Until Trevor Review

Book Review 

January 1. 2013

Until Trevor (Until #2)

by:Aurora Rose Reynolds

4 Stars ★★★★

Blurb ~ Trevor Mayson had his life planned out - make the family business successful and play the field for a few more years before eventually settling down. Then he sees her. Liz Hayes was beautiful, shy and everything that he could ever want...but she didn't fit into his plans. After Trevor painfully rejects her, Liz finally starts to move on, but Trevor is finding it difficult to truly let her go. It seems the more he tries to stay away, the more intense his feelings for her become. Like a stretched rubber band, he can only take so much before snapping.

Liz Hayes is done waiting for Trevor and isn't interested in getting her heart broken by him again, but Trevor is making it difficult for her to forget him when he shoves his way back into her life.

Can Trevor prove to her that he is worth falling in love with again, and is he ready to change his life plan to let her into his heart?

My Review 

Honestly, I’m a little saddened by this book, don’t get me wrong it was really good but it just was not GREAT like Until November. The tension begins building in the last book and in my opinion I was glad I had just recently read Until November because not everything was explained so I would recommend reading that prior to this. Each is a stand-alone but they still connect and I think it would be easier to understand the relationship between Liz and Trevor if it’s more fresh in your mind. That being said, Trevor is such an idiot and I say that with love. But come on, he deserted her because he thought she was, ‘innocent.’ Talk about a douche move. 

Liz was a very likable character. She owns her own store and ends up getting a job at November’s fathers strip club in order to make extra money after her brother rips her off. For a while her plan works without a hiccup, until one night a bachelor party comes in and none other than the Mayson brothers walk in. In no time, Trevor is there, staking claim and laying down rules. But Liz was burned by Trevor before and she’s not going to give in again and let Trevor make unwarranted demands. Immediately, he does just that, practically steam-rolling her in order to get his way. Lucky for Trevor, the issues with her scheming brother put Trevor at an advantage and makes it easier to get Liz on his side. 

One thing I beyond hated was the background on Cash’s story. OMG talk about drama-tastic, I went through so many emotions in regards to his upcoming story I can’t even tell you. In the beginning I couldn’t wait and as Liz and Trevor’s story continued, Cash’s went haywire and I didn’t want anything to do with it. But damn those chapter intros at the end cause now my book –reading joy will revolve around the publishing of the next book, Until Lilly. I cannot wait. If you read this book, you may want to hold back on reading Chapter one of Until Lilly, because it will leave you wanting so much more and there’s not even a set release date… Deep Breath. 

Back to this story lol. November and Asher, my fav’s make a lot of appearances in this book. Asher being Trevor’s brother and Liz being November’s best friend keeps everyone in the loop. I still can’t get over Asher’s girl producing sperm-truly hilarious. And even Trevor, wanting a baby and Liz while she’s still coming to terms with allowing him back into her life which I appreciated. Far too often the heroines give in way too soon, and though I wish she would have fought a bit more, their relationship is very much on the slow side. 

Overall I enjoyed the story enough. Trevor is no Asher, that’s for sure. I just can’t understand his knowing that Liz was ‘his one’ and literally just throwing her away. Men, they are truly stupid, even in books. Even though Trevor is not my favorite I still loved the story and the relationship between these two. They are very honest with one another and truly trying to make it work. As I already said I am desperately waiting for Cash’s book, up next, and my life will finally be complete once I have it on my kindle… Other than that I truly enjoyed the dual POV’s and non-cliffhanger ending. And the epilogues: pure genius. They go for multiple years and it was a true delight to see the characters still happy year after year after year.

HAPPY READING!!!

Last Hit Review

Book Review 

December 14. 2013

Last Hit (Hitman #1)

by:Jen Frederick and Jessica Clare

5 Stars ★★★★★

Blurb ~  
Nikolai:
I have been a contract killer since I was a boy. For years I savored the fear caused by my name, the trembling at the sight of my tattoos. The stars on my knees, the marks on my fingers, the dagger in my neck, all bespoke of danger. If you saw my eyes, it was the last vision you’d have. I have ever been the hunter, never the prey. With her, I am the mark and I am ready to lie down and let her capture me. Opening my small scarred heart to her brings out my enemies. I will carry out one last hit, but if they hurt her, I will bring the world down around their ears.

Daisy:
I’ve been sheltered from the outside world all my life. Homeschooled and farm-raised, I’m so naive that my best friend calls me Pollyanna. I like to believe the best in people. Nikolai is part of this new life, and he’s terrifying to me. Not because his eyes are cold or my friend warns me away from him, but because he’s the only man that has ever seen the real me beneath the awkwardness. With him, my heart is at risk..and also, my life.

My Review 

Based on some of the reviews I’ve read about this story, it seems it’s either a hit or miss. In my case this was a HUGE HIT… I loved this story. I mean sure Nikolai practically stalks her but in some crazy way it was beyond romantic in my eyes, due to his character’s personality and lifestyle. I mean being a hit-man does sort of limit your options in the dating arena. 

Daisy is the complete opposite of Nick. She’s finally leaving her restrictive home and a father who is so scared of the world outside he never leaves his home. Daisy wants her chance to experience the world and so she moves out on her own and sets her sights on living freely. When she meets Nick in the basement laundry room of her apartment she never expects her life to be altered so drastically.

I really enjoyed Nick’s honesty with Daisy. Sure he doesn’t come out and say, “Hi, my name is Nick and I kill people for a living,” but he does over time slowly reveal himself, which I think was really the only way to successfully integrate an innocent like Daisy. 

I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Knowing it’s between Nick and Daisy’s friends makes me want it even more. Her friend is kidnapped and unfortunately even though I expected a miraculous recovery, it never happens. Thank the Lord it was not Daisy that was taken cause I think Nick would have torn the world apart just to get her back. 

In case I didn’t stress it enough. I loved this book. In fact I can’t think of a bad thing to say about it. Sure, it’s not for everyone but this was my bread and butter. I know this will be a re-read for me and one that will be just as good the second and third time around. My favorite part has to be the end, though. Nick helps Daisy’s father, in a non-conventional way, but the only way to rid him of his fear. Nick is willing to do and give up so much for Daisy it’s hard to fathom this hardcore assassin is such a softie inside. 

Talk about guilty pleasure, this book was certainly mine. I can’t recommend a better book with a killer for a hero. Most often the killer or mafia lead (at least from my experience) isn’t as much as a badass as he appears. That is so not the case in Last Hit. Nick may be a softie where Daisy is concerned but other than that, you wouldn’t want him to be looking for you. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I was already a fan of Jen Frederick’s and now I think I’m a super fan, I will continue to relentlessly stalk her author pages to find out when the next book in this series and the Woodland series are coming out, because any wait is going to be too long. Highly recommend for those looking for something different, with all the necessary elements of drama, romance and of course murder. 

HAPPY READING!!!

Escape from Paradise Review

Book Review 

December 28. 2013

Escape from Paradise
(Paradise #1)

by:Gwendolyn Field

5 Stars ★★★★★

Blurb ~ When college sophomore Angela Birch sneaks from Texas to Mexico for Spring Break, she believes the worst that can happen is her parents finding out.

Wrong.

The worst is falling for the ruse of handsome, alluring Fernando. One spontaneous choice whisks Angela across the world to the pseudo paradise of Spain’s Mediterranean Riviera where she has another choice to make: live cooperatively as one of billionaire Marco Ruiz’s slaves, or die.
* * *
Colin Douglas’s future was seized and choked when deliberate tragedy struck his Scottish family at the age of sixteen. He spent his remaining youthful years infiltrating the U.K.’s crime world, seeking power, control, and revenge, all leading to a position as an undercover agent. With nothing to lose, Colin accepts the seemingly impossible job of rescuing America’s famous missing girl, Angela Birch. Colin knows that to enter a snake lair, one must become a snake. It turns out to be a mission which will put his desire for control to the ultimate test, and make him wish for things he never knew he wanted.

My Review 

Wow…. Escape from Paradise is certainly worth 5++++Mind Blowing Stars. Trust me the blurb barely covers what a MindF*ck this really is. For me this was one of the best dark romance/kidnapping reads I have read because it seemed the most realistic. 

Most books in this genre that I have read, somehow manage to have a heroine who is seemingly saved from this life, when or during her captivity and her virginity or short captivity keep them safe. Angel does not have this luxury. In fact she’s in captivity for years before the meat of the story really begins.

