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  • Cursed Existence Collection by R. L. Rushing

    As stated in my last post, I had two authors solicit reviews from me recently.  One I reviewed in my last post on January 26, 2014.  The other was R.L. Rushing.   I am not paid in any way for this review.


    Please note, that although she offered to provide me with a copy of her book, specifically Katastrophic Decisions, I decided to buy both  Cursed Existence Collection directly from Amazon so that I could understand what is going on in the series.  What I know now is, I really did not have to.  I did read MissRebel Nights first, but since Katastrophic Decisions is technically a prequel, it can stand alone.

    Now when you are solicited for reviews, to accept or decline a book is a crap shoot.  Will it be a good book, or one that you have to really push through and hope there is something there to redeem it.  Will I regret accepting this book, or will I be pleasantly surprised.   Well this one was definitely the latter.  The best thing I did was decide to pick up MissRebel Nights in anticipation of Katastrophic Decisions.

    MissRebel Nights keeps you engaged and intrigued from page one.  It is one thing to feel for Rebel and what she went through at the hands of an abuser, but to find out the horrorific premonitions she sees during the abuse keeps you begging for more.  It is when Rebel gets back together with her childhood sweetie, Dalton, that events of the past  and her  role in the fate of the planet are explained.  During her quest to save the world, she is literally thrown together with other women just like herself.  Together will they save the world?  This book is science-fiction meets romance meets action adventure.  I could not put my Kindle down.  I stayed up to 3am just to finish this book.  It kept my attention and interest.  It ended with me begging for more.

    MissRebel Nights deserves:


    I have to be honest. When I first agreed to review this book, I didn’t read the synopsis.  So, when I started to read Katastrophic Decisions, I didn’t know it was a prequel.  I took two seconds to mourn the fact that MissRebel Nights was not continuing.  Then, I relished the fact that I get to fill in the blanks and have the back story on Kata.  Where MissRebel Nights is m/f romance, this one is f/f.  Just as Rebel and Dalton are soulmates and fell in love at first sight, Kata falls for Levin at first song.  Although Kata is not gay at the beginning of this book, it goes to show you the heart will love whom it wants to love.  Where Kata can heal anyone, it is only Levin who can heal Kata.  There is no stopping this relationship from happening, although it will be delayed at times.  I love how we go from her beginning to her abduction in the same book.  

    Katastrophic Decisions gets:




    Here are the blurbs for each book:

    Katastrophic Decisions


    Katastrophic Decisions serves as the back story of Katarina Redford, a healer.  It takes place before she was ripped from her life and forced into Ledger chaos.

    Some people would kill for the chance to be endowed with the ability to heal. However, Kata Redford and her few remaining family members have spent the past several years hiding in the rugged Oregon mountains from religious zealots and other crazies who seek to either punish her for her inherent ability or possess it for themselves. Now, at twenty eight years of age, she’s reached a pivotal moment in her life. Realizing that something she’d wanted so badly was not meant to be, with an open mind and an aching heart, she sets off to find her own path in life.

    Unexpectedly, Kata is enraptured by the beautiful Levin Chase, an intriguing drummer for the band, Stage a Revolt. Through their equally undeniable attraction, Kata finally learns what it means to live life to the fullest. Thanks to Levin’s strong determination, they begin to build a rock solid future  on the heels of a nearly catastrophic decision. But as usual in her life, just when everything starts looking up, her world falls to pieces.”

    MissRebel Nights


    “Rebekah Taylor, known by her friends as Rebel, has been plagued by vivid apocalyptic nightmares her whole life. It wasn’t until the ultimate betrayal of a family member that she realized the visions held much more importance than she could ever have imagined. Kittens and rainbows have no place amid the gritty, chaotic premonitions, nor the abusive situation from which she now flees. 

    Finding herself on the run from not only a madman she knows, but also an elusive psychopath who intends to use her abilities to fulfill his potentially world decimating objective, she leans on the supportive shoulder of a childhood friend and one true love, Dalton Fletcher. Quite dramatically, they discover that she is not alone in the world of extraordinary talents. Others exist who also play an integral role in the maniacal grand scheme. Along with the help of others who share her curse, she and Dalton set out on a path for answers to the never ending list of questions with which they’ve all been plagued. It will take them working as a team to escape certain extinction of a large majority of the human population as well as the possibility of being ruled by a murderous, self appointed dictator. What does the world look like on the opposite side of the devil’s reign? Does anyone actually survive?”

