Contemporary Romance

Book Review – Bared to you (Crossfire #1) by Sylvia Day

September 27, 2012 by Aestas · 27 Comments

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6 +++ stars!!!!

SQUEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! OH. MY. HOLY. FREAKING. GOD. THIS. BOOK. IS. AMAZING!!!!

I’m re-posting this review to in anticipation for book 2 which comes out in a few short days!! 🙂

This book was absolute perfection for me!! It had me swooning, drooling and panting over Gideon Cross and had me reading for the better part of it with the world’s biggest grin on my face. It was the perfect blend of heart warming actions and lines, HOTNESS , and tortured hero (and heroine).

Bared To You was one of the only books ever where, the moment I was finished, I flipped it over and started again at page one and read it through right away again.

The story is told from the perspective of Eva Hammel, a 24 year old girl who comes from money but wants to make it on her own in the world. She chooses to start at the bottom and work her way to the top and gets a job in an advertising agency where she meets the guy who owns the company she works for (and pretty much everything in NYC) Gideon Cross and its just an instant connection between then. Intense sparks fly from the first glance. And things go from there 🙂

Gideon Cross is just pure perfection in my eyes! He is tortured, passionate, controlling, but isn’t afraid to admit he fucked up, tender, possessive, gorgeous , absolutely and utterly in LOVE with his girl… <3 <3 Gah! my heart is bursting here! <3

He’s so messed up but he’s trying his absolute best to be everything his girl needs him to be. I love how on the outside he’s this unobtainable larger-than-life god but on the inside, he’s just a man who wants to be loved by his girl.

“Oh, Eva.” He rubbed his cheek against my damp face. “I must’ve wished for you so hard and so often you had no choice but to come true.”

“What do you want, Gideon?” I asked softly.
He caught me to him and cupped my cheek in one hand. “I want to keep feeling the way I feel when I’m with you. Just tell me what I have to do. And give me some room to screw up. I’ve never done this before. There’s a learning curve.”

There are a lot of wonderful book couples out there but the thing that made me just LOVE this book was how fuctional Gideon and Eva were. Despite both having very messed up pasts, and both having their fair share of f*ck ups, they worked through everything functionally and passionately in a way that deeply warmed my heart. I loved how open and honest they learned to be with each other. They both made mistakes but they were understandable mistakes, nothing that make me want to throw my Kindle at the wall, nothing where I couldn’t understand the reaction they had, and they always talked everything through after. I loved how their love for each other made them stronger than any problems that came their way. It was so refreshing and heart warming.

[This relationship] is going to be a lot of work, Gideon.” I warned him.
“I’m not afraid of work.” He was touching me restlessly, his hands sliding over my thighs and buttocks as if caressing my bare skin was as necessary to him as breathing. “I’m only afraid of losing you.”
I pressed my cheek to his. We completed each other. Even now, as his hands roamed possessively over me, I felt a thawing in my soul, the desperate relief of being held – finally – by the man who understood and satisfied my deepest, most intimate desires.”

I loved how neither of them were man-whores or virgins before meeting each other. Not that I have a problem with either one. But it was refreshing and realistic that they had both been in a normal amount of relationships for a couple of mid-twenty year olds.

I also LOVED the side characters. Eva’s boss Mark and his partner Steven were delightful and fun. Her bi-sexual room-mate and best friend Cary was just so lovable. He was the ultimate big brother character with his own set of problems – I really really hope he gets a HEA. He so deserves one! We don’t get to see much of his past, but you can tell its really heart-breaking. I loved how he knew Eva so well, he just knew when something was wrong just by looking at her.

“I want there to be happily-ever-afters for the f*cked up crowd. Show me the way, Eva honey. Make me believe.” ~Cary

And did I mention how utterly HOT this book was?? I swear I was fanning myself from the moment they met (which was pretty much right at the beginning) till the very last page.

For those of you wondering about the connection between this book and Fifty Shades, I’d say they have about as much in common as Fifty Shades does with Twilight. Sure the basics are similar, mega-billionaire hero who is possessive of his girl… wait, no, that’s it actually. The BDSM element is utterly UNlike Fifty. There is no contract or anything like that, and it only comes up about 70% of the way through the book, and only briefly at that. Its more about the sexual control, but even then, its not about the kinky f*ckery the same way that Fifty was. But don’t let that deter you, this book is HOT, SEXY, deeply emotional, and a serious page turner….

“You forget who submits, Eva,” he said gruffly. “I’ve given up control for you. I’ve bent and adjusted for you. I’ll do anything to keep you and make you happy. But I can’t be tamed or topped. Don’t mistake indulgence for weakness.”

