Getting What You Want May Be Harder Than Expected With "Wanting It All"

Title: Wanting It All
Series:  Naked Men #2
Author:  Christi Barth
Review Format:  eARC
Length:  224 pages
Publisher:  Loveswept
Rating:  2.5 Stars

In the follow-up to Risking It All, hailed by Lauren Layne as “the perfect escapist read,” the heartthrobs of the Naked Men blog and podcast get a little too real about friendship, love, and sex. For one wealthy bachelor, the trouble starts when all three collide. . . . 

After narrowly surviving a bus crash in high school with his best friends, science geek Knox Davis resolved to become so successful that he could have anything and everything he wants. Now he’s über-wealthy, a huge business success, and a notorious ladies’ man. Knox refuses to limit himself to one woman, but when his latest conquest—a blond beauty from the Alaskan bush—challenges his superficial ways, Knox begins to see the world through her eyes, and finds he likes what he sees.

A nurturer at heart, Madison Abbott wants to put down roots. She left Alaska to meet Mr. Right—and to track down Logan, the half-brother she’s never met. Instead, she finds Knox. Although the sexy-as-sin bachelor may not seem like marriage material, Madison’s starting to think that Knox is The One. But Knox refuses to settle down, especially once he learns that Madison is his best friend’s little sister. Now it’s up to her to convince Knox that she’s everything he really wants.
 -Goodreads

My Thoughts
Wanting It All is the second novel in Christi Barth's Naked Men series. It is also, sadly enough, another trip around a plot tree that didn't seem to grow so well the first time she planted it.

And now...a little background.

Knox Davis never had much growing up. But when he got to high school at the prestigious Roosevelt Prep, Knox finally found the one thing (bedsides money) that he had always longed for.
Friends.
And after he and his friends managed to survive a bus crash and days spent braving the elements in the Swiss Alps.
The five boys knew that they were much more than friends. They were brothers. They also had their survival, friendship, and some really great PR to thank for having been dubbed the Americani Calcio Sopravvissuti by the press.

Now, all grown up, a graduate of MIT, a successful businessman, richer than Crocus, and with his friends still by his side. Knox is a man who seems to have it all. But a chance run-in with a very special lady...just might make Knox want to redefine what "having it all" really means.
Knox, as a character, is defined by his wealth. Though it's a given that this construct is meant to be a point from which he learns and grows. For the sake of this story. It also serves to make him very one dimensional and boring.

His leading lady, one Madison Abott, is about as close to a modern-day hippie is one can get. She's straight out of the Alaskan Bush, way smarter than the average bear, and licensed to carry...a gun. And though her interest in Knox is more than apparent. Her interest in all of his trappings rates about the same as that of a trout's fascination with a Starbuck's.

Not to go untouched by the annoying agenda fairy. Miss Abott has been gifted with one all her own. She is set to find a husband...(and her long lost half brother) but we will get to that later. Oh yeah...a husband for Miss Abott, and in very short order. The clock is ticking...chop...chop.

Between Madison's obsession with her need for nuptials and Knox's fixation on his money. These two are the perfect candidates for a mental health intervention on TLC!
But I digress.
As if these two don't have enough individual idiosyncrasies to worry about. They also are blessed with the "let's argue about everything and then have great sex" one. The promise of great sex may be an incentive to endure almost anything. But there are limits.

Before you go screaming for the hills. There are some very notable moments of plot sanity to be had. The first, and most important of these being the friendships that come from Madison's introduction into Knox's circle. The ease of their interactions and the natural flow of banter, provides a realism that almost makes up for all of the prior madness. Almost.

Then there is the surprise plot twist that you won't see coming if you don't look too hard. Can't say much about that though. Surprise!

Despite more than a few character ticks, and plot hiccups. Wanting It All is a cute, if not so light romance. Where the men do manage to learn a thing or two, the sex is great, and the happily...is well...happy!

Reviewer's Note: This title is the second of a companion series which may be read in any order.
I received a review copy of this title in exchange for the honest review provided.
About Christi
Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. 

A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.

Christi lives in Maryland with her husband.

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Find The Perfect Example Of The Power Of Submission In "Angel In Scarlet"




Title:  Angel In Scarlet
Series:  (Bound And Determined #4)
Author:  Lavinia Kent
Review Format:  eARC
Publisher:  Loveswept
Rating:  4 Stars

From the author of Mastering the Marquess comes another blazingly provocative Regency romance! Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but in this clash of wills, lust is a feast for the senses.

