Sensual Surrender by Katie Reus

I’m ready to move on. Please don’t search for me. Please just let me go.
~Ellie

The note on the kitchen table shatters Jay Wentworth’s world into bits. Ellie is his lover, his soulmate, his best friend…she’s the woman who stood by him through the aftermath of a horrible explosion, the woman he’s planning to propose to. He’d do anything for her…except let her go. With his fierce protectiveness kicked into overdrive, he teams up with Ellie’s Hotel Serafina boss, billionaire Wyatt Christiansen, to find her. Ellie is family at the casino and they take care of their own.

Ellie is devastated when her secret past finally catches up with her. Stupid to think she could bury the mistakes of her youth and find happiness with a good man. Leaving Jay rips her heart to shreds, but it’s the only way she can protect him from the dangerous people she once ran with. And deep down, she fears he’ll never be able to forgive her for hiding her past from him.

The closer Jay gets to the truth about Ellie, the deeper he plunges into danger. He’ll move heaven and earth to save her, but if she can’t trust in Jay’s love it might be too late for both of them.

The Serafina: Sin City Series, #2

A former navy seal, Jay is a hot, steamy, sexy man who knows what he wants....Ellie Johansen.  Ellie has been running from a past that she thought was long gone.  However, one fateful morning she gets a dreaded call.  A call that changes her life forever in many ways.  As Ellie steadily pushes Jay away, he now has to convince Ellie to trust him and love him forever.  This story is exciting, as well as, HOT!!  Ellie landed a pretty sweet job for one of the richest men in the country.  The bonus being that Jay was her boss’s personal guard.  And when things turn from bad to worse, the undeniable loyalty from her friends and the true love of her life come into play.  I was so engrossed in this story from start to finish.  The characters filled my passion meter to the top!  Love, passion and excitement surrounded me, along with the mystery of what would happen next.  Great job, Katie Reus.  I look forward to reading the next book about Hayden and Sierra!  ght

Overall rating: 4.5 Rockin' Stars
Hero:  Jay  4.5 stars
Heroine: Ellie Johansen 4.5 stars
Steam Level: 4.5 stars 
Plot: 4.5 stars 
Cliffhanger: No
Would I recommend this book: Yes!

Would I read other books by this author: Yes!

Come A Little Bit Closer (The Sullivans #7) by Bella Andre

Movie star Smith Sullivan can't afford any distractions. He's staking his entire reputation on his new film…but he can't stop thinking about Valentina Landon and the fire he sees smoldering just beneath the surface of her cool exterior. 

Valentina isn't averse to sensual pleasure, or even to the idea of finding true love, but as a Hollywood business manager she's watched too many smart women fall for actors…only to be torn apart when the fairy tale comes to its inevitable end. 

But when intense weeks together on set turn their heated attraction into red-hot flames of passion, Smith knows he has to find a way to convince Valentina to let him get a little bit closer. Close enough to completely steal her heart…the way she's stolen his from the beginning.

“Some things are just perfect, even when they don't make any sense”

“I’ve always wondered why love has to be so full of conflict and strife. Why can’t love be simple? Why can’t it just be as pure as two people who realize that they can’t live as well, or as happily, apart as they can together?”

“What if she let falling in love with him be as natural as gravity?”

“You were right when you said that love shouldn’t have to be a battlefield. When it’s with the right person, I’ve seen love be easy. Sweet. And perfect.” 

This is the book seven in this series and I have fell in love with the Sullivan’s all over again.  I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t wait for the last page.  Smith is a handsome, hot Hollywood actor.  Valentina is the manager of her younger sister Tatiana, fellow co-star of Smith.  There chemistry is undeniably, sexy and hot.  I highly recommend this book. 

Overall rating: 4 Rockin’ Stars

Hero: 4 stars

Heroine: 4 stars

Steam Level: 4.5 stars 

Plot: 4.5 stars 

Cliffhanger: No

Would I recommend this book: Oh, Yes!

Would I read other books by this author: Yes!

**ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley for honest review **

Better Than Perfect by Kristina Mathews

The woman he left behind and the son he never knew are tougher opponents than any he’s met on the field. Pitcher Johnny “The Monk” Scottsdale has won awards, been named an All-star and has a perfect game to his credit. Known for his legendary control both on and off the field, his pristine public image makes him the ideal person to work with youth players in a preseason minicamp. Except the camp is run by the one woman he can’t forget…the woman who made him a “monk.” Alice Harrison’s three strikes include an unexpected pregnancy, a marriage of convenience and young widowhood. She once traded her dreams so Johnny could have a chance at making it to the Majors. Johnny comes back into her life just as she’s ready to resign as foundation director and pursue her own dreams of finally earning her teaching credential. Her plans may go on hold, though, depending on the reaction when she confesses she may have kept a major league secret from Johnny and her son. With the minutes ticking by until Johnny will leave for spring training, they’ll need to let go of the past and work together in order to win the game of love. CONTENT WARNING: Some strong language, consummated love scenes

A Lyrical Press Contemporary Romance

***I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*** 

Johnny and Alice were college sweethearts.  Johnny came from a lonely childhood where his love of baseball molded him into a discipline and all around great player.  Alice grew up knowing her parents accepted her but blamed her for her conception and her dad’s loss at chance to play professional football.  Both characters had self-doubt.  When Johnny makes it to the minor leagues, Alice decides to break up with him, so he can follow his dreams.  

I enjoyed the reading Zach’s (Alice’s son) perspective.  It brought a fresh element to the story.  Johnny and Alice shared a deep love and struggled to fight for that love.  It was a sweet romance.  Overall, this was a great story, and the author delivered a happily ever after ending.  Great book.

Overall rating: 3 Rockin’ Stars

Hero - Johnny: 3 stars

Heroine - Alice: 3 stars

Steam Level: 3 stars 

Plot: 3 stars 

Cliffhanger: No

Would I recommend this book: Yes!

Would I read other books by this author: Yes!

Because of Luke by F.X. Scully

Music, love and sibling rivalry…all Because of Luke.

Three years ago, Shannon was a wild child. Parties, boys. You name it, she did it. But she's changed and the only way to truly turn things around is to finish college and hop on a plane to…anywhere else. Until an unexpected encounter throws her off track.

Sheila’s been covering for her big sister for as long as she can remember. Now it’s her turn. But her rebellious plans don’t include small-town fun. She’s got her eye on something better—a group of budding rock stars and a summer-long tour. 

In the middle of the sisters lands Luke, a determined college student who’s pretty sure he just met his soul mate. But loyalty to his big brother means leaving her behind to go on a three-month tour with his band. Desperate to get over the girl, he soon becomes entranced with the groupie who’s come along for the ride only to find he’ll have to make a tough choice—and not without breaking some hearts along the way.

Because of Luke is a bittersweet New Adult romance that begins in the Summer of 1991. 

This book contains profanity, alcohol and drug use, and explicit sex scenes. It is intended for individuals 18+.

This was a very difficult book for me to read.  I expected a happily ever after ending but I was left feeling grief stricken...shocked.  There were so many twists and turns and my emotions were all over the place.

Overall rating: 3 Rockin’ Stars!

Would I recommend this book: Yes!

Would I read other books by this author: Yes!

Amazon

Hard as You Can (Hard Ink #2) by Laura Kaye

Five dishonored soldiers.

Former Special Forces.

One last mission.

These are the men of Hard Ink. 

Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed. 

Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn't want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.

“He made her lose focus. He made her wish things could be different. And he made her want to throw caution to the wind and, for just once in her life, take what she wanted”

“…every time your faith threatens to fail, you look at that and know I’ll be back.  Because I love you.”

“I don’t want to run.  I don’t want to hide.  I don’t want to act, not anymore.  I just want to be with you.  Wherever you are, Shane, that’s where I belong,”

The former Special Forces team consisting of Nick Rixley, Shane McCallan, Derek “Marz” DiMarzio, Edward “Easy” Cantrell, and Beckett Murda reunited after Nick had discovered information that could possibly clear their name and restore their honor. 

