Release Day Review: Outsider by Olivia Cunning

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Outsider by Olivia Cunning
Series: Exodus End #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 27th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Reagan Elliot should be living her dream…

She’s touring with Exodus End as their new rhythm guitarist and gaining more notoriety and fame than she ever imagined possible.

She’s earned the devoted love of not only one, but two spectacular men. Her committed threesome with sexy guitarist Trey Mills and her hunky bodyguard Ethan Conner is stable, loving, deep, and satisfying for all involved.

But sometimes the world sees things differently and is determined to destroy what it doesn’t understand.

Can Reagan’s relationship with Trey and Ethan survive the cruel backlash of the media, her family, and a bigoted public? Or will the talented musician lose everything she holds dear in the face of her own burgeoning doubts?

Olivia Cunning is my rock star/erotica queen. I absolutely adore her Sinners on Tour series, and I’m loving the spinoff series, Exodus End. You don’t necessarily have to read Sinners before Exodus End, but I highly recommend it. For Outsider, I definitely suggest you read at least Double Time, since that is Reagan, Trey, and Ethan’s first book. Their story continues in Outsider – and if you loved them in the first place, get ready for more smokin’ hot threesomes with them!

Reagan’s life was forever changed when she was chosen to be Exodus End’s new rhythm guitarist – and got into a polyamorous relationship with Sinner’s rhythm guitarist, Trey Mills, and her bodyguard Ethan. Both are bisexual men, so you can expect some crazy hot M/M, M/M/F, and M/F/M scenes. But with fame and fortune comes a cost – Reagan can’t come out to the public with her unconventional relationship for fear of heavy backlash. But keeping secrets only hurts Trey, who wants the world to know and accept the love they share for each other, and Ethan, who is kept in the sidelines and can never show affection with them in public. Can their love last in secrecy or will the truth come out and change their relationship forever?

Outsider is another fabulous read from one of my favorite erotica authors. I honestly don’t know how she does it, but Olivia Cunning creates her menage scenes so perfectly sexy, even when they’re over-the-top. And obviously, since it’s Trey, you know they’re going to be over-the-top. I did feel like the book was a bit too long though – the story dragged out way longer than it could’ve been, especially regarding Reagan’s decision to come out or not. Her wishy-washiness kind of turned me off, so I was definitely more a fan of Ethan and Trey in this book. Nevertheless, I did enjoy this book overall – how could I not when the chemistry and sex were divine, as expected from the author?

I’m so looking forward to more Exodus End books. I loved seeing more of the rest of the bandmates and Toni – every scene with all of them always cracks me up. Steve, the drummer, is next, and though I’d prefer getting Dare (because, DARE!), I still can’t wait to get my hands on Steve’s book.

Reading Order: Exodus End series

#1 ~ Insider: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Outsider: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Staged: Goodreads (2017)

The Exodus End series is a spinoff of the Sinners on Tour series. Outsider is a continuation of Double Time, book #5 in the Sinners on Tour series.

Reading Order: Sinners on Tour series

#1 ~ Backstage Pass: Ebook • Paperback • Mass Market Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Rock Hard: Ebook • Paperback • Mass Market Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Hot Ticket: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Wicked Beat: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Double Time: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Sinners at the Altar: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Take Me to Paradise: Ebook • Goodreads
#8 ~ Almost Paradise: Ebook • Goodreads

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • INSTAGRAM • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

Subscribe to Blog via Email

5Sep2016

Release Day Review: Breaking Him by Sherilee Gray

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Breaking Him by Sherilee Gray
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: September 5th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Folks in town call him a monster—say he’s dangerous. But I know him simply as Elijah Hays, the quiet, gentle giant who works with the horses on my ranch. I can feel him watching me, that steady intense gaze making me crave things I don’t quite understand, burn in a way that frightens me. He’s always kept his distance…until that night.

I remember him coming to my rescue, me following him into the barn, giving him his first taste of a woman, and his inexperienced yet barely reined touch turning me to ash.

Now all I can think about is exposing the dark desire I see deep inside him—having him turn those dark desires on me. That low, gritty voice rasping orders in my ear. Those huge, rough hands holding me down when a storm blows in.

