H&H Bloggers Recommend 2014

Over at Heroes and Heartbreakers they asked all us bloggers to send in our fave reads of 2014. I have way too many favorites to narrow it down to the three they asked us to, but I found a lot of books to add to my TBR pile for 2015! Stay tuned for my own year end list of my personal faves, but check out what I (and other H&H bloggers!) had to say!

Review: In Kelly's Corner

In Kelly's Corner by Roxie Rivera

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is the second book I have read in this world by Roxie Rivera; the first was Ivan, also the first book in this world but a different series (My Russian Protector). I remember enjoying Ivan but reading In Kelly's Corner was the first chance I had to revisit the world.

In a trope twist, Bee is a tech billionaire and has a stalker who is getting more and more aggressive. Her deceased brother's best friend Kelly is a Marine and currently working at a private security firm. She goes to him for help but it is super awkward as she planted a kiss on him last New Year's Eve and he basically rebuffed her advances. What she doesn't know is that Kelly has been lusting after her for years and can't bring himself to break the bro code of dating his best friend's sister, even if his best friend has passed away in his arms overseas in the middle east.

Bee is a virgin, and I don't know if that is a spoiler or not, but usually virgins get on my nerves. However, Bee is one of the few virgin characters that is pragmatic, knowledgeable, and knows the basic mechanics of sex. I love when contemporary virgins don't act like they are in a regency novel, so gold star there! I totally fell in love with the Connolly brothers and their troublesome dad who slightly redeemed himself at the end. Lots of hot scenes and chemistry between Bee and Kelly. Good read!



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ARC Review: Flames of Passion by Kayla Perrin

Nya's jerk of an ex cheated on her and is now dating the quasi starlet she suspected he was sleeping with while producing his first film. She runs into him at a charity event and has to come up with something to keep from feeling like such a loser, so she grabs the closest guy to her at the bar and lays a hot kiss on him when it looks like her ex and his new girlfriend are on their way over to her. Luckily for her it was handsome and sweet firefighter Tyler who plays along with her game. He plays so well, in fact, they have tickets to the premiere of her ex's movie at the end of the week.

What happens next is a sweet roller coaster of circumstances and falling in love. Nya and Tyler have some great chemistry. Tyler is hot, adorable, a gentleman, and sexy! Nya is a class act but suffers from some serious self esteem issues, especially after her last break up. She was so hot and cold with Tyler it gave me whiplash! However, the overall premise was cute, funny, and a page turning read. My only comment is that with a Harlequin Kimani read, I would expect a little more descriptiveness with the characters. I totally understand the need to make the characters more relate-able to a broader audience, but there was only one reference to Nya's skin color towards the end of the book. I think it's an incredible talent to write a whole book where the character's race is irrelevant, but in this case I was expecting it. In any case, I enjoyed it.

Review: Outlaw Guardian

Outlaw Guardian by Amy Love

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Chelsea is a battered woman on the run from her abusive crooked cop boyfriend. She has thecluck to run into Elias, the Sargeant at Arms of the White Wolves MC. Knowing a woman on the run when he sees one he offers protection and a helping hand.

These two are probably the most pragmatic, honest, and communicative people ever. The conflict that pops up between them is completely created in the heroines head which made for a frustrating ending. However I really liked Elias so I might check back in on these two!



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Review: Long Way Down

Long Way Down by Laura Day

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



3.5 stars
This one ends on a minor cliffhanger. These two were pretty intense together and it turns out they shared some kinks. Mason went to Caroline to investigate the books of his MC's garage now that he is the treasurer. In the meantime they have a super sex fest. Hot and fast read.



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Review: Vengeful in Love

Vengeful in Love by Nadia Lee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



3.5 stars
Natalie is the daughter of a US Senator and grew up with his love and acceptance but as an adopted child she always felt scorned by his wife and their biological daughter. Luckily she had her godmother Louise to lean on, but Natie is in the middle of a mess now. The CEO of her company is looking to do a hostile take over of her godmother's company. Alex Damon has a bone to pick with Natalie's godmother; she ruined his family and he had had to build himself back up piece by piece. Natalie may be beautiful but he isnt going to be swayed by a pretty face like his father was.

There were so many meanies in this book. Natalie's mom, her sister, even the non meanies had a wicked cruel streak. I believed Alex and his attraction to Natalie. They had some nice chemistry and some hot scenes. If you can deal with easily forgiving cruel people then this is a good read.



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ARC Review: Their Fierce Love by Ella Goode

In book ten of The Motorcycle Clubs series (and book 4 of the double teaming Death Lords MC series) Annie continues her budding romance with Easy and Michigan of the Death Lords MC. Annie is the only daughter of a devout small town preacher, and she knows that her relationship with the sexy Easy and the intense Michigan is definitely something he will not approve of. However, she is conflicted and feels that she can’t just leave her father and move in with Easy and Michigan without a way to take care of herself, despite the fact that Easy and Michigan would love to take care of her. In order to start a dialogue with her father about her dating and possibly moving out (even if she is 23 and doesn’t have to have permission!) the trio agree that she should come out to her dad as dating Easy, who is a hometown boy and well liked. Here is where the real drama starts!

Her preacher father’s sinister overtones in Their Private Need are confirmed in Their Fierce Love, and I think it’s safe to say that without spoiling anything. However, that’s all I am going to say. These three are hot together, and their personalities are a perfect match for each other. Annie is a wanton woman now that she knows the pleasures of sex, and one of the guys even jokes that it’s good there are two of them to keep her satisfied. Easy is, of course, laid back and a fierce protector; Michigan as always is quiet, intense, and looking for way more than a casual hookup. As the series goes on I would love to check in with them and see how their relationship has progressed.

Another great entry in The Motorcycle Clubs series!

Review: Tragic

Tragic by J.A. Huss

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Rook is homeless in Denver and on the run from an abusive ex back in Chicago. A chance encounter at a coffee shop (where she spent her last 10 bucks) with a bunch of snotty models changes her life when she takes an appointment card and shows up for a photo shoot. She meets , the devastatingly handsome model/model runner. Antoine, the photographer, and his lover, Elise (Ronin's brother) all fall in love with Rook's look and she is on the path to finding her own independence even as some of Ronin's tendencies for control set off red flags.

I enjoyed this a lot and plan to read the rest. They had nice chemistry and Rook's hesitancies were spot on for her history. There is still a lot more to uncover and Im totally crushing on Spencer the biker/artist!



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Review: Choosing Her Alpha

Choosing Her Alpha by Scarlett Rhone

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This one snuck up on me as a great read. Callie is recently widowed by Carrick who was a bear shifter, but he never shared that fact or the fact that he has family on a mountain in Montana. Imagine Callie's surprise when his brother Ronan shows up at her door with a copy of his brother's will that deeds part of that mountain to her. She has to sell it or live on it. In the meantime she has to fight the attraction she feels for the man who looks so much like her husband but is so different. And when they get to the mountain, a cougar shifter named Jenner lets the paranormal secret out of the bag and wants to claim her for himself. This was a nice and hot bite, just the beginning of what looks to be a great serial.



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Review: Chasing Abby

Chasing Abby by Cassia Leo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This one was like a three hanky read. So many emotions yall! Abby decides to meet Chris and Claire and the fallout on both sets of families is intense. There are some beautiful and tragic moments in this book. What a hreat series.



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Review: Bring Me Home

Bring Me Home by Cassia Leo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Complicated! Chris and his dedication to Claire despite everything makes me heart him so much. Adam is a great guy too but Chris is it. So great how this one ended even if there is still the matter of Abby out there. Great read.



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Review: Pieces of You

Pieces of You by Cassia Leo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Claire, Adam, and Chris are all in major pain this time around. Chris is fighting to get Claire and his daughter. Adam is trying to do the best he can and so is Claire but she is a wreck! So good and of course it ends with a boom. Off to read the next!



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Review: Relentless

Relentless by Cassia Leo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Claire had a terrible secret that only her best friend and her worst enemy know. Chris has moved on to Hollywood and become a huge star; Claire may have finally moved on with the adorable Adam who has ghosts of his own. Another emotional rollercoaster here as what stays in the dark always comes out in the light...for everyone. So intriguing, and it was so easy to fall in love with Adam here, even if Chris is our fist love...



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Review: Forever Ours

Forever Ours by Cassia Leo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I'm new to this series, so I am reading the prequel before reading the rest of the series unlike others who have already enjoyed this series so far. I'm hooked! I can tell this is going to be an emotional rollercoaster, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series (on sale on amazon right now, btw.) Chris and Claire fall in love as teenagers when she moves to his home as a foster child when she was 15. They have the sweetest most patient romance as Chris waits patiently for her to be ready for all he wants for her. His music is the only other thing that is as important to him, and when it looks like his big break is coming when she goes away to college, she makes some choices that tear them apart. For now.



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Review: FIGHTING LIES

FIGHTING LIES by Kellie Perkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was a beautiful conclusion(?) to a complicated saga. Nash and Keeva have so much to overcome and I love the way it was written. I would love a check-in in the future to see where these two are in life. Great read!



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Review: Fighting Love

Fighting Love by Kellie Perkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this a lot. The saga continues for Keeva and Nash. After dealing with the fact that Nash was in the ring with her brother when he died, she also had to deal with her conscience when dangerous loansharks are lurking around the corner trying to collect on a debt. She decides to help train him to improve his fighting like she did for her brother. Just when it looks like things are looking up for them another cliffhanger twist is thrown their way.

I am enjoying this saga. Keeva is in an incredible spot, being in love with the man who dealt the killing blow to her brother in the ring. Their chemistry is hot and no matter what Im always rooting for them.



