Specimen by Shay Savage

I awaken in a laboratory.

I don’t know who I am. 
I’m inexplicably drawn to the doctor who cares for me. She tells me I’ve been altered, that I’m stronger and faster, that I’ll be a key component in a war between corporations. She says I volunteered for this. She says I volunteered to be transformed, but I have no way of knowing if what she says is true. 
Something isn’t right. My memories have been taken, wiped clean, but dreams begin to slip into my conscious mind. I can’t let anyone know when that happens, or they’ll remove my memories again. Somewhere inside of me, I know I need to remember something important. 
I’m fighting a war I don’t understand, and the one woman I rely on can’t be trusted.

Wow! Sexy, intriguing, unique, mixed in with action and a bit of mind-fuck!!! Bravo, Shay Savage! I wasn't expecting that!! This book had me so enthralled. I couldn't put it down. Sten is strong, beautiful, super protective, and lives in a lab! What? He's poked and prodded, and pretty much treated as a science experiment! But that's just scratching the surface of this book!! There was some naughty, delicious parts, some emotional times, making me feel so sad for Sten, and a whole lot of wtf??? That was one hell of a ride! Absolute must read!! Amazon US/ UK

Beyond the Music (The Rock Gods, #7) by Ann Lister

Lincoln Stallworth, bass player for Black Ice, has quietly watched each of his band mates fall in love and has accepted the fact he'll probably never find the same for himself. He doesn't really believe in true love, couldn't fully understand the absurdity of it, or the notion there could be just one perfect person for everyone. A debilitating health issue began to shadow Lincoln in the middle of their last tour. As his physical symptoms worsen, Lincoln has to fight the urge to hide from the world and himself inside his estate.

Aaron Baylor enters Lincoln's life at his lowest point. Lincoln feels broken, damaged beyond repair, and he's ready to give-up. Aaron's patience and unwavering support slowly begin to pull Lincoln back to being present in his own life and gives him hope for a future and for love. Will Aaron be the glue that holds the broken pieces of Lincoln's life together? Can Lincoln fight his way back to good health and take a chance at love? Or will the task be too great for Lincoln to handle?

Beyond The Music is Book 7 in The Rock Gods series. This is the final story in the series, but also the launch of a new M/M spin-off series, Guarding the Gods, which will have many cameo appearances from The Rock Gods characters in each story. If you enjoyed The Rock Gods, I hope you'll give Guarding the Gods a try! 

I have greatly enjoyed the Rock Gods series. Each story so different from the previous one. 

Lincoln.

I was very intrigued by Linc, and could not wait to know more about him. 

Just what was going on? What secret was he hiding?

I had my suspicions and couldn't wait to read this book!

The fear of knowing the truth was just as intense as remaining in the dark and fear had a way of pulling one down to the dark place where Lincoln found himself.

From his struggle to his new-found hope, and ultimately his look on life and love.... 

Lincoln's story was beautiful, and sad.

He was so broken and defeated, yet he kept it all to himself.

Until Aaron!!

I adored him.

"I'll be your strength if you let me."

Not only did these men share a steamy chemistry, but they had quite the deep connection. 

It was all about intimacy and trust.

Of course there was also laughter, sexual innuendo, and amazing lyrics!

It was a quick read, full of emotions, friendship, love and a suspenseful twist thrown in the mix.

Overall to me this book served three purposes. It was Linc's story, the final wrap up of the Rock Gods and their men, and woman, and the promise of a new beginning.

I see more hot men in my future!!!

Amazon US / UK

Hopeless Vows by Rachael Duncan

It was a modern take on an arranged marriage that was supposed to lead to my happily ever after. The rules were simple: 

1. Marry a complete stranger chosen for you by professionals.

2. Live together as man and wife for eight weeks while cameras record your every move.

3. Make a decision to stay together or get a divorce.

Call me crazy, but I had complete faith in the process, until I saw who was waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

Austin James has never met me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know him. With no other choice, I say my vows and pray I can make it through the next eight weeks. Then I’ll leave. What connects us is my best kept secret, and I’ll protect it at all costs even if that means walking away from the only person I’ve ever cared about.

Loved it!!! 

What a cool concept. Marry a complete stranger, not knowing anything about them until your wedding day?? What the what?

