The Defiant Hero (Troubleshooters) - Suzanne Brockmann

3***

Suzanne Brockmann has always blown my mind before, and I have been so excited for the next time I read another Troubleshooters novel, and I finally have!

I found this hard because I love the characters, and I love the story, I was torn with the way this was written. There is at five stories running through this book, and I wasn't a fan of it until about 60% of the way through. This is because you would get about three pages, and then it would flip to another story. Until I was well into the book it meant I was getting confused on so many people in the book, I couldn't work out who was who, or where people were. When I got the hang of who everyone was much more into it, and I loved them all. I think I still would have preferred longer on each story. It was jumping all over the place!

There was three love stories in this book:

Eve & Ralph (A flashback) - It took me a long time to get into this story, I didn't think it had anything to do with the story and the rest of the book, it was totally separate, I get Eve was telling the story to her great grand-daughter when they have been kidnapped, but we didn't really need the whole story, after I while I did think it was a cute story, just not necessary.

Alyssa & Sam - I liked this story, she was so against the idea of the two of them and pushed him away at every turn, but you can see the passion between them and deep down they want each other (not that Sam hides that fact). However, I kind of wondered why there was so much of them as they have their own book in the series, also kind of wondered why Sam pushed so hard when Alyssa was a bit of a bitch to him. We will see what I think of this story as the books continue.

Meg & Nills - This was always the main story line for me, the story is based around Meg being in trouble. Meg drove me CRAZY, I wanted to slap the girl. She pushed Nills away at every turn, threatening to shoot him etc etc. Meg and Nills knew each other 3 years ago and fell for each other, but Meg was married and Nills was never going to push her, but he would have done anything for her, and still would, and is totally willing to. Nills now comes to save Meg and help her, he is a troubleshooter, this is what he does, its what he's good at and they are the best at what they do, and pretty much her only chance. But what does she do, pushes him away at every turn, lies to them and tricks them. WHY?! What is she honestly thinking?! He is offering to do anything for you, LET HIM DO HIS JOB. And Nills broke my heart with how much he loved her, and would do so much for her, and he dealt with her treating him like crap and pushed until she accepted help, and it took a long time.

I did enjoy the drama in the book, just not always how people dealt with their situation (I'm looking at you MEG).

BUT I love the Troubleshooter men and I will definitely be reading more of these hot men.

Dragon's Lair (Wind Dragons MC. No.1) - Chantal Fernando

5*****

I LOVE
LOVE
LOVE
THESE TWO.

This book may say dramatic and full of angst in the blurb:

When I found my boyfriend cheating on me, I did something stupid. 

Or should I say, someone? 

Because of that mistake, I’m now stuck in a world I don’t belong in. 

I’m a law student. They’re criminals. He’s the vice president of a motorcycle club. I’m a good girl with a strict upbringing. He’s my ex-boyfriend’s brother. 

And I’m screwed.

But it isn't. It's fun. 

Some of the interactions between Dex & Faye absolutely made it for me. 

SPOILER ALERT:

"How would you like it if I poked you?" He asks, trying to keep a straight face.
"You already did, you asshole! Thats how I got pregnant!" I yell in his face.
This time the laughter didn't subside.

END OF SPOILER.

The was something about how she spoke to him that made me completely love her, she should up for herself, but still respected him. She is such a tough cookie. 
And this led to him respecting her in return, and secretly loving the way she speaks back. Faye managed to make all the guys in the MC also love her and listen to her, even though she drives them crazy at times. I can't explain how much I just loved all these interactions.

This book was not full of MC drama, in fact the MC business was barely mentioned. It was a story about Faye's life changing. And both Dex and Faye have been dealt shitty situations, they never planned to be together, but it worked, they found the person who was right for them in the end.

I absolutely want to read more about this MC, because I love them all (I know I keep saying that!) but I have fallen hard for these characters. 

Hot Pursuit - Lynn Raye Harris

3.5***

Took me a little while to get into this at first - I knew what I wanted to happen, and what would happen it just took a while to get there. But at the same time the whole book took place in about 3 days, and that made it pretty unrealistic (more so then books like this usually are).

