Review & Giveaway ~*~ Hudson by Shayne McClendon

HUDSON

By: Shayne McClendon

Synopsis:

Refuse to compromise.

Hudson Winters is in control of every aspect of his world. From his earliest

memories, he's been driven to succeed. Starting from nothing, he built an

empire based on opportunity and intimidation.

Personally, professionally, and sexually - he ensures the reins are always

in his hands.

He never counted on a woman like Gabriella Hernandez.

From the moment she steps into his building, she proceeds to shake up his

entire existence. Her very presence causes him to question everything about

himself, his relationships, and his future.

This story features characters readers fell in love with in "The Barter

System" and gives you a chance to sit down and catch up. Prepare to be

twisted up and knocked around a bit.  Another hot, emotional read from

Always the Good Girl, Shayne McClendon.

NOTE: This story contains explicit sexual scenes and language and is

intended for mature audiences only. Do not read this novel if intense sexual

situations offend you.

Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18913280-hudson

Buy Links ~
Amazon   ~  Smashwords   ~  

Review ~

First, I have to tell you if you don't follow Shayne on FB or Tumblr or through her website, you are missing out.  I've been following her for awhile and was lucky enough to meet her in Vegas last summer.  Where I readily admitted I had her books on my Kindle but hadn't read them yet.  She should have kicked me to get me reading them faster because I was missing out on good stuff! But she is super sweet and funny!  Definitely a what you see if what you get kind of lady!  I wish I had caught up with her sooner in Vegas, but maybe another time!

As I sit here to write this review I keep hearing the little girl from a cable commercial telling me "use your words."  I'm not sure I have enough words to appropriately describe this story.  Hudson is the second book in The Barter System Series and can be read as a stand alone and thoroughly enjoyed.  But it does have spoilers to The Barter System so I highly recommend you read that one first! (If you are interested, my review for The Barter System can be found HERE)

Hudson ~ How can I describe Hudson so you want to read the book?!?!  That is the difficult part. I love Hudson, I want Hudson for my own so I'm staking my claim here and now! LOL  He is a difficult man, used to having his own way and not caring about the little things in between.  He says it, it gets done.  He's controlling and overbearing, yet loyal and giving.  He's blunt and obnoxious most of the time and you can't help but want to love this man. 

Gabriella is a woman who does the unexpected.  She is a sweet naive person who goes to the big city for love.  And encounters obstacles that she never imagined.  But she is stronger and more determined than most people give her credit for and I adored how she took the bull by the horns and made life work for her instead of the other way around. 

Shayne creates stories that will touch your heart.  I think I found a little of myself or who I want to be in each of her characters while falling head over heels for each of the male characters for different reasons.  While I am eagerly awaiting book three ~ Backstage ~ I am enjoying Hudson kind of rattling around in my head still.  Without teaching you anything Shayne's stories have left me with a feeling of contentment with myself and how individualistic we each are and can be.  She also manages to leave me looking deeper at me and what I want to change and gives me a sense of empowerment to go out and conquer the world.  

Not that my TBR pile isn't big enough, but I have a lot of catching up to do with Shayne's books so expect to see a lot of her here.  She is a must buy for me from now on and should be for you too.  I know you won't be disappointed.

About the Author:

Shayne McClendon is an indie author who has received rave reviews for her premiere novel "The Barter System." Other projects recently released are "In the Service of Women," "Yes to Everything," "Damaged," "Being Delightful," "The Hermit," "Hudson" - the second book set in "The Barter System" world, and many more.
Writer, mom, and hermit...Shayne listens to the voices in her head because their ideas are awesome. Those around her have learned not to question the crazy. Coffee consumption is too high, amount of sleep is too low, but the words always feel just right.
She currently lives in Oklahoma wrangling teenagers, opening doors for her pets, and running her content writing company. She dreams of peace, quiet, travel, and always having a viable internet connection.
You can contact her by email at shayne@alwaysthegoodgirl.com, stop by her Facebook page, or visit her website and subscribe for your free story!
Shayne McClendon's work is available at all major e-book retailers. Print editions of her work are available on her website.

