That up there is how I feel about Josh Crawford.

Be My Temptation has been taunting my from my kindle since release day, and it has been great to finally have the time to read it.

This is a gutwrenching but heartwarming story. I thought I loved Ky Crawford, but now I know that was just a little crush compared to what I feel for Josh!

That man! He is just the right mix of alpha and swoonworthy guy with a heart of gold. Oh, and can't forget that dirty dirty mouth of his!

I adore Ashlyn, all her sassiness and smart mouth, all the love in her heart for her family and friends. For Josh.

There is a bit of suspense running through the story, but most of all there is heat.

There is also that strong undercurrent of sexual tension right through the story, from the beginning right through to the end.

This is a little different, as it is a lovers-to-frineds-to-lovers story, and my heart broke as we learn more about what happened 5 years ago when they met.

Rachel Brookes certainly has done it again, and I can't wait for more when the Men of Monroe series comes out.

ARC received from publisher via Netgalley for an honest review

Jackson Steele is back baby, and I couldn't be happier! We were left on a cliffy at the end of book 2, and there is still so much I need to know.

Thankfully, Ms Kenner does not leave us hanging in this final installment of Jackson and Sylvia's story. They were so close but so far from their HEA at the end of On My Knees, I just didn't know how she was going to bring it all together.

But I should not have been worried at all about it, as Under My Skin was amazing. Our lover's story was never, ever going to be an easy journey to a happily ever after, but the twists and turns this final installment took blew me away.

We have suspense, love, laughter, and of course sexy times. Ms Kenner gives good sexy times! But most of all, I loved how through it all, Jackson and Sylvia loved. Love each other, loved their friends, loved family (that deserved their love).

And I adored that we got more of the man that got me into reading J. Kenner books, Damien Stark. There were a couple of parallels between Damien and Jackson's story that I feel tied them and their stories a little closer together.

It is always a sad day when I get to the end of a J. Kenner series - it just makes me very impatient for more.

So Julie, I hope we don't have too long to wait for your next series.

Copy received from St Martin's Press via Netgalley for an honest review.

This is the 3rd book in the K-9 Rescue series - all stand alone - and I think this is the best one yet.

Primal Forces focuses on an ex-con, a wounded soldier with PTSD and his new service dog.

Law has been to hell and back, and 4 years down the track he is still struggling. He has just been teamed up with a service dog, Samantha, through the Warrior Wolf Pack service. Here he also meets the beautiful Jori Garrison, dog trainer.

Right from the start there was a strong attraction between them. Maybe it was them both moving on from the horrible things in their past, maybe it is just lust. You could feel the push-pull jumping off the pages.

I felt that as wounded as they both were - physically and emotionally - that they could just be what the other needs.

There was a bit of a mystery in Jori's past that ran through the storyline, which had Law and Jori's pasts and presents overlapping. While it was pretty obvious who the players in the event of Jori's past were, it was good to see how things played out. And let's just say that Law the law man is pretty darn swoonworthy!

But the star of this book is definitely Law's dog, Samantha - Sam. She is just beautiful and smart and amazing. The way D.D Ayres has gotten into the head of the dog - even writing a few scenes from Sam's POV. I freaking loved those scenes! I have often wondered what my dog is thinking when she does the things she does!

I have never known anyone who has suffered from PTSD - thankfully - however I felt DD Ayres dealt with this issue sympathetically. I can't imagine going through what our service men and women go through, and hopefully never will have to.

I thoroughly enjoyed Primal Force, and I am definitely looking forward to any more of this series - please let us have more!

ARC received for an honest review

In this second installment of the Secret Confessions: Backstage series, we meet Josh, head of security for The Screaming Tuesdays.

A little jaded with the "perks" of working with one of the world's biggest bands, the last thing he expects during his time in Chicago is to meet someone who not only piques his interest, but seems to be into him as well.

This little backstage hook up is HOT HOT HOT. I mean scream at the top of your lungs good!

The sparks fly right from the get go, and it is not long until all inhibitions - and clothes are shed!

Two people, giving and taking what they want in a chance encounter, one night (or is it??) that will rock their worlds.

This is a sexy short story that just ended much to quickly for my liking (but I am like that with all Ms Summers' books!)

Bring on the next installment!

After the end of Infinite Possibilities, the second book in The Secret Life of Amy Benson series, and the little snippit of Chad's story, I was wondering how Chad and Amy's life could possibly come back together.

I should never have wondered with Lisa Renee Jones. I should have just known that she would take me on one heck of a roller coaster of a ride.

There was so much happening, I never knew where the story was going to go next.

Chad and Gia are both players/pawns in a game, and we were never let in on what the end of the game was going to be until Ms Jones wanted us to know.

There was danger, suspense, love/lust, and some damn hot sexy times.

I loved how this story crossed paths with Amy and Liam's and how all the characters came together.

There was also a huge WTH moment with one of the characters that has run through the series so far.

Now I am off to start reading more of Amy in Unbroken, to see where her story goes with all the new revelations.

ARC received via Give Me Books for an honest review



WOW!! Buy this book, it is amazing!

That is all that needs to be said.

Ms McCarthy has done it again with The End Game. It is not your typical college sports star book. It does not follow the formulaic storyline that so many NA or sports related books tend to.

Brody and Jordan are both a little bit broken, a little bit jaded. Whilst they are still going through all the trials and tribulations of college students, they also have the added stresses and pressures of their sports careers.

I couldn't help but love Brody and Jordan. As bad as they can be for each other, they really are each other's saviours in a way. They are beacons of hope to each other.

The End Game is darker, grittier than a lot of books of the kind I have read. The characters just feel more real. They feel like the kind of people we all went to school with. They seem their ages (early 20's) their struggles are tangible,

I also loved that their story did not feel rushed. I am not a fan of insta-love stories (insta-lust, yeah, but love - nope). The flow, the timing, the build of Jordan and Brody's relationship felt organic.

I also adored the international/intercode relations between the Aussies and the American, and how Ms McCarthy has let a lot of the Aussie lingo shine through Jordan



While there were some funny and amazing and sexy moments, there were times when I could not help the tears streaming down my face. I am sure this was Ms McCarthy at home as I was reading...


There is something about Ms McCarthy's writing. She gets to the heart of the matter. She makes you feel. Once you start reading, you can't put the book down. And I have loved every word I have read.

I don't give many 5 stars, but this one deserves every single one of them.

I can't wait to see what she gives us next!

       

ARC received for an honest review

On The Run is the first book in this new series from Ms Jamison. Although it will feel a bit like a NA book, it isn't.

We all have our favourite band or rock star, but how many of us really know how they got their start?

On The Run is a look at how Kyle and her fellow members of their all girl rock band the Vagabonds got their start.

I liked Kyle right from the get go. She is a bad ass rock chick who takes no crap from anybody - I think we could be best friends! No matter who they are, friend or foe, she is a straight talker who tells is like she sees it.

This installment of the series follows her from pre-teen guitar prodigy to starting her band. We see the trials and tribulations of a teen girl - first loves, first heartbreaks, first everythings.

The story is mostly told in the past tense, but we also get some of present time Kyle, looking back at her start in the career she has always wanted.




Ms Jamison has a knack for writing rock stars and strong women. Put the two together and it is always going to be a cracker of a book. She does not gloss over the bad parts of the life. We get their story, warts and all. She draws you right into their world and it is like you are living the journey with the characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting into teen-Kyle's head, and can't wait for more of the Vagabonds story.

ARC received from authors for an honest review

My man Evan James is back! Woohoo!

After the way things ended in part 2, I wasn't sure how things were going to go with Evan and Reagan. Secrets and lies never turn out well, but boy oh boy I was Team Reavan!

It was a beautiful thing to watch this pair realise what they really were to each other, how much they wanted and needed each other.

The chemistry is off the charts. The attraction, the sexy times.





But can they forgive and forget? Get their HEA?

I adored how we got to learn more of their childhoods, more of their families, more of their connection.

I have loved this series by Ella and Brooke, and hope they collaborate more in the future.

ARC received for an honest review

This is the last installment of this series, and we are back with the band members.

Jet is not your typical rock star. He does not partake in the groupies, isn't into the sex and drugs and rock n roll scene at all. But reporter Charlie makes all kinds of things perk up in Jet. She makes him want to indulge in all those things, but there is something deeper there too.

Charlie sees more in Jet than the persona he puts out there. He intrigues her, makes her want to know more, feel more.

This is the pairing of the lot that I felt could make it more than a fling. I felt there was a deeper connection between them, more than just a spark of interest. And boy when things heat up, they get hot hot hot.

So, can they make things work? Are these two destined for a HEA? Gah, we won't know!!

Ms Cahill is a new-to-me author, but I very much enjoyed her writing style, and has made me want to go back and read more of her works.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella series, getting a look behind the scenes of a concert tour.

I would love if we got more of these character's stories down the track some where.

Copy received from publisher via Netgalley for an honest review

Though I have not read the first book in this series, this in no way affected my enjoyment of this second book.

I love a good book about hockey players, so I will take the chance on any I see come my way.

Luc and Rose's relationship is not an easy one. They have grown up together, and Rose has been in love with Luc since forever. But being the clueless guy, Luc sees she has a crush but no more.

Luc's career is in jeopardy, not helped by the vapid ex-girlfriend. He is home for the summer, to keep his nose clean, keep out of the public eye and catch up with his friends. He reconnects with Rose, his Fleur, and all bets are off.

I LOVED how Rose finally took the bull by the horns and went for what she has always wanted. She has had enough of waiting for Luc to make the moves. I felt so frustrated for her! It was like two steps forward, one step back for.

There were so many tears for her with the back and forth with Luc. She knew she had to move on, but when it is the love of your life you are trying to move on from, easier to say to yourself than to do. I just wanted to hug the heck out of Rose and slap the crap out of Luc.

I loved the interaction between Luc and the Garrison brothers, Rose with her sisters, and the lot of them together is just great.

So, can Luc get his act together, and will he and Rose have a HEA? Nope, for that you are going to have to read for yourself.

Making A Play is a well paced, beautiful story of first and forever love, with just enough angst to keep the reader on the edge.

Victoria Denault is a new-to-me author, but I will definitely be going back to read the first book in this series.