RILEY REVIEWS SEARCHING FOR HARMONY...BY KELLY ELLIOTT

Never did I ever for one minute think Kelly Elliott could make me love a book boyfriend more than Gunner Mathews. She came close with Thano, but hands down I am ridiculously in love with Preston Ward.

OMG Kelly! Dark messy hair, light green eyes, sick body and HE'S A FIREFIGHTER! I know, I know, Riley you're so superficial. But seriously looks are the first thing you see. Keep reading though because Preston is just as beautiful inside as he is outside. He's loyal, caring and adores his family.

I'm not going to lie to you. The beginning of this book. The way Harmony and Preston meet is completely gut wrenching. But, as bad as it is when their eyes meet, Preston can't get Harmony out of his mind.

Harmony has suffered quite possibly the worst tragedy that can fall on another person. She's broken and literally left with only her older brother Jake for support. You'll find out all the details when you read Searching For Harmony.

Harmony has made quite an impression on Preston. At first his coworkers worry his attachment to Harmony is for the wrong reason, but soon they come to see how much she means to Preston.

The two keep telling themselves that they're just best friends. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the attraction between them begin to grow. They spend a lot of time together and Preston even becomes good friends with Harmony's brother Jake. Their friendship continues to grow and of course their attraction becomes harder and harder to ignore. 

They become close enough for Preston to invite Harmony to spend Thanksgiving with his family. She agrees because well they're just friends and friends spend holidays together right? Of course everyone but Harmony and Preston can see that they belong together. I love Preston's little sister. Everything she says is on point. 

Guess what? They realize they can't stay away from each other anymore and Harmony goes to Preston's attic room one night. Good thing Preston's room is far from the rest of the family because together they are steaming hot. Preston is unbelievably romantic and the things that he says to Harmony turned me into a puddle of goo.

Kelly Elliott knows how to write insanely romantic characters. Preston is just so perfect. He absolutely worships Harmony and treats her like a princess.

Their need for each other continues to grow and they wind up spending a lot of time together. When someone from Harmony's past comes and dredges up memories from the past, the first person she runs to is Preston. Scarily, Preston is fighting a big house fire and gets trapped in the house. Losing someone she loves is something Harmony fears more than anything so she runs.

Will Preston find Harmony? Will Harmony get over her fears? You know you have to one click to find out. Searching For Harmony is just an amazing story. And it's true, Kelly's going to tear you apart with this book, but she'll also beautifully put you back together again. 

Kelly Elliott will forever be one of my go to authors. She can write a story like nobody's business and manages to make you fall in love with her characters. So yes, it finally happened, Kelly created a character I love more than Gunner (sorry Gunner). Five Texas sized (even though Searching For Harmony takes place in Boston) lip smacks for Kelly Elliott and Searching For Harmony!

RILEY REVIEWS BOSSMAN...BY VI KEELAND

Can you say sexiest boss ever? Not sure whether it's his name Chase Parker (I am very partial to the name Chase, thank you Molly McAdams)or the cover photo and teasers of Chase Parker being Bossman. Just know, if you're looking for a book that is swoon worthy from cover to cover go and one click Bossman now!

Did I mention swoon worthy? Because, I literally fell in love with everything about Chase Parker. From his sexy tousled hair to those chocolate brown eyes. Add to the mix his broad chest, toned arms and abs and he just keeps getting better. Then you get a peek at the tattoo on his ribs and the nipple ring. Gone. I tell you. I was gone.

Then some guys go and open their mouths and ruin it all. Not bossman, from the he told the story of how and Reese meeting as middle schoolers, he had me totally wrapped around his little finger. I almost forgot he's also brilliant, and any man that can go from wearing a thousand dollar suit to some gym shorts and look amazing is perfect in my opinion.

Of course middle school is not really where Chase Parker and Reese Annesley actually met. They met outside the restrooms of the restaurant they were both at with different dates. Reese is desperately trying to reach her BFF to get her out of the awful date that she's on and Chase calls her out on it. Even calls her the B word. Definitely not the way for instalove to start, but I think for Chase, that's what it is. The dinner date they wind up sharing when Chase joins Reese and her date at their table is hilarious and adorable. 

It seems that Chase and Reese can't get the other off of their minds. They also seem to keep running into each other and every time they do, Chase is always gorgeous and entertaining.

The story gets even better when the job interview Reese goes on is for none other than the company Chase Parker started back when he was in college. Reese gets the job with no problem and adds new life to Chase's already hard working staff. Beautiful, brilliant Chase has no problem letting Reese know he's attracted to her and has no problem starting an office romance with her. Reese let's Chase know she doesn't date coworkers (she's already had one bad experience, she's not about having another). 

