Review: The Walking Dead, Issue #1

The Walking Dead, Issue #1 by Robert Kirkman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Love the show and this is my first time to get my hands on the first comic! I don't know if I will read while the show is happening, but it's so fun to geek out on all the details they have put into the show. Loved it! Short and sweet, and so much more to come after that!



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Review: Annihilate Me Vol. 3

Annihilate Me Vol. 3 by Christina Ross

My rating: 4 of 5 stars




3.5 stars
I devoured this trilogy like the tasty treat it was. There are more entries after this, and even a spinoff for my favorite character, Jennifer's best friend Lisa.

This book added the drama and the stakes were higher than ever. Jennifer finally admitted to herself that she was in love with Alex, but with that realization came a little case of the TSTLs. When Alex's life was in danger, she turned into a superhero in bare feet. All was well that ended well, but I found I didn't enjoy the very end as much as the rest of the series. I'm excited to read Lisa's series with Tank aka Mitchell.



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Review: Annihilate Me Vol. 2

Annihilate Me Vol. 2 by Christina Ross

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Jennifer and Alex are back, and Jennifer has decided to go all the way, which was an amazing choice. However, she is still holding back emotionally from Alex, and he is all in. He tries to show her in so many ways that he is committed to her, and it's up to Jennifer to let him in. However, Alex is holding something back-he tells her he doesn't want to concern her with it, but the fact that he is keeping it to himself and stressing about it is concerning to her. By the end, we know why, but we don't know who.

Can I just say that I love that her bff is a zombie writer? Another great entry to the series.



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Review: Annihilate Me Vol. 1

Annihilate Me Vol. 1 by Christina Ross

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this so much! I already have the second of this series waiting for me after I finish this review.

Jennifer is in NYC trying to make something of herself and her MBA so she doesn't have to go back to Maine with her tail between her legs and her abusive parents waiting to berate her. She applies to a position with Wenn Enterprises, and has a terrible interview through no fault of her own. Unbeknownst to her, she bumps into the Wenn in question, Alex, and tells him about her terrible day. The next day, she is called in and offered a dream job, but it's certainly unique. She is hired to be Alex's arm candy so that he can keep desperate single women away from him and concentrate on business at social functions. She accepts, and the real adventure begins.

Jennifer was whipcord smart and armed with the (apparent) blunt honesty that Maine folk have. Alex was completely swept off his feet with her beauty and intelligence, and I loved that. This was downright chaste compared to what I have been reading lately, but I didn't even notice as the writing was done so well. Loved it.



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Review: Guilty Pleasures

Guilty Pleasures by Kitty Thomas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Vivi was an unfulfilled housewife looking for something more. Her relationship with her affluent husband has deteriorated over time, and their sex life is practically non existent. When he demands she see a sex therapist, her world turns completely upside down. Through the therapist she meets a massage therapist who yanks her into the world of submission and slavery. Soon she finds herself in a position she can't get out of, and doesn't know if she wants to.

This was an intriguing read. Definitely not your mom's 50 Shades of bdsm, this has dubious consent, slavery, and coercion. It was great, and I kept the pages turning from start to finish.



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Review: Stranger

Stranger by Megan Hart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Megan Hart creates characters who are complex and fascinating. This time, we have Grace, a funeral director who has taken over her father's business and can't escape his watchful eye. Seeing death on a daily basis makes Grace believe that relationships aren't worth it-after all, everyone dies in the end, and she didn't want to be left alone. It's better to be alone in the first place. So, to make up for companionship, she hires men through a ladies service to...service her. On one particular night she was to meet a new companion, a stranger, and she meets Sam. She and Sam have a wonderful night together...but it turns out he wasn't the companion she hired.

Grace has an interesting relationship with the cast of characters around her; her intern Jared is handsome and her age, so the town thinks they are dating when actually he is having an affair with the married Shelly who works the front desk; Jack, the companion that wasn't, is sort of taken under Grace's wing as she teaches him self confidence and polishes him while trying to keep them from falling for each other; her father, who won't let the business go and insists on checking her books when they don't need it and her sister who's manic stay-at-home-mom lifestyle suddenly changes with strange secret appointments of her own.

Then there is Sam, who comes back into her life when his father passes away and she takes care of his funeral. Sam is sweet and endearing, but carries so much guilt about his relationships, they have to save each other. First things first-Grace has to let him in. Such a great read!