Official Website:
www.alwaysthegoodgirl.com

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008CJHKEK

Facebook Pages:
https://www.facebook.com/AlwaystheGoodGirl

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorShayneMcClendon

Current Book List:
The Barter System
Hudson
Yes to Everything
In the Service of Women
A Little Bit Country - Book One
Damaged
Obsession
The Hermit
Being Delightful
Gravity
Roadside Assistance
Somebody
Permission to Come Aboard - The Great Outdoors
Special Delivery - The Great Outdoors
A Sunny Heart - The Great Outdoors
Embrace the Wild - The Great Outdoors
Ready to Rumble - Love of the Game
Breaking the Ice - Love of the Game
Time to Make the Doughnuts - Love of the Game
Woman's Best Friend
Revenge is Best Served Hot
Compilations:
Just a Little Kilted - with Alexandra Andersen
Just a Little Crazy - with Alexandra Andersen
Just a Little Extra - with Alexandra Andersen
Not a Bride - with Alexandra Andersen
All the Better To - with Christopher Southers
Books Available in Print:
The Barter System
Damaged
Not a Bride - with Alexandra Andersen

Playlist:

HUDSON PLAYLIST

Feelin’ Love – Paula Cole

Wicked Game – Chris Isaak

Closer – Nine Inch Nails

A Little Taste – Skyler Stonestreet

Satisfied – Aranda

My Demons – Starset

POWER – Kanye West

Sinner’s Prayer – Sully Erna

Madness – Muse

Person Jesus – Depeche Mode

Kiss From A Rose – Seal

Shape Of My Heart – Sting

Simply Falling – Iyeoka

What Goes Around…/…Comes Around Interlude – Justin Timberlake

My Immortal – Evanescence

Hurt – Johnny Cash

Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor

Special Cases – Massive Attack

Far Behind – Candlebox

Stepping Stone – Duffy

Wish I Didn’t Miss You – Angie Stone

Empire State of Mind – JAY Z & Alicia Keys

Fix You – Coldplay

Just Like Honey – Jesus and Mary Chain

Bad Things – Jace Everett

Feeling Good – Nina Simone

Is This Real? – Lisahall

Oblivion – M83, Suzanne Sundfor

Lloraras – Oscar D’Leon

Feeling Good – Michael Buble

She Wants To Know – Half Moon Run

Intro – The xx

Stay – Rihanna, Mikky Ekko

Mirrors – Justin Timberlake

Lullaby – The Cure

Feel Good Inc – Gorillaz

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Review ~*~ The Barter System by Shayne McClendon

Blurb ~

Some people will go to great lengths to get their research.

About the Story

Riya O'Connell requests applications from men around the country willing to participate in the research she needs for her dissertation on Male Sexuality. She narrows down her thousands of submissions to eight men. In return, Riya will give them...whatever they want.

As her project progresses, Riya realizes she's chosen the eight men in the country who would love her well and that she could easily love in return. She leaves subject after subject with a small piece of her heart.

Ultimately, Riya discovers where she truly belongs...and gets an education she didn't plan on.

NOTE: This story contains explicit sexual scenes and language and is intended for mature audiences only. Do not read this novel if intense sexual situations offend you.


Review ~ 
Sadly, The Barter System is the first book I've read by Shayne and I am missing out.  I started this one morning and couldn't put it down.  I carried my iPad with me everywhere that day and just kept reading.  I was so intrigued by Riya that there was no stopping me from finishing that book.

I loved how Riya went way out of her comfort zone to do research on male sexuality.  She approaches the project with the usual scientific mindset but soon realizes that each man will capture a piece of her heart.  I began to wonder if she would have anything left if she ever feel in love.

While Riya is a giving person both emotionally and physically she soon realizes the depth of emotions she has as she moves from one man to the next in order to complete her research.  Along the way she learns a lot about love, life and human kindness ~ both within herself and in others.

The Barter System really tugged at my heart strings as I watched Riya leave a man who seemed perfect for her to go to the next man so she could finish her research.  While that hurt and I had to wonder if I wanted to keep reading about each  man, I couldn't stop myself.  I wanted Riya for a best friend and I needed to go on the journey with her.

