Unbearable Guilt (Breathe Again #2) by Emma Grayson

 

 

  Kane Archer

"Kane was a badass name, the name of a hero in an action movie, the name a woman would call out in pure ecstasy over and over again.  Kane was a man's name and he was definitely that:  a man - all man."

 

Lean, Broad Shoulders,
 

Tall, Muscles,
 

Confident.
 

Take No-Shit kind of man.
 

The type you didn't question.
 

The type you didn't want to cross, make angry or disobey.
 

The kind who would tell you where to go and how to get there.

Do I have your attention now??? Because Kane certainly had my attention through this whole book.  He was definitely a tortured soul - blaming himself for the death of his fiancee Aimee.  He's intent on finding the man who killed her, and keeping himself mentally and emotionally away from any woman he brings to his bed.

 

Whitney has been serving him coffee for months.  She's attracted to him, but knows he's a loner, keeping to himself.  She's heard all the rumors around town about how he's the reason Aimee is dead - but she knows there's more to the story.

 

Kane can't deny the attraction to Whitney - it's different from one of his one night stands.  He's tries to keep her at a distance, but the attraction is too much for both of them.  But the guilt Kane feels, is to unbearable for him to handle, and more than once - he walks away.

 

 

Whitney knows in her heart he's struggling, but she's also dealing with her own family troubles, not to mention the rejection that she is feeling from Kane.  I don't know how she faced him at times, after he left her hanging and some cruel words he threw at her to keep her away.  I cringed at the confusion that she must have had at what to feel for him.
 

Through more twists of fate - they both find that their past lives and troubles are more intertwined then they could have ever imagined.  It's unsure whether they will be able to get past all the guilt and find forgiveness for themselves and each other.

 

 

I absolutely loved this book - even when Kane needed a good kick in the ass sometimes.  How can you not love a man like him - someone who so desperately needs some love and is as hot as hell!?  And Whitney, she was no pushover, she was raised to be tough - but she was also really patient and understanding, and knew a good man when she saw him.  I couldn't put this book down, and hated for it to end - looking forward to Kessel's story next!

 

Hard as You Can (Hard Ink #2) by Laura Kaye

Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.

Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn't want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.

 

This book continues after Crystal had helped Shane and his friends get Charlie freed from the gang that was holding him at the strip club - and since then Shane just cannot get her out of his head.  He just can't shake the feeling that something more is going on with her being there, other than waitressing - and he can't shake the attraction he felt towards her.

Crystal is still reeling from her meeting with Shane - she was so attracted to him, but with the situation she's in there is no way someone like him would be interested in her.  Working at the club to pay off her father's debt and help take care of her sister - she's in a situation she can't get out of, yet.  Not to mention, she's involved with Bruno, not by choice - and there is no safe way to end that relationship.  She figures, she'll probably never see Shane again anyways. 
 

Shane places himself in Crystals life - he's determined to help her out, whether she wants the help or not.  She's used to taking care of it all on her own, and is not liking Shane trying to help out (well, maybe she is just a little bit!!) Because seriously, Shane is one sexy, southern ex-military guy - who makes you melt when he's calling Crystal darlin and using all his southern charms on her. 

 

When she finally gives in to the attraction - sparks are flying - until Crystal remembers she has other things she's hiding, and before she knows it - Shane has discovered one of her deepest secrets.  She freaks - and runs away.  Shane doesn't give up - getting help from his friends who are still trying to find out Becca and Charlie's father's secrets, he enlists their help to help Crystal and her sister out of their situation.

 

"The definition of courage is action in the face of fear.  By that definition, sweetness, you're the bravest person I know."
 

 Shane was such a caring man - accepting Crystal as she is - and never judging her.  This was a great continuation of the first story - full of sexy hot guys with a heart and determination to set things straight clearing their names, and the names of their "brothers" who lost their lives.  Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

 

Transcendence by Shay Savage

It’s said that women and men are from two different planets when it comes to communication, but how can they overcome the obstacles of prehistoric times when one of them simply doesn’t have the ability to comprehend language?

Ehd’s a caveman living on his own in a harsh wilderness. He’s strong and intelligent, but completely alone. When he finds a beautiful young woman in his pit trap, it’s obvious to him that she is meant to be his mate. He doesn’t know where she came from; she’s wearing some pretty odd clothing, and she makes a lot of noises with her mouth that give him a headache. Still, he’s determined to fulfill his purpose in life – provide for her, protect her, and put a baby in her.

Elizabeth doesn’t know where she is or exactly how she got there. She’s confused and distressed by her predicament, and there’s a caveman hauling her back to his cavehome. She’s not at all interested in Ehd’s primitive advances, and she just can’t seem to get him to listen. No matter what she tries, getting her point across to this primitive, but beautiful, man is a constant – and often hilarious – struggle.

With only each other for company, they must rely on one another to fight the dangers of the wild and prepare for the winter months. As they struggle to coexist, theirs becomes a love story that transcends language and time.

Wow - I have a total "book hangover" now.  I don’t’ even know how to explain what I just read and how amazing it was.  Whatever you think you may know about this book by reading the synopsis - you are probably going to be wrong about it.  Don’t prejudge it because it’s a caveman book or a time travel book – because trust me, I do not read those type of books – and as I read it – it didn’t feel like either a caveman or time travel story.

To me this book was “Love” in its rawest, purest form…….caring for your mate.  Meeting the most basic of needs….giving of your whole self to someone…..trust..…true partners in life.  No distractions from the outside work as far as work, phones, internet, cars, exes, money, etc…….. it’s just about our basic needs and seeing to them.
 

This book is like no other book that you will read, it really isn’t and I dare you to challenge that statement.  This was the purest form of a true love story.

 

 

Nabbed in New Zealand by Christine Edwards

Valla saved her money and took the vacation of a lifetime to New Zealand.  She's taking a week long camping trip with five other strangers, and two guides.  She hoped to be exploring and enjoying the beauty of New Zealand - she ended up with a whole lot more adventure than she ever could have imagined.

The camping trip takes them into remote sections of New Zealand, visiting establishments that are frequented by locals.  During lunch one day - Valla's breath is taken away by the sexy man she sees getting lunch.  That same night she runs into him again at a bar where the group goes - a little alcohol, and some encouragement, and Valla is serenading him with "Criminal" by Fiona Apple.

This night changes her whole trip - alone by the campfire, she is grabbed from behind and when she wakes up she doesn't know where she is.  The only thing she does recognize is the man who is at the house she is at - the guy from the bar.....Brocan Judge.  Judge wants her - he's a Dom with a capital "D" - and he's not going to let her get away.  He makes her an enticing offer that she just can't say no to. 

I could feel for Valla as she struggled at times with her decision to stay with Judge for the week, and get to experience being his sub. She accepted his terms - because she truly felt the attraction between them, and wanted to see if a relationship could start. The problem was her head would get in the way - and she worried whether he would take her back to town in a week like he promised.  When Valla challenges Judge, being the Dom that he is - she faces the consequences.

This was another great hot read from Christine Edwards, with a Dom that will have you dropping to your knees in submission.  I look forward to the next country and Dom that Ms. Edwards decides to write about!

Deep Down (The OGs #1) by Elle Aycart

 

Mike Haddican is a proud small-town gym owner, a renowned karate instructor, and all-around good guy. He’s never needed much to be happy: his family, his friends, his girl. Especially his girl. But when Kyra left him seven years ago to chase her dreams, she all but destroyed him.

Contemporary dancer Kyra Brims made it big, but it cost her dearly. With her life and career in shambles, she doesn’t need a do-over, she needs a friggin’ miracle. Injured, broke, and out of options after going through hell, she’s come back to Alden, the town she swore she’d never return to and home of Mike Haddican, the man who ripped her soul to pieces, to lick her wounds and recover.

Forgetting and letting go proved impossible when they were worlds apart; now that they’re stuck together they don’t stand a chance, especially with Mike’s grandma and her partners in crime plotting, meddling and refusing to give up on them.

As the passion that never died burns out of control, so do old hurts and unresolved issues. Both have reasons to be angry and feel betrayed, but now that they’re older, are they wise enough to make things work?

 

Oh my gosh - I loved this book!!  First of all, let me fan myself - but Oh Mike - a dirty talker and a sweet talker too - the best of both worlds.  Secondly, the grandmothers in this book were hilarious - you have to love all their antics and text messaging - adding humor and light heartedness to the story.  You'll be wishing at their age, you can have some good friends and fun like they have.

Mike and Kyra were high school sweethearts - each other's first love, but Kyra wanted more - and their relationship ended on a bad note.  More misunderstandings and hurtful words made it almost impossible for them to ever even speak to each other.  But when Kyra moves back into town with her daughter, Sam - it seems like these two are destined to be in each others space, and face the past.

 

With a little help from some meddling grandmothers, Mike and Kyra have no option but to talk it out - and a few other things!!  They may decide to give it a try, but Kyra still holds back, especially when it comes to her daughter, Sam, who she doesn't want to get too attached to Mike - because she still plans on leaving after she gets her life together again.  The problem is, Sam gets attached right away and Kyra falls right back into her old feelings towards Mike.

 

Mike invades her life in all the good ways again - taking care of things at her house, helping with her daughter, bringing her chocolate and rubbing her belly when it's her "time of the month" (for that alone he's a keeper!!), and protecting her from her ex-husband. He determined to show her, that her life and family is here with him.

 

 

I enjoyed this book so much, between the hot sex scenes, the sweet scenes where Mike is taking care of Kyra, the adorable moments with her daughter, and all the funny moments spent with the grandmothers and other family members it was definitely a book that had all of my favorite things in it!  I cannot wait until the next book comes out and see who's life the OGs meddle in.

 

 

Rumor Has It (Limelight #1) by Elisabeth Grace

 

 

Oh man, I felt so bad for Ellie - seriously, it seems as if "embarrassment" is her middle name lately.  Besides the video that goes viral with her in it, the way she meets Mason for the first time would not be the way most of us want to meet a hot guy!

 

Mason is awesome – he is loving the first time he sees Ellie, although he’s sure it’s just another fan trying to get to him.  He soon realizes Ellie is as she says – and really has no clue that he’s a famous hip-hop artist.  Mason, being the smooth talker he is – convinces her to go on a date, and with his built body and sexy tattoos, there is no way Ellie is turning him down. 

 

Ellie just has to stick to her “ten date” rule and keep in mind that Mason is only in town for a few weeks – as long as she has her “PP’s” on – things should be fine.  For the first date, they are fine, she’s even heeding her rules – but then going out again – she unexpectedly finds out who Mason really is and now she’s not sure about seeing him again – or following any rules.

 

Mason wants to give things a try – he trusts Ellie, which for him trust is a major issue – there are not many people he can trust because of his fame.  For Ellie, she’s used to men not staying in her life – and with Mason only in town for a while, she knows she’s asking for trouble.  Even though Mason is so attentive and caring about her feelings, she feels unworthy of it and questions why he would even be interested in her.

 

There’s so many issues they have to deal with to make their relationship work – and when Mason catches her in a situation – trust is quickly gone…. But, sometimes you can’t believe all the rumors, or even exactly what you see.  I really enjoyed this story and you will definitely root for Ellie and Mason to work things out – and get through all the rumors to the truth.  Looking forward to the next book for sure!