Fortunately, rules are made to be broken and clever Chase gets Reese to attend a twice weekly eating event with him (most definitely not a date). These two are wildly attracted to each other. Chase occupies Reese's thoughts in and out of work and Chase has no problem letting Reese know all the naughty things he'd like to do to her. During a business trip (where Chase kind of stalked Reese onto the plane), the attraction is two much and our favorite bossman and employee share a very sexy night together. And yes Chase Parker is even perfect in bed. I love that dirty mouth of his and all the naughty things that come out of it.

Now you know there's more to this story. Chase and Reese have both been through significant tragic events in their lives. The both definitely keep their hearts guarded. Only with each other all of those walls start to come down. How could they not? Chase is so easy to be around and everything about him is absolutely adorable, except of course when he is so sexily naughty. Reese even gives in and allows PDAs during office time. A little uncomfortable, but not a big deal. After all, Chase is the bossman.

Then there's a bump and it's emotional and I will admit my eyes filled up with tears a few times. Can Reese and Chase get through it? Will they get a happily ever after, or will their emotional tragedies be too much to overcome?

Seriously though, you will swoon over Chase Parker for all of Bossman. I am a huge fan of Vi Keeland. I've always enjoyed her books, but Bossman is really an outstanding read. I loved the writing, and I totally enjoyed the relationship between Chase and Reese.

I'd LOVE to find a bossman like Chase Parker! Built, beautiful, brilliant and completely romantic. ****swoon**** A huge five lip smack review for Vi Keeland and Bossman.

RILEY REVIEWS FILTHY ENGLISH...BY ILSA MADDEN-MILLS

So I was a little apprehensive to start Ilsa Madden-Mills Filthy English. Given the reference to Romeo and Juliet, I was a little worried because we all know how their story ended, right?

Well I'm super glad I gave in and read it because Filthy English is one of my favorite reads of the summer.

Seriously, I couldn't put this book down and when I finished, I wanted more. And Dax Blay? He's been starring in my fantasies from the minute he sat next to Remi at Masquerade Bar.

Remi Montague, a soon to be college senior has been dumped by her fiancé two weeks before their wedding. Even though she's heart broken, she decides to take her honeymoon in London with her best friend Lulu. Lulu is a riot and a total party girl.

One night in London Remi and Lulu end up at...you guessed it...Masquerade Bar. While Lulu hits the dance floor, Remi sits adorably awkwardly at the bar. Then he walks in and sits down next to her. You can literally feel the electricity between them from the moment he sits down. Remember, they have masks on so they can't see each others faces, but they both feel as if they know the other.

At some point during the night Remi goes to get off of her barstool and ends up right in the sexy strangers lap. After a steamy make out session that left me tingly EVERYWHERE, masks come off and the two come to realize THEY. KNOW. EACH. OTHER. It turns out they go to the same university in the United States and shared a very passionate seventy two hours together three years before. Clearly it didn't end well and Remi makes an escape from the bar.

Now you know that's not the end of Remi and Dax because she's got more time in England and their chemistry is off the chain. It's like they're drawn to each other and can't let go. Unfortunately, according to Remi, Dax is a temporary guy and she's a forever girl, and the two just don't go together, ever.

Only, their attraction is just too strong and one night after lots of tequila the two wind up in bed together. Steamy, sexy, delicious and totally mind blowing for both of them. I'm going to give you two things to look for: Dax and Remi's dance at the club and their tattoos.

Let's talk about Dax Blay, shall we? The second he sat down next to Remi she swore she heard the lyrics to Salt-N-Pepa's "Whatta Man" in her head. Now when I think of that song, I think of some serious hotness. Dax has dark hair that has that perfect tousled effect. He has steel gray eyes and his body is built like a brick house according to Remi. Did I mention those perfectly full and kissable lips? Add in that sexy British accent and can you say Mr. Beautiful? Needless to say, he's still been starring in every naughty fantasy I can think of.

I'd love to tell you Dax and Remi are now together and happily ever after and all that, but that wouldn't be any fun for you. I will share, they do have to go back to university and they try to make believe nothing ever happened between them. Hmmmm...awkward when you're living with the person you had an unbelievable sexual experience with right?

Keep in mind, Dax and Remi have been together before and that part of their story is a little heart breaking. Then of course there's the annoying ex-fiance who wants Remi back. Ugh, I just wanted him to go away.

Anyway, I loved Filthy English. It's a great story and Dax Blay has fast become one of my favorite book boyfriends ever. Did I mention he has a twin? I've already one clicked Dirty English because now I need to read about Declan Blay. I can't get enough of those British boys!!

Five lip smacks from me for the sweet and sexy Filthy English.

EMILY'S REVIEW STONED...BY MANDI BECK

I NEED YOU, TO BE ME… My new favorite words from any book! <3 o:p="">

4:52… That’s 4:52 a.m., which is when I looked at the clock having just finished Stoned by Mandi Beck.  When I tell you I couldn’t put this book down, believe me that I am now ready to pass out having only had 3 hours of sleep last night!!  There is nothing in the world like the feeling of connecting with a book and its characters and Stoned did just that for me.  I found myself personally sympathetic to Stone’s character as well as Willow, and I think that is what has completely blown me away. 

Stone has become the ultimate bad boy rock star. Drugs and sex and more drugs and sex and damn the consequences.  It was absolutely devastating reading Stone’s fall from grace and hitting rock bottom.  Stone not only hurt himself, but his band mates and his girl, the love of his life Willow.  He completely decimated their relationship and her. It was dirty and disgusting and heartbreaking, but it was honest and realistic and true. My heart broke into pieces as their lives were shattered.

            “I need you, Birdie, Man, do I fucking need you so damn bad. Don’t you know I need you, to be me?” - Stone

Willow just might be the strongest female main character that I have read about.  I admire the way she made her decision to walk away and she stuck to that.  She made it nearly impossible for anyone from that life to find her, as she worked on getting her own self together and taking back a lot of what Stone took from her…. Man was she fierce!

            “A part of me died that night. A part of my heart, my soul” - Willow

Stone’s recovery was long and extremely painful but he did it, with one focus on his mind.. Get Willow back.  Willow, was the love of his life and he needed her to be whole. Birdie, aka Willow was determined to move on with her life and that did not include being with Stone.  As Stone fights with everything he has in his arsenal of memories I was just in awe of the flashbacks that Mandi Beck gave us.  They are deep and soulful and just filled with so much heart and love.  I was done for, I mean completely, hopelessly in love with their love affair and Stone and his sexy, romantic yet hot as hell ways and words.  The pair really shared a profound love for music and lyrics and they connected so deeply through song, again, totally freaking killing me.  I was completely drawn to them and every word written in this book! 

            “My heart doesn’t beat in rhythm when you’re not around. I need you, to be me. I’m your rhythm, and you’re for damn sure mine” – Stone

As well as the words, Ms. Beck referenced a few songs throughout this book and boy oh boy did she get me with the music.  At one point I stopped reading and listened to a song by Imagine Dragons as Stone was singing it and my heart just cracked open a little bit more.  The song so painful and hopeful and filled with love, I swear I was there with them, listening and watching as Stone sang to Willow!  I sat in my bed in the middle of the night with tears rolling down my face.  I was totally moved by the power the song had in this book!

            “Want you. Need you. Live you. Breathe you” - Stone

Love, heartbreak, angst and beauty. The pages in this book are filled with it all! Without a doubt, Stoned is a top book of 2016 for me! Be warned, do not make the same mistake I did and start reading early on in the day! You won’t be able to put it down!!! I know Stoned will be a book that stays with me for a very long time and I am definitely going to add it to my small list of books that I will re-read over and over again!! I am in LOVE with this book and I give it 5 lyrical lip smacks!! 

RILEY REVIEWS BAD BOYS AFTER DARK ~ MICK...BY MELISSA FOSTER

"I love you, baby. I've loved you for a very long time," he whispered on deaf ears. That was okay, because he hadn't been sure he could actually say the words out loud. This all-consuming love terrified him, but he'd managed to say the words, and it felt incredible.



So this happened again. By reading one new book, I have discovered I need to obviously read all the rest of the books in the Bad Boys After Dark series, but now I have to read the Wild Boys After Dark series because I think I might love them too. 

So let's start with Mick Bad shall we? Brilliant lawyer, strikingly gorgeous, over six feet of yumminess and convinced because of a terrible tragedy from his past there's no such thing as happily ever after.

Then there's Amanda Jenner, Mick's equally brilliant and beautiful paralegal. Buttoned up and perfectly polished, she's looking to unleash her inner bad girl with the help of a book. That being said Amanda does believe in happily ever after and just to make things interesting, she'd like that happily ever after to be with Mick Bad, her boss.

Here's where the fun really begins. A bar crawl. Yep, you heard me, a masquerade bar crawl. Amanda goes dressed up and sexified to practice the seduction skills the rule book has taught her and Mick is there because well our lawyer hottie just needs a little release. Until he spots Amanda talking to another guy (no he doesn't know it's her) but their eyes meet and you feel their intense connection across the crowded bar. 

In one of the hottest bathroom scenes I've ever read Mick and Amanda connect in more ways than one. They almost seal the deal but,  Mick notices something on his mystery girl that makes him realize just who he's actually with in the bathroom. In an act of incredible restraint he stops what they're doing and puts Amanda in a cab home. Before he lets her go, they make a date for the following night.

You can only imagine what happens when Amanda walks and realizes her mystery man is the person she's had a crush on for the last three years. After the initial shock, believe it or not, Mick convinces Amanda to give him one night. One night of passion that they both clearly want. One night for her to use the seduction skills she's worked so hard to acquire. Um, seriously do you think she'll turn that proposition down? Only here's the thing. One night isn't enough for either of them so Mick proposes they share a weekend together and then everything goes back to normal on Monday at work. The two go back to being friends and coworkers. Sounds like a plan right?

The weekend Mick and Amanda share is beyond anything they could imagine. Their chemistry is absolutely steaming hot. And yet Mick keeps insisting to Amanda and to himself he can't give her all the things she deserves. Amanda who promises this weekend only arrangement is cool with her, falls a little more in love with Mick everyday. 

So what happens friends? After an amazing weekend together how does it all play out in the end? Come on. Did you really think I'd give it away? No, sillies. I want you to read Melissa Foster's Bad Boys After Dark starring the oldest Bad brother Mick.

Yes, there are three more brothers to read about, but I don't know if I'll be able to love any of them as much as I love Mick. He's romantic even when he says he can't be. He's sweet, he's chivalrous and he is uber swoon worthy. Jeez I fell in love with him with every turn of the page. 

Of course I love the chemistry of Mick and Amanda and the heat between them is just delicious. I love the relationship of the brothers. They're a tight family and even though they've suffered a horrible tragedy, they've stuck together with Mick as their glue. 

Younger brother Dylan's story is next and I can't wait to see what Melissa Foster has done with him. But for now, Mick Bad is my newest addiction with a solid four lip smack review.

EMILY REVIEWS DEEP REDEMPTION BY TILLIE COLE

Deep Redemption is book 4 in The Hades Hangmen series by Tillie Cole and you should read the first three books.  Each time I await a new release in this brilliant series by Tillie Cole, I think there is no way she can continue to write such a crazy amazing stories with these crazy amazing characters.  I wait for the next book thinking that like most series the stories and books will become rushed or kind of lame.  Well, not in this case!!  Book after book in this series I am astounded by the fact that each story is uniquely different, yet always heartbreaking and full of love.  Deep Redemption is so gut wrenchingly sad yet beautifully hopeful, Tillie Cole has written us another captivating story in the Hangmen series.

Cain aka Rider is a grown man who, even though horrible things surround him, is innocent in so many ways.  Having never felt real love he is absolutely desperate to find some good in his twin brother, Judah, who is pretending to be the prophet.  Even though Judah is holding him prisoner and seeing that Rider gets beat daily, Rider believes he deserves his fate and that there is some good in his brother. Judah is as seriously sick and twisted as his Uncle David, if not more.  He’s absolutely batshit crazy and I believe that he truly believes what he is doing is just and right and for God.  The torture and rape and pedophilia continue under his guidance while the real prophet suffers through beatings and locked in a cell all alone.  Until one day, in the cell next to him he hears her and they become friends under the worst conditions possible.

Harmony has come from Puerto Rico with her chapter of the Cult and is deemed the last remaining Cursed woman. Destined to wed Judah, Harmony knows that her life will be in horror as she has met the evil prophet.  Meeting Rider who is in the cell next to her has brought her some form of peace.  But, of course on the commune that never lasts.

Rider risks everything to escape with Harmony and seek the help of the men that want him dead more than anyone….. The Hades Hangmen.  What unfolds from that point on is absolutely catastrophic and completely and utterly broke my heart.  Rider, as much as I did not want to like him is a victim. He tried to fight the evil ways of New Zion, he tried to stop his brother but he was not strong enough on his own.  Rider is such a tortured soul, and we know Tillie Cole can certainly write them.  I cried hearing his anguish and pain and remorse.  I felt it with everything I am, that Rider was a truly good man. 

The Hangmen are a very unforgiving bunch, and Rider is a rat to them.  He will not be forgiven, nor will they see the remorse in his eyes. Styx, Ky and the Hangmen all want him dead, heck Rider himself feels he deserves to die. Rider, who has turned his back on everything he thought was true, feels he needs to be punished, he feels undeserving of any kind of love or happiness.  So Harmony has to fight for him.  Her strength and tenacity are incomparable and damn, but she is one tough chick. 

There are so many secrets revealed in this book.  I was shocked page after page when they were uncovered! There were times I had to go back and re-read because I could not fathom what was revealed.  As everything fell into place, I understood so much about not only Rider but the girls as well.  I loved how the other cursed women grew stronger every day they were out from under the New Zion and felt the love and kindness of these hard men.

Tillie Cole has weaved a story of deceit of sacrifice and of redemption.  I was completely riveted with this story and felt such love and sorrow for Rider.  I am truly amazed at the world Ms Cole has created for us and once again, I am in awe of this sweet author writing about such depravity!! I give Deep Redemption 5 very forgiving lip smacks for Cain!!