Angela is typically a reliable and responsible college student. However, this Spring Break she wants some fun in the sun with her sorority sisters. After her parents tell her ‘NO,’ that they do not want her to go, she figures what they won’t know won’t hurt them so she heads off to Mexico with some of her pals. Finding a hot guy to hook up with may be the number one goal of her friends, but Angela really wants to relax, sit on the beach and read a good book. On the last night of their trip, Angela meets an alluring foreigner, and for some reason Angela can’t resist the attraction. Unbeknownst to her, this little attraction will alter her life for years to come. 

So even though there are warnings all over this book you should know there are multiple rape scenes, beatings and a bunch of other often taboo subjects that arise. Angela’s mystery man, is beyond a big mistake and just by smiling at him and agreeing to meet as his club she forfeits a piece of herself she never realized was so important. I can take a lot, but sometimes reading the suffering and mind-torture Angela was going through, it’s hard to swallow. 

Angela has an insane will to live. She is truly inspiring because in her position, I can tell I would have begged for death. But for years Angela lives in this Hell. What other choice does she have? I freakin LOVED this book. Seriously, it was utterly disgusting, terrific and my mind has still not recovered. I loved the realness and the rawness of it all. You can feel this book in your bones like a creepy episode of Dateline. You can’t help but hope for the best while knowing the awfulness still lurks right outside your door. My emotions were all over the place, and I still am suffering a massive hangover. This book needs to be experienced, it will creep into your veins like an invisible bug, slowly creeping along your body, making you shiver, gasp and scream. 

Angela is not the only ‘Special’ or Main Character in the book. Sure this is her story but Colin plays a big role in not only her impossible rescue but fighting his own demons from the same HELL. I thought there was an amazing introduction to Colin, who we meet when he is a young child and his own brother is kidnapped into a life similar to the one Angela will eventually join. These characters need and deserve redemption. Will they get it? How can you achieve the impossible? Sometimes you have to become a monster to understand them yourself. 

Boy what a ride. I went into this book expecting to be thrown around and ultimately shocked by the harsh storyline. Well, I certainly was shocked but never did I expect to be so invested in this book. Angela’s character goes through so many phases and changes to survive that her very story became my need to breathe. I needed to see how she handled her new life, and heaven forbid if she would ever be rescued. None of us never know how we will react in a situation such as this, surely Angela never thought she’d be a slave, kidnapped, threatened and left to rely only on her ‘Master.’ Ugh, just writing this gave me goosebumps. Prepare to have your emotions so far inflicted in this story that stopping will seem like the end of the world. I LOVE LOVE LOVED this book and cannot wait for Josef’s story. Literally I will take the day off of work when that book is released.

HAPPY READING!!!

Wanderlust Review

Book Review 

August 13. 2013

Wanderlust

by:Skye Warren

4 Stars ★★★★

Blurb ~ Can love come from pain?

Evie always dreamed of seeing the world, but her first night at a motel turns into a nightmare. Hunter is a rugged trucker willing to do anything to keep her—including kidnapping. As they cross the country in his rig, Evie plots her escape, but she may find what she's been looking for right beside her.

Wanderlust is a dark erotic novel which explores dubious consent, captivity, and power play.

My Review 

I don’t know what I expected from Wanderlust, going in, but I was pleasantly surprised, well, and shocked, amazed and even appalled. The characters were easy to root for and equally engaging. Poor Evie is brought up in a not so normal home environment where her mother constantly harps about the horrors of the world. In fact it’s amazing Evie is able to see past all the negativity and realize though, the real world may be harsh, it can’t hurt you if you don’t even give it a chance. 

The beginning starts and as soon as you start feeling motivated for Evie her world turns to shit. The beginning of the story blew my mind more than anything. In fact in many ways it misinterprets Hunter and I won’t say why, but if you’ll read it, you’ll understand.  In fact he’s crazy scary and intimidating. Poor Evie doesn’t have many options regarding him, except to give in, and even knowing her position, I did wish for a bit more from her. 

“This was a nightmare, exactly the kind of thing my mother warned me about.”-Evie

So Evie sets off to find herself and most importantly free herself from the paranoia of her mother.  She has her plans all made and is off to start a new life but a stop at a diner one night changes everything. Evie is no wilting flower or airhead. She knows when to question things around her and when things just don’t look or feel right. She trusts her instincts, even if that doesn’t always matter. Evie is kidnapped and from there nothing goes right. Evie still somehow manages to have faith in humanity. Even after losing her freedom she sees the good in impossible situations. Growing close to her kidnapper, is not something Evie wants, but ultimately it’s something Evie can’t avoid.  The one instance I was displeased with this book was when Evie manages to escape.  I don’t want to say why, how or what happens, but something far worse than her time with Hunter occurs and for some reason it felt too rushed over for my taste. Things are swept under the rug and though Evie remembers these events, I couldn’t understand why they are never brought up. 

