Book Review: A Bad Bit Nice by Josie Kerr

A Bad Bit Nice

by Josie Kerr

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Em Davidson is a curvy, never-married, 43-year-old Internet security analyst who has been working at the wrong job, living in the wrong house, and involved with the wrong man for about 10 years too long. All she wants is a challenging career, her very own home, and an age-appropriate Mister Ideal who will make her toes curl when he kisses her.

Mick Brennan is a bearded, tattooed widower of 20-plus years who thinks, maybe, just maybe, he might be ready to dip his foot back in the dating pool. He might not know exactly what he’s looking for in a relationship, but he knows he doesn’t want a girl half his age.

When Em moves into her dream home, she had no idea that her downstairs neighbor could be her Mister Ideal. When Mick meets his talkative upstairs neighbor, he’s more intrigued by the her than he has been in any other woman in two decades.

Can these two lonely people overcome the wounds of their pasts to discover love again?

This contemporary/second-time contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“Em, if I had a rack like yours, I would be topless as much as possible.”

“I know it’s only been a week or so, but goddammit, you’re super smart, crazy caring, and hot like fire and I think I could love you, so you need to kiss me or tell me to utterly and completely fuck off.  Either way, put me out of my misery.”

“Mick, honey, what you did to me earlier?  If you’d been more expert at it, I seriously think I would have lost consciousness.”

“Rory, don’t do anything that will get you sent to prison, because I am absolutely not having sex in a trailer!”

“I always knew that Em, Miss National Merit Finalist Summa Cum Everything Smarty Pants, would end up with a tattooed brawler.”

My Review:

This is undoubtedly my favorite type of book and I whole-heartedly adored this story from start to finish.  I was already marveling at the easy flow and crisp humor as I read the first page.  My eyes nearly popped from their sockets - like Roger Rabbit’s - when I discovered this exceptional tome was the author’s first novel.  I want to rave about its merits. 

The story and writing were unique, well-crafted, highly entertaining, and plucked each emotion with surprising depth.  I smirked, snorted, gasped, fanned myself, and at other times - I teared up and… okay… maybe sobbed a little bit.  The characters were middle-aged, adorable, broken, lovable, flawed, thoughtful, and would most likely be easily overlooked in real life.  Moreover, I absolutely must love a woman in her forties who babbles when she is nervous, swears so creatively, just recently bought her first pair of “magical panties,” and often looks at events as “a sign.” 

This book was fantastic.  It was humorous, insightful, thoughtful, clever, and witty.  I enjoyed the characters’ teasing, fun banter, and supportive relationships.  The love story was sweet, endearing, and so smokin’ hot my kindle was sizzling.  First novel or 100^th, Josie Kerr has mad skills and is definitely one to watch. 

Empress DJ

About the author

Josie Kerr is transplanted West Texan living on the edge of semi-profoundly rural Georgia, a.k.a. the southernmost edge of the northernmost county in Metro Atlanta.

She has an M.Ed. in Secondary English Education but discovered that she hated high school more the second time than she did the first, so she decided to meld her love of technology with her education background and became an Instructional Designer. When not writing articles about how to fire someone without getting sued or why you should really not apply for jobs using your SexxyStud99@aol.com email address, she writes steamy romance novels that feature grown-up Heroes and Heroines.

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http://www.josiekerr.com

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Book Review, Giveaway: Havoc by Nina Levine

Havoc (Storm MC #8) by Nina Levine

Genre: MC Romance Cover Designer: Romantic Book Affairs Release Date: March 8, 2016

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While this is the eighth book in the series it has been written as a stand-alone so new-to-the-series readers can read and enjoy it without having read the other books.

Meet Havoc...

I was happy doing my own thing.

No connections.

No demands.

No problems.

Just me, my club and a whole lot of dirty work to take care of.

She never wanted a biker.

She wanted stability and I gave up on that years ago.

We tried to fight it.

Neither of us wanted it.

But she calms my fury and I show her a man who accepts every part of her.

Now we're trying to figure out how to be together.

Because when the need for each other is this strong, to deny it will only cause complete havoc.

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My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“Against all my better judgements, and against the voice screaming out no in my mind, I nodded, got on my bike and told her to get on behind me.”

“If you bring me back fruit cake of any kind, there will be hell to pay.”

“Havoc’s hands were one of my favorite parts of him.  They were large and strong.  Powerful.  But to me, they were also safe.  I always felt protected in his hold.”

“His eyes watched me with an intensity that caused my lady bits to start dancing with joy.”

“It’s this feeling of being overwhelmed, of being unsure of where it will end up and hoping it won’t ever end… And it’s a relief to have found my person, the one who accepts me in all my screwed-up glory and loves me in spite of it.  My soul mate.”

“Because sometimes life worked out differently to the plan in our head, and that wasn’t always a bad thing.  Sometimes it was the best #*ing thing in the world.”

My Review:

These characters are a smokin’ hawt combo and cannot speak without using expletives.  Profanity flows from their mouths like a water fountain, so if that would make you uncomfortable – pass this one by.  Written from a dual POV – which I adore, the story is highly erotic and starts off as a fun fling only a sex thing – and they both resist letting it building up to far more.  I adored the character of Carla, she is feisty and not afraid to hold her own and sass back to a dark and scary biker that even his fellow club members keep at a fearful distance.  However, she sees his soft edges and works her way inward, despite his efforts to the contrary. 

A generous sprinkling of highly erotic sensual scenes had me gasping and sputtering, I think it is safe to say that Ms. Levine has certainly mastered the sexy. 

Empress DJ

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Have you met the Storm MC yet?

If you love a dirty talking, alpha biker this bestselling series is one you should check out today!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD STORM FOR FREE

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Author Bio

ESCAPE WITH AN ALPHA

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 love Keith Urban, Maroon 5, Pink, Florida Georgia Line, Bon Jovi, Matchbox 20, Lady Antebellum and pretty much any singer/band that is country or rock.

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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Book Review: Jordan's Way by Barbara Cutrera

Jordan's Way

by Barbara Cutrera

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Jordan, daughter of the famed healer Collum, has always taken pride in her independent nature and in the fact that she’s the only woman on the planet Etherea who possesses “the healer’s gift.” This ability allows healers to sense what is wrong with their patients and, therefore, to treat them more effectively.  Most others respect her because of her talent but consider her an evolutionary mistake.  However, she finds acceptance, excitement, and purpose by treating soldiers in the war camps.  Enjoying her nomadic life, Jordan is comfortable with her uniqueness and doesn’t believe she needs the love of any man in order to be fulfilled.

When she begins to have premonitions and is captured by enemy soldiers, Jordan becomes embroiled in a quest to save the great-niece of her King, a child who is the product of rape and is being used as a pawn by her own father.  The baby will suffer a fate worse than death if she isn’t rescued before her first birthday. Noah, the King’s bastard son, is not only intent on saving his infant cousin and avenging the murder of her mother, but he also knows he’s the ideal match for Jordan.  Like her, he’s respected but is also set apart from others.  Unlike her, his separateness results from the circumstances of his birth and from the berserker rages he succumbs to during battles.  These rages make him the perfect weapon and help to relieve the fury and guilt he’s carried within since his own mother's murder.

As Jordan and Noah travel along the border of Amare in their attempts to find the baby and stop the infant's rapist father from carrying out his evil plot, both come to understand that love and desire are the most important tools they have in their own quest to stay alive and together.  But a twisted part of Noah’s past will threaten his life and sanity.  If Jordan can’t heal him, body and soul, then her final premonition will come true.  If it does, then both of the lovers are doomed. Jordan refuses to accept that outcome, but her strength of will may not be enough to prevent tragic events from robbing her of the future she longs to have with Noah.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“If you’re cut, then you’ll bleed the same blood as this girl here or me.  Your station is more important, but your life itself is not.”