I was so intrigued by this blurb!!

Austin is hot, sexy and oh so charming.

I wouldn't mind finding him waiting for me at the end of the aisle!

Jillian is smart, beautiful, and a little closed off. But she decides to take a leap of faith. She wants to find love. She believes in happy ever after. 

Then she sees Austin!!! 

HOLY SH@#!!!

This story is sweet, funny and sexy. There's also an underlying element of mystery. You know Jillian is hiding something, but then again, you get so wrapped up in their whirlwind romance that you forget about it... until it happens!!!

Bam!! The angst! 
I was holding my breath wondering what the hell just happened?? 

And the tears!  
Yes, Rachael had me crying! 
It was heartbreaking! A couple of times, actually!

Overall, it was awesome. This story is different. A reality show with a twist!

Must read!!

Amazon US / UK

Set the Pace (Detroit Love Duet) by Kim Karr

Every city needs a hero, but Detroit’s knight just might be a villain. 

A rough childhood branded Jasper Storm trouble. A bad boy. Not worth a damn. His love of cars was the only thing that could battle his delinquency. With the need for speed in his blood, he overcame his wayward ways. Mostly. All grown up, the broken city of Detroit hails him their shining star. And the man behind a new cutting-edge automobile is ready to turn this bankrupt town around.

Everything he does in life is fast. He talks fast, f*cks fast, and drives fast. But when one reckless turn brings him face-to-face with the childhood he has tried very hard to forget, he finds himself on the edge of wondering if he shouldn’t slow down.

Charlotte Lane was the tomboy who lived next door. She was his best friend. He was her protector. Then tragedy struck and she disappeared, forever—or so he thought. 

Jasper has many reasons to hate Charlotte and keep his distance, but she’s infiltrating his every thought and he can’t stay away. Back in town with an agenda of her own, she should push him aside. Make him turn around. Walk away herself. Yet she can't. 

With the past lurking between them, they proceed with caution. That is until one sex-filled night leads to murder. When Detroit’s biggest ally suddenly becomes suspect number one, will Charlotte—the girl Jasper once kept safe—be the one to save him?

This book wasn't at all what I anticipated.

Seeing as how I don't like to completely read blurbs, I thought this was about a race car driver!! 

Hot race car driver AND Kim Karr? Sold!

Although Jasper does like to drive fast cars, that's not at all what this was about! 

Oops!

Mystery, suspense and action all wrapped around a sexy friends to lovers story. 

That's what this was!

I enjoyed the flashbacks to the past and Jasper and Charlotte's connection. 

Although only 8 years old, they were each other's everything. 

When times got hard, they knew they could rely on the other.

I was also intrigued by the mystery of it all, and was trying to figure out just what was going on.

There was plenty of action, uncertainty, and hotness throughout.

To be honest though, I had a little bit of a hard time getting into it.

I felt parts were a little too wordy and sometimes confusing.

In the end, I was definitely left wanting to know what happens in book 2.

Amazon US / UK

One Day Soon by A. Meredith Walters

**Standalone Contemporary Romance**

He found me in blood and tears. 
I stayed with him through darkness and fire. 

We loved each other in the moment between innocence and bitter truth. 
We were the kids easily ignored, who grew into adults we hardly knew. 

We weren’t meant to last forever. And we didn’t. 

He ran away. 
I tried to move on. 

Yet I never stopped thinking about the boy who had fought to keep me alive in a world that would have swallowed me whole. He was the past that I buried, but never forgot. 

Until the day I found him again, years after believing I had lost him forever. 

And in cold, resentful eyes, I saw the heart of the man who had been everything when I had nothing at all. So I vowed to hold onto the second chance that was stolen from the children we had been. 

Sometimes fate is ugly. Life can be twisted. 
And who we are can be ruined by who we once were. 

For two people who had survived so much, we would have to learn how to hold on before we were forced to let go.

To me, a review is not for me to describe in detail what this book is about. 

You can read that in the blurb! 

My job is to express how I felt. What I did and didn't enjoy.

That being said... there are no words! 

Without a doubt, I can not express how heartbreaking and beautiful this story truly is!

How did I feel about it? I absolutely loved it. Hiccup inducing tears and all!

"A happy story doesn't always have a happy ending"

Oh the tears!!!!!!!!!!! Get yourselves a box of tissues and some Tylenol!! 

