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Rebecca Zanetti – The Dark Protectors Series Reading Order

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UPDATED AUGUST 11th 2020!!! PARANORMAL ROMANCE LOVERS!!! This series is much loved by our book crew, and a new release just went LIVE today!! 😀

Kimberly: Hey Maryse, I noticed one of your favorite series was the BDB. I am currently on the third book in that series and I absolutely love them.

I have to say there is a new author by the name of Rebecca Zanetti who has wrote another series called the DARK PROTECTORS. If you love the BDB you will also LOVE the DP… You will NOT be disappointed. I can’t choose which one I like better.

There are some similarities to the concepts of the stories………Brothers, Mates, Enemies…..etc. But different story lines all together. Rebecca is FANTASTIC as is J.R. Ward. I am sure you will thank me for it when you read them!!

Kathy: I think you should put this in your ‘to read’ pile–I loved it.

Nicole: I loved The Dark Protector series its hard for me to choose witch book I liked to the most. I CANT WAIT UNTILL THE NEXT ONE. WHEN WILL IT COME OUT? PLEASE LET OT BE SOON

Prescious: Great new read about vampires gripping storyline you never want to end can’t wait for the other stories in this dark protecter series

About book #1:

Cara Paulson does not give up easily.  A scientist and a single mother, she’s used to fighting for whatever she wants, keeping a cool head, and doing whatever it takes to protect her daughter Janie.  But “whatever it takes” has never before included a shotgun wedding to a dangerous looking stranger with an attitude problem… Or Else

Sure, the mysterious Talen says he’s there to protect Cara and Janie.  He also says that he’s a three-hundred-year-old vampire.  Of course, the way he touches her, Cara might actually believe he’s had that long to practice…

SERIES READING ORDER:

Book Review – Amaury’s Hellion by Tina Folsom

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Amaury’s Hellion: Scanguards Vampires
Fun and sexy, but it didn’t “get me” as much as the first one did. In book one, there were misunderstandings and suspicions, along with a quickly developing deep emotional connection between the two main characters. It played out well enough, that even though they fell in love quickly, I believed it. When things got rough, the angst was real.

This one was an easy going read but I put it down. Amusing, some tension, lots of steamy moments, but  “lighter” on the butterflies for me.

Amaury works for a vampire run security company (one of their services include body guards for celebrities and the wealthy). Both vampires and humans are employed by the company, but it appears some of the human employee bodyguards are snapping. Killing the very people they are guarding. What’s up with that?

“As you all remember, over a month ago, one of Scanguards’ San Francisco bodyguards killed the millionaire he was protecting and then committed suicide. We thought it was an isolated incident. Unfortunately, with this second murder, which concerns another San Francisco employee, we don’t have the luxury of chalking this off as just an individual gone berserk. Somebody’s messing with us.”

While the vampire “heads” of the company get together to investigate the situation (something paranormal might be at work here), Amaury gets a surprise of his own. He is attacked by a stake-wielding human female who hates vampires and wants them all dead (sidenote: vampires are still “in the closet” in this series). Why is he so surprised by the attack? Amaury always knows when danger is lurking because he’s an empath (he considers it a curse) and he can “sense” all feelings around him (hate and anger too!).

How did he miss this very infuriated female (Nina)? Despite her desperate attempts to kill him, he feels nothing coming from her. No anger, no sadness, no emotion whatsoever. Actually, for the first time ever, he feels peace. Being around her immediately eases the migraines that plague him and soothes his emotionally overwrought soul. He’s all too willing to deal with her murderous rage (hes a vampire after all, and much quicker and stronger then this tiny thing). Hate him all she wants, he’s not worried at all. In fact, he’s quite willing to go along with her hatred, as long as she unwittingly continues to ease his physically painful emotional burdens.

But what had really thrown him for a loop was the fact he couldn’t pick up on any of her emotions, which was more than a little unnerving and – fascinating.

So he finds ways to be with her. Follows her home, enters her home, tends to a few of her injuries (there is some licking involved. You know… vampire saliva and all that 😉 ).  He’s actually very sweet and attentive and soon learns that she’s avenging her dead brother. One that she has protected all of their orphaned life, and according to his personal notations, vampires were probably the cause of his demise. Disbelieving at first, her determination leads her right to them, and she pretty much throws herself head-first into a monster’s world.

So there you have it. Two mysteries to solve, and two main characters that have to set aside their differences (her hatred of vampires and his consorting with the enemy… ’cause she’s a wanna-be vampire slayer).

Plenty of dark-alley fights, the characters working both together and against each other, and of course, the disturbing pasts that they simply have to “get over” to find happiness. To be fair, he really did have something terrible to get over. I was all… “Whoa! I didn’t see that coming!”

But there’s a plus! It’s steamy.

“You know what happens to naughty girls?”

Nina looked almost innocent when she shook her short blonde curls, tickling his face with them. Her intoxicating scent wrapped around him. “No.”

“They’ll end up with real bad boys.”

“Like you? A flicker of excitement illuminated her eyes.

“Like me.”

In fact I just found a note that I made in the book. Re-reading it made me giggle. You see, before “Nina” walked into his life, the only thing that could temporarily soothe his migraines was… you guessed it. Sex.

While his friends knew about his so-called gift, they had no idea about the pain it caused him daily and the things he had to do to keep his head from exploding. He didn’t want their pity.

They all thought he was a sex maniac out to screw every female he could get his hands on, just for the fun of it. In reality, without sex he would have gone on a crazed rampage long ago, killing everyone and everything in his path. Sex equaled survival – for him and those around him.

And in turn, I personally included this notation:

Awww see. This isn’t gonna be just a “gratuitous sex” book. The poor guy needs it. Its a life or death situation!!

hehe. *blush*

But never fear. Even though just being near her soothes him (meaning he doesn’t need sex as long as she’s near him, to feel relief), they do frolic aplenty (much to the dismay of his “heads”). Double entendre? Maybe. There’s a certain scene… uhhhh never mind. I’ll let you figure that one out 😉

3 stars

 

D. B. Reynolds – Vampires in America Series Reading Order

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Thanks to Katherine for this suggestion!! She had me convinced when she said:

“I have just devoured the first four books over the weekend and am completely in love with the stories and characters.”

About book 1:

Malibu, California-home to rock-and-roll gods and movie stars, the beautiful, the rich . . . and vampires. Powerful and charismatic, Raphael is a Vampire Lord, one of the few who hold the power of life and death over every vampire in existence. Thousands call him Master and have pledged absolute loyalty on their very lives. But when, in a brazen and deadly daylight attack, a gang of human killers kidnaps the one female vampire he’d give his life for, Raphael turns to a human investigator to find his enemies before it’s too late.

Cynthia Leighton is smart, tough and sexy, a private investigator and former cop who’s tired of spying on cheating spouses and digging out old bank accounts. When Raphael asks for her help in tracking down the kidnappers, Cyn’s happy to accept. But she soon realizes her greatest danger comes not from the humans, but from Raphael himself. Battling Russian mobsters and treacherous vampires, and betrayed by those they trusted, Cyn and Raphael find themselves fighting for their lives while caught up in a passion of blood and violence that is destined to destroy them both.

         

Behind the Books – Interview With Author Jamie McGuire

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Author Jamie McGuire

You guuuuyssss!!! Looooook!! Look who’s here!! It’s Travis’s maker! Maker? Okay wait, too much vampire reading. My brain is obviously still auto-choosing words out of the paranormal repertoire. Since Travis is “pretend-human”, and Jamie is “human-human”, I guess “maker” isn’t quite the right word. 😕

But look how lucky we are Lily!?! *Lily is bouncing in her chair*

We can ask all of the crazy obsessive fan-girl Travis questions we want. She’s here to answer them. *Squeeeee*

*Lily slaps hands over ears*

Woops! Sorry Lily, are your ears ringing? My bad!! *tugging on Lily’s ears*

Lily: I think I will make it. Come on, bring her in!

 

Hi Jamie!

I just wanted to start off by saying, since reading this book, many of my friends and I have been a little “Travisly-overwhelmed”. One even refrained from commenting on my blog telling me that she was afraid she’d come off sounding something along the lines of: “ohhhh my god, he is soooooooo dreamy. That book was soooooooo awesome.” (true story)…

*Lily nodding her head* True.

Maryse: My friend wanted her commentary to be eloquent, but her Travis-mushed brain wouldn’t accommodate her. So she abstained (bummer – her initial reaction, had she posted it, would have been hilarious and I could have made fun of her for days).

Lily *cuts eyes to Maryse* You told me you wouldn’t talk about me.

Maryse: Ummm… Lily, I was talking about someone else, but now that I think about it, you totally had that reaction too! *glancing back at Jamie* I can imagine you might also be overwhelmed with the huge Travis-fandom, but we’re so thrilled you’re willing to humor us, and we have tons to ask!!

*quick, dramatic close-up on Jamie’s Spock-brow*
Jamie: Do your worst.

On that note:

Maryse: Beautiful Disaster made quite the impact on so many readers. The emotional roller-coaster Travis took us on was exhilarating!! He is currently my favorite “ride” in the reading amusement park 😉 I’ve been searching high and low for another one that could elate me just as much and found a couple that have come close, but there is still no replacement for Travis. I was wondering if the incredibly positive response for Beautiful Disaster surprised you?

Jamie: The incredible reception of Beautiful Disaster took me totally by surprise. I wrote Providence, and my best friends who I call my “Cheerleaders” were requesting something a bit steamier since Providence is YA. Because I never intended on publishing BD, the response has been that much more shocking.

Lily: Never publish Travis?! *popcorn falls out of Lily’s mouth*

Maryse: I read on your FAQ that you didn’t currently have plans to extend Travis’s world into a possible series. I’m hoping after the huge response to his character, that perhaps you’ve reconsidered. Could it be possible that his brothers might be now be “speaking” to you, looking for their own version of Abby? Maybe a prequel for America and Shep?

Jamie: I wrapped BD on purpose, because Providence was such a huge undertaking that I didn’t want to begin another series. It felt good to give them their Happy Ever After. It wasn’t until the whirlwind of interest after publishing BD to Amazon that I thought there would be more to the story. I tell my fans that I never say never, but Travis and Abby are happy where they are. If my mind conjures up a continuation for them, I will definitely write it. While writing BD, I fell in love with Trent, which is why I bring him back into the story later [the fire]. Travis’ father also mentions that he hopes all of his sons will find an Abby one day. I would like to give them one as well!

Maryse: *squeeee* More bad-boy books a la Jamie McGuire. Yay us!!! Lily and I want to be the Abbys for the twins!!! Lily, do you care which?

Lily: A twin of my own?! Nope, I don’t care which one you give me! Can mine like Kettle Korn?

Maryse: I do remember reading that you didn’t intend on releasing Travis’s book. I’m so glad you did. I found Beautiful Disaster on a recent business trip and because of the book, that weekend is forever imprinted on my brain as a fun weekend! Can you tell us why you didn’t intend on releasing his book, and what made you decide otherwise?

Jamie: I never intended to publish BD because I was afraid it would “offend” my YA audience, and it didn’t have an intrinsic plot like Providence, so I considered it a “fluff” piece and didn’t want to make it public. However, I kept coming back to it. As I was editing, I realized just how much I enjoyed it, and I thought, what the hell? Someone else might enjoy it, too.

Maryse: Long live fluffy intensity!! Please, don’t hold back if you’ve got more of it.

Lily: FLUFF?! FLUFF?! That boy had me so twisted up I could hardly breathe, like the little moment when he was running after that car! Fluff?! That was not fluff. *sits down and shuts up at dirty look from Maryse* Sorry, Jamie.

Maryse: Ahem… Any “real life” inspirations (in looks or personality) that might have helped inspire his character?  After our weekend read-along, Lily and I both realized we went with the same “look” for Travis (that of model Marco DaSilva). Were we close?

Jamie: Very close! When fans ask who I see playing Travis if there were a movie, I see someone resembling a younger David Beckham or a tattooed, pissed-off Channing Tatum. I like your suggestion as well!

The “real” Travis is someone I knew during my time at the University of Central Oklahoma, who I had a desperate crush on, but he was also one of my best friends. I watched him play the field, rolling my eyes and at the same time writhing in jealousy. Part of BD is fiction, but many of the scenes are real-life experiences I had in college.

Maryse: 😯 What what whhhhaaaat!!?? O.M.G. Did you just admit that Travis is sort of…*gulp* real? Oh boy cover your ears, I feel a HUGE SQUEE coming on.

*thud*

Lily: Maryse? Yo, Maryse, you alright? Jamie, if you killed her I am in soooo much trouble! While I look for the smelling salts tell me… Why let him have four brothers?

Jamie: That’s an interesting question. I suppose while developing Travis’ character, it was important to me that the readers know why Travis was the way he was. Although I write fiction, and in this book especially some things are over-the-top, realism is important to me. If I can’t believe what I’m reading would (even in a paranormal situation, like in Providence) or could happen, I can’t relate to it. Seeing the events in a story unfold through the characters’ eyes is what makes good storytelling. I try very hard to create that for the readers. Surrounding Travis with family who loved him, but were also all dysfunctional in their own way was centric to Trav’s personality. It also grounded him. My childhood best friends also had three older brothers who were rowdy, and that probably played a part in it.

Lily: Making the choice to remove the mother figure from Travis’s life had to be hard, but why take the mother? Was it to make Travis tougher – more immune to womanly emotions?

Jamie: Mothers are God in a child’s eyes. Again, developing Travis’ character, he was so overtly impervious to the feelings of the women he cast aside. Travis’ father explains it a bit to Abby within the book. Although Travis was only three when she died, he was affected very deeply by it. Travis was her baby, and he also didn’t get to spend as much time with her as the other boys. He didn’t have the memories of her they had. When you think about it that way, he lost her in more ways than one, and no one would want to feel that way again. When Travis developed a callousness to deal with his grief, it made it easier to shrug off the hurt he caused the women in his life.

Lily: Look, Maryse is awake. You ok over there?

Maryse Yup, yup… *blush* sorry I was Travisly-overwhelmed again.*sigh* poor Travis. Then it’s a good thing he found an “Abby”. Oh I remember wondering about something while I was reading a certain scene in the book. When Travis was outside, at school, smoking a cigarette, with his hand in his pocket looking deep in thought, was he holding her ring?

Jamie: Not necessarily. Travis was worried about the biggest fight of the year, and how he would have Abby there and be able to fight with focus and keep her protected at the same time. He was waiting on Trent’s phone call—the only person he trusted to keep Abby safe—and wondering what he would do if Trent couldn’t come.

Lily: When he calls her Pidge, was that something he got from Lady and the Tramp, and did you realize the little analogy there?

Jamie: Yes! Finally someone caught it! Travis is the school Tramp…he calls Abby, the only woman he considers a “lady”, Pigeon. I am awestruck at the number of people that don’t get it.

*Maryse beams brightly at Lily* Look at you and that awesome catch. You’re so smart!! *hug*

Lily: *Hug and big grin*

Lily: Was Travis hard to write? We only got Abby’s POV but was his personality one you had to struggle with? Would a story (short or long) from Travis’s POV be a possibility?

Jamie: Travis came very easily to me. He was a lot of fun; I could go all-out with him. Travis is so complex that a story from his POV could be very interesting. I hadn’t considered that…hmmm… 😉

Maryse: Oh pleeeaaasse do it!! All that apartment destruction, the devastating hallway scenes outside of her door, Thanksgiving at his father’s house. OH Wait!!!! Christmas and New Years. YES! Those we didn’t exactly “get” the way we wanted to. Oh wow. So much emotion. I’d love to re-read these scenes from his perspective. I think my heart would explode reading that.

Lily: PPPPPLLLLLLLEEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSEEEEEEEE *on knees begging*

Maryse *side eyes Lily uncomfortably* Ummm… Lily, are you channeling Travis?

Lily: *getting up * I was not. Ok. Maybe  a little.

Maryse: …and speaking of all that untamed emotion (hehe), usually the “bad boy” in a book is hardened and resists love, building all of the typical “walls” around him. When it came to Travis’s emotional side, he allowed himself to be completely open for everyone to see. No reservations and no shame when it came to exposing his heart, his obsession, his heartbreak. I actually found Travis’s emotional intensity refreshing (and somewhat realistic). Why did you decide on taking this raw and vulnerable approach with him? (and thank you for doing it!)

Jamie: Travis didn’t know what to do with himself when he met Abby. He didn’t know how to react when she ignored him, he didn’t know how to handle it when he fell in love with her, and he didn’t know how to behave when she finally gave in and accepted him. It’s important to remember that Travis never once felt he deserved Abby. This from a man that knew he could get any woman he came across. Travis’ ‘falling-apart’ in the second half of the book happens because when he finally fell in love, that was it for him. Abby was The One, and he would fight for her with everything he had (and we all know he is quite the fighter). I like to think that before Travis’ mother died, she must have said something to him for him to feel so strongly about the woman he finally fell for. Maybe the last thing he remembers about his mom is that she was giving him a few lessons on life—knowing she wouldn’t be there—and fighting for the one you love was at the top of that list.

Lily: OMG Maryse. I think I just fell a little more in love with him. Stop growling at me!

Maryse *sputters indignantly*

Maryse and Lily: We LOVE that you made Travis both book and street-smart. Any other tidbits about Travis that you’d care to divulge? Favorite color, favorite book? What kind of music did he listen to?

Jamie: C’Mon, C’Mon by the Von Bondies is the song that inspired BD’s opening scene. I imagine him listening to music similar to that.

Lily: That’s on my iPod! Not even kidding!

Maryse: Can you tell us more about your paranormal books Providence & Requiem? Different in context, but do we get another “Travis” sort in there?

Jamie: Absolutely not. If Travis has a polar opposite, Jared (the male lead in Providence) is it. Providence is different from BD in that it has a softer flow. It’s intense, but in a completely different way. The plot is deep with twists and turns. The whole dynamic is a different universe from Beautiful Disaster. I feel that is why some people read Providence and Requiem after BD and are disappointed, because they hope to find Travis in the pages. He’s not there, but you will find a love story that stands on its own, and has something for everyone.

Maryse: Got it! I’d love to read them, but I’ll keep that in mind.

Maryse: And question number Lucky Thirteen 😉 For those who want to read your books, where can your books be found, and where can they find more information about you?

Jamie: Ha! Love it. The Providence Series books one and two can be ordered from my website, jamiemcguire.com, and Hastings stores. The eBook versions can be found on Amazon, B&N and Smashwords. Beautiful Disaster is exclusively an eBook, and can be found on those sites as well.

Maryse: You can also become a fan of Jamie’s Beautiful Disaster page, and her Requiem page on Facebook!

Umm… oh. One more thing (I ask this humbly upon the insistence of my husband, ’cause he thinks it’s funny to make me squirm). Errr.. *blush* Can I have a cameo in your next book? Or perhaps… be your next Abby? Tee heeeee!! 😯

*runs and hides*

Lily: *laughing on the floor* Bye, Jamie!

Jamie: *sitting alone* …Yes?

P.S. (2015 update) —-> Jamie McGuire – Beautiful Disaster Series Reading Order <—- OMG!!!

 

The ORIGINAL cover…

The NEW cover…

My Top Five Summer Reads – 2011

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Lately I’ve been asked for my newest “favorites” list or my recommended summer reading list, so here it is. I’m going to cheat a bit by stretching back to June, but here in Florida June is summer, so I think it counts. Out of 26 books that I’ve read and completed (since June), I have picked my top five. Maybe this list’ll help keep you entertained for what’s left of these hot summer days 😉

Plus, I can’t contain myself. I’m absurdly excited that I’ve found so many great reads in such a short amount of time. Stuff that actually made me react, and react intensely. In fact, looking at this list again, I’m already wishing I would’ve made it longer. Oh well, I’ll eventually make an overall “Best of the Year” list.

Here are a few signs that a book is rocking my world (and therefore, probably has me in a frenzy).

  • dreaming about the book
  • staying up all night to finish it (even on work nights)
  • hiding to sob (cause I don’t want to explain that I’m crying over a fictional character)
  • sending panic emails to my best book bud, cause of a surprise twist in a book
  • thinking and talking about the book for days after it’s done.

If I have that profound of a reaction, than I have to share.

As I’ve said before, if I lived it, I loved it… and I’m certain you will too.

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#5

Falling Star
I loved this one, ’cause the “normal” girl didn’t recognize the “rock star” that was wooing her. She was oblivious, and he was smitten. He could finally be himself, without fear that she was only interested in him for his fame. Except, at some point, he realized he had to tell her. Oh yeah. That part was so good. Fun, exciting, sweet read, with some angst. Just enough of the good stuff that I can still remember every moment of the book. I loved this one just for it’s fluffy sweetness, that still had me swooning. Sometimes, I need an easy going, and fun read that doesn’t try to “kill” me in the process. This was one of those. The perfect beach read.

My Book Review of Falling Star

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#4

Flat-Out Love
No rock stars to be found in this one. Not even a bad boy. But it was SO good. For me, five star good. And having this book at #4 just feels wrong. This one feels like it should be my #1, but they can’t all be, and there are a few that are vying for that spot. I already have a sure winner for my #1, but there are two after this one that had me reacting just a bit more intensely.

This one however, was pure perfection in every way. Intelligent, witty, insightful writing, characters that I loved, a story that I became a part of, and a twist that had me gasping. This is a feel good story, all the way. An absolute MUST read.

My Book Review of Flat-Out Love

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#3

How to Kill a Rock Star
This book also wants to be my #1, and leaving it at #3 feels wrong too. I have never had a reaction to a book, like I’ve had with this one. I read the premise: girl moves to NY and moves in as a temporary roomate with her brother’s “singer” (they’re in a band that is “almost there”). As expected, the singer has the typical rock star attitude that goes with it (but also an artsy introspective side that steals your heart). They warn her… (and I was SO excited that she wasn’t paying the warning any heed).

But this book is SO much more than “that”. The situations contained herein are deep (well, deep for “up and coming” misunderstood rock star angst), and thought provoking. So moving, and heartbreaking, that at one point, I was crying so hard, I had to get out of bed so as not to wake my husband. An AMAZING read. This is not the “typical” rock star romance book. There’s just so much more to it. How it is at my #3 level, I have no idea. I can only say it’s cause I just can’t let anyone beat the “hero” of my #2 book, except for the hero of my #1.

My Book Review of How to Kill a Rock Star

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#2

Rock Me
Brian, I’m so sorry about this. Do you forgive me? In real life, you’d be my #1 for SURE. No doubt. You’re everything a “good” bad-boy should be. Compared to Travis, your thought process is stable and not scary, your love, while not easily given away is pure and patient, your tattoos and piercings are so *wow* and you’re also more age appropriate for my crush 😉 But, while I felt every moment of your love and angst, and everything you said and did also made me thing you were real, my #1 book made me crazier for longer than yours did.

Why do I like “over the top” book heroes over more stable heroes? I guess in my “book world” I like a side of erratic freak-outs, irrational thought processes and unrestrained emotion, with my crush. If I hadn’t “met Travis, you know where you’d be right now. Again, real life… you win.

My Book Review of Rock Me

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#1

Beautiful Disaster
Travis, Travis, Travis. There hasn’t been a book since “Twilight” that had me obsessing like this. Oh I’ve found plenty of awesome books, that are forever burned in my brain, and I even have a hero that, I think will always be my favorite (even since reading you). BUT there are only two books that had me reading, absorbing, researching, anything and everything I could find to continue to feed my addiction.

And come to think of it, I haven’t even read Twilight twice.

I’ve only ever read two books twice, and only one, twice IN A ROW. Yours. Your every emotion had me wound up so tight, your arrogance, your tough guy stance, your jealous reactions, your cuddly ways… when you love, you love intensely, with abandon, without shame. Your intensity can almost be scary at times, but hey, it’s just a book. Fantasy, after all. Let’s relish the “crazy” with abandon. And I sure relished yours. Perfect in all your imperfections. For me, you are the true epitome of the perfect “bad boy”.

My Book Review of Beautiful Disaster

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Check out my other “favorites” lists:


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