Book Discussion: Romance As A Genre, Why is it looked down on??

I'm no scholar, but I really am tired of how people are looking at romance on booktube, so I decided to write my thoughts down then put them in a video.

I truly do believe that part of the reason people look down on romance, is because of misogyny, it's given a bad rap because people don't believe that romance is a 'real' genre, or that the woman that read romance, are lonely women without men, and that the women who write romance are simply living out their fantasies, because they are also lonely women, And while that may be true for some women reading the books, it's not true for a majority.. Even if it is true, that doesn't make the book any less than (yeah I know there are some really shit books out there, I'm looking at you the story inappropriate insensitive racist books, we're mostly talking about the books that aren't a waste of trees and ink).  No one looks at spy books written by men and telling them it's not realistic or only pathetic men will read these.

It's really starting to get on my nerves also when people look down on romance then turn around and talk about how much they love Pride and Prejudice, or Romeo & Juliet.  Yeah How you love those, but don't love romance??

Meme gotten from here

I express more in the video linked above, but here are the companies I mentioned: (None of which even know I'm mentioning them so...not a sponsored blog or vlog post)

• Samhain Publishing
• Siren Publishing
• Loose_Id
• New Concepts Publishing
• Ellorascave ( although there seems to be some issues going on with EC right now and a few authors are asking people not to buy directly from EC (Boycotting EC and the Exodus Support Thread), and EC is suing Dear Author, I don't know much more about it, so I'll just leave links and y'all can make up your own mind).  

So that's what I think, What are your thoughts?? What do you believe is the underlying reason people hate on romance.  Share your stories of what people have said to you or what you thought romance is or was and let's keep the discussion going.

Thanks so much for watching and reading and I'll see you guys tomorrow,

Happy Reading whatever you love

Book #Review: Claiming Her Warriors by Savannah Stuart

Book Title: Claiming Her Warriors
Author:  Savannah Stuart |Website| Facebook|

Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Futuristic/ Fantasy Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 2
Format: ebook

Cost: $2,99

Pages: 78

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance eBooks
Publication Date: July 2013
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Synopsis:

Two brothers want to possess her… After her planet was destroyed, Brianna was rescued by two fierce and desperately gorgeous warrior brothers. Aeron and Hauk. They want to keep her, protect her, mate her. But what the brothers wanted from her was too much to handle. Settling into a new culture was hard enough without dealing with the custom that dictates she mate with two males. So she pushed them away. They’ll do anything to protect her… An attack sends Brianna back into the arms of the sexy brothers. Now they'll do whatever it takes to win her over. But can Brianna go against the conventions of her human nature and accept both warriors as her mates? It might not matter because someone is out for blood and it’s up to Aeron and Hauk to defend her against a deadly enemy.

I'm actually surprised that this was so good. (no don't gimmie that look, you know you make snap judgements about books too).  This is book 2 in a series but it totally could be read as a standalone (which is what I did).

I found the world pretty fascinating so I bought book 1, so I can learn more about it and why it's setup this way (even though this one shares a bit about that, I still want the first story for more background and the other characters seem pretty awesome).  I the mystery wasn't deep or a really huge plot point but it gave enough tension and a motive to them moving the plot forward.

I felt like Briana's emotions were valid and real, having to adjust to being the stranger in a new land (see what I did there?? ohh literary witticism i love it) as well as learning to accept their customs without losing sight of your own is pretty hard.  I liked that these were discussed and that the male protags didn't exert pressure for Briana to come to to their side of things; they allowed their feelings to grow naturally and gave each of themselves time to come to terms with her as their new mate.

There was tension within the triad, that stemmed from the culture clash, as well as the pride one has in their culture.  I enjoyed watching these being resolved, while honoring each of the their needs.  It was great to see the romance flow as well watching as Briana opened up beyond her expectations.  I enjoyed how quickly the story flowed and was enjoying the tension and the palpable chemistry within the trio.

I liked the glimpse of the world given and I can't wait to go back into it and read book 1 and then book three.

I would recommend this for those seeking a quick thrilling futuristic romance whit a great M/F/M trio.

 ★★★★☆

Happy Reading

Book #Review: Cowboy In My Pocket by Kate Douglas

Book Title: Cowboy In My Pocket
Author:  Kate Douglas |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Beyond The Page Publishing
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: ebook

Cost: $2.99

Pages: 213

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance Books
Publication Date: July 14th, 2014
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Synopsis:

If you like your cowboys sexy, your heroines forgetful and your marriages convenient, this gentle parody of cowboy romances will leave you with a smile on your face and a sigh on your lips. Discover romantic comedy at its best in this captivating tale of a woman who finds her one true love and the cowboy hero afraid to give his heart. Michelle Garrison is a prolific romance writer whose career is suddenly on a downslide. Her plots are boring, her writing is stale and her readers are fleeing for greener pastures. Desperate to revive her career, Michelle sets out to write a bestseller, and who could make a more worthy hero then a cowboy. Force-marched to a dude ranch by her editor, Michelle soon finds herself trudging along a mountain road with no memory of who she is or where she's going, but thanks to the quintessential sexy cowboy hero, Michelle is saved. Swept up in her cowboy's arms, even Michelle can see the parody in her own story: “Everything she’d read about cowboys must be true, she thought, almost hysterically. No wonder they made such popular heroes in romances.”

I'm not sure why it has that name because it has nothing to do with the story. I actually liked this one, it was funny and kinda charming as well.  The character development was good, and I just loved the way in which the story flowed well, and of course the way the character interacted with each other, and how each had their own quircks, and of course the mini story that took place as well.

I loved that Michelle was an author in my favorite genre, she's a romance author who is angry that she has redo a story she has already written because her story and her editor rejected it.  I loved how this story not only had many of the cliches that are in romance but also gently poking fun of them as well.  I laughed so much at that, while enjoying them as well.

Michelle ends up having the most hilarious backstory and of course almost all the outlandish romantic cliches that could be fit in one tale just happened in here.  First a bout of amnesia, a marriage of convenience, and then love, I really how everything just rolled from one to the other.

That ending scene was hilarious, and as her editor says if it was in any other romance I would totally call b.s. on it, but it worked so well with this one.  I actually really liked this. ther are a cute couple both lost and trying to figure out how they can make this work for them.  "Lee Steston" though??? Too funny a name.  What a great way to learn everything she needs to create the next story.  Amd if she wrote it as it happened no one would believe it.

Way too many characters were lying for my own comfort but it added to the story, once again however it did help to point out the flaws in romance.

I highly recommend this for those looking for a great contemporary romantic and comedic story.

 ★★★☆☆

Happy Reading my loves and see you next week!!

Waiting On Wednesday (August 2015) (34) Wildest Dreams by Robyn Carr

Hosted by: Jill over at Breaking The Spines.  This is a weekly book lust prompt, asking for us to share our absolute can't wait to get our hands on a copy books. Swing on over to find out how to participate and to see what others are sharing.  

Adult Fiction/ Romance / Erotica

Wildest Dreams (Thunder Point ) by Robyn Carr
Get swept away with Wildest Dreams, an all-new story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr. Filled with honesty, humor and heartfelt emotion, Carr's latest installment in her beloved Thunder Point series should not be missed!

Due Date: August 25th, 2015

Print: Mass Market

Pages: 384

Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
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Let's go back to Thuder Point y'all this small town has been giving us some seriously good stories. I'm loving getting to know everyone here.

Are you getting the newest in the series?? What's on your book lust list?? Share in the comments down below!!

Happy Lusting

Book #Review: Cowboy Behind The Badge (Sweetwater Ranch 2) by Delores Fossen .@dfossen .@harlequinbooks

Book Title: Cowboy Behind The Badge, (Sweetwater Ranch Book 2)
Author:  Delores Fossen |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series/Standalone: Series Book 2
Format: ebook, MM

Cost: $4.99

Pages: 224

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: October 2014
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Synopsis:

Two newborns in jeopardy bring together former sweethearts in the second book in USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen's Sweetwater Ranch series! The last thing Texas Ranger Tucker McKinnon expects to find in his pantry is two sleeping newborns. But it's the woman who spirited the infants to his ranch who stirs the lawman's blood, along with haunting memories. Once, Tucker and Laine Braddock were inseparable…until murder divided their families. Now, with a killer on Laine's trail, Tucker has never felt more powerless. Or been more determined. Desperate to keep her and her innocent charges safe, Tucker uncovers some shocking truths. Including the feelings they still share—and the desire they're finding impossible to resist.

This is written as a second book because it is a second book.  Even though it jumps right in, it summarizes what happened before you started reading.

I really enjoyed how action packed it was Now I'm intrigued I want to read the next and the very first. There are some characters I can't wait to read really get to know them.

The crime in this one is one I love reading about and sadly it's way too true.  I read an article recently about a young girl legally bound to give up her child even though she changed her mind.  The law when it comes to adoption can be murky and way too many are willing to play in the gray areas and sometimes head straight for the darkest side just to make a few dollars.

Well written action packed and intriguing I read this one really quickly.  I almost didn't want it to end because I wanted to get even more.

I loved that the female heroine wasn't a total idiot, she knew she wasn't the scariest person in the room ans she didn't try too often to take scary risks.  She followed instructions when out of her depths but was brave enough to fight when backed into a corner.

The male lead was pretty funny, he knew their respective families wouldn't approve but he couldn't keep away from the girl he's always loved from his childhood.

I want to know what happened that caused the incident between their families.  I'm sure the secret is going to out soon.

I'm so looking forward to it.

 ★★★★☆

Happy Reading

Waiting On Wednesday (38): Under My Skin by J Kenner, Awake by Natasha Preston

Hosted by: Jill over at Breaking The Spines.  This is a weekly book lust prompt, asking for us to share our absolute can't wait to get our hands on a copy books. Swing on over to find out how to participate and to see what others are sharing.  

Young Adult/New Adult

Awake by Natasha Preston

Scarlett doesn’t remember anything before the age of five. Her parents say it’s from the trauma of seeing her house burn down, and she accepts the life they’ve created for her without question—until a car accident causes Scarlett to start remembering pieces of an unfamiliar past. When a new guy moves into town, Scarlett feels an instant spark. But Noah knows the truth of Scarlett’s past, and he’s determined to shield her from it...because Scarlett grew up in a cult called Eternal Light, controlled by her biological parents. And they want her back.

Due Date: August 4th, 2015

Print: Paperback

Pages: 352

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
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Adult Fiction/ Romance / Erotica

Under My Skin (Stark International 3)  by J. Kenner

Jackson Steele and Sylvia Brooks are back in the powerful finale of a provocative, sizzling-hot new erotic trilogy set in the world of J. Kenner’s beloved Stark novels: Release Me, Claim Me, and Complete Me. He’s the only man I’ve ever loved, and the one man I can’t bear to lose. Jackson Steele is my light in this world. Charismatic, bold, and always in control, he knows what he wants and how to get it—and absolutely nothing stands in his way. His hold on me is magnetic, his claim on me complete, his kiss my ultimate escape. We both harbor dark secrets that could tear our lives apart. Though we’ve tried to bury our pasts, there are certain people who won’t let us forget. But the closer danger comes, the brighter the fire between us burns—our ecstasy consuming and soothing us both. There’s no telling what lies ahead, but I know that Jackson never gives in without a fight. I’d do anything he wants to keep him safe, give him anything he needs. And now that we’re in deep, nothing can make me run. Under My Skin is intended for mature audiences.

Due Date: August 25th

Print: ebook, trade paperback

Pages: 352

Publisher: Bantam
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Are you getting any of these?? What's on your book lust list?? Share in the comments down below!!

Happy Lusting

Book #Spotlight: BUILT by Jay Crownover .@jaycrownover .@InkSlingerPR

Book Title: Built (Saints of Denver Book 1)
Author:  Jay Crownover |Website| Twitter| Facebook| BUILT Goodreads | Jay Crownover Goodreads

Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: New Adult Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 1
Format: ebook, and Trade Paperback

Cost: $14.99

Pages: 400

Purchase: Amazon US | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Publication Date: Jan 5, 2016

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Synopsis:
From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes an electrifying new spin-off series, Saints of Denver, featuring all the characters fans have been dying to read about.

Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn’t be more different. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk, he’s all denim and flannel. Zeb’s wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn't matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest—either that or she doesn't return it. Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior. But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can’t risk what’s at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored.

And don’t miss this sneak peek of BUILT! Check out the prologue here!

Prologue
I met her at a bar.

She had a beer bottle in her hand even though she looked like she should be sipping champagne out of an expensive flute, and that inexplicably turned me on. She was pretty and looked completely out of place in the no-name bar sitting across from one of my longtime friends who also happened to be her long-lost brother. He was the reason she was here. In that split second that I laid my eyes on her I wanted to be the reason she stayed.

I knew it was rude and that the two of them needed some time together, some time to figure out what they were to each other now that she had blasted into his life unannounced. If I was a better friend I would have left them alone. As it was, I made my way over to the tiny table and sat down. I was covered in sawdust and had drywall mud caked in the hair on my head and on my face, but she didn’t flinch or bat an eyelash when I purposely broke up their party of two and placed myself as close to her as I could without actually touching her.

My buddy Rowdy St. James lifted his eyebrows at me as I stared at her while he introduced us. Sayer Cole. Even her name was elegant and sophisticated sounding. She was an enigma, this pretty woman that seemed like she should be in any place but this bar with the two of us. She’d showed up out of the blue a couple of months ago claiming to be Rowdy’s half sister, claiming that they shared a father, claiming that all she wanted was to be in his life and have some kind of family of her own. She looked too delicate to be that brave. Came across as way too proper to have said “fuck it all” and picked up her life to move it someplace unknown without being sure of her welcome. She looked like silk, but if my guess was right about her, it was silk wrapped around steel.

Luckily Rowdy was a good guy. After the shock of discovering he wasn’t alone in the world, and once he realized he had someone tied to him by blood forever and ever, he had warmed up to the idea of having a sister and appreciated that the sister was Sayer.

I liked Rowdy a lot. He was a stand-up guy and a good friend, but I had a feeling I was going to like his newly found big sister even more. In my usual tactless way I asked him without looking directly at the knockout blonde, “So you have a sister? A hot, classy sister?” A sister that was also a lawyer, so beautiful and smart.

I expected a giggle from her or an eye roll at the outlandish compliment, but what I got was a wide-eyed stare of disbelief as eyes bluer than anything I had ever seen on earth danced between me and her brother like she wasn’t sure what to do with herself or with my overt interest in her.

I thought that I had gone too far, pushed the beautiful stranger too far out of her comfort zone. I was a big guy and knew I looked far wilder and rougher than I actually was. I figured it might be too much for a woman already obviously out of her element and depth to take.

Instead, Sayer surprised me and I could see by the way he stiffened that she surprised Rowdy, too. While she wasn’t exactly overflowing with welcome and warmth, she did ask me about the current project I was working on after Rowdy explained I was a general contractor and had rebuilt the new tattoo shop he worked in. She seemed genuinely interested, and when I told her that my specialty was rehabbing old houses and giving them new life, her eyes practically glowed at me. I wanted to touch her to see if she felt as smooth and polished as she looked. I wanted to leave streaks of dirt on her perfect face to mark the fact that I had touched her, that she had let me touch her. It was a primal and visceral reaction that I couldn’t explain and I liked the way it felt. Liked the weight and heft of it in my blood even if I knew the feeling wasn’t likely to be returned.

She told me all about a fantastic but crumbling Victorian she had purchased that was falling down around her. She asked me for a business card and I saw Rowdy stiffen across the table. I sighed and rubbed a hand over my already messy hair. I watched her eyes follow the light cloud of dust that escaped the strands. I was great at my job, loved what I did, but I couldn’t do anything with her or for her without laying everything on the line. Especially not with Rowdy giving me the death glare from just a few feet away.

