ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ NO LIMITS BY LORI FOSTER

Title: No Limits (Ultimate, Book One)
Author: Lori Foster
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 432 pages
Expected Publication: August 26, 2014


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ARC provided by NetGalley

A surprise inheritance reunites a mixed martial arts fighter with the woman he's never forgotten in the first in a smoldering new series from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster…

Cannon Colter is quintessential hero material: chiseled jawline, shredded body—the works. He's also the guy who rescued Yvette Sweeny from kidnappers, only to put an end to her romantic dreams. These days, she's older, smarter, determined to face whatever life throws her way. Even the prospect of sharing a house and business with Cannon.

Cannon knew Yvette wanted him three years ago. But she was young—and some things are worth waiting for. Thrown together by her grandfather's legacy, he realizes how deep Yvette's scars really go, and how much danger lurks in their quiet town. As pent-up desire explodes between them, protecting her becomes the only fight that matters. And he'll break all the rules to do it…

I can remember the first book I read by Lori Foster. It is one that I have recently re-read. It is that good. And for those of you who have a curious nature, the book I am referring to is Simon Says, which is book two in her SBC Fighters series. Which....also happens to be loosely connected with her newest series, Ultimate.
 
Lori has a way of making her characters jump off the page and into my living room...at least, metaphorically speaking. But what I truly love about her writing is the abundance of sexual chemistry her characters have from the get go. She can take a few, innocent words and have me swooning. She has talent in spades and will always be an auto-buy for this reader.

That being said, No Limits was not a disappointment. Combustible sexual chemistry, a supreme cast of secondary characters, a dash of suspense, and cameo appearances from her Love Undercover series: all the key ingredients needed to make a hot read you don't want to end. Lori Foster delivers it and has whetted my appetite for more.

Cannon Colter is a young fighter on the brink of success. He has recently returned from Japan and learned of the death of a close friend. When he returns to Ohio, he finds himself face to face with the woman he hasn't been able to stop thinking about--Yvette Sweeny.

Yvette returns to Ohio to settle things after the death of her grandfather. Her childhood home holds horrific memories of a time she wished she could forget. And the presence of Cannon, her teenage crush, has her facing long-denied desires she thinks best left alone.

But the heady and smoldering sexual tension is something that will not be denied between them. And as the two spend more and more time together, things are bound to pretty damn hawt.

Because of what happened to Yvette years ago, she feels broken and afraid she will disappoint the man she has fallen for. But Cannon is determined to show Yvette she has no problems whatsoever when it comes to sex and his slow seduction is almost painful in a lip-biting, squirming-in-my-seat kind of way.
 

“Stay with me, honey.” And then, “You’ll like this.” With building anticipation Yvette watched him bend down until his dark head was between her thighs, his breath hot, his mouth hotter”.

"First time will be fast and hard. Second time might be better. I'm still up in the air on that one." He drew her close and playfully bit her lower lip. "The third time, though...for sure, that one will be all for you." 

Of course, Foster throws in some suspense to keep you turning the page...an unstable ex-boyfriend who waits in the shadows for his chance to grab Yvette could prove to be dangerous and deadly. Or is it someone else, someone unsuspecting, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike back with malignant intent?

Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a Waldenbooks, Borders, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Berkley, Silhouette and Samhain. She is currently with Harlequin.

Click here for a complete list of Lori Foster's books. 

BOOK REVIEW ~ ISLAND PERIL BY JILL SORENSON

Title: Island Peril (Aftershock, Book 3.5)
Author: Jill Sorenson
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Release Date: May 1, 2014

ARC provided by NetGalley

Book Blurb


Red-hot writer Jill Sorenson brought readers to the edge of their seats in Aftershock. Now they can catch the beginning of Paul and Ella's relationship in this fast-moving novella packed with danger and delight!

It started as a girls' outing to California's beautiful Channel Islands State Park. When Ella Hammond embarks on a kayaking trip with sexy adventure guide Paul Dawson, sparks fly—but so does gunfire from a boat of drug smugglers.

Now Ella and Paul are on the run, soaked and stranded in a rocky hideout. Ella feels like she'll never be warm again. Until Paul shares his body heat—igniting a fire between them that's nearly too hot to handle!

The adventure continues in Backwoods, and pick up Paul's sister's novella in Passion and Peril, both from Harlequin HQN!

Book Review


I admit that I have not read the first books of this series...and it did not affect my enjoyment of this story. In fact, it made me want to immediately read the others in this action-packed series.

I can also admit I am not a fan of novellas. I like my stories meaty. Long. Page after page of excitement and spellbinding. But, a novella is a great way to introduce a new-to-me author and a way to see if this series would be something I would want to continue reading.

Island Peril is compact, but provided it all. Great sexual chemistry, enough action to get your blood pumping, and an engaging read until the last page was read. It whetted my appetite for more.

When Ella Hammond takes a kayaking trip with her sister and niece, things quickly turn from good to bad.

The trip is lead by the very sexy Paul Dawson. Picture tall, dark, athletic. Sexy. Charming. He has it in spades. And when Paul and Ella find themselves marooned on a deserted island with bad guys shooting at them, things quickly go from bad...to deadly.

 All in all--Island Peril is a captivating tale filled with danger and steamy romance.

BOOK REVIEW ~ HARD AS YOU CAN BY LAURA KAYE

Title: Hard As You Can (Hard Ink, Book Two)
Author: Laura Kaye

Publisher: Avon
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Paperback, 384 pages

ARC provided by Edelweiss

Book Blurb

Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.

Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.

Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn't want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.

Book Review 

Laura Kaye has done it again and penned a brilliant romantic suspense with Hard As You Can--the second book in the Hard Ink series.

In fact, I enjoyed this book more than the first.

I think that is due to the on-going story ARC as well as understanding the characters that make up this series. As each fascinating trait or quirk is revealed, I fall more in love with the men of Hard Ink.

Shane McCallan won my vote as all-time favorite with his tenderness and huge heart. His desire to protect Sara (aka Crystal) and her sister was palpable. And the way he holds himself responsible for his own sister's kidnapping broke my heart.

After literally running into Crystal in a strip club during a mission to rescue Charlie, Shane cannot get her out of his mind. And he's determined to find out more about this mysterious woman. When their current mission leads them back to Confessions, Shane reaches out to Crystal for information. When Shane realizes just how dangerous Crystal's current situation is, he can't help but want to reach out and help her. And just maybe, his guilt for not being able to help his little sister years ago will somehow be lessened.

Crystal is waiting for a chance to escape the hell her life has become.For the moment, she is left with no other choice but to work at Confessions as a waitress. And her boyfriend, Bruno Ashe, is paying for the expensive medication her sister needs to help control her seizures. Crystal knows that the club is the devil's playground--one that deals with drugs and the selling of women as slaves. But she puts on a smile and plays the role, praying for the day when she and her sister can escape.

When Shane asks for information that will help bring him and his friends closer to discovering who is behind their dishonorable discharge, Crystal decides to take the risk and helps him out. Used to being treated like a possession, Shane's behavior toward her is a welcome surprise. And Crystal starts to yearn for something that isn't possible, especially when she has no plans to stay in Baltimore.

Hard As You Can is action-oriented and filled with a twisty plot to keep you reading until the last page. And once you're there...you'll be begging for book three.

BOOK REVIEW ~ DO OR DIE BY SUZANNE BROCKMANN

Title: Do Or Die (Reluctant Heroes, Book One)
Author: Suzanne Brockmann
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Genre: Romantic Suspense
eBook, 576 pages


ARC provided by NetGalley

Book Blurb

Navy SEAL Ian Dunn went rogue in a big way when he turned his talents to a lawless life of jewel heists and con jobs. Or so the world has been led to believe. In reality, the former Special Ops warrior is still fighting for good, leading a small band of freelance covert operatives who take care of high-stakes business in highly unofficial ways. That makes Ian the hands-down choice when the U.S. government must breach a heavily guarded embassy and rescue a pair of children kidnapped by their own father, a sinister foreign national willing to turn his own kids into casualties. Shockingly, Ian passes on the mission... for reasons he will not–or cannot–reveal.

But saying no is not an option. Especially not to Phoebe Kruger, Ian’s bespectacled, beautiful, and unexpectedly brash new attorney. Determined to see the abducted children set free, she not only gets Ian on board but insists on riding shotgun on his Mission: Impossible-style operation, whether he likes it or not.

Though Phoebe has a valuable knack for getting out of tight spots, there’s no denying the intensely intimate feelings growing between Ian and Phoebe as the team gears up for combat. But these are feelings they both must fight to control as they face an array of cold-blooded adversaries, including a vindictive mob boss who’s got Ian at the top of his hit list and a wealthy psychopath who loves murder as much as money. As they dodge death squads and play lethal games of deception, Ian and Phoebe will do whatever it takes to save the innocent and vanquish the guilty.

Or die trying.



Book Review

Anything Suzanne Brockmann writes, I will read. Period.

And when I found out she had a new series coming out that was loosely related to her Troubleshooters series, I did a little happy dance and couldn't stop grinning. 

Do Or Die jumps right into the thick of things. Ian Dunn, an ex-Navy SEAL, is in Istanbul, Turkey, on assignment with his team at the Kazbekistani embassy. When Ian decides at the last minute to switch things up, the mission quickly escalates to WTF proportions. Ian and his teammates barely escape and flee the country.

Fast forward to a state prison in Florida where Phoebe Krugar and Martell Griffin are sitting across from Ian Dunn, who has been incarcerated for a crime the reader isn't sure of at this point. But Phoebe has now been appointed Ian's lawyer after chaos strikes at the firm, and has come to offer Ian a deal that will release him from prison.

Except, Ian Dunn has no desire to leave the luxurious state facilities any time soon. In fact, his staying in prison is keeping his brother, Aaron alive. 

But Phoebe is just as determined to get Ian out. She needs him to save two children who have been kidnapped and are apparently being held hostage at the Kazbekistani consulate in Miami.

Martell has his own agenda, and despite Ian's adamant refusal to help, forges ahead and gets Ian released from prison. 

Thus starts the ticking clock when Ian drives away with Phoebe in her own car and heads off to make sure Aaron and his family are safe. 

Brockmann is a master (mistress?? LOL) at layering a story and revealing pertinent information as the story goes along. There are tons of surprises ahead as Ian, Phoebe, Martell, the FBI and a local Florida mob try to obtain their own agendas. And as the tension builds between all parties involved, the sexual tension between Ian and Phoebe threaten to detonate at any moment. 

Along the way, Brockmann laces her story with humor, romance, and flashbacks that make the story a highly entertaining read. And as always, Brockmann creates fascinating characters that stick with you long after you finish the page. I cannot wait to read more of this new series. 

LUSTING FOR COVERS ~ HELL FOR LEATHER BY JULIE ANN WALKER

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allowsbloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

This meme is hosted by TBQ @ TBQ's Book Palace.

To view complete instructions on how to participate, as well as grab the HTML code for the graphic, see this page first!

Once you are ready to join the fun, 

please fill out Mister Linky over at TBQ's blog with 

your name/blog name and the direct 

link to your Lusting for Covers for this 

week!

My candidate for this week:

Only the most urgent crisis could force Delilah Fairchild to abandon her beloved biker bar and ask the surly Bryan "Mac" McMillan for help. Her uncle—the man who raised her—has vanished into thin air, and Mac is the only person with the right connections to help her find him. What the ex-FBI agent has against her is a mystery...but when the bullets start to fly, Mac is her only chance of finding her uncle alive. 

Mac knows that beautiful women can't be trusted, but he has to put his natural wariness of Delilah aside in order to help her. With the clock ticking, Mac and Delilah find themselves holding on to each other in the wildest adventure of their lives.

Hello Biker Dude~ Don't you look delish? Wife-beater? Yum...

Big, er...hands? Yeppers.

 

And very nice, muscled ams? Hell Yeah! 

Not to mention, the uber talented Julie Ann Walker wrote this book and created the sexy Mac McMillan. 

I am so there! 

I love the Black Knight Series--a must read! 

ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ RAW BY JO DAVIS

Title: Raw (Torn Between Two Lovers, Book One)
Author: Jo Davis

Release Date: October 15, 2013

ARC provided by NetGalley

TORN BETWEEN TWO LOVERS is a gripping and sexy romance trilogy with a unique twist: Our heroine needs your help to decide who wins her heart… RAW introduces this sizzling new series, in which two enticing men will vie for Anna’s heart—culminating in a choice that will be determined by reader vote!

Anna Claire is a prominent restaurateur, the toast of New York. She’s not one to let down her guard, but her new prep chef is gorgeous enough to cause her to break her own rules, and soon she’s tearing up the sheets with Grayson James. More than that, she’s falling in love.

Until she discovers that Grayson is no chef. He’s an FBI agent investigating a drug ring he suspects is using her restaurant. Anna is shattered to learn she was just part of his cover.

The case means everything to Gray, right until the moment he loses what matters the most—not his intended target, but Anna. Gray is devastated when the woman he loves learns of his betrayal. Especially with his greatest enemy all too eager to take advantage of her… 

Book Review

Raw is a novella (eighty pages) that tells only the beginning of the story. The story of Anna Claire and Grayson James. 

Anna Claire has spent years working hard to achieve her dream--owning a restaurant in the fabulous New York City. And she has finally achieved that goal. Only now, she finds herself alone, with no real ties to anyone. She feels disconnected and hasn't had time to enjoy the good things in life, especially men.

Grayson James, her prep chef at Floor Fifty Five, has every intention of showing his lovely boss how to have fun. 

Late after work, Anna is attacked by a stranger and then rescued by Gray. He was certainly in the right place at the right time. And as Gray escorts her home, they realize they live in the same building--same floor. 

Coincidence? 

Raw is filled with sex, secrets, and and a deceitful web of entanglement. Trust is compromised between two lovers as danger hides in the darkness. And the appearance of a stranger may entice Anna away from the man who wants to win her heart.

Jo Davis  provides the reader with a quick romance, but produces a story with suspense, steamy sexy, and a twisty plot. She also leaves us hanging with a doozy of a cliffhanger. I'm not sure if I like the direction Raw seems to be taking at the end, but Davis has intrigued me enough to want to find out.