REVIEW: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Title: Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades #1)
Author: E.L. James
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House
Date Publisher: 5/26/11


Synopsis:
When literature student Anastasia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind - until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store where she works part-time. 

The unworldly, innocent Ana is shocked to realize she wants this man, and when he warns her to keep her distance it only makes her more desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her - but on his own terms. 

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success – his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving adoptive family – Grey is man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a passionate, physical and daring affair, Ana learns more about her own dark desires, as well as the Christian Grey hidden away from public scrutiny. 

Can their relationship transcend physical passion? Will Ana find it in herself to submit to the self-indulgent Master? And if she does, will she still love what she finds? 

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.
My Rating:
 


My Review:

So you are incredibly too busy with exams and your own life but your best friend and roommate asks you a favor when she is horribly sick, what do you do? Well, help her of course. That is how Ana gets drawn into the world of Christian Grey. Ana is the most innocent of the innocent and is immediately enamored of Christian. He is in a whole other league from her so she writes him off as soon as the interview she has to do with him is over. An interview that is quite awkward and embarrassing.

Christian Grey came from nothing and is now a self-made millionaire. He believes in order and schedules and must be in control of everything. In order to be with Christian Ana has to agree to his terms, yes terms... all of Christians involvements are essentially contracts.

Ana succumbs to her desires and not only chooses to lose her virginity to Christian, but she also agrees to some of his terms. She is thrust into the BDSM lifestyle, but soon finds out that its not just his need to be in control that is putting distance between her and Christian. She has fallen in love with a man who is so emotionally closed off and scarred

This is an absolutely amazing story about BDSM but goes even deeper than that as you uncover Christian's past demons and his battle with learning to give up control and start to love. Amazing, Amazing, I can not say enough good things about this! Heartbreaking, Heartwarming, Deep, Emotional, Sexy, I cried and got butterflies. Just loved it!

GUEST POST: Jesse C. Scott

Non-Pornographic BDSM Fiction, by Jess C Scott / jessINK Thanks so much for hosting me today, Cami! PLAY is is a collection of non-pornographic BDSM short stories I completed in 2011. Themes include a rape fantasy, bondage and knife play, and erotic asphyxiation. As a person who’s long been fascinated with aspects of the BDSM lifestyle (bondage, in particular), I never really found the pornographic portrayal of the BDSM scene to be titillating or fulfilling. To be honest, I’ve never really found pornography to be satisfactory, because sex at its best is never just about the physical. It’s something mental and spiritual that transcends the ordinary, and BDSM (when done right) greatly “enhances” any kind of sexual activity. It was a bit tricky at first, writing “non-pornographic” BDSM fiction, since more care had to go into the writing (too much explicitness would deem it as “pornographic”). It did require a certain amount of effort to depict scenes that focused on subtlety (and sub-conscious forces), though I thought this fit in with the BDSM lifestyle well. There’s a lot of power play going on when BDSM is concerned --I chose to explore this in a liberal and open-minded manner. Of the five stories / novellas in the BDSM-themed  PLAYanthology, my favorite is the third story in the middle (Rockstar, where Hideki brings on the knife and bondage play to help Daniel come face-to-face with his dEniAl).While I make no guarantees for future work of a similar  theme, the S/M elements in PLAY were more mild  than extreme. With this initial collection, it was important  to me to concentrate on the relationship aspects of the story,  where a deep and unconditional, more serious type of love  was developed (as opposed to the romantic fluff common in  mainstream pop culture -- not that there’s anything wrong with  that per se, but it just wasn’t what I was aiming to achieve  with this set of stories). One of the reasons I like to write is because of  the combination of purpose and passion it offers me. I  enjoy inspiring others to favor social/spiritual values over  shallow/materialistic values. This includes “freeing” others from the  limiting constraints of pornography, which happens when  one understands that the erotic life is not determined by explicitness or lewdness (this was a big motivating factor, to present PLAY in a non-pornographic way). ===== Author Bio: Jess is a professional non-conformist with a fresh,  youthful world view. She is an author of relationship-based  erotic fiction (and other unique projects, including a series  that features “cyberpunk elves”). She’s cool, supportive,  and writes with both intellect and a lot of emotion. She has most recently co-authored Teen Guide to  Sex and Relationships with Matt Posner (Spring 2012).  For more info, please visit http://jessink.com/teenguide.htm Jess can also be found on jessINK, Facebook, and Twitter.

REVIEW: I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre

Title: I Only Have Eyes For You (Sullivan's Book #4)
Author: Bella Andre
Date Published: 1/1/12


Synopsis:
Get ready for another Sullivan to fall in love in Bella Andre's bestselling contemporary romance series! 


Sophie Sullivan, a librarian in San Francisco, was five years old when she fell head over heels in love with Jake McCann. Twenty years later, she's convinced the notorious bad boy still sees her as the "nice" Sullivan twin. That is, when he bothers to look at her at all. But when they both get caught up in the magic of the first Sullivan wedding, she knows it's long past time to do whatever it takes to make him see her for who she truly is...the woman who will love him forever. 


Jake has always been a magnet for women, especially since his Irish pubs made him extremely wealthy. But the only woman he really wants is the one he can never have. Not only is Sophie his best friend's off-limits younger sister...he can't risk letting her get close enough to discover his deeply hidden secret. 


Only, when Sophie appears on his doorstep as Jake's every fantasy come to life-smart, beautiful, and shockingly sexy-he doesn't have a prayer of taking his eyes, or his hands, off her. And he can't stop craving more of her sweet smiles and sinful kisses. Because even though Jake knows loving Sophie isn't the right thing to do...how can he possibly resist? 

My Rating:  4.5 Steams!



My Review:
I have enjoyed all of the Sullivan books. I love this family!


Sophie is the "Nice" twin who has grown tired of her label and is ready to hook the man she has been in love with her entire life.

Jake loves his freedom and wants nothing to do with commitment, yet "nice" Sophie Sullivan stirs feelings inside of him he never knew he was capable of.

Your typical Bad Boy, Good Girl story. I loved Jake's journey in succumbing to Love. This story was equal parts sweet and sexy.

I can not wait for the rest in the series. Especially the "Naughty" twin story! Great series, great family!

BLOG HOP - JOIN IN

Co-Hosting with my sister site: My Reading Addiction

March 31st will conclude the 1st Quarter of the year. I would like to create a Blog Hop in which everyone posts their top 5 books read for the year so far! 

You May Begin Posting Your Faves Anytime After the 31st!
This Hop will Be April 1st - April 10th

  If you are new to the hop idea but would love to participate, just comment here or email me @ MyReadingAddiction.  I will be happy to walk you through the process or explain things in greater detail. 

Blog Hop Rules:

1.Please help me by sharing a  link to this page to help me generate interest !!  The more people we get to join, the more fun for everyone involved!! :)  Anyone can sign up. 

2. You Must Have a Badge on Your Site By April 1st, or if you sign up later than the day after you sign up.  I will be checking!!  

3. Posts must include the hop button  

and one of the following:

 Include the linky list

the links to the next three bloggers

 a link back to my site. 

I will be posting my List on April 1st!

I think that about wraps it up, please follow my blog to show your support for this hop. 

I will be doing more Hops in the future including 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Quarter Fave Lists!

Sign Up for Future Co-Host Opportunities Here: BLOG HOPS

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REVIEW: The Gamble by Kristen Ashley

Title: The Gamble (Colorado Mountain #1)
Author: Kristen Ashley
Date Published: 4/18/11


Synopsis:
Nina Sheridan’s on a timeout adventure in the Colorado Mountains. She needs distance from her clueless fiancé, distance to decide whether she wants to spend the rest of her life with a man who doesn’t care enough to learn how she takes her coffee. 


Arriving in a blinding snowstorm at the A-Frame she rented, she comes face to face with the most amazing man she’s ever seen. Minutes later, when he kicks her out of his house, she goes head to head with him. 


Beyond angry because she’s flown half a world away to start her timeout adventure, not to mention her sinuses hurt, she heads back down the mountain and ends up in a ditch. Unable to extricate herself, she gives up, hopes for rescue and falls asleep in the backseat. 


The next morning she wakes up in the amazing man’s bed and she’s sick as a dog. 


Holden Maxwell spends days nursing her back to health and then he spends the next two weeks trying to convince her to take her Colorado adventure further, in other words, make it permanent and take a gamble on him. 


Nina has a tough time fighting her attraction to Max, especially when it seems all Max’s friends, her mother and stepdad and the whole town want them together and both she and Max get embroiled in the murder of Max’s ex-friend and the town of Gnaw Bone’s most detested resident – a man everyone has motive to kill, especially Max. 

My Rating: 4.5 Steams


My Review:
Kristen Ashley does not play around with her books. They are always quite lengthy which makes for a long day of reading, because you simply can not put her books down!

I have noticed her male leads are like other authors Alpha Males on steroids, and I LOVE that about them.
Max is no exception. He starts out all gruff and intimidating right from their first meeting.

Nina is such a refreshing character. I think she simply compliments Max's temperment in everyway.

This is a story that will have you flying through so many emotions, including happiness complete with laughter and sadness complete with tears.

Romantic and super steamy, Kristen Ashley has written another solid book. I am her newest die hard fan!

REVIEW: Chase In Shadow by Amy Lane

Title: Chase in Shadow
Author: Amy Lane
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date Published: 2/24/2012
Source: Publisher


Publisher Synopsis:
Chase Summers: Golden boy. Beautiful girlfriend, good friends, and a promising future. 


Nobody knows the real Chase. 


Chase Summers has a razor blade to his wrist and the smell of his lover’s goodbye clinging to his skin. He has a door in his heart so frightening he’d rather die than open it, and the lies he’s used to block it shut are thinning with every forbidden touch. Chase has spent his entire life unraveling, and his decision to set his sexuality free in secret has only torn his mind apart faster. 


Chase has one chance for true love and salvation. He may have met Tommy Halloran in the world of gay-for-pay—where the number of lovers doesn’t matter as long as the come-shot’s good—but if he wants the healing that Tommy’s love has to offer, he’ll need the courage to leave the shadows for the sunlight. That may be too much to ask from a man who’s spent his entire life hiding his true self. Chase knows all too well that the only things thriving in a heart’s darkness are the bitter personal demons that love to watch us bleed. 

My Rating: 5 Steams!



My Review:
This book is written in such a unique way. I loved being inside Chase's head in a way you don't usually get to be inside a characters head. Amy Lane does an amazing job of building a connection between the reader and the characters.


Chase's struggle with his sexuality and demons from his past is so real. This was the kind of book that I get so invested in I cry. And that to me is a very good thing!


I loved Tommy so much. He was so sincere and open about his feelings for Chase and very understanding about Chase's need to keep it a secret.


The supporting characters who worked at Johnnies with Chase were all so full of life and just fun to read about.


Amazing M/M book! Definitely a must read!

REVIEW: Stone Hard Love by Rachel Firasek

Title: Stone Hard Love
Author: Rachel Firasek
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
Date Published: 7/1/2011
Source: Author


Synopsis:
What would you do if your newly wedded husband called out another man’s name in the throes of passion? 


Lock him out. 


Macy’s world ended when Storm Stone moaned for his partner in their wedding bed—his best friend and very male partner. She kicked him out and now must mend her broken heart, but fate and a grumpy old man are determined to throw her back in the path of the two men destined to torment her. 


Storm Stone and Reese Jordan are at a loss. Sharing their women wasn’t anything new, but Storm’s been “handling” Macy alone, adhering to the vows of his marriage. Reese would do anything to help his partner re-claim his mate, but a kidnapping, trying confession, and a psych visit later, the three will have to overcome all misconceptions. Loving unconditionally means the difference in a forever love or forever losing their heart’s desires. 



My Rating


My Review-
Macy and Storm had a solid marriage, they were deeply in love and she walked out without a word. After a car wreck that brings Macy face to face with not only Storm, her husband, but his partner and the man who's name she often heard in her husbands dreams, things get heated.

Storm is determined to find out what went wrong. He kidnaps Macy from the scene of the accident and forces her to reveal her reasons for leaving him.

When everything comes out, Macy finds herself wondering if she can be like other women Storm and Reese shared. She is set on making sure Storm is happy in every way, and if seducing them both is the way to do that, than so be it.

Storm is a great Alpha male lead, I loved how even in the threesome he overshadowed Reese. Too often in menage's the men are equals. I like it when one steps up, and it makes sense that guy be Macy's husband.