The Barter System is a must read for romance lovers!

Buy Links ~ 

Amazon   ~    B&N   ~   Kobo   ~   Smashwords 

Review ~*~ Surrendering To Her Sergeant by Angel Payne

IT’S HERE! Book Three in Angel Payne’s hot, sexy series is the story of Ethan Archer and Ava Chestain, set against the glamorous world of Hollywood’s jet set…

Corporal Ethan Archer has just earned his sergeant's stripes, and the guys on his Special Forces team decide that a trip to the fun and sun of LA is a perfect way to celebrate. Ethan has other motives for agreeing to the vacation. He can't forget a magical hour in a North Cascades forest last winter, shared with an indigo-eyed goddess named Ava Chestain, who now calls LA her home.

Ava is a stylist for Bella Lanza, star of the hit nighttime drama “Dress Blues.” When Ethan and his buddies finagle a visit to the set, his reunion with Ava melts the months away—but their time is cut short by Bella, who’s determined to rekindle her own naughty past with Ethan. His efforts to push Bella off are thwarted when the unit is called to secretly cut their vacation short in the name of assisting the CIA on a terrorist plot to destroy the West Coast. Part of the plan? Someone has to get closer to Bella, and Ethan's the logical choice.

Though Ethan risks his career by telling Ava about the plot, her trust is an impossible gift to earn. Her passion is a different story. As his willing submissive, Ava gives him the fire his body craves and the surrender his soul needs. She's a dream come true, until the cuffs come off and the sun comes up.

When a terrifying turn of events escalates the terrorists’ plan into reality, Ethan must make decisions that will either kill or save them all. Can Ava trust him enough to stand by him with everything she is…including what could be her last breath?

Buy Links:

Amazon  ~  B&N  ~  Kobo  ~  ARe

Review ~

The third installment in the W.I.L.D. Boys Series did not disappoint.  I admit to having a little trouble sinking my teeth into it, but once I got started (by the end of Chapter One) I was hooked and cursing Angel, because I had work that needed to be done!!

I really loved Ethan and Ava together.  They had great chemistry and just enough turmoil to keep things hot and fulfilling as a reader!  Their passion flares after months apart and there is no denying the sexy Sergeant once he puts his mind to getting what he wants.  Ava has no choice but to surrender. . . although she won't make his life easier by any means.

While a top rated story for sure, there were a few issues I had with it that others might notice.  I did get confused a few times when the point of view switched to one of the other team-mates (while all in third person, that wasn't as seamless as it could have been).   I also had one minor issue that I can't knock the story for, but as a person who knows her handguns, especially the Sig P226, as referenced in the story, it is mentioned that a character checks the safety.  There is no safety on a Sig P226 - even the military models unless you do third party modifications which would be a shame on that weapon.

Otherwise. . . I highly recommend this story!  read it today if you haven't already :)   Angel. . . when do we get Tait & Luna's story?!?!!? please. . . . .



Author Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelpaynewrites
Website: https://www.angelpayne.com
Twitter: @AngelPayneWrtr

Review & Giveaway ~*~ Safeword: Rainbow by Candace Blevins

Blurb:

Tyler and Viv have found each other again after a three day fling three years ago. Ideally suited for each other, they try to make a relationship work. However, they soon realize Tyler was expecting a 24/7 total power exchange relationship and Vivian will never be a full-time submissive. As they try to find a compromise, Vivian must deal with what a Total Power Exchange means, even if it’s only a part time power exchange, and Tyler must decide if he can live with a sometimes-Master and sometimes-boyfriend relationship.

Will they find their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

This title was published in 2010 with less than half of the current content. The story has been considerably rewritten and contains a great deal of new material for your reading enjoyment. I think it’s a far better story now, but if you read the original, you can be the judge!

Warning: Contains graphic language, consensual BDSM, bondage, and the use of toys including clamps, canes, plugs, paddles, and floggers.

Buy Links:

Amazon  ~  B&N  ~   Kobo   ~   Smashwords   ~ 

 ARe  ~  Bookstrand   ~  Google   ~   Excessica

Safeword: Rainbow is 30% off at Smashwords with coupon code JA76L (expires Dec 22). 

Review ~

This book simply stunned me.  I was excited to read it and have had other books by Candace Blevins on my TBR list, but well it's such a freakin' long list they honestly got shuffled around.  Never again. With this one book, Candace has moved up to a must read author.

I didn't read the first version of this story (obviously) so I can't compare the two for you if you did.  But This extended version is hot, sexy, hot, emotional, hot, thrilling ohhh and I think I mentioned it was hot. . . right?  LOL

Tyler and Viv are an amazing couple and I love that Candace takes us into a deeper BDSM relationship than is usually presented.  I love the 24/7 aspect and was curious how they would make it work and really wanted things to work out with Tyler and Viv.  But Viv has issues that most submissives have had and I love the way Candace works them out.  I know Viv's issues are something that a submissive 24/7 or not deals with on a regular basis and that made the characters so real and authentic that I wanted to be friends with them and keep reading their story. (yes I am in a 24/7 relationship and could totally relate)

I had one downfall that bugged me for awhile that most people won't even notice so I won't go into details because it would give a few spoilers probably.  But even the issue I had didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story (it only took away from some of the realism for me).  Highly recommend picking this one up and getting a little kinky with Tyler and Viv. . .

Author Bio
Candace Blevins is a southern girl who loves to travel the world.

She lives with her husband of 15 years and their two daughters. When not working or driving kids all over the place she can be found reading, writing, meditating, or swimming.

Candace writes romance books about characters who happen to have some extreme kinks. Relationships can be difficult enough without throwing power exchange into the mix, and her books show characters who care enough about each other to fight to make the relationship work.

Each book in the Safeword series highlights a couple with a different BDSM issue to resolve. All books are standalone books and can be read in any order, with the exception of the two Davenport books, since Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon is a sequel to Safeword: Davenport.

* Serious Romance * Serious BDSM *

Website: http://www.candaceblevins.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/candacesblevins
Twitter: HTTPS://twitter.com/CandaceBlevins
Pintrest: https://pinterest.com/candacesblevins/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4489132.Candace_Blevins


Giveaway Info:

Candace is offering one winner an Ebook of either of the Davenport books (Safeword: Davenport -- or --Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon). Winner's choice.

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Review & Giveaway ~*~ Temptation by K.M. Golland

Description:

This book is for mature audiences 18+ It contains explicit language and sexual content.

Sometimes being happily married and completely content is not at all what it seems.

That is what 35 year old, happily married, mother of two, Alexis Summers finds out when she decides it is time to return to work. 

After being a stay-at-home mum for the past nine years, Alexis now realises a complete career change is just what she needs.

She becomes a Concierge Attendant in a prestigious hotel in Melbourne working for the owner of the hotel, Bryce Clark. He resides in the penthouse, is extremely hot, and is a man who always gets what he wants. And what he wants is Alexis. 

She does a relatively good job resisting Bryce at first, but the undeniable chemistry, sexual tension, and playfulness between the two of them is intense. He has copious amounts of money, sex appeal and above all else, is a genuinely nice guy. Bryce has been waiting for his one true love to come along, and he is positive that one true love is Alexis.

There is one problem; she is happily married to Rick, and no matter how strong her feelings are for Bryce, she is adamant she will not cheat. She draws a line in the sand, but finds it increasingly hard not to cross. Will she succumb to Temptation?

Buy Links:

Amazon ● B&N  ● Smashwords  ● Kobo   ● iTunes

Review: 

Let me just say, Temptation had me hooked in the first 20% and there was no sex (yet)!  Shocking, I know . . . I was already recommending it to people before I made it 40% of the way through!  I couldn't put this down and was so sucked in that I had to continue the series and now have to wait for what comes next!

I have to say, I am shocked . . . shocked I tell you . . . that it Temptation has been out for almost a year and I hadn't heard a peep about it!  I think I have been living under a rock or something.  I thought I was going to have to wait for the next book, but low and behold, there are three more already released!
If you are interested, you can find my review of the next three books in the series HERE...

Now, if you are interested in Temptation . . . and you should be . . . Run don't walk to pick it up.  Alexis is an amazing character.  Her morals and ethics get called into question, but she is determined to stay strong.  She holds herself to a set of standards that she expects others to adhere to as well.  When she meets what may be her greatest Temptation, her strong will may be the only thing that carries her through each day.

K.M. Golland creates characters that are everyday people (well some of them anyway).  I was so invested in Alexis and her struggles that there were times I hated Bryce, Rick and everyone else and just wanted them to all leave Alexis alone and let her do her thing.  There were other times, i wanted to smack Alexis upside the head and give her a good talking-to.  The emotional roller coaster really gets me invested in characters and plots and I loved it.

Enter to Win! 

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About the Author:

K.M. Golland was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. After studying Legal Practice for two years and working as a Land Conveyancer for four years, she put her career on hold to raise two beautiful children. Always having a love for reading, she decided rather than returning to the Legal Industry, she would become a Writer—publishing her debut novel Temptation (Book 1 in The Temptation Series.)

I am an author. I am married. I am a mother of two adorable little people. I'm a Bookworm, Craftworm, Movieworm, and Sportsworm. I'm also a self-confessed Shop-aholic, Tea-aholic, Car-aholic, and Choc-aholic.

Social Links:  

Website ● Twitter ● Facebook ● Goodreads 

Buy Links:

Amazon ● B&N  ● Smashwords  ● Kobo   ● iTunes

Tour Coordinator:



Please check out the other stops on this tour today:

                                       

This Holiday Party Blog tour is being run in conjunction with the 

4th annual Holiday Party in Erotic Enchants on goodreads.com.  

Check out the entire schedule of the 18 Holiday Party Blog Tour stops & participating bloggers HERE.

Join the party and win from a prize pool of over 1,500 books and prizes by these generous authors!

This post contains Affiliate Links.

Review ~*~ The Temptation Series by K.M. Golland

This book is for mature audiences 18+ It contains explicit language and sexual content.

Life hands out challenges that we all unwillingly accept. We have no choice in the acceptance really, because that is essentially what life is; a series of challenges thrown our way for us to overcome.

Alexis Summers is no stranger to facing challenges as she has had her fair share of them since meeting and subsequently falling in love with Bryce Clark. He was her new employer who had dominantly pursued her while she was happily married. But it wasn't until her husband Rick, had confessed to previously having an affair, that Alexis finally allowed herself to give in to the temptation that was Bryce Edward Clark.

In Satisfaction—Bryce and Alexis spend the most amazing week together and discover the connection and love they share with one another, goes far deeper than anything they have ever experienced. What Alexis doesn't know, is the truth behind her husband's confession, and the underhanded deal Bryce made with him behind her back. Alexis' world will come crashing down around her when she discovers their secret, and she will once again find her self faced with having to overcome more of life's challenges.

Buy Links ~
Amazon  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo   ~   Smashwords  ~  B&N

This book is for mature audiences 18+ It contains explicit language and sexual content.

We can stumble upon a connection in life—a feeling, an instinct even, having an uncontrollable desire to act upon it—all the while knowing that acting upon it may or may not be the right thing to do. The thing is it's in that action where we prove our initial feeling to be right or wrong.

Alexis Summers did just that; she took the plunge, acted on her instinct and followed her heart—a heart that led her to Bryce Clark. He was Melbourne's wealthiest bachelor, and she was a happily married mum—or so she thought.

In Fulfillment - Alexis and Bryce are finally happy, in love, and expecting their first child together. But nothing is ever as it seems. One person does not share in their happiness and wants Alexis gone for good. One person can destroy everything.

Buy Links ~
Amazon ~ iTunes  ~  Kobo ~ Smashwords  ~  B&N

This book is for mature audiences 18+ It contains explicit language and sexual content.
*This is book (3.5 in The Temptation Series) I strongly recommend you read Books 1, 2 & 3 before this one*

Contrition, one would say is a humane and moral virtue. But in order to experience this form of repentance, you must first acknowledge your sin then show remorse for your wrongdoing.