You are definitely going to need it.

This story was so incredibly sweet, tender and gut-wrenching all at once.

Their love, their bond!! Unbelievable!

Everything Yoss did he did for those he loved. To take care of them, to protect them!!

The angst was agonizing!

"Life takes turns that we don't expect and even the best of us can end up in a place we never expected."

The story goes back and forth between past and present and I'm not always a big fan of that, but it worked. And truth be told, you needed a bit of the break you got to get you from one place to another.

"Because one day soon, I promise you that all this ugly will become something beautiful."

A Meredith Walters is an amazingly talented author. I can always count on her to deliver powerful, heartfelt stories!

Her writing has me so invested in her characters, making my emotions work overtime!

Heartbreaking and unbelievably beautiful!!

If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would!

Must read!!!

"Seize the moments you're given, otherwise the world will eat you up and spit you out."

Amazon US / UK

RoomHate by Penelope Ward

From New York Times Bestselling Author, Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.

Sharing a summer house with a hot-as-hell roommate should be a dream come true, right? 

Not when it’s Justin…the only person I’d ever loved…who now hates me.

When my grandmother died and left me half of the house on Aquidneck Island, there was a catch: the other half would go to the boy she helped raise.

The same boy who turned into the teenager whose heart I broke years ago.

The same teenager who’s now a man with a hard body and a hardass personality to match.

I hadn’t seen him in years, and now we’re living together because neither one of us is willing to give up the house.

The worst part? He didn’t come alone.

I’d soon realize there’s a thin line between love and hate. I could see through that smug smile. Beneath it all…the boy is still there. So is our connection. 

The problem is…now that I can’t have Justin, I’ve never wanted him more.

Author's note – RoomHate is a full-length standalone novel. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

This story had me going through a range of emotions. 

It was sexy, with hot as hell moments, funny, sweet and emotional.

Justin was arrogant, crude, cocky, and condescending. Yes, you read that right.

BUT, he was also sexy, loyal, loving... and hurt.

He'd had his heart broken by Amelia, and didn't quite know how to handle the situation they were in now.

What's a guy to do?

Some of his antics had me laughing out loud, as did some of their childhood stories. 

They ranged from hilarious to just down right sweet and adorable.

Further along in the story there was also angst, and a bit of unknown. 

I wasn't sure at times just what would happen.

Did I mention steamy??
Warning: Strong sexual tension and scorching hot scenes!! 

Great read.. which I happen to devour in record time!

Amazon US / UK

The Spencer Cohen Series, book 1 by N.R. Walker

BLURB

Spencer Cohen is the guy who gets answers to relationship questions. Playing the role of the new lover, his job is to make his client’s ex realise one of two things: he doesn’t want to break up or he really does. Either way, his client gets answers.

The ex would either apologize and beg, or turn and walk. But in the end, Spencer’s client won. If he wanted his ex back and got him, it was great. If the guy walked away, then as hard it was for the client, he knew it was over. Regardless of the outcome, Spencer’s work was done.

Andrew Landon’s ex left him without so much as an explanation. But his sister can’t stand to see him miserable, so, much to Andrew’s dismay, they hire Spencer to be Andrew’s new boyfriend to get the ex back.

For Spencer, it is never personal. Merely a business transaction. No emotions, no strings, no complications.

Yeah right.

Even a blind man could see how this would end.

MY REVIEW

This is book 1, and just the beginning. 

Twas but a tease to reel me in!! And reel me in it did!

It was very cute, sweet and sexy!

I loved Spencer and his lumbersexual hipster vibe! He's an Aussie with an accent and a penchant for tea! 

I also loved Andrew, the quiet, sexy nerd!! He's the kind of guy you have to watch out for. (in a good way) 

On the exterior he's reserved, wears sweater vests... 

but get him comfortable and BAM!! 

I have a feeling there's a wild side in there, just waiting to come out!

These two fit perfectly together, both quirky in their own way.

I'm a sucker for sarcasm and sexual innuendos, and this book had all of it!

I have to be honest though, I didn't realize this was 1 of 3 when I started reading!! 

I know! 

Where was I?

My initial post-reading notes make sense to me now!

