Lori L. Clark's Blog, page 53

Book Review: Absolution Road

Absolution Road (Crossroads #2)
by Rachel Blaufeld

For Jake Wrigley, the future is bleak. Some people are survivors, but he’s getting by on his bad-boy looks and charming smile. He owns a gym, gets into bar fights, and wrestles his demons with rough workouts—both in and out of the bedroom.

For Alyson Road, the future is bright. Life can only improve from where she grew up. She graduated at the top of her law class, cares for her ailing mom, and in her job, she defends those who can’t afford anyone else. Her work is thankless but honest.

Jake’s twin brother has been covering his ass for as long as they’ve been alive, but that all changes when Jake finds himself in front of the fiery public defender, his future in her hands. For the first time ever, he doesn’t want to involve his brother, finally realizing he needs to stand alone, be his own man.

Even if Jake’s never absolved of his past wrongdoings or his heart is never scrubbed of the blackness that resides there, he can do one good deed—protect the beautiful lawyer who touched his soul—until helping her nearly becomes his own undoing.
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Absolution Road generously provided by the author in exchange for honest review.**

Rachel Blaufeld writes unique stories with fascinating characters. There isn't a time when you don't feel connected to her stories during reading. This newest book is the story of Jake Wrigley and Aly Road - two people who weren't expecting each other but found each other in the most unlikely of places. It's sweet and fast, painful and gripping. After meeting Jake in Redemption Lane I thought I had an idea of what to expect from his character when it came time for his book. In Absolution Road Blaufeld allows him to truly SHINE while she completely dismantles any expectation I had. He's a hero you'll completely fall in love with.

Told from the dual points of view of both Jake and Aly, the contemporary romance story in Absolution Road hails as one of redemption. Letting go, moving forward, and understanding who you are for yourself and who you are while falling in love with another person you least expected. During the best and worst of times we see Jake and Aly emotionally and physically deal with the changes being wrought from the lives. As Aly's future becomes more challenging than she ever expected, Jake's past sneaks up on him to remind him of his deepest wounds.

Blaufeld's writing concisely shows us the darkest pains and brightest pleasures of these two characters. The plot of the book keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end. The sexy banter coupled with an overcoming a resistance to change from both characters makes for really excellent dialogue. And the themes running through the book are quite profound. Secondary characters from book one pop up in the story enriching the history and present of both characters. However, Absolution Road can be read as a stand alone. Blaufeld did a great job of making it a complete stand alone title if you choose to not read book one although I wouldn't personally recommend it because you'd be missing another great story.

Book Review: Some Sort of Happy

Some Sort of Happy (Happy Crazy Love #1)
by Melanie Harlow

Skylar Nixon is a twenty-seven year old failed actress with no Plan B. After a humiliating stint on a reality TV show crushes what’s left of her childhood dream, she finds herself back in her hometown with no money saved, no college degree, and no confidence she’s anything but a joke—a small town starlet who couldn’t hack it in the big city.

When she runs into former classmate Sebastian Pryce, she can’t believe the hot body and chiseled jaw belong to the shy, troubled loner she knew ten years before. He’s not exactly friendly at first, and she’s heard the rumors about his tragic past, but something in his sad eyes intrigues her. She only wants to get to know him better.

Until the night she wants more—and takes it. (Hard and deep. Twice.)

Are they just two lonely people seeking solace? Or can a disgraced beauty queen and flawed, frustrated man find some sort of happy ever after?

**Some Sort of Happy is a full-length, dual POV novel, complete with HEA.**
TeriLyn's thoughts: I have a new author crush and it's Melanie Harlow. Some Sort of Happy was a really amazing read for me. Completely unexpected, I was enamored with Harlow's easy, descriptive prose, her engaging plot, and this beautiful love story between two people so seemingly different they just fit together perfectly.

In the interest in preserving the plight of each character I'm not going in depth about either one but rather generalizing each with the blanket statement that I loved them both.

A beautiful and confident woman is Skylar Nixon. One that had stars in her eyes for as long as she could remember yet those stars didn't burn as bright as she once hoped. Back home she runs into an old classmate, Sebastian Pryce - our hero, and a whole new opportunity for discovery comes alive from the pages. Sebastian and Skylar, both quirky in their own rights, have a connection so visceral it jumps from the pages. A tortured hero in a really unique way, Sebastian possesses all the right qualities in being star "book boyfriend" material. And Skylar makes it easy to be a heroine we can fall in love with - strong in her convictions with a lot of love to give. In understanding each other and supporting each other the reader witnesses an honestly real relationship in which we see one of them coping with a certain way of life and the other learning to deal and cope with that as well.

