Lori L. Clark's Blog, page 25

Book Review: Forbidden Fling

Forbidden Fling (Wildwood #1)by Skye Jordan (Goodreads Author) 4.05  ·   Rating Details  ·  155 Ratings  ·  116 ReviewsDelaney Hart has come a long way from her wild youth, dating tattooed bikers at her father’s bar, The Bad Seed. But when his death pulls her back to Wildwood, California, she must stay to renovate the dive he left her. And also face the lies and secrets that sent her running ten years before.

When Wildwood’s chief building inspector, Ethan Hayes, shows up on the property, Delaney doesn’t recognize him. The last thing he wants to do is save the bar where his cousin died in a brawl. But the good boy from her past is all too willing to remind her of the bad girl she used to be. And one night of passion leaves them both in a compromising position.

The last place Ethan should be is in Delaney’s bed. Guilt, family pressure, and plans for a brewpub of his own make shutting down The Bad Seed his top priority…until his feelings for Delaney interfere. Because her future depends on the success of the bar’s renovation and his dreams are rooted in its failure, their forbidden romance may be destined for heartbreak .
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Forbidden Fling generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Skye Jordan's story of two small-town born and bred people brought together by the under handed politics of one prominent family was full of fun. This author created a fictional town once rocked by the untimely and unfortunate death of a member of the aforementioned prominent family. Blame casting and stereotyping have forced the hands of the hero and heroine in their current situations 7 years later.

Ethan Hayes and Delaney Hart are the subject of much family manipulation in this book. They meet 7 years after the tragedy that rocked the town and much to each of their surprise find they have heated passion and chemistry that's off the charts. Skye Jordan writes those sex scenes so well and then couples the passion with brilliant sexual tension. Both Ethan and Delaney are charismatic, goal-oriented and interesting both separate and together. It's unfortunate they're both bound by the dirty politics and type casting of where they live. 

Parts of this story as it delve into the family dynamics and the on going feud between families I found redundant and a little boring. Ethan and Delaney are both after something and they need each other to get what they want. How it unfolds between them is full of banter, self loathing and questioning, and excellent chemistry. Skye Jordan's third person writing really held my attention throughout without it I think the story would have suffered. I thought the book ended rather abruptly and wanted more closure for these characters. But I still recommend Forbidden Fling as an easy, sexy beach read good for any contemporary romance lover.

Book Review: Tell Me a Story

Tell Me a Story (The Story Series #1)by Tamara Lush (Goodreads Author) 4.20  ·   Rating Details  ·  122 Ratings  ·  77 ReviewsA flirtatious reading of erotica blossoms into something deep and tender in the steamy Florida heat...

Tell Me a Story... 

Emma, a free-spirited bookstore owner in Orlando, keeps her business afloat with innovative ideas. Her most popular evening event is Story Brothel, where customers can pay writers to read aloud to them in a story-time for two, complete with cocktails. Despite the name, the event is usually tame. But things take a steamy turn when a handsome, urbane businessman hires Emma for a session in a private cabana. Daringly, she shares with him a reading of her erotica. Soon both of them are feeling the effects ... and Emma's wondering what kind of lover is underneath his expensive suit.

Caleb may be a billionaire real estate mogul, but he's never been captivated by a woman as he is by the lovely, quirky Emma. Her rockabilly vintage dresses make him long to strip them off and do very wicked things to her. And her refusal to share her personal life only makes him more curious.

Soon the couple are spending every available moment together. But Emma's building is in danger of being razed out from under her bookstore ... and worse, Caleb may be behind her problems. Can she trust him with her life as she does with her body? Or will the prickly walls built during her harsh past keep them apart?
TeriLyn's thoughts: *Tell Me a Story generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I'm so excited about this new episodic series from Tamara Lush, a new author discovery for my reading life. The storytelling in this first erotic episode, told from the first person POV of the heroine, grabbed me from the very start. The plot of the book is quite unique in how Lush went about introducing her appealing characters and how their instant attraction leads to excellent sexual tension and passion. 

