Mastered by Maya Banks

Title: Mastered
 
Author: Maya Banks
 
Publisher: Berkley Trade

Published Date: December 29, 2015

Buy on Amazon: Kindle & Paperback

Author Website: http://mayabanks.com/

Synopsis: 

What he wants, he takes with no remorse or guilt.
 
She stood out in his club like a gem, unspoiled and untouched. A lamb among wolves, she clearly didn’t belong. Drawn to her innocence he watched as she was surrounded by men who saw what he did—but no one but him could touch her. He summoned her to his private quarters. He sensed her fear. He also recognized the desire in her eyes. And he knew she wouldn’t leave before he possessed her. She had no need to know his secrets. Not until he had her under his complete and utter control.
 
What he wants, she isn’t sure she can give him.
 
The moment he told her want he wanted, she couldn’t resist. Instinct told her to run, but her heart said stay and walk the fine line between pleasure and pain. Though she wasn’t sure she could ever completely surrender, the primal part of her wanted to try, even knowing this man could break her in ways she never imagined. Because once he possessed her, he owned her and it would be too late to turn back. She can only pray that he doesn’t destroy her in the end.

My Thoughts:

Mastered, by Maya Banks, is the first book in her hot off the presses series, The Enforcers.  Evangeline is a timid Southern girl with a heart of gold who is living in New York City.  Splitting rent in a tiny apartment with her three best friends, Evangeline sends every extra penny she earns at a local pub home to her disabled parents. Everything she has done in her life has been to help support them. She dropped out of high school and earned her GED so she could work two jobs, passed on college, ignored boys, and moved to NYC for an opportunity to earn more money for them.  However, when smooth talking Eddie charms his way into Evangeline's heart, she becomes distraught when he drops her after the challenge of being the first to get in her bed is over.  What starts out as a fun night at a popular club to show Eddie what he carelessly threw away and to get her mojo back quickly changes Evangeline's whole world.

Drake is a mysterious badass businessman who not only owns the club Evangeline walks into but many other things as well. Drake is not one to be messed with, and everyone in the city knows.  Much of his business dealings are not exactly on the 'up and up.' Drake surrounds himself with a group of dangerous men who work for him and he trusts inexplicably.  Drake immediately zones in on Evangeline when she walks into his club. Seeing the beautiful and innocent woman among the rich and jaded makes him want to get her out of his business as soon as possible.  Once Drake meets Evangeline in person he realizes that she is not someone he can stay away from.  

Mastered takes readers on a wild ride as Evangeline tries to fit into Drake's strange and affluent world. Everything about Drake's world is opposite of what Evangeline knows. The money, the clothes, the jewelry, the restaurants- Evangeline feels out of her element at every turn. Even more bizarre to Evangeline is what Drake asks of her in return.  Is she able to give herself to him completely- heart, body, and control?

One of my favorite things about Mastered is Evangeline's relationships with Drake's men.  Each 'enforcer' is an intimidating badass who happens to be hot.  However, after five minutes with Evangeline and they turn into sweet boys.  She charms the uncharmable with her innocence, goodness, humor, and baking! I'm excited to read each 'enforcers' own story as The Enforcers series continues with the men.                     

If you are looking for a scorching and edgy read, Maya Banks' Mastered is for you. I found it to be a quick read because I couldn't put it down!  I am eagerly awaiting the release of her second book in The Enforcers series, Dominated to see what happens with Evangeline and Drake.  Mastered ends with a sort of cliff hanger so I am impatient to see where their story takes them! 

Maya Banks

                                                 

*I have been provided a complimentary copy of the book, Mastered, for the purpose of review.*

Cover Reveal- Meredith Schorr's 'Novelista Girl'

I am very excited to be featuring the Cover Reveal of Meredith Schorr's newest novel, Novelista Girl. 

   Drum Roll Please......

Synopsis:

Readers first met sassy Kimberly Long in Blogger Girl, and now the feisty New Yorker is back in a sequel packed with quick wit, friendship, heartache, and, of course, romance.

Kim runs the most popular chick lit book blog on the web, loves playing house with her sexy lawyer boyfriend, Nicholas, and is finally pursuing her lifelong dream to become a published author. At first glance, her life is five-pink-champagne-flutes worthy. 

 

But is there more to the story than meets the eye?

 

After hearing the phrase “chick lit is dead” more times than she’s read Bridget Jones's Diary, Kim is driven to desperate measures, seeking advice from up-and-coming chick lit author, Hannah Marshak, her high school nemesis and resident “mean girl.” As if Kim doesn't have enough on her plate balancing her secretarial duties with her blog Pastel Is the New Black, shrugging off the growing pile of agent rejections, and keeping her best friend from turning green over Kim’s budding friendship with Hannah, Nicholas is so blinded by his career ambitions, he doesn't see that their home sweet home could use more than a dash of sugar. 

 

This is the year when all of Kim's dreams—professional and romantic—are supposed to come true, but will the story have a happily ever after, or will Kim end up unpublished and all alone?

 

This novel can be read as a sequel or as a standalone and is best accompanied by a cocktail, preferably a pink one.

Sustained by Emma Chase

Title: Sustained
 
Author: Emma Chase

Publisher: Gallery Books

Published Date: August 25, 2015

Buy on Amazon: Kindle  & Paperback
  
Author Website: http://authoremmachase.com

 

Synopsis: 

 

When you’re a defense attorney in Washington, DC, you see firsthand how hard life can be, and that sometimes the only way to survive is to be harder. I, Jake Becker, have a reputation for being cold, callous, and intimidating—and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand.

Complications don’t work for me—I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will turn you on. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming—and I don’t pretend to be.

Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I’m going to Mommy and Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room, and arguing cases in the principal’s office.

Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent, and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be tough, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, defend her…and the kids.

And that—that, I know how to do.

 

My Thoughts:

Sustained, by Emma Chase, is part of her Legal Briefs Series.  At first I was worried because I had not read the first book in the series, Overruled.  However, I quickly realized that Sustained can be read as a stand alone novel, as it centers around a friend of the main characters from Overruled.  

 

Sustained revolves around Jake Becker, who I instantly felt disdain towards. A top notch defense attorney, Jake is also a womanizing asshole who lives for one night stands with no strings attached.  However, my feelings for him quickly change as he finds himself at the house of Chelsea, a 26 year old who has found herself as the guardian of her 6 nieces and nephews after her brother and his wife were tragically killed.  Jake doesn't do emotions, relationships, kids, or attachment.  However, the more time he spends with Chelsea and the rambunctious group of kids, the more he finds his cold heart warming.  What follows is not only a steamy romance, it is also a heartwarming story of acceptance, guidance, and family.

 

Emma Chase's Sustained is full of 3 dimensional characters.  I could practically see the selfish Jake grow as a man and a role model as the book unfolded. While I LOVED the relationship that formed between Jake and Chelsea, I think what I loved even more was Jake's relationship with the children: Riley, Rosaleen, Rory, Raymond, Regan, and Ronan.  These 6 young kids had their world turned upside down with loss and emotional trauma.  They were acting out enough to make any person run for the hills, however Jake sees himself in them and finds himself cultivating relationships with each and every child.  Chase's book has it all: love, sex, comedy, and feel good moments.  At times laugh out loud funny, Sustained is also full of emotions with plenty of places to shed a tear.

 

Emma Chase's Sustained is a book that I 110% recommend.  The characters will quickly find a place in your heart and you will be left wishing for more from the Becker and McQuaid clan.  I've already ordered my copy of Chase's Overruled because of my love for her writing and character development and can't wait to read the 3rd book in her Legal Briefs Series, Appealed.                

 

          

Emma Chase

*I have been provided a complimentary copy of the book, Sustained, for the purpose of review.*

Just One Lie by Kyra Davis

Title: Just One Lie
 
Author: Kyra Davis

Publisher: Gallery Books

Published Date: July 28, 2015

Buy on Amazon: Kindle  & Paperback
  
Author Website: http://new.kyradavis.com/

 

Synopsis: 

 

Melody Fitzgerald is the opposite of the “perfect” daughter. The lead singer of an indie rock band, she is impulsive and creative, with a rebellious streak that both defines her and becomes her greatest enemy. Her lover, the enticing and unpredictable Ash, shares her free spirit and penchant for trouble. On the face of it, he seems to be her perfect match.

So why is she so drawn to her soft spoken, reliable drummer, Brad Witmer? How can a man who wears polo shirts and reads the financial section of the paper be of any interest to her at all? And why on earth does someone like that appear to be so captivated by her?

Before she knows it, Melody finds herself on a path of self-discovery, passion, and affairs of the heart. But will a dark secret from her past derail it all? Or will its exposure be the very thing that unburdens her heart and allows her to seek a future with the one man who loves her completely?

My Thoughts:

Just One Lie, by Kyra Davis, is the follow-up story to her New York Times Best Selling book Just One Night.  Just One Lie is definitely a stand-alone book, as it is the first book I have read of Davis’.  However, after reading it I will definitely be reading Just One Night this summer!

Just One Lie centers on Mercy/Melody, a troubled singer in an independent rock band.  Melody is a loner who has done it all.  Her life has literally been drugs, sex, and rock and roll. However, things changed for her more than a year ago.  She fell in love after a one night stand with a mystery man, Ash, that changed her life forever and led to a severing of ties with her parents.  Melody felt that that one night killed her emotionally and physically.  She changed her name to Mercy and found herself in a new city.  Mercy gave up the hardcore drugs and became clean from the drugs for the first time in years.  She formed a new band, hid her past, and had been taking it one day at a time.

All of the effort Mercy put in to forget ‘Melody’ and her previous life comes crashes down around her. Mercy finds herself reeling after Ash shows up to her New Year’s Eve show speaking of forgiveness and soul mates.  Knowing all that she knows, Mercy still can’t stay away from Ash.  She keeps a huge secret from him that would undoubtedly change their relationship.  What unfolds is a complicated love story filled with ups and downs, shocks and plain craziness.  

Added to Ash and Mercy’s complex relationship is the fact that Mercy is starting to have feelings for her new drummer.  Brad is not someone she ever thought she would be attracted to.  He looks like an All American boy, not a drummer in a Rock Band. However, he listens to her and she finds herself opening up to him more and more.  They seem to connect, and this both scares and fascinates Mercy.  She has never known anyone like Brad, someone that would care about her wholeheartedly and not judge her for her past or present.

Kyra Davis’ Just One Lie follows Mercy from New Year’s Eve 

 1999 until present day.  Readers are able to watch Mercy grow and bloom, as well as witness her self-destructive tendencies come to the forefront and be dealt with.  I absolutely adored this story.  The characters were relatable and multifaceted.  I found myself rooting for Mercy throughout the book, wanting her to follow her North Star and embrace who she was. As I mentioned earlier, you do NOT need to read Just One Night in order to enjoy Just One Lie.  I plan on picking up Just One Night just because I enjoyed Mercy’s story so much as well as Davis’ writing.  She knows how to write a gritty, intoxicatingly sexy, coming of age story that kept me wanting more up until the last page. Just One Lie should most definitely be on your Summer 2015 ‘To Be Read’ list!  I know you will enjoy it as much as I did!              

Kyra Davis

*I have been provided a complimentary copy of the book, Just One Lie, for the purpose of review.*

Summer at Hideaway Key by Barbara Davis

Title: Summer At Hideaway Key
 
Author: Barbara Davis

Publisher: NAL

Published Date: August 4, 2015

Buy on Amazon: Kindle  & Paperback 
  
Author Website: http://www.barbaradavis-author.com/index.html

Synopsis: 

 

Pragmatic, independent Lily St. Claire has never been a beachgoer. But when her late father leaves her a small house on Hideaway Key—one neither her mother nor she knew he owned—she’s determined to visit the sleepy spit of land along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Expecting a quaint cottage, Lily instead finds a bungalow with peeling shutters and mountains of memorabilia. She also catches a glimpse of the architect who lives down the beach….

But it’s the carton of old journals in the front room that she finds most intriguing. The journals were written by her mother’s sister, an infamous beauty whose name has long been banned from the St. Claire home. The journals tell a family tale Lily has never heard, of her mother and her aunt as young girls in Tennessee and the secrets that followed them into adulthood. As she reads, Lily gains a new understanding: about her family and about herself. And she begins to open her heart—to this place, these people, and the man next door. But can she ever truly learn to trust, to believe that love is not a trap but a harbor? And is it true that hearts, even broken ones, can be forged anew?

 

 

My Thoughts:

I have always been a lover of Women’s Fiction for the pure ‘realness’ of the story. I love the feeling I get when I read about a character and feel connected to her, like she is just as real as I, knowing that the struggles she is going through are struggles that so many other women face, and finally seeing the personal growth the she goes through.  Barbara Davis’ Summer at Hideaway Key has all of these characteristics and MORE. 

Summer at Hideaway Key centers around Lily and her deceased Aunt, Lily-Mae.  Lily never met her aunt, as Lily-Mae’s name was basically a curse word to her mother, Caroline. Lily never understood the animosity that was obviously between Caroline and her sister, and neither Caroline nor Lily’s father ever spoke of it.  Lily-Mae remained a mystery in Lily’s life. However, all of that changed when Lily’s father died and left Lily-Mae’s Florida bungalow to her in his will.  Caroline is furious and insists that Lily dispose of it immediately, but something tells Lily that this may be the one and only chance she gets answers regarding her family history. Why else would her father leave it to her? 

I love how Summer at Hideaway Key is told from the view of Lily and Lily-Mae. Lily-Mae is definitely my favorite character. Her story is up front and center and Lily-Mae finds a voice through her journals which Lily stumbles upon.  In these journals Lily learns of horribly unspeakable things that happened to Lily-Mae, as well as her mother. Lily-Mae had a horribly sad life, with just bits of happiness mixed in. However, no matter what the consequences, Lily-Mae always put the needs and happiness of others in front of her own.  As more of Lily-Mae and Caroline’s past comes to light, the more questions that Lily finds herself asking.  There is definitely a good deal of mystery in Davis’ novel, as well as many twists and turns.  I was shocked to find out how Summer at Hideaway Key concluded.

Summer at Hideaway Key, by Barbara Davis, is a wonderfully touching novel, with romance and mystery mixed in.  It was a novel that truly resonated with me and I believe it will with you as well.  Enjoy!                        

 

Barbara Davis

*I have been provided a complimentary copy of the book, Summer at Hideaway Key, for the purpose of review.*

Sweet Muse by Ava Cummings

Title: Sweet Muse
 
Author: Ava Cummings

Publisher: Merrimack Media

Published Date: January 22, 2015

Buy on Amazon: Kindle  & Paperback 
  
Author Website: http://www.avacummingsauthor.com/

Synopsis: 

 

Determined to overcome her difficult past, Anna Starr lands a coveted job at the nation's biggest celebrity magazine in the center of the New York City power scene. She learns early on to make it on her own, and through sheer force of will she does. But frustration sets in when the dark side of tabloid journalism starts to poke through, and she gets duped while dating slicker-than-thou city boys.   Amidst a sea of cocktail parties, Anna meets rising art star Damien Wolfe. Their connection is dangerous, intense, and passionate beyond her imagination. He sees her in a way that she has never seen herself, setting her on a journey toward self-discovery-understanding what it means to be truly loved for the first time in her life. But she may lose it all when her blind ambition and his dark past lead to a crisis that changes everything

 

 

My Thoughts:

Sweet Muse, by Ava Cummings, is a modern day chick lit with a whole lot of sizzling romance. Anna Starr left her small hometown in order to follow her dream of making it as journalist in New York City. When Anna gets scared or feels like she needs advice, all she has to do is picture what her aunt would say to her.  Ever since Anna was a little girl she has looked up to her aunt, who was a journalist in a well-respected New York magazine. Anna knows that she will have to work her way to the top so she eagerly accepts a job at Celeb, a celebrity magazine that has recently started becoming more Perez Hilton than People. The juicer the story means the more magazines sold and Anna soon learns that Celeb draws no lines when publishing tabloid gossip.  In order to flourish at her job Anna has to eat or be eaten. Will Anna be able to make a difference with her writing or will the glamour of celebrity parties and rubbing shoulders with the Hollywood elite taint her?    

While pondering her life goals and trying to get over her insecurities, Anna is also adjusting to the city life. She finds herself thrust into an environment that is both foreign and addictive to her. Anna’s ability to trust men was ruined by her father walking out on her mother long ago.  This has deeply impacted Anna's psyche and relationships.  Unfortunately, Anna is quickly finding that the dating scene in New York isn't helping her get past her trust issues. Man after man continues to disappoint her, until she meets a mysterious guy who makes her question all she previously believed. Is their strong connection merely a coincidence or is there really something there between them?

I really enjoyed reading the different New York nightlife scenes.  Being a small town girl myself, going out on the town here is catching the latest movie.  Cummings really paints a detailed picture of big city life and celebrity parties in Sweet Muse. In particular, Cummings does a superb job of writing about the various New York City restaurants.  I could easily picture the atmosphere and smell the aromas she described.    

Sweet Muse is a fun and lighthearted book that leaves you with a smile on your face. I found myself rooting for Anna and hoping she would not only find love but see her dream of being a legit journalist come true.  Ava Cummings has a winner in Sweet Muse!  If you are looking for a new read to take to the pool or beach, this chick lit novel is for you!

 

Ava Cummings

*I have been provided a complimentary copy of the book, Sweet Muse, for the purpose of review.*