… and gah, the library scene!!! *dies* seriously HOTTTTT

I just loved seeing these two people from such tortured and broken pasts coming together, finding peace in each other, making things work… its a beautiful story!!

“I love you, Gideon.”
“God.” He looked at me with something that resembled disgust. Whether it was directed at me or himself, I didn’t know. “How can you say that?”
“Because it’s the truth.”
“You just see this”—he gestured at himself with a wave of his hand. “You’re not seeing the fucked-up, broken mess inside.”
I inhaled sharply. “You can say that to me? When you know I’m fucked up and broken, too?”

The ending was in a perfect place. Happy, resolved but leaving me biting my nails waiting for October to pleeeeease get here faster!!

“We’ll never be over, Eva.” ~Gideon

This is a MUST read!! It is definitely one of my absolute favorite books in the world now. I’m buying it in hard copy to put on my favorites shelf and know for sure that I’ll be rereading it many times!! *swoon*

*** CROSSFIRE SERIES READING ORDER ***

BARED TO YOU (Crossfire #1)
Buy on Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

REFLECTED IN YOU (Crossfire #2)
Buy on Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

ENTWINED WITH YOU (Crossfire #3)
Buy on Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

CAPTIVATED BY YOU (Crossfire #4)
Buy on Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

ONE WITH YOU (Crossfire #5)
Buy on Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

Book Review – Knight (Unfinished Heroes #1) by Kristen Ashley

September 25, 2012 by Aestas · 19 Comments

4 stars. 5 stars. 2 stars. 1 star…. I guess that makes 3? It doesn’t feel right to give it 3, but that kind of is the middle ground of my feelings.

If you like controlling men, this is the book for you!! If not, you may wish to stay away…

This is the darker side of KA! In case you have not read any of her books before, you should know that most of them are NOT like this. Pleeease dont judge her books based on this one!!

I’d been putting this book off for a while because I knew there were a lot of controversial things in it that I was really worried I wouldn’t be okay with them. And in the end, as much as it hurts my heart to say it, I wasn’t okay with them…. but, and here’s the weird thing… I actually still really liked the story. Despite hating certain parts of it. I know that’s weird, but there’s nothing I can do about it.

Beware. This book makes me a little ranty… consider yourselves warned 😛

“Um, I don’t know your name but -”
“Knight,”…
“Right, Mr. Knight – ”
“No, Knight,” …
“Thats what I said, Knight,” I told him. “Now, Mr. Knight -”
He…turned his eyes to me…
“No, not Mr. Knight. Knight. My name is Knight.” …
“With a K?”…
“Yeah, babe, with a ‘K’.”…
That’s an unusual name.”…
“Yeah,” he agreed…
“I kinda like it,” …
“I can die happy”

When Anya stumbles into Knight’s bedroom one night at a party she doesn’t want to be at and that he doesn’t even want in his house, he informs her that he’s going to take her home. No questions. He’s unlike anyone she’s ever met – pissed, scary, bossy, controlling, insanely sexy, yet utterly protective and caring. Days later she can’t get him out of her head. He’s in her dreams, her thoughts, her mind… In many ways, they are polar opposites, in many ways they are perfect for each other, but either way, they are both unquestionably drawn to each other and so begins their unconventional romance.

As terrifyingly scary controlling as Knight came off as first, I actually, oddly enough, kinda fell instantly love with him. He radiated protectiveness. I loved that about him. And when he told her she should feel safe with him, I totally believed him. I felt safe with him, which is weird, I know considering I’m the reader, but you get what I mean…

“What…the fuck… is the matter with you?” …
What? …
“I didn’t do anything!” …
“You put on that dress, didn’t you?”…
“What?”…
“You… do not… leave your house… dressed like that… without being on the arm of a man like me,” he ground out…
“A man like you?” I whispered back.
“A man who’d shoot another man in the face he even looked at you. Yeah, Anya, a man… like… me”

**SHIVERS**

Everything about Knight screamed opulence, power, control. He was such an oxymoron of a character. Both a gentleman and a jerk. Rough and yet never cruel. He was no knight in shining armor. More like a dark, scary knight. But one that you knew without a doubt would go to the ends of the world and back to keep harm from those he loved. He was a bossy, seriously controlling, sophisticated Alpha caveman. He knew who he was and what he wanted and wasn’t going to play games to get them.

Throughout the whole book, even throughout all my issues (about which I will go into detail in a moment), I never, ever, not even once, doubted that his heart was in the right place. He was an anti-hero. Gorgeous. Protective. Flawed. Fuckhot. Dominant. Truly an “unfinished hero”.

“It’s all I know Anya. Protection. I was born then I was raised to be a shield.”

