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Kendall Grey – Hard Rock Harlots Series Reading Order

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Rock star + erotica alert. Yahhhhh… I knew I’d get your attention with that. 😉 Haha!! I love the warnings on this one! And there are quite a few. 😉 I’m getting that this series is er… raunchy.

* Readers are strongly advised to wear latex gloves whilst reading to minimize contamination risks.

Tee hee!!!! *blush*

And SO many of our fellow readers loved (and laughed) through #1! (P.S. #2 just went live right now!!)

Marina: Just wanted to recommend this one. I came across it on your site and others yesterday while I was surfing and I read it in 2/3rds of a day. I have NEVER read a book in LESS than a day! It was quite the ride! It is a raw, dirty book but perfect for that need for a change of pace between heavier reads. I don’t have words to describe except to compare it and it reminds me of a cross between: the wittiness of Wallbanger, the rocker romance feel of How to Kill a Rockstar (which I love) and the steam of Backstage Pass. If you are looking for a witty yet saucy read, this one definitely fills the need! Loved it!
Think you might too!

Tanya: Strings blew me away, I loved it. It was totally unexpected and probably one of the more unique stories ive read.  I never knew there were sooo many ways to describe a sex scene, I actually had to go to Urban Dictonary to confirm a few LOL.  I was laughing and blushing and speechless through the whole thing.  Not for those who don’t like crude humor, her warning says it all.

Lisa: Just finished Strings and I blushed and giggled through entire book. I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice change of pace for me after tanking up on a lot of angsty and dark reads.

Aarjullor: I just finished Strings by Kendall Grey and loved every second of it. Raunchy and hilarious!!!

Mindy: I don’t know that you have read the first book Strings yet but I think you’d like it. It’s HOT!

Bobbie: check out the Strings series by Kendall Grey. Its pretty awesome!

About book #1:

Free-spirited musician Letty Dillinger adheres to a strict, “no strings attached” policy when it comes to men. After a wild night of unabashed sex in a fancy hotel room, she never expects to see the adventurous stud she dubs “Shades” again. When her all-girl rock trio books a tour at the last minute as the opening act for their archenemies, Letty’s shocked to discover she knows the competition’s new lead singer. Intimately. Shades is no longer a one-night stand. Now he’s the guy she has to one-up on stage every night for the sake of her career.

Sharing close quarters on a bus with her sexy nemesis and his bad-boy buddies puts Letty’s Golden Rule to the test. On this tour, guitar strings aren’t the only things being played. And when heartstrings are pulled too hard, they’re bound to snap sooner or later.

    

M.S. Willis – The Control Series Reading Order

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Here’s a series that comes highly recommended (readers say they laughed so hard and cried so hard). And while I can’t quite tell the *gist* of it yet (by the synopsis), it’s definitely romance, “she’s” super-independant and intrigued by this womanizer/controlling kind of guy. Is it kind of darkish? With book covers and titles like that, it would seem like it, but from the synopsis, I can’t tell. Is it paranormal? I don’t think so, but you know… his “name” and the fact that she can’t dig up any info on him, and she might be in danger? I really don’t know…

Oh well, no biggie. The recommendations I’ve received look great, so I wanna read it!

Shanda: Oh my gosh I just finished “Control” by M.S. Willis it is a MUST read… Maryse you’ve got to read this book. I think you will love it. I was so into it I totally lost track of time. There is swooning, angst, giggles and then there is you holding your breath through almost a whole chapter… so far reviews have it at a 5 star and I would agree.

Laura: The Control series by M.S. Willis is amazing and Conquer left me with a major book hangover. I would recommend the series to everyone.

Gina: I completely agree with Laura!!! The series is fantastic! The are parts that are so funny, I know someone who got a black eye from dropping her kindle while laughing so hard. And if you want a good cry or an ugly cry.. this is the series for you! It has it all. And I already miss my David….

LOL!!!! Now THAT sounds like my kind of read!!!! A black eye from laughing so hard (I’ve dropped my iPad on my nose once so I have an idea…), plus a good ol’ fashion ugly cry. YES PLEASE!!! PLUS! Look at how lucky we are, ’cause, all THREE book are now out!! YAY US!!

About book #1:

Paige Stone lived anything but a normal childhood. Having been raised around an abused women’s shelter operated by her parents, Paige was a constant witness to the tragedy and heartache suffered by women at the hands of the men they trusted. Out of refusal to ever allow that to happen to her,… Paige built walls around her heart at a young age. Those walls were only fortified when tragedy struck on her sixth birthday and took from her the only friend and love she knew. Now at 22 years old, and working as a private investigator, Paige is driven by a deep need for strength, independence and a stubborn refusal to accept help from another person. Surrounding herself with her three best friends, Paige never assumed that the autonomy she had worked so hard to build could be challenged.

That was, until Paige met Daemon Pierce.

Mysterious, strong-willed, and breathtakingly beautiful, Daemon seemed to instantly know Paige better than she knew herself. Paige is disgusted by Daemon’s reputation as a womanizer, but becomes intrigued when she is unable to discover his background. Paige’s curiosity about Daemon proves to be her downfall as she is swept up in his charming and arrogant pursuit to possess her in every possible way.

For the first time in her life, Paige will struggle for control while Daemon slowly dismantles the walls she has built around herself. Only time will tell who will be victorious in their battle of wills as Daemon teaches Paige the weaknesses within herself that she never knew existed. Paige stays one step ahead in her struggle against Daemon’s controlling ways, but when tragedy strikes her life a second time, she has to choose; will she put her life in danger, or will she finally accept a helping hand?

   

Book Review – Tear You Apart by Megan Hart

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Tear You Apart

I’ve been anticipating this book for awhile now (after reading that synopsis… how could I help myself?)! I couldn’t wait to embark on the drama.

Their passion will consume everything—and everyone— in its path….

I wasn’t sure what kind of drama… exactly, but I had an idea, and considering some of my favorite Megan Hart books, I knew a title like that would have a very good chance of delivering as promised.

If I could make myself believe it all happened by chance and I couldn’t help it, that I’ve been swept away, that it’s not my fault, that it’s fate…would that be easier? The truth is, I didn’t know I was looking for this until I found Will, but I must’ve been, all this time. And now it is not random, it is not fate,  it is not being swept away.

This is my choice.  And I don’t know how to stop.

Or even if I want to.

And for a good portion of it, I was right back in Megan’s “world”. Her brilliant writing and tone, perfectly recognizable. Gorgeous, descriptive writing, with a somewhat darker, more sedate feel. Real, flawed “heroines” (at times, relatable, sometimes not so much) but no matter what, we’ve been in “their” heads before. We recognize ourselves in them. Their thoughts, insecurities and the actions they take, are on some level, familiar. And in turn, we connect and internalize the story as our own.

And surprise! The subject matter in this book, (a flawed and potentially destructive “love story”) revealed itself along the lines of recent books I reviewed: Arsen, Nocturne, Love Square, and now “Tear You Apart”. I seem to be having a theme month in regards to this kind of relationship upheaval. And lemme tell ya. I could really use a more traditional romance book right now. 😉 Mind you, I kind of knew what I was getting into with that synopsis, and Megan Hart does warn us that this is not a romance.

But then again, are any of her books really… romance? Love stories, yes! Romance, er… not quite. But considering how a few of her books have shocked me, made me cry, and/or swoon, I was anticipating feeling a deep, personal connection and concern for the characters in this one. I wanted to be consumed with it. I wanted it to take me over, emotionally.

Unfortunately, it didn’t. I didn’t fall in love with… any of them. While I was hoping for a certain outcome, I didn’t find myself wholeheartedly rooting for it. Something was holding me back. Keeping me from completely letting go.

So what’s it about?

Elisabeth has been married for years and is in a severe relationship rut. Her husband’s constant work-traveling has been putting a wedge between them for years, and where once, she would miss him,

I used to greet my husband at the door every night, no matter what time he got home. I’d wait for him if he was late. I never wrapped my naked body in cling film or had a martini in my hand, and there were days when the smile on my face was definitely forced… but I always met him.

I don’t meet him anymore.

where she once put special effort into them…

That’s when I stopped meeting Ross at the door. Because on the days when he got home first, he never met me. I never came home to dinner waiting for me, or the laundry folded, or a glass of wine.

… she now prefers her time alone. Ross has been emotionally distant for what seems like forever. Inattentive. Takes her for granted. The typical stuff.

I don’t remember the first day I resented this. I don’t remember wondering why all the years I’d made the effort were not reciprocated.

But when she meets an artist at the gallery she works for, his flirting, their newfound friendship has her daydreaming…

He smiles. I’ve said the right thing. This is it, I think, when he takes my hand and tugs me a step closer. This is when he kisses me.

Of course, he doesn’t Why should he? We’ve only just met. I’m no cover model. I’m bedraggled and unkempt and old enough to know better. His fingers stroke my wedding band.

And oh, there’s that.

And she can’t help but get swept up in him. Her life takes on a new brilliance.

I want to be surprised. I want to find something new. I want this to feel different.

This is her story. One where she feels she’s coming to life again, but now has to decide where to take it. Because what she thinks she wants, and what she feels she must do, are two very different things.

It’s good, but I found myself reading on the outside, looking in. Sure… I felt some of it. I couldn’t help but tsk at her decisions, and acknowledged her own *slight* downward spiral, but I was never emotionally distraught, worried, or even all that incensed over any of it. And I should have been. I recognized the moral issues and the potential for her own self-destruction, and that of everyone around her. I resented her husband’s lackadaisical attitude towards her (ugh!) and could see where she was coming from. I felt her “newfound glory”. But something that could have been so tumultuous (or euphoric) was, for me, just… *shrug*.  I didn’t want to just feel it. I wanted to internalize it. Experience it. Agonize over it. And possibly delight in it’s outcome… whatever outcome that may be (after all, one of my favorites of this genre took an unexpected turn in the end, and I ended up loving it). Unfortunately, this one didn’t take me there.

Mind you… I barely put it down. It held me enough to read it straight through, but I suspect I did so, anticipating that moment where my heart would be ripped out and I would come out of this read, gushing.

But… it didn’t tear me apart.

3 stars for the story overall, but 5 stars for the writing.

The author’s writing is so illustrative, in fact, that at one point I noted “she thinks in colors and scents and flavors… it’s weird. And kind of pretty”. And as with all of this author’s unique characters, the reasoning for this comes to light, and I really loved where she took it.  Her descriptive writing truly brings them to life.

Okay stop here (for those not wanting to know anymore), as I’m going to dissect a little piece of my own perception of this love story:

While I didn’t feel the book like I wanted to… I did have moments where I felt sorry for her. I found she was deluding herself on a specific point. It seemed she was convinced she knew the reason for a certain character’s actions. Perhaps the author intended her “reasoning” (his excuses) to be reality. But to me, I couldn’t connect to him, on that level, and I so wanted to tell her. It all just came off as a bit sad, but I suppose this was her lesson to learn, life to live, and growth to achieve.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this review copy.

Latest Paranormal & Contemporary Romance Book Releases – August 27th 2013

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Happy Tuesday book release day! There are few on here that have me very excited and that I will be reading this week, such as The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo (’cause this is one of my favorite paranormal authors and her alpha-paranormal men are quite a treat!),  and Origin (Lux Series #4) ’cause I’m so in love with Daemon (one of my favorite series!!) and one I’ve been so excited for (and so has our fellow reader, Claudia)—> Tear You Apart because:

  1. I love Megan Hart (see my review of one of my other favorites of hers “Broken“) and
  2. with a synopsis like that, I gotta know what it means! and
  3. Considering the shocking surprises in some of her other books that I didn’t see coming, I’m hoping (thinking) this one just might blow me away. *fingers crossed*
So add those to my Friday “TBR” list that I posted, ’cause, yes I got sidetracked this weekend with two reads that weren’t originally on my TBR list…. *sigh* what can you do? 😉 Arsen and Nocturne were so worth it, though!
Plus I noted a few others that look up our alley (like of course, Sometimes It Lasts by Abbi Glines!!). 😉 Let me know if you see any standouts or if I missed any. 😀

BARGAINS:

  • Arsen. A broken love story by Mia Asher a MUST-READ for angst lovers that secretly enjoy an “ugly cry”. I’m still having a hard time picking up a new book. (see my review).
  • Lost and Found (Lost & Found, #1) by Nicole Williams
  • Fixed on You by Laurelin Paige <— (thanks Aimee) and Lori says: “If you liked Crossfire, you’ll like this one – great read” and Janet agrees: ” was really good. There is a sequel coming too in Oct.”
  • Burn (The Breathless Trilogy) by Maya Banks <— right at the edge of our bargain pricing, sounds like a good deal! (thanks Stephanie!)
  • Entwined with You (A Crossfire Novel) by Sylvia Day
  • Point of Retreat: A Novel (book #2) by Colleen Hoover. One of my favorites but you must read “Slammed” first.
  • Control by M.S. Willis <— book #1 (and book #3 was just released – see it below)
  • Axel (Corps Security) by Harper Sloan <— Shanda really loved it and brought it back to my attention yesterday saying:” Awesome!!! I couldn’t put it down, if you LOVE alpha male this is your book!”
  • Good (Too Good) by S. Walden <— (thanks Lori!) and looks extra risqué, ’cause it’s a student/teacher but… from the reviews I *glanced* at (afraid of spoilers) I noticed she’s 17! Eeeeep! Still… I’m curious where this will lead.
  • Mid Life Love by Whitney Gracia Williams <— this one’s been highly recommended by our fellow readers in the recent past, (She’s older… he’s younger. And her boss). Kandace says “YAY!! Big time loved this one.”
          

PARANORMAL

                    

CONTEMPORARY

                                      

Reader questions & recommendation requests (and my answers)…

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I received another slew of awesome reader questions, and actually the majority of them this time around are asking for specific book recommendations. So I answered them, and thought I’d post what I recommended, in case any of you are wondering the same thing.

Q: Rachel: I was looking at your reviews for Kristen Ashley’s Dream Man or Chaos series. Where do I start with this? Should I read the entire Dream Man series first (even though you only mentioned Motorcycle Man in order to start the Chaos series)? Or should I just read both series? Just kinda at a what do I read now and thought you might be able to help?

A: My personal recommendation is to DEFINITELY read Mystery Man first from the Dream Man series because Tack (Motorcycle Man) is a huge player in that book. Then you can move direct to Motorcycle Man and then on to Chaos (if you’re mostly into the MC stuff). I read both of the books in-between (in the Dream Man series) and I don’t think you’ll be confused by skipping over them to go direct to Motorcycle Man. In fact, I was SO into Tack after “Mystery Man”, that had Motorcycle Man already been published, I wouldn’t have been able to help myself but skip over to it right away. It’s pretty seamless. I hope that helps!

Q: Julia: What’s the reading order for Shay Savage’s series? I know there is a prequel that needs to be read…so I need the order that includes the prequel!?!? HELP!!! I want to start reading this series ASAP! Lol I thought Surviving Raine was part of this series!

A: Hi Julia!! Sure! Here you go! It’s called the Evan Arden Series and no, Surviving Raine is not a part of it. It’s a standalone and it’s SO goooooood (I gave it 5 stars!). I absolutely recommend reading it. It was the first book I read from this author and one of my favorites of the year! But all of her books so far rocked my world!!

Q: Colleen: I need to start reading a new series or I will die ( I have read Kristen Ashley series (love them). I the neighbor from hell had me laughing and could not put the books down.)…………..

A: LOL!! That’ll get my attention. Well… there are a TON of series that I could recommend, but three that stand out in my head right now (because of recent highly anticipated new releases) are: The Kathleen Turner series by Tiffany Snow (two “heroes” in this one that everyone seems to be crazy for), The Heller series by J.D. Nixon (I hear “Heller” is HOT and the tension is amazing) and my personal favorite The Experiment in Terror series by Karina Halle (don’t let the “terror” word fool you). There is a paranormal angle to this ’cause they’re ghost hunters, but the romantic tension is off the charts and the story is all about the realistic angst and pining between the two main characters and it is ADDICTIVE!!

Q: Raquel: I’ve been a little tired about classic books. I need dreams! I guess I’m looking for Carrie Bradshaw’s thoughts: “I’m looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love.”

A: Ohhhh I LOVE that!! Those are the exact stories that set my heart on fire and that make me think about them allllll day long. In fact, I just wrote a post about our favorite books that are just soooooo good, that put us in such an incredible love fog, that we forget to eat, while we read them. And for me, sometimes it takes me a few days to get my appetite back ’cause I’m living on love, alone. Here is the post. I list my absolute favorites that have consumed me (for example, have you read Beautiful Disaster yet?), and our fellow readers do, too.

Q: Emma: Hello! I am loving all your reviews and book lists! I was wondering though which novel was the infamous Travis you keep comparing other characters to? It seems like so far none of the other characters can measure up to him and now I really want to read this book! Thanks in advance!

A: Hi Emma! It’s “Beautiful Disaster” and yes… he’s my main man and has been for two years now. He’s VERY popular with our crew. 😉 Here is my Book Review of Beautiful Disaster.

Q: Nicole:  I am looking for the ultimate bad boy/bad ass book. I want the book with the most angst, love, laughter you can possibly find. I want the male to be the bad ass boyfriend, possessive, jerk, cheat etc and then find the one girl that tames him.  I need a good book that will make me crazy. Been reading to many HEA books. Can you recommend some? I am sure I have read most of them, but really need something to get me out of my book funk.

A: Hi Nicole! Of course, I’d right away recommend “Beautiful Disaster” again, but I have a feeling you may have read that one. 😉 I have something even dirtier, grittier, and bad-ass-ier. 😉 Have you read Madeline Sheehan’s biker/MC series? Check out my Book Review for Undeniable (book #1) and my Book Review – Unbeautifully (book #2) with more to come. Each book is about a different set of characters, but they all merge into the series. You will have your bad-boy world rocked! These hold no punches. Prepare for your jaw to drop.

Q: Megan: Any good book series suggestions? Its been too long- something angsty w/forbidden love & whatnot. Think Mac/Barrons

Maryse: I’d recommend Karina Halle’s Experiment in Terror series. It’s not the same story per se, but the incredible sexual/romantic tension between the two main characters is through the roof, and just keeps building. And the emotional agony at times is just addictive! Plus it’s got that supernatural appeal, ’cause they have an “indie” ghost-hunting show on Youtube. Here’s the reading order, and another post I wrote that might help you decide on this: The Experiment in Terror Series – Intrigued Readers Want to Know…

Megan: Read them! Great suggestion though because I did absolutely love, love them!

Maryse: Okay what about Stacia Kane’s Downside Ghost’s series? One of my all-time favorites. https://ma.ryse.me/iloveterrible 

Q: Bess: What is the “A Discovery of Witches: A Novel (All Souls Trilogy)” third book called and when will it come out?

A: As of yet, it is still untitled and the release date is TBA. The author posted this on her webpage:

“Yes, I’m working on it! No, it’s not finished yet. As a result, I don’t know when book #3 is going to be out. It doesn’t even have a title yet.”

Q: Thu: Does Jake Wethers speak with an American or English accent? I know he moved to America when he was young but I’m not sure if he lost his English accent. Currently reading WTS but not sure what he’s supposed to sound like when reading his POV. Lol.

M: Great question, Thu. And one I never even asked myself. I hear him “American”, but maybe someone here knows better?

Q: Jessica: I read the book but can’t remember the name……girl is in the car with her boyfriend/husband and i think they get carjacked. *spoiler*… etc…

A: I excluded the rest of the question, ’cause it had some very important book details, but right away, I knew the answer. The book is called  Connected: The Connections Series, #1 and yes, it did end on a cliffhanger. But book #2 “Torn: The Connections Series, #2” will be out October 1st 2013!

           

 

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