REVIEW: Ladies Man by Katy Evans

 

OUR REVIEW: 

Court: I think we should preface our review by saying that if you don't want to be mentally, physically, sexually, spiritually...(insert your -ally here) frustrated by the hero of this tale...then...take a deep, deep breath! Tahoe Roth is every bit the 'Ladies Man' he is professed to be...and holy cowza these characters were bound and determined to KILL ME by the failure to just GO-FOR-IT! Shel: She's not kidding; I wanted to hurt a mutha--he was so frustrating.

Court: So, critically, getting to know Regina is difficult. Her thoughts are...stilted. And, I think that is is easier to identify with the writing if we think of it more as Regina's inner-thoughts/journal than anything but time really moves quickly chapter to chapter. Tahoe is almost an irredeemable hero, and that was difficult for me to get used to. He starts out as such a playboy, screwing anything that moves, and I couldn't help but wonder...how do we come back from this? a lot. Will he scare Regina away for good? Will I be broken hearted by the end of this...more so than I am now? He was a hard guy to like. We're never in his head, so we know a lot of stuff is going on with him emotionally, but we don't really know what. I wish a little bit we had a few of his thoughts at the beginning of each chapter or something, and I might've liked him better. Shel--I agree with all of this--Regina's thoughts are such a hot mess--she wants him, she doesn't; she's strong, she isn't and I just wanted to stick her on therapist's couch and get her some help. Meanwhile Tahoe and his smirk?! Gah. Fortunately, they both find ways to redeem themselves but I was quite frustrated with them both at times.

Court: The thing I loved the most about this story is the journey that Regina is on...to finding herself. I identified 100% with her on this one, and once you figure out that some of the frustrating decisions she makes...albeit, over and over, there is a reason behind it. She is on a journey. And the loving yourself journey is one that Shel and I both always enjoy more than even the love story. And if you're hoping for a lot of steamy scenes like with REAL, ...well, go read REAL because this one is a slower burner, but fast page turner! Shel: It was a quick read; I'll admit sometimes I was hate reading because Regina's "boyfriend" and Tahoe's ridiculous behavior made me angry and so I plowed through that to see if I was going to hate them more or find them like-able.

Court: Overall, I was pleased with Regina's journey, equally displeased with Tahoe's decision making, but invested enough to stay up preettttty darn late to see where their journey took us. Trent is a douche canoe, and frienimies to friends, to hopefully more is a story that I like a lot most days of the week. SO! Check it out! And...whoa that cover, y'all.Shel: *drools* that cover, yo.

 

TAHOE ROTH.
Irreverent, cocky, playful and naughty.
He’s not the guy you date.
He’s the one night stand.
The one your mother warned you about.
The one your body craves.

You’d think the man who called me succulent would want to strip me down and spread me out on his bed—like he’s done with countless others.
But he passed on my offer….
Just like I’d once passed on his.
He’s wary, like I am.
He’s broken, like I am.
And everyone knows two broken parts can’t ever make a whole.
Tahoe and I are strictly friends.
So I distract myself with other men.
He doesn’t think my new man is good enough. This blond blue-eyed beast doesn’t think any man is—himself included.
But the more time we spend together, the more confused I feel.
I'm trying to open myself to love.
Yet I'm quickly realizing that the only man I want is Tahoe Roth.
The one man who will surely break my heart.

Paperback

Expected publication: April 26th 2016

Source: Publicist via Netgalley (thank you!)
Purchase a copy for your collection: Goodreads | Amazon

REVIEW: Sunshine & Whiskey by R.L. Griffin

**Blog Tour Stop**

Sunshine & Whiskey by R.L. Griffin

Romantic Comedy

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21942398-sunshine-and-whiskey?from_search=true

Buy Links:

AmazonUS: http://amzn.com/B00VZC0688

AmazonUK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VZC0688

AmazonCA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00VZC0688

AmazonAU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00VZC0688

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/sunshine-whiskey

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sunshine-whiskey/id987626958?mt=11

AmazonPB: http://amzn.com/1511663413

Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/user/1279014977/playlist/0vNcitNOKMVchI9aLqjrf3

Giveaway:

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1b4f5c985/

Synopsis:

Sometimes the best things in life come from the unexpected. So if you lower your expectations, then you’ll never be disappointed. Sound cheesy? It is, but it's also true. Clichés come from a grain of truth…like a man with a Porsche is compensating for something, or once a cheater always a cheater—you get the idea. Sorry, I digress. I'm supposed to be telling you what this book is about.

I'm Megan Walker, a lawyer at one of the hottest boutique law firms in Atlanta. I'm on the fast track to making partner and have my entire life planned out...or I did.

We all know how that goes, right? Best laid plans and all that.

Life just threw me a couple curveballs, so I've set out to take things into my own hands. By throwing caution to the wind and getting out of my A-type personality bubble, I'm learning more about myself than I have in my twenty-seven years.

Sound like a chick flick, doesn't it?

It’s not.

Shel: Our first experience with R. L. Griffin was with her By a Thread series--an intense, emotional, suspenseful romance; so when we saw she was working on something completely new, we knew we had to check it out. This new series is a 180 degree turn from By a Thread--it's a lighter, romantic comedy. Court: And I really fell in love with the cover. 

Shel: This novel features two best friends who ditch everything about life as they know it and hit the road--it's basically the most epic best friend road trip you can have. Both Megan (our protagonist) and Laura (her best friend) have things they need to work through and when an opportunity arises that will allow them the time and space to do that with each other, they take it. Along the way they begin to delve deeper into what they want and don't want; who they are and aren't; and what they like and don't in a series of funny pit stops between Atlanta and California. Court: These two are really the epitome of the modern woman, in my opinion. They are very independent, and use this road trip to really discover who they are and who they think they are, and really who they want to be. They stop in major cities along the way for their high profile shenanigans. You'll have to read to find out why things turn out so high profile! 

Shel: Of course it wouldn't be a romantic comedy without the 'romance' part--and there are some interesting events men they meet along the way. From the most horrible one night stand in New Orleans to an eye opening meeting with an ex to "Meat" and finally to a mysterious man in California Megan delves into her past relationships and how it's impacted some major life choices--and Laura is there to kick her butt, make her laugh, and ask her hard questions along the way. Court: I was beginning to wonder about the romance, honestly, but it did indeed show up. In some...awkward moments in my opinion. The worst one night stand award goes to Ben, and I am still cringing so hard that I have almost no words for the rest. No words! Lol. 

Shel: One thing to note is that this novel is in first person POV and it took me a little time to settle into it; it felt a little forced or some of her phrases were a bit repetitive in the beginning. I note this because it may jar you too but I should also say that as the novel progressed I noticed these things less and less and was happy at how the novel ended. I can definitely see that Laura is perfectly set up to have a novel in this series and it'll be interesting to see what her back story is. Court: It was a bit jarring, and takes some getting used to but I think it is Megan's personality as much as it is the POV. She's a bit rough around the edges and so type A in proving herself, and I just wanted her to loosen up a bit. The beginning is a bit slow too, as it takes about 20% of the beginning to set up and really get into the course of the plot. I am happy where this one ended, but I was very apprehensive where it began. It gained it's stride, and the last half really delved into Megan's deeper issues at hand.

Excerpt

Chad's face is a mask of contradictions and his penis is still hard and he's wearing a condom and he's walking toward me. "Megan, listen, baby, we can work this out."

"Oh yeah, we can?"

"Yes," he says, standing there with his pants at his ankles.

I know I’m repeating myself, but who walks toward his girlfriend with a condom on and pants at the ankles.

"How about this? You both have three minutes to get the fuck out of my house. I'm going to change because I have one of the most important depositions of my life, and I can't go with guacamole on my shirt."

Where is this calm coming from? No idea.

"Baby, come on. Don't overreact."

What a dick, right? Yep, he really says this, to me, while he is standing there with a condom on his dick, his pants around his ankles. The secretary now throws my vibrator on my perfect seven hundred thread count sheets and pulls her dress down from where it was bunched at her waist.

"Oh, you think this is over reacting?" I take a step toward him for the first time since I’ve been here.

Chad takes another step toward me.

I smile. "I think overreacting would be to grab that knife that I cut my cantaloupe with this morning, you know the one that's still on the kitchen counter, and cut your dick and balls off. Then have them mounted. I think that would be overreacting. I, however, am simply asking you to get your shit, your condom, your whore and never come back." Ice enters my veins and voice and he knows I’m not fucking around.

"Megan," his condescending tone blows the roof off my calm.

"Chad..." I use the same tone. "If you aren't gone in,” I look down at my watch, the one he gave me for my birthday, “two minutes now, I'm going to punch myself in the face and then stab you."

He stares at me.

"Heat of passion and all that. I walked in on my live in boyfriend pounding a bitch in my bedroom, using my dirty vibrator...I don't think a jury anywhere would convict me. You?" I smirk and cock my head to the side in a question. At that, I turn and walk into my huge walk-in closet and change my shirt. My closet was the main reason why I bought this house. I have no idea if the shirt I’m pulling off the hanger matches my suit. I’m trying to focus, trying to compartmentalize what just happened.

I look at my phone, I’m running into my cushion.

Author Bio:

R.L. resides in the Atlanta area with some cool dudes: her husband, son and one crazy dog. She was born and raised in the South. She attended Georgia Southern University and moved to Washington, D.C. to intern in the United States Senate during the impeachment trial. Falling in love with the city, she went to law school at American University, Washington College of Law. By A Thread is R.L.’s second book, but is the first in a series of books.

Series order: By A Thread, Tension, Seamless, Mending (short story describing the events between the end of Seamless and the Epilogue) and Heart in Wire

Connect with the Author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/R.L.GriffinByAThread

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rlgriffinauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1254833.R_L_Griffin

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/R.L.-Griffin/e/B00LGU43CE/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1413589405&sr=1-2-ent

Newsletter:

http://rlgriffinauthor.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8ecf971f496c38eb8b6ec3a20&id=ad95753d14

Tsu:
https://www.tsu.co/RLGriffinauthor

REVIEWS: ON THE SURFACE + ACROSS THE LINE BY KATE WILLOUGHBY

Kind of a fun change of pace for us today, y'all. Court read book one of a companion series, and Shel read book two so we could bring you oodles of info about this hot hockey series by Kate Willoughby. Check it out below! 

NHL player Tim Hollander lost his temper one time and threw a water bottle at an abusive fan. After "Bottlegate," he's traded to the San Diego Barracudas, where he'll need to keep the bad publicity to a minimum while proving he can still compete with the younger guys on the ice.

Erin Collier is a pediatric nurse who's never seen a hockey game, but gets in line for Tim's autograph at a PR event in hopes of impressing the doctor she has a crush on. When an obnoxious fan gets pushy toward Erin, Tim rushes to defend the pretty stranger, throwing a punch in the process.

Grateful for the rescue, Erin agrees to stand by Tim during the resulting press conference and host him at a hospital charity event. Their chemistry is palpable, and soon their lives are intertwined. But Erin doubts a hockey player is capable of anything resembling a real relationship. And if Tim can't get her to see beyond what's on the surface, they'll never last longer than a single season…

Kindle Edition, 272 pages
Published April 14th 2014 by Carina Press

Source: Purchased
Purchase: Goodreads | Amazon

I have a great affinity for hockey novels, and I was very intrigued by this series that seems to be companions about several guys on this team, the San Diego Barracudas. And I discovered that there is a great number of guys on this team that intrigue me. On the Surface gives us the story of Tim and Erin, and how they truly are one of the most down to earth, basically real to life couples that you might read about and enjoy. 

Erin is a nurse, and low and behold (since I am also a nurse), I didn't find anything that raised a brow for me, and that is surprising. I find it difficult sometimes in fiction to be authentic, and not bend medical facts to fit the story, or it might not be well researched, so I was very, very excited to not be annoyed by anything like that. (Ask Shel. It is a sickness, when I get bent out of shape over this.) More power to Erin, and all pediatric nurses out there, for they are rock stars. 

Tim is a great hero, especially as a hockey player. He lives for the game, and I loved that. He has some really tragic material in his past, and how he overcomes that, or ya know, decides that he might just be alright just how he is was pretty awesome. There were a few inconsistencies in the timeline that was a little confusing, but the overall vibes of the story I enjoyed. Tim is a mans man, that cares about his woman. I was intrigued from the interesting way they got together, and was a big fan of these two, til the end. I had some minor hangups with a few of the explanations about life or about hockey that went wordy, kind of like this post is right now, and so maybe it could've been a tad more cut in editing...but, this is a sweet story, about some bad ass hockey dudes, and I really love the bromance we've started already. 

Book two of In the Zone

Calder Griffin needs to get back in shape. Sidelined last season by a knee injury, he's determined to return to the San Diego Barracudas and play the best hockey of his career. This might even be the year he gets out of his talented older brother's shadow.

For months, Becca Chen has poured her energy into Cups, the restaurant she owns, desperate to prove to her parents that she can succeed in the career of her choice, not theirs. But after she spends a five-hour plane ride flirting with charming, magic-on-the-ice Calder, she tells herself she needs a fling.

Becca and Calder can't keep their hands off each other, but they know the relationship can't last. They live on opposite coasts, and they're both too devoted to their careers. All they have to do is prevent their feelings from crossing the line from lust to love…

See how Calder's teammate Tim found love in On the Surface.

Kindle Edition, 287 pages
Published August 11th 2014 by Carina Press (first published January 1st 2014)

FIND IT HERE: Amazon    FIND KATE HERE: Website

I wasn't really sure what to expect because Court is/was reading book one in this series and since they are stand alone novels, I decided to do book two and I can vouch that there is absolutely no trouble in picking up with book two; it was not confusing at all.

In this book we have Calder and Becca's story-- a story that involves hockey and her business and long distance romance and all of the joys and troubles that come along with these things. Calder is coming off a season ending injury and flying home for a visit when he meets Becca --his flight-mate. We learn early on that they knew each other a loooooong time ago and as they catch on their lives, they hit it off. Soon, Calder is visiting her business, inviting her on dates, and before we know it something that was a casual, fun fling is now developing into something more. As the novel progress, so does their relationship; there are a few bumps in the road --but honestly the angst was low.

Calder was interesting. He's very sweet and he ate his feelings--I sorta loved that. His reactions to situations with his brother were raw and honest and his feelings with Becca were sweet and adorable. Becca was more stubbornly independent and it takes her a little while longer to get with the program, but once it all clicks, it's allll good.

This is a very sweet romance. There's some steam and some fun and would make a good weekend read.

REVIEW: BURNOUTS, GEEKS, AND JESUS FREAKS BY KAREN GORDON

They’re burnouts - a little short on parents, money and plans for the future, but they’ve got each other and a whole lot of fun. With a world of crazy at home, Carrie Gould needs them to keep her sanity. To stay in their world she needs to keep dating the guy with the party house, which would be fine, if she hadn’t fallen in love with someone else.

He’s such a geek. Ben Gorman is obsessive, smart, strong-willed and on the fast track to his dream of becoming an Army Ranger. He’s also the only geek with a girl. Joelle Welker is perfect for him; a self-proclaimed Jesus freak, who is dedicated to her beliefs and to building a future with Ben. But those plans don’t include his neighbor, Carrie, or Ben’s dedication to her.

Their friendship started by chance. Their love started with trust.

This is a sweet, silly smart-sexy story of first love and first lovers.

Kindle Edition
Published March 4th 2014 by Self Published (first published February 24th 2014)
Copy provided by author for an honest review

Buy it: Amazon | Goodreads

OUR REVIEW:

I wasn't really sure what to expect with this novel but the title covers a lot of it. You have the 'burnouts" Carrie's friends --a little less on the ambitious side (understatement) and fairly anti-school/establishment. You have "geeks": Ben and his friends. And, you have the "Jesus freaks" Ben's girlfriend Joelle and her friends. As we all know from high school, though, these labels are really just silly ways to try to keep people out or in...and there's a lot of crossover between groups. Carrie and Ben are evidence of this; somehow they manage to merge groups and, eventually, leave those labels behind. Funny how when I was in school, I would've probably been in Ben's group at first...now, however, I'm much more like Carrie (the anti-establishment part). Hah.

How do they do this? Well, they're neighbors and close friends..and eventually things change between them and as these shifts occur, new friends are made or exchanged or merged. I loved that we get the background and build up of their relationship from when they were little. 

The first half to 60% of this book is really dedicated to the high school part of their story. How Carrie escapes the strangeness of her house to have fun with MG and Steve and others. We also get to know Ben and the story of his mom/dad/grandparents and the struggles he has with Joelle. It's in this first 60% that we get to know these characters but I found it to be slow going until about 40% or Carrie and Ben's first Christmas break. Ditto. Christmas Break was definitely the turning point. 

*** pausing here to say that both of the Christmas breaks that are shown are some of my favorite and really some of the sweetest scenes...as is the camping scene..so sweet*** ***Agree, Ben is really sweet.***

Once Christmas hits and prom drama happens we are zooming quickly to the end. The years pass swiftly and with many unexpected events happening. I was pleasantly surprised at Carrie's maturity at how she handled some things, especially considering how crappy her adult role models (her parents) were. I was a little unpleasantly surprised with some of Ben's choices too, even if I respected them and understood them. I think this is where a) my heart broke for the characters and b) my heart sort of broke for me. I don't mean that I didn't enjoy the book very much, but Shel is right. The last part went way faster in time after we had built up a certain pace and timeline from the beginning. I thought the story was going one way, and definitely went another...which is on me as a reader. 

Notice I'm being vague here so I don't spoil things...let's just say that I didn't always see where or how things were going to play out.

There were a few things I think I needed: a quicker pace in the beginning and a slower pace at the end, a little more explanation about Carrie's family--why and how ...I felt like I wanted to engage with that more and while I did feel for her, I was more annoyed with her mom and dad. That part definitely felt unfinished to me. But...I had a wise person (Cece Carroll) tell me once that just because parents suck, doesn't mean that there is ever a big resolution or showdown. I can't always get what I want! Haha. So, I am still working on that. I always want the showdown! 

I wanted to know more about Ben when he was gone..and more about Carrie..that last 40% would have huge chunks where time was a blink of an eye and then it would slow down and I wanted to understand more. I had questions. Truth. 

Overall, it was a sweet, fun novel and you'll have a chance to find out more with these characters when MG and Steve get the next story. We have to find out more about them. It was so foreshadowed all along in this one. Oh, how they will be tormenting each other I bet! 

Shelley: 3 stars

Courtney: 3 stars

About Karen Gordon

Karen Gordon was born and raised in the suburban paradise of St. Charles, MO, on the outskirts of St. Louis. She earned a B.S. in English from the University of Central Missouri (BS being the operative term) and a M.A. in Media Communications from Webster University, where she graduated in a hot pink mortar board because she didn’t like the school colors.

She currently resides in Olive Branch, MS (formerly Cow Pen) on the outskirts of Memphis, TN with her 2.5 super-smart kids, and an amazingly-funny, cute, geeky husband.

When not writing, she is a stay-at-home mom (chick in charge) and part-time teacher. Any down time is spent reading, catching up with friends and obsessively worrying about every little thing.

“Burnouts, Geeks and Jesus Freaks: a love story” is her debut novel. She is now frantically trying to recall her college years to write the sequel, “Popstars, Friends and Lovers.”

Find Karen: Goodreads | Twitter

Check out this e-book giveaway sponsored by this super sweet author! Enter away!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW: HUSSY BY SELENA KITT

The Eskimos may have over a hundred words for snow, but that doesn’t even come close to how many words the English language has for “slut”—and Lindsey has been called them all. “Hussy” is Lindsey’s personal favorite, given to her by her own grandmother, who likes to pat her on the hand and whisper, “Don’t worry, dear—a hussy is just a woman with the morals of a man.”

But Lindsey’s not ashamed of her reputation. She knows she’s earned it—and she’s proud of it. After all, you only live once, right? In fact, she goes out of her way to make it known to every guy she comes in contact with, she’s available for the taking—the rougher, the better.

That is until Lindsey meets Lieutenant Zachary Davis, a man who refuses to treat her like the trash she believes she really is.

But can Lindsey change her impulsive ways and learn to value herself the way the Zach does?

Warnings: This title contains graphic language and extreme sexual situations as well as a girl with a slutty attitude bigger than Texas covering a haunted past, and a sweet, hot man in uniform dead set on rescuing her from herself.

Note to Readers: This novel was previously released as “Falling Down.”

Kindle Edition, 2nd edition, 176 pages

Published August 29th 2013 by Excessica Publishing

Source: received from publisher via Netgalley for review

Purchase: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Our Review---

For full disclosure, I have been mulling over this book all afternoon...and was very conflicted by it. On one hand I was disgusted because this girl has had unprotected sex with 5 guys by 25% and I was beginning to wonder where it was all going. She kind of disgusted me. And then I thought...wow, Court...you are a serious bitch. Why is it that this girl is doing the same thing most of the so called "hero" in all these other books does and he's my new book boyfriend and this girl is grossing me out. Pot meet kettle. So I hung my head in shame for a while, then kept going. Honestly, Court, I had many of the same reservations. It wasn't the sex that bothered me--to each their own--it was being unprotected and some of the things she thought or said screamed 'wrong' to me. It's like she was saying what was supposed to be all the 'right' things about what she wanted or liked but something didn't feel right. ..sure enough, something wasn't right. At all.

I have to tell you, while I was majorly conflicted about the character motivations and choices, I thought the writing was stellar. The girl can really write the hell out of a sexy scene, whether or not I'm not even sure if what I was reading was taboo or not (cue gang bang...wasn't sure forever if it was consensual) and then I realized that is the point. There was way more than meets the eye with Lindsey the entire time, but the eroticism of her story definitely makes it a steamy read throughout my discomfort. I tend to agree with you. I was conflicted and curious about what the story was with this young girl. I had a lot of questions about why things were happening and why I was reacting the way that I was. I'll warn you all, that there is a rape scene and it was graphic, so if that bothers you, this is not the book for you.

So...then the main plot of the story is Lindsey meeting Zach and how he helps her on her journey to loving herself. I really love his character. He isn't a saint, but then again anyone could apply for sainthood compared to Lindsey. She goes through a lot in this fairly short story...and I began to hurt for her instead of scoff. I am in like with this one. :) These two were interesting and if I try to analyze it too much, I'd have some issues with it. But since that's not the point here, I'll just say that I'm glad Lindsey met Zach and that Zach was able to give her what she needed.

Courtney: 3 1/2 Stars
Shelley: 3 Stars

Connect with Selena Kitt: Goodreads | Website | Twitter