Monday, November 30, 2015

HETEROFLEXIBILITY by Mary Beth Daniels


Title:  HETEROFLEXIBILITY

Author:  Mary Beth Daniels

Publish Date:   2013

Publisher:  Rev It Up Press

Category:  Romance

Received from:  Purchased on Amazon.com

Date completed: 07.11.13


Description from the publisher:

A picture is worth a thousand laughs.

Wise-cracking wedding photographer Zest Renald has just been served divorce papers when she agrees to accompany a lesbian softball team during their elopement to California. She's doesn't know anything about gay marriage, and her only exposure to lesbian culture is an addiction to the talk show Ellen. But with her assets frozen and her husband claiming their house for the Other Woman's Love Child, she needs the job.

Zest's gaffes and notoriously bad gaydar endear her to the brides, as well as Bradford, the beautiful male stylist who travels with them. Just when Zest is figuring out how to manage her attraction to the unattainable "safe" man, they arrive in California amidst the worst anti-gay protests San Diego has ever seen.

When the minister the women hired turns out to be a Prop 8 zealot hell-bent on preventing the wedding, Zest and the brides are chased across the city in a hilarious yet poignant attempt to foil the protesters and tie the white knot.

Links


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This was a fast-paced romp with a great cast of characters.

The romance in this book isn’t just between Zest and Bradford.  There are also eight brides at the center of this story and several other couples are introduced to emphasize the idea that love is love is love.  Why would anyone want to deny another person of this basic need, desire, and right?  When it came to civil rights, we were all reminded that the constitution says “we the people,” not “we the white, male, wealthy people.”  I would remind you that it also does not say “we the straight people.”

I can relate with Zest.  I have no gaydar.  I’m horribly insecure about my own looks and constantly worry that I may say something that will be misinterpreted. It was wonderful to experience this trip to California with Zest, Bradford, and the Texas Brides.  I would love to spend a day in real life with these people and their fabulous friends.  I feel as though I have received an education in the life of those who are gay, but in the most FUN way.  What I learned was some things are cliché because the cliché is real life, some become the “inside joke” and some are pointed out as the homophobic hype that they are.  It was also wonderful to see Zest come to terms with the break-up of her marriage. 

I would love to see Ms. Daniels return to this fun group for a follow-up story.

Editing/Grammar:  B

 Other books in the series:

  1. Passion Potion
  2. (not yet released)

 

Other Books from this Author:

  • Heteroflexibility

 

Nome de Plume: Starla Cole

  • Naughty Santa
  • Dirty Pirate Hooker
  • Goddess of Bondage
  • Couples Play #1
  • Couples Play #2
  • Couples Play #3
  • Couples Play #4
  • Pricks & Needles

 


 







originally posted 07.11.13 on my previous website

WordPress.com closed that site because I promoted authors and their books. 

Sunday, November 29, 2015

BOUND BY WISH AND MISTLETOE by Kat Bastion


Title:  BOUND BY WISH AND MISTLETOE

Series: Highland Legends #1.5

Author:  Kat Bastion

Publish Date:   11.05.13

Publisher:  Kat Bastion

Category:  Romance, Sci Fi & Fantaasy

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Received from:  Kat Bastion via netgalley.com (in exchange for an honest review)

Date completed: 09.11.14
Goodreads link:  Bound by Wish and Mistletoe


Description from the publisher:

The holiday novella, Book 1.5, following the award-winning debut of Forged in Dreams and Magick in the Highland Legends Series:

Desperate to honor a life-long promise, Susanna MacEalan escapes her abusive clan with the fierce determination of never falling under the power of a man. Ever.

Aggravated by shallow-hearted pursuing lasses, Robert Brodie, commander of his clan’s elite guard, has foresworn scheming women. Forever.

When magick transforms Brodie Castle into a Christmas wonderland, the two despondent souls find solace in a most unexpected place . . . each other’s arms.

Amid a whirlwind of escalating events, Susanna’s traumatic past threatens Robert’s ability to protect the one woman meant for him. In a harrowing moment when all seems lost . . . hope, faith, and love prevail, transforming silent prayers into wishes granted.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the second book in the Highland Legends series, a holiday novella.  It is best to read them in order.



