Stacking the Shelves #33

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews where you can share books obtained via the bookstore, the library, online, through trade, borrowed from friends, gifted and/or received for review that you're adding to your shelf.

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Just ebooks again this week so no video because my laziness is at its peak ;)

|ForReview|

From Edelweiss and Netgalley, respectively.

Thanks to Gallery and Strange Chemistry (Angry Robot)

|ebooksbought|

Couldn't resist the Kindle deals for these two!

|Freebie|

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Being good is so hard when there are so many books I want to buy!

*curses being a broke college student*

What did you get?

Blog tour: Private Practice by Samanthe Beck Review

click on the banner to check out the rest of the tour!

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Private Practice by Samanthe Beck
Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Brazen)
Publication Date: February 23, 2013
Format: ebook, 263 pages
Rating: 4.5/5
Get it: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Books on Board

He’ll teach her how to bring a man to his knees…

Dr. Ellie Swan has a plan: open her practice in tiny Bluelick, Kentucky, so she can keep an eye on her diabetic father, and make hometown golden-boy Roger Reynolds fall in love with her. But Ellie has a problem. Roger seeks a skilled, sexually adventurous partner, and bookish Ellie doesn’t qualify.

Tyler Longfoot only cares about three things: shaking his bad boy image, qualifying for the loan his company needs to rehab a piece of Bluelick’s history, and convincing Ellie to keep quiet about the “incident” that lands him on her doorstep at two a.m. with a bullet in his behind.

The adorable Dr. Swan drives a mean bargain, though. If sex-on-a-stick Tyler will teach Ellie how to bring a man to his knees, she’ll forget about the bullet. Armed with The Wild Woman’s Guide to Sex and Tyler’s lessons, Ellie is confident she can become what Roger needs…if she doesn’t fall for Tyler first.

My Review

You know when you love something so much you want to always be around it? Well, I felt this way with Private Practice by Samanthe Beck the second I finished it. The whole book was lovely, charming, and alluring. Short and sweet, I relished the story within Private Practice and loved every waking moment I spent with this book.



Intelligent, inexperienced and one research-everything fanatic, Ellie, was a total sweetheart. When this girl put her mind into something, she didn’t hold back or let anything stop her! She was determined to win over the guy she had been pining for and she was willing to do everything and anything. Ellie was brave girl for stepping up and asking help from Tyler in her not so much experience in the sex department. I found her to be slightly awkward, but cute as a freaking button. Her smart talk and critical thinking skills were completely endearing, which also made her a unique and refreshing character. I loved that Ellie was passionate about her work and cared for her father even when he didn’t appreciate her. I especially loved Ellie’s crazy driving and her inability at avoiding the most awkward and embarrassing encounters!


Tyler was the old high school bad boy that the town could never get enough of. He totally exuded sex-me-up all the way, but in reality, Tyler was a really great guy. He thought about others and he cared deeply and had a great sense of loyalty towards his friends. He was very serious about his construction business and not only was he responsible, but reliable too. He really helped Ellie and made her realize and feel that she really was sexy, in and out. I loved that Tyler had a protective nature and that he liked to be in control, but he wasn’t controlling or demanding in an aggressive way. I thought he was a Renaissance man; good at nearly everything he put his mind to, not perfect, but still amazing.

I adored the storyline of Private Practice! Having Tyler help Ellie be wilder in bed with all those references to Ellie’s chapters was just hilarious. I really enjoyed both of them coming together, (no pun intended) getting to know one another physically and emotionally, and seeing that each of them were not who they originally thought. I thought Samanthe Beck made Ellie and Tyler have different personas, but deep inside both of them they were the same. This made their connection undeniably strong and I really felt how much understanding and appreciation was between Ellie and  Tyler’s relationship. They just get each other and this made me get them and I loved this dynamic that Beck brought to life. While I can say that Private Practice was predictable and proved all my theories to be correct in the end, there was no way I could have loved this book any less because it just straight up entertained me to no end. It was cute, funny, a very quick and fact-paced read, just the way I like ‘em. 



Overall, Private Practice was brilliantly crafted! If I can have a good time while reading a book and wish for more while still leaving me satisfied, I know... it’s a keeper.