Caleb King and Emma Price are the hero and heroine in this contemporary erotic tale. Each hailing from two different backgrounds and current life situations there's no denying the connection and chemistry between these two. Who they are currently and how they meet was something fresh and new for the romance reading world, I was more than intrigued and it was super HOT. Lush paces readers nicely through the build of their passionate tension, friendship, and overall relationship through witty banter, sexy story time, and intelligent dialogue. Each of these characters aren't blatantly in your face with who they are but rather comfortably set forth for you to sink easily into their story. And Caleb, for me, was a perfectly written hero and I can't wait for further exploration of his character especially. 

The writing here captured me and the characters engaged me throughout. Caleb and Emma created visceral reactions as they both slowly reveal themselves to each other, vulnerabilities and strengths alike. I understood each of their plights, motivations, wants, and desires. Tamara Lush convinced me from the beginning. I'm quite thrilled I was given the opportunity to read this installment and very much look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Book Review: We Are Unprepared

We Are Unpreparedby Meg Little Reilly 3.65  ·   Rating Details  ·  51 Ratings  ·  24 ReviewsAsh and Pia's move from Brooklyn to the bucolic hills of Vermont was supposed to be a fresh start—a picturesque farmhouse, mindful lifestyle, maybe even children. But just three months in, news breaks of a devastating superstorm expected in the coming months. Fear of the impending disaster divides their tight-knit rural town and exposes the chasms in Ash and Pia's marriage. Ash seeks common ground with those who believe in working together for the common good. Pia teams up with "preppers" who want to go off the grid and war with the rest of the locals over whom to trust and how to protect themselves. Where Isole had once been a town of old farm families, yuppie transplants and beloved rednecks, they divide into paranoid preppers, religious fanatics and government tools.
Lori's thoughts: **We Are Unprepared generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.** 

I read the first chapter of this book online via the publisher. Man, oh man. The first chapter was really good, and I thought that it would be a great read so I requested a copy through NetGalley. 

It's not that the book was bad. It's just that it wasn't good, either. There were good parts to the storyline and there were many things that probably would happen in the event that something like this was to happen. There were side stories in addition to the story of The Storm. Like main character Ash and the neglected neighbor child. This was a good aside. The romance between Ash and Pia and their inability to have children at the onset of the book. I just felt like there was a lot of "extra stuff" that didn't contribute much to the overall impending doom and disaster the title suggests. The author could have removed a lot of the stuffing and added more about the actual storm and its aftereffects. There are so many ways this could have gone that would have been much more exciting. In my opinion.

Book Review: Third Base

Third Base (The Boys of Summer #1)by Heidi McLaughlin (Goodreads Author) 3.74  ·   Rating Details  ·  1,816 Ratings  ·  255 ReviewsEthan Davenport is already Boston’s most eligible bachelor. In his second season with the Boston Renegades he has set his eyes on the girl behind the visitors’ dugout.

That girl is Daisy Robinson, a journalism student at the University of Boston and a die-hard Renegades fan.

But with new found love comes challenges and Ethan and Daisy have to deal with his crazy schedule, school finals and his presence on her campus for some much needed media training.

For Ethan nothing can come between him and Daisy, until a secret that she’s been keeping threatens to destroy them both.
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Third Base generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest reivew.**

Baseball romance books are up there on my list of favorites. The prospect of watching a love story unfold while action is happening on the diamond always makes for good reading. With Third Base I found myself having trouble connecting to the love story. While all the baseball talk was definitely on point and full of facts the dichotomy between the baseball and the romance was too vast. McLaughlin's writing here was fast though and easy to get into the flow of the story. 

Additionally, the characters connection wasn't a visceral feeling for me as the reader. The development of their relationship was disjointed and at times awkward. The hero's, Ethan's, inner thoughts were quite self-deprecating not at all matching up to the alpha persona he tried to showcase in his outward personality. There were thoughts I couldn't get on board with an alpha male having. Daisy, the heroine, was quirky and funny and found her to be more honest in her inner and outward persona's. The two of the them creating a relationship I could really feel didn't happen until very late in the story, for me. Secondary characters always provided a nice touch in reading the story. 

Overall, Third Base was just ok for me. For lovers of baseball romance, fast-paced "beach" type stories, readers may find this quite enjoyable. A little more structure and development would have helped me find more from this book.

