Inked Hearts by Lindsay Detwiler

Title: Inked Hearts

Author: Lindsay Detwiler

Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing

Publication Date:  October 21, 2017

Blurb:

Suffering from the sting of betrayal, twenty-eight-year-old Avery Johannas quits her job and moves hundreds of miles away to Ocean City, the beach town of her dreams. With the help of her zany roommate, Jodie, Avery finds a new career, home, and freedom. Throughout her self-exploration, she makes only one rule: She won’t give her heart to a man again. She’s living for herself this time.

But then she meets Jesse.

A tattoo shop owner, the green-eyed Jesse Pearce is wild with a touch of mystery. As Jesse and Avery explore Ocean City and their friendship, they’ll have a hard time drawing a line in the sand between their hearts.

When summer nights get a little more heated than either expected, they’ll have to ask themselves: Can they let go of their notions of love, or will their hearts be permanently inked by past pain?

Review:

If you’re looking for a soft, romantic read with limited drama and some real emotion then look no further.  Inked Hearts by Lindsay Detwiler is the sort of novel you’d want to read in the bath with candles and some classical music playing.  That’s not how I read it.  I actually read it while splayed out on my couch with a cat across my abdomen, but that’s how I wish I read it.

Finally we have a woman who has been cheated on who isn’t a total cliché.  It’s a beautiful thing.  Avery’s emotions of anger and sadness and confusion are real and honest.  I wanted to reach through the pages and embrace her in a hug at times and other times I wanted to throttle her for her missteps. I found myself flipping through the book desperately hoping that Avery got what she wanted—what she needed—in the end.

Jesse is a breath of fresh-air among male protagonists.  He was funny, confident, and sexy and I completely believed that he could successfully convince a woman, who had sworn off men, to give love another try.  Let me tell you.  Something about a nice, tatted guy who doesn’t mind showing his emotions gets me all fired up.

Avery and Jesse make such an authentic couple.  I love stories where the couple is wildly attracted to each other and fall into bed the first instant they can and have passionate, wild sex… but this isn’t that story and I didn’t even care.  Avery and Jesse are wildly into each other, that’s for sure, but due to Avery’s sense of betrayal they approach their relationship as though it’s their first.  There’s all that innocence and harmony that makes you remember your own first.

The title might make you think you’re about to fall into a tattoo-filled book but in reality the tattooing falls by the wayside to make room for sweet romance, cute dogs, and boisterous secondary characters.  It was a delight.

You can pre-order Lindsay Detwiler's novel here for a mere $2.49!

Indecent Exposure (The Academy) by Tessa Bailey

Title: Indecent Exposure (The Academy)

Author: Tessa Bailey

Publication Date: February 2018

Publisher: HarperCollins

Blurb: Jack Garrett isn’t a police officer yet, but there’s already an emergency. His new firearms instructor—the one who just dropped every jaw in the academy gym—is the same sexy Irish stranger Jack locked lips with last night. The Olympic gold medalist and expert markswoman is now officially off-limits, but Jack’s never cared much for rules . . .

Katie McCoy’s been cooped up in a shooting range for too long. A wild love affair is just what she needs to let loose, though she never imagined it would be with her smokin’ hot trainee. She cannot get involved with Jack—but a quick fling? Perfect. Falling hard for a charismatic recruit with an equal amount of sex appeal and secrets? Bloody stupid.

Jack’s charmed the pants off plenty of women (literally), yet few have ever looked beyond his perfect surface. Until Katie. He’ll do anything to keep her in his life . . . except tell her about his past. But a tiny lie of omission never hurt anyone, right?

Review: Wow, wow, wow.  Tessa Bailey has gone and done it again.  This book was naughty, heart-wrenching, silly, and dramatic… everything you want out of a romance novel and more.  Indecent Exposure caught me up in its web from the very first word and held me captivated the entire time.

