Journey to the Unknown

Book Review of Journey To The Unknown (Meet The Shepards Series)

Title: Journey To The Unknown

Series: Meet The Shepards Series

Author: Jacqueline Francis

Date Published: May 29th 2017

Date Read:  June 20, 2017 

The Blurb:

Dan: Hi there, folks, and thank you for joining us this morning. I’m your host, Dan. (Points thumb to the left) This is Bob.

Bob: (waves at the camera) Hi!

Dan: So, Bob, why don’t you tell our viewers at home what to expect.

Bob: Well, Dan, on the one side we have Jasmintha.

Dan: Ain’t she a doll, Bob?

Bob: She really is. A special kind of something. Jasmintha has led a very sheltered life, sweet and innocent with no real life experience. Wanting to break out of the bubble she was raised in, she decides to drive cross-country to meet her estranged mother who abandoned her at birth.

Dan: Abandonment issues! How cliché.

Bob: Stop being a cynical jerk, Dan. Like I was saying…as Fate would have it, she soon meets our boy, Kevin.

Dan: Now, Kevin is on an unsteady path of self-destruction, speeding along on a bullet-train with a one-way ticket to Shitsville. He lost his best friend quite tragically and he’s also trekking across the States to fulfill a pact they’d once made. Kevin was a dick before, but hurt, depression and an aching sense of loss has only made him worse.

Bob: He’s not that bad.

Dan: Ah, Bob (gives a wry smile). I love how you always try to see the good in others, but let’s not kid ourselves. Kevin’s an asshole! 

Bob: (ignores Dan) So here we have these two incompatible strangers traveling long distance together. Tensions are high and fights are plenty. But you know what? Maybe all our boy needs is this girl with a heart so big to help him heal his heart so shattered.

Dan: (shakes head with disappointment) Your corniness never ceases to amaze me.

Bob: Will these two be able to find some common understanding? Can they make peace with their broken pasts? Will love blossom on this heartfelt journey of self-discovery?

Dan: You make me sick, Bob. Physically sick to my stomach. Who’s writing this shit on your teleprompter? My money’s on Kevin to fuck up, but that’s just cynical me.

Bob: Two lonely hearts. Two annoying commentators. One amazing road trip!

Dan: Yeah, I’m done with this (stands up). But before I go, I’m just gonna slap on a warning for our viewers at home. For those of you who can only handle cussing and assholes in moderation, we suggest you skip this one, because it contains a ridiculous amount of both. For the rest of you (winks at the camera), join us for the ride.

My Review

5 Emotional Stars

May have mild spoilers 

“You’re really good looking, by the way.” The comment was unexpected and strange and took him completely by surprise. His head snapped up to look at her. “What?” “You…you’re super cute, not in a normal cute kind of way. More like in a Larry the Lumberjack kinda way, like lure your victims into the woods so you can hack up their bodies into tiny pieces kinda way.” He cleared his throat awkwardly. “I’m struggling to see how that can be appealing.” She smiled, not in the least bit perturbed. “Well, Larry has to lure his victims into the woods somehow. That’s the appeal you have.” -Jazz and Kevin

That was an emotional ride. It took me a whole day to get my thoughts together before I could even write my review. Now I started my Shepard journey back with book 1 Wanting to Remember, Trying to Forget with Max and Danny. Now that book was good but both Danny and Max annoyed me at times, because they caused such unnecessary drama. Then I read book 2 Childish Games with Jordan and Tyler, and I fell madly in love with them as a couple. Now in both those books we readers meet Max and Jordan's family including their little brother Kevin. So I had already let Kevin into my heart after reading in the last two books about his heartbreak and guilt over losing his friend Perry. So when Jacqueline Francis asked me if I wanted a copy of Journey to the Unknown (Kevin and Jazz's book) I was like "YES PLEASE!" I so needed to know what happened with Kevin. I needed him to get his HEA. But boy it was a bumpy, crazy, road to happiness for Kevin and Jazz.

“Give us a helicopter dick!” Jasmin didn’t know what that was, but it became apparent a few seconds later. “How is he doing that?” She was equally flabbergasted and awe-struck. “My fragile, young mind will never be the same again.” -Sandy and Jazz

“I saw a cock today…like an actual live shlong.” “Yeah?” She couldn’t see him, but she knew he was smiling. She could hear it in his voice. He always sounded lighter when smiled. “Was it everything you’d hoped it would be?” “It was HUGE! And he was just swinging it around in front of my face.”-Jazz and Kevin

I was warned that Kevin would be hard to love in this book. So I knew with a warning like that and the fact that he is hurting over Perry that it would get ugly. I even worried I would hate him if he went too far. I worried for nothing. Don't get me wrong he was a total asshole at times. He would lash out and say some of the most hurtful shit and made me want to beat the crap out of him, but I still loved him through it all. Maybe it was because of the first 2 books but I could not only sympathize with Kevin, I could feel his pain as if it was my own. It just felt so real. I teared up twice in this book and I'm not a huge crier. When Kevin let his walls down with Jazz he was amazing. I could see why she fell in love with him. Jasmintha(Jazz) was amazing. She made this book for me. She was so unique, quirky, and funny. She made me laugh so many times. Jazz is a stand out heroine. I may have a girl crush! She was just so upbeat, smart and playful I couldn't help but love her. Words just can never convey her awesomeness!

“I want to see everything!” she shouted. “Like in Debbie does Dallas, but this will be Jasmintha does Vegas.” He stopped walking. “Jazz, have you…have you ever watched Debbie does Dallas?” “No, but I’ve heard the title a lot.” A sullen look came over his face. “Um…It’s…it’s not…” His tone was somber, like he was about to deliver the news that she had a life-threatening disease. “She…Debbie…” She didn’t know Debbie, but she felt like she should be worried. He took a deep breath, almost as if the reveal would be heart-wrenching. “Debbie didn’t go sightseeing, Jazz.” “Then what was she doing in Dallas?” He shook his head sympathetically. “She…she did a lot. She did a lot of things in Dallas, but…sightseeing wasn’t one of them.”-Jazz and Kevin

“I have something for you.” Shifting his hips forward a bit, he reached into the pocket of his jeans. He took out what he needed, then grabbed her hand and placed the contents of his pocket into her small palm. “There.” She looked confused, glancing between him and her empty hand. “Uh…what’s this?” “It’s all the fucks I give.” “Ewww!” She immediately flung her hand, tossing his fucks over her shoulder. “That’s gross!” She rubbed her hand down his arm, smearing the remaining residue over his sweater. “You can’t go around putting shit like that in peoples’ hands, Kevin. It’s unsanitary.” -Kevin and Jazz

Kevin and Jazz had some major sexual tension. Kevin did a lot of push/pull but the tension was strong. I loved them together. I loved the way she would overlook his grumpy ass and he overlooked her quirkiness. When they finally did get together it was hot. They had such a cuteness to their relationship when Kevin let her in. There was plenty of good times with Kevin and Jazz to balance out the sadness and angry lashing out that Kevin did. I loved getting caught up with the past couples too. Max and Danny had some sweet moments in this book and I feel like their story finally is finished. Also I loved, looooved getting more Tyler and Jordan. They are my favorite and it made me want to go back and reread their book. I just loved this book from beginning to end it was one hell of a ride with tears and laughter and I can't wait to read more books by Jacqueline Francis. 

“Oh, not you di’n’t. I know you did not just waste Skittles like that. That shit’ll get you killed, Son. This conversation is getting dangerous, so let’s just agree to disagree before I go all Brown on your ass.” “Chris?” “Bobby, motherfucker.” -Jazz and Kevin

Haven

Book Review of Haven (Beards & Bondage Series)

Title: Haven

Series: Beard & Bondage Series

Author: Rebekah Weatherspoon

Date Published: April 25th 2017

Date Read:   June 18, 2017

The Blurb:

A week-long getaway…

City girl Claudia Cade's carefree life is plunged into chaos when a camping trip with her brother in the national forests of Northern California turns into a deadly dash for her survival.

A solitary world turned upside down…

Nature photographer Shepard Olsen has resigned himself to a quiet existence, with only his dog by his side, until a woman in need of his protection shows up on his doorstep and throws his universe into disarray.

Two lives linked by tragedy…

Claudia is desperate to heal from her traumatic loss, but can’t stop thinking about her run-in with evil….or the grizzled mountain man whose quick thinking and good aim saved her life. When she shows up on Shep's doorstep again, she finds she isn't the only one who can't move on.

…saved by bliss.

The two begin an intense, passionate relationship of Dominance and submission, pleasure and pain, but with dark memories haunting them and decisions about the future rapidly approaching, Claudia can’t help but wonder...how long can they be each other's haven?

*** WARNING: This book contains a sexual relationship between a fashionista and a cranky mountain man who are dealing with physical and emotional trauma. And a very big, cuddly dog.***

My Review

    3.5 Grumpy Mountain Man Stars

Haven is the first book I have read from Rebekah Weatherspoon and I enjoyed it. I love me some rugged mountain men and Shep was yummy. I thought Shep was broody, and sexy but at times I wondered why he would respond to things the way he did. What I mean is there were times where I felt like he was grumpy for no reason. Claudia was great. She was sweet, honest, sassy, and game for some kinky time. I will say I didn't like that she went all wishy washy towards the end. The reason this book was a 3.5 star and not higher is because it was too light on development side for me. There is tons of kinky sex, maybe too much(if that is a thing lol), but I would have liked more character and plot development. I would class this read as Erotica more than Romance. It was hot Erotica though and it did have a HEA, but I felt the ending was rushed. Still overall this was an entertaining read with hot smexy time, and likable characters.

Shameless

Book Review of Shameless

Title: Shameless

Series: Standalone Novel

Author: Brit Ryder

Date Published: June 20th 2017

Date Read:   June 9, 2017

The Blurb:

Fire Investigator Emery Pearson doesn’t have time for a relationship. Her career is everything, so the rest of her life is put on hold until she reaches her professional goals. Sex is always on the table, though. Finding the perfect woman who only wants a quick hookup seems like a fantasy, but when she meets Lily online, the fantasy turns to reality when they agree to meet. Their tête-à-tête at the museum is more than Emery could imagine—satisfying, exciting, and passionate. Can Emery walk away from sex this good with no strings attached? Or will the lure of lust keep her going back for more?

My Review

      4 Sheer Smutty Goodness Stars

Shameless is the first book I have read by Brit Ryder and I enjoyed it. And though I have read M/M books this is my first taste of Lesbian Erotica. Now because this is only about a 50 page novella I didn't go into this read with high expectations, but I did expect some hot woman on woman action. Did this book have a great plot? No. Did it have great character development? Nope! Did it have lots of hot lesbian sex? Why yes, yes it did. It also had a little surprising twist that I didn't see coming. This book was everything you expect in a erotica read. It was quick, and sexy. The only problem I really had with this book was it's abrupt ending. I was reading along then I go to turn the next page and nothing.. just the end and I was left going... What that's all? The end had a "to be continued" feel to it. So here is hoping for a full length novel on Emery and her sexy hook up!

Fierce Obsessions

Book Review of Fierce Obsessions (The Phoenix Pack Series)

Title: Fierce Obsessions

Series: The Phoenix Pack Series

Author: Suzanne Wright

Date Published: June 13th 2017

Date Read:   June 6, 2017

The Blurb:

When raven shifter Riley Porter was given sanctuary by the Phoenix Pack, she let them believe she had left her flock. Reluctant to divulge the secrets of her past, she was still embraced as family. Only Tao Lukas, the protective and passionate Head Enforcer of the pack, was resistant to the enigmatic shifter. Until Riley started to arouse in him something other than suspicion.

Tao doesn’t trust lone shifters, especially ones so guarded—and tempting. But the sexual tension between them is making them both come undone, and vulnerable to more than desire. All Tao wants is for Riley to stay with him and to trust him with the truth of her past.

As Riley’s mysteries come to light, so does a danger that threatens not only her life but the safety of the entire pack. For Tao, keeping Riley safe means keeping her close—forever—as his mate. 

My Review

4 Tao yum Stars

"They're just tits, Tao." He hadn't realized he'd been staring at them until then. Tao forced his eyes back to hers. "Your nipples are hard." "So is your cock."-Riley and Tao

* May have mild spoilers*

As a huge Suzanne Wright fan I tend to read every book of hers that I come across. So when I seen and grabbed Fierce Obsessions from Netgalley I did a little happy dance. When I seen it was Tao's book I did a happy squeal. Like always Suzanne Wright delivered a great read that made me laugh out loud and kept me happy for hours. I have been wanting Tao's book for a while now. I have loved him, Ryan, and Dom since book 1. Now I just need Dom's book and all will be right in my world. I wouldn't mind Trick's book too. I can't wait to see if Trick ends up mated to a male or female. 

"I swear I can still taste you. Still feel you squeezing my cock. If you expect me to walk away and forget what it's like to be in you, tasting you, exploding deep inside you, you're out of your mind."-Tao

Tao was Tao. I already loved him. As a reader of this series I have had many books to get to know Tao and fall in love with him. He was just as great in this book as he was in the others. Strong, outspoken, fiercely protective, loyal, and sexy as hell. Riley was great too. She was funny, laid back, had a sassy mouth, was a kick ass fighter, at times a little closed off, but protective of those she loved. Riley and Tao together had me laughing so hard. They picked on and fought with each other like foreplay. I thought it was hilarious that Riley would steal Tao's things and make up random statistics. They had a great relationship build up and a strong connection. The passion was of course great because Suzanne Wright knows how to write some smokin' hot smexy time. 

"Good. Now on to the next thing: where's my watch, Riley? I had it yesterday morning." She raised an imperious brow. "Oh, I see, because ravens like to collect shiny things, you think I took it?" "No, I think you took it because you took it. You always steal my shit." He pointed to the iPad on the dresser, proving his point. "Borrow, I borrow your stuff." "Without my permission, which makes it stealing." "Only if you want to get technical about it."- Tao and Riley

"You're not listening to me, are you?" Blinking, Riley looked up from her seat at the breakfast bar. "I am," she lied. "Oh yeah?" said Tao, doubt heavy in his voice. "What did I just say?" She pursed her lips. "I'm still processing it." "What exactly are you processing?" "Let's not revisit the past, Tao."-Tao and Riley

I really loved getting to catch up with all the past couples and the kids. Trey and Taryn are of course my all time favorite couple of the series still, but they are just so epic. I enjoyed Riley's uncles. I kinda wanted them to join the Phoenix pack too. I really loved the kids Dex and Savannah. They just have such cute personalities. There was plenty of ass kicking action in this book to keep it from getting boring. I really loved that Riley was kicking ass with the best of them. I especially loved how when some one pissed her off she would just grab em by the throat. The throat grab upped her bad ass points in my book. Overall a great addition to this series. I can't wait for the next book. Here's hoping it's Dom. 

"I'm thinking about fucking your mouth, to be exact." "Of course you are," she said drily. "You're a boy. Boys are delusional." He smiled. "You're not going to let me feel what it's like to slide my cock in your mouth? That doesn't seem fair. I go down on you all the time." "Oh, I won't deny you eat pussy like a champ." He laughed. "Like a champ?" "Totally. But you know, over seventy percent of erectile dysfunction cases are caused by having too many blow jobs." "They are not." "They could be,"-Tao and Riley

Craving Resurrection

Book Review of Craving Resurrection (The Aces Series)

Title: Craving Resurrection

Series: The Aces Series

Author: Nicole Jacquelyn

Date Published: January 26th 2015

Date Read:   November 2, 2015

The Blurb:

Poet and Amy's story...

Patrick Gallagher’s future was mapped out—and it didn’t include Amy Henderson or the IRA.

She was everything he’d never wanted. Too young. Too naïve.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t help but be fascinated by the girl who took refuge in his old bedroom, staying with his mum more often than not.

She looked like a Renaissance painting and argued like a solicitor. He couldn’t resist her, and before long, he didn’t even want to.

Instead, he loved her unreservedly… then he married her.

But he couldn’t have prepared for what happened after.

Actions, no matter how large or how small, have consequences—and when the IRA comes knocking, he’s sucked into a life that he’d never anticipated.

Choices were made.

Hearts were broken.

Trust was shattered.

Lives were lost.

Through it all, he loved her.

It was a love that spanned decades.
Epic.
Intense.
Unquestionable.
Unbreakable. 

My Review

      3 The Saddest Damn Story Stars

*Spoilers here, Spoilers there, Spoilers 

everywhere in this review*


“I was so stupid. So fucking naïve.” “Don’t say dat. Yer not stupid. Ye were never stupid.” “I made comments about your experience,” I spoke over him, “I pushed you because I was angry, and the entire time you were fucking other people. No wonder you didn’t mind waiting until we were married.” “Dat’s not how it was.” “So fucking stupid.” I shook my head, scrubbing my hands over my face. “It was one night. One night. Dat’s all. I was pissed—” “You’re really going to use the drunk excuse right now? Really, Patrick?” “I wasn’t in me right mind—” I gripped the arms of the chair, but he was off the couch and kneeling in front of me before I could push myself to my feet. “Please, Amy. Please, listen.”-Amy and Poet

Holy Shit this has to be, hands down the saddest, most depressing damn book I have ever read to date, and still good enough to get a 3 star review. I am all over the place on how I feel about this story. I had to sleep on it before I could even start this review, because one minute I wanted to give it a 5 stars and the next I wanted to give it a 1 Star. I am going to try to explain my feeling on this book clearly, but I have a feeling there will be ranting, rambling, and tons of spoilers so yeah.... Okay so for starters, I went into this book with a knot in my stomach. I read some of the reviews and my heart just sank. I knew this was going to be a hard read for me because cheating is a trigger for me, and with OCD once I start a book or a series, I just can't stop no matter how miserable it makes me. I expected to hate Poet with a passion as hot as the fires of hell, and at first I did, but he wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Don't get me wrong I sure didn't like Poet. I think Poet is a huge asshole. He made 2 huge mistakes ( I will go over those later), but I'm not sure I would call him a cheater. 

I sat alone in the silent house for a long time after I got back. I’d fucked up so badly that I knew any chance of righting my life was completely gone. I’d never again step foot in my own country, I had little money to start a new life, and both my mother and my wife hated me. I couldn’t blame Amy for her anger. One poor decision, one mistake, and I’d broken all trust between us. It didn’t matter that we hadn’t yet made any promises to each other. I’d known the morning after my night with Moira that I’d made a horrible mistake, but it had been too late then to right it.-Poet

“You worthless piece of shit,” he hissed, spit from his mouth hitting my face as I tried to pry his fingers from my throat. “You fuckin’ left her there!” I could hear men yelling as they caught sight of us, but all of my attention was focused on Doc’s mouth and the words flying out so fast I had a hard time keeping up. “You left her to be fuckin’ tortured. You left her to be raped. Then you come back here and run your mouth about her? That poor girl that never done anything wrong but make the mistake of loving a worthless piece of trash like you?” -Doc

Now I feel like his "Cheating" would fall into a gray area. See when he slept with Moira(who I hate and think is a triflin' whore) He had only kissed Amy. They weren't even dating. He only slept with Moira one night, and then when he went back home. Where he asked Amy to marry him. The 2 huge mistakes I think he made are that 1st he slept with Moira, and 2nd He left Amy in Ireland to follow him in a week. Okay see this is what happened.

“I’m so sorry—” he started quietly. “Don’t. Don’t, Patrick,” I ordered cutting him off. “I don’t want to talk about it.” “I love ye—” “Go back to your family.” I looked at him then, the handsome boy that had turned into a man almost overnight. “We both have new lives, let’s just leave it at that, okay?”-Poet and Amy

“Ye did not come from me body,” Patrick said fiercely, staring into Nix’s overflowing eyes and cupping his face so gently their skin was barely touching. “But ye are me son. And ye are exactly as God made ye. Dere is not one t’ing wrong wit’ ye, Phoenix Robert Gallagher, and I’ll kill any man who says ot'erwise.”-Poet


Amy meets Poet's mom Peg, walking home from school. Peg is great btw, and becomes like a mom to Amy, because Amy's parents are worthless. That's how Poet meets Amy. He finds her sleeping in his bed, on one of his visits home from college. He ends up kissing Amy right before he goes back to school. They aren't dating, but he makes hints that he wants more. Then when he get back to school while drunk off his ass, he sleeps with Moira. Then the next morning he regrets it. He also gets a call from his mom the next moring that something is wrong with Amy, so he rushes home. Amy's parents kicked her out so Amy moves in with Peg. Poet stays for a little while and him and Amy get serious. He ask her to marry him. Now from this point he is faithful to her the whole time they are together as a couple.(I'll explain that in a minute since they never divorce) One day months after they are married Moira's skanky ass shows up pregnant and beat up. Poet and Amy had planned on go to America together to get away from the IRA that was using Poet as a hit man and killed his father, so they had two spots on a boat to America. Amy being rightfully pissed tells Poet to take Moira to America. Now Poet wants to stay with Amy, but she is so mad she keeps telling him to go. I can understand Poet feeling torn at this point because , he didn't wanna leave his wife, but he wanted to protect his unborn child. So they make plans that him and Moira with some of the Aces will go to America, and the next boat that leaves in a week with bring Amy and his mom Peg. When he leaves, him and Amy have talked and plan on working things out. When Poet leaves with Moira the tramp, her fiance Malcolm a evil member of the IRA kidnaps Amy, shaves her hair off, breaks all of her fingers one at a time with a hammer, and then rapes her to pay Poet back for taking his woman. Now Amy is messed up, and pissed at Poet she blames him for everything. so instead of getting on the boat and meeting up with him like planned she and Peg get a plane to America and don't tell him where they are going. So he doesn't see his wife again for 4 months, when his mom finally lets him see her because she hasn't spoken a word since she left Ireland. So when Poet sees her, Amy instead of telling him she has been raped, just says she is pregnant, and the kids isn't his. Nothing else so of course if thinks she slept with someone as payback. Spits in her face and leaves. Now here is another gray area because even though they are still married he left her. Says she is dead to him and starts a life with Moira. Which pisses me the fuck off, but I'm not sure if it's cheating or they are broke up kinda. Any how, right after the birth of both their kids he finds out that she was raped and he runs back to her begging for another chance she tells him no go home to Moira and raise your daughter. So he does. A few more times through the years he would show up wanting her back and she would turn him away. Because she was angry and bitter which I totally understand.

“I love her,” I told him simply. “You may love her.” He moved his mouth around a bit as if he was looking for the right words to say. “I get it, man. I do. But every time you play your hand, she’s a mess afterwards. For months. It never works the way you want it to, and it never gets any easier—for you or for her. So why can’t you just let it go?” I ran my hand down my beard, scratching my jaw as I tried to explain to Nix something he would never understand until he’d met the love of his life. “I’m incomplete wit’out her—” I stopped, shaking my head. “As long as I live, I’ll never give up. I can’t.” “I think you have to,” Nix said softly. “It will never happen.”-Poet and Nix

“I know that it wasn’t your fault, but God, Patrick, you weren’t blameless, either. But all these years, I knew what happened and you didn’t. You got to move blissfully along with your life, making a family with Moira and raising your daughter… and I was just stuck. I resented you so much for that, for leaving me and spending your life with the woman who was the reason I was ruined.”-Amy


Damn that was a mouth full. Okay so here is my feeling on all that. I loved Amy. Thought she was brave, strong and just awesome. I understood where she was coming from. I am bitter over it all and I'm just the reader. But I don't feel like Poet Cheated the whole time they are apart because I feel like they broke up. She dated and slept with other men while they are apart too. The thing that bugged me the most was that he made a life with Moira. I truly hated that slut and was glad she died. See because he slept with Moira before they where dating I could have, as a read, forgiven him and gave him a second chance. But it drove me crazy that he was playing house with that home-wrecking tramp after what their sleeping together costed Amy. I know it makes me mean but I was not only glad that Moira died but I was glad that Amy ripped into Poet and laughed a little at the guilt and pain he felt, but he did "a little" redeem himself. The way he treated Amy's son Nix so well. I loved Doc. I was so glad when he told Poet off. I was indifferent of their relationship. I didn't care if they made up are not. But I will say this, the story was still an okay, but damn depressing read and I truly couldn't put it down. 

I heaved and heaved until nothing was left, and then I heaved some more, tears rolling down my cheeks. I’d been so confident when I’d left Ireland, so unbelievably arrogant in my assumption that my sins wouldn’t catch up to us. I’d assumed that we’d be safe, never imagining that in the few days between our departures, Amy would be the one paying for my mistakes… I hated myself for that. The details of Amy’s attack and the memory of Malcolm’s large frame in comparison to her small one made me livid, and before I was even done vomiting, I was tearing apart the room.-Poet



“I hadn’t known,” I mumbled, shaking my head. “Moira never said shite about Malcolm, not one fuckin’ word. All dese years and I hadn’t known dat he’d done dat to Amy because of me. He fuckin’ tortured her, Charlie.”-Poet