Book Review: Hot Dirty Love by Sibylla Matilde

 

Title: Hot Dirty Love 

Author: Sibylla Matilde 

Book Tour: June 27 - July 8 

Hosted By: Always Behind A Book

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“If I have learned anything in life, it is that love is dirty and cruel. Love is frail, too easily shattered by lies and betrayal. Real love is a pipe dream, something I never wanted anyway. Or so I thought...”

Baddest of the bad boys, Justin Dorsey is all about the pleasure life can bring. As bassist for the Bangin’ Mofos, he has reaped the rewards of his life on the small stage of the Copperline Bar by night and paid the bills as a college professor by day. He's kept the two totally separate. Isolated.

Then he finds himself captivated after a night that cannot be undone. He’s suddenly tempted by his sole taboo. A thirst he must not quench. An itch he must not scratch. A craving he simply cannot satisfy.

The bigger they are, the harder they fall, and Justin's world crashes down around him. Everything he thought — everything he knew — tells him to stay away.

But the need only grows stronger. The memory only intensifies until it consumes him. That one forbidden touch.

That taste of hot, dirty love.

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My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

I’m genetically an asshole.  Part is nurture… or lack thereof.

‘Better to burn out than fade away, right?’  he shrugged, quoting Def Leppard as though it was Socrates.

…it’s the apocalypse… Justin is in love.

My Review:

Of all five books in the Copperline series, this one was my least favorite. I started the book with considerable trepidation, as the character of Justin had been my least favorite of all the band members in the previous books. I adored books three and four featuring Cody and Drew, but alas, Justin was just not my cup of tea. While Justin was often the comic relief in the other stories, he was also a selfish, callous, thoughtless man-ho. The only area of his life he appeared put any effort into was sex. Meaningless, mindless, thoughtless sex, with several partners at once. He used women like Kleenex and treated the Kleenex better… so; really, there was only a small chance of making him likable or endearing to me. This book was aptly titled and felt like more than 80% was just straight up erotica rather than erotic romance. Although, I did enjoy the parts of the story that involved the other band members.

Empress DJ

Sibylla Matilde grew up in the mountain valleys of Southwest Montana, and grew up exploring the alfalfa fields on the back of a horse. She attended a two-room schoolhouse 1st through 6th grade where she had same teacher the whole time. Beginning at about age 12, Sibylla discovered historical romance, feeding off of work of Jude Devereaux, Lisa Kleypas, and Karen Robards. She loves a book that can make the reader run the gamut of emotions, from the sweet glow of new love to gut-wrenching heartache. She always has stories floating around in her head, living in some fantasyland until she writes them down to free them. She is a true romantic, a bit of a Pollyanna, and a deeply emotional soul.

Music is her emotional trigger. Growing up with a Wagnarian-opera-loving mother, Sibylla grew up with music that digs deep into her soul and pulls out emotion. The soundtrack to her life includes different genres and generations. She looooooooves Thirty Seconds to Mars (rather obsessively, actually) with a little Kings of Leon to mix things up, and pimps them out regularly to all her friends through Spotify. She also enjoys watching Met Opera HD broadcasts at her local movie theater, and hopes (listening Met?) to someday see Diana Damrau reprise her role as Mozart's Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte - The Magic Flute.

Sibylla lives with her husband, Mike, a man who she firmly believes saved her from her self-destructive, hot mess self. He makes her laugh every day, even when things seem to be falling apart around them, and has proved to her that love really can heal a shattered soul. In 20 years, they have never had a fight, but argue regularly with their two teenage kids who have, unfortunately, inherited their father's quick wit (unfortunate as it is a quick wit that Sibylla, herself, definitely does not possess - there is a reason she is a writer and not a stand-up comedian), and live a quiet life with their two weird little rescued Chiweenies. Wait... teenagers and little yap-dogs? Okay, maybe not so quiet.

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Book Review: Easy Little Lick by Sibylla Matilde

Easy Little Lick

Copperline #3

 by Sibylla Matilde

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*** Mature Content; Strong Language; Strong Sexual Content***

Life is like an easy little lick, a signature flourish of my drumsticks to make a song my own. Something I can do in my sleep. Effortless and smooth. No drama... until I met her.

Cody Driscoll cruises through life with a constant, steady beat. Mechanic by day, he’s the drummer for the Bangin’ Mofos at the Copperline Bar by night. Tearing it up on the drums provides an outlet, a release that soothes the stress of the world around him.

But when the withdrawn and reticent Ilsa starts working at the Copperline, Cody catches a glimpse of something nobody else seems to see - a beautiful, tenuous heart. Someone to shelter and shield. Her loneliness strikes a chord that resonates through his soul, no matter how much she tries to push him away.

