EMILY'S REVIEW FORGETTING AUGUST...BY J.L. BERG

I just finished reading Forgetting August by J.L. Berg and Ho-Lee S**t!!!  I wanted this book from the blurbs I read but when I found out it ended with a cliffy I was hesitant to start it.  Cliffies make me nutso!! But my good friend Devika reminded me how much I wanted to read it and how good this book was so I dove in!  Cliffy and all this book was soooo good!!!

After a very rough and abusive relationship ended with August in a coma Everly finds herself in a very safe relationship with a very nice guy Ryan. That is until one day 2 years later August wakes up, and well he's not the same as he was but his heart knows who it loves.

August is absolutely one of the most interesting characters I've read.  This new August is so different from the old one. So loving and kind and innocent. Gah. I totally fell head over heels in love with him!!!  He was everything good about what  Everly remembered about the old August and more!!

And Everly, who even though she was so drawn to this man, she tried so hard to fight the inevitable. But old feelings always remained and August was most definitely not the monster she remembered.

I totally loved how this story played out. A once beautiful love turned ugly, then turned beautiful again.
Their early relationship was built on love and trust over the years. I like how Everly and August take the time to build that once again and make new memories that sometimes are paired with the old.

But old demons still linger and with that comes the danger. And a whole lot of understanding for me! I totally understood why August did the things he did but that doesn't make this story any less heartbreaking. I'm not going to lie. I cried a couple of times in this book, because boy, was there some legitimate pain.

And, lets not forget about the secondary characters who were quite interesting as well!  I am completely and totally suspicious of them all though I might say... Sarah, Brick and Ryan. My mind was going through all sorts of conspiracy theories with these 3. Who was Sarah dating?.... Why did Brick chose to become a friend?....Why is Ryan so damn nice?....   Hahahaha. Yeah, you see why I don't always read Cliffies?  I make myself crazy.

The end of the book totally left me with my mouth hanging open!! I mean come on!!! I feel like I knew it was coming and I was anxious for this moment but STILL!!! Why?  You're totally killing me!! I have so many questions..... I cannot wait until book 2 comes out!! Please don't leave us hanging too long JL Berg!!

A definite 5 lip smacks from me. I loved this book!

RILEY'S REVIEW LOVE BURNS...BY MANDI BECK

Where do I begin? Love Burns is the second book in the Love series and it was just as hot if not hotter than Mandi Beck's first book. Maybe that's why this one is called Love Burns .

Deacon and Frankie's story continues when another phone call from Frankie has Deacon coming to Frankie's rescue. When he gets a call that Frankie's ex-fiancé Andrew is once again at her door. This time Deacon gets there in time and pummels Andrew to within an inch of his life.

True story, Andrew deserves everything Deacon throws his way and I didn't feel one bit sorry for him. Unfortunately, Deacon and his team have to do a lot of damage control, because let's face it, when it comes to Frankie, Deacon has no boundaries and he completely loses it with Andrew.

Before Frankie's frantic phone call, she and Deacon have not been speaking. Deacon's been in Brazil for too long and done some majorly stupid things. The second he comes home and sees Frankie he decides to go to war to win her back.  As much as Deacon messes up with Frankie, his love for  her is all consuming and he knows he has to do everything in his power to make sure he ends up with his princess.

Here's the thing Frankie and Deacon love each other so much seeing them apart in the beginning of Love Burns brought tears to my eyes. I wanted them back together and I wanted everything to be perfect, but that's just not the way Mandi Beck works.

Deacon has to fight for his girl. Frankie is just not willing to be one of Deacon's girls. What Frankie doesn't get is she is the only girl for Deacon and he absolutely proves it in Love Burns. They're two people who love each other so much, but they're always keeping secrets from each other. Not keeping secrets to hurt the other, but keeping secrets to try to protect each other. Frankie finally tells Deacon the secrets and hiding things from each other has to stop or they'll never work.

So we have Deacon almost going to prison for his beat down of Andrew, we have Deacon making nice to the MMA Federation so he can keep fighting, and if that wasn't enough, now some unknown people are after Frankie and we don't even know what for! You honestly don't know who these people are or why on earth they want Frankie, but be ready for a bumpy ride and be ready to shed some tears because Mandi Beck definitely approaches ugly cry status in this one.

I have already professed my love for Deacon Jones when I reviewed Love Hurts and let me tell you my love for him only grew in this book. I don't care if he's caveman alpha. I friggin love him. He is beyond sexy in Love Burns and literally every time he and Frankie are together it is over the top hot and sexy.  Deacon is raw and real and I'll say it again. He is alpha male perfection at its best.

I love the way Mandi Beck writes Deacon and Frankie's characters. He is so insanely alpha and Frankie is definitely a kick ass chick. She's not about to take mess from anyone and I love her for that. I love the way everyone takes care of each other and they all have each other's backs.

I adore The Caged Love Series. I don't know whether Mandi Beck has anything else planned for the Love family, but I sure hope she does. I'm not quite ready to see the end of this family yet.

Once again a five lip smack review for Mandi Beck and a place on my top book boyfriends of 2015 for Deacon Love.

EMILY'S REVIEW OUT OF PLANS...BY STYLO FANTOME

Out Of Plans is the follow up to Best Laid Plans.  You need to read BLP before you read OOP.  This is the 7^th book published by Stylo and I have read them all.  I am a huge fan and once again Stylo has written characters with depth and a story that you will definitely lose yourself in.  Out Of Plans is as action packed, sexy and intriguing as Best Laid Plans.  All of the main characters from book 1 return with the added bonus of a new sexy, hot villain/bad guy (or is he?) Damiano Ledo.

Lily has been left alone and trying to deal with the fact that Marc has dumped her, because she is unworthy.  Now, we all know that Marc left to protect Lily but she doesn’t feel that.  Lily seeks out Kingsley, who is knee deep in dealing with his own demons.  They form an unlikely duo and the brilliant Kingsley teaches Lily to become a lethal and cunning mercenary in her own right. Fighting, stealing and kidnapping become the norm for Lily, which is exactly what Marc wanted to stop.  Let me tell you though, Lily is a real badass, I mean she kicks butt and takes names. Once again, I totally am enamored with her!

Marc, who is alone and on a mission to find Stankovsky to kill him for Lily is determined to succeed.  For her, he needs to do this.  Completely unaware what she’s been up to Marc is in for a very big surprise.  I felt so bad for Marc who, while trying to do the right thing for the first time in his life has sacrificed his only chance at some normalcy, some happiness, even some humanity.  We see a very vulnerable side to Marc in OOP, which I really loved!!! Oh, and by the way, Marc is still as hot and sexy as ever!!!

The story really begins to go crazy when the most awesome trio ever meets up again and works towards a common goal: Kill Stankovsky for Lily.  I really love how these 2 strong men have given Lily the respect she has earned as an equal!  The plot twists and turns once again like a roller coaster ride. I said this in my review of BLP and I will say it again… Stylo’s writing is so real and descriptive I felt like I was transported into the story and watched it play out right in front of me.  Simply amazing!!! 

Despite all that is going on around them, Marc and Lily still manage to talk, fight and well you can imagine.  They are passionate and it comes out in many forms. Let’s not forget that Lily has spent 6 months day and night with Kingsley which makes for a very interesting part of their story.  Kingsley is very protective of Lily as well and let’s just say that Marc and his friend butt heads on more than one occasion.  And don’t forget that Stylo has introduced us to the very handsome Damiano, adding another alpha man to the mix. Sometimes, I really wished I was Lily…

I would love to see some spin off series for Kingsley; especially since we have really been introduced to quite a few new sides to this extremely charming and intriguing man.  I loved that Stylo gave us such a good look into him, and boy was this man seriously damaged. I think Stylo even gave us a big clue as to why with just one word.  Leaving that crumb hanging I totally want more.  Besides Kingsley, I think we could definitely see a series with Damiano Ledo.  He is mysterious and handsome and I just need more of him!!  Stylo always gets me hooked on her secondary characters, she writes them better than anyone in my opinion!

If I was in a movie theater and this book was playing out I would be on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Lily finally gets the revenge she wants. I was biting my nails and freaking out, because just when I thought I knew what was happening, bam, another plot twist.  The question that kept coming up was could Lily kill in cold blood? Can she take someone’s life when she wasn’t fighting for her own?  The good news is you will find out, but be warned; the journey is scary and hard yet completely amazing!

Out Of Plans is a huge, action packed 5 lip smack read!  Enjoy the ride!!!

RILEY'S REVIEW MIDNIGHT MASS...BY SIERRA SIMONE

I remember one clicking Sierra Simone's Priest and wondering as a born and raised yet non practicing Catholic, will God be mad if I read this book? I think Sierra captures the essence of being a Catholic perfectly. First in Priest and now in Midnight Mass.

Yes, Tyler Bell and Poppy are back in this holiday novella and let me tell you, they are just as hot and dirty this time, as they were before.

Tyler and Poppy have been married for three years. He is working on his doctoral dissertation and she is the owner of a successful studio. Their lives have become insanely busy and little things keep happening that gnaw at Tyler's soul.

He already has more guilt on him than any one man should. He believes that God is just waiting to punish him for breaking his vows, for leaving the church, for well, being happy. It's almost like he's afraid to be happy and let go because he's always waiting for the other shoe to drop (good old Catholic guilt). 

Missed dinners, a sleeping wife, and Anton a business partner of Poppy's keep building up and building up the anxiety until it all comes crashing down. On the one night Poppy needs Tyler by her side, he arrives three hours late. Their ensuing argument leads to an incredibly racy, dirty, angry sexual encounter that Blew. Me. Away. 

After this angry blow out comes the bump. It's very hard to watch Tyler and Poppy hurt so much. They are a couple that absolutely love each other, but sometimes that love just isn't enough. 

Throughout much of the novella, Tyler seems to be almost trying to sabotage he and Poppy's happiness. He truly is a very angsty character and I can't figure out why I love him so much. Is it the incredible body? The beautiful green eyes that melt even his very pregnant doctoral advisor? Or the very dirty dominant part of his personality that comes out to play with Poppy and becomes Father Bell? I don't know but I cannot get enough of Father Bell.

Then there's Poppy. I adore her. She's strong, and independent, but she loves Tyler like nobody's business and she fights for their love a lot during this novella. I'm not going to lie, I teared up a few times while reading Midnight Mass. Some of the themes just tug at your heart strings. 

As a couple Tyler and Poppy have sexual chemistry that is off the chain hot. Their love scenes are on fire. Tyler's filthy mouth is enough to make even the sourest nun hot and bothered. One thing I know for sure, I am all about dominant Father Bell. I'd let him dirty me up any time.

As with Priest, there are some things I'll never look at the same in church again. I doubt I'll ever be able to go into a confessional and not think of Father Bell. And well let's be real, I'll never think of anointing oil the same again (wink, wink).

So once again, bless me Father for I have sinned and as long as Sierra Simone keeps writing Father Bell, I'll keep sinning (forgive me).

Five lip smacks for Poppy and Tyler!!!

RILEY'S REVIEW CORRUPT...BY PENELOPE DOUGLAS

So, I was up until 3:00 am because I had to finish Penelope Douglas' Corrupt, and all I can say is OMG!!! I could not put this book down. I had to know what really happened and I didn't care that I had to deal with 26 six year olds the next morning.

Corrupt is the story of Erika "Rika" Fane and Michael Crist. It's absolutely not  your ordinary love story. It's far from anything ordinary. It's dark and twisted and I promise, you won't be able to put it down. I honestly don't think the words I have can do justice to this book because it totally blew me away.

Rika has always been a "good girl". She's smart, pretty, popular and she comes from money. She dates the right boy, but wants the wrong boy more than anything. The fact that these boys are brothers that absolutely hate each other makes you wonder if Rika has a naughty side to her.

Trevor is the golden brother. Handsome, perfect and completely in love with Rika. He  believes they are absolutely meant to be together and he will do what he has to do to make that happen.

Michael Crist is a whole other story.  He does things his way. He's not interested in the life his father wanted for him. Instead Michael is a professional basketball player. He's also really never paid any attention to Rika, but she wants him. And how many times have you been told to be careful what you wish for?

The story goes back and forth from when Rika was still in high school until present day when Rika is trying to completely change the direction her life is going. A direction that is pointing her  right into Michael Crist's path.

Now here's where it gets a little twisted. At one point in time, Michael did notice Rika. She was secretly hanging around with Michael's high school crew called the Four Horsemen. The Four Horsemen were the big men on campus. All the girls wanted them. All the guys wanted to be them. I'm not going to lie, I thought they were pretty scary.

The Four Horsemen pull more than your average high school pranks. They are dark and twisted with a sense of entitlement. That all gets blown to bits when their world comes crashing down one night and three of the Four Horsemen wind up in prison.

Now the story really begins. After serving their time in prison, the Four Horsemen are now back together. They've decided to plot revenge on the person they believe has betrayed them. The catch, just when you think you know the whole story, there is a jaw dropping plot twist.

Rika and Michael's story is complicated to say the least. Michael is this intensely hot, brooding, bad boy. And he drove me crazy. You're never quite sure of his feelings for Rika, while Rika wears her heart on her sleeve. You know how much Michael has always meant to her.

Michael and Erika are steamy hot together. Their sexual chemistry is off the charts hot and when you get to the scene in the sauna, just dayummmm. I'll never think of a steam room the same way again.

I loved that this story had me on the edge to the very end. Corrupt will keep you guessing, it will make your jaw drop and I'm guessing at some point you might need your significant other to take care of some business for you (wink, wink).

A five lip smack review for Penelope Douglas and Corrupt. I'm hoping Kai gets his own story (pretty please?).

RILEY'S REVIEW THE BEST GOODBYE...BY ABBI GLINES

So I just finished reading Abbi Glines latest, The Best Goodbye and the words that popped in my brain were "Oh Captain, my Captain." I know, corny Moby Dick reference, but I couldn't help myself.

I you know me at all, you know I adore my Abbi Glines. She's one of the first authors I discovered after I read Fifty and I will read ANYTHING the woman writes.

She's done an unbelievable job with her latest, The Best Goodbye. I cannot get Captain and Addy and this story out of my head. Captain has now joined Rush Finlay and Beau Vincent as ultimate book boyfriends in my head.

I believe characters make a book and I have become so invested in Abbi's characters, I feel like they actually exist (well they do in my head, but you get the picture). I think The Best Goodbye is one of Abbi's best books to date. The story revolves around Blaire's ( The Fallen series) brother Captain who we've met in previous Abbi books and a new character. She starts out as Rose Henderson and ends up being Addy, the girl Captain though he lost so many years ago.

Ten years ago Captain was River Joshua Kipling and Addy was Addison Turner. She was a foster child that came to live with River's adoptive family. A family that was insanely dysfunctional and a family where River and Addy depended on one another for survival.

As hard as it was to read about the abuse Addy had to deal with, the love story of Addy and River even at such a young age was written beautifully. Every time either character remember their younger self, you see how deep and how real their feelings were for each other.

An unfortunate tragedy that I'm not going to share with you (hint, hint, read the book) tears Addy and River apart. It forces the two of them to change their identities and separates them for ten long years.

River as a homeless teenager meets another Abbi character and is taken under his wing. He changes his name to Captain and lives a life that eats away at his soul, all while mourning the only girl he would ever love.

Addy becomes Rose Henderson and it takes her ten years to find Captain, her protector and the love of her life. Only the boy she know is gone and she's not even sure she wants to know the man he seems to have become.

As a book boyfriend, Captain will be somewhere in my top ten for the year. He is so sexy and I think even a drop more alpha than Rush Finlay if that's even possible. Physically he's a beautiful man and with green eyes and sandy color hair, I was a goner. I don't even think sexy is a good enough word for him because when he gets with Addy after ten years, it is ridiculously hot. He is everything wrapped up in one hot steamy package.

I also love Addy. She is a strong, protective loving woman and next to Blaire, probably my favorite Abbi female.

As always Abbi writes a story I couldn't put down. I love the way her characters flow seamlessly from one story to another. I love the way she sets up characters for her next book (hint, think Major and Nan). My only complaint? I absolutely needed more Captain. I think there's more to his and Addy's story. Sooooooo, fingers crossed.

For me, The Best Goodbye is a definite five lip smack read. Reading any Abbi Glines book for me is like coming home. Kudos Abbi!! This one is brilliant!!

EMILY'S REVIEW A LOVER'S LAMENT...BY KL GRAYSON AND BT URRUELA

Wow!!  I am impressed!!  This is the first book I have read by KL Grayson and the first book written by BT Urruela and I loved it!!  I really did not know what to expect as this was a first time author and an author who was new to me, but let me tell you I was totally blown away.  I could not put this book down.  BT and KL manage to create a story written in dual POVs by 2 authors so effortlessly and completely seamless.  This story was emotional and meaningful from page one. 

Devin Clay’s POV was written by BT Urruela and I cannot even believe this was his first time writing.  He writes with so many emotions and I totally connected with Devin.  I felt the love, the loss, the pain and the anxiety.  I feel like my eyes were opened so much about the terrible times yet unwavering brotherhood our service men have faced day in and day out.  I wondered about how much BT gave of himself to writes these words and let us experience these feelings.  Thank you BT, for that gift, I will forever be grateful.

KL Grayson wrote Katie Devora’s part, and I instantly felt a kinship with Katie.  She suffered so much loss, and I could feel her struggle to just keep her head above water at times.  She was so brave, taking a chance on love again, stepping out from her safety net, and really being the kind of woman I admire.  I really enjoyed Katie’s honesty, I found it so refreshing and the fact that she said what was on her mind made me like her even more.

Katie and Devin were childhood friends and then lovers.  That really isn’t the right word, because even though they were young, clearly they were meant to be each other’s forever.  I felt it, and when Devin left I was truly as devastated as Katie I think.  I was that invested in these 2 from the very beginning.  10 years later and under some very sad circumstances fate steps in and Katie and Devin reconnect.  Their journey back to one another was truly amazing. Rebuilding their relationship back to where it was through letters, emails and phone calls, I felt that they were able to connect on such a deep and intimate level.  Words were all they had for a while and every one meant so much.  Finally, they were able to reconnect in the flesh and Sweet Jesus, the chemistry between Devin and Katie is scorching.  The steamy bedroom scenes were written beautifully as well…. Yeah, they were hot!

But life is not always that simple now is it?  Despite all the heartbreak and tragedy Devin and Katie have had to already endure, more is to come!!  God, I cried and I yelled and I was angry and yeah, I had to put my kindle down and take a break.  Of course my bravery for returning to my kindle was rewarded….. But it wasn’t that easy.. Life isn’t that easy now is it?

This story is a must read.  It is about love and loss and strength and bravery.  I really want to thank every service man or woman for giving up so much for us and our country. I will never be able to fully imagine the agony and anguish you have felt, but BT Urruela, your words have made me understand a little bit better now.  Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart and soul with us.  And to KL Grayson, thank you for showing us how to be brave and grateful here at home.  I know this quote will be used over and over again, but it is so breathtakingly beautiful I could not disrespect the authors by not putting it in here…

                  “We are fathers, brothers, husbands and sons.  We are dreamers, lovers, and God fearing men”

A Lover’s Lament easily earns a 5 Lip Smack rating from me!!!  Definitely one of my top reads this year!

EMILY'S REVIEW OUT OF TIME...BY BETH FLYNN

I am not sure where to start this because I am truly speechless!!  My jaw is literally hanging open and I feel a bit shaky.  This book rocked me to my core!  I am not even exaggerating a little bit here people!  I was utterly consumed from page one.  I mean WOW, just WOW!!  I feel like a complete babbling idiot but Out of Time was just THAT good!

I want to say that if you have not read Nine Minutes, you should not read OOT.  You have to, in fact I did a re-read of Nine Minutes before I started Out of Time and I am glad I did.   OOT is such a complex detailed book, the background is so important.  I will also say Nine Minutes was an amazing read too!

OOT picks up where Nine Minutes ends and boy it goes straight for the jugular from page one.  Beth Flynn does an unbelievable job of weaving this web that the reader has no frigging idea what she’s going to toss out at you next.  I mean, it was just one shocking moment after the other, and when you think you know what is going to happen next, BAM!!!  She throws out a curve ball sending you in the complete opposite direction, where she thinks of this stuff, has me completely baffled, but I am so very happy she did!

I can’t really say too much because every little detail and word written are telling and I will not spoil this amazing journey for anyone.  What I will tell you is this; Out of Time explains A LOT!  And boy is there a lot of explaining to do.  You will find out all of the unanswered questions from Nine Minutes and more.  Questions that arise in this book are explained as well.  Grizz fans needn’t worry because this book goes from past to present and Grizz is all over this!  Grunt fans will be happy as well! Damn, but Ginny is one lucky lady!

There were a few things I can tell you that were so gratifying for me to learn about they were the descriptions and examples of Grizz’s love for Kit.  **SWOON**  Boy, did that man have a soft spot for his Kitten.  I am a big fan of bedroom scenes, I love them!  My friend and I were talking about these books and she said to me that even though this book did not have those scenes it did not matter because the story was so good.  It was then that I realized there was basically no sex in these books, I mean I did not even notice… That is how crazy great this story is. It really did not need it!  I know right? But it is true!

Let’s chat about Grunt for a sec….. Hmmm, this book brings to light a whole new Grunt in my opinion.  Let me just say, like father like son in so many ways!   Grunt’s love for Ginny is epic.  It goes back so many years and was so strong; he literally waited a lifetime to be with the girl of his dreams!  Like I said, what I wouldn’t give to be Ginny and to be loved so purely, so fiercely, so passionately… Yeah.

So, I sit here now and wonder how I am going to wait about 7 months or so to find out what happens next.  Yes, big cliffhangers here and I think I might go out of my mind waiting for the next book.  I am already sitting here imagining all these different scenarios.  I am going to pull my hair right out of my head. Beth Flynn is an evil genius! I will be not so patiently waiting for book 3 to come out!  5 lip smacks just doesn’t seem to cut it for this amazing story.  Out of Time by Beth Flynn just might be my favorite book of 2015, it will be extremely hard to top!!  Nine Minutes was so good I knew it would be near impossible to live up to such a high standard, but she did!  Amazing, wonderful and truly enthralling job Beth, Congratulations!