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Review: Dating A Cougar II

Dating A Cougar II by Donna McDonald

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



A fan of this series, I was excited to read about Jane and Walter. Jane Fox is knocking on 40's door, is sharp and successful, and single. She figures if she hasn't had kids by now it's probably not going to happen, and she's mostly ok with that. After a terrible breakup of her marriage with a philandering husband, Jane is gun shy and finds most appropriately aged men boring. Enter Walter Graham II. He is 25, hot and buff, and a firefighter. He is also delving into the entrepreneur business world, and Jane has been a mentor for him. The thing is, he wants Jane to be so much more, and Jane isn't ready for that.

I thought Jane and Walter were cute. I felt that Jane fought her relationship with Walter so hard that it was bordering on ridiculous, but it never crossed that line. After a certain point, you have to say, hey, this hot stud wants me, let's give it a try! And she did. Walter was persistent, sweet, and plenty hot. Jane pushed all the right buttons for him, and he was proud to let anyone know how he felt about her. After a huge mistake, he really had to fight for her, but I was Team Walter all the way. Great read!



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Review: Raw

Raw by Belle Aurora

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Here's the thing: Lexi falls in love with her stalker. He's been quietly watching her for months, never approaching, but always there. One night, she gets attacked by someone else, and then HE steps in to save her. After that, things start moving fast.

I was hooked from start to finish. (Im so curious as to what life looks like even farther down the road.) Twitch has had a goal for a long time-get Lexi. In the meantime, he has made a name for himself, and while he hates labels, he knows his brain is not wired the way most people's brains are. Twitch and Lexi are both victims of their childhoods, and it has certainly shaped their paths in adulthood. Lexi is a social worker and Twitch...well he never really left the streets.

Such an intriguing premise and very well done - and hot as the blue blazes. I am a sucker for a piercing!



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Review: Beyond Jealousy

Beyond Jealousy by Kit Rocha

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



It's not a secret. I totally fangirl for Kit Rocha's Beyond series, and this latest entry-a much anticipated triad between Rachel, Cruz, and Ace- fulfills every dirty, filthy, and romantic expectation.

Ace just makes your heart break.He has so much love to give, but he doesn't feel worthy of it himself. He has loved Rachel forever, and in protecting her has broken her heart. Rachel has heard the rumors about Ace and Cruz pulling a tag team number Jeni, and is insanely jealous. She wants to be the one with the two loves of her life. Cruz knows he loves Rachel, and knows he loves Ace, but will he let himself go all the way?

How HOT are these three? Ridiculously so. Separate, any of them can turn heads at the Broken Circle, but all three together even captivate Dallas and Lex, who have seen and done just about everything. This was an intense ride filled with lust, love, and intrigue. And just what does Mac Fleming think he's doing? I can't wait to find out.



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Review: Drawn Together

Drawn Together by Lauren Dane

My rating: 5 of 5 stars




Jonah needs a tattoo, and he approaches Raven to have it done. He knows her work, he knows she's hot, so if he can nail her, it's a win-win. Raven is blunt, somewhat abrasive, and sexually open. She meets her match in Jonah who is Dominant and brings out a sexually submissive side of Raven that starts to spill into her day life. She opens up to him when normally she wouldn't, and they begin a courtship that takes them both places they didn't expect.

Raven has not been easy to like in this series, but over time, you get used to her and understand her. She has found a family in the Browns and as Erin's best friend, she is always on the periphery. Finally, she gets her own book and I loved it. I also loved Jonah (are we getting more stories from these brothers?) He was a great match for Raven, fighting fire with fire, but knowing when to step back and let her have space as well. They had fantastic chemistry, scorching hot sex scenes, and a love that developed quickly but realistically. Great read!



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Review: Six Brothers

Six Brothers by Lili St. Germain

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



One down.
Sammi has taken out the oldest brother, Chad, and now has her sights set on Maxi. Dornan's grief was delicious to Sammi, and she savored every moment of it. However, his grief makes him unpredictable, and she suffers a setback. All the while, she is still trying to keep her feelings for Jase at bay. How would he feel if he knew she was trying to kill his brothers off, one by one?
Can't wait for the next entry. This has been so good!



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Review: Seven Sons

Seven Sons by Lili St. Germain

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This serial is my new obsession.
Juliette Portland was raped, brutally beaten, and almost killed by Dornan Ross and six of his sons. His youngest son, the seventh, Jase, was her first real boyfriend and made to watch the brutality. Dornan was the VP of the Gypsy Brothers MC and Julez's father was the President-at least until Dornan killed him and took over leadership. Juliette was hidden away and now, six years later, Juliette is out for revenge. She wants to take out Dornan and his sons. She gets plastic surgery, contacts, extensions, and becomes Dornan's favorite toy. Now known as Sammi, she has nothing but revenge on her mind, and is planning on taking them all out, one by one.