The angst of the story is really low key making it more comedic than dramatic but it's always present, creeping along the pages reminding the reader of the depth in each character and the measures they're willing to go in order to protect and save the other.

Some Sort of Happy is really sweet, often funny, and just a chance at love neither Skylar nor Sebastian was expecting. Told from both characters points of view, Harlow gives us a birds eye view into the minds of each making their connection to the reader that much stronger. Secondary characters provide a great deal of comic relief and strengthen the bonds of the hero and heroine.

From what I understand, the continuation of the Happy Crazy Love series will focus on two new main characters but we'll see the continuing forever's of the characters in previous books. Next up is Skylar's sister, Natalie. I'm so impressed with the writing of Melanie Harlow and the excellent story she told in Some Sort of Happy that I can't wait for this next installment. And in the meantime I'll be reading her Frenched series. Lovers of romantic comedy type contemporary romances, please don't miss this one.

Cover Reveal: Sinful Longing

We are thrilled to bring you the Cover Reveal for Lauren Blakely’s SINFUL LONGING! SINFUL LONGING, the third title in Lauren’s New York Times and USA Today bestselling erotic romance Sinful Nights series, releases November 17th! SINFUL LONGING follows a new couple in the series! Yes, technically it can be read as a standalone, but you’ll likely enjoy it more if you read the first two books in the series, New York Times and USA Today bestselling novels SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS and SINFUL DESIRE!
Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations created this fabulous cover!
Pre-Order SINFUL LONGING coming November 17th✦ Amazon US ✦ Amazon UK ✦iBooks US ✦iBooks UK ✦ Barnes & Noble ✦ Kobo ✦ Google Play ✦ Paperback Add it to Goodreads here! And the SINFUL NIGHTS Series on Goodreads




ABOUT SINFUL LONGING:

He's the inked brother. The one you're wondering about. The bad boy of the family.

Colin Sloan has a past. He's done things he's not proud of, but he's living differently now. Making changes in his life. Working hard, working out harder, and trying to win over one woman. He's utterly crazy about Elle Mariano, and though the sex is epic, their friends-with-benefits arrangement just isn’t cutting it anymore. He wants all of her, and is determined to prove he’s what she needs in her life.

Elle is fiery, loyal, and in major lust with Colin Sloan. He’s everything she craves in a man -- smart, sexy, kind -- and a rock star between the sheets. But his past hits too close to home for her, and the people she has to protect. There isn't room in her life for a relationship with Colin. Especially when she’s forced to keep a secret that could tear his family apart…

SINFUL LONGING is the third book in the steamy, sexy, suspenseful New York Times Bestselling Sinful Nights series from Lauren Blakely, author of the wildly popular Seductive Nights series...This high-heat, high-stakes romance series follows the Sloan family as each sibling falls madly in love against the backdrop of sin, money, greed, passion, mystery and suspense…


But Wait! That’s not all!SINFUL DESIRE has gotten a new cover too!Because the Sinful Nights series is all about the Sloan family and their journeys, Lauren and her team thought it was important for the covers to help tell those stories and focus on the Sloan men as well. In order to do that, SINFUL DESIRE, and the series as a whole, was updated. We are so excited to share these covers with you today! We can’t wait for you to fall deeper in love with the Sloan brothers!


Add the SINFUL NIGHTS Series on Goodreads!
And don’t miss the first two books in the Sinful Nights Series… SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS✦ Amazon US ✦ Amazon UK ✦iBooks US ✦iBooks UK ✦ Barnes & Noble ✦ Kobo ✦ Google Play ✦ Paperback
SINFUL DESIRE✦ Amazon US ✦ Amazon UK ✦iBooks US ✦iBooks UK ✦ Barnes & Noble ✦ Kobo ✦ Google Play ✦ PaperbackAnd be sure to watch for the next title in the Sinful Nights series!
SINFUL LOVE - March 2016 Preorder SINFUL LOVE Here! Add SINFUL LOVE on Goodreads!