After her dreams of wedding bells are dashed by a man she thought had serious intentions, Miss Angela Ripon must be satisfied. She plans to make him burn for her, and then to reject him as he rejected her. There’s only one woman who can teach Angela that sort of seduction: Madame Rouge—or Ruby, to the men who frequent her house of pleasure. The infamous madam agrees to help, but only after warning Angela that her target has very specific tastes. To trap her prey, she must shed every last inhibition.

Matthew Harkness, Earl of Colton, doesn’t mean to hurt the young admirers who flock to him. He simply isn’t interested in women who are too timid for his dark desires. He judged Angela to be like the others—tender, sweet, and innocent. So how to explain the change that has come over her? Matthew aches to teach Angela all he knows of earthly pleasures. But even as she offers the control he craves, perhaps this angelic beauty has a lesson or two to teach him.

Angel in Scarlet is intended for mature audiences. This ebook includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.  -Goodreads


My Thoughts
Angel In Scarlet, the fourth offering in Lavinia Kent's Bound And Determined series. Is one that, upon first reading, seems a little off. A little formal. Somewhat stiff, maybe.

Until one takes the time to consider a few things.

1. This story is, for all of its lace, frills, and historical niceties. A tale of sexual awakening, power, and control. On both Angela and Mathew's parts.
Angela, coming into the knowledge that she is both a natural submissive and a sensual and powerful being...in her own right.
Matthew, discovering that he has found a woman who fits him completely. As both man and master.

2. Because most of the progress in a novice sub/experienced dom scenario is dictated by the comfort level of the sub. Both Angela and Matthew have to proceed with extreme caution. Given the reality of Angela's lack of knowledge of her desires and /or sexuality. In even the most basic sense. One could pretty much consider the entire affair a very well orchestrated case of "the blind leading the blind."

3. Matthew is written as a true dominant. As such, he is charged with setting the scenes, assuring Angela's comfort, pleasure, and safety, and maintaining a certain distance.

4. It is Regency England, after all.

Armed with the former points in mind however. One is free to fully appreciate the extreme bravery shown by our extraordinary heroine. Not only is she determined to deal with her perceived slight, at the hands of the man that she set her sights on. She goes to exceedingly creative and unorthodox lengths to do so.

Dealing with a young Miss who shows the amount of spirit and pluck that Angela does. Quickly alerts Matthew that he must bring his A-game in terms of sensual initiation. And bring it he does.
With scenes featuring edging, oral sex, rope bondage, and mutual masterbation, there is something to stoke the desirous flames of every reader.

Effectively countering all of the carnal goings on in this read, is the well played henpecked ingenue as so well played by Angela. With nary a slip or hint as to her many scintillating secrets.

The only slip into less than 5 star territory comes in Matthew's solution to his marriage dilemma.
The fact that after all of her honesty, effort, and risk. It is the threat of exposure and scandal that drives Matthew to ask for her hand.

What?

Men!!



Lavinia Kent
I live in Washington, DC with my husband, kids, two cats and a changing menagerie of other small beasts.

I worked in both the arts and in the business world before giving into my love of story telling after the birth of my oldest -- although it wasn't until after the birth of my youngest when I suddenly had full-time childcare that it all came together for me.

I love discussing books -- almost any books at any time.

One of my great joys is having my children get old enough that we can all read the same things and talk. I am so happy that YA is the flourishing world that it is.

And of course I love Romance. I started back with Kathleen Woodiwiss and Johanna Lindsay and have never given them up since -- although there were a few slow spots along the way.

  


Find Her:  Web / Twitter / Facebook / Goodereads 
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FMR Book Studio Presents: Rake's Redemption Review and Giveaway



RAKE'S REDEMPTION
by 
Chantal Fernando
Now Live! 







In New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando’s latest novel in the Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club series, Rake—baddest of the bad boys—gets his own romance at last!



Rake is known for being up for anything, in and out of the bedroom. He’s wild, he’s deadly, yet quick with a joke or a stolen kiss. Known as the player of the WDMC, he loves women, the more the merrier. However, behind his womanizing façade, Rake hides the pain of losing his first love, Bailey. He hasn’t loved anyone since, and doesn’t think he ever will.




Seven years after their split, Rake and Bailey run into each other at the MC’s favorite club. Old wounds resurface, secrets are spilled...and passionate feelings are awakened. But they’ve each done things to hurt the other, hurt them too badly to get over it—haven’t they? Only when Bailey’s connection to Rake puts her in danger from another Club member does he realize that there’s nothing he won’t do to protect her—and claim her as his once again.





