes to say, "Be careful what you wish for because it might come and bite you on the ass." I hate it when she's right.

*This work contains BDSM elements/themes, spanking, bondage, anal play, and a bossy, persistent Greek vampire.


Check back on February 24th to see what I think!

New Release Review ~ Born, Madly ~ Trisha Wolfe (@TrishWolfe) #2018NewRelease

Born, Madly by Trisha Wolfe
Darkly, Madly Duet #2
Release Date: February 5, 2018
Genre: Adult, Psychological Suspense, Dark Romantic Suspense
Source: I received an eARC from the author. I voluntarily provided a review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2018NewRelease
Goodreads

Synopsis
Duet: a performance by two.

But who is acting, and who is devolving?

A buried past is unearthed, and Grayson Sullivan - AKA The Angel of Maine - retaliates against the system who made him, deploying psychological warfare on the woman who initially set him free. Dr. London Noble probes deep into the mind of the killer she's fallen for, searching for answers, as a copycat killer threatens their unity. Are they partners, lovers, or enemies? One final trap will reveal all.

"Even the vilest of monsters deserve to be loved." -London

That quote pretty much sets the stage for the finale of London and Grayson's story. Do we really believe that everyone deserves love? 

TWolfe dove into the minds of a killer, a criminal psychologist, and two law enforcement officers - I can't imagine the research she did for this story - and delivered a tantalizing, thought-provoking, mindf*ck of a story that couldn't have been a more perfect ending for London and Grayson.

Highlights:

• Characters
  London, having experienced the revelations brought to light in Born, Darkly must now learn to accept who she is in light of what she suffered and how it impacted her. And she must also deal with a new revelation about herself.
  Grayson is so self-aware it's almost scary. However, he's unsure how to deal with the emotions London elicits having never experienced them before. Even Foster and Nelson, the law enforcement officers on Grayson's trail are so well developed that I wanted to crawl inside their heads to figure them out.
• Thought-provoking
  If the quote didn't already clue you in, this story makes you think. It's still rattling around in my head - things like nature versus nurture and fate. Whether criminals can be rehabilitated. If a killer deserves love.
• Psychologically thrilling
  TWolfe kept me guessing throughout. I was never certain what either London's or Grayson's next move was going to be. And the moves they made were often perplexing and chilling. There are many things that never would have occurred to me. That London and Grayson were in each other's head so deeply that they could seemingly feel each other's need was mind boggling.
• Romance
  London and Grayson's romance is so far from conventional that unconventional doesn't cover it. As Grayson said,

"We're inexorable. Inescapable." 

"We're connected on some deeper level... Through bars and cages and prisons...in the physical sense and the mind. That's why you could never be expendable to me. You're my match."  

Born, Madly rather blew me away. It's a story that will stick with me for a long while as I attempt to puzzle out the how's and why's. I'm still questioning whether I'm smart enough to figure it all out. I knew TWolfe would make this finale worth the wait. She didn't disappoint! 

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #75 ~ Between Marriage and Merger ~ Karen Booth

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is a weekly meme hosted by my blogger wife, Lexxie, @(un)Conventional Bookviews. It's a way to highlight a book using quotes that revolve around food and/or drinks. Every Thursday, post a line or two...or heck, a whole paragraph, that spoke to you in some way using food or drinks. *wink* Don't forget to link up!

My pick this week for Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is from:

Between Marriage and Merger by Karen Booth

I chose this passage for its humor. The owners of the hotel where Lily and Noah were staying (for a wedding) were trying to help them celebrate their engagement, which would've been great if it'd been a real engagement. Lily hasn't been able to get Noah to enjoy any part of their weekend...

***

There were three bottles of champagne in their fridge - one from yesterday, one from last night after the rehearsal dinner and a third that had shown up with that morning's room service alongside a beautiful tropical fruit platter and some omelets. They hadn't ordered the bubbly, but Marcy and Lyle had sent it anyway. They were apparently highly invested in Noah and Lily's engagement. At least someone was. Noah had shown no interest in at least enjoying their odd predicament in paradise.

And Lily was sick of it.

Pop. She waited until the wispy mist had trailed out of the bottle before pouring herself a glass of glorious golden bubbles.

"Oh. You decided to open one," Noah said, walking into the room all dressed for the wedding. He looked perfect, of course. Whomever had designed the modern-day men's suit had clearly had Noah in mind when they'd come up with the idea. He was straight out of the pages of a magazine.

"Can't let all this champagne go to waste."

"We could pour it out before we leave."

