The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Full of rage and without a purpose, former pianist Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone discovering her past and to make the boy who took everything from her pay.

All 17 year-old Josh Bennett wants is to build furniture and be left alone, and everyone allows it because it’s easier to pretend he doesn’t exist. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, a hot mess of a girl who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. The more he gets to know her, the more of a mystery she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he may ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a slow-building, character-driven romance about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

Please Note: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language.

4.5-4.75 Stars

“I just wanted one person who would look at me and not want to see someone else.”

“Who looks at you like that?” I lift my head up and lower my hands so I can see her face, and I can’t imagine anyone looking at this girl and wanting to see anything but her. 

“Everyone who loves me.”

“Who is it they want to see?”

“A dead girl.” 

I want to start off by saying two things:

One: I’m an idiot. I’m an idiot because this has been sitting in my Kindle since September 28, 2012. That’s almost 7.5 months of just sitting there; waiting to be read. Yes, I’ve seen all the rave reviews, but it wasn’t until yesterday that I decided to finally give it a go. 

Two: Thank you, God, for FINALLY leading me to this book. I’mFINALLY out of my book funk. For the last week and half, I’ve picked up at least six to seven books and was unable to get into any of them. I was beyond frustrated. Thanks to this incredible story, I finally feel normal again, alive. 

Running away is her thing. Hiding is mine. 

This story is amazing. I have to admit it was kinda hard to first get into, but something about it kept my interest. I wanted to find out who Nastya is and who she was. What happened to her? Why is she the way she is? Why does she no longer speak? As we start to get to know Nastya, we are also introduced to Josh. He is also an enigma that I wanted solved. This is what kept my interest. What draws these two damaged people together? 

I’ve come to expect us, too. I expect her. I expect her here. I expect her at home. I expect her in my life. 

And it’s terrifying. 

I really can’t go into the story because there isn’t anything I could really say to sum up the complication that is this story. Just know that this far from a typical. Nastya and Josh’s relationship is not predictable, it’s not hearts, flowers and roses; it’s far from it. These two are broken. All they want is to be alone, to disappear and to go through life unnoticed. However, they slowly and reluctantly intertwine into each other’s lives. Ultimately they find a home, a sense of belonging, when they’re with each other. 

Maybe if I can solve him and he can solve me, we can explain each other. Maybe that’s what I need. Someone to explain me. 

This was such an emotional story. Nastya and Josh are just….sigh I don’t know. I don’t know how to adequately describe them. I love them together. The scenes where they were just together is what made them so real and beautiful as a couple. When they’re apart, something just feels missing; they are incomplete without each other. I don’t know. I feel like I’m just jabbering because this story has made a mess out of me. Thank God for that, you know? I feel more alive because of it. I just wish there was an epilogue.

Before I go, I have to just say that as much as I love Josh, I love Drew, too. Drew is Josh’s best friend and a well-reputed manwhore (or is he?). At first I wasn’t sure what to feel about him. What is his role in this story? Then as the story goes on, the more I fell in love him. He’s such a smart-ass. He’s funny as hell and all around wonderful guy. This is a fairly emotionally charged story and if it wasn’t for Drew, I think I would’ve drowned in the seriousness of it all. Drew’s humor and loyalty just made him that awesome...True story. LOVED him. LOVED this story. 

"What did you see when you died?"

"Your garage." 

Le sigh... =)

Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned #1) by Belle Aurora

Nikolai Leokov never thought he'd fall in love with the only girl he's ever befriended. 

Valentina Tomic has issues with commitment after the ultimate betrayal. 

When Tina decides to make broody Nik's day better, she never thought she would end up friends with the hard man. 

Nik has never had a woman be so affectionate to him without expecting something in return. 

Nik and Tina cordially invite you to read Friend-zoned. 

A story of friendship, humour and love.

4.5 Stars

I want to protect her from everything that’s bad in the world. I want her to need me. But we’re friends. And friends don’t do shit like that. 

I love, Love, LOVE friends to lover type stories, and this story is as awesome as it gets. This was so freaking cute! I had such a toothache from smiling so much. OMG, this story has everything: Strong Alpha Hero, a loveable-non-annoying heroine, a wonderful cast of supporting characters (whom I can easily see myself being friends with, too), tons of humor, and just the right amount of drama. So good!

“So we can be friends, right?”

(Wait, what?)

I stare at her, a frown forming at my mouth.

(Did I…? Did I just get Friend-zoned?)

I look over again to see Tina nodding vigorously and smiling brightly.

Wow, this has never happened to me before. 

Nik didn’t know what to do when Valentina (Tina), just waltz into his life. At first, he didn’t know if she was going to be a typical woman; only wanting him for his money and connections. He was pretty sure that’s what she wanted. Until she friend-zoned him. So here they were, a new friendship formed. 

Tina was all about being Nik’s friend. Yes, he’s sexy and smart, but she wasn’t ready for that type of relationship, yet. Being a friend to Nik would be enough for now. 

“You’re pussy whipped.”

I claim, “I can’t be pussy whipped. I haven’t even had the pussy to be whipped!”

(Take that, Ghost! Oh, wait…)

He chuckles, “That’s even worse, bro.”

(Fuck me, it totally is.) 

Nik has never had a woman friend before. What is he suppose to do with her? He didn’t expect the hurricane that is Tina. All the little things she does for him completely leave him dumbfounded. Slowly, he starts to see something in Tina; something that he didn’t even know he was looking for. Suddenly, he wants to make their relationship more, but is too afraid to ruin what they currently have. Can they make the jump?

“You’re it. The one. The start. The finish. You are how my story ends.” ~Nik 

OMG! Nik totally made me swoon. His slow transformation was so much fun to read, and Tina…I just loved her character. She never came off as fake or annoying. She was a breath of fresh air. Nik never stood a chance. As for the supporting characters, I LOVED each and every one of them, especially Asher (a.k.a. Ghost) and Nat. I cannot wait to read their story next!

Strings (Hard Rock Harlots #1) by Kendall Grey

WARNING: STRINGS is not suitable for slut shamers, uptight stone throwers, Holier-Than-Thou prudes, humorless virgins, persons with chronic neck or back pain, pearl-clutching bitties, those who disparage crude humor or vulgarity in their many forms, closed-minded people with sticks up their asses, or anyone under the age of 18. The vile, base language and shocking, unholy sexual acts contained herein are not condoned by anyone with a lick of sense and should certainly not be reproduced without proper training and protection. The potty-mouthed and perpetually horny "heroine" (the term is used loosely) of this book does not resemble a normal, well-adjusted, or remotely believable person in any way, shape, or form. The author acknowledges that the characters in this book are shallow and two-dimensional; the plot is both ridiculous and insipid. She makes no apologies for any of it.

* Readers are strongly advised to wear latex gloves whilst reading to minimize contamination risks.

Free-spirited musician Letty Dillinger adheres to a strict, “no strings attached” policy when it comes to men. After a wild night of unabashed sex in a fancy hotel room, she never expects to see the adventurous stud she dubs “Shades” again. When her all-girl rock trio books a tour at the last minute as the opening act for their archenemies, Letty’s shocked to discover she knows the competition’s new lead singer. Intimately. Shades is no longer a one-night stand. Now he’s the guy she has to one-up on stage every night for the sake of her career.

Sharing close quarters on a bus with her sexy nemesis and his bad-boy buddies puts Letty’s Golden Rule to the test. On this tour, guitar strings aren’t the only things being played. And when heartstrings are pulled too hard, they’re bound to snap sooner or later.

Enough of this, I need some dick and another orgasm to go.

“WARNING: STRINGS is not suitable for slut shamers, uptight stone throwers, Holier-Than-Thou prudes, humorless virgins, persons with chronic neck or back pain, pearl-clutching bitties, those who disparage crude humor or vulgarity in their many forms, closed-minded people with sticks up their asses, or anyone under the age of 18. The vile, base language and shocking, unholy sexual acts contained herein are not condoned by anyone with a lick of sense and should certainly not be reproduced without proper training and protection. The potty-mouthed and perpetually horny "heroine" (the term is used loosely) of this book does not resemble a normal, well-adjusted, or remotely believable person in any way, shape, or form. The author acknowledges that the characters in this book are shallow and two-dimensional; the plot is both ridiculous and insipid. She makes no apologies for any of it.

* Readers are strongly advised to wear latex gloves whilst reading to minimize contamination risks.”

----------

Four Stars

Hook. Line. Sinker. 

OH. MY. GOD! With that warning, I was in love. I knew I had to read this. It literally called to me. Twisted, yes, but so what?! Sue me. LOL. I admit, I love crude humor, I love foul language, and goodness knows that I have no filter on my own sailor tongue. Just ask my husband. I drop the F-bomb like it’s part of the air I breathe. Oh, yea. This was going to be a fun read. 

“All I want for my birthday is to get fucked unconscious with no strings attached.” Not a lie.

“What a coincidence, I’ve got a big dick, a bar tab, and the local cab company’s number on speed dial.” The guy’s eyes bore into me from behind the dark lenses, and I have a momentary lapse in vaginal secretion control.

Clean up on aisle twelve, stat! 

Everyone, please welcome Letty Dillinger; she’s the newest member of my heroine-makes-me-want-turn-bi shelf. I fucking loved her. Reading this story in her POV was fantastic. Her thought process is crude, dirty and so in your face. She definitely made me smirk…a lot! 

Fuck him like a Roman nympho whore with a flaming crotch, let him put it out with a cum spritzer, then run like hell. 

All Letty wants is to make it in the music world. She lives to rock-n-roll; she craves it. So far, little is happening with her band. They’re kinda at a standstill. It was during her birthday, where she was wallowing in her non-existent career, that she meets Shades. Shades isn’t officially his real name, but rather a nickname she gives him. She only wants a night with him; one night to get her kink on. Hey, it’s her birthday after all and Shades is more than willing to be her birthday present. Just so you guys know, that first night they hook up… EPIC!!!!! It was HOT, DIRTY, KINKY, and just so FUCKING MEMORABLE.My imagination was overloaded with their perversion. My mind, and libido, totally went haywire. Yea, it was awesome. LOL. 

“How’s it going there, buddy?”

“Aw, you know, just enjoying my daily dose of random cunt.” His slow grin kills me. Pure pleasure. Pure abandon. Pure sex. Gawd. 

To be honest, I kinda remember the actual plot in this book, but the kinky relationship between Shades and Letty completely took center stage. Honestly, I had no problem whatsoever with that. I was too busy enjoying their antics. I know that fans of strong, sex-crazed, foul-mouthed heroines will enjoy this as much as I did.

Losing Me, Finding You (Triple M #1) by C.M. Stunich

Twenty-one year old Amy Cross's idea of a hot Saturday night is curling up with her favorite book boyfriend and secretly sneaking a bottle of her mother's wine. That is, until she meets Austin Sparks, the biker boy with a past that burns like fire and a gaze she can't look away from. Without knowing what she's doing or why she's doing it, Amy ends up on the road with Austin traveling from one city to another while learning things she's only ever read about in romance novels.

At first it seems like Austin is Amy's fantasy come true, but as their journey progresses, she starts to sense that Austin is running away from something. Amy knows that she'll do whatever it takes to help him find himself. What she doesn't expect is that she'll lose herself in the process and how good it will feel to be free.

4.5 Stars

“If you don’t want this,” he whispers as he grazes my ear with his white, white teeth. “Then you better tell me know because once I get started, I ain’t gonna be able to stop.” 

This author isn’t new to me as I’m a big fan of her Never series. When I saw that she was planning on releasing this Biker romance novel, I was one giddy schoolgirl. I’m not going to lie, I’m not going to try to deny it: I love Bad Boy Biker romance novels. I eat ‘em up like handful of M&Ms. Then when I saw the cover. HOLY SHIT! It made the anticipation even greater. Preacher’s daughter + Biker Bad Boy = Motherfucking bliss. 

Girls like me don’t wrap their arms around men in leather, straddle massive hunks of metal that my mom refers to solely as “death traps,” drive to cities we’ve never been. Girls like me put on their yellow camisoles, their white sweaters and their below the knee skirts. 

Amy Cross wants out. She’s twenty-one, a virgin, and lives at home with her very strict and very religious parents. She feels trapped; destined to be stuck in this boring life. Her only solace is through her books, of course that is until the Bikers come into town for the annual antique bike show. She more curious than ever to explore outside her suffocating bubble. It is when she decides to quickly sneak off into town that she meets Austin Sparks. Oh. My. God. 

You’re just like my favorite book boyfriend. Now I know why I was so drawn to you. 

Austin is crazy sexy: Tattoos, motorcycle, leather jacket, scar on his lip…fuck! He just screams Bad Ass. He is instantly struck with curiosity when he approaches Amy. For some unknown reason, he is drawn to her. Is it her innocence? Perhaps. But he knows there’s something more to Amy than what’s on the surface. Underneath her outward innocent appearance, lies somebody wanting to breaking out of her shell, and he might just be the man who can show her. 

She is fucking pretty, no doubt about it, but it’s not just her round eyes and swollen lips that draw my attention. Shit, I don’t know what it is, but I want to own this girl, feel her beneath me as I slide inside and know that she belongs completely and solely to me. 

Austin and Amy have a connection. They don’t quite know what it is nor how to deal with it, but they know one thing, they’re not ready to part yet, especially Amy who has had enough of her life. After an altercation with her strict parents, she reluctantly asks Austin to take her away and even asks to join his MC. Her desperation is palpable and Austin feels the need to protect her. But is introducing her to the MC life really a good idea? He doesn’t feel the same about his MC and to try to shield Amy from the ugliness he has to deal with isn’t going to be easy, but by God he’s determined to do it. He wants her and nothing will stop him from completely possessing her. 

“If you can think of your lover in six senses, then I’d say you’re nailed. They’ve got themselves wrapped around your heart….and your cock.”

“Six senses?”

“Sight, sound, taste, scent, touch, and other, that thing you can’t figure out that means everything.” 

Austin doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into. I love how he gradually comes to realize what she means to him. Well technically their relationship doesn’t really come gradually considering they just met, but that connection they have is undeniable. 

I really enjoyed this story, and I LOVED Amy and Austin. She is such a sweet and beautiful girl and it broke my heart at how suffocating her life was before she met Austin. She finally has the chance to be free. As for Austin, well, he was just what I wanted as a Hero: Just flat out sexy. They were unbelievably perfect for each other. Their scenes together…Fucking Hot!! Loved it. This author definitely doesn’t disappoint. 

Other favorite quotes

-- Perversion is just another form of art. It’s like painting or drawing or sculpting. Except instead of paint, us perverts use sex as our medium. 

-- “If you want me to be exclusive,” Austin whispers into my ear, grunting as the thrusts deep. “Then you’re going to have to keep me satisfied, sugar. Think you’re up for it?”

“The question is,” I breathe, squeezing as tight as I can around him, so that he’s forced to stop, to give into the power that’s between my legs and wait for me to release him. “Can you handle me? I have high expectations, you know. All us romance readers do. We’re spoiled by words.” 

-- Finally, I think. After all these years of reading about bad boys and alpha males and delicious men with ridiculous names, it’s my turn. Mine. Mine. Sorry, Horse: Sorry Kellan Kyle: Sorry, Ty McCabe: Sorry, Travis Maddox: Sorry, Gideon Cross. But I’m breaking up with all of you. 

-- “Let me know what I need to do,” I tell him, suddenly noticing a spot of bright metal gleaming in the tip. He's pierced! Oh dear God. How did I not notice before? “Austin, I … ” 

“Oh shush, sugar, and just suck it.” 

Rock My Bed (Black Falcon #2) by Michelle Valentine

Everything always seems to fall into place for twenty-four year-old Aubrey Jenson, except for when it comes to her luck with men. Bad boys always draw her in and crush her heart, and Black Falcon’s lead guitarist, Riff, is no exception. After sharing a few wild nights together, she leaves him behind, knowing a guy like Riff isn’t the relationship type, merely just a play thing.

When she returns to New York, she tries to get the passion she felt in Riff’s arms out of her head by dating Isaac, a successful representative at Center Stage Marketing. Just when she thinks she’s forgotten Riff, she’s forced to see him again when her best friend, Lanie, ropes her into being a bridesmaid for her upcoming wedding to Black Falcon front man, Noel. 

Sparks fly instantly between Aubrey and Riff when they’re forced to reunite, and suddenly she finds herself caught between the man that’s good for her and the one who completely rocks her in every way. 

**New Adult Romance--Book 2 in the Black Falcon series. This book can be read without reading book one.**

RIFF! RIFF! RIFF!!!!

4.5 Stars

“Let me have just one night to fuck you senseless. I guarantee I’ll have you speaking tongues before the nights through.” 

I fucking devoured this book. I bought this first thing this morning and I read it non-stop. By lunchtime, I was finished. I couldn’t put it down. Riff and Aubrey’s story was fan-fucking-tastic, and DAMN, it was HOT HOT HOT. Fuck! I cannot get over how happy reading this made me. Ever since I finished Rock the Heart (Black Falcon #1), I wanted Riff and Aubrey’s story badly. 

This chick has another thing coming if she thinks I’m some sad, sappy asshole. I’m not a guy that can be tamed. Ever. 

Riff is one tattooed bad ass motherfucker. He’s the lead guitarist of Black Falcon and is famous for his Mohawk and womanizing ways. He is the epitome of a manwhore. After each show, he actually hands out “golden tickets” to a few lucky ladies who will be sharing his bed that night. He doesn’t do commitment. He doesn’t do relationships. Love is something very foreign to Riff; he feels like he’s undeserving of it. Something happened in his past that prevents him from feeling like he deserves it. However, things are about to change when he first sets his eyes on Aubrey. She’s definitely a game changer. 

Kitten turns toward me and licks her lips before giving me a little wink. God, she’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s taking me every bit of my self-control not to throw her down on this bench seat and fuck her on the spot right here in front of everyone. 

Aubrey exactly knows what type of man Riff is, and she’s just fine with that. Aubrey is feeling the pressure to find Mr. Right. This poses a problem because Aubrey has a thing for the bad boys. When Riff hands her one of his “golden tickets,” she’s more than tempted to take him up on his offer, but ultimately she denies him. However, one internet search later has her befriending him and their flirting begins. Both can’t get each other off their minds and you know when they meet again, OH MAN! it’s gonna be fucking HOT. Initially for Aubrey, Riff is going to be her “last hurrah” before settling down. As for Riff, Aubrey is just an itch he desperately needs to scratch. Of course both you and I know where this is headed. 

“I don’t mean to hurt you, Kitten. I fucking love you and I don’t know how to handle it.” 

**SIGH** I was so sad when I finished this story. Riff and Aubrey have to be one of my favorite couples. I don’t know what it is about them, but I just LOVE them together!!

1. I love how he calls her Kitten

2. I love how he wants her to call him by his birth name (Zach) instead of his stage name. It makes her unique and I practically swooned!

3. I love the scene in the Mexican restaurant when they were practically groping each other under the table. Riff almost lost his mind! So fucking HOT!

4. I love that Riff wanted to see Aubrey so much that he decides to spend his break with her. He can be so unbelievably sweet. And ladies...he cooks!! Love it. 

5. I love how lovesick Riff gets when he’s away from her. So fucking sweet!! OMG, I LOVE RIFF!!!

I'm so sad Riff’s story is finished because I desperately want more! That’s okay though, I still have the twins to look forward to. I wonder whose story is next. Will it be Tyke? Trip? Seriously, my pervy mind is going nuts thinking about these twins. Fuck. Me. I want these two so….fucking….badly! I ache! I can’t wait for more!!! I LOVE this series!!