RELUCTANTLY MARRIED (Married #2)

RELUCTANTLY MARRIED                         VICTORINE E. LIESKE

A Clean Romantic Comedy

Megan Holloway can’t stand her local morning show co-host, Adam Warner, even though he’s a total hunk. He goads her on-air until she says things she regrets. But since ratings increase each time they have an on-air fight, the producer encourages his behavior.

When a relationship specialist comes onto the show purporting that Adam has hidden feelings for her, she reluctantly agrees to go out with him—on camera. What starts out as one date turns into a viral dating show with Megan and Adam alternating between locking lips and knocking heads.

As Megan fights her growing attraction to Adam, their popularity increases and ABC takes notice, offering them their own program. Not a morning show like Megan is hoping, but a dating show in which she and Adam must marry at the end. With the promise of a hundred thousand dollars and the possibility of scoring what she really wants her own national program, she signs on.

What she doesn't know is that Adam has fallen in love with her, and his objective is to get her to do the same.

This is a sweet romance, appropriate for any age. 

MY REVIEW:

  Sometimes we fail to see who or what is right in front of us out of fear or necessity.  Which for Megan Holloway, co-host of a local morning show is true.  You see she works with Adam Warner, a handsome, successful, young, good looking, ego gobbler, jerk.  Oh, yeah did I say sexy hot?  So, you get the picture.     

     Problem being he knows it.  When the sign “On Air” goes on he is an egotistical jerk.  When it goes off he is kind and a gentleman.  So, who is the real Adam?  That is who Megan is trying to figure out.  Yet, she just can’t get a handle on him.

     When the bantering on air gets going the audience eats it up.  And one day it goes viral.  They become an overnight success.  Then, Leon, the producer starts making scenarios to bump up their ratings even more.  But it is always at her expense.

     The more time Adam and Megan spend together the more they feel and they like it.  Making this all worth it.  But yet, not letting anyone gets jammed up.  Then ABC offered them their own dating show only catch is she has to marry Adam at the end.  Not so bad, right?  But every company show has a Leon so nothing goes as planned and neither does their feelings.

     This was a fun story.  It really is clean for all ages.  Characters were funny and sincere.  They had family issues that were real and heartbreaking.  I give this:  5++++ stars.  Follow us at:

www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

AFTER THE HURT

AFTER THE HURT                          SHANA GRAY

Pepper Chapman refuses to throw in the towel. Six months ago, she made the biggest mistake of her life. Blinded by grief after her mom’s death, Pepper abandoned the man she loves. Now she wants a second chance at everything she gave up: strong hands driving her to ecstasy . . . a deep voice whispering naughty promises in her ear . . . the future they’d planned since they were teenagers. So Pepper comes home looking for forgiveness, ready for a new beginning—if he’s willing to give her a shot.

Retired MMA star Tank Sherman may be used to low blows, but Pepper’s emotional sucker punch left him reeling. Trying to ignore the pain and forget the pleasure of her body beneath his, Tank is prepared to ring the final bell on their relationship. Then Pepper shows up out of the blue, radiating pure sex. But Tank won’t let himself get hurt again, and that means resisting the heat that still burns between them. Because if he takes Pepper back, he knows he’ll never be able to let her go again.

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title. 

MY REVIEW:

     At the time of a loved one’s death, we are so consumed with their passing that we can’t seem to celebrate their life or be with those offering us comfort.  Then when you find out a simple act of your kindness like bringing a sandwich and splitting it with your mom caused her the infection that killed her you distraught.  When in reality the chemo that lowers her immune system along with the contaminated tomato, along with her body fighting itself was what killed her.  Her body just couldn’t fight it all.  Pepper Chapman couldn’t see the facts and she couldn’t forgive herself.

     No matter how many times the man she loves, Tank Sherman, former MMA fighter, told her.  The fact that she had a hand in it was just too overwhelming for her to take.  Pulling her down into a spiraling depression.  Right in the middle of them trying to care for also Tank’s sister Meg, a lawyer, who was struck by a drunk driver.  Plus, they were well into the throws of construction of Octagon their Bar and Restaurant.

     When one day when Tank wakes up she’s gone.  She needed to get away but doesn’t tell anyone.  Here he has loved her since they were teens.  Yet, she just disappeared without a trace.  No, phone calls, no texts, and no mail.  Just gone.  Six months later she just walks back into the fully finished bar and waits, no one is around but the door is open.  So, she waits on Tank.  When he comes out she wished she hadn’t the urge to both grab him and hold on.  But she waited for him to make the first move.

     He wanted the same thing but he was hurt but if he grabbed on this time he never wanted to let go.  But he didn’t know if he wanted to ever be hurt like that again.  Then for Tank, reality sets in with the pain and hurt coming crashing down on him that she left him behind like he was nothing.

     Pepper’s fingers twitched to touch him but she could see the hurt and the pain in his eyes she caused.  He was not going to make it easy on her to make amends and come back home and explain her grief.  She knew she had to try no matter how long or how hard he pushed her away.

     I really enjoyed this story between Tank and Pepper.  The chemistry between them was steamy and hot.  Without the sex scenes.  For me they seemed forced in some respects in some of the places the characters just had IT, it was like the author was expected to have it so she wrote it.  Tank and Pepper just steam it up without it.  I give this: 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com. 

SWEET SOUTHERN BAD BOY (HARMONY HOMECOMINGS #3)

SWEET SOUTHERN BAD BOY                     MICHELE SUMMERS

When Katie McKnight gets lost location-scouting for her father’s TV studio, she stumbles upon the perfect setting for their angsty new teen vampire series—a remote barn house unfortunately occupied by a grouchy, disheveled, and incredibly sexy man who instantly mistakes her for the new nanny. Should Katie tell him the truth, or get her foot in the door?

SHE’S GOT EVERYTHING HE NEEDS
Bestselling author Vance Kerner doesn’t just have writer’s block—he’s been run ragged ever since he was saddled with taking care of his brother’s three kids, an adopted kitten, and a runaway mutt. The last thing he needs is a teen drama defiling his property, but with fascinating and unconventional Katie underfoot charming the entire Kerner household, Vance is finding it harder and harder to say no.

PAT'S REVIEW;

Katie McKnight is working for her father who owns a movie studio and she thinks she has found the perfect location for a new series that they are going to be making. She loves the house, the old trees, and is just the feel for the vampire series. What she does not except is the screaming coming from inside the house and the little boy she is looking at who is a mess, along with the inside of the home. When she meets the owner Vance Kerner who is an author and is late for a meeting, she cannot get a word in edge wise because of all of the noise. After a fantastic whistle that calms everyone down for a short while she explains that she is not the nanny from the agency, but a location scout for a movie studio. She also agrees to watch the three children while he goes to his meeting. Vance is so taking by Katie that he wants to do anything to keep her there with him. He is watching his brother’s three children while he is deployed and his sister in law is recovering from a fall she took. Taken back by the quietness and the house being cleaned when he comes back from his meeting the two of them come to an agreement of Katie helping him with the children so he can meet his deadline for his new book, and will sign the contract. This at least is what he tells her because Vance has fallen for her and just does not know how far yet. Both of them are attracted to one another, and at the same time have to work through issues with their fathers. What really makes this book is all of the characters that surround these two people and how the author weaves them in and out of the story to make it funny, or a little serious at times. Both the lead characters are ones everyone likes and everyone wants them together but they need to take care of the past in order to have a future. This is a very good book, and has some very funny moments. I really enjoyed all of the characters also. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com 

IF NOT FOR YOU (New Beginnings #3)

IF NOT FOR YOU                              DEBBIE MACOMBER

An emotionally stirring novel that shows how obstacles can be overcome, differences can be strengths, and sometimes a choice can seem wrong even though its absolutely right

If not for her loving but controlling parents, Beth Prudhomme might never have taken charge of her life and moved from her native Chicago to Portland, Oregon, where she s reconnected with her spirited Aunt Sunshine and found a job as a high school music teacher. If not for her friend Nichole, Beth would never have met Sam Carney, although first impressions have left Beth with serious doubts. Sam is everything Beth is not and her parents worst nightmare: a tattooed auto mechanic who s rough around the edges. Reserved and smart as a whip, Beth isn t exactly Sam s usual beer-drinking, pool-playing type of woman, either. 

But if not for an awkward setup one evening, Beth might never have left early and been involved in a car crash. And if not for Sam who witnessed the terrifying ordeal, rushed to her aid, and stayed with her until help arrived Beth might have been all alone, or worse. Yet as events play out, Sam feels compelled to check on Beth almost daily at the hospital even bringing his guitar to play songs to lift her spirits. Soon their unlikely friendship evolves into an intense attraction that surprises them both. 

Before long, Beth's strong-willed mother, Ellie, blows into town spouting harsh opinions, especially about Sam, and reopening old wounds with Sunshine. When shocking secrets from Sam s past are revealed, Beth struggles to reconcile her feelings. But when Beth goes a step too far, she risks losing the man and the life she s come to love.

MY REVIEW:

     How do you know when it’s time to cut the apron strings?  When it comes to growing up?  What’s healthy and what’s not?  Well, I am sure Beth Prudhomme was asking herself the same question at twenty-five years old.  “When do I wing my mother.”

     You see Ellie Prudhomme thought she had every right to dictate every moment of every day of every year that was her daughter’s life.  From who to date, what to wear, and where to go to school.  She didn’t even have friends.  The one thing she did do and she loved is playing the piano of which she had a perfect pitch.

     She did, however, work out a deal with the church to play the piano for a fee during the services.  So that she could hide the money away for later use.  She didn’t tell her mother.  When she had enough she called her mother’s sister, Sunshine, which her mother doesn’t talk to, asking if she could come life with her since she applied for a teaching job.  She planned her escape for the late night.  But then she thought maybe she should tell her father.

     When she ends up in Portland, Oregon she finds that she has the job for sure and in two days after staying with her aunt she finds and the apartment too.  One of the teacher’s, Nichol, she meets the first days on campus at the high school.  They become fast friends.  Nichol invites her over for a last-minute dinner.  Turns out it will be a fix-up.  Yes, a fix up with her husband Rocco’s friend, Sam Carney. 

     When she asks questions, Nichol says she likes him a lot and so do the children they call him uncle Sam.  She says he’s great with children.  But that he is a mechanic, that he has long hair but keeps it neat.  Let’s just say both Beth and Sam were not pleased to have been fixed up.  But they liked their friends so they went along with it for this one meal. 

     When Beth see’s Sam she doesn’t think he’s bad looking but she knows he’s not someone her mom would find acceptable.  Long hair, beard, and tattoos.  Not to mention that the look on his face shows that he is not even interested.  After a tense dinner, both choose to not have dessert.  As soon as they could they bolted, glad it was over.  They both made it to the red light at the intersection at the same time. 

