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
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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
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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, 

Erotica Book #Review: End Of The Innocence: Innocence 3 by Alessandra Torre' . @ReadAlessandra

Book Title: End of The Innocence (Innocence 3)
Author:  Alessandra Torre' |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher:  Alessandra Torre'
Genre: Erotic Romance, New Adult
Series/Standalone: Book 3
Format: ebook

Cost: $4.99

Pages: 449

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Publication Date: 03/23/2014
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Synopsis:

He thought I owned him. He thought he loved me, that I was enough. But this animal, this sex god who could drive me crazy and steal my heart in the same breath, he would never fully be mine. It was impossible. No one ever owned a God...
One year. I have one year to find out more about this man I am marrying. More about his family. More about our sex, and all of the dirty, delicious places it will take me.

I thought I'd spend this year making a decision. I never thought the decision would be taken from me, snatched right from my naive little hands.

The final book in the Innocence Trilogy

It's the final book *sob * I don't want brad and Julia to go.  However I did love the way it ended. I fell into this book and didn't come up until I finished it.  Alessandra writes in such a way that you find yourself absorbed trying to find out what happens next.  After the events in the first two books we know Julia's life is endangered and she and Brad have escalated their relationship as a way to protect her there are many who view the younger woman and her older partner as deluded and plans are hatched to tear them apart.

I liked how it ended, not all pulled together because real life doesn't get tied up with a cute little bow.  There are always unanswered questions.  I still don't understand what her best friend's motivation in being a bitch and against their relationship stemmed from.

I loved that this the final story was told in the progression of the year that Julia asked for.  With a countdown to her graduation and to her wedding, as it progressed and somethings happened but others didn't I started to get anxious about how the story was progressing.  Like when was the other shoe going to drop?? Would Brad fall back on old habits?? Would Julia break the rules??  Would their enemies get them before they could secure her safety??

As the story and the countdown progressed I loved how they challenged each other not just in the bedroom but also in their daily lives.  Julia really seemed to know what she wanted for herself and wasn't afraid to ask for it.  I did love that we got to see her thought process on going to Law School when she realized the field was now even more open than before.  I'm not sure I would have made the choices she did but hey at least she owned it.  She tried to take control where she could and it worked for her.  I loved how frank she was about her fears about doing law school, being a wife and being enough for Brad who frankly was a slut.

I was hooked until I finished and I loved it all. I laughed and I was anxious for her, I knew what her injuries could mean and I was nervous for her when she awoke in that moment.  I was anxious to see Alexis's role was she going to take the loss sitting down?? I'm kind of surprised she did only what she tried, although Brad's response had to have been a blow to the ego.

I loved it all,  I highly recommend, because in the end Julia surprised me with her wit, her sense of humor & with her strength.  I loved that even in the dark moments she could have a little fun.  I'm not sure if I would have let go after three minutes, but we all have our conscience to live with and hers couldn't bear the four minute mark, and I'm glad she knew that.

 ★★★★★

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Slow Burn Series by Maya Banks 
• Finding Anna Series by Sherri Hayes

Happy Reading my loves, 

ARC Book #Review: Masked Innocence: Innocence 2 by Alessandra Torre' .@ReadAlessandra

Book Title: Masked Innocence ( Innocence 2)
Author:  Alessandra Torre |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Genre: New Adult, Erotic Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 2
Format: ebook

Cost: $4.99

Pages: 300

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Publication Date: Feb 25, 2014
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Synopsis:

The man was sinful. It wasn't just the looks that made him dangerous, it was the cocky confidence that dominated every move, every touch. And the frustrating yet ecstatic fact about the whole package was that he could back it all up…

Julia Campbell never knows what to expect with win-at-all-costs Brad De Luca. And she's starting to like it that way. She gave up safe, conventional relationships when she let the elite divorce attorney seduce her into his world. Now that he's determined to strip her naked of every inhibition, she's in danger of falling too deep and too fast.

But their affair begins to feel even more dangerous when a murder leaves a trail of suspicion that points straight to the mob…and Brad. Trusting a man with a bad reputation and a past full of secrets seems like a mistake. But when she's forced to make a choice, the consequences will take her further than she could ever have imagined.

I was hooked to this story, I was so glad after I finished book one that I could dive right into this one.  My gosh Alessandra can write the hell out of a story.  In this one we dive a little deeper into Brad's world, as Julia gets a chance to continue her internship with a few new perks she now has to juggle keeping this relationship under wraps if she wants the office to take her seriously. 