There is nothing more satisfying than feeling as though you’re reading someone’s autobiography.  Reading Jack’s chapters was an emotional experience for me.  I could feel the pain radiating straight off the pages and into my chest and it was a wholly uncomfortable experience of which I loved every minute.  I don’t want to get into spoilers (I pride myself on keeping those out of my reviews) but Jack’s situation was incredibly personal for me, as I’m sure it will be for many people, and I loved that there was an author brave enough to put that experience to paper.

Katie was an adorable character with some unique personality traits that had me laughing out loud frequently throughout this novel.  She was a delightful person and I never had any reason to wonder why Jack was falling so madly in love with her.  In fact, I was doing a little of the same.

The relationship between Jack and Katie was a fabulous ride of ups and downs that felt just the right amount of dramatic.  No drama=bad.  Too much drama=stressful.  You know how it is.  Their love for one another was something special and I loved that I was able to be a part of it if only for a short time.

The first book in the series Disorderly Conduct was a great read—you can read my review here—but Indecent Exposure blew it out of the water and I’m anticipating the third book, Disturbing His Peace, in the series to be the best of all.  The worst thing about my life right now is that I can’t read it yet.  I consider myself the luckiest person in the world to have discovered Tessa Bailey and I hope that others will take this as a sign to pick up her books.

All I Want for Halloween by Marie Harte

Title: All I Want for Halloween

Author: Marie Harte

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Publication Date: October 2017

Blurb: Tonight, Sadie Liberato plans to let go.  Dressed up and anonymous, Sadie feels powerful, sexy, and free.  Where better to lose herself than a costume party?  Gear Blackstone’s cheating ex and scheming best friend have managed to spin his life into a serious downward spiral.  At least with a mask on he can cut loose for one night.  And cut loose he does—with the sexiest, snarkiest woman he’s ever met.  After a scorching-hot encounter, Sadie and Gear are desperate to find each other in real life.  But can the heat last when the masks come off?

Review:  Until receiving this beauty in the mail I'd never really considered the idea of Halloween themed romance novel.  I suppose I should have expected they existed however given that there are dozens of romance novels out there in which a woman engages in an elicit affair with a dinosaur.  Don't believe me? Click here.  This is one of many and--what a blessing--it's free for your Kindle.  Maybe I'll make it my next review.

All I Want for Halloween by Marie Harte doesn't actually have all that much to do with Halloween other than the characters, Sadie and Gear, meet at a Halloween party.  So if the thought of Halloween turns you off you may still enjoy this novel.

Sadie and Gear aka. Harrison aren't unique characters.  Sadie has that 'I don't trust men' attitude that I don't particularly fancy in my characters but thankfully it's not all that distracting.  I really resonated with her inability to control her temper and running her mouth.  That's something I'm constantly struggling with and it was very enjoyable to see a character who doesn't always know the right and perfect thing to say.

Gear is another relatively generic character but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy him.  I liked his attitude, I liked his looks, and I loved his dirty mouth.  Sometimes you crave the romance in a romance novel and sometimes you just want some guy who doesn't mind saying exactly what he's thinking and then doing exactly what he's saying.

Together Sadie and Gear had explosive chemistry.  I had doubts for their relationship for a while but as the book progressed I enjoyed listening to their banter and watching the intimacy develop beyond just sex.  I wanted to see them work.

The book wasn’t out-of-this-world or utterly amazing but it was funny, entertaining, and an all-around good time.  I don’t consider the time spent reading this novel a waste of an evening but rather an enjoyable use of my time.  All I Want for Halloween is a read that will keep you laughing but also get that blood pumping.

  

Disorderly Conduct (The Academy) by Tessa Bailey

Title: Disorderly Conduct (The Academy)

Author: Tessa Bailey

Publication Date: August 29, 2017

Publisher: Harper Collins

Blurb:

Police academy cadet Charlie Burns can’t believe his luck when the gorgeous blonde he meets in a bar murmurs those magic words: “Nothing serious, ’kay?” Mind-blowing, no-strings sex with Ever Carmichael—it’s the holy grail of hookups for a guy who’s too busy following in his law enforcement family’s footsteps to think about getting serious. Charlie’s all about casual…that is, until Ever calls it quits and his world tilts on its axis.

