S.C. Stephens – Thoughtless

February 16, 2015February 18, 2015 lizellyn Books Angst, Hot Rock Star Hero

I just read this book for the second time, because I wanted the story fresh in my mind before Thoughtful releases on Feb. 22, 2015.

This is a painfully wonderful story about a love triangle. The words come off the page and warm the heart with the intensity of love that the characters feel for each other. At the same time, the words choke and crush the heart when the characters are devastated. One of my favorite lines is when Denny tells Kiera, “I want to be someone’s everything. I want fire and passion, and love that’s returned, equally. I want to be someone’s heart. … Even if it means breaking my own[.]”

Why does this story stand out above other love triangles? Well, beside some great writing, all three characters possess a well-crafted balance of positive and negative characteristics that make them both attractive and realistically flawed. Needless to say, Kellan is extremely physically attractive (he is the definitive sexy as all get-out Rock Star), but it is the vulnerability of his heart that makes him incredibly alluring. Kellan’s challenge is dealing with feelings of love that are entirely new to him. In contrast, Denny is a good looking man with an irresistible Australian accent, but he is young and foolishly makes decisions on his own without consulting Kiera. As a side note, I love that both Kellan and Denny’s voices are both similarly one of their most seductive qualities. Lastly, Kiera – the point of the triangle – balances precariously between being considerate, heartless, loving, and selfish. Her naivete and lack of confidence is her ultimate shortcoming. She never comes across as being intentionally mean or malicious.

Finally, this story works so well because the theme is all about trust: trusting one’s own feelings and trusting in another’s person’s love. This applies to relationships of all ages, not just couples in their early twenties.

See my other post for Thoughtless Series:

S.C. Stephens – Effortless

to S.C. Stephens!

Fiction Fan Friday 2/13/15

February 13, 2015February 12, 2015 lizellyn Books Bookish

Great romance authors make the reader fall in love with the characters. The descriptions of their build, the way in which they speak, and their prowess in bed electrify the characters and make them hot and desirable. I love to re-read the best of the best, but sometimes there isn’t enough time. Enjoy these pinterest boards that celebrate some of the most titillating characters and combine both provocative images and amazing quotes.

Drew Evans in Tangled Series by Emma Chase

https://www.pinterest.com/mariskabell/emma-chase-%7E-tangledtwistedtied/

Remy by Katy Evans

https://www.pinterest.com/lilyslibrary/real-mine-remy-by-katie-evans/

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

https://www.pinterest.com/beckybookworm/travis-mad-dog-maddox-3/

Myla Jackson – Boots and Chaps

February 12, 2015 lizellyn Books Cowboy, Erotic, Three or More Galore

This is the 1st book in the Ugly Stick Saloon Series.

Who says it is only a woman’s prerogative to change her mind? Men should be able to change theirs as well. Let’s hear it for a little equality in life. Jackson may have originally claimed not to be into foursomes, but enticing circumstances brought him into the game. His change of heart leads to some wicked fun reading. The mischief scenes are hot and engaging with a realness that welcomely makes it a far cry from unbelievable fantasy erotica.

The women in this book are strong, independent, and aggressive. Jackson may claim to be the master, but Audrey does a lot of topping from the bottom. In addition, the women at the Ugly Stick Saloon on Ladies’ Night are fantastically unruly.

I plan to read more in the series.

to Myla Jackson!

Emma Chase – Tied

February 11, 2015February 10, 2015 lizellyn Books Humor, Rich Racy & Romantic Romeos

I love Drew and I love this book! Drew Evans is the perfect blend of male characteristics, which makes him incredibly sexy. He’s cocky but justifiably arrogant. He’s intelligent and successful in the investment banking world. He’s beautiful. He’s an asshole, but he’s self-aware of it and is honest enough to admit to the shortcomings of his natural male tendencies. He’s not immune to jealousy, which makes him a bit more appreciative. He’s got a practically insatiable libido, but very generous in bed. Drew isn’t afraid of speaking about what’s on his mind, sometimes crass (and funny) and sometimes very romantic. I melted when he told his mom, “If it wasn’t for you-I never would’ve been able to win over a woman like Kate.” And, he’s a wonderful caring father. Of course he believes that seeing a shirtless guy with a baby is a form of “female frigging Viagra.” Overall, Drew is the yin and yang of perfection.

This book was very much worth losing sleep over – I couldn’t put it down. Every page kept my attention. The humor in the book is like frosting that holds a cake together. It makes the whole even more delicious. Emma Chase teases about the gratuitous oral scene. Well hey, I like a little extra frosting on my cake. There are so many funny lines that I would love to quote and share, but I don’t want to spoil the entire book experience.

to Emma Chase!

Jamie McGuire – Beautiful Redemption

February 9, 2015February 8, 2015 lizellyn Books Strong Sexy Supermale

Love those Maddox Men! Maddox Men understand true love – the kind that never ends. Thomas explains the intensity of Travis’s love for Abby, his wife, “I don’t think that [love’s] an adequate word to describe the way he feels about her. Threatening him with losing her is like threatening his life.” For Thomas, Liis may not be his first love, but is undoubtable becomes his last. Liis, gratefully acknowledges, “I wasn’t the first, but I would be the last. That didn’t make me the second prize. It made me his forever.”

Thomas is hot! Any man that can bring a woman to her knees with a kiss alone, is a keeper. He cares immensely about his family, too. And, Liis is excellent for Thomas. She is tough and doesn’t put up with his crap, both at work and elsewhere.

Love is a lot of things: fun, scary, hot, and eternal. This book has got it all. I adore humor in any romance. Shepley’s best man speech at the wedding had me laughing out loud. “[Travis & Abby’s] marriage has reinforced what I’ve always thought and lived by – that stalking, harassment, and inflicting general misery on a woman will eventually pay off.”

to Jamie McGuire!

Abbi Glines – Kiro’s Emily

February 6, 2015February 6, 2015 lizellyn Books Erotic, Rich Racy & Romantic Romeos

This is the 10th Book in the Rosemary Beach Series.

As a fan of the Rosemary Beach Series, I greatly appreciate this gift of a book and addition to the story line. The author/publisher were generous enough to make it free on Amazon. It’s a cool novella that is a prequel to the series. I really like how the author breaks away from standard formula rock star book. Here, Kiro falls for the innocent girl, Emily. Unlike most books, Emily doesn’t actually tame Kiro. He remains true to himself. He doesn’t limit his foul mouth, doesn’t curb his libido, and doesn’t act any less selfless. But what makes him incredibly sexy is the way he focuses all his energy on Emily.

See my other post for the Rosemary Beach Series:

Abbi Glines – “You Were Mine”

to Abbi Glines!

Fiction Fan Friday 2/6/2015

February 6, 2015February 6, 2015 lizellyn Books Bookish

Remy by Katy Evans

https://www.pinterest.com/lilyslibrary/real-mine-remy-by-katie-evans/

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

https://www.pinterest.com/beckybookworm/travis-mad-dog-maddox-3/

Kristen Proby – Come Away With Me

February 4, 2015 lizellyn Books Erotic, Rich Racy & Romantic Romeos

This is Book One in the With Me In Seattle Series (Volume 1)

This is a feel-good book. The frequency of the coupling scenes is inspirational. Luke’s jealousy and protective nature is hot. The drama is sufficient to keep the story moving, but does not make it a stressful read. The ancillary characters, their friends and family, add warmth to the story.

One thing about this book that does stand out for me is the character, Natalie. I love when she stands up to Luke’s sister (who pretty much doesn’t think that Natalie is good enough to date her brother).

And, Natalie has awesome phrases tattooed on her body in multiple languages:

One Step at a Time (in Italian)

Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life. (in Sanskrit)

Love deeply (in Greek)

Happiness Is a Journey (in French)

Forgive (in Italian)

to Kristen Proby!

Lorraine Loveit – Getting Tackled

January 31, 2015February 1, 2015 lizellyn Books Athlete, BDSM, Erotic, Strong Sexy Supermale

This is the 2nd Book in the Playing the Game series.

Beware! Reader may become as addicted to the series as Susie is addicted to getting busy with Brendon. Susie cannot stop herself from being with Brendon even if she doesn’t like many aspects of how he treats her. She admits that she has an

“Unhealthy obsession with him and his body”

How could she give up such a relationship, when he brings her more pleasure than she ever dreamed was possible with a man?

“Being with Brendon it was much more than just sex; it was like being connected with him on a higher level where his true self was revealed.”

Yet still, she wishes that she could change Brendon and make him love her. Can she accept the good with the bad? Does the sex override her other concerns? I don’t know the answer to that question, but the bedroom scenes are scorching hot! The book leaves you craving to know how it will all work out for Susie and Brendon.

See my other posts about the Playing the Game Series:

Lorraine Loveit – Full Time

Lorraine Loveit – Bounce Down

to Lorraine Loveit!

Blue Ashcroft – Deeper

January 29, 2015January 29, 2015 lizellyn Books More Sweet than Sensual

There are all different reasons for choosing the books we read. Usually I choose books based on recommendations or reviews that I read. This time, I chose the book because I thought the author had a cool name. I have a “thing” about names. I always find them to be an important element to a character. I personally spend a huge amount of time when considering names for my characters. I love that Blue Ashcroft chose unique names in this book and explained the motivation of the characters’ parents.

Rain – “My parents are from Texas. My mom says I was as welcome as summer rain.”

Knight – “[My mom] was really into romance novels. She says I saved her life when I was born. She calls me her knight.”

It is a sweet, relatively innocent, romance involving characters that both have a traumatic past. The ending left me feeling satisfied and optimistic.

to Blue Ashcroft!