Withstanding Me (Breakneck #2) by Crystal Spears

While the chaos and bloodshed have slowed for a short period, life is never quiet in the world of Breakneck. The club is taking time to regroup from internal betrayal and the changing of the guard in a rival group.
Zig Zag became a father at the age of thirteen. While raising a child has never been easy, now his eighteen year old daughter Tatiana makes his life downright hard. She has caught the eye of Travis, the new President of the rival MC Gunners, but all she really wants is Shadow, the newest addition to the Breakneck family. When Shadow’s rejection sends Tatiana running from the only family, home, and safety she’s ever known, ZZ is crazy with worry. The distraction caused by Tatiana’s disappearance could prove to be Zig Zag’s downfall.

If that isn’t enough, ZZ finds himself rampantly attracted to the one and only Storm. She’s beautiful, quick and witty. Their friendship is the one thing that keeps him from growing crazy, and Storm stands by ZZ through all the turmoil. Zig Zag is not accustomed to hearing the word no, so Storm’s constant withstanding just draws him in deeper. Their friendship is one thing keeping him from going crazy, until one night…

The club is regrouping and rebuilding from the mayhem known as the Russian Mafia. A hit is ordered on Tatiana, Storm, Winter, and Piper.

Tatiana’s egg donor reveals secrets that a thirteen year old Zig Zag was too young to understand.

Braxxon is out of reach while he helps Greg Cage deal with some dirty business.

Bloodshed… Secrets… Betrayal… Trauma… Welcome back to the Breakneck world.

4.5 Stars

“Lesson for you, Miss Martini. I want your pussy so I shall have your pussy, and anything or anyone standing in my way will be taken out.” 

I just finished Seize Me (book #1) and wanted more of this world. I was thrilled to find out that this book was already out. I immediately jumped right back in. This story starts off where Seize Me ended, but focused on two different characters, Zig Zag (a.k.a. “ZZ,” a.k.a. Mason Dillon) and Storm (a.k.a. Apple… her full name is actually Apple Drye Martini…kudos to Storm’s alcoholic mom for that name). 

“Ah darling, I want the kind of woman that wants the shit I give them. Women like you are way to good for the likes of me. You deserve to be protected, owned, loved, cherished, worshipped, and any other good shit you can think of. I don’t do the fallin’ in love thing, baby.” 

We first met Storm right after Winter & Braxxon took over the club that she was forced to strip/prostitute herself from. Storm was kidnapped and trafficked into this life. Though she was given a chance for a fresh start, she decided to stay and help Winter with the club, especially when Winter gave her the opportunity to manage it. The sisterly bond she feels towards Winter makes her feel like she’s actually of value, and not just a piece of meat. Its because of her past, that she refuses Mason what he wants. She doesn’t want to just be another notch in Mason’s bedpost, she wants more. 

“I know you can give me this. I just know it, but I’m tired of waiting. I’m ready, damn am I ready, but you never will be even though you can be. Baby I’ll be your best friend. I’ll be the voice you need to hear, but I won’t be the body you want to be near. Because baby, you just want a few nights and I want more than that from you.” 

Oh Mason, Mason, Mason - You stupid, silly, stubborn man. Seriously…he’s a prime example of a commitment-phobe. All he wants is to fuck Storm. That’s it. Nothing more. He doesn’t do love, nor emotions. In his life, he has only loved two women: His ma and his daughter. Every other female is just pussy to him. However, he knows that Storm is different and that scares the fuck out of him. 

“When it’s just you and me babe, I’m Mason to you, no club, no fuckin hits, no fuckin idiot traffickers. It’s Just. Us.” 

Mason is losing the battle. After he and Storm call it truce and just remain friends, he wants her more than ever. Storm is slowly burrowing into his heart and he can’t do anything to stop it. She is everything he wants: Loyal, caring, beautiful and has an incredible heart. She doesn’t even have to force anything on him. Just being herself is enough to crack Mason.

This book was slightly different from Seize Me. It was still violent and still very sexy, but for me, it was more emotional than book one. Let me try and explain. Seize Me was pretty raw and gritty. It was fast paced, extremely violent and had more of an edge. This, however, seemed to simmer down on the violent aspect, but only slightly. It focused more on the emotional attachment of the Hero, the heroine and their family, both the MC and their immediate ones. Multiple POVs were used in this story, where as Seize Me was just Winter and Braxxon’s. Lots of events are happening around Mason and Storm, but it never deterred the focus of their relationship. I’m a little sad that I finished this book so fast because now I have to wait for the next installment: Shadow & Tatiana’s story. Oh boy…that’ll be fun! Looking forward to it.

First Temptation (Covert Affairs #1.5) by Joan Swan

Counterterrorist agent Taft Walker knows the Mexican cartel smuggling game. But posing as part owner of an adult store to ferret out the newest tunnel into the US is a first. So is Zoe Brooks, his partner, new to undercover and a sex-toy virgin. Taft’s up for the sexy challenge. At least until he sees the real Zoe beneath her tough façade and realizes, for the first time in his life, he’ll have to risk his heart to win.

After the death of a teammate, Border Patrol Agent Zoe Brooks is ready to get off the front lines. She’s willing to tolerate a swaggering partner like Taft for a chance to work investigations with ICE. But she’s not prepared for the way he understands her deepest, sexiest desires. Or the fact that she’ll have to break her own rules to grab hold of the passion she’s always wanted.

 Note:  Also appears in the anthology Wicked Firsts

 

Four Stars

Wowza! What a fantastic novella to accompany the Covert Affairs series by Joan Swan! After reading Intimate Enemies, which is one of my faves, I wanted more! I love these characters and was delighted that Rio is in First Temptation, too.

There were so many things I loved about First Temptation. Right away there is action and danger. Zoe Brooks is a border patrol agent who is ready to change jobs. Her first assignment working undercover with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) pairs her with agent Taft Walker. They butt heads for a bit, but soon there's a lot of fiery chemistry igniting between them as they pretend to be a couple running a shop...a sex toy shop! Oh boy...does it get delicious with sex toys, poles and some very sexy dirty dancing!

One of the things I love about Joan Swan's romantic suspense is that her heroines are just as swoon-worthy as her heroes. Being a woman in this line of work is not easy. Zoe is strong-minded and can get the job done even in heels. She's such a sensual tease! For the first time in his life, Taft, a non-commitment type of guy, wants something more!

I thought this novella was very fun and exciting. It had a great balance of action, suspense, sexy times, and romance with heart. I giggled, I swooned, I was kept at the edge of my seat. If you're looking for something quick to read in the romantic-suspense genre that is also erotic and thrilling, you may want to try this one out.

First Temptation can be read as a stand-alone. It's also part of the anthology, Wicked Firsts.

*A complimentary copy of First Temptation was provided for an honest review*

Seize Me (Breakneck #1) by Crystal Spears

***WARNING***

This novel contains explicit language, sex, drugs, abuse and sexual situations that some might find offensive. 

Winter Belov was the sweet innocent one in her crime family, the dutiful daughter that never disappointed her father. One day, her father does the unspeakable. When he turns his back, Winter flees across the country, taking her life savings with her, determined never to enter that sort of lifestyle again.

No longer innocent, she now lives in Nevada. Lana is her best friend and the only family Winter has. Together, they are two of the best exotic dancers in the county. While working a shift, Pyro, Lana’s long time crush, propositions Winter. He begs her to do a private gig at Breakneck. She accepts, with the condition that Lana dances with her.

When Winter’s eyes lock with Braxxon Breaker's, the President of Breakneck, she realizes she is no longer free; she has been seized. He is everything she is running from but at the same time, everything she wants. Braxxon will not take no for an answer, and purposely disrupts Winter’s life.

Rivals of Braxxon’s club are vicious and they do something that will have him out for blood. Winter's and Braxxon’s relationship is anything but a normal one. If they want to be together, crimes must be committed, friendships will be broken and people are going to die.

What happens when all that chaos mixes with Winter’s father locating her? It will be a bloodshed when Winter and Braxxon seek revenge and take no prisoners.

For readers 18 & up only!

4.5 Stars

“You’re mine. I’ve fucked you raw. That makes you mine” 

Oh. My. God. I love badass Biker books. Love, love, love them. But before I go on, I have read a lot of mixed reviews regarding this book, and as I was reading this, I can kind of see how some might be put off by this story. However, I was not one of those readers. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. I became immersed in this world of violence, drugs, sex and abuse. This is definitely not for everyone, but it was made for me.

She’s my Winter for my hottest summer days. She’s the Angel for my hell. I will never leave her. She’ll have to do the leaving and even if she did leave, she’d still own every single inch of me. 

Winter Belov is a Russian Mafia princess, but no one except her best friend, Lana, knows about that. She ran away from that life after her father shot her boyfriend/lover in the head. She’s in hiding. Though she ran away with plenty of money, she chooses stripping to get by. One night Lana convinces Winter to accompany her the Breakneck MC’s party for their President’s thirtieth birthday, with Lana and Winter as the main entertainment. Winter wants nothing to do with that life, nor anything resembling her old one, but she’ll do anything for her friend, so she reluctantly agrees. It’s only for one night right? How much trouble can they possibly get into?

I know that I’ll never be the same ever again. Braxxon has seized me, and something tells me he isn’t letting me go. 

Braxxon is the President of the Breakneck MC. Once he sees Winter in her Angel costume sticking her foot in one of his men’s crotch to teach him a lesson, he was a goner. No one has ever stormed into his life like her. She’s strong, independent, and refuses to take crap from anyone, including him. Yes, he’s all about fucking her and possessing her, but she doesn’t make it easy especially when she refuses to be thrust back into the life of violence. However, fate has a different plan for them.

The only thing that’s clear is that I have this connection with this man holding me, and I’m down for the count. His gray eyes grab a hold of my soul and pull me with a force so strong that there is no going backwards, only forward. He now owns me. I tried to stay away, and he’s made that impossible. I couldn’t get away even if I tried. 

The pull Braxxon has on Winter is too strong to deny. Their relationship is constantly tested especially living in this world of violence. Nothing comes easy for them. NOTHING. 

A lot of events in this story were difficult to read. They were far from pretty, but it made the story more raw and effective. I was seriously immersed in this world. So many things I loved about this story: The strong, badass Hero and heroine (oh, yea…I loved Winter’s character), the dirty talk, the hot sex and just the intensity of it all just kept me thoroughly entertained; it actually reminded me a lot of Madeline Sheehan’s Undeniable Series, which is never a bad thing :) I couldn’t wait to dive into book two.

Cover Reveal: East of Ecstasy (Hearts of the Anemoi #4) by Laura Kaye

I'm excited to share with you the cover for the next Hearts of the Anemoi book, the final one for the series. I'm a huge fan! All the heroes are as delicious as the covers!

 Release date: April 22, 2014

Series: Hearts of the Anemoi #4

Age Group: Adult

Genre: Paranormal Romance/fantasy

Description:

Annalise Fallston made peace with postponing her big-city dreams to care for her ill father, but lately she’s been filled with a restlessness not even her beloved painting dispels. Worse, the colors don’t speak to her as they always have, and all her efforts produce dark, foreboding images of a dangerous man and a terrifying future.

Devlin Eston, black-souled son of the evil Anemoi Eurus, is the only one who can thwart his father’s plan to overthrow the Supreme God of Wind and Storms. But first, Dev must master the unstable powers he’s been given. Distrusted and shunned by his own divine family, he never expected to find kindness and passion in the arms of a mortal.

But Devlin’s love puts Annalise in the path of a catastrophic storm, and in the final Armageddon showdown between the Anemoi and Eurus, sacrifices will be made, hearts broken, and lives changed forever…or lost.

Add to your TBR on Goodreads 

Buy Links:

Amazon / B&N / Book Depository 

Books in the Hearts of the Anemoi series:

North of Need

West of Want

South of Surrender

About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in paranormal and contemporary romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Author Links:

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter Sign-up

Against the Ropes by Sarah Castille

He scared me. He thrilled me. And after one touch, all I could think about was getting more…

Makayla never thought she’d set foot in an underground mixed-martial arts club. But if anyone needs a medic on hand, it’s these guys. Trouble is, at her first sight of the club’s owner she’s the one feeling breathless.

All sleek muscle and restrained power, the man they call Torment plays to win at any cost. Whether it’s in the ring or in the bedroom, he knows exactly when to use a soft touch and when to launch a full-on assault. He always knows just how far he can push. And he’s about to tempt Makayla in ways she never imagined…

3.75-4 Stars

Fight terms skitter through my brain. Naked. Back. Rear. Mount. Submission. Dominant. Pound. 

If you didn’t know why I love reading MMA books, just read the above quote and you’ll automatically know the reason. Nice right? Reading those words, you know that anyone with a perverted mind, like me, would automatically think dirty things. 

I was browsing through my Kindle when I came across this impromptu purchase I made a bit ago. I figured, meh! Why not give it a go? I love MMA Heroes! So here I am, and I wasn’t disappointed. 

My pulse pound so hard I can barely hear them over the rush of blood through my veins. This is sports. It has nothing to do with sex. Sports. Sports. Sports.

Torment puts his hand on my shoulder. “Lie on your back, hands over your head, legs apart.”

Sex. 

Makayla (Mac) is at a crossroads in her life. She doesn’t really know what direction her life is taking, especially in the career department. She’s behind in her student loan and she needs money stat. That’s the reason why we first find her at a seedy fight club selling tickets to an underground fight, though she does have a strong aversion to violence. This is where her life changes. This is where she meets the club’s owner, Torment. 

“Everything you do overwhelms me. You’re big. You’re strong. You’re covered in incredible tattoos. You ride a monster motorcycle. You have a tendency to glare and shout and stomp around when things don’t go your way. You’re bossy and controlling. You take overprotectiveness to the extreme. But even with all that, I think I can handle you.” 

Max, aka Torment, is intrigued when he first meets Mac. She’s a bit of a whirlwind to be honest. He wants to find out more about her. When he finds out she was once a medical school student with an EMT background, it presents the perfect opportunity for him to see more of Mac. So he offers her a part time job as the club’s medic. 

Mac is bombarded with a lot of emotions when she’s around Max. It’s no secret the man is sex on a stick, but the more she finds out about him, the more her feelings are conflicted. Max lives in a world of violence. With the type of past she has, she definitely doesn’t need a guy like him. Unfortunately her heart and her libido makes it hard for her to stay away. But will Max’s overprotectiveness and controlling ways be too much to handle? 

“He upset you. He’s lucky to be standing. No one will hurt you when I’m around…in any way.” 

This was a very fast and enjoyable read. You guys know I’m a sucker for strong Alpha males, and Max fit the bill perfectly. I really liked Max and Mac’s characters. Mac was very likeable and as for Max, well he’s just plain ole sexy. Their chemistry is pretty hot and you guys know I love steam. As an extra bonus, the setting of the book took place in the Bay Area, so I really enjoyed that aspect as well. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast, steamy MMA-themed book.