Billionaire romance

Love, Seeds and DIRTY DEEDS–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new M/M romantic suspense from HelenKay Dimon. DIRTY DEEDS is the first book in her Dirty series. It’s also a spinoff from her Tough Love series, which featured MR. AND MR. SMITH, THE TALENTED MR. RIVERS, and GUARDING MR. FINE, and you know I liked bunches. In fact, one of the leads had cameos in Guarding Mr. Fine, and he’s a smart sexy devil.

About the book:
No dirty deed goes unnoticed in a seductive game of cat and mouse. But for Alec and Gaige, the wrong move could get them killed.
Alec Drummond didn’t make his billions by playing nice—or by playing much at all. When it comes to pleasure, Alec only has time for whatever’s quick and easy, which is exactly what he gets from his company’s hot new computer genius. But Gaige Owens isn’t some pushover. He pushes back, and it’s giving Alec a rush. The question is, could Gaige be the one who’s leaking trade secrets? Just to be safe, Alec keeps him close at hand . . . night and day.

Gaige never thought he’d roll over for a man like Alec again, but who could resist sex this mind-blowing? Then there’s the draw of Alec’s mysterious side: his cutthroat ambition, his covert CIA connections, and the murder in his past. For Gaige, a deeper look proves an irresistible temptation. But when Gaige and Alec are stripped of their defenses by an unseen danger, everything they don’t know could bring them closer together—or tear them apart. Only one thing is certain: Before it’s all over, someone’s going down.

My Review:
Alec Drummond is a billionaire agri-business mogul living in Munich–and he’s got a reputation for shooting first when his financial interests are in jeopardy. He’s not happy that a CIA operative, Gaige Owens, makes it into the nerve center of his cybersecurity offices. Naturally, Gaige isn’t really CIA, he’s actually a guy in limbo, left to twist in the wind by his former partner and compelled into action by the CIA Special Acitivites Division officer Seth Lang. Gaige’s ex did a bad job of hacking some high-level places and framed Gaige for the dirty deeds, and Seth’s holding Gaige’s feet to the fire for his own purposes.

Gaige is sure Alec will kill him, but Seth set up this meeting to demonstrate Gaige’s abilities to Alec, as a way to get Alec to take Gaige on as an operative. See, Alec’s company makes quarterly deposits to the Doomsday Bank for seeds to ensure food security. Unfortunately, there’s been some shady deposits there in the last six months. Extra deposits that no one seems to know about, but were seemingly arranged by Alec himself.

As little as Alec wants him, he grudgingly accepts Gaige into his company–and his private residence–so he can keep a very close eye on him. It’s clear that Gaige is a gifted hacker, and a sexy young man, but Alec doesn’t want any part of that…at first. As they end up the subject of a couple of fatal attempts on their lives, Alec and Gaige get closer out of necessity. And, that’s some more dirty deeds right there, folks. As the danger intensifies, Gaige and Alec recognize the answers they need are buried in the seed vaults in Svalbard. Not that it comes together easy. Nope, it’s a rough situation and results in double-crosses by members of Alec’s most intimate circle.

In this romantic suspense, we’ve got spies, CIA, powerful men, assassins, and a plot that could endanger the food security of nations. It’s interesting and intriguing with a pace that keeps the pages turning. Both Gaige and Alec despise Seth and his machinations, but they work out their personal differences without too much difficulty in order to discover the plot to sabotage Alec’s business and reputation.

This series seems to revolve around the Drummond brothers–all three of them–and Alec is the stalwart one who’s not willing to even look for love. His family has some dark secrets, and it really colored his outlook. That said, Alec’s curiosity about Gaige leads to more than partnership, even if it’s “no strings”. They get tied up quick enough, nonetheless, and Alec got over his ingrained aversion to relationships because Gaige was worth the effort. Gaige is a little bit of a wisecracker, and I so wanted him to get into a good relationship after all the hub-bub of his horrible ex.

I’m expecting the next book to feature Alec’s brother, Finn, and I’m looking forward to it!

Interested? You can find DIRTY DEEDS on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo. I received a review copy via NetGalley.

About the Author:
HelenKay Dimon spent the years before becoming a romance author as a divorce attorney—not the usual career transition. Now she writes full-time and she’s much happier. The author of more than thirty novels, novellas, and short stories that have twice been named “Red-Hot Reads” and excerpted in Cosmopolitan, she’s on the board of directors of the Romance Writers of America and teaches fiction writing at UC San Diego and Mira Costa College.
You can find HelenKay online on her website, Facebook, twitter Tumblr and Pinterest.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Sexing Their Way Down THE LIST–Review and Giveaway!

the-list-bt-banHi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a fun and sexy adult contemporary romance from Tawna Fenske. THE LIST is a hoot, and hawt, and made me smile lots and lots as a shy soil scientist inadvertently woos a computer millionaire.

Catch the review and enter the $50 Amazon GC giveaway down below.

the-listAbout the book:
As the millionaire owner of a chain of computer shops, Simon Traxel isn’t normally hands-on with mundane repairs. But when a fretful brunette shows up with her fried laptop and killer green eyes, he makes an exception. And as it turns out, she needs more hands-on help than Simon imagined.

Brainy soil scientist Cassie Michaels has spent her whole life feeling like a grungy tree trunk beside her delicate flower sisters. To make herself more interesting, Cassie invented stories about her wild sex life—stories she’s expected to retell in vivid detail at a bachelorette party. Cassie’s attempt to catalog her biggest whoppers goes awry when she spills wine on her laptop and lands in Simon’s shop with her sexy list frozen on the screen.

But Simon’s interest is piqued, and the two strike a deal to make Cassie’s make-believe sexploits a reality. From steamy public romps gone hilariously awry, to sexy antics with kitchen utensils, their quest to conquer The List is equal parts scorching hot and adorably awkward.

As they near the end of The List though, Cassie and Simon second guess their pledge to shake hands and say goodbye when they cross off the last item. But will Simon’s big secret make that the one fantasy that can never come true?

My Review:
Cassie is a woman who has always been on the fringe. Her sisters are feminine and prissy, looking for the best catch of a man, while she was a tomboy digging in the dirt. She’s a woman of science in a male-dominated field. Her biggest interests are soil, and ecology–and she’s felt lack-luster as a result. To keep from attending the fussy parties her sisters throw Cassie has spent years dishing completely fabricated stories of her non-existent erotic romps. She’s loved impressing her sisters with her imaginary worldly and sex-positive lifestyle, but it’s nearly time for one of her sisters to have a bachelorette party and all the attendees are bursting to hear the latest juicy tales.

Cassie types up a list of all the kinky things she’s claimed to do, just to keep it all straight in her head, and ends up spilling wine on her computer–freezing The List to her desktop screen. Mortified, and hoping to salvage her documents and self-respect, Cassie rushes off the the nearest Hot Swap computer shop for immediate repairs. She has no idea the man behind the counter, Simon Traxel, is the owner of the store chain. She only knows that Simon fixes her computer lickety-split.

Simon’s immediately attracted to the frantic woman at his counter–first because she’s a little frumpy, and clearly embarrassed about her hot list of sexploits. He makes a special effort to bring her repaired laptop to her home–because her phone number wasn’t written correctly and he couldn’t reach her otherwise. They strike up a conversation and Simon’s delighted to learn that list wasn’t Cassie’s completed activities, it’s a sexual “bucket list” and one of those items is…uh, hot sex with a tall, dark-haired stranger with ripped abs. Turns out, Simon fits that description, and he’s not looking for any strings in his sex life; gold diggers don’t seem to get that he has deep obligations to his younger sister, Junie, a woman with Downs Syndrome now that their parents have passed away.

Cassie and Simon quickly discover that they are completely sexually compatible, and well, Simon’s totally down with helping Cassie work her way through The List. It becomes a bargain with a catch, as they learn, because the more time they spend with each other, the more they develop real feelings. They chat and text and hang out even when they aren’t sexing, and Simon gets more and more conflicted about hiding his identity from Cassie. He doesn’t want her to want him for his money–but, beside that–he is afraid to introduce her to Junie. Junie, who desperately wants Simon to find love, and remembers all his past girlfriends over the years. Women who left him when they had to share his attention with Junie.

I really liked this one! Junie is a breath of fresh air when she chides Simon for never finding a good woman, and Cassie’s a fun gal to get to know. Her complicated relationship with her sisters felt relatable and interesting, and the sexytimes are Yumm-oh! Cassie’s got a very creative imagination, and Simon’s flexible enough to make the plans happen in word and deed. Also, he’s not above a quick veer into a dark closet for some spontaneous down and dirty business, no matter his bank account. Naturally, the deception angle is going to lead to hurt and separation. Still, it’s a brief separation, and I adored how the secondary characters stepped up in a big way to bring these two back together. I think I broke my smile-bone reading this one, it was really upbeat and amusing throughout. Geeks-in-love is a fave story trope, and this one was done very well. Definitely recommend!

Interested? You can find THE LIST on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Tawna Fenske is a USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Her offbeat brand of romance has received multiple starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, one of which noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”

Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year.

Catch up with Tawna on her website, blog, Facebook, or twitter.

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THE BILLIONAIRE AND THE WILD MAN–Review and Giveaway!

tourbutton_wildmanHi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary romance from Lucy Felthouse and Victoria Blisse. THE BILLIONAIRE AND THE WILD MAN is a sweet and tender love story between a hotel magnate and the off-the-grid veteran she meets while on holiday.

Catch the author’s note, a sexy excerpt and enter the multi-book giveaway below.

billionaireandthewildman-evernightpublishing-oct2016-smallpreviewAbout the book:
Flynn Gifford is enjoying a simple existence in a rural Derbyshire village when Caroline Rogers crashes into his life, barefoot and panicked.

Their lives could hardly be more different—she owns a successful luxury hotel chain, and he’s a penniless nomad who’s off the grid—yet neither can deny the attraction that burns between them. As Caroline reluctantly starts to open up to him, Flynn finds himself divulging some secrets of his own, secrets he thought he’d take to his grave.

But can a billionaire and a wild man ever make a relationship work, or will their secrets keep them apart?

Thoughts on writing from Victoria Blisse…

Can you Co-Write a novel with a Friend? By Victoria Blisse
I’ve been a published author for 10 years now and until recently I’d never co-written anything. Sure, I’ve batted ideas to and forth with other authors before now, played around with story ideas but they’ve never turned into anything more.

But now, I have written a novel with my partner in Erotica (not crime, well, least not yet) Lucy Felthouse. We’ve been mates for ages, Northern birds with very similar senses of humour and both part of the amazing Brit Babes. We’ve talked about co-writing for ages and then BOOM. We did it.

