Kingpin by LIli St. Germain

Kingpin by Lili St. Germain

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★

Overall rating: 5.0

The second book in the Cartel Series was even better than the first! I could not put this book down, I'm not sure why I haven't read this book before now, but damn sure happy that I have!

Kingpin picks up 9 years later and we find Mariana is now the "Accountant" for the Gypsy Brothers/El Sangue Cartel. For 9 years she's lived on the knife's edge of life, never knowing when or if Emilio is going to snap and kill her or worse... because with Emilio, there is always worse.

Emilio's son Dornon is still able to keep his relationship with Mariana a secret.

But Dornon is starting to get suspicious of Mariana. Is she telling him the truth? Is she hiding something from him? Is there someone else? It's easier for Dornan to not think too much on these things.

Dornan's character, in my opinion, has firmly planted both of his feet on the dark path of his life.

I'm loving this series!

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Cartel by Lili St. Germain

Cartel by Lili St. Germain

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*Review Edit*

I originally read this in August of 2015, and rated it only 3 stars and no review. Not sure why. I just did this as a "re-read" for a group challenge, and I *LOVED* it!

Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★

Overall rating: 5.0

Cartel is the first book in the Cartel Trilogy, and it starts off the series with a bang! It's dark and gritty and Lili does the one thing I love the most with her books. She builds the sex scenes, (which, by the way are HOT!), *into* the story and not the other way around. The sex is well timed, and doesn't overwhelm the story.

There are several characters in this story some I liked some I hated and wanted to grab them from my Kindle and throat punch them. Everyone is twisted and crazy!

Mariana Rodriguez

"Of all the things in life, love is the most confusing. The most all-consuming. The reason we breathe, the light in our darkness." --Mariana

Mariana has been "cooking the books" for her father, Marco, for most of her life, moving money around to pay his debts. But when Marco drives a truck full of cocaine right into the waiting arms of the American DEA, there is no amount of "book cookin'" that can save him from the wrath of Emilio Ross. Emilio and his thugs show up at Mariana's home in Columbia with the intent to kill the entire family, but Mariana is taken to pay the debt instead. 

Emilio Ross

You know what they say about extraordinary times? They call for extraordinary measures." --Emilio

Emilio is the leader of the El Sangue Cartel, and he doesn't take losing a large shipment of cocaine very well. But taking Mariana will ease the pain of it... he can sell her into sexual slavery and recoup some of his loss. Emilio deals in drugs, guns, and human trafficking, and Mariana is his new target.

Dornan Ross

It was a dangerous proposition, to be falling in love with a woman who is owned by the cartel. --Dornan

Dornan is Emilio's son and the VP of the Gypsy Brothers Motorcycle Club, and his reputation precedes him as a man even more lethal than Emilio, if that's even possible.

Dornan sees Mariana and he immediately wants to help her. He is *compelled* to help her. But he can't let his father see that weakness in him. He *does* help Mariana, he saves her from being sold by telling his father about her ability to cook the books, hence turning Mariana into "The Accountant" for the El Sangue Cartel and the Gypsy Brothers. .

"Dornan respected his father, but if the right person came along and wanted to take Emilio out, Dornan would probably load the bullets into the gun and hand it to them himself."

Unfortunately, at this point, he doesn't see that any such person has come along. And Dornan, in order to keep Mariana safe, has to endure under the thumb of his suffocating father.

But unexpectedly, Dornan finds himself falling in love with Mariana and it makes keeping her safe hard. Dornan has an apartment in Santa Monica that he won in a poker game a few years ago, that he's managed to keep secret from almost everyone, it turns out to be the perfect place to keep Mariana... a place where they can spend some sexy time together. And the times do get sexy in that apartment!

John Portland

"Dornan often had to remind him that his role as president was largely symbolic; he was not the one in charge."

John is the character i fell in love with from the beginning, he's Dornan's best friend and President of the Gypsy Brothers. It's in title only (for both of them) since they flipped a coin to see who would be President and VP. They wanted the Gypsy Brothers to be a club that traveled the roads, and had each other's backs, not a gang. But when Dornan's girlfriend got pregnant and John's younger sister needed cancer treatments that were beyond his read financially, and Emilio caught up to them... the "club" officially became a "gang".

The darkness of these characters, even John, kept me turning the pages, walking through the house with my Kindle and anxious to see what was going to happen next.

I'm looking forward the the rest of this series, to see who does what to whom. This series is somewhat of a prequel to the Gypsy Brothers series showing us what shapes the characters to become who they are.

While Dornan isn't a warm and fuzzy character by any means, I hear he is much worse in the other series. So for me, it's interesting to read this series first before reading the other, even though I don't think that's how it was intended.

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Summer Storm by L. Wilder

Summer Storm by L. Wilder

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Writing: ★★★★
Story: ★★★
Characters: ★★★

Overall rating: 3.3


I realize this is a novella, and a lead into a series... but.. damn, the characters moved fast in this story. The instant "love" was a bit unrealistic to me.

They meet via email while Allie, who is a child of the foster system and employee of the Department of Children's Services is trying to secure a contractor to build a place where kids can congregate in a safe and fun environment.

Their emails turn flirty rather quickly, and by the time they meet, it seems to be love at first sight. Again, I get that this is a novella, but this was seriously fast.

I didn't really connect with the characters in this short story. However, looking at the ratings on the rest of the series, I think I'm going to continue, or at least see how Maverick turnes out.

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Red Dog: An Evil Dead MC Story by Nicole James

Red Dog: An Evil Dead MC Story by Nicole  James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★
Characters: ★★★★

Overall rating: 4.3


This was a quick hot read with my morning coffee. I enjoyed seeing Red Dog again, and meeting Mary, his little China Doll.

This novella was just what I needed after the book hangover(s) I had from the previous books in this series. Getting to see Crash, Wolf, Cole, and an "Ol' Lady" thrown in the mix, was just what I needed to keep me connected to the series.

Red Dog and Mary, have had a lot of "ups" and quite a few "downs" during their relationship. But they've always been able to work through it.. until now.

Mary is pissed, and Red Dog is stumped as to *why* that is this time. She's up and left, took all of her stuff, and their son, and just left. He doesn't even know where to begin to look for them.

We see a lot of flashbacks to how Red Dog and Mary first met, the ups and downs in their tumultuous relationship. But in all the years, we've never seen Mary leave and just "be done" with Red Dog.

Can he get her back, or has he fucked up one too many times for Mary to even consider it this time?

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, curl up with your e-reader, and step back into the world of The Evil Dead, and find out for yourself.

I sure hope that Nicole James has more books planned for this series! I love me some Evil Dead!!

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Challenged by Ryan Michele

Challenged by Ryan Michele

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Writing: ★★★
Story: ★★
Characters: ★★

Overall rating: 2.3

Cade 'Spook' Baker and Trixie "Trix" Lamasters met 15 years ago in high school, they dated for 6 months then Cade had to leave her for the Vipers Creed Motorcycle Club, breaking Trixie's heart.

Fifteen years later, "Trix" has to go to "Spook" for a favor. Trix owns Sirens, a strip club, and one of her girls, Nanette, is hiding out at the clubhouse and she owes Trix a pretty big chunk of change and Trix wants payment in full.

Okay, so I enjoyed the beginning of this book when Trix was pretty much a "stand on my own and own my shit" kinda woman. That started to fall by the wayside pretty damn quick.

Cade/Spook... never much cared for him at all. He was a misogynistic man child. Okay, so I know that one of the reasons we (I) read a good Motorcycle Erotica book is for the fierce, sexy, hot, badass bad boys.. and the sex. But at the same time, I don't want the main male lead to be a giant ass. All. The. Time. And Spook had me rolling my eyes more than once.

There was just no character development for Spook or Trixie.

Another thing that I wish some writers would learn when writing MC books.. not every other word has to be "fuck". I did a search on my Kindle of that word and it came up saying.. "found more than 500 times"... in a 200 page book. Learn to use it sparingly, find another way to get your point across.

Some of the best Motorcycle Erotica books (and Dark taboo non-con erotica), get more attention from me, when I realize that the characters have actually made me connect with them when they didn't have to throw the "fucks" out everytime they spoke.

It gets to be so distracting that I end up rolling my eyes at another "unique use" (not) of "fuck and fucking".

And the sex. While it was hot.. some of the time, again an overabundance of something can overshadow the actual story... which is exactly what happened here. Build the sex *into* the story, not the story *around* the sex. It loses its... well "sex appeal.

They had so much sex that I imagined Trix to be in a constant state of orgasm!

"The only way he'd get between my legs was if he used the jaws of life."

Yeah, Trixie, you shoulda stuck with that thought a few times.

There is a difference between dominating your partner, which is what I think the author was *trying* to go for with Spook, and just being an asshat. Just the way it started when Trix first walked into Spooks office, she'd been there a few minutes and he already had her back pressed against the door, holding her in place, and tongue down her throat, and soon after that he was claiming her as his. While this could have been hot as hell, I just didn't buy it with Spook.

It took to 83% (yes, I kept reading it.. it did have it's good moments), before it really made me sit up and take notice for a little while. While the basic idea was there for a good story, it just fell a bit short for me.

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Tank by Carmen Jenner

Tank by Carmen Jenner

Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★

Overall rating: 5.0

*****5 "I love you enough to put you on the back of my bike and keep you there for good." Stars*****

Okay. Just. Wow. What a wild ride! I have to say that from book 1, Kick, to this book, the author's writing style grew by leaps and bounds. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, gripping my Kindle, and more than once whispering, "nooooo...!"

"I want her submission. I want her heart. I want her to look at me and not wish I were someone else. More than anything though, I want to rid her of the belief that to love is to hurt to feel pleasure is to hurt."

Tank - a.k.a. Death, a.k.a. Jonah Whitecross, he's not your typical biker that you read about in most MC books. Even though he's a killer, and has no qualms about it. He can be demanding, overbearing, a complete "arsehole" at times... but he can also be gentle, caring, and loving, much to Ivy's surprise and dismay.

Ivy - club whore, junkie, lost girl... victim. And she wants nothing to do with that caring and loving side of Tank. Ivy needs to be abused to "feel"... well anything. She doesn't do "pleasure".

Tank is going to try and show her just how wrong she is on that front. And he does it damn well, too!

Tank has been in love with Ivy since he first met her, but Ivy's not in love with Tank, far from it, and to make matter's worse, he's taken her to his cabin and "held her prisoner"... her words, not his. He's taken her away from the club, away from Kick, and away from any way to get her drugs. He wants to help her get clean and she doesn't want any part of Tank's help.

But she's going to get it, whether she likes it or not!

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A Gift of Time by Beth Flynn

A Gift of Time by Beth Flynn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★

Overall rating: 5.0

"Two rings. One of ink and one of gold."

This series, seriously in my top 5 favorite! From book 1 and 2, to this long awaited (for me) finale, I've been in love with this story, these characters, and this author for writing this series.

This books picks right up where the second book ended. So we know that Grizz is alive. But how will Ginny react to this news since she's married to Tommy now? How will she tell Tommy? *WHAT* will she tell Tommy?

No quick answers in this book. We are taken back in time, and into the "present", by Ginny, Tommy, Mimi, and Grizz, as the story is told from different POVs. Usually this is a hard thing for an author to pull off, but Beth Flynn makes it look easy. The storyline is seamless.

I was excited to learn all the secrets, and at the same time I didn't want it to end.

I love Ginny with Tommy and I love Ginny with Grizz. To have one soulmate in one's lifetime is miraculous, but Ginny had two.

There were some great openings for spinoff series', and I'm hoping we'll see more of Mimi and Christian at some point. Seems they could have a love like dear old mom and dad!

And by the way.... Grizz? 

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Clubwhore by Kim Jones

Clubwhore by Kim Jones
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Writing: ★★★
Story: ★★★
Characters: ★★★★

Overall rating: 3.3

What to say about this book. Yeah, that's a tough one.

 

First, it was longer than it needed to be. I got so tired of Delilah's whining that I started to skim... a lot. No matter how much skimming I did, it was still there, her incessant whining.

Bryce. Hot, dominant, and sexy. Just too bad he didn't get the attention he really deserved in this book.

There is love there... and from Delilah we get all the feelings, all the emotion. From Bryce, when he finally admits it, it's brief. Basically a sideline in the book.

I didn't *hate* this book, it really had a great foundation to be a great story. But it had loose ends. What about her brother? As controlling as he was, and how he only had 2 things on his mind when it came to Delilah, taking her money and giving her pain, he just evaporated from the story. Did he never try to find her?

 

I just felt that there were too many loose ends and too much internal dialog.. but I do have to say that some of Delilah's internal dialog was pretty funny.

Not sure I'll continue with the rest of this series when it's available. I'll just have to see if I'm curious enough about Bryce and Delilah.. or if it's going to be about other characters.

 

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Ghost by Nicole James

Ghost by Nicole James

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★

Overall rating: 5.0

Nicole James does it again! Book 5 in the Evil Dead MC Series is a hit for me! I absolutely love this series, Shades being my favorite character, and we see get to see a lot of him in this book, but Ghost is just one big ol' sexy hunk of man in his own right!

Ghost is a member of the Alabama Chapter of the Evil Dead MC, and he's happily going down the road he's chosen for himself, until one day he hears from Jessie, his once upon a time step-sister. She's in trouble and needs his help. That's all he knows since he hasn't been able to reach her since speaking with her briefly, once.

Jessie is running, and she knows that she needs to get to Sturgis, SD, where the Sturgis Rally, a big annual meet of all Motorcycle Clubs, including all chapters of The Evil Dead, is held. She is hoping against all hope to find "Billy" a.k.a. Ghost at the Rally. She hitchhikes from Seattle to Sturgis and takes a chance in thousands that she'll find the only man she knows can help her.

Ghost and Jessie, do find each other, and Jessie brings a whole lotta trouble down on Ghost and his club.

They both have secrets. Secrets that can be devastating to the other. Secrets that can break the trust they have for each other. Can their tenuous relationship take the burden of these secrets if they are revealed? *Will* they be revealed?

Some of the characters from the previous books make appearances in this book, and I loved seeing everyone of them again! There are some new characters that are introduced that I can't wait to read more about.

Blood. I need more of him! And to find out that is the next book to come out...

Well, needless to say, I'm very excited about *that*.

Bravo Nicole James, for another great story, with characters, old and new, that I fell in love with!

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Savage Heart by Sara Fawkes

Savage Heart by Sara Fawkes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Writing: ★★★★
Story: ★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★

Overall rating: 4.3

"Some in the club had old ladies or girlfriends who were quiet and did whatever they were told, but that wasn't Ash's style. He wanted to respect his partner, not just have a shadow that followed him around silently."


What a story! This book was a pleasant surprise. I was just looking for something quick to read over my morning coffee, and this Novella fit the bill. It grabbed me and reeled me in from the first page, and two cups of coffee later and I was trying to catch my breath.

Eve is a investigative reporter trying to find her one big story that will help her get noticed and be the big break, not to mention help her to keep her desperately needed job. Eve's grandmother is in a retirement home, but Alzheimer's has set in and she needs to be moved right away. Eve's finances are bare bones at best. So getting this story would be quite helpful all the way around.

Ash meets pretty Eve at a biker bar, rescuing her from a brother, that is in desperate need of a bath, shave, and toothbrush, and is aptly named "Rancid". After getting rid of "Cid", Ash takes a seat and gets to know a bit more about Eve.. finding out that she's a reporter with a million questions. But, poor Eve is pretty much tongue-tied when it comes to the handsome and ooooh soooo sexy biker dude!

Things go pretty easy for this couple, he's an Alpha Biker, and she's no pushover. But they click, and even though this book is a novella, I actually *felt* that click with these two.

One major compliment to this book is the sex scenes. They were definitely HAWT, but they were well placed. The story was built on the characters and what was going on in their lives, the sex was a bonus, which made me appreciate this story that much more.

Really enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to continuing this series to see where Ash and Eve go next!

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Beast by Sam Crescent & Jenika Snow

Beast by Sam Crescent

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Writing: ★★
Story: ★★
Characters: ★

Overall rating: 1.6

Not even sure what I just read. It was like some guy, Beast, playing at being a dominant and a bad ass biker. It seemed to me that the only way he could get to Bridget was to hold his, and the club's, protection over her head. Fuck me; Submit to me; Suck my dick; if you want my protection.

By 45% I was ready to DNF this book. Forty-five percent! Up to that point it was sex, sex, and more sex. Don't get me wrong, I love sex in my books, but this just wasn't believable in the least, and I didn't get the warm fuzzies from it. But I figured I needed to keep going to at *least* get to the damn story. Where was Rafe? Was there going to be a showdown? Was I *ever* going to find out?

Bridget, what a weak woman. I could not feel sorry for her. She was naive, and weak. She looks at herself in the mirror and doesn't recognize the woman she's become. Her ex changed everything about her, her hair, her clothes, etc. And here she is, changing just as quick as she can for Beast.

Beast's "inner" monologue was much better than when he opened his mouth. And of course, we have to have a male character with an 11" penis. Really? Realistic much?

Soon after he's spanked her with a belt, had her in every position imaginable, completely turned her into his "submissive" to his wonderful "Dominant" side, he's changing her. Wanting her to be his "slut". Even though, for one moment she denies it, it's too late, he's already done it; changed her into something he wanted. She has no backbone.

But I do want to give her props for taking all 11" of Beast.. *anally*.

If the author(s) think this is what Dominance and Submission is all about, they are terribly, terribly mistaken. Either you have it in the book and do it right, or don't attempt it.

Beast and Bridget are step siblings. The last time they saw each other she was 14 and he was 18. They have not seen or spoken to each other in 20 years. She goes to him for help, her ex, who is in the mafia, is looking for her and means to kill her because of something she's seen. Beast is the only person she knows to turn to for help, even though they didn't leave things on a very good note when he left to join an MC and she and her parents moved away.

And what does Beast do? He tells her that he'll help her "for a price". How nice. But, at this point, she'll do anything to save her life. Even give up her body to Beast and all his brothers. Beast takes full advantage of her and her naiveté.

Beast goes on and on about how she played center stage in all his sexual fantasies. Ummm. Dude, when you saw her last she was FOURTEEN! One line that turned me off immediately.. "I want to fuck your pussy and fill you with my spunk." Said the same day they meet after 20 years. And seriously? Who says "spunk" anymore?

Okay, so I was wrong about Beast's inner monologue...

"He kind of liked the thought of a little fight where she only wore her underwear and was forced to fight the other bitches for his dick."

Yeah, Beast is kind of a douche.

Finally, finally.. at chapter 11 we start to see some discussion about Rafe and what the club is going to do!!

It lasts for less than a couple pages and we're back to sex.

It does pick up again around 70%. We do get to see Beast when he isn't a complete dick. But Bridget is still a hot mess. But she's his hot mess, and I can't think of two people more deserving of each other.

I know, from just the few snippets we get, that Beast, in his own way, really does care for Bridget, and we do finally get to see that, but not until it's too far into the story to care.

I like these authors and have read other books they've written, but they totally missed it with this one.

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