On the Ropes Release Day!

 

A murderer’s child…A foster child…A troubled teen…Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has never had an easy life. Being shuffled from one foster home to another after his father murdered his mother, he found himself in and out of trouble with the law. Never giving a damn about himself, let alone anyone else, his life was spiraling out of control; fast. Until one man and one sport changed everything.

Frankie Carbone taught Saint how to handle his anger and rejection; by fighting it out in the ring. On his way to stardom, Saint finds himself pushed into the spotlight and into the arms of more women than he can ever imagine; he’s completely content with one night stands and random sex.

Then Salem Harris comes walking into his life and changes his game plan. Saint finds himself wanting Salem in all the ways that scare him. She is off limits; taken. But that doesn’t stop Saint from going after what he wants, and he wants her.

Frankie showed Saint a new way of life with Boxing, but will Salem give him the one thing he's never known – love? Will Saint find himself fighting for the one thing he thinks he doesn't deserve or will Salem end up breaking his heart? Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has had to fight for every good thing he's gotten in his life. Can he go the distance?

I’m not normally a fan of boxing-type books, mainly because I don’t really “get” the sport, and I don’t really want to learn it.  But I took a shot on this book and I can say that I’m glad that I did because I ended up enjoying the book a bit more than I thought that I would.

I did like how Ms. Cervone didn’t make the book all about boxing, and the parts that were really mentioned about the sport, it was explained in a way that I was able to follow along and understand it completely.  The only time the boxing part of the story got to me, is how when a group of boxers was introduced, and their names plus their nicknames were given.  It was confusing for me personally.  I did enjoy the characters, even though there were some that I didn’t really enjoy, I still enjoyed following along with the story.  The storyline itself was one that, while I felt it was a bit predictable at times, I still was able to get into the story and enjoy it.

This is a solid 4 star read for me personally.  I don’t see myself re-reading this book again in the future, however I do have plans on continuing on with the series to find out what happens to Gabriel and Salem.

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Born and raised in New England, Christa is a married mother of three. She began writing her first book, Broken, in October 2012, as a love story to her husband, Frank. During the writing process, Christa managed to keep her book a secret from the majority of her family and friends, including her mother. She finally revealed that she had written a book on her personal Facebook page just two weeks before Broken was released. Broken was released in February 2013, and within twenty-four hours of its release, it was on Amazon's Movers and Shakers list as well as in the Top 20 Erotica. Christa released her second novel, On the Ropes - Book One in the Down for the Count series, in February 2014. On the Ropes has also climbed the charts on Amazon, hitting the Top 10 Sports Fiction and the Top 20 Romance Sports Fiction lists. Book Two, Going the Distance, was released July 2014 and claimed the number 3 spot in the Interracial category as well being in the top 20 in Erotica on Amazon. Limitless Publishing has recently acquired the Down for the Count series and will be re-releasing the series under their publishing label in May 2015. Along with the Down for the Count series, Christa's new series titled, Can't Stop Lovin' You, will also be released under Limitless Publishing. The series will have at least four books, Dream On, What it Takes, Sweet Emotion and Hole in my Soul. Dream On is slated for 2015 release.

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Claimed by the Rogue (Claimed #1) by Hope Tarr

 When Robert Bellamy signed on with the East India Company and set sail for Calcutta, Lady Phoebe Tremont took his promise to heart. Their separation would be but brief; in six months he would send for her.

Six years later, believing her love to be drowned at sea, Phoebe hides her tears behind a disguise at a masked ball to celebrate her engagement to a dashing French aristocrat. It is there she encounters a handsome guest costumed as a rogue of the sea—a pirate. When he drops his mask, she finds herself looking into a dead man’s eyes. A ghost’s eyes. Robert’s eyes.

Through hardship and degradation, Robert never lost his resolve to return home to England a rich man. Now a successful ship’s captain, there is one prize left to reclaim—Phoebe.

But the demure debutante he left behind has grown into a dazzling, decidedly self-determined woman. Nor is Robert the callow youth who set sail in search of adventure. Yet the one thing that could win her heart is the very dark truth his pride warns him never to reveal…


Warning: This book contains steamy sex, some violence—and a hero so swoon-worthy you’ll find yourself seduced into staying up into the wee hours turning pages.

Claimed by the Rogue was an enjoyable read the left me looking forward to Ms. Tarr’s next installment in the series, while at the same time sending me off to search her backlist to see if she has released Chelsea and Anthony’s story. While Robert is far more damaged of a hero than I usually get in my historical romances, he has managed to overcome the horrors he was exposed to during his time away. But he is soon to learn that while Phoebe has not married another, she is not the same girl he left behind six years earlier. Ms. Tarr not only takes Robert through the paces as he attempts to woo Phoebe again, but she also adds a good bit of intrigue and a bit more spice than I expected to find in a book of this genre, but by no means am I complaining.

I quite enjoyed the banter between Robert and Phoebe. Much like her actions, Phoebe’s tendency to bicker with Robert was a sure sign that she wasn’t “over him.” Quite the contrary, her tendency to lash out merely highlighted how much his supposed death had broken her heart and how his subsequent desertion had hurt her. Were it not for all that Robert endured and overcame during his time away, he may have given up his attempts to win her back. Thankfully Phoebe’s hardheadedness is matched by Robert’s persistence and love for her, and he refused to let her wed another without fighting for her. Unfortunately Phoebe’s intended is not quite the gentleman he purports to be and has no qualms about fighting dirty in order to thwart Robert’s efforts and I for one was stunned by the lengths to which he went to secure Phoebe’s hand in marriage.

I was also surprised by the level of intimacies that Phoebe allowed. Despite being in her mid-twenties and a near-spinster, I was surprised with the liberties she allowed Robert. My surprise had little to do with the genre or Phoebe herself – because despite all that she said, her love for Robert clearly never waned – but rather my surprise had to do with Phoebe being willing to risk her mother’s wrath. Lady Tremont was certainly a force to be reckoned with and one I cannot imagine waving the proverbial red flag in front of, but it merely added to the excitement of their predicament. That said, Robert proved to be worth the risk and I’m not sure I could have resisted him either had I been in Phoebe’s position (pun intended). Ms. Tarr does a delightful job of weaving action, intrigue, steam, and love within this second chance romance that kept me up late until my eyes would read no longer. Claimed by the Rogue was a delightful read for me and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Tarr’s work.

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As Spring Rain by Valentina Heart

 Gabriel is hell-bent on self-destruction. Every man he chooses is a man who will hurt him, and when he can't find others to do it he turns to hurting himself. Whatever it takes to bury the wrenching, forbidden, but inescapable feelings tearing him apart.

But everyone has a breaking point, and when his twin brother Michael comes to pick up the pieces something will have to give before there aren't any pieces left…

Warning: this story contains incest

This quick 50 page novella is about forbidden love between brothers, twins. It’s written in opposing points of views, which normally I do not like, however really works for this story. Both brothers couldn’t be more different; one owns a bar, outwardly gay, dates all the wrong men but shy. The other is a life guard, life of the party, never dates and very protective of his brother.  Even though this is a novella we jump weeks of times, so we cover a lot of details of life events and what brings them too finally admitting their feelings towards each other. This is so much more than one of those written for shock value books. And well worth the read.

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The Hunt For Snow (Fairytale League #1) by S.E. Babin

 Every ten years a convention is held in a neutral location where people from all the realms come together and reunite. This is no ordinary conference, though, because everyone who shows up holds a place of honor in the legends of old. But there’s one person who doesn’t care that Earth is neutral territory. The Evil Queen, Naomi, is out to settle a score, and she’s brought along one of her most talented henchman to teach the one who got away a harsh lesson.

