Bingeworthy Books

Author: BWB1

4 Star review ~ The Billionaire and the Virgin by Jessica Clare

This was the first book by Ms. Clare that I’ve read and I know it won’t be the last.

Rob and Marjorie could not be more different. Rob is president of a network that is basically Girls Gone Wild around the clock. Marjorie likes playing BINGO, shuffleboard and hangs out with older people. She believes in the goodness of people and could not be more different from Rob.

Opposites attract and all that? Correct? Sort of. After saving Rob from drowning, he becomes completely enamored with her and becomes hell-bent on getting to know her in every way he possibly can. Which, of course, means getting her naked ASAP.

Marjorie decides that she needs to step out of her normal persona and sex it up. What ensues is one of the most effed up first dates EVER. Marjorie has some serious wardrobe issues and Rob is totally acting like some kind of robot.

Honestly, I began to question whether or not I’d be able to enjoy this book.

My fears were allayed. Rob and Marjorie finally decide to be exactly who they are and at that point, I really started to enjoy seeing how these two very different people complemented each other and how they pushed each other to be comfortable in their own skin. Rob has a less than stellar reputation (completely of his own making) but through Marjorie, he begins to see how hurtful what he does can be.

This must be stated. The V card taking scene in this book was one of the most detailed and best I’ve ever read. The care that Rob takes with Marjorie is staggering. You don’t always get that kind of feeling in a scene where one of the characters is a virgin.

As I said before, this was my first book by Ms. Clare but I ran over to Goodreads and added her Billionaire Boys Club series (loosely connected to this series) to my TBR pile. I’m looking forward to reading those and I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the Billionaires and Bridesmaids series.

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February 17, 2015
Review ~ The Love Letters ~ Ashley Pullo

Ok. I don’t know how to rate this book. (Between 3.75 and 4.)

Let me start from the beginning. I’ve had Ashley Pullo’s books on my TBR list for months…MONTHS. The Album and The Ballad have been sitting on my Kindle mocking me, so I moved them into a new collection I created that is my TBR asap collection. So, when Ms. Pullo contacted me about The Love Letters, I wanted to make sure that I wouldn’t be spoiled in any way for the other two books. She assured me that I would not and that the Love Letters are a “primer” for the other books. So I said- bring it on.

First. Natalie is a hot mess. 😉

Second. She and Zach have absolutely incredible chemistry, while some may call it insta-love ( really more like insta-lust) They bond physically pretty quickly and I was cool with that, like I said, their connection and chemistry was well written. The first part of the book is a narrative of their time together before they are separated. (Their email and letter correspondence follows and ends the novella) I have to admit that I enjoyed the letters and emails the most, they were funny, sweet and passionate.

Ms. Pullo writes the kind of book I enjoy, intelligent, a little snarky and passionate. After reading The Love Letters, I’m looking forward to reading The Album and The Ballad even more because I really felt like Natalie has some more growing up to do and frankly, I want to know WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!! If you enjoy Daisy Prescott or Penny Reid, you’ll enjoy Ms. Pullo.

~PURCHASE~

February 16, 2015
4.5 star Review: Worth the Risk by Claudia Connor

Another 4.5 star from Ms. Connor!!

I was in complete denial about this book ending. I wanted more Stephen, more Hannah and more of the McKinney and Walker families.

Stephen. Definitely different from Matt and I appreciate a writer than can write unique characters and Stephen was his own man and what a man he is.

I read this in November of last year and I made some notes when I read it but when it came time for me to write my review, I knew I needed to go back to the book. Which, you know, is such a chore. NOT. I fell right back in love with the McKinney family. I know a book is special when I can go back and read it again and feel all warm and fuzzy. I ended up taking about two hours and re reading almost every word of this book.

I was reminded of how much I love the male characters that Ms. Connor creates. I found myself laughing because Hannah is completely surrounded by a very high level of highly protective alpha males. Between 4 brothers and Stephen, she is swimming in testosterone! It’s great! It would different if they were complete jerks but they aren’t at all. Stephen comes off as pretty arrogant and full of himself in the beginning (“Have dinner with me.”) but I realized that McKinney gene pool prohibits him from descending into complete assholedom.