About Lauren Blakely:

Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and she has had eight books on the New York Times Bestseller list and fourteen on the USA Today Bestseller list. Like the heroine in her novel, FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. She loves hearing from readers! Her bestselling series include Sinful Nights, Seductive Nights, No Regrets, Caught Up in Love, and Fighting Fire. She recently released SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS, the first novel in her new sexy romance series Sinful Nights that became an instant New York Times Bestseller. Her new adult forbidden romance, 21 Stolen Kisses, hit e-readers in May and landed on the USA Today Bestseller list. In September, she'll release SINFUL DESIRE, her next title in the bestselling SINFUL NIGHTS series. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, text BLAKELY + your email address to 678-249-3375 (please use the actual + sign).


Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** SINFUL LONGING Goodreads ** Lauren Blakely Goodreads

Book Review: Wet

Wet (The Water's Edge Series Book 1)
by Stacy Kestwick

Doughnuts were her weakness.
If Sadie Mullins hadn’t been running on the beach to burn off the calories from her doughnut addiction, she wouldn’t have noticed the man not moving out in the water.
Wouldn’t have dived in after him.
Wouldn’t have met West Montgomery.
The cocky bastard should have been thankful, grateful even.
Of course, he wasn’t.
That should have been the end of it.
Of course, it wasn’t.
Damn doughnuts.
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Wet generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**

Having never heard of this book and winning an ARC through a Facebook takeover I immediately read the blurb and some reviews and became quite intrigued. Wet proved to be a fun, interesting, and off-putting ride all put together as we ride the waves of our heroines, Sadie Mullins, life.

Scorned in a very direct, intriguing way by whom she thought was the love of her life Sadie uproots herself from Nashville and relocates to live with her best friend in a coastal town. Sadie and Rue, said best friend, devise a pact to only "have fun" be sleeping with tourists of said coastal town and not attaching themselves to townies. This line of thought carries a good part of the story. Throughout the book, there are few spots where the friendship between these was grating. It was juvenile with goings on of college frats girls rather than two women trying to be professionals.

On a morning run and a hilarious circumstance Sadie meets our hero, West Montgomery, a hot, arrogant, surfing local. Fireworks and warning bells simultaneously go off in Sadie's head. Post meeting she befriends a member of West's crew, Theo, and a budding friendship sparks. There are moments between Sadie and West I found truly charming. A few specific dates or times of true banter. When these are together sharing touching moments or glimpses of vulnerability I saw the potential for something great and my connection grew. The allure of the scenery around them, the beauty of the banter coupled with the cat and mouse game they're playing all were great elements to the story. West is definitely a stud, he says the right things, plans the right dates even when he's not totally forthcoming. His charisma is the best part of the book. It hurt when he best foot forward caught Sadie but she continually made me, as the reader, feel small when nothing was good enough that West did.

However, there were times I couldn't look past Sadie's abrasive attitude. She was overly defensive, catty, and sometimes just plain mean in the face of West to the point it was off-putting. I couldn't connect with this woman at all because I never truly understood her or her motivation. Trying to play a coy, sarcastic woman just didn't work with Sadie because it made her too much, in my opinion. I understood her plight and her scorn but it carried over way too much into her budding relationship with West. In addition, there's a mystery to West we can't figure out - a commonality in play to the scorn Sadie once felt. I don't mind the mystery of it or the villain in the form of a conniving woman trying to hook her star to West. But it renders a confusing plot line of when this woman comes into play and provides too much a catalyst for Sadie's insecurities leading to the inevitable cliff hanger. After all the back and forth of Sadie working to figure out if she can trust West or not, the "are we or aren't we" and "do I trust you or not" inner and outer monologues it just proved too much and too young for my tastes.

Wet proved just ok for me. It held my attention through the entire thing and while there is a cliff hanger personally I didn't find it shocking or too much to bear. This is a contemporary romance told from the heroine's POV.

Book Review: Cash

Cash (Sexy Bastard #2)
by Eve Jagger

The minute any woman walks into my bar, I can tell two things about her: what she wants to drink, and how she likes to f*ck.

I’m Cash: bartender at the hottest bar in Atlanta. I’ve got girls lining up around the block, and they all know the rules: no strings, no promises, and no morning-after snuggling. You want brunch? Call your sister. You want the best sex of your life? Call me. Or better yet, just drop by the bar anytime. Clothing optional.