I dug the card out of my wallet, and when I handed it over our fingers touched. I saw her eyes widen and her lips part, just barely. She looked a little dazed when I grinned at her.

“You take that card, but understand that the man giving it to you has a past.”

She blinked at me and cleared her throat. “What kind of past?”

It wasn’t something I liked to tell a beautiful woman when I first met her. It was something I liked to work up to, liked to prove it was behind me, but with this one it seemed like I wouldn’t get that chance.

“I tell everyone that I do any kind of work for or that considers hiring me on for a project that I have a criminal history. I spent time locked up for a few years, and while I’m not proud of it I can’t deny it happened. I was a hotheaded kid and it got me in trouble, but I’m the best at what I do, so I hope that doesn’t discourage you from giving me a call.” Hopefully for more than some construction.

Usually I got a concerned frown followed by a hundred questions about what had led me to serving time. I got none of that from the stunning blonde. She tilted her head to the side and considered me silently for a long moment before reaching down and slipping my card in her purse. If anything, I could have sworn she was wearing a look of sympathy when she told me softly, “I see it every day from the inside. Sometimes the system simply gets it wrong.” A slight grin turned her mouth up at the corners, and I wanted to lean over and kiss it. “People make mistakes. Hopefully they learn from them.”

I don’t know that “wrong” was accurate in my case so much as misguided, but the complete lack of judgment or censure coming from her made me want to pull her into my arms and hold on to her even more. I had made a mistake, a huge one, one that I was forever going to have to carry around with me, but I had learned from it, was still learning from it. That kind of understanding from a total stranger was so rare, especially coming from someone in the legal field. I wasn’t accustomed to someone looking at me and seeing me, just me, not an ex-con loser after I explained where I had been. It was wildly refreshing and attractive. I couldn’t quite get a handle on what made the woman tick, but I would welcome any opportunity she gave me to figure it out. I found her outwardly flawless and pristine demeanor tempting to taint with my dirty hands and ways, and there was something about the way she watched me, the way she turned toward me like she was drawn to me, that made me think maybe I wasn’t alone in the inexplicable pull department.

Rowdy left and she stayed.

We had a couple more beers and talked some more about her house and what she wanted done with it. She already hired one contractor but felt like the guy was ripping her off. It happened a lot in the industry, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the guy was taking her for a ride. Spending time with her was easy. She was fun to talk to and really fun to look at. I really wanted to get my hands on her house and of course on her, and I felt like she was maybe, kind of, slightly leaning in the same direction when I made the mistake of asking her about her past.

I asked about where she had been before she found out about Rowdy and decided to move to Denver so that she could get to know him. I was curious what kind of life she had where she could leave everything behind and not be missed. Really I wanted to know if she had a boyfriend or husband stashed somewhere, but the simple inquiry must have touched a nerve. The next thing I knew she had paid out the tab for both of us and disappeared into the night. She went from glowing and bright to frigid and untouchable in the span of a heartbeat.

I figured I blew my shot by being too blunt, as always. I assumed she probably did have someone else in the picture and had been friendly and polite only because I was good friends with her brother. I thought I would never hear from her again and was baffled why the thought of that made my chest ache and my heart feel like it weighed two tons.

Imagine my surprise when she called me and hired me to renovate her house a week later without a bid, without a contract, without even knowing if I was half as good as I claimed to be.

Of course I accepted, but I knew once I was inside I would need to knock down and rearrange more than just the walls of the house, in order to get at something beautiful and lasting.

Man listen, I've already pre-ordered this even before she gave us the synopsis. I can't wait to get my hands on this and see the new boys in the new shop as well as out old fellas (hopefully).  Are you going to get this??

