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If you're traveling to this blog from one of my Goodreads reviews or old Instagram posts I wanted to let you know that Romantically Inclined Reviews has moved to it's own web domain.

Please check out www.romanticallyinclinedreviews.com for Author Spotlights, book reviews, book-related posts, giveaways, and more!

Thanks!

Kate LeBeau

His Distraction (X Enterprises Book #1) by Tanya Gallagher

The first book I read by author Tanya Gallagher was A Slippery Slope about a young woman starting her own lube company with the assistance of an old friend.  It was a breath of fresh air for contemporary romance mixed with some fun lube facts.  You can read my review of A Slippery Slope here.  When I was contacted about providing an honest review for her newest book His Distraction I jumped at the chance because I love the unique, sex toy centered plot lines of her novels.

Blurb: Jeremy Glass, CEO of Seattle’s hottest sex toy company, has a fantastic life: he’s single, rich, and has a parade of “product testers” to help him warm his sheets at night. He’s about to land the deal of a lifetime and finally prove that his untraditional business is more than valid. The only problem is he just fired the one woman his client insists handle their account. He knows if he hires her back, Vanessa Reese will be a distraction—after all, she’s gorgeous, sweet, and witty. Jeremy knows better than to mix business and pleasure, but he suddenly finds himself chasing after a woman for a change, and this one’s determined to keep him on his toes.

When Jeremy asks Vanessa to come back to X Enterprises, she isn’t interested in what he has to offer—not his pretty face and sculpted body, and certainly not his arrogant attitude—until Jeremy makes her a deal: spend ten weeks in his employment, and then he’ll help her land the social work job she really wants. When Vanessa agrees, she finds herself plunged into a world of sin and indulgence she never imagined. Despite the attraction between herself and Jeremy, Vanessa is determined not to give in and hand over her dignity and her chance at a steady paycheck. Probably. Because the more time she spends with Jeremy, the more she uncovers the kind, charming man hidden under his cocky exterior.

Can a sex toy CEO and a bleeding heart ever find love, or will their connection destroy everything they’ve worked for?

Review: His Distraction is an interesting take on the hot boss-sexy employee trope.  It has all the wonderful elements of forbidden love thrust into a sex toy environment.  I love that Tanya Gallagher can take something so taboo in every day culture and bring it to you in such a relatable way.  Everyone should read this book if only to eliminate some of the stigma that revolves around usage of sex toys on your own or in your relationship!  I also learned a little about how dildos are made… who knew (insert shrug here).

Vanessa is a bleeding heart social worker and I can relate to that as a social worker myself.  Nothing makes forbidden love sweeter than a social worker falling for a corporate asshole.  She was a confidence, hard-working, sex bomb of a lady with a penchant for putting other’s needs above her own.  What more do you need out of a heroine?

Jeremy was an aggravating son of a bitch who slowly gained my appreciation once he stopped being such a tool.  But that’s the attraction of a cocky boss, no?  Vanessa’s influence on Jeremy is a slow but steady approach, but I loved that he was willing to put aside his instinct to control everything in order to be the best man for Vanessa.  Nothing is sexier than a powerful man coming to his knees for his woman.

I think Tanya Gallagher has a real talent for creating dynamic characters who push each other to be better people.  His Distraction is a really fun read for those who fancy contemporary reads with a sexy twist.  Forewarning there’s sex and tons of it between these pages and with a sex toy creator as a main character the sex can get…creative.  Be ready to expand your knowledge of play in the bedroom… and the restaurant.

Pick up your copy today!

**This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.  I do not post reviews of books on my blog unless I truly enjoy them, regardless of how they were acquired.  My own personal policy.

Runaway Heiress (A Dare to Defy Novel) by Syrie James

Blurb: Brainy and college-educated, American heiress Alexandra Atherton will do anything to avoid marriage to the English peer her mother has chosen for her—even abandon the life of privilege she's always known. But as her escape goes horribly wrong, Alexandra must invent a new identity to gain the help of a handsome stranger.

Thomas Carlyle, the Earl of Longford, sweeps in and out of London disguised as a humble artist, earning just enough to keep his ancestral Cornwall estate afloat. When Alexandra crashes into his life, she awakens feelings and desires that he vows will stay buried. Despite himself, he needs this beautiful newcomer, for his sisters have run off another governess.

Alexandra is surprised to find she thrives in her new position at Longford's home. But as she grows closer to Thomas and his sisters, and her relationship with the emotionally guarded earl unleashes their hidden passions, the truth Alexandra's been forced to hide may end up coming between her and the only man she's ever loved.

Review:  I know that I’ve mentioned multiple times how much I love runaway heiress/hidden identity novels, but oh-my-gosh I love them and I want to scream it from the rooftops.  Runaway Heiress by Syrie James is no exception to that rule.  In fact, it’s even better because both the hero and the heroine are operating under a case of hidden identity.  That might be the first time I’ve read a runaway heiress story with that unique of a premise.

