Spotlight feature of Stacey Kennedy’s Desired

DESIRED by Stacey Kennedy

Readers of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY are sure to love DESIREDStacey Kennedy’s latest seductive, electrifying novel of Club Sin, where fantasy becomes reality.

Desired cvr

Title: DESIRED

Series: Club Sin (DESIRED, book #3, BARED, book #2, CLAIMED, book #1)

Author: Stacey Kennedy

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance – BDSM

Release Date: August 5, 2013

Number of Pages: 292

Publisher: Random House – Loveswept

Format: Digital eBook

ISBN: 9780553391183

“Sexy, sensual, and totally seductive … Stacey Kennedy sure knows how to make a girl swoon.”—New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff

Synopsis: 

Kyler Morgan, Master at the legendary Club Sin in Las Vegas, knows how to give women what they want—too well. He hasn’t had a real challenge in a long time. Then Ella Snow enters his life. Beautiful, inhibited, and innocent in the ways of submission and domination, Ella is the new blood he’s been lusting after. Soon, the thrill of training her to embrace his world brings forth desires Kyler cannot control.

After ending an abusive relationship, Ella makes a promise to herself to start living life to the fullest. It’s one of the reasons she seeks out Club Sin. Here, Kyler’s every touch is a lesson in liberation, stirring passions that have no bounds. But as she falls under Kyler’s command, Ella discovers that some secrets are so dark they must come to light. Submission alone may not be enough to save her, leaving her Master with only one question: How can he help Ella heal while unlocking the deep pleasures she craves?

AmazonBarnes and Noble | More buying options

 

STACEY KENNEDY is the USA Today bestselling author of the CLUB SIN series. Growing up, Stacey’s mind wandered the path less traveled and that path most often led to love. She has always broken rules and she continues to feed off emotion – staying true to her heart. Those traits are now the bones of her stories. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who puts any of the heroes in her books to shame, and their two young children. If she’s not on mom duty or plugging away at a new story, you’ll find Stacey camping in the summer, hibernating in the winter and obsessing over Penny Dreadful, Game of Thrones and Sons of Anarchy.

Learn more about Stacey and her books here:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Praise for the Club Sin series:
 
Claimed sucked me in! Stacey Kennedy weaves together the intense BDSM lifestyle with the soft touch of a sweeter, more traditional love story in a novel with an engaging heroine at its heart.”—J. Kenner, New York Times bestselling author of Release Me

“Deliciously sexy, Claimed will captivate you at once, leading you on an erotic journey that you won’t want to end. A fabulous talent, Kennedy shines in this fast-paced and exciting novel.”New York Times bestselling author Cheyenne McCray

“Tender, emotional—and smoking hot!”—Savanna Fox, author of the Dirty Girls Book Club series, on Claimed
 
Bared is a seductively haunting tale of control and surrender that will tantalize existing fans of the series while enticing new readers into the passionate world of Club Sin.”—Eliza Gayle, New York Times bestselling author of Submissive Beauty

Bared is a hot blend of raw sensuality, and Stacey Kennedy is an author to watch!”—Eden Bradley, author of The Dark Garden and Dangerously Bound

Kimberly reviews Ignited by J. Kenner

IgnitedTITLE: Ignited
SERIES #: Most Wanted #3
CHARACTERS: Katrina & Cole
AUTHOR: J. Kenner
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/09/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He promised to take me as far as I could go—and I wanted to go to the edge.
My whole life has been a cover, a con, a lie. I was born into the grift, raised on the thrill of playing someone I’m not. As a rule, I never let anyone get too close—until Cole August makes it impossible for me to stay away.
Cole is tough, sexy, and intensely loyal, yet his secrets are dark and his scars run deep. Not many women can handle his past, or the truth behind his fierce demands. But something about him beckons me—and our desire is a game I must play.
I know he’s dangerous, that even his touch is trouble, but what is passion without a little risk?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts This book was a long time coming… not in time frame but because meeting Cole in book 1 we knew he would have the darkest and most explosive of stories and he did. Cole is a very dark character and has the harshest of pasts but it was great to have him find his happy ending and he honestly couldn’t have found a better match than Katrina. She has had a dark past too. Not like his but her childhood caused her own issues and together they manage to get through the lingering effects.
Kenner has written another great story. This story is a bit of the Most Wanted as well as a Stark Trilogy combination. Which made it great that Damien Stark had a cameo. Kenner is a master as writing a dark erotic romance and this is more proof of that. Can you read it as a stand alone? Yes but why would you not want to read the beginning of the series so you understand who Cole really is. I love that he is so broken and yet he paints like a god. He has a softness in his poetic words that amaze and even has a hand in other arts that show the reader his softer side. Kenner showed that even the harshest of men have a soft side and did it wonderfully.

Yes Katrina is the one telling her tale but this is Cole’s story and it should not be missed.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Longing by Jamie K Schmidt

LongingTITLE: Longing
SERIES #: Club Inferno #2
CHARACTERS: Anya & Clint
AUTHOR: Jamie K. Schmidt
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/02/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Reeling from a disastrous love affair, model and budding fashion designer Anya Litton needs a temporary refuge, a place to lick her wounds and plan her next career move. At Club Inferno, where seductively chic men and women indulge their most intimate fantasies, she can mix business with unimaginable pleasure. Anya quickly connects with club Dom Clint Reyes, who unleashes Anya’s deepest longings over nights of burning passion.
Clint is a master at taking submissives to the heights of pleasure in Club Inferno’s opulent private dungeons. But it’s Anya who has Clint begging for more when the woman of his dreams becomes his eager partner in exploring the limits of desire. As their relationship ignites into an erotic contest of wills—and a jealous rival plots against them both—Clint prepares to fight for a future with Anya. In this complicated dance, the wrong move could end it all . . . and taking control means total surrender.

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts I really enjoyed this story. It is the second in the series but you do not need to have read the first at all. In fact Max and Mallory are only mentioned in passing a few times. So feel free to pick this up without having read the first… but then the first was really good so you might want to pick that one up too.
Now about this book. First about Clint. What a sweet guy. He has dreams and while he enjoys the kinky life it is not his whole world. In fact he wants to own his own place and fall in love. He wants to be more than a stripper and Dom and he finds that with Anya. I really adored Clint. However I really can’t imagine that he is a Dom in the full sense of the word. I really can’t recall anything he did that was Dom worthy. Yes he liked to be a little controlling but he didn’t Dom Anya. He understands her limits (which are plenty) and never pushes her to go beyond them.
Now to the best part of this story. ANYA! Let me say a hardy HELL YES to the author. She really pulled Anya off perfectly. I actually went and looked up a picture of Schmidt to see if she was a big girl because she really nailed the feeling us big girls have. The feeling of being too heavy to sit on a guys lap, will he laugh at her when she gets unclothed because her jeans hold in a lot, why would a guy that looks like Clint fall for a woman who looks like her, etc. Her feels are all ones that any big girl has had. Anya is a plus size model and while confident in her beauty to walk the runway as a plus size model when it comes to being an everyday woman she loses some of that confidence. And then she hears people call her fat and she crumbles. But somehow she picks herself back up. I LOVED ANYA and hope to grow up to be her someday (ok I am in my 40s so it is probably a lost cause but still).
Wonderful romance with a touch of erotica but not really any BDSM. And a wonderful couple who deserves to be cheered from an author who deserves praise.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

5hearts-68-77

Kimberly reviews One Night Of Sin by Elle Kennedy

one night of sinTITLE: One Night Of Sin
SERIES #: After Hours #1
CHARACTERS: Skyler & Gage
AUTHOR: Elle Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/04/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes it’s good to be bad…
When it comes to sex, good girl Skyler Thompson always plays it safe, choosing stable and sedate over wild and thrilling. She doesn’t do one-night-stands, but one look at sinfully sexy Gage Holt and she’s willing to reconsider. He makes her want to be bad for once in her life, and she’s prepared to take what she wants.
Danger follows former MMA fighter Gage Holt like a shadow. Despite his successes as part owner of Sin, an exclusive nightclub in Boston, Gage can’t risk getting involved with a woman, especially one as sweet as Skyler. Still, he can’t resist a taste—and it’s so damn good he has to see her again.
As addicted as he is to her, Gage knows there’s no future for him and Skyler—not with his past lurking in the dark corners of an MMA cage. But Skylar’s tougher than she looks, and she’s ready to fight for her man.

