Rock It by Jennifer Chance ..... review by Dawn

Blurb

Lacey Dawes is a total pro at the talent agency where she works, and it doesn't hurt that IMO Worldwide Media represents Dante Falcone. The rock god has starred in her fantasies since she was sixteen—and remains her secret crush to this day. So when Dante picks her to be the interim manager on his Dream It tour, Lacey can’t believe her luck. Handling Dante is sure to be the most exquisite, spine-tingling, nerve-wracking mix of business and pleasure ever.

 

Although Dante is grateful for the adoring fans who scream for one more of his full-throttle, soul-searing songs, being surrounded by a cadre of corporate types backstage is wearing thin. Then Lacey shows up. Yeah, she’s organized, smart, quick to get him what he wants before he knows he wants it—but Dante senses there’s something else going on with sweet, sexy Lacey. One kiss tells him what that “something” might be . . . and makes him hungry for more.

I thought this book had an interesting primes... I know I still crush on some of the musicians from my long ago youth. Just thinking about getting the chance to meet them, let lone work for them. I would DIE! 

I was so hoping this would be just fantastic... Don't get me wrong, there are some really sweet interactions between Lacey and Dante. And some really HOT moments. I just had a problem with the lack of drama. You get this big build up of what is gonna happen when he finds this out... (Sorry I can't tell you) But nothing really ever happens when he does. Its just flat. I think this book would be great for girls ages 16 to 21 ... and I am soooo beyond those numbers.  

I really wanted the Lacey's boss to get the ass kicking she needed... and again nothing. I needed Lacey to have more of a backbone and Dante to be more of a ROCK STAR!

I am giving Rock It 3 clocks

 

Shredded ; An Extreme Risk Novel by Tracy Wolff

~Blurb~

Twenty-one-year-old professional snowboarder Z Michaels is the bad boy of Park City, Utah. He’s always had his pick of any girl in town—and on the competition circuit. But underneath his cool exterior is a young man in turmoil, trying to take the edge off tragedy by overindulging in sex and shredding the slopes. In fact, Z’s rash behavior is a thinly veiled attempt to blunt his emotional suffering with physical pain.

 

Ophelia Richardson isn’t like any girl Z has ever met. Though she’s from New Orleans, she’s no Southern belle—and she’s not shy about being miserable in frozen, godforsaken Park City. But after nearly dying in the same drag-racing accident that killed her boyfriend, she needs a place to heal, both physically and emotionally. The last thing Ophelia wants right now is a boyfriend—especially one as rich and reckless as Z. But Ophelia soon discovers that he isn’t what he seems. If anything, Z may be even more damaged than she is.

Feeling alone in the world, Z and Ophelia find a connection unlike any they’ve ever known. But their tormented pasts pull them in every direction, forcing their relationship into a downhill slide before it even begins—unless they can find the strength in each other to trust, grow, and love again.

I never thought I would get into this book honestly, It's not my typical type of read. I received this as an ARC from the publisher, so my review is based on the unedited version.

I SO ENJOYED THIS BOOK!!! Our lead characters were really great! I was immediately pulled into the story of Ophelia and Z. Both have suffered unimaginable loss and are dealing with it by Ophelia, running from it and Z, having a death wish... and there lies the trouble.

Z, is a hot shot snowboarder with amazing talent, he lives fast and hard, women, drugs, booze and pushing the limits. He is living to forget and burying his pain anyway he can. Which usually means flying off the side of a mountain. 

Ophelia, born and bread in New Orleans, the last place she ever imagined herself was in freezing Park City. But she had to leave NO she had to escape the constant reminders of the death of her boyfriend and the crash that almost killed her. She is one tough cookie. She has no time for games and the advances of these spoiled rich people. Working at her Aunt and Uncles ski resort, she meets Z and promptly dumps coffee into his arrogant lap. 

The banter between these two is so great! Ophelia doesn't let Z get away with anything. constantly call him on his inflated ego and attempts to use his cheesy lines on her. 
Z ordering coffee from Ohelia...

"What can I get you?"

"I like just about anything," I finally tell her.

"Yeah, I've heard that about you," she answers dryly, sounding less than impressed.

"Oh, really? And what exactly have your heard-" I glance down at the black-and silver name tag pinned to her shirt"-Ophelia?"

She rolls her eyes." I think you've got a pretty good idea what people say about you, Z. Now are you going to stand there all night batting your eyes at me or are you actually going to order something for your harem?"

"My harem?"

"I barely know those girls."

"Like that's suppose to impress me?"

"I don't know." It's the most honest thing I have said all day. "What would impress you?"

She eyes me disdainfully. "Way more than what you've got to offer."

This back and forth goes on and it is really great to read. It's fun to see how they respond to each other. The more she smarts off to him ,the more he wants to MAKE her smart off. 

Z is a great leading man, even if he is a mess. His need to keep those around him safe is really beautifully written. He puts himself last and beats himself up daily. Just living day to day is painful for him... the guilt he feels is crushing him.

Things happen that bring Ophelia and Z together and both are starting to see each other in a new light. His need to protect her and her need to get inside his head are really wonderfully played out. 

I will say the best part of this book for me, was the supporting cast. Many times authors just skim the surface of the non-leads. But each character has or does play a very important roll in Ophelia and Z's story. You really get to know each one of them and that makes for a very happy Dawn! I am excited to read the next book in this series and I love that the author has me wanting more! 

The only thing I didn't really enjoy was the amount of time it took to finally get to the root of Z's torment. It was skated over alot and left me saying       "will you just tell her, lord!" But other than that I really enjoyed this story.

I am giving Shredded 4.5

Review based on unproofed ARC

Tease.....Sexy Hart book 3 in the SEXY SERIES by Dani Lovell

Alex by Irish Winters....Review by Kathy

-Blurb-

He’s trying to forget . . . 

Alex Stewart, ex-Marine and tough as nails boss, ditches the success of his fledgling business and flees to his cabin in the deep woods. He’s had enough. Four years after the deaths of his wife and daughter, he’s stuck in the anger stage of grief. He wants to be left alone. Life used to make sense. It just doesn’t bring him joy. Nothing does. 

She’s trying to remember . . . 

Left to die in those same deep woods, Kelsey is the last thing Alex expects to find at his cabin. She’s everything he’s running away from. Responsibility. Memories. Having to care about someone else beside himself. To make matters worse, she can’t remember anything except her first name. Neither can she explain the marks on her body, nor why two darling baby boys haunt her dreams. 

But Alex can . . . 

So what do you do when you are in so much pain you strike out at anyone and every one?  Do you eventually "get over it" or is it something that will haunt you forever? I found this book on accident (shhhh I mistyped the book name). This is not an author that I was familiar with however, I am glad that I read the book.  I am going to tell you that I ended up crying and being totally shocked in this book. I just didn't see some things coming at all. It slammed into me and I admit I cried like a baby whose favorite toy was just broken. 

The main character Alex has suffered for years with survivors guilt at the lose of his beloved wife Sara and his 6 year old daughter Abby. He was out of the country in Afghanistan at the time of there deaths. He was a marine. He should have been there to save them. 

Then there is Kelsey. She can't remember where she is, who she is, or why she is all busted up. Alex found her, now he will have to save her. Can a man who can't get over his loss help this wounded woman? Will he be able to protect her or will his anger cause more of an issue?

"I wasn't always like this." She glared at him, her sorrow turning into anger. "I went to college. I loved my job. I was good at it, you know? I had a nice apartment. It wasn't big, but it was nice. Did you even know that?"
"Yes, I do know that about you."
She stared at him. Was he lying, too? How could he know ? The gentle squeeze of his fingers seemed to bridge the gap. All she saw was a friend and her strongest, heck, her only protector. he pulled the sodden mass of tissues from her fingers and replaced it with another batch, his gentle hands never losing hold of hers in the process. She glared at those blue eyes that had only moments before been cold and unfeeling. Whatever was happening between them, she wanted it out in the open, all the poison and anger, all of it. Now.
" you know, people think women lie me are stupid because we stay," she explained, " but it's not easy to leave. It's like I changed over night. One day I'm doing pretty good. I've got a job, and I'm happy, but the next day, I'm ugly and all beat up. It's hard to get away. I couldn't believe anyone could hurt me like he did. I 'd never been in a fight, not even once. Ever. i didn't know how to slap anyone."
I did enjoy the book. I loved the gentle way Alex dealt with Kelsey. I could see the effect that domestic violence would have had on a woman. How does anyone ever learn to forget and move on from that. How do you trust someone else? How do you love someone else? This book also deals with the death of loved ones, including children. This may not be the book for everyone. Like I said I was completely shocked at some parts of this book. I definitely got my heart engaged in Alex and Kelsey. I also told Alex to man up at one point in the story. I am giving this book 4 clocks. Nice debut book. I will look forward to the rest in the series. 

Knock Out by Michelle Mannon....Review by Dawn

~BLURB~

Logan Rettino never imagined she'd fall so far. Dropped by her ex on national TV, she's gone from prima ballerina to ring card girl, reduced to revving up the crowds before MMA bouts. However distasteful she finds her new job, it pays well...and she needs the money if she's ever going to rebuild her life. Promised a huge bonus if she can convince a brooding, gifted welterweight to keep fighting, she'll do whatever it takes to earn his trust.

Keane O'Shea is unbeatable in the octagon. A former marine, he fights with a ruthlessness no gym jockey can match. He knows his brutal strength is too much for the delicate ex-ballerina, regardless of how fascinating he finds Logan's tight dancer's body. But one private performance and he's drawn to her in a way he can't—or won't—resist.

As Logan discovers the heartbreaking truth that lies beneath this handsome warrior's rage, she'll need to forfeit everything she thought mattered for the one thing that matters the most: saving Keane from himself

When I received this book as an ARC I sighed, "ugh another bad boy fighter book, another Travis Maddox wanna be."  Well let me be the first to tell you, I WAS WRONG! 

 Keane O'Shea is sexy, fierce, a man full of secrets and most of all he is damaged and haunted by his Marine past  He is honest and up front about  "I don't talk and I don't want a woman for more than one night." . Keane is an amazing leading man, although at times the fact that he is a man of few words get a bit annoying. He never really offers any conversation, only talks back when talked to. I really can't get into a lot of his issues because that would spoil it for you. He broke my heart in different parts of this story.

Logan I really liked! She had so much growth in the story. Hell bent on revenge against her cheating, lying, thieving, fame whore of an ex. She must now work as a ring girl for MMA fights. He embarrassed and injured her on live television, taking away her status as a prima ballerina. She literally falls into Keane's arms one night as he is on his way to the ring.  But don't think that is all its going to take to make him notice. Her slimy boss wants to fire her daily, so he comes up with a plan to keep his money maker, Keane fighting, enter Logan. 

I was so glad that Logan went to Keane and laid it all out to him. I am not a big fan of the "hidden drama" in a lot of books, I appreciated that the author did this.  They disagree and he doesn't want to continue... she convinces him...  The connection Keane and Logan have is in a word, intense. She see's that he is damaged and does everything to get him to open up and the more she tries the more he resists.  
This is where the story got a bit, um, slow or tedious for me. The constant referencing to "his issue" was getting to be very repetitive.  I get it, he's not going to open up all of the sudden. The thought that was on repeat in my head was "beating a dead horse". There is a lot of back and forth between them and its the same argument. OH, and the fact that Logan said "well, bleeding leotards" drove me nuts!

They have chemistry, and lots of it and it's HOT! Logan's never been with a man like Keane and she is experiencing things she never knew were possible. Lets just say the ballet dance was smokin'... But OMG, the cable car ride, made my  list of  "places I need to ...." Holy crap it was HOT!!!

This book has a great message about PTSD and the issues that come with it. I also like the fact that Logan's priories changed, when you have someone in your life that is battling to just live another day, the little stuff falls to the wayside.

I am giving Knock Out 4 clocks!!

Review based on ARC copy

Ride by JC Emery... Review by Dawn



~blurb~

Death comes in Armani. Salvation comes in leather. Principessa to the Mancuso crime family, Alexandra knows a thing or two about living outside the bounds of the law. Suffocated by the future her father has laid out for her, she makes a choice she can't take back, changing the entire trajectory of her life. Thrust into the dark and dangerous world of the Forsaken Motorcycle Club for her own protection, Alex finds herself faced with the last thing she needs right now: the man of her dreams. He’s sex in leather, the devil incarnate, and one hell of a kisser. But he’s also off-limits. Ryan Stone can be her friend, but he’s forbidden to be her lover. Third-generation Forsaken, Ryan knows nothing other than life on two wheels, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He enjoys the many privileges that come with the patch, and the only laws he recognizes are the ones set-forth by his club. That is, until who he wants more than anything isn’t allowed on the back of his bike —or in his bed. Balancing his desire for her body, and need to keep her safe, Ryan tries to keep Alex at a distance. Finally having made a choice for herself, she’s done hearing the word “no” and will push boundaries even Ryan himself doesn’t dare cross. Love is never more tempting than when it’s forbidden.

From the blurb, this book has the making of exactly what I love to read about...bikers...badasses...a leading lady who is in trouble and of course drama and sex. I was set, ready to take the ride. Well, the idea of this book was great and full of promise. But for me the story fell a bit flat. I wanted more of her Mob family and the drama that would unfold when the Principessa walked away or rather was taken from that life.

At times the story was really quite good, but those moments would be followed up with me shaking my head and asking "what just happened?" or "well, once again no action ." I think I was 50% through this book before Ryan and Alex did more than kiss.  OH! and random make out with Duke, her "one and only friend who was a whore bag"... I was left very confused by this.

Her friendship with Nic, really was flat at best. They really didn't do anything or interact all that much with each other.

Ian was/is a HUGE mystery to me... as is her father and TWIN brother Michael. YES, I said twin. It would seem he would have at least played a MAJOR roll in her life. I mean yes, he comes back and all, but his reappearance is really a flash in the pan.

WHO, I did love was her "aunt" Ruby and uncle Jim, they were the bright spot in this book. They were loving, funny and we not afraid to tell it how it was. I like that in my strong characters.

I loved the dogs...

I even like the budding relationship between Alex and Ryan, it was slowwww.... but it still has a sweetness to it. Now, I am not going to tell you what happens when they finally do the deed, but it does NOT go as planned for Alex. It was kind of hard to read because you knew she was already in love with him and to be treated like that, it made you feel bad for her.

What I LOVED the most was the pinky thing...That was their way of connecting...

Like I said I like my bikers badass and that was the worst part of this book for me, there were NONE! or at least we didn't get to see it or I missed it.

I didn't connect with the characters and that makes me sad, because I really wanted to just love this book. With that said I am giving Ride by JC Emery 3.5 clocks... I will be reading the follow up Thrash, I have to see what happens to some of the other players. Ride does not leave you with a cliffhanger.

Amazon link

Ride by JC Emery

Bikers*Babes and Books...author event!

Hello all!  I journeyed to Houston to Stubbs Harley Davison to attend the
BIKERS*BABES & BOOKS author event... I had the pleasure of meet a FAB bunch of ladies..


I had a mission, meet Madeline Sheehan.... let me tell you when I walked up to the table and she said "you look familiar, you're Dawn." I may or may not have let out a little squee... I'll never tell! She was absolutely lovely, she took the time to sign all of my books and also give me some swag for contests over on the FB page. We had a little chat and I was super fangirling out ...

I also met the following ladies and let me tell you ALL of them were just super nice and super supportive of bloggers... JC Emery, Nicole Jacquelyn, CM Stunich, Kit Rocha, Laramie Briscoe, Bijou Hunter, Kim Jones, Joanna Wylde, Belle Whittington, Shauna Allen, Elle Chardou and Troy Mason.  It was a great event and really a total blast...


I have signed copies of books and so much swag that I get overwhelmed looking at it all. We are planning on doing a BIG giveaway when the FB page hit 1,000 likes, we are 88 likes away from that goal.... so go like our page Up all night reading its what I do.