Release Day Review: Feel the Burn by G.A. Aiken

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Feel the Burn by G.A. Aiken
Series: Dragon Kin #8 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 24th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

War makes strange bedfellows.

I, Gaius Domitus, one-eyed rebel dragon king of the Provinces, know that better than most, since I have to fight off half my ungrateful family on a regular basis to keep law and order here in my lands. But I never expected to have to consort with a barbarian human woman.

Kachka is beautiful, if you like them fierce—and of course I do. But she keeps complaining about how spoiled and decadent I am, and how a feared Daughter of the Steppes has no time for foolish dragons. I think she likes my eye patch, though. It is quite dashing. With death always at our tails, we take our passion like we take our allies. As they say, love the barbarian you’re with…

I absolutely LOVED the first book in the Dragon Kin series, which is the only book in the series I’d read prior to Feel the Burn. When I went into Dragon Actually, I had no idea that it would be one of the funniest books I’d ever read. Who knew dragons could be so funny!? So when I started Feel the Burn, I was expecting an awesome mix of quirky humor, sexy dragons, badass heroines, and some fun action. G.A. Aiken certainly delivers, and I had the best time reading this latest Dragon Kin book.

Gaius Domitus is the one-eyed Rebel King, and he’s out for vengeance against the cousin who tortured his twin sister. He needs to team up with Anwyl the Bloody, but somehow manages to find himself teamed up with the Daughters of the Steppes. They’re fierce barbarian women who, amusingly, look down upon men, so when Gaius finds himself saved and intrigued by one, she doesn’t give him the time of day.

“Kachka Shestakova . . . I owe you much.”
“Yes,” she replied. “You do.”
“How can I ever repay you?”
She faced him, her blade and arms covered in blood. “Give me your kingdom!”
Gaius smiled. “You’re adorable.”
“See? The royals. They say all this and they say all that . . . but they do nothing but lie.”
“We don’t lie all the time.”

I wish there had been more romance in this book! I absolutely loved Kachka and Gaius together, but they weren’t together enough. The book focused a lot more on the action and adventure part than the budding romance between the main characters, and even though it was entertaining to read, I wanted more of Kachka and Gaius together. Kachka’s a no-nonsense woman who’s blunt and has no filter, and Gaius humors and adores her.

“Why have you never chosen a husband, Kachka Shestakova?”
She smirked at him. “In love with me already, Rebel King?”
“We both know you’d be lucky if I were. I am a king and,” he teased, “pretty damn benevolent.”

The secondary characters were my favorite part of this book, besides Gaius and Kachka. The other Daughters of the Steppes and so. freaking. hilarious! Zoya totally stole the spotlight a couple of times – she’s a character you NEED to read, because she cracked me up so many times. I also loved seeing the Southland characters that I’d read in Dragon Actually, especially Anwyl. All of the characters in this series are just so fantastic to read about.

I don’t read a lot of PNR these days, though I wish I did more, but the Dragon Kin series is a unique one full of hilarity and adventure. I’ve never read anything like this series, and I’m certainly going to need to catch up on the rest of the books. If you love humor in your PNRs, you definitely need to pick up Feel the Burn.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Dragon Kin series

#1 ~ Dragon Actually: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ About a Dragon: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ What a Dragon Should Know: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Last Dragon Standing: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ The Dragon Who Loved Me: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ How to Drive a Dragon Crazy: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Light My Fire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Feel the Burn: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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24Nov2015

Release Day Review: The Truth About Him by M. O’Keefe

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Truth About Him by M. O’Keefe
Series: Everything I Left Unsaid #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 24th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

For fans of Christina Lauren and Jodi Ellen Malpas comes the next novel in M. O’Keefe’s breathtakingly sexy series about a woman called into a journey of the heart, body, and soul.

We played our roles, told each other lies.

But now Dylan is no longer just a mysterious deep voice on the other end of the line. We’re face-to-face and our relationship is very, very real.

We still have secrets—but so much is crystal clear:

The thrilling danger.

The raw, naked desire.

The need to keep feeling the way he makes me feel. Forever.Dylan is putting up walls, trying to keep me safe, but he can’t shut me out. He has seen my darkness and rescued me. Now it’s my turn, if only he will let me.

I’d been looking forward to reading The Truth About Him ever since reading that cliffhanger in Everything I Left Unsaid, and M. O’Keefe did not disappoint with Annie and Dylan’s second and final novel. It picks up right where the first book left off and continues with even more heart-pounding suspense and raw sensuality. I enjoyed this sequel every bit as much as the first – if you were a fan of Everything I Left Unsaid, you definitely need to pick up The Truth About Him.

I was not the right man for her, but I wanted to be.
And I was humbled by her choice.