Sometimes in historical romance novels the women are timid and naïve, a consequence of the time period obviously, but I do so prefer brave heroines who know what they want—or don’t want—and reach out and take it.  Alexandra is that heroine.  Not to mention she’s amazing with the children she’s tasked to educate and that made me adore her even more! I found the fact that she was an American heiress to be a unique twist on what can sometimes come off as a been there-done that a million times story.

Thomas Carlyle was an interesting hero.  For one, I don’t recall ever reading about a hero in a historical romance wearing glasses—alright, so they’re fake, but still!  That’s sexy.  Maybe I’m biased because I wear glasses and want everyone to think they’re sexy.  I don’t know.  Let’s move on.  Watching Thomas move from indifferent to his sisters to actually enjoying being in their company was something special.  I positively adore children in romance novels because they bring such humor to the storyline.

Runaway Heiress has drama.  So, if that’s your thing: perfect!  There’s attempted kidnappings, there’s—obviously—mistake identities, there’s making out in dark hallways, there’s beautiful paintings, and there’s big, decrepit manors.  All in all, it’s a wonderful read that I was sorry to see end.  I eagerly await the rest of this series!  You can purchase Runaway Heiress now.

Pucked (Pucked #1) by Helena Hunting

I’ve never been into dating athletes.  Most of my ex-boyfriends have been artists in one way or another, but then I met my current husband who is an avid water polo player and did myself a romance cliché.  The nerd married the jock.  Insert gasps here.  But I, like many other women, don’t mind reading about hot, buff men once in a while… if I have to, you know?  Hockey romances are my absolute favorite, so one-clicking Pucked was no hardship.

Blurb: With a famous NHL player for a stepbrother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation of many a hockey star.  So of course she isn’t interested in legendary team captain Alex Waters of his pretty, beat-up face and rock-hard six-pack abs.  When Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes much more than just a hot body with the fact to match.

Suffering from a complete lapse in judgment, Violet discovers just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants.  Violet believes her night of orgasmic magic with Alex is just that: one night.  But Alex starts to call. And text. And email and send extravagant—too quirky—gifts.  Suddenly he’s too difficult to ignore, and nearly impossible not to like.  The problem is that the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be a part of the game.

Review:  I think my favorite part about sports romances is that they focus so little on the actual sport.  I much prefer focusing on the hot men, big dicks, and huge biceps.  And Pucked gives you that and so much more.  It should properly be classified as a sports comedy romance because it was really a hoot and a half.  I read this book while babysitting (after the kids had gone to bed of course) and had to stifle some major laughs to keep from waking up the kiddos.

Pucked is quirky with a capital Q so if that isn’t your thing I’d steer clear.  Both characters struggle with a strong case of word vomit and some major relationship awkwardness which I found to be absolutely adorable given that Alex is supposed to be some sort of sex God, but he’s really just a nerd in a buff dude’s body.  Best of both worlds!

Violet reminded me a lot of myself with her ill-timed jokes and inability to shut up when she needed to most.  I liked her willingness to express her emotions, her strength, her desire to stand up for herself, and the way she was confident in herself.  Sometimes her words and actions had me cringing, but that only made Violet a more real, more fabulous character in my eyes.

Alex is a wonderfully strange man.  The things that came out of his mouth sometimes were utterly bewildering but then they were also hot as hell.  I’ve never read a romance novel with a man who asked permission nearly every step of the way and you’d think that it would be a little dramatic, but oh my god, it wasn’t.  It was so freaking sexy.  Alex was so real that he didn’t seem completely unattainable.  He seemed like someone you could find in a bar down the street.

Helena Hunting has a very interesting way of writing that puts you directly into the character’s minds.  It felt a little like stream of consciousness and took a small bit of time to get used to, but once I did I was totally engrossed in the read.

I started reading Pucked because it was first up on my Kindle and I wanted to read something that wouldn’t be too much trouble to put down if my babysitting parents came home and I had to pause my read for the drive home.  I ended up reading the entire thing before they got home.  I didn’t expect to love a random one-click for my Kindle as much as I did, but I’m so, so, so glad that I gave it a chance.  It was a beautiful thing, this book.  You can pick up Pucked here!

Disclosure: Pucked is no longer free on Kindle, but I think it is totally worth a purchase.  I’ll be scooping up the rest of the series ASAP.  Also, the Instagram user who recommended this book is @tweezyreads.  She is always sharing free or very cheap one-clicks, so if you’re looking for someone to follow I’d check out her IG!

Think of Me Demon (War of the Myths #2) by Miranda Grant

This book had a totally different feel to it than Elemental Claim, the first book in the War of the Myth series.  That book was all hunting, chasing, fighting, and traveling to multiple locations.  A real world-builder.  In Think of Me Demon (War of the Myth #2) the world shrinks to one castle housing a family of demons and one telepath being held against his will.  A smaller cast and a quieter plotline, but no less exciting than the first of the books.

Blurb: Matakyli is a demon warrior princess and one of the guardians to the backdoor of Niflhel. Her death could lead to the dead escaping, potentially bringing about the annihilation of the Seven Planes. So when a prophecy claims that she will die by the hands of an ancient vampire, she and her brothers do all they can to change her fate. But there's only one solution.