     The light turns green Sam was going straight and Beth was making a right turn as she proceeded to go not seeing that a teen was going to be running a red light until it was too late.  The teen was texting.  She was stuck full impact.  Sam sees it all happen right before his eyes.  He goes to her aide.  Both of their lives are forever changed in that moment.

     You won’t want to miss this story.  Seeing how dysfunction in Beth’s life, near death experience, and Sam’s past secrets change these two forever.  I give this: 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

CHASE (HOT RIDES #3)

CHASE                                                              SIDNEY BRISTOL

For Gabriel, the FBI is just a painful memory. His new team of motorheads may work for the Feds undercover, but they’re nothing like the backstabbers and bureaucrats he left behind. Hunting drug dealers and smugglers in Miami gets him the adrenaline rush he wants and the justice he needs. All that’s missing is the seal on the badge—and Nikki, his sexy ex-partner. 
 
Until she shows up at his garage, wearing short shorts and a look that spells trouble. Nikki has never forgotten the heartbreak Gabriel left her with last time. Even if she can’t have him, she still has to work with him. There’s a homegrown terrorist recruiting military vets to a cult of fear and deception, and they all have roots in Miami. 
 
It will take Gabriel and all the Classic Rides crew to stop a catastrophe. But in close quarters with sparks flying, it’s only a matter of time before the old flame ignites . 

PAT'S REVIEW;

Gabriel Ortiz does not talk about his time with the FBI with his new undercover crew at motorheads. What has gone from protecting the Russian twin sisters has now turned into a whole different undercover case. This being the third book in the series it focuses on Gabe. Right from the start he is met with a reminder from his past in the forum of one Nikki Gage, FBI agent and daughter to the deputy director. They also were living together four years ago when a case went bad and Gabe left and eventually ended up in Miami. They do go over this in this story. Now though she has been sent to oversee an operation on an organization that is being run out of south beach and are using veterans who have PTSD, against their will. What she does not want to do is spend time alone with Gabe, but after their garage is destroyed they are now put together to work not only this case but also their past, and for Gabe hopefully a future. This story has a lot of action as far as shooting, car chases, some nice vintage muscle cars, and of course horizontal bop, with a little hood scene as well. Just what everyone wants from a good story that keeps moving along even after a mustang is totaled, or something has blown up. I also liked the banter between the two main characters especially Nikki thinking at some point that Gabe would actually have a plan. Overall a good book and you don’t need to read the other books to be caught up. I got this book from Netgalley.com Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

ONE MORE KISS ( BAND ON THE RUN #1)

ONE MORE KISS                                             SAMANTHA CHASE

Matt Reed was living the dream until a bad career move sends him back to his hometown for much-needed privacy. Instead, he finds someone he never expected: the woman whose steamy kiss he remembers like it was yesterday.

Vivienne Forrester finally has her life in order... until Matt moves back to town. She doesn't want to think about the time she threw caution to the wind with him, but running into him everywhere, it's impossible not to..

PAT'S REVIEW;

Matt Reed is feeling the strain of his failed solo project that he thought was going to be a big hit on Broadway. Instead it was a big flop closing in three nights and the press will not leave him alone. He needs to get out of New York, but the only place is from his friend from his home town and he has not been back in 12 years. So he goes back to his home town after talking to Aaron and he runs into his younger sister Vivienne. The problem for her is that Matt does not remember the encounter that they had two years before in his dressing room after the band that he was with finished their set for the last tour together. Now she does not want to face him, let alone be left by her brother for three weeks with him. The problem comes in when Matt does remember the dressing room. Now he must make her feel that she is the woman he wants to be with while also saving his music career. If any of you have read the Shaughnessy’s Brother’s series from this author book #4 about Riley the musician. This book picks up after that story with the band members off doing their own things not all good. This book has both romance between Matt and Vivienne, but also how Matt must get things settled from his past that are right there in his home. He won’t be able to move forward with anything until he does, and he definitely wants a future with Vivienne. Overall this is a good book. I like the two lead characters and the dialogue that they have. I also liked a touching moment for her when he cooked for her. You have to read the book to understand the importance. A very good story. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

EXPERIENCING THE ROLLING STONES: A LISTENER'S COMPANION

EXPERIENCING THE ROLLING STONES          DAVID MALVINNI

Over fifty years after their founding, the Rolling Stones still tour and create new music, while retaining their status as the world s quintessential rock band. Marketed as the raw alternative to their Liverpool counterparts, the Beatles, the Stones were the brainchild of guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones. But even before Jones tragic death from drowning in 1969, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards assumed leadership of the group largely because of their songwriting partnership. David Malvinni s Experiencing the Rolling Stones: A Listener s Companion looks at the Stones music from the inside out. Throughout Malvinni places individual songs and entire albums within the transformative era of the 60s, focusing on how The Rolling Stones integrated African-American R &B, blues, and rock and roll into a uniquely British style. Vignettes attempt to describe what it was like to hear the Stones music at the time of its release thread their way through as Malvinni goes beyond the usual stories around their significant songs. Tracing the distinctive sound that run through their catalogue, from chord progressions and open guitar tunings, to polyrhythmic Afro-Caribbean beats, to their timbral innovations using non-traditional instruments, he shows how the Stones retain their identity through the decades. Experiencing The Rolling Stones also draws together a broad swath of post-war Atlantic history as it covers their origins in Swinging London, their interest in the Beat generation of artists, the powerful attraction of Morocco on their lives and music, the infamous drug busts that nearly destroyed the band, the female muses who inspired them, the disaster Altamont and its aftermath, their flight from England as tax exiles, and the recording sessions outside of England. Malvinni takes an especially close look at Keith Richards guitar work from his use of an open-G tuning to 5-string guitars and their effect on the band s music, as well as the change in personnel, such as the addition of guitarists Mick Taylor and Ron Wood."