Did I mention that Hannah has FOUR brothers? Uh yeah. The Walker Brothers series is just begging to be written!!!

Nick- FBI
Luke- Special Forces
Zach- Fireman
Dallas- Cop

Aside from the fantasticness (made that word up) of the McKinney family, Ms. Connor has created two characters that need someone to love and protect them from the ghosts of their pasts. After Stephen realizes how special Hannah is, he treats her with such reverence and tenderness. To her credit, Hannah lets Stephen shelter and protect her. She relishes the safety and protection that he offers her. Growing up with her protective and loving brothers, one might think that Hannah would rebel against Stephen’s protective nature, instead she flourishes within it.

So many great things about this book. I suspect Ms. Connor will be another Marie Force for me, an author whose work I can depend upon to be unique and interesting, and that I can read and enjoy endlessly.

If you loved Matt and Abby, I think you’ll enjoy Stephen and Hannah just as much, if not more. So, if you have not read this book, you need to. If you haven’t read the first book in this series, Worth the Fall, then get busy and start reading!

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February 10, 2015
Take For Granted by Daisy Prescott- LOL 3

What does it take to add a little spark to a marriage?
Jo and Ben Grant are spending a week in Aspen, without the kids. Bliss. Heaven. When Jo plans a wild evening out, will Ben embrace the crazy?

I had the pleasure of reading a review copy of Ben and Jo’s story and it was AWESOME! We meet Ben and Jo in Ms. Prescott’s Modern Love Stories series and I’ve always been curious about them. Even if you’ve never read anything by Ms. Prescott (which would be a shame) you can read this as a standalone.

I sat in carpool line one afternoon and read this one and other people in line had to think that I was cuckoo. I am not kidding you when I say that I laughed my ass off. This story is so familiar being married for so many years and having 3 kids…taking time for you and your partner can be challenging.

There are some very memorable (did I mention?) HILARIOUS scenes in this story. You will not be sorry if you pick up this anthology!

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February 3, 2015
Review & 10 Questions : Call Sign Karma by Jamie Rae

In 1986, I was 13 years old and the movie Top Gun came out. After seeing that movie, I decided I was going to be a pilot and fly a F-16 Tomcat. I had the aviator sunglasses, a tshirt with the Top Gun logo on it AND I even found a book about the F-16. Of course, it was all Greek to me but I was bound and determined to be a pilot. That summer, we were at the beach and we went to the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL and I got to sit in a cockpit. It was awesome.

Fast forward many years and I ended up doing something totally different and Tom Cruise completely ruined my Maverick fantasy by jumping on Oprah’s couch and worshipping Xenu. Let’s face it, Slider was waayyyy hotter anyway.

I digress. Sorry, I was reliving my childhood in a way and I guess, explaining my connection to this book. I like planes and military romance….so this book was a good fit for me. I was not disappointed and I loved that the main character was a woman and she was training to be a fighter pilot. But first, she had to get into the same plane that killed her brother. How daunting is that?

Then, let’s add in having a one night stand with your super hot instructor, that you did not know was your instructor at the time of said one night stand. Um yeah. Then, let’s add in that you’re not supposed to have any kind of relationship with your instructor. You still with me?

Tinklee and Locke simply cannot stay away from each other. That’s all there is to it. You’ll have to engage in suspension of disbelief to get into their relationship and that’s ok! We read books to experience something different, to get away from it all. For me, this book combined my childhood love of a movie and my adult love of contemporary romance! I really enjoyed reading about Tinklee, Locke, ASH, and the guys Tinklee was training with. Not to mention I loved meeting her family and friends.

Did I mention Ash? He literally jumps off of the page and demands your attention. He certainly added to the delightful man candy that this book is full of. As for Locke, I liked that he knew who Tinklee was, what made her tick and he just let her be herself. He didn’t go all overprotective of her and act like a fool.

The moments when we are in the cockpit with Tinklee were well written and I felt like I was in there with her! I have to say that once I picked this one up, it was hard for me to put it down. It pushed all of my buttons, it was a funny, sexy as hell, and exciting read! I cannot wait to read more from this series and Ms. Rae.

10 Questions with Tinklee Pinkerton

1. What is your favorite word? Karma.

2. What is your least favorite word? No. If someone tells me no it will only make me want to try harder.

3. What turns you on? The scent of jet fuel.

4. What turns you off? Arrogance.

5. What sound do you love? The waves in the ocean. I have great memories of my brother and I growing up on the beach. I also met Locke on the beach and it was definitely a night that changed my life forever.

6. What sound do you hate? Loud explosions.

7. What is your favorite curse word? Holy Hell

8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? I never wanted to be anything other than a fighter pilot and even today, there is nothing more I’d rather do.

9. What profession would you not like to do? Fashion Designer. My wardrobe consists of flight suits and cut off jeans.

10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Your brother has been waiting to see you.

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January 30, 2015
✦✦ Review- Solving for Nic by Lexxi Callahan ✦✦

*Dreamy sigh* Nicolas Maretti… I LOVE you.

Actually, Lexxi Callahan, I love this book. While I enjoyed the first book, Sweetened with A Kiss, I felt like there was more there where this author is concerned. (As in, I felt there was a lot more potential there.) Thank goodness, I was right. I truly enjoyed this tale of a super smart woman who hides the true extent of her intelligence from… pretty much everyone. Especially Nic Marietti, who she has had a mad crush on for as long as she can remember. The thing is, the feelings are totally mutual. Nic and Lizzie have been in the same social circles for years and have been dancing around each other the whole time. Nic has kept his distance due to the age difference but Lizzie is 21 now and it’s on like Donkey Kong.

Lizzie is a very interesting character. She is so stinkin’ smart and she continues to hide it behind a party girl facade. Now, I don’t mean party girl in a Paris Hilton way, she is actually very sweet. She feels like she can’t be herself within her social circle and it’s kind of sad.

One dance at a wedding with Nic Maretti and the doors get blown off the mutual moratorium the two of them have in place where their feelings for each are concerned. Let me tell ya, that was a great scene.

The hand at the small of her back pressed against her before she could move away. She melted into him and tried not to think about the four hundred people she wished weren’t in the room with them.

“Lizzie, relax.” The gentleness in his voice made it worse.

“How?”

He leaned down, brushing his mouth across her forehead and setting off a chain reaction inside her. She would’ve jerked back if he hadn’t tightened his hold on her again.

The hand at her back stroked her lightly. “It’s okay, dance with me.”

This wasn’t a simple dance. Nothing was simple about being in Nic’s arms. She forgot reality. The connection between them so real it was easy to forget it was an illusion.

Ha! Their connection is soooooo not an illusion. I loved the chemistry and the connection that Lizzie and Nic shared.

Nic is kind of a playboy but not in terribly obnoxious way. The women he has been with are certainly nothing like Lizzie and she certainly feels self conscious of that. She splits herself in half by living in one world where her intelligence is recognized and celebrated and another where..it is not. Giving in to Nic forces her to marry the two worlds and acknowledge her true feelings for him. After spending time with Nic, it forces him to really take a look at his life and what he wants. And guess who he wants? 🙂

Solving for Nic had a little bit of everything, it was funny and super sexy. Ms. Callahan does a great job of weaving family drama and dynamics into her books and I know I’m looking forward to the next book. I’m very interested to see how in the world Ms Callahan manages to persuade the reader to like the “Red Queen.”

Purchase Solving for Nic:

Book 1: Sweetened with a Kiss:

Available now

January 28, 2015
Review: Risking it All by Tessa Bailey

A couple of months ago, while reviewing another Tessa Bailey (reviews) book I lamented that I’d like for to write a book with a higher word count. Well, I got my wish.

Our man is Bowen is broken and bruised in so many ways and Ms. Bailey really got to the heart of him. Bowen is quite an edgy guy and has some serious protective instincts where Sera is concerned. Honestly, I’m kind of left scratching my head as far as what to say in this review. I’m not going to mince words, I enjoyed everything about this book. Bowen and Sera are going to be a read again couple for me for sure. My Kindle needed to spend some time in the freezer though. Smokin’.

“Did Hogan tell you not touch me or something? Because-”

“What?” His head whipped up, the hands holding hers against the wall flexing hard. “Listen to me, if I wanted to fuck you, I’d end anyone or anything who got in my way. Nothing would stop me. Not a locked door, Not some lowlife. Nothing.”

“If?” she repeated, embarrassment cooling her desire. “You don’t want to?

His laughter was harsh. “Want to? Want to?” One of his hands loosened its grip to drop down and grasp the bulge in his pants.

“I didn’t even know it was possible to ache this bad. It hurts to breathe, baby.”

This book is a spin off of Ms. Bailey’s Line of Duty series and is a great start to the new series, Crossing the Line. I cannot wait for the next one! (What else is new?)

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Available: June 23, 2015

January 27, 2015
Release Day Review: A Father’s Fight by JB Salsbury

Ohhhh wow. Hold on to your ovaries. Blake is back and he is going to be a daddy! Layla has her hands full with Blake as the baby daddy, because, bless his heart, he is completely overprotective of her.

It’s actually really sweet. I fell in love with Blake in Fighting to Forget (REVIEW) and I was really happy to hear that Blake and Lyla were getting another book. It actually started out as a novella and apparently, Blake had a lot to say!

I love seeing a big burly smart ass guy like Blake brought to his knees by a pregnant woman and their child. Blake’s goal in life (at this point) is love and protect his fiance’- Layla, Axelle (his soon to be adopted daughter) and take care of the new addition to the family. He will do whatever it takes to make sure they are all safe and sound. One thing I really liked about this book was that it was easy to tell how much Ms. Salsbury loves these characters, it was almost effortless and reminded me of everything I loved about her writing.

There was so much I enjoyed about this book. I laughed, I cried and I swooned. When that baby entered the world, I was a puddle of goo. If you’re a fan of this series, do not hesitate to pick this one up asap!

•Purchase A Father’s Fight:

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~ Purchase the Series

#1 Fighting for Flight

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#2 Fighting to Forgive

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#3 Fighting to Forget

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#4 Purchase Fighting the Fall:

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January 26, 2015
Review: Hero By Night by Sara Jane Stone

Best book of the series so far. I knew when we were introduced to Lena that her book was going to be something special. As for Chad, he was such a great character. Despite his well earned reputation with the ladies, he was a perfect match for Lena. He needed someone he could date/have a fake relationship with and she needed someone to lead her back to the physical aspects of a relationship. She struggled on a daily basis to just exist in the real world, much less be touched or approached by others. Her therapy dog, Hero, was a huge help in helping her cope but she wanted more. Chad was more than willing to help out with that, he found Lena beautiful and had a such a gentle way with her. I loved they way he treated her. He went at her speed but also pushed her, commanded her and let her express her own needs.

Sometimes beauty knocked a man on his ass, leaving him damn near desperate for a taste, a touch, and hopefully a round or two between the sheets-or tied up in them. The knockout blonde with the large golden retriever at her feet took the word “beautiful” to a new level.

During the day, they went out on dates and spent time together and at night, they spent MORE time together getting to know each other in the most intimate way possible. Chad…is a dirty bird and Lena totally kept up with him. He tells her exactly what he wants from her and how and Lena- she totally returns the sentiment and holds her own with him. He completely empowered her to ask and even demand what she wanted from him.

Sometimes, a “manwhore” character can be hard to take. That same character magically changing his ways can also be hard to swallow. Ms. Stone wrote a character that I truly enjoyed. I understood his reasons for not wanting to commit to anyone but let’s face it, all it takes is the right woman…right? Lena needs Chad to give her space to and encouragement to be who she is now. Not who she used to be. And he does! So many veterans come home to families expecting them to be exactly who they were before and that’s an impossible expectation. How could they not be different? Lena needed her family to understand who she was after her deployment and how it changed her…for good. You’ll have to forgive me, I’m afraid I’m babbling about this book.

Chad needed to understand that he was worthy of love and a relationship. He had never experienced feeling possessive and protective of a woman until Lena. He stepped up for Lena when he sensed she needed a buffer between her and someone or a situation and he did it without making her feel bad about herself.

