Review: The Final Temptation by KC Lynn

KAYLA~ He moved in next door to me, all bronzed skin and lean muscle, with a panty dropping smile that could make any girl weep with need. He set my body and teenage hormones on fire for three years. THREE LONG YEARS. 

In that time he became a cop- Officer Sexy as I liked to call him- and every time I pushed, he retreated. But I knew he felt it, I saw it in the way he looked at me. So one night I set my plan in motion and upped my game. I finally reeled the sexy bastard in, and he didn’t know what hit him.

COOPER~ She tempted me with her smart mouth and tight body for three painful years. I took an oath to uphold the law and honor it, which she made almost impossible not to break. But when the day finally came, I made her pay, every beautiful inch of her. She might drive me crazy and be the biggest pain in the ass, but she’s my pain in the ass. And I’ll spend everyday for the rest of my life making sure she never forgets who she belongs to.

***

You asked for our story and now we are going to give it to you. Cooper and I are not only going to share our special day with you, but we are going to take you back to a time that was frustrating, sexy, explosive and downright beautiful. Here is our story, from beginning to… forever.

________

This is a Novella with an HEA and is told in dual POV. It is the last book to the Men Of Honor Series. Although you don’t have to read every book in the series, I strongly recommend that the first book, Fighting Temptation, should be read prior to Kayla and Cooper’s story in order to understand many aspects of this book.

WARNING~ Due to mature subject matter, such as explicit sexual situations and coarse language, this story is not suitable for anyone under the age of eighteen.

My Opinion:

*Won an ARC during the cover reveal party in facebook*

5 my-woman-beat-the-shit-out-of-my-car- Stars!! 

As I watched him that day, I told myself I was going to marry him. I didn’t care what it took, I was going to make it happen. 

Woooo. I think I may start saying, that book was the SH*T! Of course, in a very good way. She done it again. It was so much more that what I was expecting. Fun, sassy, emotional and with a cherry on top full of love.

I had my doubts, because I don’t like books that have a lot of flashbacks, and I didn’t know if it was going to be since Kayla & Cooper met, or in the present. But, oh my God, (Can I continue fangirling?) I LOVED Kayla’s flashback I didn’t want it to end. 

The Final Temptation is the 4th and last book from the Men of Honor Series. For the people who have not read it, each book is a stand alone, however, if you want to understand a lot better Kayla & Cooper’s story you may want/need to read the first one, Fighting Temptation. 

First, then cover was totally Kayl’s style, and it was so well written. I like to mark phrases and passages that really stood to me and have a lot of meaning, when I went to check those so I can write my review I was shaken at how much I had. Then I started reading it, so I can pick the best ones, but I can’t!!! K. C. did a gorgeous job in the book. Literally, all that came out of their mouths, and every thought they thought was special. I laugh so hard at some parts, tears were spilled down my cheeks and I couldn’t help it.

Kayla is officially one of my favorite’s heroines. She is pretty, caring, sincere, loyal and sassy. She comes from a good family, not wealthy talking. Her parents love her with all their heart and raised her good. Kayla has been in love with Cooper since she had fourteen years old and he moved to the house next door. She does everything she can to gain some attention, even being a lot of sassy face to face, or hot tub to window… But Cooper never showed interest on Kayla, which I understand was frustrating, and even more with the fact that the bitch Brittany had something to do with it.I'll just say it, you really have to read to understand.

Anyone remember that chick? Well I did. I may hate that name for the rest of my life. I was conflicted, because Brittany had some relevant part in the story. Like, it has to be her? My eyes have to deal with her again? But well, then I thought: Its better this way, if K. C. had added another bitch to the stories, which means more problems, I may have lose it. 

Tough, I liked how Kayla managed it. With a little bit of fun and a little bit of sincere remorseful. Not the typically cat fights women usually do. Another reason why Kayla it’s the best.

