Controlled Burn by Amy Briggs

Title: Controlled Burn

Author: Amy Briggs

Series: Brotherhood of District 23

Genre: Contemporary Military Romance

Publisher: Self-Published

Release Date: December 1, 2016

Edition/Format: eBook

Source: Amazon Purchased

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Blurb:  Seth Jackson, known as Jax to his friends and family, has always been the easy-going, loyal, and dependable friend to everyone. Marine Corps veteran and career firefighter, Jax enjoys a simple life, hanging out with friends, and chasing the ladies. Always the most level-headed of his friends, he suddenly finds himself spinning out of control, unable to sleep and suffering from nightmares and anxiety. When he finds out he suffers from PTSD, he second-guesses everything around him and starts searching for the normalcy he thought he was living.

Vivian Deveraux, a twenty-five-year old with a penchant for selling real estate deals like a seasoned agent, thought she was just negotiating another deal. While brokering a sale for his friends, Vivian meets Jax, who instantly stirs up emotions she had kept buried for years.

Jax pursues Vivian in an effort to fill a hole he didn’t realize he’d had, but will their connection actually create more darkness?

**Controlled Burn is the 3rd book in the Brotherhood of District 23 series, but CAN be read as a standalone**

Review: In this final installment, we meet Seth and Vivian, two great and loyal people who are trying to fight their way through the darkness.  Seth is working to come to the light and see his self-worth when he meets Vivian.  Vivian is also struggling through her own sense of darkness after the loss of her brother. 

With so many similarities they face, will they withstand the storm or crumble under the pressure?

Seth is trying to do the right thing but when confronted with the truth of Vivian’s past, will he fall back on bad habits or realize he is worthy.  Will it be too late to save themselves and each other?

I really think this book had a great storyline and I loved the characters but feel the ending was rushed.  I also felt an air of suspense around Vivian throughout the book as far as her job and wish the author would have tied up more loose ends since this is the final installment.

All in all, good book, great storyline, and great character development as well.

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Don't miss out on any of the others in this series!

Fired Up and Fully Involved

Also, please check out my reviews for Fired Up and Fully Involved, here!

Fully Involved by Amy Briggs

Title: Fully Involved
Author: Amy Briggs
Series: Brotherhood of District 23
Genre: Erotic Suspense
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 30, 2016
Edition/Format: 1st Edition/eBook
Source: Amazon Purchased
Rating: 4 Stars 

Blurb: Isabel Cruise spends her days investigating crimes as a detective, and her nights hoping for a man who will finally satisfy her sexual cravings. Hiding her deep desires was easy until she let herself go one night with the sexy Matt Cavanaugh, a no-strings-attached firefighter who brings just the right amount of dominance that she’s been looking for. 

Refusing to give into the idea of a real connection, an arsonist on the loose creates a divide that threatens to destroy them before they ever get started. With all clues leading to a perpetrator at Matt’s station, Isabel is forced to investigate Matt and the other firefighters at District 23. 

Will Matt and Isabel have a chance to make a real connection beyond their steamy encounters, or will she have to prosecute one of the firefighters, ruining any chance for something more? 

**This book is intended for ages 18+ due to adult situations and graphic scenes

 Review:  In this spinoff tale from “Fired Up”, we get to know Brian’s brother, Matt, and detective, Isabel Cruise.  I really loved this story!!! I love Matt’s little notes and quirks that make him the way that he is.  I love how Isabel gives up control for him and breaks the rules.  Matt is very dominating and yet still gentle for her.

I also love seeing farther into Brian and Jo’s relationship, and how it grows.  I am also glad that Jo still holds onto her strong personality regardless of circumstance.  I’m happy that Matt is still a great friend to both Jo and Brian, and helps by giving much needed advice.

The drawback I noticed in this book is that the ending felt a little rushed but I am sure we’ll see more of these two in the third installment, “Controlled Burn”.  I also felt as if the whole Matt/Isabel/Jax scenario was a little anticlimactic, but am still happy with how everything ended up.

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Don't miss out on the other books in the series!

Fired Up and Controlled Burn

Also, check out my review of Fired Up and Controlled Burn.

Fired Up by Amy Briggs Review

Title: Fired Up
Author:  Amy Briggs
Series: The Brotherhood of District 23
Genre: Contemporary Firefighter Romance
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date:  June 1, 2016
Edition/Format:  1st edition/eBook
Source:  Amazon Purchased
Rating:  4.5 Stars

Blurb: Jo Meadows did what she always dreamed, following her father’s footsteps and becoming a career firefighter. Still reeling from his sudden death, Jo attempts to settle roots where he had been the Chief. However, the new cocky Fire Chief, makes it difficult to stay focused on her goal, just like he has since they were kids.

Brian Cavanaugh is doing what he does best, taking command. After the Chief, his only father figure, passes away, he convinces Jo to come back to the department where her family is. While he’s always had his pick of the ladies, he quickly realizes what he’s been missing out on with Jo and what he’s been giving up for his career.

Torn between their responsibilities and their attraction for each other, their history ignites a spark that neither can deny. But Brian’s reputation for being a ladies’ man and now becoming her new boss challenges their scorching chemistry. Will he be able to prove to her he’s changed before Jo’s past comes back to haunt them both?

**Book contains adult themes, graphic sexual scenes and language. Not recommended for readers under the age of 18**

Review:  In book 1 of this trilogy, we meet Jo who has grown up with Brian.  There’s always been a chemistry between the two families that sets the pages of this book on FIRE.  Both characters are strong individuals, and Brian is the HOT alpha male yet a gentleman who makes no qualms about it.  Jo isn’t a pushover either.  Both Jo and Brian have a “no BS” type of attitude and are finally at a place in their lives that they can finally admit to what they’re feeling. 

Will their pasts’ get the best of them?  Can Jo look past Brian’s ways?  Will Brian be able to solve the mystery surround Jo?

This would have been a 5* book for me if it weren’t for the similarities between the names used in this book and that of other, more widely known books, and the somewhat predictable nature of this book.  I did LOVE LOVE LOVE the communication and familiarity we see between the two main characters. All in all, great book, great storyline, and I can’t wait for book 2!

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Don't miss any of the other books in this series

Fully Involved and Controlled Burn

Also, Check out my reviews for Book 2 and 3 here!!!

Review Restrained Under His Duty by Stacey Kennedy

Title: Restrained Under His Duty
Author: Stacey Kennedy 
Series: Dirty Little Secrets  Book 3
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Suspense, BDSM
Publisher: Loveswept
Release Date: April 4 2017
Edition: eBook
Source: Loveswept via NetGalley
Rating 4.5 Stars
Blurb/Synopsis:

An uninhibited politician’s daughter falls for her loyal bodyguard behind closed doors in this scandalous novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Bound Beneath His Pain and Tied to His Betrayal.

As the chief of security for a prominent senator, Ryder Blackwood is stunned when an anonymous source sends him a compromising photo of his boss’s twenty-five-year-old daughter getting down and dirty in an underground sex club. If it gets out, the media firestorm could ruin her father. More troubling for Ryder is how arousing he finds the whole situation. He’s known Hadley Winters since she was a kid. And now she’s the woman in all his most private fantasies.

Wild behavior helps Hadley get through those painful, lonely nights, but she’s been waiting a long time for a man like Ryder to protect her from herself. Ryder is raw. He’s real. And he makes her feel safe. Now that they’ve both become pawns in a blackmailer’s dangerous game, there’s more at stake than her father’s political career. As the intimate threats tear apart a tender new love, Hadley is forced to trust Ryder with her life—and her heart.

Thoughts

Danger, Intrigue and Totally HOT
Restrained Under His Duty is the third book in Stacey Kennedy’s series entitled Dirty Little Secrets, and it takes us into the erotic BDSM world of the Dominants’ Council, four men who are not only friends but also own the four sole sex clubs in the city. Though this is the third title the first two titles Do NOT need read though I highly recommend it because the main story is slowly unfolding in each installment.

The chemistry between Ryder and Hadley is off the charts hot even if it is a little forbidden in Ryder’s eyes, he tries to live by the rule that you don’t mix business with pleasure but the heart wants what it wants, and Ryder’s heart wants his boss’s daughter. Everything about her is what he craves and wants and it becomes impossible to not cross those boundaries and break every rule he set for himself. This story is filled with mystery intrigue and a little danger just enough to keep you flipping those pages, but at its core it love that keeps us engaged as we watch two people fight against what they really really want and that is each other until it all becomes too much and those self-imposed boundaries are crossed and once crossed it can’t be undone.

I love this series. I was looking forward to this one (and dying for the next one)...and as a book, it did not disappoint, but as a part of the series, I wanted more. The buildup in each story answers just enough to satisfy but leaves us craving so much more. Come on Nov I need Gabe’s Story.

**** Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I will leave my Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". *****

Purchase Links 

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Don’t miss any of Stacey Kennedy’s seductive Dirty Little Secrets novels:

BOUND BENEATH HIS PAIN | TIED TO HIS BETRAYAL | RESTRAINED UNDER HIS DUTY  |  CUFFED BY HIS CHARM

Review Tied To His Betrayal by Stacey Kennedy

Title: Tied To His Betrayal
Author: Stacey Kennedy 
Series: Dirty Little Secrets  Book 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Suspense, BDSM
Publisher: Loveswept
Release Date: Nov 15 2016
Edition: eBook
Source: Loveswept via NetGalley
Rating 4.5 Stars
Blurb/Synopsis:

In a dazzling novel of passion and power from the bestselling author of Bound Beneath His Pain and the Club Sin series, a commanding man gives up his most prized possession to win back the one that got away.

Darius Bennett can’t live without supreme control. A self-made billionaire, he’s rich enough to get anything—and any woman—he wants, yet he’s still haunted by a broken relationship. Five years ago, Darius let Taylor Erikson go because he knew he could never give her what she truly wanted: his heart. But the moment Taylor walks back into his life, bruised and beaten, Darius blames himself. To make good on his betrayal, he vows to help her heal—in and out of the sheets.

Once upon a time, Darius was Taylor’s world. Now his fierce embrace is exactly what she needs to get back on her feet. But Taylor pays a heavy price for her sizzling nights with Darius. As the emotional ties become stronger than ever and the paparazzi hunt her down for their next juicy story, Taylor must face some hard truths. They can’t go back. And to move forward, the key to loving Darius isn’t about keeping his secrets—it’s about exposing them.

Tied to His Betrayal is intended for mature audiences.

Thoughts  

“The sex is dirty-sweet, with a dark lick of dominance and the tantalizing potential of redemption.”

This book was about second chances, heartbreak, and most of all, Love. Books like this remind me of why I absolutely LOVE reading. Books like this that grab me, hold me captive, envelop me in the story, leave a mark and have me begging for more even when the story is complete.

Hot. "Sexy, intriguing, suspenseful and heartwarming, Tied to His Betrayal will grab hold of readers' and leave them wanting more. Darius is a broody, swoon-worthy alpha male, and Taylor is a beautiful, courageous heroine. These two characters will pull at your heartstrings in this emotional and gripping tale.

I loved the hot and steamy scenes between them but what really got me was the slow development of feelings between them as they reconnected 5 yrs. later. The fighting against it. The feeling that neither of them deserved the happiness they had found in each other and the realization that they couldn't live without the other and the drive to fight for what they wanted. There were a number of twists that made the whole book richer and an outcome that made me sigh and smirk!! I really suggest that you read this wonderfully written book! And Don’t Forget to Check Out Book 1 in the Dirty Little Secrets Series Bound Beneath His Pain. Micah and Allie’s Story.

**** Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I will leave my Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". *****

Purchase Links

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

iBooks

Kobo 

Don’t miss any of Stacey Kennedy’s seductive Dirty Little Secrets novels:

BOUND BENEATH HIS PAIN | TIED TO HIS BETRAYAL | RESTRAINED UNDER HIS DUTY  |  CUFFED BY HIS CHARM

Review Bound Beneath His Pain by Stacey Kennedy

Title: Bound Beneath His Pain
Author: Stacey Kennedy 
Series: Dirty Little Secrets  Book 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Suspense, BDSM
Publisher: Loveswept
Release Date: July 5 2016
Edition: eBook
Source: Loveswept via NetGalley
Rating 4.5 Stars
Blurb/Synopsis:

The USA Today bestselling author of the Club Sin novels kicks off a deeply sensual new series by introducing readers to Micah, a man who takes what he wants—until he meets the one woman he needs.

Real estate mogul Micah Holt exerts absolute control over all aspects of his life. He keeps his dark side hidden away from the press, who will chase down any hint of scandal. He’s always in command of his world, careful to expose his closely guarded secrets only to those he knows he can trust. Then Allie Bennett shakes his legendary discipline. She’s beautiful, pure, untainted. But is Micah willing to sacrifice her innocence for his own selfish obsessions?

When that sexy smile makes her body burn, Allie tries with all her might to ignore it. For one thing, Micah’s her new boss. For another, he’s as complicated as he is devastatingly handsome. Still, Allie can only fight so much before she gives in to his dangerous games. She knows he’s got dark secrets. But when she discovers the true depth of his pain, Allie must decide how far she’s willing to go to light the way for love.

Bound Beneath His Pain is intended for mature audiences. 

Thoughts 

Full of Intense and Emotional Scenes Micah and Allie are about to take you on a ride of your life where the heart desires what the heart desires and all else be damned. These two have an intense soul deep connection that either one can understand, but when together it is explosive.  Two broken souls that mend each other in an intense and hot way. Not all is what it seems in this deliciously hot read that will scorch the pages and melt the panties.

In a sense this is a Beauty and a Beast Story without an actual beast. Micah believes himself to be a beast a monster because of his secret desires and all the while the beauty holds her own secrets.
Can Micah’s two separate worlds coexist alongside each other or will his darker desires destroy a future he wants.

If you are looking to read a really intense and hot book make sure to Grab a Copy of Bound Beneath His Pain because this book delivers. I Highly Recommend It. It does leave off on a bit of a cliffhanger but not one that will leaving you angry just enough to set up the next book with new characters.

**** Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I will leave my Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". *****

Purchase Links 

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble

iBooks 

Kobo

Don’t miss any of Stacey Kennedy’s seductive Dirty Little Secrets novels:

BOUND BENEATH HIS PAIN | TIED TO HIS BETRAYAL | RESTRAINED UNDER HIS DUTY  |  CUFFED BY HIS CHARM

Review Consumed by the Dare by Casey Hagen

Title: Consumed by the Dare
Author: Casey Hagen
Series: Dare to Love Series (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Carly Phillips)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance
Publisher: Kindle Worlds
Release Date: Jan 25 2016
Edition: eBook
Source: Hidden Gems ARC Service
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Blurb/Synopsis:
London Abbott, head librarian of the Bronx Public Library, is determined to turn a reading initiative into a raving success, solidifying the career and financial security she craves. Adding the burden of a tag-along playboy trying to improve his tarnished image is a stressor London doesn’t need, but when a trusted friend calls in a favor, she’s saddled with bad-boy football star Ryker Christiansen.

Ryker never imagined his lucrative contract with the Miami Thunder would ever be at risk, but after too many nights of partying he’s told to repair his tattered reputation or be terminated. Sent to New York to preen for the media and show his altruistic side by working with children and seniors, he’s committed to sitting in a Bookmobile with antsy kids, ornery seniors, and taking orders from a snotty librarian.

Unsympathetic, London tests Ryker’s mettle without mercy. He earns her respect by meeting every challenge she creates, proving he’s more than just one more overindulged athlete. But there is one more prize he’s determined to win, so he dares London to step out of her carefully constructed world for a walk with him on the wild side.

London expects to bring Ryker down a notch or two, but as their slow-burning heat erupts into sexual flames, the intensity of the fire threatens to either destroy their hearts or forge them together. Discovering which comes with a price. Will they emerge stronger? Or are they destined to be…Consumed by the Dare.

Thoughts 

Sweet to Steamy all before the First Down

I LOVE sports romance and I enjoyed this book. It was a short fast read and I wished it was longer. It's a little rushed in parts but a good read. This story takes place in a world of Professional Football and the tight end needs to clean up his image. If not all of his hopes and dreams and everything he has worked so hard for will come to an end. What he didn’t expect was to actually fall for the one person trying to rebuild his reputation, but things are not always as easy as we would like, and Ryker soon finds out that winning the next game and conquering the next conquest as a playboy was not all that he wanted like he thought. Casey a sweet librarian turns Ryker’s world on its axis. Casey has Ryker wishing for and wanting things he never even considered. The character development, the vivid description, detail and plot draw you in from the beginning and there are enough twists and turns to keep you interested until the end.

**** Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from Hidden Gems and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I will leave my Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". *****

Purchase Link

Amazon 

Review Time for Love by Laura N Andrews

Title: Time for Love
Author: Laura N Andrews
Series: Timeless Love Book 2
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing 
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M, LGTBQA, Erotic Romance, Gay Romance,
Release Date: May 20 2017
Edition: ARC Digital Copy
Source: Author in Exchange for Unbiased Opinion
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Blurb/Synopsis:

Endearing and shy, Nicholas Edwards prefers to stay in most nights. On one of his rare evenings out, he meets confident businessman Caleb Roimata.

Although at first he seems arrogant, charming and irresistible, Caleb encourages Nicholas to come out of his shell, and together they fall into a relationship full of passion and love.

When Caleb’s past causes doubts to rise and drama to unfold, will they be there for each other and be what the other needs?

And when all is said and done, will there still be... time for love?

Thoughts

Rough Start but a Beautiful Ending

This is my first time reading a Laura N Andrews Title and it won’t be my last. Her writing was heartfelt and her characters seemed so genuine. Though with that said I will admit I struggled with Nick’s character not that he was not genuine it was just his self-esteem was so low and at times his self-deprecating was a bit much. When I started reading Time for Love I felt it was a bit awkward, not at all smooth and completely consuming like other M/M books I have read. It quickly found its stride after a stumbling beginning and became what I have come to expect, a beautiful fairytale romance. Nick’s and Caleb’s story was without a doubt a beautiful one even with the rocky mishap. It is a story of two men getting out of their comfort zones and reaching for something neither expected to find. I absolutely loved the ending and these guys had me falling for them hard. I would recommend this book to all who enjoy a hard earned romance.

**** Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I will leave my Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". *****

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