Favorites of 2017 ~ Worlds/Settings

I enjoyed doing a "look back at the year" in 2016 so I figured it'd once again be fun to bring 2017 to a close by listing some of favorites. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my favorites and I'd be happy to hear about any of yours!

*~*Worlds/Settings*~*

• Cognito - I'm finishing up the year in Cognito. I've enjoyed spending time there with Silver and all her friends. And Dannika Dark does a fine job of creating the "look and feel" of snowy, cold weather.
• Denver, Colorado - the setting for Kristen Ashley's Chaos series and Dream Man series is brought to life in the stories...and I enjoyed spending time here, so near home, all over again.
• Denton, Texas - this is where the Thieves series is set and it's perfect! Having lived in North Texas for 4 years prior to moving to Colorado, Blake nails the feel.
• Chicago, Illinois - I've spent quite a bit of time in Chicago this year - mostly fictionally but also in real life. Helena Hunting's Clipped Wings series is set here and I liked how she brought to life the area around Northwestern to life. I also spent time in Chicago with Ella Frank's Temptation series and Jennifer Dawson's Undone series.
• West Texas (Amarillo, Dumas, Ernest) - Having spent about half my life, before getting married, in West Texas, I quite enjoyed spending time there with the characters of Kari Lynn Dell's Texas Rodeo series.
• New York City - I binged on Sylvia Day's Crossfire series in November and December, and she brought to life the hustle and bustle of the city through Eva's eyes. Having visited Manhattan before, it was fun reminiscing. Lara Adrian's For 100 Days and For 100 Nights is also set in NYC. She brought an entirely different scene to life in the trilogy.
• Rome - Rome is not a location I'd ever hoped to visit...until I read J.T. Geissinger's Edge of Oblivion. Her description of the city as well as the underground city, the historical buildings and ruins, the art, the food, the mythology...yeah, Rome went on my bucket list.
• Scotland - although I like to think I'd have liked to live during the time of Highlanders - and maybe I would - Gabaldon created a Scotland the felt very realistic in it's harsh beauty...very realistic. 

#OctobeRecFest New Release Review #6 ~ Taken ~ Jennifer Dawson #2017NewRelease #TravelingtotheTerminus

Taken by Jennifer Dawson
Undone Series #4
Release Date: October 24, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, BDSM
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the author. This did not affect my rating and my review is provided voluntarily.
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease, #OctobeRecFest, #TravelingtotheTerminus
Recommended by: Kimberly @Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Goodreads

Synopsis
Brandon Townsend III

Rich, beautiful and entitled, once upon a time he was king of the trust fund babies. He took anything and anyone he wanted, until one day, he walked away without explanation. Now, he's an untouchable mystery, one I'm determined to crack. And I'm not talking about anything mundane like his bed. No, I want something far more valuable.

I want into this head.

Veronica Westwood has blown into my life creating chaos in her wake, and I don't know quite what to do with her. Rich, beautiful and entitled, she represents everything I've sworn off in life, and her being unexpectedly clever doesn't change that. Instincts warn me to stay away, and that's just what I intend to do, no matter her attempts to wear me down. I'm good at saying no, or at least I was until I met her. I don't understand it, but she's like a weakness, and a man like me can't have weakness.

I simply won't allow it.

The Undone Series is one I've enjoyed immensely. Getting to know all these characters as well as seeing how they incorporate a BDSM lifestyle with their everyday life has been fascinating and a pleasure. The series wouldn't have been complete without having Brandon's story.

Brandon is a character whose story I was anxious to get. He's a bit of an enigma but I'd so delighted in seeing him on occasion in the previous installments - always doing his part to ensure the happiness of his friends but never letting anyone get too close to him. Needless to say I was eager to see him fall and find his own bit of happiness.

Brandon is from a wealthy Chicago family - a trust fund baby who left that life to find his own way. He shuns that life and the people who inhabit it, having made friends who know the real him. But in deference to his parents, he attends one social engagement a quarter, which is where he is cornered by Veronica.