For her to live, her lifemate has to die.

Only Galvanor isn’t willing to be led like a lamb to slaughter. He's still suffering from his last visit to hell and isn't keen on returning, especially not for another woman. But it's in Matakyli's nature to play with fire and enjoy the heat of its flames. As she digs into the secrets he wants to keep buried, Matakyli discovers a soul worth saving. But is his worth the cost of her own?

Review: When I first saw the cover to Think of Me Demon I had two thoughts.  First, I wasn’t certain that I’d ever read a story featuring a demon before. And not like Gena Showalter’s Lord of the Underworld series demons (let’s be honest, they’re not really demons), but like… an honest to gosh “evil” demon.  Matakyli and Galvanor are only in each other’s presence because her family kidnapped him to murder him, after all.  The second thought was that I’d never read a story where the heroine had red skin.  Intriguing right off the bat.

I enjoyed reading about Matakyli, a bad-ass demon with a shitty Harry Potter-esque prophecy hanging over her head. I don’t think I’d be so cool about my death being predicted but she doesn’t let it hold her back from slicing and dicing her enemies.  A formidable heroine to say the least.  I’ve been reading a lot of romance novels lately with shy, hesitant heroines, so this was a delightful change of pace.

Galvanor though… man, he was really what makes Think of Me Demon stand out.  I won’t give away too much because Romantically Inclined Reviews is spoiler-free (to the best of my ability) but Galvanor isn’t anything like the heroes in other novels.  He has suffered greatly in his life which makes his ability to form romantic relationships incredibly difficult.  But still, despite the pain that has maintained a hold on him all these years, he’s not nearly as weak as he thinks.  I’ve never wanted to hug a hero so much.

Neither Galvanor nor Matakyli, despite all their differences, can keep their attraction under wraps and it’s evident in the way their chemistry jumps right off the page.  Matakyli was a patient, understanding heroine who could murder a man with her bare hands and Galvanor was a troubled, intelligent hero full of secrets and inner strength.  Definitely a match made in heaven.

Think of Me Demon was an incredibly unique tale.  I can honestly say that I’ve never experienced a character like Galvanor in a romance novel, so if you’re looking to shake up your world (and love supernatural/paranormal romances) I would definitely recommend you pick up this series.  My review for Elemental Claim can be found here and you can begin purchasing the series here.

Captivated by Tessa Bailey and Eve Dangerfield

Sweet Lord Almighty.  This book is heaven.  This book is perfection.  This book is thigh-quakingly good.  The minute I read the description for Captivated on Tessa Bailey’s Facebook page I knew I had to have it, so I did what I rarely do and I one-clicked the heck out of it.  And then I forgot about it for a little bit until low-and-behold last night the beautiful masterpiece simply downloaded itself onto my Kindle and I thought, “Yes, this is what my life has been leading up to.”

Then I binge read it today while the baby I nanny napped and a little while the baby was awake and trapped in her jumperoo, and maybe a little while the baby snacked on some string cheese, and the last twenty pages while bouncing the baby on my lap.  Addicted.  Couldn’t put it down.

Read the description and see if you feel that same tingle of ‘yep, this is a must-buy, must-read’ that I did: Secret aspiring comedian Autumn Reynolds is a girl gone...not wild exactly. More like lazy. Since her boyfriend abandoned her in New York City for a bunch of improv groupies she’s had two priorities; sucking the nitrous out of whipped cream cans and making sex comics about her mysterious landlord.

Blake hates people—and sunlight—with good reason. Imagine his surprise when he finds himself lusting after his upstairs tenant, a sunny, Australian people pleaser down on her luck. Turns out his ability to terrify with a single scowl comes with an advantage. Autumn seems to like it. A lot. As evidenced by the prisoner-captive comic Blake was never meant to see.

As they embark on a three-date arrangement the rules are clear; filthy, ground breaking sex, no feelings or commitment required. When chemistry is this strong, though, attachment follows. As Blake and Autumn attempt to negotiate their New York romance, their prior histories and secret dreams come to the foreground. How long can these polar opposites remain Captivated, when all signs point to disaster?

Review:  I didn’t even realize at the time of downloading that Captivated is a work by Tessa Bailey (a favorite author of mine) and Eve Dangerfield (a familiar name, yet I haven’t read anything by her before).  The two couldn’t have created a more perfect novel together.  There was absolutely none of the ‘who wrote this part?  Whose idea was this scene’ shit that sometimes happens when two authors collaborate.  There was nothing but harmony between the covers of this book.

So, the most wonderful surprise is that the description doesn’t tell you mention the insane amount of kink between these pages.  There’s a stalking fetish, a prisoner fetish, some nice pleasant dominance, some voyeurism, exhibitionism… and more.  If you are a fan of vanilla sex then I implore you to look elsewhere for your reading, although if you’re a fan of Tessa Bailey and/or Even Dangerfield then I have to assume you’re not really one for vanilla anything.

Autumn is such a wonderfully quirky character without being too over the top about it.  Every time she opened her mouth I found myself laughing.  And I can’t even imagine how hard it must be to create a character who longs to be a stand-up comedian and have that come across via the writing, but both authors did a wonderful job with it.  Autumn is the embodiment of all women who wave the feminist flag but like a little choking in their sex life every so often.  She makes women who have that secret kink feel normal about it, rather than ashamed.  A very special character.

And Blake.  Well, I’m not even sure what to say about him.  Perfecto.  A big, hulking mass of man who is down to tie up a girl but still wants to take her out to dinner and make her feel loved.  I mean, what’s better than that?  He’s the kind of hero that will carry over into your dreams and make you never want to wake up.  Thee alpha male we all dream about.  Totally swoon-worthy.

These two authors need to collaborate more often because it was the most flawless blending of story-telling that I’ve ever come across.  It’ll be a while before this book leaves my brain and the second it does I’m going to read it again…and again…and again, because Tessa Bailey and Eve Dangerfield have created something incredible.  Pick up your copy today and you will absolutely not be sorry you did.

The One You Can't Forget (The Ones Who Got Away) by Roni Loren

It takes a very special author to be able to write a romance novel that revolves around a school shooting, especially with what’s been happening in The United States in the past few months, years, and decades.  Most authors wouldn’t touch this subject with a ten foot pole but not only does Roni Loren touch the subject, she treats it with the respect it deserves.  She weaves a story of survivors without exaggerating the circumstances or making the subject into a spectacle.  It’s quite the feat.

Blurb:  Most days Rebecca Lindt feels like an imposter.  The world admires her as a survivor.  But that impression would crumble if people knew her secret.  She didn’t deserve to be the one who got away.  But nothing can change the past, so she’s thrown herself into her work.  She can’t dwell if she never slows down.

Wes Garrett is trying to get back on his feet after losing his dream restaurant, his money, and half his damn mind in a vicious divorce.  But when he intervenes in a mugging and saves Rebecca—the attorney who helped his ex ruin him—his simple life gets complicated.

Their attraction is inconvenient and neither wants more than a fling.  But when Rebecca’s secret is put at risk, both discover they could lose everything, including what they never realized they needed: each other.

Review:  I don’t know that I loved The One You Can’t Forget as much as the first novel in the series The Ones Who Got Away, but that’s less about this novel and more about how utterly amazing the first book was and how connected I felt to the characters.  The One You Can’t Forget is equally as incredibly written and devastating to my emotions as the first.  You just cannot go wrong with Roni Loren.

Rebecca is a special breed of woman.  I was pleased that we were given yet another incredibly strong heroine, and even more delighted to discover that Loren gave her a dark secret she’s still suffering from today.  It made her experience all the more realistic, to not have this heroine comes out of this dark experience a perfectly healthy, well-adjusted individual.  I won’t spoil the secret (because I’m spoiler-free y’all), but you’ll probably get a good feel for what it might be just a little ways into the story.

This book had a different feel to it because rather than having two survivors of the Long Acre school shooting you have one survivor—Rebecca.  But Wes is a survivor of his damaged past.  He was really a great counterpart to the perfectionist Rebecca and his opposite personality was exactly what she needed to finally feel safe and able to open herself up to others.  I loved that he wasn’t perfect himself, but together they had a delightful chemistry that went beyond the bedroom.

Honestly, this series is something special.  I’ve never read anything quite like it before and I don’t know that anyone else could do it quite as well as Roni Loren (so no one even try!).  If you like your romance novels fluffy and just skimming the surface of dark emotions, The One You Can’t Forget is not for you.  Don’t get me wrong.  There’s a time and a place for all types of romance novels, including the fluffiest of fluff, but this series delves deep into raw human emotions and the after effects that school shootings can have on individuals for the rest of their lives, it’s not a book you should prepare to take lightly.

Check out my review for the first book (The Ones Who Got Away) and then make your way to order it and preorder The One You Can’t Forget, which comes out June 5, 2018.  You will not regret this purchase.

Your Rhythm by Katia Rose

Blurb: You know what they say: save a snare, bang a drummer.  Kay Fischer is well aware of what they say, and she intends to ignore it.  After her first step into the world of music journalism ended with a screw-up so royal it deserved a crown, Kay’s been struggling to re-stack the building blocks of her career.  Salvation comes in the form of Sherbrooke Station, the latest alt-rock craze to grace Montreal’s legendary music scene.

A front page feature on the band everyone’s talking about seems like a foolproof shot at success, even after Kay meets their drummer.  Matt Pearson might have a smile sexy enough to be the eighth deadly sin and a passion for music so powerful it makes her heart ache, but Kay’s got things under control.

She’s a professional, goddammit, and a professional would not get tongue-tied over a source, even a source who’s a six-foot, tattooed rock god with an affinity for tight jeans.  A professional would not find herself opening her door at an hour long past midnight to pull said source inside and lead them to her bed.  No, that’s not at all what a professional would do.

Review:  I was never one of those girls who fawned over musicians.  In fact, I didn’t listen to music, outside of the car radio, until I was in high school.  Although, I’ll admit to having a hit clip, which, for those of you who don’t remember, was a tiny clip you stuck to your belt and you could purchase these little flashdrive things that would play thirty seconds of a song.  I had one clip and it played thirty seconds of Bye, Bye, Bye by N’Sync.

My husband played the violin as a child though, so I suppose I married a musician.

Anyways, the long and short of that rambling story is that I don’t usually seek out romance novels featuring musicians, but I really love Katia Rose’s writing style and couldn’t resist picking up her newest release Your Rhythm.  Her writing is so incredible that it holds you captive no matter the subject.

Kay Fischer is exactly the type of heroine so many readers look for.  She’s smart, capable, independent, and she’ll take whatever shit someone throws at her and throw it right back ten times harder.  Who doesn’t love a woman like that?  I was intensely frustrated by the bullshit her previous job pulled on her and genuinely worried throughout the book about her propensity for getting herself into more trouble.  She came across through Katia Rose’s writing as a genuine, caring individual with a little bit of every woman in her.

Matt Pearson wasn’t a chore to read about.  He was sexy and charming, injecting just the right amount of comedy into a sometimes tense story.  I loved the way he pushed Kay to accept her feelings while also respecting the boundaries she set.  Nothing sexier than a man who listens.

One of the best parts of Your Rhythm however was the way that Katia Rose was able to inject the reader right into Canada, Montreal, and the surrounding locations.  Her writing is so wonderfully descriptive that you can picture every scene as though you’re right there experiencing it right along with the characters. 

Anyone with an affinity for musicians, especially of the rock variety, will fall in love with Your Rhythm and the members of Sherbrooke Station.  It’s out now, so grab your copy ASAP for only 1.99!

Wicked and the Wallflower (Bareknuckle Bastards #1) by Sarah MacLean

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

I thought I’d been reading a lot of good books lately, but Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean has me realizing they were all trash!  Just kidding, of course.  But seriously, I’ve read Sarah MacLean’s work before and even that pales in comparison to the insanely amazing, spell-binding novel that is Wicked and the Wallflower.

Blurb:  When a mysterious stranger finds his way into her bedchamber and offers his help in landing a husband, Lady Felicity Faircloth agrees to his suspicious terms—on one condition.  She’s seen enough to the world to believe in passion, and won’t accept a marriage without it.

Bastard son of a duke and king of London’s dark streets, Devil has spent a lifetime wielding power and seizing opportunity, and the spinster wallflower is everything he needs to exact a revenge years in the making.  All he must do is turn the plain little mouse in an irresistible temptress, set his trap, and destroy his enemy.

But there’s nothing plain about Felicity Faircloth, who quickly decides she’d rather have Devil than another.  Soon, Devil’s carefully laid plans are in chaos and he must choose between everything he’s ever wanted…and the only thing he’s ever desired.

Review: I get so unbelievably excited when I read a historical romance novel where the woman is the aggressor.  So often they play the innocent, doe-eyed female bending to their hero’s desires.  But here we have Felicity Faircloth, a woman who is happier exploring the underbelly of London than conversing with her upperclass peers.  She was a most refreshing heroine.

And can we talk about Sarah MacLean’s writing?  Because it’s amazing.  The vocabulary she uses, the way her characters converse so naturally with one another, the banter… it’s honestly like poetry, but better because I’m not exactly a fan of poetry.  I could just read her character’s dialogue forever.

And the plot is amazing!  It’s the first book in the Bareknuckle Bastards series so much of the book was setting up the background but wow, what a dark, twisted story we have the pleasure of reading about.  It was so spectacular, so unique.  I am obsessed.  The thought of having to wait to find out what happens to the rest of the Bareknuckle Bastards is utter torture.

The chemistry between Devil and Felicity is so intense that I actually had to stop reading a couple times to catch my breath.  Reading about their love for one another was like experiencing it for myself.  This is a book you will reread over and over again simply to re-experience the earth shattering sensation of their romance.  Could two characters be more different, yet so similar?  So utterly perfect for one another?  Probably not.  There were times I was questioning who was the really wicked one?  Because Felicity was no innocent flower waiting to be discovered.  She took what she wanted.  Demanded it.

Any fan of historical romances will enjoy Wicked and the Wallflower, but know what you’re getting into.  It’s not a light and fluffy tale of love with a hint of scandal.  It’s something else entirely.  You’ll sink into it and not realize you’re drowning until it’s too late, there’s no coming back from this book.  It’s out June 19^th and trust me… you’re going to want to get your hands on this.

I Am Justice (Band of Sisters) by Diana Muñoz Stewart

I Am Justice by Diana Munoz Stewart is a heart-pounding thriller that, when you finish, will have you wondering what the ever-loving fudge you just read.  Stewart takes romantic suspense to a whole new level with this intriguing about a family of vigilantes determined to take down a Middle Eastern sex-trafficking ring.

There’s murder.  There’s mayhem.  There’s betrayal and secret spies.  There’s even a good amount of really hot sex.  So, basically, you have everything you need for a good time.  I won’t lie though, I Am Justice is not a happy-go-lucky read, nor will your breeze through it.  This is the book you’re going to want to take you time with.

Blurb: Justice Parish takes down bad guys.  Rescued from the streets by the world-renowned Parisk family, she joined their covert sisterhood of vigilante assassins.  Her next target: a sex-trafficking ring in the Middle East.  She just needs to get close enough to take them down…

Sandesh Ross left Special Forces to found a humanitarian group to aid war-torn countries.  But saving the world isn’t cheap.  Enter Parish Industries and limitless funding, with one catch—their hot, prickly “PR Specialist”, Justice Parish.  Their chemistry is instant and off-the-charts.  But when Justice is injured and her cover blown, Sandesh has to figure out if he can reconcile their missions.  With danger dogging their every move, their white-hot passion can change the world—if it doesn’t destroy them first.

Review:  I Am Justice sort of reminded me of Christy Reece’s Last Chance Rescue series about a secret group of mercenaries who make it their goal to find victims when other avenues have failed (and occasionally allow those victims to become members of the collective themselves).  It’s really a superb series if you don’t mind a little anxiety now and again.  I Am Justice takes it to another level though by bringing in the Parish family, who rescues young women—and occasionally a boy—by adopting them and then training them to be vigilante assassins to rid the world of evil doers.

Justice Parish, our heroine, is one bad ass lady.  After being rescued by the Parish family she turned herself into a strong woman capable of poisoning a man with nary a blink.  Even better,  I was so relieved to discover that, while battle hardened, she’s open to flirting and teasing with handsome men, actually one handsome man in particular.  Okay, so she’s still a little brooding, no big deal, who wouldn’t be with what the Parish family deals with? She was quite a dynamic, interesting character that you probably haven’t seen before.

I absolutely loved the flip on the romance trope with the hero, Sandesh Ross, being the peace-seeker rather than the war-seeking aggressor of the pair.  He runs a humanitarian non-profit that also wants to save the world, just in a less murder-y way.  He was all alpha in the very best ways.

I won’t recommend this story for everyone.  Yes, it has it’s wonderful moments of romance, rescuing, and witty banter, but it’s also anxiety-producing and I think I might have developed some reader-PTSD from some of the more traumatic scenes. But for those who love their books fast-paced and dangerous, you will adore I Am Justice.

The Other Lady Vanishes by Amanda Quick

Last week I was lucky enough to finally meet my idol, Jayne Ann Krentz at a book signing event at Anderson’s Bookshop.  As a bonus I also got to meet Christina Dodd and Susan Elizabeth Phillips!  I waited for months for this event and promised myself that, as an experienced blogger, I would be cool, calm, and collected when I met Jayne.  Well, that didn’t happen.  I talked so much and rambled on about my obsessive love for her for what felt like ages.  I could meet Chris Pratt on the street and not fangirl half as hard as I did with Jayne.  (Insert face palm here).

Is it even fair for me to review Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle books when I’m so freaking obsessed with her? Probably not, but I don’t care because everyone needs to hear about this insanely amazing work of fiction.

The Other Lady Vanishes is the second book in her new series under the Amanda Quick penname is set in 1930s California (the first book is called The Girl Who Knew Too Much).  I am over the moon about this new time period, given that most historical romance novels take place in the Regency or Victorian eras.  It’s such a wonderfully unique twist on the subgenre and I’m learning so much new lingo and so many interesting facts.  Did you know how easy it was to commit someone to a sanitarium back in the day?  And how about the prevalence of LSD?  Or how many people thought other people were government spies?  Man, it sounds like a freaking fantastic time.  Yay for learning!

Blurb: After escaping from a private sanitarium, Adelaide Blake arrives in Burning Cove, California, desperate to start over.

Working at an herbal tea shop puts her on the radar of those who frequent the seaside resort town: Hollywood movers and shakers always in need of hangover cures and tonics. One such customer is Jake Truett, a recently widowed businessman in town for a therapeutic rest. But unbeknownst to Adelaide, his exhaustion is just a cover.

In Burning Cove, no one is who they seem. Behind facades of glamour and power hide drug dealers, gangsters, and grifters. Into this make-believe world comes psychic to the stars Madame Zolanda. Adelaide and Jake know better than to fall for her kind of con. But when the medium becomes a victim of her own dire prediction and is killed, they'll be drawn into a murky world of duplicity and misdirection.

Neither Adelaide or Jake can predict that in the shadowy underground they'll find connections to the woman Adelaide used to be--and uncover the specter of a killer who's been real all along...

Review: Funny enough this is not the first book Jayne Ann Krentz has written about a young woman escaping an asylum where she’s been held against her will.  She wrote the book Light In Shadow which is an amazing read about a brave young woman who can hear voices in the walls of rooms where violent acts have occurred.  It’s absolutely fabulous.  But this is the first of its kind under her Amanda Quick penname.