I loved her conversations with her friends, her spunk as a young woman finding her way in the corporate world and as a woman embracing the new aspects to her sexuality that Brad is helping her find.   She's new to this world and she's finding that as her guide he's fantastic.  The chemistry between them is off the charts and I loved reading their scenes.  They explore and as they do they find that there are things they once took for granted that they no longer do, they find new boundaries and even though they are further than before they lay down their rules.  I loved that Julia knew this was different but felt strong enough not to be too intimidated, and she knew the people around her even thought they were her best friends wouldn't understand her kink.  I loved the understanding that as much as you love your friends eventually in your relationships somethings become sacred to you and your partner and you keep those from your friends.  Not because it's bad but because this is for y'all, these moments are ones you can't explain unless the person is there with you. 

I really enjoyed the expanding into Brad's family history and why he's the way he is.  It was good to learn about the first woman who broke his heart and why he became such a celebrated bachelor.  The intrigue of his family history adding into the mystery of who killed her boss was awesome.  Danger came close and I just knew that her keeping secrets from Brad and him keeping major secrets was going to hurt them both.  I loved Martha and her place in their lives. it was great to see parts of his family and his close friends as well.  I really enjoyed the developments and how the story progressed.

I really enjoyed their exploration of each other and their boundaries.  Brad and Julia together was amazing, but when they really got kinky??? My gawd I was hooked.  I highly recommend my loves. 

 ★★★★1/2☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Wicked Lovers Series by Shayla Black
• Bound Hearts Series by Lora Leigh
• Slow Burn by Maya Banks
• Finding Anna by Sherri Hayes

Happy Reading my loves, 

ARC Book #Review: Blindfolded Innocence by Alessandra Torre .@Readalessandra

Book Title: Blindfolded Innocence (Innocence 1)
Author:  Alessandra Torre |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: New Adult Romance, Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 1
Format: Ebook, Trade Paperback

Cost: $11.95

Pages: 384

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Publication Date: Jan 2014
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Synopsis:

"I'm not sure what you have been told about me, but I'm not nearly as bad as they make me out to be." His deliciously deep voice carried a little bit of ego.

I'm sure you are exactly as bad as they make you out to be….

Brad De Luca is used to getting whatever and whomever he wants. The premier divorce attorney in town, he's a playboy who's bedded half the city—including his own clients. And when the newest intern at his firm poses a challenge, his seductive prowess goes into overdrive.

Pre-law student Julia Campbell is fresh off a failed engagement and happy with her new independence. Even if she weren't warned away from Brad at every turn, she'd know he was bad news. The last thing she needs is a man who could destroy her job prospects, not to mention her innocence. But before she knows it, the incorrigible charmer has her under his spell. His deviant tastes plunge her deep into a forbidden world of sexual exploration…but her heart may not survive the fall.

I grabbed this book to read because Alessandra's name was mentioned several times by different booktubers as an author they loved.  Since I knew I had the books I grabbed my kindle an re-downloaded it, figuring I would give it a chance. I am thrilled I did, this was a fantastic read, which ended on a cliffhanger, making me very happy that I had the second and third books on my kindle as well.

I really loved Julia as a character because she totally was relateable, she's in college working her way into an internship and she had her head on straight, and her standard high. Given the opportunity to intern at a coveted spot at CDB she embraces the job because she has law school on the brain and this is her in.  She's my kind of woman who embraces her sexuality for what it is in the moment and enjoys herself while getting off on being in charge.  I loved that she knew hat she wanted but also couldn't really stop herself from exploring where she knew she shouldn't.

I enjoyed the story and the points of view, it's told mostly from Julia's perspective unless it's necessary for us to see the sides she isn't and then we get mostly Brad's but sometimes other characters POV as well.  Generally it's done in a way that enhances the story.  I really enjoyed the way in which the story unfolded especially as they danced around each other in those moments to trying to decide if this person who you have all this sexual chemistry with is someone you want to explore it with.  I really enjoyed how they tried being friends first, then they tried with friends with benefits and then they tried being separate.  Their chemistry was amazing to read and definitely made me glad I was reading this at home, because holy smokes did their scenes get hot.

I enjoyed the way they exposed themselves how honest they both were in their desires, their needs and their expectations, as well as their weaknesses.  There are several scenes throughout that I loved, my personal favorite however would have to be the elevator scene which lead to their most honest conversation, even if it did make me and Julia want to cry because why??!!! Those shoes did nothing to you Mr De Luca!!

This book was at times humorous, & fun, very erotic especially because it explored the bounds of what a relationship should look like.  It also explored sexuality and the growth of a relationship that wasn't supposed to happen (the forbidden element definitely helped making this even more erotic)  I loved that they talked, were funny together & had amazing sexy times I loved that even though Julia was new to this world she was  confident enough to call him on his bullshyt when she needed to.

There are a few moments that did make me roll my eyes especially when Brad would talk sometimes but generally during those moments Julia would check him as well.  I really loved their trip to Vegas because it really began to open up the doors for more for them. I was a little perturbed about the trip to the club that they took but Julia had it all handled so, yeah.  I really loved how everything ended especially the end which made me glad I had the second one on my kindle.

 ★★★★1/2☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Finding Anna Series by Sherri Hayes

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Need (Finding Anna:Series Book 2) by Sherri Hayes .@Sherri_Hayes

Book Title: Finding Anna # 2: Need 
Author: Sherri Hayes   |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Smith Publicity --The Writer’s Coffee Shop
Format: Ebook 

Cost: $8.49

Pages: 231

How I got it: NetGalley 
Series/Standalone: Series Book 2
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: July 2012

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Synopsis:

As Brianna comes to terms with the realization that she is no longer a slave, she must figure out what she wants for her life. Forgetting her past isn’t an option. It is an integral part of who she is now, and it will forever shape her view of life. The one thing she knows is that she cannot imagine her life without the man who saved her, but can she be what he needs?

Stephan never imagined falling in love with the woman he rescued, but the thought of her no longer being part of his life is physically painful. The scars from her past continue to haunt her, and he is helpless to stop them. All he can do is try to help her work through the traumas of her past. Can he be everything she needs and help her move on?

The two must figure out how to navigate not only their relationship with each other, but also the outside world. A friend from Brianna’s past shows up where she least expects them, and Uncle Richard continues to enforce his well-meaning agenda to get Brianna more traditional help. As forces, both friend and foe, threaten to tear them apart, Stephan and Brianna have to navigate the turbulent waters and find what they need in each other.

This is a Repost from my now defunct blog, I still stand by my review and I still love the series.  

I have to gather my thoughts on this book. Clearly there is a book before it, and I need to read it, and now there is a book after that I have to read to get some serious answers.This is one of the first times I have actually read a book and thought to myself "hell I should have read the first one". Most times the author writes the book so there is a chance for you to know the story without feeling like you missed out. In this instance you can read the book, but you won't really get some of the references or the true real reason why Briana is the way she is.

I wasn't sure how to feel about the book for a while, as it was hard to get into the characters beyond feeling extremely sorry for Briana.  I do get why the Uncle thinks Briana needs help, it does kind of smack of Stockholm Syndrome that she is relying on him so much and not seeking help.  She has been free for only two months and she hasn't known anything but violence; so the little piece of happiness she does have she is going to cling to. 

I think Stephan needs to let her seek help from someone who knows about the BDSM lifestyle and knows how this can work to aide her in getting over her past. There are psychologist who are alternative lifestyle friendly, so he should look into that (I'm saying this like he's a real person, but I mean that the author should maybe setup the next scenario as him adding this into his little bag of tricks).

I like that the author shows how BDSM can help people heal, and the difference between abuse and true BDSM relationship.  I did love the characters though, I loved that the author use simple bare writing to carry the tale, instead of giving details that we wouldn't need.  For a man of only 24, Stephan seems to have it all together, it wasn't until I was reading someone else's review that I found out that Briana was only 18, which makes her story kind of both heartbreaking and sad, considering how she ended up where she did.

I'm not sure how to feel about their relationship developing so soon after her rescue, it makes me wonder how much of it is her trying to stay safe, or how much of it is truly her being happy to be there.  Everything that happens seems to point to her being a natural submissive, and then you think about how she was 'trained' and you have to wonder if it isn't just that training coming through.  His punishment for her transgression was pretty fair, considering it wasn't until the end of the punishment that she got the message; which I thought was pretty funny. I'm trying to understand how no one thought that it was wrong that she was under aged and being used that way, then of course I woke up and remembered what world we live in.  

There really wasn't a lot of full on sex, which doesn't make this a true 'erotica'.  She handled the scenario well, evoking some serious emotions for the characters and their plight and really left in a place where I was like. "Where is the next one" Sadly rumor has it that it doesn't come out until summer 2013. BOOOO!!