As her past comes to light, the promise of their love unravels. Cody realizes the extent of her tangled and tumultuous fear. Her secrets test his conscience, and he stumbles, unsure how to make sense of his stubborn honor in a world that isn’t always black and white.

The pulse of life can shift in the blink of an eye, and ugly fallout can bring a man to his knees. But can the lies that break him make him stronger?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

She reminded me of a shadow.  Silent. Moving around the outskirts where nobody would notice her. 

I saw sadness, loneliness, and a little fear.  I saw a fragile soul who appeared alive, but not really living.

She was emotion itself, the entire spectrum wrapped around me.  Peaceful and tumultuous, twisted together.  Desolate, yet content, as impossible as that sounds.

So once again, life was like an easy little lick, a signature flourish of my drumsticks to make a song my own.  Something I could do in my sleep.  Effortless and smooth.  No drama...

My Review:

From the initial three books I've read of this series to date, this one is my favorite by far.  Cody is totally swoon worthy, my favorite band member, and my new BBF.  He is just too precious!  I was unfamiliar with the term "easy lick" so it wasn't until the final page of the story and saw the definition that I realized the extremely cleverness of the title, being that Cody was the drummer in the Bangin' Mofo band.  Sibylla Matilde has it going on!

Ilsa's storyline brought Ms. Matilde's signature humor, steam, and heart squeezing angst; along with intrigue, tension, and an undercurrent of fear and danger.  Ilsa was an enigma, obviously on the run from something - I was thinking witness protection or the mob - but she kept her secrets close, which frustrated me at times.  The plot was passionate and sensual as well as sweet, tender, and all consuming.  I remained engaged in the story from the first page to the last.   I am totally grooving on this series and with only two additional books to go, I will be sad to see it come to an end.

Empress DJ

About The Author

Sibylla Matilde grew up in the mountain valleys of Southwest Montana exploring the dusty Old West gold country on the back of a horse. She attended a two-room schoolhouse beginning in 1st grade & had the same teacher until she changed schools after 7th. Beginning at about age 12, Sibylla discovered historical romance, feeding off of work of Jude Deveraux & Lisa Kleypas. She loves a book that can make the reader run the gamut of emotions, from the sweet glow of new love to gut-wrenching heartache. She is a true romantic & always has stories floating around in her head, living in a fantasyland until she writes them down to free them. 

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Book Review: Wild Irish Envy by Sibylla Matilde

Wild Irish Envy 
Copperline Series #2

by Sibylla Matilde

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*** Mature Content; Strong Language; Sexual Content with m/f, m/f/m, and exhibitionism/voyeurism*** 

“She is the forbidden fruit. The one girl I want and the one I can never have. Never mind that I saw her first. That I met her first. That I wanted her first.”

Denny Byrne is Dublin-born, but found his life and his music in the Rocky Mountains. He arrived in Montana on a student visa where he met the rest of his band, the Bangin' Mofos... and where he met Felicity Williams.

She was so very tempting, but just young enough to be untouchable. Their brief encounter tortured him for months, only to leave him bereft when a friend swooped in to claim her. But a traitorous envy consumed him. A hunger that never faded. An overwhelming ache that caused Denny to pull away just when his friend needed him the most.

After four years of denial, 'Fliss' is once again before him. In a moment of weakness, she relies on him in a way he’s always coveted, but never expected. Hardened by tragedy and wary of his assistance, she forces his hand, causing Denny's control to slip.

Contrition and conscience have kept them apart for far too long. But when a simple agreement is eclipsed by an undeniable yearning, can he let go of the past and finally seize what has always really been his to take?

My Rating: 

Favorite Quotes:


They'd probably still heard Ruth swearing over the music though. She could make a porn star blush.



Looking back, beginning the conversation with Fliss' dad by saying 'She's not knocked up' was maybe not the most articulate way to make a good first impression. But I had kinda panicked a little really... Okay, so I panicked a lot.



He was kind of the epitome of every authority figure I had. A father figure, a father-in-law, and the law all rolled into one massive, angry grizzly bear of a package.



'Please Denny... please love me.' Her voice was barely more than a breath, shaking with emotion, choked with tears that welled up in her eyes.



The world around us disappeared for a moment as she kissed me back.



While they were all about being great 'uncles,' none of them wanted to hear a snapper crying while they were knocking knickers in the other room.


My Review:



I had a love/hate affair going on with Denny throughout most of this book. He was an endearing character that committed such stupid/heinous/bone headed/hair brained/idiotic head games - with himself and others. He caused his own brand of Irish misery with misplaced loyalty, angst, and personal regrets. But still, he squeezed my heart. I wanted to punch him where it would hurt the most, but still, his anguish touched me. This was only the second book of Ms. Matilde's I have read but it is highly apparent that this gal has mad skills and a massive degree of talent... even though I may have occasionally wanted to pull her hair. The writing was highly emotive, sensual, and often lyrical with the frequent use of Irish diction and argot.

Empress DJ

About The Author

Sibylla Matilde grew up in the mountain valleys of Southwest Montana exploring the dusty Old West gold country on the back of a horse. She attended a two-room schoolhouse beginning in 1st grade & had the same teacher until she changed schools after 7th. Beginning at about age 12, Sibylla discovered historical romance, feeding off of work of Jude Deveraux & Lisa Kleypas. She loves a book that can make the reader run the gamut of emotions, from the sweet glow of new love to gut-wrenching heartache. She is a true romantic & always has stories floating around in her head, living in a fantasyland until she writes them down to free them.

Goodreads

Amazon

Book Review: Post Breakup Sex by Sibylla Matilde

Post Breakup Sex
Copperline #1

by Sibylla Matilde

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*** Mature Content; Strong Language; Strong Sexual Content with m/f, m/f/m, and a taste of f/f/m***

She was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. Pure class. Old money. I never stood a chance... until she broke up with her dickhead of a boyfriend and went off the rails.

Brannon Forrester doesn't expect much from life. He coasts through aimlessly. No real ties. Nothing to hold him back. Hanging out with his best friend, lead singer of a local bar band, he lives for pleasure, out of the spotlight but with all the excess of the band's small-town fame. After all, why should he be good when the only woman he really wants will never give him the time of day?

Then, one night at an after party, Sophie Buchanan walks through the door. In an attempt to throw caution to the wind and dream out loud, she looks to him as a guide to the wild side. As someone who can show her all the excitement and recklessness, her world has been missing. He plunges her into a reality of fervent passion... and heartbreaking betrayal.

Their roles have been set. He has only ever been a good time. She has only ever been a pretty face. It would be insane for them to fall in love. But when emotion complicates lust, can the caution of the mind suppress the will of the heart?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

I could have kissed her forever.  Little things a body required like air and food were inconsequential when compared with the rampant need building inside me.

That one little gasp, that breathy sound, stirred something in me again.  Jesus, she was like Viagra personified.

I don’t think I’ve ever said f#@ before,” Sophie giggled. “I feel kind of… naughty all of a sudden.

Her voice was the barest of whispers. “You make me feel… free.

Every thought in my brain was twisted together, and I couldn’t make sense of any of it. I could only hold her, feel her clutching me tightly, wanting to believe that all this truly meant something to her.

My Review:

The Copperline is a bar where the bands played loud, fights were common, and "the girls were always the easiest."  It was here that the lovely Sophie first encountered Brannon; although it is not the first time he had noticed her.  I was captivated by this couple and Ms. Matilde's writing.  The narrative was written from Brannon's POV and was engrossing, heart squeezing, insightful, humorous, and endearing.  Brannon is a blue-collar mechanic with tattoos, piercings and grease stains.  Sophie is a cultured, beautiful, upper class, good girl who is expected to be a Stepford wife and marry as a business asset for her father.  Under her parents' tight control and given her desire to please, she has never broken a rule or stepped out of line.  By contrast, Brannon has enjoyed an easy-going lifestyle of a self-professed man-ho and friend to the popular bar band called The Bangin' Mofos, who never brings girls to the bar but leaves with a different one each night, and seldom speaks without the use of expletives.  They could not have been more different or a better match for each other. 

At the age of twenty-three Sophie has become restless and tired of her parents' constraints and wants to try new experiences which Brannon aptly labeled as her "Dirty Bucket List" and vowed to help with the various activities.  What a sacrifice!  The storyline was frequently erotic and deliciously sensual, requiring the constant use of my ceiling fan and a steady flow of cool drinks to avoid dehydration.  I am more than eager to dive into the rest of the series.   

Empress DJ

About the Author

Sibylla Matilde grew up in the mountain valleys of Southwest Montana exploring the dusty Old West gold country on the back of a horse. She attended a two-room schoolhouse beginning in 1st grade & had the same teacher until she changed schools after 7th. Beginning at about age 12, Sibylla discovered historical romance, feeding off of work of Jude Deveraux & Lisa Kleypas. She loves a book that can make the reader run the gamut of emotions, from the sweet glow of new love to gut-wrenching heartache. She is a true romantic & always has stories floating around in her head, living in a fantasyland until she writes them down to free them

Goodreads

Amazon