“Each person has his or her strengths and weaknesses.  Yours make you a precious gift, not only to your husband but to every life you touch."

My Review:

Jordan’s Way continued the intriguing fantasy/paranormal/romance/adventure started in The Healer’s Gift, with the healer’s youngest daughter Jordan taking over as the main character.  Their kingdom is at war so the story is more active and volatile with wounds, battles, attacks, betrayals, kidnappings, murders, deaths and all varieties of illnesses for the ever feisty yet compassionate young healer to handle.  She is also traveling around to battle sites treating wounded soldiers, searching for a missing child behind enemy lines, and trying her hand at being in a relationship and finding love for the first time.  Busy girl!  I enjoyed and was greatly relieved by the progressive nature of the story for a historical romance, as Jordan is spunky, independent, respected, and revered for her unique talents and gifts.  Ms. Cutrera has not only created a unique and engaging tale out of thin air, she has created an entire world with two moons, warring kingdoms, and conniving and oddly demented royals.  The story line moved quickly yet was easy to follow and remained unfailingly entertaining.  

Empress DJ

Barbara Cutrera

Born and raised in Louisiana, Barbara Cutrera was destined to be a storyteller. The author of romance, fiction, and mystery novels, she became addicted to reading and creative writing at an early age. However, she didn’t originally plan on becoming an author. She moved to Florida’s Gulf Coast with her husband, son, and Cairn terrier in 2004 and enjoys its relaxed, diverse atmosphere. Barbara, who is visually impaired, believes our minds are only limited by the restrictions we place upon them. She has a passion for writing, reading, family, friends, Nutella, and A & W Cream Soda.  You can learn more about Barbara and her work by visiting her at:

www.onmywayuponline.com

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Cover Reveal: Six by Ker Dukey

Title:SIX (Men By Numbers Series Book 2)

Author: Ker Dukey 

Release Date: 

Please see "A letter from the author"

Cover Designer: Amy Queau

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1O1vWt6

SIX:

I grew up in the foster system and bounced around from place to place… I know what you’re thinking. 

Bad things happened to me and fucked me up?

Don’t feel bad for me. I didn’t know a privileged life therefore I didn’t miss one. 

I was what I was and I made it work. I actually had a few good homes in my lifetime, met some good people but that’s not what my stories about. 

It’s not a Romeo and Juliet saga either, even if our stories do revolve around similar bases. 

I knew a real love, a rare love… a love between two people that were never supposed to fall in love. 

Rival gang members are never allowed to fall in love and it cost us everything. 

The things I learned growing up the way I did is this: 

Love is deadly and often not real. 

People come and go and only the rare few stick around when shit gets tough.

I learned the hard way what lurks behind false smiles and that deceitful truths get whispered in sexual moans. 

I was taught that dark souls are not born but they are created and you can avoid them, hide from them or learn and become them. 

Revenge sculpt and molded me into the darkest of souls and with my wrath comes agony and torment more severe then hell itself. 

I took out six of the men who hurt my woman and I will be coming for the rest. 

Get in my way and I’ll come for you too.

“SIX?”

I awake with a jolt, my hand reaching effortlessly for the blade kept under my pillow. With the other hand I grab the intruder around the neck and bring them down on to the bed. In a quick flurry of movements I’m straddling the invader with the blade to their throat. The room comes into focus and I become fully aware that I'm not stuck in the dream world any longer but reality, when I recognize the wild, scared eyes of Misty Cooper, my new bar manager staring up at me. Her soft, small frame pinned beneath my own.

Just above the sound of her heavy, restricted breathing is that persistent beeping that was in my dream.

“I didn’t know you were here.” She whispers barely audible.

I remove the knife from her throat and stand abruptly from the bed.

Sitting up her eyes widen and then dart to her lap. I hate the paleness of her cheeks and the glisten in her eyes, knowing I caused her fear.

“I’m sorry,” I quickly push past my lips. “I was working late last night, on a clients tattoo so I crashed here.”

“You don’t need to explain.” She tells me shaking her head. She won’t look at me and it makes me fucking angry with myself.

“Misty, look at me?”

...“Ermm, you’re naked.”

Her cheeks flush a beautiful crimson as her eyes dart up to my junk and then quickly back down to her lap, her teeth popping out to worry her bottom lip.

She’s twenty-five years old surely this isn’t the first naked man she’s been around?

“It’s just a dick Misty, I’m sure you’ve seen one before.” I grab the pair of jeans from the chair I slung them over the night before and slip them up my legs.

“Not that big” I hear her mumble under her breath. Folding my arms over my chest. I quirk a brow at her. “What was that?”

Her eyes pop wide and she quickly shakes her head “Nothing, nothing”

A Letter From The Author

Dear my wonderful readers,

As some of you might know (if you follow me on social media) I’m currently ‘very’ pregnant. My daughter is due in less than three weeks and although we are extremely pleased to have our precious gift join us, it has been very tiring and will continue to be so. I’m telling you this to ask that you have patience when it comes to Six’s release. I’m hoping to stay on a steady writing course but we all know baby’s can be unpredictable. As can recovery after surgery, and that’s how our daughter must enter this world.

I have given Six, a July release date to relieve any pressure on my part. I may finish and release sooner but would rather give a later date to begin with than an earlier one and have to push it back. Six is shaping up to be a wonderful, fascinating and extremely yummy character and I know any wait will be worth it. Thank you for your understanding and support, you all mean the world to me and I can’t wait to bring you Six’s story. I hope you like the cover as much as I do, Amy Queau is very talented, and done an amazing job capturing everything I envisioned for this cover.

I would just like to mention a huge thank you to you amazing bloggers. Thank you so much for all your selfless work in sharing this cover and any of my work. As soon as I have dates for arcs an email will be sent out to inform you.

All the best, Ker.

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Book Review: The Healer's Gift by Barbara Cutrera

The Healer's Gift

by Barbara Cutrera

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Ainsland, a virgin widow fleeing from her husband's murderer, and Collum, a healer who possesses supernatural abilities, are brought together by circumstance. What begins as a marriage of convenience for the couple evolves into one of great love and passion. Yet, Collum's tragic past and the ever-looming threat of Ainsland's malevolent pursuer's appearance in their close-knit rural community overshadow their ability to be truly content. When evil strikes and all seems lost, will it be the resilient, headstrong Ainsland who is able to save herself, her husband, and the people she has come to know and cherish or will Collum, determined and wise, somehow manage to rescue the love of his life before time runs out?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“If you don’t talk, then people won’t wonder.”

“I think we don’t trust our hearts as much as we should sometimes.  Yours may be leading you to where you should be.  Whether it’s for good or bad, I can’t say.  It simply is.”

“How I love you, Ainsland.  You are the world to me, a beautiful gift I want to keep near to me every day of my life.”

My Review:

I don’t often dabble in the genres of paranormal, or historical, or fantasy, but I decided I would for Barbara Cutrera - as I love her interesting and sweet stories as well as her thoughtful and gentle characters.  The Healer’s Gift crosses all those genres as well as a sweet romance and steamy sensuality.  I enjoyed all the varied and unique characters and had no problem keeping the large and extended family members straight.  The plot was interesting and evolved quickly, and the storyline was adventuresome, dramatic, emotive, and on occasion - breathtakingly steamy.  I am eager to reenter their world and continue the adventure with the next book in the series Jordon’s Way. 

Empress DJ 

About the Author

Born and raised in Louisiana, Barbara Cutrera was destined to be a storyteller. The author of romance, fiction, and mystery novels, she became addicted to reading and creative writing at an early age. However, she didn’t originally plan on becoming an author. She moved to Florida’s Gulf Coast with her husband, son, and Cairn terrier in 2004 and enjoys its relaxed, diverse atmosphere. Barbara, who is visually impaired, believes our minds are only limited by the restrictions we place upon them. She has a passion for writing, reading, family, friends, Nutella, and A & W Cream Soda.  You can learn more about Barbara and her work by visiting her at:

 www.onmywayuponline.com
 Facebook

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Book Review: Cruel Water by Freya Barker

Cruel Water

by Freya Barker

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Innocence marked her…

Violation crippled her…

Love left her raw…

The life she carefully rebuilt is challenged when she is confronted with the sins from her past. The carefully applied protection is at once ripped away, leaving her exposed and vulnerable.

Her single night of indulgence with the silver-eyed stranger is only the beginning. He sees right to the heart of her and she is unable to ward off emotions that have been deeply buried. With the sting of betrayal still fresh in her soul, she’s surprised to find herself opening up to the honest integrity of the sharp-eyed, rough-looking biker.

When he lost everyone who mattered, he was left without roots and learned to be content simply living in the moment. Completely unprepared for the feisty blonde bartender with old pain marring her clear-blue eyes, he questions his own rules of detachment, as she unwittingly finds a way under his skin.

Appearances deceive and when the masks fall away, revealing deep, dark secrets, there is nothing left but to hang onto each other and survive the storm.

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My Rating:

 Favorite Quotes:

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“‘Red Sox game on Owen’s sixty-inch tiny dick compensation.’ That earns him a slap to the back of the head. I swear, my brothers, in their forties, are no different than they were as teenagers.”

“I don’t think anyone can make the mistake of thinking you’re not capable of looking after yourself, that’s not a question. The point is that those of us, whose knuckles still occasionally scrape the floor, like to take care of what they consider theirs.”

“I’m forty-two years old and have been allergic most of my adult life to anything resembling a relationship.”

“Don’t think for one second that I don’t realize exactly what I have in you. That I don’t know how lucky I am. A beautiful, strong woman, who knows how to stand on her own, yet trusts me enough to let me have her back.”

“Amazing how my brothers can’t find a pair of clean socks to save their lives, but put them in a strange house and they easily find the kitchen.”

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My Review:

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Engrossing, sensual, heartbreaking, emotive, evocative, eventful, dramatic, frighteningly accurate… these are just a few of the adjectives that flit through my addled mind while I contemplate this book and struggle to find the correct order of words to define my reading experience. Ms. Barker’s exceptional gift of realistic, nuanced, and intriguing characters strikes again. I adore these people and would love to know them.

I want an Ike of my own… he is just delicious, perfect, supportive, sensitive, insightful, strong, and a sexual dynamo. I held my breath for fear he was going to back away due to the “continuous cycle of drama that seems to follow me around” that Viv mentioned in an apology. The twisted family dynamic of Viv’s past and present was well portrayed and expertly erected. I had anticipated and feared for the hidden traumas that Viv had long been suppressing, and I really didn’t want to be right… I fretted that the reveal was going to be gut wrenching and overwhelming, yet it was handled so well and with such sensitivity, I was more in awe of Ms. Barker’s skill than anything else.

Freya Barker has been a recent discovery for me and has quickly become one of my favorite authors. She now resides on my must read/must have/will sure die without it list. And yes, I did just channel my inner teen diva… cougars are allowed to do that.

Empress DJ

About the Author

Author of the popular Cedar Tree series, as well as the critically acclaimed standalone “From Dust,” Freya Barker is driven to make her stories about ‘real’ people; with characters who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and some hot, sizzling sex in their lives.

Recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None,” Freya has hit the ground running. She loves nothing more than to meet and mingle with her readers, whether it be online or in person at one of the signings she attends.

With her kids grown and out in the world, Freya has poured her creative energy into spinning story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

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email: freyabarker.writes@gmail.com