Release Day Review: Sacked by Jen Frederick

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Sacked by Jen Frederick
Series: Gridiron #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 6th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

What he wants he gets…

Knox Masters is a quarterback’s worst nightmare. Warrior. Champion. And…virgin. Knox knows what he wants–and he gets it. All American Football player? Check. NFL pros scouting him? Check. Now, he’s set his sight on two things. The national title. And Ellie Campbell. Sure, she’s the sister of his fellow teammate, but that’s not going to stop him. Especially not when he’s convinced Ellie is the one.

…but he’s never met her before.

But Ellie isn’t as sure. She’s trying to start a new life and she’s not interested in a relationship…with anyone. Beside it’s not just her cardinal rule of never dating her brother’s teammates that keeps her away, but Ellie has a dark secret that would jeopardize everything Knox is pursuing.

Knox has no intention of losing. Ellie has no intention of giving in.

I seriously love sports romances – if there’s a book about football or hockey, I’m in. Sacked by Jen Frederick is a great read for sports romance fans who like their books sweet and funny. There’s also a little bonus in this book – the hero is a virgin! So rare in books, but also SO MUCH FUN to read about. I really liked Sacked – it’s not quite on the level of sports romances like The Deal or The Hook Up, but I honestly enjoyed what I read. If you were a fan of the previous books I mentioned, you should definitely give Sacked a try.

Knox Masters is the star player for the Western State Warriors – he has big plans ahead of him, but for now, he’s set on winning the national championship. He’s a fantastic player on the field, but off the field? Not so much. Knox is a virgin, and planning on staying that way until he meets the girl of his dreams. But when he does meet her, she seems to be the only girl not impressed with who he is. So now he has another goal to accomplish – win the heart of the girl he wants to spend the rest of his life with.

“What are you thinking about?” I’m so screwed.
He doesn’t hesitate. “You. I’m thinking about you. I’m thinking about laying my tongue on your body for the first time. What you’d taste like. I’d want to lick you everywhere. I want to know what every inch of you tastes like.”

Ellie Campbell has just transferred to Western State with her brother, who also plays football for the team. She avoids football players because of a previous bad experience, but she never expected to meet someone like Knox – sweet, charming, funny-as-hell, and oh-so-sexy. Oh, and a virgin. Ellie tries her hardest to stay away from Knox, but he’s determined to win over the girl he knows is meant for him, so how can she resist him?

“I’m not experienced, but I know when a girl is into me, and you’re into me. You want to play it casual, then that’s how we play it… for now. But fair warning, I’m bringing everything I’ve got to tear down your resistance. My specialty is reading plays and then overcoming the barriers.”

I’m actually a big fan of insta-lust… when it’s done right. I like my heroes being over-the-top in love with the heroines, especially for the majority of the book, and Knox’s heart certainly belongs to Ellie from the get-go. Jen Frederick did a fantastic job writing their romance – Knox falls fast and hard for Ellie, and it was so. much. fun. reading about him trying to woo her and win her heart.

Sacked is a bit predictable, but its sweetness, humor, and charm made up for it. Knox and Ellie made the most adorable couple – and they get hot in the sheets too! Knox is definitely an eager virgin, willing to do whatever it takes to please Ellie. 😉 I loved getting to know Knox and his teammates, who are absolutely hilarious together. There are lots of great banter in this book, both between Ellie and Knox and Knox and his teammates. This book was just a pure, feel-good romance, with just the right amount of sweetness without making it sappy. I highly recommend it for those who love sweet, funny college romances.

“I started my life the day I met you. Everything before then was practice.”

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

Reading Order: Gridiron series

#1 ~ Sacked: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Jockblocked: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Downed: Goodreads (release date TBA)
#4 ~ Played: Goodreads (release date TBA)

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4Sep2015

Early Review: Into My Arms by Lia Riley

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Into My Arms by Lia Riley
Series: Off the Map #3.2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 8th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

“You’re here because I want to touch you.”

Beth Jacobs spends her days slogging away in a corporate “fish bowl,” as the hard-working assistant for one of North America’s youngest dot-com billionaires. Aleksander “Z” Zavtra is the definition of dark and dangerous with a sexy Eastern European snarl. He’s also ruthless. Curt. Exacting. An infuriating man she loves to hate. While Beth hardly sees him, it’s as if he’s always watching her . . .

Z doesn’t do romance. But he never expected to be captivated by a whip-smart, fiery assistant who just so happens to share an uncanny resemblance to the beautiful face that haunts his dreams. He craves Beth. He wants to stroke her skin, to feel her heat beneath him. And what Z wants, he gets. And for one weekend, the lines between employer and employee are blurred as Z and Beth give themselves completely to the dark pleasures they’ve both been dreaming about.

I LOVE office romances, so that’s why I was really looking forward to reading Into My Arms even though I haven’t had the chance to read the Off the Map series. Thankfully, this story can be read as a standalone. While I liked this novella, it just wasn’t fleshed out enough for me – I didn’t have enough time to become fully invested in Beth and Z’s story.

Beth is up to her eyeballs in debt thanks to her parents, and so she can’t quite leave her tiresome job as the assistant for slave driver Aleksander “Z” Zavtra, billionaire and CEO of Zavtra Tech. She’s never even met her boss, as he only communicates with her through email and phone, so it’s a huge surprise when Z invites her to his home one evening.

Z has always been intrigued by Beth since the second he saw her. He comes off as a cold and unfeeling man, but deep down, he has scars that prevent him from reaching out to Beth – until now. Now, he opens up his home and his secrets to her, hoping that she won’t turn away from him once she knows the darkness he carries inside him.

“You kiss me with your eyes every time you look at me.”

Z and Beth’s novella was… okay. I liked reading it, but it could’ve been better. I never got the chance to connect with either characters, and there was a lot of info dumping with Z and Beth’s backstories. What I really enjoyed was the hot chemistry between them, and the deep bond they form during that one weekend at Z’s home.

“Who knows when our chapters will end? None of us know how long our stories will last. All we can do is make sure the pages are filled with life.”
“And you think we can write a happy ending?”
“I don’t know, but I’d rather try than not.”

I’m sure if you’re a fan of the Off the Map series, you’ll want to read Z and Beth’s novella, but reading as someone new to the series and with no previous knowledge of who Z and Beth are, Into My Arms wasn’t quite what I’d hoped it would be. There wasn’t really any forbidden-ness or excitement in this novella that I expect there to be in an office romance. Still, the characters were intriguing enough to keep me reading. I highly enjoyed the writing, so I’m definitely open to reading Lia Riley’s other books.

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

Reading Order: Off the Map series

#1 ~ Upside Down: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Sideswiped: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Inside Out: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.1 ~ Carry Me Home: Ebook • Goodreads
#3.2 ~ Into My Arms: Ebook • Goodreads (Sept. 8, 2015)

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3Sep2015

Early Review: His Lover to Protect by Katee Robert

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

His Lover to Protect by Katee Robert
Series: Out of Uniform #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 7th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

He’s never met a challenge he couldn’t take…

Alexis Yeung did everything right….only to watch everything go horribly, horribly wrong. Broken and angry, Alexis high-tails it to Europe, determined to face the world on her own terms and without consequence. Which includes a mind-blowing night with a sexy, scarred stranger.

Except, embittered former pararescuer Luke Jackson isn’t exactly a stranger. He’s supposed to keep an eye on Alexis without her knowing. Ending up in bed together was definitely not the plan. Now he’s chasing her (admittedly hot) ass across Europe, a game of cat and mouse that always ends with the two of them tangled up in the sheets.

Something in their scarred, damaged souls calls to each other. And God help them, the sex is unbelievably hot. But if Alexis discovers who Luke really is, he’ll lose the one thing that makes him feel whole…

I really enjoyed the previous book in the Out of Uniform series, Falling for His Best Friend, so I was looking forward to reading about Alexis Yeung. While this isn’t my favorite of the series, I still enjoyed reading this fun, sexy, emotional book. The hero had a deliciously dirty mouth – Katee Robert definitely knows hot to write a hot, dirty book.

Alexis has left home to travel all over Europe after finding out about her sister’s pregnancy. She’s happy for her sister, but at the same time devastated since she herself can’t have children after fighting her battle with cancer, the same cancer that took her mother. My heart went out to Alexis and all the pain she’s been through, but I also admired how she took charge of her life by going to Europe to regain some control in her life.

Luke Jackson is called on by an old friend to keep an eye out on Alexis while she’s in Europe. But a leg injury from his time as a pararescuer makes it difficult for Luke to keep up with his charge, to this very alpha-y man’s dismay. Luke and Alexis get off to a very rough start, but they can’t help the hot chemistry between them that explodes when they’re in bed.

He was a battle-scarred old wolf, far more likely to eat her whole than give her the sweet kind of sex she craved.

Luke keeps the fact that he knows who Alexis is and is pretty much babysitting her to himself. He doesn’t ever expect to actually fall for her, but he does. Once they get over their initial rough start and he gets to know her, he doesn’t want their time in Europe to come to an end. But how can they possibly have something more when Luke is keeping his identity a secret?

“I’m saying I want you, all of you, only you. I want you on my cock, in my bed, and in my life.”

I liked this book. It’s a quick read, but packed with a lot of emotions and some hot, dirty-talking sex. Alexis and Luke were well-developed characters I enjoyed reading about. This book is a complete standalone so you don’t need to read the previous books in the series.

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

Reading Order: Out of Uniform series

#1 ~ In Bed with Mr. Wrong: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ His to Keep: Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Falling for His Best Friend: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ His Lover to Protect: Ebook • Goodreads (Sept. 7, 2015)
#3.5 ~ His to Take: Ebook • Goodreads (Dec. 7, 2015)

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3Sep2015

Review: Archangel’s Enigma by Nalini Singh

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Archangel’s Enigma by Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #8 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 1st 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Naasir is the most feral of the powerful group of vampires and angels known as the Seven, his loyalty pledged to the Archangel Raphael. When rumors surface of a plot to murder the former Archangel of Persia, now lost in the Sleep of the Ancients, Naasir is dispatched to find him. For only he possesses the tracking skills required—those more common to predatory animals than to man.

Enlisted to accompany Naasir, Andromeda, a young angelic scholar with dangerous secrets, is fascinated by his nature—at once playful and brilliant, sensual and brutal. As they race to find the Sleeping archangel before it’s too late, Naasir will force her to question all she knows…and tempt her to walk into the magnificent, feral darkness of his world. But first they must survive an enemy vicious enough to shatter the greatest taboo of the angelic race and plunge the world into a screaming nightmare…

Oh. My. God. I loved Archangel’s Enigma. I simply loved it. Nalini Singh completely blew me away with Naasir and Andromeda’s book – I had high expectations, of course, since I adore the Guild Hunter series, but I got so much more than I hoped with this book. Archangel’s Enigma is a captivating, sensual, heart-pounding, unputdownable read that fans of the series do NOT want to miss.

There’s a reason why I will always drop everything I’m doing in order to read a new Nalini Singh book the day it releases. She’s one of the BEST authors I’ve ever read, able to create such rich paranormal worlds full of depth and emotion. I FEEL so much when I read her books, and that’s why, even at book eight, I have yet to put down the Guild Hunter series (you don’t even want to get me started on the Psy-Changeling series and my love for it). After reading the previous book, I had SUCH high expectations for Naasir’s book, and Nalini Singh didn’t let me down – it’s now become my favorite of the series so far.

Seven months Naasir had been hunting. Seven months since he’d told Ashwini he was ready to find a mate. Seven months and still his mate hadn’t made herself known to him. Didn’t she know he was looking for her?

Naasir is on the hunt for his mate – he’s seen some of the other members of Raphael’s Seven fall, and now he’s ready to find the woman who’ll love him, accept him for what he is, and stand by his side forever. I loved how determined Naasir was to find his mate – my heart could not stop SWOONING at the amount of effort he made to find her, and to keep her. I was also wonderfully and pleasantly surprised by how sweet and adorable Naasir was… I never thought I’d love a character as much as I do Kaleb from Heart of Obsidian but… I think Naasir might give Kaleb a run for his money. Like, WOW, right!? That’s how amazing Naasir is.

One of my favorite quotes that shows how wonderful Naasir is:

He hoped his mate wasn’t someone who liked the cold and wanted to live in snow without heat to offset the natural temperature. That would be terrible. He’d have to persuade her to move to an in-between climate that was cold but not subzero, but if she didn’t want to come, he’d stay. Of course he’d stay.
If he could ever find her.

Andromeda is an angelic scholar who’s been tasked with finding the place where an Ancient archangel, Alexander, Sleeps. Of course, she’s partnered up with none other than the wild, sensual, beautiful Naasir, who threatens her vow of celibacy like no other. I loved Andromeda as much as I loved Naasir. She’s an incredible heroine with a huge heart, but can be tough when she needs to be. She’s a highly intelligent scholar, but she’s also a fierce warrior who’s learned to protect herself. Her character amazed me, and I kind of fell a little in love with her too.

As these two characters race to find their way to Alexander before the enemy gets to him, Naasir navigates the ways of courtship with Andromeda. Women have always flocked to him, but now Naasir is determined to win the heart of his mate who will finally see him and accept him for all that he is. I love Naasir and Andromeda independently, but together, they are something extraordinary. We get to see them together a LOT, which made my heart so happy I couldn’t stop smiling.

“If you’re mine, you’re mine. And I’m yours. Today, tomorrow, always.”

MY HEAARRRTT.

This is without a doubt my absolute FAVORITE Guild Hunter book so far. It’s a phenomenal book that truly took my breath away. The romance is one of the best I’ve read from Nalini Singh, and the action was written well enough to be heart-pounding without overshadowing Naasir and Andromeda. I loved this book from beginning to end, and I can’t wait for more from this series.

Reading Order: Guild Hunter series

#1 ~ Angels’ Blood: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Archangel’s Kiss: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Archangel’s Consort: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Archangel’s Blade: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Archangel’s Storm: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Archangel’s Legion: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Archangel’s Shadows: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Archangel’s Enigma: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#0.4, #0.5, #0.6, #3.5 ~ Angels’ Flight: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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3Sep2015

Early Review: Ryker by Sawyer Bennett

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Ryker by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Cold Fury Hockey #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 8th 2015
Links: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The rugged men of the Carolina Cold Fury hockey team are winning hearts once again in another scorching novel from New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett.

The stakes have never been higher for Carolina Cold Fury goalie Ryker Evans. With his contract running out, he’s got a year left to prove he’s still at the top of his game. And since his wife left him, Ryker has been balancing life as a pro-hockey star and a single parent to two daughters. Management is waiting for him to screw up. The fans are ready to pounce. Everybody’s taking dirty shots—except for the fiery redhead whose faith in Ryker gives him a fresh start.

As the league’s only female general manager, Gray Brannon has learned not to mix business with pleasure. And yet even this tough, talented career woman can’t help breaking her own rules as she gives Ryker everything she’s got. She hopes their hot streak will last forever, but with Ryker’s conniving ex plotting to reclaim her man, the pressure’s on Gray to step up and save a tender new love before it’s too late.

I’m a huge fan of the Cold Fury Hockey series, so I had high expectations for Ryker, and it didn’t disappoint! Ryker is another fantastic addition to this sports romance series I’ve come to love so much. I’d been eagerly awaiting Ryker’s story ever since meeting him in Zack (which will forever be my favorite Cold Fury Hockey book) and I loved – LOVED – that Ryker’s book was a forbidden office romance. With a female boss! Sawyer Bennett totally rocked Ryker and Gray’s book – fans of the series won’t want to miss it!

Gray Brannon is Cold Fury’s newest general manager – and she’s made sports history by being the first female GM for a hockey team. Gray is tough, smart, kickass, and a complete take-charge woman – but not everyone likes the idea of having a female GM. There are some very misogynistic people in the Cold Fury team, but she finds an ally in Ryker Evans. The sexy single father is incredibly supportive and respectful of her job… but there’s an underlying chemistry between the two of them they can’t ignore.

I. Cannot. Be. Involved. With. Him.
It’s that simple.
Except . . . I’m the type of person who’s known for bending the rules.
Hell, throwing the rules out the door.
I’m a pioneer. A risk taker. A box breaker.
I answer to no one but my self.

Ryker is the single father of two adorable little girls and the goalie for Carolina Cold Fury. These are two very tough jobs, but Ryker gives nothing less than 100% of his time and effort for the things he cares about most: his family and hockey. But when Gray Brannon became the new GM, he knows he’s met an incredible woman who he might want to spend the rest of his life with, so he goes after her, regardless of the consequences.

I adored Ryker! Seriously. He’s a wonderful dad and a wonderful person. I do wish that there could’ve been more scenes between Ryker and his daughters. I swoon so hard for loving single fathers! And I absolutely LOVED how much Ryker respected, appreciated, and admired Gray – he made the perfect hero. Even when they start their relationship, Ryker respects her enough to keep their affair a secret, though he’s very adamant that it’s not a fling. Their romance was a bit slow, but genuine, and I just really appreciated the way Sawyer Bennett wrote this forbidden romance.

For the first time in my life, I feel interest in something other than my career.
I feel needed.
I feel happy.
I. Feel. Everything.
And I don’t want to let it go.
For the first time in my life, I feel love for a man other than my father.

What I liked about Ryker was how little drama there was WITHIN the relationship. There are lots of outside forces that won’t let Ryker and Gray be together, including Ryker’s ex-wife, but the two of them are just so mature and steady in their feelings for each other. As long as the two of them have confidence in each other, which they do, they’ll come out on top.

This book is also very much about the Cold Fury team as a whole. Gray has a lot of work to do in order to win over her team and to get them to work together, but she’s a woman who gets the job done. Also? We get to see a lot of Alex and Sutton, Garrett and Olivia, and Zack and Kate. Especially Zack and Kate, which made me so incredibly happy. Fans of Zack are going to LOVE what happens in Ryker!

I seriously adore Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury Hockey series, and not just for the hot the covers – if you’re a fan of sports romances, these books are absolute MUST READS! They’re full of heart, humor, and sexy-as-hell hockey men. And one last reason you should read Ryker? Because Ryker’s character was inspired by this guy. 😉

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

Reading Order: Cold Fury Hockey series

#1 ~ Alex: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Garrett: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Zack: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Ryker: Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Hawke: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Max: Ebook • Goodreads (Dec. 13, 2016)

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