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Also, get ready for the next Cactus Creek book - Love, Tussles and Takedowns releasing on June 13th, 2014.

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About Love, Chocolate and Beer by 

Violet Duke:

"A new must-read series from Violet Duke." --NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Kathleen Brooks

Romance has met its most unlikely match-up...

Luke Bradford is a chocolatier on a mission. After moving his chocolate shop, and newly single life, to the quirky town of Cactus Creek, Luke wants nothing more than to devote all his energy into making his business a success--by taking the romance market by storm. But his grand plans get thrown for a loop when he locks horns with the feisty beer-brewing beauty next door who calls his 'romantic idealism' a load of fairytale bull. Soon, driving the woman sparking nuts becomes another wickedly fun priority he simply can't get enough of. In his defense, she's addictively easy to incite...and plain impossible to resist.

Beloved local brewmaster Dani Dobson is beyond riled up. It's bad enough the new shop owner in town comes locked and loaded with both a distractingly rugged charm and sexy flashing dimples, but the whole only-in-the-movies variety of romance he's selling--the kind her world has been crushed by before--is really doing a number on her allergy to unrealistic clichés. What's worse, he's created an annoyingly clever ad campaign that dubs 'beer joints' like hers as the "cave where romance goes to hibernate." The nerve of that man.

Combustible chemistry or not, damn it, this means war. The stakes...very likely, her heart.

About Love, Tussles and Takedowns

He's a better fighter

A fighter to the core, Hudson Reyes has collected enough battle scars now to last several lifetimes. But after his combat injuries retire him from the life he wasn't ready to give up, Hudson finds himself spending the carbon copy days of his new career as a Hollywood fight scene and weapons specialist just doing what he knows best: surviving. Until he meets her. 

The one woman who makes him want to live again. With wounds as deep as his own, she's a scrappy little thing--an angel-faced paradox that comes as a package deal with an offbeat town of admirably protective, but downright nosy folks.

And a wicked roundhouse kick that's become intimately familiar with his head...but she has all the weapons.

An antique arms authenticator by day and a self-defense instructor by night, Liana Lin has made a living turning the 

unthinkable demons of her past into the passions that fuel, and fill, her life. So when the unjustly handsome man she's been unable to stop thinking about literally takes her to the mat with martial arts styles unlike anything she's ever seen--pinning her with a molten hot stare that melts her like a marshmallow trapped between a graham cracker and a chocolate square--Lia flips into no-holds-barred fight mode. Because if one man could find a way to disarm her carefully-built defenses, it'd be him.

Now if only they could stop sparring long enough to find out...

 

About Violet Duke

NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Violet Duke is a former professor of English Education who is ecstatic to now be on the other side of the page writing wickedly fun contemporary romance novels. Her NYT and USA Today bestselling books have been Top 10 bestsellers on Amazon, iTunes, and Barnes & Noble, and featured on IndieReader, GalleyCat, and USA Today as breakout hits. When she's not writing or feeding her book-a-day reading addiction, Violet enjoys tackling reno projects with her power tools, trying pretty much anything without reading the directions first, and cooking 'special edition' dishes that laugh in the face of recipes. She lives in Hawai'i with her two cute kids (daughter Violet & son Duke) and similarly adorable husband.

Find the latest on her books and fan giveaways at www.facebook.com/VioletDukeBooks

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7020583.Violet_Duke

http://www.amazon.com/Violet-Duke/e/B00C3HLZXY/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

REVIEW- On the Way Home

Three Stars for On the Way Home

Hi, my name is Anna and I'm an embarrassment to the women's movement! 



What can I say? I had a hard time with this book. I couldn't find the love for our hero. He was hot, buff, a soldier but I found myself asking the same question over and over again.



Pretty early on, we are witness to one of the most horrendous women to ever grace the overused screen of my kindle. I had to walk away and scream into a pillow- she was that hideous. She's a complete cow who commits one of the worst offenses against a man- a soldier and has the nerve to try and paint herself as the victim. How does our hero respond, you ask? Does he yell? Does he throw her out of his apartment? Nope!!!



Skye Warren is an author I've enjoyed reading over and over. She is almost at the point where her work appears and I automatically one-click. Her books are somewhat unconventional, the don't always have the ending that gives you the warm and fuzzies. On the Way Home was not much different but as much as I liked Clint- I couldn't get over his submissiveness. it took away some of the dynamic for me but I suspect this is intentional. Our ereaders are flooded with nothing but alpha males who grunt and screw their way into the hearts of many readers. It was interesting to finally read about a reversal of roles from what I have grown accustomed to. 

