Review: Crave Me by Stacey Lynn

Crave Me is book two of the Luminous series, to read my review and info about the first book Dominate Me, click here <--

The Cover: I love this cover...I do...HOWEVER there is one big detail that annoys me the living daylights out of me. Chloe is a blonde. Which I find ironic because for the first book, Dominate Me in the Luminous series the woman on the cover is blonde and the heroine is not blonde! What the heck?! These two need to switch. I know what I'm saying might seem silly to you but it is seriously something that drives me NUTS. Match the cover with the story and characters please! I still love it though! A+

Basics: Crave Me was released on May 29th 2017, is 228 pages long and was published by Carina Press. Genre wise Crave Me belongs to contemporary romance, BDSM, Dom/Sub. 

Description: 

Chloe: I know I shouldn't covet my sister's ex-boyfriend.

She may have wanted nothing to do with his BDSM lifestyle, but I'm a born submissive. And the only place I want to be is under Simon's command.  But he won't go near me. Not with the memory of her so close. That leaves me no choice. If he won't touch me when he knows who I am, I'll have to come to him in disguise. He's worth the risk. I'm meant to be his. Now I just have to prove it to him.  

Simon: Being a Dominant cost me my first love, but I can't deny who I am. I won't. Control and power are everything, and the way I keep mine is by playing only with experienced subs. No exceptions. Until I met her. She wore a mask, but I knew the moment our lips touched she was meant to belong to me. Young, new to the world of BDSM—I knew training her would be a risk.  I didn't know it would destroy me. 

Overall thoughts: The first book in the Luminous series, Dominate Me blew me away. Haley and Jensen were perfection and I had high expectations starting Crave Me...and I was not disappointed! Although the Luminous series is set in the dark world of dom/sub and BDSM I really admired how Lynn still made it more than a dark romance and kept Crave Me in the contemporary romance category. Consent and communication is a huge topic in relationships nowadays, (as it always should be!) and my heart goes out to the leading man Simon who obviously got screwed over. No major spoilers but I'm glad what happened with Simon and Chloe's sister (she who must not be named because she sucks) was brought up because it's obviously relative. Anyway! Chemistry wise Simon and Chloe are great and I am hoping we will see more of them in the third upcoming Luminous book. I am mega excited for Bennett too! I love this series a lot and I definitely recommend it!

 

Couple Chemistry Rating: 5/5 Shells

Favorite Quotes: "Was sex always supposed to feel wonderful and terrifying?" -Chloe

"I already knew I wouldn't let her go. Not in four weeks. Not in twenty. Maybe not ever." -Simon

My Rating: 5/5 Shells

Buy Crave Me: 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2lEa0Sb
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2mk6N7a
iBooks: http://apple.co/2llpOIN
Nook: http://bit.ly/2kK4NZA
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2l64tAw
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2lt2bML

About Stacey Lynn:

 Stacey Lynn currently lives in Minnesota with her husband and four children. When she’s not conquering mountains of laundry and fighting a war against dust bunnies and cracker crumbs, you can find her playing with her children, curled up on the couch with a good book, or on the boat with her family enjoying Minnesota’s beautiful, yet too short, summer.

She lives off her daily pot of coffee, can only write with a bowlful of Skittles nearby, and has been in love with romance novels since before she could drive herself to the library.

Follow Stacey Lynn:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/staceylynnbooks
Twitter: @staceylynnbooks
Website: http://www.staceylynnbooks.com
Stay up to date on Stacey’s latest news! Subscribe to her Newsletter today! http://www.staceylynnbooks.com/contact

Teaser: Tycoon by Katy Evans

Tycoon, an all-new standalone from Katy Evans is coming June 20th!

He wasn’t always this rich. This hot. This difficult.

Aaric Christos was a guy who protected me. Wanted me. Maybe even loved me.

That man is gone.

In his place is the most powerful real estate tycoon in the city.

He’s a cold, ruthless, aggressive businessman.

The only one who can save me and my startup from ruin.

It takes every ounce of courage to put my pride aside and ask for his help.

I didn’t expect him to offer it easily.

And he doesn’t.

Instead, he vets me harder than he’s vetted anyone.

Don’t invest in what you don’t know, he says.

He's assessing every piece of me, to the point I've never felt so bare.

I yearn for the boy I once knew, whose touch once craved me.

Putting it all on the line will be worth it, I tell myself.

Until I realize—too late—that some risks are not worth taking.

Pre-order Today!

Kindle: http://amzn.to/2p5jM0V

iBooks: http://apple.co/2p4Ye4C

BN: http://bit.ly/2pjp4Es

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2oNtdzk

Audible: http://adbl.co/2oNmzcn

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/xhAcb5

Review: When It's Real by Erin Watt

The Cover: I love this cover! Erin Watt seriously has some amazing, abstract covers and I think they are eye catching and gorgeous. When It's Real is one of my favorite covers of theirs for sure. A+

Basics: When It's Real was released on May 30th 2017, is 416 pages long and was published by Harlequin Teen. Genre wise When It's Real belongs to Young Adult, Young Adult Romance, contemporary romance, standalone

 and teen. 

Description: Under ordinary circumstances, Oakley Ford and Vaughn Bennett would never even cross paths. 

There's nothing ordinary about Oakley. This bad-boy pop star's got Grammy Awards, millions of fangirls and a reputation as a restless, too-charming troublemaker. But with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley needs to show the world he's settling down—and who better to help him than Vaughn, a part-time waitress trying to help her family get by? The very definition of ordinary. 

Posing as his girlfriend, Vaughn will overhaul Oakley's image from troublemaker to serious artist. In return for enough money to put her brothers through college, she can endure outlandish Hollywood parties and carefully orchestrated Twitter exchanges. She'll fool the paparazzi and the groupies. She might even start fooling herself a little. 

Because when ordinary rules no longer apply, there's no telling what your heart will do…

Overall thoughts: Yay for Erin Watt's first standalone and as always...they knocked it out of the park! I love this story....a rocker and a regular girl falling in love? With a fake contract and such? I mean..what could go wrong right?! The dynamic duo's humor shines in When It's Real and their characters continue to make me swoon and grin from ear to ear. I think When It's Real is the perfect mix of Young Adult and Contemporary Romance genres and is the first great read of the summer!

Favorite Quotes:  "Surprise, surprise--Mr. Famous is a jerk." -Vaughn 

"I was trying to be a gentleman." "I don't want you to be." Oakley & Vaughn 

"We're not fake Oak. We're real. We're so real." -Vaughn

My Rating: 5/5 Shells

Buy When It's Real:

Amazon: http://geni.us/WiRamz
iBooks: http://geni.us/WiRiBooks
Kobo: http://geni.us/WiRkobo
B&N: http://geni.us/WiRbn
Audible: http://adbl.co/2pTNOlc
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2emhpyY

About Erin Watt: 

Erin Watt is the brainchild of two bestselling authors linked together through their love of great books and an addiction to writing. They share one creative imagination. Their greatest love (after their families and pets, of course)? Coming up with fun–and sometimes crazy–ideas. Their greatest fear? Breaking up.

Follow Erin Watt:

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Blog Tour, Excerpt & Review: Only With Me by Kelly Elliot

The Cover: This cover is steaaaamy and beautiful. I love a good couple cover and I am definitely in love with the Only With Me cover...a lot. A+ 

Basics: Only With Me was published by Kelly Elliott and is 300 pages long. Genre wise Only With Me focuses on: family and contemporary romance. 

Description: Life was great.

I loved my bachelor life and working my dream job with the Colorado Springs SWAT team.

That all changed the day I stepped into her bakery. Her smile swept me off my feet, and her panna cotta was heaven.

Cue my very traditional Greek family.

Then all hell broke loose.

The woman I was falling in love with was Italian, and my mother was hell-bent on proving to the world she was the better cook.

 If my meddling family wasn’t bad enough, for the last six years Gabi had been on the run from a past she tried desperately to escape from.

Between a beautiful woman on the run, and a crazy family constantly in my business, would I be able to show her I’m the only one who can keep her safe … or will her past steal her away from me?

Excerpt 

My eyes swung over to look at my mother standing there with my aunt Maria and Aunt Agnes.

“Shit,” I whispered.

“Oh God. This is not happening. This is it!” Gabi exclaimed as she covered her mouth.

I placed my hands on her shoulders and leaned in closer. In a whispered voice, I asked, “What is wrong?”

Her eyes met mine. “This is her challenge! I thought it was that day in the bakery. That was a merely a test! She’s here to take me down!”

I laughed. “My mother is not here to take you down.”

She slowly shook her head and asked, “How did she know?”

Then we both turned to look at Liza. She took a step away. “You didn’t.”

Liza’s eyes were everywhere. Me, my mother, back to Gabi, back to my mother. “I might have mentioned it that day in the bakery when she was there. But she saw the registration form and asked if you had entered! I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to say.”

“Nicholaus, don’t be rude. Introduce your Gabriella to your Aunt Maria and Aunt Agnes.”

Gabi took in a slow deep breath before turning and facing my mother and aunts.

With my hand on her back, we walked closer. “Mama, this is a surprise to see you here.”

She looked taken aback. “Why? I love to cook, this is a cooking competition. Why wouldn’t I be here?”

“Because you’ve never entered one before.”

The three of them laughed. “Please. Your mama has won more cooking competitions than anyone in this room.”

Gabi swayed, and I tightened my grip on her.

When my mother turned to look at Gabi, she wore a wide smile. “So, with you being a part of our family, I want to make sure you come in second so I’ve brought you some help.”

Oh for shits sake.

“Help?” Gabi asked with a strained voice.

And before our eyes appeared my cousins Sophia and Angie, and just when I didn’t think it could get worse, cousin Maria walked up carrying a giant bag with some rat looking dog in it.

“Um, I don’t think you can have a dog in here,” Liza said.

Everyone turned and looked at cousin Maria. “Are you shitting me? I don’t go anywhere without my Nikky.”

 “Gabriella, this is Aunt Maria and Aunt Agnes.”

Gabi reached her hand out to theirs.

 “Ahh! You made it!” my mother called out as her best friend came walking up. I couldn’t help but groan.

 “Gabriella, this is my very dear friend, Maria.”

I didn’t think Gabi could look any more confused. “Oh, um, another Maria! That’s a lot of Maria’s under one roof.” They all stared at her like they didn’t get it.

They fucking got it.

“All right, well now that the gang is here, Mama you should be heading on over to your station.”

“You’re not coming over there with me?”

Gabi’s head jerked to the side to look at me. Oh shit. What the hell do I do?

I did the only thing I knew to do. I looked for guidance from Liza. My eyes were wide as she motioned to Gabi.

Right. Right. I needed to stay with Gabi.

“Well, Mama, I was planning on helping Gabi and being here for moral support with this being her first competition and all.” Gabi glared at me.

Shit, what did I do now?

Then my mother turned back to Gabi. “First, huh?” My heart dropped in my chest. That’s why Gabi shot me a dirty look. “Well, I better let you get going then. Good luck.”

With a full-on smile, Gabi nodded. “Thanks! You too. And may the best cook win.”

Tossing her head back and laughing before looking back at Gabi, my mother said, “Oh, I will.” 

Overall thoughts: I didn't know what I was getting into when I started to read Only With Me. It is also the first Kelly Elliott book for me so I had no clue what to expect. Needless to say...I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to read this book! I am so impressed with Kelly Elliott and her great gift for storytelling! Nic and Gabi make a great couple and I love that they come from different backgrounds. While I was reading Only With Me I kept thinking about My Big Fat Greek wedding, but Only With Me is the much sexier version. Although the family aspect is literally almost the same, Greeks are huge family people guys! I won't give away any spoilers but oh my goodness! Kelly Elliott was driving me nuts when it came to Gabi's secret! The entire book I kept asking myself: "What is it? Is she in the mafia? Did she kill someone? WHAT IS HER SECRET?!" Haha! But it was very well done and I liked the small twists and turns that gave me that aha! moment. The humor, the story and the characters are great and I really loved this book. Also Nic and Gabi's chemistry is off the charts hot, I mean who doesn't love intensity between the two main characters? Literally the crust on top of the baklava cake! 

Couple Chemistry Rating: 5/5 Shells

My Rating: 5/5 Shells

Buy Only With Me:

iBooks

About Kelly Elliott:

Kelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Since finishing her bestselling Wanted series, Kelly continues to spread her wings while remaining true to her roots and giving readers stories rich with hot protective men, strong women and beautiful surroundings.

Her bestselling works include, Wanted, Broken, Without You, and Unconditional Love, to name just a few. Kelly has been passionate about writing since she was fifteen. After years of filling journals with stories, she finally followed her dream and published her first novel, Wanted, in November of 2012.

Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, daughter, and two pups. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She is down to earth and very in touch with her readers, both on social media and at signings. To find out more about Kelly and her books, you can find her through her website: www.kellyelliottauthor.com

Follow Kelly Elliott: FACEBOOK | TWITTER| GOODREADS | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Release Blitz: Crave Me by Stacey Lynn

Crave Me by Stacey Lynn
Publication Date: May 29th, 2017
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Chloe: I know I shouldn't covet my sister's ex-boyfriend.

She may have wanted nothing to do with his BDSM lifestyle, but I'm a born submissive. And the only place I want to be is under Simon's command. 

But he won't go near me. Not with the memory of her so close.

That leaves me no choice. If he won't touch me when he knows who I am, I'll have to come to him in disguise.

He's worth the risk. I'm meant to be his. Now I just have to prove it to him. 

Simon: Being a Dominant cost me my first love, but I can't deny who I am. I won't. Control and power are everything, and the way I keep mine is by playing only with experienced subs. No exceptions.

Until I met her.

She wore a mask, but I knew the moment our lips touched she was meant to belong to me. Young, new to the world of BDSM—I knew training her would be a risk.

I didn't know it would destroy me.

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2q7p0aM

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2lEa0Sb
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2mk6N7a
iBooks: http://apple.co/2llpOIN
Nook: http://bit.ly/2kK4NZA
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2l64tAw
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2lt2bML

About Stacey Lynn:

Stacey Lynn currently lives in Minnesota with her husband and four children. When she’s not conquering mountains of laundry and fighting a war against dust bunnies and cracker crumbs, you can find her playing with her children, curled up on the couch with a good book, or on the boat with her family enjoying Minnesota’s beautiful, yet too short, summer.

She lives off her daily pot of coffee, can only write with a bowlful of Skittles nearby, and has been in love with romance novels since before she could drive herself to the library.

Follow Stacey Lynn:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/staceylynnbooks
Twitter: @staceylynnbooks
Website: http://www.staceylynnbooks.com
Stay up to date on Stacey’s latest news! Subscribe to her Newsletter today! http://www.staceylynnbooks.com/contact

Monthly Series Mention: The Royals by Erin Watt

Every month I pick a completed series to share with you and in honor of their new book When It's Real (releasing May 30th!) I picked The Royal series by Erin Watt. This series blew me away and I'm excited to share my thoughts with you guys! Let's dive into The Royals world!

 Are you ready to be ruined? 

The Cover: The Royal series has some of the best covers I have ever seen. I think it's very bold to not feature an actual cover model and objects instead. But these covers are done beautifully AND they relate to the story which is so important to me so I love them! A+

Basics: The Royals series is three books long, Paper Princess, Broken Princess and Twisted Palace and they were published by EverAfter Romance. Genre wise The Royal series belong to: romance, contemporary romance and young adult. 

Description: From strip clubs and truck stops to southern coast mansions and prep schools, one girl tries to stay true to herself.

These Royals will ruin you…

Ella Harper is a survivor—a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone. 

Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.

Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.

He might be right.

Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees. 

 

Overall thoughts: I was blown away by this series! It reminds me of a contemporary Cinderella story and it also reminds me of the Korean Drama, Boys Over Flowers. Paper Princess was my first Erin Watt book and I was hooked from the first page. The story especially intrigued me because it's the same dance and song, two different people from different backgrounds falling for one another right? Erin Watt did that with The Royal Series but with several twists. For example, Ella is your typical Cinderella. She's a beauty but her tongue is as sharp as knife and she will lay you flat on your butt if you mess with her. Reed is the brooding bad boy and runs the high school with his brothers. So of course when Ella comes out nowhere it sets Reed on edge and they basically start an all out war against each other. Ella has already been thrown into a situation she doesn't want or expect and with Reed and his brothers on her heels what's a girl to do? All's fair in love and war but maybe not in the Royals household. This series has twists and turns that will have you reading through them all the way into the night.  

Favorite characters: I love Ella! She is a kick ass heroine with sass, hilarious humor and is just an overall good role model. She has been through so much and she's so strong and I really enjoy reading about characters like Ella, they give me strength and hope on bad days. Let's talk about the Royals. I adore Reed, he is SO bad. I mean seriously he could be the muse behind a Taylor Swift song guys. I also love Easton and the twins! I'm very excited to hear Easton's story too which is releasing later this fall! I'm really hope Erin Watt will write about the twins someday too! 

Couple Chemistry Rating: 5/5 Shells

*image not mine*

My Rating: 5/5 Shells

Buy The Royals series:

Amazon

Kindle

iBooks

Kobo

About Erin Watt: 

Erin Watt is the brainchild of two bestselling authors linked together through their love of great books and an addiction to writing. They share one creative imagination. Their greatest love (after their families and pets, of course)? Coming up with fun–and sometimes crazy–ideas. Their greatest fear? Breaking up.

Follow Erin Watt:

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter 

Newsletter

Website