Book Review, Giveaway: Beard Science - Winston Brothers #3 by Penny Reid

Beard Science

by Penny Reid 

Winston Brothers #3 

Publication Date: October 11, 2016 

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Humor, Romance 

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Make a deal with the devil and you might get what you want, but will it be what you need? 

Jennifer Sylvester wants one thing, and that one thing is NOT to be Tennessee’s reigning Banana Cake Queen. Ever the perpetual good girl and obedient daughter, Jennifer is buckling under the weight of her social media celebrity, her mother’s ambitions, and her father’s puritanical mandates. Jennifer is officially desperate. 

And desperate times call for Cletus Winston. 

Cletus Winston is a puzzle wrapped in a mystery covered in conundrum sauce, and now he’s in a pickle. Despite being convinced of his own omniscience, extortion by the exalted Banana Cake Queen of Green Valley has taken him completely by surprise. So… what’s a maniacal mastermind to do? 

Likely, the last thing you expect. ‘

Beard Science’ is the third book in the Winston Brothers series, is a full-length romantic comedy novel, and can be read as a standalone.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

I tried my best to pretend unkind words were actually just erroneously expressed compliments, as it just made everything nicer for everybody... This habit of purposefully misunderstanding insults has served me well over the course of my life, around town, and at home.

A small number of plagues would befall the sheriff's Deputy over the coming weeks.  I'd considered leprosy via an armadillo infestation, but decided against it.  Maybe next time.

We argued every time I came to his shop.  I told him my hair needed weight, otherwise it stood straight up and out, and my head - which was larger than average already, likely to accommodate my massive brain - resembled a cantaloupe on a toothpick, with cantaloupes being the least esteemed of all fruit.

I should have given him leprosy back in September.  It would have kept him occupied through Christmas.

The people who call you simple are the simple ones.  You should put castor oil in their banana cake frosting and weld their toilet shut.

I love her!  I swear Cletus, if you don't marry her then I will talk to Jethro about making her my sister-wife.

My Review:

Beard Science is my favorite Penny Reid masterpiece to date.  It was densely populated with delightfully odd characters; busy with amusing "capering;" and loaded with wry and overtly humorous insights as well as sneaky heart squeezing observations.  Cletus and Jennifer were both beyond quirky but not quite bizarre, and while they originally appeared to be near opposites, they both were crafty, complex, and highly intelligent - yet not seen as such by anyone else.  Cletus - being possibly the most fascinating character ever brought to life - was a devious genius with a wide and far-reaching agenda, but all for good reasons, and had more clandestine plans and escapades in play than the NSA, CIA, FBI, and GOP combined.  It took me a bit longer to warm up to Jennifer as the hard working Banana Cake Queen initially presented as an inauthentic person - a mousy and spineless caricature offering no resistance to the iron fist of her repellent and demanding parents.  However, these endearingly peculiar characters - who were thrown together by blackmail - provoked profound changes in each other, while providing an unfailingly engaging and supremely entertaining tale in the process.  I wore a near-constant smirk while reading this massive tome and barked aloud more than few times.  Penny Reid is a truly gifted wordsmith and on my permanent list of favorites to shadow.

Empress DJ

About Penny Reid

SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing). 

By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.

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Book Review: Sunshine and Rain by M. Mabie

Sunshine and Rain

 by M. Mabie

Standalone small-town romance, City Limits #2 

Release Date: October 28

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Blurb:

Welcome to Wynne, population 3402.

No rockstars. No major politicians. No media moguls.

Things don’t change quickly in a small town, except when they do. It’s been pouring rain all summer long, and the disc jockey and local farmer are all of the sudden attached at the hip. It’s not only the rising river getting deeper and deeper.

This is your basic water tower painting, tractor driving, tailgate cooler packing kinda guy chases the single, blonde, radio vixen with mosquito bite rage from his youth type of romance. Or is it the other way around?

Low on drama. High on Love.

Grab an umbrella because it’s a long wet summer.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

New hot men in Wynne were like Halley's Comet: they only came around once in a lifetime.

I didn't want to be the old chick at the bar, dammit.  I looked around, and I wasn't the oldest, by far, but I was one of only two women around my age who were there and single.  BethAnne didn't count though because she was a ho.

Earlier that night, he'd told me my dancing looked like a frog on a hot sidewalk.  Then he'd told me he was running home to poop - but he'd be back.  We were definitely just friends.

It wasn't fair to other men how attractive he was.  An image of him shirtless, mowing my yard, came to mind.  I chalked it up to early onset panther syndrome and bent over at the hip to catch a breath that rushed through me, the image having left me winded.

She obviously didn't know what she was talking about.  A man's grill is an extension of himself.  There's a bond there.  I swear it... 'Mine isn't just any grill Sunny.  It's The Grill.  I can't just be flinging my meat around on any old burner.'

After the lawn chairs were unfolded and the card table was set up, the yard was almost redneck romantic.

My Review:

I treasured and adored every page of this refreshingly original, fun, and delightful book.  I was in dire need of a sweet and drama-llama free read and I must say I was shocked beyond belief to find just that from M. Mabie.  This was not at all what I expected from her given the constant angst, conflict, and tension found in her Wake series - although I also loved those books to pieces.  But I was beguiled, enchanted, and fell into a total swoon over Rhett and Sunny.  I often laughed aloud, barked, and chortled as I read.  Rhett was THE perfect BBF, his patience, the care he took, and the thoughtfulness and creativeness of his efforts to please Sunny were so sweet and tender that it stung my eyes.  I relished the tenderness and sweetness of their love story, the irreverent humor, snappy banter, and slyly clever observations and insights.  The writing was crisp, humorous, and unfailingly engaging. Ms. Mabie's characters were just adorable, well fleshed out, endearing, amusing, and lovable.  I hated to leave Wynne but hope and pray Ms. Mabie extends a return invitation soon.  I will save her some time and just RSVP right now.  I'm thoughtful like that...

Empress DJ

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Book Review: Nitro's Torment by Nina Levine

 

  ENEMIES TO LOVERS BIKER ROMANCE. 

Tatum Lee is a pain in my ass. She’s stubborn, full of attitude, and she doesn’t like to do what she’s told. And yet, at a time when I should be focusing on the war my club is at, she consumes my mind because she’s also fearless and fierce, and I’ve never met a woman like her. The thing about war, though, is the minute you let your focus drop, your enemy rises up and attacks. And sometimes they bring you to your knees in ways you never imagined. The other thing about war? You learn just what you’re capable of doing to protect those you love.

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Check out his smoking hot Pinterest board.

 Rating:

Review:

Nitro torment is the second book in Nina Levine's Sydney Storm MC Series. Once again Nina has lived up to her name with this MC series.

I loved Nitro, he is that guy that every woman can love. Even though he is a bad boy with a rough shell you can see the side of him that is caring and compassionate. There is more than meets the eye with this man. He is drool worthy and a big muscle man with tattoos and an alpha male personality. I loved the chemistry between Nitro and Tatum, they were a perfect fit. After reading this book, I am totally hoping the next installment will be King's and Monroe's love story. Those two would be fun to read. But they may not end up together.

I look forward to reading more of Nina's up and coming books. I am a big fan of this author, and she hasn't disappointed me yet.

AUTHOR BIO

Dreamer. Coffee Lover. Gypsy at heart. USA Today Bestselling author who writes about alpha men & the women they love. When I’m not creating with words you will find me planning my next getaway, visiting somewhere new in the world, having a long conversation over coffee and cake with a friend, creating with paper or curled up with a good book and chocolate. I’ve been writing since I was twelve. Weaving words together has always been a form of therapy for me especially during my harder times. These days I’m proud that my words help others just as much as they help me.

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Spotlight, Giveaway: Heath, Cliffs and Wandering Hearts by Laura Barnard

 Heath, Cliffs and Wandering Hearts

by Laura Barnard

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Life for sixteen-year-old Savannah Franks has just been turned upside down. Her Mum’s business has failed and they’re forced to move into a maisonette in the rough end of town.

She doesn’t want anyone to know her dire situation, not even her besties. So when the rest of the money for the school ski trip is due she can’t be seen not to attend. Everyone is going! She just needs to find a job. Add that to the list of getting a boyfriend and losing her pathetic virginity.

But working every spare hour in a job she hates on top of school work and mounting secrets doesn’t prove easy. Soon she’s keeping so many she’s not even sure herself what’s true and what’s not.

The only person she can lean on to tell the truth is her best friend Heath.

Only…did he get hot recently? That won’t make things awkward between them…right?

About Laura Barnard


Laura Barnard lives in Hertfordshire, UK and writes romantic comedy or 'chick lit' as its so often described. In her spare time she enjoys drinking her body weight in tea, indulging in cupcakes the size of her face and drooling over hunks like Jamie Dornan, Ryan Gosling and Leo Dicaprio.

She enjoys wearing yoga pants and reading fitness magazines while sitting on the sofa eating chocolate. She's a real fan of the power nap and of course READING!

She writes not to get rich or famous, but because she LOVES writing. Even if one person tells her they enjoyed her book it makes the midnight typing worth it!

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Guest Post: Andrew Joyce

My name is Andrew Joyce and I write books for a living. I would like to thank The Empress DJ for allowing me to be here today to promote my latest, Yellow Hair, which documents the injustices done to the Sioux Nation from their first treaty with the United States in 1805 through Wounded Knee in 1890. Every death, murder, battle, and outrage I write about actually took place. The historical figures that play a role in my fact-based tale of fiction were real people and I use their real names. Yellow Hair is an epic tale of adventure, family, love, and hate that spans most of the 19th century.

Now that the commercial is out of the way, we can get down to what I really came here to talk about: the Sioux people. The people we know as the Sioux were originally known as the Dakota, which means ally. The name Sioux came from the Chippewa and the French. The Chippewa called them Nadonessiou, which means adder, or enemy, and then the French shortened the name to Sioux.

Every culture has an origin myth. We in the West have Adam and Eve. The Ancient Greeks had Gaia. According to the Norse people, Odin and Ymir founded the earth. If you will allow me, I’d like to tell you the creation story of the Dakota.

In the beginning, before the creation of the earth, the gods resided in the sky and humans lived in darkness. Chief among the gods was Ta՜kuwakaŋ, the Sun, who was married to Haŋyetuwi, the Moon. He had one daughter, Wohpe. And there was Old Man and Old Woman, whose daughter, Ite, was wife to Wind, to whom she gave four sons, the Four Winds.

Of the other spirits, the most important was Iŋktomi, the devious trickster. Iŋktomi conspired with Old Man and Old Woman to increase their daughter's status by arranging an affair between the Sun and Ite. His wife’s discovery of the affair led Ta՜kuwakaŋ to give the Moon her own domain, and by separating her from himself, created time.

Old Man, Old Woman and Ite—who was separated from Wind, her husband—were banished to Earth. Ite, along with her children, the Four Winds, and a fifth wind—the child of Ite but not of Wind—established space. The daughter of the Sun and the Moon, Wohpe, also fell to earth and later resided with the South Wind. The two adopted the fifth wind, who was called Wamŋiomŋi.

Alone on the newly formed Earth, some of the gods became bored. Ite prevailed upon Iŋktomi to find her people, the Buffalo Nation. In the form of a wolf, Iŋktomi went beneath the earth and discovered a village of humans. Iŋktomi told them about the wonders of the Earth and convinced one man, Tokahe, to accompany him through a cave to the surface. Tokahe did so and, upon reaching the surface, saw the green grass and blue sky for the first time. Iŋktomi and Ite introduced Tokahe to buffalo meat and showed him tipis, clothing, hunting clubs, and bows and arrows. Tokahe returned to the underworld village and appealed to six other men and their families to go with him to the Earth's surface.

