King of Clubs by Sandra Owens

I love Sandra Owens, especially her K2 series. I do have to admit though that I really didn't like the first book in this series. It just didn't even read like the same author. Fortunately, I didn't have the same experience with this book. I truly enjoyed it and grew to really love all three of the Gentry brothers. The story of Lauren and Court began years ago. They met and fell in love almost instantly, though now time and dire circumstances separate them. Lauren is afraid to trust, and Court is afraid to love. On top of this, the danger that stalked Lauren years ago is back forcing her to consider running again. Court wants her back, but he will never let his heart be hurt again as badly as it hurt when Lauren left the first time. If he can just keep Lauren from running by solving her problem, he'll do anything to make sure this time he gets to keep her. 

This was a great story and had lots of suspense to go along with some real chemistry. I really enjoyed it and am ready for Nate's story. 

I received an ARC from Net Galley for honest review.

Luca by Sarah Castille

I loved this, possibly even more than the first book in the series. I connected with Luca in that story and couldn't wait to get my hands on his book. Neither Luca nor Gabrielle have had an easy life. Both of them have experienced traumatic loss and tragedy, but they have each dealt with the grief differently. Neither is willing to risk ever loving anyone ever again. Luca is attracted to Gabrielle as soon as he sees her. Gabrielle sees Luca as one night of risk and adventure. 

When Luca and Gabrielle realize they have a common goal and have just been tackling it in different ways, they have to decide whether they can actually work together. Luca believes they can, but will his boss allow it, or will even considering it put their lives at risk? 

I really love stories of truly bad guys with really soft hearts for the women they love. Luca was very bad, but for Gabrielle he was soft yet fiercely protective. Gabrielle was strong and had no problem taking care of herself even though she saw Luca's protectiveness as a definite turn on. It turns out they make a pretty great team, and Luca may end up needing Gabrielle even more than she needs him.

An ARC was provided by Net Galley for honest review.

Race Against Time by Sharon Sala

I have enjoyed many of Sharon Sala's books, and I was excited about trying this one. Quinn was a foster child who never ended up anywhere good. Her luck hasn't changed. She is riding along minding her own business when she encounters a scene which will change her life, maybe for the better, maybe not. One thing it does is reunite Quinn with the only person in her life who ever protected her, Nick.  Quinn is stronger now and can protect herself though Nick is not going to leave her to fight alone.

This story had two strong women determined to overcome the odds and take back their lives. The relationship between Nick and Quinn was sweet, and Nick had a great sense of humor and a positive outlook.

An ARC was provided by Net Galley for honest review.

Fate Hates by Tina Saxon

Man, talk about life dealing you a bad hand...wow! This was my first Tina Saxon book, but it won't be my last since this story is book one of a three part series, and it ends on a cliffhanger. Though they don't know it at first, Addison and Aiden are doomed by fate. They have so much chemistry and such a deep and instant connection, but fate had other plans for them. They want to be together, but so much is pulling them apart. I loved the relationship between Aiden and Addison. They were great together. I loved his possessive streak and how much he enjoyed her feisty nature. They each had good friends surrounding them, but their family situations were troublesome. Family is what causes them both problems. In the end, will it tear them apart? This ended on a great big cliffhanger, so who knows? I'm glad the last two books will be coming out quickly! I received an ARC from Net Galley for honest review.

Gone to Dust by Liliana Hart

It's only book two, but I'm already in love with this series and these characters. One of the reasons I love Liliana Hart is her flair for developing unique storylines that just suck you in and characters you can't help but root for. The Gravediggers series is no exception. A group of men with exceptional skills from the most elite organizations in the world are pulled together to go after the worst of the worst. The only problem...they're all dead, at least as far as the world knows. Locked into a contract that sucks their lives dry of everything but their mission, any relationship they form puts the other person at risk. Not too long ago, Elias found himself acting on the insane chemistry he has with Miller. Just when things got really interesting, he came to his senses and ran. Miller was shocked, and she doesn't plan to forgive him any time soon regardless of how much she wants him.

A shocking package in Miller's mail changes everything. Her brother is in trouble, and she is the only one who can help him. Miller runs to her best friend for help not realizing that it's actually Gravediggers headquarters. When Elias overheard what Miller was getting into, there was no way he was going to end up letting her do it alone. Things are tense between them at first, but having to pose as a married couple erases much of the distance. The chemistry between them is intense, but so is the danger they face with no backup. To make things even more complicated, Miller just wants to save her brother, but she has no idea Elias has a score to settle.

This was another great story in this series. I can't wait to see who gets the next book and how it plays out.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for honest review.

I Knew You Were Trouble by Lauren Layne

This was my first book by this author. I realize it is part of a series, but it worked perfectly as a standalone. The story was about an unlikely couple who were definitely a case of opposites attract. Taylor came off as cold and unapproachable while Nick was a feisty free spirit. Whenever they were together, sparks flew, and not necessarily the sexy kind. Taylor really just wants to be loved, and she's determined to make sure her current boyfriend is in love with her even though she can't deny the lack of chemistry between them. Nick knows that guy is all wrong for her, but he's not ready to act on his feelings for her. When everything goes wrong and Taylor is left with no roommate and no boyfriend, Nick impulsively decides to take the roommate position. Things heat up from there, albeit slowly, until a huge misunderstanding threatens to ruin everything. There was plenty of chemistry and bit of comedy and drama mixed in. I will likely go back and read the previous books from this series soon. I received an ARC from Net Galley for honest review

Turn Me Loose by Anne Calhoun

I've read and liked several of the books in this series, and I liked this one as well. Though both Riva and Ian come across as pretty closed off and borderline unfriendly at first, once the full scope of their history is known, their personalities are understandable. Riva has made plenty of mistakes in her past, and has paid for them. She has moved on, and seeing Ian after all these years is so upsetting that she kicks him out of her restaurant. When fate and a teenage boy she mentors bring her right back into his clutches, it's the last place she wants to be.

Ian used Riva as an informant years ago, and he isn't bothered by that. In fact, he is not above using her again, at least not until he meets her family and understands how dangerous her father is. He begins to understand her choices more and more, and the desire he has always had for her builds. In the past, he couldn't act on his interest because of his job. This time he's not officially on duty, so....all bets are off.

There was a lot of tension between the two main characters, both sexual and not. Both had secrets they kept and reasons for bitterness, but somehow they managed to move forward and find success. Both are risking that success now, but the reward may just make the risk worthwhile.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for honest review.

Beyond Reason by Kat Martin

Carly and Linc were both strong characters with a very determined attitude. They own companies in competition with each other since the death of Carly's uncle, but Linc feels no need to compete because Carly's uncle was responsible for giving him his start. He also made the man a promise to protect Carly. Unfortunately, he has a need to act on that promise since Carly and her business have been targeted.

I liked how Linc took on all the responsibility for taking care of Carly's problems, but I also liked that she was strong enough to want to handle her own issues. The story moved quickly and had plenty of suspense and chemistry to keep me interested.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Obsession by Calista Fox

This was a short ultra sexy novella in the Bayfront Billionaires series. I have only read one of the other books in the series, but I didn't feel lost at all. I love Calista Fox, and I think she writes some of the sexiest books on the market. I love getting the perspectives of all three of the main characters. If you've read the description, then you know this is a threesome. I enjoy these on occasion if the novel has an actual plot and is not just the female character giving out "butterscotch jellybeans" on demand (hope you get my movie reference). This one did have a plot, although I definitely would have liked to have the ending be a little more in depth. It felt like it wrapped up a little too quickly and too easily, but I enjoyed it anyway and plan to go back and read the other two books I've missed in the series.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for honest review.