Cruel Water by Freya Barker - @freya_barker

Wow, it's kind of hard to know where to start with my review.  This book left me feeling full, satisfied, unbelievable honored that I had the chance to read this touching story.  I absolutely loved this story.  At times it brought tears to my eyes, other times it made me laugh and chuckle, and then there were those moments with Viv and Ike that made me all tingly.  It's not an easy story at times to read at all - because there are a lot of things that come up that could cause "triggers" for some readers.  But, it gripped me, and once I started reading, I could not put it down.

I'll start with Viv.  I loved Viv - who she was, what she believed in, how unbelievably strong she was .  She was a survivor in every sense of the word.  You couldn't help but cheer her on, shed a tear for her, want to hold her close and celebrate with her all her victories.  I was so proud of her.

Then there's Ike.  Isaac.  Talk about a fine specimen of a man.  I'm not just talking about his appearance, I'm talking about the true man that he was.  How he handled Viv was perfection.  He knew just when he should stand beside her, behind her, or lead the way for her.  The care he took with her feelings warmed my heart, and made me fall in love with him along with Viv.

 I don't want to give much of this story away - it should be read and experienced by each person reading - learning of Viv and Ike's past life and their future as they go.  Their authentic story felt so real - the way situations were handled and dealt with were actually how things really happen in life.  The secrets, the facing the truth, the denial, the owning up, the repairing of relationships and the moving forward were perfectly handled and I could see this as a real life story.  Please, definitely take the time to read this amazing story, I don't think you will be disappointed at all.

Making the Cut (Selected Sinners MC #1) by S.D. Hildreth - @ScottDHildreth

I'm not sure where to begin.  This really isn't your typical MC story, yet it was.  There was some gritty biker business taken care of.  There was some big, bad, rough, mean, sexy bikers.  There was also romance, but not what you would expect.  There was no insta-love, no wham-bamm, and thankfully, no club whores - but there was the building of a relationship over time.  There was...progress.

I loved just about everything with Avery and yes, Axton.  Avery was who she was, and even though she was a little insecure - she knew what she wanted, knew how to get it - and stuck with her plan to get there.  I loved her moments of insight and internal conversations with herself, and I enjoyed her sense of humor.  She was persistent, strong, and yes, even cute.  Even with her chances being "slim to none", she persevered.  

The best part about Axton, was how he was with Avery.  That he never expected a relationship from her, but just took his time with her, yet never led her on.  She came from out of nowhere, and into his life, and ended up being someone who became and integral part of world.  Don't get me wrong though, he wasn't changing for her, he's not "flowers and cards" - he's just exactly who he puts out there - he's a biker through and through, that comes first.  He's a lot rough and doesn't put up with shit - take it or leave it, and trust me - you will take it!

This is the third Scott Hildreth book I've read, and each one has been drastically different from the others.  And even though they are all different, the common element is that each story has grabbed hold of me, and totally kept me wrapped up in the book, not wanting to get up until the story is finished.  Each books characters are so complex, yet easy to know and like.  You feel like you know their actual personalities, get how they talk -as if you can hear them saying the words in the book to you.  You can really picture them, their stance, their walk.  And even more, the characters somehow give you some insight-some statement made from something happening in the story, that makes you think and consider things differently.  As with Finding Parker and Karter, I totally loved Making the Cut and cannot wait until the next book comes out.  Give one of these books a chance, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Reaper's Stand (Reapers MC #4) by Joanna Wylde - @joannawylde

If you've been reading this series, then I'm sure like me, you have been anticipating Reese/Picnic and London's story - and they sure did not disappoint!  This is one of my favorite MC stories - it has enough "grit" to make it real, and not go too overboard - and even though the guys may be "man-whores" when they start out, once that one girl becomes "theirs" - that's it for them.  They have and "old lady" in the making.  But for Reese it was harder to make that decision, because he had an "old lady" once, and swore after she died, that was it for him.

London is running her own cleaning business and taking care of her niece.  It's been tough, and money tight, but her business has been picking up, especially with cleaning some of the Reaper's properties.  She's noticed Reese a few times while she's been working, and can't help but notice how sexy he really is - although she imagines he can get any woman.  She isn't alone in her infatuation - Reese has definitely noticed London too, but she is not his type at all - she has no clue at all about his world, and he doesn't want to even go there - he's not looking for anything long term.

Then circumstances bring them together on a few "awkward" occasions - where London really sees the "man-whore" that Picnic is.  I have to say there were a few "cringe" worthy moments, that I would have personally died on the spot if I were London - but she handled them with class.  After an unexpected kiss - either of them can get each other out of their minds.  This is where it all get tricky and things get complicated - and this is where the story really picks up - and it becomes obvious of the feelings that Reese really has for London, with the way he helps her out.

 I loved all the twists and turns with Reese and London's relationship - because once they got together - things were hot and happening fast.  The only problem was that London needed to actually trust Reese and go to him for help - which she didn't do, and which ended up putting her in a dangerous position with the club and Reese.  With the choices she made, Reese's options with how to handle her were becoming limited.  I was wringing my hands, wondering what would happen - and how everything would play out and come together.  From about the last 25% of the book, I couldn't put it down!

Joanna Wylde has nailed it with this great biker-MC series - and I always look forward to the next in the series!

Deacon (Unfinished Heroes #4) by Kristen Ashley - @KristenAshley68

What can I say?  Kristen Ashley does it again with Deacon.  Although this time Deacon is more broody, mysterious and kinky than her other Alpha males - which is a recipe for a great freaking story that I could not put down.  And as usual, Cassie, the heroine, is this awesome, strong female who you can't help but admire, root for and want to become her best friend.

I have to say, some of my very favorite "alpha man" quotes came out of Deacon's mouth.

And I don't want to take anything away from Cassie - she held her own.

If you are a Kristen Ashley fan, I can say you will not be disappointed with Deacon - and if you have never read one of her books - this is absolutely a great place to start and get hooked on K.A. and her amazing writing style including all of her incredible H/h's.

It truly was....

Assumption (Underground Kings #1) by Aurora Rose Reynolds - @auroraroseR

It's official - Aurora Rose Reynolds is on my top ten list of favorite authors - and she has Kenton and Autumn (and actually the entire Mayson Family) to thank for that.

Autumn is a witness to murder and needs to leave town to stay safe until the killer is found.  Kenton is helping a friend out by letting Autumn stay at his house.  He has no problem with helping out, he has the room - the problem is Autumn is totally not what he was expecting.  He "assumed" she was something she wasn't, which to her was typical from most people. She wasn't going to help him figure out the truth.  He'd have to learn that the hard way.

I didn't just love Kenton in this book, because well - he was everything you could ever want in your Alpha male - I also totally loved Autumn just as much.  She is tough - Kenton calls her a "Warrior" and she truly is - she is strong, and will not back down - even with her insecurities and fears.  She has been through so much throughout her life, but has managed to always rise above.  I think some of my favorite parts where how Autumn handled Kenton's ex - not backing down, and giving it to her good!  I was laughing to myself just picturing everything happening.

Kenton and Autumn were so great together, even with some of the stupid things he said to her at times - you knew he really cared for her - and he wanted to protect her and make her happy.  She just really had to let go, and trust that he would be there for her.

Ms. Reynolds is one of those select few who knows how to write the perfect "Alpha Man" - with just the right portion of all the best and annoying qualities a man can have.  They are bossy, sexy, sweet, protective, loving and devoted, and great lovers!  But that's not all that I love about her stories, because all of her books extend past just the hero and heroine.  The families and friends play just as much as an important role in the stories - and the characters are all ones that you just want to get to know and be a part of their lives.  Plus, there's just enough drama in her books to keep you turning the page anxiously, yet not freaking you out.  Exactly what I love - and why I'll always be looking forward to the next book of Aurora Rose Reynolds to come out!

Nordic Lessons (Nordic Lights #2) by Christine Edwards - @ceerotica

First, I'd like to thank Christine Edwards again for giving us an Advanced Reader's Copy of her book.  I've come to really look forward to the dominant men she creates in her stories, and the beautiful countries that she takes us to.

Elora is lucky enough to have her car break down along the side of the road, and have even better luck to have Mikkel drive by and decide that he needs to help her out.  His presence is intimidating, and scares her at first, but he tries to assure her, in his "direct" way, that he's safe with her, and he's going to help her whether she likes it or not.  Their relationship starts there - and as they begin to find out more about each other, and what each other likes - sparks freaking fly!

Mikkel is the perfect dominant man.  He's strict, tells how he wants it, how it's gonna be, and with his words and actions - you can't help but want to please him.  You would try your hardest to be a "good girl" knowing that the "rewards" were going to be incredible - and even the punishments weren't that bad either!

Oh man, I loved how Mikkel was with Elora, and how she let him take charge when it came to sex.  The sex between them was so hot, and it wasn't all about him being this incredible Alpha Dom, it was the sweetness of how he took care of her in so many other ways - whether it was buying something for her, or taking her someplace that he knew she would enjoy.  You knew deep down how important Elora was to him, there was never a doubt to how fast he fell for her.

And when he called her....

          min skjønne

                       .... my beauty

I would just melt right on the spot! 

This isn't a gritty MC biker story - the story is lighter, with only some drama, the main focus being on Mikkel and Elora's relationship - which I absolutely loved.  I really enjoyed this story, and only wish at the end it would have been a little longer, drawing the story out just a bit, with the focus being more on Elora and Mikkel.  As always, I look forward to see where Christine Edwards will take us next!