The Other Lady Vanishes is your typical Amanda Quick novel in that it’s absolutely spectacular from start to finish.  I have no clue how she, time and time again, comes up with these dynamic characters, crazy mysteries, and batshit crazy bad guys.  I read this book in a day and I don’t regret the time I spent whatsoever.  Her heroes are awesome because even while they’re, most often, macho alpha men, they’re still romantics at heart with all the sappy thoughts and actions we want from our book boyfriends.

If you’re looking for something to shake up your otherwise somewhat predictable reading list then I one hundred percent recommend this incredible change of pace read.  Get ready to fall down a pit of old Hollywood glitz and glamour with The Other Lady Vanishes.

Devil Side by Lacey Dailey

Blurb: Unable to continue living on the path her father created for her, Gigi Moretti does something she’s never done before. She takes a risk. When musician Maxwell Mitchell waltzes into an old diner in the early morning up to his elbows in secrets, he offers Gigi the perfect escape from the future she’s never wanted. It takes an over the top demand from her father and a shocking revelation from her fake fiancé to get her to pack her bags and ride shotgun on Max’s spontaneous tour across the country.

As she and Max grow closer, Gigi learns what it’s like to throw out her overbearing workload and be an actual 21-year-old. She quits her job, eats too many Cheetos, tosses out her pink wardrobe, and takes a job as Max’s manager. Despite the unknown, she’s happy. She has a job she enjoys, she’s making plans for a future she’s actually excited about, and she’s living with a boyfriend who adores her.

Everything is perfect. And then she meets Aiden. And it all changes.

Review: Normally I read the blurb of a book before I read the book.  Sometimes this backfires on me because the blurb gets me so anxious or worked up that I can’t bring myself to actually read the darn book.  In this case, I didn’t bother looking up the blurb (mostly out of laziness) which meant that I went into Devil Side by Lacey Dailey completely blind.  Probably for the best because now that I’ve read the blurb above (which I shortened slightly because I felt it gave away a little too much) I might have been too nervous to actually start.

Devil Side has a little bit of everything good in it.  There’s a hot musician.  A quirky girl.  Overly controlling parents.  Crazy friends.  And, to even it all out, a butt load of personal problems.  Something for everyone!

I found Author Lacey Dailey’s writing style to be rather unique, though it’s hard to explain why.  It was fast-paced without feeling rushed, realistic without being boring, and funny in just the right ways.  Each character truly got their own unique voice and personality, something that I feel can fall short in novels sometimes.

Gigi was a dynamic character.  At first I wasn’t sure I was going to like her all that much (a little too brooding for my current tastes) but once she started opening up and becoming her true self—and I started to understand her better—I enjoyed her much more.  I will admit that her unwillingness to stand up to her parents drove me a tiny bit insane, but I’ve never had to suffer through that, so I probably won’t relate as much as some readers will.  As the book went on she really stepped out of her shell, put aside the Gigi her parents wanted her to be, and became her own wonderful person.

It was really easy to see why Gigi was so drawn to Max. He’s an incredibly personable character with such a carefree attitude towards life that I actually felt calmer while I read his chapters (for the most part hint hint).  Reading about a hero who is so upbeat is kind of rare in romance these days (at least the ones I read) which made Max all the more irresistible.

Their relationship progresses the way you would expect it to for two young people who have never truly been in a relationship before.  There’s a lot of head over heels moments, passionate internal monologues, and too-cute-for-life scene between them, but honestly it’s not so over the top that you’re going to roll your eyes every two seconds.

This book is… different.  It’s probably going to be unlike anything else you read.  Those who follow my blogging know that I do spoiler-free reviews (at least of main plot points) and there’s really no way to accurately describe the huge plot twist in this book without spoiling it… so I’ll just say that there is a big plot twist and leave you wondering what it could be.  If you need a shake up from the typical romance novel then you should give DevilSide a try.

The Gunslinger's Vow (Runaway Brides #1) by Amy Sandas

Until this book I'd never read a Western I particularly enjoyed.  I’m just not that into them, I suppose.  So imagine my surprise when I found a novel that brings together everything I love about regency romance and the rugged good looks of a successful bounty hunter and it’s a western!  My reaction was something like “oh shit, this is really good.”  The Gunslinger’s Vow by Amy Sandas is a whirlwind of a story full of adventure and the tantalizing lure of revenge.

Blurb:  Alexandra Brighton spent the lats give years in Boston, erasing all evidence of the wild frontier girl she used to be.  Before she settles, she’s determined to visit her childhoos home one final time.  But when she finds herself stranded far from civilization, she has no choice but to trust her safety to the tall, dark, and decidedly dangerous bounty hunter, Malcom Kincaid.