REVIEW:
Looking for some erotica to read? I have the book for you! If you do not like erotica then for goodness sake don’t pick up this book!
Gage and Skyler have instant chemistry and boy do they connect. And there is even a background story not just a few lines between sex scenes. If you have read Ella Kennedy before then you know this is right up her alley.There are a number of really great lines in this book that would get any wound up.
The series is just beginning with this story and I can’t wait for more.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Dare To Surrender by Carly Phillips

dare to surrenderTITLE: Dare To Surrender
SERIES #: Dare To Love #3
CHARACTERS: Isabelle & Gabe
AUTHOR: Carly Phillips
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/15/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Part of Invitation to Eden
After ending a relationship to a cheating, domineering man, Isabelle Masters takes off in her leased Mercedes, only to be arrested for grand theft and hauled to a local police station. To her surprise, she is rescued by the most unlikely person possible, Gabriel Dare, a man she’s been attracted to for far too long. Gabe offers Isabelle freedom along with an invitation to Eden, an exclusive island resort where everything and anything is possible.
Although Gabe yearns to possess Isabelle, he knows all too well he must fight his primitive need to bind her to him, and instead help bring out the independent woman she yearns to become – or risk losing her for good.
A woman who needs to run her own life. A man who needs to exert control. Can she surrender to his erotic demands without losing her sense of self once more?

REVIEW:
This is #3 in the Dare To Love series but also part of the Invitation To Eden book series by different authors. However I read it as a stand alone and there was no problem with that.

I enjoyed this story. It has a feel of fan fiction of 5 Shades of Grey. It does fall under the whole he is a billionaire, she is a working commoner and they some how fall for each other. That being said it is a quick enjoyable read. The characters are well defined and I enjoyed how Gabe allowed Isabelle to be her own person. Good quick read for fans of Grey.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews Taking It All by Maya Banks

taking it allTITLE: Taking it All
SERIES #: Surrender Trilogy #3
CHARACTERS: Tate & Chessy
AUTHOR: Maya Banks
PUBLICATION DATE: August 5, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon|B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Chessy and Tate have been married for several years. In the beginning, their relationship was everything she wanted. Passionate. All consuming. She offered her submission freely and Tate cherished her gift with a tenderness that made her feel safe. Content. Wanted. And loved beyond all measure. But as the years have gone by, Tate has become more immersed in making his business the success it has become, and Chessy has taken a back seat to his business obligations. Growing unhappier with the status of their once blissful marriage, Chessy knows that something has to give. Or they stand to lose it all

Tate loves his wife. Has always loved her. Providing for her has always been his number one priority. But lately she’s seemed unhappy, and he’s worried. Worried enough that he arranges for a night together that he hopes will reignite the fire that once burned like an inferno between them.

But a business call at the wrong time threatens everything. Chessy’s safety, his concentration, his wife’s faith in him as her husband, a man sworn to love and protect her above all else. Gutted with the realization that he’s going to lose her—has already lost her—he readies for the fight of his life. Whatever it takes, he’ll get her back. And prove to her that nothing is more important than her love. And that if she’ll allow him to prove himself one more time, he’ll take it all. Everything. But he’ll give far more back. Himself. His undying love

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Taking it All is the final book in Maya Bank’s Surrender Trilogy. Taking it All was an extremely emotional story to read. If you have not read the first two books there may be spoilers. So I would suggest reading Letting Go (bk1) & Giving In (bk2) first. **** We have know since book one that something is not right between Tate & Chessy. We just haven’t know all the details of what, why and who? But in Taking it All we finally find out the answers. And some of them are not pretty. In the prior books I felt so bad for Chessy and Tate. In the beginning I figured it would be a simple I am a dumbass please forgive me. Then the restaurant happened and I started not feeling so sorry for Tate. Then he explained. And just when I think things are going to be okay The House scene happens and let me tell you I lost any feelings I had for Tate right then and there. I am happy that Tate & Chessy were able to make amends. I am not sure I would be that strong or forgiving ****
All in all this was a great trilogy. One thing I love about trilogy’s is that you know that the story lines will be wrapped up in a nice bow in a short period. But I do hope that in the future Maya will revisit these couples and give us an update maybe in the form of a novella trilogy. 🙂