Read an excerpt here!

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Favorite Quotes

"Oh. My. God. Hell-raising, cherry-popping Tyler Longfoot is standing in your kitchen, about to drop his pants." Location 175.

"Son of a-- Are you amputating half my ass back there?" "Not yet. Don't distract me." "Take you time." Location 199.

"None came anywhere close to that kiss with Ellie. It felt like hurtling into a new adventure and coming home at the same time." Location 383.

"Uh-huh, right. You couldn't find your tonsils so he stopped by to help you look for them. Search to be continued this Friday. If you want my advice, you should have him hunt for something really important, like your G-spot." Location 676.

"So, do I need to grade this extracurricular stuff, like those sexy little sounds you make when you're about to come, or are we ready to shop?" Location 1709.

"Having reached the top of his inseam, she shifted her hands around to the front of his thighs and squeezed. "They do." Holy shit, he was going to die." Location 2088.

"Tyler... please." "I am here to please," he whispered against her skin." Location 2152.

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About the Author

Sam was transfixed from an early age with any tale featuring a handsome prince, a great dress, and, of course, the all-important kiss, and eventually aspired to write her own happily-ever-afters. Naturally, she became a lawyer. The legal world heaved a sigh of relief a few years ago when Samanthe retired from law to take the plunge as a writer.

When not living the glamorous life of a romance author (i.e., chained to her computer), Samanthe keeps busy with the care and feeding of her extremely patient prince-charming of a husband, a not-so-patient ball of energy known as their son, a furry ninja named Kitty, and Bebe, the trash talkin’ Chihuahua. Their love, support, and willingness to eat Pizza Hut three or more times a week enables Samanthe to pursue her literary dreams.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Blog tour: Protecting What's His by Tessa Bailey Review + Giveaway!

click on the banner to check out the rest of the tour stops

Welcome to my stop for Entangled's blog tour for Protecting What's His by Tessa Bailey!

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Protecting What's His by Tessa Bailey (Line of Duty #1)
Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Brazen)
Publication Date: February 23, 2013
Format: ebook, 273 pages
Rating: 5/5 million stars!
Get it: Amazon | B&N

She’s running from the law, and the law wants her bad.

The opportunity was just too damn delicious for Ginger Peet to pass up. The purse full of money she finds—$50,000 to be exact—could give her and her teen sister the new start they need. So she grabs the cash, her gothy sibling, and their life-sized statue of Dolly Parton, and blows outta Nashville in a cloud of dust. Chicago, here we come...

Turns out, Chicago has some pretty hot cops. Hot, intense, naughty-lookin’ cops like Derek Tyler, who looks like he could eat a girl up and leave her begging for more. And more. Tempting as he is, getting involved with the sexy homicide lieutenant next door poses a teensy problem for a gal who’s on the lam. But one thing is certain—Derek’s onto her, and he wants more than just a taste.

And as far as he’s concerned, possession is nine-tenths of the law.

My Review

Two questions: Who turned up the temperature and where is the ice water?!



Because Protecting What’s His by Tessa Bailey was mouthwateringly-spellbindingly-one hundred and ten percent burningly hot hot hot. I craved this book when I was away from it and I couldn’t get enough while I was reading it. It’s an understatement to say that this book was capital A-mazing!


Ginger was one feisty girl! She was willing to do whatever it was needed of her to survive the life given to her. She was sassy as hell, tough and independent to the core. She was a sweet person who was cute and completely likable. Ginger was a very strong and capable woman despite her mistakes and fleeting doubts about herself. Some of the decisions she made were not necessarily bad, but a lapse in judgment, but yet her heart and good intentions were always there. Ginger was a wonderful sister, always taking care of and thinking of Willa first. Thoughtful, heart-warming and with a lovely sense of humor, Ginger was a great heroine that wasn’t entirely perfect, but impressive nonetheless. 


Honorable protector by day and dangerous dirty-talker in bed at night, Derek Tyler was an addictively, irresistible sex god. The man made me weak in the knees and had my heart flying. Derek was arrogant and oozed confidence, but he was loyal, strong, and a real charmer in every way. I loved how he could be rough and gentle all at once. He was a great leader and loved being a Lieutenant and it showed when he was on the job. I loved how he could really push Ginger’s buttons. He was totally demanding and infuriating at times, but possessive and protective of Ginger in a very endearing way. He really dug deep and gave his all for Ginger and stepped up when he needed to. He was very understanding and never too quick to judge Ginger’s character or her actions. Derek did his best to break down Ginger’s walls and not once did he waver. He was in it all the way and I completely swooned with all his persistence and bone chilling lines. Derek Tyler is sex on a stick and if I could, I'd take a bite. 

There are some books where you want to savor it page by page and some books you must devour and speed through it like a starving man who went without food for ages. This book was not one or the other, but both. Tessa Bailey created this sizzling sexy masterpiece with the best amount of passion, lust, love and one liners to last me a lifetime. I absolutely loved the storyline with all the drama, sister dynamics, crazy criminals, and intense and flirty encounters. Her writing just blew my mind because this book had an amazing build up and perfect development from the plot to the characters and beyond. The hot and bothered scenes in this book won’t just make you flail or swoon, but will have you desperately wishing you were Ginger. I won’t be surprised if readers lose their underwear for this one! It’s too steamy sexy for our own good! 



Overall, Protecting What’s His has two well written and developed characters, a sensual plot-line and was not just clever and satisfying, but damn straight arousing! 

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About the Author

Tessa lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and young daughter. When she isn't writing or reading romance, Tessa enjoys a good argument and thirty-minute recipes.

Connect with Tessa:

Website | Twitter

GIVEAWAY

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REVIEW: The Valentine's Arrangement by Kelsie Leverich

Title: The Valentine's Arrangement (Hero for the Holidays #1)
Author: Kelsie Leverich
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication Date: January 31, 2013
Format: ebook, 150 pages
Rating: 4.5/5
Get it: Amazon | B&N 

Ronnie Clark, an edgy tattoo artist with hopes of high tailing it out of the forsaken Military town she followed her now ex-fiancé to, is counting down the days until Valentine’s Day is over. Ronnie doesn’t do romance. She doesn’t do flowers or dates, and she sure as hell doesn’t do love—not anymore. After her fiancé slept with a female solider while deployed, she has vowed never to fall in love again, especially with a soldier.

Sergeant First Class Kale Emerson is home on his mid-tour leave from Iraq, but he only has one thing on his mind—returning to his deployment to finish leading his soldiers on their mission. The last thing he wants is a relationship, but casual sex, that’s a different story. And when he meets the renowned tattoo artist Ronnie Clark, a snarky, blunt, takes no prisoners kind of woman, that seems to be all he can think about.

But when Kale realizes he has met his match with a bombshell woman who is hell bent against love, will just sex be enough? And if it’s not, will he be able to convince Ronnie that the proverbial hearts and flowers aren’t so bad after all, even if he is a soldier?

My thoughts, feelings, and reactions

The Valentine’s Arrangement was a fast-paced, sexy, and enthralling read. 



Ronnie was one tough, bold, and blunt tattoo artist that I totally looked up to and loved so so much. She was strong and confident and just cool in every aspect. Even better was her fierce, snarky, and don’t-give-a-shit attitude. Even though she was this total force to be reckoned with she had a vulnerable side that was there deep down and behind her tough exterior. I loved how she was guarded, yet learned to open her heart in the end. Ronnie was definitely no damsel in distress, she could hold her own and defend herself without a problem. Ronnie was not the type of girl to be messed with and because of her intensity, I may have developed a serious girl crush on her.



Then you have sweet, strong, and super sexy love interest, Kale, who endlessly made me swoon like no other. This man has got game and he definitely brings it. He was not afraid to tease and torment Ronnie at any chance he could get and he was not afraid to stand up to her attitude either! Kale was definitely a hero in my eyes, one who totally made me fall for him instantly. He was so determined to prove Ronnie wrong and to deem himself worthy of Ronnie’s attention and I loved how he never gave up on her even when she continued to push him away relentlessly. 



Leverich does an astounding job of drawing out the sexual tension and feelings between Ronnie and Kale. Even in such a short novel, I never felt that it was rushed or forced in any way. The development of Ronnie and Kale’s relationship felt natural and believable. Add in the funny interactions, clever comebacks that just make you grin and the hot sexy scenes that will make you shiver and you're in for a short and sizzling read. 



Ronnie and Kale are just too irresistible! If you are looking for a quick, easy, and guilty pleasure read, this one is for you!



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Favorite Quotes

All quotes are specifically spoiler-free favorites

"Needless to say, Ronnie was not a fan of the lovey, dovey mushy shit; in fact, that was putting it graciously." Location 47.

"Apparently her fiance had a problem keeping it in his pants while he was gone, and his squad's female medic just so happened to be the lucky one to help him with this little, and she did mean little dilemma." Location 76.

"For the record Sweetheart, I wasn't mind fucking you, but thank you for putting that image in my head." Location 178.

"Why did he have to come in here looking like a walking ad for sexy 'r' us?" Location 222.

"He was all hands and mouth and raw fucking desire; and right now, this was what she wanted." Location 534. 

"I don''t have a problem with pain, baby. Touch me wherever your little heart desires," Location 1113. 

Stacking the Shelves #31

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews where you can share books obtained via the bookstore, the library, online, through trade, borrowed from friends, gifted and/or received for review that you're adding to your shelf.

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I got a ton of ebooks this past two weeks and 

to show you in a video would be daunting and extremely long! 

|ebookmadness|

Make sure to click on the cover to redirect you to the Goodreads page.

Great Exploitations by Nicole Williams (gifted - Thanks Nicole)

Against the Wall by Rebecca Zanetti (for review - Thanks Entangled)

Two books that came in last week that I pre-ordered.

& that's it! what did you get?

Blog Tour: None of the Regular Rules by Erin Downing + Giveaway

Welcome to my stop of the None of the Regular Rules blog tour, hosted by the lovely, Giselle @ Xpresso Book Tours! Today, you be able to read my review and see why I thoroughly enjoyed this book and also enter the tour wide giveaway too! 

None of the Regular Rules 

by Erin Downing

Publication Date: November 20, 2012

Format: ebook* 260 pages

Rating: 5/5

Get it: Amazon

Sometimes, a few dares can change lives…

The weekend before the start of senior year, Sophie Erickson and her best friends, Ella and Grace, discover a handwritten list of dares tucked away in the glove compartment of Sophie’s beat-up old Toyota. But this isn’t just any list; it’s a dead girl's bucket list.

Sophie's beloved aunt Suzy died as a teenager in a fatal fall, leaving Sophie with an overly cautious family, a few fading photographs, and a bucket of bolts that barely passes for a car. But now, Sophie has Suzy’s list of the things she wanted to do in her last year of high school. Sophie can't help but wonder: What would happen if she tried to fulfill Suzy’s last wishes, to live out the longed-for life of her aunt, her hero?

As Sophie and her friends attempt to knock off the things on Suzy's list of dares, love blossoms in unexpected places and Sophie begins to feel that her life is finally coming together...when in fact, everything is slowly unraveling around her. When the truth about a long-held family secret threatens to shatter everything she believed to be true, Sophie is forced to question everything she knew about the life and people she believed in, and ultimately herself.

My Review

None of the Regular Rules by Erin Downing was one book I opened up, started to read, and before I knew it I was at the end wondering how in the world I got there. I lost all track of time when reading this book. It’s not enough to say that I loved, enjoyed, adored, and ravished this book with all of my being.

Main character Sophie, and one amazing one at that, was the quiet, kept to herself kind of girl. She wasn’t extraordinarily beautiful nor popular in any high standard, but was down to earth and an easy going type of person that you could not help but like. She was the type of character you could have met in real life and become friends with easily. I loved the way she carried herself, her little quips and quirks, and the quiet confidence and self-assurance she had but didn’t know she did. To me, Sophie was more than comfortable in her skin. She was scared of the future, but determined to do something, be someone, and not fade into the background. She was in no way perfect, flawed in every aspect, but real in every sense. 

The idea of finding a bucket list and going through the notion of fulfilling everything on that list was a very interesting twist that drew me in from the beginning. Better yet, I loved that there was a story, something meaningful behind the list for Sophie. It wasn’t just a list to complete, but a sort of way to honor and remember Sophie’s beloved aunt. It was the opening that gave Sophie the courage to do things she has never done before and I reveled in her new found outlook in her life.

