Promises, Promises by Janice Baker

Promises, Promises (Alluring Promises #1)
by: Janice Baker

  My rating: 4 out of 5 Sizzling Stars

This book has been on my TBR list for awhile, and I'm so glad I finally took the time to read it.  Izzy had a troubled childhood growing up - although making it to college on her own, she became best friends with Mel.  Once they graduated, she felt alone again, Mel had a new boyfriend, she was working and then Izzy became involved with HIM, and he isolated her from any previous relationships and totally dominated her life.

Two years later she finally breaks free from HIM.  Alone with no where to call she gets in touch with Mel.  Mel remains the true friend and even after two years of no contact, takes her in with no questions asked.  Mel and her friends help Izzy start her new life - and all the challenges she faces trying to get past how HE controlled her. 

Z becomes her boss and the attraction between them is immediate - but they both don't want to be the rebound person, and Z knows Izzy has issues she's dealing with, but she hasn't told him about.  My heart broke for Izzy as she finally told Z what HE did to her.

I loved the relationship between Z and Izzy, he really was a sweetheart - even though he had his jealousy issues.  He truly cared about her and wanted to help her get over what HE did to her and protect her.  This book had the added benefit of a really great friendship between the group of friends - Mel, Izzy, Clark, Flynn and Z.  They had so much fun together, you will laugh with the stories they tell of their college days - yet all the friends are loyal to the bone.  Glad I moved this up the list and took the time to read it.  I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.

 

 

Night Moves by Andrea Smith

 Night Moves (G-Man #3)
 by: Andrea Smith

  My rating: 5 out of 5 Sizzling Stars

Darcy Nicole Sheridan, is 22 years-old, beautiful, single, spirited, sexy and - spoiled. She knows that about herself. Raised by wealthy (and doting) parents as an only child, Darcy pretty much coasts through life until her heart was inexplicably broken by her boyfriend, Darin.

To ease the pain, Darcy flies to Belize over the holidays fully intending to wallow in self-pity and distance herself from her ex. Her pity party is short-lived however, after observing a very handsome, very intriguing man on the beach. Darcy becomes the focus of the smokin' hot, wealthy and somewhat mysterious 'E.J.'

Soon she finds herself entangled with an alpha like no other… Her world is rocked by a series of events that will forever change the course of her life, showing her what love is all about; and forcing her to come to terms with hidden sexual pleasures only one man could fulfill…

Easton, he's alpha, dominant, sexy and very confidant, oh Easy E!  I don't even know where to begin with him - want him or kick him to the curb, hug him or strangle him, love him or hate him!!  Because trust me, you will want to do all of these to him! 

Then there is Darcy - and she is an only child, spoiled little rich girl who hasn't had to work for much in her life - expecting to take over her father's company with little effort.  But, she is sooo much more too. 

These two meet by chance as Darcy flees to Belize on vacation to get away from her cheating ex.  Their few encounters there leave her more than frustrated and a little bit satisfied! 

Unexpectedly he shows up at her father's company as her new boss - shocked is an understatement, and she has to consider her options as to how to handle this.  Easton can't get her out of his head, he wants her but with his past he knows he's incapable of love.  She tries to fight the feelings between them, he helps her explore a different side to her that she never knew she would enjoy and want.  She ends up being stronger and smarter than I ever thought she could be as she tries take part in a relationship that's headed no where.  She knows how to handle him though, and won't be totally walked all over.  Even though she loves him - she won't beg.

I really loved this story - it was so different to me than the first two books in the series.  I enjoyed seeing Darcy grow up and be the strong woman her parents truly raised her to be - she never backed down from a challenge.  It took me a long time to get the warm, fuzzy feelings for Easton though - he has a lot of baggage that he just wouldn't let go of - but the epilogue sealed the deal, and you could really feel the love that he had in his heart for Darcy.  If you loved the other books in the G-man series, this is a definite must read! 

Asking for Trouble by Tessa Bailey

 Asking for Trouble (Line of Duty #4)
 by: Tessa Bailey

  My rating: 5 out of 5 Sizzling Stars




I think this book may have been my favorite out of the series so far.  You have to love the constant back and forth between Brent and Hayden.  He thinks she's a totally stuck up, rich entitled duchess - and oh yeah, he can't help himself from staring at her legs and wondering whether she has garters on!  Meanwhile, she think he's some beer drinking, obnoxious, loser - with blonde hair, gorgeous green eyes and a killer body! 

Finally they give in to the feelings - and it is hot!  But when they think too much, the problems between them seem too much to overcome.  Can he fit into her world - and will she grow tired of his?  Finally they see each other in different lights - and the true people they really are. 

Loved this book - I read it in one sitting, it was so fast paced.  You'll think of the song "Wind Beneath My Wings" in a whole new light!  Hopefully the next book is about Matt!

Beautifully Awake by Riley Mackenzie

Beautifully Awake (Beautifully Awake #1)
by: Riley Mackenzie

  My rating: 5 out of 5 Sizzling Stars


       

Lili Porter hates the rain. Bad things happen in the rain. As a small town social worker dedicated to protecting children, she is forced to start over to escape her rural disaster. Determined to follow her father’s advice—head up and chin high—Lili finds herself in a new city, taking on a new system, this time healthcare. In doing so, she gets something she never expected, an intimate behind-the-scenes look at life in the hospital.

Lili learns that a surgeon’s hands have the power to heal more than physical wounds. And a prescription for truth can cure three years of sleep running and leave you beautifully awake.



Truth:   I loved this love story!! It had everything I love in it:


#1 - Possessive Alpha Male (oh yeah, who just so happens to be a hot sexy doctor, with his own skeletons in his closet!) who also happens to be very caring and generous.

     #2 - A strong female, fighting to overcome past heartaches, not giving up.

     #3 - Awesome best friends - you will love the conversations between Lili
             and Sierra, not to mention Chase's best friend Asher and their
             brotherly relationship.

     #4 - Hot sex scenes (this should probably be #1!!)

     #5 - A couple who truly love each other struggling to survive the past,
             forgiving themselves and learning how to live for today.

 

You definitely don't want to miss reading this beautiful love story.  I can't wait to read the next book that's going to let us in to Asher's life!!

 

Truce by R.L. Mathewson

Truce (A Neighbor from Hell Book #4)
by: R.L. Mathewson

  My rating: 4 out of 5 Sizzling Stars

Don't let the historical tag scare you away from this book - it's historical in the way that it tells how the Bradford men and all their craziness all began.  It all starts with Robert and Elizabeth and how they terrorized each other as children - some of their pranks will have you laughing out loud.  They hated each other - and when they meet years later as adults - a lot of those feelings are still there - and maybe some other ones too! If you loved the other Neighbor books - you will not be disappointed with this book - it had all the humor, sex, craziness and food obsessions that all the other books had and then some!