Now that Malcolm finally has the location of his brother’s killer, he has no interest in wasting time protecting a pampered Eastern lady.  But something about Alexandra speaks to the heart he long thought frozen—and her slow transformation from proper miss to wild-eyed beauty leaves him shaken.  By the time they reach Montana, Malcolm must decide if seeking justice for past wrongs is worth losing future with the woman he never expected to need…

Review:  I think I’m obsessed with cowboys, or more accurately I think I’m obsessed with bounty hunters.  Malcom Kincaid to be exact.  Haven’t I mentioned time and time again that I’m sick of brooding men?  I lied.  I so lied.  Give me brooding, give me surly, give me men bent on revenge.  I don’t care as long as they’re as delicious as Kincaid.  I love a man with talent, too, and Malcolm Kincaid is very good at his job as a bounty hunter.  It’s my absolutely favorite when strong men fall victim to feminine wiles and boy does Malcom make a handsome victim.

Watching Alexandra transform from socialite to the girl she used to be, wild and free on the Montana plains.  Kincaid expected her to be this uppity woman weakened by years in the elegant upper class of Boston, but she proved him wrong, so wrong.  Nothing better than watching a man eat his words.  Alexandra was a powerful force of a heroine.  She was spunky, and courageous, and intelligent; everything you want your female character to be.  I would like to take some lessons from her in regards to how to live my life.

I loved Alex and Kincaid together.  They were the perfect pair if you enjoy the ‘opposites attract’ trope, which I positively love.  Kincaid’s surliness was combated by Alex’s kindness and chatty nature.  Alex’s penchant for getting into trouble was constantly being resolved by the quick-with-the-draw Kincaid.  Both of them found what they so desperately needed from one another: understanding.  I would read a thousand books starring these two if it were possible.

The Gunslinger’s Vow will strike a pleasant chord with those who like their men a little worse for the wear and their women strong and capable. The writing is superb, there’s action every other chapter, and the romance is fabulous… many times over.  It's out June 5th, so pre-order your copy today by clicking here.  I’ll be looking into more works by Amy Sandas, ASAP.

Doppelbanger by Heather M. Orgeron

Doppelbanger is an intriguing title, but I was surprised to find that it actually had very little to do with the plot other than one random comment near the beginning of the book. I was somewhat looking forward to a book where the main character just slept with a bunch of guys who all looked alike… but it’s fine (sigh). Really, it’s fine. The book was an entertaining read nonetheless.

Doppelbanger was my first read by Heather M. Orgeron and it took me a little while to realize that perhaps there was a first book in the series I should have read. I didn’t need to read the first book in order to follow along though and neither will you should you choose to read this romantic comedy full of embarrassing moments, foul language, and sex on ships. It was positively scandalous.

This book was hilarious at times, but there were others times that I found myself momentarily stunned by the main character Gina who was so far outside the norm for a heroine. She is crass and unapologetic with questionable behavior and occasionally questionable morals. I think that many people would find themselves shocked by such a character—I was briefly, but eventually I got to know Gina better and she grew on me. She’s an interesting woman who loves sex and doesn’t give a shit what other people think of her. A unique character for sure who, throughout the book, survived things that would have embarrassed me enough to crawl into a hole and die, but she took it in stride.

Compared to Gina, her counterpart Jeffrey was one boring puppy. But I think the novel needed someone more grounded and “normal” to keep things from getting too crazy. Single father stories always get to me, and I especially love it when the guy is suffering from some major internal conflict (re: dead wife). There were so many times I wanted to reach through the pages and whap him on the head, but then there were times that I was extremely pleased that he was such a dunce because it obviously made for good reading.

The child characters were entertaining though, as a nanny, I found myself positively horrified at their language and behavior. Though, even though I’d never let my kids speak and act that way, it certainly made for good reading. They were a main part of the comedy portion of romantic comedy. I found myself laughing out loud a couple times.

The sex was intense between Gina and Jeffrey. Blush-worthy stuff. But there was so much comedic relief that you never felt all that overwhelmed by the passion. There was definitely some love-hate chemistry at the beginning which made for some whoa-moments in the bedroom, but eventually they realized they did sort of like each other and new sort of passion developed between them. They were quite a pair!

This book will not be for everyone, but for those who love wild characters, a lot of swearing, and some cringe-worthy moments for their characters it’ll press just the right buttons.  Doppelbanger is out today!  Click here to purchase for a mere $2.99!

The Academy Series by Tessa Bailey

Over the past two years I have read Tessa Bailey’s The Academy series following police cadets Charlie (Disorderly Conduct), Jack (Indecent Exposure), and Danika (Disturbing His Peace) as they discover their love for partners who challenge them, change them, and complete them.

This series takes you from light and airy to dark and troubling and back again win each and every book with little effort.  It’s Tessa Bailey, after all.  They’re funny, they’re edge of your seat dramatic, and they’re filled with happy sighs.

Disturbing His Peace, the final book in the series, released on April 24^th, so I thought it only fitting to make a short post reminding my readers to get out there and purchase these!  I fell in love with every character (although I’ll admit that Greer and Danika are my favorite couple) and I so wish that this series didn’t have to end.

To check out my review: Disorderly Conduct, Indecent Exposure, Disturbing His Peace.

To purchase the novels: Disorderly Conduct, Indecent Exposure, Disturbing His Peace.