I really enjoyed the dynamic friendship between Sophie, Ella and Grace. They were like the the Gilmore Girls, only plus one with their clever, never ending banter. It was obvious how close and deep their friendship was. I love how they were open with one another, looked out for each other, and had the right mind to keep each other in check when one of them got out of hand. Their friendship was one I knew that could stand the test of time and distance even when things were looking up and mostly when things were looking down. 

The romance in this book was very light, but in the best and most sweet and heart warming way. It was no where near the main focus of the story, but a lovely addition nonetheless. Johnny Rush was an adventure; loud and outgoing and loved by all. He was fun and did what he wanted, when he wanted without the care of what others thought. He was a cool guy that I was immediately taken with as much as Sophie, if not more. I thought he was great with Sophie and while I wished there were way more moments with them then there were, the ones given were just perfect. 

Although the truth about the family secret surrounding Sophie’s aunt Suzy didn’t surprise or shock me, because I suspected, it really hurt Sophie and in turn, hurt me as well. I thought this twist really changed Sophie and continued to allow her to see her life in another light before she found the list and it allowed her to grow more. She was lost, but she found herself again and that was the important part. None of the Regular Rules was not only amusing and highly entertaining, it was really insightful. It makes you want to reevaluate the life you're living now the way Sophie does. 

Overall, this book was an amazing coming of age kind of story that will truly please all. It was all about truth, finding yourself, true friendships, having fun, and finding your happiness. It had the take home message of letting go what is not good for you, taking chances when necessary, and not changing yourself for others. 

*Thanks to Giselle and Erin Downing for sending a copy for review

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The GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author

Erin Downing has written more than a dozen books for young adults, tweens, and kids. Her guilty pleasures include an unhealthy obsession with reality TV and cheesy romantic dramas (Revenge! Alias!), an addiction to Us Weekly magazine, and cupcakes.

Before turning to writing full time, Erin worked as a book editor, spent a few months as a cookie inventor, and also worked for Nickelodeon. Erin has lived in England, Sweden, and New York City, and now resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband and kids. More information about Erin and her books can be found at: www.erindowning.com.

Connect with Erin:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

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FOLLOW THE REST OF THE TOUR

REVIEW: Mind Games by Kiersten White

Title: Mind Games (Mind Games #1)
Author: Kiersten White
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: February 19, 2013
Format: egalley* 256 pages
Rating: 5/5
Get it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

My Review

Mind Games is another masterpiece that I completely loved from Kiersten White! She has done it again, simply sweeping me off my feet with another amazing story. Mind Games has a stunning combination of the bond and love between two sisters, suspense and edge that will surely be loved by old and new fans all around. 

I’ve been smitten with White’s work the moment I finished Paranormalcy and Mind Games was further proof of her excellent and outstanding writing style. She has this touch, this ability to create unique voices and personalities in every character she makes and it’s more prominent here between her two main characters, Fia and Annie. The swift and easy way of her storytelling always impresses me to no end. There is something about her writing that flows smoothly without trying that I can never get enough of no matter how many books she may write. Mind Games was really different from her pervious books and that’s what I love most about it. It’s darker, more mature and ten times more thrilling. Kiersten White really ups her game and I was throughly dazzled. 


Between Fia and Annie, I loved Fia more from the very beginning. For me, Fia was just more interesting, more of a mystery and very hard to figure out. She was such a complex character that had so many different sides that always kept me guessing on what she would do next. Fiercely Fia, is what I call her, and she got more spunk and backbone that all the other characters in this book combined. Somewhat broken, a little spazzy and filled with energy, Fia brings out the life of this book in every way. I looked up to Fia for her strength, intelligence, and her cunning ability to fight and defend herself with little to no ease, but mostly for the continued sacrifices she makes on behalf of the safety of her sister. Troubled and internally tortured, Fia struggles with right and wrong and the consequences of her instincts despite the good and the bad. The best thing about Fia was her unwavering loyalty to Annie and the fact that her bravery was seemingly endless even in the face of her most deepest fears. 

While I didn’t love Annie the way I did with Fia, I did like her to some extent. I thought Annie was a little more serious compared to Fia’s spunky attitude. She was just as protective as Fia, even when she felt like she couldn’t really protect her all that much. I like that Annie was able to give some attitude and dish it even when she was scared and even when she truly couldn’t see. I had a soft spot for Annie because of the guilt she carried for the death of parents and for Fia’s unraveling. I could see the burden she carried and blame she put on herself for everything that has happened and it ate away at me that she would feel this way. Quiet and reserved, Annie wasn’t afraid to risk her life for Fia. She may have seemed weak, but she was strong and able to handle herself far more than I would have thought she could. In the end, I did end up admiring Annie just a little bit more. 

There was definitely many elements going on in this book that White allows us to grasp and understand, but I could always tell that there was so much more to the story and what was truly going on with the Keane Foundation. The special abilities from Seers, Readers and Feelers are slightly touched upon enough to give way to intrigue and fascination. I loved the aspect of exploitation and black mail because it was entirely different from what I usually read in books lately. The best part of this book was the alternating point of view’s between Fia and Annie and all the flashbacks that were weaved in between the chapters. These flashbacks allowed the story to come full circle and to connect any dots and tie any loose ends. It was not only insightful, but it helped moved the story and explain any questions along the way. I’m excited for the next installment because I have a feeling things are just only beginning for Fia and Annie.


Overall, Mind Games wasn’t a simple story about romance, but of two sisters who love each other so much and would go to so many lengths to protect each other no matter what. This book will enrapture from start to finish and leave you holding your breath for more. 

*Thanks to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for sending a copy for review

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Favorite Quotes:

All quotes are subject to change from eARC to finished copy.

"'If anything happens to her, I'll never have to see for you again because there will be nothing left in the world I care about.' 'You're not the only one who cares about her.'" Location 304.

"Most people lie with words; I lie with my whole body. I lie with my thoughts and emotions; I lie with everything that makes me who I am. I'm the best liar in the whole entire world." Location 504.

"His voice gets tight. Daddy issues. I wish I had daddy issues. Though I suppose I have issues with his daddy." Location 928.

"'If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does anyone give a crap?' I mutter." Location 996.

"But his hands are on my neck and in my hair and tracing my collarbone and it is wrong but it feels right, it feels like falling and I know the impact at the bottom will probably kill me, but I don't care anymore." Location 1395. 

REVIEW: Down for the Count by Christine Bell

Title: Down for the Count (Dare Me #1)
Author: Christine Bell
Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Brazen)
Publication Date: October 1, 2012
Format: Kindle ebook, 128 pages
Rating: 5/5
Get it: Amazon | B&N

Truth or dare…

When Lacey Garrity finds her groom in flagrante delicto in the reception hall closet with her bridesmaid, she's saved by her best friend’s older brother—childhood tormentor, crush, and boxing bad boy Galen Thomas. Galen’s solution is both exciting and dangerous. What better way to forget the mess of her life than go on her honeymoon with a hot guy who can’t promise anything beyond today?

…or TKO?

Galen had been counting on Lacey's wedding to put her out of reach—and out of his mind—once and for all, but their steamy Puerto Rican escape is testing all his boundaries. Now that Lacey’s embracing her inner bad girl, Galen is tempted to throw in the towel and claim her for himself. But with the biggest fight of his career on the line and an important business merger threatening to derail Lacey’s resolve, their romance might be down for the count before it even begins.

My thoughts, feelings, and reactions

Down for the Count had the perfect combination of sexy, steamy, fun and sweet romance. Not only will this book have you grinning from ear to ear, but it will also have you laughing out loud during the most awkwardest moments ever! I loved this! A short read, but a sizzling one nonetheless. 

Lacey gets the biggest wake up call and set back of her life when her not-even-24-hour-wedded-husband decided to hit the sack with her best friend-bride’s mate in a closet during their wedding reception. Does Lacey break down and cry? No way in hell. She ends everything right then and there. All her life, Lacey has listened to the demands of her mother, always doing what is best for their law firm, what’s best not for her, but for her mother because that’s what mother wants. At first it seemed like Lacey was a push over when it come to her family, and quite frankly she was. However, I found Lacey to be smart, sweet, and possibly a quiet freak in the sheets. Once she got away from her mother, Lacey started to open up and do things for fun. She was her still sensible self with added flare. I liked Lacey’s innocence and her endearing personality. 



My favorite character, by far, was Galen. That man was downright sensational. He was sweet and caring towards Lacey. He basically helped her out of her shell and showed her a real good time. He was a great friend and even greater lover. He was a good influence over Lacey, no matter what hesitation she felt. He allowed her to have fun and finally break out of the confinement her mother had kept her in. Strong, determined, and charming, Galen was one of the best things about this novel. 

Christine Bell’s writing was amazing. She starts off Down for the Count with a bang! The first page was all I needed to keep me going. Her writing was simplistic, yet addictive. She writes with such ease, the flow of the whole story was just lovely. She developed Lacey and Galen’s characters tremendously and gives them the room to grow throughout the book. The scenes between them are endearing, hilarious and spicy. I loved every moment of this book and so much more. There really is no question or wonder on why I ended up reading this book in one sitting!

Overall, Down for the Count was a well written novel that stayed with me for a very long time. This book will surely keep readers up at night, itching to get to the end. 

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Favorite Quotes:

"Dear Satan. I don't know why you're testing me, but I don't like it. No love, Galen." Location 221.

"He was.. everything. Gorgeous and funny and smart and strong." Location 587.

"I don't think it, squirt. I know it. It's like water's wet, the sky is blue, Lacey looks fine as hell in her bikini.' He shrugged. 'Facts are facts.'" Location 810.

"Sure, he wanted to make her feel better, but at this rate, he was going to have a Guinness Book- worthy case of blue balls. Location 816.

"'You coming?' she called over her shoulder. Not yet, but that could be arranged in short order. Damn, he was a perv. He really needed to something about that." Location 827.

"'And this one? This is because I want you so bad, it's makes me question my sanity.'" Location 1258. 

"'If you were with me, I'd love you so hard, you wouldn't need two princes. I'd be your king and you'd be my queen.'" Location 2137.

"'I don't care if they see. I don't care who knows. I love you.'" Location 2856. 

And I may have gone a little overboard, but you get the picture ;)

Blog Tour: Down to You by M. Leighton Review + Giveaway

Welcome lovelies! I'm super excited to be a part of the Down to You blog tour! I'm here today to share with you my thoughts on the book plus a tour wide giveaway you may want to enter :)

Like I keep saying, don't walk, RUN.. because #Cashbaby will blow you away <3

Title: Down To You (The Bad Boys #1)
Author: M. Leighton
Publication Date: September 23, 2012
Format: Kindle* 215 pages
Rating: 5 freakingmillionbilliontrillion stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords

The scorching tale of one girl, two brothers and a love triangle…that’s not.

Olivia Townsend is nothing special. She’s just a girl working her way through college so she can return home to help her father run his business. She’s determined not to be the second woman in his life to abandon him, even if it means putting her own life on hold. To Olivia, it’s clear what she must do. Plain and simple. Black and white. But clear becomes complicated when she meets Cash and Nash Davenport. They’re brothers. Twins. 



Cash is everything she’s always wanted in a guy. He’s a dangerous, sexy bad boy who wants her in his bed at any cost. He turns her insides to mush and, with just one kiss, makes her forget why he’s no good for her. Nash is everything she’s ever needed in a guy. He’s successful, responsible and intensely passionate. But he’s taken. Very taken, by none other than Marissa, Liv’s rich, beautiful cousin. That doesn’t stop Olivia from melting every time he looks at her, though. With just one touch, he makes her forget why they can never be together. 



Black and white turns to shades of gray when Olivia discovers the boys are hiding something, something that should make her run as far and as fast as she can. But it’s too late to run. Olivia’s already involved. And in love. With both of them. Both brothers make her heart tremble. Both brothers set her body on fire. She wants them both. And they want her. How will she ever choose between them?

My Review

ohsweetheavens! Down to You was just completely drop dead incredible! I love going into a book and immediately loving it from the start and just loving it even more the further I read. I had high expectations for Down to You after reading a previous book from the same author, and M. Leighton did not disappoint. I don’t think she could have disappointed me at all. She totally lived up to everything I had hoped for in this book and way way more. Down to You was dynamic, seductive, and oh so satisfying.


Olivia was sweet, endearing, adventurous and hilarious! That girl is off the chain so epically funny and lovely. I wanted her to be my best friend. I loved her so much. Olivia may be shy, but she wasn’t afraid to stick it where it mattered the most. She never backed down and she was up for the challenge. For me, Olivia was all spunk and full of fierce determination. Her quirkiness, her embarrassing moments, her tongue-tied and nervous reactions just made her so cute, friendly and so easy to connect with. Olivia was the type of character you couldn’t help but love. She had spirit. She was chill. She doesn’t try too hard. Olivia brings it. 

Cash is every girl’s dream. He definitely stars in my dreams every night. He’s the perfect guy, the perfect package. Dangerous, sexy, smart, capable, driven, and spectacular in the sack! He may be the bad boy we should stay away from, but his irresistible charm and sex appeal is so palpable, there really is no use in fighting off the feelings up here and down there. Cash, my dear friends, is what we’ve been looking for! 

Nash was the opposite of Cash, but was equally hot in every aspect. He was just as charismatic as Cash, equally kind, but he didn’t have that bad boy aura going on. However, Nash was sweet, easy to be around, flirtatious, and caring. He was oh so mouth-wateringly delicious. I loved his banter with Olivia. They were just too cute. I don’t blame others if they can’t choose between the twins, because dear god in heaven why can’t we just have them both?

Down to You had witty and electrifying writing that will have you laughing out loud so many times. M. Leighton doesn’t just know how to sexify, she knows how to damn straight entertain. The sex scenes are not overtly graphic, but gives you more than enough to get the juices flowing. Leighton surely got me all hot and bothered in more than a few scenes. Before I even finished chapter one, I was begging to be Olivia, really. Leighton doesn’t just write well, she knows how to tell a story. She knows how to make it addicting and exuberant. She makes you beg and plead for more. Don’t even get me started on the mind boggling double-u-tee-effery twists she had going on in this book. Leighton strategically places twists that will leave you jaw-droppingly shocked! You will never see it coming! It was the mother of all twists! Because for seriously, I could not wrap my mind around it at all. Lets just say, I, Jessirae, solemnly swear that I was rendered speechless before the book even ended! 

With a steamy cover and the inside contents that will give off chills and heat all at once, Down to You is the book that will have you aching in places that need relief and have you wishing you never reach the end. This book was volcanic, sensual, and down right orgasmic!

*Thanks to AToMR tours & M. Leighton for providing a copy for review

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Giveaway 

(1) Signed paperback copy of  DOWN TO YOU and UP TO ME, plus DOWN TO YOU Swag Pack! Open to United States and Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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More from M. Leighton

Up To Me by M. Leighton (The Bad Boys #2)

Publication Date: January 4, 2012

Get it: Amazon | B&N

Happily ever after doesn’t come easy.  But for love, it’s always worth the fight.

Olivia finds bliss unlike any she’s ever known in Cash’s arms.  He sets her skin on fire and melts her heart right inside her chest.  Unfortunately, their happily ever after is short-lived when a shadow from Cash’s past threatens to turn their world upside down.

   Dangerous people from his father’s world have discovered that Cash holds information that could put them away for a very long time.  And they’re willing to do anything—and hurt anybody—to get it back.  Giving it up means Cash must choose between the life of his father and the life of Olivia.

Having nearly overcome her wariness of bad boys, Olivia’s trust is shaken when this new threat arises.  Now she finds that Cash is not only a danger to her heart, but his family has associations that are a danger to her life as well.  She soon discovers that there are some situations in life where trust is a girl’s only option.  And this is one of them.  If she’s to live, she must trust Cash with her life.  But to Olivia, that’s much, much easier than letting go and trusting him with her heart.

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More About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

About Michelle: I love coffee and chocolate, even more so when they are combined. I'm convinced that one day they could be the basis for world peace. I also love the color red and am seriously considering dying my hair.

Connect with Michelle:

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | B&N 

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