PAT'S REVIEW;

First let me say being a Stones fan for decades I found this book to be very insightful. When my friends were buying the Beatles records I was buying the Stones. I still look for the new stuff when it comes out. This book takes you back from their first record up to 2012 and goes through each album and for the most part the hit song from those albums. He also explains how the first three or four were different from one being an U.S. release and the other being a U.K. release. The author also explains how the different styles of music has shaped their own style, blues, R&B, some jazz, African and Cuban beats, even Jamaica with Reggae music. He also explains how even Stax a 1960-1970 record label out of Memphis inspired certain songs on some albums. The author will explain cords and riffs and how they got the sound and how later some of the earlier sound was changed by changing cords and moving down a few frets on the guitar to change the sound but only silently. He thought that this was brilliant because it is there blues, rock, R&B style that has kept them going. The author lets you know who also played on the albums like Billy Preston plating piano for example and Sonny Rollins a jazz great playing on “Waiting on a Friend” from the Tattoo you record. He also goes into sound engineers like in the 70’s Chris Kimsey, who took over for them with “Some Girls” and had also worked on Peter Frampton’s “Come Alive”, Bad Company’s “Burnin’ Sky”, just to name two. He has worked with many artists over the years. The author also explains how after Ian Stewart passed away they needed a new keyboardist for studio and touring, so they hired Chuck Leavell who at one time was a member of The Allman Brothers Band, and played on Duane’s Allman solo album, he also had his own band plus played with other bands like Govt Mule. This is a good book on their work and for the most part sticks with the music. If you want personal life stuff of the band then this book is not for you. For me this was a fabulous book because I still listen to their music. Overall a good book. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

LOVE TAKER (Nashville Nights #3)

LOVE TAKER                                  ERIN MC CARTHY

The Nashville Nights series is burning up backstage in this sensual friends-to-lovers novel featuring a good-guy cop and a woman who’s been looking for Mr. Right in all the wrong places.

Pretty-boy musicians are a fixture of the Nashville country scene—and Elle Hart, a hairdresser to the stars, is beginning to think that they’re all total pricks. Elle’s dating choices have been a disaster, but at least she has Tucker. Though he’s easy on the eyes, no one would ever accuse Jason Michael Tucker of being a pretty boy. The humble and handsome sheriff's deputy from Elle’s hometown has always been there to comfort her—until the evening their friendship unexpectedly leads to the best sex Elle has ever had.

Tucker has been lusting after Elle since they were an item as teens, but he knows that their wild night of passion is a one-time thing. He’s an old friend, nothing more, and they’re too different to become a couple just because they’ve knocked boots. After all, she hates being back in their hometown, and he’s not so fond of the big city. But when Elle comes to Tucker with news that changes everything, he must help her come to grips with her traumatic past—or risk losing her forever.

MY REVIEW:

     Really enjoyed this short read.  It was a fun story about two high school sweethearts who only stopped being together because Elle Hart head moved away.  You see her dad Billie was the town drunk who used to beat their mother, them and left them with little to no money for food.  It wasn’t until he was locked up that they got away.  Their home was a shack.

     Somehow, her mom got herself and the children away to Nashville.  Where their lives change for the better.  Elle’s sister, Jolene, becomes a country star, Shane her brother, a music producer, and Elle a hairdresser and makeup artist to the stars.  The only thing that came with her from her hometown that she cherished was her friendship with her former boyfriend Jason Michael Tucker.

     Tucker stayed in the small town in Kentucky that they grew up in and has now become a sheriff.  He really loves his job and right up next to that would be the love he has still for Elle.  Although, he would never have the nerve to tell her.  You see for the last 12 years Elle had used Tucker as her go-to guy when she has a problem with other guys.  As a sounding board, if you will.

     The hardest calls were when she called about other guys.  On this night, Elle calls and she’s in tears.  Which sets his red flags flying.  Elle is never in tears.  Even when she had fallen out of a tree, not a tear fell from her eyes.  But when she started comparing herself to her mother he knew something was terribly wrong.  His Elle was in trouble a terrible depression of some sort.

     She said the guy had called her bitchy and that he was only out with her because she was Jolene’s sister.  Basically, using her.  Ouch!  Her ego took a direct hit.  Not to mention he said she was a bad kisser.  He knew for sure that was a lie.

     When she was on overload she hung up on Tucker.  Balled her eyes out and headed for bed.  But couldn’t be in the bed all alone.  It would only reinforce how lonely she really was.  So, the couch it was.  When all of a sudden there was banging at her door.  Then there was texting on her phone holy mother.  What was happening?  Then the banging again.  When she opened the door, there stood Tucker.  He had driven four hours at midnight to come and check on her.  You got it check on her.  He was that worried.

     She was still tired and he hadn’t slept either after a little talking with only one bed they went to go to bed together.  But first, she asks him to kiss her.  He goes pale and says not a good idea just being friends.  Then they go for it. OH! LORDY!

     You need to get this book to see where they go from here.  More than BFF’s?  You will never know unless you read.