While Everything I Left Unsaid is more Annie’s book, The Truth About Him is definitely more Dylan’s book. I thought it was interesting that the author wrote the first book in Annie’s 1st person POV and Dylan’s 3rd person POV, then this sequel in Dylan’s 1st person POV and Annie’s 3rd person POV. M. O’Keefe’s writing is exquisite, and definitely my favorite part about this series. It’s gorgeous, lush, and sensual, which meshes perfectly well with Annie and Dylan’s story. If there’s one thing you need to experience, it’s the writing in this series.

If you’ve read Everything I Left Unsaid, then you know Annie is in trouble. Thankfully, this trouble is wrapped up quickly, though there is so much more for Annie and Dylan to deal with. Not only is their relationship a little rocky, but there is Ben’s sickness to deal with, the dangerous MC gang who’s targeting Annie, and Dylan’s brother Max is in trouble. I honestly had no idea where the author would be taking the story, but I just went along for the ride and wasn’t disappointed. I was hooked onto the story – the suspense never slows down, and neither does the romance.

She owned me. Despondent and wrecked, smiling and bright—it didn’t matter. I was hers.

Dylan has moved into trailer park to protect Annie, and he’s struggling with his feelings for her. He knows he’ll do anything for her, go to the ends of the world for her, but he’s still not sure if he’s capable of love. Dylan is endlessly fascinating and I loved that we delved so much deeper into his character in this book. We get to know more about his past, his family, and his coworker Blake. As for Annie, I adored her character. She’s a lot more confident by now, since she knows how much she means to Dylan, but she’s still trying to prove to him that he’s capable and worthy of love. And the two of them are hotter than ever in this book – anytime Dylan and Annie are together, the chemistry between them is on fire. I loved how raw and sensual their need for the other was.

“You. You are what is different. You have changed everything.” It was the unvarnished truth. As close to love as I was capable of getting.

The word that best describes this series is fascinating. M. O’Keefe has written a series that you just can’t put down, because you NEED to know what happens next. The suspense is well-done, not too heavy, and the romance is sexy, yet sweet and tender. I absolutely enjoyed this conclusion to Dylan and Annie’s story, and highly recommend giving their books a try if you love romance and suspense. I’m really hoping there might be more books about the secondary characters, because I love the author’s writing and I’m so intrigued by the characters!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Everything I Left Unsaid series

#1 ~ Everything I Left Unsaid: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Truth About Him: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Burn Down the Night: Ebook • Goodreads (Aug. 2, 2016)

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24Nov2015

Top Ten Tuesday {20}: Authors I’m Thankful for in 2015

Posted in Top Ten Tuesday by Lacey

It’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! This week’s theme is a freebie Thanksgiving one so…

Top Ten Authors I’m Thankful for in 2015

In no particular order (click the covers to purchase):

November 9 Review

Colleen Hoover (November 9) ~ CoHo is without a doubt, my all-time favorite author, so of course she had to be included in this TTT! I liked her earlier release, Confess, but it was November 9 that totally stole the spotlight this year. It’s a phenomenal read from a phenomenal author! (PLUS, I got a copy SIGNED by her. AND NICK FREAKING BATEMAN!!!!!!!!)

Reviews: The Deal | The Mistake

Elle Kennedy (The Deal/The Mistake) ~ Elle Kennedy has written my all-time FAVORITE NA sports romance series (the Off-Campus series), and I’m forever thankful for her because her books sparked my love for sports romances. She knows how to do NA right, and I’m dying to get my hands on Dean’s book!

Review: Fuel the Fire

Krista & Becca Ritchie (Fuel the Fire/Long Way Down) ~ Krista & Becca Ritchie’s Addicted series is, hands-down, my top favorite NA series ever written. The writing is flawless, and it has the BEST cast of characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. I still haven’t read Long Way Down yet (the final book), because I honestly just don’t want the series to end!

Reviews: Falling Away | Aflame

Penelope Douglas (Falling Away/Aflame, Corrupt, Misconduct) ~ I love love looove the Fall Away series, so I’m so thankful that Penelope had not one, but TWO books in that series out this year. And Aflame… it was everything I dreamed of and more. The perfect ending for Jared and Tate. And! Corrupt – just, WOW. I’m still trying to wrap my head around this twisted book that I loved (my review is coming soon!). Also, I know Misconduct isn’t out yet, but I had the pleasure of reading an early copy and it. is. amazing. It’s about a teacher who falls for her student’s single father. Who’s a total DILF. Obviously – it’s a must-read.

