Turbulent Desires by Melody Anne
Publication Date: November 8, 2016
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Netgalley (in exchange for an honest review)


Summary (from Amazon):
ER nurse Lindsey Helm used to be strong. Then a late-night attack at the hospital nearly killed her and left two close colleagues dead. Now Lindsey has retreated from the world. She knows she needs to move on, but every hint of danger seems threatening—including a certain sexy flyboy who's determined to show Lindsey what she's missing. But falling for F-18 pilot Maverick Armstrong is a risk she can't afford...

Maverick knows that fear can eat away at the soul, and he won't leave Lindsey to that fate. She needs someone to reach her and to remind her of the exhilaration and unbelievable passion of being touched. He'll help her heal, and then he'll talk away. He has to walk away. Because Maverick swore he would never fall in love and never marry. But this is a rescue operation, and Maverick will stay the course—even if things get hazardous. Eve if saving Lindsey means surrendering his heart in the process...

Review:
After Lindsey gets attacked at the hospital where she works, she begins to realize how unsafe the world really is. Now she's petrified to even leave her house or talk to strangers. Maverick, a pilot, had a one night stand with Lindsey before her attack and it kills him to see Lindsey live in fear of something she can't control. So he tries his best to get under her skin and try to open her up to the wonderful possibilities that life can bring. And although Maverick has always declared he's never going to get married, the more time he spends around Lindsey, the more he aches to put his heart on the line. Will Lindsey be able to move on after her horrific attack and will Maverick be able to open his heart to a relationship he never expected?

This was the first book I read by Melody Anne and I was pleasantly surprised by the cute romance. At times the novel was dark, such as at the beginning of the story when Lindsey was attacked, but I never thought the story was too dark or unrelatable. I actually thought the author did a great job of handling the attack and showing how something so tragic can have a negative impact on someone's life. I thought Lindsey was fully justified in pulling away from everyone and everything and I liked that Maverick wanted to help her overcome her fears. They were perfect for each other, and I enjoyed the second chance romance story line, since they previously had a one night stand. And while I enjoyed reading this story it didn't completely pull me in or make me think about the story or characters days later, which is why I have to give it 4 stars instead of 5.

Overall, I recommend Turbulent Desires to anyone looking for a cute contemporary romance that features the heroine trying to overcome fears.

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On His Watch by Katie Ruggle
Publication Date: January 5, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
In the remote Rocky Mountains, lives depend on the Search & Rescue brotherhood. But in a place this far off the map, trust is hard to come by and secrets can be murder...

Ice rescue diver Derek Warner never meant to be a hero. But when two little girls go missing, he's the first in line to bring them home—even if that means scouring the wilderness with the woman he once loved and lost, Artemis Rey.

Artemis has never stopped wanting Derek. Now, racing to find the girls before it's too late, minutes turn to hours. Night falls. Old flames rekindle. And a danger grows in the darkest wilderness that may be more than even the Search and Rescue brotherhood can hope to face...

Review:
When two girls run away after they dare a boy to jump in the freezing water, Artemis, the children's teacher, knows she has to find them before it's too late, even if it means working with Derek, her ex-boyfriend, who she still has feelings for. Artemis and Derek dated years earlier but they broke up because Derek didn't think he was good enough for Artemis, even though he never stopped loving her. While they work together to find the two missing girls, will they give into their desires or is it too late to pick up where they left off?

On His Watch is a novella that is part of Katie Ruggle's Search and Rescue series. The novella is only 100 pages long, but I thought the author did a good job of creating an interesting plot while also developing the relationship between Artemis and Derek. I usually don't like novellas because they usually seem too short and the story doesn't seem fleshed out enough, but I enjoyed On His Watch. I liked that the relationship between Derek and Artemis was a second-chance romance, because it helped to create a more realistic romance since the relationship progressed quickly in the story. But while I enjoyed the story and the romance, it wasn't one of my favorites and I don't think it's unique enough to stand out from other novellas or novels.

Overall, I recommend On His Watch to fans of Katie Ruggle or readers looking for a novella featuring a search and rescue team and a second-chance romance.

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A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare
Publication Date: March 6, 2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
He gets crankier as the moon gets full...

The rules of Society can be beastly—especially when you're a werewolf and it's that irritating time of the month. Simon Westfield, the Duke of Blackmoor, is rich, powerful, and sinfully handsome, and has spent his entire life creating scandal and mayhem. It doesn't help his wolfish temper at all that Miss Lily Rutledge seems not the least bit afraid of him, and in fact, may be as untamable as he is...

A woman whose charm is stronger than the moon...

When Lily's beloved nephew's behavior becomes inexplicably wild, she turns to Simon, the boy's cousin and guardian, for help. But Simon's idea of assistant is far different than hers, and Lily finds herself ensconced in his house and engaged to the rogue. 

They both may have bitten off more than they can chew when each begins to discover the other's darkest secrets...

Review:
When Lily's nephew begins acting odd, such as eating large amounts of food and being very irritable, Lily turns to Simon, the Duke of Blackmoor, for help. He is after all Oliver's guardian and sending money isn't enough. Lily wants answers. Unfortunately Simon can't give Lily answers because she would run the other way if she knew he turned into a wolf during the full moon and that Oliver's beginning to change as well. But Simon can't resist her, even knowing that he should stay far away because he could easily lose control. Will Simon be able to open up to Lily and tell her the truth and will Lily be able to accept Simon for everything he is?

A Certain Wolfish Charm and the following books in the series are historical romance novels but with werewolves. It's amazing how Lydia Dare weaved the story to make it so believable and combined my favorite elements from historical romance (time period and relationships) and paranormal romance (werewolves and mates) into a wonderfully fun to read novel. Lily is a great character because she cares so much for her nephew and will do anything to help him. I also liked that Simon was rude and standoffish at the beginning of the story but slowly came out of his comfort zone by the end of the novel. I also liked Lily and Simon together. I instantly felt the connection between them and loved watching their relationship expand.

Overall, I would recommend A Certain Wolfish Charm to anyone looking for a historical romance with werewolves.

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Furious Rush by S. C. Stephens
Publication Date: August 23, 2016
Publisher: Forever
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
Mackenzie Cox has a lot to prove. Daughter of a racing legend, she is eager to show the world that she has inherited her father's talent in the male-dominated sport of professional motorcycle racing. The last thing Kenzie needs is to be antagonized by her rival team's newest rider, Hayden Hayes. Plucked from the world of illegal street racing, Hayden immediately gets under Kenzie's skin. HIs insinuations that Kenzie is a spoiled princess who has handed her career rules her desire to win, and much to her surprise, Kenzie soon learns she performs better when she's racing against Hayden.

As Kenzie and Hayden push each other on the track, the electric energy between them off the track shifts into an intense—and strictly forbidden—attraction. The only rule between their two ultra-competitive teams is zero contact. Kenzie always does her best to play by the rules, but when her team slips into a financial crisis, she has no choice but to turn to Hayden for help. The tension simmers during their secret, late-night rendezvous, but Kenzie has too much to lose to give in to her desires. Especially when she begins to doubt that Hayden has completely left his street life behind...

Review:
When Kenzie attends an illegal street race she meets Hayden Hayes, who everyone considers to be unbeatable. She's even more surprised to find him training for her family's rival team, but she gives him a chance because he says he's done with street racing. But can Kenzie trust him, especially after things begin to go wrong on the track, including bike accidents that seem planned? Kenzie has enough to worry about because her father's depending on her to win so their family's racing company can succeed. But when they begin to struggle financially, Kenzie turns to Hayden even though she knows nothing good can come from them two of them working together, and not to to mention the sexual connection they have that makes it hard not to jump each other whenever they're together.

As someone who isn't familiar with motorcycle racing, I appreciated the author's detail about the sport so I never felt confused. I also liked that Kenzie was trying to defy the odds because she's a female rider in a predominately male sport. But at times Kenzie's character came across as a little bitchy, because of her constant need to defend herself, which is one aspect I didn't like about her character. Hayden was a very sexy hero with typical bad boy traits. I also liked that he was trying to better his life by getting away from illegal street racing because it showed a caring side of him. I rooted for this couple from the beginning but I have to admit that it was very frustrating that their first kiss kept getting pushed off. There was at least three times in the story that they were about to kiss but got interrupted, which at first added tension but after it happened multiple times it just created frustration.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Furious Rush by S. C. Stephens to anyone looking for a bad-boy hero, a sports romance, or a love-hate relationship.

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Submitting to the Marquess by Em Brown
Publication Date: August 16, 2016
Publisher: Self Published
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
Would you spend one night at the Chateau Debauchery to indulge in wicked pleasures of the flesh?

Mildred Abbott is a proper Regency miss, but she cannot deny the dark desires that torment her body in the quiet of the night. Engaged to an uninspiring sycophant, she asks her influential cousin to interfere and break her engagement. When her appeals to him fail, she decides to take a singular opportunity—a visit to the Chateau Debauchery—to indulge her most wanton cravings before she submits herself to a life of wedded dullness.

The Marquess of Alistair concerns himself with no one, but to appease his aunt on her birthday, he agrees to select one person whose interests he will look after. It was not his intention to choose his plain and simple cousin, Mildred, but when she unexpectedly shows up at the Chateau Debauchery, his hand is forced. Knowing his aunt to be partial to Miss Abbott, he grudgingly decides to act the part of a gentleman to preserve her honor by removing her from the Chateau.

But Mildred refuses to go until she has had her night of wicked debauchery.

Review:
Although Alistair is hard and selfish, to appease his family he bestows a dowry on his cousin by marriage, Mildred. Mildred is tired of her parents pushing her to marry, and because of their pushing she agrees to marry dull George Haversham, but she instantly regrets it. She begs Alistair to take away the dowry in the hope that George will no longer want to marry her, but Alistair refuses. Resigned to marry, Mildred with the help of her aunt, decides to spend one night at the Chateau Debauchery, a place where men and women act out their deepest desires. But seeing Alistair there is awful, because not only does he find out about her sexual desires and lack of innocence but he also prevents her from going off with the man of her choosing. The thought of his cousin by marriage Mildred having desires is something Alistair's surprised by, but in no way will he let her go off with a stranger to fulfill those desires, so he takes matters into his own hands.

I've read and loved Em Brown's books before, especially Submitting to His Lordship and Punishing Miss Primrose, and Submitting to the Marquess was no different. Submitting to the Marquess is a historical romance with heavy erotic and BDSM elements. But even though most of the story is comprised of sex, Em Brown is able to weave a story that is interesting and kept me turning the pages. I really enjoyed both Mildred's and Alistair's characters—Mildred is strong enough to know what she wants and isn't the typical innocent heroine that we often see in historical romances, and Alistair is the typical rogue that only focuses on his own pleasure. The cousin storyline was a little worrying to me at first, but it turned out to be something I wasn't bothered by because Mildred and Alistair are only cousins by marriage. But still, at times I felt a little awkward by their positions as family, even if they weren't blood related, so if that idea grosses you out at all, I would stay away from this one.

Also, please note that this is the first book in a series and the sequel will be coming out in November 2016.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a historical erotica with BDSM elements.

Rating:  

Falling for Jillian by Kristen Proby
Publication Date: January 27, 2015
Publisher: Pocket Books
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes the third romance in the Love Under the Big Sky series, featuring a veteran struggling with PTSD and the one woman who can help him recover—and learn to love again.

Jillian thought she was a city girl through and through; the fast cars, high fashion, and glamour—she loves it all. But when her ex tells her he's having a baby with his new wife (after Jillian struggled for years to get pregnant), she hightails it back to Montana to cry on the shoulder of her best friend, Cara.

But in truth, Jillian would rather be comforted by someone else...specifically Zack, Cara's broth-in-law. Zack is a veteran of the Iraq War who came back to the family ranch to raise his preteen son after the boy's mother took off. He's struggling to re-establish a relationship with his son, and warding off the demons of PTSD, which still haunt him. The last thing he needs is bold, brassy Jillian...but why can't he keep his hands off her?

Review:
While Jillian takes a trip to Montana to visit her best friend, she ends up having a one night stand with Zack. She's hurt, though, when she wakes up the next morning and discovers Zack left without saying goodbye. So, she puts aside her feelings and flies back home. Months later, Jillian moves to Montana after news that her ex husband's wife is pregnant, something Jillian had been trying to achieve with her ex-husband for years. But while she's in Montana, she sees Zack again, and all the feelings come flooding back. But Zack has his own problems such as trying to take care of his teenage son after his ex-wife abandoned him, and trying to work through his PTSD after the war he fought in. But there's something about Jillian that helps soothe him and he can't seem to keep his hands off of her. Will a one night stand turn into something more?

This is the third book in a series, so while it isn't necessary to read the ones before this, it may help you better understand Jillian and Zack's relationship, because the one night stand happens in the first book, Loving Cara. I really liked Jillian's character—she was quirky, fun and great around Zack's son, and I also liked Zack as a character because while he was often brooding, he was also kind and loving when it came to Jillian. There's a big misunderstanding between Jillian and Zack in the novel, which turns into a big fight, that I didn't think was necessary and it came across as unrealistic, which is one of the things I disliked about it. But the than that, I really enjoyed this one and am definitely going to read more novels by Kristen Proby.

Overall, I recommend Falling for Jillian by Kristen Proby for anyone looking for a sweet contemporary romance.

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The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Publisher: Berkley
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
The last thing event planner Tara Lincoln needs is the jet-set lifestyle of a football pro like Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand proved that Mick is an all-star both on the field and in the bedroom.

Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn't intend to put herself out there again, especially with a certified heartbreaker. But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind to catch this sultry vixen.

Review:
Event planner Tara meets Mick Riley, pro football player, at one of the parties she planned. Tara knows who Mick is because she's a football fan and not to mention the fact that Mick's on the cover of every tabloid with at least one hot woman on his arm. So when Mick flirts with Tara, she doesn't believe he's genuine. After all, how could he be interested in someone like her? But Mick is interested. There's something about Tara that calls to him in a way no other woman has. But as they grow closer, will Tara be able to balance her relationship, work and her son, and will Mick be able to give up his life of parties and women for a lifetime with Tara?

Jack Burton is my go-to author when I'm in the mood for a sports romance. She's written several about different sports, and all of them feature big, hot, muscular men, which is a plus in my book. I really enjoyed reading about Tara and Mick. Tara is an independent woman who knows what she wants and needs, and I liked that Tara has a fourteen year old son, because it added dimension to her character, and the scenes with her son were fun to read, especially seeing Mick interact with him. At the beginning Mick is portrayed as a bachelor who sleeps with many beautiful woman, but he never even looks at other woman after he meets Tara. Some readers might not like the fact that Mick pushes Tara into a relationship with him and doesn't take no for an answer, but I thought it came across as more more romantic and less pushy.

Overall, I recommend this to anyone looking for a well written sports romance.

Rating:

Aiden's Charity by Lora Leigh
Publication Date: July 2, 2007
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
Book 3 in the Wolf Breeds series: The forces of survival and destruction swirl in the darkest corners of men's minds. The nature of the beast cannot be harnessed, and survival is the purest of all instincts. Survival of the species itself goes soul deep. But can the human heart accept and adapt as easily? Can Charity bestow the love and the acceptance that has always been a part of her, to the man whose very survival depended on the hardening of his heart, of his soul? And can Aiden maintain that cruelty now, in the face of the sacrifices she made? Only time and nature can tell. 

Review:
Doctors pump drugs through Aiden for months in order to get him aroused to get semen samples. But Aiden won't let them control him and pretends to be impotent, that is until Charity gets too close in order to save his life. He can't control his body when Charity's around and when Charity shows the doctors that Aiden isn't impotent, Aiden promises never to forgive her for betraying him. Six years later Charity manages to escape the lab, but when she sees Aiden again, she can't help the anger that surfaces because he didn't come back for her. But no matter how much they both hate each other, the lust that surges through both of their bodies won't let them go until they satiate it.

This is one of my favorite paranormal romance novels of all time. I enjoyed the love/hate relationship between Charity and Aiden and I liked that the author dragged out their relationship until the chemistry boiled over. The misunderstandings between Charity and Aiden, though, sometimes got to be a little too much and at times I couldn't help shaking my head at them. But that doesn't take away from the interesting plot and characters, that kept me turning pages late into the night.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Aiden's Charity by Lora Leigh to anyone looking for a good paranormal romance novel with a love/hate relationship theme.

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Why Do Dukes Fall In Love? by Megan Frampton
Publication Date: July 26, 2016
Publisher: Avon
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
Michael, the Duke of Hadlow, has the liberty of enjoying an indiscretion...or several. But when it comes time for him to take a proper bride, he ultimately realizes he wants only one woman: Edwina Cheltam. He hired her as his secretary, only to quickly discover she was sensuous and intelligent.

They embark on a passionate affair, and when she breaks it off, he accepts her decision as the logical one...but only at first. Then he decided to pursue her.

Michael is brilliant, single-minded, and utterly indifferent to being the talk of the ton. It's even said his only true friend is his dog. Edwina had begged him to marry someone appropriate—someone aristocratic...someone high-born...someone else. But the only thing more persuasive than a duke intent on seduction is one who has fallen irrevocably in love.

Review:
After Edwina's husband dies, she discovers that she's in major debt. In order to care for herself and her daughter, she takes a position with the Duke of Hadlow, as his secretary. From the beginning, Michael's pleased with Edwina's work ethic. But no matter how many times he tells himself he can't have her, he still yearns to take her in his arms and make love to her. Surprisingly Edwina wants the same thing and before long they begin an illicit affair that soon turns into something more. But Edwina knows Michael can't marry her because he's a duke and she's a secretary. Will Edwina be able to walk away from Michael before she loses her heart or will Michael lose her forever?

I really enjoyed reading this novel. I liked both of the characters—Edwina came across as hardworking and caring, especially when around her daughter, and Michael came across as somewhat quirky but in a very endearing way. I also liked that Michael was at times harsh and straight forward, because it made his character more interesting and it also made the relationship between Michael and Edwina more believable and it added more chemistry during their encounters. I also liked that Edwina was a strong enough person to know how the world worked and she was strong enough to make hard decisions in order to better herself and her daughter.

Overall, I would recommend Why Do Dukes Fall In Love? by Megan Frampton.

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