The beginning of the story goes in a lot of detail of the opening scene and talks and then there is quite a build up to the actual three being together and then not much of a continuation of the story as much as just an end.

Overall, solid story for Rachel Firasek!

REVIEW: Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley

Title: Mystery Man (Dream Man #1)
Author: Kristen Ashley
Date Published: 7/12/2011


Synopsis:
While drinking cosmopolitans, Gwendolyn Kidd meets the man of her dreams. Then she takes him home. Then she wakes up alone. But her fear that she lost her dream man turns into a relationship with a mystery man when, night after night in the dead of night, he comes back for more. Hoping it will blossom into something real, she lets him. 

But she doesn’t even know his name. 

Gwen’s struggling with the decision to end their crazy non-relationship when her sister-from-hell, Ginger’s best friend pays a visit and warns Gwen that if she and her sister don't get smart, they'll both get d-e-a-d, dead. Gwen has no clue what’s going on but she’s used to Ginger’s antics and decides to lay the problem on her sister’s biker boyfriend's doorstep. Bad choice. She hits the Denver Underground radar with a big, loud ping. 

This means Gwen’s Mystery Man, Cabe “Hawk” Delgado has to step in to keep her safe. But when Hawk gets a dose of Gwen in the daylight, he makes the decision that he finally wants real with Gwen. However when Gwen gets a dose of badass, bossy, straight-talker Hawk in the daylight, she decides she’s done. 

Thus begins the head-to-head of the Commando vs. Cosmo Girl as Hawk woos Gwen in his own unique way, Gwen survives firebombs, drive-bys, kidnappings, hot pursuits by biker hotties and gorgeous police detectives and discovers the heartbreaking reason why Hawk kept her at arm’s length. 

And as all this happens, Gwen finds that her sister’s troubles are serious trouble and she must decide who to keep alive: her sister-from-hell or the man of her dreams. 



My Rating: 5 Steams!



My Review:
I honestly do not even know how to begin describing how much I LOVED this book. On My shelf of TOP 5 books I've ever read! For sure! And I have read over 1500 so that is saying something!


Kristen Ashley writes what has to be one of the most descriptive books I have ever read. This does make for a lengthy book, but it sucks you in!

Hawk! Oh My Gosh! I don't think there has ever been another alpha male hero quite like him. He is just what I think my idea of the perfect male lead should be. He was so in control... maybe sometimes controlling but in a way that made you just melt.

I loved the drama and Gwen's attitude she was a sassy thing! Her arrangement is somewhat crazy in its self. I found myself asking myself how the hell could you go on like that for a year and a half, but hey, it worked and it was HAWK, so yea. I guess after reading, I can see how it happened.

The couple's dynamic was electrifying. They had so many dang sparks everytime they were together.

The multitude of supporting characters was great. It really sets you up for the future books in the series. The most anticipated for me would be Motorcycle Man which comes out in May.

I already have not only the other 2 books out in this series, but have now read the first 2 books in the Colorado Mountain series as well. Look for reviews on all of those to come!

AND GO BY THIS BOOK ONLINE! It's amazing!

REVIEW: Sly's Surrender by R. Renee Vickers

Title: Sly's Surrender
Author: R. Renee Vickers
Publisher: Noble Romance Publications
Date Published: 11/21/11
Source: Author


Synopsis:
By day, Sly is a take-charge, no-nonsense restaurateur, and at night she plays her hand as a demanding mistress. Sly has everything her heart desires: a successful business with loyal patrons, a gorgeous boyfriend and a flare for dominating in the bedroom. Everything she’s ever tried has gone her way, every decision followed to success, every goal achieved, and yet she yearns for more. 

One night, she decides to try something new, giving up her customary control to the tall, dark, and sexy Jake. Jake is put in a position to prove to his lover just what he’s capable of, and Sly experiences the new pleasures to be found in letting someone else handle her reins. 



My Rating:  3 Steams




My Review:
FYI: This is a short story.

Being that this is a short story it gets straight to it! Jake has been Sly's sub for a while and has always wanted to "switch" with her. Sly finally decides to give him the chance and he takes complete advantage of it.

I love how Jake takes control completely. He does not let her control ANYTHING of their experience. He is a very convincing dom. Sly, even though she has to think about giving up control, does a great job playing submissive.

I absolutely loved the "walk in" scene in the restaurant. Very inventive.

Overall great for a short, could have used more detail and more connection for the reader with the character. Overall great debut from R. Renee Vickers.

REVIEW: Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton

Title: Taking a Shot (Play By Play #2)
Author: Jaci Burton
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Date Published: 3/6/12


Publisher Synopsis:
If you want to score, you have to get in the game... 


The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she's stuck running the family's sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she's vowed to never fall for a jock—even one as hot as Ty. 


Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty's insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too... 


But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all—including Ty 



My Rating: 5 Steams




My Review:
Can we just start off by saying DAYYYUMMMM! That is what every cover should be. ; )

I loved book 1 and I was definitely not so patiently waiting for this one to come out, especially after the tease we got in the first one of what the chemistry would be like for Ty and Jenna.

Jenna is determined to NOT be with a "Sports Player". She is surrounded by sports and has been all of her life. She has even lost out on dreams of her own because of the sports fever that consumed her family. She may run a sports bar and watch sports everyday, but this is one thing in her life she is determined to not be sucked into more than she already was.

I loved Ty. He was so forward yet so laid back and patient at the same time.  This is because he would push when he thought it would be right, but he would back off and give Jenna time occasionally to. I really think that worked to his advantage. Jenna is one stubborn girl!

The chemistry in this book is scorching. Ty and Jenna heated up a room just by being in it together. The sex, oh WOW, it was definitely not a let down.

This is definitely being added to my Favorites shelf. I tough hockey player plus lots of HOT Steamy sex, where could you go wrong?

Giveaway

I am having a giveaway at my sister site My Reading Addiction right now. This is for a $20 B&N or Amazon Giftcard.

3 days left to enter:

http://myaddictionisreading.blogspot.com/2012/03/my-first-giveaway.html

Thought I would share with followers of this blog too!

; )

Good Luck Everyone!

REVIEW: Western Ties by Mari Carr and Jayne Rylon

Title: Western Ties (Compass Brothers #4)
Author: Mari Carr and Jayne Rylon
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Date Published: 3/6/2012


Publisher Synopsis:
How strong are the ties that bind? 


Compass Brothers, Book 4 


Leah Hollister’s sex life needs a swift kick in the pants. Small-town Compton Pass, though, isn’t the place to explore her need for bondage. When she gets an invitation to a BDSM party out in LA, she wastes no time booking a flight. 


Her plan to play anonymously is shot to hell when she runs into high-school crush Sawyer Compton—and he lays immediate claim to her. 


Sawyer Compton commands total control, in and out of the bedroom. He never thought Leah could handle his darker urges, but one look at the white bracelet that marks her as a sub ripe for the picking, and he knows exactly how this night is going to end. With Leah in his bed. 


Leah didn’t expect to enjoy the comfort Sawyer’s familiarity brings, even as his touch takes her to unimaginable heights of pleasure. When bad news from home sends him reeling, she’s more than prepared to offer him anything he needs: her body, her friendship. Even her heart—if Sawyer can loosen the reins over his own to accept her love. 




Product Warnings 
Invest in tissues. Lots and lots of tissues. Between spicy, set-the-sheets-on-fire bondage romps and the last Compass brother coming home, you'll need them 


My Rating: 5 Steams


My Review:
I have enjoyed every single book in this series. Throughout the series they always kept the news of JD's cancer and coming death from the youngest brother Sawyer. This is his book and boy did they save the best for last.

Sawyer is one HOT Alpa male! From the moment he spots Leah in the bar you can just feel the authority that must be streaming off of him. The chemistry between the two is out of this world.

I personally loved the emotional elements in this story. Not only did you have Leah's insecurities about losing the man she has always wanted after just getting him, but you have Sawyer learning of his father's cancer for the first time.

I had to put this book down 2 or 3 times because I was crying a bit too much. It was a very emotional book but dont let that fool you into thinking it wasn't steamy because of the emotions. This book was beyond HOT in every way. Leah's introduction into BDSM is perfect. She becomes more and more adventurous as her trust in Sawyer grows. They really are one great duo!

LOVED IT... MUST READ!