I loved Matt, such a hottie, but boy did he make a lot of assumptions about himself (his job) and Evie. and her feelings. He really wants to protect Evie but doesn't admit feelings to himself. But then again, it was lovely to see there relationship build again, they haven't seen each other in 10 years, they needed to get to know each other again and I'm glad they did.

There was a lot of suspense in this book, I wasn't quite on the edge of my seat but I was definitely desperate to know what would happen, and how everything would come together. The romance worked in between the drama, they never forgot about the danger they were in. However, they way they dealt with the romance between the 2 of them was so back and forth, you could see their friendship, but after they slept together they seem to hide away from their friendship. It all confused me a little bit. But I was completely rooting for them to get over their history and differences, because I loved them both.

I do want to read more about the HOT boys. Lets hope the next one drags me in a little bit more.

Delayed Love (Hell Hounds MC) - Sandra Richmond

This may contain a few spoilers. I'll try and be brief with the explanation.

4****

What a story.

Harley gets pregnant at 17 by her boyfriend Ford, he chooses to join the Hell Hounds MC, which is not in Harley's plans, especially for her baby. So she gives Ford a big FU. Fast forward 18 years and we meet Harley again, returning home to bury her dad, she bumps into Ford and sparks fly again. As the story unravels we find out more about Harley's dad and how he forced Harley to give the baby up, this starts a mission for the MC to save Avery, Harley and Ford's baby (who is now 17, living in one of the worst situations possible, with her 3 year old son, Caleb).

So much goes on in the book and there is so many ups and downs - and boy do these MC men love a bit of a torture session. There is a fair bit of drama in this book, it doesn't surround too much around the romance and the story of Ford and Harley which I appreciate, I hate repetitive sex on every 2 pages of a book. I will say I kind of wish you learned a bit more about the 2 of them as people, and they kind of settled back into a relationship very quickly - 18 years is a long time, its very unlikely that every thing would go back to normal immediately.

I'm really looking forward to reading Avery's story, she went through so much in this book, my heart completely broke for her. 

Throttle Me (Men of Inked) - Chelle Bliss

2.5***

I chose this book for the cover. I mean COME ON. It is UNREAL. You are welcome for the image below. Enjoy Ladies.

Now to the story - City is a Tattoo artist, a hot one, who rides a motorbike, win win! Suzy is a control freak teacher, City is not in her life's plan. She tries to ignore him so she could stick with her plan of a sensible husband with a steady job (BORING) who wants to settle. They meet when Suzy's car breaks down and he saves her. I don't know why it annoyed me so much that she didn't know which way to walk... You live nearby! How can you not know what is around you?

I was not a fan of Suzy, she was such a naive woman, and a bit of a baby if I'm honest. She didn't even want to give the man a chance, just because he has tattoo's and rides a bike, judgemental much?! Get over your plan, things change, shit happens, you never know who your future is with, you can't plan that. I can't even count how many times her bloody list was mentioned, and she questioned the relationship - and how many times she repeated the fact that she had a plan of settling with a sensible husband, by the third time I kind of wanted to yell at her: "We know! But your plan isn't going to plan. You have met a gorgeous man who wants you, and you get on with him great, but you don't want him because of some idea you had a couple years ago?!" Get over it!

City I thought was a total hottie, but he put so much time into this woman who gave nothing back for quite a while, I felt for him. But I enjoyed the descriptions of his body (it's time to look at the cover again) and he loves a good bit of dirty talk. City and his family were lovely, close nit italian family, with a little secret (that I think I had guessed in the first couple chapters).

There was a lot of hot sex in this book, but I think there was too much sex, and no story, don't get me wrong you could see what the author was trying to do, but it didn't work. She tried for drama, but it was just unrealistic, Suzy basically gets attacked twice, not linked to each other at all, thats some bad luck. I think deepening the story line of one would have kept it more interesting, and kept stuff going on in the book.

Overall pretty torn in this book, it was a nice easy read, the sex was hot, the men hotter. But Suzy ruined it for me multiple times which was a shame.

