RELEASE DAY BLITZ~INSIDER by Olivia Cunning

Title: Insider (Exodus End #1)

Author: Olivia Cunning

Release Date: June 30, 2015

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Toni wants to be an insider.

Logan just wants inside her.

She’s finally ready to rock...

Toni Nichols set aside her dreams to raise her little sister, but now she's reaching for the stars as the creator of a revolutionary interactive biography about Exodus End. She’s on tour with the rock band to immerse herself in their world, but how will she ever gain the trust of four veteran superstars who've been burned by the media before? Nobody said this was going to be easy. Then again, good things can come in hard packages.

He's always ready to roll…

Adrenaline junkie Logan Schmidt lives for the rush of playing his bass guitar before thousands of screaming fans. When he's not performing onstage or in the bedroom, he's looking for his next thrill in extreme sports. So why does a sweet, innocent journalist get his heart pumping and capture his full attention? Is Toni the real deal or just digging up dirt on his band? Logan’s eager to rock Toni’s world and roll her in the sack, but when she starts to get too close to his heart, she takes her insider look to a place he may never be willing to go.

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“Good girls are easy,” Logan said.

“Logan, don’t fuck with her,” Max said. “This is business, not for your twisted sense of pleasure.”

“I can mix business with pleasure.” Logan peered toward the open bus door.

Shouldn’t Toni be climbing the steps now? He hoped he hadn’t scared her away. He found her incredibly attractive. He had a thing for women who understated their beauty, and Toni took understatement to a whole new level. And her rack? God, he could get lost between her enormous tits for hours. He hoped she wasn’t wearing a padded bra under that turtleneck sweater. He planned to find out really soon.

Dare thumped Logan on the side of the head. “You’re so full of shit.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You’re talking smack. You like her.”

“I don’t even know her. How could I like her?”

“Are you talking about me?” a soft, feminine voice said from the top of the bus steps.

Busted.

Logan turned his head and smiled at her. “Of course not.”

“Oh,” she said, her face falling.

“I already know I like you,” he said.

Her hand moved to her mouth. She touched her lips with two fingers, and a pretty blush spread across her face. Sweet, shy, and female, a combination Logan could never resist. Especially the female part. Her fantastic tits were just a bonus.

Combining her love for romantic fiction and rock 'n roll, USA Today Best-Selling Author Olivia Cunning writes erotic romance centered around rock musicians.

Raised on hard rock music from the cradle, she attended her first Styx concert at age six and fell instantly in love with live music. She's been known to travel over a thousand miles just to see a favorite band in concert. As a teen, she discovered her second love, romantic fiction -- first, voraciously reading steamy romance novels and then penning her own. 

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LOYDA'S REVIEW~RICOCHET by Keri Lake

5***Kick Ass Pistol Lips ~ Revenge ~ Stars

Series: Standalone Dark Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 9, 2015

POV: Multiple

“You’ve ignited a flame inside of me, Pistol Lips….I will obliterate any motherfucker who lays a hand on you again. I’d kill for you.” Nick

Three year ago Nick Riley had almost been killed with a bullet to his skull and his family was killed in front of him. Ever since, he had never been the same. Now at twenty eight years of age, he is finally ready to put in place the revenge he had been planning for so long with the help of Alec. He had made a promise and he was going to keep it. He lived and survived for only one purpose “revenge”; to vengeance the deaths of his family. He knew who was responsible and he was going to make them all pay. 

Michael Culling was the Mayor of the City of Detroit, the most powerful man in the city. He was evil and basically had the entire city under his hands. Even Chief Cox was under him doing his dirty work. There was a gang “Seven Mile Crew” known as contract killers; they were responsible for the death of Nick Riley’s wife Lena and his 5 year old son Jay but it was Michael Culling who they received the orders from. Nick & Alec have a plan; to find and kill every man who was at the scene of the crime of his family and by taking Culling’s most precious love; his wife Aubree Culling. He kidnaps her and keeps her hostage until his vengeance is for field.

Aubree Culling was married to a sadist bastard, he was cruel and evil. She grew up with hardly any money but with a loving family. She liked helping others and was studying to help kids with special needs or that had been traumatized in some physical or mental way. As an art teacher, she was able to help them draw and try to create a better picture for all the ugliest in the world. She had been trying to run away from her psycho husband for five years, she was basically living in a cage in the form of Michael’s power. No matter how she tried she never succeeded. 

“Cage a bird that once felt the wind through its feathers and the world beneath is feet, and you’d find that insane glint of hope in its eyes that enticed it to escape every time the door swung open. Even if it could no longer fly, it’d never stop vying for its freedom, and neither would I.” Aubree

Nick Riley suffer from blackout because of the bullet hit to his head and the trauma he went thru. He lives with the memory of that horrible day that has been hunting him. The visions, dreams and memories of his wife and especially of his son broke my heart so much. I sobbed like a baby for all his pain, for the beautiful family he once had and now was gone. While he keeps Aubree as a prisoner, he was not expecting to have any feeling of any sort for the wife of his family’s killer. He was conflicted with wanting to kill her and feeling attracted to her. He discovers that she in fact was a victim of Michael and not part of the evil that was Michael. Oh I cried again for Aubree too, for her cruel and sad past and for everything Michael did to her. There were so many emotions going thru me while reading this book. I was excited, nervous, anxious, sad, and loved the chemistry that ended up developing between Nick and Aubree.

He takes care of her once he found out the truth about her past and who she really was. They both get close to each other. Aubree sees his pain and he sees hers and they both wanted to make each other better. Aubree has some fears to conquer but Nick managed to help her fight those fears. Nick has some demons himself but Aubree also managed to break thru them and accepts him as he is. They are both such a great strong survivors I loved everything about them.

“Every scar told a story, but it was the ones we didn’t want others to see that told a truth.” Nick

“Apart, we were nothing more than two broken halves, but together, our jagged edges fit perfectly, sealed into something whole again.” Aubree

Once both of them gave into the chemistry that is pulling them together; HOT smoking scenes made my heart beat so hard but for so many other reasons and I find myself loving every single moment of it. 

“Light exploded behind my eyes, rippling through my body like an aftershock. Blinding pleasure trailed it, coating my hot muscles trailed it, coating my hot muscles with a cook tingle that left me numb, weakened. I called out his name, and when he pulled out of me, his body shuddered, breaths broken by moans and curses.” Aubree

“She felt small and right, her curves pressed into my body in all the right places. Together, our bodies melded perfectly, like two halves of a whole. Paired with her words from moments ago, a realization struck me. We fit the only way two fucked up people could possibly fit together.” Nick

I loved Alec, he was such an amazing character. Even though he was not in the entire book I enjoyed him every time he showed up, he was perfect in my eyes. He was always keeping Nick in line and telling him what he needed to hear without bullshit. 

The events after Nick and Aubree finally decided they wanted to enjoy what they had while it lasted; had me so nervous, it was like watching an accident about to happen in slow motion but at the same time you have no idea how it will end. So many things the author brought up that had me speechless. I can’t tell you enough how much I loved this book. Ever since I saw Lana’s review a while back I knew I had to read this book no matter what and then I saw the cover and that sealed the deal; however nothing prepared me for this amazing experience. This story had me hooked on the edge of my bed from beginning to the end. It was an absolute page turner and emotional roller coaster ride. I went thru all the feelings you could possible feel, it was EPIC. Yes this book wasEPIC and everyone who loves a good action, suspense, erotic and dark book should defiantly read this. This was my first book by Keri Lake and I can tell you it will not be my last.

“I saw darkness in her beauty, and she saw beauty in my darkness.” Nick

BR WITH MY SHHLUTS LIZ & WAR

“ARC kindly provided to me by author Keri Lake via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Keri!” 

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KIM'S REVIEW~FIGHTING TO BREATHE by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Title: Fighting to Breathe

Series: Standalone

Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds

Release Date: July 6, 2015

My Rating: 4 Stars

POV: Dual

Fighting to Breathe is a beautifully written second chance love romance. It's a compelling story about loss, healing and forgiveness. I devoured this book in a few hours. It's one of those books that once you start reading, you can't put it down. 

Austin Wolfe and Lea Lamb are childhood sweethearts with plans of marriage after they graduate high school. They have their life planned out until tragedy strikes and Lea packs up and leaves town without any explanation to Austin. Leaving him devastated. 