I give this: 5 stars.  Provided by: netgalley.com.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

TEASE ME, BABY(O'CONNOR FAMILY#2)

TEASE ME, BABY                                           KATIE REUS

Pastry chef, Fallon O’Connor is torn between her dreams and her obligations. Right before she reluctantly sets off for a degree she doesn’t want, she’s reeling from a mind-blowing encounter with Mr. Perfect. But one sexy, toe-curling kiss isn’t nearly enough when a Boy Scout like Sheriff Fulton lights her fire.

After one delectable taste, he’s never letting her go.

Brad Fulton would do anything for more time with Fallon. After all, he’s wanted a chance with her ever since she moved back to town. And just when things start to heat up, Fallon starts packing her bags—for a future without him. Now, it’s up to Brad to show Fallon that everything she’s ever wanted is right in Holly, North Carolina. But can Fallon trust her heart enough to stay?

PAT'S REVIEW;

This book is a quick read and a fun book. Fallon O’Connor is looking forward to going to California to a culinary school to be a pastry chef. Her friends are telling her she does not need to leave because she is already doing good business with what she is baking and she could not learn anything else from the school that she doesn’t already know. Having those same thoughts she just feels that this is what she needs to do. That is until the night that sheriff Brad Fulton walks her to her truck and gives her a kiss that rocks her world. She is wondering why now? Here she is planning on leaving and now he is showing interest in her. Brad aka the Boy Scout has been wanting to make a play for her since he moved back into town but could never pick the right time, so he figured if he didn’t do it then he would never do it. Now he has to talk her into going out with him on a date and as much as she does not want to she does. After a moment in a storage closet at her place of work, maybe longer than a moment she is left with a dilemma. To leave or to stay? She wants to be with him but she also wants pastry school. Read this fun loving story to find out. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com 

YUMMY ADDICTIONS (THE YUMMY TRILOGY#1)

YUMMY ADDICTIONS                                   BELLE DAVIS

Valentina “Vale” Zamora is a twenty-eight-year-old executive with a global travel wholesaler and fresh out of a contentious and unfulfilling marriage in which her ex-husband left her for a stripper. Slowly piecing her shattered self-esteem back together, she jets off to Paris in search of some retail therapy and, if she’s lucky, a steamy distraction to bring her some sexual excitement—and maybe even some life insight. 

Sex is definitely on her mind, but a relationship is not. So when she finds herself sitting on the flight next to a mysterious and sultry self-made millionaire, her heart races and her body tingles like never before. A mutual attraction quickly emerges, and after a steamy in-flight make-out session, Vale decides to pursue him as her sexual tutor.

An erotic escapade unfolds against the backdrop of Paris, but will their unbridled lust be a tragic error in judgment, or will it be the beginning of a deep and lasting love?

PAT'S REVIEW;

This is a fast read with a lot of sexy hot sex scenes to keep the pages turning. Val is on her way to Paris after divorcing her husband and she figures that shopping will help her over that part of her life. When sitting next to her is Jason and wonders if anything could happen between them. Oh I would so. Between many places, and she is enjoying forgetting her troubles away. She is now later wondering if maybe she literately jump in to soon with someone without knowing more about them and towards the end her worries come about. I am sure that is what the next book will be about. Overall not a bad story. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us atwww.1rad-readerreviews.com 

MY ADDICTION (CLUB DESIRE #2)

MY ADDICTION                                              CASSIE RYAN

Fiercely independent and determined to free herself from her father’s manipulation, tech expert Kate Fretwell finds a refuge in L.A.’s elite BDSM dungeon scene as the hot new thing to political and Hollywood A-listers. Still, all that glitters gets old, and Kate soon tires of the stream of well-heeled masters who expect her to be at their beck and call. Then she meets a very different kind of Dom—one whose quiet confidence, strength, and command bring her most willingly to her knees.

Undercover FBI agent Dex Alexander fits right into his assignment to expose terrorist links to one of L.A.’s most popular clubs. The case has reawakened a desire to find the perfect companion, and he knows that beautiful, vulnerable Kate is a woman he could love. But when her father’s corruption unwittingly makes Kate the target of a bigger enemy, Dex brings her to his Phoenix home—and his dungeon, Club Desire. Here she shows him just how eager she is to give him everything . . . and more.

PAT'S REVIEW;It took me awhile to get into this story. Just for the reason of thinking that an FBI agent is undercover in a BDSM club and waiting for the one person to come in and she does. Dax Alexander is the FBI agent and he is waiting for Kate Fretwell who is a tech expert that works at her father’s firm and is looking for a way out from here controlling father. She finds a place at a Hollywood BDSM club. Dax happens to be there and wants to become more than her dominate. When they do get together the scenes are hot and blistering. He also has his own personal space in his home in Phoenix just for his enjoyment. Now though it is on an entirely different level because he wants more than her for his case, and she is totally looking at leaving her father’s firm and getting away from his grip. A very sexy and passionate book with some very good sexy scenes. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

WICKED BEAUTIFUL

WICKED BEAUTIFUL                                    J.T. GEISSINGER           

Life coach and best-selling author Victoria Price has it all: a successful career, fabulous friends, a fantastic penthouse in Manhattan. What she doesn’t have—and doesn’t want—is a husband. Fifteen years ago her high school flame broke her heart so badly she swore she’d never love again. Now she makes millions teaching other women how to be just like her: a ruthless bitch.

