Thursday, July 30, 2015

Book Tour for An Obsession with Vengeance by Nancy Haviland (Review & GIVEAWAY)


As a reader drawn to bad boys living in gritty worlds I was drawn to An Obsession with Vengeance by Nancy Haviland and am thrilled to give you a tempting taste of this book along with my impressions of it.  Keep reading to learn about all of the Wanted Men and add each of them to your bookshelf as each are more tempting than the next.  In honor of this third installment in the series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $10 Amazon GC and signed print copies of this book too!

Maksim Kirov is a mobster who gets what he wants, both at his posh gentleman’s club in Hell’s Kitchen and in the bedroom. Sexy, dangerous, and obsessed with control, he’s risen through the ranks to become a highly respected leader in the tight-knit Tarasov crime syndicate. He rules with an iron fist…until he meets Sydney Martin.
The Australian-born Sydney is determined to refuse Maks’s advances, despite their electrifying chemistry. The owner of a neighboring nightclub, Sydney rules her own domain. But when a deal with a Mexican drug cartel goes terribly wrong, she has no choice but to turn to Maksim and the Tarasov organization for protection. Could giving in to their intense attraction be what saves both Maks and Sydney? Or will their all-consuming passion—and her shocking secret—destroy their lives?
In the hot and scandalous third installment of the Wanted Men series, lust and loyalty clash in New York’s mob underworld.

EXCERPT:

“So naturally beautiful, you,” he whispered as he bent to kiss the pulse at the base of her throat.
Her hands gripped his shoulders when her knees weakened.
“Don’t forget, role-playing. Eyes are everywhere,” he informed her as he straightened. His words hit her like a runaway bus, bringing with them a reminder of why they were here.
“Get that fear out of your eyes, Sydney. Just follow my lead, and it’ll be fine.”
He released her and held out her chair, waiting until she stiffly sat before going around and taking his own. She wanted to ask if he knew for sure someone was watching them and who it was, but before she could, a waiter appeared with a bottle of white wine, presenting it with a flourish. Maksim nodded his dark head and held a hand out.
“Oh, but, sir, I would be pleased to open it for you . . . ?”
Maksim shook his head. “No, thanks. I’ve got it from here.”
Eyes darting around, as though expecting to get yelled at, the waiter quickly handed it over with the bottle opener and left. The cork was popped, the wine poured, and she was handed a glass. She took a much-needed gulp before Maksim could do something as cheesy—romantic—as make a toast. She could see him watching her with a discerning look, which had her trying to gain that air of distance she’d perfected when she was only fourteen and sitting at a table she wasn’t allowed to leave even though she was being ignored by all the adults.
She met that intent silver gaze of his and could tell he knew she was floundering. She took another drink and tried not to wonder what kind of kisser he was—languid and coaxing, firm and demanding—all the while trying desperately not to fall into his trap. When she was around him she felt she was constantly jerking back on the reins of her libido—one that had awakened with a vengeance the day they’d met and had yet to go back to sleep. It badly wanted what he’d already given to so many others. It didn’t care about all the reasons it shouldn’t. Didn’t care that he was a dangerous organized crime figure. That many things he did throughout his day were likely illegal. Her fluttering stomach didn’t care that his activities might also be immoral. For all she knew he was a pimp.
“Do you know many prostitutes?” she blurted, forcing her attention to remain at their table rather than allowing it to roam the room in search of someone with opera specs trained on them.
“A few.”
She balked and became more determined than ever to fight her attraction.
“I consider a good many of my associates’ wives prostitutes because they married for the money and house rather than any feelings they might have for the man supplying the lifestyle. That’s the worst form of prostitution. Don’t you think? At least the men and women you see on the street are honest about it. And I don’t have any on my payroll, if that’s what you were really asking.”
“Sorry.” She looked around at the cozy tables-for-two and spacious booths for larger parties. Had to—it was the lesser of two evils, after all. “I was thinking about you—I mean, about what you do for a living— and was curious but didn’t think it polite to ask if you were a pimp. Or manager, or whatever it is they call it these days.”
“Sydney.” Setting down his glass, he picked up her left hand. “You have to relax, lover.
Just play your role. You’ve been doing well so far. Why are you feeling off balance tonight?”
Her focus came back to him, and she lost her breath when he smiled across at her. I really should have gone to Gabriel Moretti for help rather than this temptation. Her teeth gnashed together as she shook her head. “Things seem . . . different tonight,” she said honestly.
“They’re not. You’re in love with me, of course. Can’t get enough of my body. Would do anything, anywhere, blah, blah, blah. You know, the usual.” He winked, seeming unaffected by what he’d just said. But then, why wouldn’t he be? It was his shtick. She was at odds because this, all of this, was unfamiliar to her. From the criminal activity to the make-like-we’re-lovers.
“The usual. Yes, of course,” she muttered, raising her glass to her lips once more.
His thumb running over her inner wrist had her practically dropping the fine crystal rather than placing it back on the table. “Tell me about this,” he said, lifting her hand and running his nose across the elephant/Andrew tattoo on her wrist.
“It’s a tattoo,” she said in a tone snootier than she’d used with him in days.
“Is that so?” he said dryly. “What does it mean to you?”
“That’s private. Tell me about your tattoos,” she forced herself to demand as she tried to pull herself from the moment. He needed to stop what he was doing with his thumb.
A muscle flexed in his jaw, and a calculating light entered his eyes before he came at her with both barrels. “For all anyone in this fucking place knows, we walked in separately for modesty’s sake. I could have taken you in the car on the way here. You could have taken me, ridden me like the stallion I am. Or you could have interrupted my shave an hour ago by sliding up on the bathroom counter between me and the mirror to tempt me with a smooth shave of your own.”
She gulped. “Maksim . . .”
“I could have had you in our breakfast nook this morning, or maybe at lunch. Right on the table because you’re my favorite thing to eat.”
Lust roared through her. I can’t allow him to do this to me. But her stupid body didn’t listen. It did its thing, tightening her belly, quickening her breath. As her cheeks flamed, Sydney was barely aware of Potty Mouth getting to his feet.
“And now that you actually look the part of panting lover, let’s dance.”