“I cried for staying with my mother too long, not knowing what a normal life would have been like. I cried for finally summoning the strength to leave, only to have all my worst fears prove true. Most of all, I cried because I felt relief to be captured.”-Evie 

Sure, Hunter (her kidnapper) is not all that likable from the start, but then again everyone has their story and Hunter’s was nothing like I expected.  Wanderlust was most definitely a dark romance filled with drama, mild action and some brutal moments that will make you cringe. But they’re eventually overpowered by the rest of the story that swiftly moves along and keeps you engaged. Hunter is sort of an anti-hero and it works for him, especially within his role in the story. 

“The way the man looked at me, unflinching, unnerving, had tripped off all sorts of animal instincts inside me that I couldn’t precisely interpret except to know to avoid him.”-Evie

Evie and Hunter could not be more different from each other and yet something connects them aside from Hunter kidnapping her. Fans of the dark romance genre will enjoy Wanderlust and the dynamic between Evie and Hunter.  The blurb only gives a glimpse into this story and it’s truly one that needs to be discovered. Enjoy the journey but prepare yourself. I will most certainly reading more from Skye Warren in the future.

HAPPY READING!!!

Until November Review

Until November by Aurora Rose Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars   ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
December 30. 2013

Blurb: November is looking forward to getting to know her father and the safety of a small town. After leaving the Big Apple and her bad memories for Tennessee, November starts working for her dad at his strip club doing the books. The one time she’s allowed there during club hours she runs into Asher Mayson. He’s perfect until he opens his mouth and makes assumptions. November wants nothing to do with Asher but too bad for November, fate has other plans.

Asher Mayson has never had a problem getting a woman, that is until November. Now all he can think about is making November his and keeping her safe. 

My Review

5 Over the Top Alpha *HOT* Stars

Until November was something I bought on a hunch. I noticed it on many of my Goodreads friends pages and when it went on SALE I figured I should give it a shot. Thank my lucky stars that out of the thousands of books I have, I actually picked this to read. Boy, I had no idea what to expect and I am so in love right now I could gush about lollipops and candy canes.

I rarely ever love so much about a story as I did about this one. Asher is my new Alpha-Male, Book-Boyfriend Obsession. Like I would sell my soul to have an Asher of my very own. From the very start, November is his. Their first meeting may not have inspired a long lasting love, but Asher wants November and he’ll do or say whatever he can to make that happen. November is no wilting wallflower, she gives as good as she gets, especially where Asher is concerned. This girl tests him at every corner and watching them interact and November ignoring his demands at every turn was a nice change.

Like the blurb says, November moves from NY to Tennessee to live with her father, whom she’s only known for a few short years but is more of a parent to her than the mother she grew up with. November is hesitant to Asher, he’s hot and a total playboy so why should she throw in her heart to only get it trampled. But in Asher’s world, the possibility that November may not be his or ever be his, DOES NOT and CANNOT register. For a short amount of time, November is able to resist. But Asher is undeniably the hottest most unresistable man so I can understand her caving so quick. I wouldn’t say it’s insta-love if that’s off-putting to you, but the relationship between these two does develop quickly.

There’s nothing too fancy or over the top about this book either aside from a minor suspense and mystery as to who is possibly stalking November. But yet it was so well written in my eyes, that every scene flowed easily and possessed no moments of overkill. I loved the pace of the story. There’s a few minor time jumps but within the rhythm of the story it just flows. Even the ending, which was AMAZING, started (I think) early enough on that I feel like everything I wanted to see and see accomplished happened. As if this book magically answered my book dreams.

Asher is HOTT. No doubt about it. His brothers, Lord help me, there’s too much hotness for one room to contain. And having the setup for Trevor and Liz’s story wet my whistle just enough that Until Trevor has bumped my top up-next-books down. And I could care less. I cannot wait to read more of this series. All the brothers are enticing and potentially as delicious and possessive as Asher. If all they need is the right girl to get them that way, well boys, look no further.
Great Series, Great Author, Desperately waiting for me. I would highly recommend this book, to all my book reading friends. I was pleasantly surprised and just blown away by how much I loved this book. I NEED MORE…..


View all my reviews

HAPPY READING!!!