Snow’s past is shrouded in mystery. Mild cryptozoologist by day, private investigator by night, Snow is dead set on one thing — staying far away from the Huntsman who haunts her dreams. When she shows up to the conference with her two best friends in tow, things start going awry right away. Mere minutes after arriving, they find themselves thrust back into the world they’ve tried so hard to avoid. Now, along with the help of her friends, Snow is struggling to stay one step ahead of the queen who wants to destroy her — and the Huntsman who wants to possess her at all costs.

The hunt for Snow is on. But who will find her first?

Set in the modern world, The Hunt for Snow is a twist on the fairy tale we all know and love. After the Huntsman was sent by her stepmother, Naomi, to kill her, Snow flees to Earth to escape. With nothing but the silk dress on her body (and a bag of jewelry from her father), Snow creates a new life for herself.

I really like how the author turned an old fairy tale into a new one. Snow is now a PI at night, living with her best friends Belle (yes, that Belle) and Cyndi (aka Cinderella). She is not a wall flower or wishy washy character, but a kick ass heroine who knows how to defend herself. I love that about her!  She receives a personal invitation to the Magical Convention and her roommates make her go. Once there, she finds out that she has 72 hours to return to the Castle that was once her home or lose her inheritance. Of course, she has to avoid the Queen (Naomi) and the Huntsman who want to kill her.

What I loved about this story – Snow’s attitude, the appearances by other fairy tale characters, the action and suspense in the story, and the writing. What I did not like was the ending cliffhanger!!!

This is an amazing and fun story that is well worth the time to read! 

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Riding Steele (Ready to Ride #3) by Opal Carew

 Being kidnapped by bikers is a harrowing experience, but for some reason, Laurie doesn’t feel as terrified as she should.  The leader’s steely eyes soften when he looks at her, and the others in his gang clearly know she’s hands off.  But does that include Steele's hands?  Her brain resists him, but her body insists she wants those big hands all over her.

Steele doesn’t know how he wound up in this mess—with a kidnapped woman on his hands and the police hot on their trail.  Now he and Laurie are in hiding at an isolated cabin, and Steele has to figure out how to extricate himself...and steer clear of his accidental captive whose tight, slinky clubbing attire is making him think all kinds of dangerous thoughts…

Laura has been kidnapped by bikers.  Big, mean, smelly bikers. Kidnapping tends to change your life a bit, but not how Laura thought it would.  Not when she meets the sexy leady Steele.  Will the captor fall for the captive?

This is a short story that is part of a six-part series.  It is pure and absolute fantasy because I can’t imagine this scenario working out in real life on any level at all.  But, for what it is I found it to be intriguing.  It’s a sexy book with a lot of very sexy scenes that really pushes the vanilla envelop.  I don’t think this book is for the faint of heart because this a pretty hard core story that has some, um, wild sex acts involved in it.  But it’s also a story of a woman’s self-discovery, which is an interesting layer to the story.

I’ll just put it out there that I am not a fan of serials.  This has nothing to do with the quality of the story, but I feel like it’s just a marketing ploy.  I don’t understand why it can’t just be one book or even two.  That always annoys me. 

I had some issues with the pace of the story, but with such a limited amount of space to work with I suppose it’s unavoidable.  The MC in this book didn’t really seem very realistic to me either.  Of course, my expertise is limited to other MC books I read, but the lines in this club were very blurred between who was supposed to be in charge and the other members.  Not very gang like.

Overall, I did like this book but I had some issues with it.  I have to give it 3 stars.

Wow! This was a HOT and fun read!! Steele and his MC gang are recruited to kidnap a friend’s sister to protect her from her sketchy boyfriend. Donovan, the boyfriend, is controlling, manipulative, and abusive to Laurie and shows his true colors when confronted by Wild Card (one of the gang). Steele just wanted to keep an eye on the girl, but Wild Card has no choice but to save her from further abuse and takes her to a deserted cabin the guys are all staying at.  She tries to escape multiple times to no avail.

Steele comes home from celebrating his birthday and thinks the girl in his bed is his present. But, no, it’s Laurie and she is handcuffed and scared to be alone in the room with the big, sexy biker. The sexual tension between the two is off the charts!! Steele tries to prove that he is not going to hurt Laurie, but she doesn’t believe him.  On one of her escape attempts, she goes to the swimming hole where Raven, Rip’s girlfriend (but everyone is allowed to play with her) and thinks Raven is being attacked by 2 men. She runs to Steele for help and the scene turns SPICY! LOVE that particular scene the most in this book!

Steele has to keep Laurie safe until her brother gets back to town. While, this may seem like a typical good girl/bad boy love story, their chemistry is off the charts and they eventually have some fun while waiting.

This is a fantastic read! I recommend it to anyone that loves a quick, spicy, fun story! 

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Night's Blaze Parts 3 & 4 by Donna Grant

 Lily forgot to breathe. She reacted instantly, desire tightening, coiling within her until her chest heaved. Rhys wasn’t just sexy. He was the god of sex, skilled and proficient in the many ways to bring a woman to her knees with a seductive smile."If I go back in that bed, I wouldn’t ever want to get out."Rhys’ grip tightened on her waist. "Is there anything wrong with that?"
As their newfound passion blazes, Rhys is determined to know Lily, body and soul. But as their lust burns hotter, danger looms closer. Yet as Rhys and Lily stand together to protect the growing intensity between them, one troubled past—and a powerful secret—could tear them apart forever…

The love affair between Rhys and Lily heats up in Part 3 of Night’s Blaze. Many more secrets are revealed and new characters are introduced including Mikkel. I’m not going to reveal who he is exactly but let’s just say he’s definitely complicating and spicing things up. 

Rhys is finally able to admit that Lily is his mate. He’s laid it all out on the line revealing his true origins and what Dreagan really is. Lily has in turn opened up and told Rhys about Dennis and how he’s blackmailing her. With their secrets revealed to one another, the two have forged an even stronger bond but before Rhys and Lily have a chance to explore that bond they have to outsmart Dennis and the rest of their enemies who are intent on getting hold of a special weapon, the only weapon capable of killing a Dragon King.

The questions and suspicions regarding Ulrik and his exact part in taking down the Dragon Kings is brought to light in Part 3. Ulrik is an even more complicated character than I imagined. He’s not exactly a bad guy but he’s definitely not a good guy and after reading the story of how it went down when his woman was killed I can’t exactly blame him for holding a grunge against Con. I feel bad for Rhi. I’m not sure she has the emotional strength to ignore the pull from the darkness inside her anymore but I have my fingers crossed that things turn out well for her.

Part 3 is another well-written and exciting story full of action and romance that will have you immediately moving on to Part 4 which is what I’m going to do right now. 

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 Rhys scrubbed a hand down his face, his mind rushing through every nuance of his plan. Every turn was danger for Lily. It made him break out into a sweat. He couldn’t lose Lily. She was the only reason he could face each day. Without her…he was nothing.
Lost in breathtaking passion, Lily and Rhys burn for each other. Yet not all is well. As a destructive force moves to destroy the bond growing bond they share, Rhys is forced to make a choice that will change their lives irrevocably: Lose the woman who has become his salvation? Or be consumed by desire…

The final installment in the Night’s Blaze novella had my heart pumping. I couldn’t read through it fast enough to find out how things were going to end for our hero and heroine. It was a bumpy ride full of happy and heart wrenching moments. At one point I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue the story thanks to Donna Grant taking my heart and tearing into tiny pieces but don’t worry I was able to pick the pieces up and put them back together thanks to some magic and to Ulrik.

I’m not going to delve too much into what happens in this final installment but I will say the conclusion is satisfying, there are a number of unpredictable twists in the storyline and we are left with even more questions than answers concerning what is to come next for the Dragon Kings, the battle against their enemies and with Rhi. 

Night Blaze is a great novella that’s part of the Dark Kings Series. It’s a paranormal romance full of action and adventure. If you haven’t read it yet you need to get to it! Donna Grant does an amazing job of relaying her fantasy world and bringing the story to life with her creativity and enduring characters. 

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