Veronica is also from an old-money Chicago family. She knew of Brandon so when she decides to blow up her life by walking away from the expectations of her family, she knows he'll be the one to understand her. In her determination to earn a job under him, she finds Brandon understands her on an even deeper level than she imagined.

Veronica was the perfect yang to Brandon's yin. They challenged each other, snarked at one another, and Veronica couldn't have asked for a better guide as she began her exploration of the domination she desired and Brandon was eager to deliver. Their chemistry was visceral. However, I'd have liked a bit more on-page time where they built on that chemistry. It happened - it just wasn't all on-page and I felt that because of the trust needed in this sort of relationship, the building of that foundation of trust is something I'd have liked to witness. It's an element I appreciated in the previous installments so I felt its absence in this one.

Overall though, I was pleased. Seeing Brandon meet his match as well as watching Veronica learn more about herself and make friends who were real and that she could be real around was heartwarming. Getting to spend time with Michael and Layla, Leo and Jillian, and Chad and Ruby was also a pleasure. Mostly though, I appreciated that Brandon, and Veronica too, found the happiness they deserved.

Love & Other Disasters Contest ~ Jennifer Dawson

Alright, y'all, check out this fantastic contest and opportunity to share your own dating disaster as inspiration in a new series from Jennifer Dawson. This is such a unique idea and I'm so excited! Let's have some fun!

Message from Jennifer Dawson:

Hey there!

Thank you so much for having me on the blog today and helping me share the exciting news about my new hot, contemporary series, Love & Other Disasters.

Recently I wrote a novella called The Walk of Shame for the Feel the Heat Anthology, and the story sparked a whole new series idea!

So, here’s the scoop… Starting in January 2017, The Walk of Shame (Featuring Ashley and Christopher from my Undone series) will be rereleased as the first novella in a 12 book series, each inspired by a dating disaster that will lead to a happily ever after. But here’s the twist, while book 1 is done, I’d like you to help inspire the other stories by confessing your worst dating disasters.

Now, of course, I can only choose 11 stories to inspire the books, but I want everyone to participate and have fun with this so if you submit your dating disaster you will automatically entered to win a $100.00 gift card to your choice of Amazon or Paypal.

And if your story is selected, you’ll get the Love & Other Disasters inspiration package that includes:

 Acknowledgment in the front of the book.

 All 12 books in the Love & Other Disasters Series will be gifted to you.

 The option of having your original submission highlighted in the back of the novella your story inspired.

You’ll find all the details and contest rules in the submission form, but I hope you think this sounds as fun as I do. I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!!

Thanks for having me!

Contest Form:




Link to Google form:
https://goo.gl/forms/AuFilOyvklfST9Dh2


About the Author:
Jennifer Dawson grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and graduated from DePaul University with a degree in psychology. She met her husband at the public library while they were studying. To this day, she still
maintains she was NOT checking him out. Now, over twenty years later, they’re married and living in a suburb right outside of Chicago with two awesome kids and a crazy dog. Despite going through a light
FM, poem-writing phase in high school, Jennifer never grew up wanting to be a writer (she had more
practical aspirations of being an international super spy). Then one day, suffering from boredom and disgruntled with a book she’d been reading, she decided to put pen to paper. The rest, as they say, is history.

Social Links for Jennifer Dawson: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Blog Tour Review & #Giveaway ~ Debauched ~ Jennifer Dawson

I'm so excited to be a part of the blog tour for Jennifer Dawson's Debauched. I'm a big fan of this series. Below you'll find the details for the book, my review, and a giveaway. Enjoy!

Debauched by Jennifer Dawson

Undone #3

Release Date: April 26, 2016

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance

Source: I received an ARC as part of the blog tour in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5 Bookworms

Challenges: #2016NewRelease

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis
One night in a moment of sheer madness I confessed my secrets to him. All my life I’ve been pretending. Pretending to be the woman I thought I should be instead of the woman I really am. I’ve been faking it and I am good. No one has ever guessed. Except him. He just looked at me and knew.  

