30 November 2013

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren Review


What they say: An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling. 



Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate--and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.


Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative--completely infuriating--creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules--or outright smash them--if it means he can have her. All over the office. 

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.

Originally only available online as The Office by tby789--and garnering over 2 million reads on fanfiction sites--Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.



What I say: I read 50 Shades of Grey early on as Twilight fanfic Master of the Universe but I'm massively behind the times when it comes to writing duo Christina Lauren's The Office or as it's now called Beautiful Bastard.

So onto Beautiful Bastard and the story...Bennett Ryan is a super rich, super hot media/marketing big wig and Chloe is a long suffering intern (don't worry she's a 26-year-old post grad). Beautiful Bastard starts 9 months after Chloe started working in Bennett's department (i.e. for him) and she's disgusted by the way he treats her.

The story focuses on their mutual attraction and lust whilst they both battle against each other and any developing feelings (other that hate). Chloe and her friends refer to him as a 'Beautiful Bastard' - I loved this because it raised so many issues about inner and outer beauty! We get to read Bennett's POV as well as Chloe's and it was interesting to see his horrible behaviour from his own POV! I have to say as much as I was expecting to loath Bennett I really didn't...! He's actually kinda insecure and vulnerable when it comes to Chloe.

There are a LOT of sexy scenes in Beautiful Bastard, most of which involve knicker ripping. But the scenes work because their relationship teeters on the brink of love/lust and hate - they're very passionate and very similar. Thankfully Bennett doesn't fall into the realms of stalkerdom and his control is more position-of-power based, rather than BDSM dom. Bennett is the boss who has proven himself whereas Chloe is the intern who has a lot to loose by having a relationship with her boss.


I liked Chloe's voice; her commentary and thoughts about Bennett were hilarious (see fav quotes below). At times I found Chloe to be extremely stubborn but I understood her reservations. They fight a lot and Bennett has spent 9 months being awful to her. But the main consideration is the potential damage to her career and Masters Degree if she's seen to be sleeping her way to the top. BUT and it's a BIG one, I wanted to smack her when she kept running!

Beautiful Bastard is fun, angst ridden and sexy and most importantly: NOT Twilight!!

4 Stars in my Sky!


My fav non-spoilery quotes:
  • "If only he would keep his mouth shut, he'd be perfect. A piece of duct tape would do the trick. I had some in my desk that I'd occasionally pull out and fondle, hoping someday I could put it to good use."
  • "But I'd be a silent panty ripper, which I think is a lot creepier than the angry-boss panty ripper." 
  • "You weren't kidding, Chloe. That is one beautiful bastard. I wouldn't kick him out of my bed. Or car. Or dressing room. Or elevator, or-"
  • "Of course I remember that. You sounded like a frat boy and looked like a fucking model. What man could ever forget that?"
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29 November 2013

ARC Review + Blog Tour - FREAKS by Lisa M Forester








What they say: Nobody's perfect... or are they?

Abigail always knew that she was different, but what she didn't know was just how different. 


That was until her 16th birthday, when her parent's revealed a devastating secret that confirmed her worst fears and changed her life forever.



Abigail is an Allelobrid: one of five children born as a result of their parents illegal science experiment in genetic engineering. The aim: to create a perfect human.

Yet perfection comes at a price.

Forced into a life on the run, Abigail finds love, danger and an organisation that will stop at nothing to get what they want.

When lives are at risk and freedom is threatened - could being perfect be enough to survive?


  • FREAKS is due for release on November 28th 2013 by Create Space - ISBN: 1492715298 - ISBN13: 9781492715290.

Author links:
Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook * Website

Buy Links:
Amazon * Amazon UK


I received a copy of FREAKS in exchange of an honest review!

What I say (review): I've always found the idea of growing/creating designer babies really sinister. Well in FREAKS Lisa M Forester takes the idea and wraps it up in an imaginative and extremely sinister YA bundle!

16-year-old Abigail has always been different from other kids and has recently discovered why; she was created in a science lab using her parents DNA. Abigail is one of five babies engineered with the aim of being the world's first perfect children called Allelobrid's.

FREAKS follows Abigail as she uncovers the truth about her mysterious 'birth' and as she sets out to find answers. The Frankenstein comparisons were very apt (clever Lisa) and I kept thinking about the evil 'Skins' from Roswell High in the pod person scene.

I found Abigail really likeable; she's witty and courageous yet vulnerable and naive.  She makes a good lead character because she never came across as annoying. I really like Max and Dylan but remain undecided about Bradley and the girls.

I really enjoyed FREAKS and found the story engaging without being too heavy on the sci-fi. BUT that ending!? Naughty Lisa!

4 Stars in my Sky!

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Cover Reveal: The Saving of Benjamin Chambers by Anna Bloom




ben_cover_no_spine - The Saving of Benj,im Chabers


The Saving of Benjamin Chambers (A Uni Files Short)
by Anna Bloom

New Adult / Romance
Due for release on 4th December 2013

Soul Mate Publishing


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Synopsis:

Benjamin Chambers needs saving, he just does not know it yet. Bored of his life of repetitive gigs with a band going nowhere fast and one night stands with girls who are only interested in his role as a lead singer, something has got to change. It’s just what do you do when the only life you know involves messing around with guitars and attempting to run away from any female attention that comes your way.

Ben has a New Year’s resolution and one that he is determined to keep, quit the band and get a life of his own. Little does Ben realise that on his last night with his band Sound Box he is going to meet a girl who will turn everything he knows upside down.

As Ben sets himself the challenge to find ‘The Girl’ again, he may be about to learn that in an effort to rescue her, he himself will be the one to be saved.


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Author Spotlight: 


Anna Bloom is a contemporary romance writer who writes about life as it happens. Combining a busy schedule of looking after two small children whilst working in a local school and completing The Uni Files series she also spends a lot of time imagining kissing hot guys – all in the name of her art.







Author Links:



Buy Links:


The Art Of Letting Go: The Uni Files – Year One (#1):



The Art of Letting Go will hopefully be free for a short time when Ben's POV is released - TBC!


The Book Lovers
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Cover Reveal: The Art of Forgiving by Anna Bloom



ben_cover_no_spine


The Art of Forgiving (A Uni Files Short - Christmas scene)
by Anna Bloom

New Adult / Romance

RELEASE DATE: 11th December 2013


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Synopsis:

Benjamin Chambers found the girl, won the girl, and then lost the girl all in two months. It wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t that girl. The one that had already got away once.

Left to his own devices, wallowing in self-pity, drinking whiskey and killing ballads on his guitar Ben is looking forward to the worst Christmas in history. That is until an unexpected offer of help arrives.

Given the best Christmas gift he could ever wish for, the chance to spend one more day with the girl that got away. Ben knows he just has one day to convince Lilah that they are meant to be together, before he has to make some big decisions about his own future. Just one day to set right the mistakes that he has made, but will it be enough?

Ben may end up finding out that The Art of Forgiving isn't something you can teach, it is something that you have to earn.






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Author Spotlight: 

Anna Bloom is a contemporary romance writer who writes about life as it happens. Combining a busy schedule of looking after two small children whilst working in a local school and completing The Uni Files series she also spends a lot of time imagining kissing hot guys – all in the name of her art.




Author Links:




Buy Links:

The Art Of Letting Go: The Uni Files – Year One (#1):



The Art of Letting Go is hopefully going to be free for a short while when Ben's POV novella is released - TBC!



The Book Lovers
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28 November 2013

Review: Lover Reborn (The Black Dagger Brotherhood 10) by J.R. Ward

What they say: #1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward’s “different, creative, dark, violent, and flat-out amazing” Black Dagger Brotherhood series continues as a vampire warrior crosses the line between life and death…into a world of dark dreams and darker desires.


Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment has been a heartbroken shadow of the vampire leader he once was. Brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel, he fights again with ruthless vengeance, unprepared for a new tragedy. Seeing his beloved in dreams—trapped in a cold, isolated netherworld—Tohr turns to the angel Lassiter to save his former mate. The only way to rescue her is for Tohr to love another. As war with the lessers rages, and a new clan of vampires vie for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between an unforgettable past and a hot, passion-filled future. But can his heart let go and set all of them free?



What I say: I think by now it MUST be clear how much I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood series but I'm going to admit I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from Lover Reborn because Tohr and Wellsie were a very strong unit and I couldn't see how Tohr could possibly find that kind of love again. Thankfully the Warden did not disappoint and I loved this book! 

Lover Reborn is set across a longer period of time than we are used to in the previous books and we don't get the usual insta-love. What we do get is a great deal of angst,  drama and slow burn! This being said, at times I couldn't decide whether I wanted to salute Tohr by staying true to Wellsie's memory or smack him for how he treated a certain other 'female of worth'!!

Aside from Tohr's story of rebuilding his life with the Brotherhood we also get a whole load of baddie action. Xcor and the Band Of Bastards cause some MAJOR drama in this instalment and I'm expecting some Layla related issues coming up.

In Lover Reborn Tohr really has to make the decision to live and move on. Not to forget  the past but to make peace with himself and the fact he is alive! Lassiter rocks in this book and is secretly a brilliant friend to Tohr and No'one. It was interesting to learn more about No'one, Tohr, Darius and potentially John's past. John and Xhex also face some huge issues in the book and it's interesting to see John face his biggest obstacle: HIMSELF!

I liked the introduction of Assail and I'm hoping he's going to have a much bigger part to play. It seems like the world and his wife are after Wrath's throne these days *ahem* Xcor, Throe, Zyphor.  

As for Qhuinn and Blay I couldn't stand how things are going between them and the Layla complication is going to come back and bite them in the butt. But am looking forward to their book up next.

Lover At Last here I come...!



4.5 Stars in my Sky!


My fav non-spoilery quotes:
  • "Wow". She breathed. "I know, right? Hung like a horse." "If you’re really nice—and you live through this—I’ll promise not to tell V."
  • "What the hell!" As Lassiter's big body cut through the projection onto the screen, a gigantic pair of flapping breasts covered his face and chest. "Adventures in the Milfy Way. A true classic."
  • Tohr shrugged. "Assuming he’s kept the same ones on, they’re a total of five. Three cousins. That porn star Zypher—" Rhage harrumphed at that. Clearly, even though he was now very happily mated, he felt like the race had one, and only one, sex legend—and it was him.  
  • It looked like Tohr and the kid had a lot in common: Courtesy of their tempers, both were now dressed in the Captain Asshole costume—which included, for no extra charge, the cape of disgrace, the booties of shame, and keys to the F**k Up mobile.
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27 November 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: The King by J.R. Ward







Waiting on Wednesday is my weekly post where I obsess over the shiny new books  I cannot wait to read!




This week I'm waiting on... The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12) by J.R. Ward




What they say: J.R. Ward's # 1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood continues as a royal bloodline is compromised by a grave threat to the throne.


Long live the King… 



After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle--with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything--and everyone--at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she’s unprepared for Wrath’s response--or the distance it creates between them.

The question is, will true love win out... or tortured legacy take over?

  • The King is due to be published in March 2014.


Why I'm waiting on The King:

  1. I LOVE the BDB series!
  2. It'll be good to see Wrath deal with more of his issues.
  3. I want to know what will happen with Beth's needing!
  4. What will happen with the Band of Bastards?
  5. Ward writes smut SO well!
  6. I never moved on from my vampire obsession!
  7. So many questions need answering after the ending of book #11.
  8. I wanna see if Wrath goes all crazy papa-bear.
  9. Er see cover - surely thats reason enough?!
  10. Wrath & Beth's book was so long ago it's about time Ward revisited them.




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Second Chance Summer Tour Blast






From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Love Game and Playing for Keeps is a story of hope and the beauty of getting a second chance at the kind of love that comes once in a lifetime…

“You don’t get a love like ours and get to leave it behind.”

Kia James was never meant to return to her hometown of Harlan Grove, Alabama… But she has.
And Reese Pembleton was definitely not supposed to still be in love with her the way she is him… But he is.

Last summer was the summer to end all summers. It was the summer they both fell in too deep to get out, and try as she might, Kia can’t deny that whatever was there between them a year ago is still there. If she’s honest with herself, there’s so much more there than there ever was, but the way her dad walked out six years ago has shattered her belief of that fairytale love every girl craves.

Reese isn’t giving up so easily. His biggest mistake was not chasing after Kia the way he wanted to when she upped and left him without a word. Despite what she says, he knows her better than anyone, and he knows she still wants him the way he wants her. And this time, nothing will stop him from getting – and keeping – his girl.

But nothing is that easy. When Kia’s dad arrives back in town, family secrets come tumbling out she never realized existed. Everything her mom has ever told her about the reason he left is a lie – but how can she trust the man who, by his own admission, didn’t fight for her as hard as he could have?

With her past and present wants and needs colliding, Kia is thrown into the turmoil of the biggest decisions of her life. And she realizes, sometimes a second chance is all you need.


Buy Links:





Author Spotlight: By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies – usually wine – and writes books.


Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love.

She likes to be busy - unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.



Check out my review of Second Chance Summer!



Excerpt:


“Shit! Kia!” Reese calls after me. “I didn’t mean it like that!”
I ignore him and keep walking. Step, step, step. Keep going, Kia, don’t stop for him. His hand grabs my arm, and I turn, yanking my arm back as I near where his truck is parked.
“What, Reese? You’ve made it clear last summer was a mistake. You’re right. It was. It was just a whirlwind mess between two people who had no idea what they wanted from life.”
“I didn’t mean it like it came out. I just meant I didn’t want you to hate this place because of me.”
“I don’t hate it because of you.” I look at him and laugh bitterly. Shadows play across his face in the darkness. “I hate this place because of what it means to me.”
“What does it mean, Kia? Tell me.” He loosens his grip on my arm; his thumb gently stroking my skin.
“It means nothing,” I say quietly, stepping back. “Nothing.”
“You’re lying,” Reese steps closer and holds my other arm. “If it meant nothin’, you wouldn’t be running from me.”
“I’m not running from you! Why would I be? One summer, that’s all we had.”
“Is it?” he asks quietly. “One summer? Is that really all we had? Do you think my feelings disappeared the way you did? Do you think they upped and went in the middle of the night just like you?”
“I never said that-”
“‘Cause they damn well didn’t!”
“Rumor has it you’re seein’ someone, or have you forgotten that?” I throw back at him.
“Maybe I don’t care about her. The person I care about is front of me.”
“After eleven months? Why don’t I believe you?”
“Let me show you. Make you believe me.”
I shake my head. “You’re so fucking funny.” I pull myself from his grip and move toward my car, passing his truck.
“Am I?” he growls, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward him. My back hits the door of his truck, and he stops in front of me. He places his hands either side of my head, his face bent into mine. “Am I funny, Kia? Really?”
My heart is pounding furiously at his nearness, and I push at his arm. My blood is thundering through my body, my breathing coming hard and fast. I can feel the warmth emanating from his body. I want more. I need more. I want to feel his body pressed against mine, even if it’s just for a second. I need to feel it.
His hazel eyes collide with mine, and I can see he feels the same. It’s been a year. He still feels it. I still feel it.
“Jokes usually are funny,” I retort, trying to move away from him in an attempt to regain control of my body.
His mouth crashes into mine, his lips molding to mine. One of his hands cups the side of my head, the other resting on my waist. I grab his shirt when he nips my bottom lip. My mouth opens, and his tongue meets mine, stroking it in a gentle caress. Our bodies push together, and I drink him in, kissing him greedily.
Now, I remember. I remember why I can’t fight it. Why I’m powerless. Why, at nineteen, he is all there is.
I open my eyes as our mouths part. His lips are hovering over mine, close enough they could touch mine again, but they don’t. In the small gap between us all, I feel is the chilling night air where, just seconds ago, there was nothing but heat.
“Am I funny now, Kia?” he breathes, still holding my face.
“Yep,” I whisper, my voice slightly shaky. “You’re fucking hilarious.”
Reese’s hand leaves my waist and tugs the door open. “Then you better get in the truck so you can find out exactly how not funny I am.”
“I’m not...”
“Get in,” he growls, his eyes promising me a fight.
“No,” I say, pushing him back. I shake my head. “No.”
“What?”
I walk around him and away from him, walking backward. I shake my head, everything warring inside me. “I… No, Reese. I can’t.”
“Kia?” he calls.
“That…” I take a deep breath and stop at my car. “That shouldn’t have happened.”




The ever generous Emma is holding 3 awesome GIVEAWAY'S as part of the tour...



1. Kindle Fire HD & £25/$25 GIFT CARD





2. One of two signed copies of Second Chance Summer





3. Signed copy of Second Chance Summer, The Love Game, Playing For Keeps and Emma Hart swag! 




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