Book Review: Down By Contact by Santino Hassell

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Down By Contact
The Barons #2
Author: Santino Hassell
Reading Level: Mature Adult
Genres: M/M Romance | Sports | LGBTQ Romance
Released: January 16th 2018
Review Source: InterMix

Two rival football players begin a game with higher stakes than the Super Bowl in this steamy romance from the author of Illegal Contact.

Simeon Boudreaux, the New York Barons’ golden-armed quarterback, is blessed with irresistible New Orleans charm and a face to melt your mama’s heart. He’s universally adored by fans and the media. Coming out as gay in solidarity with his teammate hasn’t harmed his reputation in the least—except for some social media taunting from rival linebacker Adrián Bravo.

Though they were once teammates, Adrián views Simeon as a traitor and the number-one name on the New Jersey Predators’ shit list. When animosity between the two NFL players reaches a boiling point on the field, culminating in a dirty fist fight, they’re both benched for six games and sentenced to joint community service teaching sullen, Brooklyn teens how to play ball.

At first, they can barely stand to be in the same room, but running the camp forces them to shape up. With no choice but to work together, Simeon realizes Adrián is more than his alpha-jerk persona, and Adrián begins to question why he’s always had such strong feelings for the gorgeous QB…

Down by Contact is the sequel to Illegal Contact which I was able to read both books, back to back. I'm not sure which of the two books, I like more. This is a great thing, usually the sophomore book in a series, always comes up short. Not in the case of Down by Contact. So not only did I walk away with 2 great reads, but I was introduced to Santino Hassell's writing. This is an author to have on your radar.

I guess I should have started with that this book(s), will not be for everyone. The series is male/male romance, so definitely not your typical read. So if you can swoon over two sexy males, getting hot with each other, and I mean HOT then you don't want to miss out on reading this series. Hassell does not hold back and paints a real clear picture of what is happening in his books.

In this installment, we are gifted with Simeon Boudreaux story. We got pieces of him in Illegal Contact, but nothing like being the center of your story. Simeon is the sexy QB that is on every one's radar. We find out in Illegal Contact, that he was finally outed as being gay when he made the mistake one night out at a club to trust the people he was having way to much fun with. So in this book, Simeon has been accepted by his teammates, just not the case with the rival team. There is one specific player from rival team, that has made it very public, his distaste in Simeon. That would be Adrian, the linebacker for the Predators. Funny thing is, they both used to be teammates before Simeon was traded to Barons. So game day arrives, it ends up in a fight and those two have been suspended and must not worked together at a youth center coaching some kids.

What's great about this book is that it isn't all about football, you'd be shocked to read how sweet some parts can be. Just cause they are meat heads on a football field, doesn't mean they can't be teddy bears off. How will working together for several weeks impact the relationship between Simeon and Adrian while on suspension? Will it end up turning into something worse, that not even their agents can save them from? Or will this be something great for both of them and no kid will go unharmed? Only way to find out, is grabbing your copies today. I highly suggest to read in order, just so you know who Simeon's friends are and plus, you want to read Gavin's story. That's another sexy beast right there.

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Catch Illegal Contact, the first book in the Barons series and meet Gavin (swoon-worthy) Brawley!

Book Review: His Royal Secret by Lilah Pace

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His Royal Secret
His Royal Secret #1
Author: Lilah Pace
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Romance
Released: July 19th 2016
Review Source: Berkley | Intermix

The first in an enchanting new male/male romantic duology from Lilah Pace, author of Asking for More and Begging for It ....

James, the handsome, cosmopolitan Prince of Wales, is used to being in the public eye. But he's keeping a king-sized secret...James, next in line for the throne, is gay.

He’s been able to hide his sexual orientation with the help of his best friend and beard, Lady Cassandra. Sometimes he feels like a coward for not coming out, but he daren’t risk losing the crown. If he did, the succession would fall on his deeply troubled younger sister, Princess Amelia. To protect her, James is willing to live a lie.

While on holiday, he meets Benjamin Dahan—a rugged international reporter with a globe-trotting, unattached life—who catches far more than James's eye. And when Ben is transferred to London, it seems fate may finally be smiling on James.

But what began as a torrid fling grows into something far more intimate and powerful. Soon James will have decide who he is, what he wants from life and love, and what he’s willing to sacrifice for the truth...

** This is an Adult romance novel recommended for ages 18+ due to sexual content and mature subject matter.**

This past month has been a romance binge, that’s what I want and what I crave to read, which makes it tough when you have just fantasy to read. So when that email hit stating a new book by Lilah Pace was out and it was a m/m romance I don’t think I have ever responded to an email so quickly. It was like the book gods heard my silent plea with wanting to read a same sex romance. And then you add in a forbidden romance between a reporter and a Prince, A PRINCE, and I’m salivating.

And since I was in a romance binging mood, I did not wait to read His Royal Secret one second past it popping up on my kindle. Hello new book, goodbye world. So like I said, The Prince of Wales, James, has a secret, one that could totally throw everything off its axis and do unknowable damage to his name, his family, and the to crown; he’s gay. And while the world is ever evolving, James can’t help but to take into account everything and everyone that would be affected with his choice to come out. While James is in Kenya attending to some Prince like duties, he gets caught in a major storm and called into a local room to be saved from drowning, where we cut to our reporter, Ben! Ben may not have known he was saving the Prince from catching a cold when he called the stranger into safety, he did know that know that he was about to come across his ticket to the story of his career. Playing games is never safe when you don’t know what’s truly at stake and neither of the men knew they were playing the most dangerous game. Victoria may have her secrets but they’re nothing to compared to his royal one.

Thank you book gods for answering my plea for m/m romance bringing this book to my email. It was intense, it was surprising, and it was exactly what I was looking for. And thankfully the wait for the second isn’t so bad and that’s always the best because I NEED MORE. So much swooning, so much.

Book Review: Stealing His Thunder by Sparrow Beckett

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Stealing His Thunder
Masters of Adrenaline #1
Author: Jay Crownover
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: June 21st 2016
Review Source: InterMix | NetGalley

From the author of the Masters Unleashed series, Sparrow Beckett revs things up with two lovers on a collision course in the first Masters of Adrenaline novel.

Nothing gives Addison Kennedy a rush like stealing cars. The Lexus was the perfect target, but before she can get its engine purring, she's cold-cocked unconscious. When she comes to, she finds herself on a bed with a blonde, tattooed god standing over her.

Fox Larson is shocked to discover the thief he knocked out is actually a hot girl. Bringing her home may not have been the smartest move, but he wasn’t about to leave an unconscious and defenseless woman in a parking garage. Besides, if she’s part of an auto theft crew infringing on his territory, he needs to pump her for information.

However, Addison has personal drive that won’t be denied and she’s desperate to prove Fox’s group needs her skills. Submitting to his kinks in the bedroom is a hot yet complicated bonus. When a big job goes bad, and Addison finally gets her chance, will she succeed in stealing his thunder?

This is an Adult novel recommended for ages 18+ due to mature subject matter.

 This is my first book from Sparrow Beckett and I thought it was really good!

I absolutely love how the story starts out!!  From this line in the very beginning, "It was hard to believe she’d gone from mostly law-abiding undergrad student to criminal all because of a news segment on high-end car theft", I was hooked.  That line in a nutshell describes the heroine, Addison Kennedy. She went from determined college student, to an adrenaline junkie. She hadn't  found anything that fed into this newly discovered need, like stealing cars.  One evening while trying to steal a gorgeous silver Lexus, she gets knocked unconscious.  She comes to in a strange, sexy, tattooed man's bed. 

Fox Larson thought he had knocked out a man stealing cars on his turf but discovers quickly, he, is a she. Not wanting to leave her there unconscious he takes her with him.  Fox is the real deal car thief. He is a part of a close knit crew made up of family members.  He exudes sex appeal in every way. He is the ultimate bad boy, alpha, dominate man. 

Even though Addison enjoys stealing cars, she would do anything she could to help her family. Her family means the world to her. When her grandparents are in desperate need of money for care, she decides to take her car stealing to the next level for financial gain. Convincing Fox to let her join his crew is another story. 

I really enjoyed this book.  I went into it blind not expecting the intense, kinky relationship between the main characters. Fox was, simply put, HOT!  I love the relationship between the two and I loved how feisty and fun Addison was.

I sometimes felt a little lost in the story because it seemed as though the reader was supposed to already know certain things and back stories. I also felt some of the sex scenes were a little over the top for me personally. I did like that the author realistically, in my opinion, described the progression of their relationship.  While there was instant chemistry, there thankfully, wasn't instant love. They struggled a bit with understanding their feelings. Overall, it was an entertaining book. Based on this book I would read more from this author. 

Book Review: Make Me Forever by Beth Kery

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Make Me Forever
Make Me #8
Author: Beth Kery
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: May 24th 2016
Review Source: InterMix

As the New York Times bestselling author of Because You Are Mine and The Affair delivers the final installment of her breathtaking new serial novel, Jacob and Harper are forced to examine the strength of their love—and the frailty of their desire...

Unable to hide from Harper any longer, Jacob reveals his painful past, finally acknowledging his long-hidden connection to her. Afraid the truth will drive her away forever, he’s surprised when Harper exposes startling facts about her own past.

Harper is is angry at Jacob for robbing her of someone she’d loved and burying a part of himself she’d forever cherish. Still, when he faces a devastating loss, Harper races to his side. Strengthened by Harper’s love, Jacob finally fully bares his soul and reveals everything he has kept hidden. But if they are to have a future together, he will need to release all of his shame—and embrace a happiness they both desperately deserve..

Includes a bonus excerpt of Beth Kery’s Only for You, a One Night of Passion novel.

This is an Adult novel recommended for ages 18+ due to mature subject matter.

The Make Me Series is just WOW! From the very first page, I was sucked in. Harper was kidnapped as a child, and if it wasn't for the little boy who saved her, her life would have ended up being really bad. In Make Me Forever, Harper starts to remember everything from her past. All the deja-vu and familiarity she has at times she spends with Jacob comes to light. She comes to realize who Jacob really is. He might have done a darn great job in covering up his past but Harper is a reporter, so its kinda her thing to figure things out. On top of her remembering, there are little things he says that are so like the little boy Jake from her childhood.

What I enjoyed most about this novel is how the rest of these characters early childhood is being revealed. I love swooning over a man who would do anything for the woman he loves, even if he has to try to hide his own pain. Especially when he had a heard life but is there to try to help out the less fortunate. Jacob who doesn't care what others think of him but cares so much about what the woman he loves thinks and the things he has done in his life. Seeing both Harper and Jacob have their trust tested but learn to trust each other through communication and  hard situation beyond first sights, is what love is about.

The Make Me Series was just amazing! I literally couldn't put this book down. This whole series has a ton of situations, kidnappings, abuse, illegal activity, a lifetime bond between two kids who try at every turn to survive, then as adults, their relationship is still in tact. I love reading about their happy and sad moments, situations where Jacob had to push her away for a greater cause but pulling her back because he cannot stand the fact of being alone without her. A happily ever after story. Yes, I am a sucker but if you are one too, then you should start Make Me Forever and swoon through the pages.

Book Review: Loud is How I Love You by Mercy Brown

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Loud is How I Love You
Hub City #1
Author: Mercy Brown
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: January 19th 2016
Review Source: InterMix

One girl’s heart gets rocked to the core in the first novel in this sexy New Adult series.

Twenty-one-year-old front girl Emmylou knows that getting her band noticed in the ‘90s indie rock scene will be no easy task. She definitely knows better than to break the number one rule of the band: Don't sleep with your bandmates! But after she ends up having the best sex of her life with her guitarist, Travis, she finds following that rule is a lot harder than it sounds.

When the band gets the gig of their dreams, making it big seems just within reach. But Emmy’s inability to keep her hands off Travis threatens everything they’ve worked for. Can Emmy find a way to break the rules and not blow the chance of a lifetime?

This is heartbreaking! With the amazing cover and the great synopsis, I thought I would be head over heels with this love story. However, I tried my best to make the best, but the more I tried, the more Emmy was testing me. Her excuses became really old, really quick and it got to the point, I wanted to smack her. Really really hard. I know, I sound so violent. But the way she annoyed me, a good smack would help her out. Especially when you really want to love the story, as everyone else is amazing. But there is ONE character that has to ruin it. And this was Emmy, our main character!

Don't get me wrong, I loved Travis, Cole and Joey. They were amazing. They really are. But my issue, my biggest issue was Emmy. This girl kept changing her mind over and over and over again. She kept making annoying and inconsiderate saying and very hurtful  moves. Like girl, take a chill pill. The boy loves you, why must you not go with the flow? Sure, you can make mistakes, but when you start giving someone hope just to let them down only to give hope again and to put them break them again, yeah... it becomes OLD AND ANNOYING! She just kept hurting her loves ones.

If Emmy wasn't as annoying, then I know for a fact, I would've enjoyed this story. I loved Travis with all my heart. Emmy should've appreciated him more. He is worthy! If I were Travis, I would've moved on and left her bipolar self alone. Come to me, Travis. I will be better! HAHA.

Book Review: Seduction Game by Pamela Clare

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Seduction Game
I-Team #7
Author: Pamela Clare
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: October 20th 2015
Review Source: InterMix

The acclaimed author of Striking Distance returns with more danger, intrigue, and I-Team action...

CIA officer Nick Andris wants revenge. His last mission failed after a Georgian arms smuggler killed his lover. He’s been tailing a woman for three weeks hoping she will lead him to his target. But there’s a problem with the intel. Holly Elise Bradshaw is nothing more than an entertainment writer with a love for sex and designer clothes. Clearly someone at Langley made a mistake . . .

When Holly finds herself in trouble, the only weapons at her disposal are her brains and her body. But they won’t be enough to handle the man who’s following her. He’s going to turn her world upside-down.

Holly has been pretty much on her own and working since the age 18. Everyone thinks they know her job but they don't. See, Holly has somewhat of a secret life. Can you guess what it is?

Nick is out for revenge on the man who killed his girlfriend two years ago. When his CO gives him his next assignment, he doesn't think twice. And soon he will bump into Holly. As they are getting to know each other, they will soon learn not everyone they know can be trusted.

What I enjoyed most about Seduction Game is watching two people who first thought the worst about the each other and eventually start to get to know each other only to fall head over heel over one another. Even though everything in between is a hot mess. Literally, everything is falling apart! This is what makes them come together and trust one another. As their lives depend on one another. The best of all, as they're learning to trust, their chemistry is out of control.

This book is fun and entertaining! If you enjoy books with lives of secret CIA and other agency workers, sexual content that is out of this world, sexy and dangerous moments that keeps you wondering what will happen next, solving puzzle, with some funny moments mixed into it, then yes, you must pick this book!

Book News: From Fic to Published, Twilight Fandom Celebrates!

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The Twilight Fandom is celebrating this week as four former fanfic writers have published their original works. Some of these authors you may recognize but one is celebrating her debut in the publishing world. These four authors can now sit next to previous Twilight fandom fic writers who published their work in the past and now are New York Times bestsellers authors like Christian Lauren, Alice Clayton and E. L. James.

The four books published are:

• Loud is How I Love You by Mercy Brown
• A Duchess in Name by Amanda Weaver
• Masterson: A Vampire Sons Story by Ellis Leigh
• Paige in Progress by Brighton Walsh 

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Loud is How I Love You

Amazon | iTunes | BN | Goodreads

One girl’s heart gets rocked to the core in the first novel in this sexy New Adult series.

Twenty-one-year-old front girl Emmylou knows that getting her band noticed in the ‘90s indie rock scene will be no easy task. She definitely knows better than to break the number one rule of the band: Don't sleep with your bandmates! But after she ends up having the best sex of her life with her guitarist, Travis, she finds following that rule is a lot harder than it sounds.

When the band gets the gig of their dreams, making it big seems just within reach. But Emmy’s inability to keep her hands off Travis threatens everything they’ve worked for. Can Emmy find a way to break the rules and not blow the chance of a lifetime?

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A Duchess in Name

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play | Goodreads

Victoria Carson never expected love. An American heiress and graduate of Lady Grantham's finishing school, she's been groomed since birth to marry an English title—the grander the better. So when the man chosen for her, the forbidding Earl of Dunnley, seems to hate her on sight, she understands that it can't matter. Love can have no place in this arrangement.

Andrew Hargrave has little use for his title and even less for his cold, disinterested parents. Determined to make his own way, he's devoted to his life in Italy working as an archaeologist. Until the collapse of his family's fortune drags him back to England to a marriage he never wanted and a woman he doesn't care to know.

Wild attraction is an unwanted complication for them both, though it forms the most fragile of bonds. Their marriage of convenience isn't so intolerable after all—but it may not be enough when the deception that bound them is finally revealed.

Book one of The Grantham Girls

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Masterson: A Vampire Sons Story

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo | Goodreads

Masterson holds himself to the highest of standards, but a chance encounter with a human woman in the most mundane of places turns his world on end. What’s a vampire to do when temptation for more than blood consumes him?

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Paige in Progress

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Goodreads

Paige Bennett is more than content with her life and what she does—and does not—have in it. She’s got a supportive family, a great apartment, and the best friend a girl could ask for; so what if her relationships expire faster than a carton of milk? After a disastrous detour courtesy of poor judgment in the boyfriend department, her plan is back on track and her dream job is finally within her grasp. Nothing can make her lose focus now. Well, nothing except the one-night stand she had with her best friend’s surrogate brother. The one-night stand she can’t stop thinking about.

Adam Reid has always been reliable...the responsible son, the loyal friend, the steady boyfriend. Two years ago, he graduated Magna Cum Laude and is well on his way to making a name for himself at an accounting firm in Denver—a far cry from working as a helper in the Mom and Pop store his parents own in Michigan. But when said store starts failing, he’s the only one who can step in and help. So reliable Adam does what he always does, and he comes to the rescue.

Paige thought Adam was a safe bet because he lives halfway across the country. But then suddenly he’s moving back to their town, and then into her apartment building, and soon he’s worming his way right into her life. If she’s not careful, he might sneak his way into her heart, too...

 

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There you go readers, that's a lot of new reading material to grab and stay busy with. So we mentioned we were celebrating in the Twilight fandom. And what's a celebration if you don't have a prize to giveaway. All 4 authors are giving one of our readers the eBook copies of their books. So winner gets all four books mentioned above that have just been released. Happy Reading!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: One Night by A.J. Pine

One Night
Only You #1
Author: A.J. Pine
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: April 21, 2015
Review Source: InterMix

When she lost it all, Jess decided to cope by living a lie.

But you can’t keep on pretending forever…

Twenty-one-year-old Jess used to have everything—a loyal best friend, a boyfriend she loved, and a future that was right on track. But in a single night, her whole world changed.

Now, Jess lives for the impersonal connection of drunken hook-ups and to-go coffee cups in the morning. All she needs is one night to pretend everything is fine…until she meets Adam.

Thanks to a sports injury, gorgeous, charming basketball star Adam Carson is stuck in physical therapy at the hospital where Jess interns—giving her the perfect opportunity to see his sweet, considerate nature and making her realize that maybe she does want something more.

But while Adam might be the best thing that’s happened to Jess in a long time, letting him past her carefully constructed walls means letting him know what happened...and why he'd never want her for more than one night.

Jess lives in the past. A past that left her completely damaged, so now she copes with one night stands. In comes Adam, star basketball player, who's also a bit damaged himself. Can two damaged people find their way to each other's hearts? Or is this just disaster waiting to happen?

A.J. Pine has done it again. She's tugged at my heart. I really enjoyed reading Jess and Adam's story. The cute scenes were CUTE, the intense scenes were INTENSE, and the sexy scenes were SEXY! I will admit that sometimes Jess totally annoyed me. Her "I want you. No stay away from me. Come back. Go away." dilemma was totally annoying me. But, then PLOT TWIST, we find out what in her past is causing her to be so closed off, and that is when I totally get it. What she had to go through was tragic and I honestly don't know how one would deal with it. Adam, though, I fell in love with the second he was introduced. You will fall in love with him too, I promise! And, the supporting cast is not too shabby either. I LOVED Jess's roomie, Zoe! I'm really hoping the next installment in this series is about Zoe! Because, first she's awesome, and second because we might catch a glimpse of Jess and Adam again! (One Night is part of the Only You series, but can be read as a stand alone.)

So, don't let A.J. Pine off your radar, trust me! Pick up a copy of One Night soon and you'll see why!