When they arrived, they discovered that Iŋktomi had deceived Tokahe. The buffalo were scarce; the weather had turned bad, and they found themselves starving. Unable to return to their home, but armed with a new knowledge about the world, they survived to become the founders of the Seven Council Fires.

The Seven Council Fires . . . or Oćeti Šakowiŋ . . . are the Mdewakanton, the Wahpeton, the Wahpekute, the Sisseton, the Yankton, the Yanktonai, and the Lakota.

After Tokahe led the six families to the surface of the earth, they wandered for many winters. Sons were born and sons died. Winters passed, more winters than could be counted. That was before Oćeti Šakowiŋ. But not until White Buffalo Calf Woman did the humans become Dakota.

Two scouts were hunting the buffalo when they came to the top of a small hill. A long way off, they observed the figure of a woman. As she approached, they saw that she was beautiful. She was young and carried a wakiŋ. One of the scouts had lustful thoughts and told the other. His friend told him that she was sacred and to banish such thoughts.

The woman came up to them and said to the one with the lustful thoughts, “If you would do what you are thinking, come forward.” The scout moved and stood before her and a white cloud covered them from sight.

When the woman stepped from the cloud, it blew away. There on the ground, at the beautiful woman’s feet, lay a pile of bones with worms crawling in and among them.

The woman told the other scout to go to his village and tell his people that she was coming, for them to build a medicine tipi large enough to hold all the chiefs of the nation. She said, “I bring a great gift to your people.”

When the people heard the scout’s story, they constructed the lodge, and put on their finest clothing, then stood about the lodge and waited.

As the woman entered the village, she sang:

‘With visible breath I am walking.A voice I am sending as I walk.In a sacred manner I am walking.With visible tracks I am walking.In a sacred manner I walk.’

She handed the wakiŋ to the head chief and he withdrew a pipe from the bundle. On one side of the pipe was carved a bison calf. “The bison represents the earth, which will house and feed you,” she said.

Thirteen eagle feathers hung from the wooden stem. White Buffalo Calf Woman told the chiefs, “The feathers represent the sky and the thirteen moons. With this pipe, you shall prosper. With this pipe, you shall speak with Wakaŋ Taŋ՜ka (God). With this pipe, you shall become The People. With this pipe, you shall be bound with the Earth for She is your mother. She is sacred. With this pipe, you shall be bound to your relatives.”

Having given the pipe to the People, and having said what she had to say, she turned and walked four paces from the lodge and sat down.

When she arose, she was a red-and-brown buffalo calf. She walked on, lay down and came up as a black buffalo calf. Walking still farther, she turned into a white buffalo and stood upon a hill. She turned to bow in the four directions of the four winds and then she vanished.

Because of White Buffalo Calf Woman, the Dakota honor our mother the Earth; they honor their parents and their grandparents. They honor the birds of the sky; they honor the beasts of the earth. They know that Wakaŋ Taŋ՜ka resides in all animals, in all trees and plants and rocks and stones. Wakaŋ Taŋ՜ka is in all. They know that Wakaŋ Taŋ՜ka lives in each of us.

Because of White Buffalo Calf Woman, they have become Dakota.

Yellow Hair

by Andrew Joyce

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Yellow Hair documents the injustices done to the Sioux Nation from their first treaty with the United States in 1805 through Wounded Knee in 1890. Every death, murder, battle, and outrage written about actually took place. The historical figures that play a role in this fact-based tale of fiction were real people and the author uses their real names. Yellow Hair is an epic tale of adventure, family, love, and hate that spans most of the 19th century. This is American history.

About the Author

Andrew Joyce left high school at seventeen to hitchhike throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. He wouldn’t return from his journey until decades later when he decided to become a writer. Joyce has written five books, including a two-volume collection of one hundred and fifty short stories comprised of his hitching adventures called BEDTIME STORIES FOR GROWN-UPS (as yet unpublished), and his latest novel, YELLOW HAIR. He now lives aboard a boat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his dog, Danny, where he is busy working on his next book, tentatively entitled, MICK REILLY.

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Book Review: Marry Me Mad by Katy Regnery

Marry Me Mad is one swoonworthy read! 

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Blurb:

Did you fall in love with The English Brothers? Were you hot for the Winslows? Katy Regnery's New York Times bestselling Blueberry Lane series continues with The Rousseau siblings in 2016!

For as long as Madeleine “Mad” Rousseau can remember, she’s been the “sweet” twin to her sister Jax’s “sassy.” But after an especially painful break-up, Mad decides she’s had enough of being sweet. Children’s librarian during the day, she begins visiting Philly’s seedier nightspots on a quest for adventure. When Cortlandt “Cort” Ambler, the ex-boyfriend of Mad’s sister, Jax, saves her from disaster on one such evening, an unlikely friendship is born between the rebellious librarian and the moonlighting pianist…and two broken hearts begin a journey toward being whole again. Get to know the families of Blueberry Lane! 

*All books in The Blueberry Lane Series can be enjoyed as standalone novels.* 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

She was downing tequila like the world supply was in danger...

You are impossibility beautiful.  Cort had whispered the words, like they were sacred, or a secret, or a sacred secret and Mad stared at him in awe, wondering where they'd come from.

Baby, you're music.  Like rain in the desert.  Like sweet after bitter.

They'd shared way more than strangers could or would, and something about it felt so huge and so real, it was impossible for him to say no. 

My Review:

Sweet and sexy Cort was the perfect boyfriend - handsome, thoughtful, romantic, kind, smart, rich, and multi-talented in every room.  Plus, he likes animals and writes music - swoon.  Katy Regnery writes sweet, tender, delightful, and steamy romances.  She never fails to steal my breath, squeeze my heart, or steam up my kindle.  Sigh.  I adore her winsome characters, they may be rich and cultured, but they also know how to let loose and sling clever snark, amusing humor, and invectives when needed. 

Empress DJ

Make sure you don't miss the start of the Rousseau series! Jonquils for Jax is now available!

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PREORDER JC AND THE BIJOUIX JOLIS! 

releasing November 29, 2016

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About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Regnery started her writing career by enrolling in a short story class in January 2012. One year later, she signed her first contract and Katy’s first novel was published in September 2013.

 Twenty-five books later, Katy claims authorship of the multi-titled, New York Times and USA Today Blueberry Lane Series, which follows the English, Winslow, Rousseau, Story, and Ambler families of Philadelphia; the six-book, bestselling ~a modern fairytale~ series; and several other standalone novels and novellas. 

Katy’s first modern fairytale romance, The Vixen and the Vet, was nominated for a RITA® in 2015 and won the 2015 Kindle Book Award for romance. Katy’s boxed set, The English Brothers Boxed Set, Books #1–4, hit the USA Today bestseller list in 2015, and her Christmas story, Marrying Mr. English, appeared on the list a week later. 

In May 2016, Katy’s Blueberry Lane collection, The Winslow Brothers Boxed Set, Books #1-4, became a New York Times E-book bestseller. 

In 2016, Katy signed a print-only agreement with Spencerhill Press. As a result, her Blueberry Lane paperback books will now be distributed to brick and mortar bookstores all over the United States. 

Katy lives in the relative wilds of northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, where her writing room looks out at the woods, and her husband, two young children, two dogs, and one Blue Tonkinese kitten create just enough cheerful chaos to remind her that the very best love stories begin at home

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Cover Reveal: Boys, Toys - Oh My! Vol 1 by A.M. Willard

Boys, Toys - Oh My! Vol 1

A.M. Willard

 

Facebook Release Party: https://www.facebook.com/events/622469234588455/

Charlie Evans is the kind of woman who turns crimson red when she hears the word penis, so just imagine what happens when she has to say it to a crowd of strangers.

Cooper Fields is all business, well, that is until Charlie the blushing beauty stumbles into his life.

Mixing business with pleasure is never a good idea, but their attraction is strong and neither can resist the urge to test the limits of a relationship.

A misunderstanding involving a stripper, a sex toy consultant, and a bachelor party is what it takes to give Charlie the confidence she needs, but it also causes Cooper to ask himself if he even knows her. Will this situation push Cooper away for good, or can they put the dildos behind them once and for all?

Find out now in author A.M. Willard’s romantic comedy where massage oils, suction cups, and training kits are invited along for a wet ride.

Pre-Order now on iBooks for 99 cents

iBooks: http://apple.co/2bPtjlW

“It’s okay… I’ve been sitting here like a lonely cat lady for all the people to judge.”

“Stop being so dramatic; no one cares that you’re here alone. Plus, don’t you go to that pizza place at night and eat by yourself?”

“I do, and that’s not by choice you know.”

“I know. Since we don’t have much time left, you ready for this?” she asks, but the look on her face reassures me that I’m not going to be happy about this.

“No, I’m not ready. I still think you have something up your sleeve and aren’t telling me. I swear Ginger, this will be the end of our friendship if you’re tricking me into anything illegal, hazardous to my health, or something that could possibly get me killed or kidnapped. Do you understand?” I finish as my finger’s pointing at her.

“Calm down and untie those granny panties. I told you, this is perfectly legal and legit. Plus, my friend Megan owns the business.”

“Fine, what is this great plan to get me out of financial debt?”

“Sex toys. You’ll be a consultant while hosting parties. Isn’t it great?” she finishes saying to me rather loudly as she passes me the folder.

“Sex toys? What the hell are you talking about? I’m not using sex toys or videoing myself using them. No way Ginger… This totally crosses the line.”

“No, you ding bat. It’s like those parties where you have a girl’s night out and order sex toys. You know, you explain what each item is and make it fun, they buy, and you make money. I swear Megan brings in over sixty thousand a year from this; you can totally pay off your loans and get ahead.”

“Ginger, have you forgotten one tiny little problem?” I say and lean over the table so I can whisper the next part. “I can’t say the word penis in front of anyone without turning red like a tomato. How in the world do you expect me to say it in front of people I don’t even know, and describe what to do with all of them?”

Review Teaser

International Bestselling Author, A.M. Willard resides in Savannah, Georgia. She joined the Peach State many years ago after leaving the crystal blue waters and sugary white sand behind from the Panhandle of Florida. She's also known for being a wife, mother, and caretaker for her farm animals. A.M. loves anything sassy, glittery, and is a sucker for the Hallmark Channel. That last one might be the reason she believes in soulmates or it could be because she married her high school sweetheart almost twenty years ago.

After releasing her first novella series back in 2014, A.M. set out on a new goal to bring her readers a broad range of romantic stories from her desk. This includes Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance, and from time to time some Sexy Romance.

A.M. is an active member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and has also had an article published in the Writer's Monthly Review Magazine.

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Book Review: The Reason For Me by Prescott Lane

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Holt

She likes it quick and dirty.

I like orders and rules.

She hates small talk.

I hate to share.

She’s an open book.

I’m a closed dresser drawer.

She rides a Harley.

And that drives me f’ing nuts.

Annalyse and I have both lived in our own personal hells for half a decade.  She’s learned to love the warmth, and I’m still consumed.  But my new neighbor is stoking more than my libido these days.  We agreed on only pleasure.  But she changed the rules.

And now I’m not even sure what they are.

Maybe there’s a reason she found me that night, maybe there’s a reason I can’t stop thinking about her, maybe there’s a reason for the pain.  Maybe not.

We all look for reasons in life.  Reasons for death, love, pain.  Why one thing happens and not another?  It’s human nature.  We’ve been looking for the meaning of life since the beginning of time.  But maybe the reason for all of it — life, love, loss, heartache — is the curvy brunette living next door.

Holt

I can see the questions in her eyes.  Naked, I get on my knees in the bed, helping her up, her body pressing into mine, and lift her shirt over her head.  I can’t help but grin that she’s borrowed one of mine.  My hands slide down the curve of her waist and under the cotton of her panties, removing them.  Her hand softly strokes my cheek, and like an asshole, I jerk my head back, her soft touch doing damage to the hard defenses I’ve built.  How is that?  How can something so soft, so sweet, be my undoing?  And damn, the way she looks at me.  I can’t have her looking at me like that right now.  In one move, I flip her over and yank her ass in the air.

Her breath catches.  Dammit, sometimes I wish I could be one of those guys that only think about themselves during sex, but I’m not built that way.  Annalyse’s pleasure will always be more important than my own, and that’s just one small fucking step away from all her needs coming before my own.  It’s a slippery slope I’m on.

Using the tip of my cock, I outline her folds, feeling her open, drawing me in.  Running my finger down the curve of her back, her body rolls, her ass pushing against me.  She’s got the best ass, pure white, smooth skin, firm, but enough to hold onto.  

“Holt,” she begs softly.

She’s very impatient when it comes to her orgasms.  That’s a great quality in a woman; she wants what she wants and doesn’t apologize for it.  As I slip myself inside her, she lets out a breathless moan.  It’s amazing how well I know her sounds, her body already.  Holding her hips, I slide in and out, slowly.  Grinning, I know she’s going to hate and love that at the same time.  She likes to come quickly.  It’s almost like she’s afraid there’s not enough time.  She starts to move faster, wanting me deeper, and harder.  And I’m powerless to resist her, incapable of not giving her exactly what she wants.

And when she screams out my name, I follow right behind her.  My body covers hers as we lay collapsed in our orgasmic hangover.  Moving her hair off her face, I look down at her closed eyes, missing seeing the way she looks when she comes.  “Every night,” I say quietly, “I want you in my bed, naked, waiting.”

She doesn’t open her eyes, but a little smirk crosses her lips.  “Orders, orders.”

Kissing her neck, I nibble her earlobe.  “Say you’ll be here.”  She rolls over, her eyes meeting mine for the first time.  A subtle guilt rises in my chest; I just fucked her to feel better, to forget.  And I want to do it again.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

We've got bombs, guns, fists, all kinds of weapons of mass destruction, but there isn't a single thing that can destroy a man faster than a woman.  History is full of these examples going all the way back to the Bible, Adam and Eve... Hundreds of years of history and evolution, and I swear we haven't changed at all.

Judy is what Carla affectionately refers to as a 'gold star' lesbian, meaning she's never been with a man. 

... it sounds like a prayer - a whispered wish you make in the dark when no one is listening.  The way he says my name is with such passion.  And for a man who wears a polite mask all the time, it's the most beautiful sound.

Is you bush whacked? ... You've got to take care of that situation... Holt's a gynecologist, so he's probably seen all kinds of out of control bush.  Take a cleaver to your beaver.

The worst thing about having a broken heart is that is keeps beating...

'Come on,' Carla says.  'Maybe we can turn you now!'  Judy swats her.  'Dicks are the devil.  Ever look at the devil's horns - two big red dicks coming out of his head.'

My Review:

The Reason For Me was my first experience reading this remarkable talent, and I am extremely annoyed at myself for being tardy.  I adored this book, it was witty, refreshing, heart-squeezing, angsty, intriguing, sexy, sweet, and funny as hell.  Written from my favorite dual POV of two smart and witty people who have found each other after suffering great loss and personal pain.  I was drawn to and cared deeply for most of the characters - they were clever, playful, good together, and endearingly flawed.  The story was consistently engaging, well-crafted, sexy, emotive, and seductively intriguing.  I was eaten up with curiosity concerning his dresser drawer and would never in a million years have guessed the correct response - it was ingenious!  Prescott Lane has made my list of favorites.  I want to stop time and read her every word.  

Empress DJ

Prescott Lane is the Amazon best-selling author of Stripped Raw. She's got five other books under her belt including: First Position, Perfectly Broken, Quiet Angel, and Wrapped in Lace, and her new release, Layers of Her. She is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and holds a degree in sociology and a MSW from Tulane University. She married her college sweetheart, and they currently live in New Orleans with their two children and two crazy dogs. Prescott started writing at the age of five, and sold her first story about a talking turtle to her father for a quarter. She later turned to writing romance novels because there aren't enough happily ever afters in real life.

Author links

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