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Review: Fighting Grief

Fighting Grief by Kellie Perkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was a great start to this serial. Im already in for the second entry! Keeva is mourning the tragic loss of the brother that raised her. He dropped out of high school and started fighting in MMA underground tournaments to set aside money for college for her. He died in the ring. Months later Keeva is running out of money and completely despondent about life without her rock. There is his best friend Marshall who is the executor of her brothers estate who wants to help but Keeva doesn't want help right now. And she meets and eventually hooks up with Nash, the new bartender at the restaurant/bar she serves at. Their relationship is volatile and passionate, and Nash has some secrets that he wants to protect Keeva from. The end wasnt surprising but still a doozy cliffhanger in a good way. Good read!



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Review: Locked with Him

Locked with Him by Ellen Dominick

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This was an interesting read, cute and sexy but quick! Penelope the librarian and the enigmatic Matt are stuck in the library during the snowstorm of the century. They had an instant connection but there was something very...intense about Matt. We do find out a bit of a secret about him at the end of this novella and Im rather interested to continue the serial. I liked Penny's voice even if she was a bit self deprecating. Nice read.



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Review: Just One Night

Just One Night by Tara Raine

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Ava is a hospital administrator who wakes up one morning after a one night stand with no memory of the night before. Turns out her handsome hunk is Evan the new surgeon at her hospital. They have incredible chemistry. He wants more but because she is his superior reporting their relationship to HR could put her career in jeopardy. Ava was interesting to read even though I wanted to shake her. She got another guys number while out on a date with Evan! Rude! This starts a serial. I dont know that I enjoyed it enough to pick up the rest right now but I may in the future.



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Review: Liberty Begins

Liberty Begins by Leigh James

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Liberty was a neurotic mess. On one hand I can understand her wariness of meeting John. He is a rich friend of the man who owns the strip club she strips at. She is right to be cautious about his motives. However by the end of the book I was so annoyed with Liberty, especially considering her choice in the end. John has basically laid his heart out to her, which I love btw, and Liberty cant figure out if she can deal with his lifestyle. I get that too but only to a certain point. Overall I did enjoy reading it but there were some plot points that got me.



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Review: Storm

Storm by Nina Levine

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



3.5 stars
This one is tough to evaluate because I enjoyed the book overall, but I really didn't like Madison. She was shrill, obstinate, out of control, and annoying. I don't know if she was supposed to be sassy and bold or something like that, but she constantly rubbed me the wrong way, flying off the handle constantly. As an MC princess, she should know that club business isn't discussed at home a lot, and certainly not badgered out of your old man. However, J loved all of her foolishness, and he knew exactly how to handle her fiery temper.

I'm really interested in some of the other club members, and uncovering their ghosts. J and Madison had some hot chemistry, and if they couldn't come to a meeting of the minds they certainly came to a meeting of the bodies. Madison was also dealing with alcoholism, which was a hot button for J, but they came through that beautifully. I may go back for more!



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Review: His True Fortune

His True Fortune by Liliana Rhodes

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



2.5 stars
Ugh Sam was so hard to root for. Every time Drake came back to her with sincere longing and his heart on his sleeve, she would throw it in his face. Every single time. Then she ended up pregnant and kept it from him! I didn't like her and I felt Drake could do better quite frankly.



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Review: His Simple Wish

His Simple Wish by Liliana Rhodes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Samantha's mother was Drake's nanny when they were children, growing into their tutor and house manager. Samantha carried a torch for the 7 years older Drake and he would just laugh her off. Now, Sam has her own catering business getting of the ground and here come that infuriating Drake to ask he out dinner. Drake is rich, successful, and his family has been in the movie business for generations, He is used to getting what he wants, and he wants Sam but she wont budge.

I enjoyed some of their banter, but Sam was kind of bratty to me. There was chemistry and Drake was hot!



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Review: His One Desire

His One Desire by Liliana Rhodes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



3.5 stars
The conclusion to Ashley and Xander's story. After letting her go, Xander arranges a job for Ashley with Drake, a friend of his. However, he immediately changes his mind about their relationship and does everything he can to get her back, and deal with his past demons.

Another good read, and a great set up to Drake and Samantha's story.



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Review: His Every Whim

His Every Whim by Liliana Rhodes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



3.5 stars
Very sweet novella about a catering waitress who befriends a grumpy billionaire. She winds up hired as his assistant and they fall in love, but it ends on a minor cliffhanger.

A couple of hot spots with a dash of Pretty Woman, but some editing issues. Enjoyed the overall story!



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Review: I Married a Billionaire

I Married a Billionaire by Melanie Marchande

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



3.5 stars
This was a fun, sexy little read. Daniel, Maddy's billionaire boss, is a Canuck who has an INS issue. Apparently some old paperwork was never done properly, and his American citizenship is in jeopardy. He asks Maddy, a quite and hard working employee, to pose as his wife for a year for 2 million dollars. They are instantly attracted, and despite trying to keep a cool head about the nature of their relationship, they can see themselves falling harder and harder. Cute! And apparently a series.



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