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

3hearts-68-77

Kimberly reviews Going Under by Jeffe Kennedy

going underTITLE: Going Under
SERIES #: Falling Under #1
CHARACTERS: Emily & Fox
AUTHOR: Jeffe Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/14/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Knowing all too well the damage online trolls can inflict, game designer Emily Bartwell takes privacy seriously. Living in solitude and working remotely under a male alias gives her a sense of security. The sexy writer renting the house next door ignites desires she’d forgotten she had, and when he invites her to play games of a very different sort, Em is ready and willing. Even if it means breaking all her own rules to abide by his.
Undercover tech reporter Fox Mullins is so close to the biggest scoop of his career: finding the elusive programmer Phoenix. An increasingly erotic adventure with his reserved but passionate new neighbor is the ideal way to heat up the chilly Pacific Northwest nights as he tracks the brilliant gamer.
At first Fox is happy to help Em explore her newly awakened kinky side, no holds barred, no strings attached. But as they push the limits of intimacy, both physical and emotional, Fox discovers he’s not the only one keeping secrets. And revealing hers may mean betraying the one woman who embodies everything he desires.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Ok here is the thing. I liked the story. The romance/sex of the story is right in line with Kennedys writing and oh so hot but I had a hard time with the whole gaming thing. Maybe I am just old. Did I just say that? But I can’t wrap my head around that world. Yes I know it is out there but it seems so immature for me. Maybe if I lived that life I could have enjoyed this book more.

Kennedy is oh so good at the writing of the BDSM world. She gives such a sense of power to the women who submit and that is extremely hot. I loved the romance/sex in this book very much. Fox and Em have such a great chemistry.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

3hearts-68-77

Maya Banks’ Surrender Triolgy

Letting Go

Surrender Trilogy #1

Surrender 1

Release Date: Feb 4, 2014

Josslyn found perfection once, and she knows she’ll never find it again. Now widowed, she seeks the one thing her beloved husband couldn’t give her. Dominance. Lonely and searching for an outlet for her grief and wanting only a brief taste of the perfection she once enjoyed, she seeks what she’s looking for at an exclusive club that caters to people indulging in their most hedonistic fantasies. She never imagined that what she’d find is the one man who’s long been a source of comfort—and secret longing. Her husband’s best friend.

Dash has lived in an untenable position for years. In love with his best friend’s wife and unwilling to act on that attraction. He’d never betray his best friend. And so he’s waited in the wings, offering Joss unconditional support and comfort as she works past her grief, hoping for the day when he can offer her more.

When he finds her in a club devoted to the darker edges of desire, he’s furious because he thinks she has no idea what she’s getting herself into. Until she explains in detail what it is she wants. What she needs. As realization sets in, he is gripped by fierce, unwavering determination. If she wants dominance, he is the only man who will introduce her to that world. He is the only man who will touch her, cherish her…love her. And the only man she’ll ever submit to.

*****

Giving In

Surrender Trilogy #2

Surrender 2

Release Date: May 6, 2014

Kylie sees the way Jensen looks at her. The dark promise in his eyes. That rough edge of dominance she knows he possesses. But dominance is the one thing that frightens her above all else. She and her brother barely survived a childhood steeped in violence and abuse. She could never give up total control and submit to a man. Especially a man like Jensen. Could she?

Jensen sees the shadows in Kylie’s eyes. Knows he has to tread very carefully or risk losing any chance he has with her. All he wants is the opportunity to show her that dominance doesn’t equal pain, bondage or discipline. That emotional surrender is the most powerful of all, and that to submit—fully to him—will fulfill the aching void in her heart in a way nothing else ever will

*****

Taking It All

Surrender Trilogy #3

Surrender 3

Release Date:  August 5, 2014

Chessy and Tate have been married for several years. In the beginning, their relationship was everything she wanted. Passionate. All consuming. She offered her submission freely and Tate cherished her gift with a tenderness that made her feel safe. Content. Wanted. And loved beyond all measure. But as the years have gone by, Tate has become more immersed in making his business the success it has become, and Chessy has taken a back seat to his business obligations. Growing unhappier with the status of their once blissful marriage, Chessy knows that something has to give. Or they stand to lose it all

Tate loves his wife. Has always loved her. Providing for her has always been his number one priority. But lately she’s seemed unhappy, and he’s worried. Worried enough that he arranges for a night together that he hopes will reignite the fire that once burned like an inferno between them.

But a business call at the wrong time threatens everything. Chessy’s safety, his concentration, his wife’s faith in him as her husband, a man sworn to love and protect her above all else. Gutted with the realization that he’s going to lose her—has already lost her—he readies for the fight of his life. Whatever it takes, he’ll get her back. And prove to her that nothing is more important than her love. And that if she’ll allow him to prove himself one more time, he’ll take it all. Everything. But he’ll give far more back. Himself. His undying love.