For most of Bryce Clark's adult life, he had been plagued by guilt over what he claimed was a wrong decision; a lapse of better judgement on his part. He hadn't lived the life he wanted to live, or thought he deserved--until Alexis came along.

Alexis Summers--a breath of fresh air, blown in for Bryce to inhale, allowing him to once again breathe; and live. She ensnared his heart, mind, body, and soul. She consumed him, completely.

Inseparable from the moment they first met, Bryce and Alexis are now engaged and expecting a baby. Bryce has everything he has ever wanted; wealth, the girl, and to become a father. Will he finally achieve his ultimate attainment? Or will guilt of what he deems are his mistakes--his sins--ruin everything?

Buy Links~
Amazon  ~ Smashwords  ~  B&N


Reviews ~

I am grouping the three of these together if you have not started the series, please see my review of Book 1 - Temptation HERE. . . This may contain spoilers if you haven't read that one yet ;)  Otherwise, I'll do my best to keep it spoiler free!

I really don't know what to say about all of these other than to read them.  The writing is great (yes you'll find errors, but they are easy to overlook), the plot is detailed and intriguing, the characters are lovable, realistic and could be your best friend.  K.M. Golland gives us everything with Bryce and Alexis. Their meeting in Temptation, their betrayal and destruction in Satisfaction, death and guilt in Fulfillment and then in Attainment we get Bryce's point of view of their HEA.

All four books are sizzling hot but while their passion is a part of them, it's almost a secondary piece of the story because they have to much to overcome and they work through some pretty daunting issues of their own creation and from outside forces.

Personally I couldn't ask for more than I got out of all of these books.  I will admit that I could have done without Attainment.  This story is shorter than the others and while it gives us a little more insight into Bryce, I didn't feel it was a necessary addition.  But it was nice to keep reading about him and Alexis because I didn't want to let them go. Reading all four books straight through definitely left me with a book hangover and craving more. I can't wait for Carly & Derek's book to come out.  This is an author to put on your radar ~ she is going to be around for awhile!

(I would give 10 inches to Satisfaction & Fulfillment and 8 inches to Attainment)

Find out more about K.M. Golland HERE ~ 

Review & Excerpt ~*~ Re/Bound & Re/Paired by Michele Zurlo

I am going to start this post off with an apology to Michele Zurlo!!!!

Re/Bound & Re/Paired has been on my TBR list for about 3 months and sadly, 

it kept getting pushed back due to personal issues and other commitments. 

Please check out both reviews & excerpts on this page as both books

are absolutely fabulous!  If you follow my Facebook page, you may have seen me mention 

Michele a few weeks ago!  I seriously hit the 20-25% percent mark in the first book, 

Re/Bound and felt like I had been living under a rock since I haven't read 

or heard about Michele Zurlo before now! 

Re/Bound

Picking herself up after the devastating loss of her master is more difficult than Darcy anticipated. Just when she needs someone the most, a handsome dom steps in and helps her out. Theo is thoughtful, dominant, and demanding -- everything she needs. He pushes her boundaries, tests her limits, and takes her to new heights. With him, she remembers what it is to feel joy and love and a firm hand on her ass.

Agent Malcolm Legato is after a corrupt businessman, and Darcy is his ticket into the upper echelon of Snyder Corp. As "Theo," he makes contact with her and cultivates her as an asset. Since she's also a suspect in her master's disappearance, he can't reveal himself to her, even when he realizes she's another of Snyder's victims. He falls hard for this feisty submissive, and he knows he'll break her heart the moment she finds out he's been lying to her all along.

When it all falls apart, will Darcy be able to find the strength to forgive Malcolm so they can build a life together and the courage to bring justice to the man she loved and lost?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and elements, spanking.

~ Buy Links ~

Amazon  ~  B&N   ~  ARe  

Excerpt from Re/Bound~
Darcy riffled through the sheaf of papers on the counter in the elegant ladies’ room. Baskets of silk flowers brightened the spaces between each basin and brought out the floral pattern on the wallpaper. On a normal day, she would have appreciated the care someone had put into making a restroom a more pleasant place to be.