Drop-dead sexy restauranteur and infamous playboy Parker Maxwell has only three rules for the women he dates: no questions about his past, no expectations for the future, and no spending the night. When he meets Victoria, however, he’s willing to break his own rules if it means sating the explosive desire she arouses in him. What he doesn’t know is that the alluring Victoria Price used to be the mousy Isabel Diaz, the girl he deflowered and dumped long ago.

Presented with a perfect opportunity for revenge, Victoria decides the game is on. But when her connection with Parker proves more than just skin deep, she has to make a choice: continue with her plan for payback, or risk her career, her reputation, and her heart by taking a second chance on love?

PAT'S REVIEW;

Victoria Price is a life coach who has created a huge following and a brand that is raking in money by the truck loads. When one night she goes with her friend and food critique Darcy to try a new restaurant her world is shaken. The man who owns the restaurant changed her life 15 years ago, and the only good thing now is that he does not recognize the girl she once was. He only sees her Victoria. Parker Maxwell is a playboy and has opened dozens of restaurants. Seeing Victoria has stirred something inside of him and he wants to be with her, for some reason she seems familiar but he always just passes off those feelings. Now Victoria sees an opportunity to get back at the person who broke her heart so many years ago. But like every plan of revenge their comes a time when you have to go over the line or not and for Victoria when that day comes she does something that I the reader did not see coming. This story has many secrets, mysteries that are reviled as the story goes along and you the reader are taken through one at a time all the way to her decision of action. That is when I was surprised. I liked the supporting characters especially Tabitha her assistant. Though they all were good. Overall a very good book. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us atwww.1rad-readerreviews.com

PURGATORY ROAD

PURGATORY ROAD                                        SAMUEL PARKER

When a day trip out of Las Vegas with his wife takes a turn for the worse, Jack is sure he has the ability to get them home. But he has driven into something far beyond reason.

Rescue comes in the form of a desert hermit, but hope fades as the couple comes to realize that the nomad has no intention of letting them leave. A chance encounter with a kidnapped runaway and her crazed abductor leads them all farther into the wilderness--and closer to the cold brutality that isolation brings.

At the edge of his sanity, Jack begins to learn that playing by another's rules may be the only way to survive.

In a voice that is as hypnotizing as a desert mirage, debut novelist Samuel Parker entices you down a treacherous road, where the forces of good and evil are as crushing as the Mojave heat. 

PAT'S REVIEW;

A very interesting story between good and evil, and the turns you take in life and where they could lead you. First it begins with a young girl who has run away from her home in Ohio because really it was ok, no excitement. Just routine and she was looking for an adventure. She was not upset with her parents or any one thing she was looking for what she thought would be an adventure. After getting all the way to Vegas she accepts a ride from a truck driver who she thinks is going to take her to L.A. that does not happen. Now the second part of the story is about a couple who has traveled from Chicago to Vegas for a weekend and their marriage is ok at least for the both of them in their mind. The husband decides that for fun let’s take a ride out in the desert, not to a local place like Red Rock Canyon, or go out to Hoover Dam. No let’s drive out to the desert. Having grown up in the desert I for one know that this is a bad idea and is not going to end well. Now is when the story changes after an old man rescues the couple. But the husband is still being a jerk and just for good measure the old man lets him try to walk out to find help even the husband does not know where he is going and for being so upset with the old man he leaves his wife with the man. First if you’re a city person don’t go walking in the desert by yourself with idea where you’re going when in a few hours it will be 120 degrees, second if he didn’t like the old man why did he leave his wife with him? The husband really pissed me off. You go back and forth between the couple, and their situation and girls. The author takes you the reader to look at all their lives before they got to this point and you are wondering how is this going to end. The ending is very climatic so I won’t go into it, but I will say that this is a very good book with very strong characters. Overall I really liked the story. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us atwww.1rad-readerreviews.com

ONE TOUCH MORE

ONE TOUCH MORE                                       MANDY BAXTER

For hotel manager Tabitha Martin, bad boys usually spell disaster. And her new guest promises just that, with his formidable build, tattooed biceps, and quiet take-no-mess attitude. Tabitha is already putting everything on the line to escape her vicious drug-dealing ex's control for good—but a single sizzling moment in “Damien Evans'” arms has her wanting all the trouble he can give…

He's been undercover too long and likes living dangerously too much. U.S. Marshal Parker Evans figures maybe that's why he doesn't immediately put Tabitha in custody. Sure, she's his one chance to finally take down a major drug ring. But every minute he protects this mostly innocent blonde leaves his heart all too vulnerable. And the cost of desire could be a deadly endgame…

PAT'S REVIEW;

Tabitha Martin is a hotel manager who has a fatal flaw, she is attracted to tattooed bad boys. When Parker Evans comes into her hotel she is attracted to him immediately by his bad boy looks. She has no clue that he is working as an undercover U.S. Marshall, and she is his target. The problem is now he wants her really under his covers, on top of the covers and anywhere else. Her last boyfriend is really the guy he is looking for a drug dealer and he is violent and has made it known that he will harm her brother if she does not help him. Trying to get out from his clutches she can only hope that this next bad boy looking man is really not another bad string of men in the line she has chosen. Now Parker must somehow show her that he really is in love with her but that he can also help her, and her brother without getting any of them killed. A good story with a lot of action. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com 

SEXY LIVING

SEXY LIVING                                         REGINA COLE

Regina Cole tells a surprising—and sizzling—story about a successful young woman who learns that size is just a number, happiness is hot, and sexy is a way of life…
 
In her nine-to-five life, Stacey Hough is a confident young woman whose career is going from strength to strength. But a trip to Hawaii for her cousin’s wedding lays bare her deepest insecurities, and she books the first flight home to Atlanta to avoid exposing her curves on the beach. Tired of being unhappy, she decides to take action and heads to the gym. But her personal trainer’s seductive smile and ridiculous muscles make it hard to focus on lifts and lunges…
 
Robert Liston lives to help people achieve their goals. When Stacey walks into his gym, he sees a voluptuous woman who doesn’t know how beautiful she really is, and he’s determined to help her learn to accept herself. As soon as she starts warming up on the treadmill, things start warming up between them, and it’s only a matter of time before Rob is putting Stacey through her paces at the gym—and in the bedroom. As the line between work and pleasure blurs, Rob must convince her that sexy has nothing to do with the scale—and that her imperfections inspire the greatest passion of all…

MY REVIEW:

     I really enjoyed this BBW book.  (Big Beautiful Woman) for those of you who are wondering.  Regina nails a lot of the issues we women who have curves deal with.

     We can fake it till we make it.  But Stacey Hough, after attending her cousin's wedding in Hawaii and literally being pushed and knocked to the ground by an angry guy, she was done.

     She left right after the ceremony.  She was so embarrassed that she didn’t want to hear her own relatives take pot shots at her like they always did.  You see she is the only one in her family who is not perfect.  She is short and has curves and with a weight issue.  So, she would have heard how unbecoming it is at her weight to allow herself to fall.  If she would have just have moved and kept quiet.  But she just didn’t feel like allowing her friend to be manhandled or verbally abused. Shame on her.

     So, she researched on the plane where there were the best gyms.  She found one she liked that fit her price range.  She figured that if the owner was on the grounds she would at least have great eye candy as and incentive for better workouts.  Right!?  Not knowing her five a.m. workouts would score her the man himself, Rob Liston.

     Instead of passing her off to Brandi the female personal trainer, he jumps in front of her and welcomed her.  Telling Brandi, he would be personally taking Stacey as his client.  Which he normally never took on new clients anymore.  You see when he saw her walk through his doors he saw a voluptuous strawberry blonde.  A woman who after a long dry spell for him peeked his interest.  In more way than one.

     Toward the end of the workout of which she was doing so well.  Rob moves her to the treadmill.  She tells him it’s not happening.  He says yes.  She says no.  After much talking, she agrees.  Then she says it is too fast he says no.  She says yes and that he is there for he if she has any problems.  But then he walks away for a sec and Stacey panics and falls out of step and she goes flying off the treadmill into his arms on the floor.

     He tries to help her up but by then she is embarrassed and overwhelmed and ignores his help.  She tries to play it off but she won’t make eye contact.  Which is killing Rob?  He knows he blew it.  He knows he is never to leave a client’s side.  She says she will be back the next day but he knows the truth.  She won’t he blew it when she had started off so well.

     Rob researches different new exercises to better help her.  She’s a no-show that morning.  He goes for a coffee and runs into her.  He talks her into coming back that evening.  He’s got a second chance.  He can’t blow it.  He really likes her.  He knows he can help.  Very erotic BBW yet a tender love story too.

     This is so worth the read.  I give this: 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

CHARMING JEFF (Finding Perfect Book 7)

CHARMING JEFF                                  AMY GREGORY

Jeff Hughes is most comfortable behind the gleaming bar of Jenny’s, the bar and grill he owns, just as the two generations before him did. Situated on the square in the tiny town of Renlend, Kansas, Jenny’s and Jeff have been a sounding board for the townspeople for years. Now, each of those in his inner circle has all fallen in love, and if they aren’t already married, proposals have been made, complete with shiny rings. 
Not Jeff. He’s kept quiet, silently brooding over the one woman who stole his heart the first time he saw her, over five years ago. He’d forget all about the dark-haired beauty with pale ice green eyes if he could. Except it’s his signature on her paycheck each week. 

Kelly DeGraw grew up in a world completely unlike than the one she’s made for herself in Renlend. This was the place she’d visited as a child. Complete with a gazebo in the middle of the town’s square, she’d fallen for its stillness, its beauty, and its charm. Everything is the polar opposite to the past she ran from and was trying to keep hidden. She loves her friends here, and she doesn’t want to be treated differently if they all knew her secrets. 
Coming back to Renlend as an adult had always been her plan. Walking into Jenny’s and falling for the owner hadn’t. If she didn’t love everything about her new life in this sleepy town so much, she’d risk it all and move on. Yet, part of her heart still holds out hope Jeff will eventually see her for more than a dependable employee. 

MY REVIEW:

          This was a sweet quick read.  The characters were engaging.  The bond, the friends, and the community had, are the way you want for your dream small town.

     The only thing is I felt like I was missing parts of the story about them and their lives and really all the many characters around them.  The ending was great.  I just felt her crying and uneasiness seemed out of context for the part of her being this top-notch manager who ran a bar.

     Some of the time I could understand it but other times it was like what not again.  Also, when she got what she wanted she became unsure of herself and everything around her.  She wasn’t this way before she got what she wanted that is what he admired about her.  Jeff asked her out and man she became a basket case.  I like a fearless woman who can be soft with their man. 

     I mean Kelly was his acting manager for five years but the way she was presenting herself was not that way at all.  Even for a restaurant, you couldn’t be crying that much and nervous too.

     I would give this really a three half but the writing is good so for that 4 star.  Provided by netgally.com.  Follow us at:

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HARD TO BREAK

HARD TO BREAK                                           BELLA JEWELL

Quinn has spent her whole life working in her dad's garage, leaving her more comfortable with a carburetor than a curling iron. Her world is turned upside down when her beloved garage is bought by none other than world famous, sexy as sin, custom car builder, Tazen Watts. He's the one man she can't stand...even though he makes her hotter than a high performance engine in top gear.

Tazen has no use for Quinn, at least not professionally, and he's making sure she knows it. But there's a spark between them that she's finding hard to ignore. She's determined to prove her talent is as impressive as her sassy mouth. When she finds out Tazen is hiding a secret that could bring down his career and everyone involved in it, she wonders: is falling for him is going to be work the risk?

PAT'S REVIEW;

Quinn Peterson has been running the families garage for years, and when she finds out that her father sold it without telling her until she showed up for work one day. She is more than just hurt. Not only that but he sold it to Tazen Watts a custom car builder and one that is also arrogant. His thinking is that no women can work on a car, and they can only work in the front as answering phones. The problem he finds out is that one people in town won’t bring their cars to him unless she is working at the garage, and when he does finally agree to let her work on a car because his own mechanic can’t get it to work he realizes just how good she really is. He also notices her beauty once she is out of her overalls and he now must find a way to fix the damage he has done. She has knocked him down a few pegs and she makes him see that there is more to life. When he finally starts putting it all together he has to hope it is not too late to tell Quinn how he really feels about her. A very good book and I really liked the strength in the Quinn character. A good strong female character. Overall a very good book. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

ADAM: OF THE ARCHERS #1

ADAM: OF THE ARCHERS                         LENA BOURNE

**Full length and standalone new adult romance novel.** 

One week spent together in a secluded cabin. Two people scarred by their pasts. Can a chance encounter lead to love? Or is it just a moment in time, insignificant once it passes. 

Taylor has just returned from a romantic vacation with her boyfriend. But instead of an “I miss you!” text from him, she gets one that’s clearly meant for another woman. Which is the only reason she lets a hot stranger kiss her on the sidewalk. It’s the one and only time they’ll ever see each other, so why not? 
Adam is used to living life on his own terms, from leaving home at 16 to join the military, to returning now, eight years later, to take care of his mother. After that, he’s packing up and leaving again. The last thing he planned on was falling in love with a girl at first sight. But there she was, and now Taylor’s all he can think of. 

They may be perfect for each other, but they both have pasts that will not stay buried, no matter how much they want them to. And when Adam’s dark past comes crashing between them, one week seems like a very short time. Even if it is a week of love, pleasure, and belonging like neither of them has known before. 

Genre: BBW Romance, Military romance, New Adult Romance,

MY REVIEW:

          This was an interesting story of a very conflicted young man who had been forced into the military at sixteen years old.  There had been a questionable accident to cause the townspeople to dislike him.  Since the family as a whole was hate his father felt it was best he left.

     Now, he’s out of the service after all of his men but one died during their last mission.  He also at the same time, had gotten the call that his mother was ill, so the SOS call was issued.  She was worse and they need his help.  So, he came home.  That he finally just snapped.  He ended up with a dishonorable discharge.

     Yet, after writing to someone he respected and outranked him and who he had served under he found out he might be able to get squared with the military.  First, he needed to lose the anger.  The anger also came from seeing his mother being beaten by his father as well as he and his siblings.  Not just by his father but by his older brother he was beaten, Theo.  Mountain people were mean but his family was the meanest.

     While he’s back home a buddy from the Marines asks to meet for drinks at a bar.  Turns out his youngest brother, Jesse, is playing there with his band.  Of course, he has been dodging his calls.  So, they fight and he gets kicked out it’s not a total loss.  Out on the sidewalk, a girl he has never seen before is about to change his life forever. 

     Taylor is there with her sister and their best friend.  After just flying back from France she really doesn’t want to be there since she still hasn’t heard from her fiancé who she left there after a month stay.  Yet, she is having uneasy feelings since she’s just returned and is getting the feeling something is just not right.  The whole thing seems off.  He’s not called her to see if she got home safe or anything. 

     She has been feeling odd for a while but now looking from afar the whole time she was there they never kissed really or made love while she was there.  He said it was because he was busy writing his book and all.  But something feels off.  When she gets a sexy cute text clearly not meant for her she feels the hair on the back of her neck stand up.  At first, he won’t respond and then he plays it off like he has no idea what she is talking about.  Then he starts yelling at her saying she is calling him a liar and a cheater. 

     That’s when she accuses him of having an affair.  The bickering goes on for a while until especially when she thinks she hears a woman’s voice.  It continues until it doesn’t.  Then, she hangs up on him.  She meets Adam and then she just Kisses him until her sister comes screeching at her.  Then she leaves.  Never to see Adam again.  So, she thinks.  Neither can think of anything other than that kiss and each other.  She decides to get away and go to the family’s cabin and work on her book.  When she gets there the plumbing burst and she needs to call a plumber.  Adam shows up for his uncle.  Just to check until his uncle can come into town.

     This is a fast-moving story.  Interesting dynamics yet the resolution seemed like it came to quick.  So, a little-disappointed there.  Still worth reading, though.  I wish Taylor would have stood up to Henry even if it would have been with Adam next to her.  It just seemed like he thinks he can still be condescending to anyone but women for sure.  I give this: 4 stars.  Provided by amazon.  Follow us at:

www.1rad-readerreviews.com.