Letting Go by Maya Banks

Title: Letting Go
 
Author: Maya Banks

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Published Date: February 4, 2014

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

 

Synopsis: 

Josslyn found perfection once, and she knows she’ll never find it again. Now widowed, she seeks the one thing her beloved husband couldn’t give her: dominance. Lonely, searching for an outlet for her grief and wanting only a brief taste of the perfection she once enjoyed, she seeks what she’s looking for at an exclusive club that caters to people indulging in their most hedonistic fantasies. She never imagined that what she’d find would be the one man who’s long been a source of comfort—and secret longing. Her husband’s best friend.

Dash has lived in an untenable position for years: in love with his best friend’s wife but unwilling to act on that attraction. He’d never betray his best friend. And so he’s waited in the wings, offering Joss unconditional support and comfort as she works past her grief, hoping for the day when he can offer her more.

When he finds her in a club devoted to the darker edges of desire, he’s furious because he thinks she has no idea what she’s getting herself into. Until she explains in detail what it is she wants. What she needs. As realization sets in, he is gripped by fierce, unwavering determination. If she wants dominance, he is the only man who will introduce her to that world. He is the only man who will touch her, cherish her…love her. And the only man she’ll ever submit to.

My Thoughts:

Letting Go, by Maya Banks, is the first book in her erotic Surrender Trilogy.  Letting Go starts on a somber note.  It is the 3rd anniversary of the death of Joss' husband and she, along with her husband's best friend Dash, head to the cemetery to pay their respects as they have done every year since his passing.  However, this year is different.  Joss has decided that she is done mourning and she plans to reclaim her life.  No longer will she be the heartbroken widow locked up in her house while she watches life pass her by.  Instead she is stepping out and reclaiming her happiness.  Dash can tell something major has changed inside Joss, but is at a loss to what it is.  

Later that day Joss meets with her best friends, Kylie and Chessy. Joss shares with them the steps she has taken to change her life.  She loved her husband with all of her heart, but he was not able to give her one thing she yearned for in their sexual relationship- dominance.  Therefore, Joss has decided that to move on she needs to enter into a dominant/submissive relationship- she just doesn't know with whom yet.  

In order to find the perfect man for her new lifestyle, Joss has joined a private club that deals in such matters and arrives there ready to jump start her life.  However, Dash ruins her plans when he walks into the club and spies Joss on the arms of another.  All hell breaks loose as he sprints her out of the establishment and demands to know what is going on.  The conversation that happens next is an eye-opener for both Joss and Dash and they have some serious decisions to make.     

I really enjoyed Letting Go and reading about the journey Joss and Dash embarked upon.  My familiarity with dominance and submission goes no farther than Fifty Shades, so my eyes were opened in many ways reading Letting Go.  Joss was tired of making decisions and wanted a man to make them for her.  It was hard for me to understand why Joss, who was a very independent woman, would want to give up her freedom in order to feel free.

I'm very much looking forward to the second book in the Surrender Trilogy, Giving In, which will be published in May 2014.  As much as I enjoyed Letting Go, I have a feeling that I will love Giving In even more.  The second book centers around Kylie and Jensen, whose chemistry was very evident in Letting Go.  Banks set up a great back story for Kylie which I am very interested in delving into.

If you are looking for an erotic romance, Maya Banks' Letting Go is a great choice. It has romance, friendship, and heartache along with great characters.  Check it out!  

Maya Banks

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

Theirs to Keep by Maya Banks

Title: Theirs to Keep
 
Author: Maya Banks

Publisher: CreateSpace

Published Date: October 22, 2013

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

 

Synopsis: 

When Cade Walker and Merrick Sullivan find Elle hiding in the cabinet of a gun store, they know they can’t just walk away from the fragile woman with no memory of who she is or who tried to kill her. Merrick is training for the title shot in the heavyweight division as a mixed martial artist and can’t afford distractions, but neither can he turn his back on the woman who tugs at his heartstrings. Elle feels safe with her two protectors, and the longer she spends with them, the more she realizes that she has no desire to remember her past. Not when it could compromise her future with Cade and Merrick. Cade has his own set of issues when it comes to Elle, and it quickly becomes clear to the two men that for the first time in their friendship, a woman is coming between them. But what if they just kept her there? Between them. Where she belongs.

 

 

My Thoughts:

Theirs to Keep, by Maya Banks, is the first book in the Tangled Hearts Trilogy.  Maya Banks is a New York Times Bestselling Author and has written over 60 books.  While reading Theirs to Keep it was easy to see that Banks is an accomplished author.  Her novel flowed exceptionally well, had memorable characters, and was very well written.

Theirs to Keep is a present day erotic novel with a mystery at its core.  Best friends Merrick and Cade stumble upon an amnesic and terrified young woman while checking out a breaking and entering security alarm.  Not only is the woman severally beaten, but she has gun shot wounds and refuses to go to the hospital or police station.  Not knowing what else to do, the men take her to their friend's medical practice.  Upon hearing every horrible thing that has been done to her, Merrick and Cade decide that they will take her under their wing until she remembers who she is.

The young woman believes her name to be Elle and is terrified of remembering the details of her attempted murder.  The only time she feels safe is when she is with Merrick and Cade.  The men become fiercely protective over Elle, and feelings of romance and love start to grow.  What will happen to Merrick and Cade's friendship if both fall in love with the same woman?  What will Elle do when she finds out how her protectors feel about her?  I guarantee that the decisions made are not what you would guess and will leave you with your mouth handing open!

The mystery surrounding Elle really held my interest.  At the end of Theirs to Keep Elle remembers the name of a town: Eden, Alabama.  She believes that this is either where she is from or where she was hurt.  With the help of Cade and Merrick, Elle plans to travel to Eden in order to uncover who she is and what happened to her.  This will all take place in the second book, Always Mine.  I look forward to watching the mystery unravel!

If you are looking for a fast paced read, Maya Banks' Theirs to Keep is a great option.  Keep in mind that this is an erotic romance novel with adult language.  I would love to hear what you think of it!

Maya Banks

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

Cover Reveal of 'Rain' by Christie Cote

I am very excited to be featuring the Cover Reveal of Christie Cote's book, Rain. 

Title: Rain

Author: Christie Cote

Find Christie: | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Review Blog |   

Click here for Autographed Rain Bookmarks: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mz6iSfq6R7hm-xrWTvfCyOtXp80iZY8I-aC-NIQk7X4/viewform

 

Synopsis: 

She took everything for granted.
Until one word changed everything.
He found her sitting in front of his house...
And she confessed everything to this stranger.

Little did she know, he would become much more than a stranger.
He would become her reason to survive.

  

About the Author: 

Christie Cote resides in Vermont with her Husband and their dog.  When she isn't reading, writing, or dreaming up her next story, she can be found shooting targets with her bow, drawing or baking. 

Rain is her first book.

Christie writes Young Adult Realistic Fiction, Fiction, and New Adult novels.

Christie Cote

Tropical Storm by Stefanie Graham

Title: Tropical Storm
 
Author: Stefanie Graham

Publisher: 2S Publishing

Published Date: August 10, 2013

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

 

Synopsis: 

Millionaire hotelier Cairo Kane has dealt with his fair share of tropical storms on the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Not one to hide from tumultuous weather, he would rather attack it, head on. Six years ago he left his life in New York City and escaped to the beautiful island of Jamaica to apply himself to the business of making money. The former blue-collar boy was driven, fierce, and determined; there wasn't a challenge he didn't take or a tempest he couldn't tame. Before Jessica Storm no woman had the power to shatter his confidence or break his heart. Storm enthralled him, married him and then betrayed him. He loved her once. He vowed never to love anyone that much again. 

Spoiled Manhattan socialite Jessica Storm might have the perfect pedigree but she doesn't have love. She'd been a bride for a single night before her parents' treachery drove her and her new husband apart. Cairo left her behind and escaped to an island paradise to create a new life and to forget the love they had once shared. Now she wants him back, whether Cairo likes it or not, he is hers until death do they part. They made a vow. As a force of nature no man is a match for her when she is hell-bent on having her way. Her husband better prepare for bad weather. A Storm is coming.

My Thoughts:

Tropical Storm, by Stefanie Graham, is a sizzling love story revolving around the consequences of a failed marriage between two young lovers.  Rich socialite Jessica Storm fell in love with Cairo, the poor orphaned boy from 'across the tracks'.  Barely 18 years old, Storm decides to follow her heart and secretly marries Cairo.  However, with only one night of marriage under their belts Storm's parents discover her duplicity and quickly whisk their daughter away and blackmail her into an annulment.  Cairo is heartbroken and flees to Jamaica to start anew.

Six years later Storm shows up at Cairo's Jamaican hotel, with her little boy Shane trailing behind.  Begging for a second chance, Storm pulls out all of the stops to win back Cairo's love.  However, Cairo is still wounded from their quick marriage and has built tall walls up around his heart.  Storm and Shane have their work cut out for them if they want a happily ever after.  

My emotions went up and down throughout Tropical Storm. At times I found myself frustrated with Storm for not being fully honest with Cairo.  However, even with all of her secrets, I still felt for her and continued rooting for her.  I can only imagine what she had gone through as a teenager and the sacrifices she had to make to give her son the best life she could.  In Tropical Storm, Storm would be pulling at my heartstrings and then Cairo would enter the picture and withhold what she truly needed which would cause me to curse him for being so stubborn.  At other times Storm could have so easily opened up to Cairo but remained tight lipped.  It was easy to see why Cairo was so cold and withdrawn from Storm as he had been gravely hurt and was guarding his heart.  

Shane is perhaps my favorite character in Tropical Storm and is absolutely adorable.  He tries to be so mature yet he still has the heartbreaking innocence of a little boy wanting a Daddy to love him.  There were times that I wanted to reach through the pages of Tropical Storm and hug him.  I think that Storm has done a terrific job in raising him, although I did feel that she relied on the child heavily and told him too much of her plans.  

Stefanie Graham's Tropical Storm is a steamy romance novel with unforgettable characters.  Tropical Storm is a likeable fast read that does a great job in pulling readers in.  This is the perfect novel to grab and read in a hot bubble bath or in front of the fire.  Let your winter blue's drift away as you escape to Jamaica in Tropical Storm.                     

The author has provided me with a complimentary copy of her book, Tropical Storm, for the purpose of review.

S.E.C.R.E.T and S.E.C.R.E.T Shared by L. Marie Adeline

Title: S.E.C.R.E.T and S.E.C.R.E.T Shared
 
Author: L. Marie Adeline

Publisher: Broadway Paperbacks

Published Date: February 5, 2013 and October 15, 2013

Buy on Amazon:  Paperback 

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

Synopsis of S.E.C.R.E.T: 

In S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T there are…
No judgments. No limits. No shame.

Cassie Robichaud’s life has been filled with regret and loneliness since the death of her husband. She waits tables at the run-down Café Rose in New Orleans, and every night she heads home to her cat and solitary one-bedroom apartment. But when she discovers a notebook left behind by a mysterious woman at the café, Cassie’s world is forever changed. The notebook’s stunningly explicit confessions shock and fascinate Cassie, and eventually lead her to S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T, an underground society dedicated to helping women realize their wildest, most intimate sexual fantasies. Cassie soon immerses herself in an electrifying ten-step journey through a series of rapturous fantasies with gorgeous men who awaken and satisfy her like never before. As she is set free from her inhibitions, she discovers a new confidence that transforms her, giving her the courage to live passionately. Equal parts enticing, liberating, and emotionally powerful, S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T is a world where erotic fantasy becomes reality.

 

Synopsis of S.E.C.R.E.T Shared: 

Still wounded from a recent heartbreak over her boss and lover, Will, Cassie Robichaud throws herself into service with S.E.C.R.E.T., the mysterious organization that changed her forever by bringing her deepest sexual fantasies to life, one step at a time. Now, it’s Cassie’s turn to guide the group’s newest candidate, Dauphine Mason, recruiting men to execute a new set of fantasies. 

 

At thirty-one, Dauphine is the proprietor of a New Orleans vintage clothing store. She’s been harboring a crush on Mark Drury, a local rock star, but is too shy to put herself out there with him. She turns to S.E.C.R.E.T. to reignite her sexual flame and find the confidence to risk her heart again with another man.   

 

As Cassie worries that the right time will never come for her and Will, she finds inspiration helping Dauphine in S.E.C.R.E.T. Both women navigate the rocky path between their hearts and their passions, hoping to discover what they truly want in life and in love. S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared is a romantic, adventurous, and sexually charged sequel to one of the hottest new series in erotica. 

 

My Thoughts:

S.E.C.R.E.T and S.E.C.R.E.T Shared is the new enthralling erotic fiction trilogy by author L. Marie Adeline.  L. Marie Adeline did a fantastic job of pulling me into the New Orleans world of S.E.C.R.E.T, so much so that I started and finished the first two novels, S.E.C.R.E.T and S.E.C.R.E.T Shared, in just two days. That's not easy for this Mama of a 5 year old and 4 month old, but it really shows just how much I enjoyed these two books and the characters.

S.E.C.R.E.T revolves around widower Cassie, a waitress who has lost the essence of who she is.  She drifts along in life, doing just enough to get by but not enough to make any real connections.  Cassie's loneliness is noticed by a special customer who starts the process of recruiting Cassie into a secret group of women who make it their job to help women open and find themselves.  Something is ignited within Cassie as she throws herself into the new and exciting world of S.E.C.R.E.T, where her deepest sexual fantasies can come true.     

S.E.C.R.E.T takes place over the length of a year which finds Cassie coming back to life and becoming more empowered.  After meeting several very unique and special men, Cassie realizes that there has always been a special man in her corner, waiting for her.  However, she was so lost in her own world that she blocked him at every turn.  Now that she has come into herself, will he still be there waiting for her?

S.E.C.R.E.T Shared is the second novel in this addictive trilogy.  It not only revolves around Cassie's new role in S.E.C.R.E.T, but it also introduces readers to a Dauphine, a brokenhearted young woman with major trust issues. When Cassie meets Dauphine she sees much of her old self reflected in the younger girl.  Wanting to help Dauphine, Cassie recruits Dauphine into the world of S.E.C.R.E.T in the hopes that it will make her whole.  Dauphine finds herself in many situations that she never dreamed of and starts to remember just who she is. 

S.E.C.R.E.T Shared ends on a bitter note for Cassie.  Just as it seems that loves timing is finally working out for her, a bump in the road lands Cassie on her back and struggling to know what to do next.  I am eagerly awaiting the third novel, S.E.C.R.E.T. Revealed (which will be released this Spring) to see what is next for Cassie and the ladies of S.E.C.R.E.T.  If you are looking for a sexy new triolgy that has romance, erotica, friendship, and thrills then L. Marie Adeline's S.E.C.R.E.T. novels are definitely for you.   
 

L. Marie Adeline

I have been provided with a complimentary copy of S.E.C.R.E.T and S.E.C.R.E.T Shared for the purpose of review.

The Days Lost by Shannon McCrimmon

Title: The Days Lost
 
Author: Shannon McCrimmon

Publisher: CreateSpace

Published Date: November 20, 2013

Buy on Amazon: Kindle & Paperback 

Author Website: http://shannonmccrimmon.com
 

 

 

Synopsis: 

On the heels of her high school graduation, Ellie Morales is spending her summer vacation in the mountains of Western North Carolina with her dad and brother, Jonah. Having lost their mother only months earlier, all of them are trying to cope with the loss in their own way. 

 

Part routine, part escape, running is Ellie's way of dealing with her grief. Shortly after sunrise each morning, Ellie and her dog, Bosco, set out for a lengthy run on the path that passes by her house and leads deep into the woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains. One fateful morning, Ellie is lead off of the trail and discovers a secret that will change her life, as well as the lives of the family she meets, forever. One member of this mysterious family is Sam Gantry, who seems unlike any guy she's ever known. 

 

This meeting sparks a series of events, causing Ellie to question everything she's ever known and believed. The more she learns about Sam and his family, the more she wants to help him find the missing puzzle pieces.

 

My Thoughts:

Shannon McCrimmon is a wonderfully talented author with which I have had the pleasure and opportunity to review for.  I instantly fell in love with her first two books, The Summer I Learned to Dive (my review can be found at: http://endlessdaysofbooks.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-summer-i-learned-to-dive-by-shannon.html) and it's sequel, The Year I Almost Drowned (my review: endlessdaysofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-year-i-almost-drowned-by-shannon.html.)  I became very excited upon learning that Shannon McCrimmon had a new book coming out, The Days Lost.  

The Days Lost is a novel that is very unique and differs greatly from McCrimmon's prior books.  Based in present day North Carolina, The Days Lost focuses on college freshman Ellie, who is grieving the loss of her mother.  Ellie, along with her father and brother Jonah, have left their home in Florida to vacation and heal at their mountain retreat.  One morning while running off of a beaten trail Ellie stumbles upon a strange family whose cabin is well hidden from hikers.  Instead of turning around and leaving, Ellie's curiosity gets the best of her when she observes Sam, a beautiful male with an angelic voice.  Ellie soon finds herself in the home of Sam and his old fashioned family and discovers a secret that seems unreal.

The Days Lost features a heartwarming friendship that morphs into a romance between Ellie and Sam.  Sam, in his own gentle way, helps Ellie deal with the grief that she has been bottling up.  In return, Ellie sets off with Sam to solve a mystery that has the potential to turn his family's life upside down and inside out.  The Days Lost also has a shocking twist that literally left me reeling.    

I especially loved reading about the relationship between Ellie and Jonah.  They constantly bickered and fought but were hugely protective of each other when it counted.  Having suffered through the loss of their mother, each were dealing with issues but still managed to be there for one another when no one else was.  You could easily see how much they loved and counted on one another. 

Shannon McCrimmon's The Days Lost is a well written, suspenseful and romantic young adult novel that is a quite a page turner!  I would love to see a sequel that deals with Sam's family acclimating into modern society as well as exploring Sam and Ellie's blossoming relationship.  If you are looking for an interesting read, The Days Lost is the book for you!                         

Shannon McCrimmon

The author has provided me with a complimentary copy of her book, The Days Lost, for the purpose of review.

Becoming by Samantha Summers

Title: Becoming: Book 3 in the Project Five Fifteen Series
 
Author: Samantha Summers

Publisher: Samantha Summers

Published Date: October 31, 2013

Buy on Amazon: Kindle & Paperback 

Author Website: http://samanthasummers515.blogspot.com/
 

Synopsis: 

Turning his back on the killer he was trained to be wasn’t as easy as Kalen Smith had hoped. They’d tried to run. They’d tried to hide. People had lost their lives. The wrong people. Now, driven by a thirst for revenge, Kalen and his team are preparing to take down those responsible.

But vengeance comes at a price and Ronnie can feel the boy she fell in love with slipping away from her as the darkness he’s been running from for so long threatens to consume him.

With danger looming in every direction, the possibility of a happy-ever-after is looking bleak, but The Agency isn’t the only obstacle in the way of Ronnie and Kalen’s future. Ronnie’s harbouring a tragic secret that isn’t hers to keep and the truth could destroy not only their relationship, but what’s left of Kalen’s humanity.

One way or another, everything is about to change...

My Thoughts:

I write this post about Samantha Summers' latest book, Becoming, with mixed emotions.  My sadness is not because I disliked Becoming (FAR from it!) or that it ended on a bad note.  No, I have this empty feeling because Becoming is the last book in Summers' Project Five Fifteen series.  A series that I absolutely adore.  A series that I found myself immersed in.  A series that I didn't want to end.  But like all good things... 

I first discovered Ronnie and Kalen a year ago and immediately fell in love with all of the characters and fast moving storyline.  In fact, I posted my review of First Light, the first book in the series, on November 4th of 2012 (Click here to read it.)  After that I couldn't wait to find out what was next for Ronnie and Kalen, along with the rest of the Five Fifteen boys.  I had to wait until August to read the second book, As You Were (Review found here.)  As You Were was left with a cliffhanger of sorts.  Would Ronnie and Kalen's relationship survive the secret she now knows about his past?  How would Kal, Ace, and Denver beat their nemesis and if they managed to pull it off would there be causalities?  All of these questions and more were running through my mind as I impatiently waited for Becoming to be published.

I didn't know how Summers would top First Light and As You Were, but somehow she did!  Becoming just might be the best book in the Project Five Fifteen series, and that is saying a lot!  From the moment I opened the cover I was pulled into Kal and Ronnie's life on the run.  Becoming is full of twists, turns, romance, heartache, laughter, adventure, and mystery.  I loved learning more about the other Five Fifteen boys and where life took them when they escaped Canter Creek.  I am secretly holding out hope that Summers may decide to write another book delving into the lives of these other boys.  I would LOVE to see Ace find love and for Denver to meet his match.  Wouldn't it be great to see Raf reunite with his 'family?'  And how about the other 'project' the Agency at Canter Creek had started?  I would be interested to see Ace and Denver deal with that new complication. 

I can not praise Becoming, by Samantha Summers, enough.  I really and truly loved everything about this book (and series!)  In fact, I would love to see the Project Five Fifteen series turned into a movie franchise.  Kalen and Ronnie on the big screen?  Excuse me while I swoon!  Please take my advice and if you pick up a book to read this winter, do yourself a favor and read this fantastic series.  You won't be sorry!                    

Samantha Summers

The author has provided me with a complimentary copy of her book, Becoming, for the purpose of review.