Finley by Ella Frank

It's time to come home, Finn. 

It’s been seven years since Daniel Finley left his hometown in Florida for the hustle and bustle of Chicago’s city life. Since then, he’s worked hard for his position at the prestigious law firm Leighton & Associates, even when it’s caused distance and isolation from his family and friends. But that’s all about to change. On his thirtieth birthday, he receives the one thing he never dared hope for. Something that was promised to him years earlier—a note. One simple sentence from the man he’s never been able to forget.   

Six words will forever change the course of their lives. 

Brantley Hayes has it all. Or so he thinks. When he first made the decision to take a job down in Florida, his family thought he was crazy. But, after years of living in the quiet beach town, he finally feels a sense of community. He’s surrounded himself with friends who are like family, has a job he loves, and owns a spectacular beachfront property that is his sanctuary. Yet he still feels unfulfilled, as if a piece of the puzzle is missing, and he knows exactly which piece it is. On an impulse, he follows through with a promise he made years earlier. A promise to call home the one he sent away.   

Nothing is as simple as it seems. 

After years of separation, the former lovers are reunited, but Brantley wasn’t expecting to encounter the high walls now guarding Daniel’s heart. Daniel may not be the same person he was when he left, but he knows that the first step to healing is the note in his hand.  

Finley!

He's the cocky, arrogant, sexy guy we met in The Temptation Series.. and yes, he was that... and we got that, but we got so much more!

This was the sweetest of love stories. They've been pining away for each other all these years.

What started as an intense, forbidden attraction turned into a lifelong love.

Brantley did what he did all those years ago out of love, never thinking things would turn out the way they did.

Finn on the other hand felt betrayed, abandoned, and unbelievably hurt.

UGH, the  feelings and emotions this story brought out in me were intense.

"You slay me."

The story is told in alternating povs as well as a back and forth of past and present.

I LOVED it!

As much tenderness and emotion I felt from this story I can not not talk about the fact that this is an Ella Frank book after all, and when I say that, you know where I'm going! 

"Those were not puppy-dog eyes. They were fuck-me eyes if ever I've seen them."

It was hot as all hell!!

Good god did these two turn me on as much as they did each other! Scorching!

Two things I haven't mentioned yet, and then I'll let you read it for yourself!

One... 

get some tissues. You'll need them. In more ways than one, but I digress! 

I cried. A few times. 

It was that heartfelt and tender!

"You're going to break my heart, aren't you?"

And Two...

we got a sneaky peak at Logan and Tate!!! Yep, all I'll say is those delicious boys make an appearance!

Now.. off you go to purchase Finley for yourselves!

Amazon US / UK

Subordination: Chronicles of a Domme by Katie Ashley

When Sophie Jameson first became a domme at Club 1740, it was more out of financial necessity than it was for personal pleasure and sexual exploration. But over the years as she rocked her leather corsets and boots while wielding every crop and flogger imaginable, she grew to love the thrill and adulation that her clients brought her. But all along, her path in life and her heart was with a different profession—one she was planning to embark on at the summer’s end.

And then he changed everything. Tall, dark, impossibly built—William was the complete opposite of whatever image a male sub conjured up. After all the subs, Sophie finally felt true lust and desire. Although he was the proud stallion who needed breaking, he became the one to make her break all her rules and let down all her walls. 

But it was just supposed to be for that one night, but an accidental encounter days later outside Club 1740’s protected walls had the two seeing each other in a different light—as simply Sophie and William, not Domme and sub. While they should have parted ways, they couldn’t. While they should never have gone back to her place, they did. 

And that simple mistake has a serious price for both of them.

I'm not a big BDSM fan. I don't usually read books with domestic discipline relationships or master/slave relationships either, but I wanted to read this book!

 I was intrigued because I'm a big Katie Ashley fan, at the same time, I was leery.

Boy am I glad I went ahead and read this!!

Can the words light and fluffy be mixed with Domme and BDSM? 

Well in this story, the answer is yes!

Words like gentleman, sweet, funny and family bond also embody this story!

Sophie is a sexy, sassy and classy chic. She's the type of heroine I like to read about! 

William looks like Henry Cavill. Enough said. End of story! 

JK, I'll keep going.

William is an unbelievably gorgeous, generous and down to earth man. He's strong and commanding, at the same time.... he's a sub!!!!

I'll just leave you with that to think about!!! 

Their relationship progressed rather quickly, but when you have such an electric connection, there's no way around it.

I said light and fluffy earlier, but what I mean is it wasn't some dark, emotional dungeon read. To me it was fun and flirty. 

You have your oh so naughty BDSM time, mixed with equal parts of sweet and sad with plenty of emotions and drama! 

Did I mention Henry Cavill look-a-like down on his knees? Wow! What a visual! Thank you Miss Ashley!!

Amazon US / UK

Alasdair (Masters Among Monsters #1) by Ella Frank

Blurb

A DANGEROUS ALLURE

Bestowed with eternal life by the Ancient Vasilios, Alasdair Kyriakous is one of the most feared and ruthless vampires in existence. His name carries weight across all of the seven continents. 

But he is a mystery to his kind, an anomaly among the self-indulgent. While he enjoys the pleasures of the flesh, he is exceptionally particular in his choice of partners and prides himself on his ironclad self-control.

Yet with one look his control will become a thing of the past, and Alasdair will discover that eternal life doesn’t always last forever…

A DEADLY ATTRACTION

Thrust into a world he could never have imagined, Leo Chapel awakens in his worst nightmare. Taken hostage by the dangerously mesmerizing vampire, Alasdair, Leo must rely on his intelligence to escape before he reveals a secret he isn’t even aware he’s hiding.

A FORBIDDEN DESIRE

Unaware that they’ve been brought together by an outside force and are little more than pawns to a higher power, Alasdair and Leo spend time trying to uncover the other’s secrets, the attraction between them growing stronger all the while. 

But enemies are watching and preparing to act against them. When decisions that will alter lives and destinies have to be made—can a dead, grey heart learn to beat again?

My Review

Only Ella Frank could have me so immersed in a genre I wouldn't usually go for, that while on vacation I made my husband sit in the hotel room for hours while I finished reading her book!!

Vampires. Forbidden. Overwhelming animalistic desire!

The fixation and fascination they had for each other was overwhelmingly erotic. 

There was something in the air. 

I could feel it. 

I wanted to touch it. 

I wanted to be bitten!!!

"An arrogant as fuck smile stretched across Alasdair's lips, and he went from sexy to downright fucking dangerous in seconds."

Such a different world. Very different from what I'm used to reading.

I love M/M. I love Ella's erotic/sensual writing.

So add to that mystery and intrigue and I was hooked! I couldn't put it down!!!

I want more!!

I need more!!

Sins of Sevin by Penelope Ward

Blurb

What happens when the one you want is the only one you can't have?

My name is Sevin.

Homeschooled and sheltered by my ultra-religious family, I was always taught that lust was a sin.

Elle was the girl who'd been carefully chosen for me.

After a long-distance courtship, I'd be moving into her family's guesthouse so that we could get to know each other in the months before the wedding.

Boundaries were set: no inappropriate touching, no kissing, no sex before marriage.

I'd accepted those rules and my fate.

Until I met the one I wanted to sin with.

That was when restraint became a problem...especially since THE ONE wasn't Elle.

It was her sister, Evangeline.

You know what they say about best laid plans.

My name is Sevin, and I have sinned.

**Told in alternating points of view, Sins of Sevin is a full-length standalone novel. Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. Only appropriate for adult readers age 18+.

My Review

"You're my truth. Everything else is a lie."

OH MY GOD!!!! 

What an emotional story! My words won't do it justice.

The book took turns I wasn't expecting, had me gasping through my tears!!

Forbidden, sweet, agonizing, sexy and so incredibly emotional!

I think it's the best of Penelope's books so far!!!

I was left in tears! Good tears, but tears nonetheless. 

Unconditional love should be the name of this book, it's definitely the theme! 

What would you do for the ones you love? What would you give up?

Agonizing decisions were made and my heart broke on more than one occasion.

"Sometimes, we don't get over painful things, we just learn to live with them."

I don't want to frighten anyone away with all my blubbering because this is a must read in every way. There's laughter and friendship. There's chemistry and steam. You want it, you got it! An absolutely well rounded, perfect in every way read!

"This was the one man my mind knew it could never fall for, and yet my heart had other ideas."

Vulnerability. Heartache. Intensity. Loss.

Amazon US / UK

Tainted Black by Shanora Williams

BLURB

Dear Mr. Black,

  

I know you were hurting. I heard your cries. I wished over and over again that I could make it better, but as you stated I was too inexperienced; too good for someone as bad as you.

Perhaps you were right, but it didn’t matter because what I did know was that I loved the way you felt—loved the way you smelled. I loved how hard you got for me, and when you called me your Little Knight. 

I can still remember that day in the park, when you held me close and kissed me deep. How you effortlessly made me cry your name on top of sweet smelling grass, making me feel like the only girl in the world. I loved how you looked at me, how you spoke to me.

I had been madly in love with you ever since I was twelve years old, but I shouldn’t have been. 

Isabelle would have hated it—my best friend. I couldn’t afford to lose her. Besides, you two had already lost enough. Losing Mrs. Black was the epitome.

It’s Chloe Knight. 

I wanted to be there for you no matter what, but Isabelle needed me too. 

And she would have hated me if she ever found out I was sleeping with her father.

** Tainted Black is a forbidden love-story about a girl who helplessly falls for her best friend’s father. After a tragic accident ends the life of Theo Black’s wife, he turns to the one person he has always found interesting.

Chloe Knight, the girl from across the street, his daughter’s best friend, and a person that is considered completely off limits for him. **

-- AUTHOR NOTE: Chloe IS NOT 12 when she sleeps with Mr. Black. When she says she's been in love with him ever since she was 12 years old, it means she has loved him since then, way before he ever knew. When the tragedy happens, Chloe is 19 and Theo is 39. When she mentions the "sweet grass" part, she is 19 years old. Hope that clears things up! :)

MY REVIEW

WOW! What do you say after that?

This was my first read by Shanora Williams and I know it is only the beginning!!!

Betrayal, loss, lust, sacrifice! 

What an incredible emotional journey I have just been on.

She had a crush from the beginning... and he knew it. 

But besides that, they had a bond. A connection. She understood him, and he her.

There was nothing dirty or perverted about it. 

They were both of age, yet your very best and practically only friend's dad? 

tsk tsk Now that's what made it taboo. 

They provided something for each other, risqué or not, it was what they needed. 

You could feel the lust and electricity. 

Damn Shanora Williams for making Mr. Black so damn hot and delicious!!! 

There were also multiple moments of pain and loss. I had tears in my eyes on more than one occasion.

They say everything happens for a reason. 

Life is tough! Along the way you hope you find love and happiness. 

Sometimes you make mistakes. There are times you'll have to make sacrifices. 

But ultimately you live and you learn.

"She deserved better than having to deal with my brokenness, a man with no self-control- no guidance. A man with a dark past and an even darker heart. That was my mistake, leading her on like that, taking from her what so clearly didn't justify being mine."

This was definitely an intense emotional journey. 

Friendship. 

Loss. 

Pain. 

Desperation. 

Happiness.

Acceptance.

Love.

AMAZON US / UK

About Last Night... by Belle Aurora

***A MALE ESCORT/BROTHERS BEST FRIEND ROMANCE***

Matt Quinn has been an escort for most of his adult life. He's so good at his job that he's booked months in advance.

An inquiring email from a potential client finds him intrigued about the shy, awkward woman. A back and forth is started and before Quinn knows it, a friendship is formed.

Time passes and Quinn is smitten.

There's only one problem...

The client is his best friend's little sister.

She's off limits.

He knows better.

Staying away from one another is easier said than done.

SO cute!!! 

This was such a sweet, funny and sexy story. 

I couldn't get enough and read it in one sitting!

Mia is inexperienced and shy, but never came off as naive or childish.

Quinn is an escort! He's sexy and confident. He's also very attentive to a woman's needs.

I love the easy banter between Quinn and Mia.

They clicked instantly and had a flirty and fun friendship.

Eventually their relationship evolves and becomes "more". 

By more I mean... holy hotness!! 

There's also a handful of supporting characters that brought lots of laughs to the story. I loved Mia's neighbors and her brother, Quinn's BFF, Harry.

Miss Aurora, you continue to surprise and amaze me!

AMAZON

21 Stolen Kisses by Lauren Blakely

When I first met him I resisted. 

Like any forbidden love, I told myself he was a crush, and it would pass.

That was a lie. It never faded.

And I never expected he would fall for me just as hard. 

There were so many reasons that should have kept us apart, least of all, the decade that separated us. Growing up in New York City, I learned early on that love is a double-edged sword. Love broke up my parents, love took away my friends, and love — the big, intense, never-been-like-this-before love — landed me in therapy. Now I’m heading to college, and it’s time to give love a clean slate again. But, can I really start over when he’s still in my life Because the one man I’ve always wanted, is also the only guy I absolutely can’t have…And he wants me just as fiercely.

Can I settle for anything less than the love of my life?

This was my first read by Lauren Blakely. 

Crazy, right? I thought so too! 

I have a handful of her books, but just haven't had the pleasure of reading them yet! 

Where have I been?

Forbidden love. 

She is in high school. 

He is eight years her senior.

Did I find it shocking?

No.

Did the age difference really matter?

No.

Kennedy grew up surrounded by adults. 
People coming and going.. celebrities, artists, parties. 
She was immersed into the adult world at a pretty young age. 

I never really saw the age difference between her and Noah.

They were alike in many ways. Their love of music and theater. Their upbringing.

Was she an old soul or was he a young soul?

Maybe a little of both.

"She was some kind of magic to me. She was everything I never knew I wanted, and she'd quickly become the one and only person I felt like myself with."

Kennedy has a skewed look on love and she's figured out a way to remedy it. 
Through famous quotes and paintings, we're taken on a journey of discovery, of forgiveness, of letting go and ultimately... love.

"It's like I'm putting the love back into the world that was taken."

This story is about so much more than simply Kennedy and Noah's relationship told through stolen kisses. It's about Love.
Love letters. The love of a parent and child. The love of a close friend.
The love between companions.

 The forbidden factor is there with the age difference, but in all honesty I never felt there was anything taboo going on. Regardless of her age, Kennedy was mature and had an amazing look on life and love. 
This was a sweet and thought provoking read. 
You can't help who you fall in love with, nor can you help when that love will happen.

"It was a tragic love, and a wrong love, and yet their letters were beautiful and spoke to the kind of deep, abiding, lifelong love you could feel for someone."

AMAZON

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

She is pretty and talented - sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But... they are brother and sister.

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.

WOW! Just WOW!! 

Forbidden is a beautifully written story of sadness, family and love.

I don't want to give anything away to future readers.. just know that all I knew before I started was brother and sister who fall in love and be ready to cry! That's enough right? It was for me and it will be for you!

"I refuse to let labels from the outside world spoil the happiest day of my life.

The day we finally broke free of our restraints and gave way to the feelings we had so long denied just because we happened to be brother and sister."

I found myself rooting so hard for Lochan and Maya despite being siblings. This story messed with my brain!

Yes this is ultimately about the love between a brother and sister, but there is so much more than that. 

I felt so deeply for this family of five children, especially Lochan. He was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders and it was breaking him. It was breaking me reading it.

Even with all the sadness and heartbreaking moments I wasn't crying tears!

I made it all the way to 85% and then the dam broke!!

I was flabbergasted at what was happening and was kicking myself for wondering where my tears had previously been. They caught up to me and didn't stop until the very last sentence. More than once I gasped in shock while continuing to cry.

I woke up the next morning immediately thinking of what happened and why???!!! 

Why did it have to happen this way? Why couldn't things have been different?

This beautiful story will have you turning the events over and over in your mind for days after.

A must read in my opinion!!

Amazon