Gambling on the Bodyguard by Sarah Ballance

Book Description

Ski instructor Ellie Montgomery hits Vegas during a romance convention to meet the man of her dreams…only, the man of her dreams isn’t the cover model she’s there to see. He’s the hot-as-sin bodyguard who catches her sneaking in the back door of a meet-and-greet, and he seems more than ready to do what it takes to prove he’s twice the man her pretty boy crush could ever be.

Jax Mathis couldn’t resist snagging a date with Ellie, but he didn’t count on the attraction being more than physical. They connect on a level he didn’t think possible—and he can’t run fast enough. She makes him want things he thought he’d never have, and maybe, just maybe, they’re within reach. But to have it, he’ll have to face the one mountain he swore he’d never climb...and with no guarantee she’ll be waiting on the other side.

AVAILABLE: October 12, 2015

**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**

Ellie Montgomery is in Vegas for a romance convention to meet the cover model for some of her favorite books.  There she loses her ticket to get backstage and has to "sneak" through the back door where she is caught by Jax Mathis, hired bodyguard.  Jax will let her in on one condition: she go out with him.  And I instantly thought, "This would NOT be the guy I would want to be PAYING to keep potential stalkers and crazies away from me... just saying".  

They spend the remainder of the weekend together and feelings develop between these two at warp speed, only to have Ellie leave on Sunday after Jax pushes her away.

***Spoiler Alert** 

The thing that lost me was when after FIVE weeks of no communication, Ellie texts him when her dog is hit by a car and he comes running and proposes after knowing each other less than 72 hours.

Plus there were some spelling errors and grammatical errors throughout the book that annoyed me.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Blind by Sidney Bristol

Book Description

He recognizes the darkness in her. It’s in him, too. 

Detective Jacob Payton knows the clock is ticking down. Someone is about to die, and his best suspect is also his only source of information. He’s known Emma Ration’s story for years—after all, a brutal serial killer left his mark on both their lives when they were still young. Meeting her is another experience altogether. She challenges his control and entices him in ways no other woman has. 

But is she the killer? As the bodies pile up and their passion ignite, Jacob runs the risk of losing his control. Falling for Emma was never in his plan, but now that she’s part of his life he’s not about to give her up. Not even to the FBI on the trail of the very same killer. 

Jacob must figure out if it’s Emma in danger, or himself. If he can’t uncover the identity of the copycat killer, it could be the end for both him and the woman who has fast become the center of his life. 

AVAILABLE: October 6, 2015

**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Emma Ration's father is the only surviver of the T.B.K. serial killer (Torture. Blind. Kill.).  Watching the torture and murder's of both his parent's forever changed Emma's father.  He was emotionally/mentally and physically abusive to those around him.  In trying to understand what her father went through, Emma turned into the "pseudo" expert on all things TBK. 

The past links Emma to Detective Jacob Payton, even though they have never met.  Jacob's father was the cop that arrested the T.B.K. serial killer, so Jacob understands the lasting damage T.B.K. left in his wake.  Now, Jacob is receiving letters from someone claiming to be T.B.K. and he is trying to determine whether someone is playing a sick joke or more guresome killings are just around the corner.  In order to try to piece together the past and the present, he meets with Emma.  

As the bodies begin to pile up and their relationship gets heated, Jacob and Emma work together to try to figure out who the copycat killer is.  

Blind: Killer Instincts is the first in a new series following the Killing Club and those that hunt them down.

RATING: 4 out of 5

How Forever Feels by Laura Drewry

Book Description

Maya McKay's heart is as big as Jack Rhodes's shoulders are broad. Their chemistry is out of control, but it could never work between them because Jack is more than just best friends with her cheating ex-husband—they're like brothers. Maya, the sensitive, practical florist, has given up on love and is ready to settle for like. But now that Jack's around again, he's stirring up old feelings—and turning Maya's fantasies into irresistible reality.

Jack blew his chance with Maya years ago when he stepped aside for his best friend, Will, and he's still kicking himself about it. Maya was promisedforever once before, and she got burned. But when Jack realizes that second chances aren't going to fall out of the sky, he seizes the moment—and the woman he's always loved—to show her how forever truly feels.

AVAILABLE: October 13, 2015

**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Honestly, I skipped so much of this book.  I could not stand Jack.  I thought he didn't deserve Maya in any way!!! Jack is best friends/foster brothers with Maya's ex-husband, Will.  So I understand why he is loyal to him, but there comes a point where you go WTF!!???!!!!  

He KNOWS Will cheats on Maya even before they are married, yet doesn't tell her (even though he is in love with her) and THEN sides with Will's family that Maya overreacted by leaving Will when she walks in on him having sex with yet another woman.  THEN Jack has the nerve to ask Maya to supply the flowers for Will and his soon-to-be wife's (THE WOMAN MAYA WALKED IN ON)  wedding the next day!!! I mean WTF!!! Nope. Nope. Nope.  

The only bright spot is the relationship with Maya and her friends. 

Rating: 2 out of 5

Hidden Scars by Amanda K. Byrne

Book Description

Sometimes the past won’t stay where it belongs.

Sara’s number one rule of dating: closed off, secretive men need not apply. Years of therapy helped her move past the damage done by her emotionally abusive boyfriend, and she’s ready to date again. Someone funny, laid back, and easy to talk to. All things her coworker Taylor isn’t.

Taylor’s quiet. Too quiet. He operates in permanent stealth mode, and he hides his secrets as well as Sara does. She doesn’t want to be attracted to him, but after a night spent in a hotel room together, trapped by a blizzard, she can’t deny there’s a fire-hot connection between them, waiting to ignite. Their working relationship inches closer and closer to friendship, until one day she gathers her courage and kisses him.

It’s the match Taylor was waiting for.

What starts as a sweet, fumbling friendship quickly becomes a passionate and intense affair. Just when Sara’s starting to feel safe in Taylor’s arms, his secrets come out, and she wonders if she’ll ever be able to stop looking over her shoulder.

AVAILABLE:  September 22, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Trust.  Probably the hardest thing to earn, yet the easiest to destroy.

Hidden Scars starts off with sales executives Sara and Taylor stuck in Chicago due to a snow storm.  Not wanting to sleep in the airport, they head to a hotel to find that they have only one room left.  With a single bed.  Sara demands that Taylor take the bed, while she will sleep on the floor.  After getting ready for bed, Sara sees Taylor in a way she's never seen him before; shirtless with a beautiful tattoo covering his back and scars.  

After returning to Portland, Sara can't seem to shake thoughts of Taylor.  She is curious about a man for the first time in a long time and finds herself trying to befriend him.  Taylor isn't the easiest man to get to know.  Life has taught him that he can learn more by simply observing and listening to what is going on around him rather than making his presence known.  He has paid attention to Sara in the office, and he knows something has happened to her to put the look of fear and mistrust into her eyes. But Taylor is a patient man and wants Sara to feel comfortable around him before he even thinks about shifting their relationship from friendship to something more.

Taylor and Sara really built a true friendship.  Sara became determined to make Taylor let go with her and just smile. Taylor was determined to get Sara to trust him with her body, mind and soul.  Each was comfortable in their silence and didn't feel the need to take just to hear their voices.  Their conversations had meaning and depth.

But the past doesn't always want to stay that way.  Will Sara and Taylor be able to trust that they are better together to move through some trauma or will the past break them? 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Hard to Break by Bella Jewel

Book Description

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 worth the risk?

*This book is a standalone that contains a HEA*

AVAILABLE: October 13, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Quinn's whole world revolves around Pixie Wheels, her father's garage.  It is a representation for happier times when her mom was still alive and her father wouldn't drown his sorrows in a bottle.  When her world is threatened, Quinn will do anything she can to save it.  Even if the threat is sexy as hell, custom car builder Tazen Watts.

Tazen wants to expand his custom car shops into Florida and Pixie Wheels is the perfect location.  He soon finds that Quinn isn't going to let it go without a fight.  But Tazen always gets what he wants and he evenutally does, destroying Quinn's world.  

Still not willing to give up her home, Quinn demands a job at the garage.  Tazen, being a complete MALE, gives one to her: as the shop's receptionist.  But beggers can't be choicers, so Quinn takes it in hopes she can eventually prove she knows what she is doing under the hood of a car (which she does).  And as an added bonus, she can continue to torment Tazen.

Feelings of resentment and mistrust turn into something different.  Tazen shows a different side of himself with Quinn.  Same with Quinn.  She doesn't feel that she has to be so tough and in control with him.  They grow as individuals and as a couple throughout the book.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Kissing Her Crazy by Kira Archer

Book Description

Single mom Lena Oserkowski just wants to relax at the 5-star resort where her brother is getting married. Oh, and figure out how to make one of her businesses successful enough to support her son. Her focus is thrown out of whack when Elliot Debusshere, twin brother of her new sister-in-law, swims to her rescue at the hotel pool.

Elliot is disillusioned with his wealthy, playboy lifestyle and wants nothing more than to bring some meaning and purpose to the charity he runs. When he rescues Lena from a case of heat exhaustion and meets her son Tyler, he has no idea the answer to his problems might have just fallen in his lap. Literally.

With Lena's ideas and Elliot's know-how, they might just be able to make their ventures a success. Except pleasure has a sneaky way of mixing with their business, leaving both dazed and confused. Charming as he is, Elliot isn't father material. And there's no room for a single mom and her child in his life. While the attraction between them isn't easily squashed, there's no telling the lengths his family will go to prevent a relationship.

AVAILABLE: October, 12, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

This was just an okay contemporary romance story for me.  Like my last review, the "romance" part of this book felt rushed.  I felt that this book really lacked any emotional growth/development from Lena and Elliot.  And I wasn't the biggest fan of Lena Oserkowski.  She felt really judgmental of Elliot to me.  Plus she was always lecturing (and making him feel bad) him about letting her son swim, playing video games, eating junk food, etc.  I mean, I understand all that but 1) he doesn't have kids, so he doesn't know and 2) YOU ARE ON VACATION, let him have some fun (especially if people are offering to help you!!). 

I felt bad of Elliot's relationship with his parents.  They are rich, snobby a**holes.  

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Seducing Seven by MK Meredith

Book Description

He bet on logic. She bet on love.

Romance author Seven Michaels believes in love to her very core. She has to--not only for herself, but for her readers. So when luxury salesman Blake Turner insults not only her books but the people who read them, Seven's ready to throw down. How dare a playboy like Blake insinuate romance lovers are full of crap?

He wants proof? Fine. She bets Blake she can make him fall for her by using the rules in her latest novel before the end of the convention, or she'll denounce love in front of all her fellow authors and fans at the Romance Lovers Convention ball. A dangerous game to be sure, but humiliating Blake is worth the risk.

But when Seven realizes she's the one who's being seduced, she's no longer sure who is playing whom...or whether she'll have a career when the bet is over.

AVAILABLE: October 12, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Seven Michaels walks into a Vegas casino for a writer's conference and is immediately greeted by an overzealous fan set out to prove that they would be perfect together.  While Seven waits outside the elevators she tries to come up with a way to save herself a weekend of dodging this guy.  Then the elevator doors part and there stands Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome, Blake Turner.  Seven immediately goes up to him (praying he will play along) and declares him her boyfriend.  After her overzealous fan leaves, Blake begins to insult her belief in love and calls her a fraud for pushing the belief of true love on her readers.  

Shocked and pissed off, Seven bets Blake that she can seduce a man, using the seven rules that her heroine used in her recent book.  Blake ups the ante by saying he gets to choose the man: himself.  

Blake thinks this will be a piece of cake, but he underestimates the power of romance, love and Seven herself.

I liked this book, I just felt that the romance was rushed.  They arrive in Vegas on a Friday and leave sometime Sunday, with each being there for work.  The only guaranteed time they spend together is meals (it's part of the terms of the bet).  I liked the characters, I just wish they were there for more time (like a week).

Rating: 3.5 out of 5