C x

Forged in Fire - Trish McCallan

4 ****

Zane is a Navy Seal who is a little psychic and has 'visions' when things are going to go wrong, he knows something is wrong about this commercial flight him and 2 of his Seal buddies are about to go on, he just doesn't know what, until he talks to Beth. Beth works for the airline and although she isn't psychic has multiple dreams about something going wrong with the flight - she gets a lot of scary details in the dream and doesn't believe it until little things begin to come true.
Beth recognises Zane from the dream and believes he can help, Zane believes Beth is his soulmate after the men in his family have all 'known' when they meet the woman who is the one and they can connect telepathly. Beth thinks he's crazy. But they begin there mission to stop this flight and catch the terrorists.



As I started to read this book I got a little concerned because I am not a fan of unrealistic books, I like to really believe them. Telepathy and psychic visions are not for me. Until now. I just went with it in this book, it is not a realistic story but it is entertaining.

The action did not stop in this book, I could not put it down! I was on the edge of my seat during the whole book. The romance story is an underlying story in this book, it comes after the drama and action - but you know its there. That was kind of what stopped me giving this book a 5 star, for me it took the unbelievable a little step to far by the end of it, I could believe the visions but the telepathy and feeling each others pain by the end of the book was a little odd for me.

But I love Zane, the man is hot and protective, and all round alpha male. He takes his job seriously and does everything he can to catch the terrorists and protect Beth, without letting her distract him too much. He wants to save the hostages and won't risk them or the mission in order to make sure Beth is safe (which I have seen done before, and I don't like it). Beth is a tough, protective lady who is doing everything she can to protect her friends, she doesn't give in to Zane for a while which I appreciated, if things are going to be slightly supernatural it would be very odd if she just accepted that straight away, and accepted that they were meant to be.

"You can fight what's between us all you want. It won't change a thing. You're mine. And sweetheart, you don't want to bring another guy into this, not unless you want to watch him bleed"

Although this book does have a cliffhanger, I think it's more of just a set up to the next book, Beth and Zane's story is pretty complete, it is just the drama we are not done with yet.

SPOILER ALERT

One thing I didn't like about this book - one thing I HATE in romance books, when it is like it is necessary for a story to be complete the couple must be married with a baby on the way what is with that. You may be soul mates or whatever but at the end of the day you have known each other a couple of days! BE SERIOUS. And you don't need marriage and babies to be in a happy relationship..

END OF SPOILER

I am looking forward to reading more in this story and seeing what happens.

C x

Lost Kings MC - Autumn Jones Lake

5*****

I'm reviewing the first 2 books of this series in one post - mainly because I kind of read them so close to each other they may as well be one book.

Hope is in her mid thirty's, married, and a lawyer. She becomes a lawyer for the gorgeous Lost Kings MC president, Rock. Who is more than a little disappointed that Hope is married.

This book is different to other MC books for me, it is more Romance less MC, i'll get to more of that in a bit.

I love Rock, he may be a criminal but he is such a good guy deep down, and he really wants to protect Hope, his MC and other family members of the MC more than anything. But he still has his hot overprotective side (a must in an MC book!) Hope is an innocent lady, but she is strong when it comes to situations happening and the drama of the MC crashing around her. She also has such a caring side and I life reading about how her relationship with the other Brothers grows and they really grow to respect her.

There is not too much drama in this MC and I love that, the book is not over run with fights and arguments and bombs and guns (just enough to keep it interesting)!

I was really pleased that no cheating occurred in this book, it so easily could have happened, but Rock is a good guy, he understands Hope is happily married and copes with it (as gutted as he may be about it). Rock's life catches up with Hope and Rock has to cut her off in order to save her. Then life happens and a few years past and Rock is determined to win back Hope's trust and forgiveness. When this opportunity does occur I think is is so good of the author not to rush them, she doesn't just jump into bed with Rock after her husband and that really increased my respect for Hope.

This book is well written and an all round romance - like I said, it doesn't revolve around the bikers. There are more drama's between Rock and Hope with Rock trying to handle his undying love for Hope, but not over protect her too much and drive her crazy. And Hope learning how to fit into his world. You really grow to love the characters in this book, they are well written. This book doesn't make their lives mixing easy, they don't just get together and life is easy, it is a struggle for them to make their relationship work.

I really need to read more about Wrath and Trinity - I LOVE those two - totally rooting for them. Cannot wait for more of this series!!

Blind Faith (Sin Brothers) - Rebecca Zanetti

5*****

A betrayal he couldn't forget . . .
For Nate Dean, love is a four-letter word. As part of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be ruthless soldiers with an expiration date. They were loyal only to one another . . . until Nate laid eyes on the woman who stole his heart and blew his world apart. Now, years later, his family is still paying the price for his mistake. But as time runs out, there's only one person who can save his family: the very woman Nate swore he'd never trust again.
A love she couldn't deny . . .
The moment Audrey Madison spies Nate across a crowded ballroom, she can barely breathe. He's just as undeniably sexy as she remembers, yet there's an edge to him now that's as irresistible as it is dangerous. When he asks for her help, Audrey can't refuse. But she has secrets of her own-secrets that, if Nate ever discovers them, may cost them both their lives . . 

I was really looking forward to reading this after the little tease you get about Nate and Audrey in the earlier books. And Nate was just as exceptional as Matt, which doesn't often happen! I love all of these brothers. Nate and Audrey's love story is complicated and dramatic and intense. They always want to put each other first, and protect each other completely, this is what has caused issues for them in the past. They both have issues, and they both have secrets but you are rooting for them from the start.

"No way in hell am I letting you go this time"

This book picks up from the last, and the brothers are still trying to get the monsters who "created" and trained them, in order to save them. These books are so intense and dramatic, I can't put them down when I get going. And with the countdown of survival in your head the whole time you end up desperate to know how it ends. AND WE STILL DONT.

I end up on the edge of my seat for most of this book - and for me, that is the sign of a good book!

All of the characters in these books are just amazing - men and women equal. The women are tough ladies, they pull there wait and I love it. Audrey is amazing: although I hate her mother, but I think everyone will agree with that. 

Now I am going to go stress out over the fact we have to wait till MARCH for the ending, YES, MARCH. That is just cruel!

Sweet Revenge - Rebecca Zanetti

5*****

"For one moment, in one woman, he found home"

Matt Dean was born to fight - literally that is why he was 'created' as a test tube baby, along with his brothers. A member of a secret black-ops military unit the brothers have been genetically engineers to be the best of the best. However they were given an expiration date in the form of a chip in their spine, which will kill them in a few weeks unless Matt finds a doctor that may be able to help. The search brings him to Charmed, Idaho and he meets a woman he can't resist, Laney Jacobs. Laney knows the handsome stranger will be trouble, especially while she is running from her own past. But she can't resist feeling safe with Matt, and the passion he offers her. As many dangerous forces begin closing in on them and the drama is at an all time high with secrets coming out. Can Matt save everyone he loves before time runs out?

Matt Dean, the definition of beefy, strong, protective, untouchable male. He will quite literally do anything to save his family, and he does searching down the one person who can save them, putting himself in danger and in the middle of drama, especially when he realises that Laney Jacobs could mean a bit more to him than just a cover while he's in town.

Laney is a loving caring woman, who is determined to survive, and is doing a good job at it until she starts getting mysterious stalker messages and someone is murdering people in her small town, all around the time that Matt Dean comes to town. The mysterious but gorgeous male, who she knows will be trouble, but she just can't resist.

When the stalker messages begin Matt cannot help but feel over protective of Laney, he's trying to protect her all while trying to find the mysterious doctor who may be able to save his and his brothers. Seeing this protective side is lovely, he can be so sweet and caring then BAM he's pinning her against a wall and doing the naughtiest of things!

The drama and twists and turns don't stop in this book, it is fantastically written, and you really begin to love all of the characters. Rebecca Zanetti certainly writes a fantastic book boyfriend. Matt is HOT, like seriously smoking, I promise, you will love him!

This is the first of Rebecca Zanetti's books I have read, but I will be looking for more - especially if more of her men are like Matt! SWOON.

Fifty Shades of Grey

I understand this isn't my usual book review,

BUT it's officially a month away, the film comes out in a month people, we can't just ignore that fact.

The country was pretty divided between loving or hating the books, I personally loved it from day 1, I've been with the Fifty Shades story since it was a Twilight FanFiction back in the day. So the day that the film is released, that's going to be a good day.

Because of reading for the first time back when Christian was 'Edward', Robert Pattinson was always in my head when it came to imagining Christian. Then there was Charlie Hunnam who I LOVE, you just have to read a little of this blog to understand that, but he was never Christian to me, too blonde!

Enter - Jamie Dornan

HELLO

I am a fan!

Just look at those abs.

And that stare.

And those Calvin's.

Definitely a fan!

If you're not from the UK I'm not sure whether you have seen Jamie in The Fall. It is the one moment in life it seems socially acceptable to totally perve over a serial killer psycho, who is seriously messed up, and he also spends a lot of time tying women up in the programme also, just not in the same way, they are usually dead. But if you have not been a fan of the idea of Jamie Dornan as an actor or as Christian Grey, I highly recommend watching The Fall, he's fantastic, and creepy, and so brooding. He is going to be good!

And hot... so hot!

I haven't seen Dakota in anything yet so I can't completely say what I think about her, but she looks the part, and from what I have seen in photo's and trailers, I reckon she will pull it off!

The only casting that I really wanted was of the role of Jason Taylor, as great as Max Martini looks, and I'm sure he will do a great job, I had my heart set on Jason Statham, partly because I am a huge Statham fan - but he is just who I always had in my head.

Onto the story, I have always been the first to say that Fifty Shades is first and for most a love story, before all the sex is involved, it's all about Christian's issues and his and Ana's love helping him overcome his problems to be the man she needs him to be, that is what I see as the true story of Fifty Shades of Grey. With a lot of hot sex in between - so lets hope they show that right, don't censor too much now. 

The excitement is extreme for this film - Are you excited? Do you love Jamie? Thoughts on Dakota? So many people have such different opinions on the series I want to know! Comment below.

Do or Die (Troubleshooters) - Suzanne Brockmann

4 Stars ****

Navy SEAL Ian Dunn went rogue in a big way when he turned his talents to a lawless life of jewel heists and con jobs. Or so the world has been led to believe. In reality, the former Special Ops warrior is still fighting for good, leading a small band of freelance covert operatives who take care of high-stakes business in highly unofficial ways. That makes Ian the hands-down choice when the U.S. government must breach a heavily guarded embassy and rescue a pair of children kidnapped by their own father, a sinister foreign national willing to turn his own kids into casualties. Shockingly, Ian passes on the mission... for reasons he will not–or cannot–reveal.
But saying no is not an option. Especially not to Phoebe Kruger, Ian’s bespectacled, beautiful, and unexpectedly brash new attorney. Determined to see the abducted children set free, she not only gets Ian on board but insists on riding shotgun on his Mission: Impossible-style operation, whether he likes it or not.
Though Phoebe has a valuable knack for getting out of tight spots, there’s no denying the intensely intimate feelings growing between Ian and Phoebe as the team gears up for combat. But these are feelings they both must fight to control as they face an array of cold-blooded adversaries, including a vindictive mob boss who’s got Ian at the top of his hit list and a wealthy psychopath who loves murder as much as money. As they dodge death squads and play lethal games of deception, Ian and Phoebe will do whatever it takes to save the innocent and vanquish the guilty.

This is the second time I have read this book, it deserved a re-read! Suzanne Brockmann is a genius in my eyes. This book does not revolve too much around the romance, there is not sex happening every other page to the point it gets boring.

It may take a little time getting into it, there is a lot thrown at you in the first bit of the book. It got quite confusing, but I would suggest to stick with it! The action gets so good in the second part of the book.

Personally I think it is hard not to fall in love with Ian, the man does everything above and beyond to save his family and those he loves, he will risk himself completely if it means they are safe. And watching him trying to come to terms with his feelings for Phoebe is just adorable.

This is how I picture Ian:
Enough said I think.

There is a lot of time to get to know Ian and Phoebe before the romance kicks of, and I think some of the interactions they have are just amazing. It makes you love them before the romance gets started. You can see why they feel what they feel for each other and they admire each other for what they go through together.

This story does not revolve around a romance of 2 people and a little action here and there, the romance is just part of the drama. There is also a variety of other couples and their situations going on within the story, enough that you end up rooting for everyones happiness (except the bad guys obviously).

I love it, and I am looking forward to reading the main Troubleshooters book! Bring me more action heroes!

Charlie x