Vice, Virtue & Video (Vice & Virtue #2) by Bianca Giovanni

Lola Caraway is an intelligent but inexperienced college grad living two doors down from her long-time best friend, porn superstar James Laird, in California. Though their worlds are different, the two lead normal lives until a sadistic producer sets her sights on Lola and James learns the difference between kinky fun and real danger before he's forced to face his true feelings for his best friend

4.5 Stars

I've never needed love before in my life, just a good time, but I need her to love me because I'm so fuckin' crazy in love with her.

This was such a impromptu read. I was surfing Smashwords, looking for some good freebies to feed my Kindle when I come across this series. Before reading this, you must read the three previous short stories first. I downloaded all three, plus this one, for free and I'm so happy I did. The short stories, though enjoyable and very fast reads, was nothing compared to this. I felt like I got to know the characters first and was able to connect with them better. By the time I got to this full novel, I was primed and ready for these two to finally hook up.

My whole persona is being stripped away and I feel totally raw and exposed standing here in front of her and praying that she really does love me. 

James is a famous porn actor and his best friend, Lola, is as innocent as they come. They've been best friends since they were little, but never pursued anything more at risk of ruining their friendship. Nothing was ever going to come in between them, not even after some of their lustful moments. James was always a ladies' man, while at the same time, always threatened any guy who came after Lola. He’s very protective of her and feels like no man will ever deserve her, least of all himself. His career never bothered him or Lola; after all they’re just friends and have been supportive of one another from day one. Their friendship means everything to them, but they've been denying their true feelings for a long time. How much longer can they resist? 

"I've never been in love before and I have no idea what you're supposed to do and how you're supposed to handle things. This emotion has been a really weird one for me because I'm used to getting physical, but I'm not used to anything real - anything that feels all intimate and deep like this. I need you so bad, Lo. Not having you around, not being able to see your face...it's been like torture for me. You're like the air in my lungs and I need you to survive." ~ James 

I really enjoyed this story. It was so sweet. I loved reading about their long term friendship blooming into more. They tip-toed around and experimented enough with each other to know they had chemistry and when they finally got together…the world seemed so much better :) I still can’t believe this was free read. I love that feeling of picking up a new and unknown book and find something totally awesome. I really hope the author decides to write more about these two. 

Rock Star (Groupie #2) by Ginger Voight

"Rock Star" is the highly anticipated sequel to Ginger Voight's Rock and Roll Rubenesque saga, which began with the sizzling debut of "Groupie." For those who have been anxious to see what has become of Andy, Vanni and Graham... buckle your seat belts. You're in for a thrilling new ride right through the dark underbelly of fame. 

In the second book in the series, readers get insight into the mind of the romantic hero, Giovanni Carnevale, as he reaches the pinnacle of success as a world wide rock star. Everyone wants a piece of him, but all he wants is the one thing he can't have. He's angry and he's entitled, with ample opportunity to make really bad decisions. The combination proves explosive.

Andy must watch from the sidelines as her beloved Vanni falls victim to grifters, scandals and alcoholism thanks to this self-destructive behavior. Things come to an emotional head when his estranged father comes on the scene just when Vanni thinks things can't get any worse.

Darkness shadows Graham Baxter as he begins his journey as a paraplegic. The powerful mogul bitterly handles this new vulnerability by lashing out at the people who could help him the most. He needs Andy more than ever, pulling her in yet another hopeless direction. Andy is put in the impossible situation of keeping the most important promise she has ever made, or saving the man that she can't help but love.

Author Ginger Voight turns up the scandals, secrets, passion and heartbreak to 11 in a very Jackie Collins type of way. Flawed characters face excess and all the pitfalls that entails. They fight as hard as they can to hold onto anything real in the fake world of celebrity.

Four Stars

**Do not read the following until you’ve read book one, Groupie. There are minor spoilers below.**

He was her drug. He always had been. And until that very moment neither of them realized that she was his as well. He couldn’t get enough. He could never get enough. 

It took me TWO attempts to read this. Two. Why? Well the first time I started to read this, it was immediately after reading Groupie (book #1). If you read my review, you know it was angst on steroids! I knew I shouldn’t have immediately jumped to this book, but I really couldn’t help it. I’m a masochist and I wanted to continue the torture. Unfortunately at 25% into this book, I had enough and wrote:

“Ok. That's it. I just uttered my safe word. I couldn't take the pain anymore. I'm broken, but I am determined to finish this crazy ass story, only after book three, The Mogul, comes out in February. **sigh** I feel slightly better, but my iPad is telling me to SUCK IT UP and FINISH THIS SHIT ALREADY. FUCK!!” 

So it took me 20 days to return to this book. I figured I’d suck it up and take it like an adult. I read this pretty fast, too. I figured it’s like ripping off a band aid, you know, to lessen the pain, but unfortunately the story still stung like a bitch. 

He snarled as he thought of Graham. Lucky bastard. He had money. He had power. He’d already had two other wives. And now he had Andy too. 

After what transpired at the end of book one, Vanni was one hot mess. He couldn’t cope with what happened and started to spiral out of control. The beginning of the book was a tough pill for me to swallow. Watching Vanni lose it was very difficult to read. (Hence why I stopped reading at first.) When I emailed the fabulous Ginger Voight to vent out my frustration, she basically told me that after Vanni’s treatment of Andy in most of book one, he wasn’t ready to be worthy of Andy…yet. He had to hit rock bottom first. She explained it further by saying:

“Vanni's about to get totally bitch-slapped through fate. It'll level him to the point he'll realize he's been a complete dumbass, but it'll come at a huge cost to him with something that will spill over into the next book with explosive consequences. BUT, the plus side of that is that he'll realize he needs Andy on a fundamental level beyond just a romantic partner. He'll realize he's alone in this world without her. It's an eye-opening moment for him."

This helped me tremendously when powering through this story. Especially when Andy kept see-sawing back and forth between he and Graham. 

“Tell me you love me,” he begged as he slipped between her legs under her skirt.

“I love you,” she muttered in an incoherent whisper.

“Tell me you don’t love him,” he persisted…

“Tell me,” he pleaded…

“You do love him,” he finally said. “Don’t you?” She didn’t answer. “Don’t you!”

As much as I love the concept of two 

strong, sexy Alpha males fighting over me, I would NOT want to be in Andy’s shoes. She is stuck between a rock and a hard place. She’s in love with two completely different men, for two completely different reasons. As much as I adored Vanni, he was mostly an ass to Andy in book one. As for Graham, I fell in love with him and was devastated at what happened to him. This book once ripped me apart, just like book one did. My heart was all over the place. Each man claimed that they needed Andy, but the answer to who needed Andy more was never really quite answered. It was so difficult to not feel for the other. My heart just broke. 

“But unfortunately the road to hell really is paved with good intentions.” 

We meet a couple new characters in this book, too. We meet Maggie, the nurse helping Graham with his rehabilitation. She was awesome, plus it helps that she’s a nurse like me. What’s not to like? Then there’s Leo…yea, he’s just a total sleaze ball. And then there’s Holly. Ugh! My bitch-radar immediately went off when we meet her. She was too good, but I knew there was a side to her that I knew I wasn’t going to like. Makes me wonder what’s up her sleeve in the next book. 

Just remember, this a very tough series to read, but I give mad props to Ginger for writing a story that will make you swoon one minute and then make you scream “bloody murder” the next. It’s that emotional. I wonder what book three, The Mogul, has in store? Hmmm…can’t wait to find out :)

Rock the Heart (Black Falcon #1) by Michelle Valentine

For the last four years, good girl Lane has regretted breaking up with Noel Falcon. She thought she was sensible when she told him his dreams of being a rock star would get him nowhere, but now that he's a rock god and her career is stagnant, she realizes just how wrong she was. When Noel hires the marketing company where Lane is an intern, she’s forced to see him again. If she wants to land her dream job as executive within the company, she has to win him over and secure his account. Too bad Noel is still pissed at her for breaking his heart.

When Lane’s company flies her to a Black Falcon concert to gain Noel’s attention, emotions run high the moment she sees him and realizes she’s far from over him. But Noel’s countless trysts with groupies and his cocky attitude make Lane believe he isn’t the same guy she once loved—now he seems to only want her body. Then after Lane discloses she needs him to procure a job, Noel proves he’s a changed man by forcing her to go on the road with him in order to get it.

After Lane reluctantly takes Noel up on his offer, she becomes willing to do whatever it takes to keep him satisfied, even if it means succumbing to his seductive ways. Lane soon finds deception is a dangerous game and she’s not the only one playing.

Four Stars

“I’ll do anything you want to make this happen between us, including give you time because I can’t lose you again. It hurts too fucking much.” ~ Noel

Son of a bitch! Curse you, Rockgods! You know you’re one of my weaknesses; my kryptonite. I couldn’t help but pick this book up. I seriously have issues. I can’t say no to these hot and sexy tattooed gods. The only thing that would totally make me combust is if he was a British rockstar. Alas, he is not, but that’s okay. Noel Falcon is still one hot male specimen.

“This next song goes out to the girl who shredded my heart without hesitation back in high school. It’s called Ball Busting Bitch, and Lanie, this one’s for you.”

Oh, yea Noel has some resentment towards his former high school love, Lanie. According to Lanie, I knew I broke his heart when I said I could never be with a dreamer because dreams don’t pay the bills. Fast forward four years and now he’s famous. She, however, is still trying to make it in the marketing business. She works as an intern at one of New York’s top marketing companies. Because no one else at the firm volunteers, she reluctantly agrees to wine and dine Noel to obtain information in marketing his charity. This is the kind of break she needed to get hired permanently, but how will she react to seeing Noel? Better yet, how will he react seeing her again?

“All I want to do is be with you. Now that I have you back I can’t see my life without you. When I think about my future, I think about you.” 

The love of his life is back. Now that he’s famous, Noel can have anyone he wants. But when Lanie shows up, all he wants her; a second chance. He will do whatever it takes to win her back, including convincing the CEO of her Marketing company to allow her to tour with him and his band while she “researches.” She is not thrilled at this idea and really does not want to subject herself to this. This. Is. Not. Happening. Unfortunately, her career is on the line and she has no choice. Two weeks with Noel. A lot can happen in two weeks.

“I tried to get over you. I really did, but you were always there. Every woman I kissed was you.”

Second chance love….God, I LOVE stories like this, I’m a sucker for it actually. This story was pretty predictable, but it was still worth the read. Sometimes you need something like this to take you away and live the dream of catching the eye of a super sexy rock star. **sigh** I will always love these type of stories and will always return to them like a moth to a flame. I cannot wait to read book two in the series: Riff and Aubrey’s story. He’s such a man whore and I totally loved Aubrey. I’m also hoping she’ll write one for each twin in the band, too. Tyke and Trip…yumm!! Oh wait! New image is forming in my head: Tyke, Trip and me…**Faints**

Back to You by Priscilla Glenn

When Lauren Monroe first laid eyes on Michael Delaney back in high school, she had every reason to stay away from him; within minutes of their first encounter, his volatile actions confirmed his notorious reputation. But Lauren saw something in him that caused her to question his bad-boy persona, and against her better judgment, she took a chance. She had no way of knowing that the unlikely friendship they formed would become so important to her.

Or that it would end so painfully.

Eight years later, when Lauren begins her new job at Learn and Grow Day Care, Michael is the last person she expects to see. Refusing to revisit the hurt and confusion of their past, Lauren vows to keep her distance from him. But staying away from Michael proves to be more difficult than she thought, despite her lingering grief and her instincts for self-preservation.

As Lauren and Michael recall the friendship that changed them forever and the events that tore them apart, will they finally be able to heal? Or will the ghosts of Michael’s past prove to be too much to overcome?

4-4.25 Stars

“See, Red? When life hand you lemons, you know what you gotta do now.”
“Wow,” Lauren said. “Yes, Mr. Cliché, I know what I have to do. I make lemonade.”
“No,” he said. “You scream, ‘Fuck you, lemons!”
“God,’ she said with a horrified laugh.
“And then you throw those goddamn lemons into oncoming traffic, and you go do what you want to do.” 

This has been on my radar for the last couple weeks. The book I read prior to this left me in tears and completely torn up. So I was in desperate need for a sweet story and thought that this would be exactly what I needed. I stared this book in the evening and I could not put it down. This is a story of two best friends, Lauren and Michael, who lost their way, but found their way back to each other. Fate had other plans for them.

She was one of the most genuine people he’d ever met, and he knew at that moment that if he did nothing else in his life, he wanted to be friends with Lauren Monroe. 

This story was told in the third person, showing both Lauren and Michael’s perspectives. It switched back forth from present day to their high school days, when they were best friends. In High School, their friendship was considered a little unconventional. He had a bad boy, womanizing reputation, while she was sweet and innocent. But somehow, they’re friendship worked. They were inseparable and could always count on each other. However as time went on in high school, Lauren started to feel more towards Michael. Michael on the other hand knew she deserved better than him and had always kept her in the “friend” category. He never pursued her even though he, too, wished for more. Their friendship was the most important thing in his life and he was not about to ruin it. Unfortunately, high school had to come to an end and it was at this point that their friendship was tested and ultimately split them apart. 

Suppression involves the cognizant desire to forget, whereas repression happens subconsciously. 

Eight years have passed since Lauren and Michael last saw each other. Now fate has brought Michael, along with his four year old daughter, to the new Day Care facility she works at. Lauren tries to keep things professional, but is having a hard time deciding what to do with Michael. They both miss each other and the friendship they had, but don’t want to confront each other about what happened in the past that drove them apart. They each play their safe role, but how long can they deny what they meant to each other?

“I always knew I would fall in love with you,” he said softly, “but you were never suppose to love me back.” 

This was such a sweet story. Their relationship was not rushed and it took time for them to find their courage to face each other. Michael’s side of the story was a little on the sad side and it did tear me up finding out the reasons why he kept away from Lauren. I do wish there was a little more steam, but oh well, I really liked it anyway. 

Flawed by Kate Avelynn

Sarah O’Brien is alive because of the pact she and her brother made twelve years ago — James will protect her from their violent father if she promises to never leave him. For years, she’s watched James destroy his life to save hers. If all he asks for in return is her affection, she’ll give it freely.

Until, with a tiny kiss and a broken mind, he asks for more than she can give.

Sam Donavon has been James’ best friend — and the boy Sarah’s had a crush on — for as long as she can remember. As their forbidden relationship deepens, Sarah knows she’s in trouble. Quiet, serious Sam has decided he’s going to save her. Neither of them realizes James is far more unstable than her father ever was, or that he’s not about to let Sarah forget her half of the pact...

4.75-5 Stars

**WARNING** I’m an emotional wreck and cannot control the verbal vomit that will most likely come out of my mouth. So with that said, the following may contain spoilers and some expletives. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk :) 

You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away.

“No, I love you. You’ve never loved me, even though it’s supposed to be me and you, forever.” He reaches for my waist and buries his sticky face in my stomach. “Why can’t I be enough? I want to be enough so fucking bad.” ~ James 

Fuck. My. Life. I waited forever for this book to come out. The release date was pushed back so many times, I was ready to sayfuck it and not even bother to read this. Alas, I had to find out if it was worth the wait. Well, let me state for the record: This was worth the wait, well…at least to an extent.This story is not fluffy and far from an easy read. This broke me. I’m hurt and I’m just flat out numb from the experience. I want to hate this, I really do, but I just can’t. It was definitely a couldn’t put it downstory. Just be prepared for a highly emotional read. 

I have no idea what he sees in me. Strength, he says. Beauty. A big heart. I see none of these things. I see fear, flaws, and a heart so full of blackness I can’t give up my own selfish wants to set him or my brother free.

This story is told from our heroine, Sarah’s, POV. Her family life is fucked up. Her dad is an alcoholic and a former boxer with lots and lots of regrets. He takes out his drunken aggression out on his kids, James and Sarah. James has always been her protector; her savior. He takes the brunt of punches and does everything in his power to protect her. The only drawback to James’ protectiveness is his obsession with her. He makes her promise to never leave him. Their lives both revolve around each other. She cannot and will not do anything intentionally to hurt her beloved brother. The guilt he lays upon her binds her to him. However it becomes clear that his feelings for her is starting to become more than sisterly, especially when his best friend, Sam, is showing interest in her. 

Sarah has been interested in Sam for as long as she can remember. When they start to form a relationship, her feelings are mixed with elation and worry. She can be herself with him. He knows her every flaw, both inside and outside ones. Even after seeing all her scars, he still loves her. She doesn’t understand why, but is grateful for the love and friendship he provides. Sam fills a big hole in Sarah’s life that James cannot fill, no matter how much he wants to. She doesn’t want to break her brother’s heart and knows James is capable of hurting Sam if he ever found out about them, so they keep hush-hush, at least for now.

While being with Sam is every bit as incredible as I’d dreamt it’d be, he’s temporary. James is permanent. 

While most stories are transparent and you know who the heroine should pick; most of the time, I want to smack some sense into her. However, this was not the case. I wanted her with Sam, more than anything, but I can understand her loyalty towards James. How could you not? He’s been her everything. After all they’ve been through, I understand her hesitance. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted her to choose Sam, but the choice really wasn’t easy to come by. My mind and heart hurt at Sarah’s predicament. 

Towards the end of the book, my heart was racing and I was eager to know how this will all come to a close. Without spoiling much, let me just state that I was an emotional wreck, still am actually. I wanted to give the book less stars, but I just couldn’t. It was such a good story, but I wished the ending took a different route. 

If you decide to read this, you are in for one heck of an emotional story. There are moments where you will cringe. I guarantee you will feel conflicted and your heart will be torn to shreds, but I cannot deny the long lasting impact this story had on me. So there you have it. Go forth and read this at your own risk. You will either hate it or appreciate it for the incredible emotions it’ll illicit from you.

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If you're interested, there is an alternate ending (which BTW, made me smile :)
http://www.kateavelynn.com/alternate-...