Ever knows that when you control the relationship game, you can’t get played. But for the first time, she wants more than short-term satisfaction. Step one: end her fling with commitment-phobic Charlie. Step two: sacrifice herself to the ruthless NYC dating scene. Yet everywhere she turns, there’s Charlie, being his ridiculously charming self. No online match or blind date compares to the criminally hot cop-in-training, but they’re over. Aren’t they?

If love is a four-letter-word, why does the idea of Ever seeing someone else tie Charlie up in knots? Now he’s desperate to win her back…and a little date sabotage never hurt anyone, right?

Review:

Well, here we are again.  At the corner of “female protagonist has trust issues” and “male protagonist has commitment issues”.  Thankfully, and I do mean this wholeheartedly, Disorderly Conduct by Tessa Bailey more than makes up for the slight cliché with fun twists, raunchy language, and heart-stopping romance.

This book had me laughing out loud while frantically flipping the pages to find out what could possibly happen next between Ever and Charlie.  Did I mention I love the name Charlie?  I so do.  These characters are passion embodied.  They’re push and pull all throughout the book, willfully blind to that which is right in front of them.  It’s frustrating, to say the least, but the ending wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying if they didn’t have to work for it.

The relationship is the story in Disorderly Conduct.  There’s little background drama or diverging plotlines and it didn’t need it.  It was a wonderfully written tale that captured and kept my attention the entire time.  I try to never let myself start a romance novel after nine at night because I know that I’ll mostly likely stay up past my bedtime finishing, but I picked up Disorderly Conduct and I read the crap out of it until well after midnight.  Whoops.  Worth it.

I can tell that I am going to love The Academy series because I so much loved the secondary characters whose books are already in the works.  There was no character mentioned without reason; no fluff, no moments of ‘who is this random person’, nothing like that.  They’re purposeful, dynamic, and fabulous and I cannot wait for their turn in the spotlight.

My favorite part about reading Tessa Bailey’s books is how Ms. Bailey isn’t afraid to get down and dirty with her language.  You won’t find fluffy euphemisms within the covers of her books.  Her writing, to put it simply, makes my blood heat.

This isn’t my first Tessa Bailey experience and it won’t be my last.  I plan to devour her novels one by one until I’m one of those fans foaming at the mouth for her new releases.  It’s a natural response after reading her work.  Disorderly Conduct comes out next Tuesday, August 29^th, so get your Kindles set to pre-order.

Heart on Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles #3) by Amanda Bouchet

Title: Heart on Fire (The Kingmaker Chronicles)

Author: Amanda Bouchet

Publication Date: January 2018

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Blurb: 

Who is Catalia Fisa?

With the help of pivotal figures from her past, Cat begins to understand the root of her exceptional magic, her fated union with Griffin Sinta, and Griffin's role in shaping her destiny.

Only Cat holds the key to unlocking her own power, and that means finally accepting herself, her past, and her future in order to protect her loved ones, confront her murderous mother, and taking a final, terrifying step--reuniting all three realms and taking her place as the Queen of Thalyria.

What doesn't kill her will only make her stronger...we hope.

Review:

My reaction reading the first book in a great series:  “When are they going to have sex?  Wow, that was a great sex scene.  When’s the next sex scene?”

My reaction reading the second book in a great series:  “That was a great sex scene, but I’m really wondering what’s going to happen next with this amazing and tumultuous plot line.”

My reaction reading the third book in a great series:  “How many pages until I’m done with this sex scene and can figure out how this book is going to end?!?!?!?!”

That exactly how my reading the Kingmaker Chronicles series went.  For those of you who haven’t read the previous two novels A Promise of Fire and Breath of Fire, please pause your reading of this review and go BUY THEM.  I’m not even kidding.  They’re my most highly recommended novels of all time.

