Another S.E.C.R.E.T to share

Okay, how can a write this review without spoiling the first book, SECRET: A Novel by L. Marie Adeline?  This has been my dilemma for the past few days.  So I promise to try my best and not reveal too much.

I was so excited there was another book since the last one left me a little high and dry.  Alright there is one spoiler.... it's a cliffhanger! Since SECRET Shared: A SECRET Novel is now released I feel okay sharing that teeny tiny little tidbit.    

I was privileged to receive an ARC of SECRET Shared: A SECRET Novel and didn't have to wait long to see what happened next. Not only does it continue with Cassie's story but we are introduced to Dauphine as well.  She is much like Cassie was before she meet the women in S.E.C.R.E.T.

Now it's Dauphine's turn and Cassie is there to guide her on her own journey of rediscovering herself and her desires. After being burned by her boyfriend and her best friend, her self esteem was damaged and she chose to focus on her business instead of her personal life. Once she meets Cassie and the other ladies of S.E.C.R.E.T., she is intrigued and ready to start living her life.

Even though the steps are the same, the journey and fantasies are very different. Dauphine's fears and desires are challenged and met by a variety of new enticing hot men. One in particular is someone she fantasized about before she joined  S.E.C.R.E.T.  Who happens to be my favorite, being a musician and all. :).

I was pleased the book continued with Cassie's story along with Dauphine's. There was so much that was up in air and the ending of the last book.  Unfortunately, this ones ends very similarly and I now have to wait until the next one! (Sorry another cliffhanger). I am anxious to see what will happen with Cassie and if Dauphine and ......... (Nope, you're not getting anymore S.E.C.R.E.T.S out of me!)

My Rating:

It's the same as the first

4 Charm Bracelets 

Want to win you own copy of SECRET Shared: A SECRET Novel?  Enter to win below! 

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Present Perfect by Alison Bailey - Review

Whoops! I had this review of this absolute amazing book in my drafts for about 2 months and never posted it.  Better late than never, I guess.   I'm sorry I kept it to myself for so long.  Well, maybe I was feeling a little possessive over Noah Stewart. ;)

(Read August 2013)

I just finished, no devoured Alison Bailey's debut novel, Present Perfect.  I will try and convey my feelings about this incredible story without giving anything away. You know when I REALLY enjoy a story I don't want to take away from the experience.   I will not write a synopsis or any quotes (although, I highlighted a handful).  I want you to go through every emotion I did while reading it.

You will get frustrated.  I know I was!  But keep reading and enjoy the ride.  It's worth it!

I will touch on the awesomeness that is Noah Stewart!  From the age of 6, this boy captured my heart.  I was only disappointed in him once!  I completely understood why he did what he did and I didn't stay mad at him for long.  The heartfelt and swoon worthy words that would come out of this boys mouth will make the coldest person's heart melt and their knees weak.

I apologize if I'm being to vague, its necessary to keep the secrets.  However, if I could compare this story to another book, it would be The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski.  The story lines are very different but there is a commonality that makes it an appropriate comparison and closest I can think of.  For those who have read both, you understand.  If you haven't both books, they should be on the top of your TBR list.

I know I said I wouldn't write any quotes, but.......this one doesn't affect the story and was just too good not to share (for obvious reasons)!

"The D-Bags blasted through my head.  Kellan's voice always soothed me.  I closed my eyes and tried to listen to the lyrics."

Nothing like a Thoughtless Series reference to put a huge smile on my face!

This story is a roller coaster!  You will laugh, you will cry, and you will probably sob and hiccup and shed some ugly snot inducing tears. But, isn't that why we read the books we do?

My Rating:

5 Book Boyfriends and 5 pieces of Chocolate Cake with extra frosting (I guess you'll have to read it to understand the cake reference)

my little book boyfriend had some work done ;)

Want to hear a S.E.C.R.E.T?

So, I will let you in on a little secret.... I just read a fantastic book that was unlike any I have read, SECRET: A Novel by L. Marie Adeline.  It's in the erotica genre that I enjoy, but with a different approach to your typical romance story.  It still has hot and sexy content but with a twist.  There really isn't a book boyfriend to swoon over.  Well, maybe there are few, but I wouldn't exactly call them boyfriends.  ;)  Instead the story leads you on a journey of sexual desires and self discovery.

Cassie, a 35 year old widow, who spends her days waitressing at a cafe and her nights with her cat,  accepted her fate of a lonely life.  Her marriage wasn't the greatest, which soured her to any future relationships.  Not feeling worthy, she turns down any male attention she recieves.  Even when the attraction seems to be mutual.  That is, until a couple that fequents her cafe intrigues her and has her longing for the love and chemistry they seem to share.  

Little did she know that the woman she envies holds the S.E.C.R.E.T to her new life and a whole new world to discover.  

I aboslutley loved this book and embraced its unique story.  For being a true sap and romantic, it didn't bother me that this isn't your typical love story.   It had me intrigued and excited to learn where the story was headed and the final outcome. 

I wasn't sure how to rate this book since I use book boyfriends in my rating system.  Since it doesn't really apply to this story, I decided to use my iPad drawing app and come up with something more relevent.  (please excuse that kindergarten like picture, it's really hard to draw on the iPad!) 

My rating for this book will be charm bracelets.  And if you don't understand why,  I guess you'll have to read the book to find out! 

My Rating:

4 charm bracelets :)

If you can't get enough of SECRET: A Novel the next book in the series SECRET Shared: A SECRET Novel, will be released on October 15th!!

Also check back in a few days.  I will be having a contest for a free copy of S.E.C.R.E.T shared!!

Fire On Ice by Dakota Madison

I received a copy of Fire on Ice (Fire on Ice Series) by Dakota Madison in exchange for an honest review

 

Well, it looks like there's a new book boyfriend in town and he's a hot hockey player!!  I don't even like hockey!  But, if Kian were my boyfriend I would learn to love to sport.

Taylor a, very driven psychology major, is focused on school and has no interest in boys or other distractions.  That is until she meets Kian the star hockey player of the local minor league team. A guy "from the wrong side of the tracks" who spent is adult life focused on hockey, his dreams and one night stands.   However once he lays eyes on Taylor he is instantly intrigued and everything else seems to fail in comparison.   Taylor is not interested and makes it known, but deep down she feels the instant connection between them and can't resist the pull she has towards him.  The one thing holding her back is the fact that he is a hockey player.  She was burned badly by her high school boyfriend who also happened to play hockey.   She assumed all athletes are same.  It took some time but Kian proved to be nothing like the jerk from high school. 

I enjoyed this story and learned quite a bit about hockey. In one particular scene when Taylor is watching Kian play, it is very detailed and descriptive of every play in the game and what's happening around her.  It's almost like you are there in the middle of the action experiencing right along with Taylor.  

The author took her time developing the characters and added a little mystery to keep it interesting and the reader captivated.   It may seem at first that story was going in the direction of, boy meets girl, they instantly fall in love and spout "I love yous" after the first date.   But, it was a little more real than that.  Kian had to earn her love and he figure out how to make up for the mistakes he made along the way.  However, there was definitely lust at first sight for both of them.  But Kian showed restraint which help create a build up for some steamy scenes when the relationship finally progressed. 

Oh one more thing... and I do not mean to spoil anything, because you know I hate to do that!  Just a warning, the story is left a little unfinished.  It's not like it you go to turn the page and nothing.  It ends where you know there is more to the story and there is some major drama lurking around the corner.  As you can tell from the title (the part where it says series, that I somehow missed at first)  It's not a stand alone book.   But there is good news!  The second book is coming in September. YAY!  I can't wait to find out what happens next!!!

I still may not be a hockey fan, but if there was a Kian Kavanagh on my local hockey team I may have to get season tickets :) 
My Rating:

4 Book Boyfriends 

 

Burn by Maya Banks - Review

 

Since the first book in the Breathless trilogy, Burn (THE BREATHLESS TRILOGY), I have been dying to know more about the character Ash. He was the easy going, laid back one.  I knew there was more to him than that.  And boy is there.  Introducing, Ash the alpha male!!

After seeing his two best friends leave their playboy lifestyles behind and fall madly in love with their soul mates, Ash felt left out.  He was used to sharing his women with Jace and now he was on his own.  That is until he met Josie.

Ash was completely captivated by Josie while first noticing her in a local park.  He was determined to get to know her and make her a part of his life.  Josie, being an independent and strong women, she wasn't interested in a "knight in shining armor" type trying to sweep in and rescue her.  She wanted to have her own successful career as an artist and support herself.  However, she couldn't deny the effect Ash had on her and she had to see what this gorgeous intense man was all about. 

Ash respected her determination to succeed and be independent and he was supportive of that.  Well, as long as he was in control of her success and independence.  This proves to be a recipe for drama and disaster!

Ash really surprised me.  I liked how strongly he wanted to care and protect her.  He gave the impression he would be too over the top demanding and controlling.  However, he really showed his sweet and caring side with a dash of over protection.   Okay, it was more than a dash! ;)

The story started out slower than the first two books in the sex department, which surprised me.  I liked that the readers get to know the characters and watch the relationship develop before all the sexy heat begins.  But when it did, it was HOT!!!!

In all the romance novels that I read, I have come to expect drama and major hiccups in the relationships and I usually prepare myself.  When it came to that part of the story, I thought to myself  "That wasn't too bad".  I thought it was over and then BAM!!  I was way wrong! From that moment on,  I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn't read fast enough to see how it ended.

Before I finished the series, I thought it would be easy to choose one of the three as my new book boyfriend.  I was pretty sure it would be Ash.  But now I don't think I can pick just one.  I think I take all three!  ;)

My Rating:

4 Book Boyfriends

Don't forget to enter to win your own copy of Burn!

See the previous post to enter.

BURN GIVEAWAY

To celebrate the release of Burn (THE BREATHLESS TRILOGY) that comes out this Tuesday August 6th, (Yippie!!!) I am giving away a copy to one lucky winner!!

I have been so excited for this book and can't wait to share my thoughts with all of you.

The contest will end at midnight on August 12th.

Good Luck!!

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This contest is for U.S. and Canada residents only

We have a WINNER!!

THE LUCKY WINNER IS..........

 

Abigail!!!

Don't worry if you entered and didn't win.  I will be posting a chance to win the third and final book, Burn (THE BREATHLESS TRILOGY),  very shortly!