Just like with his dialogue (which I loved, by the way), everything about him was clipped, efficient, and yet strangely heart warming.

“Wars fought over a face like this,” he murmured… “A man would work himself into the ground for it, go down to his knees to beg to keep it, endure torture to protect it, take a bullet for it…”
Oh.
My.
God.
“Knight,” I breathed.
“You are not walkin’ away from me.”

Anya, I loved. She was independent, took care of herself, was very down-to-earth and appreciated the little things in life. I loved that despite her tragic back-story, she didn’t let that consume her life and had found a way to move on positively…. I think that, in the end, Knight could have learned a bit from her.

Its weird but I was kind of bracing myself going into this book… I knew about the “Daddy” thing (I’ll go into more detail in a second) and I was honestly almost preparing myself not to like Knight and had all my defensive shields up ready to kind of hate him, but I honestly couldn’t stop myself from totally falling head over heels in love with him. Especially in the first half of the book, he made me tingle…

The hotness between them was explosive!! Their chemistry was strong, but very subtle. No in-your-face instant declarations of love, but it didn’t mean you couldn’t absolutely FEEL their connection and what they felt for each other.

I was in 5 star LOVE with the story until the 40% mark… then things started to get difficult for me and really pushed the limits of my comfort zone. I loved Knight’s character and I kept trying to breathe deeply and not be judgmental but by 42%, I was NOT okay with the things he was saying.

I’ll admit, up till that point, I was wondering what all the fuss about this book was about but at that point I was STRONGLY feeling the need to dash my Kindle against the wall and put the book down. He was just WAY too over-the-top controlling. I kept fighting to stay in love with him and just had to remove myself from the story a little.

I took a breather for a few hours and then dove back it. I had fallen in love with his character enough that I wanted to know why he was the way he was. And he promised that he’d tell so I stuck with the story… I was having this extreme love/hate relationship with him and was totally sympathizing how Anya was feeling:

“You scare me, confuse me, freak me out and you’re also sweet so I don’t know what to do with you.” ….
“You get in my bed, I’ll sort you out.”

I’ll lay it out. He’s into punishments. Not random cruelty, but if she does something he doesn’t like, he spanks her with his hand or strap. Personally, I’m reallllly not into that. Big turn off for me despite the fact that I can admit that scenes where they are written can be really hot but its the concept of them that rubs me way the fucking wrong way. Like WAAAAY wrong. But I had to realize that it wasn’t about whether or not I liked it. Clearly Anya did, so again… I just tried to open my mind and accept it. She was happy. He was happy… ok.

With him, it wasn’t about kink. It was purely about control. His back story does come out later to explain it but I was still thanking God for small favors when I read this: “I am not into kink, animals, candle wax… knives, blood, needles, clamps, strangulation, and definitely not any shit that goes beyond that.” *WHEW* Good to know! … (I’m sorry, animals???? That was even an option?? ok, I’m getting side tracked… back to the review)

The depth of their feeling for each other was beautiful but during those punishment scenes, I felt like there was a wall between me and the story because even though I was trying hard not to judge, some of the stuff just was just so not appealing to me that it kept me a little removed even though I really cared for the story. Gah! That sounds weird even to me!

So I kinda fought my feeling about him… I’d get into a point where I thought I could be okay with everything, but then he’d do or say something that would literally make me cringe away from my kindle in disgust…. “Who owns you?” really? REALLY??? OWNS?? ok… trying to remind myself that Anya likes it 😐 *deep breath*

And lets not forget the big elephant in the room regarding this book: The “Daddy” issue.
For those of you who don’t know, I’ll lay it out. In the bedroom, he calls her “my baby” (which on its own is sweet), but he also has her call him “Daddy”…. the combination of the two was NOT. OKAY. with me.
I never got over my issue with it. I cringed every time I read it. I’m sorry to say that it really creeped me way-the-freaking-hell out. It just felt so WRONG. I’m sorry, I try my best not be judgmental in life, but it just made me want to gag, vomit and put the book down.

It was just too much for me. Example “My baby wants her Daddy.” Ewwwww *shudders* WHY?? Ugh. “Ride your Daddy.” “Yes, Daddy.” Nononono!!! God. YUK!! …. Here’s another “hold onto Daddy’s cock“. I’m sorry, but that made me physically ill. I don’t even want to THINK about those two words in the same sentence. EVER. Fucking gross…. I just kept trying to remind myself of how sweet he was when he wasn’t calling himself her Daddy. I loved his character, I really did. He was so sweet and Alpha and adored her but still…just EWWWWW!!

And let it be clarified… it wasn’t the Daddy thing alone that bothered me. I could have probably gotten used to that. It was the fact that it was combined with “my baby”. Its kind of impossible for me to read that and not have my mind go to places it really did NOT want to go.