    About the Author



    Born and raised in Northeast Louisiana, R.L. Rushing grew up on well water, dirt roads, deer meat and garden grown vegetables. Although it would be interesting to say she spent her time exploring exotic destinations and drinking wine from barrels in Tuscany, that is not the case. R.L. lived in the real world. Currently, her days are spent working in the ever exciting world of bookkeeping. Night time for her does not mean breaking into the Smithsonian to steal the hottest work of art to sell on the black market. In fact, the only work of art she’ll see will be created by one of her awesome kids while they’re doing anything possible to keep from getting in bed on time. As with every other small town girl, R.L. has dreamed of breathtaking adventures and schmoozing with the elite. She actually managed to make it about two thousand miles and a few months before realizing that the big city lights are better left to big city girls and her wild imagination. No adventure is as fulfilling as being wrapped in the strong arms of her love while surrounded by the laughter and arguing of our not so little ones. 

    R. L. Rushing can be reached via email, follow her on Facebook, and find her on Goodreads.

    Ciao!



  • The Opposites Series by T.M. Smith

    It has been a very good reading weekend.  I read 5 books so far and am into my sixth.  Two of those books were Opposites and The Library by T. M. Smith

    This past week I had two authors solicit reviews from me.  T.M. Smith is one of them.  Please note, that although she offered to provide me with copies of her book, specifically The Library, I decided to buy both of her books in the Opposites Series directly from Amazon.  I am not paid in any way for this review.

    Here is the synopsis of Opposites:

    “In the year 2081 our planet survived global warming of an apocalyptic scale. When the dust settled and the water receded Dr. Anthony Smith, one of only a few hundred survivors of GWI, started society anew. Having come to the conclusion that injudicious breeding played a huge role in the destruction of Earth as we knew it in the twenty first century, he worked closely with other survivors to isolate the Dionysus gene. This gene has the ability to manipulate human DNA to ensure that all male children be born gay, and all female children be born lesbians. A new society is born. 

    In the year 2300 Dr. Smith’s descendants are ushering in the twenty fourth century having maintained control of the government that still rules society. Twins Aiya and Aiyan are preparing to meet their matches and take control of House Gaeland, the current ruling House. But not everything is as it seems. 

    Love is Love.  It knows no gender and doesn’t conform to restrictions and boundaries. Aiyan has found his soul mate in Kaden, the prince of House Devi that he is matched with and eventually marries. But when the person Aiya falls in love with tests the boundaries put in place after GWI, all hell breaks loose. And in the midst of one secret unraveling, another will emerge. There is a growing anomaly that threatens to destroy over two hundred years of progression. This anomaly is known as Opposites.”
    I need to say that this book has some grammatical issues that you have to look past.  I know many people get turned off by this but, get over it.   Since this story occurs in a time and place of the author’s own making, the first two chapters are setting up the setting and  introducing characters.  At times, it was information overload.  Some readers say that if they can’t get into the book within the first two chapters, they stop reading it and move on.  I have been guilty of this too.  But,  because this is a solicited review I could not do that.  So, I kept going.  And boy, am I glad I did.  

    Once the story really gets going, I fell for Aiya and Aiyan.  I know this book is supposedly more about Aiyan and Kaden’s story but, I kept yearning for more Aiya and Sawyer.  Although Aiya is betrothed to Maeve, even I felt the sparks between Aiya and Sawyer.   A futuristic version of the rich girl loving the boy from across the tracks.  But theirs is a connection was made in heaven.  Forbidden love.  Le sigh…

    Aiyan and Kaden have the love at first sight thing down to a science.  They are hot and heavy from second one.  Their love is what everyone wishes they had.  

    Tanis and Raven.  Wow what to say.  For some reason my thoughts went to the Thornbirds.  The priest who is tempted.  Except in this world, it is allowed.  Thank whatever entity you pray to for that!  

    There is more to this book than I have written about, but I don’t want to pick the book apart, I want you to go read it!

    At times, you get to peek into the lives of all the parents and their relationships.  But it isn’t until The Library that we get to really start learning more about them.
      
    The Library -an Opposites Novella

    “Three gay couples run amuck in this short story where clothing, beds, even four walls are all optional! 

    “Want to know what happened that night in the library?

    Cirian and Rian had a fight in the library and Rian ends up naked on the desk, on his back, at Cirian’s mercy. 

    Want to know how far things went with ice cream?

    A romantic evening by the fire feeding his husband ice cream leads to a lot more than heavy petting for Aiyan and Kaden.

    Want to know what was going on when those birds fled?

    Traveling hundreds of miles, battling the rebels and then traveling back to House Gaeland will take it out of you. But when Tanis wants something, he takes it. Raven is about to be bent over a tree!”

    This book takes please during the events during Opposites.  Three scenes from Opposites that were cut short at the time, have been elaborated on here.  But more than that, we find out the story of  Cirian and Rian.  I really love this small tale of how two of the four parents of The Twins came together.  I hope to learn more about them in the books to come.

    These books have one overall message.  Love is love, no matter the gender or quantity.  No one can tell you who to love.  You just do it.  Society should never tell you who can or cannot love.  

    Although my reading journey with the Opposites Series started slowly, I have to say that after the setting was established, the story lines seemed to flow.  You start rooting for your favorite couple and want to kick ass with them all. 

    This author shows much promise and I cannot wait to see where Ms. Smith takes these characters in her next books, Appearances (Opposites #2) and then The Cellar – An Opposites Novella (Opposites #2.5).   

    I give both books 


    Tomorrow I go back to Weight Watchers.  I really don’t want to get on the scale, but I know I must.  I have my period, so I will blame any weight gain on that.  Tonight I am going to my best friend’s house to watch the Grammy’s Red Carpet on E!.  This is becoming a girls event every awards season, and I love it.  After the day I have had, I need some girl time.

    Ciao!


  • Somebody’s Angel by Kallypso Masters.

    As this new year starts, I have already read 25 books.  Granted 4 of those books were re-reads, but they count.  Those 4 books were from the Rescue Me Series by Kallypso Masters, read in preparation of the fifth book in the series, Somebody’s Angel.

    “When Marc D’Alessio first rescued the curvaceous and spirited Italian Angelina Giardano at the Masters at Arms Club, he never expected her to turn his safe,controlled life upside down and pull at his long-broken heartstrings. Months later, the intense fire of their attraction still rages, but something holds him back from committing to her completely. Worse, secrets and memories from his past join forces to further complicate his relationships with family, friends, and his beautiful angel. 

    Angelina cannot give all of herself to someone who hides himself from her. She loves Marc, the BDSM world he brought her into, and the way their bodies respond to one another, but she needs more. Though she destroyed the wolf mask he once wore, only he can remove the mask he dons daily to hide his emotions. 

    In a desperate attempt to break through his defenses and reclaim her connection to the man she loves, she attempts a full frontal assault that sends him into a fast retreat, leaving her nobody’s angel once again. Marc finds that running to the mountains no longer gives him solace but instead leaves him empty and alone. Angelina is the one woman worth the risk of opening his heart. Will he risk everything to become the man she deserves?”

    Angel and Marc are my second favorite couple in this series (first being Savi and Damian).  Although their story started in book 2, Nobody’s Angel, you are left with a somewhat happily ever after.  There was that little doubt that Angel had at the end of that book.  The story wasn’t quite finished. Kally revealed what happened in a Q&A hosted by Sizzling Hot Book Reviews on Facebook last night.  

    “6. You have stated that Somebody’s Angel came about while you were writing Nobody’s Perfect. Where do your ideas come from? 

    Ideas come from the characters. I usually meet the character first and then slowly dig at them until they reveal their deepest darkest secrets. Marc was the toughest nut to crack. I’d tried in Nobody’s Angel, but he just shut down and so I moved on in the series, figuring I’d come back to him whenever he was ready. While writing Nobody’s Perfect, he finally revealed what was going on (it turned out to be the tip of the iceberg as I learned after peeling away layer after layer of Marc’s barriers until we got to the core of what was eating at him). I will say that music can inspire me sometimes, although I usually hear the song and equate it to an existing character in my head. I can’t think of any song that has inspired a character. They just show up in my head (or in my journal, when I write in it). Some are reluctant, like Mistress Grant who plays it very close to the vest. Others are more open and their stories just flow like water.”

    This story is raw and contains harsh treatment, however, remember Marc consented to give Adam complete control.  As Kally pointed out to me, that this scene “was Risk Aware Consensual Kink, meaning the risks were higher but the party being acted upon knew that and consented anyway. Most RACK scenes include safewords, but Marc made it even more unsafe by foregoing his. Of course, he trusted Adam not to do harm but there were great risks involved, including psychological damage”.  PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME!  Thank you Kally for the correction!

    Marc enlists Adam and his friends to break him down and build him back up.  He knows if he doesn’t fix himself, he will never fix the rift that exists between Angel and him. I applaud Kally for having Adam apply the SERE training tactics and having him explaining it to Marc (and the reader in the process) what that would entail.   And yes, I looked it up.  There are YouTube videos you can  watch….not pretty.  

    Through all of this, nothing compares to the strength that Angelina has when she tells Marc over and over that if he can’t open himself to her, then she can’t be with him.  This goes to show that being submissive doesn’t mean you are a doormat.  Any relationship, especially one in the Lifestyle, communication is key.  You can’t pick and choose what parts of yourself to share with someone and then expect them to give all of what they are to you.  Every relationship is a two-way street.  I would guess that applies doubly in BDSM.  At least, that is what I found in this book.  If a Master gives all of Himself to His submissive, then it is more likely for His submissive to submit all of her/himself to Him.  

    To me, this book is all about healing…..Marc, his relationship with Angel, his brother,  his mother, and more.  By the end I was in tears and felt at peace.  It is an awsome author that can do that to a reader!  Thank you Kally.

    Somebody’s Angel is definitely a book that is worthy of my highest rating of !  

    This is a Series worth reading and must be read in order.  

    Master at Arms
    Nobody’s Angel
    Nobody’s Hero
    Nobody’s Perfect
    Somebody’s Angel

    I am looking forward to the next book in the series, Nobody’s Dream (Rescue Me #6), which will tell the story of Luke and Cassie.

    Ciao!

    ~*Karen*~





  • New Look

    Hi all!  Just wanted to check in.  I am still reading the Rescue Me Series by Kallypso Masters.  This new book is getting really good.  I am so happy we get more of Marc and Angel.

    If you didn’t notice, I have been doing some redecorating here on the Blog.  I have a new banner and the background is now basic black.  To the left, you will see that I have added nifty (yes people do still use that word) social media icons.  I just started Pinterest, so please bear with me on that.  Still trying to figure it all out.  I hope it looks good to you, because I like it alot!

    I have updated my to-be-read list on Goodreads, which you can connect to by clicking the Goodreads widget on the right.  I have many books on it.  The next two books I will be reading is Opposites and The Library by T.M. Smith.  I am hoping to have a Spotlight with her soon. 

    If you would like for me to review a book, please contact me by email (click the envelope) or any of the listed social media.  I am very open and will take your request into consideration.

    I hope to talk to you all again soon.

    Ciao!

    ~*Karen*~

  • Bad Boy Billionaires Series by Judy Angleo

    Hi all!  Well I am now officially 40 years old!  Where has the time flown?  I have been reading up a storm lately.  I am currently re-reading the Rescue Me Series by Kallypso Masters in preparation of reading the newest in the series, Someboy’s Angel.

    But last week I read the entire Bad Boy Billionaires Series by Judy Angelo. Currently there is 14 books in the series, actually more like 14.5.  

    The newest book from this New York Times/USA Today Best-Selling Author is Rome for Always.  This is a sequel to the novella, Rome for the Holidays, in the collection, ‘Hot, Sexy & Bad’.  Here is the blurb from this book. 

    Rome for Always “SHE HAD ROME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, BUT WILL SHE HAVE HIM FOR ALWAYS?  Arie Angelis is on top of the world. She’s engaged to the man of her dreams, the super-handsome and successful CEO of Belitalia, Rome Milano. She could not believe it when he proposed on Christmas Day. Of course, she said yes! But then, only a month into their engagement there’s a turn of events that threatens to steal her newfound happiness. In the past she’d made a life-altering choice. Now it’s time to stand by that decision. The only question is, will Rome stand with her or will it send him running? 

    Rome Milano knows a good thing when he sees it and when he meets Arie he has no doubt that she’s the one for him. He falls so swiftly in love with her that within weeks of meeting her he’s proposing. He can’t be any happier when she accepts. But there’s just one problem – how to convince the important people in his life that this is for real. Now that he’s found happiness will he be forced to choose between love and loyalty? 

    It’s decision time on both sides. Through it all, will love prevail?”

    I have to say that of all the books in the series, this is my favorite one so far.  Arie is just a character one can relate to.  Other than her best friend, Arie has no family but wants one desperately.  She made something of herself with no one else’s help.  When Rome proposes, Arie finally will get the family she yearns for….or will she.  Rome is the billionaire all women dream would rescue them from their life.  An italian Prince Charming.  He makes mistakes but more than makes up for them in the end.  He has a huge heart and a wonderful family who is not without fault.  

    Some reviewers and critic’s have said in the past that they are tired of the rich boy who swoops in to say the girl from the wrong side of the tracks.  They want characters more like themselves.  I see their point, however, I love it.  The fantasy of it.  Who doesn’t dream at least at some point in their life about being swept away by some wealthy guy and be spoiled to death by him.  I want to get lost in a book no matter the financials a character may or may not have.  The fact that Rome was rich really had no weight in this story.  Rome could have been a layman changing a light bulb at a party Arie was catering and I could still see the sparks between them fly! 

    There is more I could say, but I don’t want to give too much away.  I give Rome for Always :


    Here is the reading order of the Series.  They are all stand alone books except Rome for the Holidays and Rome for Always, they must be read in order.

    TAMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE – Vol. 1 

    Roman Steele – The business tycoon who has the daunting task of taming the spoiled princess. 
    MAID IN THE U.S.A. – Vol. 2 
    Pierce D’Amato – The software billionaire who thinks he’s in control but instead finds himself at the mercy of an angelic four year old and a dark-eyed French beauty who steals his heart. 
    BILLIONAIRE’S ISLAND BRIDE – Vol. 3 
    Dare DeSouza – The owner of a line of Caribbean resorts who tries to teach our beloved heroine a lesson she’ll never forget…but then ends up learning the greatest lesson of his life. 
    DANGEROUS DECEPTION – Vol. 4 
    Storm Hunter – He loves motorcycles, fast cars and now he’s got to add one more item to his list of loves: Danielle Swift. Dani has a charm he tries to resist but this committed bachelor is no match for this fiercely independent woman who’s like none he’s met before. 
    TO TAME A TYCOON – Vol. 5 
    Enrico Megalos – A shipping tycoon with a big problem but one which ‘lion tamer’, Asia Miller, is determined to fix. 
    SWEET SEDUCTION – Vol. 6 
    Jake McKoy – Billionaire author, philanthropist and recluse – a man with a past that is tearing him apart. Will Samantha Fox be the woman to pull him out of his shell? 
    DADDY BY DECEMBER – Vol. 7 
    Drake Duncan – Billionaire investor, and a man determined to win the love of his life: a woman who is just as determined…to stay the heck out of his way. 
    TO CATCH A MAN (IN 30 DAYS OR LESS) – Vol. 8 
    Stone Hudson – Owner of Hudson Broadcasting Corporation, Stone is thrown for a loop when he meets a woman gutsy enough to laugh at him. And then she turns into a temptress. How can he resist? 

    BEDDING HER BILLIONAIRE BOSS – Vol. 9
    Rockford St. Stephens – The owner of a newly acquired luxury vacation business who finds himself boss to an executive assistant who can’t stand him…but who he finds impossible to resist.

    HER INDECENT PROPOSAL -Vol. 10
    Sloane Quest – The media mogul who’s rocked back on his heels when his top competitor, the lovely Melanie Parker, makes him an offer he can’t refuse.

    SO MUCH TROUBLE WHEN SHE WALKED IN – Vol. 11
    Maximillian Davidoff – The cosmetics giant turned NASCAR entrepeneur who’s bowled over by the most ornery woman he’s ever met.

    MARRIED BY MIDNIGHT – Vol. 12
    Reed Davidoff – The fashion mogul who gets caught up in a fairy tale romance that makes him wish he could reverse his past. After the mistakes he’s made, can he win the hand of the princess?

    THE BILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR – Vol. 13
    Soledad Felix doesn’t take guff from anyone, not even if that someone is the tall, dark and gorgeous hunk who moves in next door. Since the day he moves in he’s a royal pain in the rear, going out of his way to make himself a nuisance. But then, as fate would have it, her big, bad and bossy neighbor falls right into her hands. And with him at her mercy, it’s time to make him pay…

    Ransom Kent likes to mind his own business and lead a quiet life but tell that to his crazy neighbor next door. From the first day they meet it’s like she’s got this thing against him, a crazy vendetta of her own making. And it doesn’t help that she’s both beautiful and bewitching, with a whole lot of hot sauce on top. It’s an alluring combination that he just can’t resist. But when he gives in to the temptation and hands her his heart on a platter, that’s when he realizes she’s nothing like the woman he thought she was. 


    ROME FOR THE HOLIDAYS – Vol. 13.5 
    (A novella, Rome for the Holidays, in the collection, ‘Hot, Sexy & Bad’) When Rome Milano meets the hot and heavenly Arie Angelis he learns that he can’t always have his way. He’s used to calling the shots, but not this time… 

    I cannot wait for book 15 in the Bad Boy Billionaire Series, Billionaire’s Blackmail Bride.

    Ciao!

    ~*Karen*~