I could not put this down. A revenge angle is perfect for the MC world, and Sammi is up against some sadists. The bright light in this is the relationship she builds up again with Jase, which is innocent and sweet, all the while she is his fathers hardcore plaything. The revenge business is dangerous, but oh so sweet.



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Review: Afterburn and Aftershock

Afterburn and Aftershock by Sylvia Day

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Jax Rutledge is hot, sexy, and complicated. After a brief but intense affair a few years ago, he left Gia Rossi out in the cold. Now older, wiser, and under the wing of a mentor with a similar past, Gia should be prepared for Jax the second time around. However, their passion burns as bright as it did, almost as if there was no time apart. Despite the secrets, lies, and drama, in the end, Gia realizes that she may just have to be the one to save Jax.

What a great read, and such a tease when a writer as good as Sylvia Day gives us these novellas to read. The chemistry, money, and politics here make this a nonstop read from cover to cover.



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Review: After Hours

After Hours by Cara McKenna

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is a gritty, urban story about a tiny nurse who basically raised her spitfire of a little sister and a hulking orderly whose calm presence is soothing to the patients in Larkhaven, the mental psychiatric facility they both work out.

Erin has always taken care of people, but Kelly is an unapologetic dominant man who wants to take Erin home and show her who is boss. She is definitely interested, but fights her attraction initially because it seems that Kelly has the same kind of bad-boy written all over him that her sister's loser boyfriends have. However, eventually, she gives in and has the most explosive sexual experience of her life. Now she just has to figure out if this is just a one time thing or is Kelly looking for more? For that matter, is she looking for more?

This was another great read from Cara McKenna. I wish there were more sexy times, but the sexy times that happened were certainly explicit! Kelly was believable as a dominant yet patient and sexy man attracted to the scrappy fighter in Erin. They are a great couple.



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The Rundown: Scandal

This week, Kwana Minatee-Jackson gives her take on Scandal over at Heroes and Heartbreakers. I'll return there next week, but for now, here is The Rundown:

Last week, Scandal advertised that the last 30 seconds of this week's show were going to leave us shocked.

They weren't wrong.

This was the reaction of the internet (including myself) after last night's episode:

Let's get started, shall we?
1.  Pretty much everyone was a little off the deep end last night. It was like DC was bizarro-land.

2. Jake was clowning last night. Cyrus thought he had him, and then Jake called him a mouse chasing after cheese. Jake told him he not only didn't have the time to explain the way the real world worked, but that Cyrus would not understand. Ouch.

3. Olivia drank a LOT. I hope Kerry's baby likes grape juice.

4. I'm still trying to figure out (like Mellie) what magic lays between Olivia's thighs because she told Fitz to throw the debate, and I'll be damned if he didn't throw the debate.

5. Meanwhile, Sally dodged a literal bullet but pulling herself out of her fire and brimstone headspace and deciding to wake up. With lots and lots of water.

6. A lot of people got shot in the head last night. And once Olivia hit it and quit it with Jake, he seemed like he may have fallen all the way off...but how far?



BONUS CUZ REASONS

Review: Lovely Trigger

Lovely Trigger by R.K. Lilley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Lovely Trigger was a beautiful finish to the epic love story of Tristan and Danika. The only thing more gut wrenching that the events of Rock Bottom was the fallout in Lovely Trigger.

After the events that permanently changed their lives in Rock Bottom, Danika put Tristan out of her life for six years. Of course, because of their mutual friends they would see each other occasionally, but the incidents were tense and uncomfortable for all involved. However, slowly, Tristan saw the slightest glimmer of hope and grabbed for it. He made it his mission to insinuate himself slowly into Danika's life, and win back her friendship, if nothing else-but he wanted so much more.

Danika was still holding on to some pieces of that fateful night that Tristan still had no clue about. She was trying not to feel this way, but it felt wrong not to be in his arms, not to be with him at all times. They had so much bad baggage, she almost forgot about the good times they had together.

Lovely Trigger was sexy (of course!), passionate, poignant, and a roller coaster wave of emotions. 5 enthusiastic stars! I loved and devoured every single page.



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Review: Afterburn

Afterburn by Sylvia Day

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Jax is hot,complicated, and rich. Gianna wants him badly, but since he walked out of their short and passionate relationship two years ago, she has gotten a great education from her mentor - success is the best revenge. Now it looks like Jax and her mentor's ex lover are in business together, and it's affecting a multimillion dollar deal Gianna has been working to the bone for. However, underneath it all, she can see something in Jax and it just might be more than she thought possible.