I want his surrender. His control. I want to break him…and have him break me…

Y’all, I haven’t read some good smut in ages, but Breaking Him pushed allll the right buttons for me. Lovely heroine I adored? Check. Alpha hero who’s the strong and silent type, a cowboy, a gentleman, and a VIRGIN? Check, check, check. Hot, dirty, sweaty, sexy smut where the hero basically worships the heroine and deals out some good dirty talk? CHECK! So basically, I loved this book – I had so much fun reading it, and if the author’s other books are anything like Breaking Him, I’m going to need to start them stat. You can never have too much smut in your life!

I wanted to break through, break him—so I could put him back together piece by piece and make him whole again.

After inheriting her father’s ranch, Abigail has barely been able to keep the ranch afloat. It doesn’t help that every day she’s insanely attracted to and distracted by her ranch hand, the big, brooding Elijah Hays. Thanks to the way he grew up, everyone in their small town thinks he’s a monster, but Abigail’s the only one who knows otherwise. She sees him for the good, kind, honest man he is – that she just happens to imagine him in her sexual fantasies doesn’t influence the way she sees him either. But when Eli accidentally walks in on her masturbation session, the chemistry that’s been brewing between them suddenly explodes, and these two can’t keep their hands off each other.

“You feel so good. So soft and warm and goddamn perfect.” He licked his lips. “Darlin’, you’re all over my hand.” I was gripping his biceps, and the muscles twitched. “I can smell you. Christ, I think I’m losing my mind, Abigail. Making you feel good, it’s all I want to do. I never want to stop.”

I love me some virgin heroes, and a cowboy one at that. Eli is my favorite kind of hero, too, one who’s protective, caring, and willing to do anything for his woman. Abigail is the only one for him, and he makes this so obvious I couldn’t help but swoon. I loved the way these two were together, how well they worked both on the ranch and in bed. And though Eli is a virgin, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know what he’s doing – the smut in Breaking Him nearly reminds me of Tessa Bailey’s, and that’s high praise if you know me 😉 But of course, Abigail and Eli can’t stay on the ranch forever. The town’s judgment, the fate of the ranch, and all the outside forces seem to be against these two being together. But the love and dedication they have for one another isn’t so easy to break.

“You’re my salvation, Abigail,” he said, voice low and guttural, each word punctuated with an almost violent thrust of his hips. “Right here, inside you, I’m redeemed. I’m the man you need. I’m yours and you’re mine.”

This is erotic romance at its finest. If you enjoy that genre, you MUST give Breaking Him a try! I loved the characters and the smut. If anyone can tell me where I can find more virgin cowboy heroes, please tell me, because I am ALL about that now. Now I’m off to read more books by Sherilee Gray, because I need more of her smut in my life!

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

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • INSTAGRAM • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

Subscribe to Blog via Email

23Aug2016

Release Day Review: Ravenous by M.S. Force

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Ravenous by M.S. Force
Series: Quantum #5 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 23rd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

She wants a baby. He wants her. Simple enough, right?

Ellie Godfrey has kissed her share of frogs. So many, in fact, that she fears she won’t recognize her prince if and when he finally comes along. Tired of waiting for THE ONE, Ellie decides to have a baby on her own before it’s too late.

When Jasper Autry hears about Ellie’s plan, what else can he do but step in and offer to “contribute” to her project. Does that make him an opportunist? Whatever. He wants the perpetually out-of-reach Ellie Godfrey, and when he sees his chance, he takes it. That she’s the sister of his business partner and close friend Flynn gives him pause, but it doesn’t stop him from having what he wants.

As Jasper and Ellie embark upon their secret “project,” he makes it clear that for as long as they’re together, he’s in charge—in the bedroom anyway. After the hottest sex of her life, Ellie realizes she’s made a deal with the devil himself.

Ravenous is actually my first book by M.S. Force/Marie Force and it was a sexy, sweet read I enjoyed. I don’t particularly LOVE tropes that have anything to do with babies, nor am I a fan of BDSM romances all that much, but I thought I’d give this a try, and it turned out better than I expected! The characters were likable and the kink was not boring – I liked Ravenous enough that I’m definitely contemplating reading the rest of the series!

Ellie Godfrey’s biological clock is ticking at thirty-five, and since she really doesn’t want anything to do with men at this point, she decides to have a baby – on her own. But right before she decides to go to a clinic for some random sperm, her brother’s best friend offers to be the donor, but only if they conceive the baby the old-fashioned way. What’s a girl to do when the guy she’s always been attracted to but could never have wants to help her have a baby? Well, she obviously says YES.

