REVIEW: Quintessentially Q by Pepper Winters

(Monsters in the Dark series, book 2)

“All my life, I battled with the knowledge I was twisted… fucked up to want something so deliciously dark—wrong on so many levels. But then slave fifty-eight entered my world. Hissing, fighting, with a core of iron, she showed me an existence where two wrongs make a right."

Tess is Q’s completely. Q is Tess’s irrevocably. But now, they must learn the boundaries of their unconventional relationship, while Tess seeks vengeance on the men who sold her. Q made a blood-oath to deliver their corpses at Tess’s feet, and that’s just what he’ll do.

He may be a monster, but he’s Tess’s monster.

I finished this novel and my exact words were, "Holy fucking shit, that was…" That’s it. I just started shaking my head because I couldn’t finish my own sentence. I couldn’t even find a word to describe it. Not one tiny, little word. After about 12 hours of giving my mind time to process every emotion that had wreaked havoc on me throughout this novel, I was finally able to sit down a write a review. I don’t know how competent it will be, but at least I can finish sentences now. That has to count for something, right?

First and foremost, there needs to be a warning associated with this book that simply states: “You will need alcohol while reading this. Lots…and lots…of alcohol.” Take my advice for what it is, but I am not kidding when I say I actually paused my reading to go pour myself a drink. Okay, fine, more like three drinks. You get the point.

Second of all, this review is not going to contain any plot information. I simply can’t do it, because it will completely ruin the experience for anyone who hasn’t read it yet. I think it says something to the plot when the author leaves the synopsis up in the air; it doesn’t really give you any direction in which this story is going to take you. After finishing this novel, I not only understand why Pepper did it, but I appreciate her for it. Well, maybe.

Tears of Tess was dark, so I thought I was prepared for Quintessentially Q. I was wrong. So incredibly, unequivocally, 100 percent wrong. This book broke me. It made my insides churn. It killed me, piece by piece. I literally cannot describe to you how much this book made me just plain feel. Just when I’d think my emotions were shot to shit, Pepper threw another grenade and wrecked me all over again.  I wish I could show y’all just how much this story got under my skin, but if I tried, I’d be sitting here all day; and who knows if I’d actually even accomplish my goal.

With a dual POV rotating between Tess and Q, we finally get to dive into the tortuous mind of Tess’s monster in the dark. I fell in love with Q towards the end of Tears of Tess, but those feelings were unparalleled to how this novel made me feel about him. He is without a doubt one of my favorite damaged male characters. His complete devotion to Tess showed him in a different light, and makes the reader see just how much she has taken over everything in his life. The lengths he goes to for her are slightly terrifying, and yet disturbingly romantic. Yes, that is possible, people!

Honestly, I could talk about this book for fucking days, but instead of rambling on like some crazed fangirl (for the record, I’m not saying I’m not fangirling like a mother fucker) I guess I’ll bring this bad boy home. This book brought me to the brink of emotional wreckage, time after time, and then pieced me back together with some of the most brilliant writing and story-weaving I have ever experienced in all my years of reading. I’m not exaggerating. Quintessentially Q showed me darkness and light in ways I could never have imagined, and it completely consumed me from page one. Tess and Q’s story is a perfect example of love conquering all, in a beautifully tragic way. 

MY RATING: 5 STARS

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Spotlight Tour & Giveaway: Footprints by Nicky Jayne

 

Synopsis

Standing by she watches her father leave board the huge grey beast. Taking him to who knows where. As a young girl, her mother raised her whilst her father was away at war. A single mother of sorts.

She saw familiar faces come and go, Flags wave in the breeze, Engines growl as they shut down. Each time the faces grew less and less.

Tragedy struck, leaving Riley and her mother to fend for themselves. Life was not easy. His memory covered the walls. The flag still hangs proud from the stark white walls.

She vowed she would never fall in love with a military man, she purposely steered clear of their nightly haunts. Until one day,

He came crashing into her life literally. Was it love at first sight, can she overcome the fear that comes with living the military life?

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Teaser

“He left me. Over and over again, promising he would come home and I waited. We both did and then one day he didn’t come back, instead they brought him back as he lays today and I cannot put myself through that again. You say it is your last time, but what do you mean it’s your last? How do you know? How could you know? I may be young but I am anything but naïve, I know the life. I’m fully aware of the threats involved with what you do. There will be a day that you are called away from me again, and that may be the last time. Do you understand? Do you really understand that I cannot let someone who I love walk away from me again and never return.”

