Review: Playing Dirty by CL Parker

 C.L. Parker does not disappoint with this new story centered around the lives of two high powered sports management execs who's competition spreads far beyond the boardroom.

Shaw Matthews is the flashy, smooth talking charmer that everyone drools over; everyone except Cassidy Whalen, the no nonsense deal closer who is in competition with him for partnership at their sports management firm. Together they are like oil and water, trading insults and tick marks on the quest to rise to the top. But like the best recipes, when combined properly with the right ingredients, oil and water can result in something explosively good.

For us sarcastic girls, this novel will keep you cheering for Cassidy as she gives as good as she gets. In the end, its this bite in personality that makes the relationship between Shaw and Cassidy work as more than just a conquest. They begrudgingly respect each other, even if neither will admit it. The only real negative I have for this book is that you can't get the whole story in one sitting. As with all good things, they are worth waiting for so I'll keep the final installment marked "to-read" until its release in January 2016.

Review: Under My Skin by J. Kenner

 Jackson and Sylvia have faced many challenges together. It's hard to overcome the world and your own issues while builing a relationship. And while some might go so far as to say its impossible, Jackson and Sylvia are literary proof that it can be done... even if they do have a few more scars as a result.

I am a big J. Kenner fan and have read all of the Stark and Stark International books. In the beginning I was caught up in the steamy plots, rich decadence and all the bells and whistles that make her books top sellers. But it wasn't until finishing this book that I really understood the tough issues that Kenner deals with in her books. Both Jackson and Sylvia come from abusive backgrounds and that becomes even the more evident as each has to confront, in his/her own way, the perpetrators of the abuse that they endured. How their upbringings have shaped them has everything to do with how they are able to come together throughout the book and that is very evident in this book.

Jackson and Sylvia's story is more than just a steamy romance, its the story of how two broken people find strenghth in themselves and become whole.

Review: Escaping Reality by Lisa Renee Jones

 For better or worse I am a dedicated reader of a very select group of authors. With them I know exactly what to expect; good grammar, a nice intriguing plot, great characters, etc. So, needless to say, I often have to force myself to step outside of my circle and explore new (to me) authors. In this day and age where everyone has jumped on the poor girl, rich bad boy guy wagon, it's often times hard to find fresh perspective.... and then comes Lisa Renee Jones!

I knew within the first few paragraphs that this was going to be a good book. On the surface Amy is your typical down on her luck heroine, forced to deal with circumstances beyond her control with few resources yada, yada, yada. Liam is rich and mysterious but from the moment he sees her, he's got to have her. You get the point. What makes this book good is the equal amounts of mystery, seduction and romance that the author is able to balance throughout the book. Not only do the characters have a steamy love life, but they deal with real insecurities in front of each other, with a minimum of running away from themselves and each other.

Amy has been forced to deal with unspeakable tragedy and as a result has become secretive and independent. Liam too, has dealt with loss and become reclusive in his own right, Perhaps it is the recognition that they are both alone that draws them together more than just their physical attraction. Whatever it is, Liam knows that with the added benefit of his wealth, he can help Amy. Doing so pushes both of their boundaries and causes friction in their newly formed relationship. In this tale money doesn't cure all, so the two must strategize and look outside of themselves if they want to survive what is facing them.

At the end of the book I found myself wondering what had taken me so long to pick this book up and fumbling trying to download the second installment with haste. I 'm glad I took a chance on Amy and Liam's story and can't wat to see what more Lisa Renee Jones has to offer.