There’s a reason they call me a sexy bastard.
And yes, I really am that good.
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Cash generously provided via Gossip Girls PR in exchange for an honest review.**

Cash hails as the second installment to Eve Jagger's Sexy Bastard series. Set in the Sexy Bastards trendy, upscale nightclubs of Atlanta, Georgia - Cash Gardner takes tending bar to a whole new levels of sexy and intriguing. Cash tells his story through the points of view of both him and Savannah Sunday- our fiesty, ball-busting, honest heroine.

What I love about Eve Jagger's characters in Cash is the banter between Cash and Savy. They are friends first. Savannah being off limits to Cash - deemed by their mutual friends - puts an edge to their story I found interesting. It shows the gentleman side of Cash in a way we feel for him and his plight. Conversely, it shows an honest side of Savannah in her comfort level with Cash that we might not have seen without that preconceived friendship. Not to mention, when Cash puts his mind to passion it heats up the pages.

The plot of Cash and Savy's love story rolled into the ongoing arc of the Sexy Bastards fit well. This story went a bit fast-paced for my reading preferences and there were a couple plot tropes included in which I wish had more development. The history of both these characters could have been deeper for me to make feel more of the honest connection between Cash and Savannah.

Overall, Eve Jagger entertains me with her characters and Cash is not exception. The banter in which they all engage in constantly leaves me smiling and I enjoy reading a continual series where each new installment gives me two new main characters to focus on while staying in touch with characters from previous books. If you like contemporary romance with a lot of heat and sexual tension - Cash and Savy's story is for you.

Book Review: Softer Than Steel

Softer Than Steel (Love & Steel #2)
by Jessica Topper

From the author of Deeper than Dreams and the Much "I Do" About Nothing novels, a story that proves that you have to find yourself before you can find love...

As rock star "Riff Rotten", Rick Rottenberg has enjoyed all the perks that fame can offer, especially now that he's reunited with his former band mate, Adrian "Digger" Graves. But despite his success, Rick is a mess. Still reeling from the death of his wife years ago and terrified his demons will end his career, he agrees to seek help for his anxiety.

Burned by a musician in the past, Sidra Sullivan has closed her heart to love. So when Rick walks into her yoga studio, she wants nothing to do with him--until the bad boy shows an unexpected soft side.

As Sidra and Rick work through their painful pasts, they realize just how strongly opposites can attract. But when a crisis threatens the delicate balance they've forged, they'll discover if their love is strong enough to weather another storm or just too broken to survive...
TeriLyn's thoughts: With each Jessica Topper book I'm continually impressed with her level of writing. This author possesses great story telling skills. Her words always engage me and keep me intrigued with her characters. If you're looking for this book to be fully focused on the romance or to be the kind of book that focuses on the life of this rock star, it's not. It's a contemporary, engaging story of healing, moving forward from a painful past, and finding a balance in one's life.

Softer Than Steel comes as book two in the Love & Steel series featuring Rick "Riff Rotten" whom we met in the first installment of the series. Rick constantly struggles with a tragic loss from his past and is learning to seek help for his issues. The pain in this man was rather subdued he's learning to live again yet still has the nagging anxiety from grief constantly plaguing him. He meets Sidra who's flawed in her own way, once burned by Rick's stereotype. They're an interesting pair. And the story took on a life of it's own as it really felt more like Rick's story of healing rather than Rick's love story. What I loved most about Softer Than Steel being Rick's story is that as a reader it was so enlightening to be inside the mind of Rick after having read Louder Than Love and being introduced to "Riff". There are many sides to this man, more to his story with Adrian that Topper developed so well in book two. I feel more inclined to rate the book based on the Rick's journey rather than on the romance of the story. Yet still, their story together, Rick & Sidra's, was one of healing. The powers of that were instrumental to both of their lives.

Jessica Topper has a way with words to really make you feel an emotional impact of what you're reading. I can't mention enough how much I adore this author's story telling skills. She engages and intrigues and in Softer Than Steel gave life to a character I honestly wasn't quite sure I wanted to like. But she made me and a lot of that is thanks to the way she writes and presents her truly flawed, real characters. This is a series I highly recommend to those looking for an honest, raw contemporary series that prides itself on the positive aspects of healing through love, letting go, and moving on.

