4 Flames for Facade by Nyrae Dawn

Synopsis

Can love save them?

After her father commits a crime that shatters her family, eighteen-year-old Delaney Cross is tired of pretending everything is all right. Packing up her car, she sets out to find the people her father hurt. Her search leads her to places she’s never been—and into the arms of Adrian Westfall.

To the outside world, Adrian is a sexy, charming ladies’ man. But his playboy persona is just an act. Secretly his soul is tortured by a memory too painful to share. Only Delaney seems to see through his façade to the real man underneath. And for the first time in his life, Adrian feels he can begin to open up about his past.

Together, Adrian and Delaney share a passionate love they never expected to find. Yet both still harbor their own secrets. When the dark truth is finally revealed, will it bring them closer together—or tear them apart forever?

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I liked this. A lot.

Facade hit the mark for me with a story about two young adults learning to deal with loss, only in this second book in the Games Series, the circumstances are not exactly typical. Both are working through an incredibly painful situation, and the reader gets very close to their agony in this book.

I personally like the deep point of view that we get from Adrian in this book, although it is sometimes hard to take because his wounds are so very raw. When drugs,alcohol and all night parties no longer provide the release from his pain (more like avoidance, really) his struggle intensifies. Then he meets Delaney. At first he’s just looking for a one-night stand, but as their relationship progresses she starts to mean something to him. He also doesn’t know how Delaney is linked to him, setting up for a huge moment in the story.

Delaney is dealing with loss too. Her family has fallen apart and all she has is her brother, Maddox, who tries to help her realize that she can’t fix the situation they are in. But Delaney doesn’t listen, and she falls for Adrian, knowing that it will probably mean heartbreak for her when he finds out the truth. I loved Delaney’s innocence and her belief that she could somehow make a difference. (ps. I wanted to smack her mother upside the head.)

This is a very poignant story, full of heartbreak and sadness, so if you choose this be prepared. There’s a bit of repetition of their thoughts, but it didn’t bother me because it seemed natural for their circumstances. If you’ve ever experienced this level of grief, you know that it just doesn’t go away, and it come back to haunt them both, over and over. That might be cryptic, but I don’t want to spoil. I wasn’t expected the big reveal from Adrian near the end, and it made his situation all the more heartbreaking.

It was good to see Cheyenne and Colt in this story as well, and I was thrilled to read that Maddox will be featured in the next story, because that boy has some issues he has to deal with as well. So it was a nice setup for the next book in this series.

This was a beautiful story of how people can accept and move on from really bad things that happen to them and how you can learn to live with the consequences of the past. In the end, I thought Delaney did make a huge difference in Adrian’s life and she helped him move to a better place. The book ends on a very upbeat note, making this journey all the more sweet.

If you like deep, emotional stories this might be for you.

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review:The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski

Synopsis:


Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.

Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.

With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.

But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?

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Two young adults running from their problems meet up and find insta-love on a bus. I thought this story had promise with the opening scene, but I was a little disappointed to see that Camryn thought the answer to her problems was to get on a bus for some random destination. If you have ever traveled by bus across country, you know that's not a fun way to run. She meets Andrew who is on his way to his father's deathbed in Wyoming. It isn’t obvious at first that he too is running from something.


I wanted to like this. But for me, the pacing was much too slow, especially when they are on the bus and later when they are traveling by car from Wyoming to Texas.. Too much minutiae for me that slowed the pace of the story. The shopping lists and vagisil took me out of the story.


I did like both of these characters though and I did read to the end. The ending is very gut-wrenching and my heart hurt for both of them. But things seemed to be resolved rather quickly and I had trouble believing the ending because of that. I will say that I liked the ending, but it felt a bit contrived because of the short time span, and so much of the details occured off-page.


So for me, this was an okay read, not one of my favorites.


Thanks to Hachette Book Group, GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a honest review.

Review: Beyond Pain by Kit Rocha

Synopsis:

A woman with no future…

Live fast, die young–anything else is a fantasy for Six. She’s endured the worst the sectors had to throw at her, but falling in with Dallas O’Kane’s Sector Four gang lands her in a whole new world of danger. They’re completely open about everything, including their sexuality–but she hasn’t survived this long by making herself vulnerable. Especially not to men as dominant as Brendan Donnelly.

A man without a past…

Bren is a killer, trained in Eden and thrown to the sectors. His one outlet is pain, in the cage and in the bedroom, and emotion is a luxury he can’t afford–until he meets Six. Protecting her soothes him, but it isn’t enough. Her hunger for touch sparks a journey of erotic discovery where anything goes–voyeurism, flogging, rough sex. He has only one rule: he won’t share her.

In Bren’s arms, Six is finally free to let go. But his obsession with the man who made him a monster could destroy the fragile connection they’ve forged, and cost him the one thing that makes him feel human–her love.

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I love this series. It’s got really incredible characters, action-based plotlines, an interesting world and last but not least, some of the hottest, dirtiest, and creative erotic scenes I’ve read. Real;y, my review could consist of three words… Go READ this!

Beyond Pain is about Bren, an O’Kane with a reputation for not only kicking ass in the cage, but for servicing the women afterward. He’s got some pretty serious baggage. Good thing he has his O’Kane family to watch over him.

Six is still trying to put her life together after years of abuse at the hand of Wilson Trent. She’s not sure about trusting anyone, even the O’Kane gang that has taken her in, but she is willing to help Dallas as he moves into Sector Three and she’s developed feelings for Bren that she is struggling to understand.

I thought Beyond Pain to be a bit more visceral than Beyond Control, and I liked that. As a reader I liked the intimate view of these two as they worked through their issues about trust and sex.

I just love this world that the ladies called Kit Rocha have created. They’ve done something very interesting with sex here and how its viewed by the O’Kanes. Sector four is everything Eden isn't, and that includes open sexuality.

The views on sex in this world are twisted just right for me, making it both subtle and in-your-face interesting. The erotic scenes are fresh, sexy and dirty and have a natural quality to them that this world promotes. It’s really done well, much better than I’m explaining it here, but the world building in this series is just outstanding in my estimation. I always feel get the sense that I’m watching the action in this series from eye level, right down in it, instead of above like a spectator.

The complex and interesting characters in this series are fabulous too. The buffet of bad boys as I’ve called them since Beyond Shame didn’t disappoint in this installment.

And kudos to Kit Rocha for continuing to include the characters from the previous books as the series continues. We get a great look at Dallas, now he has his queen Lex at his side. Even Lex’s role as Dallas’ queen isn’t your traditional view, with her counseling him in private. No, she’s front and center, running things right along side him. I’m kinda hoping that we get to see what happens when that dynamic gets challenged.

There’s plenty of Ace, Cruz and Rachel in Beyond Pain, setting up for the next book in the series. Ace continues to be one of my favorite characters, and we get to see some of his other talents in Beyond Pain. Rachel has got some talents too!

Overall, LOVE this series. One of the best reads for me this year. Big thanks to Donna and Bree from Kit Rocha for giving this reader something dark, sexy and full of action, just the way I like it.

Buy links from kitrocha.com 
Digital – $4.99
978-0-9883278-4-9
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, ARe, Amazon UK

Review: Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything. But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? And will they even be together?

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What I thought about Origin:

Now that I can breathe again after another incredible closing scene, I've got to say this was an awesome read that I started and couldn't put down until I was at the end.

The first half of the book is a bit sad and scary and I was glad that J. Armentrout didn't drag that part out, but there wasn't a lack of hope as Katy and Daemon learn more about the Daedelus project, other aliens and their agendas. Even though Katy goes through some pretty nasty stuff, it is tempered by the fact that Daemon is with her.

The second half of the book is just as intense with a roller coaster ride of action, action and more action and a very sweet and special interlude leading up to another unexpected final scene. The ending of Origin had about the same impact on me as the ending of Opal. 

I gotta say that Daemon has some incredible one liners in Origin. There's a reason we love his snarky humor and its out in full force in Origin along with some very swoonworthy tender moments.

Archer was a super secondary character and it was great to learn more about Luc. There's even an appearance by Hunter. It was also nice to get reacquainted with Dee, Dawson and Beth.

Daemon and especially Katy have come a long way in this series, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it all turns out for them in the final book.

Buy Links:      Amazon      |    B&N       

Trust in Me Cover Reveal & Giveaway

It’s Wait for You as you’ve never seen it. Trust in Me lets you in on Cam’s side of the #1 New York Times Bestselling story.

Cameron Hamilton is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. But when Avery Morgansten comes crashing into his life – literally – he finally meets the one person who can resist his soulful baby blues. But Cam’s not ready to give up. He can’t get the feisty and intriguing girl out of his head.