Susanna has escaped a cruel past and intends to never be ruled by a man when she runs into Robert, literally, in the middle of snow storm.  Robert has sworn to never be tied down by one simpering, flirting, fawning woman.  Somehow they each find something unexpected in the other.  Can it be true?  A man without cruel intent?  A woman without guile and deceit?

Castle Brodie returns from its hidden mists just in time to make a first Christmas wish come true.  I fell in love with both Robert and Susanna.  Both are strong, complex characters trying to live their lives with independence and are surprised at how love does not diminish, but adds to an independent life.  Of course, Isobel, Iain, Brigid, and Skorpios/Cupcake make return appearances, with Isobel teaching our Medieval Scottish friends all about American Christmas traditions.

I loved this book, maybe even more than FORGED IN DREAMS AND MAGICK, the first in the series.  I am looking forward to the books yet to come in this series.  Kat Bastion has become a “must read it” author for me!

Grammar/editing:  A – near perfect

Other books in the Highland Legends series:

  1. Forged in Dreams and Magick
  2. Bound by Wish and Mistletoe
  3. Born of Mist and Legend (not yet released)
  4. Found in Flame and Moonlight (coming 2015)

Other Books from Kat Bastion:

  • Utterly Loved


 








 



 







originally posted 09.12.14 on my previous blog.  That blog was closed by Wordpress because I supported indie authors and their books.


Saturday, November 28, 2015

DENIAL by Lisa Renee Jones


Title:  DENIAL

Series:  Careless Whispers #1

Author:  Lisa Renee Jones

Publish Date:   11.24.15

Publisher:  Gallery Books

Category /Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Received from:  Gallery Books (via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

Goodreads link: Denial

Date completed: 11.25.15

 

Description from the publisher:

Book one in the CARELESS WHISPERS series. This is a standalone spin-off of the INSIDE OUT series (soon to be a TV show) that follows Ella Ferguson, Sara McMillan's best friend.

Ella Ferguson awakes alone in Italy, unsure of who she is, and a gorgeous man has claimed her as his own. He’s tall, dark, and sexy, with money and power, the kind of man who makes a girl want to be possessed. And he does possess her, whispering wicked wonderful promises to her, stealing her trust and her heart. Soon though, the past finds her, yanking her from a cocoon of passion and safety. Everything is not how it seems. The truth will shatter her world, but it can set her free, if it doesn't destroy her first.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



 

This is the first book in the new Careless Whispers series, a spin-off of the Inside Out series.  They will need to be read in order.

 

“Everything or nothing.  I don’t think I can do in between.”  This book has everything – mystery, romance, darkness, laughter, suspense, and plenty of sexy. 

 

I love both Ella and Kayden. 

 

The whole time I was reading the Inside Out series, my mind kept drifting to Ella.  After all, she started the search for Rebecca.  Finally, we begin the journey to find out what happened to Ella.  Sara knew that she left for Europe to elope with a man she had just met and then disappeared.  Now we know that she has awakened in Italy and can’t remember anything of her past, not even her name.  How appropriate that one of Ella’s first memories as she is recovering from amnesia is of her dear friend Sara and knowing that she loves her.

 

Ella is strong and determined.  She is a fierce warrior in a delicate, petite package.  As Kayden said, “A woman who can dance and shoot.  Sexy, sweetheart.”

 

Speaking of Kayden… wow, sexy!  He is protective, serious, and dominating without being domineering, but he’s obviously hiding a lot of secrets leading to that cliff-hanger that Lisa Renee is so famous for providing.

 

I swear I was holding my breath for most of this book – and when I wasn’t holding my breath I was breathing very quickly in time with the sexiness.  The biggest breath held was when I turned the last page and discovered that I was at a cliffhanger.  I need book two like I need air – I just need to keep repeating to myself, “Hold in there until May.”

 

Grammar/editing:  ungraded – book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

 

The Careless Whispers series:

  1. Denial
  2. Demand (05.03.16)
  3. Surrender (coming soon)

Other Books from Lisa Renee Jones:

Please visit her website at: www.lisareneejones.com/ to locate a printable book list.