The roguishly rugged Rake, has come a long way since his tender teens, and the pain of a first love that broke his heart.
But when a chance meeting in the heart of Wind Dragon territory puts him face to face with the love that he has bedded countless women in the in the futile effort to forget.  Rake has no choice, but to stop running from the pain and misunderstandings of his past.  In the hope that he may just make the woman who still holds his heart a permanent part of his future.

Bailey may be all grown up.  A teacher and single mother.  But  that doesn't mean that she isn't still clinging to the tatters of the young love that she and the boy that she knew as Adam, once shared.
A love that was once shattered by a horrific wrong.  A wrong that that has yet to be righted.

Contemporary Fiction phenomenon, Chantal Fernando, and her fabulous Wind Dragons are back.  Bringing with them an unforgettable story full of smart and sexy men and woman.  People unafraid to live hard and love harder. Brave souls willing to risk everything for the love of family.
No other story exemplifies those sentiments more than that of Bailey and Rake.
Because the push and pull between past wounds and present  attraction isn't really put to rest for them, until they come together to protect each other and Bailey's young daughter, Cara.
It is really heartwarming to see both Bailey and Rake's defences with each other come down.  As they work together with each other and their club family, to built a custom fortress around both Bailey and their "Angel".

As with all installments of this awesome series, things have a  habit of getting really " down and dirty ".  Both in the bedroom and in the streets.  So be ready for great sex and necessary roughness...as only the Wind Dragons and Chantal can give you!










★ ☆ ✮ ✯ ~ WIND DRAGON'S MC SERIES ~ ✯✮ ☆★


❥ ❥ DRAGON'S LAIR ❥ ❥

❥ ❥ ARROW'S HELL ❥ ❥
#OutNow

❥ ❥ TRACKER'S END ❥ ❥
#OutNow

❥ ❥ DIRTY RIDE ❥ ❥

❥ ❥ RAKE'S REDEMPTION ❥ ❥
#LIVE

❥ ❥ WILD RIDE ❥ ❥
#PreOrder #99c Releases July 11, 2016

❥ ❥ WOLF'S MATE ❥ ❥
#PreOrder Releases August 16, 2016
Chantal Fernando is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose novels include two books in the Maybe series—Maybe This Time and its follow up, This Time Around; and her latest releases, Toxic Girl and Saxon. When not reading, writing, or daydreaming, she can be found enjoying life with her three sons and family. She lives in Western Australia.





$20 Amazon Gift Card 


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Love Meets Story In A Small Town Way In "Kiss Me That Way"

26114466 Title:  Kiss Me That Way
Series:  (Cotton Bloom #1)
Author:  Laura Trentham
Review Format:  eARC
Length:  320 pages
Publisher:  St. Martins's Press
Rating:  5 Stars

A river divides Cottonbloom in two: the upscale enclave on the Mississippi side and the rundown, rough and tumble side in Louisiana. They’re worlds apart—but nothing can build a bridge like love…

Cade Fournette never had it easy Cottonbloom. He stuck around long enough to raise his orphaned siblings and then hightailed it out West—and never looked back. Even though he’s made a success of himself in Seattle, Cade never lost the toughness and the angry edge that helped him survive down South. His only weak spot: the girl he left behind…

Monroe Kirby came from the wealthy side of town, but that didn’t protect her from her mother’s drinking—or her mother’s boyfriend. It was Cade who did that, on a long-ago hot September night, before he disappeared…along with a piece of her heart. Now Monroe is a physical therapist who can fight for herself, and it’s Cade who could use some conditioning when he makes an unexpected return back home. Will he and Monroe pick up where they left off and finally explore their mutual passion—or will the scars and secrets of the past divide them once more?  -Goodreads




Monroe's lips silenced the rest of his question. The champagne on Cade's tongue was almost as intoxicating as his scent. The music from the great room drifted, muted and unrecognizable. As if slow dancing, he wrapped his arms around her and turned them enough so he could close the door, leaving them in silence, except for the ticking of a clock.

His hands roamed her bare back, slipping inside of her dress to brush the top curves of her buttocks. She pushed him backward against the wall. Infinitely stronger than her, he could have held his ground or taken charge at any point, but the fact that he let her lead only made her want him more. She was done listening to logic, done fighting her hunger for him.

She wanted him.

Cupping her cheeks, he pulled his lips from hers. “And again you do the unexpected.”

“Unwanted?” she whispered.

“Does it look like I’m protesting?” His breath puffed against her cheek before he kissed her once more, slipping his tongue alongside hers, before his mouth retreated once more. She tipped into him seeking more. He took her weight, bracing his legs farther apart, but evaded her mouth.

“I watched you dancing with Tarwater. What are you playing at? Is he the man you want to be seen with and I’m the one you’re keeping for the dark?” A thread of emotion in his voice tied itself around her heart and bound her. Was he jealous? Hurt? Angry?

“Do you think I’m using you?” She pushed off his chest.

“You know I’m not staying long.”

She did know. She just didn’t want to think about the day he would walk away from Cottonbloom. And from her. “What are you getting at?”

“I think you get something from him you can’t get from me and vice versa. He has clout in this town, but I’m the man that you want in the dark and in your bed, aren’t I?”

“If you think all I care about is my standing in this town, why did you follow me?”

“Because I want you. That’s why I came.” Belligerence instead of seduction beat at his words. Underneath was a boy who did care what Cottonbloom thought of him. He hadn’t always been the poor swamp rat sneaking around in the dark.

“All you want is sex?”

“If that’s what you’re offering.” His voice softened, and he squeezed her hips and fit them together. “I can be rough and dirty and a little bit dangerous if that’s how you want me.”

Arousal flared even as the gentleness of his touch belied his coarse words. He skimmed his good hand from her hip to settle under her breast, his thumb running up and down the exposed skin in between. Her nipple puckered, begging for his touch.

“Is that what you want, sweetheart?”

Her body shifted toward his instinctively, seeking to anchor itself to him, needing to draw from his heat and strength. “Th-that’s not what I want.” Before the words were even out, she knew they were untrue, or at least a partial truth. Sex wasn’t all she wanted. But she did want it.

“Don’t lie to yourself or me.” He dropped his lips to the shell of her ear and nuzzled. She grabbed the lapels of his jacket. “I could take you right here, right now, with the Tarwaters and all of crazy Cottonbloom a few rooms away. And I’d make it good, Monroe. I’d make your body sing. I’d make you beg before giving you everything you need. Then, you could walk back out into that damn party like nothing happened. No one would know the things you want to do in the dark with a poor, dirty boy from Louisiana.”

Her body sang a song of longing and need. She wanted to stay in the dark with him the rest of the night, but there was something even more important she needed to do. With the effort of separating strong magnets, she pried her body from his, opened the door, and took him by the wrist.
My Thoughts

The self-made world traveller and multi-patented inventor that is today's Cade Fournette, is a man far removed from his 'swamp rat' past, in Cotton Bloom, Louisiana. A past filled with the heartbreak of losing both his parents, and any hopes and dreams for his future. A past filled with being mother, father, brother, and provider to his younger siblings. A past that Cade has gone everywhere and done everything to escape.
A past filled with her.

Monroe Kirby never strayed far from her Cotton Bloom, Louisiana roots. As such, she has never been able to fully escape her past. The on again off again sobriety of her alcoholic mother. The dated social hierarchy that still has the power to make or break those living in Cotton Bloom. The boy who saved a terrified 13-year old Monroe from an unthinkable fate. Becoming her friend, and as time went on...and so much more.
A boy who left without a goodbye, taking nothing with him but her heart.

This first book in the Cotton Bloom series, is the perfect blend of charming Southern Romance and emotion driven Contemporary Fiction. Though Cade Fournette crossed the line between the haves and the have nots quite some time ago. An unexpected return to his roots; after a catastrophic accident on El Capitan. Brings both Monroe and Cade face to face with each other, and the past that they have each in their own way, tried so hard to escape.

Laura Trentham's Kiss Me That Way, is a story within a story. A place where small towns and big hearts come together to star in even bigger stories. Stories so vibrant and so relatable, that they become friends to the reader as the story progresses.
Both Cade and Monroe are prime examples of this. They are survivors of tragedies that could have killed them. But because they were able to find ways to rise above what happened. They are able to be the successful people that they have become.

While Cade's story focuses on his struggle to reconcile his past and his present. Monroe's story deals with ghosts from her past coming back into her life in a very real way.
This is a very honest and relevant story. Told with the perfect blend of humor, emotion, and good old Southern happily...

Reviewer's Notes: This is the first title in a companion series that may be read as a stand alone. It may also be enjoyed as part of its intended series.

I was granted a copy of this literary work for review purposes. The opinions expressed herein are solely mine, and
have not been influenced by the publisher or their agents.


Laura Trentham
I was born and raised in a small town in Northwest Tennessee. Although, I loved English and reading in high school, I was convinced an English degree equated to starvation! So, I chose the next most logical major - Chemical Engineering- and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years. Now I live in South Carolina with my husband and two children. In between school and homework and soccer practices, I love to get lost in another world, whether its Regency England or small town Alabama.
Find Her:  Web / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook

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