LOYDA'S REVIEW ~ PAPER HEARTS By Claire Contreras

My Rating 5***Chase the Road Runner ~ Stars

Title: Paper Hearts

Author: Claire Contreras

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone Book 2 of Hearts series

POV: First Person – Dual

“Maybe our souls really are scattered in the things we love, and we are all completely lost, but from the moment she looked at me, I felt like I’d been found.” Jensen

There are some stories that will forever stay in your heart, and stories that will speak to you. This book did all of that for me. From the novella “Torn Hearts” I knew I was going in for an emotional ride. I was actually shocked I wasn’t ugly crying on this one but I did shred some tears and they were because with each word that were beautifully written I could feel all the heart ache and my insides twisted and I just felt every emotion and the consequences of their choices. This story was so much more than a second chance. It was a story of lessons, to learn that for every choice we make we have to learn to deal with the consequences of our own choices. 

Mia Bennett, “Meep” aka Road runner; was heartbroken after Jensen the love of her life betrayed her trust. She wouldn’t let it go she couldn’t forgive him; instead she focus on her career and goals and ignore him. She was offered an opportunity she couldn’t give up so she moved temporarily to New York where she knew Jensen will be. Mia had to take the risk of seeing him again after being apart and ignoring him for five years. Her dream was to show and display her photos and get acknowledge and recognition for them and she wouldn’t give up on her dream.

“I let myself get lost in fantasies I created when I was looking at the world through my lens” Mia

Jensen Reynolds; moved to New York City to pursued his dream to be a writer and he succeeded; he became a famous writer. He wrote children’s books and has an article in the newspaper and even got an award for his work. He also wrote a Romance Novel about him and Mia. Jensen made a huge mistake that will forever regret and pay for it. However because of his bad choices he lost the only person that gave him a chance; the only person who he believed had his heart. He lost “her” Mia and now she was coming to his City even if temporarily; he never lost hope and continues to push on and never gave up on their love. He truly believef that she was his soul mate and that they were meant to be together. All the time they have been apart had thought him so much, he had learned to grow and be a better person but the one thing he couldn’t do is let go of her he couldn’t let go of his best friend and soul mate. 

“Nothing is more hunting than regret””Your mind remembers, your senses remember. Your heart remembers.” Jensen

I truly enjoyed reading Jensen’s writing on his newspaper they were just amazing about his feelings and about the love of his life “Mia Bennett” the one that got away because of his stupid choices. 

After Mia arrived at New York she didn’t know what to do around Jensen. He took every opportunity to be with her and challenged her and took her out and wrote about their relationship on his newspaper. I loved everything about it. She did not forget easily and I loved that about it because when someone cheats on you and gets someone pregnant and leaves you to marry them you really have to think a lot before going back and giving them a chance. They ended up reconnecting while she was in New York and he was just amazing, it was hard not to fall head over heels for Jensen. He took her on a bike ride, to eat, and to their favorite band’s concert “Mumford and Sons”. I think that was the best part of the book for me when I completely broke down and cried of how unfair life is sometimes but really it is because of the choices we make. 

They both opened up to each other decided to take it slow and see how it goes. Jensen knew it will take a lot for Mia to forgive him and I have to give Mia props because being in her position I would of done exactly the same thing. If she takes a risk and give him a chance she has to think about the entire package the ex wife, the step - daughter gorgeous beautiful five year old Olivia that has no fault on her daddy’s choices. Mia’s work was a success she got her dream job and her work to be displayed at a famous museum. She had everything she every wanted but had to give him up for her dream job; it hit her hard the words from Jensen that “Home is where the heart is at” and her heart has always been with him. 

The events at the end of this book were just so beautiful and I loved every single moment of it. I love how the author makes you appreciate Jensen’s humble acceptance of his mistakes and try really hard every day to make up for it. I loved how he never gave up on Mia and their love. I love how Mia wasn’t so easy to give in and forget but at the end she realized she had to let go and take advantage of the second chance life was giving her even if that meant leave her dream job behind because she was whole with Jensen. She was still successful thought because her talent was amazing and I just love the fact that both were able to enjoy the work they do and have a life happy after all the heartbreak and sorrow they both had to endured. I would recommend this beautiful story to anyone looking for a second chance story. 

”Copy kindly provided via author, in exchange for an honest review.”

BOOK SERIES ORDER: STANDALONE

 

EPIC F(BR) BROKEN HEROES WEEK WITH MY SHHLUTS 

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Elizabeth's Review~ Playing with Fire~ Kate Meader~ Contemporary Romance

“Look, baby. Look at how you wreck me.” 

Playing with Fire is a smoking hot feel good read! If you are looking for a "quick and delicious" delight than look no further! This was my first Kate Meader read and it certainly will not be my last! 

Alexandra Dempsey is a hard working fire woman. As the only female firefighter at Engine Co. 6, she has always had to battle her way to the top. She works hard everyday to prove her worth and make it known that she is just as capable as her male counterpoints on the squad! However successful her career, Alex is in a bit of a dry spell when if comes to men. The combination of her work load and her overbearing brothers has left her single and free to date the countless "losers" that darken her doorstep. 

“Knowing what she did to him made her feel powerful, just as knowing what he did to her made her feel weak.”

Eli Cooper is the Mayor of Chicago. He has always had his eyes on the fiery firefighter Ms. Dempsey and when there is a fire at a campaign event, Eli finds himself right in the arms of the woman of his dreams. Eli takes advantage of the situation and asks Alex to date him in order to boost his campaign ratings. 

“Dammit, nipples, stand down. It's just publicity.” 

While Alex and Eli grapple with the daily drama of the campaign, they both begin to recognize that true feelings are blossoming and the sexual tension is about to burst between the two! 

This was a light and whimsical read perfect for anyone looking for a sexy contemporary romance! Told in dual POV, the dialogue flows effortless between the characters. The plot was well developed and both main characters were extremely endearing. Another winning element for me in this read was the natural build of the plot and the well developed end! I love it when an author leaves no question in my mind regarding the fate of the main characters! Although it is possible to read this book as a stand alone, I did feel a bit "out of the loop" throughout the read as there were multiple references to past story lines from the series. Still, it didn't detract my enjoyment from this book but instead makes me want to hurry up and go back and read the other books in this series!

"Whatever happens, Eli Cooper, you'll always be the tricky, complicated, sexy devious bastard I love."-Alex

Overall, Playing with Fire was a winning read. Anything that can make my heart swoon and leave a smile on my face the entire read is one read you don't want to miss!

~ARC graciously provided via NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review!~

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Elizabeth's Review~ Surviving Ice~ K.A. Tucker~ Contemporary Romance

~4.5 STUNNING STARS~

"Ice is beautiful and enticing; cold and hard and uncompromising."

Surviving Ice is my second K.A. Tucker read. Once again, I stand in awe at the rich and lyrical writing style of Ms. Tucker. She has the ability to draw her readers in and hold them captive by the endearing, and yet, complex characters she creates. I thoroughly enjoyed being back with her writing and I feel likeSurviving Ice was like a homecoming party. With it's edgy characters and action packed plot, this read is not to be missed!

Ivy is a bit of a drifter. As a tattoo artist and street graffiti artist, she lives a simple life working for her uncle in his tattoo shop in sunny California. When it comes to her family, her uncle has always been her only support. When Ivy witnesses his brutal murder, she is left grappling with emotions in which she has no idea how to cope with. Although she has the support of her friends, she only desires to run away. 

"Ned who made San Francisco feel like home, because now he's gone, I just want to get the hell away."-Ivy

Sebastian is a former Navy Seal. After an "other than honorable" discharge from the military, he has found success working in private security for an old military friend and mentor. When he receives the call to return to his home state of California for a special mission, he returns home to work a job that will be the catalyst for changing his life forever.

"Ivy is fierce, and stunning, and captivating."-Sebastian

Sebastian doesn't know anything about the "reckless" woman that he has been charged to follow and "get to know". He only knows that she has answers and it his job to retrieve them. He never expected to fall in love with her. When it comes to Ivy and Sebastian, the saying "opposites attract" really does ring true. Ivy is edgy, artsy, and a true free spirit. He is a straight laced former military man who thrives under structure and living his life under the straight and narrow. As a fast friendship is formed between the two, which naturally progresses to much more, Sebastian begins to feel guilt for deceiving Ivy. When his boss begins to take alternative precautions for the job's sake, Ivy's life is put in danger. Can Sebastian save Ivy and find the answers he is searching for? Will Ivy ever forgive the man who has stolen her heart when she finds out the truth about him and "the mission"?

"I wanted to fill her with me. I wanted to mark her, in a way."-Sebastian

Surviving Ice is an addictive read full of action, mystery, and the steam factor is "off the charts" aka HOT! Told in dual POV, the characters are extremely likable and the plot is well developed throughout. The pacing of the story is steady and the dialogue is rich with sarcastic banter between Noah and Ivy. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this read. The setting of the story is well established as every detail is colored perfectly on the page. Additionally, the story arc is nicely crafted with a well developed beginning, middle, and end. These are just a few reasons why I enjoyed Surviving Ice.

"What are you doing?"-Ivy

"I'm staying."-Sebastian

Overall, I highly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a good action/mystery/romance! I have always been a fan of Ms. Tucker's writing and this read just reaffirms my desire to read more of her work! Ivy was such a unique creation and she and Sebastian will stay with me always! Bravo Ms. Tucker! Bravo!

~Read as part of the Shh...for the IndieSTAR chat with Probst, St. Germain, Tucker & Rose: Oct. 4-10!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... 

~ARC graciously provided via NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review!~

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Elizabeth's Review~ Everything I Left Unsaid~ Molly O'Keefe~ Contemporary Romance

~5 MIND BLOWN STARS~

Everything I Left Unsaid is like nothing I have EVER read. It has an impeccable blend of sexiness, mystery, action, intrigue, and romance all wrapped up into one power punch of a read! As I feel it is imperative for every reader to go into this one blind, I will avoid spoilers at all cost in this review.

"No one missed me. Or worried. Or wondered. I'd vanished and the world just kept spinning."

Annie is on the run and lands straight into a trailer park in the boonies of North Carolina. In order to escape her abusive husband, she has abandoned everything in order to survive. Moments after she has arrived in her new home (an RV trailer in the middle of a run down trailer park), she finds a phone. The phone rings and she meets Dylan. 

"Daniels was the beast. He was the bad guy in the stories. Some other asshole could be the hero, save the day and get the girl."

Dylan is a recluse living in a mansion in the mountains. He has always had someone "watching" the old man living in the trailer park. When a new girl answers the phone, he realizes there is something different about her. Dylan has scars (both emotionally and physically) that have caused him to want to hide away from the world. Can Annie be the angel he needs to drag him out of his hell?

"The rules he was breaking were piling up around his feet like metal shavings, razor sharp and about to cut them both."

Honestly, this book was such a surprise. It was a bit of a slow starter for me because I was simply trying to gather my bearings. And yet, as the pieces began to fall into place, I could not put it down. With Dylan's guidance, Annie is discovering who she is. Dylan awakens Annie's sexual desires and once the temptation is awakened in her, she doesn't want to stop. The amount of passion and tension in this read is the driving force of the plot. It is silent but deadly throughout each beat of each moment. There are so many questions just desperately waiting to be answered. The secondary characters play a significant role in the story and thoroughly enhanced the plot. Of course, I was dying to know what happened to Dylan to make him 'the beast" that he has become? Who is the old man in the trailer park? Will Annie finally be free from the demons of her past? Is love really possible through so much pain? Told in dual POV, Ms. O'Keefe keeps the intrigue building and the tension doesn't stop. Not only is this a clever plot with well crafted execution but the sexy factor is off the charts. This book has something for everyone!

"Carefully, as if he were a live bomb, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. I was struck with the very real fear that nothing was going to be enough with him. Not ever."

Overall, I cannot rave enough about this read. However, be forewarned, you will want to have the next book handy as this one ends in a huge cliffhanger! Thankfully, I was able to get the second book loaded on my kindle before I even finished this one. I highly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a sexy romance story with action, suspense, and a story full of heart! I am so glad that I read this book and I cannot wait to read more from this author! 

~ARC graciously provided via NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review!~

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Elizabeth's Review~ Dirty English~ Ilsa Madden-Mills~ NA Contemporary Fighter Romance

"He was the one with the potential to break me into a million pieces."-Elizabeth

Dirty English is a FIGHTING ROMANCE lovers dream! With a tattooed fighting bad boy and a broken heroine, this is one read you won't want to miss!

Elizabeth Bennett is an intelligent hard working college student striving to overcome her upbringing. Straight out of the trailer park, she has managed to secure a scholarship at a prestigious university. Other than her two best friends, she avoids relationships like the plague. Facing the demons of her past, she has distracted herself with meaningless sex. Driven by order and meticulous planning, Elizabeth is just going through the motions of life. As she unpacks her life in her new apartment, she discovers that her new neighbor is tall, dark, and "super sexy"!

Declan Blay is a British transplant and works hard at the university and as a fighter in an underground fighting ring. His twin brother is his best friend and although they are opposite, their friendship is endearing and their support for one another is unwavering. Declan settles into his new apartment and notices his sexy and sweet neighbor Elizabeth.

"There was a connection between us, and I'm not stupid, I know it wasn't love at first sight-maybe lust-but he was definitely the hottest guy I'd been this close to in two years."-Elizabeth

When Elizabeth ventures out to a Fraternity party, she meets Declan. Although the attraction is immediate, Declan doesn't view Elizabeth as an "easy lay"! Elizabeth does everything in her power to get her "bad boy" neighbor between the sheets. Declan is weighed down by his ex girlfriend and fears that he will only hurt Elizabeth. Elizabeth is battling the connection she feels with Declan when her past slams into her like a tsunami. Can Declan and Elizabeth find a way to overcome their pasts and find a future together?

"I don't want to stay away from you. I want you to fuck me and stop making excuses for why you can't."-Declan

Dirty English is a pleasant blend of action, passion, romance, and just enough "college drama" to keep the read engaging the entire time! Told in dual POV, both Declan and Elizabeth were intriguing characters with a great deal of depth. The plot is very similar to other NA Fighter Reads and yet, if that is a combination that you enjoy than you will be pleased with this read! Beware, you may have to enlist a great deal of patience as these two waver between "to be together" or "not to be together". However in the end, it was well worth the wait! 

Overall, I recommend Dirty English to anyone who enjoys a great NA Fighter Romance! I thoroughly enjoyed this read and will certainly be on the lookout from more from this author!

~ ARC graciously provided via publisher for BLOG TOUR!~

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LOYDA'S REVIEW ~ CHILDSTAR 1 By J.J. McAvoy

My Rating: 5***Sexy, Suspenseful & Addicting ~ Stars

Title: Childstar 1

Author: J.J. McAvoy

Genre: Romance - Short Stories

Type: Book 1 of 3 Childstar Series

POV: First Person - Dual 

Childstar is book one in the three part short story series. The story is about two Hollywood Child Stars; a bad boy meet American sweetheart. The story is fabulous full of everything I look for in a book. It's funny, lots of sexual tension, heartache, betrayals, secrets, and a super twisted ending that I did now see coming. 

Amelia London, at age twenty-five gorgeous feels trapped; to the world she is a good girl but she is sick of the life, the lies that her life had become living in the shadows of Hollywood. Her heart was broken and shattered by one man that she never thought she would see again. Destiny put him back into her life and she was ready to confront her demons and take a risk at getting her heart broken again but she knew it was worth it. 

“Our relationship was doomed from the start. The only love that last in Hollywood is the one we fake and sell to others.” Amelia

Noah Sloan, twenty-seven years old managed to grow up as a Childstar with Amelia they both fell in love. Circumstances forced them to be separated for over nine years and he didn't care about anything he continue to show off a bad boy imagine because he was nothing without her. However to the world he was a drug addict who is struggling to make a comeback to the big screen. 

“I was nothing. If I didn’t act, I was nothing. It was just that simple.” Noah

Both their carriers were at stake; Amelia wasn't going to make it big anytime soon anymore unless she takes the only offer that could change her life around. Noah had a bad reputation and was in the same position declining this offer meant no more acting for him. When the only chance for both of them comes up to be the lead actor/actress for the most wanted movie of the year "Sinners Like Us ". This movie was an erotic suspense based on a top seller book. They both had no choice but to take it. Neither of them realized the movie's characters were going to be perfect for each other based on their history. They were both stubborn and fought all the time but their chemistry was just amazing and incredible in front and behind of the cameras.

Their time spent making the movie was priceless I absolutely enjoyed and devour every minute of it. This book considering it was so short had it all for me I was hooked from page one and it left me wanting for more. I will recommend this book to everyone. The minute this book comes out go get it trust me it will be worth it book two and three will come out shortly right after so the waiting is not going to be long. There was so much sexual tension, angst both amazing hero and heroine you will fall hard for Noah and I hurt for both. Did I cried?! Yes and Yes because I just felt so much reading this book the emotions were driving me wild. I just want them to be happy but I guess I’ll have to wait patiently to get there. 

“You’ve always be burned into my mind, stitched to my soul, and the owner of my heart” Damon

”ARC Kindly provided to me via Author, In exchange for an honest review.” 

*****BR with my Girl LIZ*****

Book Series Order: 

PRE-ORDER LINKS:

AMAZON US: http://www.amazon.com/Child-Star-Part...

AMAZON UK:http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

AMAZON CA:http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B015Y...