Kimberly reviews Desired by Stacey Kennedy

DesiredTITLE: Desired
SERIES #: Club Sin #3
CHARACTERS: Ella & Kyler
AUTHOR: Stacey Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/22/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Kyler Morgan, Master at the legendary Club Sin in Las Vegas, knows how to give women what they want—too well. He hasn’t had a real challenge in a long time. Then Ella Snow enters his life. Beautiful, inhibited, and innocent in the ways of submission and domination, Ella is the new blood he’s been lusting after. Soon, the thrill of training her to embrace his world brings forth desires Kyler cannot control.
After ending an abusive relationship, Ella makes a promise to herself to start living life to the fullest. It’s one of the reasons she seeks out Club Sin. Here, Kyler’s every touch is a lesson in liberation, stirring passions that have no bounds. But as she falls under Kyler’s command, Ella discovers that some secrets are so dark they must come to light. Submission alone may not be enough to save her, leaving her Master with only one question: How can he help Ella heal while unlocking the deep pleasures she craves?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts From the first couple of pages I knew this was going to be my favorite (so far) of the series. I have liked Kyler from book one. Something about his was so special and he seemed to enjoy the idea of love. He wanted to help his friends fall in love not just enjoy sex. So when a woman came into Kyler’s life he would love with all his heart and soul. And we finally got to meet this woman.

I enjoyed everything about this story and while the sex was written really well I really appreciated that Kyler didn’t change as the story progressed. I was worried that some how Kyler would decide he didn’t want to love and had made a mistake and the other Masters would have to come in and remind him of who he was but I was so glad that did not happen. He stayed true to the character from book one. Ella was an interesting character. And so perfect for Kyler. She needed him and Kyler needs to be needed. There were times I was not fond of Ella but I always seemed to like her.
If you are a fan of this series then this will enjoy this one as well and probably more than the others. If you are new to the series/author pick this one up because you will enjoy it so much and become a fan.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Release Day Blitz for Stacey Kennedy’s Desired + a giveaway

Happy Release Day to Stacey Kennedy on book 3 of her Club Sin Series. Please read on to learn more about Stacey and Desired.  

Launch Day Graphic

 

 

staceykennedyA little about Stacey:

STACEY KENNEDY is the USA Today bestselling author of the CLUB SIN series. Growing up, Stacey’s mind wandered the path less traveled and that path most often led to love. She has always broken rules and she continues to feed off emotion – staying true to her heart. Those traits are now the bones of her stories. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who puts any of the heroes in her books to shame, and their two young children. If she’s not on mom duty or plugging away at a new story, you’ll find Stacey camping in the summer, hibernating in the winter and obsessing over Penny Dreadful, Game of Thrones and Sons of Anarchy.

Website  | Facebook Twitter @Stacey_KennedyLoveswept website

 

*****

DESIRED

Desired cvr

Publisher: Loveswept (Random House Publishing Group)

ISBN: 9780553391183

Release date: July 22, 2014

AmazonB&N More buying options

“Characters you care about in a fast-paced story . . . one heck of a sexy read!”—New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black

Readers of Fifty Shades of Grey are sure to love Desired, Stacey Kennedy’s latest seductive, electrifying novel of Club Sin, where fantasy becomes reality.

Kyler Morgan, Master at the legendary Club Sin in Las Vegas, knows how to give women what they want—too well. He hasn’t had a real challenge in a long time. Then Ella Snow enters his life. Beautiful, inhibited, and innocent in the ways of submission and domination, Ella is the new blood he’s been lusting after. Soon, the thrill of training her to embrace his world brings forth desires Kyler cannot control.

After ending an abusive relationship, Ella makes a promise to herself to start living life to the fullest. It’s one of the reasons she seeks out Club Sin. Here, Kyler’s every touch is a lesson in liberation, stirring passions that have no bounds. But as she falls under Kyler’s command, Ella discovers that some secrets are so dark they must come to light. Submission alone may not be enough to save her, leaving her Master with only one question: How can he help Ella heal while unlocking the deep pleasures she craves?

Desired is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

DESIRED EXCERPT: (used with permission from Stacey Kennedy © Stacey Kennedy 2014)

Forgive me.

Ella’s shoulders slumped and she sighed at her phone. Laughter and joy surrounded her, music and happiness, but her stomach plummeted as she read her husband, Rory Snow’s text. When would he give up? Didn’t a domestic violence protection order say This relationship is over?

As the band played a slow song, she ran her fingers over the scar by her right eye. The mark was a constant reminder of Rory. Every day she looked in the mirror she saw it and thought of him.

All she wanted was to forget. Heck, she’d been doing exactly that. Rory was the jackass who couldn’t let it go. Ella knew she should probably call the Savannah police department to inform them that Rory was contacting her, but she was so damn tired of it all. She had moved on and put Rory into her past of big mistakes.

She’d hoped Rory would do the same.

That didn’t look like it was going to happen anytime soon.

With a grumble, she slipped her phone into her dress pocket and zipped it closed. She scanned through the crowd on the dance floor and her gaze landed on the bride. Aidan’s new wife was beautiful. Thin and elegant, Cora belonged on a magazine cover.

Ella’s heart twisted in the midst of memories of her wedding. Her day hadn’t been so lavish. Rory hadn’t rented out an entire resort at Lake Las Vegas for the event, ensuring their guests had a place to stay. Her wedding had cost all of two thousand dollars, but it had been enough for her.

She’d loved the high school sweetheart she’d met when she was fifteen and married five years later. Had loved him. Right up until Rory started drinking and drowning himself in booze.

Sober Rory was a good man.

Drunk Rory had a violent side.

That violence had shoved Ella face-first into a table. The night she’d got the stitches was the night she’d walked away from him. Six months later, she had left her life in Savannah. She moved to Vegas for the excitement, landing herself an amazing job at Knight Law Firm, working as the assistant for a highly respected defense attorney.

Ella enjoyed working for Aidan, and actually liked him as a person, too. He paid her almost triple what she had made in Savannah. Her professional life couldn’t get any better. It was the personal side of things that remained murky.

As she watched Aidan twirl his new wife around, dancing proudly for all to see, Ella tried to find her smile, but it remained hidden behind pain. Even if ten months had gone by since the night of the abuse, she couldn’t ignore the dark thoughts and her failed marriage.

It took six months to find the courage to file divorce papers, and another four months since leaving Savannah to pull herself together again, but she was over Rory in every sense of the word. She refused to let him ruin this special occasion. Grabbing her wineglass, she downed the remaining contents.

Tonight she hoped for a little liquid happiness.

When she lowered her glass to the table, a tingling sensation spread across her skin. Lifting her head, she gazed across the patio, and sitting at one of the patio sets was one of Aidan’s groomsmen. She’d never seen him before today, but that wasn’t a huge surprise, since she didn’t know most of the people at the wedding.

Except for a bunch of lawyers from the firm and Aidan’s parents, everyone else was a stranger. Aidan never mixed pleasure with business, and in the four months she had worked for him, she’d never met a single friend of his. Heck, she hadn’t known Aidan was dating. One day she’d thought he was single; the next he told her he was getting married.

Oddly enough, she was drawn to Aidan’s groomsman. Staring into his warm blue eyes, pins and needles and other sensitive feelings traveled up her body, settling between her thighs. She squirmed against her seat, avoiding the heat, and the side of his mouth curved. Her heart tripped and she glanced to her high-heeled shoe dangling off her toe.

Geebus, if he didn’t stop looking at her with those piercing eyes, she would combust. All night he’d been sneaking glances at her. They weren’t simple interested looks, either; they were outright assaults on her hormones. But a man’s attention was the last thing she was looking for.

No, thank you.

When she still sensed his gaze, she peeked to discover she wasn’t wrong. His intense stare was right on her. The power of it sucked the air from her lungs. Though she’d never believed in lust at first sight, perhaps it was because she had never experienced it.

Whoever he was, he was hot!

“More wine, miss?”

Ella gasped, looking up to the waitress standing next to her holding a bottle of white wine. She gave a shaky laugh. “To the top, please.”

The waitress smiled, filling the glass to the rim. “Why aren’t you dancing?”

“I look like a dying fish when I dance,” Ella said with a laugh. “I have two left feet.”

“We’ll need to work on that, won’t we?”

The waitress was looking over Ella’s shoulder with wide eyes. And something in that masculine voice made Ella stiffen in her seat. The tone was low and seductive, but mischievous all the same.

Then he was there.

The groomsman who’d been staring at her from across the patio now stood in front of her. Ella’s mind went blank. He smelled of sandalwood, and the rich scent puckered her nipples. From afar she thought he had blue eyes, but up close she realized they were a blue-green color. Pretty. In fact, the whole package was beautiful, especially covered in the tux.

He leaned down toward her and offered his hand. His messily styled light brown hair dangled over his forehead. He was tall, much taller than she, and he filled out his tux nicely.

Hell’s bells!

“Dance with me,” he said.

