Blog Tour & #Giveaway: The Rebel King ( All The King's Men Duet) by Kennedy Ryan .@Kennedyrwrites .@jennw23

Hello my loves, today is a blog tour post for Kennedy Ryan, last month I shared about the first book in the duet coming out and being free on kindle unlimited, well guess what?? The second THE REBEL KING is out now and you can read this one as well, cause it's finally here!!! I'm so excited, there are all kinds of links and info in the post so make sure to scroll and take a looksie.  There is even a giveaway for one lucky winner, make sure to enter. I can't wait to finish this baby and share my thoughts!!

“Every time I think Kennedy Ryan can’t possibly raise the bar any further, she proves me wrong in the most delightful way possible. Lennix left me breathless. Maxim stole my heart.” — Katee Robert, New York Times Bestselling Author

The Rebel King, the stunning, beautiful conclusion to the All The King’s Men Duet, from USA Today bestselling author Kennedy Ryan, is available now! Get ready for a binge read!

Ambition. Revenge. Love.

RITA® Award-winning author Kennedy Ryan delivers the gripping conclusion to the All the King’s Men Duet.

Raised to resist. Bred to fight. Survival is in my blood and surrender is never an option.

Though surrender is what Maxim Cade demanded of my body and heart, I had other plans. We were fast-burning fascination and combustible chemistry, but the man I trusted with everything was a trickster. A thief who stole my love. If what we had was a lie, why did it feel so real? The man I swore to hate will have it all, and wants me at his side. But power is a game, and we’re the pawns and players.

Facing insurmountable odds, will we win the world, or will we lose it all?

Download your copy of THE REBEL KING today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2W630xF

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TheRebelKing

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2W69Umr

Start the duet with THE KINGMAKER today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NeWRLx

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/KingmakerKR

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2o7sNbZ

Add the All The King’s Men Duet to your Goodreads Shelf: http://bit.ly/2OxStYL

THE KINGMAKER is available on audio!

Amazon Audible: https://amzn.to/2JGHUki

Listen to an audio sample from The Kingmaker: http://bit.ly/2K10MdX

Receive an email as soon as THE REBEL KING is available on audio!

subscribepage.com/audiolisteners

Enter Kennedy’s giveaway for a chance to win a $100 gift card: http://bit.ly/2XtW3ak

About Kennedy

USA Today bestseller, RITA® Award Winner and Top 25 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy Ryan writes about women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Her heroes respect, cherish and lose their minds for the women who capture their hearts. She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine and Frolic, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Atlanta Autism families, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for families living with autism.

Connect with Kennedy

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Good Luck my loves & always

Happy Reading

Book #Review: In the Flesh by Sylvia Day .@sylvia_day .@SylDay

Book Title: In The Flesh
Author:  Sylvia Day |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: Kensington

Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi Romance
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: Trade paperback, ebook

Cost: $9.99

Pages: 252

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: September 25, 2013
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

An infamous beauty. A daring warrior…

For five years, Sapphire has been the King of Sari’s most treasured concubine. Independent at last, she refuses to put herself in anyone’s control again. But now another’s meddling has led her into the path of proud, arrogant Wulfric, Crown Prince of the rival kingdom of D’Ashier… a man who is dangerous to her in every way.

…and a seduction that could destroy them both.

The daughter of Wulfric’s fiercest opponent, Sapphire is a prized warrior in her own right and highly skilled in the sensual arts—in short, Wulfric’s perfect match. A lasting union is unthinkable, but the bargain they strike—to spend one night together, and then part—proves impossible in the face of a desire powerful enough to bring two countries to the brink of war, and two hearts to the point of surrender…

This was a fantastic sci-fi read, a romance I didn't know I needed until I was reading it.  This takes place in a world that is technologically advanced but still a bit archaic in its societal structures, revolving around Kingdoms at war and all the political intrigue that comes with that.

The Kingdoms ar war have been at it for centuries all stemming from one section of the country rebelling and forming its own country and the former country not accepting them as a separate country even though the other countries in their world have accepted it as such.  With the Kingdoms ar war, there are people trying to bring them down, kidnappings, twisted plotlines that include jealous lover and all they will do to bring their obsessions to heel. A good majority of this also stems from a King's obsession and the consequences of that obsession.

I didn't realize the pages were flying by, because I was so captivated by the story. This was a romping good read that had all the political intrigue, mystery, and delicious sex anyone could want. Filled with memorable characters like Kate/Sapphire who is a  member of the King's Harem. This makes her the most desirable women in her country where being a Courtesan is a highly respected position. The daughter of the most famous Courtesan and the King's most trusted advisor is a woman who is well schooled in all the arts of being desirable. She's however not as happy as she could be because she's no longer being challenged in her position and she wants what her parents have; a close and intimate relationship with a partner or partners who see her as more than Sapphire.

Kate/ Sapphire is a phenomenal character, who was well rounded and strong without being harsh or lost in either side of her character.  Wulfric was a future King trapped behind enemy lines. He becomes intrigued by the woman who has rescued him and wants to know more about her. A man used to being obeyed in all things he's struggling to keep his character in check when he realizes he's further from home than he thought and also being made to be subservient to another.

Kate was a politically astute character who engendered loyalty because she was so genuine.  Wulfric was fantastic because even after all he'd been through was unbowed in who he was and what he wanted.  Their chemistry was off the charts. I loved their battle of wills and how their story unfolded.

I loved how the world was unfolded without it being an information dump. The glimpses of the differences between Kingdoms and how cultural differences can really set up relationships for success of failure was great to see.  The story just drew you in, it's filled with so many plot twists, evil characters & jealousies. I was stunned when it ended and I realized all of this happened in less than 300 pages.  I loved that this gave you a great ending for this book but was left in a way that if she ever felt like it a sequel could be written. I'm personally in the bandwagon of more, please!!

 ★★★★1/2☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Cyberevolution Series by Kaitlyn O'Connor

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Enthralled (The Enslaved Duet 1) by Giana Darling .@GianaDarling

Book Title: Enthralled (The Enslaved Duet 1)
Author:  Giana Darling |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: Giana Darling
Genre: Dark New Adult, Dark Romance,
Series/Standalone: Book 1
Format: ebook, Trade paperback

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 394

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: March 2019
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

It was the biggest day of my life. I know most people say that about something joyous; a graduation, a wedding ceremony, the birth of their first child. My situation was a little different.

Sure, it was my eighteenth birthday, but it was also the day that I was sold.
Sold to a man with hair like a crown of gold and eyes blacker than the darkest pits of Hell.
He bought me to own me, to control me, and to use me as a means to an end.
I was his tool and his weapon.
And through it all, somehow, I also became his salvation.

There are so many feelings I have about this book, I'm not sure where I'm supposed to go with it. First I went into this based on the review of a fave booktuber (Jess from Peace Love, Books) and I'm just a mixed bag of emotions ever since the book finished.  There are so many things going on in this story and it's all so complicated. There are many moving parts and just...OMGawd. The story was extremely engaging and the writing wonderful even if a bit poetic at times but once you got used to the writing style it wasn't a problem. I will give trigger warnings for those who need them, discussion of anorexia, sex trafficking, and suicide are within this novel.

Ok let's start with the fact that the protagonist is being manipulated by so many different people that it's impossible to see where she's going. Everyone has their reasons for using her to get to the other and no one is including her in the choice, of course almost all the people manipulating her young heart and life are the powerful men playing at getting back at each other.

Cosima is a young model struggling to support herself and her family. Born into poverty in a town controlled by the mafia and its violence, she's one of the few people in her family trying to stay above water. Her father is a drunk who gambles the families livelihood away, her mother is a devout wife and Catholic who despite all the reasons she should leave to protect her children actually puts them in deeper harm. She's hellbent on penance and suffering, even though as a child and even now Cosima doesn't' see her failings. (she's an infuriating insufferable idiot but we don't learn all of that until later & I'm so effing pissed at this woman, like all of this could have been avoided if she wasn't such an effing coward).

Cosima and her twin brother are pushed into using their beauty as models so they can earn money to protect their younger siblings from the terrible decisions her parents are and have made.  She puts herself into a risky situation and saves a man's life, in doing so puts the crosshairs of unseen enemies unto herself. Once the ball gets rolling and debts are called in her father who is another massive coward uses her as his trump card and sells her to pay his debts. Cosima sees little alternative to aide her family as her father's enemies are powerful and she's afraid of it blowing back on her family.

Trapped with a beast who now owns her, she's furious when she realizes the ties she has to this person. Forced into sexual slavery, she discovers a part of her craves giving up control. This she fights the best she can until she realizes that she's only hurting herself even more. Her sentence is for five years, and she's negotiated a deal that aides her family in getting out, now she's here not because of her father's debts but because of her own deal. While their initial scenes maybe triggering for some, they are very darkly erotic.

Then the story just unfolds beautifully, we get more mystery as the hands that are pulling the levers begin to be revealed and until the very end, we don't know who all the players in this game are. We get mystery, murder and mayhem, which while going in I didn't expect. I wouldn't necessarily call this one a romance, it's an extremely dark new adult with a few erotic moments.  I will say I was very intrigued by all the moving parts, the mystery the who done it of it all. The past comes back full force and the part that an unsuspecting villain plays is heart rendering. There are moments when Cosima is close to seeing some of the true nature and yet she is unwilling to see it. As the story unfolds and we learn that even her beast has monsters who can and will harm him, I'm even more intrigued. Who scares the big bad?? Unfortunately, we are given the answer to that and I just can't deal. I wanted to reach into the book and break them all. That moment is when we realized even he was making the most of bad situation and it wasn't all that it seemed and we get a glimpse of the hidden man.

As I stated there are many hidden and moving parts. So many enemies masquerading as friends, and hidden friends among them all. It's so engaging that I finished it in one weekend because I just needed to know. I'm on pins and needles until the second comes out in May. I want to know how it all unfolds. I want to know more about her brother and what's happening in his life.   I definitely had a deadly book hangover when I was done and didn't know what to do with all these feels.

Once out of the book, it reminded me of another I read a year or two ago and also a true life story I read about trafficking that told of a fame similar to the one played in this book and by similar men ( I believe even a royal of Europe was arrested in the sting operation). It made it even more real and brutal to know that these games do truly exist.

At the end we are left on a cliffhanger, how does it all turn out?? I looked and saw that the second comes out May 31st (to which I have already pre-ordered) and that the other family members have books. I'm hoping she comes out with a book for the brother soon as well because hello?? That sounds awesome.

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Captive In The Dark (The Dark Duet) by C.J. Roberts

Happy Reading my loves, 

Snippet Book #Review: The Chalet (Submissive 3.5) by Tara Sue Me

Book Title: The Chalet ( The Submissive 3.5)
Author:  Tara Sue Me |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: Intermix

Genre: Erotica Romance, BDSM Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 3.5
Format: ebook

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 127

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: Oct 21, 2014
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Tara Sue Me’s Submissive series is an international sensation. Now, Abby and Nathaniel’s story continues with their romantic wedding and a honeymoon too hot to believe…
Submitting her body was only the beginning.

Abby King didn’t know true passion until she gave herself to Nathaniel West, one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors and desired Dominants. Now, on the eve of her marriage, she realizes all her dreams are coming true. And with a romantic honeymoon getaway planned at a secluded Swiss chalet, she’s sure Nathaniel will find even more fantasies to fulfill…

Nathaniel never thought he’d settle down until Abby broke down his barriers and changed his plans. With their wedding only weeks away, he can barely wait to possess her completely—heart, body, and soul—and show her the true meaning of being both a wife and a submissive.

Only Abby has one more challenge in store before she becomes his: no sex and no collar for one month before the wedding. Nathaniel is willing to give it a shot but he has one scandalous stipulation—once that month is up, anything goes…

This is the book that brings us back into the lives of Abby and Nathienal after The Training (click for my review).  This is the story of the months leading up to their wedding and the adventures they go on leading there as well as what happens once they become man and wife.

This was a great little look at their lives after they cemented their relationship both as conventional husband and wife and their private lives as Dominant & submissive. I enjoyed Nathienal's surprises for their honeymoon and the way he pushes Abby's boundaries.  They work at discovering more about themselves and their relationship while reveling in the senses.

Their scenes are of course amazing to read and the descriptions make you feel like you are right there with them. I loved every second of this one.  While we did get to see some of their friends this one really focuses in on their dynamic and how they explore their roles while maintaining a "normal " relationship as well.

I highly recommend.

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• The Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day
• The Wicked Lover Series by Shayla Black

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: The Collar (The Submissive Series 6) by Tara Sue Me

Book Title: The Collar ( The Submissive 6, Partners in Play 2)
Author:  Tara Sue Me |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: NAL/ Penguin

Genre: Erotica, BDSM Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 6
Format: Trade Paperback, ebook

Cost: $15.00

Pages: 336

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: July 07,2015
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

In her seductive new Submissive novel, Tara Sue Me introduces a sizzling hot new couple into Abby and Nathaniel's world and explores the red-hot passion between Jeff and Dena that won't be denied ... Fans of E. L. James, Sylvia Day, Maya Banks and Beth Kery will be seduced by New York Times bestselling author Tara Sue Me's enthralling Submissive series.

Nathaniel and Abby West are struggling to navigate the challenging waters of their own relationship, when they get a surprising phone call from their partners in play, Dena and Jeff, who are in need of a helping hand...

Seven years ago, desperate for something exhilarating to help her escape the pressures of her carefully controlled life, lawyer Dena Jenkins joined a local BDSM club as a submissive. There she met brooding Dominant, Jeff, and, despite Dena's doubts, they couldn't stay away from each other. But as the years have passed, their blazing connection has proven difficult to maintain and resulted in a history they'd rather forget. To save their passion, Dena and Jeff will have to rediscover what it means to trust - and give themselves to each other completely...

Before there was the fan fiction that became Fifty Shades of Grey, there was The Submissive... Indulge in the series that started it all: The Submissive, The Dominant, The Training, The Chalet, The Enticement, The Collar, The Exhibitionist and The Master.

Hi my loves, and we are back into the world of the partners at play series. this is the spin-off of the Submissive series and while we do get to see Abby and Nathaniel, this isn't their story.  We again meet up with the Delaware BDSM group which includes Jeff Parks a Dominant who was there when Abby needed a bit of help and who has become friends with Nathienal. He's also a good friend to Daniel from the bridge book of Seduced by Fire.

I really loved this story as well. Tara's writing and exploration of BDSM and how it appears for different couples just hits it out the park for me.  In this one, we explore how a relationship can fall apart and how the participants can circle around each other for years without really healing or letting go.  Jeff Parks a dominant we met briefly in Seduced by Fire, and the submissive Dena who helped to clarify things for Julie are back and this is their story.  Jeff has a few hang-ups and these inhibit his life without him realizing how they impact his decisions.  Dena is a woman who came to the BDSM world as an act of defiance and found a place she was meant to be in.

In this exploration of who they are they hit it off really well and fall into a great relationship one that comes with a few surprises.  As they grow in their relationship they are hit with a challenge that they decide to embrace, right as they catch their stride as Dominant and submissive their world is rocked and their relationship implodes.  There was so much pain and grief that there was no space for them in the relationship. They split but couldn't seem to grow past each other. They remained within the group even though they never played together again. Not until Julie needed help.  Then all the unspoken things start to bubble to the surface and they have no choice but to face them, especially when it appears Dena is in danger.

My heart hurt reading this. I so understood what lead to their breakup and totally understood how much it hurt them to even see each other much less try to find each other and deal together with their grief.  It showcased that even within the community that uses pain for therapy and even though they know how much their emotions impact everything, they weren't able to see their way back to each other for years.

When they did play together?? My gawds their scenes and moments were hot. The banter, the moments when Dena bratted out to gain his attention and even the moments Jeff needs to get in the headspace as her Dom are amazing to read.  I loved that the story was told in two parts, going between the past and the present-day consequences of the past moments and then finally moving forward.  It's not an easy story, it's not pretty but it is amazingly sexy, raw and real.

It wasn't until later in this book that I realized that the descriptions of Jeff being "dark" was her way of saying he's black without saying he's black. It's one of the only times I realized why most people wouldn't realize it was when he described what happened to him when he moved to NYC.  Other than those moments and a few more when Dena blatantly mentioned the difference between them, him being black is never mentioned again. While I loved that she didn't make him 'other' by mentioning it all the time, or fetishizing it by describing him weirdly; it was odd that him being black is never mentioned in other ways.  While as a black woman my race isn't the only part of me, it is apart of my experience in daily life, maybe this was her way of saying that within 'fringe' groups like the BDSM community these things don't matter as much?? I loved when Dena brought it up within the group and it was touched on without making it weird. I don't know if I'm explaining it well but him being black wasn't made weird, but it also could have been something you read without realizing she was saying he was black because she described him as 'dark'.  It's being diverse without being too controversial or without alienating those who normally wouldn't read a romance with a black male character.

I absolutely loved how the story unfolded. The history and how it impacted their actions today made this story bittersweet and made me excited to see more from the group. I can't wait to read more each of the characters we already know and get to know the rest of the group as well.

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Sherri Hayes Finding Anna Series 
• Lynda Aicher Wicked Play Series
• The Submissive Series 

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: The Enticement (The Submissive Series 5) by Tara Sue Me

Book Title: The Enticement (The Submissive Series 5)
Author:  Tara Sue Me |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: NAL/Penguin

Genre: Erotica Romance, BDSM Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 5
Format: Trade paperback, ebook

Cost: $15.00

Pages: 271

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: April 07, 2015
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Limits were made to be pushed.

Abby West has everything she wanted: a family, a skyrocketing new career, and a sexy, Dominant husband who fulfills her every need. Only, as her life outside the bedroom becomes hectic, her Master’s sexual requirements inside become more extreme. Abby doesn’t understand Nathaniel’s increased need for control, but she can’t deny the delicious way her body reacts to his tantalizing demands…

Between Abby’s reluctance and Nathaniel’s unyielding commands, the delicate balance of power between the Dominant and his submissive threatens to shift. And as the underlying tension and desire between them heats up, so does the struggle to keep everything they value from falling apart …

With this title, we go back to the couple that started this series, Abby & Nathaniel.  They are now several years into their relationship, they are married and have children as well as still being active in the BDSM lifestyle.  This becomes an exploration of what does a committed D/s couple do as they begin to experience stagnation and growing pains from the new changes their lives demand?? Well, it becomes very erotic and a deeper exploration of what commitment to the lifestyle looks like for each couple involved.

Having lived the lifestyle for a while the couple is beginning to find themselves looking at their limits and their relationship to see if they need to make changes.  I absolutely loved this one,  my loves. It was a great story. Going back and seeing Abby and Nathienal as they navigate being parents while finding time and ways in which to serve each other without appearing anything but "normal" to their kids and the world was great.

Abby had developed her journaling (much like a submissive that I used to read in real life) into a blog that she shared and as the years have grown so has the blog. Going from just a way to work through the tasks Nathienal has given her much like a journal, it has developed into a popular site. And with that came a new opportunity that she wanted to explore. Nathienal being the great Dom that he was, is excited and encouraging. But as the demands on Abby's time start to come in so does Nathienal's new and increased need to dominate her.

Abby is loving her life, the children, her new career opportunity and of course the fact that they are starting to play even more than before. As they grow in their relationship and the demands on her time grows, she's noticing changes in her Master she's not quite prepared for. Nathienal is asking for more, demanding changes from their routine and she's not sure how she feels about it.  As this is happening new 'rivals' are putting themselves into play and while Abby doesn't doubt she's strong enough to maintain the course she's trying to decide does she want the new path Sir is taking them on.

It was so good to revisit their romance. As an established couple, their needs as Dom/ sub were very different from a few of the other stories in the series, of new couples coming together.  They have played together for years, they're in a committed relationship and they are starting to get a little routine.  With the new changes in their outside lives, it's pushing them to explore more within their D/s relationship and that like all changes makes some uncomfortable.

I loved reading the different scenarios that Nathienal would come up with. I liked seeing how he pushed Abby's stated limits and even explored around in what they have done several times.  I loved that he also acknowledged her need to explore more while never crushing her desire to be more than his wife and partner.  He was very supportive and even at times believed in her way more than she did herself. (like any good partner should).

Their scenes were off the chain erotic and so steamy. I absolutely loved how even in their most 'mundane' moments he could find ways to remind her who she was to him. Both of them grew as the story developed and Nathienal found himself needing to get into spaces within himself that allowed him not just to push his sub but also himself and what he needed to be a better Dominant for her.

I loved the friendships we got to see, not just the 'mundane' ones which they have maintained for years but also their D/s friends. I loved that they attended groups that allowed them to mentor and be mentored. It gave Abby a place and a group of women and men she could call to discuss being a submissive with.

Of course, we can't have a story about the exploration of their relationship without some strife and incidents. A few which allowed us the opportunity to see the differences in how some people play and allowed us to see Abby in many different scenarios and how she reacts when she knows she's supposed to serve Nathaniel even when he isn't there.  We are also introduced to a character from the Partners in Play series (the new spin-off to this series) which interconnects the stories and of course, saves Abby's butt.

I enjoyed the story so much and for such a small book it packed quite a sexy steamy punch while exploring what a years-long committed Dominant and Submissive relationship can look like.  It explored what happens when the mundane and the sexual have to exist within the same relationship and asks the question of how to manage both. I've said it before as well, but I'll state it again, their scenes?? Either in their bedroom or the playroom were so erotic, they were a couple in tune with each other and with their needs and sexiness and intimacy were extremely good.

I highly recommend my loves and while you can just dive in from here, I recommend following their story from the beginning.

 ★★★★1/2

RECOMMENDATIONS

• The Submissive Trilogy by Tara Sue Me
• Shayla Black's Wicked Lovers Series
• Lora Leigh's Bound Hearts Series (truly my first BDSM reads ever and so good!!)
• Lynda Aicher's Wicked Play series
• Sherri Hayes Finding Anna Series

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Seduced by Fire (The Submissive Series 4) by Tara Sue Me

Book Title: Seduced by Fire ( The Submissive Series 4, Partners in Play 1)
Author:  Tara Sue Me |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: New American Library/ Penguin

Genre: Erotica Romance, BDSM Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 4
Format: Trade Paperback, ebook

Cost: $15.00

Pages: 274

How I got it: Traded on Paperbackswap

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: March 4, 2014
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Tara Sue Me became a worldwide phenomenon with the Submissive Trilogy. Now she presents a scorching tale about a risky passion too hot to ignore.

Julie Masterson craves a taste of danger.

Despite being familiar with the different games people play in the bedroom, she’s never given in to her curiosity about putting her body in someone else’s power—until a chance meeting with Daniel Covington, the seductive Senior VP of Weston Bank, draws her into a titillating new world of sexual experience, one that she never knew she desperately needed.

Daniel is highly respected within his community, but he hasn’t had an exclusive relationship for over two years. Yet Julie’s eager innocence is driving him to the brink of ecstasy, making him rethink his feelings about commitment.

As their sizzling connection heats up, Daniel is ready to take Julie fully under his command. But when the dangerous side of their play rears its ugly head, Julie will have to decide if she trusts him enough to surrender completely—or if she should escape before she gets burned...

I read and loved the Submissive trilogy (back when it was just three books), and when I found out there were more I kept picking up the books but somehow managed to skip this one.  Really I skipped picking it up because I could never find it in store when I had coupons and it never seemed to be on sale anywhere so I patiently waited and then it popped up on paperbackswap so I had to trade for it.

I picked this one up randomly the other day and devoured it in one sitting.  We are introduced to Julie and her business partner Sasha. Sasha is a submissive and she's shared somewhat with Julie who is curious but doesn't know if she wants to explore or how to go about determining what she wants.  When she meets Daniel he's with his Grandmother and everything about him screams high powered and business-like but they have chemistry and they both decide to explore it.

I loved how the story developed, from their meet-cute to Sasha's interference to the development of their relationship. It all felt real, like something that could happen to a friend while not being too outlandish.  I enjoyed that as a friend Sasha tried to keep everyone's secret but at the same time protect her friend.  I enjoyed Daniel's wit and banter with Julie. While liking Julie's no-nonsense life yet she craved something more.

The story develops and blooms just as their relationship does and as they explore what BDSM could mean for them. I liked that Julie didn't just jump right in and feel at home, she struggled with being a person who was so in charge of everything else in her life and yet here she needed to submit. I loved that she wondered, doubted and worked through it to determine where she really wanted to be. Daniel was a well written, well rounded Dominant. One who knew what he wanted but was willing to step back as the woman he wanted learned to explore this part of herself for the first time.

I loved how the discussion of whether it was right to deny pieces of yourself because it was easier to fit into society because it was brought up by the characters. Even though each character determined how much they disclosed to the world I was glad to see them addressing real-life concerns.

I was saddened when the adversarial part of the story came about because my gosh did that hurt my heart and scare me and Julie.  I wanted to know so much more about the men and women who made up the play group.  I loved the description of their dynamics and how the group tried to keep them all safe. From having demonstrations and even mentorship programs.

This wouldn't be an erotica book without touching on how sensual and steamy the scenes were. Whether the main characters were watching a demonstration or participating in their own scenes, the raunchiness and sensuality certainly raised the temps well above steamy.

I highly recommend for those looking for a well written BDSM novel with characters that are well rounded, extremely erotic scenes and hot Doms with paddles.

 ★★★★1/2☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Sylvia Day's Crossfire Series
• The Surrender Trilogy by Maya Banks
• The Submissive Trilogy by Tara Sue Me
• Danger Zone by Sierra Cartwright ( BDSM and Menage)
• Just about anything by Lily Harlem

Let me know if you have read this or if you have other recommendations for hot steamy BDSM.Happy Reading my loves, 

Snippet Book #Review: Crave ( A Billionaire Bachelor Club Novel) by Monica Murphy .@MsMonicaMurphy .@avonimpulse .@avonbooks

Book Title: Crave ( A Billionaire Bachelors Club Novel)
Author:  Monica Murphy |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: Avon Impulse
Genre: Romance, Erotic Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 1
Format: Mass Market, ebook

Cost: $4.99

Pages: 256

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: August 2013
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy launches her sexy Billionaire Bachelors Club series with a lavish bet, a night of carnal desires, and a forever that never seemed possible.

Billionaire Archer Bancroft always gets what he wants—and he's wanted Ivy Emerson, his best friend's sister, for far too long. Being forbidden and untouchable only makes her more tempting. When a million-dollar bet with his friends throws down a challenge—last bachelor standing takes all—Archer knows he can win. That is, until one enchanted evening with Ivy takes his heart for a ride.

Ivy knows Archer is nothing but bad news: infuriating, arrogant . . . and completely intoxicating. But despite her best efforts, she can't seem to keep away. When a stolen kiss leads to a night of heated passion, Ivy realizes she's in trouble and in head over heels.

But in the light of day, everything seems clearer, and Archer's not so sure a one-night stand is all he wants. Concocting a plan to keep Ivy by his side, Archer might just be willing to lose this bet . . . and win the jackpot instead.

I seem to read a theme whenever I get into a mood and this is the third book with this trope I've read this month. Again I went into this just knowing how much I love Monica's writing and I'm so glad I did. Forbidden love certainly has a nice thrill to it. 

In this one, we dive into meeting the three best friends who have carved out a life for themselves that has allowed them to become some of the most sought after bachelors.  At a friends' wedding, these three concoct a bet that says one of two who are jaded about relationships will fall in love and get married within a year.  Like the little fools, they are they take that bet. However, there is one exception and that is Ivy because she is one of the friends younger sister, she also happens to be the one woman Archer wants but doesn't believe he deserves.

In a moment of weakness in a hidden spot at the wedding Archer and Ivy give into their attraction and when they are almost caught by her brother Archer like most dummies said something that put Ivy out.  From there we get a fun, raunchy adventure. Archer decides a great way to get closer without drawing her brothers suspicion would be to hire Ivy on to aide him in completing another of his exclusives spas.  Ivy was surprised to realize that even though Archer claims to not believe in love he knows what a great relationship needs to survive and caters his business to that for an exclusive clientele. 

Of course, it wouldn't be a good romance without a little drama, men being stupid, secrets coming out and of course, a bet coming back to haunt the men involved.  I loved Ivy as a character and the fact that she liked Archer but when she thought he couldn't meet her relationship standards she took what she wanted but wasn't going to lower her standards. Her bond with her brother was great to see as well. 

A quick, steamy and erotic introduction to this new series.  I can't wait to read the other books and see how each bachelor falls.

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Rush by Maya Banks
• Afterburn/Aftershock by Sylvia Day
• Perfect Timing by Brenda Jackson  

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Rush (Breathless 1) by Maya Banks .@Maya_Banks

Book Title: Rush ( Breathless 1)
Author:  Maya Banks |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Romance, Erotic Romance, New Adult
Series/Standalone: Series Book 1
Format: Trade Paperback

Cost: $15.00

Pages: 396

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: February 2013
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she’s ripe for the picking...

When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.

Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.

As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.

I went into this one knowing it was Maya Banks and I've seen it all over and I wanted to read it, beyond that no clue of what it was about (I say this in just about every review, I purchase/ or read because of the author and their reputation or my previous experiences with their work not because of the synopsis~~ mostly).  Anyway into this review we go.

I seem to read the same themed books this month this one is about Gabe who is one of the three men who make up a successful firm, one of his best friend's little sister is Mia, who Gabe has had the hots for but has stayed away from because he knows his best friend would kill him for even looking in his sister's direction, much less do the things he wants to do to her.  Mia has had a crush on Gabe forever, but he's never even looked her way or so she believes.

With that premise in mind, I wanted to dive right in and see what kind of a mess these two were going to make.  Mia is just barely existing because she's not sure where she wants to go now that she's completed her degree so she's working a dead end job to keep her brother form taking care of her life for her. She decides to go to a party her brother was hosting and this decision changes the course of her life.   Gabe is at the party and knows now no matter what he can't stay away from Mia Offering her a job and a chance at being his lover Gabe takes the chance of a lifetime and Mia doesn't hesitate to take it.

I loved the chemistry between these two they had so much heat coming off the pages. They made me laugh and feel anxious and nervous. I yelled at the pages when Gabe did stupid things especially when he was a coward about certain things.  I loved how well they worked together, and how much Mia grew into her role. I loved that they were such a great duo even if they felt they had to hide it, which in fact kind of made it hotter.

I enjoyed the little office intrigue. I kept waiting to see when it would all blow up in their faces and who was going to find out first. I loved the flow of the book and how the scenes advanced their relationship.  Ohhhh when the Paris scene happened I freaked out because seriously what a freaking loser Gabe was being, just such a coward.  First of all the nerve on him planning something like that without letting me know. I going to kick your balls into your throat you try that again. Mia is way nicer than I am.

I absolutely loved that she had an amazing group of girlfriends who backed her up and loved her. I enjoyed that Mia was very much her own person and had rules and standards she would live by, yes she sublimated them for a while, but when push came to shove she stood up for them and demanded that others meet her on her level.  I absolutely loved how Gabe came correct when he realized Mia was worth it.

We go into romances knowing that they come is going to be together at the end. It's one of the major reasons we read romance, for the fantasy of the perfect romance, this one was messy, it was sexy, emotional *for the characters* and so well done. I loved every second of the drama, the sexy times and of course reading the path that lead to the happy ever after.  I really enjoyed the ending scenes as a native New Yorker.

I can't wait to see how Ash and Mia's brother handle their turns.  Let me know what you think of the story my loves and let's continue the discussion in the comments.

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Alessandra Torre's Beautiful Innocence
• Tara Sue Me's The Submissive Trilogy
• Afterburn/ Aftershock by Sylvia Day
• Crave by Monica Murphy

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Afterburn/ Aftershock by Sylvia Day .@SylDay

Book Title: Afterburn/Aftershock ( Jax & Gia Bundle)
Author:  Sylvia Day |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Romance, Erotic Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook, Trade Paperback

Cost: $13.00

Pages: 400

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: March 11, 2014
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Never mix business with pleasure. Never bring politics into the bedroom. In a way I did both when I took Jackson Rutledge as a lover. I can't say I wasn't warned.
Two years later, he was back. Walking into a deal I'd worked hard to close. Under the tutelage of Lei Yeung, one of the sharpest businesswomen in New York, I had picked up a thing or two since Jax walked away. I wasn't the girl he once knew, but he hadn't changed. Unlike the last time we'd drifted into each other's lives, I knew exactly what I was dealing with... and how addictive his touch could be.

The inner circle of glamour, sex, and privilege was Jax's playground--but this time, I knew the rules of the game. In the cutthroat business world, one adage rules all: keep your enemies close and your ex-lovers closer...

Well if I'd have known how good this was I would have read it a long time ago. I should have known it would be phenomenal because Sylvia wrote it.  I fell into this story and didn't come up for four hours until it was done.

I went into this knowing nothing and I'm glad I did because I blew through this without any expectations and fell in love with the characters very quickly.  I loved Gia especially because she's a native NYer and she made something of herself despite the belief that she wouldn't be able to handle the world she was going for.  She also came from a close-knit family who had her back whenever she needed them to.

Gia now works again in New York for a well known and highly sought after curator, a former chef who had expanded beyond the kitchen to creating world-class restaurants and talent management.  Gia went after this position after her heart and dreams had been shattered and she figured how could she lose?? I loved that her mentor understood heartbreak and was willing to help because she didn't want Gia to make the same mistakes as her.

Jax is the son of a wealthy and influential family. His parents had a terrible relationship, one that he was determined never to end up in. When he meets Gia he can't get her off his mind, and he decides just a few months will be all he has.  That time passed and he couldn't let go, not until his family began to intervene.  Leaving Gia behind because his family needed him, he thought to never see her again, until she came in on a deal he was working on.

This is a second chance romance that was hot from the first time they were on the same page.,  They both wanted to deny their attraction but Jax had finally decided he wanted something for himself, even if it meant his family would have a hand in it.  There was a lot going on in this novel, and yet I never felt like it was forced or trite. This was two people learning to navigate the world they were born into and the world Gia was now a part of due to her work. Jax wanted to protect her and in doing so didn't understand that Gia was just as tough as he was even if she didn't appear like it. Gia had to learn that knowing something and being apart of it are two different things.

I really loved their conversations and their chemistry. My favorite part came in the second novel when they were fighting about seeing the real person, not the persona and Jax pointed out that he was well aware that Gia wasn' perfect, that she left her shoes laying around and she had cords all over the place. And it felt like such a real convo that two people coming together would have that I just laughed.

I loved their families, the fake personas and all, I wish we were getting more from Gia's family in particular because they were interesting.  I really loved her brothers and how much they loved her and each other.

I really enjoyed the background stories and wish we got more from her boss and her rival, I wanted to know how their story ended and how the rest of the players ended up.  But since this was just a glimpse into their lives we only got a few snippets from them. I would have loved if we had gotten a mention of the Cross family since Jax's family was so influential and Sylvia states she writes all her books in the same world.

The chemistry between Jax and Gia was off the charts and I really loved their intimate scenes. I noticed as they developed beyond just chasing their old flame to falling in love the scenes changed somewhat and became even more.  I loved it.

I highly recommend it. I'm especially glad I got the two in one combo because the cliffhanger form Afterburn?? No ma'dam I wouldn't have been able to deal with waiting. Also apparently Sylvia developed this into a movie and I can't wait to watch it.

 ★★★★★

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day
2. Blindfolded Innocence (Series) by Alessandra Torre'

Happy Reading my loves,