Chad Fellows is not the man I want, but he’s fast becoming the man I need.  

One night in a moment of sheer madness I held her in my arms and let her cry. I did the right thing, letting her walk away, no matter how much she calls to the part of me that wants to rescue her. We are nothing alike, and she’s a mess of complications in a life I’m trying to keep simple. But then I touched her and made her tremble and now I can’t turn away.   

Ruby Stiles is not the woman I want, but she’s fast becoming the woman I need.

If you've been following me for the last six months or so, you know I'm a fan of this series. JDawson sucked me into these characters' lives and into the scene with aplomb. And while I know D/s stories aren't for everyone, I'm going to try to explain why Debauched is my favorite in the series so far and why this series is worth a look. 

I have no experience with this lifestyle outside of books but what I think JDawson does so well, and I mentioned this in my review of Unraveled, is explain the psychology behind the relationship dynamics and all the elements required for it to be successful. This was even more acute in Debauched as Ruby was vehemently against the D/s relationship. The ways in which JDawson had Chad and Ruby explore her perceptions and feelings was brilliant and enlightening. It also demonstrated the depth of feeling, honesty, commitment and trust a D/s relationship requires.

It'd always liked Ruby but getting a deeper glimpse of her in Unraveled had me eager to get to know her better. Because on many levels I identify with Ruby so the thoughts she had, the way she was stifling herself professionally and personally by trying to be what she thought others wanted/expected her to be without realizing it, was something I can relate to. She had certain ideas about what she thought her life should look like but those ideas/beliefs were coloring her perception of things - things that could unlock, for lack of a better word, all her potential. Meeting Chad, realizing he was a Dominant, knowing he was stable, staid...those things all flew in the face of what she envisioned for herself. And yet she couldn't deny the magnetic pull between them.

Chad, for his part, couldn't stay away from Ruby. She truly was a complication he didn't feel he needed in his life but there was something about her that spoke to him. Watching as he slowing, patiently broke through all the barriers Ruby placed between them was awing. It showed so much about his character that he took the time to help Ruby understand and accept something so elemental in her makeup. I fell for him just as hard as Ruby did. Maybe it's because he's not as alpha as Michael or Leo (the other men of this series)...I'm not sure. Maybe it's just because Chad is more my idea of the perfect guy. Whatever it is, I connected with him on a deeper level.

I wanted to say something about the smexy scenes as well. Debauched doesn't have any bondage or voyeurism scenes. Not one of the scenes is gratuitous. They each show Ruby working through something with Chad's help. And this is one of the hottest books I've read!

If you don't like stories with a D/s foundation, there's probably not much I can say that will convince you to give the Undone series a try. But I hope you do. Debauched made me thing without my realizing it was making me think. It resonated deep with me because I'm completely invested in these characters. And it's a story that's going to stay with me for quite some time.

Previous Books in the Undone Series

Crave Undone #1
Buy Links: Amazon|Barnes&Noble|Kobo|iTunes

Sinful Undone #2
Buy Links: Amazon|Barnes&Noble|Kobo|iTunes

Unraveled Undone #2.5
Buy Links: Amazon|Barnes&Noble|Kobo|iTunes

Entry-Form

Jennifer Dawson is the author of the popular Something New series; spicy, small town romance released with Kensington, and pens the dark and edgy contemporary romance series Undone.   Jennifer grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and graduated from DePaul University with a degree in psychology. She met her husband at the public library while they were studying. To this day, she still maintains she was NOT checking him out. Now, over twenty years later, they are married and living in a suburb right outside of Chicago with two awesome kids and a crazy dog. These days Jennifer can be found sitting behind her computer, writing her next novel, chasing after her kids, keeping an ever-watchful eye on her ever-growing to-do list, and NOT checking out her husband. Jennifer loves connecting with her readers and invites you to check out her website, Facebook page, and join Dawson’s Darlings, her private Facebook Fan group. Sign up for her monthly Newsletter for exclusive insider peeks, new release information and more.