During a mission to rescue their ex-commander’s son (Charlie), Shane meets Crystal (a.k.a. Sara) Dean when she aides in their operation. Shane feels an attraction for the beautiful redhead and can’t seem to stop thinking about her.  After rescuing Charlie, the team realizes there are horrible things taking place at Confessions, a strip club that belongs to the Church Organization.   

Crystal is stuck paying off a debt her deceased father owed to the Church Organization.  She is a tenacious survivor amongst some of the roughest gang members in Baltimore.  Her boyfriend is abusive and the last 4 years have been full of humiliation, pain and suffering.  She protects her younger sister, Jenna, from that part of her life.  She hides her feelings in order to survive by pretending to be someone else.  

Shane and Sara’s story is about letting go of the past and looking forward to the future.  It is an emotionally sweet love story full of action and suspense.  Both have suffered deep loss and pain.  Relearning to trust and move forward, Sara realizes that Shane makes her feel cherished and safe.  While Shane discovers all he wants is to protect and love her.

This is a wonderful story that I highly recommend.  Looking forward to the next book in this series.

Overall rating: 4 Rockin’ Stars

Hero - Shane: 4.5 stars

Heroine - Sara: 4 stars

Steam Level: 3.5 stars 

Plot: 4 stars 

Cliffhanger: No

Would I recommend this book: Yes!

Would I read other books by this author: Yes!

Amazon

Her Summer with the Marine: A Donovan Brothers Novel

Their competition has never been so irresistible

The last person Ellie McDermott wanted to run into after returning to her hometown is Finn Donovan, her high school nemesis and the guy she crossed the line from enemies to lovers with one night years ago. Now ex-military, tattooed, and still sexy as hell, Finn is a complication Ellie doesn’t need—she needs to concentrate on saving her family business.

Finn’s entire life, Ellie was there, going head-to-head with him in every class, bee, and test. So it’s no surprise she’d show up just as he was about to take over her father's struggling business. It is a surprise, though, that his attraction to her is even more explosive than it had been. Acting on their attraction is one thing, but Finn has to turn a profit to save his own family, and nothing—not even love—will get in his way. 

He reached her, smiled.  "Ellie."  How could the slight lift of a man's lips make her breathless?

It was one thing to torment her, to fight for business, even get a little smarmy in the way he kept himself in front of potential customers.  It was another to make her feel...She squeezed her eyes shut.  That was exactly the problem.  He made her feel

He stepped even closer, so close they were almost touching.  "It turns me on that you're smart."

Because whether he loved her or not, she loved him.  She would do anything to save him from the misery that would follow his failure.

This was the way they were.  Happy.  Flirty.  Silly.  And it was the playfulness that would carry through a lifetime.  

"I love you.  I have always loved you."  He swallowed.  "We might have seemed like two bickering bulldogs, but deep down I think we've always understood each other.  That's why it was so easy to fall in love with you."

This was an intriguing story from the beginning.  At first I didn't really follow where this story was headed.  It seemed to be taking on the same "lost love" approach that tantalizes us all.  Yet, when the story began to take shape, the characters won me over hands down.  Ellie McDermott, a self made prodigy in herself comes back to her small town to help take care of her father who was dying with Alzheimer's.  Her dad owns a mortuary business and wanted her to run it.  Once back in town, her steamy love from the past, Finn Donovan enters her life again.  Finn is an ex-marine who came back to down after his years of service in the military to take care of his mom.  And... he is now the competition.  Wanting to buy her family business, there is an instant deep seeded rivalry between the two that stems back to grade school.  Truly best friends from long ago, they rekindle the burning desire and forever kind of love that everyone yearns to find.  Once the story took hold, I didn't want to let go.  Well done Susan Meier.  I look forward to reading more about the Donovan brother's.  ght

Overall rating: 4.5 Rockin' Stars!

Hero -Finn Donovan: 4.5 stars

Heroine - Ellie McDermott: 4.5 stars

Steam Level: 4.5 stars 

Plot: 4.5 stars 

Cliffhanger: No

Would I recommend this book: Yes!

Would I read other books by this author: Yes!

Pre-order:  Amazon