 












 

 









Friday, November 27, 2015

ON THE ROCKS by Jade C. Jamison


Title:  ON THE ROCKS

Series:  Vagabonds # 3

Author:  Jade C. Jamison

Publish Date:   10.30.2015

Publisher:  Jade C. Jamison

Category /Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Received from:  Jade C. Jamison (beta reading)

Goodreads link: On the Rocks

Date completed: 11.24.15


Description from the publisher:

The explosive conclusion to the Vagabonds trilogy!

After playing second fiddle in the all-girl rock band the Vagabonds, lead guitarist Kyle Summers decides to break out on her own and puts together a band that helps her shine as a solo act.

But the road is uphill and success seems elusive. She begins to question herself and her talent, wondering if she should sell out to win the adoration of her old fans or stubbornly follow her heart and continue to languish in relative obscurity.

On-again, off-again love interest CJ Slavin helps Kyle get her new band off the ground but refuses to commit to their relationship, once more leaving Kyle feeling alone, unloved, and unimportant, and those emotions lead her to do rash, irrevocable things on the road, things that could drive CJ away for good. Will they finally admit their feelings to one another and forsake all others or split for good, and will Kyle finally find the fame she’s been working her ass off for or will she leave it all behind, a broken woman?

Find out in the final tale of the Vagabonds trilogy!


This is the third book in the Vagabonds trilogy.  They do need to be read in order.


Kyle Summers is the Queen of Metal Rock in this series.  She is no little summer shower, she is a category 5 hurricane ready to take the music industry by storm.  She is one Bad Ass Bitch with a serious talent and passion for the metal she plays.  Sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll is only the beginning of the life she is living…


I am heartbroken to come to the end of this amazing ride.  It was full of surprises that made me cry and cheer.  I loved the raw emotions that Kyle bore and learned to tame.  She is a spit-fire determined to take the one life she has and make it sing her tune!


This was my favorite book in the series.  I could not put it down and it was well worth the missed sleep.


If you’re wondering if you should read this series… if you’re think that because they started as teenagers it’s meant for teeny-boppers…. If you’ve never read a book from Jade C. Jamison before…but you love romance and or rock music… I’m telling you know that you won’t be disappointed.  Start with this series and then go gobble up the rest of her books.  Her books are my drug of choice and I invite you to party with us!!


Long live (and write) the Queen of Rock Romance!!


Grammar/editing:  ungraded – book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

The Vagabonds series:

  1. On the Run
  2. On the Road
  3. On the Rocks
Other Books from Jade C. Jamison:
  • MADversary
  • Then Kiss Me
  • Stating His Case
  • Fabric of Night
  • Worst Mother
  • Old House
  • Finger Bang
  • Substitute Boyfriend
  • Savage
Bullet series:
      1.  Bullet
      2.  Rock Bottom
      3.  Feverish
      3.5 Boiling Point (coming soon)
      4.  Fully Automatic
      4.5  Christmas Stalkings (novella)
      5.  Slash & Burn
      6.  Locked and Loaded (coming soon)
      Tangled Web Series:
        1.  Tangled Web: A Steamy Heavy Metal Novella
        2.  Everything But
        **  Punctured, Bruised, and Barely Tattooed
        3.  Seal All Exits (not yet released)

      Wishes series:
      1. Be Careful What You Wish For
      2. Secret Wishes (not yet released)
      3. Carnal Wishes (not yet released)
      4. Dangerous Wishes (not yet released)
      Nicki Sosebee Series:
        1. Got the Life
        2. Dead
        3. No Place to Hide
        4. Right Now
        5. One More Time
        6. Lost
        7. Innocent Bystander
        8. Blind
        9. Fake
        10. Lies (coming soon)

















      Thursday, November 26, 2015

      ON THE ROAD by Jade C. Jamison


      Title:  ON THE ROAD

      Series:  Vagabonds # 2

      Author:  Jade C. Jamison

      Publish Date:   09.21.2015

      Publisher:  Jade C. Jamison

      Category /Genre:  Contemporary Romance

      Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

      Received from:  Jade C. Jamison (beta reading)

      Goodreads link: On the Road

      Date completed: 11.16.15

      Description from the publisher:

      All that glitters isn’t gold. Sometimes it’s plastic.

      Kyle Summers hits the road with her band the Vagabonds, living the dream. Five young women are tossed into the limelight with little supervision, seemingly left to the wolves. Kyle is driven and headstrong, and—while she enjoys the temptations of sex and drugs on the road—music always comes first. In spite of her friends crumbling under the pressure and lack of support, the Vagabonds become a household name and enjoy success not experienced by people far beyond their years.

      But Kyle realizes two things—one is that her relationships are hollow without love, but she and CJ, her main love interest, are only on-again, off-again at best, leaving her feeling unfulfilled. The second is that Kyle quickly grows weary of dealing with egos and prima donnas, and she feels helpless while watching her band fall apart.

      Can she save her band—and her relationship with CJ—or will she end up alone and forgotten?

      Vagabonds follows one young woman’s rise to fame past the pitfalls of sex, drugs, and easy money, through fortune and success to heartbreak and betrayal. Five girls build their band The Vagabonds from nothing but a hunger to create and quickly find that they are nothing but pawns in a larger game played by managers, agents, the press, the music industry, and all manner of unscrupulous, greedy people who want to feed on their triumphs. Friendships and lives hang in the balance. Who will survive?



      This is the second book in the Vagabonds trilogy.  They do need to be read in order, but there are no cliff-hangers.

      Kyle and her bandmates, collectively known as the Vagabonds, are exposed to the world of rock as a touring all-girl band.  Everyone knows the trilogy – sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll.  They are ready to rock, but are they able to navigate the heavy waters of the other two legs of the journey?  Though all musical phenomes, they are faced with grasping a maturity their years may not have yet prepared them to handle.

      I am not musically inclined.  Don’t get me wrong – just because I can’t sing, doesn’t mean I won’t!  Reading this series, I swear even I could hear the notes that needed to be played, complete with some major shredding and eloquent riffs.

      I was so immersed in being Kyle as I read this, that I often felt the need for an after-the-sexiness cigarette, felt the hangover, and felt the adoration of the crowds as I sang.  I also felt the frustrations, the joys, and the angst of being a late teen riding the surf of budding fame and burgeoning womanhood.

      I love Kyle’s determination to make it and to do it all in a big way.  Her focus – music – comes before everything.  This is tested and always reinforced.  Then there is the CJ issue – I felt like I was waiting for my 18th birthday to come again (never mind that I’m nearly three times that age!).  Their chemistry was already off the charts and I just knew that that was going to be a rocking song when it hit the stage. 

      The minute I finished the last word, I was begging for book three.  Jade doesn’t disappoint – though never in the ways that you are expecting.  She delivers and has earned her title – the Queen of Rock Romance. 

      Grammar/editing:  ungraded – book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused


      The Vagabonds series:
      1. On the Run
      2. On the Road
      3. On the Rocks
      Other Books from Jade C. Jamison:
      • MADversary
      • Then Kiss Me
      • Stating His Case
      • Fabric of Night
      • Worst Mother
      • Old House
      • Finger Bang
      • Substitute Boyfriend
      • Savage
      Bullet series:
          1.  Bullet
          2.  Rock Bottom
          3.  Feverish
          3.5 Boiling Point (coming soon)
          4.  Fully Automatic
          4.5  Christmas Stalkings (novella)
          5.  Slash & Burn
          6.  Locked and Loaded (coming soon)
          Tangled Web Series:
            1.  Tangled Web: A Steamy Heavy Metal Novella
            2.  Everything But
            **  Punctured, Bruised, and Barely Tattooed
            3.  Seal All Exits (not yet released)

          Wishes series:
          1. Be Careful What You Wish For
          2. Secret Wishes (not yet released)
          3. Carnal Wishes (not yet released)
          4. Dangerous Wishes (not yet released)
          Nicki Sosebee Series:
            1. Got the Life
            2. Dead
            3. No Place to Hide
            4. Right Now
            5. One More Time
            6. Lost
            7. Innocent Bystander
            8. Blind
            9. Fake
            10. Lies (coming soon)