Release Day Blitz - Justifying Jamie (Reason to Ruin #1) by Anna Brooks

  

Justifying Jamie by Anna Brooks

Blurb:  

 The first time I heard his cheesy pick-up line, he made me laugh. The next night, I fell madly in love. Then he shattered my world without speaking a word, leaving me with an empty heart and a hollow soul.

Still, I tried to fix what was broken, only to be humiliated beyond repair. I couldn’t believe the same man who promised me heaven so ruthlessly put me through hell with lips that once worshipped me.

I thought that was the end of us, but then a life-altering discovery threatened more than just me, and the least likely man to stand at my side was the one who refused to leave it.

  

I really enjoyed reading this book even though these two star-crossed lovers threatened to drive me crazy for a while. Communication is a nice thing. More people should try it. Just saying... But well, when feelings are hurt and so on, right?
Back to the beginning though. 

 

I loved the chemistry between our hero and our heroine but I think it's not too harsh if I say that I really really hated Mercy's mother and the way she treated her daughter ... 

Jamie and Mercy though, well, the chemistry is there and apart from that it is a struggle, it is a fight, it is - everything. The good and the bad and everything in between. The moment Jamie and Mercy met, they know as much as the reader knows that there is more but the time it took them to get there, wow, I was tempted to throw my kindle over and over again because I couldn't believe that fate would be so cruel and those two so oblivious.

When our hero and our heroine finally get their HEA, I was almost as relieved as the two of them.
Well-written, captivating and at times frustrating -  Justifying Jamie is the first book in the new series by Anna Brooks and I can't wait for the next books to find out more about these guys and the women they love! 

★★★★

Teaser #2 - Rockstar by Lauren Rowe #Rockstar

✮ ✮ ✮FIREFLIES LYRIC VIDEO REVEAL!! ✮ ✮ ✮

Throughout ROCKSTAR, Dax Morgan writes a bunch of songs, inspired by his muse, Violet Rhodes. Included in those songs is a pivotal one called FIREFLIES, brought to life by Lauren and her team of musicians. Here is a lyrics video for FIREFLIES, by 22 Goats, an original song from ROCKSTAR, releasing April 29! 

Check it out Here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-IiEWQvm-s&feature=youtu.be

Add Rockstar to your TBR - https://bit.ly/2XUcufK

Blurb:

It was lyrics at first sight when I saw Violet Rhodes across that crowded party. She was lights and darks, swirled together. Music in motion. And all of it while looking like a hitwoman at an Elvis convention.

I had nothing to offer the intriguing girl but a one-night stand. I figured I’d revel in my last night of anonymity before my first tour and shoot her a quick “We’ll always have L.A.!” goodbye the next morning.      

But nothing went according to plan.

In one night, Violet crawled under my skin and into my bloodstream. She tattooed her name across my chest and between my legs. She became my muse. And then she was gone.

Now, months later, here she is again. And in a twist I never saw coming, it turns out Violet is ultra-violet radiation. Beautiful, ethereal light bringing with her the promise of damage and destruction.

My brain tells me to walk away from this girl, but my heart can’t stop feeling like she might be one of a kind . . . the sort of girl who comes along once in a violet moon.

ROCKSTAR is a standalone romance, the love story of Dax Morgan and the electrifying woman who rocked his world during his journey to worldwide rock superstardom. 

***Coming Soon*** Rockstar by Lauren Rowe

✮ ✮ ✮ COMING SOON!! ✮ ✮ ✮

ROCKSTAR, an all-new Sexy and Emotional standalone romance by Lauren Rowe is releasing April 29th!

Add it to your TBR - https://bit.ly/2XUcufK

It was lyrics at first sight when I saw Violet Rhodes across that crowded party. She was lights and darks, swirled together. Music in motion. And all of it while looking like a hitwoman at an Elvis convention.

I had nothing to offer the intriguing girl but a one-night stand. I figured I’d revel in my last night of anonymity before my first tour and shoot her a quick “We’ll always have L.A.!” goodbye the next morning.      

But nothing went according to plan.

In one night, Violet crawled under my skin and into my bloodstream. She tattooed her name across my chest and between my legs. She became my muse. And then she was gone.

Now, months later, here she is again. And in a twist I never saw coming, it turns out Violet is ultra-violet radiation. Beautiful, ethereal light bringing with her the promise of damage and destruction.

My brain tells me to walk away from this girl, but my heart can’t stop feeling like she might be one of a kind . . . the sort of girl who comes along once in a violet moon.

ROCKSTAR is a standalone romance, the love story of Dax Morgan and the electrifying woman who rocked his world during his journey to worldwide rock superstardom.

Irish Affair by Amanda Heartley

  Irish Affair by Amanda Heartley

Blurb:

What do you do when your boyfriend has an affair…with another guy?

Amelia
Fall for someone on the other side of the world, of course.
And he seems like the perfect distraction with his hot Irish brogue.
But when I cross the ocean to surprise him, it all turns to cr*p.
I'm starting to think it must be something about me.

Now I’m alone in the middle of Dublin, wondering how it all went so wrong.
All the guys I meet turn out to be douchebags and I’m swearing off men.
At least, that was my plan until he sat next to me at the bar. 
The moment those intense green eyes stray my way, I cave in.
The more time I spend with Rory, the more I like him, but I’m leery.

Seems like all the guys I fall for let me down eventually. 

Rory
I’m a famous music star, in Ireland at least. But I hate the limelight.
Just for once, I want to be with someone who likes me, just for me.
The moment she flashes that sexy smile at me, I’m hooked on those luscious lips.
And, I’m determined to show her us Irish guys aren’t all bad. 

I like her, but breaking down her defenses is harder than I thought.
I’m up for the craic, and if she'll let her guard down, I’ll show her I’m different.
That I’m not like the guys who hurt her before. But then, maybe I’m no better?
She has no clue who I am, and the longer I'm with her, the harder it is to tell her the truth.
I know I need to. If she finds out on her own, it’ll break her heart all over again.

And that’s the last thing I want to do.

Irish Affair: Book 1 in The Claddagh Trilogy and can be read as a standalone novella.
A small town, steamy music star romance that will melt your heart... and your panties!


Okay, this book was nice even though it couldn't captivate me completely.

There were too many coincidences and the hero and the heroine were nice but not totally convincing in my eyes. I liked Rory and Amelia well enough, don't get me wrong but I couldn't feel their connection and there was no chemistry. They didn't make the best choices when it came to being open and sharing and such but that was somewhat understandable. The story itself was rather foreseeable and their actions fit in with that but...they were sweet together but not more. And a love that makes you forsake all others and follow the other one to the other side of the world....well. There should be more, shouldn't there?

Despite that, this was a nice and entertaining read. I probably won't read it again and I won't read the next book in the series but it was nice nonetheless.

★★★

Rose (Red Hot Love #3) by Elle Casey #Rose

 Rose (Red Hot Love #3) by Elle Casey  

Blurb:

He’s trying to keep things professional—but will passion make it personal? Prepare for more Red Hot Love from New York Times bestseller Elle Casey.
Rose Lancaster has watched her two sisters find new lives and loves in the New York rock scene, but she’s too busy running her animal clinic in rural Maine to join them. If only she could get the town council off her back, things would be perfect. Unfortunately, the council has just served up papers for a lawsuit, and she’s at her wits’ end.
When straitlaced lawyer Greg Lister drops by on band business and gets wind of her predicament, he offers to help, and although Rose suspects it may come with complications she doesn’t need, she accepts. For a New York hotshot, he sure seems more than happy to spend time at Rose’s Maine retreat ensuring the service is completely personal.
Rose tries to resist the urge to connect but the attraction between them is undeniable…until Greg makes a shocking revelation that threatens Rose’s future in more ways than she could have imagined.


Reading Rose, I remembered right away the rather peculiar background of these three young women. I mean, not everyone is raised by three mothers with a very liberal idea of relationships, fathers and love. Okay, and sex. Obviously. Sert against this really interesting background is the story of Rose, the third of the three sisters. Unlike her sisters, Rose spends all her time in her sanctuary, the animal clinic, caring for a couple (or more) stray animals and taking care of them when they are ill. She doesn't need the big city and, well, usually she doesn't mind being alone. When her fathers' lawyer Greg turns up and somehow never really leaves, things start to change. It's Greg who has her back when her clinic is in danger of being shut down and it is Greg who proves to her that no matter what it looks like now, he is also an animal lover and, well, he might not exactly be the city guy that he seems to be at first glance. When things fall apart and her clinic is in danger of being shut down, those two will have to decide whose side they are on and what they feel for each other.

I really enjoy the books by Elle Casey and Rose wasn't an exception of this rule. Rose is the third book in the Red Hot series about the three daughters of the band Red Hot and I loved every one of these books. Amber, Emerald and Rose are really amazing and I loved to read about them and the men they love.

★★★★

 

 

Emerald (Red Hot Love #2) by Elle Casey

   

Emerald by Elle Casey

Blurb:
 
A million reasons to go home. One hot reason to stay. From New York Times bestselling author Elle Casey comes the second book in the sexy Red Hot Love Series.
Emerald Collins is nothing like her strong-willed sister Amber. When she found out her father was a member of the legendary rock group Red Hot, sensitive Em was determined to carry on as normal—she had no interest in finding out more about her dad or leaving her quiet sanctuary in Maine.
But while visiting Amber in New York, Em meets Sam, a tortured, sexy, and utterly unsuitable musician. Sam and Em are used to life behind the scenes but their undeniable attraction is about to put them right in the spotlight.
When Sam reveals a shocking secret about his past, Emerald has to make a choice. Will she follow her head and return home or is the magnetism between them and the excitement of the big city enough for her to follow her heart?


Okay, it took me some time to get into this book. I loved Amber, the first book in this series but at the beginning Emerald was really getting on my nerves. She was far too naive, too whiny, too....everything and I just felt like telling her to finally grow up and get real.
Soooo, these feelings flared up every now and then again but on the whole, when things get rough, she finally wo-mans up and gets things done.
Sam and her, well, there are some sparks but I didn't really feel the connection and even though things were intense, their feelings, well, it all feels a bit rushed. Okay, considering the fact that Sam is absolutely amazing and I'd love to stea...ummm...borrow him, it might not be that far-fetched, actually... Sadie is a hoot, I fell for her the moment we met her. Sam and Emerald are really great with her and it's fun to read about their interactions with her.
All in all it is a nice story that made me laugh and that made me cry but due to my problems at the beginning, it is a good three stars book.

★★★

Amber (Red Hot Love #1) by Elle Casey #amber

 Amber (Red Hot Love #1) by Elle Casey 

Blurb:


In the bright lights of the big city, she’ll find red-hot music—and red-hot love.

Fiery, free-loving Amber Fields has just discovered she’s the daughter of a 90s rock legend. Amber is determined to know more and heads to the bright lights of New York City, a world away from the hippie commune she’s grown up on in Maine.

She tracks down the band but answers seem hard to come by. And then there’s the new lead guitarist—troubled, sexy, intriguing Ty who is anything but welcoming.

Ty is not into commitment and Amber is not into the music yet, soon, sparks begin to fly. The more time they spend together, the hotter things get. They’re bound by music—could they also be bound by love?


I really loved reading Amber's story! Her background is rather...unique. Growing up in a hippie commune, growing your own food, having three mothers and...well, you get the gist, right? When Amber and her sisters find out that they are the daughters of the members of a rockband, they soon realize that one of them should go and talk to their fathers. They need answers, especially answers to questions like "where have you been all our lives" and "why have you never bothered to turn up before"? As the most outgoing one of the sisters, it's up to Amber to go to New York to find their answers...and this trip might change her life for good. 

With her unique mixture of naivete and character strength, Amber very quickly found her way into my heart. When she meets Tyler, the newest member of the band, sparks fly.....
Spending time in the city with Tyler and her (potential) fathers doesn't only offer her the chance to get to know those men who are her fathers much better but it also offers her the chance to makle more of this attraction to Tyler.

Once again, this book was highly entertaining, not only due to the story line, which is a bit different from her last books but also due to the style and the writing in general. I laughed a lot, it is witty and fund and a great read. I really loved reading this book!

★★★★★

Scandalous Beat (Tempest #6) by Michelle Mankin

Okay, first I must apologize because the last weeks have been rather rough and I suffered a lot from headaches and lack of sleep so this site hasn't been as "active" as usual but...times are a-changing, fortunately.

 Scandalous Beat by Michelle Mankin

Blurb:

A rock star. A stripper. Can a hookup lead to a happily ever after?
Juaquin Acenado.
A drummer. A rapper. A rock king.
My brother’s best friend.
Arrogant. Forbidden. Do-not-go-there-trouble.
The sexy Latino was too old for me when we first met and I was in high school. But he was my first love. I’ve never gotten over him.
Miriam Jackson.
Stripper. Exotic dancer. Her stage name is Queen.
My bandmate’s little sister.
Spicy and sweet. The spark that fires my inspiration. The rhythm to my beat.
She’s the one I imagine when I settle for the others. My ultimate fantasy. Only I can never have her.
Until I arrive in Vegas to record my solo rap album, visit a strip club, and there she is. Miriam was supposed to be in college, but she’s not. She is so not.
Sin City, a place where anything can happen, and I’m the only one in the band who knows her secret.
So why resist anymore?
Who could possibly stop me?

Juaquin and Miriam have been drawn to each other ever since she, at least, was far too young to even think of pursuing this attraction. They are torn between their feelings and the knowledge that these feelings won‘t be accepted by their friends and families, especially since Juacquin or King, as Miriam names him, is the drummer in her brother‘s band and, well, let‘s just say that Bryan, her brother tends to be a teenie tiny bit overprotective as their childhood was less than ideal.

Nevertheless Miriam dares to tell him how she feels – only to face rejection. Again. And again.

When everything else falls apart and she ends up working in Vegas on the Strip instead of studying at UCLA, those two meet again and maybe things are about to change at least if they are able to get over the rejections and insecurities of their past. When a mobster boss with a grudge is added to the mix, things get really rough…

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was well-written with an interesting and captivating plot. Many twists and turns kept me glued to my reader and when the worst happened, I was biting my nials (figuratively) and was shocked and upset and… When Miriam, Queen, slowly wins her life back and starts to confront her past, I cheered her on and was proud of her taking her life in her own hands. 

 

Sometimes, taking the first step will need a lot of courage but it will be worth it. It is never to late to confront the demons of your past and fight for a better life, a life lived according to your own wishes and your own plans. 

 

I loved to see Mike, her best friend and Juaquin care for Miriam and I loved the way all those guys stood together to help each other and those they consider family, no matter whether they are related by blodd or not. And, especially in these days, I loved to see the acceptance towards Alex and Mike as a couple as well.

★★★★

 

 

 

 

Live Out Loud - Marie Meyer

 Live Out Loud by Marie Meyer

Blurb:

I thought I'd live in silence forever . . . and then I met him.

I'll never be able to hear, but music has always been a source of comfort for me. Rather than listen to the rhythm, I can actually feel the beat pulsing through me. It's pure bliss. So the moment I saw Thorin playing his guitar, I was mesmerized. I'd never seen anything more beautiful . . . or intimate. I couldn't tell where his body ended and the song began. He's everything I need in my life . . . I'm falling fast, hard, and deep.

I want him more than anything. But while I live in silence, Thor lives in secrets. He's holding something back-something that's keeping this intensity, this longing from being real. And the silence may be too loud to bear . . .

I loved this book! I loved to see how Harper and Thorin connect despite everything that might stand between them. Thor's willingness to communicate with Harper, to learn how to sign made such a big difference and I just loved him for it. Oh, don't forget her friend Chloe, she is amazing as well. Even though Thor's willingness to learn how to sign meant even more to me as he is a musician, he is someone whose life revolves around music, around sound - the one thing that Harper will never be able share with him. She can feel music but she can't hear. And she doesn't speak.
The whole story is about living in silence and living with sound. Thor sometimes needs silence to settle down, to be able to create music and Harper's life is silent. Even her relationship with Harper's former boyfriend was defined by the difference between coming from a Deaf family and a hearing family.
It is amazing to read how Thor tries to overcome all those obstacles and how much of a diffrence that makes for Harper. How can you NOT fall for a guy like him? Well, that's what Harper thinks - right until the moment when it is not enough any more. Or is she not enough? Or...?
There were moments when my heart broke, right then and there, I was so upset and I just hoped that, well, you know, all this happily ever after? That's what I wanted for those two and for a while I was really worried...

A wonderful book that left me thinking about opening up to someone, about connecting with people, learning other languages (and checking out options to learn how to sign as "Signing for Dummies" that Thor uses is not available for the German sign language and did you know that there are even different sign for the UK and the States?) and so much more. I loved the story and I loved the characters - a lot.
My first book by Marie Meyer but definitely not the last.

★★★★★

Rock Wedding (Rock Kiss #4) by Nalini Singh ~Review in English~

  Rock Wedding (Rock Kiss #4) by Nalini Singh

Blurb:

After a lifetime of longing for a real family, Sarah Smith thought she’d finally found her home with rock star Abe Bellamy, even if she knew Abe didn’t love her the way she loved him. But their brief relationship, filled with tragedy and heartache, nearly destroyed her. Alone, emotions in turmoil, and already shaky self-esteem shattered, Sarah struggles to pick up the pieces in the wake of their divorce.
Abe knows he’s to blame for the end of his marriage. Caught in a web of painful memories, he pushed away the best thing in his life – the sexy, smart woman he adores – breaking them both in the process. Then fate throws him a second chance to get things right, to prove to Sarah that she means everything to him. Abe desperately wants that second chance at love…even if he knows he doesn’t deserve it.
But can he convince Sarah – now strong and independent without him – to risk her wounded heart one more time?

One of those books....yes, this is one of those books, where you need enough hankies at hand and enough time because believe me, you wouldn't want to put it down just when things get tight and - very important: never read it in public! People might worry about your sanity if one moment you sit there and cry and the next you just start to smile somewhat goofily or mumble angrily or whatever.

I must admit, when Abe broke Sarah's heart mine broke along with hers. I was so upset and I just would have loved to tell her that he is just an idiot and well, things like that. When Sarah became stronger and Abe came back and started to slowly push his way back into her life, I kept hoping that he wouldn't mess it up this time, that he wouldn't hurt her like that again.

Abe has grown up as well and it was good to see how he tried to stay on track and how he owned up to everything he did before. His addiction did cost him his marriage and his love, now that he is clean, he tries to prove that he has indeed changed for good. I really liked how the other members of Schoolboy Choir supported him and were there for him when he had to fight the temptation to give in to the drugs.
This close-knit group of friends with their significant others are everything a man - or a woman - needs. Despite their closeness they open up to others like Charlotte and Gabriel whose story is told in Rock Hard or Sarah herself and her friend Lola and let them become a part of their group.
Seeing how Abe and Sarah slowly find their way back to each other, how Sarah starts to trust and how she finally gets the life she always dreamed of was so sweet and so .... sigh.

Reading the book, you feel how Abe and Sarah have grown and become more confident, more secure. Abe has learned to deal with the pain and the anger that consumed him after the death of his baby sister, Sarah has learned to stand up for herself. I really loved how both were trying to make their relationship work, to trust and to own up for everything that happened.
And even though many things happen and Abe will always have to deal with his addiction and his feelings and Sarah understandibly still has trust issues but the author never resorts to stupid misunderstandings or other things like that that are frequently used to keep up the suspense. Their path to happiness is rocky but it is always about real issues, real fear, real feelings and never about pettiness or misunderstandings. They talk about their problems, they talk about their pain and their fears and you can feel how that helps them heal.

Okay, okay, this is supposed to be a review not a novel so I'll stop now...just - well, read it, it's worth it!

★★★★★