You can read my review of A Promise of Fire here and my review of Breath of Fire here.  If you follow my reviews and you haven’t yet purchased these books or you just read the reviews and haven’t purchased the books then please reevaluate your life choices!

Heart on Fire was a fantastic ending to a trilogy that has had my love and devotion from the very first sentence.  I’m going to have to read this novel again immediately because honestly I was so tense and anxious during my first read that I barely retained any information whatsoever.  Add in the fact that reading Heart on Fire only made me want to go back and reread the first two books in the series and I’m going to be spending the next few days knee deep in the Kingmaker Chronicles.  I’m not even mad about it… it seems like a fantastic way to spend my time.

The chemistry between Griffin and Cat is some of the best I’ve ever read.  Their love for one another bled off the pages and inserted itself deep inside my chest.  The way they communicate with one another, the way they trust one another unconditionally, the way they live for one another… it’s just the epitome of love.  I find myself thinking about their partnership long after I’ve finished reading their story.

Author Amanda Bouchet has some serious talent when it comes to weaving stories and creating believable characters.  The plot that has carried over these three novels is some of the best story-telling I’ve ever encountered.  Just when you think you know what’s about to happen she flips your world upside down and introduces another twist that has your head reeling.  She has had me enraptured from the very beginning, desperate to know what’s around every page.  If you’re tired of novels where you can see the ending coming a mile away then you need to pick up this series.

The best part about the Kingmaker Chronicles is that the characters within these pages are a family, a family you want to be a part of and Amanda Bouchet makes you believe that you can be.  I desperately hope that the author takes a Gena Showalter approach to her novels and just weaves a world with these people she’s created, taking us on adventure after adventure.

Heart on Fire isn’t out until January 2018, but never fear… that gives you plenty of time to pick up the first two books in the series and read them over, and over, and over again.

Can't Let Go: A Bad Boy Romance by Gena Showalter

Title: Can't Let Go (The Original Heartbreakers #5)

Author: Gena Showalter

Publication Date: October 31, 2017

Publisher: Harlequin Books

Blurb: With trust issues a mile long, Ryanne Wade has sworn off men. Then Jude Laurent walks into her bar, and all bets are off. The former army ranger has suffered unimaginably, first being maimed in battle then losing his wife and daughters to a drunk driver. Making the brooding widower smile is priority one. Resisting him? Impostsible. 

For Jude, Ryanne is off-limits. And yet the beautiful bartender who serves alcohol to potential motorists tempts him like no other. When a rival bar threatens her livelihood—and her life—he can't turn away. She triggers something in him he thought long buried, and he's determined to protect her, whatever the cost. 

As their already scorching attraction continues to heat, the damaged soldier knows he must let go of his past to hold on to his future…or risk losing the second chance he desperately needs.

Review:

Certain authors, when paired with the term "new release", make my heart do a happy pitter-patter dance against my breastbone.  Such was the case with Gena Showalter and her upcoming novel Can't Let Go: A Bad Boy Romance (Original Heartbreakers).  This is the fifth book in the Original Heartbreakers series, though I didn't realize that until I was nearly half-way through the novel at the mention of Dorothea and Daniel, characters from the fourth book in the series Can't Hardly Breathe (a book I reviewed a couple months ago, here.)  That shows how aware I am...

(Before you decide 'I'm not going to read this series that's already five books in, hear me out.  I never read The Original Heartbreakers #1-#3 and I didn't need to read #4, Can't Hardly Breathe, to understand what was happening in Can't Let Go... but given that there were a couple overlapping characters you might start with Can't Hardly Breathe if you want to give this novel a go.)

In the first couple pages we are introduced to Jude and I instantly fell under the spell of his good looks and bad boy attitude.  That was short-lived though once I learned that the cause of this attitude was due to the death of his family, wife and twin daughters, at the hands of a drunk driver.  Suddenly the emotions running through my body were not those of love and passion, but rather of sadness and hopelessness.  It is only due to the splendid writing of Gena Showalter that those feelings quickly faded into feelings of optimism and anticipation.  Jude is one of those characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what he will say and do next.

At first glance Ryanne Wade appeared to be one of those overdone female protagonists.  You know the type... had a bad experience with men in her past and now no longer trusts men or believes in love.  Yeah, that type.  Thankfully, Ryanne turned out to be more than that.  She has trust issues, but doesn't judge all men for the actions of a few, doesn't let her beliefs about men run her life, and isn't entirely closed off to the possibility of love.  She's a powerful, independent woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to reach out and grab it.  Relatable to many women, I'm sure.

The chemistry between Ryanne and Jude is off the charts from page one, which I can appreciate.  There's nothing more frustrating that a romance novel that just refuses to take off and find it's footing. You won't find that here.  Between these pages you'll find ice and fire, night and day, Ryanne and Jude.  The passion between the two of them is brilliant and heart-pounding.  The most powerful part of their relationship is that Jude, a man who despises alcohol with every fiber of his being, finds it within himself to help Ryanne protect her bar, a business he does not respect.  You won't be disappointed.

All in all, this book is a classic Gena Showalter novel: well-written with strong characters and an action-packed plotline.  It comes out October 31st and you can pre-order it here.

Killing Her Softly by Barb Warner Deane

Title: Killing Her Softly

Author: Barb Warner Deane

Publication Date: September 29, 2017

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Blurb:  Afraid for her life after spending ten years in an abusive marriage, Kate Finelli has to find the courage to get herself out when a surprise inheritance gives her a chance. When she calls the sheriff’s office, she hears the familiar voice Jack, the first man to show her love. Can Kate trust him to help her get away from the long-suffering abuse? She has to hide from her husband to stay alive.

​

A former FBI agent, Jack returned to Harper’s Glen at the request of his dying friend, the town sheriff. Jack has been estranged from his family for years because his father never appreciated him as compared to his brothers and because Kate, the girl he fell in love with in high school, married one of those brothers. With strained family ties, Jack doesn’t plan on staying in this small town for long, until a panicked call comes in from Kate. He left when she chose his brother, but must stay to help her now.
 

With the backdrop of a murder investigation and threatening notes, Kate and Jack find each other again. Will the tension within their family keep them apart? Or will their struggle for safety bring them together after all these years?

Review: Killing Her Softly by Barb Warner Deane is a suspenseful, emotional rollercoaster that, all things considered, is really quite a lovely read.  It's not often that a romance novel begins in heart-breaking fashion, but somehow Killing Her Softly makes it work without turning me off the story completely (I mean, I don't read a romance novel to cry tears of sorrow...).  From there the story quickly moves from sadness to a more hopeful undertone, and then quickly dives straight into suspense, frustration, and danger.  

When we meet Kate for the first time we are introduced to a character who doesn't know her own strength.  She's fearful of her abusive husband and can hardly see a way out of her current life.  It was an emotionally charged journey to accompany her through her transformation of becoming a powerful woman who is more than capable of taking her future in her own hands and getting herself where she wants to be.  Every woman wants to be like Kate.  Every woman should be like Kate: courageous, intelligent, and someone who, when everything looks like it's going to shit, believes in herself.

Kate isn't the only one looking to change her future.  Jack arrives back in town still wrecked with grief following the death of his wife and dealing with his complex feelings regarding his troubled relationship with his family and his feelings for his sister-in-law.  It's clear from their first interactions with one another that there are deep-seated feelings that both he and Kate are battling.  I enjoyed getting the chance to watch their relationship with one another develop despite the stressful plot and the twists the author sees fit to through at the reader.

The relationship between these two characters is understandably complicated, which makes the romance that develops between them feel all the more real.  Rather than explosive passion and sweat-inducing sex scenes you will find in the pages of so many of the books I review here Killing Her Softly will introduce you to a gentle, heart-wrenching romance between two characters who have lost so much, but managed to keep one another.

This is a relatively short read, but it packs a wallop between the pages.  Lots of emotion, lots of danger, lots of love.  You can pre-order it now at The Wild Rose Press or Amazon.