I loved it. I can't wait to finish the story with Aftershock. Sylvia Day has the magic touch!



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Review: Semblance

Semblance by Logan Patricks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



4.5 stars
What a great thriller! This book was an intriguing read about a down on her luck but talented college pianist who gains the attention of the Midnight Society-a secret society that caters to the rich and powerful. It was going to be simple-play the piano for these people, make a bucket of cash, keep it a secret, and go on about your business. However, Aria catches the eye of Shadow, the head of the Society, and he chooses her to be his wife. After a whirlwind romance, they end up falling in love, but not everyone is happy about it and someone comes after her. In fact, there is a psycho gunning for everyone Shadow cares about, and the twists and turns in this mystery keep the reader on the edge of their seat. What a hot, fun, thrilling ride. I'm definitely in for the next one in the series!



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Review: Arrow of Time

Arrow of Time by Lina Andersson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Edie has been through a lot in her life. After six years on the road traveling the world, she has decided to come home. Now, home is with the Marauders Motorcycle club where her sister has married the President. Dawg, a member of the MC, is so named because he loves the ladies. Everyone has warned Dawg to stay away from Edie, and vice versa. Once sex was taken off the table, the two become unlikely platonic friends, and feelings develop from a close friendship.

It was nice to see Dawg evolve from a man whore to a dedicated boyfriend. He certainly had his hands full with Edie who was suffering with a lot of heavy baggage and had a flight instead of fight instinct when they had arguments. It was also great to see the camaraderie between the brothers in the MC, as well as the relationship healing between Edie and her sister.

There were some minor editing issues, but overall a solid entry in the MC genre. I'll happily read the next in the series.



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Scandal Recap: We Do Not Touch the First Ladies

This week my full recap is at Heroes and Heartbreakers! Check it out!

Review: Truth or Dare

Truth or Dare by Ember Casey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



How do you make a relationship work after a secret, passionate affair? Lily and Calder decide to up the ante and take their relationship to the next level, but they are still holding back. Calder is taking secret phone calls and keeping his financial woes to himself, and Lily refuses to disclose her relationship with Calder to her father. They have a long running game of truth or dare, and sometimes it makes for sexytimes, and sometimes it makes for honest reflection.

Lily and Calder are hot-their chemistry can't be denied, in fact, it's part of how they communicate. With a very rom-com ending, this was a great finish (although there is a novella after this!) Good read.



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Review: His Wicked Games

His Wicked Games by Ember Casey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



In this modern take on Beauty and the Beast, Lily Frazer wants to give the elusive Calder Cunningham a piece of her mind. His father had been supporting the Frazer Center for the Arts, the center she and her father have dedicated their lives to. However, Cadler's father recently passed away, and Calder is refusing to honor the multi-year philanthropic commitment his father made.

She arrives at the enormous estate, and when she isn't granted entry, she decides to break in, and that's where the fun starts. It's raining cats and dogs, and due to the roads being flooded, Lily is going to have to spend a couple of days with Calder-playing a few kinky games for some high stakes.

This was a great freebie on Kindle, and I am definitely hooked for the next book, which I am on my way to read. Lily and Calder were both unexpected-she was no shrinking violet and he was no typical spoiled little rich boy. They were hot together!





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Review: Awakening

Awakening by Ashley Suzanne

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



3.5 stars
Mira has woken up from a coma believing that the last year and a half of her life included a fatal motorcycle accident for her fiance Danny and a steamy but rocky new relationship with their best friend Skylar. Turns out Danny is alive, and she has been laying in a hospital bed while her two favorite men watch over her. When she opens her eyes, Skylar is the first face she sees and she lays her feelings out on the line - and he reveals the feelings he has harbored for years.

This examined the gritty reality of falling out of love with a good person when your heart chooses another.



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Review: A Ride or Die Kind of Love

A Ride or Die Kind of Love by Chelsea Camaron

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



What a fantastic anthology of hot, sexy, and dangerous men, and the women who love them. The intro books to some of my favorite series are in here, and you can't lose reading this anthology...especially for the price!



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Review: Mirage

Mirage by Ashley Suzanne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is part of the Ride or Die Kind of Love Anthology. 3.5 stars

When Mira and her fiance Danny are in a motorcycle accident that is fatal for him, Mira feels as if her life is over. Her best friends, Skylar and Ky, who were also there that fateful night try to pull Mira out of her several month long depression. Finally, it seems like Skylar, who had been carrying a torch for Mira since he and Danny first laid eyes on her at the same time.

This was an angsty but sexy read, with a bit of a twist. I'm definitely intrigued to see where this story continues!



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