★★★☆☆

It's a pretty good read, well written, flows well. Characters are fully fleshed out, although it's taking a little while to know Briana.  I'm off to get the other book to read so I can catch up on their story. Happy reading & Be blessed.

Book Review: Trust ( Finding Anna Series Book 4)

Book Title: Trust (Finding Anna Book 4)
Author: Sherri Hayes |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing
Genre: Erotica Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: ebook

Cost: $

Pages: 400

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher

Shelfabililty: Burn Rubber to Get it!!!

Add To Goodreads

Synopsis:

Brianna is lost for the fourth time in her life. Each time was unexpected, and each changed the course of her future. The first life-altering event occurred when her mother died, and she moved to Minnesota to live with her father. The second was when she was kidnapped at the age of seventeen and forced to be a slave. She would never forget those ten months. Brianna thought her life was over. Everything changed again the day Stephan steamrolled into her life and brought her home to live with him. She had no idea what to expect—what life with her new Master would hold. That first month with Stephan was, in some ways, more confusing than the prior ten. As a slave, she’d known her place. With Stephan everything was new and different. He’d given her freedom and so much more. Five months after Stephan rescued her, Brianna once again finds her life flipped upside down. In this fourth, and final, installment of Finding Anna, Brianna must unearth strength she never knew she possessed. Stephan can no longer protect her from the outside world. She must learn to trust herself, embrace who she is, and discover who she wants to be. Only by facing her demons can Brianna find true happiness and peace.

I hate it!!.. The end I mean....No, I mean the fact that the series is ending.  Yes it's a five star review for a book I hate. How dare Sherri end the story here!! I need more!!! More Stephan more Brianna more damn it more!!

I really actually loved the story. I took two extra days to finish the story because I just didn't want it to end.  I actually started reading at 230 in the morning and woke up at 330 because I just needed to know what happened. I read until I fell asleep holding my kindle at just the perfect angle. LOL.

*Enough about you we want the review* Well exxxccuuuussse me ( five points if you know what show that is from!!) Ok I'll quit being a brat. I LOVED the story. This is a wonderful and beautiful conclusion to the series.  Not too much high drama, lots of soul searching, lots of growing, meeting of minds and families. I loved reading from the different POVs, I particularly liked the beginning of the story being from Cal's point, so we could learn what happened; without it coming from Anna.

Sherri answered so many of the questions we had, and gave us a much needed glimpse into the hearts of all those involved.  The story still had it's emotional moments, poor Brianna was put through the wringer this go around.  Every time we think she's getting a chance to get some little glimmer of happiness, something else happens.  This book had the most grow for Brianna, not just as a survivor but as a woman in her relationships, and not just with Stephan.

My favorite character, however, has to be Jade, she's just so loving and open and willing to go to bat with everyone to make sure Brianna was being heard. I loved her immensely, she gave Brianna a safe haven, one she didn't think she had without Stephan.  I'm glad some of my earlier fears were discussed and actions taken, I, also was hesitant about the time frame of the story and Sherri handled that beautifully as well ( I needed have a worry, she went at it in a great way).

I'm sad to see the characters go and I hope we get a novella somewhere, sharing a little more about their lives, or maybe even guest appearances in other stories?? Please ?? *hint, hint* I was lucky enough to read the book as an advanced reader, but when it comes out??!!! I'm breaking the book buying ban to purchase a copy for my shelves.  That's how much I loved it.

 ★★★★★

I highly recommend this read, please do know there are some BDSM play throughout the book. *And trigger warnings for those who need them as violence, including kidnapping and sexual assault and rape are discussed*

Have you read the series?? Are you looking forward to reading this newest edition??

Book & Author #Spotlight: Finding Anna Series Sherri Hayes

Book Series: Finding Anna
Author: Sherri Hayes| Website | Facebook| Twitter| Goodreads

Books In Series:

Book 1: Slave, Book 2: Need, Book 3 Truth, Book 4: Trust (Coming out March 20th

Excerpt 

From Trust, March 20th!!

Cal If I kept this up, I was going to need to replace the flooring in my living room before the year was out. I stopped my pacing and glanced up at the closed bedroom door, then out the large window that framed my backyard. To say I was worried was an understatement. I wanted to punch something. Or maybe someone was more accurate. Unfortunately, I didn’t know who to focus my anger on at the moment. The first person to come to mind was Stephan Coleman. He’d made Anna depend on him, need him, and now she was completely lost. She was worse now than that first time I’d seen her. For the last two months, she’d barely left her room. At first, even getting her to eat had been a challenge, but with Jade’s help, we’d gotten her to eat something, even if only a bowl of soup or some toast. She was wasting away in that room without him, and there didn’t appear to be a damn thing I could do about it. (Click to Continue Reading)

Best selling author of The Finding Anna Series books (Slave and Need) is back with her next book in the Daniels Brother’s Series. Red Zone promises sizzling romance and a great story as readers are told the story of Gage Daniels.

Sherri is the author of several novels, and a short story, A Christmas Proposal. She lives in central Ohio with her husband and three cats. Her mother fostered her love for books at a young age by reading to her as a child. Stories have been floating around in her head for as long as she can remember; however, she didn’t start writing them down until four years ago. It has become a creative outlet that allows her to explore a wide range of emotions while having fun taking her characters through all the twists and turns she can create. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found helping her husband in his woodworking shop.




I can't wait until Trust comes out!!! I'm waitng on pins and needles. Make sure to check back on the 20th for release day goodies!!
Happy Reading

Month In Review: January 2014

Wait, how can it already be the end of the month??? That's so crazy. The first month of the year is already gone, y'all gone!! Well since it's gone here are the books I have read, the reviews I have written and a recap of all the awesomeness that came my way.

Rachel's Blog Party

My Posts are Linked Here. It was 14 days of awesomeness, posts about our blogs and our goals. You can click the link to see all the topics and see all the other participants by clicking on the link on the sidebar.
In response to Rachel's questions I decided to launch my very own Project 45: to help me clean up my review books a bit.

Click here or Here to see the lists that need to be read, before I can purchase new books.

Book Hauls:
First Book Haul of the New Year
Last Book Haul For the Next Few Months

Reviews on the Blog This Month: (In case you missed them)
Young Adult

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
• Substitute Creature by Charles Gilman
• Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
• Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
• Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter

Adult/Erotica/Romance

• Chasing Sunset by Sami Lee
• Reflected In You (Crossfire Book 2) by Sylvia Day
• An Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter
• A December Bride by Denise Hunter
• Cowboy's Christmas Baby Carolyn Brown
• Truth (Finding Anna Book 3) by Sherri Hayes

Books Read This Month: 

Yearly Goal: 350   Monthly Goal:  30;  Monthly Count: 6;   Balance: 344

Book Reviews To Look Forward to Next Month:

• Entwined with You by Sylvia Day
• The Stranger I Married by Sylvia Day
• The Submissive by Tara Sue Me
• The Dominant by Tara Sue Me
• The Training by Tara Sue Me
• January Bride by Deborah Rainey
• February Bride by Betsy St. Amant

Well that's all that happened on the blog this month. Anything fun happened on your blog this month?? Share down below and I'll come over and share the love. There are so many fun romances coming out this month I'm just dancing a bit of a jig!! What are you looking forward to this month??

In My Mailbox (IMM 1)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi, the Story Siren, You can learn how to joinhere This is a chance to show the books that have come to you via the post, your email or from the library.  It's a way to highlight books even if you never get to review them.

Yes I am well aware I shouldn't be posting another one of these. In my defense I ordered these before I went on the ban on Jan 15th and I'm only now getting them. (I'm cheap what can I say I don't like paying a lot for shipping).

From Amazon:

• Because We Belong ( A Because You are Mine Novel) Beth Kery
• Unsouled by Neal Shusterman
• Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
• Rogue by Gina Damico

From BookOutlets

• For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
• The Thirteen by Susie Moloney
• Midnight and the Meaning of Love by Sister Souljah
• THe Coldest Winter Ever by SIster Souljah
• The Missing by Shiloh Walker
• Ironside by Holly Black
• Ties that Bind by Brenda Jackson
• A Little Night Magic by Lucy March

NetGalley/Publishers:This week has been an awesome week for me, I got several invites and received a wonderful array of books I'm so excited to read and share with you.

My first read this week was Trust by Sherri Hayes, to say I squealed, screamed and happy danced around my room is not even a full description of the craziness that happened when I was approved for this.

Brianna is lost for the fourth time in her life. Each time was unexpected, and each changed the course of her future. The first life-altering event occurred when her mother died, and she moved to Minnesota to live with her father. The second was when she was kidnapped at the age of seventeen and forced to be a slave. She would never forget those ten months. Brianna thought her life was over. Everything changed again the day Stephan steamrolled into her life and brought her home to live with him. She had no idea what to expect—what life with her new Master would hold. That first month with Stephan was, in some ways, more confusing than the prior ten. As a slave, she’d known her place. With Stephan everything was new and different. He’d given her freedom and so much more. Five months after Stephan rescued her, Brianna once again finds her life flipped upside down. In this fourth, and final, installment of Finding Anna, Brianna must unearth strength she never knew she possessed. Stephan can no longer protect her from the outside world. She must learn to trust herself, embrace who she is, and discover who she wants to be. Only by facing her demons can Brianna find true happiness and peace.

The next piece of awesomeness to show up at my home has been from Harlequin and to say I freaked a little. Anytime I get books from Harlequin I want to dance then dive right in. I got these two and I don't know which I want to read more.

Subject: Navy SEAL Petty Officer Brody Lane Current Status: On leave Obstacle: The one girl who was off-limits… Where navy SEAL "Bad Ass" Brody Lane goes, trouble follows. Being run out of his hometown years ago for misbehaving with Genna Reilly—the sheriff's daughter—was one thing. Now Brody is about to step into real danger. Not the suggestive letters he's been exchanging with Genna, but the kind of trouble that can send a soldier home injured and broken inside… Genna's entire life has been orchestrated by her family. The right job. The right friends. Enough! Brody's return offers the promise of lust-filled pleasures. Of flesh teased and tasted. She's not expecting to find a soldier with distant eyes who has secluded himself from the world. But this good girl knows exactly how to bring a bad boy back to life…. Uniformly Hot! The Few. The Proud. The Sexy as Hell

And then there is the second one

Years ago, Will Cash wasn't interested in being a dad. So Marsha Bugler left town to raise her baby alone. But when her father's health begins to fail, she realizes she needs to return to Arizona—and introduce Will to his boy. Marsha is nervous to face Will not only because she lied, but because she's never stopped thinking about her cowboy crush.  Will is shocked to discover he has a son. And he can hardly believe the changes in Marsha. She's strong, sexy and a Ph.D. while Will's still a part-time cowboy living in a bunkhouse with his brothers. What does he have to offer her and his teenage son? Will has a lot to prove if he's going to get what he wants—the family he never knew he had.

Then of course came some naughty fun from Tiffany Reisz called Misbehaving

Wanted: Adventurous, open-minded man willing to try anything… As a popular sex blogger, Beatriz gets paid to have orgasms. So being on deadline the week of her sister’s wedding isn’t as rough as it sounds. There’s just one hitch: Bea’s assignment is to write a review of a sex position manual, but she doesn’t have a plus one to play with. The good news: Ben, the one who got away back in college, is also attending stag--and he's as temptingly gorgeous as ever. The bad news: Ben turned down Bea’s offer of graduation night sex five years ago. The best news: He’s not planning on making the same mistake twice.

Then because she must know how much I love and need her awesomeness in my life, Erin McCarthy is coming out with a new book and we all need to be reading it.

Robin used to be a party girl… until she got black out drunk and woke up in bed with her best friend's boyfriend. Now she's faced with being THAT girl, and couldn't be more disgusted with herself. She can't even tell her friends the reason for her sudden sobriety and she avoids everyone until she meets Phoenix—quiet, tattooed, and different in every way that's good and oh, so bad… Phoenix is two days out of jail when he meets Robin at his cousin's house, and he knows that he has no business talking to her, but he's drawn to her quiet demeanor, sweet smile, and artistic talent. She doesn't care that he's done time, or that he only has five bucks to his name, and she supports his goal to be a tattoo artist. But Phoenix knows Robin has a secret, and that it's a naïve dream to believe that his record won't catch up with them at some point. Though neither is prepared for the explosive result when the past collides with the present… 

A few other goodies in my box this week included:
Once Upon a Prince (Royal Weddings) by Rachel Hauck
Dead Silent by Sharon Jones * the follow up to Dead Jealous*
Dark Spirit by Kate Douglas (OMGOMGOOMG)
From this Day Forward by Mackenzie Lucas
Kiss of Lies by Bronwen Evans
The Tyrant's Daughter by JC Carleson
The Real Thing by Brenda Jackson *Happy dance happy dance*
The Most Eligible Sheriff by Cathy McDavid

Well my loves, that's all I can remember getting this week, what's in your mailbox this week?? Share down below and I'll come on over and lust with you.