Still Life With Strings by L.H. Cosway

** 4.5 BEAUTIFUL STARS **

Still Life with Strings by L.H. Cosway tells the story of two 'broken' individuals and the slow-burning romance that ignites between them. There is just something about the way Cosway writes that's just so darn beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Her heroes are always a contradiction and Shane is no exception! While shy and reserved in public, Shane is both commanding and sexy in private with Jade. Wow, who'd have thought?! I'm still shocked by how dynamic and explosive their relationship was!

From the get-go, Jade and Shane's first meeting would come to signify the beginning of their unique relationship throughout the book. Despite insisting on being only friends, Jade quickly becomes confused over her feelings for Shane as she continues to spend more time with him. On the other hand, Shane already knows whom he wants and that’s the one and only Jade Lennon. Every so often, Shane would touch and caress Jade... their relationship is filled with intense emotion and sexual chemistry, which was just torture by the way! And when these two finally decide to give in to the need... readers will be in for a ride.

However, there is more to their relationship than just the slow-burning romance between them. Jade and Shane are two individuals who are evidently broken by the life in which they lived in. All I can say is, everything came full circle. In the end, Still Life with Strings is a story about overcoming one's past and essentially finding love again. I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic release by L.H. Cosway and I'm definitely looking forward to more!

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: ★★★★★

Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

First book review of the new year! 

I'm not sure why, but I didn't like this one as much as I did when I read Ares' book. Limos was a great heroine- until her lies started catching up to her. The more she continued to lie, the more guilt festered and the worser she became. I initially liked her relationship with Arik and was actually interested in it... but in the end, I thought it was okay. It was nice seeing past characters again and I enjoyed reading about Shade and Runa. I would actually like to re-read their story again. Wait no, probably the entire Demonica series again because I've mostly forgotten certain details and etcetera.

I personally found Reaver and his relationship with Harvester to be quite fascinating. His dirty little secret was interesting because it further hints of his desires towards Harvester and future books of course. (Which obviously came true!) Although he'll most likely want to kill her first after what she did to him. I also liked Thanatos and Regan's burgeoning romance despite it ending in disaster. *SPOILER ALERT* I'm still pissed at you, Regan! You better redeem yourself because forcing yourself on Thanatos was just NO. That was really stupid on the Aegis' part.[You better redeem yourself because forcing yourself on Thanatos was just NO. That was really stupid on the Aegis' part. (hide spoiler)] *END SPOILER* Pestilence, aka Reseph, continues to be number one asshole material and villain who should just die in a fire or get pushed off a cliff. I'm mildly joking, of course; but seriously, he needs to be good again! I hate what he's doing to his siblings and would like to see a glimpse of the person he was before he became evil. I mean we do get a few teases and hints but I want more!

In the end, while I didn't enjoy this one as much, Larissa Ione continues to deliver! I'm really looking forward to reading Thanatos' book and then Reseph's and Reaver's. I doubt Thanatos will forgive Regan for what she did right away. It's definitely going to be interesting.

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: ★★★★☆