Della was strong, conflicted, and a domme. She actually had him by the junk. I liked the story and as I've always loved about Skye Warren's work- there's a little of the unpredictable...a twist. Plentiful are the characters you will love to despise and a nice amount of time is devoted to really feeling this couple's chemistry and connection. 

I would recommend to many who like a little unconventional, especially if you've enjoyed Skye Warren in the past. But this one was simply not for me.

I'm so sad for me right now, apparently I only like my men one way...


A copy of this book was gifted to my in exchange for an honest review.

PRE ORDER- Who Wants to Marry a Doctor

Who Wants to Marry a Doctor

Abigail Sharpe

PREORDER NOW! 
Available July 1, 2014
Add to Goodreads

The Doctor Is In . . .

As a single mom and pediatrician, Sabrina Bankhead doesn’t have time for romance. All that changes when she reluctantly agrees to take part in a dating show fundraiser for a children’s hospital. But once she sets eyes on the journalist hired to cover the show, none of the four contestants stand a chance. If she doesn’t choose one of the eligible bachelors, the hospital doesn’t raise a cent. What’s a lovestruck doc to do?

Investigative journalist Quinn Donnelly is on the mend after an assignment in Afghanistan left him both physically and emotionally scarred. Though he’s itching to return overseas and finish his story, he’ll have to be content with this fluff piece assignment to cover a local dating show. One-night stands are Quinn’s forte-but after he meets Sabrina, he’s ready to say yes for the long haul. After years of chasing the next big story, Quinn is starting to wonder if maybe home really can be where the heart is . . .

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About Abigail

Abigail is a Boston-bred Yankee now eating grits and saying "y'all" in North Central Florida. She dreamed more of being a stage actress or joining the CIA than being an author. While she still enjoys participating in community theater productions and singing karaoke, the secret-agent career was replaced by hours at her computer, writing passionate and playful contemporary romance.

Author Links:

Website: http://abigailsharpe.com/

Twitter: @AbigailSharpe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbigailSharpeBooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6457442.Abigail_Sharpe

Excerpt:

"I just called to…” Sabrina's words jammed in her throat. No way could she admit that she just wanted to hear his voice.

Thankfully he didn’t make her finish her sentence. “I’m glad you called.” The gruff in his voice was still there, but it had changed to something softer, sending a little thrill down her body.

“You are?” Was that low, throaty sound coming from her?

“Yeah. I missed you tonight.”

A niggling feeling centered in her brain and sent stabs of doubt to her heart. I missed you sounded good, but maybe he just missed his bed warmer. “Missed me?”

NEW RELEASE- Climbing Out (Hawks MC # 2)

Deanna Drake has a past she longs to forget, but won't ever be able to. She's always been the tough one. No one, but her best friend Zara has ever been able to penetrate her cold, hard, shell.

Until Griz

Griz— a.k.a Grady Daniels, Hawks Motorcycle Club second in command, also has a past that he wishes he could undo...all except one part. 

It's her past that brings them together. Only will it be forever?

 

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REVIEW- Forever Consumed (Consumed Trilogy Book 3)

Forever Consumed by Skyla Madi

Forever Consumed is the third book in Skyla Madi's Consumed fighting series. It opens with Seth and Olivia's wedding months before his rematch to his arch nemesis, Don Russell. Seth is feeling the pressure of the upcoming fight and begins suffering from nightmares, Olivia serving as his only comfort when he wakes in distress. Curves are constantly thrown at him by the MMAC and he finds himself pulling away from every emotion and every one he loves- including his new wife. As the fight draws closer, Seth and Olivia are thrust in uncomfortable situations and their relationship is tested and pushed to the absolute limit. Seth is in the best condition of his life after training at max speed for months but will his quest for revenge cost him more than he bargained for?

Too Consumed left me in a fit of rage. Don Russell in a villain I had no problems hating. The wait for Forever Consumed was not a pleasant one and I was thrilled when I received my copy. Easy read from first to last page. I found myself frustrated much of the time with several of the players this time around. There is a lot of Jackson and Selena and the angst those two bring to the story has me craving to read more about them. Though Selena annoyed me a bit- her and Jackson oozed a large amount of sexy! Matt Somers and Don Russell continue to provide a good deal of sleaze factor which made me want to vomit on my kindle a few times while reading. And Seth. Oh Seth, how you wavered from sweet to doucheyness in such a quick manner- I found my neck aching from a bad case of whiplash. Though it was frustrating, I thought it was an honest reaction to the situation as a whole that had Seth reverting to some of his old ways of thinking. The only people who didn't bother me at all were Daryl and Olivia; those two were solid for the entire book and I was more than happy to cheer in their corner throughout what my family calls- my reading trance.

I realize I will probably be in the minority or completely solo in my thinking but I found Seth and Olivia had a little less heat and chemistry in Forever. I am sure it has a lot to do with Seth's mood and the distance he put between himself and Olivia. Whatever the cause I did miss the passion they possessed for each other- while they were fighting AND while they were boning. Seth's blatant errors in judgment weren't met with a lot of force from Olivia and while I understand that she has grown from the timid girl who put up with Blade; I wanted her to bare her teeth a little and make that husband of hers squirm a little. But as I mentioned before, Jackson and Selena did provide some of that sizzling dynamic and I can only hope there's enough there to warrant a book of their own- I have a feeling I'm gonna get what I want.

I enjoyed this series from beginning to end and I'm hoping that Skyla Madi will give us a little more of the characters we have grown to love, perhaps in a different series??? Forever Consumed ends this trilogy on a stellar note, I was extremely happy with how Seth and Olivia's story was wrapped up. While always the signal of a good series- I find that I will thoroughly miss Team Marc and the battles they fought mercilessly in order to best their opponents. This is the series that has turned me on to more similar themed books, allowing me to drift from the MC world for a spell. Skyla Madi's books have definitely made it onto my TBR list and I can't wait to see what else she brings us.

A copy of this book was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

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REVIEW- Desired (Club Sin #3)

Four and a Half Stars for

Desired by Stacey Kennedy

The Club Sin Series keeps getting better and better. I am really enjoying the kinky world Stacey Kennedy has built from her crafty little mind. Desired had a little bit of everything to make it the most interesting and delicious installment in the series thus far. We had two very likable lead characters, a captivating backstory from our heroine, a wonderful amount of time with past favorites, humor, and to top it all off- we had some really sizzling dungeon and non-dungeon play. 

Desired starts off with Kyler sitting back and analyzing the happy events unfolding around him. With a beautiful lake in the background, Kyler couldn't help but feel a little pang of longing when he saw the love and contentment his best friends shared with the women in their lives. To him, his friends had the exact relationship he had always wanted; they had the one thing he had yet to find- the perfect sub to his Dom. As his gaze flickers through the joyous crowd, he spots Aidan's assistant- something about her kept forcing his eyes to where she sat. Ella, a transplant from Savannah, has been Aidan's assistant for the past few months. She kept to herself with Aidan being her only friend, though even he barely knew anything about her. She didn't allow anyone close enough to see the painful past that had her escaping to Las Vegas in order to start a new life. With her new city and her new job, Ella adopted a new way of living- to live life like she only had six months to live. She told her new self that she would try things her old self never would have done in a million years. This became the window Kyler would soon use to get the obviously vanilla woman of his dreams to submit to the experience of a sexual awakening but most of all, he wanted Ella to submit to him as her Dom.

Kyler and Ella had a few obstacles on the road to their kinky ever after. She held onto a secret which she was both embarrassed about and feared would ruin the life she had built for herself. He was a man whose natural instincts were to protect and take care of his woman; something Ella made difficult by hiding part of herself away from him. When her secret finally does come out- it threatens to pull Kyler back from his true desires and has Ella worrying that the revelation will cause her to lose the one thing she had always wanted- a family. 

I enjoyed so many elements in Desired. The interaction between some Club Sin peeps of yore were fun to read. I love it when authors find a way to bring a series together- so many forget about the characters their readers have fallen in love with. There was a lot of humor injected when the club masters and their subs would come together. There was also a good blend of foreshadowing with upcoming series leads as hints were dropped about Kenzie and Porter. But what's always worked with Club Sin is the chemistry not only between the main couples but also the chemistry as an entire group. While Kenzie and Kyler had some really explosive and sensual scenes- the close friendship displayed is so touching and captivating that it oddly pulls your focus from the main drama- in a good way and I found myself wanting more.

Kyler was smoking hot! I remember him from Claimed and Bared, of course- he always seemed so attuned to those around him, especially the subs in Club Sin. We had a glimpse at his caring nature when he took the time to tend to Cora after Aidan had hurt her. He was no different in this book. Kyler knew exactly what he wanted and reading his thoughts and what motivated him made me love him even more. These Club Sin Masters are invading every recess of my overheated brain. So bossy! And Kyler when he got in that Master mood was seriously bossy. Holy hell- I found myself wanting to stand up and walk to an imaginary Dom whenever he beckoned for Ella. I don't know what's happened to me cause I grew up with 5 older brothers and I always hated bossy men. Seeking therapy immediately.

Ella was a good character though I didn't enjoy her as much as Presley or Cora- those ladies are hard to follow unfortunately. Although, I am eagerly anticipating Kenzie's story- that's a sassy bitch I'd like to read more about. Back to Ella- I liked that she had a new outlook at life and that she had the cajones to start fresh and push her limits. She had a crap existence in Savannah and was making beautiful progress in Sin City. With her traumatic past kicking down her door, Ella managed to stay strong and fight for what she wanted. I love the strong women portrayed in this series. I always held the preconceived notion those individuals who were submissive to men were weak and broken. I realize that this is a fictional book but I do suspect there is truth to the steely reserve of Stacey Kennedy's female characters. Real strength and courage come from those who are not afraid to live life the way they truly desire- no apologies and no regrets. Alas, if I asked my husband to flog me- I'm afraid he would take away my kindle. So I shall wait for the next Club Sin book and live vicariously through the naughtiness Stacey Kennedy so kindly bestows upon me.

A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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REVIEW- Overwhelmed by You (Tear Asunder Book 2)

OVERWHELMED BY YOU 

by NASHODA ROSE

If you haven't read Torn from You or With You, please be forewarned that this review contains spoilers.

The Tear Asunder Series continues with Kat and Ream's story. Though this could be read as a stand alone, I would recommend reading in order- completely worth your time. Ream and Kat have been doing a torturous and painful dance for nearly three years. Their relationship began as a friendship worried over the fate of their two friends- evolving into more when they finally stopped denying the spark which existed between them. But when Ream can't stop painful memories from invading his mind while he's in bed with Kat; and a misunderstanding which causes Kat to reveal a hidden truth- Ream walks out on her beginning the roller coaster ride of holy shit proportions. 

Nashoda Rose, I could kiss you! Not only did you manage to NOT to disappoint the unbelievably high expectations I had for a book 2 but you somehow got me past my severe hatred for Ream. Dude was a serious tool in my opinion. An opinion I formed and had no intention of letting go after reading Torn from You. He was a real douchenozzle to Kat; leaves her after she is shot and nearly dies and he has the nerve to show up at her welcome home party with a nasty ho on his arm. WTF?  To top it all off, he also called her a few not so loving names in a crowded bar her freaking brother owns while in the presence of their friends. Yup, major douche...but is he? Okay, yes he still kind of is but the guy's got his reasons. Of course, we all knew there would be an explanation to all his crazy antics but I haven't always been so forgiving despite whatever horrid detail comes out regarding one's past. But Ream's love and utter devotion to our poor, feisty, and really unlucky heroine is pure and cannot be broken. He very clearly worships the ground she walks on and would undoubtedly walk through fire in order to keep her safe and happy.

I liked the pacing of Overwhelmed by You. It took its time at the right moments, allowing readers to savor what was being revealed on the page- giving us time to enjoy and absorb the life altering events which shaped Kat and Ream's destiny. The story pushed through quickly at key points in order to move along the drama and keep us engaged- motivating us to keep reading until the very last page. I couldn't put this book down. 

The supporting characters were fantastic. I enjoyed every moment we shared with Logan & Emily- reveling in every little glimpse Nashoda gifts us of the amazing couple from book 1. Crisis was entertaining as all hell and I liked being able to catch a little more of Kite's personality. Georgia is a nut and I can't wait to read about her and Deck. Deck- dear gawd, I don't know what to think about him yet. I'm all wishy-washy when it comes to that guy. First I loved him- then I hated him- then I liked him again. Gah! And Matt- can we get this guy some lovin'? The man's been watching over two women for the better part of his adult life and he gets kicked to the side as soon as they start getting their lovin'. I don't want to name any more characters as that will reveal a little too much.

If I loved it so much, what's with the four stars- you ask? Simple. I can't rate this higher than what I rated Torn from You, since I still consider it the better of the two books- Overwhelmed only slightly behind by the slightest margin or stars as the case may be. Regardless, I highly recommend Overwhelmed by You and if you haven't checked out this series yet, I doubly recommend reading Torn from you and With You (novella).

I was kindly provided with a copy of this book by the author via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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NEW RELEASE- On the Way Home by Skye Warren

★ On the Way Home ★

Author: Skye Warren

Release Date: May 20, 2014

Goodreads

Synopsis

Clint

For eight months I’ve been deep under cover as a special operator in the Army. On the plane ride home, all I want is a hot shower and a long sleep. But a Dear John text message leaves me stranded. I need a ride and a place to stay, and the pretty stewardess is more than willing.

Della

It’s supposed to be a simple trade—the passenger in seat 34B for my sister. But the sexy soldier is more than I can handle in all the best ways. He trusts me, but I can’t save him. No one can. Sometimes trouble has a way of following you home.

On the Way Home is a dark new adult romance intended for readers over eighteen.

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COVER REVEAL- Three Nights With a Rockstar

Goodreads TBR Link

Synopsis:

Three Nights With A Rockstar (Bandmates #1) by Amber Lin and Shari Slade

When Hailey crashes a Half-Life after party, she expects to find the bastard who knocked up her little sister. Instead she meets the sexy front-man who agrees to give her access to his crew if she gives him access to her body.

All Lock demands in return is three days of complete control over the Sunday School teacher. With a contract, because he’s been burned before. One misstep could send the band—and his tenuous sobriety—up in flames.

Hailey and Lock push each other’s limits… Against the penthouse window. Backstage. In the limo and on the elevator. But as the contract counts down, neither are ready for the party to end.

REVIEW- Shredded (Extreme Risk #1)

Shredded Extreme Risk 1 by Tracy Wolff

I have just recently discovered Tracy Wolff and I do enjoy her writing. This book received three stars from me for the simple reason of loathing the main character's love interest. Usually, disliking a character wouldn't warrant such a large ding in the star department but since so much of our hero's development and redemption involved his lady love- I couldn't bring myself to give a higher rating.

Shredded is set in Park City, Utah where Z Michaels is in the middle of training for 2 major upcoming snowboarding events. Well, his 3 best friends are training; Z is pretty much a kamikaze/I don't care if I die boarder who does not give any credence or care to winning competitions. His only motivation for keeping up with sponsors and going to events is to keep his childhood friends happy. They live off their sport and count on it to survive whereas Z is independently wealthy after coming into his trust fund and living in a large house given to him by a cold and absent father.

Immediately into the first few pages, we sense that something is weighing Z down; he's haunted and deeply scarred. We know that he has(d) a sister named April and that something awful happened to her and their mother. It takes almost to the end of the book to get any specifics as to what precisely happens to them. And the details are devastating and though we always had the sense of what happened due to the hints periodically dropped and the barely there conversations between Z's friends- I feel a strong ache in my chest and shed a tear once his past trauma is confirmed by Z's own words.

Shredded, to me, was all about Z and his friends. Those characters and their respective arcs or potential arcs are what I clung to and wanted to read more about. They had a beautiful friendship which has spanned their entire lives and there is such a strong and unwavering sense of loyalty between the four of them that it becomes the center of this book for me.

Z's troubled past is what motivates his every move and is the substance he uses to create a wall between himself and everyone else- a wall so massive that even his friends find themselves on the other side from time to time. Cue Ophelia. She's the new girl behind the counter at one of the group's frequent hangouts. He approaches her for their first meeting and she reacts in the most unflattering manner. Cue my dislike for her. The words that repeatedly ran through my mind were- judgmental, presumptuous, rude, bitter, wretched. She was confrontational right from the get-go. And I had to put the damn iPad down and walk away to keep myself from hurling it at my poor husband next to me. From that point on, it became difficult for me to empathize or rally for Ophelia and I tried. As her painful past was revealed, I felt nothing. She was self-absorbed and cruel; acknowledging that she pushed Z even though she knew that he too, was broken. Z's reaction was to give into her and avoid making her feel badly about their situation. It was irritating. Their chemistry was lacking and I was hoping that Z would somehow figure out a way to make it work with his friend, Cam. I thought their connection ran deeper and stronger. But at this rate, I may only be saying that because I felt no love for Ophelia.

I was totally hoping Ophelia would live up to her namesake.

My Wrap-Up: I liked the overall storyline- there's something intriguing and very heartfelt about stories of redemption and overcoming insurmountable odds. I enjoyed the interactions between Z, Cam, Luc, and Ash- I would like to pick-up the next book to read more about them. I enjoyed the snowboarding aspect, the training and the competitions. But I unfortunately could not get past Ophelia. Oh well! That's how it goes sometimes, ya can't like them all! I'll still pick-up the next installment; the SL of that one was hinted at in a major way at the end of Shredded.

This ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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REVIEW- Claimed (Club Sin #1)

CLAIMED (Club Sin #1) 

by Stacey Kennedy

Before I get into my review of Claimed, it may be important to know that I read the second book in this series first. I received an ARC for Bared and wrote up a review you can find in this blog or on my Goodreads page. So, obviously I liked "Bared" enough to go back and purchase this first in the series, which should accurately show how much I am enjoying reading the Club Sin Books.

BOOK BLURB:

Presley Flynn is ripe to experience her secret fantasies . . . and Dmitri Pratt wants nothing more than to fulfill them. Once inside the elite Club Sin in Las Vegas, Presley is nervous but excited—and determined to surrender to her every desire. Dmitri is her Master, and his touch is like fire. With each careful, calculated caress, he unleashes her wildest inhibitions, giving her unimagined pleasure.

Presley is different than the other submissives Dmitri has mastered. The BDSM lifestyle is new to her, and so are the games they play at Club Sin. From the start, Presley stirs emotions in him far beyond the raw purity between a dom and the perfect sub. For the ecstasy they share goes beyond the dungeon igniting a passion that claims the very depths of the heart.

On paper, Presley and Dmitri could not be any more different from one another. Dmitri is the 33 year old president of a large casino in Las Vegas and the owner of Club Sin, a private BDSM club where he also serves as a Master and Dominant. He's experienced and confident. He commands respect from everyone he encounters; a Dom. Presley is a young and slightly naive 20 something year old dental assistant who moved to Las Vegas to be with her boyfriend, only to suffer heartbreak when he confessed to infidelity. She is sexually frustrated and has self esteem issues. She's timid and has a habit of trying to please everyone around her; a submissive. Though they have differences, it is these precise differences which seem to make Presley and Dmitri perfect for each other.

I loved the buildup of their relationship. I felt their connection almost instantly. It helps that Stacey Kennedy wrote 2 very likable and interesting characters. Presley's first encounter with Dmitri at Club Sin was quite entertaining to read. Wide-eyed and jaw slacking, she was unable to hide her innocence and inexperience. To Dmitri's shock, this didn't put him off in the slightest- her sweetness was actually a major turn-on for him and he was completely enamored with her. The quote below is one of my favorite scenes and still makes me smile when I think about it.

With Dmitri's natural dominance being displayed with every word he spoke and every step he took- Presley couldn't help but feel a strong pull to him. As Dmitri introduced her into the the "lifestyle," their need to be near each other grew more and more intense. Quickly, Dmitri realized several things about Presley- she is a natural submissive; she loves to be on display; and if she feels anxious or threatened- Dmitri's touch or presence is the only thing that will calm her. She is simply and truly his. 

I cannot express how much I grew to love this couple. They both had caring and nurturing personalities which they showered on the people around them often and in abundance. Presley was pretty adorable. Her sweetness, shyness and sassiness added so much charm to the story. Combined with Dmitri's protectiveness, strength and overall hotness- Stacey Kennedy successfully created a magnetic and captivating couple. 

I appreciated how Dmitri and Presley weren't portrayed as broken and emotionally stunted people. Yes, they both had their issues but it wasn't overly complicated and dark. I've noticed a lot of books with similar themes are littered with shattered and broken characters; their darkness only tamed and calmed by bondage and pain. I wasn't overwhelmed with the need to throw myself into a lake in order to cope with the "will they" or "why didn't they just send a text to avoid that crazy-ass misunderstanding that led to their breakup and misery for seven years only to be reunited after some catastrophic event" type of anxiety I often experience while reading.

The sex or sometimes non-sexing between Dmitri and Presley was sizzling hot! I read and reread certain juicy parts several times. I only stopped cause truthfully- it got uncomfortable after a while. 

"Remove your panties...Crawl over and bring them to me...No Anna Presley, with your teeth."

When he was in Master Dmitri mode, good lawwwddyy!!! It wasn't in a mean and condescending tone either, it was just really, really bossy. It was H-O-T!

My wrap-up: Four and a half stars. I don't give a lot of ratings above a 4 but the combination of the main characters; the secondary players; the simple, yet engaging storyline; the kink (not as much as others but enough for this repressed church lady) and the pace and flow of the book (description and dialogue) presented me with a wonderful way to unwind and decompress after a long and stressful week. Adding Book 3 to my TBR.

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