*Review* Nice Girls Don't Ride by Roni Loren

Publication Date: April 21, 2015

Nice Girls Don't Ride by Roni Loren

In this erotically charged novella by the New York Times bestselling author of Call on Me, Nothing Between Us, and Not Until You two strangers take an asphalt-burning ride into the wildest night of their lives...

Natalie Bourne thinks she has the perfect night planned for her twenty-first birthday. But when her car breaks down and her boyfriend bails on her, she's left stranded in an auto shop dealing with a way too cocky, way too hot mechanic, who seems to be intent on pushing every button she has.

Monroe Hawkins knows he shouldn't be messing with a girl from the uppity private college. Especially when he can tell she sees him as the help. But he's having trouble resisting the redhead with the smart mouth and the killer legs. So when Natalie's night goes from bad to worse, there's no way he's letting her spend her birthday alone. He makes her a deal--he'll take her home but not until the sun comes up.

Ten hours, one motorcycle, and the city of Austin at their fingertips...things are about to take a major detour. And soon, there may be no U-turn in sight.

Includes a preview of Roni Loren's Call on Me

Praise for Roni Loren and her novels

"Hot and romantic, with an edge of suspense."--Shayla Black, New York Times bestselling author

"Revved up and red-hot sexy."--Lorelei James, New York Times bestselling author 

"Sure to have readers begging for more!"--Jo Davis, national bestselling author

Once again Roni Loren is rocking our socks off. She never fails to put out some great work for her readers and NGDR - while short - is nothing less than wonderful. 

Natalie has everything set for her birthday. It's her 21st after all. So when her car breaks down, her boyfriend bails on her, and she's left stranded at a body shop for the night does she realize just how crappy her luck is. 

Then Monroe comes along. 

Knowing she's a good girl, he keeps his distance, then he finds out it's her birthday. Now he's screwed, he can't let her have a bad night. He vows if she stays out with him until the sun comes up, she will have the best night ever. 

Did he manage to turn everything around and save her special day?

Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven't improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. Though she'll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son.

If she's not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that's it.

She is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Loving on the Edge series and other sexy things.

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Trust the Focus ~ Megan Erickson

From the author of Make it Count comes the first novel in the In Focus series…

With his college graduation gown expertly pitched into the trash, Justin Akron is ready for the road trip he planned with his best friend Landry— and ready for one last summer of escape from his mother’s controlling grip. Climbing into the Winnebago his father left him, they set out across America in search of the sites his father had captured through the lens of his Nikon.

As an aspiring photographer, Justin can think of no better way to honor his father’s memory than to scatter his ashes at the sites he held sacred. And there’s no one Justin would rather share the experience with more than Landry.

But Justin knows he can’t escape forever. Eventually he’ll have to return home and join his mother’s Senate campaign. Nor can he escape the truth of who he is, and the fact that he’s in love with his out-and-proud travel companion.

Admitting what he wants could hurt his mother’s conservative political career. But with every click of his shutter and every sprinkle of ash, Justin can’t resist Landry’s pull. And when the truth comes into focus, neither is prepared for the secrets the other is hiding.

I wasn't really sure what to expect going into this novel. I had never read this author before, so it was going to be exciting either way. I am a fan of M/M books. I love them. This novel wasn't amazing simply because it was m/m. There was actually very little sex in the book, and ya know what? That is perfect, because this story doesn't need it. 

Living in a world of expectations, Justin decides it's time for one last wild ride before he allows his mother to tether him down in her world. A trip of remembrance. A trip that will allow his to not only say goodbye to the one person who has always loved him - his father, but a trip that will allow him to spend the last few months of his seemingly normal life with his best friend. The best friend that holds his heart. 

Landry has loved Justin for years. Probably since the beginning of their friendship. He never said anything about it. Why? Justin is straight. So why put his heart on the line? Landry is looking so forward to traveling across the country is throwing a stone or two in the plan that Justin has for his trip. What's a few little side stops? But as each day passes, Landry begins to notice things. Justin begins to notice a few things. How do they deal with their budding attraction and allow Justin to follow the life that has been planned before him? 

Justin's dad always said "Trust the Focus", Justin just never realized he was referring to more than the one on his camera. 

My first stories written in crayon-scrawl on loose-leaf notebook paper were about my childhood pet — a deaf cat with dandruff. And after covering real-life dramas as a journalist, I decided I liked writing my own endings better and switched to fiction. My romance novels full of humor and heart are a far cry from those early scribblings about my hygiene-deficient pet.

I live in southern Pennsylvania, with my husband, two kids and two cats. I like a good pint of beer, a greasy bacon cheeseburger, homemade mac and cheese, and a great book with a happily ever after. When I’m not tapping away on my laptop, I’m probably listening to the characters in my head who just. Won’t. Shut. Up.

I am represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

Links

• Megan Erickson's Twitter

• Megan Erickson's Facebook

• Megan Erickson's Website

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The Best Medicine ~ Elizabeth Hayley

The first novel in a sparkling and sexy new contemporary romance series about four best friends looking for love in all the right places—and the one woman who discovers that it takes more than an impeccable bedside manner to make dreams come true.…

Lauren Hastings is finally ready to enter the real world. At twenty-six, she’s about to get her master’s in psychology, and she’s well on her way to beginning the career of her dreams—until she suffers public humiliation and has to endure something she thought she’d never have to deal with again: a part-time job.

A gig at Trinity Hospital isn’t exactly Lauren’s definition of a good time, but Dr. Scott Jacobs quickly changes her mind. He’s straight-up gorgeous, and he always gets what he wants. And that includes Lauren. It’s an ideal arrangement for both of them. No strings. Just fun—at least at first.

But feelings quickly begin to run deeper than either Lauren or Scott is willing to admit, causing issues neither of them want to confront. After all, who wants to risk the perfect relationship on something as terrifying, as messy, and as unpredictable as love?

AVAILABLE JUNE 2, 2015

PRE-ORDER NOW!! 

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This was a fantastic introduction to a new series.

What do you do when the lines you drew in the sand suddenly become blurred?? Well duh. You freak out! 

Dr. Scott Jacobs is absolutely nothing like what Lauren was expecting when she took her mom up on the offer to pay off her newly acquired "debt" with a part time job. Lauren is gorgeous, she's one of those girls that you just know you'd be best friends with and probably end up in jail with by the end of the night. So it's hard to believe that she's also in school to be a psychiatrist.  Scott was certainly shocked. 

Scott Jacobs is a player. He's also a sexy hot 29 year old genius doctor. He never spends the night. Never hangs out. And definitely never brings a woman home to his house. So when he proposes that he & Lauren hang out and explore this chemistry between them, he certainly never expected to wake up one day and be sad she's not there, or to realize that they do have... a relationship. 

Elizabeth Hayley has the beginning of a gold mine here. With Lauren's out right ridiculous mouth - you never know what she is going to say; Scott's angsty world; their insane crazy friends and family. This series is going to be phenomenal. I can not wait to find out who book 2 is about, but I have my suspicions. 

Elizabeth Hayley is actually "Elizabeth" and "Hayley," two friends who love reading romance novels to obsessive levels. This mutual love prompted them to put their English degrees to good use by penning their own. The product is Pieces of Perfect, their debut novel. They learned a ton about one another through the process, like how they clearly share a brain and have a persistent need to text each other constantly (much to their husbands' chagrin).

"Elizabeth" lives with her husband, daughter, and nutjob of a dog. "Hayley" lives with her husband, son, and her own crazy dog. Thankfully, their children are still too young to read.

Elizabeth Hayley's writing motto is best captured by the words of Patrick Dennis: "I always start with a clean piece of paper and a dirty mind."

 Elizabeth Hayley's Website

Elizabeth's Twitter

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**Review** Unraveled ~ The Mastered Series ~ Lorelei James ~ Tonya

In this sizzling continuation of the Mastered series by New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James, a man will find the domination he’s always craved…

Shiori Hirano and Knox Lofgren are left to run the martial arts program at Black Arts while Ronin Black travels. On the surface, the two highest ranked belts appear to cooperate—but in private, they butt heads constantly, despite the undeniable attraction between them. Soon their power exchanges start to make for a sweltering dynamic in the bedroom…

At first Knox is shocked to be living out his submissive desires, but Shiori sets out to prove that embracing his true sexual nature doesn’t make him a weak man. But even while their sexual relationship grants him a power and fulfillment he finds surprising, there’s no training regimen for the fight that comes with loving a strong woman…

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When a man thinks he is a Dom for the shear fact of doling out punishment to other men upon their request, should have had Knox seeing what he truly was.

Shiori is a Domme, and she knows her role implicitly. One night at Twisted and she also knows Knox's role as well. No matter the push and pull between these two, and the constant banter back and forth to best each other in the Dojo, Shiori knows one thing for certain. Knox is a sub. But, getting him to realize that in order to give them a try will be just what he needs to see for himself that he in fact is a sub.

Knox is a strong Alpha man, and knows that he wants Shiori in more then his bed. Coming to terms with giving up control in the bedroom and still able to keep control in all things outside the bedroom is quite the eye opener for him.

Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary erotic western romances set in the modern day Wild West and also contemporary erotic romances.

Lorelei's books have been nominated for and won the Romantic Times Reviewer's choice Award, as well as the CAPA Award. Lorelei lives in western South Dakota with her family...and a whole closet full of cow girl boots.

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**Review** Misunderstandings ~ Tiffany King

Just when she thought things were going up…

Two years after a devastating breakup, Brittni Mitchell has moved on from Justin Avery—or so she tells herself. But when she returns to Seattle for her best friend’s engagement party, Brittni finds herself the victim of a disastrously timed elevator breakdown. She’s trapped with the last person she wants to face, and forced to recount the past she desperately wants to forget.

She’s going to have to look back…

When Brittni left her podunk hometown for a big city college experience at the University of Washington, hooking up with a guy like Justin Avery was not part of her plan. Between Justin’s attention-grabbing tattoos, cigarette smoking, and bad boy attitude Brittni quickly chalked him up as "Mr. Wrong.” But his charm was unrelenting, and Brittni’s decision to give Justin a chance quickly turned into the worst choice she ever made.

So that she might be able to move forward.

Now she’s stuck with Justin—literally—and the complicated web of misunderstandings that tied up the truth for two years is about to unravel.

Available May 6th 2014

Misunderstandings is the first piece of work by Tiffany King that I have had the pleasure of reading. She now has a new faithful fan. Misunderstandings takes it's reader on a journey from the present to the past and back again. All based on how one relationship can blossom, thrive, and collapse based on Misunderstandings.

Brittni loves college life. Livin' it up at UW, she's focused, driven, and desperate to succeed passed her small town she came from. She never expected to meet Justin. She certainly never expected to be attracted to his cocky, tatted self. Falling in love with him, not even close to being on her radar. But she did, she was, and it happened. As Justin turned up the charm, Brittni felt her walls crumble. So much so that when everything shattered around her, there was no saving her.  

Now 2 years later, she's inadvertently stuck in an elevator with the one person she hoped to not run into. As the past comes barreling towards her, can they clear the air and move on with their lives? 

Tiffany King is a masterful writer, her characters are strong, independent, quick witted, and sexy as all get out. I generally am not a fan of story's that start in the present and tumbled through a wicked past, but Tiffany has changed that with Misunderstandings. I urge you to check out this amazing story, you will not be disappointed. <3 

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**Review** Bound & Unwound ~ The Mastered Series 1 & 2 ~ Lorelei James

Former small-town girl Amery Hardwick is living her dream as a graphic designer in Denver, Colorado. She’s focused on building her business, which leaves little time for dating—not that she needs a romantic entanglement to fulfill her. When her friend signs up for a self-defense class as part of her recovery after an attack, Amery joins her for support. That’s where she meets him.

Ronin Black, owner of the dojo, is so drawn to Amery that he takes over her training—in public and in private. The enigmatic Ronin pushes Amery’s boundaries from the start, and with each new tryst, Amery becomes addicted to the pleasure and to him. But when Amery senses Ronin is hiding something, she questions her total trust in him, despite the undeniable thrill of his possession….

**ARC received via Netgalley via Penguin in exchange for an honest review** 

This novel has been sitting on my Netgalley dashboard for about 2 months. I don't know what took me so long to pick it up. 

Amery is a graphic designer, a struggling one at that. On a promise to her co-worker, she heads to a self-defense class. She discovers quickly she had no idea what she was walking into. Catching the eye of Sensei Black, Amery is thrown completely off her game. And for some reason, she keeps coming back for more. 

Sensei Black and Amery embark on a journey where in the dojo, and the bedroom Black is in charge. Through secrets & withheld information Amery struggles with the balance of her business, her friends and her new found - odd - relationship with Ronin. She knows that soon enough her world is going to be swept out from underneath her. 

Lorelei James has one again proved to be a masterful storyteller. Need to say I was kicking myself for waiting so long to read this one. Ronin swept me off my feet and I couldn't get enough of him. I was pulled into the world of Japanese bondage and martial arts. Each time I had to put down my kindle was a struggle. I do hope we get to see Knox's story in the future. 

See my review of Unwound, the continuation of Ronin and Amery's story, below. 

When sensei Ronin Black first encounters Amery Hardwick, the fire in her eyes ignites a sexual spark a thousand times better than the primal rush he used to get from mixed martial arts matches. She accepts his darker edges and admits to him that her desires aren’t as wholesome as he believed. And before long Ronin is grappling with emotions he’s never felt before….

Yet despite demanding Amery bare her body and soul to him, Ronin holds a part of himself back. When she learns Ronin’s secret and walks out, his life begins to unravel. To regain her trust he must let go of his pride and prove to her that it’s more than passion binding them together. But after their private pleasures are made public, Ronin is unsure if he’s the right man for Amery. Can they face the consequences together? Or will their differences rip them apart?

**ARC received via Netgalley via Penguin in exchange for an honest review** 

In the continuation of Bound. We get the majority of the story from Ronin's POV. I was a little distraught that we didn't get more of Ronin's story in Bound, Unwound more than made up for it. 

Ronin is in despair from his separation from Amery. In an attempt to block the pain, he steps foot back inside the cage. Not the best decision he's made. Amery knows she's made a mistake walking away. From where she's sitting? It needed to happen. 

In Unwound, Ronin and Amery explore their intimacy issues in an attempt to salvage their budding relationship. 

Unwound was the perfect ending to Bound. It was a Masterful, Breathtaking, deeply sexy novel. While this novel as some smoking H.O.T. scenes, it explores the deep intimacy shared between 2 people who are obviously in love with one another. And how that intimacy affects their daily lives, communication, and overall understanding of one another. 

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**Review** Elevator Heat ~ B.D. Rowe

Synopsis ~ 

Twenty-year-old Maddie has had a crush on Colin, her studly internship supervisor, for three long months. She struggles focusing on her work, and always finds herself gazing at his wavy brown hair, his chiseled cheekbones, his kissable lips. Little does she know, however, that he has feelings for her, too.

The problem is no matter how much time they spend together in the office, neither one can ever make the first move.

That is, until they both step into the old, rickety elevator late one Friday night.

And things start to get a little steamy...

**Mature Situations and Sexual Content - Recommended for Ages 17+**

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Amy's Thoughts ~ 

**Provided by NetGalley in exchanged for an Honest Review** 

Very Short Novella. Not a bad story, just not a lot of emotional connection to the characters. Maddie Lowell works as an intern for a casting agent in downtown LA. Colin Florest is her co-worker. and she loves him. He loves her too. But they know next to nothing about each other, until the elevator. 

The layout of this book is one I've never seen. There's a very repetitve scene in it, and it's the 2 hours leading up to the elevator. We get it at the beginning of the book, from Maddie's POV, from Colin's POV, then the full scene itself and aftermath. In my opinion, this is all very unnecessary and was just used to take up space. There could have been so much more to this. More depth to the characters, more moments leading up to their "love", and their connection. 

Again, not a BAD storyline, just could have had so much more. It's a good read if you're looking for zero emotional connections to the the MCs. Honestly, I felt like this was a waste of good reading time and I more than likely won't pick it up again. 

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**Review** Connected ~ Kim Karr

Synopsis ~ 

What if a ‘Once in a Lifetime’ could happen twice?

Suffering from a past full of tragedy, Dahlia London's soul has been left completely shattered. Happily ever after is a far cry from reality in her world. But, when she is reconnected with her past, the bonds that form are irrefutable.

When River Wilde, lead singer of The Wilde Ones, comes back into Dahlia’s life, the intensity that fires their relationship combined with underlying feelings that have never died lead her to believe she has met her soulmate.

Struggling with confusion as old connections fade and new ones begin, Dahlia's grief begins to lift--but guilt remains. River wants to be the one to mend all that is torn within her.

But with a past that is never really gone, can their future survive?

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Connected: The Connections Series, #1

Amy's Thoughts ~ 

**Provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I have seen this book around for a while. It's been on my TBR forever it seems. I was browsing around my kindle and saw it and I'm so glad I decided to read it when it did. I see now what everyone has raved about. 

Dahlia has everything in her life that she has ever wanted - minus one or 2 people. And in the blink of an eye, everything is gone. Dahl is enveloped into a battle with the deepest, darkest depression one can imagine. Just when everyone around her thinks that there's no pulling her out - a chance encounter with fate turns it all around. 

River Wilde is the lead singer for The Wilde Ones. Although the past 5 years have been a whirlwind for his band, he can't seem to get passed this one girl who changed all his rules in the span of five minutes. 

Connected is an exhilarating, astonishing read that takes the readers on a journey through the depths of hell to living and loving again. It has the perfect mix of despair, friendship, love with a hint of underlying mystery. Kim Karr is a breathtaking story teller and I can tell this won't be the last time I dive into one of her novels. Torn, book 2 in the Connections series is up next. 

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**Review** Wrecked ~ Priscilla West

Synopsis ~ 

“There would be no happy ending for us. He was too damaged. I was too broken.”

Two years ago, Lorrie’s mother was murdered. But that wasn’t the end of it. Reeling from the tragedy, Lorrie’s father spiraled into alcohol, depression, and finally suicide.

The two most important people in Lorrie’s life are both gone but she’s still alive.

Trying to recover from the tragedy, Lorrie returns to campus, ready to pick up the pieces of her life. All Lorrie wants is to get back to “normal.”

Then she meets Hunter. The man, the legend, “the Hammer.”

Hunter is a cage fighter who takes on every fight like he’s got nothing to lose. His life is a tangled mess of girls, booze, and fist fights. And while it may seem like he’s got a devil-may-care attitude, he’s fighting a private cage-match with a monster he can’t defeat.

Lorrie knows that Hunter is the exact type of guy she should stay away from, especially in her fragile state, but Hunter has other ideas.

As Hunter and Lorrie grow closer together, will they be able to overcome their pain and heal each other? Or will they both end up wrecked?

Amy's Thoughts ~ 

**Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review** 

In Priscilla West's Wrecked, we have the typical tattoed, muscle, bound bad boy, meets the train wreck of a girl trying to put her life back together. 

Return the college, Lorrie Burnham, is trying to move beyond her horrific past and be a "normal" person again. On top of everything else, she has no clue what she wants for the future, and she's completely jaded about everything. NOT just guys, friends, but life in general. She truly got on my nerves a bit. That doesn't happen often. 

Despite all that's crazy in his life, underground MMA fighter Hunter "The Hammer" Jensen falls for Lorrie, even though she's desperate to keep him in the friend-zone. Hunter is the enigma. Hunter is the character that holds this book together. Lorrie had a tendency to go all crazy on him when she heard rumors, when he did things with other girls, yet she wanted to friend-zone him?? Really? One thing I did love about Hunter was he had this "little boy" joy about him about some of the things in the book. You could really feel his vuneralibilty there. 

Hunter knows that Lorrie is broken, but not why. She knows he's this amazingly, sweet guy, but not that he's just as shattered as she is. I really can not wait to read Rescued to find out what happens with Hunter and Lorrie. Overall, great book, one I'll definitely read again. 

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