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Unraveled ~ Jennifer Dawson

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Jennifer Dawson's Unraveled. Below you'll find all the details on the book, my review, a teaser, and a giveaway. Enjoy! :)



Unraveled by Jennifer Dawson
Undone Series #2.5
Release Date: January 19, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Source: I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease, #COYER B2B
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis
Valentine's night. Three women. A hot new club where anything can happen.

After a life changing tragedy Layla Hunter is finally happy. Michael Banks has pulled her back from the dead and given her a love she'd thought was lost to her forever. Now, all she wants is to return the favor and give him the one thing she swore she'd never do again.

Jillian Banks is up for absolutely anything and her smoking hot fiance, Leo Santoro, is determined to give it to her. After exploring her fantasies in the privacy of her own home, Jillian's read for more and Leo is going above and beyind to make her happy. In return, she'll do anything to make him proud.

Ruby Stiles isn't sure what she's doing at a sex party at one of Chicago's most anticipated new clubs. Currently she's blaming it on curiosity. All she wants is to disappear into the background, only her emotions have decided to go on a roller coaster ride and the last thing she expects is for Chad Fellows to pick up the pieces. 

Sometimes even the best laid plans unravel...

*While Unraveled can be read as a standalone for fun, it is best read after reading CRAVE and SINFUL.

Oh-hohoho - sooo good! Unraveled was the perfect fix while I'm waiting for the next in the series - as well as the perfect setup for Debauched.

Unraveled takes place in one night - Valentine's Day - and we spend the night with Brandon (whose story I'm anxious for), Layla and Michael, Leo and Jillian, and Ruby and Chad (who I'm not gonna lie - I was hoping for more from him!). They're all attending the private opening of Brandon's newest club. The Lair. And that, in itself, is an experience. But what Unraveled really gives us is this:

• a deeper look into and a deeper understanding of the relationships between Layla and Michael, and Jillian and Leo. I loved this. It is said that a D/s relationship is all about trust with the D knowing exactly what the s needs. Dawson, in my opinion, brilliantly conveyed exactly that between these couples. Layla and Jillian thought they knew what they wanted - what they needed - but Michael and Leo gave them what they *knew* was really desired. The even that occurred served to strengthen both relationships on an even deeper level.
• an introduction to BDSM and the beginning of a deeper introspection for Ruby. She's always been curious about her best friend, Layla's lifestyle choices but has sworn it isn't for her. Spending the evening being up close and personal with the lifestyle, and in the company of Chad, has Ruby's brain spinning - especially since Chad seems to be so observant and insightful towards her.

I delighted in getting updates on Layla and Michael, and Jillian and Leo - seeing their bonds strengthen. But with Unraveled, Ms. Dawson whetted my appetite for Debauched. I'm anxiously awaiting its release and the continuation of Ruby and Chad's story.

Books in the Undone Series

Crave

Undone #1

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Sinful

Undone #2

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Unraveled

Undone #2.5

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Debauched

Undone #3

Releases April 26, 2016

Goodreads

Entry-

Form

Jennifer Dawson is the author of the popular Something New series; spicy, small town romance released with Kensington, and pens the dark and edgy contemporary romance series Undone.   Jennifer grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and graduated from DePaul University with a degree in psychology. She met her husband at the public library while they were studying. To this day, she still maintains she was NOT checking him out. Now, over twenty years later, they are married and living in a suburb right outside of Chicago with two awesome kids and a crazy dog. These days Jennifer can be found sitting behind her computer, writing her next novel, chasing after her kids, keeping an ever-watchful eye on her ever-growing to-do list, and NOT checking out her husband. Jennifer loves connecting with her readers and invites you to check out her website, Facebook page, and join Dawson’s Darlings, her private Facebook Fan group. Sign up for her monthly Newsletter for exclusive insider peeks, new release information and more.