Happy Reading

Book #Spotlight & #Giveaway: Better When He's Brave by .@JayCrownover .@InkSlingerPR

Book Title: Better When He's Brave (Welcome To The Point 3)
Author:  Jay Crownover |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: New Adult Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 3
Format: ebook, and Trade Paperback

Cost: $13.99

Pages: 326

How I got it: Purchased from Amazon

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
Publication Date: August 11th, 2015
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jay Crownover’s third novel in her sexy, thrilling Welcome to the Point series, a woman’s search for repentance leads her to the one man from her past she can’t forget as they join forces to save their city—and the explosive love neither can live without. Titus King sees the world in black and white. Right and wrong. Which is why as a teenager he left behind the only family he’d ever known to make a better life for himself. Now a police detective in one of the worst cities in the country, he can’t deny his life has turned into a million different shades of gray. The new criminal element in The Point has brought vengeance and destruction right to Titus’s front door, and the difference between right and wrong is nothing compared to keeping those he loves alive. To add to his already strained moral compass, the beautiful and mysterious Reeve Black has made her way back to town, and she might be as dangerous to Titus as the guy trying to destroy the Point because he needs her—in more ways than one. Reeve knows all about how ruthless this new threat to destroy The Point can be… and instead of running away, she wants to help. She has a lot to repent for and saving the city, plus the hot cop that she hasn’t been able to forget might just be the only way she can finally find some inner peace. With an entire city poised on the brink of war, Titus and Reeve stand in the crossfire—and it will take two brave souls to fight for the ultimate love.

And don’t miss the previous books in Welcome to the Point Series!

BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iTunes

BETTER WHEN HE’S BOLD

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iTunes

Excerpt

I went to lower my lashes so I didn’t have to see how he really felt about me shining out of that reflective gaze.

“But as much as it pains me to say it, we can help each other out. In fact I think the only way to do this with minimal casualties is to work together. I want Roark and you want to keep your ass covered, and to do that, we need to be attached at the hip.”

I frowned at him as he continued to loom over me. “What are you suggesting, Detective?”

“I’m not suggesting it. I’m telling you that you are suddenly and irrevocably in love with me. You are obsessed with me and we are about to embark on a passionate, out-of-control, unexplainable, and very, very obvious romance. We are going to shove our new relationship so far down everyone’s throat that they are going to choke on it.”

I gulped and opened my mouth to tell him how crazy he sounded, but he reached out a hand and placed his palm lightly over my mouth. I scowled at him and contemplated sinking my teeth into the meaty part of his hand.

“Seriously, Reeve, it’s the only way. Bax will rein it in if he thinks I’ve got a thing for you. Nassir won’t back all the way off, but he’ll be less dangerous if he thinks he has to go through me to get to you. Plus, from what you’ve told me, and what I understand about whack jobs like Roark, if he thinks you replaced him with me, it’ll force him to move more quickly. He’ll come out of hiding faster if he thinks you moved on without a second thought. If you understand the risk involved, I’m willing to take them with you.”

I lifted both my eyebrows up and tapped my fingers on my knee until he took a step back as he gauged my reaction. I don’t know what he was expecting but he actually looked nervous as I climbed to my feet.

“What do you think?” His voice was low and he didn’t look away as I walked up so that I was standing directly in front of him.

What did I think? I thought there was no “suddenly” about being irrevocably in something that looked a lot like love with him. I thought passionate, out of control, and obsessive about summed up the way I already felt about him and that it would require zero acting on my part. I reached out and put a hand on the center of his chest. He was warm and hard. He felt like security and strength.

“I think you are going to have a much harder time pretending you like me than I will pretending I like you, Detective. Have you considered that?”

He balked a little and lifted a hand to circle his fingers around my wrist. I wondered if he felt my pulse kick at the touch.

“I do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

Oh, I bet he did. I smirked up at him and lifted up on tippy toes so that our lips were almost touching. I expected him to recoil, to back away in haste, but he didn’t. Instead his tongue darted out to lick across the curve of his bottom lip, and I almost groaned out loud.

“Prove it.” I whispered the challenge and then held my breath to see what this scary, sexy man would do once the gauntlet was thrown down.

He didn’t disappoint. He never did.

Giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway.

I'm currently reading this and Jay I want my goshdarn heart back, Damnit!! I love Reeve she's so badass!!

Go grab it!!  Good luck to all those who enter.

Waiting on Wednesday (31): Better When He's Brave by Jay Crownover

Hosted by: Jill over at Breaking The Spines.  This is a weekly book lust prompt, asking for us to share our absolute can't wait to get our hands on a copy books. Swing on over to find out how to participate and to see what others are sharing.  

Young Adult/New Adult

Better When He's Brave by Jay Crownover

In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jay Crownover’s third novel in her sexy, thrilling Welcome to the Point series, a woman’s search for repentance leads her to the one man from her past she can’t forget as they join forces to save their city—and the explosive love neither can live without. Titus King has always seen his world in black and white. There is a firm right and wrong in his mind, which is why as a teenager he left behind the only family he’d ever known to make a better life for himself. Now a police detective in one of the worst cities in the country, he can’t deny his life has turned into a million different shades of gray. The new criminal element in The Point has brought vengeance and destruction right to Titus’s front door, and walking the straight and narrow seems far less important now. The difference between right and wrong is nothing compared to keeping those he loves alive. To add to his already strained moral compass, the beautiful and mysterious Reeve Black has made her way back to town. This girl might be as dangerous to Titus as the guy trying to destroy the Point but he can’t walk away because he needs her—in more ways than one. Reeve knows all about the threat trying to destroy The Point. She knows how ruthless, how vicious, and how cruel this new danger can be… and instead of running away, she wants to help. Reeve knows that she has a lot to repent for and saving the city, plus the hot cop that she hasn’t been able to forget might just be the only way she can finally find some inner peace. With an entire city poised on the brink of war, Titus and Reeve stand in the crossfire—and it will take two brave souls to fight for the ultimate love.

Due Date:  August 11th, 2015

Print: ebook, Trade paperback, audiobooks

Pages: 329

Publisher: William Morrow
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Are you getting this one?? What's on your book lust list?? Share in the comments down below!!

Happy Lusting

Book #Review: Scorched (Frigid # 2) by J Lynn .@JLArmentrout

Book Title: Scorched (Frigid 2)
Author:  Jennifer L Armentrout|Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Spencer Hill COntemporary
Genre: New Adult Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 2
Format: Trade Paperback

Cost: $9.95

Pages: 238

How I got it: Book Expo America 2015

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
Publication Date: June 15, 2015
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Synopsis:

Sometimes life leaves a mark… Most days, Andrea doesn’t know whether she wants to kiss Tanner or punch him in the gut. He is seriously hot, with legit bedroom eyes and that firefighter body of his, but he’s a major player, and they can’t get along for more than a handful of minutes. Until now. Tanner knows he and Andrea have had an epic love/hate relationship for as long as he can remember, but he wants more love than hate from her. He wants her. Now. Tomorrow. But the more he gets to know her, the more it becomes obvious that Andrea has a problem. She’s teetering on the edge and every time he tries to catch her, she slips through his fingers. Andrea’s life is spiraling out of control, and it doesn’t matter that Tanner wants to save her, because when everything falls apart and she’s speeding toward rock bottom, only she can save herself. Sometimes life makes you work for that happily ever after…

I loved this book even more than I loved Frigid.  This book was a great discussion on health and a real look at how overall health affects mental health, and how mental health can affect behavior.  I absolutely loved this.  There were so many truths in this one. Omgosh, I loved how this all came together, I mean we knew they were going to get together but holy heck I didn't know it would go down like that.

This one was seriously about friendships even more so than the first book (which is saying alot because I loved the first book).  The love and support she didn't see, the struggle she had in accepting herself, her limitations and issues, Omgosh made her so relateable.  I loved that unlike some new adult characters she wasn't rescued by love of a mn but by...nope that's a spoiler.

I loved that this was so character driven no big mystery, very few crazy dramatic moments, most of these were created by the character however and it leads to growth.

Each time she came to a realization I loved it.  As she confronted and faced some of her mistakes it made her more real and so relateable.  I loved how as she faced issues, they were generally triggered by a relationship milestone with Tanner, Tanner was such a great character who wasn't judgmental or perfect, but he also didn't hold back when he wanted the truth or wanted to share who he was with her. I loved the interactions between all four friends, and especially loved seeing how much Syd and Andrea were integral to each other's lives.

I laughed reading this, I teared up when we got to some scenes.  I wanted to shake her when she made stupid decisions.  Freaked out like she did and got all kinds of turned on when they got down to some serious sexy times.  I loved Tanner as well because he awesome and owned his mistakes all though I wish we got even more from him and learnt how he came to have some of the beliefs he had.  We got glimpses of him and his background and how that helped to impact the man he is today, I would have loved more.

I loved the discussions that took place, the people in her life who finally confronted her and made her look at how her decisions affected them as well.  It was just an amazing read, and I kept reading because I didn't want to put the book down before I knew how it ended.  Man listen those last few scenes??!! Jennifer pulls no punches when going all out on teaching our main character some serious lessons.

I personally loved that even though romantic love was a part of the solution it wasn't the entire solution.  Being with Tanner didn't miraculously cure her of all her issues in fact I would say being with Tanner made her confront a few issues she let slide.  I also love that this was a therapy positive novel and that the characters were aware that their privilege helped to make their consequences lighter than for others (I thought that was really awesome of Jennifer to point out).

I'm not sure what's next in this series, if there is anything else, but if Jennifer writes it, I'm getting it.  I highly recommend for those looking for a positive story featuring issues with mental health that doesn't attempt to make it seem like it's not a real issue or a real disease.

 ★★★★★

Happy Reading

Monthly To Be Read (TBR) Pile: August 2015 | Bewitching Bibliophile

My goal this year is 200 books, if I break that down it comes out to 19 books per month , and  4/5 books a week. Totally doable in my books, so as the proverb says, you can eat an elephant one bite at a time, so here's my first few bites:

Read So Far this Year: 79
TBR Pile :200
TBR Balance: 121

My Austen In August Reading Pile Includes:

• Emma by Jane Austen
• The Jane Austen Marriage Manual by Kim Izzo
• Death Comes to Pemberly by P.D. James
• Me & Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter
• The True Darcy Spirit by Elizabeth Aston

My Letter for this month is "T" excluding "the"

• Truckee Wolves "Toxic"
• Two sides of a Heartbeat
• Truth or Dare
• Truly
• To Walk a Pagan Path
• To Tempt a Viking
• Torn Away
• Tibetan Cross
• Those Girls
• Thornbrook Park
• Third Degree
• Tyrant's Daughter
• The Twins
• The Truth About Alice
• The Traitor
• Temptation of Anna Jacobs
• These Shallow Graves

15 Ebooks (NetGalley/Edelweis/ Kindle Purchased)

Book on shelf for more than 3 years

New Adult I've already started

Two Young adult titles

2 Brenda Jackson Novels

An ARC from BEA 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Catch Upon Two Series from my shelves (Christine Feehan, JD Robb,)

Nora Roberts book I haven't read

Two 2015 titles I have on my shelf

Five Books from my shelf

Physical ARC (non BEA)

Finish a Series 

Start a Series

Read 2 Pre-Ordered titles from 2015

Classic/Non Fiction from my shelves

Genre I haven't read often this year

2 Books over 300 pages

To complete my challenges that I signed up with at the beginning of the year:

• Top 15 Books/Series to complete in 2015 Contenders are: Zoriada Cordova's Vicious Deep series books 2 and 3.
• For the 2015 TBR Pilce Challenge I want to complete the Mimi Jean books : Sun God seeks Surrogate and Vampires Need Not Apply
• Erotic Romance Challenge books this month: 2 books from Shayla Black
• 2015 Pulled From My Shelves Challenge, I want to read Sylvia Day, or Jaime McGuire

And I want to finish any books left over from "c" or "y" from June and July reading challenge.  

What's on your reading list?? I'm hoping to get as many completed as possible, I did really wonderful in July and I just want to keep carrying on with the greatness.  

Happy Reading and Good Luck this month