Review: No Love Lost - Lexi Blake

When Ezra Fain joined the ranks of the CIA, the last thing on his mind was romance. After meeting Kim Soloman, it was difficult to think of anything else. A tragic mistake drove them apart, leaving him shattered and unable to forgive the woman he loved. But when his greatest enemy threatens her life, Ezra leaps into action, prepared to do anything to try to save her.

Solo accepted long ago that she won’t get over Ezra. She’s worked for years to get back into his life, looking for any way to reignite the love they once shared. Unfortunately, nothing seems to penetrate the wall he has built between them. When she’s arrested for a crime she didn’t commit, she believes she’s on her own.

Racing across the globe, Ezra and Solo find themselves together again, caught in the crosshairs of the agency they sacrificed so much to serve. Days on the run soon turn to steamy nights, but Levi Green isn’t about to let them find their happily ever after. And when the smoke clears, the men and women of McKay-Taggart will never be the same again.

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
We have been building up to Ezra Fain and Kim Soloman's book since the beginning of the Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten series. We've seen first hand that they're both crazy about each other but at the same time there is a lot of resentment between them for things that happened in the past. Ezra blames Kim for the things that happened between them but at the same time he just threw away their relationship without even trying to see her side of things.

Like a lot of fans I've been really looking forward to their book, I wanted to dig deeper into where things went wrong and I knew their chemistry would be explosive when they finally gave in to it. Lexi Blake never disappoints on that front, especially when she can throw in a lot of danger and push her characters over the edge as they fight for their lives. I'm not going to lie, there were moments when I really wanted to shake some sense into Ezra. The way he kept punishing Kim constantly and always immediately jumped to the worst conclusions about her got really irritating after a while but by the end of the book we do see a huge turn around in his character and he works hard to become a better man for her. I always knew Kim had secrets but I could never have even begun to guess all of them so there were some really brilliant revelations throughout the story too.

I loved seeing all of the Lost Boys come together for one last mission with the help of some of the McKay-Taggart crew, one of the things I've enjoyed most about this series is the ongoing camaraderie between the group and they way they always look out for each other and that hasn't changed here. While I really enjoyed the romance and was happy with the way things turned out for Ezra and Kim I was slightly disappointed that they spent so much time apart, really they were only together for such a short time before their relationship imploded and then they were apart for so long that it was a bit hard to understand why they were still so madly in love with each other. I totally got the sparks flying when they were back in each others vicinity but they'd both spent years longing for each other from a distance. 

That's only a slight niggle in the grand scheme of things though and overall this was a fast paced story full of action and intrigue. It ties together a lot of threads that have been ongoing for at least 5 books now and it definitely leaves the whole Masters & Mercenaries crew in a very different place to where they started. I can't wait to see where Lexi takes this world next because I have a strong feeling we're nothing to be saying goodbye to it any time soon!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Play My Game - Lara Adrian

New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian returns to the sizzling, emotional world of the 100 Series with Play My Game, a contemporary romance between a tormented, brilliant painter and the beauty he is determined to have at any cost.

She stands out like a flame in the dark. Out of place in my orbit, she is a bright splash of color in an abyss of darkness. An innocent in a den of sin. And I, Jared Rush, am a master of corruption.

Like my paintings—dark, carnal images that have crowned me the king of the avant-garde art world while also making me a very rich man—I don’t flinch away from my baser instincts. And now, every one of those instincts is hungry for the fresh-faced beauty who made the mistake of wandering into my lair.

I don’t know her name yet, but that’s inconsequential. I know who she belongs to. And while she has nothing to do with the bad blood that’s been festering inside me for decades, I can’t help thinking about that old, unsettled score. I’m thinking about payback. And I already have a price in mind. One that begins with her.

When it comes to getting what I want, I always play to win. But in the end, will the cost of my vengeance be more than I can bear to lose?

While this novel is Book 5 in the 100 Series, featuring characters introduced in earlier books, PLAY MY GAME can be read as a complete standalone with a swoon-worthy HEA and no cliffhangers. 

100 Series:

For 100 Days
For 100 Nights
For 100 Reasons

100 Series Standalone Romances:
(These stories are set in the same world as the 100 Series but can be read completely separately with each book featuring a HEA for a different couple)
Run To You
Play My Game

Visit Lara Adrian's website for more information

Review:
I've been a huge fan of Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed series for years now but I also really love her contemporary romances and Play My Game was right up there with the best of them. We've met the mysterious and brooding artist Jared in previous instalments of the 100 series so I was already looking forward to his book, I'm not sure if we saw Melanie before but she is friends with Eve so does have a link too. As always it was fun spotting previous character cameos but Jared and Melanie rightly take centre stage for their story.

Melanie is actually pulled into Jared's circle when she finds out that her boyfriend has a gambling problem and has got himself in trouble. Jared offers to bail him out but only if Melanie agrees to pose for his latest painting. She has no idea that she's been caught up in a revenge plot that Jared has been planning for months though and her life is about to get extremely complicated. I was glad to see that the boyfriend became an ex the minute Melanie discovered how much he'd been lying to her so if you're worried about any potential cheating issues you can dive into this book without fear. I actually had a huge amount of respect for Melanie from the beginning, she knows her own value and she won't put up with anyone treating her badly which makes her easy to root for. I always love a heroine with a backbone!

Jared is dealing with some pretty big demons and has been using alcohol as a crutch but when he sees how much it upsets Melanie he realises that he needs to do something differently. The attraction between them was pretty instant but I liked that it took time to develop into a relationship. Even though Jared went into things with an agenda he realises pretty quickly that Melanie is important to him and this didn't end up being a story with a huge amount of drama. I don't know about anyone else but 2020 has been bringing more than enough stress into my life so I really appreciated being able to just relax and enjoy this story! If you enjoyed the previous books in this series then you're bound to love Play My Game too but it would work just as well for someone who is new to the series as there are only a few cameos to link it to previous books.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Loving Liv - Stacey Kennedy

USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy returns to the passion-filled world of Club Sin and Dirty Little Secrets with this novella featuring a slightly flawed Dom who has six days--and six very steamy nights--on a Caribbean cruise to convince an innocent woman from his past that maybe the best way for two broken people to find true love is to jump headfirst into the deep end of desire.

Liv Sloane needs a vacation. After her cheating ex broke her heart--and their engagement--Liv never fully recovered. In fact, she's spent the past two years avoiding romance at all costs... with the exception of that sizzling one-night stand she can't seem to forget. So when her friends from college suggest a reunion cruise, Liv knows a relaxing week of sun, sand, and beach reads is exactly what she needs to clear her mind. But when they board the ship, Liv is hit with two surprises. Her friends accidentally booked a singles cruise, and her one-night stand is waiting on deck.

Miles Schantz has spent the past three months thinking about Liv. As a Dom at one of the hottest sex clubs in Las Vegas, Miles has his pick of women... so why can't he get Liv out of his head? When he receives an email asking him to join Liv on a cruise, he can't believe his luck. But when he meets her on board--and she's completely unaware of her "invitation"-- Miles has to come up with a new plan. Six nights of no-strings-attached passion. Six nights of wild fantasies, sexy games, and forbidden adventures. Six nights to show Liv that she belongs with him...

Five friends. One singles cruise. So many sexy shenanigans. Be sure to check out all of the standalone Gone Wild books!

Gone Wild Series:
Kissing Kendall by Katee Robert
Gaming Grace by Piper J. Drake
Attracting Aubrey by Avery Flynn
Beguiling Benjamin by Robin Covington (the release date for this title has been delayed)
Loving Liv by Stacey Kennedy

Club Sin Series:
Claimed
Bared
Desired
Freed
Tamed
Commanded
Mine
Loving Liv (standalone title in the same world as the Club Sin & Dirty Little Secrets series, crossover with the Gone Wild series)

Dirty Little Secrets Series:
Bound Beneath His Pain
Tied to His Betrayal
Restrained Under His Duty
Cuffed by His Charm
Loving Liv (standalone title in the same world as the Club Sin & Dirty Little Secrets series, crossover with the Gone Wild series)

Visit Stacey Kennedy's website for more information.

Review:
Ever since Liv had her heart broken by her cheating fiancé she's sworn off men so this trip to hang out with her closest friends should be just what she needs. What she wasn't counting on is running into Miles though, the hottest one night stand of her life and a man who has been trying to get her to date him ever since.

Miles hasn't been able to get Liv out of his head since their first encounter three months ago so when she emails him inviting him to join her on a cruise he jumps at the chance. He had no idea that it wasn't actually Liv who sent the email so they both get an unpleasant surprise when they first see each other again but now Liv is forced to spend time with him he's determined to make her see how good they could be together.

Loving Liv is the fifth book in the Gone Wild series containing books written by Stacey Kennedy, Katee Robert, Piper J. Drake, Avery Flynn and Robin Covington. Each of the books stars a different member of a group of old college friends who are on a cruise trip hoping to reconnect and spend time together. This has been a really fun series that's helped me find a few new (to me) authors to add to my to read mountain and I'm definitely planning on reading Stacey Kennedy's Club Sin & Dirty Little Secrets series as soon as possible.

This book was definitely the hottest of the series and I loved every minute of it. Liv is very attracted to Miles but she is so convinced their relationship couldn't possibly work that she isn't willing to give him a chance. She was badly burnt by her ex and is determined to never let herself get into that situation again. A relationship with Miles just makes no sense to her, not only is he a Dom who runs a sex club while she's totally vanilla, he's also so out of her league that it's ridiculous and they don't even live in the same state. Miles on the other hand thinks they'll be perfect together, he's spent enough time around beautiful women to recognise insane chemistry when he feels it and he knows that Liv isn't quite as vanilla as she thinks she is. All he's got to do is prove it to her.

I thought Liv and Miles made a great couple and their chemistry was insanely good, Liv had no idea how much she'd enjoy her time with Miles but she's still running scared. It's not going to be easy to convince her to give love another chance but hopefully she'll be brave enough to try. This book also has cameo appearances from quite a few couples from the Club Sin series as well as Allie and Micha from Bound Beneath His Pain which I'm sure fans will appreciate and it definitely made me want to read more of Stacey Kennedy's books in the future.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Attracting Aubrey - Avery Flynn

I never dreamed I’d meet my celebrity crush while stealing every single pair of my best friend’s pants.

Trust me, my life is not that wild. In fact, the most excitement I usually get is running my fan-favorite Insta thirst account featuring butt-tastic pics of Hollywood superhero Carter Hayes. So, imagine my shock when, in the middle of the cruise ship hallway, I realize the guy whose shirt I'm stuffing slacks inside of is Carter disguised as a tourist. How I manage not to faint dead away, I've got no clue.

When word leaks that Carter might be on board, he asks me to help him maintain his cover. There’s no way I’m gonna say no to that. I just don't share that I’m the anonymous woman behind the fan account that reported sighting him onboard. No biggie. Right?

However, when things between us go from friendly to hot to OMG-I-can’t-keep-my-clothes-on-around-him, all I can do is hope he never discovers my secret. You see, somewhere along the way, Carter went from an untouchable movie star to the man I’m falling for.

Five friends. One singles cruise. So many sexy shenanigans. Be sure to check out all of the standalone Gone Wild books!

Gone Wild Series:
Kissing Kendall by Katee Robert
Gaming Grace by Piper J. Drake
Attracting Aubrey by Avery Flynn
Beguiling Benjamin by Robin Covington (the release date for this title has been delayed)
Loving Liv by Stacey Kennedy

Sweet Salvation Brewery Series:
Enemies on Tap
Hollywood on Tap
Trouble on Tap
Betting the Billionaire (standalone title in the same world as the Sweet Salvation Brewery Series)
Balls Out (standalone title in the same world as the Sweet Salvation Brewery Series)
Attracting Aubrey (standalone title in the same world as the Sweet Salvation Brewery Series, crossover with the Gone Wild series)

Visit Avery Flynn's website for more information.

Review:
Aubrey's life hasn't turned out the way she expected, she's back living in her small hometown helping run her grandmother's bakery even though she has zero skills in the kitchen, and her dreams of becoming a writer seem further away than ever. For fun she runs a celebrity fan account posting pictures of her favourite actor on Instagram but never in a million years did she expect to actually meet him.

Carter is a Hollywood heartthrob who plays an extremely popular superhero but he doesn't want to get pigeonholed into one type of role. He's been trying to convince a director to give him a chance at a more serious part but they're worried fans won't see past his superhero character. If he can spend the entire week on this cruise without anyone uncovering his true identity then he might just have a chance at the job of a lifetime, but he didn't count on running straight into a superfan who could easily blow his cover.

Attracting Aubrey is the third book in the Gone Wild series containing books written by Avery Flynn, Katee Robert, Piper J. Drake, Robin Covington and Stacey Kennedy. Each of the books stars a different member of a group of old college friends who are on a cruise trip hoping to reconnect and spend time together. This has been a really fun series that's helped me find a few new (to me) authors to add to my to read mountain.

This was a really fun and light hearted romance, I thought Aubrey and Carter were both great characters and it was hilarious seeing how tongue tied she was when she first met someone that she's spent years lusting after from a distance. Carter was actually really down to earth for someone so famous and it was obvious that he was enjoying being out of the spotlight and not mobbed by fans. I did appreciate that he came clean about his identity to Aubrey very quickly so there was no deception on his part though, it must be hard to trust in that kind of situation but he didn't want to spend time together based on a lie. I did feel like Aubrey could have been upfront more quickly about her fan account but there were several times she tried to broach the subject and he kept changing the subject so it wasn't all her fault. Either way they were a very cute couple and I was happy with how everything worked out in the end.

I'd quite like to read a story about Carter's brother but in the meantime I definitely plan to check out some of the other books that are set in Avery's hometown of Salvation: The Sweet Salvation Brewery Series (Enemies on Tap, Hollywood on Tap & Trouble on Tap) and the standalone titles Betting the Billionaire and Balls Out.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Gaming Grace - Piper J. Drake

All work and no play is no way to enjoy this cruise.

Executive Director Grace Kim figures this reunion with her college friends is the perfect excuse to prove that she knows how to keep work/life balance and enjoy the Caribbean, preferably with her pants intact.

Rich, sexy, brilliant Bryan Wu has an app for that, and he charms Grace into helping him test it. He offers seven days of the best vacation of her life (bonus, sizzling chemistry) before they return to reality, but he didn't anticipate just how much of his heart he'd give her.

When an accidental error results in a humiliating video of her online, Grace must salvage her career and decide whether to erase Bryan from her memory forever or admit they brought out the best in each other.

Five friends. One singles cruise. So many sexy shenanigans. Be sure to check out all of the standalone Gone Wild books!

Gone Wild Series:
Kissing Kendall by Katee Robert
Gaming Grace by Piper J. Drake
Attracting Aubrey by Avery Flynn
Beguiling Benjamin by Robin Covington (the release date for this title has been delayed)
Loving Liv by Stacey Kennedy

Visit Piper J. Drake's website for more information.

Review:
Grace has never found it easy to relax, she's always too busy working and trying to live up to everyone's expectations of her to ever unwind and just have fun. This trip is supposed to be a chance to catch up with her old friends and she wants to prove to them that she can leave work behind, even if it's only for a few days. Bryan is on the cruise wanting to test out a new app he's created, one that gives you challenges each day to hopefully push you out of your comfort zone but also designed to help you find new ways have fun. With Bryan's help Grace soon finds herself trying all kinds of things she'd never even dreamed of before but when an embarrassing video of her accidentally ends up online putting her career at risk she is forced to decide what is really important in life.

Gaming Grace is the second book in the Gone Wild series containing books written by Piper J. Drake, Katee Robert, Avery Flynn, Robin Covington and Stacey Kennedy. Each of the books stars a different member of a group of old college friends who are on a cruise trip hoping to reconnect and spend time together. I've really enjoyed the first two books so I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

I think we've all met someone like Grace at some point, someone who is a supportive friend but who is so dedicated to their work that it leaves them little time to enjoy life. This story gives Grace the chance to find a little work/life balance and for the first time she really gets to let her hair down and just have fun. Bryan does a brilliant job of brining out her more playful side and at the same time she encourages him to take certain things more seriously so they really balance each other out. I thought their romance was incredibly sweet and I enjoyed spending time with them both. Audrey is up next and I'm definitely curious to see what else the pants thief gets up to. If you're looking for a fun and light hearted series to take your mind off current event then you can't go far wrong with this one.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Kissing Kendal - Katee Robert

All Kendall Barnes wants is a nice relaxing cruise to reconnect with her friends from college. Instead, they're mistakenly booked on a singles' cruise. Despite this series of unfortunate events, Kendall is determined to follow through on her original plan... At least until she meets a gorgeous stranger who might just be enough to tempt her into breaking all her rules.

Alex Jeffries is on his first vacation in over ten years, and he hates every second of it. He can't stop thinking about what could be going wrong with the bar he owns back home, at least until he meets Kendall and forgets about everything but kissing her. Maybe a party cruise wasn't the worst idea after all...

Kendall and Alex embark on a sexy fling, but it only takes a few days for the truth to sink in. The mind-blowing chemistry between them is only getting stronger, and despite the expiration date they both agreed on, they can't help wondering if this vacation fling can go the distance...

Or are they destined to crash and burn when they come back to reality?

Five friends. One singles cruise. So many sexy shenanigans. Be sure to check out all of the standalone Gone Wild books!

Gone Wild Series:
Kissing Kendall by Katee Robert
Gaming Grace by Piper J. Drake
Attracting Aubrey by Avery Flynn
Beguiling Benjamin by Robin Covington (the release date for this title has been delayed)
Loving Liv by Stacey Kennedy

Visit Katee Robert's website for more information.

Review:
Kendall is mortified when she realises the calm and relaxing cruise she book for herself and 4 of her college friends is actually a party cruise for singles. So much for spending their days by the pool quietly catching up. It might just be the best mistake she's ever made though since it brings Alex into her life. The last thing workaholic Alex wanted was a holiday but his grandfather booked this cruise for him and his best friend in the hopes that Alex would finally start to unwind and forget about the bar he runs for just a short time. He's so focused on worrying about what is going on back home that he almost misses what is right in front of him but luckily his attraction to Kendall wins out and a holiday fling might be just what he needs to take his mind off of everything.

Kissing Kendall is the first book in the Gone Wild series containing books written by Katee Robert, Piper J. Drake, Avery Flynn, Robin Covington and Stacey Kennedy. Each of the books stars a different member of the friendship group that Kendall invited on this cruise and I'm looking forward to getting to know the others. Katee Robert always manages to write the hottest romances, that's one of the main things that interested me in this series in the first place, and she definitely doesn't disappoint with Kendall and Alex. These two burn up the pages almost from the moment they first meet and bad boy Alex definitely brings out Kendall's naughty side as she starts to discover what an exhibitionist she is.

This is a fairly short book so the relationship development does happen quite quickly but that doesn't make it any less satisfying. Alex and Kendall actually have a lot in common besides sex and their personalities just fit together really well. It's been a long time since Alex gave up his bad boy ways but Kendall reminds him how to have fun again while Kendall, who spends all of her time worrying about other people, also finds herself letting go and relaxing around Alex knowing that he's there to catch her if she falls.

Most of the story is really fun and light hearted but it does take a bit of a darker turn towards the end when a family tragedy sends Kendall's life into a tail spin. I'd actually love a second book about these two so we can see what happens next and I'd quite like to spend more time with Kendall's sisters too. This was definitely a great start to the series and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the stories.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Love Hard - Nalini Singh

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh brings you the next sizzling story in her Hard Play contemporary romance series…

Jacob Esera, star rugby player and young single father, has worked hard to create a joyous life for his six-year-old daughter. After the death of his childhood sweetheart soon after their daughter’s birth, all Jake wants is safety and stability. No risks. No wild chances. And especially no Juliet Nelisi, former classmate, scandal magnet, and a woman who is a thorn in his side.

As a lonely teenager, Juliet embraced her bad-girl reputation as a shield against loneliness and rejection. Years later, having kicked a cheating sports-star ex to the curb, she has a prestigious job and loyal friends—and wants nothing to do with sportsmen. The last thing she expects is the fire that ignites between her and the stuffed-shirt golden boy who once loved her best friend.

Straitlaced Jacob Esera versus wild-at-heart Juliet Nelisi? Place your bets.

Rock Kiss Series:
Rock Addiction
Rock Courtship (Novella)
Rock Hard (Crossover with the Hard Play series)
Rock Redemption
Rock Wedding

Hard Play Series:
(Spin off from the Rock Kiss series featuring the Bishop brothers)
Cherish Hard
Rock Hard (Crossover with the Rock Kiss series)
Rebel Hard
Love Hard

Visit Nalini Singh's website for more information

Review:
He's a star on the rugby field but Jacob Esera's main focus has always been his family, especially his six-year-old daughter Esme. Jake has been a single father since his childhood sweetheart Callie died not long after Esme was born and it hasn't been easy but with the help of his family he's made it work and become a wonderful father. He's been so focused on Esme that he's forgotten how to unwind and have fun as an adult so when Juliet comes barrelling back into his life she's like a breath of fresh air.

Unlike Jake, Juliet never had the support of her family, in fact the only person she was ever able to rely on was Callie who was her best friend throughout school. Jake and Juliet were like chalk and cheese and never really got along but their love for Callie bonded them until bad girl Juliet was sent to Samoa to live with family. It's been years since they saw each other last and sparks start to fly the moment they meet again but they're both wary about getting into a relationship. Jake is scared to love again because he can't bear the thought of losing someone else while Juliet has been hurt before when her ex betrayed her and is totally off men in general but sports stars in particular. Destiny has a way of throwing them back together though and in the long run neither of them are able to resist temptation.

I absolutely love all of the Bishop-Esera brothers, Gabriel has always been my favourite (and we get to see the T-Rex make an honest woman of his mouse in this book as the story starts with their wedding!) but Jake came very close to topping him. In general I tend to prefer my romances child free but there was something so adorable about Esme that I enjoyed her role in the story. The main thing that kept me hooked was the chemistry between Juliet and Jake though. Their relationship is like throwing a lit match on a can of oil, they're argumentative and often clash but when they're on the same page it's absolutely explosive.

The two of them were seriously hot but there were also some really sweet emotional moments between them. I loved that Callie felt like a part of their story too, she was such an important person in both of their lives and it kind of felt like she was somehow responsible for bringing them together. We get to spend time with the whole clan and I don't think I'll ever get enough of this family. I'm already looking forward to Danny's book and hope we'll get stories for some of the other rugby team members after that. Nalini Singh can do no wrong in my eyes, I'm a paranormal girl at heart so I'll always love the Guild Hunter and Psy-Changeling series but her contemporaries always hit the spot too and leave me with a happy buzz.

Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Snowed in - Lexi Blake

Previously released in the Alphas Confess All anthology with the name In From the Cold.

Winter might be cold, but this threesome is heating up …

Jessica Phillips never imagined that Gideon Michaels would be at the seminar she was attending in the snowy Aspen wilderness. Gideon broke her heart six months before but introduced her to a lifestyle that calls to her. She’s curious, so she’s attending a conference to teach her more. Unfortunately, Gideon is teaching the classes, and he doesn’t want her anywhere near them.

Reid Watkins is Jessica’s best friend and, unknown to her, Gideon’s longtime lover. He’s always thought Jessica was the woman to complete the threesome they’ve wanted forever, but Gideon’s been hurt before. Can three friends become lovers in a winter wonderland?

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Reid has spent three years trying to figure out a way to get his best friend Jessica, and his long term lover Gideon, to join him in a permanent menage relationship. He knows they're all attracted to each other but Gideon is being stubborn and they're both nervous about introducing Jessica to the BDSM lifestyle in case she walks away from them forever. Then Gideon manages to mess things up completely and ends up breaking Jessica's heart. Luckily for Reid he has plans to bring them back together and this time he's not backing down until he gets exactly what his heart desires.

I always love Lexi Blake's romances, especially her menage stories. She writes such great characters and makes it very easy to fall in love with them. Snowed In is a novella so it's a little shorter than most of her books but because the characters have so much history their romance never felt rushed. I enjoyed seeing all three of them figuring out what they want and need from their relationship and finding a way to make things work.

While this isn't part of the Nights in Bliss or Texas Sirens series if you enjoy those books you'll be sure to enjoy this one too. I half wonder whether we'll see these characters pop up again as side characters in the Masters and Mercenaries books, I love the way all of Lexi's books seem to link together even if it's only loosely.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Sanctum - Lexi Blake

A contract broken…

Ryan Church and Jill Paxon enjoyed their life as Master and submissive until the day Ryan's entire world crumbled. No longer able to fulfill his end of the contract, Ryan did what he thought was best for Jill. He let her go.

An unexpected reunion…

Eighteen months later, Ryan is working for Ian Taggart as the Dom in Residence at the elite BDSM club Sanctum when his former submissive walks through the door looking for a job. Jill has changed, but his desire for her is still insatiable. Jill, shattered by his past rejection, can't trust Ryan, but she needs the job. Back in the community where she once felt safe and secure, she longs for the life she lost and the man she loved.

A last chance for love…

Ryan is presented with an opportunity to restore his wealth and name, but it could cost him his last chance at rebuilding a life with the woman he loves. When the secrets Jill has carefully hidden from Ryan are exposed, a terrible twist of fate might take her out of his life forever.

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Eighteen months ago Ryan's life came crashing down around him, he lost his business, his money and was potentially facing jail for a crime he didn't commit unless he could find a way to prove his innocence. Instead of talking to Jill and letting her help him he made the foolish choice of ending their relationship thinking he could no longer provide her with everything she needed.

Jill was heartbroken when Ryan walked away from her and after months of living a vanilla lifestyle she is finally feeling ready to play again. She's also desperately in need of a new job so when a position opens at the Sanctum BDSM club it seems like the perfect opportunity. She had no idea that Ryan is now working as one of the Doms in residence though. Ryan wants nothing more than to have Jill back in his life but it's not going to be easy to win her trust back after the way he abandoned her before.

Lexi Blake definitely manages to pack a lot into her shorter stories, Sanctum is full of heart with a touch of humour and a heavy dose of spice. Ryan and Jill fit together perfectly and it was easy to root for them as a couple. Ryan made a huge mistake by not letting Jill know what was happening in his life and instead just pushing her away but Jill wasn't perfect either and she hadn't been fully honest with him about what she wanted from their relationship. Seeing them work through their past was extremely satisfying and their story definitely left me with a smile on my face.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Fragmented Loyalty - Tonya Burrows

All I want is to leave my past of criminal hacking behind. Oh, and ditch the blackmailer who has been dogging my every move for the last three years.

The plan: Hack my way into being part of Class Alpha, a training program for a secretive organization that rescues hostages the government can’t or won’t go after. Save the world and make enough money to pay back my blackmailer—solves all my problems, right?

The complication: Sweet, nerdy, and unbearably sexy Eric “Harvard” Physick. Harvard is my ideal man, but he’s also my instructor. Seriously a no-go, except we can’t seem to keep our hands off each other.

My blackmailer isn’t willing to let me off the hook, though, and a series of freak accidents—deadly accidents—sends Class Alpha into a tailspin. And the more I get to know Harvard, I start to realize his past is just as troubled as mine.

Am I the cause of this chaos...or is he?

HORNET Series:
SEAL of Honor
Honor Reclaimed
Broken Honor
Code of Honor
Reckless Honor

Wilde Security Series:
Wilde Nights in Paradise
Wilde for Her
Wilde at Heart
Running Wilde
Too Wilde To Tame

HORNET: Class Alpha Series:
Fragmented Loyalty

Visit Tonya Burrows' website for more information

Review:
It's been a couple of years since Tonya Burrows published the last book in the Hornet series but I was always hoping we'd get a book for Harvard so I was really happy when I found out about this new spin off series Hornet: Class Alpha, starting with Fragmented Loyalty. Although this series is focusing on the team Hornet have been training Harvard is a member of the original group and you'll see a lot of familiar faces from the previous books showing up as teachers and mentors. I think you could probably start with this book but you'll definitely have a much fuller reading experience if you read the original series first.

Harvard is Hornet's tech wiz and he's been instrumental in many of the team's rescue missions thanks to his surveillance skills and the backup support he's offered. He's an expert hacker and a total nerd, also really sweet and very protective of his team. All Harvard has ever wanted is to find a place to belong, as a child genius who graduated school far earlier than most he never really fitted in with his peers and with a vindictive alcoholic mother he never had much support at home either. The Hornet team have become his family and what he wants more than anything is to prove himself to them.

Sami is also a hacker extraordinaire but one who got caught up with a bad group and crossed some lines as a child and was sent to juvie at the age of 14. Her family disowned her after she was released so she was left completely alone at 18 with nothing and nobody. She made the mistake of agreeing to a favour to a mystery benefactor in exchange for the money she needed to survive and three years later she's still waiting for the hammer to drop. Being accepted into Hornet's training program was a chance for Sami to turn her life around, she wants to make something of her life but when her benefactor finally calls in their favour things go downhill fast.

I was so happy to be back in this world, as far as the series timeline goes not much time has passed, in fact some of this book touches on previous events just from a different perspective, but in reality it's been a while and I enjoyed catching up with the characters. I worried for a minute that I wouldn't remember everyone but it all seemed to fall back into place very quickly. Harvard and Sami are both great characters, I loved the geeky banter between them as they fan out on things like Star Wars and Game of Thrones and it was very easy to imagine being friends with them. They have a lot in common and they had wonderful chemistry but I did find it a little frustrating that neither of them opened up about their secrets a little sooner. It worked for the story but put a bit of a downer on their budding romance. It wasn't too hard to look past that though and I was totally rooting for them to work it all out.

The story has everything I'd expect from a Hornet novel, great romance, lots of intrigue and a nice amount of action. I'm enjoying getting to know the rest of the Alpha Class and I'm very happy that Wolfe's book is up next.

Source: Received from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Long Lost - Lexi Blake

A stolen past

The only thing Tucker remembers of his past is pain. Used in a doctor’s evil experiments, his memories and identity were erased, and his freedom taken. He believed his nightmare was over when he was liberated by the men and women of McKay-Taggart, until he heard the name Steven Reasor. The idea that he could have been involved in the terrible experiments that cost his “brothers” everything crushed him. A desperate attempt to force him to remember the truth almost cost him his life. Now his world is in chaos and his only path to finally uncover the truth and atone for his sins leads to Veronica Croft.

A painful present

Veronica “Roni” Croft knew Dr. Steven Reasor was bad for her, but she also saw a side of the man that no one else knew. Even as she began to believe their employer was hiding something sinister, she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Their affair was passionate and intense, but also fraught with danger. When he disappeared under mysterious circumstances, she took her first chance to run and never looked back. She has stayed hidden ever since, running from forces she knows are too powerful to overcome. But now the man she believed was dead, the man she mourned, has returned and needs her help.

A dangerous future

As Tucker and Roni unravel the secrets of his past, a dark force rises and threatens to destroy them. Their only chance for survival will require them to join forces with the Lost Boys’ worst enemy. Only together can they finally unlock Tucker’s past. But as Tucker’s memories begin to come back, will it free them both or tear them apart forever?

Masters and Mercenaries Series:
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men with the Golden Cuffs
A Dom is Forever
On Her Master's Secret Service
Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella)
Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1)
Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2)
Enchanted (Novella)
Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3)
Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)

No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)

Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker
Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
I've been waiting for Tucker's story ever since I first started reading about the Lost Boys. He's always been so protective of his brothers, proven at the end of the last book when he sacrificed himself so that one of their wives wouldn't be hurt, but there have also been hints at a much darker side to his past where he might even have been involved in the early experiments they were used in. He still has no memory of his past thanks to Dr Hope's mind wiping drugs but rumours that he might at one point have been her right hand man are driving him insane. He can't bear the thought that he might have been responsible for anyone else's suffering so when Levi Green offered him an experimental cure he took it.

After taking the cure Tucker spent two weeks in a coma while his brothers continued their desperate search for answers. The only lead they have is Roni, a woman who once worked as an intern for Hope but who has been in hiding for the last few years. Roni knew Tucker when he was Steven Reasor and she's the only one who might be able to help him figure out how involved he was in Hope's experiments. Roni remembers two very different sides to Steven, there was the guy at work who most people were terrified of, and the one she knew privately and had a brief but intense affair with. When she meets Tucker she discovers yet another side to his personality she's not quite sure what to make of him.

Tucker may not remember the time he spent with Roni but for years he has dreamed of her face and he knows she was important to him. Now the two of them, along with the rest of the Lost Boys, are desperately trying to piece everything together so they can all learn their true identities and hopefully get their lives back. But their enemies are circling and as Tucker's memories start to return it places them in more danger than ever before.

This series is just getting better and better with each and every book. Tucker is easily my favourite of the Lost Boys and it was so good to see him finally figure out exactly what had happened before his mind was wiped. There were some really heartfelt moments in this book between him and his brothers and I loved the romance between him and Roni. Roni had very good reasons for being wary of Tucker and the rest of the team but she's a fighter so with her mother's support she does her best to help them all. I can't stand Levi so I'm really hoping we'll see him brought down soon, he's been causing trouble for the team for far too long so I'd be very happy to see Ezra or Solo put a bullet in him in the next book (fingers crossed!).

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Venus Rising Boxset - Golden Angel

All four books of the Venus Rising Quartet and the final chapter in the saga - Venus Wedding!

Venus School - Eager to learn more about herself, Jessica enrolls at the Venus School... but when she discovers just how attracted she is to two of her instructors, she's becomes less interested in the pleasure-centered program and more interested in fulfilling her fantasies with the two men.

Venus Aspiring - After graduating from the Venus School, Jessica returns home only to find that her instructors are closer than she thought. Even though both men are willing to fight for Jessica, she's not ready to choose one over the other... but she can't have both of them, can she?

Venus Desiring - Jessica, Justin, and Chris are ready to take their relationship to the next level, but the painful rejection of Jessica's family is keeping her from fully investing in the relationship. Meanwhile, Jessica's best friend Hilary has become entangled with Justin and Chris' friend Liam, but the path to love is never easy even as a couple.

Venus Transcendent - Jessica is determined to face her family and choose her own happiness, but as the trio approaches their future more united than ever, it's Liam and Hilary who begin to falter. Can a Happily-Ever-After be in the cards for all of them?

Venus Wedding - It's the wedding of the season! But one of the guests arrives with ulterior motives - will Jessica, Chris, and Justin's triad be undermined just before they finally get everything they ever wanted?

Editor’s note: The Venus Rising series is a high-heatromantic adventure that contains elements of MF, MFM, and other extremelymature themes. Proceed with caution (or excitement, whichever)!

Venus Rising Series:
The Venus School
Venus Aspiring
Venus Desiring
Venus Transcendent
Venus Wedding
Venus Rising Boxset (Contains all 5 books in the series)

Visit Golden Angel's website for more information

Review:
I've already reviewed each of the Venus Rising books separately but rather than just copying and pasting those reviews here I wanted to give you an overview of the series since this box set contains all 5 stories.

This series starts with Jessica attending the Venus School of sex where she gets to experiment with her sexuality and fulfil all of her wildest fantasies. She went there hoping to learn her preferences but she didn't expect to develop feelings for two of her instructors. She's thrown for an even bigger loop when she returns home only to discover that Justin and Chris both work for the same company as her and that they're both interested in dating her outside of the school. Their developing relationship is the focus of the whole series and while they have fantastic chemistry from the get go what I really appreciated was that this series also shows how difficult it can be to maintain an unconventional relationship when the rest of the world start passing judgement.

There's no denying that this series is hot as hell but these characters also go on an emotional journey that was really satisfying to read about. Not only do they have all of the normal relationship issues but they also have to deal with disapproval from family and friends who can't understand how a triad relationship could ever work. Luckily they do have supportive friends though. Jessica's best friend Hilary has her back from the beginning (and the relationship that develops between her and Liam, one of Justin and Chris's fellow Dom friends, is another highlight of the series!) and they also get a lot of support from members of the Stronghold sex club where they all like to hang out on a regular basis.

I'm not going to lie there are definitely some editing issues with this book with missing or incorrect words etc and I wasn't always comfortable with some of Golden Angel's word choices but there was something compelling about the characters that kept me hooked throughout. The Venus Rising series also introduces a lot of characters who get their own books in the Stronghold series and I honestly can't wait to start reading those too.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Kindle:

Review: Venus Wedding - Golden Angel

You are cordially invited to the wedding of the season...

Having found each other and their happily-ever-after, Jessica, Justin, and Chris are preparing to make their commitment as official as a threesome can. In the presence of their supportive family and friends, they plan to exchange their vows and celebrate the love and uniqueness of their relationship.

But what awaits them on their special day is no fairy tale. Not everyone in their lives has accepted their uncommon bond. And one of the guests isn't attending the wedding... he's trying to stop it.

Venus Wedding is a follow-up to the Venus Rising Quartet and the Stronghold Series. While it may be read as a standalone, it will be more enjoyable for those who have completed the Venus Rising Quartet. Like the Venus Rising books, this is a high-heat MFM romantic adventure. Proceed with caution (or excitement ;)!

Venus Rising Series:
The Venus School
Venus Aspiring
Venus Desiring
Venus Transcendent
Venus Wedding
Venus Rising Boxset (Contains all 5 books in the series)

Visit Golden Angel's website for more information

Review:
The wedding of the year has arrived and we've been given front row seats with this final book in the Venus Rising series. Jessica, Justin and Chris have come a long way since the beginning of the series and they're now all proud to announce their relationship to anyone who cares to listen. They are head over heels in love so although they can't all get married legally they still want to have a ceremony to celebrate their relationship and their love for each other. Not everyone is quite so happy about their wedding though and one guest in particular has only accepted their invitation because they want to stop the ceremony from going ahead. So will this be the wedding that the triad has been dreaming of or will it all end in disaster?

I really enjoyed this final book in the series, I don't want to say too much about what happens at the wedding or how things turn out but I will say that some characters I've had low opinions of in the past really turned things around here. It's not all smooth sailing but I was really happy with how everything came together at the end and it was great to see so many happy couples. My only minor niggle is that we didn't get anything from Hilary or Liam's perspective. Their relationship has been almost as front and centre as the triad for most of the series so although they appeared in this book I was really hoping we'd get to hear where they're at in their relationship in their own words. It would have been so easy to just have a scene with them reminiscing about how far they've come together while sharing a dance at the wedding or something and that would have been hugely satisfying.

I'm going to give a slight warning to people who are planning on reading the Stronghold series after this and say if you don't like spoilers then I'd recommend reading the first four Venus Rising books, followed by the Stronghold series and then finish out with Venus Wedding. Only because all the previously single characters we met in the other books are now loved up and in relationships of their own (that occurred during the Stronghold books) so I now know who everyone is going to end up with. It's not really a major spoiler though as you can get that information just from reading the blurbs so as long as that's not something that will bother you feel free to go ahead with this book first.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle or Series Box Set containing all 5 stories:

Review: Venus Transcendent - Golden Angel

Outed by her ex-boyfriend, Jessica is determined to get comfortable with her unconventional, polyamorous relationship with both Justin and Chris. And that means facing her family and choosing her own happiness, and the happiness of her men, over anyone else’s judgment.

But as the trio approaches their future more united than ever, it’s Liam and Hilary who begin to falter as Liam discovers Hilary has kept him a secret from her own parents. While he’s been falling head-over-heels for his honey-girl, it seems she doesn’t feel quite the same.

Editor’s note: Venus Transcendent is a high-heat romantic adventure that contains elements of MF, MFM, and other extremely mature themes. It is book four in the Venus Rising series and is intended to be read and enjoyed after Venus School, Venus Aspiring, and Venus Desiring. Proceed with caution (or excitement, whichever)!

Venus Rising Series:
The Venus School
Venus Aspiring
Venus Desiring
Venus Transcendent
Venus Wedding
Venus Rising Boxset (Contains all 5 books in the series)

Visit Golden Angel's website for more information

Review:
In the fourth book of this series we see Jessica start to become more comfortable in her relationship with Justin and Chris. She's still extremely self conscious around strangers but she's starting to realise that it doesn't really matter what people think about them as long as they're happy. She's fed up with her family ignoring the issue though and is going to take matters into her own hands to force them to face the issue. Let's just hope it doesn't backfire on her. Meanwhile Liam is ready to take the next step with Hilary but she's nervous about how quickly their relationship is moving and that's got them both on edge.

All I'm going to say about this is that I was really happy with the progress made on both of these relationships. I've been invested in Jessica, Justin and Chris since the beginning and it's great to see them with such a supportive community around them, they may not have all of the family approval that they'd hoped for but they've created their own family of supportive friends. Not all of Jessica's vanilla friends have abandoned her and they've all been welcomed with open arms by the kink community in Stronghold. I also really love Hilary and Liam, they're a ridiculously cute couple and I think they're pretty perfect together.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading the Stronghold spin off series, we've met so many great side characters and I hope they'll all be getting their own books.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle or Series Box Set containing all 5 stories: