REVIEW: If You Dare (Deanna Madden, Book 3) by Alessandra Torre

RATING:

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Blurb

Equal parts Dexter and 50 Shades, this is the eagerly awaited new novel from A. R. Torre, author of the award winning erotic thriller, The Girl in 6E. 

The rules are the same. I can't open the door. I can't leave. I can't kill anyone. 

The only difference is, I don't set the rules anymore. Guards in grey uniforms do. It is everything I never wanted and everything I always deserved. I write to you now, from a prison cell. My home for the next twenty to thirty years. 

That's the going term for murder.

Review

Thought I'd share with you my Goodreads reading update when I was reading this:

Reading Progress

11/12	marked as:	currently-reading
11/14			22.0%	"Wut?!??!! Nah, can't be!!!! Can it???? Wut??!!??"
11/14			28.0%	"He really can't be... Is he really??? No!!!!"
11/14			31.0%	"I'm sorry but my brain is just refusing to acknowledge what it's reading:'( AT, what are you doing to me???"
11/15			47.0%	"Can I say "whew" now? Or not?... Start of Part 2, getting more nervous..."
11/15			79.0%	"Omg, omg, omg, can Mike really do it??? *gleeful smirk*"
11/15			84.0%	"HAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
11/15			100.0%	"Well, I'll be... Alessandra, you sly, sly woman you!"

Yup, that's the kind of ride Alessandra took me on with this third installment of this series!

Interestingly enough, I guess this is really like a standalone within the series just because of the focus on this book and the way the events were laid out, almost like an episode within a series, but please do NOT, do NOT, just read this. Yes, you have to read the series to get the full experience that is Deanna Madden.

To put into the context of the series, we now see Deanna after all the things she's done in the first 2 books. Her relationship with Jeremy is at the forefront now, with Deanna needing to take actions to move the relationship forward. But something happened. 

Then the question became, did she or did she not???

Along the way, we got more glimpses of another friend who's been there for her since pretty much the start, and boy, did he deliver! Then we get more of the doctor. Did he really help at the end of it all? Not sure, but with the change in their interaction in this book, it definitely added another layer to their dynamics. Then there is of course Jeremy, the boyfriend...

Deanna and Jeremy were rarely together here and you'll know why. The story is laid out in interlocking past and present. It moves in such a fast pace that you'd think you'd get whiplashed but everything makes sense. Personally, I can't wait for the story to move according to the pace of my brain that it almost felt like I was reading in slow-mo. That's just crazy me.

And of course, the highlight of this all, Deanna Madden. She's kooky, she's funny, she's demented, she's neurotic, she's a good friend, she cares, she takes charge. Oh Deanna, Deanna...

Yes, there were some smokin' scenes, but really, this is more about the plot for me. Is this erotic romance enough? I guess, but like I said, to me, this has more of a suspense thriller feel. Even the ending didn't follow the traditional romance ending, so that alone should tell you something.

Luckily, I read somewhere that Alessandra will consider writing more about Deanna if the demand is there. So I say, demand, demand, demand... *grins* You keep taking me on Deanna's journey, Alessandra, I will be there. *insert maniacal laugh*

Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie

REVIEW: Meet Me in the Dark by JA Huss

RATING:

He’s empty, inhuman, dishonest, and cruel.
She’s never wanted anyone more. 

Sydney has lived in fear for eight years after freelance assassin, Merc, failed to rescue her from a cult-like militia group. Left in the hands of a sadistic man, she did whatever it took to survive. But Merc’s last words gave her hope. Hope he’d be back to finish the job. 

Merc knows just what to do with a fearful girl like Sydney after he was betrayed by her father that night. He wields sex, drugs, lies, and love like weapons—and Sydney is his target. 

He’s in control. He’s always in control. But Sydney Channing is not what she appears. And Merc’s only redeeming act, the very one that made Sydney’s life a living hell, might just be his worst mistake yet. 

WARNING: Meet Me In The Dark is non-traditional DARK CAPTIVE ROMANTIC SUSPENSE. It is not intended for sensitive readers.

Review

(Originally posted on Goodreads)

Hmmm... Interesting...

Merc, I've always been curious about him since I first met his character in Julie's previous books. He's this conniving ruthless mercenary, quite an a$$ actually. YET, turns out, he's got this other side as well. Sydney, now there's one messed up gal or what! That girl is so broken I don't even know where to start. Scary and sad at the same time. Unnerving too... hmmm... him, her, all of it... hmmm...

I gotta admit, I don't get those 2, Merc and Sydney, more so than usual compared to her other characters. I really didn't understand them together but I suppose they make sense together >.< It's such a weird dynamics b/w those 2. I have to keep reminding myself what they are, or what they think they are, to each other when they started "spending time" together. And how the "relationship" moved along, I get it yet, I don't.

But of course, Julie does it again! She plays with my head, by making my brain go on overdrive with all kinds of theories as I'm reading it, holding my breath at times and causing my head to spin with the turn of events. While I wish more pages were spent on certain things for me to fully connect with Merc and Sydney, what Julie does best is making me question everything. Indeed she has!

Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie

BLOG TOUR: Reaper's Fall by Joanna Wylde

Reaper’s Fall is the newest standalone in the Reaper's MC Series.  Painter & Melanie's story is FINALLY here!

Available at the following retailers:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1DsDyRt

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1yYt1Rn

Nook: http://tinyurl.com/pljucpa

iBooks: http://tinyurl.com/pwfxzyj

Blurb

The New York Times bestselling author of Reaper’s Stand is back in her “uber-alpha rough world of MCs”* as one woman’s future is rocked by the man whose hardcore past could destroy her…

He never meant to hurt her.

Levi “Painter” Brooks was nothing before he joined the Reapers motorcycle club. The day he patched in, they became his brothers and his life. All they asked in return was a strong arm and unconditional loyalty—a loyalty that’s tested when he’s caught and sentenced to prison for a crime committed on their behalf.

Melanie Tucker may have had a rough start, but along the way she’s learned to fight for her future. She’s escaped from hell and started a new life, yet every night she dreams of a biker whose touch she can’t forget. It all started out so innocently—just a series of letters to a lonely man in prison. Friendly. Harmless. Safe.

Now Painter Brooks is coming home… and Melanie’s about to learn that there’s no room for innocence in the Reapers MC.

Excerpt 

“You want to watch a movie or something?” she asked, nodding toward the TV. I had a decent one, too. Giant-ass flat-screen—homecoming present from the club.

“Sure,” I said, reaching for the remote. I didn’t have cable, but Ruger had set up some kind of box thingie for me so I could stream shit. “Whatcha in the mood for?”

“Not horror,” she said quickly, and I laughed again, remembering that first evening I’d spent with her at Pic’s house. She’d been so young and scared and vulnerable . . . I’d wanted to eat her up.

I still wanted to eat her.

“I can’t believe that you and Puck were supposed to be watching over me, and then you put in a slasher movie. That’s not how you make a girl feel safe.”

“No horror,” I agreed, although the thought of holding her for a couple hours while she was scared shitless appealed way more than it should. Watch it, asshole. “How about Star Wars?”

“You like Star Wars?”

I shrugged. “Everyone likes Star Wars. You know, I’m pretty damned sure Han Solo was a biker.”

She giggled. “You mean, like a space biker?”

“See, when you say it like that it sounds stupid.”

“I wanted to be Princess Leia. She’s badass,” she said, taking a deep drink of her beer. I watched as her lips wrapped around the neck, her throat swallowing. Oh fuck, that was good. She set the beer down on the coffee table with a clink, then let loose with the biggest burp I’d ever heard.

“Fucking hell,” I said, stunned. “I didn’t think girls could burp like that. Shit. Impressive, Mel. Very impressive.”

She grinned at me.

“We’re friends,” she told me. “And friends don’t need to worry about stuff like that. Let me guess—you’ve never had a female friend before?”

“Not really,” I admitted. “I’m think I’m a little scared.”

Scared and turned on, which was weird.

“You should be. I can do the whole alphabet.”

Damn. I kinda wanted to see that.

About the Author:

Joanna Wylde is a New York Times bestselling author and creator of the Reapers Motorcycle Club series. She currently lives in Idaho.

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~Leftie

RELEASE BLITZ: Brando (Book 2) by JD Hawkins

Title: Brando Part Two

Series: Brando #2

Author: J.D. Hawkins

Genre: Contemporary/Erotic Romance

 Release Date: November 12, 2015

Blurb

I gave you exactly what you wanted, and you still want more...

I thought I had everything: the fame, the money, and a girl on top — of the charts, that is.

But it turns out, it means nothing without her. The only girl who ever knew the real me. She doesn’t give a f*ck about the platinum records or the VIP lounge, she wants more than that. She wants a future with me.

And I’m all in.
All the way in.

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                     Review

RATING:

This is the happy ending to Brando and Haley’s story.

It picks up right where book 1 ended. It’s about Brando redeeming himself, and Haley navigating herself deeper into the music industry and sorting her feelings out for Brando.

Brando was just a total sweetheart. His efforts were sincere, I could see that. His insecurities when it came to Haley was endearing. Haley was doing her best to move forward. She was hurt and she also has her career to think about. The feelings for each other didn’t really diminish so it was just a matter of how to get past what happened.

Here’s the funny thing, I said it took me a smidgen longer to get on Brando’s side in the 1st book, which, like I mentioned in my review of it, was a consequence of having access to his thoughts. Then here, in the 2nd book, having access to his thoughts totally made me swoon over him and back, but it also made me like Haley less, just because I knew how earnest Brando was feeling. I’m sorry, but I think that’s a risk that could happen when it’s written in dual POV, no? If I may add as well, it felt like things happened quite conveniently at times, and I wish it didn’t. I also wish that this was just one book. It felt like it could have been anyways. All just personal take, of course…

The epilogue was sweet. Brando really was Haley’s anchor, that much I got. Their connection was hot and sweet all at once. And this may not make sense, there’s some kind of edginess to the words and dialogues, which I actually totally appreciate. Now if only I can split myself so I can read more books and get to JD’s other books sooner…

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Author Bio

I'm an erotic author from LA. I grew up in Southern California and now live with my wife in Venice. I've also lived in NYC, India and Thailand. I love to travel and have been to Central America, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. I have a boring corporate day job where I cover people's asses for a living and am hoping to leave this world soon and make a living doing the thing I love - writing. I enjoy surfing and I'm also a martial artist, my other main passion, which I have practiced since the age of 5.

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~Leftie

RELEASE BLITZ: If You Dare by Alessandra Torre

═══ LIVE BUY NOW ═══

 Synopsis: Equal parts Dexter and 50 Shades, this is the eagerly awaited new novel from A. R. Torre, author of the award winning erotic thriller, The Girl in 6E. The rules are the same. I can’t open the door. I can’t leave. I can’t kill anyone. The only difference is, I don’t set the rules anymore. Guards in grey uniforms do. It is everything I never wanted and everything I always deserved. I write to you now, from a prison cell. My home for the next twenty to thirty years. That’s the going term for murder.

AmazonUS | AmazonUK | AmazonCA | AmazonAU | B&N | iBooks | kobo | Google Play

Alessandra Torre is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of ten novels. Her books focus on romance and suspense, all with a strong undercurrent of sexuality. Torre has been featured in such publications as Elle and Elle UK, co-hosted Dirty Sexy Funny with Jenny McCarthy, as well as guest blogged for the Huffington Post and RT Book Reviews. She is also the Bedroom Blogger for Cosmopolitan.com.

You can learn more about Alessandra on her website at www.alessandratorre.com, or you can find her on Twitter (@ReadAlessandra) or Facebook.

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I'm more than ready to start this!

Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie

REVIEW: Reap (Scarred Souls, Book 2) by Tillie Cole

RATING:

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Blurb

Raised as a prototype for the Georgian Bratva's obedience drug, 221 fails to think, act, or live for himself; he's his master's perfectly-crafted killing puppet. Standing at six-foot-six, weighing two-hundred-and-fifty pounds, and unrivaled in to-the-death combat, 221 successfully secures business for the Georgian Mafiya Boss of NYC, who rules the dark world of the criminal underground. Until his enemies capture him. 

Talia Tolstaia dreams to break from the heavy clutches of Bratva life. She dreams of another life--away from the stifling leash of her Russian Bratva Boss father and from the brutality of her work at The Dungeon, her criminal family's underground death-match enterprise. But when she stumbles upon her family's captive who is more monster than man, she starts to see the man underneath. A powerful, beautiful, damaged man whose heart calls to hers. But sacrifices must be made--blood for blood...life for life...souls for scarred souls...

Review

This is me BEFORE reading it:

HOLY SH!!!T!!! I gotz it!!!

*whispers* That cover!!!

This is me AFTER reading it:

HOLY SH!!!T!!! I heartz it!!!

There’s no 2 ways about it, I’m completely hooked on this alternate world that Tillie has created revolving around the “royalty” of the Russian underworld. I'm telling ya, the things I've come to expect from Tillie's dark books- the OTT-ness, an old-world feel to the language that's somehow brutal, cheesy and charming all at once, they all just totally worked for me.

While this is standalone(-ish), it really is best to read the series in sequence to get the full experience. As I’m typing away here, I realize my mind is referencing the first book a lot, but no worries, no plans of giving away anything. This is now about Raze/Luka’s sister, Talia, and 221/Zaal, the man she was forbidden to love but did anyways.

Before I go any further, call me stupes but I admit I forgot Raze’s real name is Luka so you can imagine my confusion when I was reading his POV in the beginning of the book. And furthermore, I also did forget that Talia was his sister. Anyhoot, putting my senior moment aside, I was just really glad to be lost once again in Tillie’s version of a pseudo Romeo and Juliet done Russian mob-style.

221/Zaal went through what Raze went through as well, and actually broke my heart more just because it felt it had a more brutal start:’( And the things done to him just felt more violent:’( Gah!!!

Talia, for all her status afforded her, caught in the violence of her world, she just wants to find love. And unexpectedly she did, in the form of Zaal, the boy borne of the wrong family, with a violent background and no memories to boot, sigh…

I’m telling you, with this dark world that Tillie created... the violence! Eeek... the heartbreak! Sigh... the emotions! Swoon...

Zaal was definitely the highlight for me here, along with the riveting premise. The innocence of his words and actions just totally melted my heart! 

And on that note, I will just leave it at this...

Hey, just following Tillie's lead, das all... sigh... swoon... sigh...

Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie

COVER REVEAL: Kinky Sexy Dirty by Christine Reiss

Now Available for Pre-order!

AMAZON - http://amzn.to/1MkP9W6

iBOOKS - http://apple.co/20dqYmZ

KOBO - http://bit.ly/1NL2fBG

Release Date: March 28th

OR, watch it here:

COVER REVEAL Kinky Sexy Dirty by Christine Reiss from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.

Blurb

Cocky. Sexy. Charming. Out of my league.
That's Dash Wallace. A toe-curling, sheet-ripping mistake waiting to happen.

It would be helpful if he'd stop moving with the grace of a hungry cat. Or staring at me with his thumb stroking the stitches of his World Series ball. We're talking about the game but all I can think about is how much of my body he can cover with those hands. It's keeping me from concentrating on what his lips are saying.

Which is dirty. All dirty. I have to gird my freaking loins against this guy. I'm determined to know his secrets and he seems determined to get into my pants.

Sleeping with him could ruin everything, and let's face it, I don't trust him enough to let him anywhere near me.

Smart. Witty. Direct. Sexy as a fastball low and inside.
That's Vivian Foster. A real pistol with legs till Tuesday.

I can't get around her. She has a way of asking me one thing and meaning another, which I'd manage fine if I could get my mind off all the things I want to do to her. On the desk. In bed. With-a-feather-blindfolded-and-her-hands-tied-to-the-headboard kinds of things.

She doesn't trust me. Just like everyone else, she thinks I gambled against my own team.

She's wrong, and I'm going to prove it.

Author Note: You’re going to notice that the cover doesn’t say CD Reiss. It has a real first name, and it’s a name I’ve always been grateful to have. 

I’ve discovered that The Submission Series is considered quite dark and scary to some readers. I didn’t realize that when I wrote it. I was just turning myself on. So, in the interests of making it easy for new readers to separate the lighter from the darker, I’ll be using a full first name on some of my new work.

CD Reiss will be the darker stuff. Everything from Submission to Perdition and what’s in between (and darker, if I have it in me).

I’m going to label lighter stuff with Christine Reiss. I missed Shuttergirl and it may be too late to change that. But going forward, any fun kink that doesn’t go into serious pain up to light, fun romance will be Christine Reiss. Kinky Sexy Dirty will straddle the line. Since it’s kinky without being as dark as Submission I think it’s a great place to start with the new pen name.

I’ll be promoting from the same accounts, same email lists, same everything. So fear not, this shouldn’t create confusion, only clarity.

If you want to find out about sales, new releases, giveaways, audiobooks – everything, sign up for my mailing list…http://cdreiss.com/cd-reiss-mailing-list-signup/

About the Author

CD Reiss is a USA Today and Amazon bestseller. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn’t pick up, she’s at the well, hauling buckets.
Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master’s degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere, but it did embed TV story structure in her head well enough for her to take a big risk on a TV series structured erotic series called Songs of Submission. It’s about a kinky billionaire hung up on his ex-wife, an ingenue singer with a wisecracking mouth; art, music and sin in the city of Los Angeles.
Critics have dubbed the books “poetic,” “literary,” and “hauntingly atmospheric,” which is flattering enough for her to put it in a bio, but embarrassing enough for her not to tell her husband, or he might think she’s some sort of braggart who’s too good to give the toilets a once-over every couple of weeks or chop a cord of wood.
If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.

Stalk Her: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads | Pinterest | Instagram

THANK YOU!

Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie