Monday, 30 April 2018

Review: Save Me - Cecy Robson

RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O'Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson "has the hottest brothers ever!" And in SAVE ME, it's time for Seamus, the family's most notorious bachelor, to find true love.

Three weddings. No date. What's a hot stud to do when all the women on his speed dial are either serving dinner to their families or serving time?

Out of all the O'Briens, Seamus is the best-looking, most creative, and, did I mention, best-looking? Single at almost forty wasn't a big deal until every sibling in his large and loud Irish family found "the one." Now, he's desperate for a wedding date, one he doesn't have to worry will make out with the limo driver or rob the bride and groom blind.

Allie Mendes is the good daughter, who's spent her life living in her perfect sister's shadow. But when her sister steals the man Allie was supposed to marry, that shadow she's lived in threatens to swallow her whole. Allie wants to believe a bright future awaits. But when she begs God to save her from this disastrous twist of fate, the last person she expects Him to send her is Seamus O'Brien.

Allie needs a stand-in boyfriend to avoid appearing as lonely as she feels. Seamus needs a decent woman without an ankle bracelet or a rap sheet as long as his muscular arms. The two make a deal to pose as each other's perfect date. But weddings mean romance and a chance at forever neither had planned.

Shattered Past Series:
Once Perfect
Once Loved
Once Pure

O'Brien Family Series:
(Characters were introduced in the Shattered Past series but this series can be read separately)
Once Kissed
Let Me
Crave Me
Feel Me
Save Me

Visit Cecy Robson's website for more information.

Review:
Save Me is the final book in Cecy Robson's O'Brien Family series and it was a fitting ending that gave us a chance to catch up with the previous couples as well as see Seamus finally get his own happily ever after. I have to admit Seamus took a while to grow on me, he has a very high opinion of himself and that makes him come across as rather cocky and arrogant in the beginning of the story but luckily there is more to him than that and he can actually be really sweet when you get to know him.

Seamus always wanted to get married and have a family but the women he's usually attracted to are more likely to steal from him than settle down. With a whole bunch of family wedding's coming up he's sick of his family meddling in his love life so he needs a fake girlfriend to keep them all off his back. Allie is the perfect woman for the job, a successful business woman who takes time out of her life to volunteer at church and help others she's nothing like the normal girls he's brought home to meet his family. She's also in her own sticky situation having to watch her sister marry her own ex-fiance so she could use some back up herself.

Allie was the sweetest girl, she spends all her time and energy helping others but has very little confidence in herself so it was wonderful to see her come out of her shell with Seamus' help. They got on really well and made a perfect couple but he was worried about not being good enough for her so was worried about telling her how he really felt. I love the whole O'Brien family and how welcoming they were towards Allie, the banter has been amusing throughout the whole series and the three family weddings we got to witness were all very heartwarming and fitting for the different couples. Allie's family on the other hand were absolutely awful and I was so glad to see her finally stand up to them. I'm kind of sad that we're not getting a book about the oldest brother Angus, he obviously put a lot of his life on hold to care for his mother and younger siblings and I'd have loved to see him get a happy ending with his finance of 20 years Molly. It did seem like the two of them were happier now but I still feel like that's a bit of an unfinished thread in the series.

I've still enjoyed all of these stories though and I'm looking forward to seeing what Cecy Robson comes up with next.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Blog Tour: Save Me - Cecy Robson (Excerpt & Giveaway)


SAVE ME

by Cecy Robson
O'Brien Family, #5
Publication Date: April 25, 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Standalone


AVAILABLE NOW!



SYNOPSIS:

RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O'Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson "has the hottest brothers ever!" And in SAVE ME, it's time for Seamus, the family's most notorious bachelor, to find true love.

 Three weddings. No date. What's a hot stud to do when all the women on his speed dial are either serving dinner to their families or serving time?

Out of all the O'Briens, Seamus is the best-looking, most creative, and, did I mention, best-looking? Single at almost forty wasn't a big deal until every sibling in his large and loud Irish family found "the one." Now, he's desperate for a wedding date, one he doesn't have to worry will make out with the limo driver or rob the bride and groom blind.

Allie Mendes is the good daughter, who's spent her life living in her perfect sister's shadow. But when her sister steals the man Allie was supposed to marry, that shadow she's lived in threatens to swallow her whole. Allie wants to believe a bright future awaits. But when she begs God to save her from this disastrous twist of fate, the last person she expects Him to send her is Seamus O'Brien.

Allie needs a stand-in boyfriend to avoid appearing as lonely as she feels. Seamus needs a decent woman without an ankle bracelet or a rap sheet as long as his muscular arms. The two make a deal to pose as each other's perfect date. But weddings mean romance and a chance at forever neither had planned.



EXCERPT:

I slump into my seat, every curse word I know falling into my mouth like a landslide. Wren is feeling a lot of pressure. Finnie’s fiancée, Sol, is, too. Ma isn’t doing so hot either. They have weddings plan and a long list of nightmares that I can’t possibly relate to.

I don’t get their preoccupation with me. They have better things to do. I want to yell at everyone to mind their damn business. Except that I can’t. Pains in the ass or not, in their own demented way, my family means well. I try to ease at least one worry the best way I know how. I
lie.

“You’re worried over nothing. I already have someone lined up to bring to all your shit.”

Instead of shutting Wren up, she gets more nuts. “Who are you going to bring?” she asks slowly.

“Seamus, it can’t be just anyone. I don’t want any drama. I want a decent meal, say hello to few people, and get the hell out so I can have naked time with Evan.”

“Don’t worry about it. She’s . . . nice.”

“When you say ‘nice’ do you mean all her tats are spelled correctly or she won’t burst into flames if she walks into church?”

“There won’t be no flames,” I assure her. “And she’s got no tats.” I grimace. Now I’ve gone too far.

“Who is it?” she presses. “This can’t be some woman you met at a bar.”

Well, there goes Plan A.

“It has to be a decent human being,” Wren says, laying it out. “Someone you wouldn’t be afraid to tell Father Finnigan you were with the night before.”

Shit. Is she kidding me? It’s bad enough I can’t pick up someone at a bar. Now she’s expecting someone with morals, too? I was just going to hit someone up on the speed dial. But by the way she’s acting, it won’t be enough to get Wren or Ma off my back.

“I’m bringing the woman I’m seeing,” I blurt out.

I know I’m screwed even before she says anything. “You’re seeing someone?”

“Sure.”

“Someone who doesn’t deflate when you’re done for the night?”

“That was one time!” It was also a joke. We blew up a bunch of adult dolls and shoved them Curran’s patrol car. But we’re men and that’s what men do to other men at their brother’s bachelor party.

“Then who is it?”

“Who’s who?” I ask, trying to buy myself some time.

“Who is the woman you’re planning to bring to all the events I have to attend so the Four
Horsemen don’t gallop across the dead remains of my wedding party?”

I look around like she’s somehow spying on me from the next building. I used to be a great liar when I was a kid. Don’t judge me. If you grew up in my family, you had to learn to lie to survive and have somewhat of a social life without your mother kicking down a door and dragging you out of an underage drinking party by the hair. But since turning legal and Ma retiring to Florida, I haven’t really had anything to lie about.

“Ah, Georgina . . . Glass.” I smack myself on the forehead for being such an idiot.

“Georgina Glass,” Wren says. She’s not impressed by my Brady Bunch reference. Truth be told, neither am I. “Tell me you’re joking.”

“Course I am.” I scroll through my contracts as I speak to her on my phone.

Most of the women on my list are by some miracle God married. Some are on their second marriages and possibly third. One is on probation, but I think she’s doing real good now, learning computers and shit. The hottest one is in prison, but the crazy psycho needs to be there for the safety of Philadelphia and any man in the vicinity with a penis. One, I definitely can’t call because I accidentally made out with her mother. Don’t judge me. You’re not perfect either.

“You’re not seeing anyone. Are you?” Wren asks, sounding disappointed and maybe a little heartbroken, too. “This is all bull shit to keep me from killing you and Ma alive.”

Sweat gathers along my crown. I start to panic, but try not to let it show in my voice. “Have I ever lied to you? Scratch that. Have I ever lied to you about a woman? Never mind,” I add, realizing I’m only digging myself into a bigger hole. “The thing is, I can’t really tell anyone.”

“You’re gay aren’t you? Come out of the closet, Seamus. The rest of us pretty much figured as much. God, I’ve never met a blue-collar man who obsesses over hair gel more than you do.”


DON'T MISS THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE O'BRIEN FAMILY SERIES WHICH CAN ALL BE READ AS STANDALONES!


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ABOUT CECY ROBSON:


CECY ROBSON is an author of contemporary romance, young adult adventure, and award-winning urban fantasy. A double RITA® 2016 finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, and a published author of more than eighteen titles, you can typically find her on her laptop writing her stories or stumbling blindly in search of caffeine.


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Sunday, 29 April 2018

Review: Boundless Books: 50 Literary Classics Transformed into Works of Art - Postertext

In this book, a picture is indeed worth a thousand words. Within its covers are 50 literary classics, deconstructed and then put back together word by word to create singularly beautiful pieces of art. The silhouettes that emerge from the text illustrate the central characters, landscapes, and themes of each story. This collection ranges across the canon, from 620 BCE to 1937. Bibliophiles will find many of their favorite reads as well as lesser-known gems to discover or rediscover. Each piece of art contains an entire text in legible type, so that, with the help of the magnifying glass on a ribbon marker, readers can enjoy both the striking images and the timeless words themselves.

Visit the Postertext website for more information

Review:
This book contains 50 literary classics that have been transformed into works of art using the text of the story to create images. At first glance you won't even notice that the images are made up of words printed in the smallest of fonts but if you use the attached magnifying glass you'll realise that all of the stories are readable as well as gorgeous to look at.

I have several of the Spinless Classics posters on my walls so I had an idea what I'd be getting when I ordered this book and I do think that this is a great coffee table book but I've decided that I actually prefer having posters that can be displayed rather than a bind up book containing many stories. My copy was actually missing the magnifying glass so I had to return it but I doubt I'd bother buying a replacement. I think the main problem was that I didn't love all 50 designs, there were some really great images in there but I wouldn't say I loved even half of them so there were a lot that were just okay or pretty boring to look at.

Although you can technically read the stories that isn't really what this book is designed for and I think even using the magnifying glass you'd end up with a headache if you tried to actually read this book rather than just enjoy the art for what it is. These images are very cleverly done though so definitely something most bibliophiles would appreciate and they make a great talking point too.

It includes all kinds of stories from A Midsummer Night's Dream to Grimm's Fairy Tales, Frankenstein to War of the Worlds, Around the World in Eighty Days to Peter Pan, The Importance of Being Earnest to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and many more besides. Here are just a couple of my favourite designs:

Aesop's Fables:

Aesop's Fables Close Up:
(to give you an idea how small the text actually is)

Beowulf:

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland:

A Study in Scarlet:

The Jungle Book:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz:

Source: Purchased

Other reviews of this book:
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Saturday, 28 April 2018

Review: The Belles - Dhonielle Clayton

I am Belle. I control Beauty.

In the opulent world of Orleans, the people are born grey and damned, and only a Belle's powers can make them beautiful.

Camellia Beauregard wants to be the favourite Belle - the one chosen by the queen to tend the royal family.

But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favourite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that her powers may be far greater - and far darker - than she ever imagined.

When the queen asks Camellia to break the rules she lives by to save the ailing princess, she faces an impossible decision: protect herself and the way of the Belles, or risk her own life, and change the world forever.

The Belles Series:
The Belles
Future titles and release dates to be confirmed

Visit Dhonielle Clayton's website for more information

Review:
It's taken me a long time to write my review of The Belles, I kept putting it off because I have no idea how to rate it and I'm still struggling to decide whether I liked it or not. There are a lot of wonderful things about this book and I can see the way Dhonielle Clayton was trying to make us look at our own culture and the value we place on physical beauty being the most important part of a woman. The way she highlighted the ridiculous lengths we sometimes go to to fit in with society and to live up to expectations.

At first I loved the incredibly descriptive writing style but in the end I found it bogged down the story and made the first half of the book an incredibly slow read. We get page after page after page of descriptions of the latest beauty trends and how these looks are achieved by visits to the magical Belles who are able to physically transform everything from people's skin, hair and eye colours, to the size of their waists and even their heights. The work is excruciatingly painful and gradually your body will revert back to it's original shape and colour so to remain "beautiful" you'll have to constantly put yourself through more of this torture to top up your beauty and to follow the latest trends.

This is a long book but nothing much really happens until you're halfway in because so much time is spent on describing everything about the world in such great detail, from the food to the buildings to the clothes and of course the beauty treatments. To me it felt like you could have cut a lot of that and given a much more interesting and faster paced story. It was interesting enough to keep me reading and the pace certainly picked up in the second half but it was so easy to put the book down and walk away that it took me over a week to finish reading it and I read multiple other stories in between.

I don't think it helped that I guessed nearly all of the main twists well in advance of them actually happening. There are plenty of betrayals but none of them were surprises because they came from characters I never trusted in the first place. I also thought that the main bad character was like a cardboard cutout villain, there was literally nothing nice about them so you were never surprised by the awful lengths they would go to. If you have a villain who is more complex and you feel there is a chance of them redeeming themselves then it's always harder to see the evil things they do but that just didn't happen here. Evil person was evil. No questions, no doubts, they were just 100% nasty and capable of any despicable act you could think of.

The last few chapters were where the story was most interesting for me and that ending does have me curious to see how the story continues in the next book but I'm honestly not sure if I'll bother reading it or not. Overall while I can see why there is so much hype around The Belles ultimately this book just wasn't the best fit for me. I still think it's well worth checking out though because so many other reviewers loved it far more than I did.

Source: Received from Gollancz in exchange for an honest review

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Friday, 27 April 2018

Review: Reckless Honor - Tonya Burrows

Jean-Luc Cavalier has only ever cared about three things: sex, booze, and the dangerous missions he undertakes with HORNET. Laissez les bons temps rouler is more than a Mardi Gras motto—it’s the way he lives his life. But all that changes the night he rescues Dr. Claire Oliver from deadly mercenaries.

Now he can’t get the gorgeous blond virologist out of his head.

Claire is running for her life. Someone wants her antiviral research and they’re willing to kill anyone and everyone to get it. She has no one to turn to except a womanizing Cajun with a silver tongue and devastating smile.

But when an ultra-deadly virus decimates the Niger Delta, saving Claire and her research becomes the least of HORNET’s concerns. The virus has all the markings of a bioweapon and Nigeria is only the testing grounds...

HORNET Series:
SEAL of Honor
Honor Reclaimed
Broken Honor
Code of Honor
Reckless Honor

Wilde Security Series:
Wilde Nights in Paradise
Wilde for Her
Wilde at Heart
Running Wilde
Too Wilde To Tame

HORNET: Class Alpha Series:
Fragmented Loyalty

Visit Tonya Burrows' website for more information

Review:
I've been a fan of Jean-Luc since the beginning of this series, he's that kind of fun-loving, irresistible ladies man who you just know would break your heart but you can't help falling for anyway. He's charming, funny and would be great company but he's never been one for sticking around in the past. We saw his first meeting with Claire in the previous book, she is the doctor he helped escape from the hostage situation and she is one of the rare women who turned him down flat which of course makes him want her even more. Ever since the previous book Claire has been on the run from the mercenaries who killed her research partner and who are now after her so they can steal her life's work. Jean-Luc knows she is in trouble and he's determined to find her first so that he can protect her.

This series is getting better with every book and things take an even darker turn in Reckless Honor, much of the story is set in the middle of a hot zone where Claire and her colleagues are trying to save the lives of hundreds of people who have been infected with a deadly virus. Jean-Luc has guessed she'll be there trying to help and he knows the mercenaries after her won't take too long to catch them up but she refuses to walk away when there is a chance she could save lives by staying. I loved how strong Claire was, she was working in horrific circumstances and it would have been easier for her to run away and let someone else deal with it but she cares about her patients and wants to make a difference. She's a lot more serious than Jean-Luc but he brings out a more light hearted side of her and they make a really good match. I think what I liked most was that it wasn't just Jean-Luc walking in and rescuing a damsel in distress, yes Claire is in trouble but she gives as good as she gets and she rescues Jean-Luc as many times as he saves her.

There were some really interesting revelations about a certain HORNET team member in this one that definitely has me curious to see what is going to happen next in this series. I have a feeling some of the characters are going to be in for a bumpy ride but I really want to see them all get their own HEAs.

Source: Received from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review

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Thursday, 26 April 2018

Review: Code of Honor - Tonya Burrows

Jesse Warrick used to consider himself a kickass medic, but a teammate’s brush with death has him questioning everything. Now he’s been promoted to field commander of HORNET. How can he lead when he can’t get his shit together? And how can he focus when the sexy new recruit makes him want to break the rules?

Lanie Delcambre can’t seem to find solid footing within the elite hostage rescue team. Worse, the man she’s loved for most of her life is now her boss. She’d kill to act on the chemistry between her and Jesse, but she can’t risk ruining her career.

It was only supposed to be a training mission. No live ammo, no hostages, and no real bad guys—only someone didn’t give the bad guys that memo. When their hotel is taken hostage with half of HORNET inside, Jesse and Lanie are the team’s only hope of escaping alive...

HORNET Series:
SEAL of Honor
Honor Reclaimed
Broken Honor
Code of Honor
Reckless Honor

Wilde Security Series:
Wilde Nights in Paradise
Wilde for Her
Wilde at Heart
Running Wilde
Too Wilde To Tame

HORNET: Class Alpha Series:
Fragmented Loyalty

Visit Tonya Burrows' website for more information

Review:
Jesse is the HORNET medic who has saved the life of several members of the team but he can't get over the death of one of his own and the guilt is eating away at him and knocking his confidence. Throw in the distraction caused by his estranged fifteen year old son coming to live with him, his growing attraction to fellow team member Lanie and his promotion to field commander and something has got to give. Lanie has been friends with Jesse's cousin for years and she fell in love with him when they were still children, he broke her heart when they were teenagers but she's never gotten over her crush on him so working in close contact is torture. When a training mission goes horribly wrong and half of the team end up being taken hostage it's up to Jesse and Lanie to get them all out alive. To do that they have to put their feelings to one side but in a high adrenaline situation things are about to come to a boil.

I've loved Jesse ever since I first started reading the HORNET series so I was really looking forward to his book. He's always been the light hearted joker of the group but recent events have changed him and he just can't get past the fact a team mate died on his watch. It was heartbreaking for all of the team but Jesse has taken it even harder because he just keeps thinking that there should have been something he could have done to save him. He has a history of depression and is close to being dragged back down into a dark abyss by his demons but his son and his team need him so he's trying really hard to fight for them. I really enjoyed the romance between him and Lanie, they have history but it was all fairly innocent so there is no bitterness or sense of betrayal between them - it's all about unexplored lust and long term friendship instead which I loved.

The beginning of this story was a little slower than previous books in the series but that was to give us a chance to catch up with some of the previous couples and to get a feeling for the amount of history there is between Jesse and Lanie. We also get to meet Jesse's son Connor who added an interesting dimension to the story. Once half the team is taken hostage the action takes of at an accelerated pace as Jesse and Lanie work together to try and get everyone to safety. I really enjoyed the suspense side of this story and it's all set to continue straight into the next book Reckless Honor where Jean Luc is set to take the lead.

Source: Received from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Too Wilde to Tame - Tonya Burrows

For three years, ballet teacher Natalie Taggart has lived across the hall from grumpy, reclusive, sexy Greer Wilde. Save for a handful of hellos and the occasional heated glance, they never spoke to each other.

Until the morning Greer lands on her doorstep, bleeding, beaten, and bullet-riddled.

Greer doesn’t need or want her help. He has only one goal: revenge. And nobody—not his brothers, and certainly not his too-hot-for-his-sanity next-door neighbor—is going to get in his way.

HORNET Series:
SEAL of Honor
Honor Reclaimed
Broken Honor
Code of Honor
Reckless Honor

Wilde Security Series:
Wilde Nights in Paradise
Wilde for Her
Wilde at Heart
Running Wilde
Too Wilde To Tame

HORNET: Class Alpha Series:
Fragmented Loyalty

Visit Tonya Burrows' website for more information

Review:
I've been looking forward to Greer's story ever since we first met the Wilde brothers, as the oldest he was the one who managed to keep the family together after their parents died and that's a lot of pressure to put on the head of one sixteen year old boy. You might wonder how a teenager managed to get custody of four younger siblings and keep a roof over their heads, well in this story we find out that and so much more. Greer gave up everything to keep his brothers safe and happy and he's been paying the price of that alone for years working black ops for a secret arm of the military.

If you've read the previous books you'll know that Greer has been missing for months and his brothers are going out of their minds looking for him. It all started with a mission that went to hell and it ended with a lead that could take Greer right to the person who murdered their parents. Of course that's if he lives long enough to confront the culprit which is looking less and less likely as he comes under attack from all angles.

Natalie is Greer's neighbour but she's never really spoken to him apart from to exchange a few hellos, she has been keeping an eye on his place for his brothers but the last thing she expects to find on her doorstep is a battered and beaten man who refuses to let her take him to the hospital. Natalie is at a loss, she can't leave Greer alone and injured but she doesn't know how to help him without calling for reinforcements.

I loved this story, I've waited such a long time to find out what was going on with Greer and it was definitely worth the wait. He's had the weight of the world on his shoulders since he was so young but he has helped to raise four incredible men so you just know he is going to be an amazing guy himself. Natalie has been through her own struggles and she isn't willing to put up with any of Greer's crap which I really appreciated. She called him out when he said or did something stupid and I think he needed someone like that in his life. There were also some great family bonding moments with him and his brothers and I really appreciated seeing them all living their own happily ever afters. This was a fab ending to the Wilde Security series but I'm glad we have a few more HORNET books to go and I'm hoping we might see a few of the brothers pop up as side characters occasionally.

Source: Received from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review

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Wednesday, 25 April 2018

Release Blitz: Save Me - Cecy Robson


SAVE ME

by Cecy Robson
O'Brien Family, #5
Publication Date: April 25, 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Standalone


AVAILABLE NOW!



SYNOPSIS:

RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O'Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson "has the hottest brothers ever!" And in SAVE ME, it's time for Seamus, the family's most notorious bachelor, to find true love.

 Three weddings. No date. What's a hot stud to do when all the women on his speed dial are either serving dinner to their families or serving time?

Out of all the O'Briens, Seamus is the best-looking, most creative, and, did I mention, best-looking? Single at almost forty wasn't a big deal until every sibling in his large and loud Irish family found "the one." Now, he's desperate for a wedding date, one he doesn't have to worry will make out with the limo driver or rob the bride and groom blind.

Allie Mendes is the good daughter, who's spent her life living in her perfect sister's shadow. But when her sister steals the man Allie was supposed to marry, that shadow she's lived in threatens to swallow her whole. Allie wants to believe a bright future awaits. But when she begs God to save her from this disastrous twist of fate, the last person she expects Him to send her is Seamus O'Brien.

Allie needs a stand-in boyfriend to avoid appearing as lonely as she feels. Seamus needs a decent woman without an ankle bracelet or a rap sheet as long as his muscular arms. The two make a deal to pose as each other's perfect date. But weddings mean romance and a chance at forever neither had planned.



EXCERPT:

Valentina rushes me. Her speed and movements inhumanly graceful. She throws her arms around me like she would a long-lost friend and not the sister she hasn’t spoken to in years. She lifts me briefly, making a grunting sound as if I weigh a more than I do.

Following an uncomfortably long embrace, she holds me out at arm’s length, staring down at me and asserting her apparent superiority. “It’s so good to see you, Allie.” Her face softens like she wants to cry. “Mom says you don’t have a date for the wedding. But don’t worry. Andy and I will find someone to take you.”

Andy? I slowly turn in Andres’s direction. Lovely.

I suppose it could be worse. I could be Andy.

“Did you hear that?” My mother asks, beaming. “Your sister and Andy are going to find you someone so you don’t have to be all alone.”

They wait, expecting me to thank them. I’d rather stab myself in the eye with Valentina’s pitchfork.

I lift my chin, meeting my sister square in the eye. “I have a date,” I reply.

“No you don’t,” my mother immediately interjects, making me feel worse because she’s right.

I stand to my full height, ignoring how they tower over me, clinging with my teeth to whatever strand of dignity remains.

“Really?” Valentina asks. She tosses back her hair, fighting it seems to keep from full-out cackling.

“And who might that be?

My breath leaves my lungs with an odd squeak as Seamus yanks me to him, pressing me into his large, firm body. His chin is smeared with cream, chocolate stains the front of his shirt, and he has something stuck between his teeth. That doesn’t stop him from flashing a smile with what remains of his pearly whites.

“How’s it going?” He smacks my ass and gives it a squeeze. “I’m Seamus. Allie’s boyfriend.”


ABOUT CECY ROBSON:


CECY ROBSON is an author of contemporary romance, young adult adventure, and award-winning urban fantasy. A double RITA® 2016 finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, and a published author of more than eighteen titles, you can typically find her on her laptop writing her stories or stumbling blindly in search of caffeine.


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Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Review: Siren Enslaved - Lexi Blake

Re-released in a second edition with new scenes.

Julian Lodge has everything a man could want. He's rich, successful and owns the most exclusive club in Dallas. But something is missing.

Finn Taylor has worked his way up in the world from humble beginnings in Willow Fork, Texas. The only thing he still loves in his hometown is Danielle Bay. He never told her he was actually bisexual, and he never confessed his love for her. Now she's getting married, and Finn is sure he's lost his chance with the only person he'll ever love.

Julian's vacation to the Barnes-Fleetwood ranch brings them all together. After Dani jumps into Julian's car while fleeing her wedding, Julian knows he has to have her. But nothing is easy in Willow Fork. A danger from Julian's past threatens them all. Julian will have to convince both Dani and Finn that being his will be the best decision they ever made.

Texas Sirens Series:
(Originally published under the pen name Sophie Oak)
Small Town Siren
Siren in the City
Siren Enslaved
Siren Beloved
Siren in Waiting
Siren in Bloom
Siren Unleashed
Sirens in Bliss (Crossover with the Texas Sirens Series)
Siren Reborn

Nights in Bliss Series:
(Originally published under the pen name Sophie Oak)
Three to Ride
Two to Love
One to Keep
Lost in Bliss
Found in Bliss
Pure Bliss
Chasing Bliss
Once Upon a Time in Bliss
Back in Bliss
Sirens in Bliss (Crossover with the Texas Sirens Series)

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
After meeting Julian at The Club in the previous book I was really curious to find out more about him. I wasn't convinced I'd be a huge fan of his because he came across as so harsh with his "Slaves" and he was quite cold towards them but I was curious to see who would be able to capture his heart. I really liked both Dani and Finn, they've been best friends since they were at school together and were both always treated as outsiders by the rest of the town. Dani has been in love with Finn for as long as she can remember but since he's gay she knows they'll never have more than friendship. What she doesn't realise is that Finn is actually bi and has been secretly in love with her for their entire relationship, he just doesn't think he could be happy with just one woman and doesn't think it's fair to start something with her when he needs more.

Julian is the catalyst that brings the two of them together, he's more than dominant enough to handle two subs and he knows exactly what they need to make a relationship work. I did like getting to see more of Julian, learning about his past makes it easier to understand why he acts the way he does and we do see him breaking a lot of his own rules when it comes to Dani and Finn so from that you can tell he really does care even if he's not willing to admit it. I did feel like it took him a little too long to properly show his true feelings towards them both though, I wanted him to warm up a little faster than he did but he keeps himself at a distance until very near the end of the book. It was good to see Dani and Finn fighting for what they wanted and I'm glad Julian came through for them in the end.

I still don't like Willow Fork as much as Bliss, in general a lot of the town are incredibly judgemental and they still all look down on Jack, Sam and Abby's relationship so immediately Julian is tainted in their eyes by his association with them. They've also never accepted Finn because he was gay and even Dani, who has never done anything but bend over backwards to look after her ungrateful younger sister since the death of their mother, was looked down on because their mother was unmarried. Bliss has more fun and quirky characters and is more of an anything goes type place so the stories set there feel lighter and more humorous. I'm enjoying the suspense side of the Willow Fork books though and Julian's life is turned upside-down by the reappearance of a not so friendly face from his past.

I have been eating up these rereleases of Lexi Blake's old books and I can't seem to get enough of them. Next up in this series is, Siren Beloved, which stars Lexi (Abby's daughter), Logan (Jack's brother) and Aidan, the ex we haven't met yet but have heard about in previous books. I have very high hopes for their story and can't wait to get hold of a copy!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Blog Tour: Siren Enslaved - Lexi Blake (Excerpt)


Re-released in a second edition with new scenes.

Julian Lodge has everything a man could want. He's rich, successful and owns the most exclusive club in Dallas. But something is missing.

Finn Taylor has worked his way up in the world from humble beginnings in Willow Fork, Texas. The only thing he still loves in his hometown is Danielle Bay. He never told her he was actually bisexual, and he never confessed his love for her. Now she's getting married, and Finn is sure he's lost his chance with the only person he'll ever love.

Julian's vacation to the Barnes-Fleetwood ranch brings them all together. After Dani jumps into Julian's car while fleeing her wedding, Julian knows he has to have her. But nothing is easy in Willow Fork. A danger from Julian's past threatens them all. Julian will have to convince both Dani and Finn that being his will be the best decision they ever made.

Now Available



Excerpt:

“What on earth is that look for?” Julian stared down at her, his lips pulled up in obvious amusement.

Finn leaned over so he could be heard over the loud music. “I think Dani is enjoying her role as town harlot.”

Julian frowned. “Harlot? Why would she be a harlot?”

Dani and Finn laughed together. For the first time, they completely understood something Julian didn’t.

“This is a small town, Sir,” Finn explained. “All anyone is going to talk about tomorrow is the fact that Dani Bay snuck up the stairs at The Barn with two guys. Trust me, she is going to be called all kinds of names. Mostly to her back, though.”

She shrugged. It was to be expected. At least no one would be feeling sorry for her.

Julian’s face went dark, and his fingers tightened around hers. “They had better not say anything where I can hear it.” He relaxed and nodded down at her. “I’m going to speak with Jackson, dear. You and Finn stay together. We’ll be leaving shortly. We’ll retrieve Finn’s things and go back out to the ranch.”

He turned and walked off, supremely confident that his orders would be met.

He turned back suddenly. “And stay out of trouble.”

Dani grinned. He didn’t look so confident that she would follow that edict. He walked away. She watched his gorgeous ass as it disappeared into the crowd. When she turned, she noticed that Finn was watching, too.

“I’m sorry.” Finn pulled back slightly, his hand coming out of hers. That look was back in his eyes.

“Are you going to be an asshole?” she asked.

“What?”

“I thought we worked through this, but it looks like you’re going to be an asshole.” She wasn’t putting up with it. Maybe she would have before but being with them had changed her.

Being with Julian and Finn together seemed to have altered something fundamental in Dani. It had been beautiful. She’d never felt as deeply as she did when they were kissing her, loving her. There had been that terrible moment when she was sure Julian was leaving, but he’d stayed. He had to care about her. He cared, and Finn cared. She wasn’t going to let anyone take that away from her or make her feel ashamed. That was hers.

Finn stared almost blankly and then shook his head. “I’m sorry. I spent so long trying to hide this from you.”

“Hide what? That I knew you were gay? I was well aware of that. Why did you get upset because I caught you drooling over Julian’s ass?”

His eyes slid down. “Damn it, Dani. This is why I stayed away. I knew it should be only the two of us, but I wasn’t sure I could do it. I’m not sure I can stay away from men.”

Julian was shaking his head at Jack, who seemed to be teasing him something fierce. Dani stared at him for a moment. She noticed she wasn’t the only one. All around her, other women had their eyes on the hot new guy. They could look, but Julian was hers. He might not know it, but she planned on keeping him. And Finn. As soon as they ironed out a few things.

“And it never occurred to you to say, hey, Dani, here’s the problem. Let’s see if we can solve it? No, you decide to keep your mouth shut and almost let me marry someone I didn’t love because you didn’t want to admit you’re bi.”

“Damn it, I didn’t want to lose you. I love you, Danielle. You’re the only thing in my life that’s permanent. I would rather keep you in my life than lose you because I can’t be normal. It should be two people. A marriage should be two people.”

Oh, yes, she had to fix his way of thinking. “Says who? The old biddies at church? Screw them. Why does everything have to be one way? What we did up there didn’t hurt anyone. It isn’t anyone’s business but ours. I love you, Finn, but I think I’m falling for Julian, too. Can you handle that?”

“I can certainly try, baby. I was willing to love you from afar. I prefer loving you up close.”


About Lexi Blake:

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn't until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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