DEACON: Unfinished Hero 4 (Kristen Ashley)

BEFORE reading the book,  I suggest downloading the songs Say Something (by A Great Big World)  and Let Her Go (by Passenger or try Tyler Ward's Cover) and then playing them as they are mentioned in the story.

CASSIE
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one, if you want me to

Cassie met Deacon when she was just starting her dream. Restoring cabins in the mountains of Colorado, she was intrigued by the scary stranger on cabin eleven. Years past, and he remained that aloof man, even through her efforts to reach out. 

Few years after, when Cassie had a run in with danger, they CHANGED.

Anywhere I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you

There are a lot of things Deacon has not shared Cassie, will not share, according to him. And Cassie, because (in her own words) she is stupid like that, hoped that what Deacon gives is, and will be enough.

And I am feeling so small
It was over my head
I know nothing at all

Until that amount of something seemed so minuscule compared to the secrets, and the lies.

Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you

Say Something. The only thing  Deacon could not give.

And I will swallow my pride
You're the one that I love
And I'm saying goodbye

So Cassie said goodbye.

DEACON

Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow

For years, Deacon resisted his attraction to Cassie. Burned by love that shattered and destroyed the man he was, he cannot let go.

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you’re missin' home

No one to call his, no home to call his own, except that cabin. Cassie resurrected him.

Only know you love her when you let her go

But still, he cannot let go of his past. So he let Cassie go.

And you let her go.
Will you let her go?
---------------------------------------------------------------------

In the end, Kristen Ashley also gave a song, but for me, the song I listed to was All of Me by John Legend.

OKAY. The series Unfinished Hero always come with a WARNING. They are not for everyone. The men here are not your typical run of the mill heroes. THEY ARE NOT. Do not expect roses (though you will get them). Do not expect prince charming. But they have a story to tell. A story, that made them the men they are. No apologies. Love them as they are. I'm so happy Deacon got to tell his. 

I still love CREED and SYLVIE most, but Deacon, with Boss Lady and Priest, well, you cannot resist THAT.

image source

PRECARIOUS - JOKERS WRATH MC by Bella Jewel Release Party

Teaser 

Precarious: Jokers' Wrath MC - TEASERS

Teaser #1

He growls once more and then ends the call, spinning to me. “Get in that room, now.”

“Not sure that’s a good idea,” I say, taking a step back.

He lunges for me, catching hold of my wrist and hurling me so hard against his body he loses his towel. I squeal, but he keeps his arm pinned around me, pressing my thighs against his very naked body. His cock is resting on my belly, even though I can’t feel the skin, I can feel it’s presence there.

“Your….your….”

“My fuckin’ cock is on your stomach, if you keep misbehaving I’ll find a better place for it.”

Teaser #2

“So that’s it, you’re going to love me and leave me?”

He grins at me, big and beautiful. “Either that or I can pull my cock out and you can suck this ache right out of it.”

I flush and shove to my feet, taking the blanket with me. He laughs as I gather my clothes. “Didn’t think so.”

Teaser #3

“I can make you warm, baby, just say the word and I’ll make it all fuckin’ better.”

Oh I just bet he will.

“I,” I croak. That’s it, it’s the best I can do. That would be because his fingers are trailing down my belly towards my extremely aroused sex. His mouth is on my neck, his c*ck pressed against my back and he’s about to finger fuck me. Even I’m not that strong…I mean come on…who could say no to that?

Teaser #4

He narrows his eyes. “Aren’t you goin’ to tell me that you can’t stand me and there’s no way in hell I’m gettin’ my cock near you?”

I snort. “You read too many books. No, I’m not going to tell you that. Firstly, I don’t hate you, Beau. I don’t know what your life is about, but there’s a big story behind your stormy eyes and I’m sure you have a reason for being the way you are.”

His eyes darken, but he says nothing.

“And secondly, I haven’t been fucked for over twelve months. I might be pissed at you for hurting me and dragging me into the wilderness, but I won’t deny that the idea of fucking you turns me on.”

He growls.

Like a feral, hungry beast.

 ----

Title: Precarious: Jokers' Wrath MC (Book One)

Author: Bella Jewel

Publication Date: August 4, 2014

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22589352-precarious

Synopsis

In darkness, we find danger. In danger, I find Beau.

Ash is a prison guard, she's tough, she's strong and she never backs away from a fight. She takes her job seriously, she takes her training seriously, and everything in her life goes as planned.

Until the day he is brought into the prison.

She'll never forget meeting Beau 'Krypt' Dawson for the first time. She'll never forget his haunted eyes and his numb expression. He's a member of the Jokers Wrath MC and it is said he killed an innocent family in the middle of a cafe, in cold blood.

Deranged. Crazy. Psychotic.

All those words describe the infamous Krypt, but Ash suspects there's far more to the quiet man than meets the eye. Secrets are being hidden by the club, information is being kept under wraps. Krypt is silent for a reason.

Ash is desperate to know that reason.

Continually fighting, Krypt is transferred to a high security prison. Ash is in charge. She's always prepared, always alert. Not even her skills will stop the club from ambushing them and taking back Krypt. Only Ash ends up right in the middle of it.

They take her, too.

Now she's stuck with a Motorcycle Club who are tougher than any prisoner she's ever laid eyes on. And they won't let her go. She's too much of a risk. Until the situation can be sorted, they send her and Krypt into the mountains together....alone.

An epic, dangerous love will be built on the foundations of darkness.

Purchase the Book:

Amazon

 About the Author

Bella Jewel is an Aussie girl through and through. She spent her life in Western Australia, growing up in many different areas of the state. She now currently lives in Perth with her husband, children and mass amounts of pets. She's crazy, fun, outgoing and friendly. Writing is her passion, she started at the young age of 18 but finally got the courage up to publish, and her first novel Hell's Knights was released in August 2013.

Author Social Media Links

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Bella-Jewel/513907282000951

Website: http://authorbellajewel.wix.com/bella-jewel

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7178194.Bella_Jewel

Check out more of Bella's work

The MC Sinners | Criminals of the Ocean | Rebels on Bikes | Number Thirteen | Life After Taylah | Wingman

Carnage # 2 The Story of Me by Lesley Jones

Like I told my friends, Prologue gave me goosebumps. It was so well written, so heartfelt, mesmerizing, love the aus glossary too.. I couldn't stop reading the moment I downloaded it in my kindle. 

During the start of the story when George started to feel desire for the first time since, you know? ( ) I really didn't like Roman's existence there, it did give a good little twist between  Georgia and her cousin Jodie but I really didn't like it. Only redeeming factor was he sang Drops of Jupiter. 

When I read the first book I may have been in a catatonic state for a little while, Lesley was just good at bringing out that emotion in you. I was a complete mess too. I loved the book nevertheless. Do you know the punctuation interrobang? If punctuation marks could speak, that was my reaction to the first book. I told myself, there better be a freaking second book with Cam in it, or I will be forced to give the second book one star rating. I'd say, the title was really carefully and appropriately chosen. 

I love Gia's character, she's so feisty, especially when she's mad. She doesn't see reason. Her reaction about the "Sydney airport" incident looked like a genuine one to me.. I would have reacted the same way. It was just fun reading and imagining it as it unfolds. 

And what can I say I just love the f*ck out of Cam. Despite his age, I think he's sexy. I think of David Gandy. 

It almost broke my heart when I read the "box" incident. I was like "what the!?" (Interrobang, not again!!) and then ok, HEA :) 

5 Drops of Jupiter Stars- JB 

When your world, your life and all of your hopes and dreams for the future are ripped out from under you, how do you go on? 

Death without dying is not only the most painful kind of death, it's also the most painful kind of life and I don't know if I'm strong enough to live it. 

I spend my lonely days and nights trying to make sense of what my life has become. Do I have the strength to move forward into the light, or should I just let the darkness take me? 

I'm Georgia Rae Layton McCarthy and this is the story of me, just me. 

I'm no longer a part of an us, it's just me. 

Alone. 

By myself. 

Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

“Uh, ma’am…You need some help?”

Her paws didn’t break rhythm. “You got a gun?”

“Not with me.”

“Then I’ve got no use for you.”

On she marched. 

Natural Born Charmer  

It wasn't every day a guy saw a headless beaver marching down the side of a road, not even in Chicago Stars quarterback Dean Robillard's larger-than-life world. He slammed on the brakes of his brand-new Aston Martin Vanquish and pulled over in front of her.

The beaver marched right past, her big, flat tail bouncing in the gravel, and her small, sharp nose stuck up in the air. Way up. The beaver looked highly pissed . . .

She was definitely a girl beaver because her beaver head was missing, revealing sweaty, dark hair pulled into a scraggly ponytail. He'd been praying for a little distraction from his own depressing company, so he threw open the door and stepped out onto the shoulder of the Colorado road . . .

-----------------------------

FIVE Charming stars!

Reading SEP books always leave me in love.  Natural Born Charmer is all about being strong enough to fight for your happiness. It’s all about family, their faults, why we hate and love them at the same time. Aside from Dean and Blue, all the other characters are so interesting and lovable. They all have their faults but they have so many redeeming qualities.

You have to read it to know what I’m talking about, and I assure you you won’t be disappointed with this one ;-).

----------------------------

My heart ached on this scene between Jack & Riley:

“You’re doing that pretty well,” he said.

She beamed. “I’ve been practicing.”

“How? I thought you had to give Trinity her guitar back.”

“I did. But I made one out of cardboard so I could work on my finger positions.”

His lungs constricted. He pushed himself out of the chair. “Be back in a minute.”

When he got to the bathroom, he sat on the edge of the tub and put his head in his hands. He hadmoney, cars, houses, rooms filled with platinum records. He had all that, and his daughter had been forced to practice on a cardboard guitar.

----------------------------

And this one between Jack & Dean:

“Just tell me this. If you had to do it all over again…”

“I can’t do it over, so let it go.”

“But if you could…”

“If I had to do it again, I’d have taken you away from her!” he said fiercely. “How’s that? And once I had you, I’d have figured out how to be a father. Fortunately for you, that didn’t happen because, from where I stand, you turned out just fine on your own. Any man would be proud to have you for a son. Now, are you satisfied or do we have to fucking hug?”

----------------------------

Fixed Trilogy, Fixed On You, Found In You, Forever With You

Fixated on Fixed Trilogy

I'm probably late in reading this trilogy, but what the heck! I still gave my two cents :) 

I may have said I was blown away after reading Found In You. Now, that's an understatement,  I was so engrossed by it. I spent my 12 hours reading it. If you don't call it being riveted by Hudson and Alayna, then by all means tell me the proper description. I was seriously considering naming my next child Hudson. No, seriously. 

I  love the catty comebacks and double entendres. How good looking, sexy and intelligent the characters were. When I read the veracity of Alayna's condition, I kinda understood her, and Hudson as well. I was hooked to the plot already. I've read some twisted characters before. Believe me this was a walk in the park. This is very hard for me to admit, but this is now my favorite trilogy. And I'm saying this after I declared I hate trilogies these days . Hudson can really be persuasive. 

I can tell if I read a good book by the number of bookmarks and highlights I've had on it. And just wow! My kindle was so colorful, if you got my drift. 

I hope all trilogies were like this. There's no cliffhanger in every book. It's like you can read it as stand alone and you're good. Every voracious reader's dream, I bet. 

One of my many favorite parts, I don't want to ruin it for you. You have to read it. As of now, it's still free from Kindle if you have Amazon Prime. 

“Tell me, Alayna—were you first attracted to my son because of his money or his name?”

Pissed didn’t even begin to describe how I felt. I was seething, but still in control. Without skipping a beat, I wrapped my arm around Hudson’s and answered. “Neither. I was attracted to him because he’s hot. Though, I stayed with him because he’s fucking awesome in bed.”

Please read. 5 amazing fixated stars-- JB 

Fixed on You (Book 1): Stalking and restraining orders are a thing of Alayna Wither's past. With her MBA newly in hand, she has her future figured out--move up at the nightclub she works at and stay away from any guy who might trigger her obsessive love disorder. A perfect plan. But what Alayna didn't figure on is Hudson Pierce, the new owner of the nightclub. He's smart, rich, and gorgeous--the kind of guy Alayna knows to stay away from if she wants to keep her past tendencies in check. Except, Hudson's fixed his sights on her. He wants her in his bed and makes no secret of it. Avoiding him isn't an option after he offers a business proposition she can't turn down and she's drawn further into his universe, unable to resist his gravitational pull. When she learns Hudson has a dark history of his own, she realizes too late that she's fallen for the worst man she could possibly get involved with. Or maybe their less than ideal pasts give them an opportunity to heal each other and finally find the love their lives have been missing.

Found in You (Book 2): Alayna Withers has only had one kind of relationship: the kind that makes her obsessive and stalker-crazy. Now that Hudson Pierce has let her into his heart, she's determined to break down the remaining walls between them so they can build a foundation that's based on more than just amazing sex. Except Hudson's not the only one with secrets. 

With their pasts pulling them into a web of unfounded mistrust, Alayna turns to the one person who knows Hudson the best--Celia, the woman he almost married. Hoping for insight from someone who understands all sides of the story, Alayna forms a bond with Celia that goes too far--revealing things about Hudson that could end their love for good.

This is the first relationship where Alayna hasn't spiraled out of control. And she might lose Hudson anyway...

Forever with You (Book 3): Alayna Withers relationship with Hudson Pierce has tested both her and his ability to trust. They decide that the only way they can move forward together is with open doors and transparency. It won't be easy for the scarred lovers, but they're committed to each other more now than ever. Alayna, in particular, has grown through their trials, and has emerged more confident and faithful to the man she loves.

But while the pair is focused on the future, their past shows up again to threaten their fragile bond. Promises that were made are broken, and Alayna learns that Hudson still has very potent secrets--secrets that will tear them both apart. As much as she feels for him, her ability to forgive and forget is tested beyond her limits.

Even though she found the only man who could fix her, a forever with Hudson seems more and more out of reach.

Lonzo by Kat Madrid

“Bastardo!” 

“That, I am, that’s why I don’t care shit for pedigrees.”

LONZO VITALE

A billionaire with the instinct of a shark after a drop of blood, his business adversaries may think he is a bastard, but he is brilliant at what he does. Known for massive company takeovers, Lonzo has made a name for himself as a callous genius in business and as a jaded playboy in the bedrooms of his many conquests. For him, marriage is like a rusty bear trap, meant to kill and maim.

JORDANA ALMUEDA

She was a bonafide glamazon. From a simple life of an orphan girl in Sao Paolo, Jordana has indeed come a long way.  From being a waitress to a supermodel grazing the Vogue not once, but seven times—that is, for the Parisian edition alone. Career wise, she has it all, getting contracts for campaigns of hot shot brands— Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, Roberto Cavalli, Valentino, Guess, Dior, Calvin Klein, Estee Lauder, Louis Vuitton and Victoria’s Secret.

But all these accolades meant her life is always put on display, and sometimes, being at the top gets so lonely.

The virgin Maid of Honor, the womanizing Best Man and one fateful night before the wedding…

Lonzo woke up beside a beautiful naked goddess who makes him crazy with want. Jordana opens her eyes to an Adonis with a rakish attitude. Sparks flying will be an understatement to what happened between them, and the nearest and most apt would be they burned each other into an inferno. 

OKAY, LET’S STOP IT RIGHT THERE. LOL!

I’m going to tell you a secret. IT TOOK ME A WHOLE DAY TO GET THOSE LINES ABOVE arranged into a paragraph that makes sense. Most of the terms there are already from the book too! ( I hope KM forgives me for that, her words were really the perfect ones to use, I swear!) WHY, you might ask. WELL, Lonzo left me…speechless and flustered and possibly drooling. Imagine an open mouthed glazed expression on my face due to the sheer hotness of this guy. HAHA. DANA I envy you, you b*tch, I almost wish I was you! 

Aside from the scorching scenes, this book has really funny and witty banters between the two. I don’t know whether to blush or laugh out loud on some moments:

“Tell me it won’t get bigger than that,” she said, anxious. He found himself chuckling at her, surprising himself.

“No, it’s just… happy to see you.” She blushed adorably. “I can see that.” “It had been a week since he had any action. He tends to get a little excited.” She giggled unexpectedly. 

Laughter in the bedroom? He’d never had that with any of his previous lovers. He was pretty straightforward with sex. He would f*ck, come and then leave. His mouth twitched. Now, he was cracking jokes about his willy. Unbelievable.

See what I mean? Totally hilarious.

5 FIRST TIME STARS (Pantry dropping, according to another BLN Admin).

PS: This is my first ever Kat Madrid book.  Definitely will not be the last! Can’t wait for the next ones!!!

This ebook is available for purchase via AMAZON.

Book Throwback: Prisoner of Passion by Lynne Graham

P for predator,

P for passionate,

P for prey!

These words came to mind when Bella thought of Rico da Silva. The international financier was definitely a predator-hadn't he pounced when her defenses were down? Passionate? Their lovemaking had certainly been that-when Bella was inadvertently caught up in Rico's kidnapping. And now she was Rico's prey; he was determined to seduce her once more. Bella might have been forcibly imprisoned with Rico before, but she was a free woman now-free to meet Rico on her own terms!

Published October 1996.

-------------------------------

See our commentaries about how much we love this book at our BLN FB page.

Jonah's Fave line:

"Am I allowed to buy you things now?" he asked afterwards. "Festoon you with jewellery?"

"I want a Porsche," Bella said out of sheer badness.

His black lashes dropped over his too expressive eyes, but his sudden tension said it all for him.

"No problem. You pass an advanced driving test and I'll buy you one." "Just you wait," Bella told him

Mary Ann's Fave line:

You're not my prince, Rico. Relax,"she whispered painfully. 

"Learn to enjoy life as the toad who didn't deserve

to be kissed and transformed. This particular Cinderella doesn't believe in

fairy tales."

Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred

Sweet tea, corn bread, and soup beans—everyday fare for eight-year-old Alix French, the precocious darling of a respected southern family. But nothing was ordinary about the day she met ten-year-old Nick Anderson, a boy from the wrong side of town. Armed with only a tin of bee balm and steely determination, Alix treats the raw evidence of a recent beating that mars his back, an act that changes both of their lives forever.

Through childhood disasters and teenage woes they cling together as friendship turns to love. The future looks rosy until the fateful night when Frank Anderson, Nick's abusive father, is shot to death in his filthy trailer.

Suddenly, Nick is gone—leaving Alix alone, confused and pregnant. For the next fifteen years she wrestles with the pain of Nick's abandonment, a bad marriage, her family and friends. But finally, she's starting to get her life back together. Her divorce is almost final, her business is booming, and she's content if not happy—until the day she looks up and sees Nick standing across the counter. He's back…and he's not alone.

Once again Alix is plunged into turmoil and pain as Nick tries to win her love, something she resists with all her strength. Only one thing might break the protective wall she's built around her emotions—the truth about Frank Anderson's death. But when that truth comes out and those walls crumble, neither Alix nor Nick is prepared for the emotional explosion that could destroy as well as heal.

------------------------------------------------

MARY ANN (Originally posted Dec 12, 2012):

When I started reading this last night, I couldn't put it down until I finished it well until midnight. I love how the story started when Alix & Nick were just kids, and you can really see the hows and whys of their love for each other.

