Phenomenal X

4 Ringside Stars!!

Synopsis:

Good Girl. Notorious Bad-Boy. One Phenomenal Love.

From the mean streets of Detroit rises the newest superstar of professional wrestling, Xavier Cold, better known as Phenomenal X. His muscular physique makes men cower before him and woman lose their minds with desire.

Anna Cortez is fresh out of college and naive to the harsh realities of the real world. Tired of living under the thumb of her conservative family, she defies them when she accepts a job as the assistant to wrestling’s most notorious bad-boy. Phenomenal X has an animalistic nature that even good girl Anna finds hard to resist. One night forced to share a bed in a sold-out hotel, lines blur between them and they quickly learn that one lustful night changes everything and neither one of them will ever be the same.

My Review

Xavier Cold and Anna Cortez are a match-up that is hard to contend with. They are both stubborn, lost souls just trying to fit in their own skin.
Xavier is full of self-loathing, a trait he acquired from his abusive childhood and struggling teenage years. He believes through and through that he is black inside; undeserving of kindness and happiness in any form. The only thing good in his life is his career. He is one of the most popular pro-wrestlers in the nation and he is at the top of his game.
Enter, via airplane, Anna. She is in search of finding herself and what makes her happy after living her entire life by her father's wishes and controlling hand. Anna hasn't experienced the real world and the dangers that lie within. Upon meeting Xavier, Anna can't seem to ignore the stirrings he creates inside. Xaviers is too selfish to keep Anna out of harms way by continuing to be around her.
Relentless pursuits, a friendship that is bound to fail, a career and sanity on the line, will these two be able to heal the other from their pasts? Or will their relationship be the ultimate devastation they will ever experience?
As soon as I began reading Phenomenal X, I had a hard time rationalizing with myself that I still had to take care of my life responsibilities. I just wanted to stay with Xavier and Anna.
Not only are X and Anna exceptional characters, Michelle has written a whole cast of dynamic characters that immensely add to the story line.
And then, the story line just suddenly stopped and came to an end!!! Well, not the end end, but the end of the book. I was left clutching my iPad, jaw-dropped, heart-pounding and cursing silently (in a good way, of course) because I want more and my questions answered.
I cannot wait for the second installment in the Hard Knock Series! I need more Xavier and Anna in my life.

Just a little taste that will have you wanting more

His lips pull into a tight line, and I fully expect him to release me, but he doesn’t. Xavier’s fingers stay in place, burning into my skin. “It’s fine if you don’t want to say what’s on your mind. I get that. But no more frowning for the rest of this trip, or I might be forced to find other ways to make you smile just to piss your boyfriend the fuck off.”

His finger traces down my neck and across my collarbone, leaving a trail of fire in its wake.

My mouth drops open and I can’t stop myself from asking, “What kind of ways?”

Damn my stupid curious brain. That just set him up for all kinds of dirty talk.

He tries to fight back a smile, but it doesn’t work. It comes at me in full, glorious force. “More ways than that sweet brain of yours could ever imagine.”

He leans into me, and I can’t do anything more than tense because his hand slides up the side of my neck in a very intimate gesture. He’s close enough that, if I pushed forward a couple of inches, our lips would meet in what I imagine would be an earth-altering kiss.

“I could do things to your body that most women only dream about while reading their dirty romance novels, and I promise you’d fucking enjoy it.”

I stare up at him speechless. Wow.

Just…wow.

I can’t believe he just said that to me.

Xavier licks his plump lips. “No strings attached, and your boyfriend would never have to know.” He leans in and whispers in my ear, “I just want a little taste.”

So....What are you waiting for?!?! GO GET IT!!

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Author Info

Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of erotic and New Adult romance. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos, and sexy musicians inspired her erotic BLACK FALCON series.

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Hello LAlaland Review

Hello LAlaland

By Madi Merek

We all know my love-hate relationship with novellas. I still love the characters and their story and I hate how little time I get to spend with them.
I am always wanting more! Yes, I get that would defeat the purpose of a novella.
That was, until Ms. Merek entered the scene and gave us a novella that I only love! (No hate associated in this relationship)

Hello LAlaland is the story of Winifred Chapman-Jensen (dang how she hates the reference to her married name) recently divorced, mother to little Walt and fashion designer extraordinaire attending her ten year class reunion.
Back in the city she despises, she happens to run into her high school crush, Anthony Ricci, at the airport, giving him no indication that she knows who he is. Tony (he goes by that now?) is interested and she walks away promising to call him for the "tour", swiftly followed by a vixen wink.

The dreaded trip to LA has now turned into a sick twist of fate.

A wonderful, delicious, intoxicating connection between Winn and Tony leads to something neither expected, both desired and one completely runs from.
What will happen if Winn gives into what Tony longs for? What if she latches on to her own control and determination and doesn't give in?

Madi's writing is phenomenal and she has been able to give me everything I desire in novellas; a more in-depth, personal connection to the characters. A back story, the present and the future.
Not only that, but she has pulled on the heart strings of the teenage girl inside. I mean, who doesn't have that crush that you only dream about snatching up?! Hello LAlaland was like the answer to my teenage girl dreams.

No other words left except for

GO GET IT!!

Amazon / B&N/ Kobo

Hello LAlaland Release Day!!!

 

Hello LAlaland release day has ar-rived!

Hello LAlaland

  Paparazzi, vodka cocktails, and sex. Welcome to LAlaland. Winifred Chapman isn’t thrilled with the idea of her ten year reunion; especially not the idea of returning to LAlaland. Even in the midst of her thrilling career, she’s managed to avoid LA as often as possible, which is saying a lot for a world-renowned fashion designer. She has a life which women everywhere would envy, and has everything she needs . . . or so she thinks. Anthony Ricci was the most popular guy at Westlake High, and the one Winifred thought would never look twice at her. A former professional athlete, he now runs a successful Italian restau-rant in New York City. When they run into each other at the reunion and give in to a widely pas-sionate night, Anthony decides he may want more than Winifred is willing to give. Hating being known by the men she’s dated or slept with, Winifred has learned to take what she needs from them without investing emotionally. When she discovers Anthony’s old desire for her and disappears after their night together, he refuses to give her up. Will he be able to show her that love doesn’t have to be a battle, or will LAlaland prove to be enough to destroy her carefully constructed walls? Hating being known by the men she’s dated or slept with, Winifred has learned to take what she needs from men without investing emotionally. When she discovers Anthony’s old desire for her and disappears after their night together, he refuses to give her up. Will he be able to show her that love doesn’t have to be a battle, or will LAlaland prove to be enough to destroy her carefully constructed walls?   Get a quick glimpse at Tony: [youtube=http://youtu.be/J5tVkrDAJtw]   Check out what Winifred is all about: [youtube=http://youtu.be/ieI6oIjjIAA]  

Get the book from Kobo, TWCS Publishing House, amazon.com, and Barnes & Noble.

Madi also has some paperback copies available. If you'd like a signed one, please contact her through her website, www.authormadimerek.com, or below.

Follow Madi on Twitter and like her Facebook Au-thor Page!

      Rave Review for Hello LAlaland: "...deserves ten damn stars, not five." - Cecily's Book Review   ... You are an awesome writer and this book freaking kicks ass. I am now officially in love with Tony and his sexy ass.Again thank you so very much!! I loved this book. I couldn't put this book down I had to finish it right away. The writing was amazing. The story line is brilliant, sexy, romantic, wonderful, and amazing. I loved all the char-acters. Winifred is a strong, amazing, successful woman. She is head strong and knows exactly what she needs and doesn't need in her life. I admire this character very much. She will not let any man break her heart or it come close to breaking her. Anthony is so...ummmm yummy! I could read about him all day long. He is strong, sexy, hot, manly, and successful too. He wears his heart on his sleeve for the woman that he loves. Tony is my new book boyfriend. The history that the two of them have is crazy, sad, and makes me want to shake them both. Then I want to smile like a kid eating an ice cream cone for the first time. Yes this story is that damn good. I honestly could read this book over and over again. I love how I got sucked into this story. I am so digging the ending of this book and I can't wait for book 2. Congrats on writing this freaking amazing story!!!! All I can say is that I am so glad that I got the chance to read this book and I am looking forward to reading so much more.  

Teaser from Marked Script

Okay, so a lot of this has been sitting around, not getting read because I have moved way past this point, therefore it hasn't gotten much love recently, so I thought I would throw out a little snippet from my book here (and a synopsis since most don't know what it is about) and see what you all think.

Enjoy :D

Synopsis:

My world changed the day before my 16th birthday when my mom took her own life. It didn't change in a good or bad way, it just changed. Things were never the same, but I survived.

Three years later, trying to start a new path of life for myself, my world completely changed again; I met the Evans brothers.

Caspian and Mason Evans.

Both devastatingly handsome and hiding a secret; one that I discovered. One angel gone bad, one angel determined to change him.

The day I figured out they were celestial beings sent to Earth to interact with humans and decide if we were worth the effort to care about, was the day I realized I was in love with both of them. Both tragic, strong, yet lost angels had captured my heart, until the day I discovered the darkest secret of all. The one involving my mother and the day she died. The day she didn't have to die.

Teaser:

            As I walk into the library (thank God for twenty-four hour campus libraries), I revel in the silence and make my way to an empty table along a wall with windows. I begin setting out all my things, deciding what to work on first when my spine begins to tingle.

            “A little early on the weekend to be studying, wouldn’t you say, Evangeline?”

            There is only one person I am aware of that continues to call me by my full name. I turn around in my chair to find Caspian lounging a few tables down; chair tilted back, feet crossed on top of the table, book resting across his chest which is covered with a tight blue t-shirt, hands laced together on top of his book, hair artfully bed-wrangled, eyes shining, but no smile.

            I hold my breath while I sweep over his impressive frame and finally realize my shot at forgetting things to study isn’t going to happen. My thoughts have apparently materialized in the last place I would have ever imagined.

            “Hi Caspian,” I reply, giving a small smile. I’m not sure what to say and he seems angry. Caspian just raises an eyebrow and continues to stare at me. This has suddenly gone from nervous to awkward to uncomfortable in a matter of seconds. I let out a low sigh, wishing I were rude enough to just turn around and try to study.

Why is he here anyways? It’s incredibly early, I know the party he was at last night. I figured he would still be sleeping it off in bed with Meghan. Jealousy instantly consumes me. Why did I have to go and think about those two together? Apparently, she doesn’t have a problem talking to him.

            Buck up, Evie. Just say something.

            “Did you have fun at the party last night?”

            Caspian looks surprised for a fleeting moment before his eyes narrow. “Which part?” He asks. He is angry. “The drinking part, the Meghan part, or the part where I had to deal with a rapist?”

            Now I’m surprised. And angry. God, he can be such an asshole.

            “Yes, clearly I am talking about the rapist moment. I had a feeling that was your idea of fun.” At this point I do turn around and start gathering up my things. There is no way I am staying here any longer and continuing this conversation.

            Caspian has other things in mind. He is suddenly behind me, slamming his hand down on the book I was about to put away.

            “Evie, is that what you really think of me? I would gladly deal with anyone like that, but it is not my idea of fun. As I recall, I was helping you. I’d say a thank you is in order instead of a sarcastic comment.”

            His close proximity causes my mind to draw a blank and my body to slowly drift in his direction. I know he has said something I should be angry with, but I just can’t muster enough rational thought to care.

Forever Loved

Just a little warning if you haven’t read the first of this series, Forever Innocent, READ that one first! It is incredible. My review for it is here.

Okay so now for my review of Deanna Roy’s Forever Loved. I was sucked into the continuing story of Corabelle and Gavin. I had so much hope and expectations for them during their first book, but when all of the secrets came out in the end and Corabelle decided she wanted the ocean to swallow her and not give her back (literally), I was shattered and couldn’t wait to see what happened next. But I had to wait… 3 MONTHS! But it was worth the wait.

4 Heart-Twisting Stars!

Synopsis:

“How do I tell the woman I love that I fathered a son with a prostitute?”

After four long years of separation, Gavin has finally reunited with his childhood love Corabelle. She’s forgiven him for leaving her during the funeral of their seven-day-old baby, and also for where he ended up — in Mexico to get a vasectomy.

A message from Rosa, a prostitute he met the day of his surgery, brings his life to a crashing halt. She claims Gavin has fathered a son, now three years old and living with her cousin in Ensenada. He doesn’t know if he can trust Rosa, who never mentioned the boy before, or if his delicate reconciliation with Corabelle can withstand the shock if it is true.

Corabelle believes their future together is the right thing despite their past. But when she learns of this other child, the one thing she lost long ago and might never have again with Gavin, Corabelle’s faith that her life will ever follow her old dream is shattered. To make things right for Gavin and his son, she just might have to let go of the only person she always believed would be her forever love.

Corabelle kind of got on my nerves here and there when she wouldn’t speak her mind or swing to the other side of spectrum and overreact, but I’m sure I would be the same way if I was stuck in the hospital with my boyfriend and parents constantly arguing. I tended to overlook these things when Corabelle started making decisions about her actions (and reactions) that were tough on her, but made her stronger. I could see she was growing as a person and no longer numb to life.

Gavin continued to stay in my good graces and on my I’m-rooting-for-you list even though some of his actions throughout the book would suggest he was just bailing on Corabelle again. He was growing up, making difficult decisions, fighting for his love and what he believed to be right.

Enter Rosa and Manuelito. The prostitute and the son. Gavin had to make a life altering decision when he got the call that he was a father to a three-year old boy. Why did it have to be a boy? Gavin had a son and Corabelle didn’t. Life seemed to putting them through the ringer.

Life is never easy, life will always be throwing curve balls, but it is how we deal with them that define our strengths and our weaknesses.

Corabelle and Gavin’s strengths powered through more than most and I fell more in love with them, their relationship and their missing piece; Finn.

Deanna’s phenomenal writing in the first book carries to this one, keeping the characters true to their personalities while changing them right before your eyes.

Get It Now!

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

(I received an ARC via the author for my review and this is my honest-to-goodness, straight from the heart review!)

By Referral Only

5 Referrals-Included Stars!

By Referral Only is the second in the Whitman University series by Lyla Payne (first being Broken at Love) and I loved this one just as much as the first.

Ruby is a junior at Whitman University, she excels at theatre, dreams of New York with Broadway twinkling in her eyes. She is stunning in beauty, brains, and loyalty, social chair for her sorority, can easily attain any guy she deems worthy of a fling, but she isn’t perfect. At least to herself and the families of those at Whitman.

Ruby comes from new money and does not have the appropriate upbringing to be a lady of class and high stature.

Ruby hides behind a wall that she erected years ago, seemingly uncaring of what others think of her, keeping others at bay by not allowing them close, not getting attached, and just enjoying the pleasures of another’s company.

Too bad for her, Cole Stuart walks into her life and he refuses to leave.

Too bad for Cole, Ruby has started a referral website rating guys on their sexual prowess and he is bottom of the barrel. Too bad for Ruby her body and heart don’t seem to care.

Cole is the hottie Scottish Royalty of campus, built like a god, on the swim team, multiple non-profit boards, cares for children, and knows his Shakespeare; Ruby doesn’t even stand a chance from the first time his green eyes capture her blue ones.

As Cole slowly makes his way into her life, seeing past her façade, Ruby is helpless and feels out of control and ultimately unworthy. As things heat up, their lives continue to collide, secrets from their pasts, secrets of heartbreak and betrayal surface, reminding each other why they have always closed themselves off. Will their walls go back up or will they forever crumble?

Ruby is sassy, quick-lipped, and doesn’t take crap from anyone. She is a strong individual who doesn’t find herself worthy of her peers. I adore Ruby.

Cole is one of the ultimate book boyfriends I have been in need of! Fighting demons on his own, his first thought and instinct is to be there for Ruby, take care of her and get her to see herself how he sees her.

These two have an explosive chemistry that most people only dream about and they truly deserve to be envied.

I am ready for the next Whitman University novel J

Go Get It! Like, Now!

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My Apologies

I do apologize for the decline in posts. School and work and the holiday season and just life in general have really gotten the best of me in the last 6 weeks. Give me two weeks to finish out my semester and I will have filled you all in on the wonderful books I have been able to read as well as a revamp of my blog. I will be adding different tabs, various updates, book trailers, and other exciting things :D

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

All my best, Lynn