When tragedy strikes again fifteen years later, Lea is forced to come home and deal with her mother's illness and help take care of her during her final days. She's not prepared when she comes face to face with the man she never stopped loving, the man she regrets leaving, and the man that she destroyed. 

"I hate you, Lea."

"Stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours."

Austin is one of those characters that I hunger for. He's sexy, he's bossy, and with a protective caring side that I crave when I'm reading.When he loves, he loves hard. No matter how hurt and angry he is at Lea, he is still there for her, caring for her, and loving her. I love Lea's character as well. She's strong, resilient, and a little feisty. You mix the two together and you have perfection. 

The beauty of this story is that they never stopped loving one another. After all that time, they never once fell out of love. I could feel their love and their connection in every single word I read.  

This book made me cry, laugh and cry again.  Such a touching sweet sweet story. It's a story you have to experience on your own. It will tear you apart right along with the them, but it will put you right back together again. I definitely recommend Fighting to Breathe. It was a refreshing read that I was desperately needing. 

I give Fighting to Breathe 4 Crazie Stars!! ~Kim

*ARC kindly provided via TRSOR PR in exchange for an honest review*

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PROLOGUE ~ UPPING THE ANTE by Sarah Elizabeth

RELEASE DATE: July 7, 2015

PROLOGUE

ASH

I glanced back one final time at the place I’d called home for the past thirty days and wondered if it was such a great idea to be leaving it behind. At least the people inside the building knew I existed. 

While making my way out through the wooden gate onto the sidewalk, I lowered my duffle bag down to the ground and took a seat on the small brick wall beside the white picket fence that surrounded the property.

This day was a new beginning so they kept telling me, but I knew different. It wasn’t a new beginning—not by a long shot. Everything would just go back to the way it was before and, sooner or later, I would be headed back inside that same building I’d only seconds ago walked out from and nothing would have changed. My life would still be stuck on a constant repeat, like in that movie when every day started out just the same as the last. 

I sure as hell wasn’t under any illusions and hadn’t been expecting any miracles to happen. Actually, I was surprised when I heard the low rumbling sound of the engine as he parked the car up by the side of the street. He was later than he said he was going to be, but earlier than he usually was.

It was always the same. 

If he’d told me that he was going to be picking me up from some place at five, he would either arrive an hour after that, or call and tell me that I’d have to make my own way back. If I hadn’t needed somewhere to stay then I wouldn’t have minded him not showing up at all. 

Let me tell you something —there was no worse a feeling than knowing that you never really belonged. That you were never accepted as a part of the family you were born into. That you were the loner. The disappointment. The one he blamed for something that was completely out of your control. 

When I heard him cut the engine, I exhaled a breath and reached down to grab hold of my bag, tossing it over my left shoulder again as I took a hesitant step toward the black BMW. I lifted my gaze as soon as the door clicked open, then felt my brow furrow deeper with my confusion when I saw who had climbed out of the driver’s seat.

“What are you doing here?” I questioned at the same time my jaw clenched together tight. I glanced up and down the street a few times, thinking that there must have been some kind of mistake, but there were no other vehicles in sight. “Where’s my father?” I asked, my voice louder the second time, but he didn’t respond or look my way once as he made his way toward the trunk. Figured. It seemed that I was just as invisible to him as I was to practically everybody else.

I stayed where I was standing on the pavement, watching him with narrowing eyes as he eventually walked over to me, closing the distance between us while reaching out to take hold of my bag. 

“You’re looking well, kid,” he finally acknowledged, retreating back a couple of steps when my grip on the strap noticeably tightened some more. I began to shake my head because it didn’t take a genius to figure out what he was trying to do. He was trying to avoid answering my original question. He couldn’t even look me in the eye, though I guess he didn’t need to. I already knew the answer. 

My father wasn’t coming. 

As he rested his hand firmly on my right shoulder, my gaze fell to the ground. 

It had been eight years. I hadn’t seen my uncle in more than eight years, yet he was the one who’d come to collect me. Him—not my father. 

A couple of minutes of silence passed by before I finally backed down and admitted defeat. I realized that if I didn’t leave with him then I didn’t have anywhere else to go. Taking a step away, I threw my bag inside the trunk, then slammed it closed with pure frustration before striding toward the passenger side door that he was already holding open for me. 

My right shoulder bumped against his left as I pushed by him, slumping myself down in the seat as I reached behind me for the belt. I yanked it hard and wrapped it over my body, keeping my gaze firmly fixed on the windshield ahead of me. 

“This is your final chance, kid,” my uncle said as he leaned in closer, his voice much quieter than it had been out on the sidewalk. 

What he’d said made the corners of my mouth instantly twist up at the sides—so much so that I had to fight back the incredible urge I had to laugh out loud as I brought my attention back on him. 

“That’s funny because I don’t remember ever being given a first one.”

He knew just as well as I did that the words I’d spoken were the truth, and I watched on as an apologetic look briefly crossed inside his eyes. After a moment, he broke our eye contact and took a step away, closing the door back up without another word spoken. 

As I watched him walk around the front of the car, my gaze came to rest on the top middle window of the five story house.

She was there, just like she’d promised she was going to be. Her long blonde hair was half covering her face and she remained sitting in the window seat of my old room, watching me. The sad, tight smile she offered as she began to wave goodbye told me that she’d been sitting there long enough to witness mine and my uncle’s exchange and my lips immediately pulled into a frown.

I didn’t rake my gaze away from her blue eyes once as the car began to move forward, pulling out and away from the only person who’d ever been there for me. Understood me. The only person who had ever truly got me.

***

The car slowed until it reached a complete standstill, but my eyes remained closed. I’d been sitting like this for most of the ride. The conversation during the drive across town had been unsurprising short and very much one-sided. While my uncle did all the talking, I did all the listening. It pretty much reminded me of what my life was like before.

The only time I’d reacted was when he told me that I would be staying with him and his family for the next three years. It was at that point that I’d had no choice but to laugh hard in his face. Truth be told, I had admired his optimism, yet in reality we both knew that I wouldn’t be able to last that long. It was likely that I wouldn’t be in town for longer than three weeks, let alone years. He knew it. I knew it. Everybody who had ever crossed paths with Ashton Preston Walker knew that he—that I—was destined for nothing but failure.

“Are you ready to come inside?” I heard him ask from the seat beside me, and I reluctantly opened my eyes. There was another long, drawn out silence—almost like he was waiting for me to say something back—but I didn’t. I wasn’t a talker. I never had been. If anything, I was a thinker and admittedly at times, an over thinker. He and the rest of them would learn that about me soon enough. “All right. In your own time, kid.” He added through what sounded like a defeated sigh.

From the corner of my eye I saw him nod the one time before turning away and climbing out onto the sidewalk, leaving me alone in the car; alone and drowning in my own thoughts. Those same thoughts that had consumed my mind for as long as I could remember.

I blew a slow breath out through my mouth and kept my head rested back against the seat, staring out at the bright blue skies ahead of me.

One day, I kept telling myself.

One day he would see me and accept me for who I really was. He would see that he was wrong about me. He would understand that what happened that day wasn’t my fault. 

One day, he would show me that he cared—he would love me like a father’s supposed to love his son.

Someday, I told myself.

Someday, I would be happy to be alive.

KIM'S REVIEW ~ RICOCHET by Keri Lake

Title: Ricochet

Series: Standalone

Author: Keri Lake

Release Date: July 9, 2015

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

POV: Multiple

Ricochet is dark, twisted, and is not for the faint of heart. This is my first book by Keri Lake, and without a doubt, it won't be my last. Her writing is compelling and vigorous and I was enamored  from start to finish. 

Three years ago, I had everything.

A beautiful wife.

A son.

A reason for living.

UNTIL...his wife and young son were brutally murdered by a Detroit gang, that was massed together by Michael Culling, the mayor of Detroit.

Nick Ryder has become a fearless, masked vigilante, who is tormented by his wife and son's murders. He was supposed to have died right along with them...he still wishes he had. Unable to cope with the memories of that horrific night, he is out for revenge and is prepared to raise havoc upon the one's responsible. The last words he whispered to his dying wife...

"Every one of them will die-painfully and mercilessly."

"The promise fueled my will to survive."

Nick's driving force for revenge is none other than Michael Culling's wife, Aubree.

"A man who'd kill for the women he is clearly obsessed with. That's the real pain."

Aubree Culling (aka Pistol Lips) is a strong, resilient, young woman who has the misfortune of being married to the psychotic mayor of Detroit, Michael Culling.

To the world they are the perfect couple, but behind closed doors, Aubree is living with a sociopathic monster. The last five years that she's had to endure with this man have been gruesome. Her only hope is to someday escape the nightmare that she lives daily. 

Escape. 

If I were to succeed, I'd be hunted.

If I failed, I'd be killed.

Nick kidnaps Aubree during a masquerade charity ball that was being held in honor or her, as well as a celebration of the opening of a new cancer center.

 Not initially, but after some time, something shifts, and the chemistry that has sparked between them is undeniable, but neither one wants to admit it. 

Nick finally realizes that Aubree isn't anything like her maniac husband...that she is a 'victim' too...and that's when the connection is made.

"Not a monster. Not some Stepford bitch. A victim." 

"There's sweetness to your poison, Aubree - as intoxicating and beautiful as it's deadly."

"I'd kill for you."

To divulge anything else would take away your experience from Nick and Aubree's story. A story that is merciless, barbarous, and callous.  It's a story about revenge, but also about healing, love, and second chances. It's a dark romance with some hair-raising scenes that may make the fainthearted squeamish. If you love dark, twisted reads with a fearsome hero and remarkable heroine, I definitely recommend reading Ricochet. 

I give Ricochet 4.5 Crazie Stars ~Kim 

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KIM'S REVIEW ~ INSIDER by Olivia Cunning

What girl doesn't love a rock star? 

Olivia Cunning's writing style is impeccable and she writes some of the best "rocker" books out there. Her characters are portrayed exactly how I envisioned a rock star's life to be.

Insider is the first book in the Exodus Series and is loaded with sexy, hot rock stars! It's the story of Logan and Toni, with a glimpse of Dare, Max, Steve, and Reagan. And even though Insider is centered around Logan and Toni, the other band members play key roles in the story. And I have to say, I.CAN.NOT.WAIT. for Dare's story. I love them all but Dare is my fav!!! 

My Dare!!

Logan Schmidt is the sexy bass guitarist in Exodus End. He's so carefree and just seems to love life. His jovial humor and good spirit is what makes your heart melt. But, one of his downfalls is that he jumps to conclusions and overreacts before getting the facts...therefore, causing him and others around him some serious grief. 

Toni Nichols is pristine, righteous, and naive.  Since the age of fifteen she has put her dreams on hold in order to raise her younger sister. But now, she's been privileged with the opportunity to travel with the members of Exodus End, where she will be creating a revolutionary interactive biography about the band.  She gets up close and personal with all four band members as well as Reagan, who has joined them for a few shows, due to Max having a wrist injury. 

The moment Logan sees Toni, he is smitten by her. She's awkward, shy, and obviously 'star struck' by all the band members...making Toni all the more attractive to Logan. At first, he doesn't really know what to think of being drawn to her, him being a ladies man and all. But the more he is around her, the more he wants to get to know her. 

Logan and Toni's story progresses rapidly, but it feels right because of their situation...being trapped on a bus with four hot rockers would do that. 

Their chemistry is obvious to everyone around them. Sparks fly and they both superficially play it off. But, mentally they know that what they're experiencing is more than just sexual attraction. 

But can Toni live in Logan's world? Will his lifestyle be too much for her?  And can you truly trust someone who knows your darkest secrets? 

Logan and Toni's journey is bumpy at times, but not as bumpy as I would have preferred. I crave angst, and with this being a rock star book, I was banking on it.  But overall I did love Insider.

Olivia Cunning is talented and her previous books have proven that.  She's top notch.  She's the queen of rock star romance and she gave us a new rock band to fall in love with...and I love every single one of them.  I definitely recommend starting this series and I look forward for what's to come.  Like I said earlier, she gives us some background story on the rest of the band and I can guarantee that each book is going to be epic!!!

I give Insider 4 Crazie Stars ~Kim

  

*ARC kindly provided by author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*