But the thing was that Knight was not an ass. God, his moments of sweet and loving warmed my heart every time right up to the point where I pretty much would forget all my issues with him. He cared for and loved Anya SO deeply. I just had to accept that his way of showing it and his world were different. Seriously, when he wasn’t grossing me out, I really, really loved him!!

“I love you, Anya, you’re the only woman who’s had that from me and you’re the only one who ever will.”

Interestingly, there is no 90% freakout moment in this, like with most KA books. Instead, there is a big revelation about Knight that comes out, and I know it was pretty controversial, but oddly enough I was totally fine with it. He explained the reason behind it and that was good enough of an explanation for me to totally accept it.

A lot of things about Knight made me want to gag, cringe, and shudder… but a lot of things about him made me melt, warmed my heart and had me fanning myself… And I really LOVED both Knight and Anya’s characters for a whole number of reasons and despite my occasional gagging, it was a really good book. I don’t know if that makes any sense, but its the truth. Knight and Anya were undeniably perfect for each other. They completed each other, found peace in each other, and loved each other with all their hearts. It was beautiful. And, at the end of the day, that’s what matters most, right?

I had a few issues with how the book ended and where Knight ended up as a character. I guess he really was an Unfinished Hero in the end. One who cared strongly, deeply and undeniably for what was his. But I wished he’s have changed just a bit more. You know, sometimes change is growth. And just because a person is the way they are, doesn’t mean a little improvement would be a bad thing and it doens’t mean they are giving up who they are. I think that’s a lesson he would have done well to take to heart.

**SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT IF YOU READ ON**

It was written in the epilogue that their daughter was curled up on her “Daddy’s” chest. WHAT. THE. FUCK ?!? I spent the book trying to square myself with the idea that, to them, Daddy didn’t mean father and was a term of endearment… So I figured that for sure if they had kids, he would always be Dad, not Daddy, so WHY WAS IT USED IN THAT CONTEXT????? Arrrgh, that, I cannot square myself with. Ewwww. Gag. Barf.
I didn’t like how he never accepted celebrating Christmas. I understand why he is the way he is as a person. It makes sense… But I wished he’d had changed more. He was just too rigidly set in his ways. No Christmas??? C’mon. WTF? I’m not Christian and even I celebrate Christmas – tree, presents, music, food and all. It’s a beautiful holiday, a time to be with family, share love, make memories. I think it would have made him grow a lot as a person if he could have learned to appreciate that. And what about his kids?? Was he planning on being the Grinch for eternity?? grrrrrrr
**EDIT: okay, so someone told me that apparently, on a thread somewhere, KA said that Knight would actually celebrate Christmas with his kids. Ok. That’s amazing, and I’m very happy he would have gotten to that point. BUT, I’d have wished he’d gotten to that point in the epilogue somewhere so we could have seen his character growth. Cuz without knowing that, it didn’t make me look too favorably on him in that respect and not everyone would know about that little comments made on a thread somewhere.

Oh, Knight… I want to love you. I DO love you. You just make it so hard at times…

CASTING:

KNIGHT –> Click here and here
ANYA –> Click here

** SERIES READING ORDER **

Note: Each book can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple

#1 — KNIGHT
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

#2 — CREED
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

#3 — RAID
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

Book review – Letters to a Secret Lover by Toni Blake

September 24, 2012 by Aestas · 7 Comments

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4.5 stars!

*grins* I loved this book!!! It was a surprising, beautiful, sexy love story about second chances, acceptance, self- forgiveness, and finding happiness 🙂

I started it last night intending to only reading the first 10-20% of it but ended up staying up till 3:30AM to finish it! It kind of fools you a little because it starts out light and funny but before you know it, it gets really emotionally deep.

Linsday is sure she has it all – great job as a love advice columist/blogger, a to-die-for shoe collection and she is one half of Chicogo’s latest ‘it’ couple. But everything comes crashing down after her fiance abruptly and unceremoniously dumps her. Desperate to get away from the humiliation of her break up, she heads off to a small town in Montana intent on buying back the an old family property from whoever now owns it and simultaneously deciding that a little fling would help her get back on the sex horse.

Upon arriving in the town, she sets her eyes on a tall, dark, scowling hunk of a man who walks in the bar. Little did she expect he would be Rob Coulter, the reclusive new owner of her aunt’s property and who not only would not be interested in selling it but also seems uninterested in a fling or pretty much anything social. He’s gruff, rough and hot as hell and she has her work cut out for her trying to get to know this man who holds two things she now wants… But the more time they spend together, they both start realizing that they are falling for whats behind the facades they have both built up against the world.