Book Review: One Good Reason

One Good Reason (Boston Love #3)by Julie Johnson (Goodreads Author) 4.20  ·   Rating Details  ·  996 Ratings  ·  100 ReviewsZoe Bloom has her life figured out. 
After a childhood spent begging for scraps on Boston street corners, she’s clawed her way to a successful career and a safe place to call home. She knows exactly what she needs to survive — a bit of money in the bank, a roof over her head, food on the table. Friends and family are a luxury she can’t afford. And forget about frivolous romantic entanglements. She can barely juggle her own problems; she certainly doesn’t have time to handle anyone else’s crap…

Parker West has spent his life running.
From responsibility. From obligation. From the corporate CEO position he’s always been expected to take over. He’d rather climb Kilimanjaro than sit in a board meeting with stiffs in suits. When a crisis at the family company forces him to return to Boston, he has no choice but to stop chasing adventures — temporarily. As soon as things are back in order, he fully intends to sail off into the sunset…
Until he locks eyes with a mysterious blonde who screams trouble and sets his senses on fire. For the first time in his life, Parker doesn’t want to run. In fact, when it comes to Zoe… he may want to do something he’s never done before.
Stay. 

ONE GOOD REASON is a full-length contemporary romance about a girl who’s spent her life just trying to survive… and the man who finally teaches her how to live. Due to some sexy scenes, suspenseful moments, and a foul-mouthed heroine, it is recommended for readers ages 17 and up. 
TeriLyn's thoughts: **One Good Reason generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**

Another fantastic Boston Love story from Julie Johnson. One word you'll find in my Julie Johnson book reviews is definitely "effortless". It helps describe every aspect of her story telling from the writing, the dialogue, the characters, the structure, the flow. Johnson makes it incredibly easy to fall in love with her stories. Every. Single. Time. When a new Julie Johnson book becomes available I read it in no more than two sittings because of how comfortably fun I feel while experiencing something new from this author. This book is no exception as Johnson gives us an icy heroine who's met her match in a fiery hero; an interesting match up in these two new characters that make reading their story just good, old fashioned fun. 

Sheathed in good humor, sass, and romance, One Good Reason exemplifies all the qualities I love about this author's story telling. The main characters and connecting again with characters from the previous two books makes One Good Reason a comedic, contemporary, stand alone romance based in Boston when a sassy, confrontational Zoe starts falling, against her inner will, for the charming, manchild Parker. Told strictly from Zoe's first person point of view, we journey into a new realm of Johnson's writing. Her hero here isn't your typical uber-alpha but rather a more subdued, light, charming alpha with a woman who's cold, guarded personality is anything but beta. He wants her to loosen up and she's just not sure how to do that the navigation of that dynamic between them together makes for a great love story.

Thus why Julie Johnson couples are always perfectly suited. She knows who they are separately and knows equally what kind of mate they need to make them whole. She allows for a visceral reaction from her readers when sparks fly between her characters. You can feel the energy of their connection and how much fun each of them are having with the other even when one doth protest too much. Added bonus: her characters always lead readers on an adventure. What I enjoyed most about Parker West and Zoe Bloom was definitely their banter. Comedic wit slung at each other through well-crafted dialogue makes reading romance so much fun. Johnson really excels at providing this kind of commentary from her characters. Her writing doesn't dwell and is constantly fluid moving the story forward in a very natural way. Using clever pop culture references and sarcastic tones she makes Parker and Zoe beyond compatible their passion becomes a visceral feeling. 

They way in which this hero and heroine are written and how their relationship blossoms really worked for me in a way that left me smiling throughout and after when reading over highlights and favorite passages. I have so much highlighted in my Kindle that I wish I could share to properly give examples of what I'm taking about. Simply, One Good Reason is a book that just makes you happy. It makes you feel light and good. It's a perfect illustration of falling in love in a very unexpected, fast, adventurous, funny way. 

If you're a fan of comedic contemporary romance books there's no doubt you should read the Boston Love Series by Julie Johnson. Her high-caliber writing, addictive wit, and lovable characters will leave you reeling for more and more stories from Boston. One Good Reason gave me additional secondary characters for whom I'm crossing my fingers get their own stories in the future. 


*Readers Note: While each book of the Boston Love series definitely can be read as stand alone stories it's my opinion you should read them all. You don't want to miss out on the beginnings of recurring characters in the series because each story is highly entertaining and worth the read. 

Book Review: Cash Remington and the Missing Heiress

Cash Remington and the Missing Heiress(Sexy Dreadfuls #1)by Celia Aaron (Goodreads Author) 4.01  ·   Rating Details  ·  154 Ratings  ·  100 ReviewsI’m the best operator in the entire agency. The plum assignments—always mine. So when an American heiress goes missing, I’m the guy they call to get her back. Rescuing Collette Stanford is my mission. What I do to her after that is purely up to me, as long as she makes it back to the States in one piece. I’ll kill the bad guys, get the girl, and get a little taste of what the heiress has to offer. None of this is negotiable. I’m Cash Remington, and I never miss.

Content Warning: This standalone tale stars an alpha male who never misses. It's full of sex and violence. It's an erotica adventure, not a romance, and is not "safe." If you're cool with these caveats, enjoy! 
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Cash Remington and the Missing Heiress generously provided in exchange for an honest review.**

This book comes as a fast and furious short little erotic snack. Opening with Cash Remington in the midst of an extraction of the missing Heiress, we fly through Cash's point of view on this whirlwind adventure story. The story is short, the hero is deliciously deviant an cocky and with a slight twist to the plot you never where Cash Remington will find himself. Celia Aaron's writing, as usual, flows beautifully and her take on a modern action/adventure story was fun to read. 

Book Review: Jacked Up

Jacked Up (Bowen Boys #4)by Elle Aycart (Goodreads Author) 3.98  ·   Rating Details  ·  952 Ratings  ·  103 ReviewsSince James Bowen married Elle Cooper’s sister, tall dark and handsome Jack Copeland has become a permanent fixture in Elle’s life. A silent, rather annoying fixture, with his arrogant aloofness and my-way-or-the-highway attitude rubbing her the wrong way. So she does what any self-respecting woman would: aggravate the wits out of him for fun.

Party girl Elle Cooper is everything covert operative Jack Copeland doesn’t want in a woman. Outspoken, sassy. A smartass. Too bad when he closes his eyes, all his mind conjures is her. To everyone else, he comes off as intimidating and unapproachable. Everyone except Elle. So he does what any self-respecting man would: stay the hell away from her. But when Elle gets herself in deep trouble, all of Jack’s protective instincts kick in and keeping his distance is no longer an option.

With Jack and Elle in such close proximity, sparks are flying all over and it’s only a matter of time before they ignite. The only question is, who will kill Elle first, the vicious drug cartel hunting her or Jack? 
TeriLyn's thoughts: Elle Aycart does fast and fun so well. She also does witty banter to perfection. And the sex was scorching hot. Jack and Elle light up the pages of this story with their undeniable chemistry and hilarious back and forth points of view. They fight hard and love harder even when they don't want to admit it. Jack Copeland is dead SEXY. He's the rough, growly alpha who finds his love interest to be a real big pain in the rear yet completely irresistible. I ADORED watching him succumb to quirky, hilarious charms. And Elle Aycart is a carefree fun loving girl who loves nothing more than to tease and torture Jack. The two of them truly are just plain fun. 

Aycart's writing in the third person flows effortlessly. I felt immersed in the story and read it quite fast enjoying the pace and structure. Since I haven't read the entire series I can definitely sayJacked Up reads sweetly as a perfect standalone story. I'd be happy to read these two characters in many more stories.

Book Review: Sovereign

Sovereign (Acquisition #3)by Celia Aaron (Goodreads Author) 4.46  ·   Rating Details  ·  535 Ratings  ·  153 ReviewsThe Acquisition has ruled my life, ruled my every waking moment since Sinclair Vinemont first showed up at my house offering an infernal bargain to save my father’s life. Now I know the stakes. The charade is at an end, and Sinclair has far more to lose than I ever did.

But this knowledge hasn’t strengthened me. Instead, each revelation breaks me down until nothing is left but my fight and my rage. As I struggle to survive, only one question remains. How far will I go to save those I love and burn the Acquisition to the ground?


Full disclosure: This book is a DARK romance with elements of BDSM, slavery, violence, and super-hot sex. It is the last of the Acquisition trilogy, no cliffhanger. If you're good with these caveats, enjoy! 
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Sovereign generously provided in exchange for an honest review.**

I feel so privileged to have had the amazing opportunity to read this series and meet these complex characters. So much love for these books has settled in my reading soul. One of my favorite dark erotic love story series ever. If there were ever heroine to completely fall in love with and stay in love with throughout an entire wickedly dark series, Stella Rousseau embodies that heroine. Paired with the devious and tortured Sinclair Vinemont and the girl is literally explosive. 

Sovereign eloquently juxtaposes the fierce determination and liquid vulnerabilities of both Stella and Sin. As the conclusion of a dark, sinful experience in reading quite an emotional battle happened during Sovereign as a strange combination of disturbed and elated feelings kept me barreling through the story.

Reading books 1 & 2 are necessary before reading Sovereign. This book is told from the dual points of view of both heroine and hero, Stella and Sinclair. It continues where book two leaves off with the newest information Stella has learned about the trials fueling her desire to be stronger than ever before. With two trials down in the Acquisition and two more to go it's survival of the fittest and in the Vinemont household love is as prevalent as depravity as everyone prepares for the end of this twisted competition. 

I'm once again in awe of Celia Aaron's ability to cultivate such conflicting emotions in my reading mind. During the course of this series and this specific book three I've felt physically ill, at times, with the hate I had for some of the villains in this story and the decisions of my beloved characters who are just trying to survive. 

I've felt beyond sad the tortured Sin. I've felt regret for what's come of Stella's life. I've felt sick with worry about the state of the Acquisition. Beyond those feelings of despair I've felt hope for both Stella and Sin. I've felt joy in learning what they plan to accomplish together. I felt ecstatic in the knowledge of the trust they finally give to each other. And I felt pride in Stella and Sin's strength, compassion, and steadfast ability to accomplish what they set out to do. All of these feelings in the name of Aaron's incredible talent for storytelling. 

Deliciously dark. Daringly depraved. Deviously detailed. Expressively erotic. All of this explains the levels of passion, the depth of emotion, and the well-structured plot of Sovereign and the series as a whole. Celia Aaron's mind is a fascinating place to spend time. Her characters are dark reflections of desire, power, and need. The urgency with which she writes this haunting love story/series pulls you under her twisted spell for the entirety of each story. 

I cannot begin to express how much I support and urge readers who love the dark side of romance to read this entire passionate series. This author perfectly structured her books and the arcs of the plot to end fantastically, always keeping readers on the edge of their seats furiously gripping their Kindles all the way through to the end plus provided the most wonderful epilogue. I'm going to miss the Acquisition trials. I'm going to miss Sin and Stella more. And I'll especially miss the darkness Celia Aaron's words coat us with trhough her brilliant storytelling. I can't wait to see where this author takes us next. I'm hoping it's on a ride with Lucius Vinemont....

Book Review: Sidebarred

Sidebarred (The Legal Briefs #3.5)by Emma Chase (Goodreads Author) 4.54  ·   Rating Details  ·  3,942 Ratings  ·  704 ReviewsThere was a time when Jake Becker had it all together. He was controlled, driven, ruthless—in and out of the courtroom.

Then, six irresistible orphans and their heartbreakingly beautiful aunt crashed into his perfectly ordered life. They changed everything. They changed him. Now he’s a husband, an upstanding member of society, a father figure—a family man. And he’s pretty damn good at it.

Sure, he has to referee sibling smackdowns, re-learn algebra, ensure his clients stay of jail, and keep his wife happy—but it finally feels like he’s got it together again....

So, of course something has to screw it all up. It’s huge. Life-changing. Kind of terrifying.

And it will be the most amazing, perfect thing he’ll ever do.
TeriLyn's thoughts: The perfect way to spend a couple of hours on a sunny Sunday afternoon. As soon as I woke up and saw Sidebarred on my Kindle I smiled. Jake, Chelsea, and the entire McQuaid brood kept me smiling throughout the entire novella. This delightful little romance snack of a book really completes The Legal Briefs series for me so fantastically. Emma Chase knew exactly what her readers craved from Jake Becker and she delivered beautifully. If you're a fan of the series you'll undoubtedly not want to miss this story. I need my very own Jake Becker. Just perfect. I'm still smiling today thinking about all the goodness in this story. If you haven't read this entire series, you really should.

Book Review: Lovegame

Lovegameby Tracy Wolff 4.15  ·   Rating Details  ·  253 Ratings  ·  175 ReviewsHailed by J. Kenner as an author who “knows how to steam up the pages,” Tracy Wolff delivers a darkly addictive novel of seduction and psychological obsession. The stakes are high inLovegame, when a movie star with a shattered past meets a man who can either break her or make her whole.

True Crime novelist Ian Sharpe has spent his career writing about serial killers for very personal reasons. For his latest exposé, he is taking on the sadistic madman known as the Red Ribbon Strangler, and when his research leads him to Hollywood’s most private and provocative actress, he will break every rule to uncover her truth.

The daughter of one of Hollywood’s golden couples, chased by paparazzi and treated as a commodity her entire life, Veronica Romero wields her sex appeal like a weapon. She expects Ian to be as easy to control as every other man she’s ever known. But from the beginning, he refuses to fall into line. Mysterious and cool, challenging and just a little bit dangerous, Ian somehow makes her feel safe—even as he digs into the deepest secrets of her life and pushes her to the breaking point.

As raw ecstasy gives way to agonized truths, their dark obsession exposes secrets that have been buried for far too long. Ian wants to tear down her walls and heal the sensual woman underneath. But if Veronica’s learned anything, it’s that the line between pleasure and pain is a narrow one—and when caught between them the only thing that matters is how you play the game.

Lovegame is intended for mature audiences. This ebook includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Lovegame generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Erotic suspense featuring a movie star and a true crime novelist? Yes, please! A stand alone told from the dual points of view of both hero and heroine? Sign me up! Tracy Wolff continually entertains me with her romance stories. Lovegame is something just a little different than the others of hers I've read. A true cat and mouse game of two people dodging, evading, and hiding truths they'd leave covered. It's a story packed with passion and edge gripping you from beginning to end. 

Wolff's writing keeps you guessing throughout the entire book. The characters are as charismatic as they are enigmatic. Interesting layers of mentally thrilling prose are woven between the pages of a non-stop plot where nothing is ever as it seems. Ian Sharpe is a hero I adored. He's alpha, determined, and witty. His proclivity for intelligent banter and sharp game playing attracts readers to this hero. His match, movie-star Veronica Romero, keeps herself hidden behind shadows even as she puts herself out there for the whole world to see. Their chemistry is off the charts hot as a battle of wills ensues. The games of seduction, passion, and sex are just as emotional and mental as they are physical between these two making for an excellent book to lose yourself in fully. 

There were a few chapters in the first 25% of the book where I felt the author was being repetitive with inner dialogue from both characters. Digressing too much into the same reasons behind their actions or hesitations about the chaos surrounding them. It was a distraction for me because I ended up inside my own head thinking about how I wished it was get deeper into the issues they were talking about. However, by the middle Wolff got me there and definitely showed me the depth of both Ian and Veronia in a truly vulnerable way making the book really work for me. I loved the dark side of stardom Wolff chose to explore with these characters and really how she chose to navigate the exploration. She works the plot by precisely matching the darkness they each hide to the driving force of the book. With the added gift of intelligent dialogue and witty conversation this book is hard not find alluring. 

Erotic suspense lovers will find Lovegame right up their alleys. Wolff always creates enticing journey's for her characters to entertain her readers. And there's an amazing epilogue which I love. As I said above, I'm constantly so satisfied after reading the words of this author and appreciate the ease for which she so easily holds me captive with her characters. This is a book I won't soon forget and I appreciate the chance I was given to read it. I look forward to much more erotic suspense from Tracy Wolff.