Ella quivered under his clever smile, and a slow heat slid through her. He happened to be one of the hottest guys she’d ever seen. Well, in person and not on some magazine she figured was Photoshopped. Though, hot or not, there was still a problem. “I’m sorry, but I can’t dance.”

“Everyone can dance.” His potent stare held hers and his hand never lowered. “It’s all about who is leading.”

Persistent sexy man.

Under his intense scrutiny her insides went mushy. The power this man exuded burned through her, reminding her she hadn’t felt this way in a long time. The attraction was intoxicating, and something needy inside her unfurled, yearning to explore it.

No, her mind argued.

At her pause, one sleek brow arched. “If you wait any longer to take my hand, you might give me a complex.”

The waitress hadn’t moved, watching the exchange. Even if Ella hated dancing and wasn’t looking for a relationship, she couldn’t refuse the urge to be squished up against him. Besides, what was a dance? This hunk was the perfect way to get her mind off Rory and onto something a lot better.

As she rose and slid her fingers into his warm grip, his gaze remained on hers. Heat stormed into her, spiraling low in her body with a wicked thud. She didn’t doubt that smile got him into many women’s beds.

It had power and charm.

He tightened his fingers around hers, and something passed in the air between them, so hot and so damn unforgettable, her body all but liquefied. He tugged her closer and she felt something odd inside awaken, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

Something she wanted to lose herself in.

A sensation that made her mind shut off.

He led her into the middle of the crowd on the dance floor, pulling her tight against him as if she belonged right there in his arms. He had no hesitation about placing his hand low on her back, quite close to her bottom, and sandwiching their bodies together.

Ella swallowed and avoided his gaze, staring at the band as they played a classic song. She wasn’t blind to the glaringly obvious fact that the groomsman had an erection. She thought she should be offended or something, but found herself fighting against the desire to rub against him.

“Ella, right?”

She cleared her throat, angling her head. His face was chiseled and smooth, but his eyes were what made this man sexy. They held mischief with a sense of confidence. “Yes, and you would be?”

“Kyler Morgan.”

Of course, the sexy man came with a sexy name. She swayed her hips, trying to follow his movements, only feeling more uncomfortable. Not a second later, she stepped on his foot. “Oh, shit!”

He chuckled. “It’s a foot. I’ve got two, so it’s okay.” He pressed his hand tighter against her back, erasing the distance. Then he shook their clasped hands. “Stop fighting me. Relax.”

Ella sighed. I suck at this!

He leaned down, placing his mouth near her ear, and whispered, “So you work for Aidan, yes?”

His voice raised goose bumps across her flesh, and she shivered. “Yes.” She glanced to the others on the dance floor. It pleased her that no one was watching her horrible dancing skills. Then she stared up into Kyler’s handsome face, since he didn’t allow her any room to do otherwise. “Since you’re Aidan’s groomsman, you must be a good friend.”

A low noise hummed in his throat, and the sound spoke to her on a level she couldn’t have anticipated. It warmed her from head to toe, and her muscles went lax. His fingers slid across her lower back, squeezing her against him, and the heat of his touch burned to her core. “Been good friends for a long time now.”

Good grief, the man seemed not to care they were strangers. He touched her as if they were well acquainted. In the midst of that confidence, Ella forgot the world around her. Her mind focused on him and the way he moved her across the dance floor.

He continued to guide her movements and never once took his eyes off her. “I didn’t see a date with you tonight. Are you unattached?”

Her insides somersaulted with his question, as he appeared interested in finding out if anyone stood in his way. She pondered whether to spill out the details that she was in the process of getting divorced and not looking for another relationship. Well, she would be if Rory’s lawyer stopped dragging his feet. But why tell that depressing shit to a smoking-hot man sandwiching her against the hard planes of his body? “Nope, not attached.”

His chin dipped, bringing his mouth within centimeters of hers. “A good thing for me, Ella, since I’m enjoying this.” The music soared through the air, and as her hips swayed with his, his erection pressed against her stomach.

Trapped in his intense gaze, her body flushed as desire simmered. Holy Jesus, she hadn’t felt this aroused in the presence of a man. No one had ever made her burn with a dance, a look, or the sound of his voice.

Ever.

Kyler’s mouth twitched as he ran his thumb over the top of her hand. “See, sweetheart, you can dance.”

She blinked, realizing she had completely relaxed in his hold, and he was moving her around the dance floor, effortlessly. She leaned in to him, consumed by the strength of his hold. “Apparently, you’re a good teacher.”

He winked. “You bet your pretty little ass I am.”