FIND THIS BOOK AT GOODREADS here.



MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

As a reader who loves dark heroes I was immediately drawn to this premise and the intricacies of the Tarasov Russian crime family that Ms. Haviland's memorably depicted throughout her Wanted Men series.  The charming and sexy yet brutal and deadly Maksim takes center stage here as he has to put aside his past whorish ways to protect the strong-willed yet emotionally guarded Sydney whose life is in danger from a Mexican drug cartel.  Jumping from the frying pan into the fire leads to danger and sexual tension as Sydney tries to withstand Maksim's sensual onslaught as they pretend to be dating in order to keep her safe as a member of the Family.  As they grow closer with their mutually painful pasts and issues of trust, their emotional walls fall to reveal a relationship based on loyalty and a sexual intensity where she can just let go while he he wins her over through his talent for dirty talk and his alpha nature. Through it all we get to see past couples, new players, and edge of your seat action with unexpected outcomes.

Maksim met Sydney in the previous book in this series and hasn't been able to get her out of his head since.  Though he has lots of experience with women he's unaccustomed to wooing one who doesn't want him but he enjoys a challenge and undertakes his role with gusto.  Seeing him be charming and show a softer side is surprising given his background of brutality from an uncaring father that made me weep for him.  He did have a loving mother though who lives on through his loyalty and protectiveness of others, particularly women and children.  He's an interesting dichotomy who was intense in and out of the bedroom and Sydney couldn't have asked for a better protector and lover.  I found him to be an admirable man who overcame a truly horrendous childhood to make something of himself, a man of honor with a code he lives by and who I fell for completely.

Sydney came from a controlling family of wealth who turned their back when she became pregnant.  She didn't let it destroy her and became stronger for it as she did whatever necessary to make a home for her and her son.  Some of her choices weren't always the right ones and it's now left her in danger having to count on the one man she's desperate to stay away from.  To keep her son safe she wants nothing to do with Maksim and the power he exudes but she can't deny his sensual pull which slowly binds them together to form a united front against the danger surrounding her.  I liked Sydney but wish we would've seen more of her background.  Keeping her son a secret from Maksim seemed unnecessary and could've put him in more jeopardy.  I liked that she gave as good as she got when it came to Maksim and the crackling nature of their interactions had me wanting them to jump each other far sooner than when they did.  She was a good match for Maksim and I enjoyed their sensual tug of war.

From start to finish this was an exciting story with compelling characters. Though it started off a bit slow the action quickly ramped up to a dynamic ending that has me greatly anticipating the next installment.  While I enjoyed the unrelenting sexual tension between Maksim and Sydney I wish they had gotten together much sooner as I found the wait richly rewarding. Though I haven't yet read the previous books in this series it didn't take me long to get caught up in the hierarchy of this intense Russian Family with each player more appealing than the next.  Ultimately I was drawn to this gritty world full of delicious antiheroes and can't wait to meet more of these Wanted Men!

My rating for this is a B+

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.


GET A GLIMPSE OF THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE WANTED MEN SERIES:

A LOVE OF VENGEANCE (Book 1)
Once the most feared member of an Italian Mafia crime family, Gabriel Moretti returns to New York at the request of his mentor, Russian crime boss Vasily Tarasov. Vasily needs someone he can trust in Seattle to protect his estranged daughter, Eva Jacobs, while he avenges the murder of the young woman’s mother. Gabriel is unstoppable in a fight, whether he’s using fists, blades, or bullets; but innocent, onyx-haired Eva may just be the most dangerous—and beautiful—thing he’s come up against.
Intense sparks fly between the two, tempting Gabriel to mix business with pleasure while in the Emerald City. But once word gets around that Gabriel has shown up in New York, Stefano—his vengeful brother and the de facto head of the family—decides that Eva is the key to ending the feud between them…permanently.
In this pulse-pounding romantic thriller set against the backdrop of New York City’s storied underworld, loyalties will be tested, secrets will be told, and mob justice will be served.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.


THE SALVATION OF VENGEANCE (Book 2)
Only something as important as her best friend’s wedding to mob boss Gabriel Moretti could allow Nika Paynne a reprieve from captivity. Her abusive husband has kept her under his thumb with footage of her beloved brother, Caleb, killing another man. But the respite from her violent life isn’t the only draw. Vincente Romani—Gabriel’s deadliest guardian—will be one of the best men at the wedding, and Nika has lingering thoughts about the fascinating mobster…covetous thoughts that may put her life in danger.
With the heartbreak he’s suffered and the brutality he effortlessly delivers, Vincente knows he’s the last person who can offer Nika a happily-ever-after. But his vow remains. He will do everything in his power to free his redhead from her violent prison—even if that means losing her forever.
In the second thrilling and passionate Wanted Men book, a dangerous line is drawn between loyalty to the mob and loyalty to one’s heart.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.


AUTHOR INFO:

Nancy Haviland is the author of the bestselling romantic suspense series, WANTED MEN. She writes about her alpha mobsters and their ladies from her home near Toronto, Ontario. She has three children, an arrogant but playful kitty named Talbot, and she adores her Tim Horton's coffee, as any self-respecting Canadian would. She writes contemporary romantic suspense but will happily read anything that involves two people smooching.


**********GIVEAWAY**********

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Book Tour for Silk & Scars by Cassandra Dean (Review & GIVEAWAY)


Fans of the historical genre will find themselves drawn to the romantic tale of a scarred man drawn to a woman working in a man's world.  Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of Silk & Scars by Cassandra Dean, along with my impressions of it, and learn even more about it by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  Ms. Dean will also discuss the popularity of the Beauty and the Beast theme which is central to this story.  In honor of this release make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win an e-copy of one of the previous installments in the Silk series and a book-themed postcard and magnet too!

Ah, the enduring popularity of Beauty and the Beast. What is it about this tale that makes it so timeless?
I know I’ve always enjoyed it. Ever since I was a little girl, Beauty and her beast enthralled me. Beauty’s ingenuity, likability and no-nonsense personality struck a chord with me, and of course those traits led to her taming the gruff, surly beast.
When the Disney version came along, I fell wholly in love again, singing my heart out along with Belle as she joyously sang of her love of books, terrified with her when she entered the castle and found the Beast, and was cautiously optimistic as this Beast revealed a heretofore sweet and tentative side.
I guess we all love a beast, a man who is different with everyone else but that one woman, who lets her alone into his innermost thoughts and feelings, who is vulnerable only with the woman he loves.  He’s also fiercely protective, ready to defend her to all and sundry. However, he never treads upon her agency, never treats her as anything less than a person who knows her own mind, hopes and fears. What’s more romantic than a brave, strong man who is strong enough to admire and love you for who you are, who recognizes your awesomeness and loves you because of it? To me, that’s what makes the tale so beloved and so timeless, appealing to women and men alike because the heroine and the hero are equals. How can you argue with that?
In SILK & SCARS, there’s traces of Beauty and the Beast. Gwen is sent to a dark and fearsome mansion at the behest of a cold, silent man who bears horrendous scars. There, she discovers cold, imperious manner covers a sensitive, shy man, one who admires her tremendously and believes she can do anything. Edward is apprehensive when Gwen comes to stay, certain she will be revolted by the twisted ruin of his face and body. He needn’t have worried, however, as Gwen sees beneath the scars to the person he is. Sound familiar?
So, Beauty and the Beast. A tale as old as time, a song as old as rhyme...you know the rest.
Thanks for hanging with me!
Cassandra
xx

For over a year, Miss Gwendolyn Parkes and the Duke of Sowrith have corresponded. At first an error, the letters quickly became something much more, a friendship forged on like minds and perhaps the hope of something more…
When Gwen is compelled by her employer to attend the duke at his Dartmoor estate, she is devastated to find her beloved friend cold and imperious, even if he is the most handsome man she’s ever seen – despite his scars.
Edward, Duke of Sowrith, has longed to meet Gwen. Arranging her passage to his estate, he is tongue-tied when confronted with her quiet beauty. All too aware of the twisted ruin of his face, he allows fear to hold him silent…until Gwen’s safety is threatened.
Finally together, they grow closer until it seems they can never again be apart – but can a commoner and a duke find a happily ever after?

EXCERPT:

"Edward.” Her hand slid up his lapel. Turning, he found her gray gaze upon him, a faint crease between her brows. “What is different?”
He stared into her eyes. She met his monocular gaze, no part of her expression revolted by the eye patch, the scars. He glanced at her hand, stroking his chest almost absently, her attention fully and totally on him. “When I received your letter, the one meant for Etta, it was like a ray of light, a beacon through relentless gray. So I responded and you sent your next letter and they....You were so full of joy, it bubbled out from the page and made me think perhaps I could experience it, if only a little. You had Etta, and your parents, and your employment, and though all three annoyed you on occasion, you had such…illumination.” His finger began a mad rhythm against his leg. “I’ve never had any of that. I’ve been here alone since the accident. I didn’t go to Eton. I was too ill. By the time I was old enough to attend university, I was so far behind there was no point. I went to London for the Season, but.... That did not turn out well.” Memories of horrified stares assaulted him, the whispers and notoriety that had come with his foray into society. Forcing the memories away, he said, “So I came home, and stayed.
Then you sent me a letter. A bright, shining thing, and we corresponded and I...I wanted to meet you. So I arranged it that Beecham brought you to Sowrith, but I never thought he would not tell you, that I—” He grimaced. “You know what happened.
Then you arrived, you were here, and I couldn’t.... There were no words. So I stood like a fool and watched you, and I wished I had the words that came so easily by pen. You were just like your letters—bright and gold and glittering, with your smile and your lightness, even when you frowned. And that was amazing to me. You are amazing to me. I wish I could…I wish I could tell you…” Finally, he looked at her.
Eyes wide, she regarded him, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Shifting his weight, he averted his gaze. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said those things. I—”
A gentle finger against his lips stilled his words, and he remained silent as her hand slipped to cup his cheek. The ruined one. Emotion shuddered through him as he absorbed her touch.
See? You say such things and I can’t…” Her thumb tracing his cheekbone, her other hand slid up his chest to crumple his lapel as she pulled. Following her direction, he leaned down.
Tentatively, her lips brushed his.
Hardly daring to breath, he stood stock still as she hesitantly explored the shape of his mouth, her lips molding to his with small stops and starts. Her tongue darted against his lips and he shuddered, the sensation exquisite and overwhelming.
Wrapping his good arm around her, he urged her close. She came, her arms slipping about his neck as her lips opened under his. The wind tore at his hair and howled in his ears, his heart thundering in his chest. Her mouth was warm and eager, tasting of honey and gold. Of Gwen.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Fans of the historical genre will be charmed by this sweet tale of societal opposites attracting by looking more than skin deep.  It's a quick read with a bit of angst and issues of a woman in a man's world that kept me turning the pages watching this unlikely romance progress and cheering every step of the way.

Gwen's a devoted daughter and friend who's always skirted the laws of propriety.  Working in a law office may be fulfilling but at times leaves her questioning a woman's role in the world.  The best part of her job though comes from a singular incident, a mistake, that puts her in contact with a man uncertain of his place in the world too.  Through letters they form a bond of friendship that slowly becomes more but coming face to face with one another makes things too real and leads to a bumpy road to HEA.  Gwen's an immensely likable heroine with modern thoughts.  She wants more out of her life, to be able to make her own choices, and is strong-willed in going after who and what she wants.  Edward may be distressed by his scars but Gwen sees past them to a man who's endured much to become just as strong but with an equally kind heart.

Edward's scars, and his shame of them, have kept him closed off on his estate with letters being his main form of interaction.  Gwen's letters bring life and joy to his dreary days, a breath of fresh air that slowly pulls him out of his negativity in how he sees himself.  Seeing Gwen in person though has him holding back and them getting to know each other all over again in a sweet and sensual dance.  Edward was a wonderful hero who was a quiet soul unused to interacting with others but starved for a connection and his time with Gwen, both in words and in person, was charming.  He came truly alive in her presence and their burgeoning relationship put a smile on my face.

Ultimately this was a quick and magical read with a sweet romance between two people both looking for acceptance.  The romance was sensual with banter that was heartwarming and it gave me an afternoon of utter enjoyment that can be read on its own.  Those looking for an immensely satisfying appetizer will definitely want to add this to their bookshelf!

My rating for this is a B+

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Cassandra Dean is a best-selling, multi-published author of historical and fantasy romance. Her latest novel, SLUMBER, is part of Decadent Publishing’s Beyond Fairytales and features Cassandra’s take on Sleeping Beauty. Her next novel, SILK & SCARS, is part of her popular Silk Series, featuring Victorian Era lawyers and their happily ever after.
Cassandra is proud to call South Australia her home, where she regularly cheers on her AFL football team and creates her next tale.

**********GIVEAWAY**********

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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Book Tour for Never Loved by Charlotte Stein (Review & GIVEAWAY)


As a reader who loves bad boy bikers I was excited to get my hands on Serge...er....Never Loved by Charlotte Stein!  Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of this intensely emotional romance of opposites attracting, along with my impressions of it, and get even more info about it by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of this first installment in the Dark Obsession series make sure to fill out the form for the chance to win a Loveswept mug, a Flirt mug, and a decadent selection of eBooks too!

Perfect for fans of Abbi Glines, the first novel in the Dark Obsession series tells the story of a beautiful wallflower who falls for a chiseled street fighter—and learns just how dangerous love can be.
Beatrix Becker spent most of her life under the thumb of her controlling, abusive father. And now that she’s free and attending her dream college, she has no idea how to act like the normal crowd: partying, going on dates, even having a conversation. Then she meets Serge Sorensen. Big and surly with a whole host of riotous tattoos, Serge is supposed to scare the hell out of her. But beneath his harsh exterior, Beatrix discovers a kindred spirit who knows what it’s like to be a misfit. Most exhilarating—and terrifying—is what he does for a living: illegal street fighting.
There’s nothing like the rush Serge gets from the intense athleticism and brutal glory of combat—though his chemistry with Beatrix comes close. Slowly at first, he introduces her to his world, where he lives by instinct, passion, and desire. He even helps her out with her equally traumatized brother. But when Serge gets in too deep with the wrong people, he ends up paying in blood. And suddenly, just as Beatrix has been drawn into Serge’s perfectly sculpted arms, she’s thrown once and for all into the fight of his life.

EXCERPT:

“I tell you what, girl. How about you hop on, and I’ll take you to where he is.”
Some of the guys around him laugh. Hell, he seems to be laughing a little, too. He even slaps the back of his bike like the punch line to this whole crazy jokehe knows I’m never going to climb up on that thing. Everyone knows I’m not going to climb up on that thing.
I’m a soft little kid, in corduroy.
Though for once in my life, I don’t want to be. I want to say yes, just to show him. Just to make up for all the times when I went back to my room and changed and changed and changed until my clothes were suitable, or stayed silent because silence was golden and talking back got you the basement. I don’t have to stay silent here, if I really don’t want to.
But that only makes it more disappointing when my sad little mouth leaks out, “I can’t do that.”
In fact, it’s so disappointing that he seems to catch some of it. He snorts, of course, as though he expected that answer all along. Yet beneath that snort I think I see something else, just sort of drifting around down there. A bitterness, I think, that carries through his otherwise amused and rather withering words.
“Afraid of bikes, huh?”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
“And maybe afraid of me?”
“I’d have to be insane to be anything else.”
“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”
“Think it’s pretty obvious.”
“Try me.”
“Mostly it’s the size.”
He makes a face like Yeah, that makes sense.
But the shadow of that odd disappointment is still there.
“What can I say? I’m a big guy.”
“And maybe the tattoos.”
“I sure got them.”
“And the hair.”
“You don’t like it?”
He runs a hand over that thick black stripe right down the center, like some lady at a salon showing off her new hairdo. And it’s funny; it really is funny. It’s so funny that the assembled crowd laughs again to see him do it. This is probably the kind of show he does all the time, and I’m sure none of them ever question it.
But I’m questioning it. I can still see that serious undercurrent beneath his jokey manner, and it makes me answer him in a more impassioned way than I intend. “No, no, it’s not that at all,” I say, though it’s only afterward that I realize how true that sentiment is.
Yeah, he’s scary as fuck. Yeah, the thought of riding off with him on that bike almost freezes my blood. But if I’m honest with myself about liking that hair . . . I can’t exactly say no. I do like it. I like a lot of things about him, in a way I don’t fully understand. He should ping just about every aggressive-man fear I have, but every time I try to think of him that way, something else happens instead. I see the contrast between those black stripes and his pale blue eyes, and the way he waits for my answer in this actually interested manner, and how strange all of his clothes are and that flash of bitterness or weariness in him again, and then suddenly there it is:
The word handsome.
Dear God, I think he might be handsome, though I’m not going to stick around long enough to find out for sure.
“I’ve got to go,” I blurt out, but I immediately regret it. I should have just turned and run really quicklynot given him warning. Now he’s got time to punish me as I ever so slowly start to walk away. Oh, look at the little college girl. She’s frightened, he’ll say, and then someone will throw a rock at me. All of them will throw rocks at me, until I’m a bruised and bloody pulp on the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper. Idiot Student Finds Angry Biker Handsome, I imagine, though I’ve no idea why I’m doing it.
That doesn’t even make any sense. People don’t write reports about girls randomly noticing attractiveness. They write reports about girls being murdered, so really, that should be my headline. Idiot Student Has Arms and Legs Pulled Off by Handsome Biker, I try, but I can’t help noticing that the word handsome is still in there.
God, I wish it wasn’t still in there.
It’s hard enough as it is to walk to my car without glancing back. Putting the word handsomein there makes it nearly impossible. My eyes want me to double-check, and not just because I probably hallucinated how good-looking he is. They want me to check because I’m almost positive I can feel his gaze pressing into my back. I can feel it the way people in books say they can feel it, even though I usually snort and roll my eyes when I get to stuff like that. You can’t sense someone’s stare in real life. That’s just not the way it works.
So how come I’m right?
I dare to glance up once I’m inside the safety of my car, expecting to see him going about his business. Maybe he’ll be in the middle of some awful drug thing, I think. Maybe he’ll be making some kid pay for wanting to do something other than come right home after school. But he isn’t doing either of those thingsnot even close.
Instead I see those frostbitten eyes still steadily on me, as everyone around him returns to their rowdy and brutal ballet.

FIND THIS BOOK ON GOODREADS here.

FIND THE DARK OBSESSION BOOK SERIES ON GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  RANDOM HOUSE

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

With the popularity of MMA-themed books Ms. Stein has made her own mark with this gritty and sensual read where two people from very different worlds find a connection through childhood pain.  They're both judged by their looks but together find love as each is able to see the truth behind the facades.  With its strong hero and unique heroine readers will get caught up in the sensual haze Ms. Stein has crafted and be rooting for their HEA every step of the way.

Beatrix's childhood was ruled by a vicious and religious zealot who shamed her body and her sexuality.  He made her fearful of living and it's left her the damaged creature full of negativity and doubts that we see at the start of the story.  She's incredibly naive which frustrated me as her notions regarding sex were over the top ridiculous.  It's not until she interacts more fully with Serge that she comes out of her shell to start resembling a more realistic person.  She might've been fearful of sex at the start but Serge brought out her wild side and quickly turned her into a voracious lover.  While I cheered on her embracing her wild side, the dramatic change was a bit laughable.  Ultimately I appreciated her loyalty and her bravery to help those she loved, but she was a heroine that wasn't one of my favorites.

Readers who love bad boys with a heart of gold will be captivated though by Serge from the first page to the last.  As a man with a childhood of pain himself he could've let in send him to an abyss of anger but it instead brought out intense loyalty and a strong sense of caring for those weaker than himself. From the moment he sees Beatrix he sees a kindred spirit.  Her fragility calls to his protective instincts and from there on he's her guardian angel helping her when she needs him most.  He's a man of honor who lives up to his promises who creates a safe environment for her to thrive in.  He always saw himself as the bad guy, something dirty because of the crowd he's with and what he does in the name of love, but Beatrix proves him wrong through the words and deeds he surrounds her with.  He's a truly gentle and sexy giant who's the highlight of this story and I wish we could've spent more time with him.

Ms. Stein's writing style is unique as it's very wordy.  There's not much real dialogue in the early stages of the story, it's more inner dialogues and descriptions.  It's a style that's a bit difficult to get into but as the story progressed the banter between Serge and Beatrix became hotter, more flirty, and more carefree.  The story also became much hotter with intensely erotic encounters that allowed the two of them to bond on a deeper level.  Overall, while I had issues with the heroine this was an enjoyable read with a wonderful hero who I will remember everynight in my dreams.

My rating for this is a C+

*I got this book from NetGalley for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Charlotte Stein has written over thirty short stories, novellas and novels, including entries in The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance and Best New Erotica 10. Her latest work, Run To You, was recently a DABWAHA finalist. When not writing deeply emotional and intensely sexy books, she can be found eating jelly turtles, watching terrible sitcoms and occasionally lusting after hunks.

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