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Meet Nicky

Facebook • Goodreads • Amazon

Nicky Jayne was born and raised in England but now resides in Las Vegas with her Husband and two boys. When she is not writing, she has her nose firmly placed in a book. She released her first series in September 2013. The Embrace Series, Embracing Life and Embracing Love. You can visit her at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicky-Jayne/409522015823277?ref=hl

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REVIEWS: Great Exploitations Series Books 1-2 by Nicole Williams

 Seduction. Infidelity. Blackmail. Scandal. It can all be bought for the right price and for Sienna Stevens, business is good.

Because she’s in the business of Great Exploitations.

She’s an Eve, a member of a secret society of women contracted by the wives of wealthy, powerful men for one reason and one reason only: to seduce their husbands. To ensure their pre-nuptial agreement will be null and void thanks to a little loophole known as the Infidelity Clause. To ensure that those wives don’t find themselves on the other side of a divorce without a penny to their name.

When it comes to the Eves, Sienna’s one of the best because she follows the number one rule of the Eves to the letter: don’t let it get personal.

When the job file of her wealthiest client yet falls into her lap, Sienna realizes that this case could be the one that’s impossible to detach herself from. The payout would lead to her independence, but will the cost be too high in the end?

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REVIEW:

I've had my eye on this series for awhile now. I always try to wait until the whole series is released, but I have no self control. Once book 3 was released I just couldn't hold off anymore. I'm really fond of novellas. Sometimes I don't have time to sit down and read a full length novel, so novella's and short stories like this are exactly what I'm looking for. I'm also really fond of Nicole Williams. She's an excellent writer, and I would count her among my favorite authors. That said, this first short story was P H E N O M E N A L.  I'm used to reading about Jude and Lucy in her other series so when I stepped into this books world I was like...WHOA. She totally transformed and stepped into this forbidden, risqué, manipulative, misunderstood woman's shoes. I was mesmerized!

Keep in mind that this is a short story when you go into it. You won't get all of your answers in this installment, but it leaves you wanting more. I was so curious by the end of it that I had to grab book 2 immediately. This book does a really good job of introducing you to this world where the Eve's are hired to seduce the husbands of these trophy wives for one sole reason... they signed a pre-nup and they want out. The Eve's give these woman the ammunition they need in divorce court and then they disappear. They do the job and then they leave and move on to the next job.

What are the Eve's getting out of this? A fat paycheck for one. And revenge. The Eve this series is based on has been burned. She was hurt in the worst way, and she's taking it out on all the other cheating jerks in the world. She plans to get out, but she has to get the perfect Errand in order to do that. She might just get it...  but I'm thinking this Errand may break her. There's only one way to find out!! Keep reading, I am!

MY RATING: 4.5 Stars




Revenge isn’t what the Eves are about. Justice is.

But when Sienna Stevens leaves Miami for her Errand in Seattle as Ally Andrews, revenge is the only thing on her mind. A woman scorned is one thing, but Ally is something else altogether. She will not rest until the man who upended her world is brought to his personal and financial knees. She won’t settle for just upending his world in return. She’s going for full-blown annihilation.

Ally’s barely in Seattle a day before complications arise. She begins making slips. She’s one error away from being pulled from the biggest Errand of her career when she comes face to face with Henry Callahan. Former lover. Current Target.

Things just went from complicated to catastrophic.

 

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REVIEW:

 

Another short story that left me reeling! What can I say about this series? I. am. a. fan.  Book one introduced us to Eve and this secret society, but this book dived a little deeper into who she was. Into her past. If you read book one, then you know Eve got the Errand of her dreams. She gets to actually focus her revenge on the guy that ruined her for other men. The guy that hurt her. Henry. I hate to say it, but he seems kind of charming. I'm not sure if he can be redeemed or not. What he did was pretty awful, but part of me wonders if there's more to the story...? I'm not really expecting a happily ever after with this series. I'm not really sure what we're going to get because it's so different and unique...

I know these stories are short, but I think it's the perfect style for this kind of story. It sort of reads like a TV Series. I feel like I'm watching the season finale every time I pick it up. You get some of your answers, but it also leaves you with so many questions that you can't wait for the next season.  I kind of thought that Eve would focus solely on her Errand with Henry in this book, but she still does other Errands!! ha! This series is seriously fascinating to me. I'm reading book 3 very soon, but I hear that it leaves off with another cliffhanger so I'm trying to wait a little closer to book 4's release. The good news about this series is that each installment is released 2-3 months apart, so there is no crazy wait. If you want a quick read that is a different flavor from all the other romance novels we read, I HIGHLY recommend this series. It's just so cool!