Reviews: The Friend Zone | The Game Plan

Kristen Callihan (The Friend Zone/The Game Plan) ~ Another NA sports romance author whose books I’m completely in love with! I first fell in love with the Game On series last year with The Hook Up, but the series has only gotten better and better since. Gray and Ethan are just… *swoons*

Reviews: Up in Smoke | Chase Me | Need Me | Make Me

Tessa Bailey (Risking it All, Need Me, Crashed Out) ~ Tessa!!! Bailey!!! Earlier this year, I went on a TB reading marathon (in which I read every single one of her books) and I’m completely obsessed now (especially with Bowen). Her alpha heroes are PERFECTION and can dirty talk like no other. I’m so freaking thankful that she pumps out book after book, because I never get tired of reading them. Aaand, she’s got one more release out in Dec., Crashed Out, which is just INCREDIBLE, and now my 2nd favorite book of Tessa’s (just under Risking it All). It’s an older woman/younger man read… and I’m telling you, it’s Tessa’s HOTTEST book yet.

Reviews: Attraction | Heat | Capture

Penny Reid (Elements of Chemistry: Attraction/Heat/Capture) ~ I’m ashamed that I hadn’t read Penny Reid earlier than this year. She amazed me with her EOC series – she has a gift at writing, and I’m so thankful to have discovered her books this year (finally)!

Reviews: Manwhore | Manwhore +1 | Ms. Manwhore

Katy Evans (Manwhore/Manwhore +1/Ms. Manwhore) ~ Y’all, I adore the Manwhore series. I’m so thankful that Katy Evans created Malcolm Saint, because I’m head over heels for him! The Manwhore series is one of the most romantic series I’ve read all year, and Katy Evans never ceases to amaze me with her incredible heroes.

Reviews: Beautiful Secret | Dark Wild Night

Christina Lauren (Beautiful Secret, Dark Wild Night) ~ Christina Lauren writes the best books EVER! They’re always so fun, sexy, and best of all, the characters feel so real. Every time I pick up a CLo book, I’m simply stunned by the brilliance and simplicity of their stories, so this writing duo is definitely one to be thankful for.

The Hotter You Burn Review

Gena Showalter (The Hotter You Burn) ~ Gena Showalter surprised me so hard with The Hotter You Burn. I’d only ever read her PNR books, but I thought I’d give this book a try, and I’m so glad I did. It’s funny, sexy, romantic, and an utter joy to read. It’s definitely one of my favorite books of the year, and I’m so thankful for Gena Showalter for writing it!

What authors are you thankful for this year?

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24Nov2015

Release Week Blitz + Author Interview & Giveaway: Steal Me by Lauren Layne

Posted in Exclusive, Giveaways, Spotlight by Lacey

Happy Release Day to Lauren Layne – Steal Me is live! Check out my Q&A with Lauren below, as well as my review and a fantastic giveaway!

Author Interview: Lauren Layne

What would readers be surprised to find out about you?

That I’m a total science fiction geek. Star Wars is my favorite movie of all time, although my husband has slowly converted me over to Star Trek, and I’m a big fan of that as well.

Tell us about your writing process. Do you start with an idea or a character? Do you know what’s going to happen from the beginning or do you figure it out as you write?

I almost always start with the idea or the general premise; rarely does the character come first. And I’m a planner. I’ve gotten looser with my planning as I write more books and get more comfortable with the flow of writing a book, but I generally have at least a pretty comprehensive list of scenes that need to get written before I type Chapter One.

Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day?

I believe it was Nora Roberts who said, “I can fix a bad page, but I can’t fix a blank one.” I repeat that on almost a daily basis. I know that I just need to reach The End, no matter how messy the words might be. Once the words are there, they’re always fixable.

Is there one thing you have to have when writing?

Oh man. I’m going to be super literal here and say my laptop. I like music but don’t need it. And usually have my water bottle, but not always. Sometimes a notebook, sometimes not. I’m pretty bare bones and minimalist J

How did you choose the names of your characters?

The main characters I spend a bit of time going through name lists, trying to get the right vibe (and finding one that I haven’t used before, which is getting harder and harder). For minor characters, I use a “random name” generator on my web browser.

How has music played a role in your life and in your writing?

I make soundtracks for almost all of my books, there’s always one song that’s more vital than the rest. Name any of my books, and I can tell you which song I listened to on repeat while writing it!

When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer?

Ha. I think I was born this way. For as long as I can remember, I was that kid that said I wanted to be an author when I grew up, and I always loved writing in school. Then college ended. I had no more writing to do for school, but I also didn’t think that writing could be a full-time career, so I entered the work force and put writing behind me as a hobby. What a mistake!! That all came back to bite me a few years later when the need to write was so strong that it was all I could think about. It took me a year or so to work up the courage, another year or so to stick with it, and then I decided to jump in with both feet. I quit my job, moved to New York, wrote about four books in two months like a mad woman, and got an agent/publisher.

