Showing posts with label Lauren Blakely. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lauren Blakely. Show all posts

Thursday, 21 July 2016

Ten Most Anticipated Contemporary Romances for the Second Half of 2016


The Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge is hosted by Gone with the Words and Love at First Page. As part of the challenge they are setting a different topic every month that participants can choose to join in with which I think is a brilliant idea so you can expect a post like this to appear at random most months throughout the year.

The July Prompt is:
Ten Most Anticipated Contemporary Romances for the Second Half of 2016
(Links below will take you to the book's Goodreads Page)

  1. Bound to Submit - Laura Kaye
  2. Rock Wedding - Nalini Singh
  3. Sweet Little Lies - Jill Shalvis
  4. It Ends With Us - Colleen Hoover
  5. The One Real Thing - Samantha Young
  6. Don't Tempt Me - Lori Foster
  7. The Sapphire Affair - Lauren Blakely
  8. Hard Rules - Lisa Renee Jones
  9. The Protector - Jodi Ellen Malpas
  10. Bedmates - Nichole Chase

Are any of these books on your list? Which other contemporary romances should I be adding to my wish lists?

Tuesday, 11 August 2015

Review: Consumed by You - Lauren Blakely

She's playing with fire . . .

Dog trainer Cara Bailey wants to find "the one," but fantasizing about her sexy-as-hell client, firefighter Travis Jansen, is getting in the way. Her only option? Get the confirmed bachelor out of her system-in every position possible-so she can settle down with Mr. Right. Starting right now.

Travis doesn't do relationships, so no matter how badly he wants the pretty little brunette, he keeps his distance. Until Cara goes and changes the game. She'll fulfill all of his fantasies if he agrees to walk away when it's over. But when the wildfire between them blazes out of control, it will consume everything-and everyone-in its path . . .

Fighting Fire Series:
Burn for Me
Melt for Him
Consumed by You

Visit Lauren Blakely's website for more information

Review:
Cara and Travis have history, the connection between them has always been combustible but she's looking for love and wants to start a family while he's seen first hand how painful love can be and is determined to avoid it. Knowing that a relationship is completely off the table Cara needs to find a way to move on and she figures that with one last fling she should be able to get Travis out of her system for good. Of course love doesn't always go to plan and now she's risking getting her heart broken if Travis doesn't realise just how special their connection is.

This series just keeps getting better and better! I have a bit of a thing for all of the firefighters in these books but I think Travis might just be the sexiest one yet. I loved how sweet and romantic Travis could be even when he was protesting that he wasn't looking for a long term relationship. There is a lot of history between these two and it was really easy to see how strong their bond was, their chemistry was fab but they were also good friends and just enjoyed spending time together. There is plenty of light hearted banter as well as the sexy times and I had a lot of fun reading their story.

It was also great to catch up with previous characters and see how they're all getting on. That's one of the things I love most about series like this one, the familiar setting and recognisable faces just add a little extra that you don't get from stand alone stories. Lauren Blakely is definitely becoming a favourite author and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley 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.

Kindle:

Saturday, 3 January 2015

Review: After this Night - Lauren Blakely

Their world was passion, pleasure and secrets.

Far too many secrets. But Clay Nichols can't get Julia Bell out of his mind. He's so drawn to her, and to the nights they shared, that he can't focus on work or business. Only her. And she's pissing him off with her hot and cold act. She has her reasons though–she's trying to stay one step ahead of the trouble that's been chasing her for months now, thanks to the criminal world her ex dragged her into. If only she can get out of this mess, then maybe she can invite the man who ignites her back in her life, so she can have him–heart, mind and body.

He won't take less than all of her, and the full truth too. When he runs into her again at her sister's wedding, they have a second chance but she'll have to let him all the way in. And they'll learn just how much more there is to the intense sexual chemistry they share, and whether love can carry them well past the danger of her past and into a new future, after this night . . .

Seductive Nights Series:
First Night (Free Short Story)
Night After Night
After This Night
One More Night
One Night with Her (Novella)
Nights with Him
Forbidden Nights (2015)
Sweet Sinful Nights (2015)

Visit Lauren Blakely's website for more information

Review:
After this Night is another fabulous instalment in the Seductive Nights series by Lauren Blakely. I really enjoyed the prequel short story and the first book but I'll admit I was a little nervous that Julia would continue keeping secrets from Clay and end up causing unnecessary drama in this book. Luckily that isn't the case and although it takes her a little time to trust Clay she does end up opening up to him and letting him in on her big secret. Of course Clay, being the kind of man he is, wants to fix everything for Julia but he understands that she needs to be able to sort things out in her own way. There was one moment where he nearly ruined things by not respecting her wishes but he was impossible to resist and I found myself forgiving him fairly quickly because he was so obviously trying to protect her.

Julia and Clay have fabulous chemistry, something that has been true from the moment they first met but that has only grown stronger as they've got to know each other better and I love spending time with them both in and out of the bedroom. This series is pure brain candy but it's fun to read with a sweet romance and hot as hell sex scenes. I definitely can't wait to see how things turn out for them both in the next instalment. If you're looking for a series that's quick and fun to read and will leave you desperately in need of a cold shower then you can't go far wrong with this one!

Source: Purchased

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:

Monday, 8 September 2014

Review: Melt for Him - Lauren Blakely

He knows exactly how to make her burn . . .

Fire captain and bar owner Becker Thomas usually spends his nights alone, trying to escape painful memories from his past. When he meets a sexy, free-spirited brunette outside his bar, he knows he’s found the perfect way to forget for one night. But when he later discovers the woman he’s itching for another night with is his best friend’s sister, everything comes to a halt.

Just out of a toxic relationship, Megan Jansen is only in Hidden Oaks to visit her brother, photograph the firemen’s calendar, and then slip off to another adventure. The brooding man who gave her the best sex ever is an unexpected surprise. The problem is, he’s her brother’s friend and a fellow fireman, and Megan’s rule is no firemen. She knows she’s going to get burned . . . but keeping their hands off each other is easier said than done.

Fighting Fire Series:
Burn for Me
Melt for Him
Consumed by You

Visit Lauren Blakely's website for more information

Review:
Megan is just passing through Hidden Oaks, visiting her brother and taking photos for the local firemen's charity calendar before starting her new job as a tattoo artist in Portland. She's just escaped from one horrible relationship so the last thing she is looking for is a new one but that doesn't mean she's averse to having a little fun along the way - especially with the incredibly hot owner of the local bar. Becker isn't just a bar owner though, he also happens to be captain of the fire station where Megan will be taking photos and he's also her brother's best friend. It was supposed to be a one night stand but as they are forced to spend time working alongside each other the chemistry between them just keeps building and they're both finding it hard to resist. But can Megan put aside her fears over dating someone in such a dangerous line of work and will Becker be willing to break the man code to put the moves on his best friend's little sister?

I enjoyed the first book in this series (Burn for Me) but I knew immediately that I was going to love Becker so I was happy to find out that his story was up next. I have to say Lauren Blakely has really raised the stakes here and I loved Melt for Him so much more. The connection between Megan and Becker is incredibly intense and so hot it's combustible, I loved the fact that they were both willing to talk about their feelings and that even though they both had doubts for various reasons they were able to work things out like adults. There are plenty of steamy moments between them and this is definitely one HOT read.

I will say that I felt that the declarations of love came a little too quickly, Megan is only in town for two weeks and they both start talking about a permanent relationship before she is even due to leave so that side of things did feel a little rushed. I completely believed that they were well suited to each other though, I loved their chemistry and the way they teased each other and spent time verbally sparring. It wasn't hard to imagine that they could have a successful relationship but I would have found it a little more realistic if they hadn't moved quite so fast. The epilogue helped out a little there but do be prepared for a fast moving relationship when you pick this up. If you're willing to look past that you're going to get a sexy and enjoyable story that is well worth reading.

Source: Received from Entangled Publishing 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.

Kindle:

Monday, 9 June 2014

Review: Burn for Me - Lauren Blakely (+ Giveaway)

She’s the one fire he can’t put out...

Jamie Lansing has had it bad for firefighter Smith Grayson for as long as they’ve been friends. Yes, he’s ridiculously charming and she might stare a little too long at his abs, but his dirty-talking, rough-around-the-edges ways aren’t for her. Plus, she knows that as a serial dater, Smith isn’t the type to settle down. But then a terrible, fantastic, mind-blowing mistake leaves her body craving more than one night.

Smith Grayson has only ever had eyes for one woman in town—his best friend Jamie. But convincing her a relationship between them will work is next to impossible with her refusing to see beyond his past. But when she asks for a week of no-strings-attached sex to get him out of her system, Smith knows this is his one chance to prove he’s not just the man she needs in her bed, but the man she needs in her life.

Fighting Fire Series:
Burn for Me
Melt for Him
Consumed by You

Visit Lauren Blakely's website for more information

Review:
There is a lot to like about Lauren Blakely's latest spicey novella Burn for Me and I enjoyed reading it. As with any book in Entangled's Brazen line there is plenty of heat to this story, Smith sure is one sexy fireman and Jamie is a lucky, lucky girl!

Jamie and Smith have been friends since he moved to town a few years ago, they spend a lot of time together going bowling, drinking and just generally having fun. As much as Jamie loves Smith as a friend and is incredibly attracted to him she just doesn't see him as relationship material. Her sister married a man just like him and it ended in disaster when he broke her heart so Jamie is incredibly wary of dating a player. Smith may have dated quite a few women but he never makes promises he can't keep and he's remained friends with all his ex-girlfriends because of that. He has been crazy about Jamie for a long time and all he wants is a chance to prove to her that he's really her perfect man. After they finally give into their lust for each other Jamie asks Smith for a week long fling hoping she can get him out of her system but Smith is determined to use that week to prove to her just how good life would be if they were a couple.

I love a friends to lovers story and I have a bit of a thing for firemen so I knew I wanted to read Burn for Me the moment I heard about it. Having read Lauren Blakely's novel Night After Night I was expecting some fantastic chemistry and really hot sex and I wasn't disappointed. I loved the connection between Smith and Jamie, both the emotional one and their physical attraction. I did find myself getting frustrated by Jamie's continually changing thoughts about them as a couple though, on one page she'd start talking like she wanted more and I'd think she'd made a breakthrough but then the very next page she'd be doubting him again. I wouldn't have minded this happening a couple of times but it went on for way too long and then there was some completely unnecessary drama thrown in at the end just to cause extra tension. It was so obvious that Smith was a nice guy and not the kind of man who would cheat on a girlfriend and considering Jamie has been friends with him for such a long time I struggled to believe she would think so badly of him. I wanted more of them spending time together and having fun and could have done with less of the back and forth.

That's not to say I didn't enjoy the story though and I think the things I had an issue with won't bother everyone as much as they did me. Burn for Me was a solid start to the series and I liked the side characters we were introduced to (who I believe will be the main characters in the next book). I'll definitely be checking out the next book when it is released and in the meantime I'm planning on reading more from this author's back list.

Source: Received from Entangled Publishing 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.

Kindle:




Giveaway Details:

As part of the blog tour Entangled Publishing are giving away a $25 Victoria Secret Gift Card. The winner will be announced via Rafflecopter and be contacted directly by Entangled so they can arrange sending out the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brazen Blast: The fabulous Wedding Dare Multi-Author Series!



If you like your heroes hot, the sex hotter, and a swoon-worthy romance to swoop in and save your happily ever after, Brazen has the story for you. Sinfully sexy soldiers. Alpha cops who demand control. Sweet guys with a naughty side in the bedroom. At Brazen, they've got the hero destined to melt your... heart. Visit the Entangled website, the Brazen Blog, follow them on Twitter, Like their Facebook page, and follow them on Pinterest.




Introducing Brazen's June 9th releases:


The Wedding Dare Series

1 Wedding--4 Hot Stories


When four bridesmaids dare one another to find lust—or maybe even love—at the destination wedding event of the year, the groomsmen don’t stand a chance. But little do the women know, the men are onto their game, and sparks will fly alongside the bouquet.



Four bridesmaids. Four groomsmen. Five New York Timesand USA TODAY bestselling authors. Long-carried torches, sizzling new attractions, and forbidden conquests will ensure a wedding never to be forgotten.


She's the one that got away.
He's the one she can't forget.




Find out more!
     
He'll own her from
the very first touch.




Find out more!
She has a plan.
He's about to change it. 




Find out more!


     
How far can

one favor go...



Find out more!





Don't miss where it all began...

Dare to Resist by Laura Kaye




And follow the Group Tour






Plus don't miss the epic lip sync off battle






But wait, there's more... Lauren Blakely kicks off her new Firefighter series with Burn For Me.


She's the one fire he can't put out...



Find out more!



(Lauren is donating 10% of the release

   week proceeds to the National

Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund.)

  


   




a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tuesday, 29 April 2014

Review: Night After Night - Lauren Blakely

Their world was sex, love, and lies.

He intoxicated her. Commanded. Consumed.

With a dirty mind and a mouth to match, Clay Nichols is everything Julia never knew she wanted and exactly what she cannot have. He walked into her life one night and unlocked pleasure in her that she never knew was possible. Possessing her body, captivating her every thought. Which makes him way too dangerous for Julia to risk her heart, given that she has a price tag on her head. She ran after one mind-blowing week with him, but now he's back, and determined to make her his own.

No matter the cost.

She was a sexy drug to him. Fiery, unforgettable, and never enough, Julia is an enigma, and Clay isn't willing to let her go without a fight. But she's got dark secrets of her own that threaten to destroy any chance of happiness. She’s a wanted woman – the stakes are high, her every move is watched, and yet the lure between them can’t be denied. Can two people burned by love trust again when desire and passion are met by danger at every turn?

Seductive Nights Series:
First Night (Free Short Story)
Night After Night
After This Night
One More Night
One Night with Her (Novella)
Nights with Him
Forbidden Nights (2015)
Sweet Sinful Nights (2015)

Visit Lauren Blakely's website for more information

Review:
After really enjoying First Night (the free prequel to the Seductive Nights series) I couldn't wait to spend more time with Clay and Julia in Night After Night. This is the first full length book I've read by Lauren Blakely and it definitely won't be the last because it not only lived up to my expectations - it utterly smashed them! I absolutely can't wait to carry on reading this series so I'm incredibly relieved that the release date for the next book is less than a month away.

If you've read the prequel (which I'd recommend before picking this book up - it's free so you've got nothing to lose even if you're not sure about whether to try the series or not) then you'll already know that Julia and Clay have fabulous chemistry and you can definitely expect to see more of that in this book, but, while they have a whole lot of insta-lust and things certainly heat up fast between them I'm so happy to be able to tell you that they take time getting to know each other before they start even thinking the "L" word. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed seeing them spending time together outside of the bedroom, these are two characters who actually know how to have a conversation about something other than sex. Shocking isn't it?! So many erotic romances focus just on the bedroom and forget about a couple spending time together and just having fun so I loved that we get to see Julia and Clay do both. Of course the bedroom scenes are red hot too so you're not missing out in that department either!

Another thing I loved about this book was the lack of unnecessary drama. There were a few moments when I was worried that something or someone would cause an issue between them just to raise the tension but thankfully I was concerned needlessly. There are things from both of their pasts that could cause problems between them but Clay is very good at being open and honest about his feelings and telling Julia exactly what he wants. Julia is more wary of sharing her secrets but only because she worries that Clay will be in danger if he finds out about her past. She is caught in a very difficult situation and she hasn't been able to confide in anyone the full extent of her troubles because she is terrified of dragging her friends and family into her mess. She's also embarrassed that she ended up in this position in the first place and doesn't want anyone to think badly of her because of it. I don't want to say much about the mess she's in so you'll have to read the book for more information but I will tell you that although she takes her time she does slowly start to trust Clay and let him get close enough to get a peek at her secrets.

Julia and Clay are both fabulous characters and I devoured Night After Night in one sitting. It's the kind of book that will raise your temperature and leave you in need of a cold shower but it also has some really sweet and romantic moments (can someone please tell me to find a real life version of Clay because I want one!). It's going to be very interesting to see how they deal with Julia's past in the next book, can she trust Clay enough to open up to him fully and let him help her? Even if she does I can't see an easy way out for them. After This Night is at the top of my wish list and as soon as I've read that I'm going to start working my way through Lauren Blakely's back list because I believe I may have found a new favourite author.

Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley 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:

Review: First Night - Lauren Blakely

An erotic novella from the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lauren Blakely...

It was only supposed to be one night...

When the sinfully handsome man walks into her bar in San Francisco, Julia Bell simply wants a break from the troubles that keep chasing her. That escape comes in the form of sexy, confident and commanding Clay Nichols, who captivates her mind AND turns her inside out with pleasure. The attraction is electric and they share one scorchingly hot night together, but they also discover there is more than just off-the-charts chemistry; the connection between them runs deep. Clay never thought he’d return to New York with this woman still on his mind. But he can’t get her out of his system, and he needs more of her...

He wants more than just the first night...

*This is a prequel novella to the erotic romance NIGHT AFTER NIGHT.*

Seductive Nights Series:
First Night (Free Short Story)
Night After Night
After This Night
One More Night
One Night with Her (Novella)
Nights with Him
Forbidden Nights (2015)
Sweet Sinful Nights (2015)

Visit Lauren Blakely's website for more information

Review:
First Night is a free short story prequel to Lauren Blakely's new Seductive Nights series and it introduces us to Julia and Clay who are the main characters in the series. This is the story of their first meeting, what is supposed to be a hot one night stand to scratch an itch ends up leaving them both wanting more. At around 50 pages there isn't much time to develop the characters but it was enough to show what fantastic chemistry they have and give us a nice taster of how hot the rest of the series is (hopefully!) going to be.

Clay is an entertainment lawyer who has travelled from New York to San Francisco to close up a deal for one of his clients. The bar, Cubic Z, is recommended to him by a friend, someone who also happens to mention the hot bartender Julia and suggests he look her up. After signing his deal Clay is looking to unwind and Cubic Z seems like the perfect place to do it. He loves his women feisty so he is instantly drawn to the smart mouthed redhead but it is only after spending a night together that he realises just how perfect she is for him.

Julia is the kind of woman who knows exactly what she wants and who isn't going to settle for less. she wants a real man, one who isn't always going to let her get her way and someone who knows exactly how to please her in the bedroom. There are hints at some issues from her past that I'm sure will be delved into deeper in the next book - I for one am incredibly curious to find out what she gets up to on Tuesday evenings! - but for now we don't have much information about her background.

Clay and Julia are incredibly well matched, they both love to talk dirty and they both love a bit of give and take when it comes to sex. They are very in tune and seem to naturally switch over who gets to be the dominant one in any given situation which is something I'm hoping we see a lot more of.

First Night is short and sweet, it's incredibly hot but has a few more tender moments too and it's definitely enough to make me want to carry on reading the series. The ebook also includes a sample from Night After Night just in case you need more help deciding whether to buy the next book. I'm looking forward to spending more time with this couple.

Source: This was a free read available to download from Amazon.

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.

Kindle:

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