What a mind f*uck. A dark erotic PNR that pushes boundaries and blurs the lines between good and evil. No one is who they say, nothing is what it seemWhat a mind f*uck. A dark erotic PNR that pushes boundaries and blurs the lines between good and evil. No one is who they say, nothing is what it seems, and everyone has an agenda.
Merged review:
What a mind f*uck. A dark erotic PNR that pushes boundaries and blurs the lines between good and evil. No one is who they say, nothing is what it seems, and everyone has an agenda....more
Killing June wasn’t at all like I expected though I’m not complaining. This author’s debut dark romance is far more nuanced and layered than I suspected; highlighted by a cast of intriguing and flawed characters who live in the gray area between right and wrong. More than just a BDSM themed erotic romance; it is a journey of one woman’s self-discovery as she learns about forgiveness, salvation, and redemption. Bridges does address some heavy and dark subject matter so some readers may want to proceed with caution.
Heavily character driven, the arc itself is interesting-one woman with two distinct and opposite lifestyles must find away out- but the characters are the stars in here, even when it doesn’t serve the storyline best. Bridges set the stage as we are immediately introduced to the main players and we get a hint at what’s to come. Intriguing narrative popped me easily right into the story as a strong forceful voice and smooth pacing kept me hooked. Even though Bridges switches between Alex and June regularity, the transference is very smooth and organic.
Alex/June isn’t the victim of a split personality but rather the shame of enjoying pain with sex. Having discovered this as a teenager, Alex and her best friend Robert explored various kink clubs in their search for gratification. A series of assaults in Alex’s past fractures Alex, blurring the lines between consent and force and forcing Alex, in her mind, to create June. Alex uses June as a tool to deliver and receive punishment. She also uses her as a bargaining chip. Robert helps Alex find clients and takes a cut in exchange for helping her locate someone from her past. As time passes, Alex struggles to keep herself and June separate. Especially when she has victimized again and learns that Robert hasn’t been honest with her.
Bridges does well in her development of Alex and June and highlighting their contrasts and similarities. The psychology behind it all is fascinating. Alex is an intelligent, well liked business woman with two loving parents whom she goes to church with once a month. In contrast, Ms. June is a mysterious dominatrix who offers her clients the pain and pleasure of the whip for a steep price and her own gratification. Their contrasts seem extreme until you get to know them. The crossovers in their personalities slowly emerge and we see how much Alex’s past reflects on the decisions June makes.
Cade and Robert are both interesting characters though not as dark as the blurb leads you to believe. Both are deep into the criminal underground. Robert is the local drug czar and loan shark while Cade is a freelance enforcer. We meet them both in violence. Cade bursts in on June during a session as he has been paid to collect her client for an overdue debt. We soon learn Robert set it all up when June goes to confront him. Cade, though styled as an anti-hero, isn’t really a bad person though he is extremely comfortable in his lifestyle. He sees the maelstrom surrounding Alex and does everything he can to try and help her, even when he discovers the extent of her issues and learns the hard way you can’t force someone to change. Robert, in contrast, comes off somewhat sad and pathetic. You don’t doubt he loves Alex but his love has become corrupted and he has been controlling her through June. He’s like a little kid who has it all but is always unhappy.
Sexually, Alex and Cade are as explosive as unstable dynamite. Their chemistry is off the charts and Bridges makes sure to explore that chemistry while slowly developing their romance. Cade tries so hard to be what Alex needs and is more than able to satisfy her both physically and emotionally though he pushes her constantly in an effort to help her heal. I love that the BDSM is not made a flaw and interweaves with the romance flawlessly. It is an essential part of Alex’s sexuality and while her methods are suspect, her being a masochist is not.
The drama and suspense all boil together softly, increasing its roll till we reach the end and its climactic finale. I did feel it took way too long to get to the cusp of Alex’s issues. I knew what it was right off the bat. Also, Alex’s blackmail problem was more an annoyance and she could have nipped that in the bud from the onset. The longevity of the conflicts felt a bit manipulative to the storyline. The ending felt rushed but I did appreciate the thorough clean up of plotlines and settling of the romance. This is the first book of the series and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I am looking forward to reading more from May Bridges in the future.
“Being young is all about the experiences: the first time you skip school, the first time you fall in love…the first time someone holds a gun to your head.”
Trust is Kylie Scott’s first foray into young adult (YA) and a winner in my book with its bittersweet story of two teenagers who struggle to understand and deal with a traumatic event. Edie, our heroine, is a seventeen-year-old senior whose dry wit and relatable monologue will have you laughing, sighing, and shaking your head in bemusement as she attempts to move forward with her life in the aftermath of being held hostage during a robbery while also having to deal with the usual teen issues. Energetic, humorous, and raw at times, Edie’s voice resounds through the story, clear as a bell, as she deals with some mature and sensitive subjects such as slut shaming, fat shaming, drugs, sex, violence, and first love.
“I scared a boy with my menstrual rage […] Though to be fair, he kind of deserved it.”
When Edie stops at a local convenience store for snacks, she certainly doesn’t expect to be taken hostage by cranked up meth head. Lucky for her, another teenager also happens to be there and risks his life to save hers. The two survivors are separated only to meet up again when Edie transfers from her private all girls school to a public school to start fresh. She is warned about John Cole as his drug dealing and womanizing ways are a legend at the high school. Only, John too is attempting to start fresh with his brand new attitude towards school, drugs, and a certain girl. A friendship develops as these two help one another through the highs, low, and the in-betweens of their shared traumatic experience.
I found it hard to care. I mean, what did it matter? Life went on; no one had died as a result. The principal said it would go on my permanent record.
Permanent?
Please.
Bullets were permanent. Everything else was temporary.
While the beginning is certainly eventful, the story itself is pretty low-key and quiet as Scott reveals with a steady hand the changes that can occur after a traumatic experience and the ways one can heal from it. Random and seemingly unimportant things take on new meanings as Edie and John discover the hard way that life can be ripped from you at any given time. While the bad boy/good girl element is strong, so are Scott’s subtle little tweaks to it. Scott takes her time in developing Edie and John, superimposing the newer versions on top of the older ones with each revolution.
“You’re here?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Because this is where you are,” he said as if it were obvious.
The romance is a mixture of anticipation, humor, and sexual tension as it slowly dissolves the lines of their friendship into something sweet, passionate, and bittersweet. It blends well with the coming of age and the push/pull of adulthood themes of the story. Watching their transformation from friends to more is a brilliant mash-up of emotions as Edie is quite vocal in her embarrassment, awkwardness, lust, fear, confusion, and of course, jealousy.
“God, the fat thing. Do you have any idea how often I’ve had that flung at me? I mean, what if I only take the word as a descriptor? Then you’re screwed. But I bet if you tried, you could make up much better insults. Give it a try; I’ll wait because your opinion really, really matters to me. Who ever you are. “
A personable and individualized secondary cast of characters adds even more energy, drama, and humor of the story; offering advice, a shoulder to cry on, and back up. Edie and John have support systems, from Edie’s over protective mom to John’s Uncle Levi, and I appreciated that Scott didn’t take the easy way out as some YAs do and place the adults in villainous roles. Fellow high schools Anders and Hang steal the show at times with their exuberance and love/hate relationship.
“What are we talking about?” hissed Anders, bringing his head down to our level. “Who are we looking at?”
“Nothing. Go away,” said Hang.
“But I want to be one of the girls!”
“No.” She put a hand over his face and pushed.
The ending is a little too predictable when Edie is given a chance to take back what she thought she lost and emerges the stronger for it. It was heavily foreshadowed but not offensive or manipulative. Though we aren’t given the firm HEA, we are given a happy and hopefully HFN towards Edit and John’s future.
Favorite Quote: “…I sort of felt like I was working less with a detective, and more with an undercover superhero or something. The dark, gritty, complete asshole kind of superhero. “
Detective Andreas Ruffner is a veteran cop whose unorthodox methods and suspicious behavior has garnered him a reputation in the department. A reputation that has IA breathing down his neck, looking for anything to bring him down. Having already gone through more partners than you can shake a stick at, he is not surprised when his Captain tells him he has a new victim lined up.
I was so sick and tired of Captain Hamilton assigning me partners under the guise of mentorship, making my investigations more efficient or whatever other excuse he came up with on any given day.
Newly minted Detective Darren Corliss comes from law enforcement family from his brother-a former DA, to his stepfather a newly retired police commissioner. Fresh off the street, being approached by IA to be their informant puts him on edge; especially after his first day of work with his new partner ends with a questionable bust.
“I answered his questions already. Now I want you to answer mine.”
Corliss and Ruffner soon find a middle ground and Ruffner lets Corliss in on his current assignment. As Corliss and Ruffner investigate a series of deaths that all seem to lead back to their case, a tense and unwelcome sexual attraction begins to bloom between them. Can Corliss and Ruffner keep things professional between them? Or will the heat between them get a little too hot to contain?
I picked up Risky Business after I read the blurb for book two and wanted to read it. I’m a sucker for police dramas; especially when there is an unwanted attraction and questionable behavior. Risky Business has all that and more. A strong police procedural with tantalizing hints of mystery, intrigue, and romance. Witt and Z. choosing to make the romance a pleasant side feature gives readers more time to appreciate the intricate nature of the storyline and the characters themselves. The first half starts out slow as our boys get to know one another but once they find their groove, the pacing and energy picks up considerably.
Witt and Z do an excellent job of characterizing Ruffner and Corliss, personally and professionally. Ruffner is an older cop; mid-40s, bi-sexual, currently single and the father to a passel of kids ranging from ages 24 to 4. He has been accused of being dirty and using drugs. A shite-stirrer of epic proportions, Ruffner has bad boy written all over him. Corliss is the direct opposite. In his 20s, gay, clean cut, and single, he is just starting to make his mark in the police department. Extremely close to his family. A bit of a rule follower; while he’s not one to tattle, he won’t hesitate to ask questions and demand answers. A bit impulsive at times, Corliss’s heart is in the right place. Though you definitely get the “good cop/bad cop” vibe from this setup…this is a partnership and Corliss makes sure Ruffner understands that.
“If we are going to be partners, we might as well be on a first name basis…”
Engaging dialogue, a personable auxiliary cast, and the dual narrative take readers directly into the heart of the story. I enjoyed getting down and dirty with the investigation and the sexual heat generated by these men only adds to its edgy appeal. Ruffner suspects almost everyone around him and plays things pretty close to the vest. Taking down a crime syndicate isn’t easy, especially when it appears to have its tentacles in every aspect of the city’s structure from the lowest street dealer to the highest political offices. Things aren’t what they seem though and the Machiavellian style plotting is genius. The highs and lows keep you firmly in its grip. A series of secondary plotlines spread out from the main arc to assure us this isn’t the last we have seen of this couple.
Though the romance isn’t a main building block of the story, it certainly adds a spiciness to the mix. I enjoyed the slow steady burn of Ruffner and Corliss’s attraction to one another. I was worried the May/December aspect of their age would become an issue but it doesn’t. They are both intelligent, hardworking adults and the organic nature of the situation made me far more comfortable with this relationship evolving.
We had rocketed right past hot and heavy into this hospital bed ain’t gonna survive what we’re about to do.
The ending leaves us comfortable with both Corliss and Ruffner’s professional and personal relationship. The HFN seems solid and mystery fans will love trying to solve this one before Ruffner and Corliss do.
Lost Without You picks up seven years after the events in the prequel, The Debt. If you haven’t read The Debt, no worries, it makes up the first half of this story. Fans who did read it will remember that Tommy did everything he could to keep his friends safe at the St. Jude’s Home for Court Placed Juveniles and when he failed to do so, Tommy and the group finds themselves in debt to a very dangerous man Given the chance to escape the home and the system, the group splits and they all go their separate ways.
Seven years have passed since that awful night and besides Simon, Tommy hasn’t stayed in contact with the others in the group and that suits him just fine. The years haven’t been easy but he survived against the odds. When Clarissa is the one to contact and tell him the time has come to pay his debt, he is wary but relieved the wait is finally over. He is told he has 24 hours to secure a package and deliver to a specific address or suffer the consequences. When he arrives at the specified pick up, he is shocked to discover the package is his first and only love-Beth.
After all these years…Beth.
Beth aka Jada is a pop star whose meteoric rise to fame has left her lost and broken. The events of the past are never far from her thoughts and often fuel her bad decisions. Though we never learned exactly what landed her in St. Jude’s, the clues in here hint at greed, betrayal, and abuse. The endless parties and drugs are wearing on Beth, evident by the fact that her last half of her tour was canceled and she has come home to “recuperate.” When she wakes up in the back of a car with no memory of how she got there or why she sees Tommy and is shocked by how much she’s missed him…and still loves him. Realizing that she is being kidnapped by him and delivered somewhere against her will, Beth uses her memories of their past to try and reawaken Tommy’s feelings for her and get him on her side.
“I remember the time you put your hand up my skirt-”
“Jada-”
“Remember? You pushed me up against the wall and you held my hand down on the counter-”
“Stop.”
“Was that the same time or two times?” I knew, of course, I knew; it was two separate and amazing times. I was just trying to get under his skin. “I can’t remember. I’ve made up so many fucking fantasies about that art room. I’ve come thinking about-”
Lost Without You is an emotional road trip filled with sorrow, hope, regret, and redemption. The focus is on two people whose lives are still somewhat controlled by their shared past. O’Keefe doesn’t hold back as she divulges into this couple’s lives and shares their most intimate thoughts and deeds with us. Drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, self-harm… nothing is sacred. Well written with a strong narrative and a deliciously serpentine plotline, O’Keefe plays some of her cards close to the vest while tossing out others to placate the house.
Beth (Jada) and Tommy’s reunion is slow and bittersweet, showing just how much their lives have changed since they last saw each other. Tommy’s distress at seeing Beth again broke my heart as did Beth’s reaction when Tommy tells her he tried everything to forget her. Tommy and Beth are both chock full of guilt and for things that were out of their control. Tommy feels responsible for what he believes happened to Beth and for the debt they all incurred. Beth struggles with the guilt of her success, the abuse in the foster home, and the fact she was never able to find Tommy after that night.
I looked for his family. I’d tried to connect myself to every single part of him I could find. I’d thought I could fix things for him. Or something…And he’d been trying to forget me?
An intense and enlightening sexual reconnection blows the door of their suppressed feelings and lances old wounds, creating a catharsis that offers this couple hope that they may yet finally beat the odds stacked against them. A tense and informative climatic finale leaves readers in limbo with a rather traumatic cliffhanger and a slew of questions. Why did Rosa go to jail? Who exactly is Clarissa and what is her connection to Bates? Did Beth’s mom start all this? But never fear mes amies, we only have to wait one week for the release of book three-Where I Belong.
Anything But Broken by Joelle Knox (aka Kit Rocha aka Moira Rogers) is an NA romance contemporary that deals with little sister crush, second chan3.5
Anything But Broken by Joelle Knox (aka Kit Rocha aka Moira Rogers) is an NA romance contemporary that deals with little sister crush, second chances, and some serious subject matters. Two strong well developed and likable protagonists build a sweet and sexy romance while discovering some uncomfortable truths about one another, themselves, and their combined pasts. Angsty, broody, and wonderfully romantic with some delightful supporting characters whose humor and support adds some lovely lighthearted moments to break the serious overtones. All in all enjoyable NA, I did have a couple of issues. One, I found Hannah hard to relate to for most of the book. Knox did such a good job showing the readers how emotionally disconnected Hannah was I never felt we really got to see the real Hannah till almost the end. Also, I felt the ending came hard and fast with too little resolution for the serious of this couple's issues. I am looking forward to the next book as this looks to be the start of another winning series for this dynamic and prolific writing duo.
The Slayer slays the heart in Moon’s 2nd book of her Untamed Hearts series. Love, hate, family, betrayal, hope, and redemption all blend together to bThe Slayer slays the heart in Moon’s 2nd book of her Untamed Hearts series. Love, hate, family, betrayal, hope, and redemption all blend together to build a lush and heart wrenching love story between a former gang banger, Chuto, and a preacher’s daughter, Aliane. If this sounds trite, it’s anything but. The brilliance lies in the characters who live in this story. Life is never easy and sometimes the hardest blows come from those you love the most and nothing even begins to prepare you for the blows this couple has to take for their love and happiness. Dark and forbidding at times, Moon doesn’t try to explain away the criminal element that permeates Chu’s life in order to give him a happy ending. Rather, she uses it as a learning guide, giving us the readers a chance to see the real man behind the deeds. Using the past and the present, Moon slowly shows us Chu’s life from the beginning and the friendship that has built between him and Aliane over the years. We learn the reasons why Chu has tried to stay away from her and the lengths Aliane will go to be with him. Fan will adore the heavy interaction with our favorite Italian boys-Novo and Tino; along with inclusions of past couples. Moon rips out out your heart and soul with The Slayer but in an exceptional fashion, she hands it back to you stronger than ever....more
Williow Aster has such a wonderfully poignant voice that speaks directly to the reader. Her stories are bittersweet with the perfect balance of angsB+
Williow Aster has such a wonderfully poignant voice that speaks directly to the reader. Her stories are bittersweet with the perfect balance of angst, humor, emotional growth, and realism. Maybe Maby tells the story of a young woman whose life seems to be at an impasse. Diagnosed with depression and OCD, Maby has been caught in a whirlwind since her mother passed away. Her boyfriend cheated on her then left her, her best friend seems to have disappeared, and her selfish boss keeps piling more stress on her. When she meets a delightfully sweet and good looking barista who wants to date her, she begins to try and take back control of her life one wet wipe at a time.
I loved, loved, loved this book. Unique and crazy, Aster's honest observations coupled with her witty characters and engaging story lines made this a treat to read. Living with someone who is OCD and manic depression, it was very interesting in seeing it portrayed from the source (so to speak). Aster doesn't sugar coat Maby's issues nor does she make Maby a victim to be pitied. She is strong, intelligent, snarky, and self deprecating.
Not bad but the structure was weak, the romance under whelming, and the storyline was all over the place. The set up and reveal reminded me of Pulp FiNot bad but the structure was weak, the romance under whelming, and the storyline was all over the place. The set up and reveal reminded me of Pulp Fiction or Kill Bill in how the characters spoke and the event time line.
Warning: There are LOTS of triggers in here. ...more
I really enjoyed this one. The heroine is no club bunny and takes no crap from the hero. I liked watching them fall in love and seeing the minute chanI really enjoyed this one. The heroine is no club bunny and takes no crap from the hero. I liked watching them fall in love and seeing the minute changes that occur in each of them as they get to know one another better. The storyline is fast paced with advancements in the ongoing arc and a previous storyline from book two. The epilogue confused me a little because the arc is not resolved but your given the impression that this is the end.
Those with triggers may what to read the spoiler below.
**spoiler alert** I just...can't. The blurb was confusing enough but once I started the book, it went from confusion to straight out "are you serious?**spoiler alert** I just...can't. The blurb was confusing enough but once I started the book, it went from confusion to straight out "are you serious?"
First off- I despise euphemisms for sex organs. A penis is a penis-not a sword, love sausage, throbbing hot member, a velvet sheathed lead pipe. It's a penis. Call it a penis. I can only seem to handle the nicknames in historicals.
Second-A pregnant virgin?? What is THAT? How can that even be? Is this an immaculate conception? The whole biological improbability is astronomical. And to have it happen TWICE in one family? Oy vey.
Third- I'm sorry but stupid over the top dramatic characters aren't appealing. I understand fiction grants leeway but there has to be some grounding in reality. None of these characters should procreate. NONE.
I feel it's just best if I and this book part ways. ...more
Favorite Quote: “…We are ‘Throwaway girls,’ kids that are too old to be cute and cuddled, too set in our ways, and too old to be saved because the damage has already been done…”
Andy Burton knows a thing or two about survival. Since she was removed from her mother’s home and placed in foster care when she was nine, she’s had to deal with abuse, hunger, and homelessness. But now that she’s eighteen, she’s about to leave Haywood House, the group home for girls where she’s lived for the past four years, and the closest thing to a real home she’s ever known.
Will Andy be able to carve out a better life for herself and find the happiness she is searching for? (Goodreads)
Throwaway Girl is a bittersweet story of a young girl who is “thrown away” by everyone she has ever loved. In a dispassionate abet sweet voice, Andy (Bernice) Burton begins her story at age 6. Abused by her drug addicted mother, Andy is taken away and placed with a series of foster families where a diet of drugs and alcohol ultimately take their toll in a climatic event that leads her to the Haywood Home.
In Haywood Home, a group home for troubled girls who are unable to be placed with foster families, Andy finds the security and comfort she has always longed for. Knowing she will be forced to leave in a few weeks, Andy reminiscences back on the events that led her to the home and struggles with her new found freedom.
Scarrow’s easy going and poignant voice quickly lulls the reader into a sense of complacency as the protagonist tells her story; alternating between the past and the present. Though I expected a more tragedy laced dramatic tale, it is obviously written for a young audience. The steady pacing, short chapters, and straightforward deliverance reveals a pain filled life without the darkness and in depth descriptions one might find in a more adult or mature YA. Scarrow introduces such topics such as self harming, drugs, alcohol, and rape; incorporating them in to the storyline without actually addressing them beyond a cursory acknowledgement.
An easy read over all, I did feel the short length and journal-like aspect of the story doesn’t really allow the reader to connect with Andy or the issues presented on a personal level. We hear what has happened but I never felt we really experienced how Andy felt during those times. We see an evolution in Andy’s character development but not for those she interacted with. I was left with questions concerning some of the people in her life and the reasons behind their actions. Her lack of curiosity at times was disconcerting.
Though I wasn’t blown away by Throwaway Girl, it does offer some interesting insights into the lives of children who are forced to run the gauntlet know as the foster care system.