REVIEW: Jaq With a Q - Jettie Woodruff

Title: Jaq With a Q

Series: Book 1

Kismet Series

Author: Jettie Woodruff

Release Date: May 03, 2016

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2.5 Crazy Stars

ARC received from Jettie Woodruff for an honest review

One thing I can say about Jettie Woodruff is she is one of those authors who always has a unique story to tell everyone. Jaq With a Q is a crazy, thought-provoking story and those were always my kind of stories to read and even movies to watch. I love stories that grip me, catches my attention, makes me think, and takes me on an emotional ride and this author always manages to do that to me.

But why 2.5 stars, you ask?

While the premise intrigued me and this book held me captive for a while, somewhere along Jaq and Ollie's story, they lost their hold on me. Maybe because I'm left with feeling uncomfortable and couldn't keep my connection with the characters or maybe the huge chunk that took from my rating was that ending. I don't even know if that is considered a cliffhanger because I know the next book won't be about Jaq and Ollie.

Then again, this is yet another book that made me crazy and confused on how to rate it. I liked it but... there's a but. That alone is a sign that this is not at all a bad read, no. This is just me and my mood and if you have read the other reviews, you can also see how the other readers loved it. Jaq With a Q is interesting and intriguing. Unfortunately, it just didn't hit the right spot for me like I thought it would until the end.

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RELEASE BLITZ: Sex Addict - Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine

Do you want to read something a little…naughty?

Sex Addict by Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank is NOW LIVE!

ONLY $0.99!

Amazon US:  http://amzn.to/1qQvB9x

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/25ToRHD

Everywhere else:  http://mybook.to/sexaddict

Blurb

Fantasies - we all have them.

For some it’s their dream job; others want the wedding, the 2.5 kids, the white picket fence.

My fantasies are a bit more...depraved.

Dark and sinful, they have destroyed relationships and my livelihood, yet I still submit to them like a slave.

Sex.

For most, it’s a natural expression of love, caring, or lust.

But there are those of us who can’t stop once we’ve had a taste.

Those of us who don’t want to.

And the shame of that never-ending cycle will eat us alive...

My name is Evan James, and I am a sex addict.

*Previously Published*

Read Chapter One HERE:  http://bit.ly/23kNNJg

Meet Brooke Blaine

You could say Brooke Blaine was a book-a- holic from the time she knew how to read; she used to tell her mother that curling up with one at 4 a.m. before elementary school was her quiet time; Not much has changed except for the espresso I.V. pump she now carries around and the size of her onesie pajamas.

Brooke enjoys writing sassy contemporary romance, whether in the form of comedy, suspense, or erotica. The latter has scarred her conservative Southern family for life, bless their hearts.

If you’d like to get in touch with her, she’s easy to find - just keep an ear out for the Rick Astley ringtone that’s dominated her cell phone for ten years.

You can connect with Brooke here:

★ http://www.brookeblaine.com/

★ Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrookeBlaine.Writer

★ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrookeBlaine1

★ Instagram: www.instagram.com/brookeblaine1/

★ Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1i2g15S

★ Brooke & Ella’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBrellas

If you’d like to be the FIRST to know about a new release, sale, giveaway, or upcoming signings & events, make sure to join Brooke’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/brxPkP

Other Books by Brooke

LICKED (L.A. Liaisons Book 1)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1q4C7bJ

Amazon International: myBook.to/Licked

*Exclusively on Kindle Unlimited*

HOOKER (L.A. Liaisons Book 2)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1QKpkSA

Amazon International: myBook.to/Hooker

*Exclusively on Kindle Unlimited*

FLASH POINT

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1q4Cl2q

Amazon International: myBook.to/FP

*Exclusively on Kindle Unlimited*

*************************

Meet Ella Frank

Ella Frank is the author of the #1 Bestselling Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” And “enticingly sexy!”

A life-long fan of the romance genre, Ella writes contemporary and erotic fiction and lives with her husband in Portland, OR.  You can reach her on the web at www.ellafrank.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ella.frank.author

Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R.Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.

***

Ella Frank Author Links

Ella Frank’s Newsletter – www.bit.ly/1hEYtgn

Website – www.ellafrank.com

Twitter – @EllaFrank2012

FB - www.facebook.com/ella.frank.31

FB Street Team - www.facebook.com/groups/TheBrellas/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/ellafrank1/

Email: admin@ellafrank.com

***

Other Books by Ella Frank

Sunset Cove Series

Finley #1- http://amzn.to/1MshEaY

Temptation Series

Try - http://amzn.to/1SndAIf

Take - http://amzn.to/1q8fxz9

Trust - http://amzn.to/1q8fymN

The Exquisite Series

Exquisite - http://amzn.to/22Dnwpm

Entice - http://amzn.to/1q8fNOI

Edible - http://amzn.to/1UQ73ta

Masters Among Monsters

Alasdair - http://amzn.to/1q8fRhs

Isadora - http://amzn.to/1RGmELp

Standalones

Blind Obsession - http://amzn.to/1UQ7544

Veiled Innocence - http://amzn.to/21MqYYZ

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REVIEW: Roots and Wings (City Limits #1) - M. Mabie

Title: Roots and Wings

Series: Yes

Standalone

Author: M. Mabie

Release Date: March 27, 2016

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 4 Dr. Kissylips Stars

ARC received from M. Mabie for an honest review

"I didn't care anymore if the things he said sounded cheesy. It's not cheesy when it's real."

I would like to say that this is my first M. Mabie book. I have her first books but I'm so scared to read them because I know they're full of angst, drama, and love triangle. But when I saw that she is releasing a book that is so unlike her first works, I thought this is a nice, gentle way to introduce myself to her writing.

What I enjoyed about Roots and Wings?

It was an easy read. Probably one of the lightest books I've read this year. And true to what the synopsis said, it was indeed --  "Low on drama. High on love." Their story has the potential to drag on to their sad pasts but I enjoyed that Roots and Wings was not about the past, the drama. It was all about someone planting his roots some place new and someone who has to finally spread her wings.

Mutt and Vaughn are two likable characters. The story had that realistic feel because it was about two simple characters in a simple town, it was ordinary but not boring. Roots and Wings is like watching your neighbors fall in love, in real life, only we get to experience it with them in this book. 

A funny, friendly tomboy, and a swoony, protective dentist, a small town where everyone knew everyone, it looks like we don't need a sex-filled, angst-filled love story to still fall in love with our books. Roots and Wings made me smile with how sweet and light-hearted M. Mabie wrote Mutt and Vaughn's story.

Also, have you taken a good look at that cover? Love it, too!

Stars: 4 stars

Recommended to: Everyone who is up for a good, sweet read. 

Series: Yes. Standalone.

POV: First person. Dual POV.

Extra Comment: No, the heroine's name is not Mutt.

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REVIEW: Worth It All (The McKinney Brothers #3) - Claudia Connor

Title: Worth It All

Series: Book 3

The McKinney Brothers

Author: Claudia Connor

Release Date: April 19, 2016

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4 Worth It All Stars
ARC received from Random House Publishing - Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review

"Because for the first time in so many years, his mind was completely full of something else. Someone else."

Well, look at that... Claudia Connor is back and made me fall in love with her characters all over again. 

Worth It All is JT McKinney's heartwarming and inspiring story. What I loved about this book is how the author wrote JT, Paige, and Casey. Reading this was so addicting, sweet and cute! The emotions that I felt while devouring each page was worth it all. 

And since I felt like a part of the McKinneys with how much I adore them, I was giddy to read the other brothers and their now families make appearances in here. It was like watching a good family TV series. Couples, love, kids, family, drama, cheese, spice, the McKinneys have it all.

Casey added so much tenderness in the rather sad history of JT and the struggles of Paige to provide the best for her daughter.

I would like to applaud the author for being an amazing storyteller, writing a story with amputees but not making it into something depressing. It was inspiring and hopeful. Worth It All made me smile the entire time I was reading it.

Stars: 4 stars
Recommended to: If you enjoy family sagas, give this one a go! 
Series: Yes. Standalone series.
POV: Third person. Dual POV.
Extra Comment: I want more!

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Mara's Bookshelf's 2nd Blog Birthday Giveaway

It's April and April was when Mara's Bookshelf blog started. So, this means we are celebrating by giving away some cool prizes on this blog and a few takeovers over at Mara's Bookshelf's Facebook page throughout the month!

This Rafflecopter giveaway will run until April 30, 2016 and winners will be drawn and contacted after at least a week.

Thank you so much to everyone who donated!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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REVIEW: Dark Notes - Pam Godwin

Title: Dark Notes

Series: No

Author: Pam Godwin

Release Date: April 05, 2016

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5 Kinky Stars

ARC received from Pam Godwin for an honest review

Pam Godwin has been my master for everything dark, forbidden, thrilling, and sexy since I have read her Beneath The Burn in 2013. Dark Notes is proof even more how much of a master this author is when it comes to her words. This one gripped my heart and mind, refusing to let me go until I reach the end of Ivory and Emeric's erotic, heart-rending story.

"He doesn't give me nightmares. He makes me float through the air in a dream."

The first introduction to Ivory Westbrook was rather horrifying not because of her as a character but because with that first scene, it already gave me the idea of what she has been going through and made me feel for her right away. She made me feel sad, angry for her, yet at the same time admire her strength. While I wished she handled things differently, I wouldn't really know because I've never been in her shoes. I just understood how her emotions and self-control affect her decision making, because if it were me, I would have stabbed those little fuckers with a bread knife. Repeatedly. Again, that was just me and that is why I admire her strength amidst the ugly things that happened in her life, she knows how to go with the flow without losing her dream.

Emeric Marceaux may seem like the typical privileged guy; rich, young, and successful. Okay, he's really that but also more. Mr. Marceaux is dominating, sexy, and extremely protective. His chemistry with Ivory was palpable during their first meeting and even though their sexual relationship was a slow burn, the build up was as much sexy as the actual sex happening. Of course, nothing will beat (ha!) the scorching aura Emeric has going on. H O T. S E X Y. 

Dark Notes is another brilliant masterpiece from Pam Godwin. Everything about this book had me in pins and needles, worrying, anticipating what happens next. Reading this has also been an emotional one for me. I don't feel for Ivory only because of the ugly things that has been happening to her when it comes to guys, what struck me the most is that she lost her dad and how much her dad loved her. It reminded me of my relationship with my dad. Then there's another death in her life that made me bawl my eyes out. It may not be a big deal for some but it's always a touchy thing for me. 

Ivory and Emeric's relationship was intense, both of their lives hold some unpleasant history, and Pam Godwin penned the characters and story in a way that you experience their growth with them. Dark Notes is more than just a forbidden romance book, it's also an emotional journey of life and love.

Stars: 5 stars

Recommended to: I highly recommend this to everyone who enjoys their kink and student-teacher love story.

Series: No.

POV: First person. Dual POV.

Extra Comment: I still can't get Schubert off my mind.

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REVIEW: Beneath These Scars (Beneath #4) - Meghan March

Title: Beneath These Scars

Series: Book 4

Beneath Series

Author: Meghan March

Release Date: September 22, 2015

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4 Titan Stars

ARC received from Rock Star Lit PR via NetGalley for an honest review

"Just for today, Yve, let me hold you together."

It's official. Meghan March is slowly but surely climbing up on my list of go-to authors for addicting characters, sizzling romance, and irresistible story and writing. Beneath These Scars is only my 2nd book by the author, and even though this is book 4 in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Though, after reading Beneath These Chains earlier and this one, it is so fun to see the characters in the previous book make appearances here. 

Yve Santos and Lucas Titan make for a steamy couple. That is when they're not both at each other's throat with their self-denial. Their chemistry is off the charts hot, both are independent individuals trying to prove something to the world, both coping with their pasts, both not ready for a relationship but even with all that, both of them lean on each other for support, care, and love. I love that this book is in dual POV, not only because I enjoy getting both sides of the story, but because without Titan's POV in this book, I don't think it will be the same. He added more feelings to the story, he made me understand why he is the way he is and he made me adore him even more.

"No one makes it through life without scars. It's impossible. But they're not signs of shame; they're badges of honor showing that you fought and survived."

Beneath These Scars is a sexy, angsty, and thrilling story about the characters' scars from their pasts and how they braved through it and became strong and resilient. Both of their pasts left them with self-doubt, and hurt but it was wonderful to read that with each other, they became the better versions of themselves. 

Stars: 4 stars
Recommended to: Everyone looking for sexy, emotional book, grab this book now.
Series: Book 4. Can be read as standalone.
POV: First person. Dual POV.
Extra Comment: I just wished the ending stretched a bit more.

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