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kelly & Kimberly review Desired by Stacey Kennedy

DesiredTITLE: Desired
SERIES #: Club Sin #3
CHARACTERS: Kyler Morgan & Ella Snow
AUTHOR: Stacey Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: July 22, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Readers of Fifty Shades of Grey are sure to love Desired, USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy’s latest seductive, electrifying novel of Club Sin, where fantasy becomes reality.

Kyler Morgan, Master at the legendary Club Sin in Las Vegas, knows how to give women what they want—too well. He hasn’t had a real challenge in a long time. Then Ella Snow enters his life. Beautiful, inhibited, and innocent in the ways of submission and domination, Ella is the new blood he’s been lusting after. Soon, the thrill of training her to embrace his world brings forth desires Kyler cannot control.

After ending an abusive relationship, Ella makes a promise to herself to start living life to the fullest. It’s one of the reasons she seeks out Club Sin. Here, Kyler’s every touch is a lesson in liberation, stirring passions that have no bounds. But as she falls under Kyler’s command, Ella discovers that some secrets are so dark they must come to light. Submission alone may not be enough to save her, leaving her Master with only one question: How can he help Ella heal while unlocking the deep pleasures she craves?

Desired is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts Stacey Kennedy’s third book in the Club Sin series was just as great as the first two. In Desired we get to finally learn more about Kyler Morgan and what makes him tick. As he watches closest friends each find the woman of their dream, he starts to realize that he wants that too. Only problem is that none of the woman that he are currently in his life will fit the bill. That very last thing that Kyler ever thought he would be drawn to is the very vanilla woman sitting across the room from him. But something about Ella draws Kyler in like a moth to a flame.

Ms. Kennedy is a great story teller her and maybe an even better kink story teller. I really enjoyed seeing how soft and kind Kyler really can be, yet still being a very good Dom. I will say that restaurant scene was……… well I think you need to pick up a copy of Desired and find out for yourself.

Looking forward to the next chapter in the Club Sin series.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts From the first couple of pages I knew this was going to be my favorite (so far) of the series. I have liked Kyler from book one. Something about his was so special and he seemed to enjoy the idea of love. He wanted to help his friends fall in love not just enjoy sex. So when a woman came into Kyler’s life he would love with all his heart and soul. And we finally got to meet this woman.

I enjoyed everything about this story and while the sex was written really well I really appreciated that Kyler didn’t change as the story progressed. I was worried that some how Kyler would decide he didn’t want to love and had made a mistake and the other Masters would have to come in and remind him of who he was but I was so glad that did not happen. He stayed true to the character from book one. Ella was an interesting character. And so perfect for Kyler. She needed him and Kyler needs to be needed. There were times I was not fond of Ella but I always seemed to like her.

If you are a fan of this series then this will enjoy this one as well and probably more than the others. If you are new to the series/author pick this one up because you will enjoy it so much and become a fan.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Naughty Bits #4 by Joey W Hill

Naughty Bits 4TITLE: Naughty Bits: The Highest Bid
SERIES #: Naughty Bits #4
CHARACTERS: Madison & Logan
AUTHOR: Joey W Hill
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/15/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
To understand her customers’ desires at her lingerie store, Naughty Bits, Madison has been exploring her own deep yearnings with the help of neighboring store owner—and oh-so-sexy Dominant—Logan. After overcoming her fears and allowing herself to truly submit, Madison is ready for her ultimate sexual adventure: an auction where she’ll be offered up to the highest bidding Master.
But when her fantasy brings her face-to-face with her true feelings for Logan, she’ll have to figure out if she’s ready to trust her heart as well as her body to him forever…

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Here it is. The last installment and I am so upset. I do not want it to end. I could read about Logan and Madison for the rest of my days and not get enough. There is something so real and true about them. Madison is how I imagine every woman would feel in this situation and I am sure there are many women who would love to be in her place. Who have the feeling they are a sub in the bedroom but never knew how to tell their previous lovers and felt when the relationship fell apart it was their own fault. And Logan has something I doubt many men do. The insight of knowing who he is and what he is.
I enjoyed the fantasy part and was glad Madison got her fantasy but the “reality” part of their relationship is priceless. The author somehow managed to take every thought and feeling and put it to paper and make you feel like you were there to see themselves blossom.
I am so sad that this story has ended. I know Madison and Logan are together and will have their HEA but I want more. As sad as I am to see this story end I am so thrilled I was able to read this and be a part of such a great relationship.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts