Lauren Dane – The Best Kind of Trouble (Hurley Boys #1)

April 19, 2015 lizellyn Books Erotic, Hot Rock Star Hero

Wild rock-star heat with a real relationship to beat. There’s no denying that Paddy is incredibly sexy and passionate. He insists on perfection in the music that he creates. He takes charge in the studio to ensure it even it means occasionally brawling with his brothers. He is also dominant when Natalie and he are going at it. Natalie is a proper librarian and bit of a control freak by day but a dirty salacious girl in private. This balance culminates in hot passion between the two. But their strong personalities and stubbornness make it difficult to iron out real issues in their relationship. Paddy feels an entitlement to Natalie’s trust because he worked hard to gain it. Natalie struggles with a difficult past that makes her extra sensitive. This results in a clash between the two. Trust is truly the crux of all relationships and Natalie sums it up very poetically:

“if I can’t trust you, this isn’t worth the energy.”

“I can’t be honest if I can’t trust you not to be mad when I tell you how I’m feeling.”

This is a great start to a new Lauren Dane series. The Hurley Boys follows after Lauren Dane’s Delicious Series, which followed after the Brown Family series. FYI, you don’t have to start out with the Brown Family series and read in order, but the books are phenomenal and are a must read.

See other Lauren Dane posts:

Lauren Dane – “Laid Bare”

Lauren Dane – “Making Chase”

to Lauren Dane!

S.C. Stephens – Thoughtful

March 3, 2015 lizellyn Books Hot Rock Star Hero

This is part of the Thoughtless Series. In terms of the story line it parallels the the first novel, Thoughtless, but is told from Kellan’s point of view.

Loved Thoughtless? You absolutely MUST read Thoughtful! This is not some regurgitation of Thoughtless with a simple change of POV. It is a completely different emotional ride. A very intense ride. My heart was breaking for 545 pages. S.C. Stephens makes you feel Kellan’s pain. It is everything you were dying to know while you read Thoughtless. Kellan is a very guarded character, so while he speaks certain words, he thinks many other things. It is these other feelings and emotions that are shared in Thoughtful. Yes, he is a “moody artist” and his “moods” are described in an amazingly articulate and heart wrenching manner. It is a roller coaster of emotions as Kellan is brought to feel hope, happiness, and love but then the rug is pulled out from under him and is left falling into a deep pit of despair. I honestly felt it in my stomach as if I were falling, too.

This is a love triangle story like no other. If you only have time to read one romance book this year, this is the one to read.

Check out my other posts about the Thoughtless Series:

S.C. Stephens – Thoughtless

S.C. Stephens – Effortless

S.C. Stephens – Reckless

to S.C. Stephens!

S.C. Stephens – Reckless

February 23, 2015 lizellyn Books Hot Rock Star Hero

This is the 3rd book in the Thoughtless Series

If it is true that you need bad days in order to truly appreciate the good days, then that explains why this book takes the reader on a gut-wrenching emotional ride. STOP reading here – SPOILERS ahead. Usually, I can avoid including spoilers but this book makes me want to share everything and I can’t hold back. Kiera and Kellan continue their epic love affair, but their love continues to get tested. There is no doubt that their love is strong and that they are completely faithful to each other. However, as Kiera’s mom had once pointed out – is Kiera strong enough to be the woman for Kellan? As much I seem to get engrossed in romance novels, I’m not one to cry at weddings. However, Kiera and Kellan’s was my one exception. Their vows to each other were beautiful. Then afterwards, Denny apologizes to Kiera, “For the record, I always thought you were gorgeous. I’m sorry if I didn’t make you feel that way.”

The second best part of the book was the Griffin transformation. The story between Anna and Griffin is always colorful and fun. The birth of their daughter, Gibson (coolest name), brings out a whole new side in Griffin.

(I originally baked this cake in the shape of a Gibson Workhorse for a friend, but it would definitely be perfect for Anna and Griffin’s daughter)

Finally, S.C. Stephens ties up all the relationships, which culminates in an awesome happily-ever-after. Ultimately, her last line in the novel was perfect, “Passion, friendship, love, loyalty, trust . . . if you found the right person . . . you really could have it all.”

THE BEST PART – THOUGHTFUL comes out February 24, 2015 – can’t wait to hear Kellan’s POV.

to S.C. Stephens!

S.C. Stephens – Effortless

February 18, 2015February 17, 2015 lizellyn Books Angst, Hot Rock Star Hero

This is the second in the Thoughtless series. Okay, so Kellan and Kiera still have issues of trust, which is still a very key element of the book. They realize that they both need to learn to trust each other, which is really difficult based on the fact their relationship started as an affair. Will the tour test each of them? Will they be able to stay faithful to each other? I found myself worrying about the characters between the moments I actually had time to read the book. At their most stressful moments, my chest physically ached.

This book is different from the first, as it is also about the development of love. How it can grow and change. One of my favorite lines is when Kiera tells Kellan,”I love you more. I love you enough to let you go and live your dream.” Also, this book has a lot more heat. Kellan is a hot sexually charged rock star – NO DOUBT. But what is surprisingly fabulous is Kellan’s adorable romantic side.

See my other post for the Thoughtless Series:

S.C. Stephens – Thoughtless

to S.C. Stephens!

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!

Kylie Scott – Lead

January 3, 2015 lizellyn Books Angst, Hot Rock Star Hero

This is the the 3rd in the Stage Dive Series.

Unrequited love is a bitch! If you have ever been in that position, enough said. If not, kudos to you.

Lena signs on to look after Jimmy and make sure that he stays sober. Lena is a quick-lipped character with enough chutzpah to stand up to the famous rock star. He’s an irritable handful – only being 6 months sober and going on a self-imposed celibacy stint. He also had a very rough upbringing that makes it nearly impossible for him to recognize love. David, Jimmy’s brother, begs Lena to forgive Jimmy’s screw-ups.

“Don’t break his heart, Lena. Fuck, he barely even knows he has one, but he does. And it’s actually a really good one. Just give him a chance to figure out what to do with it, please?”

Kylie Scott’s words reach out and pierce the heart as Lena admits that she has feelings for Jimmy, but knows she has to leave him to save herself.

See my other posts about the Stage Dive Series.

Kylie Scott – Play

Kylie Scott – Lick

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Kylie Scott – Play

November 2, 2014February 2, 2015 lizellyn Books Erotic, Hot Rock Star Hero

In Play, Mal Ericson is the epitome of a famous rock star drummer that has absolutely no filter on his tongue. The outrageous comments that come out of his mouth had me smiling in amusement the entire book. Awesome dialog! His playful nature made it impossible to put the book down.

For me, the great part about finding this series now is that there are two more waiting for me to read.

to Kylie Scott!

Kylie Scott – Lick

October 24, 2014May 6, 2015 lizellyn Books Erotic, Hot Rock Star Hero

This was my first book by Kylie Scott. Lucky find for me! I totally agree with Evelyn, the main character, she is the “The luckiest fucking girl in the entire world.” Who wouldn’t want a huge rockstar writing love songs for her? David’s quiet gestures towards the end, make him irresistible. I plan to read the next three in the series.

to Kylie Scott!