2018 Round Up

2018 has been a tough reading year for me, well at least the last three months. Not sure if it was the biggest book funk I have ever been in or blogger burn out, but I just could not read for love or money. My head was in totally the wrong place and every book I picked up just couldn't keep my attention. My inclination to read evaporated and so I spent the last three months listening to Crime Thriller audiobooks, my second reading passion and just a few books that really caught my attention or what friends told me would get me out of my funk.

Despite hardly reading for the last three months, I still hit my reduced reading challenge of 300 books, finishing my last book around 10pm on New Years Eve, that was cutting it close, but I was desperate to hit it. I re-read all my unicorn books in December and even they couldn't help me.

Anywho, I'm not going to dwell on my reading annus horriblis (as the Queen would say) and I'm hoping to start 2019 off with a bang and plunge myself back into blogging and just taking it at my own pace, still reading for pleasure and fun while promoting the authors and books that I love.

In 2018 I had 39 five star reads, by 27 different authors. My favourites of the year, with three five star books a piece was Monica James, Kate Stewart, Ella Frank and Jewel E Ann. These ladies really wrote their socks off this year. Monica James with Forgetting You, Remembering Me and her Sins of the Heart Duet. Kate Stewart with The Real, Someone Else's Ocean and her collaboration with Heather M Orgeron with Heartbreak Warfare. Ella Frank with her Confessions series, one of the best M/M series I have ever read and finally Jewel E Ann, with Look the Part and her epic Transcend Duet.

I have read many, many new to me authors this year as well as debut authors and some of them have hit my five star list this year. I love finding hidden talent and cannot wait to expand my author horizons even further going forward.

So, my top ten this year is as follows:-

1) Heartbreak Warfare by Kate Stewart and Heather M Orgeron

2) All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

3) Danes Storm by Mia Sheridan

4) Misadventures of a College Girl by Lauren Rowe

5) The Fifth to Die (4MK Thriller) by JD Barker 

6) Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan

7) Dying Truth (DI Kim Stone Series) by Angela Marsons

8) Epoch and Transcend by Jewel E Ann

9) Cinq a Sept by MJ Fields

10) Verity by Colleen Hoover 

and these are followed by these other epic reads (in no particular order)

Three Blind Dates by Meghan Quinn

Secret Lucidity by EK Blair

Someone Else's Ocean by Kate Stewart

Combust by K Bromberg

The Real by Kate Stewart

Look the Part by Jewel E Ann

Forgetting You, Remembering Me by Monica James

The Smallest Part by Amy Harmon

Confessions: Robbie by Ella Frank

Wait With Me by Amy Daws

Reckoning by Jessica Ruben

Even Money by Alessandra Torre

Absinthe of the Heart by Monica James 

Doppelbanger by Heather M Orgeron

One Baby Daddy by Meghan Quinn

Rebel Heart by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

Rough Edge by CD Reiss

Confessions: Julien by Ella Frank

Contracted by Marni Mann

Disgrace by Brittainy C Cherry

Second Chance by BJ Harvey

Sweet Insanity by Desiree Adele

Confessions: Priest by Ella Frank

Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan

No Tomorrow by Carian Cole

Beautiful Chaos by Riley Hart

Defiance of the Heart by Monica James

Cards of Love: The Devil by Ashley Jade

I hope that you have all had a great reading year too and would love to know our favourites so that I can add to mine. Here's to another year filled with amazing words, amazing books and the amazing authors that keeps our hobby going and going and going.

Thanks to the authors that pour their blood, sweat and tears into these books, I truly appreciate every single one of them. You all matter!

Review ~ Cards of Love: The Devil by Ashley Jade

Book Description:

The Devil is a prelude novel that is part of the Cards of Love Collection. You do NOT need to read any other books in the collection to read The Devil. 

They'll tell you I seduced them. Used my looks and body to lure them into my playground. 

They'll tell you I'm a sinner. A demon who held them captive with temptation and lust. 

They'll tell you I'm evil. A monster obsessed with the both of them. 

They'll tell you they made a deal with the devil.

What they won't tell you...is how much they liked it. 

Please note: This story contains content that may be offensive to some readers.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2TAGlaQ

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2OU7gLb

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 5 stars

“There are no heroes in this story. Only devils.”

Ashley Jade is a new to me author and was introduced on the promise of a buddy read, said buddy went AWOL, but I forgive her. But…can I forgive this author for leaving me hanging? The Devil is a prelude to a book due out next month called The Devils Advocate, one book that I will be desperately waiting for and reading the minute it hits my kindle.

“Don’t hurt the only person who ever gave a fuck about you, okay?”

Jaw meet floor…that was me at the end of this book, everything I thought I knew went “POOF” up in smoke, and I was left staring at the walls, thinking what the ever loving fuckkkkkk. I love it when an author manages to catch me off guard, and this author hit me with a doozy, and I could only admire the evil, conniving mind that dreamt this plot up in the first place.

“There are two types of people in this world, Cain. Those who are capable of greatness, but don’t bother trying. And those who still try even though they’re not capable of greatness.”

This book was a complete mindfuck, cleverly orchestrated to draw the reader in and never let them go until the author wanted to hit you where it hurts, in the solar plexus. Damn, damn, damn, I cannot believe this book, if this is just the prelude then I cannot begin to imagine what is still to come, all it does is have me rubbing my hands in glee and eager anticipation. This book was soooooo clever, seriously, I HAD NO IDEA, I am in awe and bow down to this author. My book mojo has been non-existent, but this one certainly hit the spot, and I am hoping it has reignited my reading flame.

“Sometimes the only difference between love and obsession is a broken heart.”

The Devil is a story of betrayal first and foremost, unrequited love and trust that was decimated beyond repair and leads to the ultimate story of revenge. Unhealthy obsession in a variety of forms, one of love and lust and one of success and acceptance. Whereas one is somewhat in control, the other definitely isn’t and will do anything, and I mean ANYTHING to get what they want, no matter who gets in the way. Cunning and conniving, the devil in this book is a chameleon, ever-changing colours and you never know what one comes next. I seriously cannot stop thinking about the ending of this book, WOW, just WOW. If you find yourself tempted to cheat and read the end, DON’T YOU DARE!! You need to experience this as the author intended and what a bloody ride.

Ashley Jade, how have I not read you before? I will definitely be checking out this authors backlist. If this is a taste of what this author can deliver, then I have some fabulous books to discover. READ THIS BOOK!!

Review ~ Misadventures on the Rebound by Lauren Rowe

Book Description:

***MISADVENTURES ARE STANDALONE ROMANCES THAT CAN BE READ IN ANY ORDER***

After getting canned from her dream job this morning and played in spectacular fashion by her boyfriend this afternoon, Savannah “Savvy” Valentine is having a truly awful day. Which is why she’s currently drowning her sorrows in whiskey and self-pity in a shabby bar along the route to Las Vegas.

In light of today’s double whammy, Savvy isn’t sure why she’s still heading in the direction of her five-year high school reunion. The only reason she’d wanted to attend the reunion in Vegas in the first place was to show the captain of the football team, the guy who took her virginity and then promptly rejected her, that the captain of the math team grew up to have all enviable hot things: hot body, hot boyfriend, and hot career. Now, the only “hot” thing about Savvy Valentine is her mess.

But when a gorgeous stranger with sandy hair, a leather jacket, and motorcycle helmet walks into the bar, Savvy’s awful day suddenly looks a whole lot brighter. The man is perfection. Sexy and mysterious. And he’s heading to Las Vegas, too.

Can one wild night with a sexy stranger in the middle of nowhere lead a girl to fall desperately and deeply in love in Las Vegas? Savvy Valentine is about to find out.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2PGEKSv

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2QZ55rQ

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 4 stars

***ARC received for an honest review***

“You’re imprinted on my heart forever.”

Lauren Rowe delivers another fabulous read with Misadventures on the Rebound. Character driven, hilarious yet adorable and cute, there is something for everyone in this book as one craptastic day takes this heroine on a ride she will never, ever forget.

Savannah Valentine is currently in a job she loves, she works hard, and has huge aspirations and yet as she goes into work at the beginning of this book, her life changes when she is let go. Upset and worried for her financial future, Savannah goes home and then finds her boyfriend is doing the dirty on her. Could this day get any worse? Savannah was a fantastic heroine, incredibly clever, a little naïve and low on the street smarts, but this only made her more endearing. Down on her luck, and upset, Savannah takes off to her high school reunion in Las Vegas, even though it is the last place she wants to be, but it takes her away from her current situation and at least will bring a little respite.

“I said I have no street smarts, Aiden. I didn’t say I’m a moron.”

Stopping en-route in a bar, Savannah has a chance encounter with one hot as sin man, a night definitely to remember, the perfect, dreamlike rebound, but what happens when one night just isn’t enough…for either of them.

Aiden was perfection for Savannah; neither was looking for it and yet it landed in their laps anyways. Fate has a way of bringing people together, and fate certainly knew what it was doing with these two. It was once these two hit Las Vegas that the real shenanigans began. Lauren Rowe goes Oceans 11’esque in this book, and it was this that really brought a different dynamic for our number crunching heroine.

“And, suddenly, I know for a fact I’m not going anywhere. Ever. Because, for the first time in ten fucking years, I finally feel like I’m home.”

This was an unputdownable read, with a fast-paced plot and endearing characters. Funny in places, cute and hot in others and with that added extra action that really pulled this book together. Totally loved it!!

Blog Tour & Review ~ One Week Hating You (One Week #2) by Roya Carmen

Title: One Week Hating You

Author: Roya Carmen

Genre: 2nd Chance Love/Hate Story

Release Date: October 25, 2018 

Cover Design: Calico Images

Book Description:

Maeve is over the moon: life is good and she's about to get married to Peter. But when she loses her job and gets jilted at the altar, her world crumbles and she runs into her momma's arms.

She's back in her small hometown for a week, and she has a plan - make Peter insanely jealous and win him back. Enter Blake Taylor, the boy who broke her heart. She'd rather avoid him at all costs, but with his 'bad boy' good looks and their shared history, Blake is the perfect man for the job, as long as she can stand him long enough - it's just one week, after all.

She'll show Peter that she's not the sweet wallflower he thinks she is, and he'll come running back soon enough.

But when he does, will she still want him?

A second chance love hate story.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Jpcptz

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2P0pRKq

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2zrAixo

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2MXQWrW

B&N: https://bit.ly/2N0VzkT

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2QU9lZM

Apple: https://apple.co/2DDRnsf

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 4 stars

***ARC received for an honest review*** 

“None of them were you.”

Roya Carmen delivers a fabulous love/hate, second chance romance with One Week Hating You. I couldn’t get enough of this story, and once I started, I couldn’t put it down. This book had a little bit of everything, a man that you should hate in the beginning and yet can’t because you can see what lies underneath and another man that was a spineless asshole that needed no second chances. A heroine who was sweet and innocent, a little naïve and someone I wanted to shake on a regular basis, but at the end of the day, she just thought the man she was supposed to marry, was the one. However, alas, he wasn’t.

“I hate you because I want you, and I can’t have you.”

On what should be the best day of her life, Maeve’s life is left in tatters as her fiancé and boyfriend of seven years jilts her at the altar. Completely stunned and devastated, Maeve feels like her life has imploded and with her family begging her to come home and get away from it all, she relents and makes the trip. Home is like stepping back in time in more ways than one, this quaint town hasn’t changed, everyone knows everyone and the boy that broke her heart still lives next door. You never forget your first love, and when these two set eyes on one and other for the first time, it seems first love only lies in wait to be reignited back to life once again.

“Every time I looked at your beautiful face, it hurt.”

For some reason, a reason that still baffles me, Maeve is desperate to win her jilting ass of an ex back, meek and timid Maeve gets a makeover. Maeve’s friends decide that making him jealous will only spur him into action, cue first love, Blake, his rippling muscles and his drop-dead gorgeous features, plus and this was a huge plus for Blake, he was adorable, OMG, totally and utterly adorable.

These two in close proximity to each other only brings all those old feelings flooding back, where loss and heartbreak drove them apart never to be spoken of again, well at least on Maeve’s side. The rekindling is far from easy as their pasts have to be dealt with before the present can have a chance, but Blake is adamant in his pursuit and with a flighty, heartbroken Maeve, he has to be one his A Game.

“…as much as I want to tell myself  that he’s just for fun, I know he’s a lot more than that.”

One Week Hating You was full of heartbreak, love, emotion, passion and fun, the character connection and dialogue was on point, the characters real and relatable and the fate love gods shooting their arrow to perfection. Absolutely loved it.

“You and me, we've had it rough…But now's our time. Our time to be happy.”

Excerpt:

“It’s complicated,” I try to explain.

“It’s not complicated,” he says. “We were just fucking, I get it. Parker’s the one you’re engaged to.” We’re trudging through his backyard and I’m suddenly taken back to so long ago, when we’d spend hours playing back here. The old tire swing still hangs from the large maple. That old shed is still standing, and so is the old swing set his dad built. His fishing boat sits in its usual spot.

I run after him again, and when I catch up to him, he takes me by surprise when he grabs my arm. “What do you want from me?”

“I…” My heart is pounding so hard. “I… I don’t know. I just want to make sure we’re all right. I don’t want to leave on a bad note.”

He pulls me to him and wraps his hands in my hair. He pulls at it as he draws me in closer, draws me in for a kiss. I get lost in him. I rub the palms of my hands against his neatly trimmed beard, savoring the taste of his mouth. I want him one last time. God, I want him.

He pulls away. “Is this what you wanted?” he asks, breathless. “Is this ending on a good note?”

I bury my hands in his hair and pull him back to me. I melt into him when he kisses me again. He grabs my ass and presses me hard against him. I want him to take me inside. I tear my mouth from his. “Take me to your room,” I beg. “Please.”

He trails a hand under the skirt of my dress, toys with my panties. “Nah…” he says.

My eyes grow wide, and my stomach feels like stone. He’s saying no.

“Nah,” he says. “Beds are for you and Parker. You and I… we just fuck, don’t we. Beds are not for us.” He pulls at the band of my panties, and with one swift pull, he slides them over the curve of my ass. I swallow and close my eyes. I let him do this, right in the middle of his backyard, where anyone can see us. I let him because it feels so good. I throw my head back when he slides his hand over my sex.

That’s when I grab onto his wrist and steady his hand. “We need to stop.”

“Why?” he asks, his voice hoarse. “Afraid Parker might see? Hey, why don’t you snap a pic for your Instagram, or are we not doing that anymore?”

I pull away from him but he’s quick to grab my arm. “Come with me,” he says, his voice soft. He takes my hand and leads me out back, towards the shed. I hike my panties back up with one hand and follow eagerly, not quite sure what he’s up to.

When we reach the shed, he swings the door open and pulls me in. He slams the door behind us, and we find ourselves in almost total darkness. It’s cold and damp. The full moon shines through the windows and gives us a bit of light. The small enclosed space is a mess; tools on one wall, lawnmower, tons of fishing gear, a stack of tires, and a table topped with bottles and cans. There’s barely standing room for the two of us. He spins me around and presses me against the door. It smells of peeling paint and rotten wood.

He presses his hot mouth on my neck. “Is this what you want?”

I throw my head back against his shoulder. “Yes…” I whisper, but it comes out as a moan, a desperate whimper.

“I’m going to give you the best fuck of your life.” He drops to his knees and buries his head under my skirt. He trails soft hot kisses up my legs as he slides my panties slowly down. “When you’re laying with Parker, in your fancy silky sheets, and he can’t make you come, you think about this.” His words melt into the flesh of my ass and my eyes roll into the back of my head.

I step out of my panties, one shaking leg at a time. “Yes…” I breathe.

He comes to a stand again and presses both his hands on either side of my head, holding me hostage. “You promise?”

“I promise.”

He pulls me hard against him, and before I can even think of what’s happening, I’m hiked up against him, and he’s inside me, one hand sliding down my clit. In mere seconds, he makes me come, and I know that he’s right.

I probably won’t ever be able to stop thinking about this. Remembering this. And wanting this.

Also Available:

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2K5v6VU

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2JMmAfr

Apple: https://apple.co/2Gtl0Z3

Nook: https://bit.ly/2Gp2h0V

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2IP7ape

About the Author:

Roya Carmen is a busy mom, romance writer, designer, bookworm, chocoholic, and hopeless romantic. There’s nothing she enjoys more than making up stories about love, and sharing them with her readers.

Website: www.royacarmen.com

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2KANItJ

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2KACXHN

Author Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/2wV0MrU

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2wSLRP2

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2KE5k89