Review ~ Ride Steady ~ Kristen Ashley

Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley
Chaos #3
Release Date: June 30, 2015
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased ebook on Nook
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
The ride of her life...
Once upon a time, Carissa Teodoro believed in happy endings. Money, marriage, motherhood: everything came easy---until she woke up to the ugly truth about her Prince Charming. Now a struggling, single mom and stranded by a flat tire, Carissa's pondering her mistakes when a vaguely familiar knight rides to her rescue on a ton of horsepower.

Climb on and hold tight...In high school, Carson Steele was a bad boy loner who put Carissa on a pedestal where she stayed for beyond his reach. Today, he's the hard-bodied biker known only as Joker, and from the way Carissa's acting, it's clear she's falling fast. While catching her is irresistible, knowing what to do with her is a different story. A good girl like Carissa is the least likely fit with the Chaos Motorcycle Club. Too bad holding back is so damned hard. Now, as Joker's secrets are revealed and an outside threat endangers the club, Joker must decide whether to ride steady with Carissa---or ride away forever...

*Note: My pal Robyn and I *did* buddy-read this over the summer. We didn't do so well with the chatting via email, thus no Rock Chick Chat. But we'll get back to those, I promise! :)  *

I don't know how she does it but Kristen Ashley keeps getting better and better. And when you start out as high as she did, in my opinion, that's a feat!

"To the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the world."

I was reminded of this quote often while reading Ride Steady. And it's a quote everyone should take to heart. Carson 'Joker' Steele had nothing at home but a man who beat him down, in every way imaginable, his whole life. But he did have a few people in his corner - who looked out for him as best they could, encouraged him and loved him. Those people put him on a path...

Carissa Teodoro had a good life. But life continually tried to knock her down. She lost people she loved, had someone she loved beat her down. But those knocks put her on a path...

Joker's and Carissa's paths intersected during rush hour on I-25. And all the beat downs, all the people who'd cared, all the friends and brothers that did care, made this intersection of paths life-changing. And these paths became one path - that they could choose to travel together. They'd have to jump some hurdles first though.

I thoroughly enjoyed this installment in the Chaos series. KA continues to bring the feels, running the gamut. I adore seeing the dynamics between this brotherhood of men and the women who stand by their sides. I look forward to more Chaos. ;)

My TBR List ~ December ~ Let's Vote

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?!?

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As you may or may not know, I've dedicated the months of November and December to doing series catch up - Traveling to the Terminus. This month's choices are all paranormal romance in theme. I do lack more than one to complete these series but getting one read puts me that much closer, right? Here are the choices:


Twist
Mageri Series #2

Synopsis
Months after moving to the mysterious city of Cognito, Silver is developing her gifts as a Mage and learning how to live under new laws. She is forced to give up her old life and live in secret among the humans. There is finally hope of leading an ordinary life...

Until Logan Cross walks into it.

Their chance meeting leads her close to discovering the identity of the nameless Mage who once stole her light and discovered the unique power she possesses. That knowledge poses an unimaginable threat to Silver, fueling the search to find out who he is before he finds her.

Lives are at stake. Truths are revealed. And an unexpected passion ignites.

"An outspoken woman makes the world a livable place. You have fire in you, and I would never put that out."

Origin
Lux Series #4

Synopsis
Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he's facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don't seem entirely crazy, but the group's goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on?

And will they even be together?




Edge of Oblivion
Night Prowler Series #2

Synopsis
There exists a world beyond our own. It is a world of ancient magic and well-guarded secrets, a world of strict laws and harsh punishments for those who betray them, a world inhabited by the Ikati, a race of gifted people who are so much more than they first appear. Brought together by fate in this world of danger and beauty, two people with dark pasts will meet.

Morgan is beautiful, smart, sexy...and about to die. Convicted of treason against her shape-shifting kin, she is given one last chance at redemption; discover the hidden lair of the enemy intent on destroying every one of her kind, or forfeit her life.

Xander is ruthless, heartless, cold-blooded...and assigned to kill her if she fails in her task. Expecting to feel nothing but contempt for the traitor under his watch, the assassin accompanies Morgan on her search, but as the two race through the heart of Italy while the clock winds down to zero hour, he finds himself drawn into a dangerous web of desire as powerful as it is forbidden. Their passion will test everything they believe in, and endanger the future of the tribe itself.




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#ShelfLove Review ~ Penmort Castle ~ Kristen Ashley

Penmort Castle by Kristen Ashley
Ghosts and Reincarnation #1
Release Date: December 7, 2013
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased ebook on Nook
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Cash Fraser is planning revenge and to get it he needs the perfect woman. So her hires her. Abigail Butler has lost nearly everything in her life and she's about to lose the home she loves.

Cash meets Abby, who is posing as a paid escort, and the minute he does he knows he's willing to pay for more than Abby being his pretend girlfriend. A lot more. Abby needs the money or the last thing that links her to her dead family and husband will be gone. The deal is struck but both Cash and Abby get more than they bargained for.

Cash realises very quickly that Abby isn't what she seems and while he changes strategies, Abby discovers that Cash's legacy, Penmort Castle, is like all the tales say - very, very haunted. Making matters worse, the ghost in residence wants her dead.

Abby's found herself in the battle of her life so she enlists Mrs. Truman, her nosy neighbour; Jenny, her no-nonsense friend; Cassandra McNabb, white witch and clairvoyant with a penchange for wearing scarves (and lots of them); and Angus McPherson, dyed-in-the-wool Scot (which means he hunts ghosts in a kilt) to fight the vicious ghost who has vowed that she will rest at nothing to kill the true, abiding love of the master of Penmort.

You know how some authors ask you to suspend disbelief as they tell their tale? Kristen Ashley never does this. She crafts her stories in such a way that it's unnecessary. Because you completely buy into everything - believe it's all within the realm of possibility.

A woman willing to sell herself in order to keep a dwelling that houses irreplaceable memories? Certainly. A man who simply needs the perfect woman to achieve the revenge he's been plotting? You bet. An angry ghost, with the power to do actual harm, hellbent on destroying true love? Absolutely. I'm in. I'm all in.

Abby has lost almost every single person who made her world go 'round. All she has left besides a few great friends is her grandmother's home. It holds so much that is dear to her - not only objects but memories as well. But the house is a money pit and Abby is almost to the point of no return financially. Enter Cash Fraser.

Cash is an international spy-catcher. He's been made famous by a movie chronicling his prowess in his job. And it doesn't hurt that he's quite a looker. Cash finds himself in need of a girlfriend for certain reasons and lacking one, he decides to hire one.

In typical KA style. Abby is beautiful, loving, and a bit crazy. Cash is gorgeous, demanding, and exacting. They come together under dubious circumstances and then find themselves battling a ghost. Also typical of KA are the themes of family, and female solidarity, along with the belief that love will always find a way. KA combines brilliantly crafted characters - who always feel like friends - with an entertaining, action-packed, and yes, somewhat zany story, to deliver a read that satisfies on every level.

I'm thrilled that I've barely scratched the surface on what KA has to offer!

That's What HE Said #47 ~ Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #26

That's What He Said is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely ladies @Chapter Break. Here's the deal: every Thursday, post a line from your book boyfriend to his heroine. Keep in mind, these are direct quotes from dialog in the books. The quote doesn't have to be romantic - just something our hunky hero said to his lucky lady. Be sure to link up over at Chapter Break as well.

My pick this week for That's What He Said is from:

Trust by Ella Frank

***

"So I'm daring you. Wake up. Wake up and tell me that you were right. That you're the best thing that has ever happened to me." Logan sucked in a shaky breath and then let it out as he ran his eyes over Tate's body. "And that I never stood a chance. I love you, and I'm not letting you go. Not now, not ever. I can be stubborn too. Got it?"

*~*~*~*~*~*

Tate sang along to the lyrics as he opened the over and pulled a tray of biscuits free. He didn't usually cook. Actually, he never cooked. But as he'd lain there thinking about what he wanted to say to Logan this morning, he'd become more and more nervous. 

Tate actually made biscuits and sausage gravy as a way to work out his nerves. Do you cook when you're worrying or nervous about something?