Cover Reveal & #Giveaway ~ Debauched ~ Jennifer Dawson

I'm a big fan of Jennifer Dawson's Undone series, so I'm thrilled to share the cover for book #3, Debauched. What do y'all think?

Debauched by Jennifer Dawson

Release Date: April 26, 2016

Goodreads

Synopsis
One night in a moment of sheer madness I confessed my secrets to him. All my life I’ve been pretending. Pretending to be the woman I thought I should be instead of the woman I really am. I’ve been faking it and I am good. No one has ever guessed. Except him. He just looked at me and knew.  

Chad Fellows is not the man I want, but he’s fast becoming the man I need.  

One night in a moment of sheer madness I held her in my arms and let her cry. I did the right thing, letting her walk away, no matter how much she calls to the part of me that wants to rescue her. We are nothing alike, and she’s a mess of complications in a life I’m trying to keep simple. But then I touched her and made her tremble and now I can’t turn away.   

Ruby Stiles is not the woman I want, but she’s fast becoming the woman I need.

Previous Books in the Undone Series

Crave

Undone #1

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Sinful

Undone #2

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Coming Soon

Unraveled

Undone #2.5

Release Date: January 19, 2016

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Entry-

Form

Jennifer Dawson is the author of the popular Something New series; spicy, small town romance released with Kensington, and pens the dark and edgy contemporary romance series Undone.   Jennifer grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and graduated from DePaul University with a degree in psychology. She met her husband at the public library while they were studying. To this day, she still maintains she was NOT checking him out. Now, over twenty years later, they are married and living in a suburb right outside of Chicago with two awesome kids and a crazy dog. These days Jennifer can be found sitting behind her computer, writing her next novel, chasing after her kids, keeping an ever-watchful eye on her ever-growing to-do list, and NOT checking out her husband. Jennifer loves connecting with her readers and invites you to check out her website, Facebook page, and join Dawson’s Darlings, her private Facebook Fan group. Sign up for her monthly Newsletter for exclusive insider peeks, new release information and more.

Blog Tour Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway ~ Sinful ~ Jennifer Dawson

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Jennifer Dawson's Sinful. My stop includes my review, an excerpt, and a giveaway. If you haven't yet started the Undone series, the first book, Crave, is *on sale*. Be sure to grab a copy and dive into this world!

You can follow the Sinful tour here.

***

Sinful by Jennifer Dawson
Undone #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 17, 2015
Source: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis:
I’ve wanted my brother’s best friend, Leo Santoro, for too many years to count. 
No matter what I do, he won’t confront the attraction that burns between us. 
It’s time to put him behind me once and for all. 
I have no choice but to call his bluff.
And then I will walk away. 

The last woman I should want is my best friend’s baby sister, Jillian Banks. 
No matter what I do, she won’t ignore the attraction that burns between us.
It’s time she learns the real me. 
The only promise I can make is that her fantasies are no match for reality.
And then I’ll watch her walk away.

~Leo~

I make a very good show of hiding it, but the second Jillian walks through the door it’s like some sort of internal sonar is flipped on, sending out waves through the air. 

It’s been that way since the moment I laid eyes on her all those years ago. I still remember with vivid clarity the first time I saw her, before I knew she was my best friend’s baby sister. Therefore permanently off limits. 

I’d stood on stage, the bright Chicago sun glaring against my dark uniform as I graduated from the academy, my family beaming at me from the audience. My youngest of three sisters, Talia, waved frantically and I winked, attempting to remain serious and cop-like. Jillian was two rows back, her hair a dark cascade over her shoulders, a wide smile on her very fuckable lips as she laughed at something the person next to her said. She’d worn a sleeveless powder-blue dress that cut in a V down the slope of her breasts and clung to her tall, curvy frame. Everything about her was lush, strong and gorgeous. 