Friday evening meant most of the convention’s attendees were arriving. Tonight’s audience would probably be half empty because the speech took place before dinner. While the majority of people would make it in time for dinner, not as many would rush to see her speak. Sunday morning, the format would be informal, with her camouflaged among the panel of people, any of whom could field the questions. Of course, she would still need to make a short speech introducing herself and justifying her presence on the panel, and she would have to answer any questions asked of her directly. Her colleagues would depend on her to chime in when she saw them struggle for ideas.

Looking up, she caught a glimpse of her face in the mirror. At least the turmoil tearing apart her insides hadn’t ravaged her appearance. To outsiders she would appear cool and confident, put together just like she would have actually been if Scott had been there with her. But those little lines around her eyes and mouth only showed up during periods of intense stress.

The success of her company depended on her ability to get the word out about the services she offered. Conventions meant exposure, but they also meant public speaking.

She hated public speaking.

The majority of her responsibilities included writing grants and organizing charity divisions for larger companies. They ended up with some huge write-offs and tax breaks, and so many worthwhile charities benefited. She loved seeing the impact of her work on places and people who badly need help.

Before Scott had disappeared, public speaking hadn’t fazed her like this. He had a special way of calming her down. When he used that Dom voice, the tension threatening to turn her to stone melted away. Sometimes he would drape her over his knees and turn her bottom pink with the flat of his hand. Other times he would order her to her knees, and she would luxuriate in the caress of her favorite flogger.

After the speech, he would reward her for a job well done.

But now he was gone. Victor, her major client for the past several years, had clucked sympathetically and assured her that sometimes men just left. It wasn’t the right thing to say, but she knew his heart was in the right place. The police had interrogated her like a suspect when nobody could find him. Darcy knew something bad had happened. She knew he was gone for good, but not by choice. He never would have voluntarily left her.

Hot tears pricked the back of her eyelids, but she blinked them back. No matter what anyone else said, she knew her Master had loved her. They had planned to be married, and they had purchased a home together. Two weeks after they moved into their dream house, he had disappeared.

Eight months had elapsed, and she kept moving forward because she didn’t know what else to do. Her parents and her friends had never truly understood the turn her relationship with Scott had taken. They didn’t understand how badly she needed a Dom in her life, and not just any Dom. Scott was special. Scott had loved her, and she loved him.

The masochist in her loved pain, but not the emotional kind. She smoothed her skirt and reminded herself that he was gone. She would have to do this on her own. He would be so proud of her if he could see her now.

Darcy wiped her face and took a deep breath. She could do this.

Review ~
Re/Bound is one of my top 5 books of the year.  I started it and before I was done with Chapter 1, I was rescheduling my day so I could just sit and finish it.  When my husband came home I hushed him ~ in the nicest way possible ~ and kept reading.

Darcy is an amazing character.  While not always a good judge of other people, she is so down to earth, realistic and likable that I was on the edge of my seat at times waiting for what she would put herself through next.  In so many ways, Darcy is me and that made the character absolutely lovable.  Darcy knows what she likes, but sadly her master disappeared awhile ago and she has had to pick up the pieces and move on alone.

Enter Malcolm (Theo) and his innate ability to recognize who and what Darcy is.  It amazes me how some doms can sense this but I digress!!  Malcolm is trying to catch a corrupt businessman, but his investigation leads him to figure out what happened to Darcy's master as well and hopefully help her move forward.

The emotions in Re/Bound are incomparable as Darcy learns to trust again.  Malcolm introduces Darcy to new pieces of herself and new experiences ~ some she has craved but never gotten, others that terrify yet excite her. Michele Zurlo is a superb story-teller in that she crates characters you can love and hate while telling a detailed story without ever losing her readers.  I never skimmed a section, I was engrossed with each and every word as I waited to see what might happen next.  There is a lot of tension, passion, hatred, love, and so much more filling this story.


Re/Paired
Genre: BDSM & Fetish
Previous Book: Re/Bound

Keith Rossetti grew up the hard way--fleeing from his older sister's fists and finding addiction at a young age. It's a miracle he was able to make it into the FBI, and he fiercely guards his relationships with a handful of close friends.