“Well, you’re in,” and headed unceremoniously for the door.
And without meaning to, she said exactly what she was thinking, her sarcasm coming through loud and clear. “My hero.”
He stopped with one black work boot out the door and looked back, his eyes narrowing slightly, his expression going even darker. “I never claimed to be anybody’s hero, sweetheart.”
And then he was gone.

The characters were lovable, the story intrigued me and did not have any dull moments, and I adored the writing style – it was fun and light on the surface with undertones of deep and serious. Even though I was laughing out loud and cackling with glee in the beginning, it was in a more serious way, you know? It wasn’t a humorous book, it just had funny moments, and you could tell there were a lot more deeper emotions just beneath the surface and when they all came out, boy did it HIT me!!

I loved Rob! Although on the outside he appeared aloof, reclusive and gruff, as we got bits of his POV, it became very clear he had a big heart and had suffered serious hurt in the past that had left a big mark on him. Along with a tattoo of “Gina” that he had over his heart, an aversion to relationships and a series of beautiful love letters written to Gina, he was quite the mysterious, tortured and yet lovable, sexy mountain man.

And I actually also really loved Lindsay. It took her a while to lose her overly materialistic side (lol, and figure out that 5 inch spiky heels weren’t prime hiking material) but I liked that despite that, she had really good intentions, wasn’t ditzy, and grew a lot as a person over the course of the book.

I felt myself totally drawn into the story. I wanted to know more. There’s so much anticipation! So many secrets! I wanted to know Rob’s past. Why was the the way he was? What could have made such a big-hearted guy so reclusive? Who was the girl in his letters? Why did he get her name tattooed on his heart? What was their history? Why did he withdraw from people, and especially relationships? And what was it that made him open himself back up, to her? Would Lindsay end up with the property? Was that even the best decision? … I loved it! I had so many theories forming about the secrets at the same time as watching their romance unfold.

And speaking of romance, Rob and Linsday’s chemistry was on FIRE!! Their sexual tension sizzled but when they finally pushed through it, it was scorching!!!! *faints* When they fell, they fell hard. It was intense, beautiful and thrilling.

Oddly enough, at about 65% in, I put two and two together and figured it all out. I had strong suspicions from earlier on what the secret was, but at that point, I was sure. I could totally predict the bad stuff that was unfolding, I literally face palmed myself twice (yes, it hurt, I’m an idiot) while vividly imaging screaming and cursing at the heroine… but here’s the weird thing, it didn’t bother me that I knew, and the mistake was pretty innocent so I found it very forgiveable, and I still totally enjoyed every moment of the story.

By the end of the book, my heart was in my throat. My prediction was right and that didn’t help me prepare for it one tiny bit! I had fallen so in love with the characters and felt for them so strongly that I was terrified for them! … but don’t let that scare you – there is, of course, a beautiful HEA and epilogue 🙂

Definitely add this to the steamy contemporary romance to-read pile!!

I reeeeeally really hope someone in the movie industry reads this book and decides to turn it into a movie. I could picture the whole thing in my head so vividly – some of the scenes were just gorgeous. It really would make the PERFECT movie!! *crosses fingers and toes*

Buy LETTERS TO A SECRET LOVER (Kindle)

Book review – Something About You (FBI/US Attorney #1) by Julie James

September 23, 2012 by Aestas · Leave a Comment

Buy SOMETHING ABOUT YOU (Kindle)

So this was not one of my planned to-read books, but it caught my attention the other day when I read this quote: >>>> “More like a chocolate molten lava cake. A dessert so sinful, so luscious, so filled with inner heat it made a girl want to lick each and every crumb right off the plate. That was Jack Pallas.” and I realized that I really needed to meet that man! Soooo, this became my random rainy Saturday read and I was not dissappointed! It was a delightful, fun, lighthearted read – a bit of a blend between murder mystery and romance.. so I guess that would make it romantic suspense although there isn’t anything that will put your heart in your throat. That being said, I still didn’t want to put it down.

Right from the beginning, it had me laughing… here are the opening lines of the book:

“Thirty thousand hotel rooms in the city of Chicago, and Cameron Lynde managed to find one next door to a couple having a sex marathon.
“Yes! Oh yes! YES!”
Cameron pulled the pillow over her head, thinking – as she had been thinking for the past hour and a half – that is had to end sometime.”

Trying to take a little break from her life, Cameron decides that a pampered weekend in a 5-star hotel would be just what she needs. Of course, its just her luck that she happens to be placed next door to the couple engaged in a loud, lengthy sex marathon. Unpleased, she phones the front desk to complain, but when security arrives, the guy is gone and the girl is dead. The FBI are called in and her luck keeps on coming when swoon-worthy Special Agent Jack Dallas walks through her door. With their rocky history from three years ago, neither of them are thrilled to be involved in the same case. But as things escalate with the investigation leading to scandals, hostage situations, witness protection, shootings and more, the sparks between begin to fly…

“Jack clenched his jaw. “Christ, Cameon…. What the hell am I supposed to do when you look at me like that?”
“Ignore it. Stay focused on the fact that you hate me.
“I’m trying. I’m really trying here.”

The story started out strong with the writing style being fun, smooth and catchy. It is told from multiple POVs – including the killer’s. The storyline is pretty typical mystery format – engaging but not overly surprising, but its the BANTER that flew back and forth that was gold! Fast, witty, funny – it made the pages fly by.

“Glowering”—she liked that description. It was certainly more insightful than the generic “asshole” she’d been going with for the past three years.

Cameron was a strong, independent heroine. Jack was a hot, swoony hero. The book wasn’t overly focused on the sexual aspect of their relationship, but they also thankfully didn’t have any relationship crisis. There was a bit of steam, a lot of laughs, and some mystery… if you are a fan of romance but want to try out a quick, fun mystery, this would be a great read for you 🙂

CASTING: Jack Pallas –> Click here

Rating: 4 stars

Buy SOMETHING ABOUT YOU (Kindle)

*** ABOUT THE SERIES ***

In the Chicago criminal justice system, the people are represented by two groups of confident, frequently sarcastic, and shockingly attractive people, all of whom seem to spend an inordinate amount of time at Starbucks: FBI Special Agents, who investigate crimes, and the U.S. Attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are the stories of what happens when they’re not out busting bad guys. Happily ever after guaranteed.

Author note: these books are a “series” in the sense that they are set in a shared world and some characters make appearances in later books. They can, however, easily be standalones. Feel free to jump in wherever you like.

Click covers to purchase. Listed in correct reading order.

Book Review – Games of the Heart (The Burg #4) by Kristen Ashley

September 21, 2012 by Aestas · 3 Comments

“We’re gonna explore this and I hope to God that feelin’ I got is not wrong because I tried time and again to make it feel wrong but all it ever felt was right.”

Buy GAMES OF THE HEART (Kindle)

SO. MUCH. EPIC. SWOON!!! Yet another GORGEOUS, touching, heart warming story about love and family. Seriously, Kristen Ashley can do no wrong! Every time I start one of her books, its like I instantly relax and am at peace and every time I finish one of her books, I am left with the absolute most happy, full feeling. It literally gives me shivers of joy.

Dusty has loved Mike her whole life. But as the little sister of his high school girlfriend, they didn’t exactly have a fairy tale start. Towards the end of high school though, Dusty suddenly went off the rails and left town the moment she was free of school. No one understood why, not her family, not Mike, not anyone… But this was over 20 years ago. Now, when tragedy hits her family, Dusty returns to the ‘Burg and while everyone else seems to blame Dusty for her rebellion when she left town, Mike can’t help but wonder if there wasn’t more to her story than she’s letting on. Mike himself hasn’t had the easiest time of it. After going through an ugly divorce, he is now very wary of trusting anyone in a relationship. And after fighting for full custody of two wonderful kids, he has kept almost every relationship he’s had at arm’s length…. until Dusty 🙂

I have to say that I loved a lot of characters in this book, but my first love actually has to go to Dusty. She was an AWESOME heroine. I. Love. Dusty. There I said it. I still like guys, all the way, but Dusty would be my girl-crush if I were to have one. She was just so laidback and yet totally together! She was upfront about she was and wasn’t afraid to hide her thoughts, feelings or opinions. Totally 100% open. She didn’t hold anything back, told it as she saw it, didn’t back down for anything, wasn’t afraid to stand on her own and a heart of pure gold.

“I was me. I thought what I thought. I liked what I liked. Life was exhausting enough with all the ups and downs and bullshit people kept trying to feed you. Expending that kind of effort for essentially no purpose seemed a ridiculous waste of energy.“

Mike Haines. Another gorgeous swoony Alpha cop. He was thoughtful, HOT, creative in bed and an amazingly swoony macho Dad. “…bossy, alpha, and badass in a good guy up way up top, bad boy underneath…” I totally loved everything about him. I loved that he called her Angel. I loved how safe he made her feel in every possible way. She was a strong, independent woman, but everyone loves the feeling of knowing that someone is 100% there to have their back. I loved that he held her when she cried, but respected her opinions, that he would stand up to her but also wasn’t afraid to admit he screwed up and was wrong. He messed a few things up in the beginning, but his reasons were understandable. His ex took away any trust he had. But he was able to own up to being as ass and any guy who can deliver a heart felt apology that spans a few pages is pretty awesome in my eyes…. He was through and through an Alpha, so he definitely had his bossy, in control moments. But they were in the sweetest way that made my heart melt.