Lily took a sip. The effervescent sweetness was delightful on her lips and tongue. It was quite frankly the first blip of pleasure she'd had in the last several hours. Being around Noah was killing her. "We are not pouring this out. It's way too good. In fact, I'm pouring you a glass right now." She didn't bother to wait for his response. Maybe it would loosen him up a little bit. 

"Fair enough." He took a sip and nodded. "Okay. You're right. It's delicious. We should drink every drop."

"That's the spirit."

Audio Review ~ The Gift ~ Dannika Dark #AudioChallenge #ShelfLove #TravelingtotheTerminus

The Gift by Dannika Dark
Mageri Series #5.5
Narrated by: Nicole Poole
Release Date: December 6, 2016
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #ShelfLove, #TravelingtotheTerminus
Goodreads

Synopsis
Despite a powerful snowstorm that has shut down the city, Silver and the Mageri crew are preparing to spend a peaceful holiday at home, surrounded by family, food, and merriment. But the party comes to an abrupt end when Logan receives an unexpected call, one that forces him to make a life-changing decision that could affect his relationship with Silver forever. Can they find the courage to weather the storm? Lives are at risk in this compelling and heartwarming story about the remarkable journey of love.

The Gift was, well a gift. :) It's been about three years since the end of Shine and DDark gives us a little glimpse of where all the characters are at this point in time.

It's Christmas and Silver is hosting everyone for dinner. This in itself was entertaining since she's never been all that handy in the kitchen. Over the course of the days of preparation for the event as well as the actual celebrating of Christmas we learn how life has been impacted by the events in Shine and how Silver, Logan, Justus, Adam, Finn - well, the whole gang - has adjusted and grown in their new lives. 

There was no pulse-pounding action but DDark sure delivers a little suspense by having us wonder if everyone will end up getting what they're wanting and needing. It was a delight to see the dynamics between everyone as well as witnessing how their lives have evolved. And, of course, being a part of wishes being granted made it that much more special. DDark managed to wring a few tears from me. The Gift was simply a sweet read...er, listen. 

Nicole Poole, as always, did a tremendous job with the narrating. She kept the story flowing and her voices distinct and consistent. She brings these stories to life!

New Release Review ~ Captivated by the She-Wolf ~ Kristal Hollis (@KristalHollis) #2018NewRelease #COYER

Captivated by the She-Wolf by Kristal Hollis
Wahyas of Walker's Run #4
Release Date: February 1, 2018
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: I received an ARC from the author. This did not affect my rating and I voluntarily provided a review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2018NewRelease, #COYER
Goodreads

Synopsis
A shifter finds his soul mate...

Ronni Lyles and her son are just settling into their new pack when her dead husband's brother comes to claim then. Bodie Gryffon is looking for a safe place to raise his daughter - a raven-shifter, just like him. What begins as a purely practical alliance turns passionate. But Ronni senses that Bodie has a secret - one that could force him to make a painful choice.

The mythology KHollis has created surrounding her Wahyas has kept me enthralled with this series. In Captivated by the She-Wolf, she incorporates a Native American myth and the result was, well, captivating. Here are the highlights:

• Ronni and Bodie
  I previously met Ronnie but getting the chance to know her better, well I couldn't believe every single male Wahya wasn't knocking on her door. Not only is she a great mom but she's also a compassionate woman. She's always putting everyone else first - in fact, she hardly ever considers herself. So when she meets Bodie and feels that pull towards him, she does her best to ignore it. Bodie is also an amazing parent, raising his teenage daughter on his own after losing his wife. He also takes care of his mom although she does a lot to help him as well. Bodie is a man of principles, non-violent, protective - most everything he does is with a mind towards his family. Meeting Ronnie, he was immediately enchanted but then he began to feel that pull. But can a raven-shifter find a true mate in a wolf-shifter?
• Mythology
  As I said, the mythology KHollis has created around her Wahyans - wolf-shifters - makes her stories that much more compelling. Their history, their dynamics as a shifter society and as a society hiding among humans, how their shifts work, and what happens when they find the one - it all adds depth to the characters and their stories. That KHollis chose to incorporate a Native American myth intrigued me. The way she did it was brilliant and seamless.
• Humor
  The banter between Ronnie and Bodie was quite comical a lot of the time. He teased her - often - and often at times Ronnie most needed the distraction from something more serious. That brought levity to the story when needed and also conveyed layers of Bodie's personality.
• Secondary Cast
  One of the things I appreciate most in this series is the dynamics between the wolves. That requires a well-rounded supporting cast and I was thrilled to spend thime with those I'd previously met, seeing how they're doing as well as how they welcomed Bodie and his family into the pack. Getting to spend time wtih Ronnie's son, Alex, his friend, Lucas, and Bodie's daughter, Willow, was also a pleasure. KHollis portrayed these teens well.
• Suspense and Emotion
  KHollis created some intense suspense using Ronnie's past as well as mythology surrounding Bodie and his raven-shifters. There was some white knuckling, some gasping, and maybe even a few tears.

In the end, I was so enchanted with the blending of the Native American myth into that of the Wahyan that I didn't mind one bit that this story wasn't only about wolves. And I'm looking forward to seeing how Bodie and Ronnie's blended family impacts Wahyan life and beliefs.

My TBR List ~ February ~ Polling is Open! #MyTBRList

My To-Be Read List is a meme hosted by Michelle @Because Reading. I think it's a fabulous idea because it gets y'all in the game and it helps me knock off some of the many, many books on my TBR list. You're more than welcome to join in the fun! I've included the basic rules below but you can click on the graphic above to hop over to Michelle's site where you can find all the details. 

Here's how it works:
On the first Saturday of each month, I will make a post with three books from my TBR List (these books can be already on your ereader or bookshelf OR books you might want to purchase) and add your link on the linky that will be provided on Michelle's post. Y'ALL will help me choose which book I will read next. The following Saturday, I will announce which book won. Then the last Saturday of the month, I'll post my review.

Fun, right?!?

***

In 2018, I'm once again working at catching up on series and y'all get to decide which series I'm going to catch up on each month! :D

Y'all, this was a challenge. I use random.org to pick books from my list but I had to make sure they fit the parameters for COYER, too! LOL I did it though...


Your Choices Are:


Passionate Addiction
Reckless Beat #2

Synopsis
He's been her ultimate untouchable desire.

Nothing says happy birthday like a rock god flying thousands of miles to surprise a woman he's never met. But that's exactly what happens to Gabi Smith when she gives her long distance best friend a flippant invitation to her laid back girl's night out. She never expected to turn on the dance floor and find Blake Kennedy's gaze holding her body captive.

She's his everything and he's never laid eyes on her.

Gabi means more to Blake than life itself. She's his strength, his savior, and the only person who helped to vanquish his demons. Non one means more to him than his angel. So when things between them start to sizzle, he's ready to fight for the future he never thought he would deserve.

Skeletons from his past will threaten his only chance at love...

Blake has come a long way - with Gabi's help - to leave the hell of his youth behind him, but sometimes memories don't want to stay buried. Determined to stand on his own for once, Blake is willing to stretch the truth to keep his troubles from burdening the woman he adores.

Little white lies can create black holes in any relationship. Only time will tell if an Aussie with a heart of gold will forgive her bad-boy boyfriend or if the deceit will end his passionate addiction.



Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Bitten #2

Synopsis
I used to think my life was boring. I resigned myself to the rut I was stuck in. Then my entire existence was turned upside down.

In the last six months, I've learned things that would get me committed to an asylum if I repeated them. First, I was kidnapped by vampires. Yes, vampires. Sounds crazy, right? My best friend, Donna, became one of the fanged after that little adventure and hooked up with a hot, Scottish vampire named Conner. They're even planning a wedding.

Secondly, I learned not all vampires are evil. In fact, some of them are downright sexy.

Alexander Dimitriades has it all. He's tall, dark, and handsome and manages to give me tingles in all the right places and also make me laugh. Unfortunately, to be with him, I would have to give up my humanity and I like being human. Then, there's the fact that the whole drinking blood thing gives me the heebie jeebies.

To make matters worse, there are plans in motion to change the place vampires hold in the human world. And I'm caught in the middle, between the vampire I'm falling in love with and a group that wants to create a vampire dictatorship, with humans as slaves.

Now, all I want is my calm, normal life back. As my friend, Ricki, likes to say, "Be careful what you wish for because it might come and bite you on the ass." I hate it when she's right.

*This work contains BDSM elements/themes, spanking, bondage, anal play, and a bossy, persistent Greek vampire.




Legal Affairs
Legal Affairs #1
NOTE: I started this series at #4 with Friction

Synopsis
One year ago, I graduated from law school and embarked on a career as purveyor of high priced legal shenanigans.
Six months ago, my boyfriend dumped me when I thought he might be proposing.
Two weeks ago, I got drunk and joined a secret sex club.
Two days ago, I had a torrid one-night stand with a stranger.
Today? My one-night stand is no longer a stranger.
Today, he's my new boss.

Matt Connover is all kinds of forbidden temptation wrapped up in a deliciously wicked package, and he's made it clear... he's only interested in sex.

My name is McKayla Dawson, and I work at the powerhouse firm of Connover & Crown, LLP, where the law has never felt so hot.

But between you and me, I'm afraid my heart won't survive these Legal Affairs.



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