ARC Review: I Stand Before You (Judge Me Not #1) by S.R. Grey

When it comes to tattooed bad boys, Chase Gartner is the real deal. Partying, engaging in meaningless sex, getting into fights---Chase indulges in it all during his late teen years, thus firmly solidifying his status as a heartbreakingly gorgeous but way-too dangerous-to-trust guy in his hometown of Harmony Creek, Ohio. Then, following one fateful night of reckless decisions, Chase's actions finally catch up to him and land him in prison.

Now, four years have passed and Chase finds himself a free man. He returns to Harmony Creek, ready to pick up the pieces and start rebuilding his shattered life.

Things are off to a promising start when he meets Kay Stanton, a young woman with a tragic past of her own. Despite a powerful attraction, Chase and Kay are naturally hesitant to become involved. That's why friendship feels like the safest option. But when passions ignite and love blossoms, a relationship that is destined and meant to be can only be resisted for so long. When Chase and Kay finally succumb to their feelings they realize being together feels more right and true than anything they have ever experienced.

But their love is soon tested. Chase's wild past still haunts and tempts him, and Kay is keeping a secret that could tear them apart.

I Stand Before You is a journey of hope and forgiveness, coming to terms with the past and moving forward. But mostly it's a story of two damaged people who take a chance, open their hearts, and find true love.

New Adult/Contemporary Romance genres. First in a series.

***warning: contains graphic sexual situations, drug use, some violence, and profanity***
Recommended for ages 17+

4.5 - 5 Stars

I was smitten with Chase and Kay!

How many times have you wanted someone to just be there for you when you fall? How many times have you wanted someone to just get you and not judge you? In S.R. Grey's I Stand Before You, both Chase and Kay have endured tragic events in their pasts, but it's not until they meet and start to lean on each other for support when each begin to heal their broken souls.

The first thing that caught my attention was the prologue. It's gritty and just reels you right in! You get a good idea how Chase becomes a tattooed, bad boy. The story is written in both Chase and Kay's POV. When you meet Kay, it is at a sad moment. I felt her pain when she reflected on her past. She blames herself for what happened in her life and can't quite move on. A true friendship is formed when their paths cross.

One of the things that I loved about this story is that S.R. Grey takes the time to nurture Chase and Kay's friendship. They tease and laugh. They're playful and so adorable with each other! When they start sharing more and more about their pasts, I could sense that they have great chemistry. I could feel the butterflies fluttering when their friendship turns into something more. When things finally get rolling, they can't get enough of each other...rawr!!! It's “crazy-good!”

The heart of this story includes temptation, redemption and forgiveness. It's about giving someone who has fallen another chance. At the end Kay is consistent with who she is and who she wants to be moving forward. When she finally reveals her secret, I can understand why she was afraid to tell someone. For Chase, well he's pretty darn lucky to have someone as supportive as Kay in his life when things turn ugly.

This is the third title I've read from S.R. Grey, and I loved it! Yes, some parts are raw and violent, but overall, the writing and romance in I Stand Before You has a timeless and classic feel to it, which I simply adored. This book ends with an HEA even if there's a little cliffhanger at the end. If you're a fan of friends-to-lovers stories, if you're a fan of bad boys trying to be good, or stories of redemption and forgiveness, then you may want to give I Stand Before You a try. I know I was completely smitten with Chase and Kay, terms of endearment and all!

Never Doubt Me (Judge Me Not #2) is expected to be published Spring 2014.

* A complimentary copy was provided for an honest review *

Author Links
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Breathless by Rose J. Bell

Some truths can leave you breathless...

Two years ago Ree Coleman’s life imploded, when her life was taken away from her. Now Ree is a "living dead girl", trying to survive each day, when it’s just a struggle to breathe. 

After the unexpected death of her father, Ree and her family lose everything. As they are forced to leave the rich Upper East Side, they find themselves living in the slums of Bronx. Ree must figure out ways for her family to get by, and she tries to accept her father’s death. However, his death prompts many questions, including what really happened to him. 

Meanwhile she meets Logan Marquez, a boy with a dangerous reputation. Knowing that boys are dangerous, Ree tries to stay away from him, but Logan insists on trying to earn her trust and friendship. 

Soon, dark and dangerous secrets are revealed, and one explosive secret will shatter both their worlds.

Due to heavy subject matter, graphic scenes and sexual content this book is intended for mature readers.

4.5 Stars

Don’t let your past define your future. 

Wow. Just…wow. I cannot believe that this author is only eighteen years old. First off, I have to say a big THANK YOU to Ms. Bell for offering me a copy of her book to read and review. I was hesitant at first, but in the end, I’m so thrilled I gave it chance. This story is far from typical. It will tear you up, beat you senseless, spit you out and leave you for dead. But no matter how dire things got, you couldn’t help but continue on; you had to find out where it’ll all end. Is there a happy ending? Can there be happy ending? After all the horrid events in her life, can Ree escape the never-ending nightmare? 

Scars are the threads that hold me together. I am scar tissue. 

Ree has been through hell. At seventeen years old, she was kidnapped, tortured and raped. She escaped her nightmare, only to be thrust into a whole new other one. Two years later, she is still hallow inside; she is and never will be the same person she was pre-abduction. Those three months she spent with the man she calls Psycho have reshaped her life, and not in a positive way.

Her trust in men: destroyed. 

Her ability to trust: practically nil. 

Her relationship with her father & family: strained. 

Her life as a whole: empty. 

Ree is not an easy character to like, but you can’t help but feel empathetic towards her. I do not pity her, not even a little. I admire her courage and her strength. I’m going to warn you, your emotions will be put through the wringer. And just when you think there might be a spark of happiness coming her way, she gets thrown underneath a bus some more. However heartbroken I was, I kept going because underneath all the shit she goes through, a spark of hope was there. And his name is Logan. 

“Men breaks hearts. A real man puts the pieces together and would hold your heart like a diamond in his hand.” 

Logan is elite and has earned himself a spot on my ultimate book boyfriend shelf. He is a real man. Only a man like Logan would have the patience to take on someone as damaged as Ree. But then again, his life isn’t all peaches and cream either. He’s lived a tough life, but no matter the curveballs mother nature has dealt him, he still has the ability to see the beauty in being alive. This is what he presents to Ree and this is what eventually breaks through to her. 

“I know that you have been disappointed, but shit and bad things happen, Ree. That’s undeniable. But you don’t live for the bad moments. You shouldn’t let them keep you down. You live and breathe for moments that are beautiful and make you happy. You should live for those moments, Ree.” 

I really enjoyed this book. It was such an emotional and tough read, but it was so worth my time. The story is not straightforward and is not an easy read. It’s one beat down after another. So many twists, turns and new developments always on the horizon. I never knew which way was up. My head and heart were always in a state of panic, but in the overall scheme of things, I wouldn’t change a single thing about this story. If you decide to try this out, just remember to bring your patience. It’ll be worth the ride. 

Author provided copy in exchange for an honest review

New Release Teaser: Good Intentions (Welcome to Paradise #2) by S.L. Scott

Good Intentions

by

S.L. Scott

Series: Welcome to Paradise #2

Genre: Contemporary-New Adult

Length: 247 pages

Release Date: September 5, 2013 

Summary

Two words sum up my summer in paradise—Evan Ashford.

I have a life back home I must return to, though my heart battles this reality. What started as a carefree summer fling has become so much more. Evan has become so much more. He’s become everything. Cupping his face, I stare into his deep blue eyes, wanting to lose myself once more... needing to know he feels this too.

Although our connection won’t stop the summer’s end from rushing toward us or silence the demons Evan battles, I have faith our love can overcome the obstacles that will undoubtedly arise from us choosing to be together. I still worry… Will our good intentions be good enough? But I’m all in, willing to take the risk, knowing he can destroy my heart if I’m wrong.

Like a riptide, I was forever changed by one woman—Mallory Wray.

Our eyes meet and we spend a moment looking into the others’, reading the fear and the love that mingles within. I move slowly down and kiss her forehead, her nose, her eyelids, her cheeks, and her chin before I kiss her lips again—soft and gentle, not rushed, but sensual. She smiles and I die inside knowing that I won’t get to see her face every day. I’ve been spoiled by this sweet angel giving me all her days and nights. I possessively take hold of her wrists and like so many times before, the air stills as our connection intensifies. I can’t help myself when it comes to her.

I kiss her.

Rain pours down harder and I wrap my arms around her, engulfing her body, her love, her soul.

Teaser

The top is down and the evening is breathtaking as we drive along the coast on our way back to his place. I unclasp my seatbelt and stand with my hands in the air, the wind whipping around me as I scream freely into the wild Hawaiian breeze. Giddy happiness is coursing through my veins. Life is better than ever.

I plop back down in my seat while appreciating Evan.

“What?” he asks, smiling back.

“Just admiring.” He laughs to himself, a little embarrassed by the attention. I’m hot and horny for the boy and if I want to eye fuck him, I will. Speaking of fuck, “Have you ever had sex in this car?”

He tilts his head and looks at me like I’m being ridiculous. “No, this is my caaarrrr.” He drags out the last word like that thought is unfathomable.

“Oh.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Ooh.” I drag my finger leisurely down his leg, insinuating so much more, and trail it back up. When I reach the top of his thigh, I flatten my hand and push forward, rolling it over his cock, which responds like a pro.

His hand immediately lands on top of mine, stilling it. “What are you doing, baby?”

“Exploring.” I smirk and offer, “Would you rather me explore with my mouth?”

His eyebrows bolt up in surprise, but he quickly collects himself. “Exploring, huh?” Looking back at the road, he says, “We’ll be home in twenty minutes. You want to wait ‘til then?”

“No, I don’t.”


Grace's review of Good Vibrations book 1 can be found here.
Buy Good Intentions on Amazon
Good Intentions on Goodreads

Author Links
Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Trust Me (TAT: A Rocker Romance #1) by Melanie Walker

Carrie Beckett knew what fear was. Pain, Anger, Terror…she also knew Trust. Of all the things her father taught her and her brother, it was her brother Noah who taught her to trust.

At fourteen and awakened in the middle of the night by her eighteen year old brother Noah, they run and escape a fate that is worse than death. Years of abuse so severe has left them both strong, wounded and careful. They know to trust one another above all things and promise then and there they will never look back.

The summer before her final year at UW Carrie agrees to a date with her long time crush who happens to be her brother Noah’s best friend Chad Blake. The tattooed and sexy as sin front-man for rock band Thick as Thieves and the crowned King of Gig Harbor’s bad boys, Chad is a known for a good time, great music, killer tats and a sweet goodbye the morning after as long as the girl knows the score. Everything he is, is everything Noah wants her safe from. 

Chad has wanted his best friends sister since she was eighteen but stayed away after Noah warned him that Carrie was off limits. Having been burned in the past, Chad focused on his day job as a tattoo artist and his dream of making it big with his band Thick as Thieves; keeping his bed warm until he had the chance to get Carrie Beckett there and never let her leave.

Noah sheltered Carrie as best he could, keeping her as far from his personal life and Chad Blake as he could. He wanted nothing but happiness and freedom for the sister he watched suffer day in and day out.

But Carrie is innocent and smart, strong willed with a sassy mouth, all the things Chad loves about her and refuses to deny himself of anymore.

Risking it all on a whim, he shows up and asks Carrie to go “All In” and betray her brother for a chance to be together.

Carrie is brought into the world of parties, concerts, fangirls and sex- that force her to face the memories of her past in order to move on with Chad as her future.

Knowing that love is a reward, trust, a gift, Carrie and Chad fall with a passion so strong, it threatens to break them both. They will battle back all the bad things in life for just a second of good and all the insecurities will come to an explosive head that may just destroy them both.

3.5 Stars

I kissed him because he finds beauty in my ugly, happy in my sad and doesn’t make me say why… I kissed him because he is a tattooed, pierced, foul mouthed, horny, drop dead sexy, guitar playing rockstar with a tattoo gun. 

I kissed him because he is mine. 

Surprise, surprise: I picked up yet another Rock Star romance, featuring a sexy tattooed Hero. Is it really that surprising? If you know me, then the answer is immediately Fuck no! I own up to my obsession to these types of books. Now whether or not I’ll actually like them, well, that’s a whole other story. 

I don’t know why I do this to myself, then again, I do. I can’t say no to these books, though I have been becoming pickier. Though some parts of the story were typical, other parts…weren’t. 

The beginning of the story will immediately grab you and pull you in. However, be warned: It will disgust you. If you have issues reading stories that contain abuse, particularly both of the physical and sexual nature, then this is NOT the story for you. Though it didn’t overpower the story, it did further enhance the relationships between main characters; for that alone, it made the story a worthwhile read. 

Trust me. 

Trust Me is the game Noah and Carrie invented since they were little. It was a way for them to talk truths with one another, no matter how awful the truth might be. The two have been fighting their father’s abuse most of their lives. 

Carrie isn’t really experienced in having relationships. Two reasons: One – her horrible past & two – her brother Noah. He is severely overprotective of Carrie. By some miracle, he found a their way out from that life. He’s made a life for himself and Carrie. A life that included a career in tattooing as well as playing in a band with his best friend, Chad. He’s also made it pretty clear to Chad that Carrie was off limits. 

He is my exception but he is also the rule. 

for the most part has adored Chad from afar. He’s the lead singer for Thick As Thieves (TAT), an up and coming rock band. He’s sexy, tattooed, pierced and has his pick of women. Chad’s reputation as a man-whore is no secret. How can Carrie compete with that? She has no real experience with this sort of thing. But what comes as shock to Carrie is that Chad has always had feelings for her. So many things stand in their way: Noah, her past and her insecurities. Can they have a future?

“You’re giving me a piece of yourself here, Carrie. It’s only fair I do the same and all I have that is innocent and untouched is my love and though it’s soon for you it’s not for me. I’ve loved you for so long that I can’t pinpoint a time knowing you that I didn’t love you.” 

Though I thoroughly enjoyed most of this story, there were a couple things that bugged me. The biggest problem I found was the editing, or lack thereof. Though the author owned up to herlack of editing mistakes in the beginning of the book, it was still hard to really get into the groove with the intermittent flow of mistakes. Luckily it didn’t annoy me to the point of actually completely giving up the book all together. Another issue I ran into is the heroine herself. I admired her for most of the story, but when it came towards the last 25% of the book, I wanted to shake some sense into her. I get why she was mad, I do, but to automatically jump to conclusions without discussing it with Chad angered me like no tomorrow. To me, the whole thing was too drawn out and then felt rushed to conclude it. Go figure, right? 

Anyway, I did enjoy this and I am looking forward to Shamus and Cassa’s book next, though I am surprised it isn’t going to be Noah and Candy’s story. Well either way, I’ll be on the lookout.

With Good Behavior (Conduct #1) by Jennifer Lane

In a world gripped by organized crime, family dysfunction, and dim hopes of redemption, can true love persevere? For Sophie Taylor, a beautiful psychologist who lost everything when she violated an ethical boundary, and Grant Madsen, a handsome naval officer who sacrificed everything to protect a loved one, finding that love may carry an unbearable cost. Starting their lives over in Chicago, both are fighting influences from their family and running as fast as they can to escape the past. When their paths cross outside the parole officer's door, the attraction is instantaneous. But a hidden connection may not only shatter their fledgling love, but prove deadly to them both.

 4.0 - 4.5 Stars

An entertaining, engaging read!

I've been eyeing this series for a while now. I was intrigued with the summary, and was curious to find out how a relationship between two convicts who meet outside their parole officer's door would fare. Well, I'm glad to say that With Good Behavior was absolutely entertaining for me!

Meet Sophie Taylor and Grant Madsen. Both are good people who made seriously bad decisions that landed them each in prison. Each served their time and now must try to move on with their lives. They meet while meeting with their parole officer, and the story really picks up from there!

With a cast of rich, likable, and well-developed characters, With Good Behavior is way more than a story of organized crime. Grant is charming, honorable, protective, and was raised to be a good man. However, unfortunate circumstances and influences keep him tied to the mafia family that he wants nothing to do with. Through flashbacks, Jennifer Lane does a fantastic job at setting up the back story. It is tragic and abusive. She explores various types of dysfunctional family relationships. For instance, she fleshes out the relationships between father-son, father-daughter and brother-brother all while creating a plot that is thoroughly emotional and engaging. You'll root for Sophie and Grant right from the beginning, both individually and as a couple.

One of the things I really enjoyed was the setting of Chicago! Ms. Lane paints an enticing picture of The Windy City from the beautiful buildings to even the Cubs/Sox rivalry. Who knew taking an architectural cruise down the river would be so exciting! I truly appreciated all these details.

This is my first time reading anything from Jennifer Lane. For the most part, I found With Good Behavior to be a solid 4 stars. I found her writing to flow smoothly, and she knows how to keep the plot moving, even splashing humor here and there. Really, I couldn't tear myself away from the story. It was quite a page-turner for me! I think that earns an extra half star. I'm really glad I took the time to read book 1 of the Conduct series.

 Reading Order

With Good Behavior

 Bad Behavior

On Best Behavior (releases September 24, 2013)