True story- this past weekend, my husband and I went out to dinner and a movie and he had participated in a gun/shooting competition. He proceeded to tell me about a competitor who was a former Delta member and he had a therapy dog there with him. He explained to B that the dog was there to help him when he felt anxious. I almost jumped up on the table because I was reading a book with a character with a therapy dog! Anyway, we had a very interesting conversation about the man and his dog and PTSD.

In a nutshell- this series improves with each book and Hero by Night is such a GREAT book. I cannot wait for big brother Brody’s book! (April 14!!) Add to your TBR

Independence Falls series:

Purchase:

Book 1: Full Exposure

Book 2: Caught in the Act

Book 3: Hero By Night

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January 20, 2015
Review: One Night of Trouble by Elle Kennedy

Love this series and I loved this book.

AJ- the perennial “good guy” is ready to shed that image and be the guy he really feels the need to be. The guy he really wants to be is quite a dirty bird. Oh yeah.

Brett is the perfect foil to AJ and they bring out the best in each other. You’d think since she has a history of being a “bad girl” she would lead him astray or cause him to do something wildly out of character. She doesn’t do that so much as encourage him to be the guy he has been burying for most of his adult life. This book isn’t rife with annoying issues and I appreciate that. AJ is living in the shadow of blame that he placed upon himself and Brett just wants to be a better person all round. She also wants to achieve success professionally and make her family proud of her.

Brett and AJ have crazy good chemistry… as in hot as fiyah! Ms. Kennedy is especially talented at creating characters that are so compatible and are so incredibly enjoyable to read about. Not only does she make me enjoy the physical aspects of their relationship, she fills in with the emotion to back it all up.

AJ pulled a cell phone from his back pocket and glanced at the screen. “It’s eleven fifty-eight. Looks like you’re about to turn into a pumpkin. Did you drive here?”

She shook her head. “I’m calling a taxi.”

“Or…” His eyes gleamed recklessly.

Brett’s throat went dry. “Or?”

“Or I could drive you home.”

Uh-oh.

Big uh-oh.

The awareness that had sizzled between them earlier returned in full force, leaving pinpricks of heat along her bare arms. The air was cool and she’d left her coat inside, but she wasn’t cold. Not by a long shot.

She knew exactly what would happen if she let AJ drive her home. She might have willpower when it came to alcohol, but around this man? With his sandy-blond hair and chiseled features and sparkling green eyes? And that incredible body? And throw in the fact that she hadn’t had sex in six months?

Willpower? Fat chance.

“What do you say, Brett? Do you want a ride?” No missing the way his voice went husky at the word ride.

Oh boy. Oh boy oh boy oh boy.

This was not the AJ Walsh she remembered. Back then he’d come off as a gentleman.

Right now there was nothing gentlemanly about him. His expression was downright smoldering, broad body radiating pure sex appeal. If he took her home, she knew it wouldn’t end with her walking up to her apartment alone.

But she still had to make sure she wasn’t misinterpreting that look on his face.

“What are you really asking me?” she said bluntly.

“I’m asking if I can take you home and screw your brains out.”

Her thighs clenched so hard she almost keeled over.

Okay, well, that certainly left nothing to interpretation.

“Judging by your response, I think you like the sound of that.” There was something smugly male in his voice.

Hers was embarrassingly squeaky and as weak as her attempted ignorance. “What response?”

He flashed a knowing smile. “What, you think I can’t tell when a woman is attracted to me?”

Nope, this was not the AJ she remembered. The golden boy was gone, replaced by a primal creature teeming with raw sexual energy. The electricity in the air was liable to burn her alive.

“Y-you…” She swallowed hard. “You don’t seem like the kind of man who does stuff like this. Sleeping with someone you’ve just met…”

“Why do women always take it upon themselves to decide what kind of man I am?”

“Am I wrong?” she challenged.

After a beat, he gave a sheepish grin. “Fine. I haven’t had a lot of one-night stands. But…” His eyes burned. “I have a feeling not going home with you tonight would be the biggest mistake of my life.”

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January 15, 2015