“Are you asking me to marry you, honey?”
“No, I’m tellin’ you by the end of this year you’ll be wearing my rings, bearing my name, and probably, pregnant with my baby.”

The depth of his love, attention and devotion for his kids just made me clutch at my heart and swoon. It was just gorgeous to read. He really was the perfect Dad.

I also loved that right off the bat, Dusty and Mike were FUNCTIONAL!! Yes, with several screw ups, but I loved the way they worked it out. Gah, nothing makes me smile more than a couple who is open and honest with each other – no bullshit, no games, no beating around the bush, who are willing to compromise and do everything in their power to make things work.

“Dreams don’t happen and that’s it. You have to feed them and keep them alive…. I’m not going to be ninety years old, looking back on my life and regretting that I gave up that dream.”
“We’re gonna explore this and I hope to God that feelin’ I got is not wrong because I tried time and again to make it feel wrong but all it ever felt was right.”

And their sexy times were shiver-enducingly hooottttt. He may be a good guy on the outside but he had a fuckhot dirty side too. *faints*

“Thus commenced me learning something new about my childhood crush, good guy, excellent father, responsible citizen, courageous cop Mike Haines.
He could get dirty.”

And SQUEEEE!!! To make the book even more awesome than it already was, we are treated to a secondary romance on the side as Dusty’s nephew, Fin, and Mike’s daughter, Clarisse fall in crazy beautiful love. Its TOTALLY sweet and adorable! Fin stole my heart. I loved how tender and patient, supportive and protective he was. He was gorgeous, natural up and coming Alpha who totally ‘got’ everything that came with being one – the respect, the loyalty, the responsibility and of course, falling hard for his girl … and Rees was a beautiful, yet quiet girl who adored utterly him. What wonderful characters. All of them have gone through deep pain and are in need healing and seeing them all find support, love and family in each other… oh, it just made me melt!!

Honestly, I just wanted to highlight every piece of dialogue the kids were involved in. Absolutely brilliant!!

Said by Mike’s son: “its true. Totally. He’s a guy. He’s single. He’s tall. Trust me, girls all like tall guys, I know this for a fact. And Dad’s tall. And girls tell me he’s hot.” He grinned and finished, “I wouldn’t know, seein’ as I’m a guy but I look like him and I’m smokin’ hot so he’s gotta be hot.” LOL

I gotta say, there is just something about Kristen Ashley’s writing style – the words she chooses, the way she uses them, that just touches my heart SO deeply. Its not just the emotional scenes, its everything. Its because she gets that its a macho guy dad thing to for Mike to stand and hold his arm high on the door to let everyone pass underneath – little, subtle things like that. Her words just make my heart feel full. I don’t know how else to say it but it just feels full to bursting every single time I read one of her books.

And oh. my. gosh. the CAMEOS in this book are off the wall!!! We have scenes with Colt, Cal, Tanner, Mike, and Merry all together. Some beautiful little snippets of Vi & Cal. And a lot of changing perspectives. That isn’t to say that this book isn’t focused, because it totally is, but the little snippets of all the different POVs allow you to more full understand where everyone is at so much better.

And I have to give a little shout-out to Rivera. He’s another utterly swoony cop friend of Dusty’s who honestly made me squee or laugh in every single scene he was in. I’d love to read his back story one day.

“You got the touch, bro, layin’ her shit out then talkin’ Dusty around in a night, cementin’ that shit by sendin’ her flowers. One day, my woman is plotting your murder. Next day, I get asked why she doesn’t get any flowers… Fuck, your killin’ me. I haven’t bought Jerra flowers since I pissed her off when we were datin’ and fell asleep durin’ some crappy-ass movie she forced me to take her to sayin’ that movie was Hollywood’s version of us. How could I fall asleep watching the story of us, she asks. And, bro, if that was us, we are borin’ as shit.”

The pace of the book is very even and calm, but in a way that totally keeps you engaged in the story. It very character driven, and much less focused on intense action or thriller-y bad guys. It still has a whopper of a scary moment at the classic 90% mark where my heart stopped completely. Actually, it felt like whole world stopped, but I figured if I said that, you guys would just think I was being over dramatic. I’m not. I swear. It totally stopped. Buuuut, then the EPILOGUE… majorly swoony!!! Tied up ALL the loose ends, had a beeeeaaauuuutiful HEA for both couples and left me with a huge smile on my face.

