Skye Warren – Deep

lizellyn Books

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Synopsis

Philip Murphy has all of Chicago under his thumb. Except me. We met in a perfect storm of violence and lust. He saved me and then disappeared from my life. Now I pretend I never knew that kind of darkness. I focus on midterms and campus parties, as if they can wipe the slate clean. Then he turns up outside my dorm room—wounded and barely conscious. He’s the head of a crime syndicate, a powerful man, but he needs me now. There are traitors in his midst. I can help him, but I can’t fall for him. Not again.

Review

This was a very dark romance story.  The beginning was a bit much for me to handle.  Ellie and Philip meet when Philip hides teenage Ellie from a group of men that attempted to gang rape her.

Philip is open about his criminality.  He’ll take any opportunity to take what he wants.  But he isn’t all bad.  “That’s why I stayed away from you for so long, kitten.  Because I cared about you.  Because I f*cking love you, and you deserve better than this.”

Ellie truly believes that she is unloveable.  “I had worked my whole life for acceptance from people who wouldn’t love me back, the princess of lost causes.”  “But I wasn’t enough.  I never had been.  Not for family.  And definitely not for Philip.”

It is sad how both Philip and Ellie think so little of their selves.  This overall dictates an overall feeling of bleakness throughout the story.

While this book is too dark for my personal taste, I found a lot of the story line to be interesting.  And, the story is filled with unexpected turns, which made me want to read until the end.

Purchase Links
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QuW5SL
B&N: http://bit.ly/1oPZc1S
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1PLs0B7
iBooks: http://apple.co/21rRiwB
All Romance: http://bit.ly/1Tf1x39

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About the Author
Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dark romance such as Wanderlust and Prisoner. Praised as a “true mistress of dark erotica”, her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, four dogs, and one evil cat.
Website: http://www.skyewarren.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skyewarren
Twitter: https://twitter.com/skye_warren
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/skyewarren
Instagram: https://instagram.com/skyewarrenbooks
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SkyeWarrenBooks

Jaci Burton – Unexpected Rush

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This book has all the elements that make-up a Play-by-Play Novel.  There’s romance, close knit family, hot athletic men, strong independent female characters, hot sex scenes, and a perfect happily ever after.

Two of my favorite things about the story:

  1. It was great to read about a bi-racial relationship story, where the difference in races wasn’t an issue.
  2. I love the over protective brother.  I’m the baby in the family with 2 older brothers, this part of the story was well done.

All in all, the story is very romantic in a traditional sense, but a bit too predictable.

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See Related Posts:

Jaci Burton – All Wound Up

Jaci Burton – Changing the Game

Jaci Burton – Taking a Shot

Jaci Burton – Quarterback Draw

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Dani René – Broken by Desire

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Lucien’s constant desire for Cassandra was impressive.  Pretty much anything she says, does, or wears gives him a hard-on.  After 171,00 words, and reading about the state of his length, I was achy.  Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, I wasn’t able to conjure him into reality from the well-written pages.

I really liked Cassandra, imperfections and all.  She is independent and doesn’t reveal her secrets.  I love her ability to move on with her life even when she’s been wrecked.

Then there’s Jayce – oh my my.  He’s the slutty character that you can’t really pin down but is genuinely lovable.

The plot is filled some great twists!  If you enjoy something new in a romance story, you seriously have to read this book.

The steamy scenes in this book are like a volcano that erupts for days – explosive, intense, and enduring.

 

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Mature audiences only, this story covers a few darker themes and topics.
The following story contains dark mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers.

Buy Links –

http://amzn.to/1X0VCx5

http://apple.co/1PSVwYC

See Related Post:

Dani René – Ace of Harts

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https://www.instagram.com/danireneauthor/

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Helena Hunting – Pucked

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YAY!!  I finally got to read Pucked.  It had been on my TBR for a while.  I had heard so many great things about the book I was starting to worry that it wouldn’t live up to the hype.  NO  WORRIES!  This book is fantastic.  It’s hot, fun, sexy, and humorous – sometimes all at the same time.  The open and often awkward conversations between Violet and Alex are part of what makes this remarkably unique.

If you didn’t know, the book centers around (pun intended) the captain and center for the Chicago Blackhawks.

This book was so good that even I, a huge St. Louis Blues fan and Blackhawk despiser, fell in love with the story and characters.

The gift giving is a little over the top, but the fun possibilities with a $1000 gift card to Victoria’s Secret is a thrill to the imagination.

See Related:

Blackhawks Birthday Cake

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Grace Risata – My Dirty Detour

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This is a very unique story.  It’s like a combination of Alice in Wonderland and Pleasantville meets Mob Wives.  Here, Violet falls down a rabbit’s hole (gets lost on a deserted road); falls into a different era of mentality (she compares it to the 1950’s); and she finds herself face to face with reality stars from a mafia show that she watches.

Violet is an amazingly crazy and intriguing character.  Admittedly, she is an “enigma,” as Rocky points out, “You’re afraid of uncooked meat, but you can shoot an assault rifle?”  She’s an endless treat with all of her unfiltered comments.

Rocky believes himself to be a violent monster, but his heart, loyalty, and intelligence makes him extremely lovable.

The Italian, Russian, Ukranian, and Latino side characters are utterly fantastic: from the way they talk to the way they dress to the way they treat one another are utterly entertaining.

This story is filled with twist after twist.  There isn’t any predictability with the story, which makes it a great read.

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Friday’s Five Star Finds – February 19

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Five Star Books

Five Star Books that I’ve reviewed in the past week

(click on book to read the review)

February 26

The Master by Tara Sue Me

February 19

Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren

February 12

Boiling Point by Tessa Bailey

Wild Aces by Marni Mann

A Sudden Crush by Camilla Isley

January 29

Brave Enough by M. Leighton

January 22

Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines

Prince Hudson by Lily Cahill

January 1

Blood Kiss by JR Ward

She Whom I Love by Tess Bowery

What Five Star Books have you read lately?

J.C. Valentine – Forbidden Valentine

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This isn’t a hearts and roses Valentine book.  It’s shockingly humorous.  I was a bit embarrassed when I couldn’t control my laughter and cackled loudly.  Scene after scene is more amusing than the next.

Honestly, I’ve read a hundreds of romance books, but this one wins for most astonishing.  Even after a little research on the internet, I’m still astounded.

I won’t spoil the best lines, but I’m compelled to include this one from a side character:

“If men weren’t so gosh darned sexy with all those muscles and flirty smiles and round, apply bottoms and dicks, I’d go lesbo in a heartbeat.”

Don’t fret, there’s also enough sappy phrases to give the book a traditional romantic feel.

“You’re mine now, Dani.  You’re the only woman I’ve ever allowed in my home, in this bed, and after tonight, you’re the last one I want in here. … I may not be any good for you, but you’re damn well perfect for me.”

See Other J.C. Valentine Posts:

JC Valentine – S.O.B.

Buy Links for Forbidden Valentine (Forbidden, #4)
 
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1oeJv3p
Amazon PRINT: amzn.to/1U258QH
Goodreads: bit.ly/1RSFluA
 
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Buy Links for Dance for Me (Forbidden, #1):
 
Amazon: amzn.to/1oCrJr2
Amazon PRINT: amzn.to/1QBJwp3
Goodreads: bit.ly/1LoOLqf
 
Buy Links for Lie to You (Forbidden, #2):
 
Amazon: amzn.to/1ohsJBj
Amazon PRINT: amzn.to/1ThN9VJ
Goodreads: bit.ly/1cThb0e
 
Buy Links for Fall for Him (Forbidden, #3):
 
Amazon: amzn.to/1QghdMq
Amazon PRINT: amzn.to/213r009
Goodreads: bit.ly/1SROfnY
Buy Link for the first 3 books in the Forbidden Series (Dance for Me, Lie to You, Fall for Him): amzn.to/1g0I5VK

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ABOUT J.C. VALENTINE

JC Valentine

J.C. Valentine is the USA Today and International bestselling author of the Night Calls and Wayward FightersSeries and the Forbidden Series. Her vivid imagination and love of words and romance had her penning her own romance stories from an early age, which, despite being poorly edited and written longhand, she forced friends and family members to read. No, she isn’t sorry.

J.C. earned her own happily ever after when she married her high school sweetheart. Living in the Northwest, they have three amazing children and far too many pets and spend much of their free time together enjoying movies or the outdoors. Among the many hats she wears, J.C. is an entrepreneur. Having graduated with honors, she holds a Bachelor’s in English and when she isn’t writing, you can find her editing for fellow authors.

Sign up for J.C.’s newsletter and never miss a thing! http://bit.ly/1KxXWWB

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Pinterest • Google+ • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads

S. Valentine – His Confession

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This is the ultimate romance reader’s dream.  Woman in a stifling-sexless relationship dives into a sex-driven, indulgence-filled relationship.

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This book has the heat of erotica and plot to keep the reader intrigued.  The sex is off the charts, but the struggle with trust is real.

There’s nothing sexier than the mutual ecstasy between Gabi and Darion.  “She loved the sounds of appreciation that he made, that he enjoyed every bit of it, as did she.”

Darion’s philosophy in life is “[W]e should stick to what gives us pleasure in life.  We only get one chance, ya know, why limit ourselves?”

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The one thing that bothered me about the story was all the smoking, which is why I reduced my rating from 5 stars to 4 stars.  It’s not that the smoking made me dislike the character.  There are many books where I hate the character (btw a great sign of writing) and have awarded a 5 star.  The smoking element, persistence, and timing added an “icky” factor that I simply couldn’t ignore.  Otherwise, the book is really great.  I look forward to reading the next one.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon.com – http://amzn.to/1X8CLAb eBook

Amazon.co.uk – http://amzn.to/1T2R9uw eBook

Amazon.com – http://amzn.to/1QbjhFh

Amazon.co.uk – http://amzn.to/20Z8PZi

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Author Bio:

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ABOUT S.VALENTINE

Valentine grew up in England. Studying English language and literature, as well as law, she worked in a solicitors for many years before moving to Spain. She does however still visit the UK, which in a way, will always be home.

Returning to her lifelong passion of writing books, she’s also a weekly columnist for The Ibizan newspaper on: lifestyle and fashion. Her other interests include reading, shopping and a nice glass of wine to shows such as Sons Of Anarchy, Dexter, Gossip Girl and SATC. She’s a social media addict, and loves connecting with new people.

For more information, please visit: www.s-valentine.wix.com/books.  If you join her newsletter, you will be the first to receive sneak peeks of chapters, teasers, news, giveaway prizes and more!

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