review: Beyond Eden by Kele Moon

Beyond Eden ~ Kele Moon
3 of 5 stars

Three lifelong friends find themselves tangled in a web of love, pain and dangerous secrets in this erotic Garden of Eden tale.

Tall, dark and handsome Danny Carlow has always gotten whatever he wants except for the two he wants more than anything-his best friends, lovers Paul and Eve. Determined, he waits like a snake in the grass, poised for the right moment to offer them a temptation too delicious to resist.

Artist Eve Everton makes the painful decision to leave her true love Paul for the siren call of New York City. Ten years later, with her life in shambles, she returns. When Paul's waiting arms aren't available, Eve falls for Danny's charm and finds herself a willing accomplice in the dangerous games Danny plays.

Former college football star Paul Mattling is now a successful attorney with a bright future ahead of him. But behind those brilliant blue eyes are secret desires for a taste of the forbidden. Will he play it safe or give in to Danny and Eve and bite the apple?

Reader Advisory: Not for the faint of heart, the pain in this story is vivid and real, the emotions even more so. Haunting and poignant, Beyond Eden presents a darker side of BDSM. You might gasp. You might cry. You might find yourself reading it again and again. (thanks to GoodReads.com for the summary)

My Thoughts -

I liked this book. I had issues with it, but I still liked it. I enjoyed the love stories, the intimate moments and the characters. I was not into the BDSM. Sorry, just not me. That aside, I still liked the book.

The caring, love and passion is easily felt between all three characters. I felt so bad for Danny throughout most of the book. He was doing something that emotionally killed a piece of him every time he did it for Paul because he loved him, but at the same time didn't know if he was loved in return for just being himself vs. what he could do for someone.

I thought Eve's character was kind of weak, but I liked her carefree spirit and willingness to try anything. She really loved both guys and wanted to make their situation work.

Paul - so weak. Really. I didn't really understand his attitude towards getting married and his family. So dysfunctional and destructive. I'm glad he finally 'bite the apple'.

This was a good story, but not for the faint at heart. It was hard to get through some spots, but worth it.

review: Beautiful Bastard BY Christina Lauren

Beautiful Bastard ~ Christina Lauren
4 of 5 stars

An ambitious intern.
A perfectionist executive.
And a whole lot of name calling.

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.

Originally only available online as The Office by tby789—and garnering over two million reads on fan fiction sites—Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.

My thoughts =

This was wicked hot from the get-go. No prolonged waiting for the intense stuff to happen – it happened and it was AWESOME!!

I really enjoyed both of the characters in this book. Chloe was pretty cool and Bennett was great. I loved the fact that they hated each other at the beginning. It was hilarious and enthralling to see these two come together. Their “encounters” are steamy and wonderfully written.

I think the pair did an excellent job writing together and congratulations to them for taking fanfiction to publication!! Great book – can't wait to read the next!!

Sinful Sunday - 4/21/2013

Super Junior

Here's the Kpop group Super Junior.  This does not represent all of the members, as it can range up to 14 guys at a time - Sorry, Sorry!

Leeteuk

 Donghae

Yesung

Sungmin

Eunhyuk

Siwon

Ryeowook 

Kibum

Kyuhyun

review: Lover At Last by J.R. Ward

Lover At Last ~ J.R. Ward

4 of 5 stars

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one. (thanks GoodReads.com for the summary)

My Thoughts -

**This may contain spoilers - sorry ahead of time** 

OMG - about time. We've been waiting for like ever for this to happen. And whoo, did it happen. Several times.

As always with the BDB books, there are multiple story line in correlation with the main HEA focus. There's Qhuinn & Blay, Layla & Xcor, Assail & Sola and the other characters are here and there. Here's my opinion on all it.

First off, I really hate how Layla was treated by Havers. I wanted to kick his ass for treating her like she was nothing, seriously. I applaud Quinn for his behavior when they made the return trip.

Xcor, could you just please get over yourself and live in the now? I understand that in the Old Country you're used to sleeping on a stone floor and pillaging for whatever, but you're in America now - adapt and progress. If you weren't such a fucktard, you could have had your chosen. I liked Layla's line where she says something like "Do you have to be their enemy?" - just shows his stupidness.

Assail and Sola - interesting. Assail, you better pick a side a stop the crap with the Lessers. That shit is going to get you killed for treason. For reals. I liked their dynamic and think their story will progress quite nicely...if he can find her.

Luchas - just Holy Cow. That's it.

Trez and Selena - I want it to happen.  So much. Oh so much.  I like the Shadows and want them to end up with a HEA.  And what about iAM?

OK - Qhuinn and Blay.  Finally. So, so hot. I understand where both of them were coming from. Blay should have said something sooner, but then so should have Quinn.  I know Quinn tried, but Blay didn't listen, the dumb ass.  Communication is key people.  These two were just meant to be together and you could really feel the heat and passion between them.  The glimpses into their lives was interesting and really made me like these guys so much more.  I loved the part with Blay's family - they were just awesome.

In some aspects I really feel like too many issues were left hanging. (see above thoughts). I am disappointed that I only recall seeing one VERILY, but the other formal language made up for it I think.  I so enjoy Ward's writing. Not overly full of description and great dialog.  Definitely must read in order with the other books.  Great addition to the series and I will most assuredly read the next one.

review: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Walking Disaster ~ Jamie McGuire

5 of 5 stars

Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Can you love someone too much?

Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes. Summary thanks to GoodReads.com!!

My Thoughts:

I didn't put this down after I picked it up. 10 solid hours of reading and I loved it. Travis was way more deep than portrayed in Beautiful Disaster. This book just made me like him so much more. He had his ups and downs and pulled some pretty bonehead moves, but overall he's a great guy. He fell for Abby at first sight and gradually accepted his growing feeling for her. Pidge was a B – a straight up B, but Travis dug it and was ok with it. I think her attitude in general was just bitchy and snobby. She was judging Travis by his cover and not giving him credit when he changed for her.

As for the rest of the group - I found myself not liking Mare very much in this side of the story. She so back and forth all the time. Parker was Douche, which you really don't see in the last book – you think he's a good guy when he's just a big D-bag. Travis's family is awesome – maybe some spinoffs?? I think the story is excellently paced and reads well. Like I said, couldn't put down.

review: Dark Swan series ~ Richelle Mead

Dark Swan series ~ Richelle Mead

Storm Born, Thorn Queen, Iron Crowned, Shadow Heir

4 out of 5 stars

SUMMARIES:

STORM BORN:  Just typical. No love life to speak of for months, then all at once, every horny creature in the Otherworld wants to get in your pants. . . Eugenie Markham is a powerful shaman who does a brisk trade banishing spirits and fey who cross into the mortal world. Mercenary, yes, but a girl's got to eat. Her most recent case, however, is enough to ruin her appetite. Hired to find a teenager who has been taken to the Otherworld, Eugenie comes face to face with a startling prophecy--one that uncovers dark secrets about her past and claims that Eugenie's first-born will threaten the future of the world as she knows it.

THORN QUEEN:  Eugenie Markham is a shaman for hire, paid to bind and banish creatures from the Otherworld. But after her last battle, she's also become queen of the Thorn Land. It's hardly an envious life, not with her kingdom in tatters, her love life in chaos, and Eugenie eager to avoid the prophecy about her firstborn destroying mankind. And now young girls are disappearing from the Otherworld, and no one--except Eugenie--seems willing to find out why.

IRON CROWNED:  Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm. But as the Thorn Land's queen, she's fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom. Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful gentry fear. . .

SHADOW HEIR:  Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld. . .

Thanks to GoodReads.com for the summaries

My Thoughts:

What can I say - I love Richelle Mead's writing.  After reading the Vampire Academy series and the Succubus series, I knew this would be great as well.  I love the uniqueness to the world Mead has created.  I kind of didn't like Eugenie though.  I thought she was a bit self-ritious and stubborn.  I didn't like how she always seemed to run away from her personal problems.  My favorite character was Dorian.  He was a frickin' hoot.   He seemed like a good way to get into to seriously fun trouble.  

The stories were all well paced and enjoyable.  Mead knows how to write the sex scenes, and boy does she deliver.  My biggest beef with the series is the ending.  One word = bullshit.  I can't believe what happens and really wanted to slam fists on my desk and I finished listening to it.  Yes, I audio-booked this series.  I really hope there's more for this in the future so the readers can have a better farewell the Otherworld and Eugenie.