A Hundred Thousand Words by Nyrae Dawn

Blurb

Tobias Jackson grew up in Coburn, a town where the gay population equaled exactly one: him. Add that to the fact that his dream guy was his best friend's jerky older brother Levi Baxter, and it made hooking up virtually impossible. 

Now home from college for winter break, Toby is a different person. He left Coburn for San Francisco, where he wasn't the lone gay guy and the only black kid in town. And yeah, he took advantage of what the city had to offer.

Apparently Toby isn’t the only one who’s changed. Levi’s not acting like the self-centered guy with all the answers that Toby remembers from growing up. Oh and Levi’s realized he's bisexual, which makes things a lot more interesting… 

Heading back to college, Toby doesn’t expect to meet up with Levi again, despite him being in med school not far away. A surprise visit from Levi blows that assumption out of the water. As they spend more time together Toby sees Levi as more than just the fantasy. He’s complicated, unsure…he’s real. But if Toby can’t get out of the past and find the words he keeps locked inside himself, he’ll lose his chance at Levi for good.

My Review

ABSOLUTELY LOVED!!

This was an incredibly sweet, funny, sexy and emotional friends to lovers story. 

But were they really ever friends to begin with? Not really.

Levi is Toby's best friend's older brother. He was off limits. Friend material or otherwise!

Two very different men, both broken in their own way. Each has a burden they carry. Feelings they keep inside. 

Toby was quiet. He didn't know how to express his feelings.. afraid to get attached and rightly so due to his past with his family.

"You're good at words when you use them. I wish you did it more."

But Levi made him feel things he'd never felt before, things he didn't want to believe could be true.

Levi's just that type of guy. The one everyone flocks to. He's perfect in every way and you just can't help falling for him.

Sometimes it's the smallest sacrifices, the smallest ways you try to make someone happy that mean the most.

This was a beautiful story of discovery, friendship, learning to overcome adversity and ultimately finding love.

There were moments that I laughed out loud. 

There was sexual chemistry and beauty. 

And then there were the tears. 

I cried. 

More than once, let me tell you!

I loved every word of this book and devoured it in a day!!!  

There isn't too much that can be said about a five star book that truly moves you. 

After a while words become monotonous.  

'I loved it. It was amazing'. 

But I did love it and it is amazing!

Amazon US / UK

Breaking Through by D. Nicole King

Two years after her brother Nate died during a Navy operation, aquator Nautia Olson’s nightmares began, and her ability to manipulate water became erratic. Anger, fear, joy, desire—they all trigger disaster.

Now, the Navy wants her for a top-secret mission, but Captain Riley Barton has his reservations. He’s read her file. He knows the damage she’s capable of, and yet—

She's powerful.

If he can harness her ability—break through her walls—

She’ll be unstoppable.

I first read the first half of Breaking Through in the Beneath The Cape Anthology.  

It had me really intrigued and interested for more! 

I really enjoyed the easy going story with a hint of mystery.

Have you ever seen the movie Sky High? (I have a kid, don't judge me) It reminded me of a slightly more adult version of that!

A group of Superpower young adults learning to hone their abilities at a special/super academy are recruited into a secret mission for the Navy.

There's action, mystery and danger along with unforeseen twists.

Along the way of course is friendship and a budding romance.

This was a quick and light read with a paranormal/supernatural twist. 

I'm happy I finally got to read the ending because I wasn't expecting things to turn out they way they did! Great twist!

This was my first read by Ms King and I look forward to more in the future!

Amazon US / UK

The World As He Sees It (Perspectives) by A.M. Arthur

BLURB

Love knows no limits…but fear could keep them from seeing it.

Gabe lives a double life. As Gabriel Henson, he works multiple jobs to support his remorseless, alcoholic mother. As Tony Ryder, he does internet porn for extra cash and regular safe sex without complications. 

Yet when he encounters a scared young man freaking out in a night club, he’s compelled to reach out. Ever since then, the memory of that young man has haunted him.

Tristan Lavelle lives his life thirty minutes at a time. After a traumatic brain injury three years ago, he gets through his day recording his life in spiral notebooks and sticky note reminders. 

A month after Tristan’s embarrassingly public meltdown, another chance meeting with Gabe sparks a warm, emotionally fulfilling email relationship. Both men crave more, but fear of the next step stands between them. 

Until Tristan gets the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial that could improve his memory—if the side effects don’t kill him. But for Tristan, the possibility of a real life with Gabe is worth any risk…

Warning: Contains two damaged but lovable heroes, secret-keeping friends with good intentions, and an abundance of inappropriate food innuendo.

My Review

This was such a sweet and moving story. 

Tristan has one hell of a life. 

He doesn't remember anything after a 30 minute time span. 
He lives through sticky notes, calendars and notes written in a notebook. 
My heart broke for him!!

Gabe is instantly attracted and mesmerized. 
He's such a tender and patient man and the way he acts with Tristan is beautiful.
I enjoyed how they took their time getting to know each other and loved the emails!

I'm not sure how I feel about Gabe's 'job' or how easily acceptable it all is.
I guess I'm a bit of a prude? Too much of a jealous bitch maybe? lol
But I'd have been a little more upset rather than turned on. ?? Not quite sure about that.

Regardless, I found this to be a sweet, funny and sexy read with a bit of sadness added into the mix.

I enjoyed it very much and look forward to reading more from this new to me author!

"The people we meet are in our lives for a reason. Sometimes for a long time, sometimes for an hour, but everyone affects us in some way."

Amazon US / UK

Nuts (Hudson Valley #1) by Alice Clayton

From New York Times bestselling author Alice Clayton, the first in a brand-new romance series telling the humorously sexy tale of Roxie, a private chef who gets a taste of love—but is it to stay, or to go?

After losing almost all of her clients in one fell swoop following an accident involving whipped cream, private chef to Hollywood’s elite Roxie Callahan gets a call from her flighty mother, saying she’s needed home in upstate New York to run the family diner. Once she's back in the Hudson Valley, local organic farmer Leo delivers Roxie a lovely bunch of walnuts, and soon sparks—and clothing—begin to fly. Leo believes that everything worth doing is worth doing slowly…and how! But will Roxie stay upstate, or will the lure of West Coast redemption tempt her back to Tinseltown? 

Roxie has grown up in a typical small town, with tons of gossip and everybody knows everybody. 
They know your business, your secrets, your future, everything. 
What's a girl like that do when she graduates? She runs as far away as she can, making her life as different from what it was as possible.
Certain circumstances bring her back to the little hometown she loathes. Or does she?

I have to admit, it was a little slow going for me in the beginning. I enjoyed Roxie's moxie. She's quirky and funny, yet very independent and headstrong.

But I found the puns a little overdone and her internal monologue was never ending!
Lucky for me, Leo and his nuts came tumbling into the story! 
Literally!

Leo the farmer! A beautiful, available farmer! 

He's sexy and sweet and made the story oh so yummy for me.

As with other Alice Clayton books I've enjoyed, this was an easy going light read with plenty of humor and sexual chemistry.  

It's filled to the brim with quips, funny sexual banter, and witty one liners.

There's also a multitude of food double entendres as well as a smorgasbord of culinary information. 

This was like a romance novel meets foodie dream. 

Two worlds I love blending into one!

Amazon

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!!

Resurrecting Phoenix by Isabel Lucero

Anniversaries are usually occasions worth celebrating, but when your fourth wedding anniversary is also the first anniversary of your husband’s death, you’ll only want to drink your sorrows away. And that’s exactly what Phoenix Nightingale does. 

In the small town of Breckshire Wyoming, everybody knows everybody, so when Evan Tyler walks into the same bar she’s drowning her grief in, Phoenix knows that he’s new in town. What she doesn’t know is that he’s just moved in a few houses down from her and is about to try his hardest to break through the wall she’s had up for a year. 

Phoenix has experienced a tragedy that nobody ever wants to experience. In the year following her husband’s death, she’s had what her parent’s considered embarrassing public meltdowns, and lost some friends along with her career. Just as she feels she’s at her very lowest, Evan barges into her life, forcing her to get out of the house and look at life a little differently. 

He vows to help her, encouraging her to rise from the ashes and live once again. Evan doesn’t know that just by being in her life, he’s bound to send her into a tailspin, because both of them are keeping things from each other, and Phoenix may not be strong enough to handle what she finds out. 

Will she pull him into the dark with her, or will he be able to resurrect Phoenix, freeing her from the depths of her depression, and show her that surviving isn’t the same as living?

This is one where I actually read the blurb! (I usually don't)

 I had read one of Isabel's books before and absolutely loved it! 

Mix her writing with tragedy, loss, and tears and I was in!!

Well, this definitely had the tragedy, it had the loss, but unfortunately for me, my tears didn't come. 

Phoenix has quite the sad story. She copes with it the only way she feels she can.

Evan is the sexy new guy in town. He's attentive, caring, funny and charming. I loved him!

I did enjoy this story. It was a really nice read, pretty easy going with bouts of laughter and sweetness to balance out the loss and sadness.

But, I did feel like it was a little too perfect and put together.

Yes there were hardships and hurdles, but they all seemed to be easily overcome. 

Certain things fell right into place, making it a little too convenient and 'after school special' for me.

I was longing for a little more grit and little more gut wrenching.

Suite 269 by Christine Zolendz

Leave your inhibitions at the door and make your fantasies come true.

Three weeks.

No rules.

Any fantasy.

Anything goes.

Lexa Novak would like nothing better than to let go and finally experience it all, so when the opportunity arises to just do that, she can't refuse—won't refuse.

But what happens when your fantasies become your realities?

Find out when you enter Suite 269.

First I need to say that I did not read the blurb. At. All. 

I heard Christine wrote a new book and it was a little on the naughty side. 

Christine? 

Naughty? 

I'm in!!

I loved it!

This was a different take on an office romance.

It was laugh out loud funny mixed with naughty sexiness. 

When I say naughty.. I mean hot as hell!

Lexa wants it all, but is just too insecure to ask for it.

She's been burned in the worst way imaginable, and what better way to make her forget, than a romp with a sexy new man?

And Holy Shit is he hot!

She's the entire package, yet she just doesn't see it.

I love her! 

She may be soft spoken in the bedroom, but she's headstrong, smart, spunky and fun. 

Her quirks and verbal diarrhea had me laughing out loud!

"We are a group of unsatisfied liars.... But let me tell you the truth about women.We want to be completely and utterly cherished but at the same time treated like our inner whores. The secret is that we don't want to ever talk about it. We want you to just know. So not only are we liars, we're a bunch of crazy ass bitches."

When she's offered a chance to have all her fantasies come to life.. she jumps in head first!

"Enjoy your pleasure. It's okay to like it. To want it."

What woman doesn't want every one of her fantasies fulfilled? Anyone? Anyone?

And OMG does he fill her! 

I mean, fulfill her. 

Fantasies. 

Fulfill her fantasies!

"Turn around and bend over."

Smokin' hot!!

This was quite the entertaining read. 

It was very funny, sweet and so damn sexy!  

A must read!