What was it like? Well, it was fun. No, I’m not just saying that because Lucy will read this, it really was. I got instant reaction to each chapter I wrote and it was a challenge to keep the story going. I’m not sure we expected it to be a novel when we started but Carrie and Flynn just wouldn’t get it on! There’s loads of hot chemistry and snogs but blimey, it was hard work getting them into bed together.

I had an on hand editor to pick me up on stupid things like changing the Doctor’s name from chapter to chapter and someone to help get past those plot holes. 2 heads are better than one for that, definitely.

Would I co-write a novel again? Yeah, I think I would. It’s different but variety is the spice of life.

Would I co-write a novel with Lucy again…

I have to say yes, or she’ll thump me. 😉 Actually, more to the point, would she want to write with me again? If she does, I reckon another Blisse/Felthouse best seller will soon come around.

Now, I’ll leave you with an excerpt that really made both me and Lucy laugh!

Worst end to a romantic picnic?

I want to fuck him. I want to feel him inside me. The words of invitation hover on my lips when I hear a shrill bark. We both stop, lips locked, and listen. All I can hear at first is our panting breaths, but then the yip of a little dog clearly sounds on the air. I snatch my hand from his pants, and Flynn pulls back from me. Just as a wet doggy nose hits an exposed patch of flesh on my back.

I yelp then turn to see the little Jack Russell looking at me with a mischievous glint in its beady eye. Cock-blocked by a bloody dog. Nice. The dog leaves me alone and pounces on the cocktail sausages.

“Skipper, behave!” A shrill voice yells, drawing my gaze up to meet the white-haired woman in chintz blouse, navy skirt and heavy duty sandals walking towards us. “Skipper, get out of it! Skipper, stop!”

The dog doesn’t even flutter an eyelash, just continues eating.

“I’m so sorry.” The lady gasps as she bends down to pull on the recalcitrant dog’s collar. “He’s such a naughty little thing.”

“Oh, don’t worry.” I smile. “He’s only doing what comes naturally.”

Skipper is clipped onto a lead, but his little tail still wags. Nothing’s going to get him down, especially now he’s got a belly full of sausage.

“I’ll leave you two in peace to enjoy your picnic now.” She smiles. “It’s a lovely day for it.”

“Thanks,” Flynn finds his voice and chips in. “Enjoy your walk.”

She waves and drags the little dog behind her.

“He’s still eyeing up our picnic,” Flynn laughs.

Ha! That made me giggle when I read it too!

My Review:
Caroline Rogers is a self-made woman having a rough patch. She owns a luxury hotel chain, but got caught up in all the pressure and had a bit of a meltdown. Now, she’s in northern England recuperating under the watchful eye of her harping mum. She’s seeing a psychiatrist every few days and trying not to strangle her mother for being a mean-spirited, overprotective nag; their relationship has always been problematic.

After a particularly gruesome shouting match, Caroline hopped over the stone wall at the back of the garden and encountered Flynn Gifford, a clearly unkempt homeless man, picking up litter as an odd job. He’s sweet and a little saucy with her, shaking her from her doldrums. Carrie wants to forget all her troubles–personal and professional–so she joins Flynn in the work, despite being barefoot and half-hysterical. They pass the time talking, and both open up; Carrie about her breakdown, and Flynn about his career in the Armed Service, and how he’s AWOL after a mission went bad. The lack of judgment on either side is refreshing for both. As a favor, Carrie invites Flynn to return to her mum’s house later, when she knows her mother will be gone, so he can get a shower and shave.

The attraction that had developed during their talk is only bolstered by increased company. I’d thought this book would be erotica, honestly, but it’s more a straight romance. These two lost souls find each other at just the right moment. They each need support and comfort, and a little bit of protection, too. They pass a few days together, and it looks like Carrie’s about to propose something wild, but before they can get too far Flynn does what he needs to do: account for himself with the service. He can’t very well court a woman like Carrie if he’s off the grid, can he? Plus, he’s got loads of pride and wants to be able to make something of himself, other than a beggar boy-toy. Not that Carrie ever treated him as such. Her heart’s broken when she finds him gone, but that break is necessary for both Carrie and Flynn to put their respective worlds in order.

I really liked this one. It was honest and practical, and still very sexy and emotional. These two get battered a bit in life, no matter their financial circumstances, and they’re guarded. Giving confidence to a stranger was never in the plan, yet it worked so beautifully for those shining moments. Flynn’s a stand-up guy, who won’t let Carrie boss him around, though, and when he makes good on his promise to find her once he’s made his amends I really felt for him. She doesn’t make apologizing  easy, but I understood that too! Her heart was torn up, and she’s finally gotten over him, only to have him return?

Still, the reunion is sweet (after all the shouting and tears!) and the future looks brighter than ever before. It’s tender and touching and real. I really enjoyed it!

Interested? You can find THE BILLIONAIRE AND THE WILD MAN on Goodreads, Evernight Publishing, Amazon, BookStrand, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and All Romance eBooks.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link to be entered to win a boat-load of erotic reads!
Follow the tour and enter as many times as you can, for your best chance. Good luck and keep reading my friends.

About the Authors:

Lucy Felthouse:

Lucy Felthouse is the award-winning author of erotic romance novels Stately Pleasures (named in the top 5 of Cliterati.co.uk’s 100 Modern Erotic Classics That You’ve Never Heard Of, and an Amazon bestseller), Eyes Wide Open (winner of the Love Romances Café’s Best Ménage Book 2015 award, and an Amazon bestseller) and The Persecution of the Wolves. Including novels, short stories and novellas, she has over 150 publications to her name. She owns Erotica For All, and is one eighth of The Brit Babes.

Find out more about her writing on her website, or on Twitter or Facebook. Sign up for automatic updates on Amazon or BookBub. You can also subscribe to her monthly newsletter.

Victoria Blisse:
Victoria Blisse is a Mother, Wife, Christian, Manchester United Fan and Award Winning Erotica Author and all round Cheeky Wench. She is also the editor of several Bigger Briefs collections, and the co-editor of the fabulous Smut Alfresco, Smut by the Sea (Vol.1), Smut by the Sea (Vol.2), Smut by the Sea (Vol.3), and Smut in the City Anthologies.

She is the mistress of Smut UK putting on Smut Events, Days & Evenings dedicated to erotica, socializing, fun and prizes. Check out Smut Nights, Smut by the Sea: Scarborough, and Smut Manchester for more info.

Born near Manchester, England, her northern English quirkiness shows through in all of her stories along with her own particular brand of humour and romance that bring laughs and warm fuzzies in equal measure.

Passion, love and laughter fill her works, just as they fill her busy life.

You can find often find Victoria procrastinating on Facebook , Twitter and Pinterest.

PLAYBOY PILOT–Release Blitz and Giveaway!

playboy-pilot-book-tourHi there! Just giving a shout-out to a new contemporary romance from New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Authors Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland. PLAYBOY PILOT is a standalone novel. I really liked their COCKY BASTARD, so I bet this one will be fantastic.

There’s a pretty steamy excerpt below, and a $50 Amazon GC giveaway, too!

playboy-pilotAbout the book:
Money or love? Which would you choose?

You probably just answered the question in your head thinking it’s an easy decision. For me, it’s not. Did I mention it’s a lot of money? A hell of a lot. I needed to go far away to think it through. As I embarked on an impulsive trip, I hit a detour when I met sexy Carter in the airport lounge. We struck up a heated conversation.

Then, he left.
I thought I’d never see him again. But fate had other plans.
Surprise! He was the pilot of my flight.

The bigger surprise was the adventure that followed after the plane landed.

Carter was dangerous and always on the move. Even though our connection was magnetic, I knew it was only temporary. He would give me tickets, and I would follow him around the world to exotic places. A bevy of flight attendant exes and rumors about Carter’s reputation were never far behind.

I didn’t know what to believe.

But I was addicted. Nothing else mattered anymore. And I was going to get hurt. Because a part of me wanted to be the one to finally ground the playboy pilot. At the very least, he was taking me on a thrilling ride. All good things must come to an end, right?

Except our ending was one I didn’t see coming.

How about a little taste?

“Carter? What are you doing?”

Shit.

I laughed under my breath and banged the back of my head against the wood. “Praying?”

“Do you always breathe like that when you’re praying?”

“It’s an intense prayer.”

“What are you really doing?”

“I think you might know what I’m really doing, Kendall.”

“Can I come in?”

Still fully erect, I tucked my cock back into my pants as best I could before opening the door.

Her eyes trailed down to my massive erection. “I’m sorry….to make you resort to that.”

“It’s okay. My hand and I haven’t spent time like this since I was a teenager. I think he missed me.”

“What were you thinking about?”

“You.”

“Yeah…but what specifically?”

“It was this fantasy of fucking you on the dance floor back at the club.”

She looked down at me again. Her expression was serious when she asked, “You need some help?”

“I thought you said we weren’t going to go there.”

“I can’t have sex with you. But I want to touch you. I could take my clothes off, let you finish what you started. You know…help you.”

Looking up at the ceiling, I shook my head. “You have no fucking clue, do you?”

“What do you mean?”

“How crazy you make me. There’s no halfway with you. Jerking off with your naked body right in front of me…not being able to do what I really want to you…would be torture. I don’t have that kind of willpower, not with you, not anymore. Even when I kiss you, all I can think about is burying myself inside of you. But you naked in front of me? Too much, Kendall. When you strip down for me, I want it to be when you’re ready to let me have you. Otherwise, it’s better if I don’t know what I’m missing out on.”

Looking filled with remorse, she waved her hands. “Okay. I get it. I’m sorry…for interrupting.”

“Go back to bed. I’ll be right there.”

After Kendall left, I closed my eyes in regret. Was I crazy for turning her away like that?

Now that she knew what I was up to in here, I couldn’t relax. Still needing release like a motherfucker, I turned on the shower and got in. Ironically, I jerked myself to thoughts of her naked body against the bathroom door and imagined she was watching me.

Fuck my life.

Interested? You can find PLAYBOY PILOT on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo and Google Play.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card!
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Authors:
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Penelope lives for reading books in the new adult/contemporary romance genre, coffee and hanging out with her friends and family on weekends. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 9-year-old boy, both of whom are the lights of her life. Penelope, her husband and kids reside in Rhode Island. She is the author of RoomHate, which hit #2 on the New York Times Bestseller list and #1 on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller list. Her novel, Stepbrother Dearest, also spent four consecutive weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list. Other works include the New York Times bestseller Cocky Bastard (co-written with Vi Keeland), Sins of Sevin, My Skylar, Jake Undone, Jake Understood and Gemini.

You can find Penelope on Facebook, her website, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads and her Private Fan Group.

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is an attorney and a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today Bestselling author. Over the last three years, ten of her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestseller lists and three on the New York Times Bestseller lists.

You can find Vi on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads and Pinterest.

Sign up for Penelope & Vi’s mailing list and be the first one notified of releases!

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Love Like a CHERRY BOMB–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a sweet contemporary M/M romance from Samantha Kane. CHERRY BOMB is the sequel to CHERRY PIE, and while it features a new romantic couple we still get to catch up with our old friends John and Conn.

Cherry Bomb (Mercury Rising, #2)About the book:

Their spark could be too hot to handle…or bring a dying town back to life.

Officially, Turnstiles CEO Brian Curland is in Mercury to set up a new data center. Unofficially, he’s using this trip to re-evaluate his life, because for a man who has everything, he’s feeling pretty empty.

He could buy any car he wants. But no, he had to rent a piece-of-crap Chevy—which is now broken down on the side of the road. When he’s rescued by a sexy local, Brian does what he always does. Go for what he wants, even if it’s just temporary.

Evan Michaels stops to help because that’s what good guys do. He grew up in Mercury, eventually becoming minister of the local Unitarian church. Though everyone knows him, being gay and being in a gay relationship are two different things. He wants Brian, but their affair has to be secret or he can’t play.

When Evan unleashes his long-suppressed sexuality, Brian is more than up to handling the heat. Yet even though they fall hard for each other, it might take the whole town to convince them it’s a forever kind of love.

Product Warnings: Contains an inexperienced minister, gay comic-book role play, dirty dancing in antebellum mansions, and some very naughty fireworks. Protective gear recommended.

My Review:

This is the second book in the Mercury Rising series and does not have to be read in sequence–though I recommend the first book, CHERRY PIE, too.

I really enjoyed this quaint contemporary M/M romance.

Evan Michaels is an out gay Unitarian minister in Mercury North Carolina who also runs the halfway house where his childhood friend Conner stayed after he cleaned out of drugs in prison. (Brief recap of the first book:  Conn and John were the MCs of CHERRY PIE and have developed a strong relationship. John is an internet millionaire, an app creator who’s eschewed the Cali life and decided that the cozy, but dying, town of Mercury is his new home. And John’s friend, CEO of an Internet portal company, Brian Curland has committed to building a call center in Mercury to provide jobs to the poor populace.)

Well, Brian thinks John’s lost his mind to move to “the middle of nowhere” and decides to do a bit of his own reconnaissance, and talk John into working for him back in Cali. Only, Brian’s not really an adventurer. He rents a wreck of a car, breaks down in a cellular dead zone, and is rescued by a beautiful, built man who seems to have a curious eye. And soft lips that Brian, without any ado, ravages. Yep, Brian’s impetuous.  Kiss a strange, muscular man you have known for 38 seconds? He’s lucky that he didn’t become a back woods missing person.

Evan’s shocked, but pleased. He’s attracted to the man in his truck, and he’s intoxicated by the feeling of being wanted sexually. Evan’s been a minister for several years, and while he’s out regarding his sexuality, everyone in Mercury sees him as being The Reverend, not just an ordinary man with needs. Plus, there are no secrets in Mercury. If he goes out with a man, the whole town will know. Would they still accept him as the spiritual leader he feels called to be?

So, fast forward about four hours, and Evan’s in Brian’s bed at the hotel living out some of the many sexual fantasies he’s indulged in during his last SEVEN YEARS of celibacy. I really loved the playfulness of this couple. They don’t expect a lifelong romance, and so they cast their fears aside and screw with abandon. It’s charming, really. They spend a week together, and it’s no secret between them that there is more than a fling happening. But, life gets int he way. Brian’s plans for the call center aren’t exactly what John (and Evan and the good people of Mercury for that matter!) had hoped. The truth of is it is a bit of a kick in the nuts for Evan, who loves Mercury and all his parishoners. It also marks the end of “Brivan” and their “secret” romance. For a time.

Expect some serious Cupid activity on the part of Brian’s on-again-off-again Trey, a popular bisexual actor with starry-eyed dreams for reuniting Brian and Evan. And expect for jaded Brian to go through an existential crisis that is entirely the fault of falling for a selfless man of God. There is little to the reunion, which was disappointing, as their chemistry was explosive and I’d have liked a parting pairing before this one ended.  That said, there’s another book in this series, and I’m sure it will feature Brian and Evan helping Trey with his (possible) pain killer + alcohol addiction. And I have my pick for Trey’s romantic interest all lined up.

This is a quick read with a sweet romance and a compelling plot arc in guise of reinvigorating a dying town. Americana is in full display from the formica-topped greasy spoons to the local color. I gotta get myself out to Kure Beach one of these days. Check out if it is as relaxing and romantic as it sounds.

Interested? You can find CHERRY BOMB on Goodreads, Samhain Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and AllRomance. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

About the Author:

Samantha Kane lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children, two boys and one girl. With a master’s degree in American history, she spent seven years as a high school history teacher before becoming a full-time writer and mom.

She’s written books in all of the following series:  THE BIRMINGHAM REBELS, BROTHERS IN ARMS, THE SAINT’S DEVILS, THE 93RD HIGHLANDERS and MERCURY RISING

Catch up with Samantha on her website, Facebook and twitter.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

Happy Book Birthday Giveaway for BEAUTY AND THE BOSS

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Hi there! I’m getting the word our on the release of BEAUTY AND THE BOSS by Diane Alberts. This is a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast which was fun and quirky. Ben Gale is a brute of a boss, and he’s taken by beautiful researcher Maggie, but his life isn’t completely his own and he’s feeling pretty thorny over it.

Catch the giveaway below for a special prize from Diane!

BatB_500About the book:
Researcher Maggie Donovan has no luck with men, and it doesn’t help that she can’t keep her eyes off of her sexy boss – the one everyone else in the office calls The Beast. Relationships in the office are forbidden. So no one is more surprised than Maggie when she pretends to be his fiancée to save him during a difficult situation. Not only has she put her job on the line, but the future of the company.

Billionaire Benjamin Gale III doesn’t believe in love or romance, but the look on his mother’s face when Maggie tells her that she’s his fiancée is worth millions. Instead of firing her for her insubordination, he goes along with the ruse. In his arms–and in his bed–she’d be everything he could ever want…which is why he can’t have her.

But if he doesn’t let her go, they’ll lose everything…

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Interested? You can find BEAUTY AND THE BOSS on Goodreads, Amazon , Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Kobo.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win a signed modern fairytale journal from Diane Alberts.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Diane 1 smallDiane Alberts is a USA TODAY bestselling Contemporary Romance author with Entangled Publishing. Under the name Jen McLaughlin, she also writes New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling books with Penguin Random House. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and four cats. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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This Time it’s HIS SECRETARY: UNVEILED

Hi there! Today I”m sharing a review for Melanie Marchande’s latest release, HIS SECRETARY: UNVEILED. I really enjoyed the first book, HIS SECRETARY: UNDONE and thought I’d take a go on this billionaire romance sequel. Glad I did!

His Secretary: Unveiled (A Billionaire Romance)About the book:
There’s a sexy, sarcastic billionaire in my bed, and he’s wearing a wedding ring.

How did this happen? Oh, right. Last year, I found out my insufferable boss was secretly a steamy romance author, and me? I was his unwitting muse. That kind of thing can really charm the pants off a girl – if she’s a little bit nuts. Thankfully, I’ve never had more than a passing interest in normalcy.

Next stop, marital bliss! I mean, what could go wrong? It’s not like I have any ambivalent feelings about hooking up with the guy who made my life hell for five years. And it’s not as if Adrian accumulated a long list of enemies in his rise to the top. And we’re *definitely* not so stubborn that it’ll be a struggle to put away our pride and make things work.

Okay, so maybe all those things are true. But at the end of the day, all you need is love…and spankings.

At least, I sure hope so.

My Review:
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. This is the second book in a series; it is best to read these in sequence.

Meg and Adrian are back–married this time. Adrian is a billionaire, owner of Risinger Industries, and taking a break from his CEO duties having resigned a few months back. He’s also a best selling erotica author whose books were a CEO/Secretary love affair based on Adrian’s own infatuation with his admin, Meg.

They had heat and clashes in book one, but resolved all of that to become Mr. and Mrs. On a whirlwind Hawaii vacation. Coming home to real life has been…stressful, however. Adrian isn’t used to sharing his personal space, and spend hours upon hours writing, and ignoring Meg.

Meg is confronted by her father, from whom she had been estranged, regarding the health of her love affair/marriage, and she doesn’t want to upset Adrian by discussing this advent in her life. He knows she’s keeping secrets, and he’s frustrated–and afraid she is getting too isolated from him.

Plus, one of Adrian’s former (male) employees is suing him for harassment and wrongful termination, and insinuating that Meg is a “beard” because she’s voluptuous and Adrian could clearly have a supermodel…

So, there’s a lot of conflict and not a lot of communication. We get some fun flashback insight, but the sexytimes are too few–which could be said of many marriages, perhaps. This is a “growing” book where the initial connecting passions have cooled and the”getting on with life together” phase is in full effect–which is not as exciting as a subject matter, but it’s still very real and approachable. I liked the way Meg and Adrian came together to work on their relationship, and how they made their lives more complete as a team. There is a clear resolution and a happy happy ending.

Interested? You can find HIS SECRETARY: UNVEILED on Goodreads,
Amazon, iBooks, and Barnes & Noble.

Melanie MarchandeAbout the Author:
Melanie Marchande claims she has “always been fascinated by that feeling, that little spark – that tingle – the way your stomach can flip-flop at just hearing someone’s name. We all remember what it’s like. With my books, I hope to make you remember that feeling, to experience that thrill one more time. And the best part is, you can always come back and experience it again, and again, and again…”

She is the author of the “I Married a Billionaire” trilogy. You can find Melanie on her blog, Goodreads, Facebook, and twitter.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

She Was IN EXPERT HANDS–A Review

Okay, so how did you like FSOG? *winks* A lady never tells…. ha!
In any event, the 50 Shades “revolution” as only turned up the stage lights on all the fantastic erotica authors out there, among them Lily Harlem. I’ve been reading Lily’s books for probably 18 months now, and I’ve loved all her scorching stories of connection, and reconnection. Last week, she released IN EXPERT HANDS and I was not disappointed!

Disclaimer: This is an adult erotic read, and I received a review copy from the author, because I’m a big fan…

In Expert HandsAbout the Book:
Imogen White has it all—a high-flying career, a prestigious London home and friends she knows will fight her corner. She’s going up, and she’s in control, she’s also got the hots for one very important, very sexy client.

Kane Ward is a self-made billionaire whose determination to be the best of the best has left him alone. He has everything money can buy, yachts, jets, and villas in all four corners of the globe, but even he can’t buy time to suit his needs.

And his needs are very specific, his desires a particular shade of kink and his tastes anything but vanilla. So when he sets his sights on Imogen it’s a given that things are going to get dark, that pleasure will be laced with pain and determining his success will be measured by her blushes and gasps and cries of delight. But Imogen doesn’t need to worry, she’s in expert hands and her every fantasy is about to come true—and then some she’d never imagined in her wildest dreams.

Excerpt:

“Would you like a drink?” he asked over the sound of the music.

“I’m okay, unless you want one.”

“No. I drank water after my workout.” He urged her forward. “So shall we go straight into a playroom?”

“If that’s what you want?”

He glanced at his watch. “There should be something going on to satisfy our voyeur plans for the evening.”

They stepped toward the bar.

Kane indicated another doorway at the opposite end that had a chain mail curtain hanging from its frame. “It’s through there.”

“Ah, K. Long time no see.” A man wearing a similar jacket to Kane’s but with only two stars over the breast pocket extended his hand.

He didn’t wear a mask and Imogen could see that his smile was genuine.

“Nate, how have you been?” Kane took his hand and they shook.

“Great, been in the City for a few weeks on business. Making the most of my free time by coming here.” Nate turned to Imogen and raised his eyebrows. “You have company.”

“Don’t look so surprised.” Kane squeezed Imogen a little closer.

“I am. You don’t usually bring guests. Special occasion?”

Imogen felt Kane tense. She sensed he wasn’t enjoying having his break from the ordinary commented on.

“No occasion,” Kane said. “Good to see you, Nate, perhaps we’ll get a chance to catch up later.”

“Yep. That would be cool.” Nate held up what appeared to be a glass of fizzy water and nodded. He kept his attention on Imogen. “Enjoy your evening here at Sub Space. I’m sure Master K will address your every need.”

“Thank you.” Imogen smiled then felt her cheeks heat as Nate swept his gaze down her body—starting at the collar, then lingering on her breasts and finally on her boots.

Kane stepped forward, tugging her with him. “This way.”

After several paces she touched the collar. “This, around my neck,” she said quietly. “What would happen if I wasn’t wearing it?”

“It would make you fair bait for men like Nate, who are just out to play in a scene, find someone to hook up with.” He glanced at her. “He had no right to look at you like that.”

“Well, the outfit kind of screams look at me.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Oh.” She was confused. “It’s not?”

“No. You’re with me. I’ve claimed you with a collar. What’s more, I outrank him. He should show more respect.”

“You outrank him?”

“Of course.” He pulled back the chain curtain and opened a door. He ushered Imogen into the new room.

Imogen opened her mouth and stared around, thoughts of Nate vanishing.

Kane moved her from the doorway and into the shadows. He stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist

“What are your first impressions?” he asked by her ear, his lips brushing her lobe and his breath heating a trail down her neck.

She leant back into him, loving being so close, held by him. But she couldn’t concentrate fully on his embrace because of what was before her. “It’s…sexy.”

“Mmm, I’m glad you think so,” he said, the soft material of his mask rubbing against her temple. “What else?”

She looked around. The room was sectioned into six large cubicles, each one decorated in dark tones and with a combination of low lights and spotlights. Each three-walled area held a bed or a table or some other piece of equipment in the center. Three spaces were occupied.

There was an audience, too, couples, singles, threesomes sitting on more large sofas. Imogen could only see the backs of their heads. Some appeared enraptured, others holding quiet conversations.

“Tell me,” Kane urged, slipping his hand over the smooth material covering her waist. “What do you think about that, over there, to your left.”

Imogen was already staring in that direction. It had been the main thing that had captured her attention.

A naked woman was bent double, tied to a skinny padded table with her ankles fastened to the legs and her arms stretched out on two platforms, crucifix-like. Her skin was pale except for her behind, which was scarlet.

Beside her stood a man—dressed like Kane in black trousers and a velvet jacket—wielding a flogger. He walked around the woman as if surveying the marks on her ass then cracked down the many strands over her skin.

Imogen jerked and a tingle traveled over her buttocks, as though her nerves were empathetic with what the woman on the table was going through.

The man hit again.

The woman groaned and moved her head, her face coming into Imogen’s view. She had her eyes screwed up tight and her lips were parted. There was a flush of red on her cheeks that matched the rosy blush on her backside.

“Talk to me,” Kane said softly.

“Is she enjoying it?” Imogen asked, although she was pretty sure she knew the answer. The woman appeared to be in ecstasy, as though she’d folded in on herself and only her body and sensation existed.

“Very much so,” Kane said. “Master Zen is very capable of working his sub towards orgasm just through striking her.”

“Are they just…playing a scene or are they…?”

“Lovers, committed to each other? Yes, actually those two are. They’re regulars here and live the lifestyle.”

“The lifestyle?”

“Yes.” He slid his hand to her collar and spanned it with his thumb and fingers. “They live full time as Dom and sub. He commands and she obeys.”

“It sounds…old-fashioned.” Imogen wasn’t sure about the obeying thing. She’d known friends who’d purposely had that removed from their wedding vows.

“It’s a symbiotic relationship,” Kane went on, smoothing his fingers around her collar and brushing her skin.

A small shiver ran down Imogen’s spine.

The woman was struck again—several times in fast succession. Imogen stared at the spectacle.

“You see,” Kane said. “She needs to be adored, cared for, taken through life by the man she loves. He needs to protect her, satisfy her, ensure that everything is perfect for her at all times. That is what makes him feel complete.”

“And that includes this. Beating?”

“Beating, spanking, flogging, whatever you want to call it, yes, it includes this, because that’s what they both enjoy, it’s their thing. It’s their kink.”

My Review:
Imogen is a successful independent woman running an investment bank branch. She has worked hard for to gain her position and her own life–a very different lifestyle than her own meager upbringing. A billionaire client of the bank, Kane Ward is one of her semi-regular appointments; they meet every three or four months to go over his portfolio. While Imogen finds this a tad more “in touch” than most of her uberwealthy clients, she can’t deny she looks forward to meeting with the sexy Mr. Ward.

This appointment is a bit more than the usual however. Mr. Ward, Kane, that is, wants Imogen’s consultation on his accounts, but insists the meeting must happen at an outside location, and Imogen must wear a pretty dress and a hat. Well! Okay, okay, Kane is ranked #18 on Britain’s wealthiest list, and Imogen DOES NOT want to lose his banking business. So, she complies. Only to learn that his private helicopter is flying them to luncheon meeting in his private box at Ascot. On Ladies Day.

Imogen can’t help being a bit swept away by Kane. Still, she’s a professional, and she insists on comporting herself as such. So, she agrees to accompany him on a business trip to assess new business interests that her bank can help–plus, Kane wants Imogen’s personal opinion on how to grow this new enterprise. She’s nervous, but willing.

Nothing prepares Imogen for this whirlwind trip to NYC, however. Private jet. Penthouse suite. Kinky sex club. Wait, what?

That’s right. Kane is setting up sex clubs and wants a woman’s opinion so that they are appealing to both sexes. Turns out delicious Kane is a Master Dom, and he had identified beautiful, professional, meticulous Imogen long, long ago as the woman he’d like to wear his collar.

Over the course of a few intense days, they experience a good bit of vanilla, kinky and downright BDSM-type smexytimes. Their feelings are true and fierce. Kane wants Imogen, badly, and wants to experience his complete dream relationship: a 24/7 power exchange. Though Kane has loved the idea of Imogen for two years, did he really understand her?

Imogen has desired Kane, silently, nearly as long as she’s known him, but could she handle the type of relationship he desires? Would she even want to? She’s sure lots of women would love a billionaire buying everything they desire, and doing whatever kinky play he wished for that kind of security, but Imogen is already more than self-sufficient. She likes working, and aspires to become the first female board member of her bank. Could she abandon her career and dreams to become Kane’s arm jewelry and sex-pet? Would she want to?

I really appreciated the step-wise development of this relationship. I loved Imogen and her strong goals. I liked Kane; he was kind, romantic and compassionate, while being a bit dim in the emotions department. I wanted him to “get it”, to understand that Imogen had greater purpose in her life than to jet-set around as his partner, and I think he finally did. Imogen established all the rules in this relationship, and nothing went forward without her consent, and approval. I liked how these two characters came from independent lives, and were able to forge a path that celebrated the best parts of each other.

A great read for people who enjoy BDSM stories, though the BDSM elements were very light. The focus here was on the power exchange and a healthy way to negotiate a relationship within that framework. I think the resolution of the plot was excellent, and I’d read more on this couple, for sure.

Interested? You can find IN EXPERT HANDS on Goodreads and Amazon (US, UK, Ca,  AU).

IN EXPERT HANDS has a spin-off short story, IN SAFE HANDS which is featured in the Brit Babes SEXY JUST GOT RICH anthology. (My Review and Purchase links!) Go grab your copy – it’s available from all good ebook retail outlets at a bargain introductory price – and let yourself fall into the dark, erotic world of the Ward brothers, but remember to call them Sir if you’re wearing their collar!

meet the ward brothers(1)

About the Author:
Lily Harlem lives in the UK and is an award-winning author of contemporary erotic romance. She writes for publishers on both sides of the Atlantic including Ellora’s Cave, HarperCollins, Totally Bound, Xcite and Sweetmeats Press. Her HOT ICE series regularly receives high praise and industry nominations.

Before turning her hand to writing Lily Harlem worked as a trauma nurse and her latest HarperCollins release, Confessions of a Naughty Night Nurse, draws on her many experiences while nursing in London. Lily also self-publishes and The Glass Knot, The Silk Tie, Breathe You In (USA Today Reviewer’s Recommended Read of 2013) and Scored have been blessed with many 5* reviews since their release.

Lily also co-authors with Natalie Dae and publishes under the name Harlem Dae – check out the Sexy as Hell Box Set Trilogy available exclusively on Amazon – The Novice, The Player and The Vixen – and That Filthy Book which has been hailed as a novel ‘every woman should read’.

One thing you can be sure of, whatever book you pick up by Ms Harlem, is it will be wildly romantic and down-and-dirty sexy. Enjoy!

You can catch Lily on her website, blog, Twitter, Facebook, Author Page, Pinterest. She’s also got a newsletter, Goodreads and Google +.

Check out her blogs on Raw Talent, BritBabes, and Hockey Romance!

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!