Tied Bond by Emma Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review



My favorite Italian family is back and they are crazier than ever!!!!! I don't think Holly Woods, Texas will ever be the same when you have a Nonna that is over the top dramatic, crazy and lovable. And oh yeah, we can't forget Nonna's unfiltered mouth and Noelle's crazy obsession with cupcakes and Drake.

As a big fan of this series, I couldn't wait to once again get twisted, tangled, tethered and now tied to all the craziness that I know only Emma Hart can deliver. And in this fourth installment, Tied Bond, Noelle finds herself once again connected to another murder investigation. Halloween was supposed to be a night full of fun times but our favorite PI will find herself trying to track down a killer and saving her boyfriend's mother from being accused of murder. Drake Nash is a detective who is called on to solve crimes and get to the bottom of things. But what happens when he knows the victim personally and his mother is the prime leading suspect? Will Drake find himself spooked out of his mind? Or will his cupcake come to his mom's rescue and save the day?

So if you love a smart sassy feisty heroine with a crazy Italian family and a smart mouth boyfriend, then I highly urge readers to read Tied Bond. Emma Hart will have you laughing hysterically as the crazy nonsense and antics that only Noelle, her family, and Drake can get into.. also there might be a demon dog involved in the madness. What else can I say but go read this book and be bewitch by Emma Hart's witty prose and raw characters.



Emma Hart

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Hard Target by Marquita Valentine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
REVIEWED BY: MICHLLE
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review



Once again, Marquita Valentine has me seriously addicted with her Target Series. In this second installment, Hard Target, Marquita Valentine delivers a full action pack of suspense, adventure, espionage, and romance as she throttles her readers to another sexy romantic suspense with our favorite Russians, the Romanov brothers.

“While my brother had a strict policy of only killing the guilty, I have a strict policy of killing those who are trying to kill me. Or in Morgan’s case, killing those who would kill her. She’s innocent in this. She has to be.”



If you read the previous book, Prime Target, we were introduced to Benjamin Romanov, younger brother of Nikolai Romanov, an assassin and son of a prominent Russian mafia family. Benjamin knew violence as he grew up and was surrounded with it throughout his childhood and adult life. And so fast forward ten years later, Ben hopes to start his life with a clean new slate. As a chief technology officer at PharmGen, his job is to screen employees and make sure there isn't any suspicious activities. And there is one employee that caught the eye of Benjamin.

“If we carry this burden together, it won’t seem so heavy,” she replies softly and lays her head down on my shoulder. In that moment, I know the truth of everything. I know that I am unequivocally in love with a woman I have no guarantee will live to see the next day.”



Morgan Tanner is a young American working for PharmGen answering phone calls. And so when she takes on a little bet at work, she didn't expect to fall hard for Benjamin. Well falling hard for Benjamin also led to a mistaken identity that also led to being a prime target for an assassination. And so Morgan must rely on Ben to help keep her alive. As Morgan puts her trust in Ben, will she discover that Benjamin Romanov might be the man that she needs in her life?

“Will this be the last time I get to see his smile, listen to him talk... feel his heart beat beneath my hand? I want to memorize his face, carve it so deep in my soul that nothing will ever erase him.”

Hard Target was fun, sexy, suspenseful, and action packed. I really enjoyed this second installment as Marquita continues to keep her readers like myself entertained. I loved that we got to see two raw characters find their happily ever after when they least expected it. So if you are looking for a story that is jam packed with steam, action, and suspense then I highly recommend you to read this book. I seriously can't wait for the next the installment, Moving Target.



Marquita Valentine

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The Hunted by H.J. Bellus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Kathleen
★★★★★5-Dark Romance Stars★★★★★
*copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

THE HUNTED is a dark haunting romance that I've had the pleasure of reading. It's gritty and not for the faint of heart. Very erotic, dangerous hero, frightening at times...be prepared to read the story of two damaged people.

Van Hollis is one brooding, sexy human being. Very mysterious. His job is not something anyone could take lightly. He has to be focused and doesn't need any distractions. But one particular young woman has caught his attention, especially after she catches him having sex in the hallway at work. He likes it rough and dirty. He has never committed himself to any relationships and meeting her might just change his old ways. At least, that's what he's trying to avoid from happening with her.

Basil Harper is a waitress at a strip club. Working there makes it all dangerous for her. Being a young girl who thrives on success and will try anything to reach her dream, didn't come easy for her. For Bay, all she wants is to be able to go to college, to become a successful painter. Being exposed to the danger that is happening around the area she lives in, she will need to be alert and careful and maybe a dark and brooding and sexy bodyguard. When the murders get out of control... Stew, the owner of the club where she works, orders Van to make sure she gets home safely every night after work. She may act like she's had experience when it comes to sex, but she's never been that intimate with anyone. Van the mysterious man, who has caught her attention. Or maybe more like Bay's new obsession.



As these two healing souls begin to fall in love while surrounded by all the chaos, they must discover if they are willing to give into the tragedies of life or fight for their future together.

This is the second dark, erotic and somewhat gruesome for me that she's written but enjoyed it anyway. The suspense and romance will pull you in and you will end up wanting more. I highly recommend you read this and meet the bad boy Van.

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Tattooed as Trouble by J.L. Hammer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review



A fun, sexy, refreshing romantic suspense!!!! Tattoed As Trouble is the first book that I have read from J.L. Hammer and definitely it won't be my last. In this fast-paced novel, J.L. Hammer sure knows how to keep her readers entertained as she was able to blend romantic suspense with the right amount of sexual tension and angst.

Right off the opening pages, Ms. Hammer doesn't waste anytime and gets this action packed romantic suspense rolling. Or in this case, she started this book with a BANG! So when Raegan "Rae" Storm witnesses a double murder before her eyes, she is taken into custody and put into the Witness Protection Program. Raegan's testimony could help put a prominent judge who has ties with a mafia behind bars. But when there is a price on Raegan's life, this tattooed beauty must rely on a certain US Marshall to keep her alive.

“Some girls dreamed of being high powered CEOs, supermodels, or teachers and here she was with a one -way ticket into the Witness Protection Program.”

U.S. Marshall Quinn Bronson is assigned to protect Raegan and keep her alive at all cost in order for her to proceed with her testimony against the judge and mafia. What U.S. Marshall Bronson didn't expect was that Raegan is one tattooed beauty who will bring so much trouble into his life. And the only trouble Quinn will be experiencing is trying to keep his working relationship with Raegan professional. Will Quinn be able to protect Raegan? And will he be able to resist her charm? Or will this U.S. Marshall discover that the best kind of trouble to enter his life is Raegan?

I really enjoyed the story of Quinn and Raegan. I love that the author brought two unlikely strangers together and showed that true love is looking past preconceived notions and seeing a person for who they truly are. So if you are looking for a fast paced, sexy, and suspenseful read then I would definitely give this book a try.



J.L. Hammer

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Hard Ever After by Laura Kaye
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review



“You saved me from becoming someone I didn’t recognize, and because of you I have a life worth living. But only if you’ll walk it with me.”

A sweet, sexy, beautiful Hard Ink Happily Ever After!!! This novella was able to weave friendship, love and of course suspense!!! What is a Hard Ink series without a little suspense thrown into the mix to set hearts racing and pumping!! After what Nick, Becca and the Hard Ink gang have been through, a happily ever is well deserved!!! And Laura Kaye did just that. Readers of the series will be left with a big fat smile on their face as Ms. Kaye reminded us again how easily it is to fall in love with these characters. It truly has been a journey of ups and downs and to see Nick and Becca get their always and forever ending was truly worth it. So if you are looking for a love story that will leave a permanent mark on your mind of what it means to truly love hard then I highly recommend you to read this sweet novella of the Hard Ink gang!!!





Laura Kaye

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Distraction by Aurora Rose Reynolds
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review



dis·trac·tion (/dəˈstrakSH(ə)n/) a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.

Distraction by Aurora Reynolds is the third installment of Underground Kings Series and can be read as a standalone but I would urge readers to read the first two books since previous characters makes an appearance in this book. I loved the first two books of this series but for Distraction I liked the book but didn't loved it. For some reason, the characters couldn't pull me into the storyline as I would have expected.

“She guards herself so closely, never allowing herself to be vulnerable for anyone. But I won’t accept anything less than all of her. I want her— no, need her— to feel for me what I feel for her.”

I usually don't mind the insta-lust/love in most stories but for some reason it didn't work for me with the story of Maggie and Sven. Their relationship felt so rushed that it felt so sudden for me to have these characters exchange the "The I Love You's ". Also, I was a bit weirded out when Sven and Maggie first hooked up because I just couldn't fathom the idea of why Sven continued the sexual act knowing that Maggie was not in the proper state of mind. With that being said, the relationship of Sven and Maggie was this insta-love from that moment on. As these two continued to build their relationship, Maggie's younger sister and Sven's rival soon becomes a distraction for these two.

Family has always been an important aspect in Maggie's life. She loves her parents and sister dearly. And so when her sister's drug problem gets out of hand, Maggie is always there to fix it. And so when Sven makes an ultimatum to Maggie to choose her sister or him, what will she choose? Also while Sven is being distracted by his love and protectiveness of Maggie, will this distraction be his downfall when an enemy has his target on taking down Sven?

Overall, Distraction was just an okay read. I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. It was just alright. I just didn't get the pull to fall in love with these characters while the multiple ongoing distractions were occurring. But what I did love was the epilogue. Personally, that was my favorite part of this book. Though this book may not be my favorite of Aurora's, other readers might love this book. So if you are a fan of a possessive and protective alpha male and the whole insta-love romance then this book might be for you.



Aurora Rose Reynolds

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Low by Mary Elizabeth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review



OMFG!!!!!!! I am in LOVE. In love with Mary Elizabeth and her beautiful words and storyline. In love with her ability to make a story original, full of heart, and make you beg for more. I am in LOVE with her raw characters. I am in love with LOW.

“My crimes have never been victimless, but as a kid from the hood, when welfare wasn’t enough, I did what I had to do to help my family get by. ”

So how can this one book make me fall hard. It's simple. LOW was so much more than a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks falling in love. This book was about the raw, realistic, poignant tale of a young man who was desperate. Desperate to put food on the table. Desperate to have a roof over his head. Desperate to live. Desperate to SURVIVE.



Lowen Seely was a young man who had to fight in order to survive the harsh and gritty reality of life. His life was not the perfect house with the white picket fence. His life revolved around having just enough spare change for measly crumbs. His life was made up blood, sweat, and tears. And when Lowen made that choice to steal for a jar of peanut butter and bread, his life was forever changed when he knew he assaulted the store owner. Lowen Seely is a criminal with a record. When Lowen served his time in prison, there was one thing that meant the world to him. His girl.

“Before I met and fell in love with Poe, my mother and sister were my only sources of security. The sound of their voices, the comfort in their touch, and the force of their unconditional affection gave me reason and determination to hustle another day. After her husband’s conviction, my mom was left with filthy-faced kids, a broken heart, and not a cent to her name. ”

Posey Ashby loved Lowen Seely with all her heart. She didn't see a bad boy. She didn't see an uneducated man. She didn't see a criminal. What she saw was the boy who owned her heart. The boy who loved her fiercely. The boy who saved her. The boy that gave her the reason to breathe and wake up each morning. The boy who brought light into her life. The boy who has a beautiful heart. The boy that she loved.

“The boy doesn’t realize he saved the girl, because before she met him, she was trapped, kept by parents who never cared.” Poesy sobs. Her small frame shakes, and blood streams down her back like exposed veins. “This boy was the first person to ever make the girl feel beautiful and needed and loved.”

Poesy Ashby is the definition of ride or die. She stood by Low's side no matter what even while he was in prison serving his time. So when Low was done serving his time, Posey and Low thought that they could finally live their life together. But when it became difficult to get by financially, Low and Posey begins to experience the financial hardships. For Low, it was hard for him to see his girl struggling with school and work. And it also didn't help that job opportunities for ex-cons were limited since many people saw the bad boy with a tattoo on his face and a criminal record. And so when Lowen and Posey reached rock bottom, they did the only thing that knew they had to do. They made the choice to rob banks.




“Tell me a story, Poe. Say something important.”“There’s a boy who loves a girl, he might think he loves her more than she loves him, but the truth is they love each other the same.”

The choice to rob a bank is not the ideal situation to solve any problems but they were desperate. Desperate to survive the harsh reality of living on the wrong side of the tracks. Though I will not make any excuses for their choice, I will say that Low and Posey was written in such a way that made you FEEL for them. Feel their guilt. Feel their love. Feel their heartbreak. Feel their vulnerabilities and insecurities. Feel their fears.

“She tells him over and over she doesn’t want to go, but the boy is always trying to get rid of her. ‘It’s for your own good ,’ he says. But what the boy doesn’t know is that by sending her away, he would kill the girl. The girl knows what’s best for her, and that’s the boy. Even when she cries. Even when she’s in pain. The girl knows, Lowen, and I know what you’re thinking, but you can’t send me away. Please, don’t leave me alone again.”

What truly made me LOVE this book was how Mary Elizabeth brilliantly made the story of Lowen and Posey so raw. There was no hidden facade. Mary Elizabeth stripped her readers to see that Low and Posey are flawed. They made their own choice. Right or wrong they made a choice that they own 100%. And most importantly, Mary Elizabeth allowed her readers to see beyond the criminal acts but see that even crooks love, regret, dream, and break. Even crooks like Low and Posey are capable to have TRUE LOVE. A love that will forever be etched and tattooed on their hearts, mind, body and soul. An unforgettable love. And most importantly even crooks can have love that is worth dying and fighting for.

“Somewhere I won’t be a felon, and she won’t be the girl stupid enough to love one. Even crooks see the bright side.”



LOW was utterly addicting and beautiful. Mary Elizabeth paints a literary tale of beauty, grit, raw emotions, and a palpable love story that will have you falling hard for crooks. Yes, even crooks love. Though this is my first Mary Elizabeth book, this definitely won't be my last. I loved how Mary Elizabeth can write a fresh modern twist to Bonnie & Clyde and have readers begging for more. Mary Elizabeth wrote a book that held readers like my hostage as we were wrapped up in a whirlwind of raw emotions. I love that this book is not your typical bad boy romance but a story that was built on the foundations of family, desperation, survival, and love. So if you are ready to fall hard for crooks, then I highly recommend you to read LOW by Mary Elizabeth and get lost in her gorgeous prose.



Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Mary Elizabeth

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Boiling Point by Tessa Bailey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewe by: Michelle
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review



Lines have been crossed. Cons have been made. Revenge is on the mind. And sexual tension between Polly Banks and Austin Shaw have reach an ultimate boiling point in Tessa Bailey's new installment to the Crossing the Line Series. With sexual tension dripping to the max, Ms. Bailey has her readers bewitched as fourberie, passion, lust, revenge, and love are all intertwined and layered with raw emotions to give an unforgettable sexy romantic suspense.



“You are the feeling.”

Polly Banks has one thing on her mind. Revenge on the con man who ruined her father's trust. As Polly pursues the man who ruined her family's life, she must be careful if she wants to get out of alive in her dangerous pursuit. But luckily for Polly, she has Austin looking out for her. But the drawback is that Austin is a former con artist. And Polly doesn't trust a con man. So how will Polly be able to let her guard down and see that trusting Austin is her only way out of making sure she succeeds in her plan? Will Polly find herself falling in love with a con artist as she hacks her way to getting justice?

“God, he loved the woman. Loved her strengths, her vulnerabilities, and everything in between. By some twist of fate, she loved him, too. Every time she said it, he still asked her to repeat herself. ”

Boiling Point was a fast paced romantic suspense that had everything you would want and expect from a Tessa Bailey book. Ms. Bailey never fails to give her readers the full scope as she slowly unfolds layers upon layers of passion, steam, lust, revenge, suspense and love. With her gorgeous and sexy prose, Ms. Bailey will surely have readers reaching a boiling point as we fall madly in love with Polly and Austin. All I can say, this was another great installment to the series and a must read for all you Tessa Bailey fans out there!!!



Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Tessa Bailey

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