I’ve read quite a few of Madsen’s books and loved every one of them – I’m not sure how I missed this series, but this is the first I’ve read (not that it caused me any issues). Although I do kinda wish I’d read Heath’s story because I think it would have helped with understanding some of Cam’s history with his dad, but otherwise this one stands alone really well.

Because of the way that Cam grew up, readers totally understand why he is anti-relationship … and why he reacts so strongly to the idea of having a daughter but not being involved with her. Watching him get a crash course in fatherhood is super sweet and helps ease him into the idea of a family. He’s still got concerns and fears but spending time with Emma & Zoe makes it super hard to resist them. And for us to resist him :) Because a strong, Alpha, ex-military man falling in love with his precocious little girl? Absolutely darling!

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I love the idea that these two people, who have been damaged by their pasts, are able to use their terrible experiences to give them insight into each other, turning it all into something wonderfully positive. They both have hang-ups, things that make having a relationship extremely difficult, but when they get together it creates something magical.

Pixie lived through an absolutely devastating thing but managed to come out the other side, showing her strength and resilience. That’s not to say she doesn’t have her scars but lucky for her Dred is just the guy who has the understanding to help her work through them. And while I hurt for her, my heart also aches for what Dred went through growing up. I just want to cuddle the little boy that he was – alone, scared, and finding himself thrown into scary situations.

The relationship between the men of Preload, the way they support each other and will do just about anything to make sure that that each of them feels comfortable, is spectacular. They have an unshakable bond forged in heartache and tested to show that it will last. And it’s just a notch down on the awesome scale from the romance between him and Pixie :) The way that he understands her and is willing to wait for her to be ready each step of the way is oh-so-sexy. Every time he calls her snowflake my heart sighs. I’m also ready to cuddle the grown up version of Dred but for an entirely different reason!

I will say my only complaint is how vague Cole is about the things that Dred’s boys experienced. I understand that she wants the big reveals to happen during their own books, but that is one of those things that irritates me when reading a book. I’m not the most patient of people and I think that might have something to do with it :) – I want my answers and I want them now … I will give her props though because I am so very anxious to get my hands on the next book! And the next and the next!

As with the other books in this series, there is an element of danger and suspense. It’s a great complement to the more emotional moments, helping to pull readers in and have them anxiously turning pages to find out how it all works out. I feel bad for these people to have so many horrible things happen to them but they have the strength and support they need to come out happy on the other side.

Full of passion, humor and a massive amount of heartwarming goodness, this latest book in the Second Circle Tattoos series highlights how Scarlett Cole shines at creating can’t-put-down romances.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

It’s fantastic fun being there while Zach and Harper fall in love. The great part is that it took half the book before they hooked up so that allowed for plenty of time for them to get to know each other better (and for us as well).

Zach has good guy syndrome. He feels like he owes the town and does all he can to be everything to everybody, regardless of what it costs him. But he’s getting close to getting out of town, too bad Harper comes into his life at the wrong time. She’s sassy, caring, and tries hard to win over the town (but of course they don’t cooperate all that much). And while Harper might be a fish out of water in Sunnyside, she’s got such a positive outlook on life that she can’t be bowed for long. And spending time with Zach is enough to brighten anyone’s day - of course she finds him as wonderful as everyone else does. He’s strong, compassionate, diplomatic, and has a solid head on his shoulders. Unfortunately he’s so perfect that every woman is looking to get him hitched so he does everything he can to ignore his attraction to Harper … yeah, that goes as well as you’d expect :)

My only complaint is that I would have loved to see a little more development between Harper and her step-dad. They don’t have a bad relationship but she hasn’t embraced him as he appears to want, not until the end anyway. A little more attention could have made that moment even more heartwarming. I’m hoping that we get more of Harper’s sister in a future book and that maybe that means more of her mom and step-dad as well. Plus there are some interesting side characters that add a little extra oomph to this story and who are sure to be delightful if they get their own book.

As the first story in a new series, Everybody Knows is a great introduction to Sunnyside. And while not all of the residents are appealing, there is great promise to what they could be and I can’t wait to see if Floyd delivers on it.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

(BTW, there is a minor spoiler for the ending below so stop reading if you don’t want to know. But it is just a tiny thing.)

I was surprised at how much I liked this story. Usually these contrived situations (and a Cinderella-esque love story) just don’t play out all that well, but Adams does a good job of giving readers people to like and a plot that works.

Eric may seem like he has everything (and he is a bit of a poor-little rich boy) but he does have troubles of his own. And time spent with Julie, with some hard-hitting heart-to-hearts, has him looking at the man he is and why he lives his life the way he does. Those same heart-to-hearts also has Julie looking a little deeper at her own motivations. They are good for each other and grow closer as they are forced to spend a lot of time together.

I like that while Eric makes some minor changes, he doesn’t do a beast to prince transformation. Instead, he learns to look a little deeper at his reactions to certain situations. Julie gets to know him as he was – gruffness, spoiled moments, and all – and she likes him anyway. She sees the caring and intelligent man he is as well and that while he has his faults he has his good side too.

Julie has the more obvious growth thanks to her time with Eric. She learns to be a little more selfish (in a good way) and to stop avoiding the things she wants. I think that my favorite thing is that after she starts on that path to finding her own life, she continues even with Eric in the picture. She doesn’t let their romance stop her from getting her own apartment (for the first time in years) and figuring out how to be independent after all the time spent taking care of other people.

While it is still a little bit of a fairytale, with the rich man falling for his servant, it’s got the growth needed for both and a chance for them to be the support each other needs.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

Unlike some stories where they hide the truth, in Clarke’s world shifters are commonly known and accepted. They even use their special abilities to help their communities, which I think is nice because it shows that they have something to offer the world. This is a short read, introducing Delany and Leif and their friends/family, so that also helps because it cuts out some explanation time :)

I do wish there had been more time spent on Leif’s healing over what caused him to be separated from his brothers. It’s very important to the man he’s become and why he’s making the choices he is, so it needs proper handling. While there is resolution (and good explanation) I just wish there had been a little more because it really is that important for him and complicates his life & his romance with Delany.

Clarke does a great job of giving us relatable characters and a plot that, while simple, is enjoyable. The language is a bit … blue, I think, is the term for it. And the sex is graphic but none of it is overly kinky. Which means that it isn’t going to be for everyone, but it is a good choice for those who like paranormal erotica.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

If you are looking for the perfect book boyfriend, look no further than Hunter Sloan. Thanks to his past he’s caring and understanding but also strong. He shows an amazing amount of sensitivity to Evangeline and what she’s been through - going slow and wooing her, letting her set the pace but making sure that she knows that he’s there waiting for her. He’s protective, funny and sexy as all get out.

Evangeline has had a rough few years, thanks to an abusive relationship. And she still finds it hard to let that go and trust others, even therapists. She needs to address it, not ignore it, and Hunter does everything he can to help make that happen. She still has to be the one to heal herself but he’s there to support her every step of the way.

If you’ve read the other books in this series (and apparently there is another series that involves Evangeline’s siblings, but I haven’t read it) then you know what you are going to get. It’s sexy and gritty and so addictive to read. I’ve already seen what’s coming in the next book and I CANNOT wait to get my hands on a copy – get those two together and let’s watch the sparks fly :)

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

While I know this book isn’t going to be for everyone, I think that those that do give it a chance are going to enjoy themselves. We get a bit of the kink out of the way early on, with a trip to a BDSM club, but after that it is mostly just really hot sex (with the occasional Sir or Master thrown in). The main story though is about finding the match for you and weathering some rough times. It’s nice to see Andy find someone that fits so well with him, especially after how unfulfilling his first marriage was. And he does a great job supporting Karen and showing her what a fantastic person he thinks she is. I liked watching them develop their relationship into something that works for them. And as awful as she is, I also liked seeing them handle his ex together.

You should know what you are getting into from the title, so there should be no surprises there. And while it isn’t my main genre of romance, I’m not the type to turn away from a little of the heavy stuff :) I’m sure there are those who are more in tune with this scene who may have issues with the way the BDSM is handled (again, not my major thing so I just go with what works for me) or those that just don’t like it all (aaand you should know that going in) but as a novice who just enjoys an entertaining story I was more than pleased.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

*sigh* Trentham did it again - made me fall in love with a small Southern town and the wonderful people who live there.

My heart just breaks for how much Cade had to take on when his parents died. Too much pride and youth had him taking on too much, doing anything he could to make sure his siblings stayed together and had what they needed to have a chance at a future. Unfortunately that meant that he gave up a lot of his own dreams. But the same grit and smarts that had him surviving in the swamps had him making a name for himself as an adult. Guilted into a trip back home has him back with the girl that meant so much to him as a kid … but she’s all grown up.

While it might seem that Monroe would have had a golden past, things aren’t always better on the other side of the river. Her childhood has left scars of their own and she’s still living with the fallout. Running into the one man that always made her feel safe throws her world off kilter. The man he’s grown into is hard to resist, especially as he was one of the bright spots of her past. But he’s not staying … right?

You know that these two are going to get together and that he’s going to find a way to come home to Monroe & his family. But as with any romance, it is the journey that makes it so good and this one is a can’t miss. The characters are interesting, with great depth, and you easily find yourself sucked in as they try work their way through some long-held troubles. We’re also introduced to characters who are going to make appearances in the next couple of stories and from what I’ve seen they are going to be must reads!

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I’m going to state up front that I love this series. Unfortunately I don’t remember enough about the remaining (single) Amos brothers to have a preconceived impression of Rod. But here he’s just about perfect - maybe a little too perfect :) We know that the Amos family hasn’t had the easiest time but they’ve stuck together and created a good life for themselves. They’re a little rough but they are truly good men. Rod’s honest, hard-working and not willing to settle for anything less than honest with India.

I don’t know that anyone can really imagine what India has gone through, and is still going thru, but it definitely complicates things for her. And meeting someone as sexy and good as Rod seems to be only adds to that. She knows that she shouldn’t get involved but he’s awfully hard to resist.

I do think that the whole thing happens a little fast. Not only the time from their meeting to them getting together but how long it has been since India’s husband died. I know it’s the only way it works with the timeline of her troubles with her ex, but it just seems a little soon. I know their somewhat concerned with that as well butt over all as an issue I think it is a minor one.

The rest of the story – from the deepening of their relationship to the troubles with her ex – is addictive and so well written that I had trouble putting it down. We also get a little look at the next story in the series and I have to say I’m a little concerned where it is going but I trust Novak to handle it with care, just like all of the others :)

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

(I’m going to give a few small spoilers but they’ll mostly be about the start of the book.)

Reading this I actually hurt for Llew and everything that happened to him - having to hide his relationship and having his best friend’s dad look down on him because he’s not rich, not to mention going to prison unjustly. It’s heartbreaking and Via does such an amazing job of giving readers a look at his state of mind throughout it all. It’s not an easy read but definitely worth it to get to the end.

I kinda wish we’d gotten a little more of Shane’s history just so we’d get a better idea of how he turned out to be such an amazingly cool guy. He’s strong, settled and has great insight into how to help Llew. It’s no surprise that Llew falls for him – sexy, smart and goodhearted, who wouldn’t!

Llew had a lot of support while he was in prison, people who were there to protect him and a counselor he could talk to. They were able to not only help him survive but learn to handle the emotions that his incarceration created. There’s no doubt that he changed but they didn't let him become bitter or angry. And meeting caring people in his new home keeps him on that positive path, creating a fresh life for himself - something good that isn’t overshadowed by his past. Everything he goes through shows his strength of spirit and the fact that he’s able to form a relationship with Shane (and oh-how-steamy they are together) is a triumph.

Troubling and inspiring in turns, Defined by Deceit is a rollercoaster ride that will have you twisted up in knots, anxious to get to the final page but not in a hurry to see it end.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)