Book Review (476): Focus (Exposure #2) - Annie Jocoby

Focus: Exposure Series Book Two

Annie Jocoby

Publication: 1st April 2015

Publisher: Tobann Publications

Pages: 181

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Appropriate: Adult

Buy It: Amazon 

CJ Parker has been abducted by Albanian gangsters for reasons unknown. What is known is that, if Asher cannot find her in time, she will disappear forever. 

Desperate to find her, Asher makes a sacrifice to gain the information that is needed to locate CJ. When this sacrifice comes to light, however, it could very well spell the end to his relationship with her. 

Will Asher find CJ in time? And, if he does, can they survive the devastating secret sacrifice he made to find her?

My Thoughts.

Focus is the second book in the Exposure series, with a lot more action and suspense than it's predecessor, I flew through it in just one sitting, filled with twists and turns that left me unwilling to put it down for just one minute.

Set just days after the last book, C.J has been kidnapped by the Albanian mob who plan on selling her as a sex slave, Asher is determined to find her before she is sold, but finding her won't be easy and what he agrees to do to find out where she is being held will have massive ramifications that will continue on into the next book.

A major twist will send the storyline in a new direction that the reader will not expect, I for one didn't but I actually enjoyed it quite a lot, of course this book ends not with a cliffhanger so much but a situation that will leave readers hanging  as we await the outcome in the third and final book in the trilogy.

Annie's writing is such that the anticipation of what is going to happen throughout the story will leave you on tenterhooks with never a dull moment.

I recommend this series to people who love contemporary romance with a little something extra, simply a joy to read.

I give this 4/5 stars.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Annie Jocoby is the author of 8 contemporary romance novels and 3 New Adult contemporary romance novels. Her motivation to begin writing these novels is that she was interested in writing about rich men who actually love and respect their women. Her heroes are alpha and damaged, yet also genuinely good guys.

Ryan, Nick, Luke and Asher are all complicated characters who have experienced plenty of darkness, yet always seek the light. They would all go to the ends of the earth to protect the women they love. And they’re all sexy, enigmatic, magnetic and great in bed. 

All of Annie’s books have things in common: they all combine a touch of mystery and intrigue with drama, love, and lots of hot sex. Some of the books have action and even some criminal elements in them. Her current book, in fact, is her first book that would be classified as straight romantic suspense, although it also combines definite elements of the thriller genre! If you’re in the market for a book that is fast-paced, where the heroes are beautiful and wealthy, and the heroines are strong, vulnerable and flawed, then try these books out!

WEBSITE  GOODREADS  FACEBOOK

Book Review (475): Exposure (Exposure #1) - Annie Jocoby

Exposure (Billionaire Erotic Romance): Exposure Series Book One

Annie Jocoby

Publication: 16th January 2015
Publisher: Tobann Publications
Pages: 194
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Appropriate: Adult
Buy It: Goodreads B&N Amazon

Photographer CJ Parker is a woman who has literally not gone outside for the past six months. She’s been hiding from the world, and from life, ever since an unimaginable tragedy forced her into seclusion. 

On the one day where she decides to finally venture outside, she meets the mysterious billionaire, Asher Sloane. Dark-headed, magnetic, and gorgeous, Asher drips sex and animal magnetism. He draws CJ out of her shell and into the world, while showing her things that she never knew existed. 

What CJ doesn’t know is that Asher has a dangerous past. Behind his beautiful blue eyes and confident demeanor lies dark secrets that, if they are brought to light, could mean the end of CJ and Asher’s relationship. 

Will the exposure of Asher’s past destroy them?

My Thoughts.

I always enjoy reading romance books that feature a billionaire businessman and a heroine struggling to make ends meet, when there is a secret or some kind of tragedy involved so much the better, and we get all of that here in Exposure.

I was drawn to this book because of it's premise, C.J is agoraphobic after a tragedy that has left her housebound for the last six months, quickly running out of money she knows she needs to get back to work, she decides to venture outside but doesn't make it far before it becomes too much and she loses consciousness, when she comes to she finds herself in a strange apartment that just so happens to belong to billionaire hottie Asher Sloane, the attraction and chemistry between the two is evident from the start, Asher having known someone who suffers the same phobia as C.J tries to help out as much as he can.

 While C.J is fast developing feelings for Asher and believes that theirs is the beginning of a new relationship, Asher makes a proposition to C.J to pretend to be his fiancee to be rid of his stalker ex-girlfriend, in return he'll give her $100,000, also letting her know that he is incapable of falling in love with anybody and she shouldn't expect anything more, C.J is insulted and refuses to have anything to do with Asher, but when she is in dire need of money she has no choice but to agree, it's not too long though before they both start falling in love with each other even Asher who swore that would never happen, but when a secret that Asher has been hiding comes to light will this be the end of their relationship?

With a shock of an ending that will leave you desperately wanting and needing the next book, this is one series that you'll have trouble putting down, full of suspense, drama, mystery and some really hot love scenes to boot this story will be sure to keep you on your toes.

Anie has written a  great start to a new series, that is sure to entertain and keep you enthralled from the get go.

I give this 4/5 stars.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Annie Jocoby is the author of 8 contemporary romance novels and 3 New Adult contemporary romance novels. Her motivation to begin writing these novels is that she was interested in writing about rich men who actually love and respect their women. Her heroes are alpha and damaged, yet also genuinely good guys.

Ryan, Nick, Luke and Asher are all complicated characters who have experienced plenty of darkness, yet always seek the light. They would all go to the ends of the earth to protect the women they love. And they’re all sexy, enigmatic, magnetic and great in bed. 

All of Annie’s books have things in common: they all combine a touch of mystery and intrigue with drama, love, and lots of hot sex. Some of the books have action and even some criminal elements in them. Her current book, in fact, is her first book that would be classified as straight romantic suspense, although it also combines definite elements of the thriller genre! If you’re in the market for a book that is fast-paced, where the heroes are beautiful and wealthy, and the heroines are strong, vulnerable and flawed, then try these books out!

WEBSITE  GOODREADS  FACEBOOK

(ARC) Book Review (474): Last Kiss (Hitman #3) - Jessica Clare & Jen Frederick

Last Kiss (Hitman #3)

by Jessica Clare, Jen Frederick

Publication: 5th May 2015

Publisher: Berkley

Pages: 384

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Age Appropriate: Adult

Buy It: Amazon I Barnes & Noble 

Naomi: When I was kidnapped I thought only of survival. I don’t thrive well in chaos. That’s why I gave my captors exactly what they wanted: my skill with computers. Making millions for a crime lord who kept me imprisoned in his basement compound kept my family safe. When he was taken out, I thought my ticket to freedom had arrived. Wrong. I traded one keeper for another. This time I’m in the hands of a scarred, dark, demanding Russian who happens to be the head of the Bratva, a Russian crime organization. He wants my brain and my body. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued, but I can’t be a prisoner forever...no matter how good he makes me feel.

Vasily: At a young age, I was taught that a man without power is a puppet for all. I’ve clawed—and killed—my way to the top so that it is my heel on their necks. But to unify the fractured organization into an undefeatable machine, I need a technological genius to help me steal one particular artifact. That she is breathtaking, determined, and vulnerable is making her more dangerous than all of my enemies combined. But only I can keep her safe from the world that she now inhabits. Soon, I must choose between Naomi and Bratva law. But with every day that passes, this becomes a more impossible choice. 

My Thoughts.

Through every new release in this series my adoration grows, if someone had told me that I would ever enjoy a series that focuses on hitmen and the women that tame them I would have laughed myself silly, but the thing is it works so goddamn well!

I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy reading Vasily's story, but being paired up with Naomi made for a story that had me laughing out loud at so many points throughout the book, kudos to Jessica and Jen for giving us a heroine who has Asperger's and highlights not only how their minds work but that they are still normal with just a few idiosyncrasies they have, the bluntness and weird, obscure and funny facts that Naomi rattles off sometimes at the most inoppurtune times made for an enjoyably entertaining read that has made Naomi one of my favorite female leads ever.

Vasily is struggling for control of the Russion Petrovich Bratva, for people to accept him as leader he is to hunt down and procure a Carragio painting that went missing from the Bratva many years ago, to do this he needs a hacker someone who is talented when it comes to do with anything and everything to do with computers and technology, so he hunts down the Emperor a well known and genius hacker who just so happens to be Naomi, and so starts the hilarious trek to find the painting, along the way both our protagonists who dislike to be touched Naomi because of her Asperger's and Vasily because of sexual abuse he suffered when he was younger both find that they have no problem with touching one another and so begins their uniquely entertaining relationship.

I can't seem to get enough of this series, these books are like drugs, I'm addicted and I don't see that ending anytime soon,

A wonderful addition to the Hitman series.

I give this 5/5/ stars.

Author Jessica Claire

This is a pen name for Jill Myles.

Jill Myles has been an incurable romantic since childhood. She reads all the 'naughty parts' of books first, looks for a dirty joke in just about everything, and thinks to this day that the Little House on the Prairie books should have been steamier.

After devouring hundreds of paperback romances, mythology books, and archaeological tomes, she decided to write a few books of her own - stories with a wild adventure, sharp banter, and lots of super-sexy situations. She prefers her heroes alpha and half-dressed, her heroines witty, and she loves nothing more than watching them overcome adversity to fall into bed together.

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Jen Frederick lives with her husband, child, and one rambunctious dog.  She's been reading stories all her life but never imagined writing one of her own. Jen loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at jensfrederick@gmail.com.

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(ARC) Book Review (473): The Cage (The Cage #1) - Megan Shepherd

The Cage (The Cage #1)

by Megan Shepherd

Publication: 26th May 2015

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Pages: 400

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

Buy It: Amazon • Barnes & Noble

The Maze Runner meets Scott Westerfeld in this gripping new series about teens held captive in a human zoo by an otherworldly race. From Megan Shepherd, the acclaimed author of The Madman's Daughtertrilogy.

When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments—tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle, and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures—all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn't alone.

Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer—a handsome young guard called Cassian—appears, they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their captors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers for an otherworldly zoo—where the exhibits are humans.

As a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer—though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so . . . what world lies beyond the walls of their cage?

My Thoughts.

I have been a huge fan of Megan's ever since I read The Madman's Daughter, when I first learnt about what this book was about I was beyond intrigued, The Cage has such a fresh and unique plot that was carried out in a way that was suspenseful, mysterious and heart-pounding.

Told in multiple perspectives with the emphasis on Cora as our main protagonist, she is joined by two other girls and three boys all strangers, finding themselves in a strange place, held captive in a menagerie by aliens known as the Kindred they are an experiment being tested and observed.

With rules to follow including procreation with their designated partner, Cora is determined to escape before she'll ever let that happen, with a connection to their alien caretaker Cassian who she finds herself developing feelings for, and with conflict being engineered by the Kindred between Cora and the other five over the favoritism that is more than evidently shown her way tensions are high, with threats of violence and constant fights breaking out some captives are close to the breaking point and are willing to do whatever it takes to get their way.

With a shocking twist that will leave you in disbelief and eager to get your grubby hands on the next book, this story is sure to entertain and keep you on the edge of you seat as we traverse this strange and unusual world where it's survival of the fittest.

Another outstanding read from Megan, definitely an auto-buy author for me, with a writing style that will at once enchant and captivate I recommend everybody check out her books.

Loved it!

I give this 5/5 stars.

Megan Shepherd was "born" into the book world, growing up in her parents' independent bookstore in Western North Carolina. She is the author of THE MADMAN'S DAUGHTER trilogy (Balzer+Bray/2013), and THE CAGE trilogy (Balzer+Bray/2014). When Megan is not writing, she can usually be found horseback riding, day dreaming at coffee shops, or hiking in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains. She is represented by Josh Adams at Adams Literary.

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(ARC) Book Review (472): A Shattered Moment (Fractured Lives #1) - Tiffany King

A Shattered Moment (Fractured Lives #1)

by Tiffany King 

Publication: 5th May 2015

Publisher: Berkley

Pages: 304

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Appropriate: New Adult

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | GooglePlay

n the new series by Tiffany King, the USA Today bestselling author of the Woodfalls Girls novels, six friends—fresh from high school graduation—discover that the future can come at you from out of nowhere.
This is Mackenzie’s story…

Mackenzie Wilson once had hope for what life had to offer, but everything changed on the night of her graduation. A year later, the only way she can find comfort is by keeping her head down and hoping she remains unnoticed at college.

When Bentley James discovered Mac in that twisted SUV, he was just a newbie EMT on his first call. It was a gut-wrenching moment that made him realize not everyone can be saved—and sometimes they don’t want to be.
A chance encounter on campus brings Bentley back into Mac’s life. Despite her initial resistance, he sets out to discover the girl hiding beneath a shield of seclusion. He evokes painful memories in Mac—but also feelings. As the spark between them grows, Mac must decide if she can let go of the past and believe in something as fragile as love…

My Thoughts.

Just from reading the synopsis of A Shattered Moment I knew I was going to love this book, having previously read and thoroughly enjoyed Tiffany's Woodfalls Girls series, I knew I was going to in for a treat.

What I find refreshing about this new adult book was that there were no secrets between our two main protagonists, usually we have to wait to discover the big reveal but not in this story, after a car accident that killed her friends and left her with a crippling leg injury that leaves her dependant on a cane, Mackenzie 'Mac' has shut herself off from interaction from everyone besides her parents, spending her time alone in her dorm room or venturing out to the campus library, that's where she runs into Bentley, but you see Bentley is no stranger to Mac, on his first job as a EMT he responded to the car acident that Mac was involved in, staying with her while she was trapped in the wreckage never leaving her side until she arrived at the hospital.

While initially shocked and taken aback by being face to face with a reminder of that tragic night where she lost so much and desperately wants to forget, Mac will find that Bentley will her bring her back to life, to start living again, and to help her come to terms with the accident that destroyed so many lives.

I liked the snippets of the night of the car accident interspersed throughot the story, as well as the alternate POV's of Mac and Bentley.

After the ending in this book I'm desperate for the second one, talk about leaving a person hanging.

Tiffany has written an enotionally heartbreaking yet uplifting story that is sure to touch you and leave an impact, well after you've turned the last page.

Another great addition to the new adult genre.

I give this 5/5 stars.

Meet the Author:

USA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iPhone and iPad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.
For information on any of Author Tiffany’s titles, visit her blog at www.authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com
“Dreams do come true…Dream big.”

Where to connect with Tiffany

Webpage- www.authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com

Twitter- @AuthorTiffany

Facebook-Author Tiffany King

Email- authortiffany@yahoo.com

(ARC) Book Review (471): A Court Of Thorns And Roses (A Court Of Thorns And Roses #1) - Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)

by Sarah J. Maas 

Publication: 7th May 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 416

Genre: Fantasy

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

Amazon • Book Depository •
A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

My Thoughts.

Sarah has a gift for creating kick-ass heroines from Caelena of the Throne Of Glass series to her newest creation Feyre of the all new A Court Of Thorns And Roses series.

Based on my favorite fairytale Beauty And the Beast, the tale has been twisted so that Feyre our human heroine is sent to live in Prythian a land inhabited with fairies, and that is just what our Beast is, a fairy who can change from a Beast into a man.

While out hunting for food for her family and herself, Feyre kills a fairy in disguise as a wolf, a Beast comes knocking on her door and demands as payment that she is to spend the rest of her life living in his house with him, while at first she lets her hatred of fairies be known it's not long before she realises most of them aren't as bad as she was led to believe, and it's not too long before Feyre finds herself developing feelings for Tamlin her captor who once transformed from the Beast is extremely attractive, except for the mask that covers his upper face from a curse that has left him and everybody that belongs to his Spring Court unable to ever remove it.

Feyre will find herself caught up in the curse which will affect her more than she realises.

Filled with all the magic and excitement that Sarah brings to her writing, there is never a dull moment, with a cast of characters that are sure to entertain and amuse, Tamlin, Feyre and Lucian are sure to be revered up there with Sarah's most famous protagonist Caelena Sardothien, I'm anxiously awaiting the next book, I've found another new favorite series that I've fallen in love with.

This also happens to be one of the best Beauty And The Beast interpretations that I've ever read, and I've read quite a few.

Sarah J. Maas would have to be one of the best YA fantasy authors around today, it seems there's nothing that she writes that I don't fall in love with.

Everybody needs to pick this one up, it's nothing short of amazing.

I give this 5/5 stars.

Sarah J. Maas is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series (Heir of Fire, Book 3, will be out in September 2014). Starting in Spring 2015, her New Adult Fantasy series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, will be published by Bloomsbury as well. 

Sarah lives in Southern California, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much coffee, and watches absolutely rubbish TV shows. When she's not busy writing, she can be found exploring the California coastline with her husband.

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(ARC) Book Review (470): Trouble From The Start - Rachel Hawthorne

Trouble from the Start

by Rachel Hawthorne

Publication: 28th April 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 400

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

*Amazon*B&N*Book Depository*iBooks*

 

One of two companion novels from beach-read favorite Rachel Hawthorne, this cute, romantic paperback original is about a good girl who falls for a bad guy.

Avery knows better than to fall for Fletcher, the local bad boy who can’t seem to outrun his reputation. Fletcher knows he shouldn’t bother with college-bound, daughter-of-a-cop Avery. But when their paths cross, neither can deny the spark. Are they willing to go against everything and let their hearts lead the way? Or are they just flirting with disaster? Trouble from the Start releases simultaneously with companion novel The Boyfriend Project. These heartwarming paperback originals are the perfect summer reads, great for fans of Jennifer Echols, Lauren Barnholdt, and Susane Colasanti.

My Thoughts.

After coming of off reading some dark and depressing books I needed something light, funny and cute, and I got that in spades with Trouble From The Start.

So while I found this book to be your typical cliched and cheesy YA contemporary romance, I adored it, I couldn't seem to get enough, I found myself desperately eager to pick it up again once I'd put it down (damn you work), I had flown through it in no time, I just loved everything about it, I would have even reread it again straight away but since I have a tbr pile the size of Mount Everest I don't get the luxury to do that.

The bad boy Fletcher, the extremely smart good girl Avery and the romance they never saw coming, Fletcher has a reputation for endless hook ups with girls, fighting, stealing and generally not giving a damn, Avery is about to graduate high school without having had a real first kiss, first date or a boyfriend, when she gets drunk at a party she's beyond shocked when it's Fletcher who takes care of her and takes her home, neither were expecting the sparks and attraction they shared between them, but Avery is looking for a commited relationship not just a hook-up no matter how hot Fletcher is, and well with Fletcher a girl is lucky if she gets more than one date.

When circumstances have Fletcher staying in the apartment above the garage at Avery's house, they can't deny the chemistry between them, but Fletcher is hiding a secret that stops him from getting too close to anyone, a secret that has to do with the reputation he's famous for, one he's ashamed of, Fletcher will soon find that what he's needed all along is the one person he's denied himself getting close too Avery.

I wish there was more than one book for Fletcher and Avery, I know that there is a companion novel to this book which focus' on Avery's best friend Kendall and her boyfriend Jeremy but it's not the same and I really enjoyed the romance in this story, it just needed to be a lot longer.

A great YA contemporary, highly recommended.

I give this 5/5 stars.

Rachel Hawthorne, who also writes as Lorraine Heath and Jade Parker, is the daughter of a British beauty (her mother won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero-who played the Joker on the old Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Herts, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan. She enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.


When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She writes for both adult and young adult readers. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Americana historicals. Her novels have been recognized with a RITA, Romance Writers of America’s most prestigious award for excellence, a HOLT medallion award honoring outstanding literary fiction, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, five Texas Gold Awards, the Golden Quill Award, the Rising Star Award as well as other awards and recognitions. Her novels have been selections of the Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Club. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times. 

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