When Katrina Legato's brother brought home his Marine buddy all those years ago, she fell head-over-heels in love. Ten years have elapsed, and she hasn't forgotten that toe-curling kiss he gave her for her eighteenth birthday. She knows he's a demanding Dom who doesn't respect his submissives or keep them for long, but if that's all she can have of him, then she'll take it.

When refusing Kat sends her to another Dom, Keith rethinks his decision. He plans to show her exactly why he's not a suitable life partner for anybody. But Kat, one of the only women he's allowed into his heart, isn't what he expected. She's no pushover. She demands more from him than anybody ever has, and he finds himself wanting to be the man she thinks he is.

As she repairs his damaged soul, a stalker targets her. When she's kidnapped, he'll stop at nothing to get her back.

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Excerpt from Re/Paired~

That Darcy wasn’t a fragile woman who lacked confidence and a backbone had attracted Katrina’s older brother and made her instantly likeable to the rest of the family. “I don’t think Malcolm’s ever been that afraid before. Give it some time. I bet Keith will have him at least talking before the party’s over.”

“I hope you’re right. Your brother is one stubborn man.”

Katrina didn’t delve into the reason behind Darcy’s smile. She had no desire to know why her brother’s stubborn nature appealed to his fiancée. They chatted about other things while Layla opened presents.

She knew the moment Layla opened Keith’s gift. Her blonde curls bounced, and her pixie smile turned downright evil. She lifted the super-size squirt gun from the box and aimed it at Malcolm. “I love that you fill these up before you wrap them.”

Malcolm held up his hand and put on his most forbidding expression. “That’s not from me, and you should never point a gun at someone you’re not planning to shoot.”

Layla stood up. “I know it’s not from you, and who says I’m not planning to shoot you?” She pulled the trigger as she said “shoot” and let loose a long stream of water that hit Malcolm squarely in the chest.

All hell broke loose. The hidden water balloons suddenly materialized, and more squirt guns appeared from nowhere. Well aware that hiding would prove useless, Katrina dived into the fight. Keith came through with a gun for her, so she was set offensively, but it also painted a big neon target on her body.

By the time things wound down a good hour later, Katrina’s light blue shirt, now transparent in some places, clung to her skin, and the denim of her jean shorts chafed uncomfortably. How had she rationalized not bringing a change of clothes? Oh yeah, she’d thought Keith wouldn’t want to piss off Malcolm even more.

Review ~
Ok, I delved right into Re/Paired as soon as I finished Re/Bound!  I was so excited when I finished one that I had to continue, and now I have to wait for the next book Re/Imagined. . . But Michele has other books I can read!

Re/Paired wasn't quite as intense as Re/Bound for me, but I still loved it.  We have Kat and Keith who have very strong personalities that end up working well together, but it is going to take some work for them to get there. Kat is a submissive with no experience.  She only wants Keith, but Keith won't mess with his best friend's sister and he is not up for a relationship ~ he's a love 'em and leave 'em type of guy.  Keith is a very demanding dom that has strict rules and protocols, while Kat is willing to try and be what Keith thinks he wants, she has seen his other sides that he doesn't usually share.

These two are combustable together and each facing new experiences as they explore boundaries, limits and work together to form something that might last well into the future. I will admit I thought the ending felt a little rushed in this one.  But it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story.  Kat and Keith are a unique couple that Michele Zurlo explores and shares their fetishes in a very sexy way.  Highly recommended!!

Bio ~

I'm Michele Zurlo, author of over 20 romance novels. I write contemporary and paranormal, BDSM and mainstream--whatever it takes to give my characters the happy endings they deserve.

I'm not half as interesting as my characters. My childhood dreams tended to stretch no further than the next book in my to-be-read pile, and I aspired to be a librarian so I could read all day. I ended up teaching middle school, so that fulfilled part of my dream. Some words of wisdom from an inspiring lady had me tapping out stories on my first laptop, so in the evenings, romantic tales flow from my fingertips.

I'm pretty impulsive when it comes to big decisions, especially when it's something I've never done before. Writing is just one in a long line of impulsive decisions that turned out to showcase my great instincts. Find out more at www.michelezurloauthor.com or @MZurloAuthor.