My first thought was that she looked like the kind of girl I’d like to hurt. In a good way, that would drive her crazy and make her come all over the place, but still a fucked-up thought by most people’s standards. I take my sex hard, rough and a bit cruel. I like to control and bend a woman to my will. I like her wanton and begging. Mad with uncontrollable, all-consuming lust, and there is just something about Jillian that calls to that dominant, slightly sadistic part of me like she’s crack.

Ms. Dawson's writing is so inherently readable. It flows at a natural pace and provides an engaging story and characters. Nice.

I met Jillian and Leo in Crave. Actually, on the timeline, Sinful occurs prior to Crave, so going in I already knew what would become of Jillian and Leo. But how they got there - that was a story I was eager to know.

Jillian and Leo met on the day Jillian's brother, Michael, and Leo are graduating from the police academy. There's an immediate attraction but since Leo and Michael have become close friends, Jillian if off-limits. Jillian and Leo are consistently around one another but Leo staunchly refuses to engage in anything beyond being friends. After years, Jillian finally decides to give it one last try before moving on.

Leo is a kind, loyal and loving man - who also happens to be a Dominant. He also has a history that has prevented him from becoming close to anyone in the romantic sense. Jillian is seen as a girl who can't settle on anything or anyone. She's determined and loyal but seems unable to commit to something. They seem so improbably but make so much sense.

Falling into this world and these characters was comforting and easy. Witnessing Jillian and Leo explore all that's between them - even Jillian's discovery of her submissive side - was a pleasure. I also enjoyed seeing Michael again as well as meeting Brandon. I'm actually hoping for more of him. ;)

I think the only thing that could have made this better - evoked more emotion - would have been exploring Jillian's and Leo's pasts a little more extensively. We're told more than shown things about their personalities, that affected their personalities. Overall though, I was thrilled at getting their story and I hope to spend more time in the Undone world.

Tour wide giveaway for $30.00 Amazon gift card and e-copies of Crave and Sinful. Open internationally. 

Entry-Form

Jennifer Dawson grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and graduated from DePaul University with a degree in psychology. She met her husband at the public library while they were studying. To this day she still maintains she was NOT checking him out. Now, over twenty years later they’re married living in a suburb right outside of Chicago with two awesome kids and a crazy dog. Despite going through a light FM, poem writing phase in high school, Jennifer never grew up wanting to be a writer (she had more practical aspirations of being an international super spy). Then one day, suffering from boredom and disgruntled with a book she’d been reading, she decided to put pen to paper. The rest, as they say, is history. These days Jennifer can be found sitting behind her computer writing her next novel, chasing after her kids, keeping an ever watchful eye on her ever growing to-do list, and NOT checking out her husband.

Author Links:

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Amazon Author Page ~ Goodreads 

Newsletter Sign-up:  
Get the latest release new, sneak peeks and exclusive information by signing up for our monthly  Newsletter

Crave Sale:  November 9th through the 30th get book one, Crave for 1.99 

Crave Blurb: 
I vow. I crave. I give in.

I used to be a nice, normal girl.  I had dreams.  Good, happy dreams of white picket fences, 2.5 kids, and a fairytale love that lasts forever.  Nobody warned me the prince dies three weeks before the wedding.  

Like any addict, I swear this time is the last…. 

Now, I go through my days, a shadow of my former self. I pretend I’m okay, and the people in my life pretend to believe me.  But, sometimes, when I can no longer stand the craving my dead fiancée left behind, I roam an underground sex club looking for my next hit. It’s dirty and wrong, but I can’t stop, and my only line of defense between them and me, is the rules I’ve designed to keep me safe. With free, no-strings attached sex; men always abide by my rules. Until I meet him.  

And, like any addict, I’m wrong.

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble