Friday, April 12, 2013

Sawyer Bennett - Off Limits (Follow up book to Off Sides)



 “There is a vulnerability there, hovering just below the surface. And I want to pick at it until I expose it. Then I want to kiss it."

Two years ago, Emily Burnham, had an epiphany about the shallowness of her life. And she made it her mission to become a different person…a better woman. Out from under the controlling thumb of her mother, Emily is tasting the real world for the first time. And she likes it.

Nixon Caldwell has served his time in the Marine Corps, surviving two brutal tours in Afghanistan. He is back home, surrounded by what he likes best…isolation. It's certainly the best way to avoid confrontation of the consuming guilt that is weighing him down.

When an accident brings Emily and Nix together, he soon learns he is not the master of his own fate. Struggling with his own pain, Nix tries to guard himself against Emily’s charms. He wants her in his bed, but he doesn’t want her in his heart.

Having grabbed life by the horns, Emily wants it all. But is she willing to accept just the small part of himself that Nix is offering? Can she reach the part of his soul that he has deemed to be Off Limits?


Off Limits is the follow up book to Off Sides, by Sawyer Bennett. When Sawyer contacted me and asked if I would be interested in an advanced reading of Off Limits- I was so excited to find out where Ryan and Danny (from Off Sides) were at in the "future" and how life might have changed for Emily, Ryan's sister. Emily and Nix are the main characters for Off Limits - and we first got to meet Emily in Off Sides, where she was a bit of a bitch! She followed in her stuck up, high class mothers footsteps - but at the very end of the book, Emily reaches out to Ryan for a little guidance and opens her eyes a little. 

Now, two years in the future- we get to read about Emily starting her own life, now being at Columbia University and trying to live a complete different life than what she had back home in Boston. She doesn't want to be the stuck up- snob anymore.. and finds a friend, Fil, to help her achieve this.

The way Off Limits is written is a little blunter wording than Off Sides was, at least it seemed like it to me. I do love though, the go back and forth of narration between Emily and Nix, and see both of their emotions, thoughts and feelings. But the writing is different than most novels than I've read and it takes a little getting used to the step by step verbalizing.

I had to find myself growing to like Nix. He speaks somewhat in the third person, but there is always something about the closed off, stand back, sexy man that gets me intrigued. He is a veteran to the war and has come back with PTSD... Sometimes I like reading these types of characters to see beyond just the fights and deaths that we are constantly hearing about in the news, but about the after math of some of these hero's that come home, and what they too go through- and the different injuries inside they deal with, such as Nix.
I definitely warmed up to Nix more so when he started to flirt with Emily... and show more of his feelings.

Emily's is more of the character I took interest in- she is trying hard to become the adult she wants to be, and it was a fun read her growing into that person (especially after reading how she was in Off Sides). 

Sawyer Bennett is an author that can write about two characters that become so immersed with each other, so elated by each other and an off the chart chemistry with one another that you can't help but to keep on reading. Both books that I have read of hers have captured me in the essence of the romance, the deep connection between the lead male and female - and I have never read love scenes that are so thought out, step by step, breathe by breathe claiming of one another. It's the type of love scenes that after finishing ... you find yourself at a loss of breathe yourself. It's a combination of hot, sexy, breath-taking and lovely all at the same time.

I give Off Limits 4 STARS with 5+ star love scenes!
 

FREEBIE FRIDAY!


Jean Brashear - Texas Secrets (Book #1 of the Texas Hero's Series)









I didn't pick this one up of Jaci Burton's because I am personally not into the "fantasy world" of Fiction Romance, but if you're a Jaci Burton fan and don't mind the sci-fi aspect.. for free right now is 

Jaci Burton's - Summer Heat (Book #1 in Storm of all Seasons Series)

 
Click here to grab for free!

Perfect for You - Kate Perry (Laurel Highs Series, Book#1) 

The books of this series have been slowly showing up on the the amazon top 100 list each week, if you keep picking them up, you just might  get the whole series for free!!


Grab Perfect For You.. HERE!  


Crazy for Cowboy - Roxy Boroughs 

This book is also part of a series, with each novel by a different author. 


Click Here for Crazy for Cowboy

Cafenova - S. Jane Scheyder


 Click here to get - Cafenova


Any freebie books you picked up this week? Send over a comment on any reviews/free books/etc that you may want to share. 

HAPPY FREEBIE FRIDAY!


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Lori Foster - Murphy's Law (Law Series, Book #2)


Anything That Can Go Wrong . . .
Nothing is going to go wrong. Ashley Miles has worked too hard for her independence to let some Bentley-driving hunk named Quinton Murphy interfere with her plans -- or her freedom. Yes, the chemistry is phenomenal. Kind of scary, actually. But that s it. NO emotional commitments.

. . . Will
But he s SO wonderful -- a woman could fall in lov . . . How did that happen? That wasn t part of the plan! But can she trust him? Really trust him? The man is just so mysterious. There s only one solution: put it all on the line and see what Quinton does when she tells him how she feels. And hope everything that can go wrong . . . won t . . .

In Jude's Law you already get a little taste of Quinton Murphy and Ashley Miles' meeting and chemistry that hits right from the start... but by the end of Jude's book, it slowly comes to a crash when Ashley finds Quinton in his office with some leggy blonde that looks to be a lot my friendly than a co-worker. 

Murphy's Law starts with the thrill of Ashley being followed and her suspicions on the villain from Jude's Law now out for her. She is a little jumpy when Quinton sneaks up on her in the garage at work, but he slowly works his way into her heart and life - especially when he finds out the dilemma that she is facing. Quinton is quick to throw in his help and while doing so, he is quick to fall for Ashely as well. 
I enjoyed getting to see through Jude and May's wedding in Murphy's Law - since I loved their characters so much, but they disappear through most of the rest of the book.. which I would have loved to read more interaction with them. 

Ashely is a free spirit, hard working and intelligent woman. She came from a bad bringing up, which is the opposite to Quinton's life. 
  
Quinton shows Ashely some new things in her life, and she is not one to dabble in the puddle, but to jump all the way in. I enjoyed reading Ashley and Quinton's story - but I don't think it was nearly as good as Jude and May's story. 

4 stars! 

 

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Lori Foster - Jude's Law (Law Series, Book #1)

When it comes to love, he plays to win.

There's only so much frustration a guy can handle before he gets a little nutty. For Jude Jamison, his frustration has a name—May Price. She's everything the former Hollywood bad boy actor came to Stillbrook, Ohio, hoping to find: open, honest, lovable, and full of those luscious curves you don't find on stick-figure starlets—curves May doesn't seem to appreciate in herself. Every time Jude tries to get close to the skittish business woman, to take her in his arms, she thinks he's joking. Joking? Joking does not involve lots of cold-shower therapy.

Time for new tactics. If May can't respond to his sly compliments and sexy innuendos, he'll just have to spell it out for her. Jude Jamison is going to lay down the law for May Price. And after that, she'll have no delusions about just how much he wants her

Lori Foster is hands down one of my most favorite authors. I love her writing style, the love scenes and humor that she provides in all of her books. I have read just about every book/series that she has written and they are definitely books that I never turn in to my local Goodwill or Bookstore after reading... because I just know - I will pick them up and read again...as of right now it will be; Jude's Law and Murphy's law - Law Series. 
For some reason I don't remember these books as much as I do her others... and I figured I would give it another go and see what I was missing!  

And I can say right now... HOW DID I FORGET JUDE'S LAW? The back cover break down does not do this book justice. After I read the back cover, for some reason the story just didn't come back to me but by the end of Chapter 1 I already remembered how much I loved Jude's character. Man, does he steam up the books pages and ohhhh la, la are the love scenes delicious! 

I thought in other books the fixation/attentiveness of the hero’s to the heroines were hot; this is by the far the steamiest of them all. Jude wants May – and he wants her bad! He is a big time celebrity/SBC Fighter (ps – LOVE the SBC series by Lori Foster and reading this book made me want to start that series all over again.. so they are up for a THIRD time go around) and May is a little Ohio town art gallery owner, who thinks Jude is messing with her on his infatuation, flirtation and bed makin’ hopes! She sees herself as a thick woman with too big of breast and not a flat stomach – Jude sees her as a curvy, luscious woman that he has to have… and when a little mystery comes up between the two of them and May’s trouble making brother – then the pages just get steamier and a lot more interesting! 

I loved, loved, loved this story and the chemistry between them! I recommend for all to read… I mean, if you don’t mind a good romp in the bed- sexy and laughable book, then grab your copy of Jude’s law now!!!
You can pick up Jude's law from Amazon.com by clicking the link below:

Paperback - $6.29 or Kindle Edition - $4.30 

5 PLUS stars!  

Book Cover Release - See it here!

I am so excited to announce that a book that I recently reviewed, Off Sides, author - Sawyer Bennett contacted me earlier this week about how much she enjoyed my review and offered me an advanced copy to read of her new book, Off Limits... which is the follow up novel to Off Sides. 
I should be receiving the advanced copy on Friday - but as a little sneak peek, Sawyer Bennett e-mailed me a first look at the book cover for Off Limits. 
HERE IT IS
 
Looks GREAT doesn't it? It's definitely a book cover that would catch my eye.. I hear that purple is a color on books that first stands out and catches the eye of the reader... what do you think?

I can't wait to read Off Limits and share with you the review. I enjoyed the first book, Off Sides so much and fell in love with Ryan and Danny immediately - GO PICK up Off Sides on amazon now and get ready for the release of Off Limits next month! 

Check out a short Book Synopsis sent to me by Sawyer! 

BOOK SYNOPSIS – OFF LIMITS BY SAWYER BENNETT
“There is a vulnerability there, hovering just below the surface. And I want to pick at it until I expose it. Then I want to kiss it."

Two years ago, Emily Burnham, had an epiphany about the shallowness of her life.  And she made it her mission to become a different person…a better woman.  Out from under the controlling thumb of her mother, Emily is tasting the real world for the first time.  And she likes it.

Nixon Caldwell has served his time in the Marine Corps, surviving two brutal tours in Afghanistan. He is back home, surrounded by what he likes best…isolation.  It's certainly the easiest way to avoid confrontation of the consuming guilt that is weighing him down.

When an accident brings Emily and Nix together, he soon learns he is not the master of his own fate. Struggling with his own pain, Nix tries to guard himself against Emily’s charms.  He wants her in his bed, but he doesn’t want her in his heart. 

Having grabbed life by the horns, Emily wants it all.  But is she willing to accept just the small part of himself that Nix is offering?  Or can she reach the part of his soul that he has deemed to be Off Limits?
 
Already off to a great start.. don't you think?
Stay tuned for my review on Off Limits - coming sometime next week.
Thanks again Sawyer Bennett for the advanced copy.. you made me one happy, happy little blogger! 

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Facebook Posts - Follow Between the Sheets!

I have some great info being posted on Facebook everyday! Don't miss out, follow Between the Sheets on facebook now! 


There just might be a little something on there about an advanced reading Between the Sheets will be reciving - as well as possibly guest posts from some of our favorite authors!

Stay tuned and follow our Facebook! 

Stephanie Bond - Almost a Family




Ten years ago Virgina Catron and Bailey Callihan had to get married, but they loved each other fiercely and adored their son when he came into their lives. Then fate dealt them a cruel blow when their infant son was snatched in a grocery store. Their new marriage couldn’t withstand the strain and when it became clear their baby would not be found, they divorced, brokenhearted and griefstricken. Virginia went back to college and embarked on a successful corporate career; Bailey worked just enough to get by and still parties too much. They haven’t seen each other since their divorce was finalized. They’re both still single, but they’re very different people than when they were young, and still bear deep emotional scars. The story opens when word comes that their son has been found…alive. Can these three virtual strangers come together to make a family?

When I picked up this 99cent box set of Stephanie Bond romance-mystery books off amazon - I have to be honest, I didn't have high hopes for it. The back story to each of the books just didn't grab me.. but I decided this week to dive in anyways and see how it goes. 

The second book in the box set was "Almost a Family" - which probably was the book back story that intrigued me the most ... and I have to say, it definitely did not disappoint. I have never read a story like this. It was so touching, sad, funny and tearful for me. There are several times through out the book that I found myself in tears, but then laughing through the tears from the quit wit and help that Bailey provides Virginia through the troubles of getting their eight year old son back, after he was kidnapped as a baby.  

I was a little worried about how Stephanie would write about a subject that is very difficult to touch.. kidnapping is not something I would normally want to read about, because it's very emotional - but she wrote the emotions, the roller coaster of their coming together again to a T and I was so touched by the story. 

And that doesn't even touch the sexiness and flirtatious demeanourr that comes from Bailey Kallihan - man alive did he come off the pages as sexy! He may have had his "issues" but he still knew how to rev Virgina's engine.. I loved it! 

I not only recommend this book for everyone to read - but I look forward to reading it again myself. 

5 STARS!!!  

You can pick up "Almost a Family" for either your Kindle or on paperback through Amazon by click one of the below:
Paperback - Almost a Family
or
Kindle - Almost a Family
Both only $2.99
  

Stephanie Bond - License to Thrill



He wasn’t the man she wanted to trust…

When art curator Kat McKray is wrongly accused of stealing a priceless historical love letter, she has to rely on a sexy British agent to help her—no small feat when she’s his prime suspect. The man is infuriating, but when the stakes turn deadly, it’s nice to have a hard body up against hers…

She wasn’t the woman he expected to fall for…

Former British Agent James Donovan took this assignment to accompany a silly little letter to the States on a lark, but he didn't count on the trouble on the other end in the form of a curvy American temptress who has an alarming amount of secrets--and enemies. He feels bound to protect Kat even when all fingers point to her as the thief…and he has a bad feeling that a bulletproof vest isn't going to protect his heart this time!



Ohh.. how sometimes I just love me a cocky, sexy, and quit wit lead male character.. just like British Agent James Donovan!

I have been looking for a good romance-mystery book to read lately, and thank you Stephanie Bond for stepping into my world with License to Thrill. I have about 7 books of Stephanie Bond's that I have picked up for either; free or 99 cents on amazon.com, or I've found them at the Good Will - but I have yet to read one, until now!License to thrill has me smiling like crazy and laughing at Jame's funny and witty ways. He may not sneak past Kat's defenses right away, but that doesn't stop her from getting flustered on the inside and admiring him any chance she gets. 

Leave it to a mystery to come up and who to be by Kat's side when she is in trouble, no other than Agent James. Even though he has his doubts.. he still can't seem to hold himself from not helping Kat out and trying to get to the bottom of her mystery of the missing historical letter.

James' mysterious infatuation with Kat is intriguing to me, along with the suspense of the mystery that keeps your riveted... the sex is the plus in the whole bucket! 

This is definitely a book I will pick up and read again! 

4.5 STARS!   
 

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Leanne Banks - Footloose (Bellagio Series, Book #3)


Think working for a leading international shoe company sounds like a dream job? Not if you're Amelia Parker, an overworked, downtrodden temp working for Bellagio, Inc.'s grande dame, Lillian Bellagio. But things are looking up for Amelia. She's just been given the assignment of accompanying Ms. Bellagio to her estate in the Keys. Trading pumps for flip-flops and a cell phone for a conch shell--could be worse, right? Especially when life on the island includes her very own mystery man--one Jack "The Shark" O'Connell, dashing venture capitalist. He dares Amelia to use this time to do something wild: drink a hurricane, go skinny-dipping...have an affair with a dangerously attractive man. Now Amelia will have to decide whether to step into that glass slipper.

Leanna Banks is back with another doozy of a book from her series, Bellagio. As you can see from my previous post - I had a roller coaster of emotions with her previous book in the series, Underfoot. Now with Footloose I once again find myself in limbo with loving the lead male character and sometimes being very-very fishy about him. Jack is a wheeler and dealer and is out to help  Amelia find her way in life after her break up with long time Fiance, Will. 

I loved how Jack helped Amelia out, his flirtation and swag in life was off the charts - but then again he was so secretive and kind of conniving towards Amelia that it bothered me. But it was fun to read him guide Amelia into different scenarios and his immediate eye catching chemistry he found with Amelia.

I did like Amelia's character though and her sweetness about her. Sometimes it's nice to read about those charming southern belle's, but she was one that was afraid to get her feet wet (like a nude swim in a pool) but still dived in head first to do another item on her "to-do list". I found her character adorable and easy to read.. she was pretty funny at times too! 

I didn't care how the book ended - but I think the epilogue made up for it. 

I give Footloose 3 Stars with 4 Star love scenes