New Release Blitz, Review, & Giveaway ~ Anarchy Found ~ JA Huss

Happy Release Day, JA Huss!!

Anarchy Found releases today!

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Anarchy Found by JA Huss
SuperAlpha Series #1
Release Date: December 2, 2015
Genre: Adult, Superhero Romance
Source: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased on my own copy on Nook.
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis
Everyone needs a hero.

That’s what Detective Molly Masters tells me. “What we need,” she says, “what the whole world needs,” she pleads, “is a champion.”

The only thing I want to talk about with Molly Masters is how I’d like to make her scream my name when I push her up against a wall, slide my hand up her thigh, and live out my wildest fantasies.

“Someone who will fight against injustice,” she says.

I’ll fight against anything you want, honey. Just come a little closer.

“Someone who will stand tall in the face of adversity,” she says.

I’ll do it standing, sitting, or lying down. See how easy I am?

“Someone who believes in the value of a good deed,” she says.

I believe in the value of me, sweetheart. Because I’m Lincoln Wade. Jaded genius, obscenely wealthy, capable of violence, and looking for revenge.

Molly Masters might have delusions of grandeur. She might see me as some superman capable of cleaning up the scum, filth, and corruption in Cathedral City.

But I’m not the hero she’s looking for.

I’m the dark alley where all her good intentions hide.

So be careful what you wish for, Molly Masters.

Because you’re about to get it.

***TRAILER***

My introduction to Ms. Huss came via her Junco series. If you follow me, you know that sci-fi is stepping out of my comfort zone just a little. I was blown away by that series. Seriously. Which brings us to Anarchy Found. Superheroes. Yep. Once again, I stepped outside my box, trusting Ms. Huss not to let me down. And once again, I was blown away as she took me on one crazy-ass ride!

The level of detail that went into the creation of this story, its characters, and fictional setting is evident when you take into consideration the hand-drawn cover and images (one shown below) interspersed throughout this book. The depth of the characters, the complexity of the plot, the description and detail of the science and technology that mark the characters, the action, the mystery, and the romance, all combine beautifully and skillfully in a way I believe would satisfy any reader.

Molly Masters recently returned to Cathedral City thinking she's finally moving on with her life following the debilitating depression she suffered after the death of her brother. She has no idea the part she'll play in the events unfolding in the city. Lincoln Wade is a major player in these events and he's dumbstruck when Molly enters the playing field. I highlighted the hell out of this book - anything I thought was a clue to what was going on. Ms. Huss proved, yet again, her prowess in creating smokescreens, throwing out red herrings, and basically keeping me off-balance, never knowing what revelation would come next.

The supporting cast, Lincoln's fellow alphas, were all well fleshed out. Ms. Huss provided enough detail for story depth and to leave me panting for more. I may not read superheroes but I have watched enough to know Ms. Huss has laid the foundation for what will be an incredible series.

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JA Huss is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty romances. She likes stories about family, loyalty, and extraordinary characters who struggle with basic human emotions while dealing with bigger than life problems. JA loves writing heroes who make you swoon, heroines who makes you jealous, and the perfect Happily Ever After ending.

You can chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorJAHuss), Twitter (@jahuss), and her kick-ass romance blog, New Adult Addiction (www.newadultaddiction.com).

If you're interested in getting your hands on an advanced release copy of her upcoming books, sneak peek teasers, or information on her upcoming personal appearances, you can join her newsletter list (http://eepurl.com/JVhAr) and get those details delivered right to your inbox.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Blog

#TravelingtoTerminus Audio Review ~ Lead ~ Kylie Scott

Lead by Kylie Scott
Stage Dive #3
Narrated by: Andi Arndt
Release Date: November 25, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Audible
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
As the lead singer of Stage Dive, Jimmy is used to getting whatever he wants, whenever he wants it, whether it's booze, drugs, or women. However, when a PR disaster serves as a wake-up call about his life and lands him in rehab, he finds himself with Lena, a new assistant to keep him out of trouble.

Lena's not willing to take any crap from the sexy rocker and is determined to keep their relationship completely professional, despite their sizzling chemistry. But when Jimmy pushes her too far and Lena leaves, he realizes that he may just have lost the best thing that ever happened to him.

Lead really packed an emotional punch. Dealing with addiction added this whole other layer of complexity to the story. I know have a new appreciation for the bad boy of Stage Dive.

Jimmy knows a thing or two about partying. He's always been the one to fully embrace the rock-n-roll lifestyle of booze, drugs, and girls. A trip to rehab has changed his ways but the record label insists on a sobriety partner to ensure the new habits stick.

Enter Lena. She has no experience wit counseling or even addiction but Jimmy doesn't mind her being around so it's an arrangement that works. Until feelings develop between them.

I can't imagine the difficulties that being a recovering addict would bring to a relationship. Add to that the emotional scars left from an absent father and an addict mother who repeatedly told you you were unlovable. Ms. Scott conveyed all that and more through Jimmy, making him the most complex and dynamic guy of Stage Dive, in my opinion. In Lena, she created this young woman who cared so much. One who'd been hurt buy love before - in a reprehensible way. A girl who'd been told she was hard and difficult to love but who had so much love to give. I feel for these two characters - hard. Their prickly banter, their inability to or desire to not deal with their feelings. Their unmistakable chemistry and the depth of emotion between them.

Lead had a little different feel to it than Lick or Play. That's not to say Ms. Scott didn't evoke emotions with David and Ev's or Mal and Anne's stories, because she definitely did. But Lead was different. Maybe it was that we were able to delve deeper into Jimmy through Lena. I'm not sure. I do know I loved their story.

Andi Arndt continues to wow me with her voices and her ability to convey the emotion of each scene.

I've already begun Deep and one thing is for sure...I'm going to miss these guys and girls once I'm done.

#COYER Winter 2015-2016 ~ Sign Up Post

COYER is going back to the basics for the winter season, and I'm soooo in! The challenge begins December 19 and runs through March 4. You can click on the banner to see the official full details of the challenge, but here are the basics of how it'll work:

• Read Your EBooks! 
• Only ebooks count for this challenge and ONLY ebooks that were FREE or Nearly-FREE. (make sure to see the official rules for this to make sure your read qualifies)
• Announce your participation.
• Link up.
• Review and link your reviews.
• Visit other participants, chat, and have fun!

There is a Facebook group you can join, there are Twitter parties, a giveaway, and lots of other events to increase the community fun! I love participating in this challenge and I hope you'll join with me!

I don't want to list the books I plan to read since I prefer to pick based on my mood. But I *will* set a goal of 40 books. I think this is reasonable, but we'll see. :) I will label my review posts with COYER so you'll know what I'm getting read. And I'll also have a Goodreads shelf for the books I read.

So what do y'all think? Are you ready to clean off some books from you ereaders??

2015 Bookish Resolutions Challenge Update ~ November

Laura @Trips Down Imagination Lane and Michelle @Because Reading are the lovely hosts of this challenge. You can click the button above for all the details.

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My 2015 Bookish Resolutions are:

• Improve my Netgalley Rating (started at 15.2%)
• Listen to one audio book per quarter.
• Write more discussion posts and/or create some fun features for my blog.

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In November, I only made progress on one of my resolutions - unless you count furthering my audio addiction progress. ;) Okay, well I actually did get a few reviews posted to Netgalley so technically, I did make progress there as well. I hope to make a little more in December...

I got my Netgalley rating up to 19%! I know, I know...it's still abysmal. But it's improved and that was my goal. We'll see if I can make it over 20% before the end of the year. :D

The audio book portion of my resolutions challenge is FINISHED! In November, I did binge on the Stage Dive series, so listened to 3 audio books. 

As for discussion posts/fun features, I continued posting my monthly Travel by the Book post as well as my Beyond the Books posts. I've also continued my Brandee's Bookish Babble posts. I also started my Traveling to the Terminus feature, where I'm doing some series catch up.

Despite not making much progress on my Netgalley rating, I'm giving myself a little pat on the back. Also, I'm going to participate in a challenge in 2016 that should help me out with my Netgalley goal. :) How did y'all do in November?