What can you tell us about your couple, that we won’t find in the book?

Of all my books, Steal Me is the one that veered the most from my original outline. The original heroine was a feisty red-head named Kat who was the least suspect in a burglary case. I’m not sure why or when it changed, but by the time I’d finished Frisk Me (book one in the series), I knew that Anthony’s story and woman were entirely different than I’d originally planned.

Steal Me by Lauren Layne
Series: New York’s Finest #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 24th 2015
Publisher: Forever

IN HOT PURSUIT

Being a cop might be in Anthony Moretti’s blood, but protecting and serving the city of New York has always been more than just the family business. If that means his love life stays locked up, well then that’s just another sacrifice made in the line of duty. That is, until he sets eyes on the gorgeous new waitress at The Darby Diner and suddenly Anthony’s morning coffee is leaving him a whole lot more hot and bothered than usual.

Though waitressing at The Darby isn’t exactly Maggie Walker’s dream job, it pays the bills and gives her time to work on her novel. Now if only she could stop fantasizing about gorgeous Anthony Moretti every time he sits down at her table, she’d really be in great shape. But when he needs her help identifying a criminal threatening The Darby—and Maggie recognizes her ex-husband—she fears her fresh start might be a pipe dream. Faster than a New York minute, Maggie and Anthony find themselves in one perilous pursuit that only gets hotter with each and every rule-breaking kiss.

Buy Links:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • iTunes • Kobo • Google Play

Reading Order: New York’s Finest series

#1 ~ Frisk Me: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Steal Me: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Cuff Me: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (March 29, 2016)

A long-time romance reader, Lauren Layne thinks the only thing better than reading about happy endings is writing them. She now pursues a full-time career in Happily Ever After, a job she’s naturally suited for after marrying her high school sweetheart. A bit of a nomad, Lauren’s lived everywhere from Orange County to Manhattan, and currently lives in the Seattle-area. Her hobbies include coffee by day, wine by night, and lots of writing in between. She’s also a total website nerd and insists you check out laurenlayne.com!

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads

5 copies of STEAL ME

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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23Nov2015

Audiobook Review: Consolation by Corinne Michaels

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Consolation by Corinne Michaels
Series: The Consolation Duet #1 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: November 10th 2015
Length: 7 hours and 20 minutes
Narrated by: Andi Arndt & Sebastian York
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Liam wasn’t supposed to be my happily ever after.
He wasn’t even on my radar.
He was my husband’s best friend—forbidden.

But my husband is dead and I’m alone. I ache for him and I reach for Liam.

One night with Liam changed everything. Now I have to decide if I truly love him or if he’s just the consolation prize.

I’d had my eye on Corinne Michaels’ Consolation ever since it came out, and I’m so glad that I listened to the audiobook instead of reading it! I ADORE Sebastian York (I feel like everyone does, and rightfully so), so I was stoked to listen to his narration. While Andi Arndt’s narration wasn’t quite as good as Sebastian’s, their two voices definitely worked well for Natalie and Liam’s story. Consolation is the first in a two-part series, and it’s a heart-breaking yet romantic story I highly enjoyed listening to.

Natalie is living the perfect life – she has Aaron, a loving Navy SEAL husband, and a baby on the way, but a knock on the door changes everything and leaves her widowed, pregnant, and devastated. She’s left alone to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart, but she finds the strength to do so in order to take care of her baby, Aarabelle.

Liam Dempsey, also a SEAL, was Aaron’s best friend, and he knows that Aaron would have wanted Liam to help take care of Natalie in the case of his death. The last thing Liam expects is to actually fall for Natalie – the two of them spend so much time together that feelings start to grow from their friendship into something more, and that bond that forms in unlike any other, even different from the bond between Natalie and Aaron. The two of them struggle with their feelings, but the longing and love between them is sweet and pure, and as the two of them fall in love, they also help each other move on from their grief. Liam is also wonderful with both Natalie and Aarabelle, so he’s definitely a hero worth swooning for.

I really enjoyed listening to Consolation. Sebastian York’s voice is perfect as always, so I really wish there had been more chapters in Liam’s POV. The audiobook is largely narrated by Andi Arndt, whose voice, though a little monotonous, is easy to listen to. The book’s writing wasn’t anything special, so I didn’t connect with the characters or emotional scenes very much – it was the story and drama that interested me the most. And there is a LOT of drama, especially at the end. Consolation ends in a cliffhanger AND a plot twist (one that’s slightly predictable), but thankfully the second and final book is already out. If you’re thinking of getting the Consolation audiobook, I’d highly recommend it!

Reading Order: The Consolation Duet series

#1 ~ Consolation: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Conviction: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Monthly Archives: November 2015