Review: Rock Hard by Christine Bell

Three HOT novellas, three happy endings!

Book One: QUINN
Quinn Myles loves her life. She’s in a kick-a$$ rock band and they’re on their way to the big-time. If only her two band-mates hadn’t told her how they felt, she could have controlled her own desires. Now, choosing between them might tear the band apart...unless she can have them both.

Book Two: BEAU
When they hire a chef to come on tour with the band, Beau Trudeau finds a welcome distraction in quirky Gigi Somerville. But when she asks him to help her get rid of her pesky virginity? Suddenly, Gigi doesn't seem so harmless. In fact, he can't stop thinking about her...

Book Three: TAI
Since Christa Reilly broke his heart ten years ago, Tai Madsen has steered clear of emotional attachments. Now she comes barreling back into his life, talking about forgiveness. He lets her know that a reunion isn’t on the menu but he’d be happy talk to her…after some hot, sweaty sex, of course. The thought of slumming again will surely send her running back to Daddy. But what if it doesn't?

WARNING: This book contains contains graphic, steamy, frequent love scenes as well as an M/F/M menage. NSFW

Buy Links

Amazon

What I thought about Rock Hard

 

One thing I like about novellas and serials is that sometimes I just don't want to read a full length novel and these shorter stories are great for when I'm looking for a one-night-read.  I really liked how these three novellas were packaged together, telling the individual stories of the member of the band, Hank Lemon and the Law.

 

These three stories were just the right size for getting to know the characters enough to care, with a nice dose of heat along with it.  They aren't all sex either, which I liked -- there were three nice stories of new found and second chance love in this trilogy.

 

 In the first story, Rex has always lusted after their singer, Quinn, and so has Beau. In an effort to maintain the bro-code and not mess up their friendship, they've decided it's all or nothing, with things being at nothing at the start of the story. But after hearing Rex and Beau enjoying themselves another night, Quinn can't take it anymore and makes a drastic move to help reduce the considerable tension between them.

 

Beau gets his happy in the second story, and I think I liked this one the most  It was sweet and touching, with Beau falling hard for their new chef, Gigi.  It takes a little time for them to get on the same page, but there's a nice love story with this one.

 

And new band member Tai gets the third story.  His is a second chance love story, but the first time around didn't end so well and Christa may not be able to convince him to give her a second chance.

 

I really liked the stories and thought there was just enough of everything in each one. The format worked for me and they were perfectly sized for when you want something you can finish in a night, yet feels like a full length book.

 

ARC provided for review.

 

About the Author

Christine Bell is the USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romances, and one half of the happiest couple in the world. She doesn't like clowns or bugs (except ladybugs, on account of their cute outfits), but loves movies, football, and playing Texas Hold 'Em. Writing is her passion, but if she had to pick another occupation, she’d be a wizard. She loves writing fun, sexy romance and deep, emotional new adult novels, but also hopes to one day publish something her dad can read without wanting to dig his eyes out with rusty spoons. 

Subscribe to Christine’s mailing list for exclusive content, ARCs, giveaways and more!

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Review:The Family Jewels by Christine Bell

Sadie Leighton spends her days slinging hash, but she spends her nights stealing from the rich and undeserving, taking what she needs from the worst of the lot to make ends meet. This last job is supposed to be the mother lode…the one to get her out of the biz altogether, if only she can get past the infuriatingly gorgeous stranger intent on foiling her plans and haunting her dreams...  

Jake Callahan has one thing on his mind, and that’s revenge. After years of preparation, he’s finally got all the pieces in place to destroy the man who cost his father his career and, ultimately, his life. Now that the end is in sight, he won’t let anything get in his way. Especially not some fake Countess trying to steal his mark, no matter how sexy she is.Never one to back down from a challenge, Sadie engages Jake in a battle of wits, but winning it just might put her in danger of losing her heart…

Add to Goodreads

Purchase

Amazon   

Free on Kindle Unlimited

What I thought about The Family Jewels

Sadie learned early in her life how to run a confidence game, and now she uses those skills to make ends meet.  When she's got to pay for her sister's medical treatments, she resorts to what she knows best  for her last job.

Jake is one very smooth and hot man and Sadie is attracted to him from the start, but he catches on to her con game quickly.  Instead of tearing them apart, their common enemy brings them together, and things get very riveting and intense.

Christine Bell creates two interesting and entertaining characters in Jake and Sadie.  They really carried the story for me, as I had to know what was going to happen between them once the truth came out.  There were some slow spots and some predictability, but overall, The Family Jewels is a sexy story about two people looking for revenge and finding love along the way. 

 ARC provided for review.

About the Author

Christine Bell is a USA Bestselling Author of contemporary romance novels and one half of the happiest couple in the world. She and her handsome hubby currently reside in Pennsylvania with a four-pack of teenage boys and their two dogs, Gimli and Pug. If she gets time off from her duties as maid, chef, chauffeur, or therapist, she can be found reading just about anything she can get her hands on, from Young Adult novels to books on poker theory.

She doesn’t like root beer, clowns or bugs (except ladybugs, on account of their cute outfits), but lurrves chocolate, going to the movies, the New York Giants and playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Writing is her passion, but if she had to pick another occupation, she would be a pirate…or, like, a ninja maybe. She loves writing fun, sexy romances, but also hopes to one day publish something her dad can read without wanting to dig his eyes out with rusty spoons.

Christine loves to hear from readers, so please feel free to get in touch with her via the Contact Page, or find her on Twitter @_ChristineBell.

 
 

Review- Hustle: A Skin in the Game Standalone Sports Romance by Christine Bell

 Series: Skin in the Game
Available Formats: eBook Only

A man in a room full of boys…

Ty Maxwell is a twenty-three year old college freshman with a chip on his shoulder and more secrets than the CIA. In a word? Trouble. So why can’t I stop staring at those tortured eyes and wondering what those hands would feel like on my body?

No sex. No friends. Just football.

Straight off a bloody tour in Iraq, I’m battling night terrors while my peers squabble over beer pong. If it wasn’t for my NFL dreams, I wouldn’t be here at all. But when I sign up for an easy “A” Drama Class, I take my eye off the ball, totally distracted by Teacher’s Assistant, Flora Vasquez. She’s like a ray of sunshine in the darkness that is my life…a darkness sure to consume her if I get too close.

Buy Now:

Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play

What I thought about Hustle

In this second standalone title in Christine Bell's Skin in the Game series, the story revolves around Ty, a veteran returned to college to get the eye of a football recruiter and Flora, Teaching Assistant.

 

When Ty and Flora meet on the first day of class, there's an instant lustful connection between them.But Ty has lots of issues from his past and so does Flora.  I'd assumed Ty's issues were from his war time experiences, and that is just part of it.  Turns out he's got more than one demon in his past.  

Flora really cares about Ty.  I'm not sure why -- oh yeah, maybe it was that super hot kiss Ty gave her in the stair well, and Ty keeps pushing her away. Just one I thought she'd had enough, she goes back for more, she cares about him that much.

I did like this story, although it had little to do with sports and more about growing up and learning to deal with people and relationships.  It was just the right size and pace for an afternoon read.  Christine Bell has a pleasant and easy writing style so the words flowed nicely and even though the story ended a bit abruptly, I did like Ty and Flora's story.

 

ARC provided for review.

About the Author

Christine Bell is a USA Bestselling Author of contemporary romance novels and one half of the happiest couple in the world. She and her handsome hubby currently reside in Pennsylvania with a four-pack of teenage boys and their two dogs, Gimli and Pug. If she gets time off from her duties as maid, chef, chauffeur, or therapist, she can be found reading just about anything she can get her hands on, from Young Adult novels to books on poker theory.

 

 She doesn’t like root beer, clowns or bugs (except ladybugs, on account of their cute outfits), but lurrves chocolate, going to the movies, the New York Giants and playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Writing is her passion, but if she had to pick another occupation, she would be a pirate…or, like, a ninja maybe. She loves writing fun, sexy romances, but also hopes to one day publish something her dad can read without wanting to dig his eyes out with rusty spoons.

Christine loves to hear from readers, so please feel free to get in touch with her via the Contact Page, or find her on Twitter @_ChristineBell.

 

Review: Score (Skin in the Game #1) by Christine Bell

Football players s*ck.

A bunch of cocky, lying cheaters who think they’re god’s gift to women, just like my dear old dad. I’ve managed to avoid them my whole college career until now >.< I just got assigned to be wide receiver Callum Samskevitch’s physical therapist.
Pro: It will be great to add to my resume.
Con: I have to see him. Every. Single. Day.
Which would be fine…if he wasn’t so dang sexy…

Cal

Football is all I’ve got, so when Coach saddles me with some frumpy PT student with a chip on her shoulder, all I can think is doom. I don’t have time for this. Not now. Not when my dreams are on the verge of being crushed. All that should matter right now is ball. So why can’t I stop imagining what Bee Mitchell is hiding beneath those baggy sweatshirts? 

Buy Links

Amazon |  Barnes & Noble |  iBooks  |  Kobo  |  Google Play


What I thought about Score

Bee is in the last year of her physical therapy program and when she gets assigned to one of the football jocks rehabbing from a knee injury, she gets a little bit more than she bargained for.  Cal is a good guy, and I liked that about him.  He's got some insecurities because of his injury, and Bee has some concerns about his motives, too but that doesn't stop them from falling in love.


There's a nice connection from these two characters and Christine Bell gives us a nice slow burn between these two, making the big moment all that sweeter.

Although the story doesn't break any new ground as far as the trope goes, Cal and Bee are both engaging characters, the pacing is just right to make you keep turning those pages, and the writing worked for me.

A very pleasant afternoon read.  Looking forward to seeing where this series goes.

ARC provided for review. 

 

About the Author

Christine Bell is a USA Bestselling Author of contemporary romance novels and one half of the happiest couple in the world. She and her handsome hubby currently reside in Pennsylvania with a four-pack of teenage boys and their two dogs, Gimli and Pug. If she gets time off from her duties as maid, chef, chauffeur, or therapist, she can be found reading just about anything she can get her hands on, from Young Adult novels to books on poker theory.

She doesn’t like root beer, clowns or bugs (except ladybugs, on account of their cute outfits), but lurrves chocolate, going to the movies, the New York Giants and playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Writing is her passion, but if she had to pick another occupation, she would be a pirate…or, like, a ninja maybe. She loves writing fun, sexy romances, but also hopes to one day publish something her dad can read without wanting to dig his eyes out with rusty spoons.

Christine loves to hear from readers, so please feel free to get in touch with her via the Contact Page, or find her on Twitter @_ChristineBell.

4 Stars for Guardian For Hire by Christine Bell

Synopsis:

Psychologist Sarabeth Lucking’s life is turned upside down when the upscale couples’ retreat she works for winds up embroiled in the biggest scandal of the year. With her reputation in tatters, she can’t imagine things getting worse, until her former co-workers are murdered, one by one. A bad-ass, ex-Army Ranger might be able to keep her safe, but something tells her she’s getting more than she bargained for...

Gavin McClintock grew up on the streets of Edinburgh, and protecting prissy Dr. Stick-Up-Her-Rear isn’t high on his list of things to do. Still, a promise is a promise, and he’ll need a clear head if he’s going to keep her off the growing list of victims. He didn’t count on the fire in her, or how distracted he’d be by her. As the flames grow hotter, he starts to wonder if she’s the one who needs protecting.

Will Sarabeth and Gavin outrun a killer and give into the passion burning between them?

What I thought about Guardian For Hire

  Dr. Sarabeth Lucking has a problem. She's semi-involved in a scandal, and people around her are dying. When her friends, Owen and Lindy send protection, she can't help but be attracted to Gavin. And Gavin likes her too.. one thing leads to another, and you know the story.

If you are looking for surprises and big plot twists, this probably isn't the story. But if you are looking for a sweet, adult love story between two people that at face value don't have a lot in common, this is a good choice.

Guardian for Hire is well-written, kept my interest from start to finish and I just really enjoyed reading this. If you are looking for a light read with some action, and a nice amount of heat, I'd recommend this title. 

ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.

Links:

Amazon | B&N | Itunes | Kobo

Christine Bell http://www.christine-bell.com/