Own by Sienna Snow

Own by Sienna Snow is the conclusion to Sophia Morelli and Damon Pierce's story. Their book is part of a much larger world within the Midnight Dynasty universe and contains characters from different stories. Overall, I'd say that I enjoyed Sophia and Damon's passionate and turbulent relationship even though he had a lot to grovel for after the events in Defy. Not only did he break Sophia's heart but he almost destroyed their relationship because of his own inner demons. I much preferred his mysterious, confidant, and dominant personality in Claim instead of this conflicted man who made a lot of mistakes where Sophia was concerned. But in many ways, he was in love with her and wanted what he thought was best for her. Sophia was a lot more likeable in this book because she learned how to survive without Damon and became more assured of herself. I did think that she forgave Damon way too easily but I understood why because the man was certainly persistent.

"I wanted him, needed him, and he'd broken my heart, shattered it into pieces. I refused to live through it again."

In the end, I enjoyed this book and thought that Sophia and Damon's story was consistent to the stories of past characters from this world. I am interested in Lizzy's book and who she might end up with because we're given a brief glimpse of this supposed "man" during Sophia's fashion show. In many ways, also liked that Sophia and Damon had a chance to mature and learned how to let go of their past. While I admit that I was frustrated with these two in the previous book, Damon and Sophia were able to redeem themselves in this one and I was glad to see that they were able to obtain their own happiness in the end. Fans of the Midnight Dynasty universe and opposites attract romance with BDSM elements will be sure to enjoy this one because it features a dominant and possessive hero who is helplessly in love when it comes to his independent, defiant, and sassy heroine.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Sweet Captivity: Dual POV Edition by Julia Sykes

Sweet Captivity was my first book by Julia Sykes and I was pleasantly surprised by her writing and story. I liked that it made me uncomfortable because just like Samantha, the heroine of this story, I was wary of Andrés and disgusted by his actions. Not only was he was unpredictable and possessive, Andrés was a dangerous man who wanted to make Samantha his in every way. I commend the author for trying to redeem this anti-hero because there were times where I hated him. I appreciated the addition of his POV because without it, I would not have accepted his romance with Samantha so easily. Nevertheless, the book was still difficult to read because it focuses on the captive and captor trope with the hero trying to "tame" his heroine. I wasn't completely convinced of their relationship until the very end because Andrés spent most of the book trying to mold Samantha into his perfect pet. It wasn't until he made the decision to let her go because he couldn't protect her that he finally earned my respect.

"She might have driven me close to madness with her defiance, but her sweet contrition had threatened to shatter me."

In the end, the relationship between Samantha and Andrés has been a fascinating and riveting ride. I experienced a range of emotions while reading this book—shock, anger, sadness, and pity. While it wasn't my favorite, I still enjoyed it the nonetheless. I felt incredibly sorry for Samantha because her situation wasn't something a normal person would ever go through. I would even argue that she experienced Stockholm Syndrome while she was under captivity because she ended up falling in love with Andrés. I am also curious about the fate of Valentina, Andrés' younger sister, who had been sold by Cristian to another man. We were given a brief glimpse of her situation and relationship with Adrian, someone she fell in love with, in Stealing Beauty. Fans of dark/captive romance will be sure to enjoy this book because it features steamy scenes with BDSM elements and the opposites attract trope.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

One Dirty Night by Pepper Winters

Pepper Winters makes a provocative and enthralling comeback with One Dirty Night—a standalone book that will shock you and have you gasping for more. I went into this book with no expectations and some hesitation but it surprised me. I was blown away by the emotion, angst, and heartbreaking romance between Ella and Nick. There is no denying that Hunter Dixon was such a pleasant surprise and he absolutely needs his own book and love story. The man was confident, wise, incredibly sexy, and had such a dirty mouth. He was certainly a breath of fresh air compared to the author's more recent heroes and I adored him. As for Ella and Nick, I loved them too. Many might say that the romance took a back seat while Ella was exploring her sexuality but I disagree. It played a central role in Ella's decision to visit Hunter's Spectacle of Secrets and it pushed her to fight for Nick's love in the end—forcing him to contend with his own feelings and obsession for her.

"If you don't do everything it takes to keep me yours, then… I won't survive. You killed me the moment you stole my heart, and as long as you hold it tight… I'm trusting you not to let me die."

In the end, this book surprised me in the best of ways and so much more than what I initially thought it was going to be. In addition to the highly erotic sex scenes, Pepper Winters also brought her signature angst and emotion to Ella and Nick's love story. Just because Nick shared her with Hunter did not mean that she never belonged to him. I loved how Ella fought for Nick's affections and took drastic measures even when he pushed her away and broke her heart. When I thought that all hope was lost, we were finally rewarded and I couldn't be happier. Fans of Pepper Winters and the dark romance genre will absolutely love this book because it features a tortured and stubborn hero who fights his love and obsession for his sweet and determined heroine but ends up giving her his heart and soul. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a spicy read with a beautiful love story between two soulmates who were always meant to be.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author/publisher for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★★

Under His Reign by Willow Winters

Under His Reign is Willow Winters' latest release and although it featured an already established world and characters, it was rather easy to pick up and read as a standalone. I wished the author could have provided new readers with more context and/or background information to her world and characters because it started and ended abruptly. Nevertheless, I thought Dragos and Kara's story was engaging, emotional, and incredibly steamy. There were some unexpected and tearful moments between the two, which I appreciated. In his attempt to seduce Kara, Dragos intentionally withheld information from her and his intent—which had major consequences to their relationship and resulted in some heartbreaking moments. It was refreshing to see a dominant and possessive hero fumble and fail to appease his vulnerable heroine who wore her heart on her sleeve.

“She's the greatest treasure I've ever had. I won't let her go.”

In the end, Dragos and Kara's romance was passionate, all-consuming, and angsty. I enjoyed this book and am curious about what will happen next. The book does end abruptly, despite having an epilogue. The story began and ended with a character named "Alec," who we know is a sorcerer. He was in love with a woman named Isabella but she was unfortunately kidnapped by Galen. I was perplexed by this relationship because Galen already seemed possessive of Isabella even though she was in love with someone else and only had the potential to "heat" and carry dragonlings. In my opinion, Cyrus was a much more interesting character and level-headed compared to his two brothers. Considering their traumatic past and the fact that they were the only three dragons left in this world, Cyrus lived in the moment and didn't care about being mated. I highly recommend this book to those who are looking for a quick and steamy paranormal romance with a dominant hero who falls first for his independent and spitfire heroine.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author/publisher for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Consumed by Deception by Rina Kent

To say this entire trilogy put me through the ringer would be an understatement. My emotions were running all over the place but I was still enthralled by Lia and Adrian's complex and angsty relationship. This was my first series by Rina Kent and I was completely captivated by her story-telling, characters, heartbreaking romance, and spicy love scenes. There were so many painful lies and secrets between Lia and Adrian but the one thing that they could not deny was their love for each other. These two were very flawed characters—Lia's pride and stubbornness almost ruined their love for each other whereas Adrian's controlling and obsessive nature left so much destruction that he almost lost the one person who meant everything to him. But despite all the untruths and unsaid words between them, they were always meant to be together. Lia will always be Adrian's "bright light" and the fragile rose that he plucked from their dark world. It was impossible for him to let her go.

“I told you how different my love is, how dark it can get, but I do love you, more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my life. I don’t only need you; I also genuinely cannot live without you and the light you bring to my darkness.”

In the end, this was my favorite book in the trilogy because all of Lia and Adrian's secrets and untruths were finally revealed. Lia has experienced tremendous character growth and was able to find herself again after going through so much pain and heartbreak—all of which was by her own making. Adrian still considers himself the villain in their story but paid the price for his obsessive love in the form of her "death." In many ways, this book was a second-chance romance for Lia and Adrian because they were able to let go of their painful past and finally communicate with each other. I'll be going back to read Rai and Kyle's duet and will be looking forward to Kirill's trilogy. I'm hoping that Rina Kent will write books for Yan and Damien down the road as well. I highly recommend this trilogy if you are looking for a well-written and heartbreaking mafia romance with a dominant and possessive hero who will stop at nothing to obtain and keep his fragile but resilient heroine.

Rating: ★★★★★

Defy by Sienna Snow

Defy by Sienna Snow is the second book in the Violent Delights series and it follows the tumultuous love story of Sophia Morelli and Damon Pierce. I have conflicting feelings about this book because while I loved their sexy relationship, I also thought it was extremely messy due to the miscommunication and secrets between them. At one point, I was very frustrated with Sophia because she was being immature and disrespectful towards Damon—especially with her safety and refusal to tell him the truth. The fact that she had a murder charge over her head did not deter her from danger at all. It doesn't help that Damon tolerates her bratty side and seems to like it when she talks back to him. They were truly opposites in terms of personality because while Damon is possessive and controlling, Sophia is defiant and highly values her independence due to past trauma with her parents. It was a recipe for disaster with a potential for heartbreak.

"It's impossible for me to let you go. Even if the best thing for you is to do just that."

In the end, I enjoyed reading the continuation of Damon and Sophia's story even though they frustrated me at times with their decisions. As expected, the sexual chemistry between these two was super steamy and I wanted more of that instead of the unnecessary drama because of the murder charge. It is unfortunate that Damon and Sophia will need to sort out of their own issues before they can truly obtain their happy ending. Sophia is the type of person who does not like to be controlled but Damon thrives on that feeling because he views it as being protective of her. I am curious to know how Sienna Snow will end their story because the book ends with heartbreak once again for the two of them.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author and publisher for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Claim by Sienna Snow

Sophia Morelli has always been known as the "wild child" in the family but what we thought we knew about her partying ways was only a facade. Claim by Sienna Snow is her story with the enigmatic, possessive, and brooding Damon Pierce. I was pleasantly surprised by this book and loved how the author was able to use what we already knew about Sophia and develop her into such a strong but vulnerable heroine. This vulnerability of hers would eventually capture the attention of Damon Pierce, Lucian Morelli's best friend, and throw them both into a whirlwind romance that neither expected. Despite my frustrations with Damon's hot and cold attitude regarding Sophia, I liked that he owned up to it because he simply could not stay away from her. He tried to push her away because of his past but like a moth to a flame, Damon was obsessed with her and grew increasingly possessive of Sophia.

"Claiming you means you're mine, Sophia. I will use any means necessary to protect you. I'm not letting you go. I can't… There is no escape for you now."

In the end, Sophia Morelli and Damon Pierce's story was an unexpected surprise and I really enjoyed their explosive, intense, dirty, and incredibly spicy relationship. I was impressed by Sienna Snow's writing and characterization. This book does end with a cliffhanger that left me speechless and frustrated because it made me want to read Defy immediately. Lucian Morelli from Heartless made a spectacular cameo in Sophia's book, which comes as no surprise as she was close to him. I loved their relationship because Lucian tried to be protective older brother but failed to persuade Sophia and Damon away from each other. I appreciated the fact that they had their own issues to overcome—Damon was haunted by a failed relationship while Sophia was pretending to be someone she was not. Fans of the Midnight Dynasty world will not want to miss out on Sophia and Damon's book because it features a sweet but powerful heroine who knows her own worth and isn't afraid to challenge her brooding and possessive hero.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author and publisher for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★★

My JoeSmith: Exposed by Pebbles Lacasse

My JoeSmith: Exposed by Pebbles Lacasse is the continuation of Terri and JoeSmith's relationship as she is forced to contend with his identity and her own complicated feelings for him and others. This one definitely took me out of my comfort zone due to the fluidity of the characters' sexual preferences and how far they were willing to go to have pleasure. I wasn't particularly interested in this aspect of the book since Terri was in some kind of open relationship with several different characters. What I was looking forward to, however, was the developing romantic relationship between Terri and Ben and it did not disappoint. I have been fascinated by Ben's character since the beginning and there is more than meets the eye with him. In addition to being a multifaceted character, I loved how charismatic and devoted he was to Terri as their romance was super sweet and steamy.

"I want you every moment of every day. You're constantly on my mind. I see you when I plan for my future and you haunt my dreams when I close my eyes."

While Ben and Terri take major steps in their relationship, Sam also finds a unique relationship of her own with Mule/Jason. Sam wasn't as annoying in the sequel but her attempts at third-wheeling Terri's growing romance with Ben made for some frustrating moments. Terri continues to feel conflicted with her current predicament but makes a significant discovery during one of her sessions with JoeSmith. As she is being punished, JoeSmith briefly lifts his mask and Terri is able to confirm his identity. I was shocked and elated to finally know who this mysterious and powerful individual was. For the first time since their relationship began, Terri finally has power over her Master and knows his secret.

"How did he reach so deeply into my heart and steal it with such ease without me noticing?"

In the end, I have enjoyed Terri's story with her mysterious lover as she becomes more confident in herself and sexual nature. Despite reading a story that was out of my comfort zone, I still appreciated the fact that there were some romantic scenes between Terri and Ben because I stayed for them. Fans of the office/workplace romance and BDSM trope will undeniably like this book because it was very well-written and sexy. However, it does contain a rather open relationship between its main female and male character so that might not be to your preference. If you like your heroes mysterious, charismatic, and dominant with a shy heroine who truly grows into herself, then you won't be disappointed with Terri's journey of a love story.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author and publisher for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★☆☆

My JoeSmith: Anonymity by Pebbles Lacasse

My JoeSmith: Anonymity is the first book in a brand new series by Pebbles Lacasse and I was thoroughly impressed by her writing, characterization, and the developing romance between Terri, the mysterious "JoeSmith," and Ben Manning. Although this is typically not the type of books I read because it deals heavily with kink and BDSM, I couldn't help but be captivated by her characters' actions and root for their happy ending. Terri is the type of heroine who longs for love but she often makes decisions that go against her ultimate happiness. This can be exemplified in her attempts at rationalizing her potential relationship with JoeSmith who has yet to reveal his identity to her. While their time together is incredibly erotic and exciting, it also feels fleeting and one-sided. As Terri continues to explore her relationship with JoeSmith, she expands her horizons and sexual attraction to other characters.

"I can't lose myself in the romantic fog. It isn't real. He doesn't love me the way this feels like he does."

While the story does heavily revolve around Terri's sexual exploration with three different characters, I appreciated the fact that it also focuses on romance as well. I was invested and intrigued by her time with the alluring, dominant, and mysterious JoeSmith who keeps his identity hidden from Terri. Despite my reservations with this character, I do want him to be with her. My only question is, who exactly is he? In addition to JoeSmith, Terri is highly attracted to Ben Manning—her serious, quiet, and gentleman of a boss. The sexual chemistry and tension between them was fascinating to witness and like Terri, I couldn't help but compare him to JoeSmith. Though they share similarities with each other, Terri thinks there are distinct differences between the two men.

"I won't let you go that easily. Don't you know that by now?"

In the end, I enjoyed this book despite my hesitation with the FMF and FF content. The story and characters were provocative, interesting, and had more depths to them than meets the eye. I do have to say that Sam was the only character I did not like because of her whining and childish personality. I did not care for her sexual activities with Terri or JoeSmith. Instead, I was more invested in Terri's relationship with JoeSmith and Ben. The cliffhanger ending was a shocking surprise and I look forward to finding out the connection between Ben and JoeSmith. If you like reading stories with tropes such as having a secret identity, unrequited love, office romance between boss/employer, as well as heavy emphasis on BDSM and kink, then you will enjoy reading this unique love story.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author and publisher for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Darkly by Helen Hardt

Darkly by Helen Hardt is the third book in the Follow Me series but it does not take place after the events of Follow Me Under. Instead, we are given Braden Black's perspective during the events of Follow Me Darkly and how he met and fell in love with Skye Manning. I did not expect to get my heart broken but it did anyway. It felt like I went back in time and witnessed Braden and Skye's blossoming relationship and love story. What makes this even more heartbreaking is that their relationship, specifically following the events of Follow Me Under, is in tatters. Skye loses her identity and control for Braden but at the cost of everything including her relationship with him.

"I want more than Skye's control. I want more than Skye's submission… I want her love."

I have been wanting Braden Black's point of view ever since I read Follow Me Darkly. He was always so mysterious, controlling, and evasive about his past relationships. He is still secretive and refuses to talk about his past but we are able to understand him and see the depth of his obsession with Skye a lot clearer in Darkly. He truly did fall in love with her. This book added a much needed layer and depth to the first book because we are given glimpses of Braden's past, his feelings for Skye, and what he did when he was away from her. It had all of the conversations from the first book in addition to new scenes between Braden and his brother, Ben. I still wanted to smack Braden for hurting and distancing himself from Skye. Ironically, he was also torturing himself while trying to figure out his feelings for her.

"I ache with how much I've missed her, how much strength it took for me not to constantly check in with her."

In the end, Darkly is the perfect companion book to Follow Me Darkly. It was sensual, erotic, romantic, and even heartbreaking if you are caught up in the series and know what happened between Braden and Skye. I enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to seeing how it will all end in Follow Me Always. I loved traveling back in time and seeing how they met and eventually fell in love. There was almost a sweet quality to it. Of course, Braden and Skye are incredibly sexy together as well and their love scenes were scorching hot. Fans of Helen Hardt and the Follow Me series will definitely appreciate this latest installment!

*This ARC was generously provided by the author and publisher for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆

Reckoning by Sara Fields

Reckoning by Sara Fields was incredibly taboo, erotic, and downright dirty. Ever since we were teased about this book, I had been looking forward tothis and it didn't disappoint. I would not recommend this book to those who are uncomfortable with the DD/LG kink—but if you're fine with that, then by all means. The story was fine but Sara Fields excels at writing the sexual chemistry between Dean and Willow. Their romance is certainly not conventional.

"Dean was the kind of man I'd love to call mine, but I knew I would never be allowed such things. A life like mine didn't allow for love or even the smallest bit of happiness."

The story begins with a wedding. Willow Rose works for a shady organization that is forcing her to seduce and con billionaires. She essentially steals their money for the Father and quickly leaves them once it's done. This time, her target is Dean Waterhouse who she is beginning to have feelings for. To Willow, Dean is different because she feels safe and cared for with him. What she doesn't realize is that the both of them are not who they seem to be...

"I'd never been allowed to have a life. Until him. I'd never been allowed to love. Until him. I'd never believed a man's word. Until him."

In the end, I really enjoyed this book! I do have to admit that Willow saying that specific word outside of the bedroom and in front of others was a bit embarrassing to me. There is a lot of discipline and punishment in this book but that goes hand-in-hand with the type of relationship that Dean and Willow has. I would have loved reading Dean's perspective so I can understand his thought process and way of thinking. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Sara Fields!

Rating: ★★★★☆

Release Blitz: Follow Me Under by Helen Hardt

"I'm always in need of a kinky, hot billionaire, and Helen Hardt delivers. I am entranced!" - Laurelin Paige, NYT Bestselling Author

Follow Me Under by Helen Hardt is now live!

She gave him control in the bedroom. But is she losing control of her identity?

Dating Boston's billionaire bachelor has opened up a new world for Skye Manning. Opportunities are suddenly everywhere, her new career is flourishing, and she experiences luxury she's only seen in the pages of magazines. So why does she feel like she's losing herself?

Braden Black never meant to fall for Skye, and he still tries to resist a relationship he knows he's not wired for. But not only has Skye awoken something inside him--he's stirring something dark and forbidden inside his Cinderella. Something even he can't control...

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ou2ma0

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Meet Helen

#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt's passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn't stopped since. In addition to being an award winning author of contemporary and historical romance and erotica, she's a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family.

Connect with Helen

Website: https://www.helenhardt.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/helenhardt

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Helen-Hardt/e/B008LZRKXQ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelenHardt

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelenHardt

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/helen-hardt

Follow Me Under by Helen Hardt

Follow Me Under picks up immediately right after the first book. Skye Manning is in love with Braden Black and everything is going well for her... until it's not. I love Helen Hardt's writing and I am still invested in Skye and Braden's story but this felt like a step back from Follow Me Darkly. Skye found sexual freedom in that book but she unintentionally loses herself and her identity while trying to appease Braden's darker nature in this installment. It was frustrating and really sad to watch the story unfold as this young woman who was relatively content with her life begin to doubt herself.

“Deep down, I know the truth. No one cares what Skye Manning thinks. People only care what Braden Black’s girlfriend thinks. I’m losing myself. I’m selling my soul for an influencing career... I’m not sure who I am anymore.”

This idea of trust between Skye and Braden was constantly mentioned time and time again but it felt very one-sided. Braden kept asking Skye to trust him but kept a part of himself from her. She was supposed to give up all of her control not only in the bedroom and outside of it but blindly trust him as well. This did not feel like a mutual trusting relationship to me.

“Are you ready, Skye? To follow me under. To the darkest side of my fantasies?”

Braden continues to be extremely secretive and mysterious. At first, I was attracted to him because of it but it frustrated me over time. I begin to doubt their love as well. The sexual relationship between Braden and Skye is hotter than ever but it loses its magic as Skye begins to question herself and Braden starts to demand absolute control in all aspects of her life.

In the end, even though Follow Me Under was not as compelling to me as the first book, I am still looking forward to reading the conclusion of Skye and Braden's story. The books ends in slight cliffhanger with their relationship in potential turmoil. Skye has becoming accepting of Braden's darker side and his preference for bondage but it comes at a cost. With her losing herself and potentially her best friend Tessa, Skye is about to lose her heart as well. I would recommend this series to those who love Fifty Shades of Gray.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author and publisher for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Spy Games by Cassandra Dee & Katie Ford

While I did enjoy Cassandra Dee and Katie Ford's Spy Games, it was not my favorite work of theirs. Despite having read a majority of their books, this is my first *official* review for them. Dee is known for writing smoking hot sex scenes - if a little dirty - and this certainly has that. Spy Games reminded me of Six Ways To Sin - except that was obviously written as a harem.

Anyway, I sympathized with Holly, our heroine. She's lived a hard life and has to take care of her disabled mother. Like many of Dee's other heroines, Holly is young if a little naive. She luckily finds a job as a flight attendant because of her "looks" - curvy and beautiful, and eventually meets our hero, Thorn Evans. I had my reservations about Thorn. He comes across as this dashing older man with a wicked side but I knew from the prologue that he was a hard man to please - especially if you betray him. Unlike Holly, I'm not sure I could have forgiven him for what he did to her. I wanted more groveling! I wish Dee and Ford had developed him a little more because he just came across as a dominant and somewhat manipulative jerk.

Personal bias aside, I will always compare Dee's heroes and heroine to Mason and Carrie from Hot Sugar. It's my favorite work from her, despite it having a similar premise. If you have never read a Cassandra Dee book, I highly recommend checking that one out. Anyway, while Spy Games was not my favorite, I still liked it for the steamy scenes. I look forward to the next book Katie and Cassandra will write/release!

* This book was provided by Cassandra Dee and Katie Ford for an honest review.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

The Professional: Part 2 by Kresley Cole

I thoroughly enjoyed this piece! As one of my favorite authors, I always knew Kresley Cole could write some seriously hot intimate scenes... but this? This came as an unexpected yet delightful surprise. Sevastyan and Natalie are amazing together! While there are definitely some issues that these two really need to fix and talk about, their chemistry is freaking explosive (as shown in the first part). From lust to possibly love, Sevastyan and Natalie's journey together won't be something that you'll want to miss!

Natalie proves to be an interesting character albeit very frustrating and annoying one at times. At a certain point in the book, I literally wanted to bitchslap her because her stupid actions and words when she spoke them without thinking about the consequences. *SPOILER* She sort of "redeemed" herself to Sevastyan after the loss of Paxan and Filip. Damn that traitor! I'm still heartbroken over Paxan's death though. *END SPOILER* By the end of the book, Natalie does change for the better and becomesmore sure of herself regarding her desires for Sevastyan. You go tell him what you want, girl!

On the other hand, Sevastyan is an intriguing, dark, and complex character who I would love to know more about. His actions and personality can be contradictory in regards to his feelings towards Natalie. Furthermore, his relationship with her is rather unstable due to his inability to talk about his past and emotions. However! The one thing I love about Sevastyan is his possessive and alpha tendencies for Natalie and considers her his.

Like I've said before, Sevastyan's sexy possessiveness makes for a super freaking hot coming together between he and Natalie. Holy wow! The things that they do together in this installment... and I'm already looking forward to more. Overall, this was another wonderful addition to The Professional even though Cole ended Part 2 with another cliffhanger. At least we won't have to wait too long for the conclusion of Sevastyan and Natalie's journey!


Rating: ★★★★★

Awakening by Elene Sallinger

I actually did not expect to like this one as much as I thought I would. This was a really surprising and erotic read- ahem, especially towards the end. Holy wow, Evan. But beyond that, Awakening by Elene Sallinger is essentially a story about Claire's journey to find herself as well as her freedom to love and desire. I've read plenty of BDSM books before but this was the first time that I've come across such a different kind of book. It was more emotional and heartbreaking because Claire never realized what she wanted or needed out of a man. After coming out of an "abusive" relationship, she has become a rather 'skittish' woman. But thanks to Evan, the second main character of this book, she was able to change and re-discover herself all over again.

Hmm, where do I begin? Although Evan was essential to Claire's development as a character, I was rather frustrated with him at times. Instead of trying to move on, he was stuck between the past and the present because he was never over the death of his wife. Yes, it was sad, but he was always feeling guilty and angry over his newfound feelings for Claire. This, of course, made me want to hit him over the head because he was hurting her. But besides that, Evan was really the perfect man for Claire. Instead of getting straight to the sex, they actually spent a lot of time getting to know each other before doing the deed. They were friends before they became lovers. And oh, you will be surprised at how smoking hot they are together.

In the end, I'm glad that he was able to help her throughout her self-discovery because it made him realize his true feelings for her. Claire was already falling in love with him but it broke her heart, and mine, when he rejected those feelings. Besides being emotional, Awakening was an inspirational and deeply moving read. For those of you who are fond of this genre or anything erotic romance-related, I definitely recommend and urge you to check out this book. You won't be disappointed!

Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Elene Sallinger for providing and giving me permission to read this ARC.

Rating: ★★★★☆

The Master Undone by Lisa Renee Jones

Told through the point of view of Rebecca's "Master", this is Mark Compton's story after the events of Being Me.

I have been looking forward to being inside Mark's head since he was first introduced to both Rebecca and Sara. As the owner of the gallery they both work at, Mark is sexy, confident, and extremely magnetic- personality-wise. You can literally feel the power he holds and the control that he exerts. That is... until he finds out the shocking revelation of where Rebecca has been all this time. Mark is left broken and unsure. Not only does he question his own self, he questions the foundation of his relationship with Rebecca and the control he holds so dear.

Crystal is introduced in this novella and I'm sure she will be an important character to Mark and maybe even Sara and Chris from here on out. I'm not sure how I feel about her relationship with Mark at the moment- especially when it comes to their one night together. While it is very passionate, it also feels very cheap. Yes, they are both control freaks and I think that she may be the one for him. However, I just don't understand her motives and there is something about her that I can't pinpoint on. I do like the side that she brings out in Mark. He's not as controlling or dominant in front of her; he seems much more human and vulnerable.

All in all, I thought this was a pretty good read and I look forward to the next Inside Out series by Lisa Renee Jones! Thank you to Gallery, Treshold, Pocket Books via NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Being Me by Lisa Renee Jones

You know that feeling when you finish a book and you feel as if someone had just punch a hole straight through your gut? Well, that's exactly how I felt when I finished Being Me.

To be honest, this was my favorite book out of the entire series. It had suspense, plenty of romance, steamy scenes, betrayal, and even a few revelations. Not only will Rebecca's "Master" be revealed in this book, readers will also get some sense of what happened to her and where she is now. But even so, while Rebecca is indeed at the forefront of the entire mystery, this sequel was more about the dynamics between Sara and Chris Merit's relationship.

The lines between love and need will soon blur for Sara and Chris. Only through trust and commitment will these two truly be able to accept one another.

Despite Chris having demons of his own, Sara also has secrets as well. Not only does it shake the foundation of their relationship, their bond also grows stronger too. Sara grows as a person and I love her for it. She makes her demands known to Chris, telling him that she wants more than what he can currently offer. Although her path almost mirrors Rebecca's in a way, Sara has Chris in her life to protect, cherish, and love her. Even though that love may end up breaking them both in the end... You can tell that their love for one another is real. The pain and need just burns right through the pages! It’s obvious that both Sara and Chris still have lots of issues in their relationship. Hopefully they will find a way to compromise and work things out. We also still have not learned the true extent of why Chris is so tortured and broken. I can't wait to find out in Revealing Us!

Getting a glimpse of Mark Compton's life was quite intriguing. Rebecca's connection with both Chris and Mark will be revealed in this book… and I'm just going to say: I knew it! If you've read Rebecca's Lost Journals, you will most likely be able to confirm who her Master is while reading Being Me. Overall, this was a fantastic sequel to If I Were You that will definitely leave you salivating for more! Ah, September will be a long wait from now.

Thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC!

View all my reviews Rating: ★★★★★

Tender Mercies by Kitty Thomas

I was truly reluctant to read this book because of all the things that I've heard beforehand about this author. I was prety much forced to read this book because I was loaning it and it was going to expire soon. Oh well, it was still a fascinating yet horrifying read. I mean really, what kind of idiot was Grace? No offense to her. Was she really stupid enough to sign away her rights as a person and into a slave for this monster? For eight months, she'd endured his pain, torture, and rape... I wanted to kill that bastard for what he did to her. It's like kidnapping, ugh. Oh god, and even though Asher was a lot better than Lucas, I still wanted to hit him. LOL! And this is why I am not exactly a fan of BDSM.

The premise of the story was pretty amusing yet interesting all wrapped up in one package. I mean, it's an island with rich kinky men who get slaves. Would I want to go on it? Hell no! Grace was tricked into getting on that island... and while I may say that she was stupid in doing so, I can't really blame her. I just hate the fact that she had no rights and her "master" could do anything to her except kill her? I also hated how Asher used the words slut and whore to Grace? Yes, I get offended easily. But Grace claims that it was used in an affectionate way... so I don't even know. At least he was nice and kind to her! Unlike that bastard Lucas who abused and violated her in the most disgusting of ways.

Overall, for my first book by Kitty Thomas, I am pretty impressed. She delved into some serious issues and while I wanted to vomit just thinking about it, I do have to give her some mad props. Well done, Ms. Thomas! 4/5 stars.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Beyond Eden by Kele Moon

The words wow, wonderful, and beautiful pretty much describes my feelings after finishing Beyond Eden by Kele Moon. This is definitely one book that you don't want to miss out on, I can guarantee you that. When I first started reading this book, I came unprepared because not only was I not expecting the tears... but also the heart-breaking and heart-wrenching emotions that these three people have for one another. This is truly a wonderful masterpiece that I'll never likely forget. Any book that brings tears to my eyes is a 5+++ star book to me!

This book was not only a fascinating read, but it also shocked me to the core. Kele Moone definitely knows how to write stories that will move readers through tears-- and I absolutely love that. I can't say enough how marvelous this book was to me because of how the author has truly captured the essence of her characters through the raw attachments, and the love between the three. I admit that I did not like Danny Boy at first. I'm not an exactly a big fan of BDSM so Danny's cruel tactics for Eve and Paul made me cringe at times. But alas, he grew on me and I began to feel for him. I did go for Paul and Eve at first because they had a special connection that even Danny himself, was not able to break. And I loved that. It eventually came to and end when I realized that Paul, Eve, and Danny all belong with one another. One struggle that made my heart ache was the struggle between Paul and his "reluctance" to leave the marriage between his fiancee and his true "Master," his father.

I have to agree that this book is not for all readers. If you love BDSM, kink, steamy and erotic love scenes, and threesomes, then this is the book for you. Not to mention it will make you bawl like a baby, I'm not kidding about this. I laughed, cried, and had my heart broken by these three people. But other than that, each and every one of the characters had some serious issues inside of them that needed fixin' so I'm really glad that everything worked out in the end. Other than this, Beyond Eden was a story about true love, friendship, sacrifice, desire, and even pain. Every word was beautifully written, packed with emotions and I give this book a full five stars!!

Rating: ★★★★★