"Fourteen Shades of F*cked Up" Cover Reveal

Roses are red. So is passion. And blood.

★★★COVER REVEAL★★★

Coming February 14th, 2017

Fourteen Shades of F*cked Up - An Anthology

Authors: Alyson Hale, Ariel Marie, Brittney Coon, Cristina Slough, J.A. Kerr, J.L. Baldwin, Jennifer Loring, Lilly James, Marie Skye, ML Rodriguez, N. Mills, QUINN, S. Valentine, Zack Halford

Cover Design by Rock Your World Promotions

Stock Photos via Adobe Stock

★ SYNOPSIS ★

Fourteen authors have brought you stories of pain and love.

Struggle and dissonance.

Lust and depravity.

Whether your poison is a naughty husband and wife, a kinky night out on the town, edging toward the pinnacle of pain and pleasure, or something a little more supernatural, come indulge in your deepest, darkest, most f*cked up cravings.

We promise we won’t judge...if you won’t.

Click HERE to add to Goodreads TBR

★ JOIN THE PARTY ★

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★ LINK AVAILABLE SOON ★

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Set Me Free by M.R. Leahy

Rating: 5 out of 5
Recommend: Yes (adult audience only)
Book one of a series not released yet

Blurb:
Set Me Free is a dark romance
I do not advise anyone who is sensitive to certain subjects or sexual situations to read it as it does contain certain situations.

Set Me Free
Torn and betrayed by her family, Emmalyn is taken and forced to live with her mother and stepfather, who happens to be the leader of one of the biggest sex trafficking rings around.

Thrown into a world of sex and slavery, Emmalyn is roomed with Kodah. A hot-headed boy, whose only weakness is her.

Both lost and tortured in this endless hell, they cling to the hope that one day they will make it out, that one day they will be set free.

Let me just say...whoa. And if you don't like to read about sex trafficking of children, this is not for you. At all. 

My general take on this book:

It was really interesting to read. I could not put it down...Wait, let me back up. I received this book as a giveaway and I am so glad I did. So, I could not put this book down. My eyes were heavy and I kept thinking, "just one more chapter." Well, one more turned into two...you know how that story goes. If not, what are you reading? This book was sexy, dark, interesting, action packed, heart breaking and left me with a cliff hanger. I was so upset when I learned that there wasn't a book 2 yet. Oh MY GOODNESS! Why didn't anyone tell me. I was caught up in the storyline so heavily that I almost cried when I figured this out. But you should read it. I swear. 

Unjustly Destroyed & Infinitely Mine by Marie Skye

Rating: 5 out of 5
Recommend : HECK YES
Books 2 and 3 of the Incapable Series

I tried to step away from this book. I tried hard. I started another book and it was a Hot Mess...yes, that was the title, but it was literally a HOT MESS! It just wasn't for me. I know I gave Incapable a 4 out of 5, but for some reason, that cliff hanger kept calling to me. I had to find out what happened to these characters. I am so glad I did.

So, let's begin with Unjustly Destroyed (blurb):

HIDING… From my past, my secrets, who I really am. But now, he's caught up with me. Back to destroy me, once and for all, with his smug, smiling face. He's going to ensure that I'm in pain, and I'm going to fight like Hell to stop him. I'm at my limit. I'll do anything to protect Grayson. Protect myself. Protect us. Even if it's the last Fu*king thing I do. HIDING... She's hiding something, someone from me. I won't stop until I find out what it is. Something is pulling her away, keeping her from me. She's completely different--changed. I swear, I refuse, absolutely refuse to sit back, and let something come between us--again. I fought like Hell for Emmalin once, and I'll certainly do it again. Even if it's the last Fu*king thing I do.

Vague? Yeah. But if you read the first one, you would be like "okay"...

And here's the blurb from Infinitely Mine: 

On the outside, Grayson Mandrake has everything a man could want--success in business, family and friends. As for women, he f*cks them and leaves them. All except his beautiful Emmalin. She was his one. She left him broken and bitter, unable to believe she could walk away from their passion. When an explosive secret comes to light, Grayson is forced to reexamine everything he thought he knew about why she left him. Emmalin Ross is a survivor. She made it through a horrific attack, and then through losing the man she loved. She walked away to give Grayson a chance at true happiness. Now he's found her, and he'll have his revenge, served dark and hot, and this time, she's not sure she can walk away, no matter how dark the sensual torment he dishes out. Grayson and Emmalin are set on a collision course, but are both hearts strong enough to survive? Can this couple find a way back to love, or is it too late?

SPOILERS******

I was going to do two separate reviews, but I decided to just combine them. I should have stopped and did one for each in between, but I couldn't put them down. Now I have mommy mush brain and can't remember what I wanted to write because I moved on to another book. Sigh...that's my life. 

Honestly, the second book may have been my favorite book out of the three. There is so much more depth and complexity in the next two books. I'm hoping Skye had a good team behind her that gave her the truth and helped her realize that the readers want a little bit more. The story of Emmalin and Grayson just got better. It was dark, sexy and raw. Grayson gets his hands bloody, they lose one another and find one another. Truly a great story. Can't wait for more from this writer.

Incapable by Marie Skye

Rating: 4 out of 5
Rated: XXX (it's for the mature crowd)
Recommend: Yes
Book one of a series
Will I read the next ones? SURE

Amazon synopsis and you can purchase here:

"Emmalin Gone. Everything I ever had is gone. Ripped away, taken before I was ready. So I just hid. Hid in the shadows, hoping to disappear, blending in, fade away. I didn't want to be found, and I sure as hell didn’t want, to be discovered. But one man did. He saw me. Saw right through me. He's overbearing, egotistical, and did I mention a total asshole? When I'm with him, I want to scream. Punch him. And then have him rip my clothes off. I gave him one night. He wants more. And so do I. I'm his. Grayson Mandrake owns me. Grayson I take, because I can. I claim, because I can. She was mine the moment I saw her, and I will destroy her soul to keep her. Have her. Own her. I'm ruthless, and relentless. A total asshole. And I will do anything for her. Emmalin Ross is mine. This is PART ONE of the Incapable series. Warning: This series has a foul-mouthed male, dirty talk, and strong sexual content. Intended for mature audiences 18+ only."

***Spoilers to follow***

Whew. It was HOT! I would have given it a 5 out of 5, but I believe Marie Skye has potential with her writing. It was super sexual, but I just needed more substance. Maybe Riley Jean spoiled me a bit with that almost 6 day read...I just don't like that I had to read so much to learn that the main character had green eyes. And all of a sudden they're this beautiful thing to the other main character. I know, such a minute detail, but if I am going to fall in love with a character, I want to know more about them than the movement of a piece of hair behind her ear. I get it. It's a sweet gesture, but what else?

So...the green eyed girl is Emmalin. She's got everything going against her. She's working two jobs and barely making ends meet. She's obviously incredibly smart because she does freelance work in accounting. But she has demons (don't we all?). But her demon came in the form of her stepfather who we put the pieces together eventually that he is raping her. We learn that she has so much tragedy in her life that she has a fear of all things that involve love and being restrained. 

In comes Grayson Mandrake...beautiful blue eyes (we learn this from the start), rich (really really rich), handsome, a playboy...Are you getting the Christian Gray feel? Yeah, me too. But I digress. He has his demons too. Tragedy struck at a young age for him also...So, why are these two good for one another? Because they bring out the best in one another. Everyone else sees it, but Emmalin has a hard time accepting it. Did I mention he was into bondage?

There were other mention-able characters: Tyler- Emmalin's best friend. Chace- Grayson's best friend. I am hopeful to learn a bit more about the both of them. But I have to take a pause on these books because of other books that I have to read. But I promise you, I will be back for more of this sexy, saucy, raunchy book.

To have your book reviewed by Dot: Send all request to dotsdeets@gmail.com

Use Somebody by Riley Jean

Rating: 10 out of 5
Recommend: was my rating not enough
Standalone...you won't be left feeling empty or needing more either.
Genre: romance...all the feels
Received free via author promo in exchange for an honest review

I had to immediately get my thoughts down on this book so I could continue on to my reads. This one took a little longer to read than I would have liked because I have several deadlines to meet with reviews. If you have a book you would like to recommend, please comment or email dotsdeets@gmail.com

Amazon synopsis:
"For straitlaced Scarlett Rossi, college was supposed to be all about finding herself. But when a whirlwind romance goes tragically wrong, what she finds is much darker than expected. Reeling from the fallout, she returns home, lost, alone, and scarred. Determined to rebuild what was stolen that night, she embraces the fighter within.

With a heart of gold and a smile like the sun, Vance Holloway can light up any room. So when his charms are rejected by the new girl at work, his curiosity is piqued. Vance sees right through Scarlett's stubborn walls. And he'll stop at nothing to break them. Over ice cream, music, and a handful of moments, he slowly earns her trust. Finally Scarlett's found somebody safe... that is, until he falls in love.

So begins an explosive tryst of push and pull between one broken girl and one irresistible boy. Scarlett won't survive another heartbreak. Can their friendship survive a compromise?

Vance may be set on healing her heart, but he has no idea what he's up against. As her walls continue to crumble, grief looms and triggers resurface. Until both are faced with the heart-stopping truth: what really happened the night she swore she'd never love another man, and whose hands are stained with his blood?

Join Vance and Scarlett on this powerful journey of romance, mystery, and redemption."

So...spoilers....don't read ahead if you don't want it to be ruined for you. And I assure you, this one, you will want to read.

Where to begin?

Feelings. My feelings were used, abused and taken on a roller coaster ride. I cried. I yelled at my screen (I read via kindle app). I threw my phone. I hugged it to my chest. I felt. I felt hard. I related.

Scarlett. Young. Doesn't know how beautiful she is. Has gone through so much. And I found myself relating to her so much it hurt. Not in the "I got used by someone and the ended up robbing my bank" kind of way. But her social awkwardness. Her inability to feel comfortable in social settings spoke to my heart. I did not get drunk and kiss boys, but I did drink to feel comfortable at a college party. But this isn't about me. After her dramatic experience, she dyes her hair black. Shortens her name to Scar...and in walks Vance.

The boy she never thought she needed and kept at a painful (for him). Dreamy green eyes. Everything a girl could want in a guy, but why won't Scar let him in? She's been hurt. We get that. I had so many "Oh my God, just be with him!" moments, I can't even begin to tell you.

Honestly, I do not want to ruin anyone's experience with this book. Now that I am typing away. I just don't think it's fair at all. I am so emotional from reading this book and I highly recommend it.

This love story will leave you satisfied. It will have you mad at the writer. It will make you hurt for her for thinking up something so heartbreaking. Wondering (from her author's notes) which part was her experience.

Just read it.

Buy here (free for kindle unlimited subscribers)

Up Next: Incapable by Marie Skye (just finished reading so post to follow shortly)

Bad Mommy by Tarryn Fisher

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Recommendation : yes, but have your anxiety pills handy
Buy Here
Series: as of right now, since it was released in December 2016, it is standalone. But there's possibilities.
Genre: I don't know...mindf*ck? Psychological Thriller? Nut-job?

Before we get started, here's a blurb from Goodreads in case you wish to not read my review because...spoilers:


"When Fig Coxbury buys a house on West Barrett Street, it's not because she likes the neighborhood, or even because she likes the house. It's because everything she desires is next door: The husband, the child, and the life that belongs to someone else."


***SPOILERS BELOW***


Well, well, well...Tarryn, you slayed me with this one. And I am not sure in a good way. The entire first part of the book I was on edge with anxiety. Is she going to kidnap this kid? The book cover shows someone falling on train tracks!! Is she going to jump? Is she going to push Jolene? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON??? This trick is crazy. And that husband, ooh boy. I could not put this one down.

I do have a few questions as to George. I am guessing Fig left George out because of her craziness, but to find out he was there all along was pure genius. I really can't believe that someone would be so crazy. This story is so crazy it makes you feel like it is so real. Honestly, I felt like all three of the main characters were a few french fries short of a happy meal. But let me get back on track.

Thank you Tarryn Fisher for Jolene. Jolene is very strong willed, but compassionate to our crazy friend Fig (more on her later). She is who Fig labels as "Bad Mommy", but once we read more of the story, we learn that she is actually a great mom. A super mom. She has a bit of a drinking problem (and I use that term loosely because who doesn't like a glass of wine to cool their jets after a long day of mom-ing?) and immerses herself in other's issues and her writing. Some would see this as a character flaw, just like her husband pointed out time and time again.

Speaking of her husband. Ugh. What a douche. What was his name? Darius. Right. Darius? Ugh. User. Womanizer. Cheater. Whore. Nasty. Shall I go on? On the outside looking in he is a great father, husband, friend. But when you take a gander at this piece of work..he's ugh.

Fig, Fig, Fig.

Boy oh boy. Single White Female to the max. B*tch is crazy. I can't really even say more than that. She wants everything that Jolene has and then some. You can't help but feel bad for her.

Read it. Seriously.

Next up: The Gender Game by Bella Forrest

A Love Letter to Whiskey By Kandi Steiner....and a few other things

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Whew! I haven't posted a book review since August of last year. Well, life and new babies can prevent a girl from curling up with a good book and enjoying the finer things in life. But I'm back and better than ever. I just launched my new Facebook page and I could not be happier! I am also working on my own little project that is coming along very well. I think I may be a little overzealous, but I have set my Goodreads  (click link to add me!) 2017 to 400 books!

Okay, so down to the good stuff. I have been trying to figure out a way to review books without giving away too much stuff and there really isn't much of a way to do this. So, I will post my rating, recommendation, the published book synopsis and then my spoiler alert warning if you do not want to read any more than that. If you do end up reading, please share your thoughts here or on the Facebook post!

Now that all of that is out of the way. I stumbled upon Kandi Steiner through a Facebook post she tagged Colleen Hoover in (and we know how much I am obsessed with Colleen). So, here I go clicking away being all stalkerish and adding her on my friend's list because she's a writer. I search through her books and this one has me pretty intrigued. So...here goes:

Rating: 5 out of 5
Recommend: YES! I could not put it down. I was being so mean to my fiance (sorry babe) when he was trying to talk to me about his game. Whoops. But that's what a good book will do to ya.

Book Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

It’s crazy how fast the buzz comes back after you’ve been sober for so long. 

Whiskey stood there, on my doorstep, just like he had one year before. Except this time, there was no rain, no anger, no wedding invitation — it was just us. 

It was just him — the old friend, the easy smile, the twisted solace wrapped in a glittering bottle. 

It was just me — the alcoholic, pretending like I didn’t want to taste him, realizing too quickly that months of being clean didn’t make me crave him any less. 

But we can’t start here. 

No, to tell this story right, we need to go back. 

Back to the beginning. 

Back to the very first drop. 

This is my love letter to Whiskey. I only hope he reads it.

~~~~SPOILERS AHEAD~~~~

So, where to begin? I'm just going to start with my thoughts on it.

I loved this love story. I hated the main character, Brecks or B (she didn't want to be called by her full name because of how she was conceived) throughout most of the journey through the book. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe it was because she came off as a brat to me. I can't quite put my finger on it. But this is a the love story of: boy meets girl, boy ignores girl for cute best friend, boy realizes he's dumb, wants original girl, can't have her, gets her, loses her, she wants him...its a long vicious cycle right up until the end of the book. But it is so perfectly written, I could not put it down. Book boyfriend status for Whiskey aka Jamie: achieved. Oh, okay, here's why I hated her: SHE COULD HAVE HAD THE BOY FROM THE JUMP, BUT WAS BEING SUPER STUPID. But I mean, if she got the boy then there would be no story right?

This book is a massive tangle of webs of love, mistrust, hurt, pain, joy and everything you could want in a book and I highly recommend reading it. Don't take my word for it, just read it!

If you have Kindle Unlimited, it is currently free to read or for purchase here.

Up Next: Pending my mommy book club.