Book Review: This Book Will Change Your LIfe

This Book Will Change Your Life
by Amanda Weaver

Take a chance and change your life…

College was supposed to be where Hannah’s hard work paid off, but the major in honors chemistry she’s been working towards since childhood is slipping away. Worse, she’s not sure she wants it anymore. Salvation comes from an unlikely place—a used bookstore and Ben, the passionate college senior who works there.

Ben’s trapped in a life mapped out for him. Trapped in a future career as a lawyer to make his father happy. Trapped pursuing a girl he doesn't even like because she fits into a world he doesn’t want, but can’t escape. But then he meets Hannah. And for the first time, he knows what it means to truly want something.

So he gives in to being her friend. Then to wanting her. Then to kissing her. And within the freedom of his impulsivity, both of their carefully planned lives begin to fall apart...
TeriLyn's thoughts: **This Book Will Change Your Life generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

This book was quite sweet. Just a lovely story told from the points of view of both main characters, Ben and Hannah. In my opinion, this book is more young adult than new adult. Each character being in college trying to figure out their place in the world. They meet under really normal circumstances, build a friendship, a crush, and finally a love story. The book is short. I read it in just a little over two hours and it was a nice anecdote to being awake in the middle of the night.

Ben isn't your average romance hero. He's sweet, kind of shy, impossibly smart, and a bit of a total nerd. Yet he's really great and you can understand Hannah's connection to him. Hannah's a bit of nerd herself but she puts herself out there and is so eager to learn more about worlds she's yet to discover. Through Ben's love of the written word and Hannah's budding love affair with books these two develop a really sweet connection.

There were a couple of plot points that didn't work so well for me. Ben's caught up in an image of himself his father wants him to see when it's so clear to Hannah and the reader this image isn't at all him so this story line became redundant. There's also a crush he has on another girl for all the wrong reasons and the angst contrived from this didn't work for me.

Overall though, the story really was an enjoyable read. Amanda Weaver writes great dialogue and her story thoroughly held my attention.

Book Review: Screwed

Screwed
by Kendall Ryan

I have one rule: Don’t shit where you eat.

Several of the women in the condo complex I own would love some one-on-one playtime, and why wouldn’t they? I’m young, fit, attractive, and loaded. Not to mention I’m packing a sizable bulge below the belt. It’s a combination that drops panties on a regular basis.

Yay, me, right?

But my cock, troublemaker that he is, has been confined to my trousers by my business partner. A concession I agreed to, and one that’s never been hard to enforce until Emery moves in across the hall. She’s smart, young, determined, and sexy as hell. I want a taste. I won’t stop until I’m buried deep inside the succulent new-in-town brunette.

After being warned about my past, she does her best to steer clear, but I’m about to show her that underneath it all, I’m a guy with a heart of gold and a cock of steel.

My name is Hayden Oliver, and this is my story.

SCREWED is standalone romantic comedy by New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Kendall Ryan.
TeriLyn's thoughts: If you're looking for a relatively short, angst free, funny story with two great characters who give even greater banter - Screwed is the story for you. Reading this book was an excellent way to spend two and a half hours of my night. After looking for a quick, flirty read and having Screwed recommended by a friend I read the blurb, immediately one-clicked, and commenced thoroughly enjoying.

I laughed out loud many times at the funny quirks of both Hayden and Emery, our hero and heroine. Their connection jumped from the pages from the very beginning. If you like stories based on the building of friendship between a man-whore burnt from a past relationship and the girl to changes it all - also burnt from past relationships - don't miss this book. Hayden and Emery both bring a confidence and charisma to the story making them irresistible to each other and the reader.

Kendall Ryan infuses humor, banter, and wit into the words making both characters relatable and charming. Her writing is simple and flows easily as we read Screwed from the points of view of both characters. I really liked this sexy, contemporary romance and definitely recommend.

Book Review: Rule

Rule (Songs of Corruption #3)
by C.D. Reiss

Book Three in The Corruption Series. You must read SPIN and RUIN before reading RULE!

Theresa and Antonio.
They've been through hell. Antonio has a price on his head for turning his back on a marriage deal, and Theresa has no intention of turning her back on him. They're devoted and strong, ready for anything....

A Love Tested To The Limit
And then, someone from Antonio's past reappears. Someone who can give him everything he ever wanted, and who can shake them to their very core.

#livetogether
#dietogether

In this stunning conclusion to the USA Today Bestselling series, Antonio and Theresa will have their passion, their devotion and their very will to live tested.
TeriLyn's thoughts: There’s inherently magical about C.D. Reiss characters. Their connections are deep, their love knowing no bounds. I felt that magic all through Rule. Being the last book in the journey of Antonio and Theresa, told from their both of their points of view with a little Daniel (I know, I know – Daniel you say you have to read it), it was of the upmost importance to feel that connection. The bond solidifying the relationship between Antonio and Theresa never escaped me, not once and with all the moving parts of this book I found that magic in and of itself. As they trusted each other I whole heartedly trusted in them.

The magic of her characters goes hand in hand with the beauty of her writing – so vivid the words glow from the pages to a point I can see in my mind exactly what’s happening in their world. Excellently descriptive prose puts the reader in the mind of whichever character we’re in stretching our hearts more each of them. The dialogue, erotically delicious and telling, was on point as usual.

There was a specific deviation from the character-based romance I’ve come to love from Reiss flowing into a more action-adventure story in Rule. Moreso than in the previous two installments. With the action came a greater need for the respite Antonio and Theresa find in each other making their connection that much greater. There was a trust factor brought to light so they could each understand the other better. And there was a great realization for not only the reader, but huge for Theresa, of who she is and who she’s always been. A light bulb went off the force of the light striking her so fast she makes us see the person Antonio brought to life.

It was a quite a journey for this Drazen sister. One I enjoyed reading immensely. With Rule, I felt their adventure closed in a satisfying way. I hope to see more of them in the future with other stories of the Drazen siblings. If you’re a fan of mafia based romance with a lot of action infused in an erotic plot, Antonio and Theresa’s story is definitely for you.

Book Review: Breathe

Breathe (Songs of Submission #10)
by C.D. Reiss

DISCOVER JONATHAN AND MONICA
-------
He was the dream I never knew I had until he claimed me. The kinky billionaire who wanted to give pain as much as I wanted to receive it. He’d marked me as his own and I accepted him. I trust him completely. I swear I do.
But, now things are getting complicated. I have a career, and he has his claim. How far is he going to go to mark me? And am I going to run or stay?
WARNING: This novella has some of Jonathan and Monica’s roughest encounters. That's how they like it!
*This takes place after he reclaims her in the studio, and before the second wedding. If you already love them, they're hotter than ever!
TeriLyn's thoughts: Doesn’t that quote so aptly describe what C.D. Reiss does with every new look into the life of Jonathan Drazen and his Goddess? Just destroys readers with her erotically romantic, beautiful words. Oh if ever a real live Jonathan Drazen would come calling….

The story of Breathe isn’t long, a short snack, a novella but so immensely satisfying allowing us to spend some additional time with these two beloved characters. Told mainly from Monica’s point of view with snippets of Jonathan thrown in reminding us of his power, his dominance over not only Monica but over Reiss’s readers as well. In Breathe we see Monica struggling with her craft and Jonathan understanding her needs to make the struggle less for her. It reads like Reiss picked up exactly where she left off with these two with her fluid prose jumping off the pages like the scenes from a movie. Her words such as this:

”Monica’s voice went straight from her throat to my higher self. It’s vibrations were coded to the wavelengths of my heart.”

Such power in those words making us feel that rock solid, soul deep connection between this man and this woman. Words reminding you of all the crucial moments in their coupling; all the love and loss, pain and joy shared between them. It takes one of my favorite parts from Control and emphasizes on the importance of this moment happening in Breathe to Monica’s life. How far she’s come. Who she is in her sacred relationship with Jonathan and more importantly – who she isn’t. It’s a reminder for her of the ownership and love in her life, of the balance and need for him.

The Songs of Submission series hails as one of my all-time favorites. Jonathan Drazen my favorite ginger sadist with a heart for Monica so big it’s a wonder it stays beating at all rather than bursting. They balance each other out in a way that’s always been so mesmerizing to me. Like a dream from which you don’t want to wake. Its borderline embarrassing the amount of times I’ve read their stories but I love them and this snippet from their lives, Breathe, satisfied me greatly. If you’re a fan of the series you don’t want to miss this novella.