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Early Review: Childstar 1 by J.J. McAvoy

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Child Star 1 by J.J. McAvoy

Childstar 1 by J.J. McAvoy
Series: Childstar #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 27th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Amelia London is America’s sweetheart. Noah Sloan is America’s bad boy. Both are former child stars and once were lovers. When they are cast as the leads in the upcoming erotic suspense blockbuster—Sinners Like Us—they are forced to come to terms with the issues that tore them apart to begin with.

As the whole world watches, can they keep their secrets hidden? After all, everybody is a sinner…

Even after all of these years, Amelia London was still my kryptonite, and she still didn’t know it.

Oooh!!!! This celebrity second chance romance was fantastic!! Childstar 1 is the first in a three-part serial, and I NEED the next part now! Not because of the cliffie (though there is one), but because I am just so intrigued by the characters and so addicted to the story. I love second chance romances, so this seemed right up my alley, and I wasn’t disappointed. Childstar 1 is a flat-out entertaining, addicting read about former child star lovers that I highly recommend.

Former child stars Noah Sloan and Amelia London were once in love as teenagers, until Noah broke and tore apart their hearts. Now, ten years later, both of them are trying to salvage their careers. Getting out of rehab, bad boy Noah doesn’t have many prospective roles, and Amelia is still known as a child star and as America’s ‘good girl’. The only way to jumpstart their careers is to star in Sinners Like Us, an upcoming erotic suspense blockbuster that’s based on a book with a huge fanbase.

Ever since their painful breakup, Amelia has hated Noah, and Noah has cultivated his bad boy, manwhore persona to perfection. The two of them do NOT get along, but they have to for the sake of the movie and careers. But of course, the wicked-hot chemistry between them that they had as teenagers has never gone away… and neither has their feelings for each other.

What were we now? I had no idea.
Would he hurt me? Most likely.
Would I still love him anyway? Yes.
Should I? No.

Sometimes when I read serials, I’m unsatisfied with the individual parts, because I just wanted more, you know? But Childstar 1 is a completely satisfying read – it has a beginning, middle, and end, the pacing is spot-on, there’s character development… it’s a solid first installment in a serial I know I’ll come to wholeheartedly love. Honestly, the second I picked Childstar 1 up, I couldn’t put it down. I’ve become completely invested in Noah and Amelia’s story – their characters have such great potential, and the author got me addicted to their HOT tension and Hollywood life! I really loved the Hollywood aspect of the story – the author’s writing had me fully immersed in the production of Sinners Like Us. Also, there IS a cliffhanger, but the twist at the end kind of came out of nowhere, so I didn’t really know what to make of it. It was probably the only thing I didn’t like about the book, but otherwise I have no complaints. This first part of Childstar is one you definitely need to pick up.

4 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Childstar series

Child Star 1 by J.J. McAvoy Child Star 2 by J.J. McAvoy Child Star 3 by J.J. McAvoy

#1 ~ Childstar 1: Ebook • Goodreads (Oct. 27, 2015)
#2 ~ Childstar 2: Ebook • Goodreads (Nov. 10, 2015)
#3 ~ Childstar 3: Ebook • Goodreads (Nov. 17, 2015)

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Early Review: Surviving Ice by K.A. Tucker

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Surviving Ice by K.A. Tucker

Surviving Ice by K.A. Tucker
Series: Burying Water #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 27th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths series and Burying Water—which Kirkus Reviews called “a sexy, romantic, gangster-tinged page-turner”—returns with a new novel packed with romance, plot twists, and psychological suspense.

Ivy Lee, a talented tattoo artist who spent the early part of her twenties on the move, is looking for a place to call home. She thinks she might have finally found it working in her uncle’s tattoo shop in San Francisco. But all that changes when a robbery turns deadly, compelling her to pack up her things yet again.

When they need the best, they call him. That’s why Sebastian Riker is back in California, cleaning up the mess made after a tattoo shop owner with a penchant for blackmail got himself shot. But it’s impossible to get the answers he needs from a dead body, leaving him to look elsewhere. Namely, to the twenty-something-year-old niece who believes this was a random attack. Who needs to keep believing that until Sebastian finds what he’s searching for.

Ivy has one foot out of San Francisco when a chance encounter with a stranger stalls her departure. She’s always been drawn to intense men, so it’s no wonder that she now finds a reason to stay after all, quickly intoxicated by his dark smile, his intimidating strength, and his quiet control.

That is, until Ivy discovers that their encounter was no accident—and that their attraction could be her undoing.

I’m such a big fan of K.A. Tucker’s Burying Water series, because each book I’ve read I have enjoyed so much. Surviving Ice is another solid, entertaining addition to the series – I think it might be my new favorite! I highly enjoyed Ivy and Sebastian characters, who are much different than the series’ previous characters. They are unique and refreshing, and I was addicted to their story from the start. Fans of the series won’t want to miss this intense, romantic tale between an edgy tattoo artist and a former Navy SEAL with a secret.

Ivy is a nomad at heart, never able to settle in one place for long. But for now, she’s in San Francisco, where her beloved uncle lives with his tattoo shop. She’s actually thinking about staying in SF for longer than the norm, until her uncle gets murdered – and she’s the only witness. In between having to deal with her grief and the tattoo shop that now belongs to her, she unknowingly becomes a target to a dangerous organization who wants to take her out.

I would become a reaper of sorts, delivering an end to those who needed it.
Without medals, without fanfare, but with quiet honor.

I kind of dig books whose main character is hiding his/her identity, and in the case of Surviving Ice, Sebastian – also known as Ice – is hiding one hell of an identity. A former SEAL and a mercenary, Sebastian has incredible skills he uses on targets when his employer sends him off on a mission. And his next mission is to find a missing tape that could incriminate his employer, and the only connection to that tape goes by the name of Ivy Lee.

I honestly couldn’t put this book down. K.A. Tucker has a way with words that kept me hooked onto each page. She’s created incredible characters in Ivy and Sebastian, who couldn’t be more perfect together. Ivy is a sassy, strong, badass chick I admired. Sebastian is the calm and quiet kind of hero, though his character is tinged with mystery and danger. I loved how the two of them form a connection through a seven-hour long tattoo session, despite the fact that Sebastian enters Ivy’s life with a false identity. Ivy is supposed to be Sebastian’s target, but what happens when he starts falling for her, and vice versa?

Who are you, really, Sebastian?
Besides the stranger who strolled in and seized my heart?

The romance between Ivy and Sebastian developed so naturally, I applaud the author for being able to make me root for them despite the lies. And I loved how K.A. Tucker was able to weave the suspense perfectly well within the romance. The suspense is heart-pounding and nail-biting, with enough action throughout the book to keep me satisfied and never bored.

A seamless mix of romance and suspense, Surviving Ice is a brilliant NA novel not to be missed.

4 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Burying Water series

Burying Water by K.A. Tucker Becoming Rain by K.A. Tucker Chasing River by K.A. Tucker Surviving Ice by K.A. Tucker

#1 ~ Burying Water: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Becoming Rain: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Chasing River: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Surviving Ice: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads (Oct. 27, 2015)

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Early Review: A Moment of Weakness by Brooklyn Skye

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A Moment of Weakness by Brooklyn Skye

A Moment of Weakness by Brooklyn Skye
Series: Boston Alibi #1
Publication Date: October 19th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

He can fight anything…except his need for her.

Until her new job starts in September, buttoned-up elementary school teacher Laurel Harris is at loose ends and in need of cash. Fortunately her best friend’s older brother is a single dad and desperately needs a nanny. Or so she’s told. She doesn’t anticipate him being such a menacing, muscled, and undeniably gorgeous man…or that he has zero interest in hiring a nanny.

Micah Crane will do right by his young daughter, no matter the cost. And right now, that cost is juggling parenthood with long hours at his bar and working as an enforcer for a notorious crime boss. He doesn’t need another complication in his life, but the sweet, frustratingly opinionated little blonde hell-bent on caring for his daughter stirs his blood like no woman ever has.

All it takes is a moment of weakness to ignite the lust blazing between them. A moment that will unravel their self-control and unleash all of Micah’s darkest secrets…

I absolutely loved the sound of A Moment of Weakness – a hot, single father with a bit of danger in him falls for his daughter’s nanny? Yes please! I ended up really enjoying this book, even though it wasn’t quite what I expected. I wasn’t really sold on the hero in the beginning, but he grew more likable later on. Overall, Brooklyn Skye’s A Moment of Weakness is certainly an entertaining, sexy read I’d recommend.

Laurel Harris is looking for a job for the summer, and her best friend gets her one as a babysitter for Micah, her friend’s brother. What she doesn’t expect is for Micah to be a sexy, big, tattooed hunk of a man. Micah, on the other hand, doesn’t believe he needs a babysitter for his daughter, Shea, because he thinks he’s doing just fine as a single parent… even though he takes Shea with him to the bar he owns and has a side job as a mob enforcer. When he finally sees that maybe his daughter isn’t in the best environment, he reluctantly hires Laurel and has her stay in his home – which only makes the sparks between them fly hotter than ever.

Micah was a bit too hot-and-cold in the beginning for my taste – it was pretty off-putting. One minute he’d be all over Laurel, the chemistry between them hot-as-hell, and the next he’d be cold and distant. This grew better later on in the book though, thankfully, as the two start falling for each other. I adored Laurel – she’s a sweetheart of a character, and I loved the way she was with Micah’s daughter. The three of them together is honestly the cutest thing ever!

A Moment of Weakness is incredibly well-written. I’m excited for more from Brooklyn Skye, since this book seems to be the first in the Boston Alibi series. The author definitely knows how to write a steamy book with some intense scenes. Overall, I’d definitely recommend A Moment of Weakness for those who like quick, sexy, satisfying reads.

4 hearts
lacey

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Early Review: Everything I Left Unsaid by M. O’Keefe

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Everything I Left Unsaid by M. O'Keefe

Everything I Left Unsaid by M. O’Keefe
Series: Everything I Left Unsaid #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 13th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Fans of Jodi Ellen Malpas, K. Bromberg, and Joanna Wylde will be unable to resist this sexy, deeply intimate tale of a woman running from her past, and the darkly mysterious man who sets her free.

I didn’t think answering someone else’s cellphone would change my life. But the stranger with the low, deep voice on the other end of the line tempted me, awakened my body, set me on fire. He was looking for someone else. Instead he found me.

And I found a hot, secret world where I felt alive for the first time.

His name was Dylan, and, strangely, he made me feel safe. Desired. Compelled. Every dark thing he asked me to do, I did. Without question. I longed to meet him, but we were both keeping secrets. And mine were dangerous. If I took the first step, if I got closer to Dylan—emotionally, physically—then I wouldn’t be hiding anymore. I would be exposed, with nothing left to surrender but the truth. And my truth could hurt us both.

What a fantastic, compelling read! I was up until 3 am trying to finish this book – I really couldn’t put it down. I was first intrigued by this book because of the blurb and the lovely cover, and I’m so glad that I wasn’t let down. Everything I Left Unsaid is a suspenseful, sexy, mysterious read that I highly enjoyed. It’s the first book in a duet, and yes, it does end in a cliffhanger! Luckily, the second book releases a month after the first.

Annie has just moved into the Flowered Manor Trailer Park, on the run from her abusive husband. The trailer park is in the middle of nowhere, so for the most part, she’s safe. She plans to keep her head down and keep to herself for as long as she can, doing some manual labor to make some money, until a mysterious man named Dylan calls a cellphone left in her trailer. Her life changes even more thanks to this stranger, who she feels an undeniable connection with. From the moment they start talking to each other on the phone, they’re fascinated with each other. Some flirting begins, and then things turn raw and sensual…

“Let me … let me tell you what to do.”
“Are you … going to laugh at me?”
“Laugh? I’m the fucking luckiest man on the planet tonight. The only thing I’m going to do is help you come.”

I myself was fascinated with Annie and Dylan. Annie is a wonderfully complex character, so tough yet innocent at the same time. She had a difficult life growing up, a life which turned dark and dangerous once her abusive husband entered the picture. She’s free now, but realizing that she’s missed out on a lot in life. With Dylan’s help, Annie breaks out of her shell, growing into herself, discovering the person she’s meant to be. And all the while, she wants Dylan desperately, their daily phone communication solidifying their relationship into something wonderful and treasured.

In the end it wasn’t a decision. Dylan was an instinct. An urge, like a tide in my blood.

Dylan is no less complex or intriguing than Annie. He’s a mysterious man – even though we get his POV (in the 3rd person), we still don’t know very much about him. I loved the way the author kept me on my toes about Dylan. He’s got both a good and bad side of him (he even refers to himself as a beast), and it was fascinating to see his secrets unravel. What we do know for sure is how much Annie consumes him – nothing in his life is the same after talking to her for the first time.

Truthfully, he would break every rule he had, every promise he’d ever made, and go to all the trouble in the world for this girl and she had no idea. None.

M. O’Keefe has written a wonderfully fascinating, entertaining book that I couldn’t put down. The writing in this is absolutely fantastic – it’s the kind of writing that keeps me reading, even when the story slows down. The characters are compelling, unique, and very likable. I wholeheartedly enjoyed reading Everything I Left Unsaid, and am very much looking forward to reading the sequel!

4 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Everything I Left Unsaid series

Everything I Left Unsaid by M. O'Keefe The Truth About Him by M. O'Keefe 

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

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Early Review: Chaser by Staci Hart

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Chaser by Staci Hart

Chaser by Staci Hart
Series: Bad Habits #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 15th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Everyone knows you should never say never.

Cooper Moore never saw Maggie Williams coming. She was just his best friend’s little sister, the curly-haired, freckle-faced girl from Mississippi who was absolutely off limits. And he never thought about her any other way — not until he saw her that night, broken and brave. From that moment on, he knew he’d do whatever it took to protect her, even if it meant he had to stay away.

Maggie never expected to find her fiancé banging her maid of honor an hour before she was set to walk down the aisle, but life’s funny that way. The only option to save her sanity is to get the hell out of Jackson and move to New York where her brother lives. The only downside: Cooper is there too. And she just doesn’t know if she can stay away from him — the filthy rich, dead sexy playboy who’s allergic to commitment.

The second Maggie sees him again, she realizes he’ll be impossible to resist. Luckily, commitment is the last thing on her mind, and Cooper is the perfect escape. As long as she can keep her heart in check, everything will be just fine. Because she can never have feelings for him. Or at least that’s what she’ll keep telling herself.

I’d been eagerly awaiting Staci Hart’s Chaser after absolutely adoring With a Twist (a fantastic friends-to-lovers book – my review here), and I’m glad to say that it didn’t disappoint! It’s possible that I might love Chaser even MORE than With a Twist, all because of one gorgeous man named Cooper. Cooper Moore, and all his yummy, nerdy goodness, has stolen my heart, and I don’t ever want it back. I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to love him more than West from With a Twist but, well, I do. I so freaking do. Cooper and Maggie’s book is another stunning read from Staci Hart, full of warmth, humor, and heart. Those who love their romances well-written with an incredible cast of characters, this book – and series – is for you.

“I’ve been around the world, and I thought I’d seen everything it had to offer until that night, until I saw you. In all my life, I’ve never seen anything so beautiful, not standing in the Blue Mosque or the Taj Mahal. Not in the streets of rome or canals of Venice. Making you smile gives me life. Making you laugh gives me hope. Making you happy is all I want, other than to keep you.”

Maggie just recently moved to New York after finding her fiancé cheating on her the day of their wedding. NY is where her brother, West, is… and also his best friend, Cooper Moore. Cooper is the ultimate playboy – he’s hot, rich, famous, fun, so why shouldn’t Maggie have a no-strings attached sexual relationship with him to get her to forget her troubles? So for a few weeks, the two are involved in a secret relationship, with rules to keep feelings off the table. But in between the shared laughs, furtive glances, and fiery chemistry, Maggie and Cooper start to fall for each other. But with a relationship built on secrets, is it possible to make it work?

She had changed me on the molecular level, and she had no idea.

So I kind of hardcore adored this book. Okay, not kind of – I totally adored this gorgeous romance. It’s a little slow-paced in the first half of the book, but it picks up quickly after that. The writing is on-point, the characters feel so real, the romance is as sweet as it is passionate. Chaser almost read like a fairytale, it’s so dreamy and romantic.  What surprised me though, was the amount of depth of Cooper and Maggie’s characters. Maggie is still lost after being betrayed by a man she loved for years, and Cooper is in this sort of stagnant state in his life. Staci Hart delves deep into their characters, making them face their wants and desires, not just for each other, but out of life. I LOVED that Maggie and Cooper are so multidimensional, because they become all the more real and relatable.

Purpose. A reason. A spark to light up my gray life, make me want more.
Was it her?
… And when I thought back over the past few weeks, I realized that she wasn’t a spark. She was a wildfire.

God, Cooper. When this man falls, he falls so. hard. I’m such a sucker for heroes who do a complete 180 from their playboy ways once they realize how in love with the heroine they are, and Cooper could not be more perfect. All his actions and words are so filled with love for Maggie… AH!!! My heart nearly couldn’t take the level of devotion Cooper has for Maggie.

“Maggie is a singular event in my life. I want her. Forever.”

Staci Hart is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. Her Bad Habits series is so well-developed, with great writing and a brilliant cast of characters. Reading about Maggie and Cooper, Lily and West, and Rose and Tricky truly feels like catching up with old friends. And ohmygod, Tricky!!!! Goddamn, I want this man’s book bad. I have a feeling Patrick and Rose’s book is going to be the best of the series.

Overall, Chaser was a joy to read. I was swept away by Maggie and Cooper’s stunning romance, and I honestly can’t wait for more from the series. I’m seriously addicted to these characters that Staci Hart has created, and I nearly wish that their stories would never end.

4.5 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Bad Habits series

With a Twist by Staci Hart Chaser by Staci Hart Last Call by Staci Hart

#1 ~ With a Twist: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Chaser: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Last Call: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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