Review: Becoming a Jett Girl by Meghan Quinn

Becoming a Jett Girl 
by Meghan Quinn
Series:  Bourbon #1
Pub. Date:  May 29, 2014
Publisher:  Self-Pub
Pages:  330
Format:  eARC
Source:  Netgalley
   

My Rating:  
Sultry Scale:

How did I start the Lafayette Club?

Well, I’m in the business of saving tarnished souls. I hand pick girls from the street who have no options left in life and give them an opportunity they can’t possibly refuse.

They come to work in the Lafayette Club which is full of EXQUISITE DEBAUCHERY, where influential men come to conduct business and lap dances are considered a fine art. 

The girls are trained, they are morphed, they are educated, they follow the rules of the club and they know to submit to me. They live by my motto, no relationships, no love, just sex. 

They are never touched, only by me, they are never completely naked, only with me, and their personas are entirely anonymous. The only person who knows who they truly are, is me, Jett Colby. 

If these girls were ever seen on the streets of New Orleans, you would never know they were a Jett Girl.

I really like Meghan Quinn, and The Virgin Romance Novelist was one of my 5-star reads for 2015. It was absolutely hilarious. So when I saw she had a series set in my city, I was quick to request it. Unfortunately, the storyline and characters are just not working for me.

Don't get me wrong, the book is well-written and I find no fault with that. I just flat don't like these characters. And that happens sometimes, you are not going to like everyone you meet or read. For me, Goldie was just way too crass and somewhat gauche. I thought based on the blurb that I would feel sorry for her, as she has lost her parents, is in debt, and is trying to make her way in the world by stripping and prostituting herself. But she was so tasteless and over the top that I just felt dirty reading about her. (And please, I never want to read about 'panty pudding' ever again.)

Jett has more potential as a character, but he is still coming off more sleazy than philanthropic. If he really wanted to help these women who were so like his mom, he wouldn't have made them his harem. That gives the mommy issues a huge ick factor. I didn't like the dynamic that was happening between any of the characters, they all seemed to be using each other. The only semi-normal relationships was the friendship among the Jett girls.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. Love the author, and the writing is fine, but the characters are not for me. And when I say it is well-written, I mean that. I am very curious as to how the series will play out. I like how the plot is unfolding. I just don't know if I can deal with the characters enough to keep reading. 3 stars / 4 flames.

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Bourbon Series

Review: Fracture by Amanda K. Byrne

Fracture 
by Amanda K. Byrne
Pub Date:  April 21, 2015
Publisher:  Radiodemon
Pages:  240
Format:  eARC
Source:  Netgalley
  

My Rating:  
Sultry Scale:

Every nightmare has an end.

There’s no way Nora can ignore the beating. Same heavy boots. Same curses, same pained groans. But that was two years ago, and this a different man, a different part of war-ravaged Sarajevo. This is her second chance. She has to try. 

And then she’s stuck with him, nursing him, putting up with him. Declan’s an ass. He’s rude and tactless. He’s arrogant. Dismissive. Charming. Intense. Caring when she needs it most – and least expects it. He tears away the numbing fog that’s been her constant companion and offers her a way out and a way home.  

And it damn near destroys her.  Nora’s survived two years in a war zone. Can Declan show her how to live?

So I was a bit confused when I started reading this book.  I think it is supposed to be taking place during the Siege at Sarajevo, but the first page says we are in present day Sarajevo.  I thought that siege happened like 20 years ago.  So I'm not sure if this is a reprint, or it is supposed to be a fictional siege or what.  I just went with it.  For the setting being in the midst of a war zone, I didn't feel like the author did a good enough job with the world building.  I never really felt the terror or strife that must have been inflicted on the people of Sarajevo.  The story did not engender that feeling of desperation that must have been an aspect of daily life for the time and area.

The character and plot development also were lacking for me.  I was never able to form a connection with Nora or Declan.  The closest I came was when Nora was having a panic attack, but even those seemed to be missing something to make me feel the panic.  I didn't feel any chemistry between the couple, even after they got out of Sarajevo.  And that undertaking, by the way, was entirely anti-climactic.  Once they left, the story was even less appealing as you didn't have that minor bit of action thrown in.

So in sum, this book did not do it for me.  The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry.  There was also too much purple prose, so I found myself rolling my eyes or not confused as to the premise the author was trying to convey.  I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Greene's Calling by A.D. Starrling

Greene's Calling
by A.D. Starrling
Series:  Seventeen #3
Pub. Date:  April 27, 2014
Publisher:  Self-Pub
Pages:  392
Format:  eARC
Source:  Netgalley
   

My Rating:  
Sultry Scale:

An immortal healer. An ancient legacy reborn. A chain of cataclysmic events that threatens to change the fate of the world. 

When a plane crashes in the Amazonian swamp where Conrad Greene is attempting to live out the rest of eternity, the jaded immortal who was once one of the Bastian First Council’s greatest assets stumbles across a conspiracy involving the recently elected president of the United States.

Caught in the middle of the intrigue is US Secret Service agent Laura Hartwell, the one immortal on Earth most likely to put a bullet through Greene’s skull.

Greene is coerced into returning to the life he had left behind by the leader of the Bastians and reluctantly agrees to assist the Americans in their investigation. As disturbing incidents start to unfold around the globe, Greene and a team of elite human and immortal agents must track down an elusive organization hell-bent on shifting the power balance of the world.

Can Greene stop the deadly countdown that threatens to alter the course of human history and regain the trust of the woman he loves?

Greene's Calling is another well-written, well-researched, action-packed, brainy book from A.D. Starrling. What else is there to say? I have never been a huge fan of the action thriller genre, but I cannot get enough of Ms. Starrling's books. I have to take a minute to talk up this author for those of you who may not have heard of her before. I, myself, ran across this series quite by accident, and that was a very lucky day indeed. I was just discussing these books with my friend Deanna, who loves action movies, because these books would make fantabulous movies. I do hope they get optioned one day. But I was saying that these are books that you can just tell that the author is super intelligent (hence the aforementioned "brainy" description). I mean, its not everyday I enjoy a book discussing chemistry and macromolecular materials and engineering. I'm a lawyer, we typically don't do math and science very well. ;) I am foisting these books on my little bro now as he has an interest in biomedical engineering, so I think he will appreciate how smart these books are.

That being said, if you are not a brainy person, and are worried you may not be able to follow along with these books, never fear. I know not one iota about science and chemistry, and I do just fine. The books are fast-paced and action-driven so you will speed along with the plot without getting hung up on the dynamics of the explosives that feature heavily in this book. And for you romance readers, this book has some of that too.

We start Greene's Calling following the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire. This was a nice little history lesson, and sets up our back story for the villains in this installment. This was a nice touch and made me reminisce on reading some of the more heavily-detailed historical romances I have read by authors such as Bertrice Small. I always say I would have learned history a lot better if they let a fiction writer help with the writing. But, I digress.

We later meet our main character, Conrad Greene, where he has exiled himself to the jungle after things went sour with his soul mate. I really liked Conrad and his four-legged friend, Rocky. The special bond between the two was wonderful, and I can understand the lengths Greene went to when he saved his best friend. Greene's soul mate is Laura, and they have been separated for 300 years. But when Greene learns she may be in trouble, he rushes to her side. I was set not to like Laura based on her treatment of the man, however she eventually won me over. The plot did not waste a lot of time on the drama between the soul mates, instead focusing on the supernatural terroristic threat from Ariana and her progeny. I would have liked to see the relationship issue flushed out a little more I think, but I didn't notice it as I was reading. It only came to me now that I'm done. So I doubt you will miss it either.

This book was just as action-packed as the previous two, and the plot came together nicely as the immortals worked with US govt officials to uncover and neutralize the threat to major cities around the globe. I still think that King's Crusade is my favorite book of the series. I really miss Yonten - he was such a great character. But this was a great addition and ties together nicely with the previous books. I think we are building towards a big culmination where all of the "special" immortals will be called on to work together for some common goal, and I look forward to that progression.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

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Seventeen Series

My Review	My Review	Review Coming June 4	Review coming June 9

New Release: Better When It Hurts by Skye Warren

Better When It Hurts 

by Skye Warren 
Series:  Stripped #2
Pub. Date: June 4th 2015  

Genres: Adult, Romance

   

Five years ago we lived in the same house. He was the ultimate bad boy. And my foster brother.

Now he’s back. Tougher, harder, meaner. All of it aimed at me, because I was the one who sent him away. It’s payback time. He wants his pound of flesh, and I am helpless to say no.

About the Author

Skye Warren is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of dark romance. Her books are raw, sexual and perversely tender. For those new to her work, consider the bestseller Wanderlust, Prisoner or the Dark Nights series starting with Trust in Me.

Author links:

http://www.skyewarren.com/

https://www.facebook.com/skyewarren

https://twitter.com/skye_warren

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5339130.Skye_Warren

http://www.skyewarren.com/newsletter

Excerpt

I try not to scan the floor when I enter. There’s already a buzz in the air, the hunger and desperation of a strip club on Saturday night. I’m ready to earn money, ready to move my body.

Ready to pretend Blue doesn’t bother me.

He’s nowhere in sight, and I breathe a sigh of relief. A group of men are still gathered near the railing. They’d tipped me pretty well while I was up there, so I figure I have a good shot at a lap dance. I saunter over, my breasts barely contained in the red bikini top, my skin coated in sweat and glitter and the thick smoke of this place.

“Nice set,” says a low voice from behind me.

I turn to see Blue standing there, arms crossed so his muscles bulge, lids lowered in that intense way of his. Shit. “Thanks,” I say, but the only thing I’m really thankful for is that my voice doesn’t shake.

He’s the head of security at the Grand, which should make me feel safe. Except we have a history. And he hates my guts. So there’s no affection in his eyes when they scan me up and down. No kindness in his voice when he adds, “You look great.”

The way he says it, it sounds like a threat. He makes me feel like the scared little girl I used to be when I knew him before. And him? He’s like the big bad wolf, sizing me up before he swallows me whole.

I force myself to shrug at him, to toss my hair. “Thanks, sweetie.”

He circles me, surrounding me. “But then, you always look great. That’s what you like, isn’t it? Having men panting after you? Leading us along by our dicks?”

My throat gets tight. I know that’s what people think of me. They take one look at my lipstick and my short skirt and assume the worst. God, they’re right. But it’s worse to hear it from him. Worse because he once believed in me. “Do you expect me to apologize for earning a living?”

His lids lower. “Not for that.”

I can’t meet his eyes. I know exactly what he wants me to apologize for. And he’ll never believe me. Even showing weakness in this game is enough to get me killed. “I don’t apologize to anyone.”

“Of course you don’t,” he says, his voice full of loathing. “But I don’t want your words.”

I can’t help but whisper, “What do you want?”

That makes him smile. It’s not a nice smile. “I think you know the answer to that.”

He wants to hurt me, to use me. He wants to fuck me. I swallow hard. “That isn’t for sale.”

“I wasn’t planning to pay you.”

This should be easy. Tell him no. Make him believe it. I’ve done this for a thousand men before. Somehow he’s different. Maybe because I don’t really believe it myself.

I know he’s watching me. I know he’s hatching his plans. My heart speeds up every time I turn away from him, wondering if this is the time he’ll pounce. One of these times, he’s going to dig into me with his teeth and his claws. He’s going to hurt me, and I’m not sure I’ll survive it.

Not tonight, though. Not now.

I take a step away from him. “If you aren’t going to pay for my time, I think I’ll find someone who will.”

His eyes darken. “Your call, gorgeous.”

I hear the unspoken message beneath his words, steel under velvet. For now.

Review: Dark Secrets Series by Shea Berkley

Stone Cold Dead 
by Shea Berkley
Series:  Dark Secrets #1
Pub Date:  Jan. 31, 2015
Publisher:  Thursday Publishing
Pages:  161
Format:  eARC
Source:  Xpresso Book Tours
   

My Rating:  
Sultry Scale:

Death stalks the dark streets of Boston, but even death has enemies… 

Being a hero is Ryan di Taro’s job. Eradicating the city of vampires and other monsters that hide in the dark is how he got the title. When an unknown woman appears and saves his life and then disappears, he’s not sure if he’s made a friend or enemy. Should he accept her help in hunting down the undead, or is she part of an elaborate plan the creatures of darkness have created to end his quest to see evil eliminated for good.

This novella was okay, but it really needed to be longer and more detailed so the reader could connect with the story and characters.

Anara, our main character, is a gargoyle (or something similar). So by day, Anara is perched on the top of a church watching the world go by. And by night, she hunts vampires. I like Anara, but I want to know more about her. She has lived for centuries - but we don't know anything other than she was cursed to turn to stone in the sun, she is lonely, and she fights vampires like a viking warrior princess. When two young girls are orphaned after a vampire attack, Anara approaches Ryan, a human vampire hunter. Anara and Ryan fall in major insta-love. Seriously, the L-word is being whipped out within a day or two. I liked Ryan - but I want to know more about him. We know more about his brother (Beau) than we do about Ryan, and Beau is only a small secondary character. I would have liked to learn more of the back story as to why Ryan and Beau are hunting vampires. The other two secondary characters, Sage and Baby, are very cute and angelic children characters. They were sweet enough - but I want to know why the vampires are hunting them. So they are innocent? How does that help the vampers? I got a little aggravated because I was only getting the surface of the story when I really wanted those deep waters.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It was an okay start, but I am hoping for more out of the rest of the series.

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Edge of Evil
by Shea Berkley
Series:  Dark Secrets #2
Pub Date:  March 3, 2015
Publisher:  Thursday Publishing
Pages:  368
Format:  eARC
Source:  Xpresso Book Tours
   

My Rating:  
Sultry Scale:

What if nightmares, best kept in the dark, refuse to stay hidden? 

Dr. Maya Kelbeck believes no matter how unusual her patients’ delusions, she can help. When billionaire Alden Caldwell seeks her counsel to escape a controlling relationship, she’s intrigued by his unusual diagnosis, lycanthropy-her patient actually believes he’s a werewolf.

Alden Caldwell’s life is not his own and hasn’t been since the middle ages. Not since he was transformed into a werewolf. The once noble knight now finds himself no more than a slave to a female vampire who is without morals, without conscious, without a soul.

Maya promises Alden she can help him, and at first it looks like she can, until the supernatural world in which he lives wants him back. Can Alden convince Maya his delusions are real in time to save her, or has he just sentenced a woman who cares for him despite his past transgressions to a fate worse than death?

It has taken me forever to write this review because I just don't have much to say about the book.  I hate when that happens.  This was an okay read, but it was nothing special for me.  I actually thought this was a serial as the first book was very short, so I was surprised that this book was more than double the length of the first.

We met our main character, Alden Caldwell, in Stone Cold Dead where he was a mysterious character that helped out the vampire hunters in secret.  We learn in this book that Alden is a werewolf who has been enslaved by a horrible vampire queen (Juliana) for centuries. I really liked Alden, he had that mysterious, damaged, filthy rich aspect going for him.  However it was a little unbelievable that he would seek a psychologist in an attempt to break his supernatural compulsion to obey his master vampire.  Anywho, he does and in comes Dr. Maya, who has no idea the supernatural world exists and doesn't believe that Alden is a werewolf (naturally).  She learns that the boogie exists pretty quickly though, and then her and Alden are in a fight for their lives.  This causes them to pair up with Beau and his gang of vamp-fighting kids, whom we met in Stone Cold Dead. Unfortunately I just hate hate hate Beau, like detest him. I don't think I would be able to read a book where he was the main character. So all of the parts of the story where he was featured, I didn't really care for.  I also did not care for how the romance turned out, but I can't say more w/o giving away spoilers.

In sum, it was okay but I didn't really connect with the characters and I was hoping for a little more.  I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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