British, wicked, and gorgeous, Jasper Autry has always wanted Ellie, but being best friends with her brother has kept him from ever pursuing her. He’s not cut out for a relationship, and a secret about his own heritage has him even more against relationships. But getting to be with Ellie, awakening her to his kinkier tastes of BDSM, particularly his dominance, has him wanting her more and more – until he’s not satisfied until he owns her, body, heart, and soul. Now he has to find a way to convince he wants everything with Ellie, and fight for their chance at a HEA.

Jasper is the absolute sweetest – almost too sweet at times that it got a little cheesy, I’ll admit. But I liked that he didn’t fight that hard against loving Ellie. Ellie is tough and independent – I didn’t connect with her all that much, but I still enjoyed her character. Jasper and Ellie’s romance had a few surprises I didn’t see coming, but I found myself enjoying their developing relationship and how hard they fought for their love. I would definitely recommend this book for those who like their BDSM on the lighter side and sweet, almost cheesy, romances.

Reading Order: Quantum series

#1 ~ Virtuous: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Valorous: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Victorious: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Rapturous: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Ravenous: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • INSTAGRAM • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

Subscribe to Blog via Email

28Jun2016

Release Day Review: Addicted by Elle Kennedy

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Addicted by Elle Kennedy
Series: Outlaws #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 28th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

From the New York Times bestselling author of Claimed comes the second enticingly erotic novel set in a world on the brink of chaos.

Lennox used to live in a paradise on earth with his best friend Jamie, in a place where visitors came and went, allowing their desires to run free. But everything changes when a deadly attack forces them to take up with Connor Mackenzie’s band of Outlaws. Lennox knows Jamie is hung up on someone else, but he’s always believed he’s the man for her—and won’t let her go without a fight.

Even though Jamie is well aware that Lennox is one hot specimen of a man, she refuses to let sex ruin the most important relationship in her life. But when the object of her interest spurns her, she indulges in a little pleasure-filled revenge with her very magnetic, very willing best friend. One thrilling night with Lennox is enough to awaken Jamie’s unexpected desires for him. And now that she’s had a taste, she’s not sure she can ever give him up…

Friends-to-lovers is one of my FAVORITE tropes, though I don’t read it as often as I’d like. I’m picky because there just aren’t very many well-written ones, but Addicted is definitely on the better end of the spectrum. This is book two in the Outlaws series and features Lennox and Jamie, who we met in Claimed. These are two best friends who wholeheartedly believe their relationship is platonic, so I was eager to see how Elle Kennedy would turn that around, and she didn’t disappoint. It takes them a little while to get there, but these two are so meant to be together – their romance is emotional, intense, and surprisingly sweet! Addicted is a fantastic follow-up to this world of Outlaws – if you enjoyed Claimed, you’re more than likely to like Addicted as well.

Jamie and Lennox have been best friends since they were children – there’s no Jamie without Lennox, and vice versa. They’re now shackled up with their friend Connor at his camp, and this change of scenery leads to a change in their relationship. The repressed feelings they’ve had on both sides for years are slowly, finally coming out, especially since Lennox isn’t liking the fact that Rylan, Jamie’s crush, is in close proximity in the camp. Will Lennox finally make his move on the one person he loves in this dangerous, desolate world? Or will he stay cautious to protect their friendship, and miss out on something more?

“You’re my home, Jamie. It doesn’t matter where we go or what happens. As long as you’re with me, I’m home.”

I loved the fact that I got to read a friends-to-lovers romance in a different setting than the usual contemporary world. Not only do Jamie and Lennox have to navigate their way through their newfound and fragile relationship, they also have to keep looking over their shoulders to make sure that Enforcers aren’t out to get them and the people they’re with. The ups and downs of their romance mixed in with the suspense had me on the edge of my seat – the author did a wonderful job balancing those two aspects of the story!

And of course, I can’t write this review without mentioning how damn HOT it is! Tensions have been brewing between Lennox and Jamie for YEARS, so one can only imagine how explosive the chemistry is once they finally get together. And guys, it’s seriously smokin’ in this book. Elle Kennedy know how to write erotica!

One thing that bothered me about Addicted though (even though it’s so dumb), is how all the heroines have masculine names – I honestly couldn’t keep track of who was who. I got Lennox and Jamie mixed up ALL THE TIME, thinking Lennox was the heroine and Jamie the hero. It wouldn’t take me long to realize I’d be reading it wrong, but it was slightly annoying that I had to make the effort to realize who was who.

Overall, Addicted was an addictive read. The dystopian world sucked me in much more than it did in the previous book, and I can only hope it’ll get better throughout the rest of the series. Right now, I’m dying for the next book, Ruled – we’re finally getting Rylan’s story, and it just so happens to be a menage… and I can’t WAIT!

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

Reading Order: Outlaws series

#1 ~ Claimed: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Addicted: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Ruled: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Nov. 1, 2016)

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • INSTAGRAM • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

Subscribe to Blog via Email

27Jun2016

Review: Claimed by Elle Kennedy

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Claimed by Elle Kennedy
Series: Outlaws #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: October 6th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

The bestselling author of the Killer Instincts novels “knows how to write scorching sexual tension”*. Now she really sets it on fire in a new series about men and women living on the edge of violence, sex, and life and death.

After a devastating war decimated most of the world, Hudson Lane has only known the oppressive life under her own father’s tyranny. She finally escapes, branding herself an outlaw and hunted by the Enforcers. Her best chance at survival is Connor Mackenzie, an aggressively sensual fugitive who opens her eyes to the wicked possibilities of a world without rules.

As the leader of a band of outlaw fighters, Connor can’t resist the beautiful stranger who asks for his protection. Despite his reservations, he agrees to introduce her to a whole new way of life. But when Connor discovers Hudson’s connection to the enemies of liberty, he wonders how far he can trust the woman who has abandoned all inhibitions to challenge every forbidden desire.

If you know me, you know that I love love love Elle Kennedy’s new adult books. But I’ve actually never read an adult book by her, until now. When I first heard of Claimed, it went immediately on my TBR because it’s Elle Kennedy, obviously, but also because of the amazing blurb! Dystopian erotica isn’t a genre I normally delve into, so I thought why not give it a try with the Outlaws series? And if there’s one thing I can say about Claimed, it’s that it. is. freaking. HOT! This is without doubt a panty melter of a book – if you’re a fan of steamy books, check this one out!

In this dystopian world Elle Kennedy has created, cities are tightly, rigorously controlled by the government’s Enforcers, and those who go against the government’s tyranny, the Outlaws, are killed on sight. Connor Mackenzie is reluctantly in charge of a group of Outlaw fighters. He’s a natural-born leader against his wishes, but he’s formed a bond with his band of brothers Rylan, Pike, Xander, and Kade. They’re a tight-knit group, so when a mysterious woman shows up and wants to join their gang, they’re obviously suspicious.

Hudson Lane is on the run, and she knows her best bet for survival is to stick with Connor and his deadly, dangerous men. But she has to prove herself trustworthy first – and it’s tough going, but day by day, she proves that she can keep up with the men and be an integral part of the group. Of course, there’s also the insanely hot chemistry between Hudson and Connor. Their sex is raw, intense, and uninhibited – the steam is definitely the best part of the book.

I was intrigued by the dystopian world at first, but I felt like this aspect of the book was highly overshadowed by the sex. There is just sooo much sex that it was little too much for me at times, and I had to skim past it. I wanted the plot to move forward, but it did at a very slow pace, and we get only a shallow understanding of how the world came to be in Claimed. It’s a shame the world-building wasn’t as developed as I hoped, because it had so much potential!

Though I didn’t connect with the plot, I really did enjoy getting to know all the characters. Connor and Hudson are great together – Connor is an alpha to the max, and Hudson gives as good as she gets. If you don’t like menages, though, this probably won’t be the book for you. I’m excited to see where Elle Kennedy will take us next with the Outlaws series – I’m hoping each of Connor’s men get’s his own book!

Reading Order: Outlaws series

#1 ~ Claimed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Addicted: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Ruled: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Nov. 1, 2016)

FOLLOW BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE ON:
✦ FACEBOOK • TWITTER • INSTAGRAM • GOODREADS • PINTEREST • BLOGLOVIN’ ✦

	Unlocking the Magic… on Review: A Promise of Fire by A…
	Lucas Middleton on Blog Tour // Review + Excerpt:…
	Van on Blog Tour + Release Day Review…
	Amber Elise @ Du Liv… on Audiobook Review: The Stand-In…
	daisyknox on Release Day Review: Tryst Six…

Booklovers For Life

Falling in love with romance one page at a time

Tag Archives: erotica