WELCOME TO SUGARTOWN by Carmen Jenner...review by Kathy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blurb-
Ana Belle never wanted anything more than to hang up her apron, jump on her Vespa and ride off into the sunset, leaving Sugartown in the dust.
Elijah Cade never wanted anything more than a hot meal, a side of hot arse and a soft place to lay his head at night where he could forget about his past.
But you know what they say about wanting: you always want what you can’t have.
Nineteen year-old virgin Ana is about to discover that’s not quite true because a six foot three, hotter than hell, tattooed, Aussie sex god just rode into town. He’s had a taste of her pie and he wants more– no really, Ana bakes pies for a living, get your mind out of the gutter.
She’d be willing to hand over everything tied up in a big red bow, there’s just one problem; Elijah has secrets dirtier than last week’s underwear. Secrets that won't just break Ana’s heart, but put her life at risk, too. When those secrets come to light, their relationship is pushed to breaking point.
Add to that a psychotic nympho best friend, an overbearing father, a cuter than humanly possible kid brother, a wanton womanizing cousin, the ex from hell, and more pies than you could poke a ... err ... stick ... at.
And you thought small towns were boring.
Welcome to Sugartown.

So this is a book that I was going to read for pleasure. Had absolutely no plans to review it at all. Well you know what they say about the best laid plans.... I went into this book thinking it would be a light read before I started another emotion packed wallop of a book. Boy was I wrong. The author has written a funny romantic grab your heart and step on it and shove it back in your chest book. Really was not expecting the depth of emotion that was ripped out of my body. So lets get started.....

Ana is a virgin who just met a smokin hot tattooed bad boy who is now working for her dad. He is unaware of that fact at first.Their first meeting goes something like this.....

"He's gone for the day. Friday night's bonfire and booze night down by the river."
"Shit. I knew I shouldn't have stopped earlier."
"Shop opens again at ten am."
"Nah, that'll be too late. Any idea where I could find this river?"
"Eight blocks down, second turn on your right, then you wanna follow the cane fields for another five kilometers, you'll run right into it."
 Holly's standing behind Hot Guy making lewd hand gestures and snapping her teeth at his bum like she wants to take a bite. I shoot her a warning glare and jerk my head in the direction of the kitchen several times, but it's Holly, so of course she doesn't take the hint, which leaves me looking like a stroke victim.

"What Ana's trying to say here, is that her shift ends in exactly one hour and since I'll be sticking around to watch the brat--" Holly inclines her head in Sam's direction, who is watching our interaction like it's his favorite episode of Spongebob Square Pants"--she'd be delighted to take you down to the river and show you her bonfire."
"Holly!" I chastise.
"You sure...uh, Ana , was it? I wouldn't want to put you out."
"Ana loves putting out,"Holly chirrups.
She is having way too much fun with this.

He look surprised. Surprised and suddenly wary. "You know him?"
"You could say that."
"Tell me then, what have I gotta do to impress him? I really need to hold down this job."
"Okay, here's the thing. Big Bob's really big on pretty boys, so make sure you smile. Don't wear a shirt while you're working, and he's partially deaf so you'll need to talk REALLY LOUD!"
"You're shitting me, right?"
"Afraid not. Mr. Boss Man is a partially deaf, raving homosexual. Still want the job?"
Holly stares at me in horror from across the room and mouths, "What are you doing?"
"Wanna tell me what that was about?" she whispered.
"Just having a little fun, is all."
" A little fun? Ana, there's fun and then there's suicidal. You just told him your dad was gay and enjoyed seeing his employees prance around half-naked. That might work here; he did knock up the evil bitch stepmum, after all, but at the garage? Bob's going to annihilate this kid."
"I know, but think how fun it will be to watch him walking around shirtless and yelling at my dad all summer."
Now how could you not think this was a humorous romance. Holly is a fantastic character. I loved Holly. I want a friend like Holly. Not only is she completely devoted to Ana and would do anything for her but, "Holly might be as fucking crazy as a howler monkey locked in a cupboard full of crack but she can definitely do better than this shirtless douche." 
There are some fantastic secondary characters. This book had depths that I was not prepared for. Nicole, the crazy bitch, I wanted to punch her in her mouth. I can only hope that she get's hers someday. Then there is Scott....I don't want to give anything away, but I LOVE THAT HE GOT WHAT HE DESERVED.

What can I say about Elijah.. Oh my I would love to have an Elijah in my life. He is a total bad ass when its necessary and so sweet and loving. When he is hurting, I wanted to just hug him. Ana takes a journey that goes from a flirtation to full out break your heart, try not to care, please be what i need you to be LOVE. I truly was not expecting to be yelling out loud at my kindle or bawling so much that my husband actually asked, "What's wrong, what happened?" For me to point at book. I have to say I was a little disappointed that there was no epilogue but, as I saw this is book 1 I forgave that part. All I can say is that the next book sooo needs to be Holly and Jackson's story. I couldn't give this book anything less than 5 clocks. Carmen you need to write faster girlfriend.....
 

 

 

 

some new reads!!! this list will grow...

NEW BOOKS

Full Exposure by Tracy Wolff

 Suspenseful, heart wrenching, creative and SEXY AS HELL!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Three Broken Promises by Monica Murphy Commitment. That’s what I really want from Colin. Ever since my brother, Danny, died in Iraq, Colin’s done so much to help me, including giving me a job at his popular restaurant so I can leave my crappy waitressing job at the strip joint. But lying in bed with him every night to comfort him from his horrible nightmares isn’t enough anymore. I know he feels guilty about Danny’s death, about not going to Iraq, but I can’t keep living this double life.

I love him desperately, but he’s got so many demons, and if he can’t open up to me now, then he’ll never be the real partner I need him to be. I gave him a month, and now I’m out of here. If he truly loves me like he says, he knows where to find me.

 

 

 Amy Bennett has a type- tall, dark, and jerky. After being used and tossed aside one too many times, she decides enough is enough. No more pretty boys. Instead, Amy begins dating Grayson . Lean, quiet, and average looking, he’s the exact opposite of almost every man she’s ever been involved with.

Her resolve is tested when Troy Castillo moves into the other half of her duplex. He’s the embodiment of her usual kind of man; including the inconsiderate behavior. Within days Troy is making her nuts.

Things with Grayson start fizzling out and keeping Troy at arm’s length becomes impossible as someone begins to harass Amy. Harmless but obnoxious pranks soon turn violent and destructive. Troy refuses to back off and he is determined to protect her, whether she likes it or not.

Amy knows she can trust Troy to keep her safe but can she trust him with her heart?

 

 

 

 

 At twenty-eight, Matt Sky has the perfect life. He has a beautiful girlfriend, a massive inheritance, and four national bestsellers -- all penned under his airtight alias, M. Pierce.

At twenty-seven, Hannah Catalano has a train wreck. Her boyfriend is a deadbeat and her job is abysmal.

Matt and Hannah meet online as writing partners. Their relationship is safe, anonymous, and innocent...

Until Matt sees a picture of Hannah.

Hannah's picture sparks an attraction Matt is powerless to ignore. When circumstance brings Matt and Hannah together, the strangers begin a love story that's passionate, poignant, unforgettable, and unstoppable.

 

 

Image not available

 

 

It’s a time of firsts for Jennifer Snow. Her first time living in New York. Her first real job after college. Her first bad breakup. At least there’s the hot guy she meets in the elevator. He’s exactly the type she normally never goes for. Drake Tyler spends his nights rocking with his band and generally being a bad boy. But he’s intrigued by the straight-laced Jennifer, who shows a bit of a rebellious streak of her own when she helps Drake out of a tight spot with the cops. They’re supposed to be wrong for each other, but neither of them cares when the sparks start to fly and the rock really starts to roll. Warning: this novel contains hot and explicit sexual content. Read it at your own risk!

 

 

 

KNIGHTS' SINNER by Bella Jewel...review by Dawn



~blurb~

Jackson is always considered the 'softie'. He's the first to help people out when they're in need. He's President of the Hell's Knights and he figures it's about time he shows the world how much of a sinner he can be.
Serenity has a dark past. Secrets haunt her and she has no way of escaping them. Hogan is the only family she knows and life with him is brutal. And it's about to get worse.
He sends her on a mission.
On a mission to destroy the Hell's Knights and the Heaven's Sinners.
Can she pretend with a club she doesn't know?
Or will she betray Hogan for the man she's falling in love with?

 

 

 

We meet Serenity when she stumbles onto the Hells' Knights compound, beaten and bloodied. How did she get this way? We learn quickly that her injuries were caused by her father when she confess it to Jackson (wait, I need a moment....ahhh, ok...) Offering up his house as safe place for her to recover. If he really knew her reasons for being there, would he be this nice...?

 

Jackson, GOOD GOD, Jackson, he is my new book boyfriend. He almost had love once with Addison's mom, but she betrayed him and he just doesn't trust women. But Serenity, she is slowly working her way in. Jack's fight's it, knowing he is too old for her, but he can't shake his draw to her.

After her first attempt at kissing Jackson, and being interrupted by Addison, Serenity rushes to her room to hide out....

Jackson walks in her room and she is confused until he says,

 

"You kiss a man, you do it fuckin' properly."

Then he leans down, scoops my head up in his arm gently, and crushes his lips against mine. I let out a pained gasp that quickly turns into one of pleasure. His lips consume me, and I can do nothing but whimper. His tongue finds mine, and desperately, I do

 my best to kiss him right. I've kissed a very few times in my life, and they were usually on the very few times I managed to sneak out without my father knowing, and went to parties. Jackson groans, using his free hand to stroke my thick hair away from my face. He presses his mouth harder into mine, and I reach up clutching his shoulders so I can deepen the kiss until we're all tongues and lips. When he finally wrenches his mouth from mine, we're both panting.

"Three things," he growls. "One, you're too fuckin' young for me. Two, because of that, don't ever kiss me again and three. fuck, darlin', you kiss like a fuckin' angel."









 

 

I pretty much fell in love with Jackson right about there. He was such a FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC character. Ms. Jewel wrote him perfectly. Now don't get me wrong, he is not always the nicest guy, but that is what makes him seem so real. He is a man struggling with keeping the MC members and their families alive when a HUGE threat is upon them.

 

I absolutely love, love, love Serenity...she was heartbreaking, beautifully written. Determined to keep her "family" safe, knowing full well she would end up crushing Jackson when all was revealed. She was a pawn used in a very dangerous game of cat and mouse. Doing her best to play both sides, knowing one way or the other she would end up hurt.

 

I was so vested in this book. I read it nonstop for 5 hours... When I finished, I was so emotionally drained. Talk about giving you whiplash. I loved Jackson, hated him, loved him, was mad at Serenity, felt bad for her, loved her and then had my heart break... IT WAS AWESOME!

 

Let's talk about how freaking hot this book was, shall we? HOLY SHIZ BALLZ was it HOTT! Seriously I didn't think her writing could get hotter than Cade and Addison on the motorcycle and upside down. Let's not forget Spike,Ciara and the sex club! But Jackson, Serenity and Muff...HOLY SHIT!!! I shut the book and took a minute to wrap my head around what I just read. I am telling you, that was some smokin' hot writing. In my head, I have to believe this is real... I just have to.

 

I can't make you read this, but if you do not, you are missing an incredible story. This series just got better and better with each book. You will not be disappointed!

 

I am giving Knights' Sinner, 5 AMAZING, FANTASTIC, GLORIOUS CLOCKS!!!!

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Malicious Mischief by Marianne Harden...review by Kathy

 

 

 

Blurb-
 Is it strange to have the unemployment office on speed dial? Not for twenty-four-year-old college dropout Rylie Keyes. Her current job at a small retirement home is worlds more important than all her past gigs, though: if she loses this one, she won’t be able to stop the forced sale of her and her grandfather’s home, a house that has been in the family for ages. But keeping her job means figuring out the truth about a senior citizen who was found murdered while in her care. Explain that one, Miss Keyes.

The late Otto Weiner was thought to be a penniless Nazi concentration camp survivor with a silly grudge against Rylie. However, Otto was not a liked man by any means, and his enemies will stop at nothing to keep their part in his murder secret.

Forced to dust off the PI training she has to keep hidden from her ex-detective grandfather, Rylie must align with a circus-bike-wheeling Samoan while juggling the attention of two very hot cops who each get her all hot and bothered for very different reasons. And as she trudges through this new realm of perseverance, she has no idea that along the way she just might win, or lose, a little piece of her heart.This is Marianne Hardens debut novel. It is also the first in the Rylie Keyes series.
So lets start at the beginning.....Rylie is a woman who has a hard time keeping a job. She really wants to be a PI but her grandfather does not want her to be one. She has been in love with her friend Zach for years. Her  best friend is a former NFL lineman turned circus bike rider named Solo.  She has kept her job driving seniors for the Fountain of Youth (FOY) retirement community for 4 months. In one night though she has 2 accidents and 3 dead bodies. She has just a few days to solve the crime while her grandfather is away. She has to deal with Lipschitz, a douchebag detective who wants her. A hot new detective, Scottish Thad Talon, who is new. Nymphomaniac seniors with herpes. Dead Nazi's. Family legacies. And that's just the first day.....

"Suicidal jumpers need professional help,"he said. " Not amateurs."
"Have you forgotten my suicide prevention training?"
"Two weeks preparing for the hotline doesn't make you a professional."
I caught his tone: frustration. "But you said I was perfect for the job."
"And you're the one who messed up your first call by answering 'Poisons to go. At the end of your rope, we got your dope," he sing-songed.
"That's not fair,Zach."Shame and irritation swamped me. "You of all people know that's just not fair. I made a mistake. I accidentally leaned on the LIVE button.I thought the incoming call was a practical joke, not the real thing."


I couldn't stop myself from looking. Her face was indeed colorful. And bloody. My eyes popped wide at the sight of all that red. Gulping breaths, I told myself not to faint.
"Hey, girlie, you think I should tell Maybelline about fish blood? Might be a little lolly in it for me--" Cokey Bill broke off with a gasp. "Blimey, look at that, your arse is bare."
 I managed to look down. Froze. Zach's jacket had somehow twisted to the front, leaving my butt out in the open. I started to tug it back into place, spied a huge pool of blood nearby, and keeled over. Splat.
"Isn't that somethin', you're  wearing a pink thong." Cokey Bill's voice sounded distant.
"Doris won't wear one, on account of her incontinence."
Dizzily, I struggled to my knees, staggered a little, then righted with a hand to one of the orange boxes for support. "Mr. Oley--we need to get--help. Doris needs--help.
"Ah, that's the sweetest thing, you moving over like that. I got a nice view now."
I lapsed into a moment of stillness, hand to my heart. I had a strong feeling nothing could be done for Doris, so I wanted to give Cokey Bill a moment with his wife.
"Rare and beautiful thing, a nice ass," he said.
Omigod! " Are you kidding me?You pervert. You're looking at my butt!"
"I'm a simple man," he said.
"You should be ashamed--" I broke off when his eyes went glassy. "Mr. Oley, are you all right?"
He sunk lower in his seat, grinned, and sagged against the steering wheel, making the horn blare with his pointy nose.
I couldn't move, couldn't blink. This wasn't happening.

So much happens to Rylie. I loved it. I was cracking up at some of the things she got into while trying to prove to everyone that she has what it takes to be a detective. Talon was ahhhhhh. Love a man with an accent. Very mysterious but yet yummm. I wish there had been more with the 2 characters. This is not a romance. This is a mystery with a little romance thrown in. Hopefully as the series progress's we will get more of the yummy Scotsman.

The dynamics with Rylie and Zach were interesting. I don't want to give anything away but its obvious they care about one another, they just both need to be on the same page. Solo is a great sidekick. He is all about keeping in balance, but wants to help Rylie any way that he can. The seniors in the book just cracked me up. There is a lot  of humorous parts to the book. This is not a HEA book but a new mystery series. If you like Janet Evanovich or Camilla Chafer's books, you will love this new series.There is an excerpt from the 2nd book in the series at the end. I will definitely be checking out that one when it comes out. I am giving this one 5 clocks. Great debut book.

 

The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins....review by Kathy

 

 

 

 

-Blurb-
What if the perfect match is a perfect surprise? Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now—a mere three weeks later—Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out there…or she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn't easier said than done.

Charming, handsome British professor Tom Barlow just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson, Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States—and leave Charlie behind.

In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience—and make her ex jealous in the process. But juggling a fiancé, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn't easy. And as sparks start to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love….

So what do you do when you turn 35 and have been told by your doctor that you aren't getting any younger and that the years are precious, egg wise? You start thinking about the years that you have been having sex with your best friend. You start dreaming about marriage and kids. You decide to take the matte into your own hands....

Now or never. Honor untied her sash, closed her eyes and opened the coat, and let it slide to the floor. Oh, crap, she was standing in front of the table, so his view would be blocked. Stepping around it, she waited. Buck naked. Shock and awe, shock and awe... It was chilly in here. She swallowed and waited some more.
Brogan's father poked his head into the kitchen. "Smells good--oh. Hello, Honor, dear."
Brogan's father.
Brogan's FATHER.
Oh, fungus.
Honor dove under the table, knocking over a chair with a crash, crawled a few paces and grappled for the damn coat. Held it in front of her.

She crawled out, then stood, wrapping the coat around her. Tightly.
"Surprise," she said, her face on fire. "Sorry. I'll try never to be spontaneous again."
He tipped her chin up, and there it was that mischievous, slightly lecherous smile, dancing eyes, Her skin tightened, lust mingling with mortification. "Are you kidding? My father will like you even more than he already does."

So Honor decides to ask her best friend/lover Brogan to marry her.....

"It's just, you know, we're good friends. Good, good friends. Really good friends." Oh, youch. Stop talking. You sound like an idiot. "You know, we've been friends for ages now. Long time." Her tongue felt like a piece of old leather, and wasn't that an attractive image! Would you like to kiss my shriveled, dry, leathery mouth, Brogan? Because the years are precious, you know. Egg-wise.
She forced out an awkward laugh, then wished she hadn't."Just putting that out there, It's been, what? Seventeen years that we've been together?"
"Together?" he said, sitting up abruptly.
"Uh, sort of. We always, um, fall back on each other. " She sat up, too, leaning against the leather upholstered headboard. Tears stung her eyes, and she immediately ordered them back. She cleared her throat. "I mean, we're such good friends. And then there's this. Sex."
Brogan was quiet for a minute. "You know how I think about you On?" He turned to see her face. " I think of you like an old baseball glove."
He nodded. "Like an old friend, something you turn to when you need it."
"Is's like Jeter once said. Or maybe it was Pujols. Yeah, because this was back when he played in Saint Louis. Wait, was it Joe Maurer? No, because he's a catcher, so that's be a mitt. Anyway, whoever it was, he was talking about how when he's in a slump, or when he doesn't feel right about an upcoming game, he puts on his old glove. he's had it for years, right? And when he puts it on, it's like an old friend, and he knows he'll have a better day because of it." He tuned to her, tipping her chin up. and she blinked, her eyes feeling like two hot, hard stones. "But you don't need that glove every day."

So that didn't go well.. She goes to her friend Dana. Let's her know everything that happened and even gives her the coat. She wants nothing to do with him, right? I am just going to say it straight out. I really really really didn't like Dana. Wanted to have Tom teach me to box so I could punch her. That being said.....

Things for Honor just go down hill from there..... I don't want to spoil anything. Then she meets Tom Barlow.. He needs to get married to stay in the country to be by his stepson Charlie.
Let's just say that the first couple of times they meet. its not a good thing. They do eventually get to know each other and that is where the main romance takes place.
I know you are probably waiting for me to tell you what a douche Brogan is and how he should be taken out back and ....... but he was totally clueless about so many things by the end of the book I wanted to hug him and then punch the shit out of him.  Tom was swoon worthy. Those foreign accents get me every time but, he wanted to be there for his (not really) stepson. He was kind and caring and would do anything for him. Had been trying to reach him for years after his mother passed away. This was a great story. It does have a HEA. This book did bring out a few emotions from me. My husband was shaking his head at me laughing so hard and then wanted to know why I got so mad. 5 clocks for this very enjoyable book. Great job Kristan. Looking forward to more from Goggy and Pops and the whole Holland clan.

Haunting Lia by Shannon Eckrich

Looking to get your scream on this Halloween? Then check out Haunting Lia! Only $2.99 on Amazon.
US http://goo.gl/il1S4n
UK http://goo.gl/G7DnWS
CA http://goo.gl/05B2bB

Very Bad Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills...Review by Dawn

~blurb~

Born into a life of privilege and secrets, Nora Blakely has everything any nineteen-year-old girl could desire. She's an accomplished pianist, a Texas beauty queen, and on her way to Princeton after high school. She's perfect. Or is she?

Leaving behind her million-dollar mansion and Jimmy Choos, she changes the course of her life, becoming a girl hell-bent on pushing the limits with alcohol, drugs, and meaningless sex.

Then through a chance encounter, she meets her soul mate. But he doesn't want her.

When it comes to girls, twenty-five-year-old Leo Tate has one rule: never fall in love. His gym and his brother are all he cares about...until he meets Nora. He resists the pull of their attraction, hung up on their six year age difference.

As they struggle to stay away from each other, secrets will be revealed, tempers will flare, and hearts will be broken.
Welcome to Briarcrest Academy...where sometimes, the best things in life are Very Bad Things.

Nora Blakely is about do make changes in her life that are going to have an impact that she never imagined. Unable to live up to her Mothers (BITCH FROM HELL) expectations, she is rebelling in ways that are so out of character for her, she may finally feel something, anything besides fear and alone.  Her father is a little (and I do mean fractionally) better than her mother. He chooses to just sit back and accept things, even things he knows nothing about. Giving a speech as the class president of a private school, was nothing new to Nora, she was a spelling bee champion, honors student and all around good girl....until today. Unable to take it anymore she feels herself slipping into panic mode, and can't make the words come out...so she says what she feels for the first time in her life.

Clearing my throat, I leaned over the podium until my lips were right on the microphone and delivered my new opening remarks, "Fuck, Briarcrest Academy, and fuck you all."

Finally, some of the pain and darkness that had been wrapped around my soul fell away.

I smiled for real this time without even trying.

It felt good to be bad.

 

 

Leo Tate was in the audience, he is 25 and guardian of his brother Sebastian, who is new to Briarcrest. Leo was shocked to see this perfect girl, up on stage telling everyone to "F off," but he was fascinated with her. She looked lost, hurt and in trouble. And boy does she give him lots of trouble!

 

I really feel like I can't give you much more, it would be doing you a HUGE injustice. This book is so freaking fantastic!!! I thought I would have issues relating to a 18/19 year old girl, but good lord you do not! I assumed many things about Nora, spoiled little rich girl just acting out...Well, let me tell you I was dead WRONG. She had so many layers and was beautifully written.

 

The depth the author goes into with each character is just spot on perfect! I loved Sebastian, he was just one of those good guys... I mean we all know that one guy who is just fun, kind and a good guy. I know I had a friend like that in high school. Sebastian make me smile so much.

Aunt Portia was so lovely. I loved that Nora had her in her life.

Mila, Nora's BFF was fun, and fierce. She may look all polite and innocent, but she had a bit of venom, when pushed.

Teddy, he was so refreshing and just sweet. I loved the interactions with Nora.

 

Leo, good lord Leo... he was damaged and guarded. BUT, his natural instinct to protect and care are so wonderfully delicious. He is trying his best to ignore the pull he feels for Nora, to the point of having to hurt her.

 

I loved the back and forth of these two, he would give her an inch and she would shoot right back at him, giving him an inch x10... The dynamic between these two was AMAZING. The chemistry was off the charts! You just know its going to be explosive when or if they get together.

 

The only complaint I would have, is the unfinished business with her Mother, aka, Bitch from Hell. I really wanted her to have a conclusion, but when you read it, it makes sense, I wouldn't have a thing to do with that women and what she did.

 

Guys, this book is so freaking amazing... I loved it... I mean could not put it down! I finished it in a day.  Very Bad Things gets a 5 clock review across the board from me. GO GET IT, READ IT!!