ARC Review: Chasing River by K.A. Tucker

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Chasing River by K.A. Tucker
Series: Burying Water #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 7th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Armed with two years’ worth of savings and the need to experience life outside the bubble of her Oregon small town, twenty-five-year old Amber Welles is prepared for anything. Except dying in Dublin. Had it not been for the bravery of a stranger, she might have. But he takes off before she has the chance to offer her gratitude.

Twenty-four-year-old River Delaney is rattled. No one was supposed to get hurt. But then that American tourist showed up. He couldn’t let her die, but he also couldn’t risk being identified at the scene—so, he ran. Back to his everyday life of running his family’s pub. Only, everyday life is getting more and more complicated, thanks to his brother, Aengus, and his criminal associations. When the American girl tracks River down, he quickly realizes how much he likes her, how wrong she is for him. And how dangerous it is to have her around. Chasing her off would be the smart move.

Maybe it’s because he saved her life, or maybe it’s because he’s completely different from everything she’s left behind, but Amber finds herself chasing after River Delaney. Amber isn’t the kind of girl to chase after anyone.

And River isn’t the kind of guy she’d want to catch.

This third novel in the Burying Water series is about Amber Welles, Jesse’s younger sister (from Burying Water). This was a really sweet, heartfelt romance that was easily enjoyable. I liked this book quite a bit – maybe not as much as Burying Water, but Chasing River is definitely a book that fans of the series shouldn’t miss. K.A. Tucker’s writing swept me away to the gorgeous country of Ireland (which I swear I will visit one day!), Amber’s latest stop on her trip around the world.

1. Have a torrid affair with a foreigner. Country: TBD.

Amber has lived her whole life in the small town of Sisters, Oregon, but after a broken relationship, nothing’s holding her back from traveling the world. Amber has always been the ‘good girl’, the proper daughter of the town sheriff, but her friend Alex, Jesse’s girlfriend, makes Amber a list of things to do while traveling to bring Amber out of her shell and experience a more exciting and fulfilling life. I really enjoyed Amber’s character – she felt real and I easily connected with her character. And I really liked the way K.A. Tucker brought her and River together – River saves Amber’s life from a terrorist organization bomb.

“So . . . Where’d you meet this guy?”
“At the park one day. He kind of . . . ran into me.” I toy with a coaster to avoid her gaze.
“Sounds romantic.”
“It was, in a way.” If pipe bombs could be called romantic.

River Delaney is somewhat of a bad boy, but with a sweet side and a heart that’s loyal to the people he cares about. He saves Amber from a bomb his older brother plants, not expecting to see the pretty American girl again. But when she appears at the bar his family owns, he knows he wants a chance with her, despite believing that he’s not good enough for her. River shows Amber around Ireland, showing her how important his country means to him. I couldn’t help but fall a little in love with River – he’s Amber’s knight in shining armor, and he’s so sweet and tender towards her. The feelings between River and Amber grow slowly but genuinely. But how can they have a life together when Amber is bound to leave, and they live thousands of miles away?

I want to spend tonight with her, and tomorrow. I want to spend every second with Amber until she leaves.
I don’t want her to leave.
Do I tell her that, though?

There is a lot of political mumbo-jumbo going on within Ireland. River’s brother is part of the IRA, an Irish terrorist organization, and Amber, River, and his family unfortunately get pulled into the political drama. The beginning was a bit confusing when the IRA was introduced, but eventually I got the hang of what was going on. K.A. Tucker includes a note in the beginning of the novel that helped understand Ireland’s politics.

As much as I liked both Amber and River, I just wasn’t as invested in their characters as much as I wanted to be. Everything in this book goes by slowly, including their romance, and sometimes I got bored while reading. This doesn’t mean I didn’t like Chasing River, because I did – it’s a sweet read with fantastic storytelling. I’m definitely a fan of K.A. Tucker’s writing. But I just didn’t connect with the story as much as I wanted to. Still, it’s a satisfying, enjoyable read with likable characters and strong writing. Fans of the series won’t be disappointed with River and Amber’s story.

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

Reading Order: Burying Water series

#1 ~ Burying Water: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Becoming Rain: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Chasing River: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Surviving Ice: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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6Jul2015

Early Review: Ruin & Rule by Pepper Winters

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Ruin & Rule by Pepper Winters
Series: Pure Corruption MC #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 7th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

“We met in a nightmare. The in-between world where time had no power over reason. We fell in love. We fell hard. But then we woke up. And it was over . . .”

RUIN & RULE

She is a woman divided. Her past, present, and future are as twisted as the lies she’s lived for the past eight years. Desperate to get the truth, she must turn to the one man who may also be her greatest enemy . . .

He is the president of Pure Corruption MC. A heartless biker and retribution-deliverer. He accepts no rules, obeys no one, and lives only to reap revenge on those who wronged him. And now he has stolen her, body and soul.

Can a woman plagued by mystery fall in love with the man who refuses to face the truth? And can a man drenched in darkness forgo his quest for vengeance-and finally find redemption?

He touched me like a man in love. He touched me like a man who knew me. Who adored me and wanted me for just as long as I’d wanted him.
It was a lie.

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!!!!!

This book was just – WOW! Stunning. Captivating. Dark and gritty. So epically written and handled. I loved it!

I’ve only read three other books by Pepper Winters – Tears of Tess, Destroyed, and Debt Inheritance – and while I liked them… they were nothing compared to Ruin & Rule. Ruin & Rule was truly an experience – it’s the type of book you get absorbed into and never lets you go. It’s so addicting and beautifully written – it’s definitely the best Pepper Winter book I’ve read so far.

The heroine wakes up with no knowledge of who she is – her memories are a complete blank slate. She doesn’t know her name or where she’s from and most importantly, why she wakes up bound and captive.

How could I deal with this new world if I didn’t know what skills I had to stay alive? How could I hope to defeat my enemy when my mind revolted and locked me out?
Who am I?
To have who I was deleted… It was unthinkable.

She finds herself held hostage by the Pure Corruption MC – by the MC president who she believes she knows from her past. Every look into Arthur Killian’s eyes is like coming home… except he looks at her with hate. My heart was aching for the heroine, for how desperate she was to find out who she was and who Kill was to her. She starts remembering snippets of memories, nothing concrete, but she knows Kill recognizes her. But unless she can prove it, she stuck as a hostage about to be sold.

Once upon a time, I’d loved him in a nightmare so much worse than this one. I’d grown wet for him in another reality, all while he worshipped me, adored me.
It wasn’t my fault I couldn’t separate fact from fiction, truth from fable.

This book took me on a roller coaster of emotions. I wanted so badly for the heroine to remember who she was – I wanted to know who she was – but nothing would force the memories back into her brain. And Kill – oh my god, Kill! I loved him. He’s powerful, dark, dangerous, and NOT a good man… but I was freaking addicted to his character. He’s a man who lives on vengeance and hate but is inexplicably drawn to the woman who reminds him of his lost love.

The undeniable chemistry between Kill and heroine took my breath away. Their connection is strong and raw and intense, and when they fall into bed with each other, it is scorching. It gets seriously HOT between them – the sex is off. the. charts! There’s an animal-like intensity between them that I freaking loved.

Ruin & Rule is not an easy read. There are so many layers to this book, so many questions and only a few of them are answered. Pepper Winters masterfully creates a plot that is as puzzling as it is intriguing. Her writing is so, SO good – almost poetic. I loved the writing, I was addicted to the story, and I was intrigued by the characters… this book is just a MUST READ! I couldn’t put it down for a second. And the ending! Ruin & Rule ends on a cliffhanger, and while I normally don’t like cliffhangers, this one didn’t bother me very much. I was expecting it, and it felt like the right place to end the first book while still leaving you wanting for the second. I highly recommend this book – it’s so worth the read, even if you don’t like cliffhangers!

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

Reading Order: Pure Corruption MC series

#1 ~ Ruin & Rule: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Sin & Suffer: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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1Jun2015

Early Review: The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert
Series: The O’Malleys #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 2nd 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert begins a smoking hot new series about the O’Malley family-wealthy, powerful, dangerous and seething with scandal.

Teague O’Malley hates pretty much everything associated with his family’s name. And when his father orders him to marry Callista Sheridan to create a “business” alliance, Teague’s ready to tell his dad exactly where he can stuff his millions. But then Teague actually meets his new fiancée, sees the bruises on her neck and the fight still left in her big blue eyes, and vows he will do everything in his power to protect her.

Everyone knows the O’Malleys have a dangerous reputation. But Callie wasn’t aware just what that meant until she saw Teague, the embodiment of lethal grace and coiled power. His slightest touch sizzles through her. But the closer they get, the more trouble they’re in. Because Callie’s keeping a dark secret-and what Teague doesn’t know could get him killed.

I’d previously only read one other book by Katee Robert (Falling for His Best Friend) and utterly adored it, so I was looking forward to reading the author’s other books. I was especially looking forward to this one, since I’m a big fan of mafia books. The Marriage Contract sounded right up my alley, and that blurb had me hooked! I didn’t end up entirely loving this book, but I really enjoyed it – it’s a promising start to The O’Malley’s series, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this series.

Callista “Callie” Sheridan is heir to the Sheridan mafia family, and as the heir her duty is to do anything and everything that benefits the family – including an arranged marriage with one of the O’Malley’s, a rival mafia family. As much as she opposes an arranged marriage, she takes her job as the heir seriously, but once she gets a glimpse of her fiancé, she’s not as reluctant to enter into the marriage.

“If you could see the way you’re looking at me right now.”
She immediately dropped her eyes, but only for a heartbeat. “How am I looking at you?”
… “Like there are a thousand thoughts rushing behind those beautiful blue eyes and every single on of them involves up, naked and sweaty.”

Teague O’Malley wants nothing better than to take his siblings away and escape from the mafia life. Unfortunately, his father has other plans for him. He’s ordered to marry the Sheridan heir to form an alliance between the families. But upon their first meeting, Teague is intrigued by Callie and his protective instincts rise when he sees bruises on her neck. Both are incredibly attracted to one another, and the author did a great job amping up the chemistry between the main characters.

I didn’t connect very well with Callie or Teague, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy their characters or story, because I did. I liked how both Callie and Teague grew so protective of each other. The Hallorans, the other prominent mafia family in their city, want to start a war with the Sheridans and O’Malleys, and Callie and Teague are in danger. They go to great lengths to protect each other and their families, all the while taking time out to spend as much time together. They easily fall for one another, although Callie hides a secret that could tear them apart. Both are loyal, passionate, stubborn people, and I really enjoyed the way they just clicked together.

“I might not have been the one to choose you, but you’re mine, Teague O’Malley, for better or worse.”

Overall, I liked this book, though it wasn’t what I expected. There’s a ton of stuff going on between the three mafia families, and it was nearly difficult to keep up with everything. The plot, intriguing as it is, sometimes overshadowed the romance, which I wasn’t a fan of. Still, it’s a good first book to this series that I expect I’ll come to love. I’m actually really excited for the next book, Carrigan and James’s story! Carrigan is Teague’s sister and James is a Halloran, so I’m VERY intrigued to see how the story will play out with such an antagonistic couple.

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

Reading Order: The O’Malleys series

#1 ~ The Marriage Contract: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Wedding Pact: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ An Indecent Proposal: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Aug. 30, 2016)

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23Feb2015

Release Day Review: By Any Other Name by J.M. Darhower

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

By Any Other Name by J.M. Darhower
Series: Forbidden #1
Publication Date: February 23rd 2015
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

A deadly rivalry.
Two families at war.
Nobody is safe, not even the innocent.
Especially the innocent.
Blood will be spilled.

Genevieve “Genna” Galante knows a thing or two about causing trouble. After all, it’s engrained in her DNA. As the only daughter of Primo Galante, notorious boss of the Galante crime family, her life is dictated by a certain set of rules… rules Genna was never very good at following.

Matteo “Matty” Barsanti never wanted anything to do with the family business, but as the first-born Barsanti son, certain things are expected of him. It’s his duty, according to his father, to help take down the enemy… even if that enemy means something to him.

A chance encounter on an elevator changes the course of lives, causing the biggest trouble of Genna’s young life. The only good Barsanti is a dead Barsanti. She’s heard it said time and time again. So what happens when she falls in love with one of them?

The story of star-crossed lovers caught in the middle of the biggest rivalry New York has ever seen, determined to make it… if only they can survive their parents’ feud.

It seems that every time I finish a book by J.M. Darhower, all I can feel or say is OH MY GOOOODDD!!! J.M. Darhower is one of the few authors I trust to give me a well-written, fleshed-out, and addictive mafia story, and she has yet to let me down. Her newest one, By Any Other Name, definitely lived up to my expectations. I freaking loved this book! If you haven’t read a mafia story based on Romeo and Juliet, you haven’t lived yet.

A deadly rivalry.
Two families at war.
Nobody is safe, not even the innocent.
Especially the innocent.
Blood will be spilled.

Seriously, I was nearly salivating at the thought of reading a mafia story with a forbidden love like Romeo and Juliet’s. Two rival mafia families whose children fall in love with each other? YES PLEASE!!

“The Prodigal Son and the Ice Princess, huh? Sounds like a terrible fairy tale. You know, the kind where the big bad wolf eats everybody at the end.”

The Barsantis and the Galantes are enemies. What used to be a friendship turned into a bloodthirsty rival, with too many deaths and murders between them for the two families to ever reconcile. Genna Galante’s older brother was killed by the Barsantis, so she grew up fearing and hating the Barsantis. I was very impressed by how the author was able to portray the hatred as a real, powerful thing between the families. It’s a frustrating kind of hatred that the families brought upon themselves, but, like the star-crossed main characters, I held onto the hope that the rivalry could end. But what exactly would it take to end their feud?

When Genna Galante and Matty Barsanti meet, they don’t know who they are to each other, so instead of hating each other on sight, they’re instantly attracted to one another. I didn’t connect with them very well in the beginning – they fell for each other too quickly for my taste, but I was able to forgive that as I kept reading. Their romance felt more genuine later on in the book, and my heart was aching for them once their identities were revealed. They were too deeply into each other at that point, so the only thing they could do was keep their relationship a secret.

He was a Barsanti…
…but maybe the Barsantis weren’t the enemy.

Oh, how I adored Genna and Matty. Once I got over the rough start with them, I was rooting for these star-crossed lovers to get their happy ever after. But every time it seemed like their relationship could work, their families got involved and tried to force them apart. I adored the tender way Matty and Genna were together – they make the sweetest couple ever, and it’s so obvious that these two are meant for each other. But how will they ever make their families see the same?

By Any Other Name was an unputdownable, heart-pounding read that had my on the edge of my seat! The suspense builds and builds, and this was one of the few books where I was terrified for the main characters. Genna and Matty’s love is caught in the middle of a dangerous feud, but theirs is a love that won’t go down without a fight. I grew attached to the main characters, as well as the secondary characters. The writing is impeccable and the story is seriously addicting. This is another thrilling, dangerous, romantic novel from J.M. Darhower! I cannot WAIT for the sequel!

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

7Feb2015

Release Day Review: Tight by Alessandra Torre

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Tight by Alessandra Torre
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: February 7th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

I was happy in my small town. In my life as a single, thirty-two year old woman. I had a good job, wonderful friends, my independence.

I also hadn’t got laid in three years. Hadn’t been on a date in two. Had stopped counting calories and wearing makeup… a while ago.

Then Brett Jacobs waltzed in. Caressed my thigh, dug rough fingers into my hair, lowered his soft mouth to my skin, took sexual control of my mind and stirred it all around with what he packed in his pants. He flipped my quiet life upside down and crawled into a place in my heart I thought was dead.

The issue is his secret.
The issue is her.
The issue is that I don’t even know she exists, and he thinks she’s dead.
The issue is that shit is about to hit the fan and I can’t hold on to him tight enough.

The word ‘tight’ has twenty-two definitions, but my favorite is Webster’s fifth – “a bond which cannot be broken.”

Oh. My. God!!! What a book! I stayed up all night reading Tight. It was surprising how fast I devoured this book – I honestly couldn’t put it down!

This is the first book I’ve read from Alessandra Torre, which I am totally ashamed about – I wish I read some of her books earlier because her writing rocks! Apparently Tight is a bit different than her previous books, but from what I’ve read, it was freaking awesome already. The storyline was one giant mindfuck, and I loved it. Tight is a deeply romantic book about strength and survival – it takes you on one wild ride from start to finish. I nearly couldn’t keep up with this book!

The issue is his secret.
The issue is her.
The issue is that I don’t even know she exists, and he thinks she’s dead.
The issue is that shit is about to hit the fan and I can’t hold on to him tight enough.

So… who the hell is her??? I had my suspicions about who ‘her’ was, but this book still kept me on the edge of my toes, kept me wondering and guessing. I’m still thinking about this book days later – Tight is definitely the kind of book that stays with you!

Our heroine, Riley, is a small-town girl from Florida. She’s a happy girl, content with her life, but everything changes when she meets Brett while on a trip for her friend’s bachelorette party. Brett is handsome, sexy, rich, and enigmatic – she knows pretty much nothing about him except how much he wants her and she wants him. What begins as a one-night-stand turns into so much more as Riley and Brett can’t keep their thoughts away from each other and decide to pursue an actual relationship. It’s a warm, blooming romance between these two as they fall in love – Brett spoils Riley and takes her on exotic trips. He’s pretty much the perfect guy… except he has some secrets.

Though Tight is told mostly in Riley’s POV, we also have the occasional chapter in Brett’s POV as well as the mysterious ‘her’ from the blurb. I don’t want to tell you more because it’s best to go in blind. Just know that nothing in this book is expected – my mind was going all over the place, trying to think up answers to all my questions about the story and the characters.

I applaud Alessandra Torre for her masterful storytelling. It was brilliant and wonderfully executed, and I was also a HUGE fan of the writing. Ms. Torre nails the suspense in this one – I read Tight in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down! As I was nearing the climax of the book, my heart was pounding and I was nearly breathless. The ending was flawless and utterly satisfying. I highly recommend this book!

The only reason why I can’t give a full 5 hearts is because of how I didn’t connect with Riley or Brett. I liked them well enough, and I loved the story, but they just didn’t have that spark that would make me love a character. Still, I was too wrapped up in the story to mind too much.

If you’re a fan of books that perfectly balance romance and gripping, nail-biting suspense, Tight is for you!

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

Also by Alessandra Torre

Black Lies: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Sex Love Repeat: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Hollywood Dirt: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Love, Chloe: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Moonshot: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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