I had jotted down how much I loved it. How I loved their "getting to know you" phase. Also how there's no actual sex in the book. A tad of a let down at the time, but I get it now! 

This is just the beginning of their journey....

there's more to come!!!!!!!!!!!!

I absolutely can't wait to read the rest of this series!!!

Amazon US / UK

Ink & Lies by SL Jennings

From International Best Selling Romance Novelist, Hope Hughes, comes a gripping, heartfelt tale of two lovers, fighting for the freedom to…

No. Scratch that. Too cheesy.

…two people, torn apart by the tumultuous tides of life, only to discover refuge in…

WTF? What does that even mean? DELETE.

…two people, confused as shit as to where they should be and who they should love and none of this means a damn thing because it’s all lies!

Lies.

I’m not Hope Hughes. I’m not some fierce woman romance machine. Hell, I’m not even a woman. 

I’m a liar. 

And while I refuse to believe my own BS, deceit masked in heartfelt phrases of love and devotion, I want to make her believe them. Because maybe—just maybe—if she can find the soul within my words, she’ll also be able to find the truth scribbled on my heart. 

You see, I once lived for the perfect plot twist.

I just never expected to actually live it.

This is my story. Well, maybe her story. I just wish I could make it our story.

The one I’m still writing.

This was such a different kind of story! 

I loved it!

Ever wonder what an author is thinking? How they get their inspiration? Are they really that naughty?

How about the words they use? Her channel! His member!

This story is different in that you're reading what's in his head. What he's writing, when he's writing it. 

August writes romance novels, and he gets inspiration from everything and anything... but mostly his or his bff Fiona's sexcapades!

Ink & Lies is hilarious!

There are plenty of funny moments, but one in particular had me in tears from the amount of laughter!!!

But that's not all this book is about. 

It's also about true friendship and feelings. Heartbreak and hurt. 

There are real emotions in these words that brought me to tears.

This story isn't simply about fun and games.. it's about life and love as well. 

It has heart and soul, and real raw beauty.

In a nutshell.... I laughed out loud, swooned and cried!!! 5 stars!!

Amazon

To The Stars by Molly McAdams

In the second book in New York Times  and USA Today  bestselling author Molly McAdams’ Thatch series, Knox Alexander must convince his long-time love Harlow Evans that they’re meant to be together.

He promised to wait for her.
She told him he was wasting his time.
Not waiting for him ended up being the biggest mistake of her life.

When they were younger, Knox Alexander swore to Harlow Evans that he would wait for her to turn eighteen so they could be together. But that was three and a half years away, and Harlow couldn’t ask him to give up all the fun and thrills of going away to college for her. As the years passed, Knox remained a constant in her life—whether she liked it or not—but when her eighteenth birthday came around, Harlow’s heart belonged to someone else.

Every day for the last four years, Harlow has been haunted by that fateful choice. And though he may appear unaffected by what happened in their past, Knox has always tried to fill the void Harlow left. But when he comes stumbling back into her life and refuses to leave, will Harlow finally let him into her heart…?

There were definitely elements that I enjoyed... fate, true love and all that jazz.. but I had problems with several of the characters and their actions, making things a little too unreal for me. 

The disturbing abuse was not a factor. The blurb tells you, warns you, what you're about to read. 

Collin was one creepy mother fu#@er!!!

She was scared out of her mind, as was I for her!

This story is about a girl who is being severely abused. Bravo Molly for creating this horrible character and making me feel it!!! 

That, I most definitely give kudos for!

But it is also about a love and bond that was formed between two people that could never be broken.

Their love was solid, albeit having developed very quickly, it was beautiful.

"I love you to the moon and back" 

"The moon isn't that far, Harlow."

"Isn't it?" 

"No. Not far enough."... "I want to love you to the stars."

And therein lies one of my biggest problems. 

For the love and connection they had, his unyielding love and determination, their 'break up' didn't make sense to me! 

I can't spoil what happened or how, but Knox!!! What happened dude?

All that time waiting and then... just like that!!!??? For real??

There were other issues that I had with the story pertaining to the family and friends, but as always.. it's my opinion and I will leave it at that.

If you are a believer in 'true love will prevail' and the idea of abuse does not dissuade you, then please read this book!

Molly definitely knows how to write about love, and how to expel emotions from her readers!

Amazon