Honestly, I don’t know why but I was kind of reluctant to start this series… for some crazy unknown reason (which I am now kicking myself for), I thought that maybe I wouldn’t like this series as much as the others. But I’m tempted to say its actually my fav of all the KA series I’ve read so far. Well, Rock Chick is another fav, but still, this one would definitely be tied. Its absolutely GORGEOUS and if you are for any reason holding off like I did, go go go and start them!! 😀

Unfortunately, I am now at the end of the books that are available in this series, but I KNOW I’ll be dropping anything and everything for book 5 when it comes out. I’m utterly addicted 😀

Rating: 5 stars!!

Buy GAMES OF THE HEART (Kindle)

** SERIES READING ORDER **

#1 FOR YOU (Colt & Feb) — Buy for Kindle | My Review

#2 AT PEACE (Joe & Vi) — Buy for Kindle | My Review

#3 GOLDEN TRAIL (Layne & Rocky) — Buy for Kindle | My Review

#4 GAMES OF THE HEART (Miky & Dusty) — Buy for Kindle | My Review

#5 THE PROMISE (Benny & Frankie — Buy for Kindle | My Review

Book Review – Futures and Frosting (Chocolate Lovers #2) by Tara Sivec

September 16, 2012 by Aestas · 3 Comments

Buy FUTURES AND FROSTING on KINDLE (Amazon)

4 stars

I don’t think any author has ever made me laugh as hard as Tara Sivec has in. my. life!!

I’m pretty sure I laughed more in a single page of this book than I have in the whole of most other books (and yes, I’m talking about the funny ones). I cried, snorted and howled with laughter (dignity be damned) and honestly, my cheeks still hurt from grinning.

Seriously, even the table of contents had me smiling:

Chapter 8: The Incredible Shrinking Penis
Chapter 14: Porn and Snozzberries
Chapter 15: Just Say No to Necrophelia
Chapter 16: Son of a Face Turd

This book starts off right after the end of book 1, Seduction and Snacks. Claire, Carter, and their hilariously adorable, smart mouthed 4-year-old son Gavin are living together and dealing with the realities of a HEA…. you know, like having to put up with each other snoring at 5am 😛 … we’ve all been there lol.

“I have a dream.
And in this dream I’m under the covers in bed, just a few scant inches away from Carter’s body. I stare at his prone form lying next to me, the greenish-blue glow from the alarm clock on the bedside table providing just enough illumination for me to see the shallow rise and fall of his chest. The sheet is draped low over his hips as he sleeps peacefully with one arm flung over his eyes and the other resting on his taut, naked stomach. I slide my body ever so slowly across the bed, careful not to disturb him, until I’m so close I can feel the heat from his skin warming me from head to toe. I pull my arms out from under the sheet and my hands reach out towards him. I connect with his smooth, muscular chest, slide my fingers up his body, and…choke the ever living shit out of him.”

At the same time they are dealing with figuring each other and their feelings for each other out. Despite loving each other very deeply, they each have insecurities and things they need to work out. Their journey towards that is filled with toilet seat battles (involving superglue and penises… ’nuff said), drunken Facebook status (all I’m gonna say is “Spitters are Quitters“), pot cookies, ring bearer pillow fights… oh my gosh the hilarity just goes on and on.

“Whoa dude… You just said f-u-c-k in front of the Virgin Mary. Show some respect,” Drew scolds.
“What’s a virgin?” Gavin asks…
“Uh, it’s a kind of chicken,” I stammer. “Very rare. No one talks about it.”

Its a pretty short read – I’d have finished it in one sitting if I didn’t start it at 2am. I found a few parts a little over the top, and there were a few moments when I really just wanted to lock Claire and Carter in a closet together until they talked about their feelings, but it was never in doubt how crazy they both were about each other and for that (and the never ending laughs) I loved the ride. Not to mention that apart from the majority of the book that had me doubled over with laughter, there are also some beautiful “awwww” moments that made me sigh dreamily. Who knew beer pong could be so swoony?!

Carter should definitely be added to the list of men who should be cloned and distributed…. just sayin’ 😛

“I love both of you exactly the way you are. I love that you have no filter, and I adore that Gavin can make grown men cry. There is not one thing I would change about either of you, and if anyone doesn’t like it, they can kiss my ass. You guys are my life and my family now. Nothing else matters.”

And I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Tara for adding my blog to the list of acknowledgments at the front of the book. I totally squeed out loud when I saw it. You rock!!!!

Buy FUTURES AND FROSTING on KINDLE (Amazon)

CASTING:

Carter –> Click here
and the Carter runner-up –> Click here
Claire –> Click here

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