Guilty Pleasures (Guilty #1) by Laura Lee Guhrke

For prim and shy Daphne Wade, the sweetest guilty pleasure of all is secretly watching her employer, the Duke of Tremore, as he works the excavation site on his English estate. Anthony hired Daphne to restore the priceless treasures he has been digging up, but it's hard for a woman to keep her mind on her work when her devastatingly handsome employer keeps taking his shirt off. He doesn't know she's alive, but who could blame her for falling hopelessly in love with him anyway?

Anthony thinks that his capable employee knows all there is to know about antiquities, but when his sister decides to turn the plain young woman in gold-rimmed glasses into an enticing beauty, he declares the task to be impossible. Daphne is devasted when she overhears...and determined to prove him wrong. Now a vibrant and delectable Daphne has emerged from her shell, and the tables are turned. Will Anthony see that the woman of his dreams has been there all along?

Four Solid Stars

“I will not be any man’s duty.”

I always have a difficult time picking out a Historical Romance. I’m very particular, hence why I haven’t read as many as I would like. Plus I have to be in the mood for one and at this time, I was determined to read one.

The reason why I picked this out was because I LOVE stories that involve the spinster-type heroines; the wallflowers, if I may. I love rooting for the underdogs. These heroines are the ones that always seem to surprise the Heroes. Daphne is definitely one these heroines.

She’s been in love Anthony, the Duke of Tremore, since she first laid eyes on him. But a lot of elements stand in the way of her fantasy. One - She is the Duke’s employee. Though her grandfather is a Baron, he hasn’t openly acknowledged her in society. Two - Her looks. She’s not considered a classical beauty, especially when she hides herself in spectacles and dull clothing, but underneath all that does lie a very pretty woman. Three – The Duke doesn’t even truly see her.

When Daphne overhears what Anthony really thinks of her, her heart shatters, but she is determined to move forward. With the help of Anthony’s sister she gets the opportunity to finally be free and take what life has to offer her. With the restraint from loving Anthony losing its hold, she starts to slowly transform into someone the Duke can no longer ignore.

“Men have no character when it comes to women. Love turns us into complete idiots or dishonorable villains. Usually both.”

This was such a fun read and when I got to the end, I smiling like a loon. The pace of the story was a bit slow at times, but it consistently held my interest. The bantering between Daphne and Anthony were my favorite parts. When Daphne finds her voice and starts to let Anthony have it (along with his reactions to them) was priceless. There was mild to a moderate amount of heat for those of you wondering. But before I leave, one thing this story desperately needed was an epilogue. I just wanted a little more Anthony and Daphne.

The Ever Trilogy by Jasinda Wilder

Forever & Always (#1)

Ever,

These letters are often all that get me through week to week. Even if it’s just random stuff, nothing important, they’re important to me. Gramps is great, and I love working on the ranch. But…I’m lonely. I feel disconnected, like I’m no one, like I don’t belong anywhere. Like I’m just here until something else happens. I don’t even know what I want with my future. But your letters, they make me feel connected to something, to someone. I had a crush on you, when we first met. I thought you were beautiful. So beautiful. It was hard to think of anything else. Then camp ended and we never got together, and now all I have of you is these letters. S**t. I just told you I have a crush on you. HAD. Had a crush. Not sure what is anymore. A letter-crush? A literary love? That’s stupid. Sorry. I just have this rule with myself that I never throw away what I write and I always send it, so hopefully this doesn’t weird you out too much. I had a dream about you too. Same kind of thing. Us, in the darkness, together. Just us. And it was like you said, a memory turned into a dream, but a memory of something that’s never happened, but in the dream it felt so real, and it was more, I don’t even know, more RIGHT than anything I’ve ever felt, in life or in dreams. I wonder what it means that we both had the same dream about each other. Maybe nothing, maybe everything. You tell me.

Cade

~ ~ ~ ~

Cade,

We’re pen pals. Maybe that’s all we’ll ever be. I don’t know. If we met IRL (in real life, in case you’re not familiar with the term) what would happen? And just FYI, the term you used, a literary love? It was beautiful. So beautiful. That term means something, between us now. We are literary loves. Lovers? I do love you, in some strange way. Knowing about you, in these letters, knowing your hurt and your joys, it means something so important to me, that I just can’t describe. I need your art, and your letters, and your literary love. If we never have anything else between us, I need this. I do. Maybe this letter will only complicate things, but like you I have a rule that I never erase or throw away what I’ve written and I always send it, no matter what I write in the letter.

Your literary love,

Ever

After Forever (#2)

Ever,

I don’t know who I am anymore. I’m a castaway. Lost. Drowning. I love you. That’s the only true thing I know, and it’s all I have to hold on to. I love you. I’ll love you forever. Until the day I die, and I’ll love you in whatever world comes after this one. I love you so much, Ever. I miss you. Dear Jesus, I miss you. Come back to me.

For forever, and after forever,

Caden

Saving Forever (#3)

Ever and Cade,

Sorry I vanished like I did. I’m not sure I can even explain things. I don’t know when I’ll be back. IF I’ll be back. I’m not sure of anything, except that I love you, Ever. You’re my twin, my best friend, and leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I know you don’t understand. Maybe you never will. I hope you don’t, honestly. It would be easier that way. That’s cowardly, I’m sure.

Cade, take care of her. Love her, the way she deserves. The way you always have, for forever and always.

If I could ask you anything, it’s that you remember me as I was, and forget me as I am.

I’m sorry, and goodbye, and I love you.

Eden

15+++ FANTASTIC STARS FOR THE ENTIRE TRILOGY!!!

I have to start by saying how much I LOVED this series!! SO much so that it has been a couple days since I finished and I can’t seem to get these great characters out of my head! I know I am posting this review on book 3 but this is going to encompass all three books and I am going to try my damndest to keep it spoiler free. I want to try to express how amazing this story was without giving away any of the ‘OMG-Holy Shit-WTF! That did not just happen’ parts.

We start in book one with Caden and Ever meeting at art camp at 14 and hitting it off, they become instant friends. Now, of course they are young and live quite a distance from each other, so they decide to become pen pals at the end of camp. Now, in this day and age of social media, texting and every kid over the age of 6 having their own cell phone, I was just giddy at the idea of pen pals! Actual letter writing, sending in the mail, pen pals! Oh, and their letters over the next four years are just beautiful. I love Cade and Ever together!! However, if there ever was a boy who needed some good luck it’s Cade! Holy Shit, that boy is simply amazing for just not losing his shit over the years. So many shitty things happen in his life that you just want to stop everything and hug him, like every few pages!

But through it all he had his letters to Ever and hers to him and they both grow into adulthood! When they finally get together IRL (in real life) it is simply magical – there is just no other word for it. It’s like they became whole once they finally made it to each other. I like to think this is my favorite of the three books just because it is sweet and hopeful and we need that to get through what’s coming!

Ok, I’m not sure how to go on to book two without giving shit away so I am going to be very vague, sorry but all I can say is YOU NEED TO READ THESE!

“I love you. No matter what. Forever and Always.”

Tragedy strikes at the end of book one. And turns their lives upside down! All of their lives. Including the life of Ever’s twin sister, Eden, who hasn’t had a real big part up until now but is thrown into the thick of it. This is probably one of the saddest, most emotional stories I have ever been totally captivated by! And I was, TOTALLY CAPTIVATED. You can actually feel the pain radiating off of the pages! There were parts that I would all of a sudden realize I had been crying because it was heartbreaking!

Now don’t lose faith, we have to get through the pain to come out the other side, right? Well, pull your sobbing ass through book two and on to book three where we have overcome tragedy, but now there are some issues that have to be dealt with. Sometimes grief and loneliness result in some unwise choices and when those come to light we need to deal with the consequences.

“Sometimes, all you can do is push through. Make mistakes and accept them.”

Book three finds the addition of a new character, Carter, whom I loved btw! Eden meets him when she moves up to Traverse City. I can’t give you a whole lot more, other than there are a lot of things to be resolved in book three and I promise you they are and you will end satisfied, although emotionally drained! All of them and I promise you all of our characters get a hard won, well deserved HEA!

The Boy Who Sneaks in My Bedroom Window by Kirsty Moseley

 Title: The Boy Who Sneaks in My Bedroom Window

Author: Kirsty Moseley

Synopsis: 

Amber Walker and her older brother, Jake, have an abusive father. One night her brother's best friend, Liam, sees her crying and climbs through her bedroom window to comfort her. That one action sparks a love/hate relationship that spans over the next eight years. Liam is now a confident, flirty player who has never had a girlfriend before. Amber is still emotionally scarred from the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father. Together they make an unlikely pair. Their relationship has always been a rocky one, but what happens when Amber starts to view her brother's best friend a little differently? And how will her brother, who has always been a little overprotective, react when he finds out that the pair are growing closer? Find out in The Boy Who Sneaks In My Bedroom Window.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Audible 

Author Website:

http://www.kirstymoseley.com/ 

4.5 VERY SWEET STARS!!

I simply loved this story, it was super sweet and I admit sometimes a bit cheesy but I really enjoyed it. So much that I read in almost one sitting :)

“It’s always been you; it’ll always be you, Angel.”

This is the story of brother and sister Jake and Amber Walker(who Liam calls Angel) and their childhood at the hands of an abusive father. Also Jake's best friend Liam, whom I fell in love with, who became Amber's safety net and comfort. One night, when Amber was 8 years old her father came home and was especially abusive, she was in her room sobbing. Liam, who lived next door climbed in her window and held her and calmed her until she fell asleep. He came the next, night and the next until they spent every night together.

Keep in mind that Liam is only two years older than her so nothing icky was happening here, but we fast forward 8 years and they are still spending every single night together. Amber basically can't stand Day Liam, who does nothing but tease and pester her, but she loves Night Liam who makes her feel safe and calm and keeps the nightmares away.

Night Liam was considerate, loving and thoughtful. Day Liam was a flirt, slut and a jerk. However, both night and day Liam made me feel safe and protected. ~Amber

There is nothing sexual happening here up to this point. Amber knows that her brother and Liam are man whores of the worst kind and she doesn't hide how much she despises that about them both. Until.... you got it, there starts to become feelings there on Amber's part but she can see no reason that Liam would want anything to do with her. But, unbeknownst to her, Liam has been in love with her since he met her at six years old!

This was one of my favorite parts, when Liam's mom tells Amber about his sixth birthday party where he saw her for the first time and why calls her Angel all this time.

“He turned to me, and do you know what he said to me? He said in a deadly serious tone, 'Momma, am I dead?' And I said 'no honey, you're not dead', and he shook his head, looking all confused about something. Then he pointed to you dancing and said, 'if I'm not dead, then why is there an Angel in our house.'”

 I won't give much more of the story away except to say that it is fairly fast paced, a sweet love story, and a tad far fetched at times, but that's why we read fiction, right?? I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did :)

 

 

Transcendence by Shay Savage ~ Double Reviews!

It’s said that women and men are from two different planets when it comes to communication, but how can they overcome the obstacles of prehistoric times when one of them simply doesn’t have the ability to comprehend language?

Ehd’s a caveman living on his own in a harsh wilderness. He’s strong and intelligent, but completely alone. When he finds a beautiful young woman in his pit trap, it’s obvious to him that she is meant to be his mate. He doesn’t know where she came from; she’s wearing some pretty odd clothing, and she makes a lot of noises with her mouth that give him a headache. Still, he’s determined to fulfill his purpose in life – provide for her, protect her, and put a baby in her.

Elizabeth doesn’t know where she is or exactly how she got there. She’s confused and distressed by her predicament, and there’s a caveman hauling her back to his cavehome. She’s not at all interested in Ehd’s primitive advances, and she just can’t seem to get him to listen. No matter what she tries, getting her point across to this primitive, but beautiful, man is a constant – and often hilarious – struggle. 

With only each other for company, they must rely on one another to fight the dangers of the wild and prepare for the winter months. As they struggle to coexist, theirs becomes a love story that transcends language and time.

Book Links:
Goodreads | Amazon 

Author Website:
http://www.shaysavage.com/ 

FIVE TRANSCENDENT STARS!! 

“Ehd luffs Beh.” 

I am in awe of this author; she is phenomenal at telling a tale. This story was so different, and so unique it gives the wordunique a whole new meaning. This was storytelling at its finest.

I. Am. Speechless. Considering the premise of the book, I guess being speechless is appropriate, right? When I first read the synopsis, I was a bit skeptical, but I was so intrigued. Seriously, how can you not be curious about this? Remember all those Alpha Heroes I love? Strip those characters raw and what do you get? Ehd. He’s an uncomplicated character if you think about it. He’s primal, pure and simple: Survive, protect, mate and live.

Ehd is alone. He lost his family and tribe when a fire in his village took them from him. He’s lived alone in his cave with only survival in mind, though as each lonely day passes, he starts to wonder what is this all for? But as soon as he’s a strange woman trapped in his snare, he has his answer. He now has a purpose. 

I will provide for her. I will protect her. I will give her anything she wants. 

Beh is what Ehd calls her since he cannot pronounce Elizabeth nor Beth. She’s unlike any other women he’s ever encountered. Along with her strange clothes, she also makes a lot of noises with her mouth, all of which he cannot understand. What he does know, almost immediately, is that she is his. He will show her exactly why she should choose him as his mate and why he would be a perfect mate for her and their children. He will do anything to provide and protect Beh. 

She's my mate, she's unusual, and she is mine.

This story is told in Ehd’s POV, but what we can gather is that Beh is definitely not from his time. How she got there, well, that’s a different story. We see Ehd do everything in his power to show Beh what he can do for her in the hopes that one day she will agree to mate and bare his children. They learn from each other; growing closer and closer as each day passes. Along with the obvious companionship Beh provides for Ehd, she also surprises him with her strange knowledge and odd ideas that make survival a little easier. He knows his life has changed because of her. 

“Hoh!” 

I have NEVER, EVER read anything like this before. I’m so amazed at what this author was able to accomplish with this book. I’ve read historical romances before, but pre-historicromance?? I had my doubts, but no more, at least when it comes to Shay Savage’s books.

A couple things to consider before diving into this:

One. Conversations were pretty much non-existent and it took a little bit of time to get use to it, but the story more than makes up for it.

Two. I’m not going to lie: I fucking cried when it all ended. I will not specify whether or not they were happy or sad tears. To each their own, you know? I guess you’ll just have to read this to find out. 

“Khizz?" 

Five Stars 

I wasn't sure at first, but my curiosity was at an all time high when I first read the synopsis for Transcendence. This is my first read from Shay Savage, and I am impressed with her storytelling! Simply put, this is a caveman story set in the time of cavemen. It is not only a story of survival, but also a timeless love story that I found so refreshing from what I usually read.

Ehd the caveman has been living and surviving on his own. Right from the beginning, Ms. Savage captures Ehd's emotions, and it's pretty obvious that he's been living a pretty lonely existence. Then one day he finds a female in his pit trap, and his most basic survival instincts immediately come into play now that he has found his mate. He will provide for and protect her and...

“If she is my mate, I'm going to give her a baby. It's what I'm supposed to do.”

This story is told in the first person POV of Ehd. He doesn't understand Beh's language, her clothing, and, for the most part, her behavior. She is strange to him, but gradually they learn to cope, survive, and fall so deeply love. There is very little dialogue, but the storytelling is so descriptive of the scenery and emotions that I felt all the ups and downs along with Ehd. His frustrations and triumphs became mine as well. I felt like I was transported to this time and place. It is quite a captivating journey, and one I will never forget!

I highly recommend this story if you love true alpha heroes with the sweetest of hearts. If you love timeless, endearing romances, this story will give you a truly unique experience. I'm so glad I took a chance on Transcendence! Ehd and Beh's story has warmed my heart. I “luffs” this story so very much!

 

Early Review ~ The Day He Kissed Her (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake #3) by Juliana Stone

Title: The Day He Kissed Her

Author: Juliana Stone

Series: Bad Boys of Crystal Lake #3

Release Date: April 1, 2014

Synopsis: 

Mac Draper finally has everything he’s always wanted: An amazing career. A New York City apartment. He’s this close to being free of his past forever. But a mind-blowing encounter with the sexy yet tough-as-nails Lily St. Clare has him delaying his plans to put Crystal Lake in his rearview mirror for good.

She’s finally found a place to stay…

For Lily St. Clare the charming small town of Crystal Lake is her haven – a place she can hide from her famous, back-stabbing family. It’s as close to happy as she’s ever been. Until an unforgettable night with tall, dark and tortured Mac Draper gives her a glimpse of what true happiness feels like.

Lily can’t help but melt a little under the sizzling heat of Mac’s touch. But Mac’s scars run deep, and Lily’s afraid she may be falling for the one man who can never return her feelings...

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Author Website:

http://www.julianastone.com/ 

Four Stars

From the moment I started this series I was intrigued by Mac Draper and what his story would be. While it was a tad predictable it was still incredibly enjoyable!!

Mac Draper has exactly the life he wants. A carefree bachelor living the good life in New York City, any woman he wants with no commitment. The successful man that no longer resembles that abused little boy from a horribly dysfunctional family in a small town in Michigan. But that is all about to change!

In the previous story we met Lily St. Clare, who comes from an equally dysfunctional, albeit very wealthy family. She exploded on the scene in Crystal Lake as Jake Edwards friend who had lost her brother in the same war as the boys lost Jesse Edwards. They bonded instantly but just as friends. Now at the end of Jake's story Mac and Lily shared a cab on New Years Eve and likely a lot more but that was left as assumption. Knowing that neither of these two are looking for anything but a good night we find out at the beginning of this story that a wonderful one night stand was had by Lily & Mac and apparently Lily split before Mac even woke the next morning.

Only problem here is Lily is now living in Crystal Lake and guess who came home for a visit? You got it! Let the fun begin!

Mac decides to spend the summer in Crystal Lake helping Jake on a project he has going and figures he and Lily, who he affectionately refers to as 'Boston' can enjoy each other while he's there. Problem is of course that they fall in love!

This was a fun, sexy read with some real emotion thrown in to make some parts rather angsty! Overall a great story and great addition to the series!