MY RATING: 4.5 STARS

BOOK 3


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Blog Tour Stop: Second Chance at Love by Tara Paradise

 

Synopsis

Smart, sexy and spirited, Brooke Cates is the type of woman every man dreams of.

But Brooke has already found the man of her dreams – tall, dark and ruggedly handsome cowboy Logan MacKenna. Once young and in love, they never imagined that a devastation betrayal would lead them down different paths. Now, when tragedy strikes, Brooke must return to her hometown of Angel Ridge, Montana. Once there, she is forced to deal with old hurts when Logan tries to make her remember the past she has chosen to forget.

Logan MacKenna can have any woman he wants, but his heart has been reserved for Brooke since they shared their very first kiss.

Time and distance have done nothing to change that. When chance random encounters abound, it’s as if fate is pushing them together, and Brooke decides that she doesn’t want to fight the undeniable sexual tension that exists between them. When it’s played its course, she will simply go back to her life. But Logan has no intention of letting her walk away from him a second time.

Will Brooke be able to put her fears aside and trust in Logan enough to give him back her heart?

And if they succeed in rekindling their love, can their new relationship withstand the force of Brooke’s longtime secret, one that could tear them apart for good this time?

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Teaser Picture

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Review

When I read the title, Second Chance at Love,  I knew I was going to be in for something great. Second chance romance is one of my favorite categories, and this one didn't disappoint! 

Brooke and Logan were once deeply in love, but something happens to rip them apart, and it's not until years later that Brooke's brought back to her hometown due to unforseen circumstances. 

Once she's back in town, it's obvious that Logan still harbors deep feelings for her, and Brooke still feels the same, but she's scared of having her heart broken again. She decides that it's easier just to give in and let the relationship run its course while she's visiting, and then she'll leave, with everything returning to normal. 

Little does she know that Logan has no intention of letting her get away a second time.

****

Logan McKenna... *swoons* I'd recommend this book based off of him alone. I wasn't sure I was going to like him, especially once I found out why Brooke left town, but I found myself falling, and falling hard. It's no wonder why Brooke was so in love with him. 

It's been a while since I've read a third person POV, so it took a little while to get used to, so I did have trouble connecting with the story, but that's just because I'm a first person POV junkie. In the end, it didn't take away from the story at all.  

There's a huge secret that Brooke's been hiding from Logan, and I began to suspect what it was. When I found out I was right, my heart completely broke not only for Logan, but also for Brooke. She was completely in the wrong, but what happened after? I can't even begin to imagine going through that alone, and Tara wrote it in such a way that I could feel the pain radiating from both characters as they struggled to determine how they could ever see each other the same way again, how they could ever move on from this, if they even could. 

"So I guess this is my payback. Now you've hurt me as much as I hurt you." - Heart shattered, completely broken when Logan said these words. 

There's a moment where Rissa and Logan are discussing what happened, and I'm pretty sure that I cried every since tear that I could. The scene is so beautifully written, and I felt like I was right there alongside Brooke as she was experience what Rissa was describing. 

This really was a fantastic debut novel by Tara Paradise, and I can't wait to read more of her work, and read more about the MacKenna Boys!!  

Meet Tara

Goodreads / Facebook

My name is Tara and I am a wife, mother, lifelong reader, and author of Contemporary Romance fiction. I live in beautiful Upstate New York in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, on Great Sacandaga Lake.

I've been reading romance novels since I first picked up one of my mother's paperbacks at the age of 16, and writing since I could first hold a pencil. I have always had a vivid imagination and I love creating characters and stories that readers can fall in love with. My debut novel, entitled Second Chance at Love(Book One of The MacKenna Born & Bred Trilogy), is the stormy, sexy and sweet story of Logan and Brooke and I can't wait to share it with you.

I have many goals, and one of them is to visit Italy with my amazing husband, Matthew, whose family comes from the Old Country. I have two sons ~ Braden, 10 and Jordan, 9, who are the loves of my life. They are very bright and very clever and keep me on my toes! In my spare time (what is that, really?!), I enjoy spending time with friends and family.

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REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters

(Monsters in the Dark series, book 1)

A New Adult Dark Contemporary Romance, not suitable for people sensitive to grief, slavery, and nonconsensual sex. A story about finding love in the strangest of places, a will of iron that grows from necessity, and forgiveness that may not be enough.

“My life was complete. Happy, content, everything neat and perfect.

Then it all changed.

I was sold.”

Tess Snow has everything she ever wanted: one more semester before a career in property development, a loving boyfriend, and a future dazzling bright with possibility. 

For their two year anniversary, Brax surprises Tess with a romantic trip to Mexico. Sandy beaches, delicious cocktails, and soul-connecting sex set the mood for a wonderful holiday. With a full heart, and looking forward to a passion filled week, Tess is on top of the world.

But lusty paradise is shattered.

Kidnapped. Drugged. Stolen. Tess is forced into a world full of darkness and terror. 

Captive and alone with no savior, no lover, no faith, no future, Tess evolves from terrified girl to fierce fighter. But no matter her strength, it can’t save her from the horror of being sold.

Can Brax find Tess before she’s broken and ruined, or will Tess’s new owner change her life forever?

******

Captivating. Twisted. And Hauntingly Dark…so very, very Dark.

This novel blew me away. I am a huge fan of dark reads, and story lines that have your stomach churning, palms sweating, and heart pounding; characters that are forced to go through hell and back, that leave a lasting mark on you because of their journey, the ones that keep you rooting for them page after page, chapter after chapter. Tears of Tess is exactly that kind of book with exactly those kind of characters.

Tess Snow seems to have it all – she’s one semester away from graduating from college, and her loving boyfriend, Brax, just surprised her with a trip to Mexico for their two year anniversary. She sees this vacation as the perfect opportunity to broaden her and Brax’s sexual activities, and has every intention to seduce him, to make him get a little bit wild with her. But all of Tess’s plans come to a screeching halt when she’s kidnapped, drugged, and plunged into the terrifying world of sex trafficking. But Tess is a fighter. She’s determined to return to her life with Brax, boring as it may be at times. She will get home and leave this nightmare in the past.

But once again, Tess’s plans start to unravel. The more time she spends with the man who bought her, Q, the more she realizes that returning to her normal, safe life with Brax may not be what she wants…or needs…at all; maybe Tess needs Q, her monster in the dark.

Sweet Mother of God. This novel took me into the deep depths of darkness, and had me grasping for some light. The experiences that Tess went through while her captors were prepping her for sale made me sick. I want to murder every single one of those mother fuckers. Every. Single One. It will break your heart in the most intense of ways, but through Tess’s strength and fighting will, you have a semblance of hope. Pepper has created one of the strongest female characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading about, and Tess will forever have a place in my heart. Her emotional journey into the depths of pure hell led her to finding heaven in an unexpected place, and it was absolutely captivating.

And how can I not talk about Q? I didn’t know what to expect from him to be perfectly honest, because we don’t get much of a hint as to who he is in the synopsis. I’m almost glad that there was no indication as to what kind of person he is, it made it all the more intriguing. I don’t want to say much about him because I’m scared of giving something away, so I’ll just say this – he’s damaged, disturbed, and devastatingly dashing. Now that I just gave you a nice lesson on alliteration, I’ll wrap this up ;)

Tears of Tess is a phenomenal novel that will take you to the ugly underworld of sex trafficking, and lead you down a road of redemption and revelation. It’s heartbreaking and shudder-inducing. But it’s also hopeful and romantic…in a twisted kind of way. Oh, and let’s not forget the hot-as-fucking-sin sex that will rock your world right off its axis. Needless to say, I am hugely impressed with Pepper Winters’s writing abilities, and I have a feeling this series is going to be one that sticks with me for a very long time. 

MY RATING: 5 STARS

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Launch Day Tour: Checking Inn by Emily Harper

Welcome to the Launch Day Tour for Emily Harper's new novel Checking Inn!

The book is officially released today so why not start celebrating the upcoming festivities with a fantastic new read nestled in your stocking . .

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What they say:

‘Kate Foster runs the Summerside Inn (and her life) by well-organized checklists. Make sure the caterers don’t serve devil’s food cake to the Christian Women’s Alliance– check. Tell my mother that having a séance to get rid of any unwanted spirits in the kitchen during dinnertime is not okay- check. Send a friendly reminder to all staff that the pens are colour coded for everyone’s enjoyment, and therefore it is not a good idea to put them all in one jar in order to “spice things up” as was anonymously suggested– check. But, when an acclaimed hotel critic dies at the Inn, just before she’s about to publish a scathing review that would ruin the business, Kate’s life and checklists are thrown into disarray. And it doesn’t help matters that the detective assigned to the case is messy, unorganized, and too charming for his own good. Now Kate has to prove her innocence and save her Inn, or else the only thing that she’ll be organizing is the prison’s next bake sale.’  



Click Here To Buy This Book - UK Click Here To Buy This Book - US  



Author Bio:

Emily Harper has a passion for writing humorous romance stories where the heroine is not your typical damsel in distress. Throughout her novels you will find love, laughter, and the unexpected!

Originally from England, she currently lives in Canada with her wonderful husband, beautiful daughter, mischievous son, and a very naughty dog.

Emily is also the author of the funny and charming novel White Lies, which has proven to be a huge hit with fans. The book will even be appearing on The Marilyn Denis Show as a giveaway next month! For more information on the book please visit Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

   

Ways to stalk follow Emily

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

   

Praise for Emily

'The story bounces along, sweeping the reader up along with it, and has a feel-good factor that makes it both unputdownable and downright fantastic'

   

GIVEAWAY!

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Release Blitz and Giveaway: Push the Envelope by Rochelle Paige

Title: Push the Envelope

Author: Rochelle Paige

Genre: New Adult Romance

Hosted by: Love Between the Sheets Promotions

Release Date: December 20, 2013

 

 

Synopsis

Alexa is just your average college junior, attending classes and piloting Mile High Club charter flights. Boys haven't been on her radar for a couple years after a disastrous breakup with her high school sweetheart. Her plans to focus on school hit a bit of a snag when she meets bad-boy Drake Bennett and he sets his sights on making her his own. Drake transferred to Blythe College for the rugby team, not for a new assortment of college girls. He's sexy and cocky, and he attracts women like moths to a flame. When he meets Alexa, Drake knows he's met his match. She tries to resist him, but Drake isn't used to taking no for an answer. Warning: 18+ due to sexual content

 

Teaser

“Nope.” He reached over and placed his index finger over my lips, instantly quieting my argument. “You can deny it all you want, but I know that you can feel the chemistry between us. When I saw you at the Sig Chi party with Jackson, I wanted you right away. I thought I couldn’t have you, and it pissed me off. I was wrong. I’ve never been so happy to be wrong about something. ‘Cause believe me when I say that I’m going to have you, and I’m not sure I’m going to want to let you go again.”

I didn’t know what to say. His confession shocked the hell out of me! I felt like he was steamrolling over me, and I really wanted to cave. His finger caressed my lips as he waited for my response. I’d felt this thing between us, but I just didn’t know if I could trust him.

“I’ll come to the party with you. We’ll talk, but that’s all that’s going to happen tonight. Understand?”

“Okay, babe. I hear you. Keep in mind that it isn’t tonight yet.” He leaned towards me and his lips crushed against mine. His tongue licked the seam of my mouth, and he nibbled on my lower lip. My brain turned to mush, and my body started to tremble in response. My eyes drifted closed as I enjoyed our first kiss.

Drake groaned deep in his throat, and I could feel the vibrations through the kiss. He pecked the corner of my lips and pulled away from me. Handing me the bags, he nudged me through the door before I could react. My head was still spinning.

“One hour. Be ready for me,” he said before turning around and striding away from me. Damn, I was going to be in so much trouble with this guy. There is just no controlling my response to him, I thought as I watched his ass until I couldn’t see him anymore.

   

Buy the Book

Amazon US - http://www.amazon.com/Envelope-Blythe-College-Rochelle-Paige-ebook/dp/B00HE4J1WI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1387367263&sr=1-1&keywords=push+the+envelope

Amazon UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Envelope-Blythe-College-Rochelle-Paige-ebook/dp/B00HE4J1WI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387379192&sr=8-1&keywords=rochelle+paige

 

About the Author

I absolutely adore reading - always have and always will. My friends growing up used to tease me when I would trail after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. If I have downtime, odds are you will find me reading or writing. I am the mother of two wonderful sons who have inspired me to chase my dream of being an author. I want them to learn from me that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it. When I told my mom that my new year's resolution was to self-publish a book in 2013, she pretty much told me "About time!"

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