Holy freaking guacamole. Cooper is the alpha-male-dirty-talking cop kind of guy.And he really knows how to dirty talk. I was so surprise with this. His words seemed so erotic and meaningful at the same time I think my brain had several orgasms reading it. He is protective, a lot, and demanding, a hole of lot more. Cooper moved to the house next door from Kayla. And since then he has been followed by the ghost of a desire that makes him go crazy but can’t do anything about it, he has his reasons, even Kayla understand those. 

When they finally collide –which is obvious to all who have read the books-it is THE collision. I liked when they took their time, not insta- anything. It wasn’t perfect, it was a bit ugly, painful —I felt what Kayla was feeling— and they had to learn how to keep moving forward and be patience without hurting themselves in the process. But then it became sweet. The books is FULL of surprises, so I would not write specific things, but let me say it was fan-f*cking-tastic. 

This book really shows how all the different stories come together. Since Jaxson the Hulk, to the sweet little Ruthie. I LOVE HER. And let’s rephrase it, not the books, but their friendship. Yes, sometime they can be a pain in the ass, but they love each other and have their backs. And the most important of this book is that it’s not over yet. With what happens in the book, not near, nop. Even K. C. promised me, -I have the screenshot K. C., now you are bounded to your readers more than ever LOL-. So, at the end, it’s recommendable? Hell to yes!! Go read it; it’s officially, one of the best series I have read in my life. So thank you, K. C.

Cora Carmack's Special Announcement

*WARNING: This letter contains spoilers for All Broke Down. If you haven't yet read that book, read at your own peril.

SECOND WARNING: this letter talks about fictional characters as if they are real people. Sorry I'm not sorry. 

THIRD WARNING: The letter below broaches a serious topic that could be a trigger for some people*

* * *

Hello beloved readers! 

The first person who read one of my Rusk University books was my older sister. I gave her All Lined Up when I finished, and her first question was "Are Ryan and Stella going to be together?" 

At the time, I told her no. I had plans for both of them that included their own storylines. I thought they were too much alike. They'd make great friends. They might even hook-up, but in the end... I couldn't envision anything serious for them. So I actually rewrote some of their scenes trying to make that aspect of their connection more obvious. And still, when All Lined Up released, amidst the chatter about sweet Carson and sassy Dallas, I had people asking if Stella and Ryan were next. I denied it again (and again and again). 

But sometimes in writing, the stars align and a character will become bigger and more real than you could have possibly imagined. It's a wonderful experience, but in Stella's case it was also incredibly heartbreaking. While I was writing All Broke Down, the news was inundated with information about the Steubenville rape trial and other tragedies and injustices like it. Tragedies where women have been violated first by an attacker, then by judgmental and hateful people, and finally by a justice system that repeatedly fails survivors of sexual assault. Having grown up in Texas, where too often football stars are treated like gods and can get away with just about anything, it hit particularly close to home. And since All Broke Down featured a passionate activist heroine, I felt compelled to reference this chronic dark underbelly of elite sports. 

I can remember vividly sitting on my couch, brainstorming how I would incorporate such an event into the book. I had thought the assault would happen to an unknown character, and maybe I would focus on the way it divided the team and the school and the town. But like I said... Sometimes a character will become bigger and more human than I anticipated. And it sounds crazy, but in my mind, I felt Stella push her way forward and say, "Mine. This is my story." I immediately began to cry. Sob, really. Because I loved her as a character. She was hilarious and strong and didn't take crap from anyone. She was everything I always hope to be. And I didn't want her to go through that. Even as I cried, my brain began to tell me that it made sense. Stella was vibrant and enjoyed a wild party. She was not afraid of her sexuality, and she had no problem with casual sex. She was the kind of girl that probably had a reputation. The kind of girl who could be heinously and violently taken advantage of, and people would STILL blame her. Because she was in the wrong place, wearing the wrong clothes, behaving in the wrong way. But just because it COULD happen to her, didn't mean I wanted it to. But once again, Stella was there in my head saying, "Someone needs to tell this story. And I'm strong enough to do it. Let me." And when Stella chose her story, she also chose the man I'd been adamant wasn't right for her. Because as it turns out... Those two characters who I thought were too alike aren't so alike anymore. And Stella needs Ryan to help her hold on to that vibrant and strong girl she was before. 

So I let go of all the plans I had for her, and allowed her to tell me her story, which is about more than just sexual assault. It's about the aftermath. Depression. Shame. Guilt. Anger. Injustice. Victim-blaming. Slut-shaming. It's about the way that kind of event can change everything-- how you relate to people, how you think, how you dream, how you love. It's about the way the rest of the world moves on to the next big tragedy, and you're still left holding the broken pieces of who you used to be, with no idea how to put them together again or even if you want to. It will be the most difficult story I ever tell. And the most important. Because it’s a story that belongs not just to Stella, but to millions of people around the world. It’s a story that belongs to a new person every 107 seconds*. And that’s just in the United States. Think about that for a moment. 107 seconds. Stella’s story won’t be any easier to read than it will be to write. But I hope you’ll help me drag this story into the light. 

So now I’ll step off my soapbox and just tell you about the book…

* * *

ALL CLOSED OFF:

Stella Santos is fine. 

Maybe something terrible happened to her that she can’t even remember. And maybe it drives her crazy when her friends treat her like she’s on the verge of breaking because of it. Maybe it feels even worse when they do what she asks and pretend that it never happened at all. And maybe she’s been getting harassing emails and messages for months from people who don’t even know her, but hate her all the same. 

But none of that matters because she’s just fine. 

For Ryan Blake, Stella was always that girl. Vibrant and hilarious and beautiful. He wanted her as his best friend. His more than friends. His everything and anything that she would give him. Which these days is a whole lot of nothing. She gets angry when he’s there. Angry when he’s not there. Angry when he tries to talk and when he doesn’t.  

When Stella devises an unconventional art project for one of her classes all about exploring intimacy—between both friends and strangers—Ryan finds himself stepping in as guinea pig after one of her subjects bails. What was supposed to be an objective and artistic look at emotion and secrets and sex suddenly becomes much more personal. When he hits it off with another girl from the project, Stella will have to decide if she’s willing to do more than make art about intimacy. To keep him, she’ll have to open up and let herself be the one thing she swore she’d never be again. 

Vulnerable. 

* * *

ALL CLOSED OFF will be releasing sometime in early 2016. I don't have a date yet for several reasons. The first and most important, is that I want to do this story justice. And as such, I have no intentions of rushing the process. Secondly, I'll be returning to indie publishing for the remainder of the Rusk series. As you can probably tell, this story means a great deal to me. And by having the ultimate control over everything from timing to editing to price, I'll be able to ensure that I'm able to create exactly the story I envision. Unfortunately, that means you won't be seeing the paperback of ALL CLOSED OFF on the shelves in most stores. Nor is it currently available for pre-order. But I hope you'll add the book on goodreads, follow me on social media, and/or join my newsletter. I promise to shout it all over the place when I have a set release date or pre-order links. 

Thank you for listening as I told you the evolution of Stella's story. When it's finished, I hope you will feel as passionately about it as I do. 

All my best, 

Cora Carmack 

*Statistic from RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network)

* * *

And an opportunity to add your voice to Stella’s….

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Stella’s experience is only one story of many. She was with someone she trusted when it happened, and the only memories she has are pieced together from her own blurred recollections and the things people have told her.  Not everyone’s experience with sexual assault is the same. Each person reacts, copes, and overcomes differently. And while this book is about one specific character’s journey, I would like to tell as many sides of this story as possible. As Stella grapples with her thoughts and emotions she’ll be searching for advice, for comfort, for a place where people understand her and can identify with what she’s experiencing. There will be room for truth within the fiction, and if you’d like that truth to be yours, this is your chance.

If you have a story like Stella’s, and you want your voice to be heard….

If there’s something you wish more people understood about what you’ve gone through….

If there’s something you’d like to tell people struggling with a story like yours…

I’d like to give you the opportunity to add your voice to Stella’s. Use the hashtag #WhenItHappened and let your voice be heard on your own by posting on your own social media, or if you’d rather I share your words fill out this google documentand tell me your story. You can fill out this form anonymously or not. I’d like to begin this discussion now because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. But my hope is to include as many stories as possible within the book itself.

So many have stories of #WhenItHappened. Your voice and your story deserve to be heard. I’m listening.

#WhenItHappened Google Form: http://goo.gl/forms/4VRjWgZYSW

* * *

ABOUT Cora Carmack:

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Cora Carmack is a twenty-something New York Times bestselling author who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She now splits her time between Austin, TX and New York City and spends her days writing, traveling, and spending way too much time on the internet. In her books, you can expect to find humor, heart, and a whole lot of awkward. Because let’s face it . . . awkward people need love, too. 

Contact With Cora

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Newsletter ** Author Goodreads

Thanks To:

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Review: Tight by Alessandra Torre

I was happy in my small town. In my life as a single, thirty-two year old woman. I had a good job, wonderful friends, my independence.

I also hadn't got laid in three years. Hadn't been on a date in two. Had stopped counting calories and wearing makeup... a while ago.

Then Brett Jacobs waltzed in. Caressed my thigh, dug rough fingers into my hair, lowered his soft mouth to my skin, took sexual control of my mind and stirred it all around with what he packed in his pants. He flipped my quiet life upside down and crawled into a place in my heart I thought was dead.

The issue is his secret.
The issue is her.
The issue is that I don't even know she exists, and he thinks she's dead.
The issue is that shit is about to hit the fan and I can't hold on to him tight enough.

My Opinion:

5  TIGHT STARTS!!!

"I didn’t know what about that exchange he found funny, but his mouth widened, and I got another devastating look at his teeth, God, I love for him to nibble my skin. Tease my neck, take the other, more sensitive parts of my body and wreak havoc on them"

Tight is the first book of Alessandra Torre I’ve read and I can fully say she won all my heart in one. This book was REALLY good. I started reading and my world seemed to fade because it only took a couple of hours to finish it. 

Riley and Breet meet when they are both in the Bahamas. Riley on vacation with her friends and Breet is there for business. In the first night they met and they just clic. Breet’s sensual and powerful presence, along with Railey’s semi sassiness.

“I feel like I waited my whole life for you”

The book itself is very mysterious. It’s narrated at first *and most of the book* by Riley’s POV, but here are some Brett’s POV, AND another secret POV. All the way to the end, you think something and on the next chapter you discard your previous thoughts because there is no way in hell could be it. It’s one of this books you can’t put it down, because if you do it, you’ll regret it and start thinking about how the characters will develop and what could possibly go wrong with their relationship. And trust me; there are lots of things for that.

"I knew what I felt. I loved him. But I didn’t know him. And I didn’t trust him. The man I had fallen for hid something."

But it’s also a book to preferable read without knowing anything of. Just that Alessandra is a great author and has a special way with words. The fun and the attraction of the book is that you can DISCOVER every path the characters take. And feel EVERY emotion they feel. So, go ahead, and read. And if you still insecure because you think there is a love triangle… well… things aren’t always what they seem. 

As for me? I LOVED IT. 

"The word 'tight' has twenty-two definitions, but my favorite is Webster's fifth —a bond wich cannot be broken"

Review: With Every Heartbeart by Linda Kage

I used to think everything was black and white, truth or lie, easy or hard, that if I could just escape my strict, overbearing, abusive father, my life would be perfect. But since I’ve found a reason to risk his wrath and leave, to help a friend in need, I’ve come to realize everything I thought I knew is wrong. 

Friends have their own agenda, honesty comes with a dosage of lie, easy doesn’t even exist, keeping secrets sucks, and love...love is the most painful thing of all. 

Maybe if Quinn Hamilton hadn’t asked me to skip classes for the day and help him pick out an engagement ring for my best friend, I wouldn’t have fallen for him so completely on that sunny Tuesday afternoon and I wouldn’t feel so conflicted. But I did, and I can’t take it back, no matter how hard I try. So I have to deal with the fact that even I’m not as good, or honest, or caring as I’d always thought I was, and no matter what I do next, someone’s going to get hurt. Probably me.

-Zoey Blakeland

My Opinion:

4 cute sexily learned stars!!! 

“His blue-eyed gaze froze me. I felt like the guy he’d shoved against the wall: held captive in his grip and unable to break free.”

Soooo, these previous moths I’ve been wondering about this book. A lot. Because when the synopsis went out I became frantic about the possibility of one of Kage characters cheating. Like, no, that’s just bad. But the she assures all that it isn’t that way…. Then I was curious of why Quinn’s book was out before the Ten’s one. Not that I didn’t liked Quinn on the previous book, but Ten was all over the place. So I had my doubt. But, Oh, Sweet Baby Jesus!!! This book was heaven served in front on my eyes just without a cherry on top.

This book introduces us all to Zoey, Cora’s best friend desde el año de las guaracas. She is sweet, shy, with a big heart and loyal. Though Whora didn’t deserved it. But Zoey was like that with everybody, she is like that girl that you want to be BFF for life because you know she won’t disappoint you no matter what

Zoey had an abusive father, so when Cora needs her for something, she is there. And this time at the perfect time. Quinn grew up, in not one of the best ways. So the relate instantly. They share a connection that can’t be broken; they have a lot of things in common. So definitely perfect for each other, but they never do something to develop that. And it was kind of heartbreaking read them struggling with their feelings, trying to stay loyal doing the right thing.

I felt guilty because Cora had interrupted my moment with Zoey, as if I’d just cheated on Zoey—not Cora. 

And there is Cora.

Slash, Whora.

And I hated her.

“Dude, we called her Cora the Whora. How did you never know that? Before you two hooked up, she’d had just about every guy on the team.” 

I hated, hated her with all my reader heart. Yes, she was a cliché, that’s why I don’t give the book the 5 start. Cora is those whining, selfish, bit%$ that goes on in life thinking the world would fall apart if she doesn’t have what she wants. Wants, nor needs. That’s what upset me the most in this book. And the fact that Quinn made a stupid decision (from what I think). But I didn’t expect her do something good; right away I didn’t like her. Maybe I prejudiced, but in this case I don’t holy care. 

“Do you remember that night, Zoey? Do you remember what we almost did?” 

Quinn is a very special forbidden man. He is all man up, but is sooooo sweet that I just wanted to hug him through my tablet and kiss the screen imagine it was his cheeks. OK no, but close. Jajaja. Yes, he makes stupid choices, yes he still isn’t perfect and yes, he made my anger come to alive and felt the shivers of my rage. But at the end I loved him.

But he wasn’t that perfect as Pick. —Sorry if you don’t like that I compare him, I can’t control myself, Pick is like my Forbidden God—. But at the same time –I know, there’re a lot of buts- Quinn is special. He has his one personality, and gives that feels of tenderness and vulnerability mixed with sexiness and roughness. His own stamp. And you won’t forget him in a billion years. That is, of course, if you loved the book. 

And aside from all Quinn/Zoey/Cora relationship, there’s something, and someone, so magically beautiful that had my heart beating every time. And that was Ten. It presents a bit of Caroline-Ten drama and from what his book will be coming. Let me remind you that Caroline is Noel’s sister. That says it all. However going back to Every Heartbeat, Ten bonded with Zoey in a manner so beautiful that had me wishing I have someone like him in my life forever. But you have to read the book to comprehend this. 

“Blondie?” Ten asked with a snort. “Hell, yes, she’ll be fine. God wouldn’t let something bad happen to one of his angels.” I glanced at him in surprise, because what he’d said didn’t sound like anything he would say, ever.

This book is highly recommendable, it’s sweet and hot. Fill with emotions. Makes you happy and the other second you are cursing to wonder nature right next to you. But it is what it is. It wasn’t perfect, a bit of cliché, but at the same time it was very unique.

Review: 321 by JA Huss

ONE GIRL

Battered, barefoot, and huddled under a bookstore awning in the pouring rain, Blue only knows one thing. After fifteen months of captivity, finally… she is free.

TWO FRIENDS

Self-made millionaires JD and Ark are not out to save anyone when they stumble upon a wet and shivering girl one early Sunday morning. But when you sell sex for a living and salvation rings your bell… you answer the call.

THREE SOULMATES

After years of searching, love lifts the veil of darkness, and three people—with three very big secrets—find themselves bound together in a relationship that defies the odds.

Or does it?

Love. Lust. Sex.

This trinity might be perfection… but not everything should come in 3’s.

WARNING: This is a STANDALONE non-traditional M/F/M ROMANCE with a non-traditional ending

My Opinion:

5 painfully beautiful stars!!! 

Let’s start saying that I have never read anything from JA Huss. But, the minute I read an excerpt from this book I was totally on board. That wasn’t that surprising for my naughty little part of me. But at the beginning I felt it was going to be more than the looks at the eyes. 

And holy guacamole. 

This book torn me apart to the point I screamed and almost tossed my tablet on the floor. But it wasn’t because I felt angry and hated the characters but because I loved them. 

“I saw her first…”

Since chapter one the book had my mind running in circles. Our dearest ARK saw her first, but who saw her secondly? Obviously, J.D. The sex sellers partners ARK & JD founding a girl in the middle of the rain, trembling and hiding like a hurt lonely cat. They’ve been best friends for years.

At the end both of them gave her an escape. And she provides them a union. A link, filling the place that always has been waiting for her. 

What they have ifs more than a sexual attraction, a play between the three of them to fill fantasies. No, they let us —the readers— feel their emotions. Happiness, safety, pain, defeat, anguish… hope. 

They relation is totally unexpected.I mean, sure the they’ve been best friend, filmed porn together —one in front of the camera and the other behind—, but sharing one body, of one girl that both of them crave to have in their bed more and more, is different. And they are not the good guys and she is not the sweet princess.

But Bam! ¡Sorpresa!

They need her just right for that. The book has m/f/m scenes and one mini hot m/m/ scene. But it just feels right. They are three soul mates. The book is totally what I wasn’t expecting. Not a love triangle, god Yes! Thank you for that, Huss.

The book is dark, raw and doesn’t paint rainbows at the end of the tunnel. But it shows a sensibility and vulnerability in every one of the characters that has you craving, desiring for more at each page. They are what they are and they just can’t change that. Or they do?

JD is the one that made me fall in love with the book the most. He’s the type of guy that allows you to know more of him even though he really didn’t want to. He just can’t go far away. That fills you with laughter, power and hope and makes you want to love him no matter what happens. A safe place.

ARK is the guy that I would love to have in my life. He is demanding, powerful, can be a little bit overwhelming, but he is the strong one. You know that guy who doesn’t five a flying shit about what people think? That’s him; an improved version. The type of guy who gives the assurance that everything its okay and he will protect you

But JD has secrets.

ARK has secrets.

Blue has secrets. 

The book is a collision of hearts and attraction and souls. Once you finish the book you will not forget it. Maybe you’ll like it or maybe you will not, but it surely will stick in your mind. And of course I recommend it. It’s definitely hot and has a lot of soulful love. One of the best book I have read till today, and of course would go to read some more from JA Huss.