Avery has secrets, secrets that keep her from admitting the feelings Cam knows she has for him. Will persistence (and some delicious homemade cookies) help him break down her barriers and gain her trust? Or will he be shut out of Avery's life, losing his first real shot at the kind of love that lasts forever?

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In anticipation of Kit Rocha's next book in the Beyond Series, Beyond Pain, I decided to reread Beyond Control. I first read this book in March of 2013, but clearly couldn't put coherent sentences together to write a review at the time. So much happened in this one. 

Synopsis:

Alexa Parrino escaped a life of servitude and survived danger on the streets to become one of the most trusted, influential people in Sector Four, where the O’Kanes rule with a hedonistic but iron fist. Lex has been at the top for years, and there’s almost nothing she wouldn’t do for the gang…and for its leader. Lie, steal, kill—but she bows to no one, not even Dallas O’Kane.

He’ll settle for nothing less.

Dallas fought long and hard to carve a slice of order out of the chaos of the sectors. Dangers both large and small threaten his people, but it’s nothing he can’t handle. His liquor business is flourishing, and new opportunities fuel his ambition. Lex could help him expand his empire, something he wants almost as much as he wants her. And no one says no to the king of Sector Four.

Falling into bed is easy, but their sexual games are anything but casual. Attraction quickly turns to obsession, and their careful dance of heady dominance and sweet submission uncovers a need so deep, so strong, it could crush them both.

I FLOVE THIS SERIES!

Beyond Control is way more intense than Beyond Shame and that's a good thing. As much as I loved Book 1, which was a great intro to this world, I was glad the authors ratcheted everything up a notch. Or five.

We get more of everything here. We learn more about the politics of the various sectors and we get inside the heads of the leaders of Sector Four.

The tension between Dallas and Lex is palpable. They've been 'together' for years. Lex is the undisputed female leader of the O'Kane gang, but Dallas has never done anything to make it formal. He wants to, more than anything, but worries about the target she has on her back already. If he were to truly make her his Queen, that target would only get bigger. And we saw what happened when she got shot in Book 1. He nearly lost his mind.

Add to that the thought of her being with anyone else drives him absolutely insane. But he has never stopped her and has no plans to. He thinks taking that away from her, demanding it of her, is something Lex would never agree to. A little too late does he realize that Lex would give anything if Dallas would take the control she so badly wants to give him. Even if only for a little while. At the same time though, she wants to be seen as his equal in all things.

They both know that things need to change between them but they are both too proud and stubborn to come out and tell each other what that change should be.

LET THE ANGST FEST BEGIN!

Stubborn. So Stubborn. He wants to collar her, claim her so no one can ever have her again. She wants to be collared. To be his and only his. But neither will admit it to each other or anyone else. Although I'm pretty sure the whole damn tribe knows how they feel and what they truly want and need. 

When Lex does something in a moment of anger and complete frustration at the stalemate that has become their relationship, Dallas retaliates the only way he can. He collars her. In front of everyone.

Not that he didn't want this. He's been waiting for this moment, wanting it, for years. Now that they have what they want, will they be able to keep it and each other without getting stabby?

This book was freakin' fabulous. Lex and Dallas are so smart, so clever. They are so good together. They know who they are and know they each have a part to play in the running of their sector and politically as its' leaders. I loved getting inside their heads to watch them slip on their masks.

And while I loved the story of Dallas and Lex, I cannot wait for Ace, Cruz and Rachel. We get a Cruz POV that makes me wonder what his darkness is all about and if Rachel is really safe with him. Does he want her because he wants her or because Ace wants her? Or is there something else at play here... I'll just say there is a cage fight at the end of this book that will leave you wondering many things.

Also, when Rachel was getting her tatoo I was in tears. The same with Six' chapter. Two very different women who are trying desperately to keep it together. There was so much emotion in their two short chapters. It says a lot about the writing of these books that we get so many well-rounded characters who we are dying to know more about. 

Well done Kit Rocha!

5 FLAMING STARS OF PURE HOTNESS! 

Just because I didn't mention the smexy times in my review doesn't mean they didn't happen. 

Definitely the hottest book I've read in a LONG time.

Beneath the Burn Review and Author Interview

Book Description:

They meet by chance. The timing is wrong.

Three years later, she finds him again, but their separation was poisoned with narcotics and bloodied by enslavement.

Her freedom gambled away, Charlee Grosky escapes the international businessman who held her captive. But his power reaches beyond her protective barriers and threatens everyone she has come to love.

Jay Mayard wears his tortured secrets under his rock god facade. Drugs are his release, even as he seeks to be the man forged of the steel only she can see.

In a celebrity world filled with paparazzi, groupies, and drugs, Jay and Charlee must face their worst fears. When the battle is over, what will be left...Beneath The Burn.

Genre: Romantic/Erotic Thriller

Content warning: Includes graphic rape, sex, anal, bondage, and violence. Age 18+ only.

Amazon |  Barnes&Noble  |  Smashwords | Kobo

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My Review:

Beneath the Burn is a terrific erotic thriller with plenty of action, a chilling villain and an awesome tattoo. There’s great chemistry between Jay and Charlee and it didn't take many pages to care about what happened to them. This is a dark and sexy thriller with one of the most memorable opening sequences I have read in a long while. It’s gritty and graphic and made me immediately intrigued with the main characters.

The secondary characters are great too. Nathan was just super, and I loved him and his dedication to Charlee. She probably wouldn’t have made it against the truly sadistic villain that is chasing her without him.

I really liked Beneath the Burn. It’s got a great mix of action and introspection, very nice pacing, and characters that are interesting and original. Great job with the erotic content, too. It was creepy when it needed to be, sexy and romantic when it needed to be.   That's not easy to do.

Great cover too! 

5 of 5 flames

                     BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO THE END FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

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Interview with Pam Godwin, author of Beneath the Burn

First, a little something about Pam...

Pam Godwin lives in Missouri with her husband, their two children, and a foulmouthed parrot. When she ran away, she traveled fourteen countries across five continents, attended three universities, and married the vocalist of her favorite rock band. Now, she resides in her hometown, earning her living as a portfolio research analyst, and living her yearning as a writer.

Java, tobacco, and dark romance novels are her favorite indulgences, and might be considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with blinking eyes.

Follow Pam on Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pam's Website

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My Interview with Pam...

Your previous book, Dead of Eve, is a paranormal. What made you want to switch genres to write Beneath the Burn?

After two years writing DOE, I needed a break from the characters. Apparently, I needed a break from the genre as well. The two books are incomparable to each other.

What sort of research did you do when writing Beneath the Burn? What did you find most interesting during your research process, even if it didn't make it into the book?

I look up everything from what crop fields smell like in Texas in July to the statuary rape laws by state. The bulk of my research, however, focused on national defense technologies, the side effects of various street drugs, and the psychology behind BDSM. I also read The Bodyguard Manual by Leroy Thompson. Did you know that professional bodyguards have checklists for every location and every potential event? Airport, hotel and restaurant check-lists, city files, and VIP Appearance site surveys. Crazy job. Almost made me want to pursue it as a new profession. Almost.

I see you married the vocalist of your favorite rock band. How did that influence your writing of Beneath the Burn?

The years I trailed my husband's band inspired a number of scenes in the book, as well as most of the terminology and slang used. Representing groupies in an unsavory light was difficult because I was one myself for so long. To be honest, I've never met a hateful or jealous groupie. Nevertheless, keeping excitable fan hands off my man prompted enough drama to limn the pages of a book.

What books have most influenced you?

Anita Blake is the one of most influential characters I’ve read. She's such a sympathetic, relatable badass, but when the series gave up plot in favor of pointless sex-sex-and-more-sex, disappointment spurred me to start writing. My favorite books, The Kushiel Legacy series by Jacqueline Carey, inspire me through its passionate prose and unforgettable characterization.

Can you tell us a foul-mouthed parrot story?

My African Grey parrot knows around 2000 words, every English swear word, and can mimic any natural/electronic sound and vocal tone to unnerving perfection. One night, the battery runs low in one of my home fire detectors. It gives a high pitch beep every five seconds. I follow the sound. Pinpoint the alarm. Change the battery. Good to go. Next night, the beep screeches again. I follow the sound. Same alarm? What the hell? I change the battery. The high-pitch beeping continues. I change the battery in the next detector. Beeps blare on and I'm out of batteries. After a midnight run to the store and battery changes in all ten detectors in the house, the alarm continues to scream. By now, you've figured out why. Sadly, it took me several hours to remember the douchebagadry of my mimicking parrot--I say this with the utmost affection now that I no longer want to strangle his chicken neck at three in the morning.

What's up next for you?

Blood of Eve (Book 2 in The Eve Trilogy). I’m squirming to get back to the horror and heroes that make up Evie’s apocalyptic adventures.

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40 winners will win an ebook copy of Beneath the burn by Pam Godwin

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