From friendship, to young love, heartbreak, pain, and true love, I felt that this story took me to a journey, reminding me how it was to be a child, to experience my first crush, love and heartbreak. I also love how the author made Alix & Nick's characters develop and mature. 

The book was divided into three parts, first when they were children, then their teenage years and then their adult lives. 

WHAT I LOVE MOST about this book is that when I finished reading it, even though I cried,laughed,was hurt and even felt betrayed all throughout the book,in the end, I felt Happy and Content. The author gave it a good ending, and ending that made me feel good about love and life.

My fave lines/scenes:

“Why are you doing this?” One of his hands caressed the books. 

“Because books are made to be read,” I told him. “And you like to read.”

---

His shoulder lifted in a shrug. “I’m Frank Anderson’s son and I live in a junkyard. Who’d want to marry me?” 

“I’ll marry you,” I told him decisively. “That way, we can both have kids someday.” 

He grinned, those dimples emerging in a blaze of glory. “Yeah, you probably would. But I don’t think you should go around telling people you’re going to marry me. They might get the wrong idea.” Draping an arm around my shoulders, he gave me a little shake. 

“Now shut up and read. I just got to a good part.” 

I snuggled down next to him, happily sure that our future had been settled. There were still some blank areas in my knowledge of where babies came from, but I knew that together we could work it out. How hard could it be when Liz Swanner had managed it six times?

---

“I will admit, though, she must not be that good. That was one of the shortest affairs Hugh ever had.” I lowered my hand and looked her right in the eye. “Of course, I had to divorce him after that. There was no way I could sleep with him knowing where he’d been. I’d have had to boil him first.

------

“I swear, I’ll never leave you again,” he whispered.

I lifted my other hand to his face, fingers caressing his skin. “It wouldn’t do you any good if you did,” I said. “Because the next time, I’d come after you.”

---

“You better wait on me, damn it.” 

“I don’t think I have much choice.” He brushed my hair back. “You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted, Alix, the only one I’ll ever want. That’s a promise.”

------

He always was someone. Because the core of the sweet gum tree never changes. Like Nick, the deep red wood stays true to its nature. Strong, and steady, and pure.

-------

I definitely recommend this guys, 5 stars! 

Lady Be Good by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Lady Emma Wells-Finch--the oh-so-proper headmistress of England's St. Gertrude's School for Girls--has come to Texas with just two weeks to ruin her reputation, the only way she can save herself from losing everything she holds dear. And when a gorgeous man who can't afford another scandal meets this hardheaded woman who's determined to cause one, anything can happen, even love. 

---------------------------------

MARY ANN: (Originally posted at BLN page, Nov 27, 2012)

This book is actually two stories at the price of one. Kenny & Emma's the main story while Dex & Torie's the side story.

On Emma & Kenny --Kenny is the town's badboy/bully when he was growing up. Spoiled rotten and good by his late mother, Kenny is still making up for his past mistakes. The town has branded him as trouble maker, lazy--and Golf is where Kenny's good at. After being suspended for a brawl, Kenny can't afford another scandal. Enter Emma into the picture--a British headmistress in dire need of a scandal to ruin her so that a very persistent (and creepy) duke will stop blackmailing her for marriage.

------

“No more thinking!” His jaw set in a stubborn line, and he rested the heel of his hand against the bedpost. “Now, here’s the way it’ll be. The two of us are going to practice a little sexual kinkiness called domination and submission. I’m dominating and you’re submitting! 

Now, what that means, in case I’m not being clear, is that you can’t issue a single order. Not one. You can moan. Moaning’s fine. You can sigh. Sighing’s okay, too. But no orders. And only when I say we’re done can you talk. Then, just two words. Thank and you.”

------

“First he half drowns her,” Shelby drawled, “then he kisses her. You’ve got strange ways with women, Kenny.”

They both looked up to see that the entire family as well as the Beaudines had gathered around the pool to watch them.

“At least he didn’t spank her,” Torie said.

On Torie and Dex---Torie is Kenny's sister, by the way, and their father owned a computer software company--at the same time that Dex's father owns one too. In the past, both companies had been fierce competitors but due to the rising of many new companies, they decided to merge and the owners decided to include Torie marrying Dex as part of the merger deal. to make sure that either of the two companies will pull a fast one on the other. Torie's greatest wish was to have children, but after two failed marriage, she's almost positive that she's barren. She's also very independent, outspoken and she hates Dex because according to her, Dex's a geek. What she didn't know was that Dex is who she needs in her life, to make her happy and really see her self worth.---In all honestly I like their story more and I wish that SEP has made a novel for them but sadly, she didn't. 

----

“As a matter of fact, I’d like Victoria and Kenny to stay, too. As long as we’re all here, I think it would behoove us to reach some sort of understanding.”

“You hear that, Kenny? Behoove. He talks like he’s inhaled a damned dictionary. And, I swear to God, Dexter, the next time you call me Victoria, I’m going to body slam you.”

I doubt that would be possible.” He slipped his glasses back on. “I’m quite a bit bigger.”

Torie slumped forward and caught her forehead in her hands. “Jesus . . . you are such a dork.”

----

Pride kicked in, and she lifted her head. “For someone who’s so repulsed by the idea of marrying me, you certainly seemed to have asked a lot of questions.”

“I didn’t say I was repulsed. I happen to be strongly attracted to you.”

His words were a small Band-Aid over her open wounds, enough for her to curl her lip and scoff. “Like that’s a news flash.”

He smiled. “It’s the strangest thing. I’m not a violent man, but ever since Ted made that remark yesterday about somebody needing to swat you, I keep having this recurring image of you turned bottom-up over my lap.”

A rush of heat shot through Torie’s bloodstream. She didn’t like it one bit, so she sneered, “Am I wearing clothes?”

He seemed to be thinking it over. “A full skirt tossed over your head. Panties draped around one ankle."

Between these two pairs, I was laughing and smiling like a fool. A MUST READ!

Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

"You're letting me demean you!"

She smiled. "You can't do that. I can only demean myself.

Pretty, flighty Daisy Devreaux can either go to jail or marry the mystery man her father has chosen for her. Arranged marriages don't happen in the modern world, so how did the irrepressible Daisy find herself in this fix?

Alex Markov, as humorless as he is deadly handsome, has no intention of playing the loving bridegroom to a spoiled little feather-head with champagne tastes. He drags Daisy from her uptown life to a broken down traveling circus and sets out to tame her to his ways.

But this man without a soul has met his match in a woman who's nothing but heart. Before long, passion will send them flying sky high without a safety net... risking it all in search of a love that will last forever.

--------------------------------------

MARY ANN: (Originally posted on BLN's FB Page,August 13, 2013)

It's been a while since I've done a review of an SEP book. But I'm so glad that this is the book to end the "dry spell". I've started reading this last night at 11PM and didn't put it down until it's finished, by 2AM. It is that good, for me. So where to start? 

DAISY- everyone thinks she’s this flighty feather-brained girl, with partying on her mind. She might have had an unorthodox upbringing, since she grew up with her party-girl of a mom, but she’s smart and kind-hearted. For all the injustices and prejudice done to her by her dad, even by her husband, Alex, my need for revenge (on her part) started building up. Then when realization came to those people who wronged her, she just told them it’s not important, because to her, it really is not, anymore. She forgives a lot. 

ALEX- Man, where do I start? He really believes he doesn't know how to love. Yet, Daisy was able to worm inside his heart without him knowing, until, maybe it’s too late???

SO, here are my favorite scenes. BIG SPOILER ALERT!!!

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"I, Theodosia ..." She gulped for

air. "... take thee Alexander ..." She gulped again. "... to be my awful wedded husband ..."

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"Sweetheart, when it comes to sex, I've got nothing but respect for you."

"Please don't pretend not to understand what I'm talking about."

"I like sex. You like sex. We like having it together. That's all there is to it."

"That's not all there is! Sex needs to be sac—"

"Don't say it, Daisy. If you say the s-word, I swear I'll flirt with every truck stop waitress between

here and Cincinnati.

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"You're letting me demean you!"

She smiled. "You can't do that. I can only demean myself.

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AND THIS SCENE, THIS REALLY BROKE MY HEART 

"I don't love you anymore," she whispered. "I don't love you at all."

His throat closed. "It's all right, sweetheart. I love you enough for both of us."

----5 STARS

Say the Word by Julie Johnson

"The heart isn’t like the liver. It doesn’t regenerate, no matter how much time passes. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. I’d left mine with Sebastian when I walked away that day, and I hadn’t seen it in the seven years since." — Lux Kincaid

At eighteen, Lux is forced to make a choice. One that nearly destroys her.

She breaks a boy’s heart.

She breaks her own, too.

Seven years later, Lux never expects to see Sebastian again — especially not when her career as a journalist is hanging by a thread and she’s stumbled onto the story of a lifetime. As she chases down leads and explores the dark underbelly of Manhattan, Lux will put her life on the line. But after crossing paths with a still-unforgiving Sebastian, it’s her heart she’s most worried about.

Amidst the blame and the betrayal, the hurt and the heartbreak… can two lost lovers ever find their way back to one another?

Lines will be blurred. The past will be unearthed. And Lux will find out that some secrets aren’t meant to be kept…

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JELAI:

10 shooting stars! 

It took me a day to finally write a review for this book. I just can't do anything after reading it. I was so overwhelmed. Words were overflowing and so were my emotions, and yet I couldn't do anything or didn't even know where to start. I got lost. Caught up. Stilled. Immobilized. Because all I did is felt. Absorb. I let it consumed me because by gods, I love how it made me feel.

I don't just read books. I passed the phase of tagging it as just a mere hobby in my slum book. It's my passion. It's something I could no longer picture out not doing anymore. I live for it. 

I really don't have any major requirements in reading a book. Offer me any book and I'll read it. But it doesn't mean I don't have a 'priority' list. 'Course I do. Those were the kind of stories that will surely make me momentarily put the one I'm currently reading "on hold" (figuratively speaking) and rush my ass to start them. 

It was just a good thing though, and thanks to my lucky stars, when a dear friend of mine recommended this book to me, I've just finished reading a book on my long 'priority list'. Because of the gods, I so love the plot. And this book never disappoints. I love it! 

It has everything you wanted in a novel. Romance. Suspense. Action. Mystery. Humor. But what really bagged me is how the story was beautifully told. I mean, anybody can write a story, but not everybody knows HOW to TELL a story. Julia Johnson really knows how to tell hers! 

I love second chances, young love, broken promises, and redemptions. I love the lines. Geezus, Julia Johnson is soooo good with words, she made me cry. I love this novel with so much passion and total abandon I can hardly breathe! 

There's so much heartache, but with a promise of healing in the end :)

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MARY ANN

I love this book because it reminds me of heartbreak, and that feeling of finding your soul mate, that exact moment moment, where you feel safe, and happy because you know the arms around you will never let you go and be alone out there in the harsh world we live in.

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Four Weeks Till Forever By Nadia Lee

Four Weeks Till Forever

Reading this book made my Fourth of July bearable. The book was more exciting than my actual weekend. Hehe 

I liked the fast paced  story. I honestly didn't get bored. It was a bonus that Mark was exceptionally handsome for the author to have described him as God being in a good mood when he was conceived. It was really nice for Nadia to incorporate a bit of a fairy tale like the Ailing Beauty, hehe. I also liked the way Mark appreciated Hilary's appetite. For food, what were you guys thinking? And I've mentioned it before, I like redheads :) 

One of my fave lines from the chef "Anything worth having requires work. Especially a woman. If she's not worth the work then maybe should let her go" 

And ow, the last part about Mark trying to win Hilary back maybe a bit outrageous for some. But I kinda wanted that to happen to me if I were Hilary :) over the top, yet so sweet. You better read it so you'd know the things he went through to show her he loved her. When all he really needed to do was look her in the eyes and say it, once more :) 

- JB 

A perfect summer romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nadia Lee--a modern-day Cinderella story featuring a billionaire restaurateur Prince Charming and a skittish secretary with a past...

He's never met a woman he wants to spend his life with...

The man: Billionaire playboy Mark Pryce.

The problem: A "real" date for his family's Fourth of July party...or he'll have to attend with the heiress his mother's picked out for him to marry.

The woman: His best friend's executive assistant, Hilary Rosenberg--the only one who can save him from this fate worse than death.

...she is convinced good men are a thing of the past.

Disillusioned by a series of painful relationships, Hilary has no interest in dating Mark--even as a pretense--for the next four weeks. He's too sexy, too smart, altogether too attractive--and a sure bet to break her heart. But she owes him a favor, and she always pays her debts.

When their charade threatens to turn into a happily ever after, can a reformed playboy convince his wary Cinderella that fairy tale endings really can come true?--Goodreads 

A Husband's Regret by Natasha Anders

Tall and thin, twenty-eight-year-old Bronwyn Palmer has become positively gaunt, a ghost of her former self. That self was—and still is—the wife of a rich, handsome executive with an ocean-view house and his own security staff.

It was in that house, two years ago, that Bryce Palmer learned Bronwyn was pregnant with their first child. But Bryce’s rage over his impending fatherhood touched off a chain reaction of emotional and physical traumas that wounded them both. For Bronwyn, it meant fleeing the perfect marriage to start over with nothing but a precocious daughter named Kayla to care for. For Bryce, it meant a tortuous two years spent blaming his wife for deserting him, and living with the pain of not knowing his child. Now a chance encounter has brought Bronwyn back into Bryce’s life, both bearing scars...and neither knowing the whole truth of that fateful night that drove them apart.

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I didn’t bloody know what love was!” his voice rose on the last three words, but she merely raised her eyebrows at him.

“Do you know what it is now?”

“It’s everything, isn’t it?  It’s the quiet dinners when not much gets said. It’s the sunny days at the beach. It’s hearing your laughter in my head when I see Kayla giggling. It’s seeing the love in your eyes when you watch our baby sleep. It’s watching the sun rise in your smile and set in your tears. It’s the contentment in seeing you eat and sleep and study and play. It’s the small everyday things, like never getting tired of watching you tuck that same stubborn strand of hair behind your ear twenty times a day, and it’s the huge life-altering things like seeing your smile and my eyes on our beautiful little girl’s face. It’s knowing that even if you turn away from me forever, I’ll always be the better for having had you in my life.”

“There you are,” she whispered wonderingly as the edges of her lips tilted up into a tiny smile. she formed her words as clearly as she could, not wanting him to misunderstand her. 

“I’ve been looking for you.” his stern brows lowered in confusion, and she leaned down to press a feather-soft kiss to his sensuous lips before easing back so that he could see her face again.

“There’s the man I married.”

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Five Second Chance STARS!!

Josh & Hannah (Redwood Falls)

I will probably consider this a timeless love story. I started reading and forgot about doing groceries, my poor husband and daughter had to do it. I admire Josh's patience and restraint from keeping himself to almost devouring Hanna or it would be statutory rape. The story started when they were in their teens and later on evolved up until they graduated and had their HEA. I just couldn't help but fall in love with  Josh and found  Hanna's innocence so refreshing.  I'm so glad I read It I felt  half my day was fulfilled. I felt like I was bursting with love while reading it. -JB

One of my favorite parts :

“, "I'm serious. Repeat it. Josh wants me."

"Josh, please--"

"Now!" he barked and she jumped.

"Josh w-wants me," her voice came out shaky and soft.

"Josh wants me so bad his guts are tied in knots of constant pain," he pounded the words through his teeth and waited.

His eyes seared into hers and she attempted to answer. "Josh wants me s-so bad--" she found it impossible to say and her words dwindled off.

He reached up and his fingers twisted through her hair until he was holding her face in both of his strong hands. He continued to punch out his words in third person. "He thinks about me constantly." As he spoke, his gaze ran over her lips, her nose, and the hair that he held in his hands. "He lives from one hour to the next for the day he can sink into me."

Hannah's insides were lacerated by his primal words. It was almost more than her youth and innocence could handle. At the same time, an exquisite pleasure infiltrated her system at what he was telling her. He was telling her the truth. “He wanted her just as much as she wanted him. Her body shook as the depth of his need and what he was trying to convey to her sank in.

He continued in a harsh biting tone, "But I don't want Josh to go to prison.”

---

Josh Turner wants Hannah more than life itself. She's perfect and new . . . but she's a McIntyre. She's from the richest family in the county, and he's a Turner, from the wrong side of the proverbial tracks. And to make matters worse, there's no love lost between their families.--Goodreads 

On Amazon

Real by Katy Evans

“When I take you, you’ll be mine,” he says, a soft promise in my ear. He slides his thumb along my jaw, then gently kisses my earlobe. 

“You need to be certain.” His eyes are so hot that I’m on fire with the lust in them, and the word “mine” makes the empty place between my legs swell with longing. 

“I want you to know me first, and then, I want you to let me know if you still want me to take you.”

A fallen boxer.

A woman with a broken dream.

A competition…

He even makes me forget my name. One night was all it took, and I forgot everything and anything except the sexy fighter in the ring who sets my mind ablaze and my body on fire with wanting…

Remington Tate is the strongest, most confusing man I’ve ever met in my life.

He’s the star of the dangerous underground fighting circuit, and I’m drawn to him as I’ve never been drawn to anything in my life. I forget who I am, what I want, with just one look from him. When he’s near, I need to remind myself that I am strong–but he is stronger. And now it’s my job to keep his body working like a perfect machine, his taut muscles primed and ready to break the bones of his next opponents . . .

But the one he’s most threatening to, now, is me.

I want him. I want him without fear. Without reservations.

If only I knew for sure what it is that he wants from me?

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Mary Ann's Review:

FINALLY! I found REAL.

I really have it bad, coz you see, I've read Fifty, Crossfire, Beautiful----and let's face it--Mr. Grey. Gideon and Travis are drool worthy. But I think this is the only time that I wanted to claim REMINGTON. I mean, can he just be mine? lol.

I don't think I will be able to make a decent review without spoiling the story, so I'll make one later. For now, here are some of the scenes:

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Remington “Riptide” Tate, the sexiest man alive, is tossing anything in his path and yelling at the top of his lungs, “What the fuck did you tell her about me? Where the fuck is she?” while Pete is jacketless, and tieless, and desperate to calm him down. Remy flings a crystal decanter into the wall with a fantastic crash, and people scream both in fear and laughter, while Riley is busy ushering them out the open suite doors.

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“Don't let her see.”

“We won’t, Rem.”

His head hangs forward as if he has no strength to support it. 

“Just don’t let her see.”

------------------------

“You’re tired?” I prod.

He nods with sad eyes, his voice low, but not apologetic. “So fucking tired I can barely pull myself out of bed.”

-----------------------

And one of the sweetest moments, for me, is this part where Brooke realized that she's the only person who's given Remy tenderness:

Pete lifts one eyebrow as he watches Remington wrap his arms even tighter around my hips and draws me closer until the side of his head is perfectly cushioned on my breast. He grunts and sighs again. Riley lifts two eyebrows. Diane smiles tenderly, like she just melted.

I am not only melted. I’m liquid beneath him.

My parents, a coach and a teacher, are wonderful people but not big on hugs and kisses like, for example, my friend Melanie is, who was showered with affection and spreads it around the world like it’s her duty to. But the way Remington looks at me, the way he doesn’t hide his attraction to me even to his public during his fights, and the way he just cuddled me like a big hibernating bear who just found a cave, makes me ache in inexplicably deep places.