Review: Ruined

Ruined by Tracy Wolff

Description:
He’s the last man Chloe Girard should love . . . but the first she ever could.
 
Ethan Frost is a visionary, a genius, every woman’s deepest, darkest fantasy—even mine. And, somehow, I am his.
 
He stole into my life like a dream. Turned my reality upside down and made my every desire come true—especially those I never knew I had. He demanded everything I had to give and gave me everything of himself in return.
 
But dreams don’t last forever, and ours is no exception. Because my nightmares are darker, and my wounds deeper, than I could ever reveal. And as much as Ethan wants to protect me, the secrets we we share will only tear us apart.

My Thoughts:

Hello Ethan Frost. Yum. J This is yet another book that is part of a series. Sigh. This one leaves you hanging and wanting more of Mr. Frost, but in an oh so good way.

Chloe Girard just wants to work hard and build up her knowledge working as an intern. She knows you don’t become a good lawyer without putting in lots of groundwork and making a name for yourself.  However on the first day of her internship it all changes over a smoothie. Really a smoothie. How something so simple can turn her world upside down shocks and arouses her.

Ethan Frost doesn’t know how to be anything but successful. No one ever challenges him and if they do, he wins. When Chloe stands her ground with him he can’t help but take notice. For once in his life he actually has to work at getting what he wants and he loves it.

However, as in every good love story there is a past to both of them and it tries to consume them. Chloe finds it in her heart to tell Ethan about what happened to her, but never does Ethan open up to her.  When he suddenly cuts off all contact with her she feels the ground fall from under her. She tries to figure out what went wrong but becomes face to face with her worst nightmare. Will they survive?

Like I said this book leaves you hanging and the next one doesn't come out until sometime in June! Ugh!! I will sooo be reading it when it does!! Loved it!

Rating:  ©©©©

Review Shredded

Shredded by Tracy Wolff

Description:
In this intense and exhilarating New Adult series debut, a hotshot snowboarder and a rebel with a cause try to let go of the past—and find a future with each other.
 
Twenty-one-year-old professional snowboarder Z Michaels is the bad boy of Park City, Utah. He’s always had his pick of any girl in town—and on the competition circuit. But underneath his cool exterior is a young man in turmoil, trying to take the edge off tragedy by overindulging in sex and shredding the slopes. In fact, Z’s rash behavior is a thinly veiled attempt to blunt his emotional suffering with physical pain.
 
Ophelia Richardson isn’t like any girl Z has ever met. Though she’s from New Orleans, she’s no Southern belle—and she’s not shy about being miserable in frozen, godforsaken Park City. But after nearly dying in the same drag-racing accident that killed her boyfriend, she needs a place to heal, both physically and emotionally. The last thing Ophelia wants right now is a boyfriend—especially one as rich and reckless as Z. But Ophelia soon discovers that he isn’t what he seems. If anything, Z may be even more damaged than she is.
 
Feeling alone in the world, Z and Ophelia find a connection unlike any they’ve ever known. But their tormented pasts pull them in every direction, forcing their relationship into a downhill slide before it even begins—unless they can find the strength in each other to trust, grow, and love again.

My Thoughts:

Well since the Olympics are going on it seemed like the perfect time to read this book. It was awesome! If you are anything like me, you can watch those guys (and gals) on their snowboards and wonder what they are thinking, well in this book you really feel like you get to know 4 of them and begin to understand everything they do to excel at their sport.

Z is your typical manwhore. Different snow bunny each night and never going back for seconds nor does he look back after he is done. However, it is all a cover to hide the damaged hurting man he is inside.

Ophelia is just looking for a fresh start. However she is beginning to think that the freezing temperatures and tons of snow is not the best place to do it. She meets Z while working the Coffee Bar at the resort she works at and he snowboards at. To say it was love at first sight will have you clutching your stomach in laughter.

These two characters are both so messed up that it’s no surprise they understand one another.  It seems that if they can’t help heal one another then there is no hope for either of them.  Ophelia is way more willing to rip the scabs open of her past and share with Z to help heal and encourage their relationship. However all the stupid stuff that Z pulls it’s no wonder she constantly doubts where things are going.

When you reach the end of the book you are wondering if they are ever going to get their stuff together or if they will just end up miserable for the rest of their lives.

I do have to say that I have a love/hate feeling about the end of the book. I love how she wrapped up the relationship of Z and Ophelia but HATE how she just ends it with Ash. Totally broke my heart for him and made me desperate for the next book that doesn’t come out until April 22!!  The last thing I want to mention that bugged me about this book is that you never find out if Z is really his name or if it is short for something else!  LOL  On a final note, it does help to watch those guys do their “turns and twists and stuff” to understand what they are talking about in this book.  Go check this book out for a fun read!

Rating:  ©©©©

Review: Domino Effect

Domino Effect by Jill Elaine Huges

Description:

Start of Domino series
Peter Rostovich is an enigmatic international artist with ties to the Russian mafia. He manipulates everyone he comes in contract with and nobody can figure him out—not even himself. More than that, he has a taste for bondage, which he infuses into his art.

Virginal Nancy Delaney is an aspiring reporter who tries to crack Peter’s shell. His work is like nothing she’s ever seen—complete with a live sculpture that gets the exhibit shut down by the police.

Peter hates reporters, but Nancy captivates him to the point where he makes her part of his exhibit within seconds of meeting her. He introduces her to the world of BDSM, but his involvement in the criminal underworld puts Nancy in the sights of his fiercest enemy.

Inside Scoop: This is the first part of a trilogy that blends sex, bondage and international thrills into one exciting read, but watch out for the cliffhanger ending. You’ll be hanging on the edge, waiting for book two.

My Thoughts:
Umm...okay. Well this is hard for me to say, but I really didn't enjoy this book. I kept finding myself skimming the pages and then going back to read them to make sure I didn't miss anything. I was more willing to put this book down and do things I should be doing like cleaning, laundry, and so on than I have been in a long time. I really didn't get interested until like the last 5 pages and then it was to be continued in book 2. There is a small part of me that wants to know what happens in book 2, but I'm not sure at this time it is enough for me to read it when it comes out (which I have no idea when that will be).

Overall the book is well written, very detailed, and keeps flowing. I just don't think it was for me. I had trouble believing the dramatic scenes that occured and that didn't help with me not enjoying myself.

Nancy Delaney is a college student just trying to get her foot in the door of her future career in journalism while also keeping up with her college classes and working part time as a waitress.  When she is talked into taking an art review assignment from her roommate she doesn't think it will be a hard job. However, this one small job turns her world upside down and she may never recover from it or survive it.

Peter Rostovich is the artist at the exhibit Nancy is covering. He is a very dark character full of mystery. Somehow Nancy is drawn to him and he to her, but their attraction isn't strong enough to stop outside forces from causing Nancy harm. I do have to say that the exhibit that Peter was showing made my jaw drop. It is unbelievable.

The book ends in a cliff hanger that leaves you wondering what will come of Peter and Nancy. Like I said before I just had trouble with this book keeping my attention. It lacked the caring side between the two characters that I have become used to, even though it wasn't in Peter's character to act that way. The amount of mystery involved in this book can keep your attention, just not mine. I am not sure when book 2 is due to come out or if I will read it, but I am going to put it on my TBR list just in case.

Rating: ©©

Review: Mad Love

Mad Love by Colet Abedi

Description:

23-year-old aspiring artist Sophie Walker can think of no better place than the exotic paradise of the Maldives to escape the wrath of her controlling parents, the monotony of her boring legal work and her passionless boyfriend. With her two best friends along for the ride and to help her find herself again, Sophie is not prepared for the enigmatic Clayton Sinclair. Clayton comes from another world of privilege that seems like a fantasy to Sophie. Can this man introduce her to the passion & seduction she never realized she was desperately searching for? Sophie quickly becomes ensnared in Clayton's seductive web until a shocking treachery makes her question her judgment and actions...

My Thoughts:

I need to say at the beginning of this review that I was granted an ARC of this book from NetGalley to review. The book doesn't actually release until March 11, 2014.

Sigh. I didn't want this book to end. However when it did I was ready to scream! I will warn you it ends in a cliffhanger and then to make things worse the author teases us by giving us the beginning of the next book. However, she doesn't tell us when it will come out!! Ugh!!I needed more!

I fell in love with all the characters in this book. Sophie is awesome. I love how she just speaks what she is thinking before her brain can stop her. Sometimes it gets her in trouble, but it keeps her honest! I was laughing very hard at some points. The scene with the sharks is hilarious in my opinion!

What can I say about Clayton. He is very dominating, but at times you want to smack him for being stupid! He really forgets (a lot) how new to EVERYTHING Sophie is. Sometimes he would save them both a lot of heartache if he would just tell her what is happening. Of course if he did that then there would be no need for make up sex. LOL  

Erik and Orie are the best friends of Sophie and they make everything in life seem so easy! They are really in love with one another, but they never make Sophie feel like a third wheel or give her grief for things that go on while on the island. They are her rocks when she needs them in both good times and bad. She would be so lost without them.

However in the end even the best of rocks can't help you when your life is turned upside down. I can't believe the author left us hanging in the end and didn't even give a clue as to when the next book will be out. I am so torn up about this! I really want to recommend that you go read this book when it comes out, but I hate that I can't relieve the pain at the end by saying the next book will be out on blah blah date. 

Rating:  ©©©©©

Review: The Fireside Inn

The Fireside Inn by Lily Everett

Description:

They're gorgeous, they're rich, they're single, and they're determined to stay that way for life...until they take a trip to Sanctuary Island. Don't miss this unforgettable new novella trilogy about three billionaire bachelors who are about to discover that sometimes you have to let go of the life you planned in order to embrace the life of your dreams.

In the first novella, The Fireside Inn, Lord Leo Stratham seems to have it all. But when he meets Sanctuary Island's quirky young librarian, he's intrigued. Serena is unlike anyone he's ever met before, and he's determined to get to know her a whole lot better. Yet despite the simmering attraction between them, she isn't interested in putting up with a pampered playboy...unless he can convince her to take a chance on him.

My Thoughts:

So once again, this is the start of a 3 book series and I was only given access to the first book to read. I want to read the next two to see how things end up, however even though it says that this is a new series it talks about the series The Billionaire Brothers. That series takes place before this one. So it would have been nice to read that one before this book, but it is not necessary.

Serena is such a sweet character. She is willing to help Leo, but her love of books and everything to do with them shines through. She is a romantic at heart, but has been burned so many times that she finds it difficult to think that anyone would want her.

Leo is secretive, British, and a Billionaire. Everything has always been handed to him, so when he realizes he has to work for something for once in his life he doesn't know what to do. He has a secret that he wants know one to know, but it threatens to destroy him. He doesn't let people into his circle easily and when Serena starts to push her way in he gets scared.

Will Leo learn that true love does not judge or will he keep his walls up and face failing on his own?  I can't tell you but I do suggest you go check this book out for a sweet easy read. If I end up being able to read the rest of this series I will publish reviews for them too. For now they are going on my TBR list that never seems to stop growing!!

Rating:  ©©©©

Review: Wrecked

Wrecked by Priscilla West

Description:

“There would be no happy ending for us. He was too damaged. I was too broken.”

Two years ago, Lorrie’s mother was murdered. But that wasn’t the end of it. Reeling from the tragedy, Lorrie’s father spiraled into alcohol, depression, and finally suicide.

The two most important people in Lorrie’s life are both gone but she’s still alive.

Trying to recover from the tragedy, Lorrie returns to campus, ready to pick up the pieces of her life. All Lorrie wants is to get back to “normal.”

Then she meets Hunter. The man, the legend, “The Hammer.”

Hunter is a cage fighter who takes on every fight like he’s got nothing to lose. His life is a tangled mess of girls, booze, and fist fights. And while it may seem like he’s got a devil-may-care attitude, he’s fighting a private cage-match with a monster he can’t defeat.

Lorrie knows that Hunter is exactly the type of guy she should stay away from, especially in her fragile state, but Hunter has other ideas.

As Hunter and Lorrie grow closer together, will they be able to overcome their pain and heal each other? Or will they both end up wrecked?

My Thoughts:

Wow. OMG. Pick my jaw up off the floor. I am wrecked. 

Okay, I want to tell you right up front this book ends in a cliffhanger and it sucks!! 

Alright on to the review. In case you didn't know Beautiful Disaster is one of my favorite books. When I read the description and began reading this book I kept thinking back to that book and comparing the two. Finally it smacked me in the face that although these two books are similar in some ways (college kids, boy is a fighter, love story) it is so different!! I fell in love with this story and it totally broke me that I can't finish it until book 2 comes out!

Hunter (must say I love that name, lol) is such a mystery and yet an open book. Even though he puts off the bad boy loner image he has such a kind and soft heart. Rampage is the perfect example of that. I won't tell you what that means, go read the book! :) He is willing to put Lorrie's feelings before his and opens up his very small circle of friends to her. He follows all the rules she puts in place and never pushes until he knows it must be done.

To say that Lorrie has been handed a bag of lemons is an understatement. When Hunter enters her life with a splash it is the beginning of her seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. She tries to forget their chance meeting but soon is face to face with him yet again. After he convinces her to spend some time together she learns that he isn't the same guy she thought he was. Afraid of what will happen if she allows him to get close she builds up walls to protect herself. When on one fateful day those walls come down everything changes. She finally feels like her world is right and life is actually moving forward.

Then her past comes back to haunt her. With a past like hers it is like hitting a brick wall going full speed. She shuts down and Hunter has disappeared as well. These two broken people have no idea the past that their other half have and it is enough to cause them to self destruct. If neither of them can confess what has happened will they ever make it? Even reading this book you will have so many questions that you will be wishing for book 2 like I am!! Believe me, when it comes out I will be getting it as soon as I can!

Book 2 is supposed to be out later this month. I hope it isn't delayed because I sooo need to find out what happens!! If I were you I would wait a week or so to read this so you don't have to wait to find out what happens, but definitely READ THIS BOOK!!

Rating: ©©©©©

Review: His to Possess #1: The Seduction

His to Possess #1: The Seduction by Opal Carew

Description:

Enter an intoxicating world of power and pleasure—where one woman will submit completely to her fiercest hungers at the hand of a powerful business man.

While attending a job fair, Jessica meets a tall, dark, handsome stranger. Deciding to take a chance, Jessica invites Dane back to her bed for one night of hot, no strings attached sex in a last effort to finally get over her heartbreak. However, when the night's over they find that sometimes a casual fling doesn't end the next morning.

Important note: His to Possess #1: The Seduction is the firstinstallment of a six-part serial novel. His to Possess #2: The Morning After and His to Possess #3: Perfect Storm. The complete book is available which is simply entitled His To Possess.

My Thoughts:

Okay, first of all I have only read the first part of this series. The book I read was really short, like too me less than an hour to read. :) However, now I want to read the rest of the series! I am doomed. Ha ha ha!

Jessica Long is struggling in her life. Having been jobless for 4 months she decides to take a chance and go to the big city of Philadelphia to look for work. With her heart still longing for another man an incident of mistaken identity leads to one of the biggest changes in her life.

Dane Ranier is CEO of Ranier Industries. Although we don't learn much about him in this book he gives off the dark and mysterious vibe from the beginning. He is a dominating man both in and out of the bedroom. Once he sets his sights on Jessica she doesn't stand a chance.

Since this book is part of a 6 part series it does leave you hanging. If I am able to read the rest of the series I will post reviews on them as a whole because there is no way I am going to read them one at a time! I guess just like me you will have to wait and see what happens in the end!

Rating: ©©© (only because there is sooo much I still need to learn in the next 5 parts! I may change this after I have read the entire series.)