SUGAR A CAKE SEQUEL

A Cake sequel

An impromptu road trip makes for the honeymoon Gregori and Wren didn’t know they wanted

Bad-boy artist Gregori Ivanov wants nothing more than to marry Wren Davis. He’s asked her before—more than once—but she insisted on waiting until she’d established her own career. Now that the time is finally right, Gregori has one hell of a celebration in mind. Restaurants, museums and NYC luxury all the way…on top of all the newlywed sex they’ll be having.

The universe, unfortunately, did not get the message. When their plane is grounded in Idaho, they’re forced to improvise a road trip to get back to Seattle instead of the romantic getaway Gregori painstakingly planned. But that they’re together is what’s important, and with giant roadside potato museums, funky galleries in towns with little more than two stoplights and some seriously great diner food—in between all the great sex—Gregori and Wren find a honeymoon as unique and memorable as their love.

Release Date: September 10, 2018

Carina Press

Cake #2, Whiskey Sharp #3.5

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s review:

I loved this novella! I fell hard for Gregori and Wren in Cake. It's been a few years, but I got that same feeling reading them in this sequel. 

Gregori and Wren have been together for 6 amazing years, and Gregori is determined to finally make her his wife. And then there's a wacky road trip across three states, and too many laughs to count!

Gregori and Wren are still heating up the sheets and slinging sarcasm all over the place. I absolutely love these two together.

I gotta tell ya, one of my favourite moments in the book is when we get a visit from Brody and Elise from the Brown Sibling series! And then there was mention of the ever delicious Hurley brothers! If you're a true Lauren Dane fan, you know the Hurley and Brown series are amazeballs!

This book was just fun and crazy sexy. It was delightful to meet up with some of my favourite Lauren Dane Characters. 

This book can't be read as a stand-alone. You need to read how Gregori and Wren get together in Cake.

Rating: 4 Stars (A)

JAGGED (WHISKEY SHARP #2)

Vicktor Orlov took one look at the wary gaze and slow-to-trust personality of the deliciously sexy and fascinating Rachel Dolan and knew he wanted more than just a casual friendship. But as a natural protector, he also knew bossiness and overprotective maneuvering would push her away rather than draw her close. He’ll use every tool in his easygoing arsenal to convince her to take a chance on them.

Rachel’s flourishing new career as a tattoo artist has brought color back into a life previously damaged by a series of bad choices and violence. She knows she can trust Vic—it’s herself she’s not sure of. She doesn’t want to be caged or controlled. Doesn’t want to be protected so much she has no ability to make her own choices.

And damn if the man doesn’t know it.

When Vic finally drops all pretenses of “just friends” and focuses all his careful affection and irresistible seduction on her, Rachel knows she’s falling hard for the laid-back pretty-boy Russian she discovers has a relentlessly steel spine when it comes to her.

And she can’t resist. 

Release Date: March 27, 2018

Harlequin Books

Whiskey Sharp #2

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s Review:

This series is classic Lauren Dane. Swoon worthy alpha heroes, and sassy smart heroines. Throw in the phenomenal plot lines and brilliant writing...it's just incredible.

I fell a little in love with Vicktor when he hit the pages in book one. I knew he was going to be perfect for Rachel. I knew he was what she needed to continue her journey of healing. He's bossy and overprotective, but not in a take over pushy kinda way. He supports Rachel by being available to help if she needs it.

Rachel has been through hell. Being kidnapped and forced to witness the horrors that she did, has irreversibly changed her. She's forged a new path in life. She's grabbing hold of anything that brings out happiness and her creative side. She's also having crazy sexy times with the Russian next door...yum! 

I loved the character development in this book. You really get a sense of Rachel's growth from book one to book two. I think she'll always be cautious and perhaps look over shoulder on occasion, but she's stronger in this book. She's more determined. I was in awe of how she stood up to her horrible parents. It really displayed her strength and drive to get rid things that were hurting her and her sister.

Like any other Lauren Dane novel, you can expect smouldering love scenes. The kind that makes you all tingly and wishing for a delicious Russian of your own. Aside from the steamy heat factor, I loved how sweet Vicktor was with Rachel. Every touch and whispered word was sigh worthy. See, you totally need a hot Russian of your own!

Vicktor's family provides some of my favourite scenes. They're loud, nosy, and so damn lovable. They have taken Rachel and her sister into their fold and made them part of the family. Plus, the bickering always makes me giggle. It's such an authentic depiction of what a big caring family would be like. 

I am so excited and anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. There are a number of secondary characters who deserve a book of their own. Hopefully the series will have several more installments! 

Rating: 4.5 Stars (A)

UNRAVELED (WHISKEY SHARP #1)

The sharpest ache comes from wanting what you think you can't have

Maybe Dolan has lived independent, free-spirited and unattached since leaving home at sixteen. Whiskey Sharp, Seattle's sexy vintage-styled barbershop and whiskey bar, gave her a job and a reason to put down roots. Cutting hair by day, losing herself drumming in a punk rock band by night, she's got it good.

But a longtime crush that turns into a hot, edgy night with brooding and bearded Alexsei Petrov makes it a hell of a lot better.

Maybe's blunt attitude and carnal smile hooked Alexsei from the start. Protecting people is part of his nature and Maybe is meant to be his even if she doesn't know it. Yet. He can't help himself from wanting to protect and care for her.

But Maybe's fiery independent spirit means pushing back when Alexsei goes too far. Still, he's not afraid to do a little pushing of his own to get what he wants her in his life, and his bed, for good. Maybe's more intoxicating than all the liquor on his shelf and he's not afraid to ride the blade's edge to bind her to him.

Release Date: January 30, 2018

Harlequin Books

Contemporary Romance

Whiskey Sharp #1

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s Review:

Lauren Dane is an auto-read for me. Always! I can truly got lost in whatever world she has created for her book. Exciting is an understatement!

Maybe Dolan (yes, that's her name, and there's an explanation for it in the book) is a firecracker. I really liked her character. She rambles, but it's not annoying. It's more enchanting, I think. She knows what she wants. She's independent, but under her "go get em' " exterior, there's a lot of vulnerability. Her father is a real jerk. He's emotionally abusive. Maybe puts up with it for a few reasons, but it was hard reading sometimes. 

Alexsei Petrov is a sinfully sexy Russian! He owns the barbershop, Whiskey Sharp. He's Maybe's boss and friend. Over the course of time that friendship morphs into hot nights and filthy whispered sweet nothings! Yum!

I adored these two as a couple. Alexsei wants to protect and coddle her, but Maybe is too independent to let him take over. There's a few funny disagreements between them. However, said funny disagreements usually turn into sweaty monkey sex...yay!

There's lots of family moments in this book. Alexsei has a fairly large and boisterous Russian family who love to interfere in a good-natured way. Maybe is not use to this. Her family is dysfunctional at best. I love books that have quirky families with lots of banter! The family have decided that Maybe is one of them, so she has little choice but to join in on all their loud gatherings. 

This book, like all other Lauren Dane titles has stellar writing. But the one thing that felt a little off for me was the lack of conflict or a climax where their relationship is either going to make it or not. It just all felt too easy. I love those dark moments when I'm holding my breath to see what happens to the hero and heroine. That didn't happen here. There was a ton of conflict with Maybe and her parents. Perhaps, Ms. Dane thought that was enough for poor Maybe to deal with. I still loved the book though!

This was a great start to what promises to be a phenomenal series!

Rating: 4 Stars (A)

MOONSTRUCK (DIABLO LAKE #1)

In Diablo Lake, Washington, a town populated by werewolves, witches, and more, magic woven deep into the earth protects the town's secrets from outsiders.

Katie Grady left Diablo Lake to get over a humiliating breakup; but her family needs her help, so she's back, in a sublet right across the hall from the guy she's lusted after for years. Jace Dooley is hotter than ever, and their friendship picks up along with massive doses of grown-up chemistry.

The very scent of Katie sharpens Jace's canines, makes the wolf within him stir. There's nothing more alluring to a Pack Alpha than a sexy female who is so very in charge. She won't be coddled, but if he plays his hand just right she might be convinced to become his.

Katie presents a challenge to Jace's wolf nature, whose chief instinct is to protect. Especially now that she's coming into the magic that is her birthright - and suddenly Jace isn't the only one who's interested in Katie, or the raw power she's just learning to use.

Release Date: June 20, 2016

Carina Press

Paranormal Romance

Diablo Lake Series #1

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s Review

Lauren Dane is an author whom I adore! Her books have given me so much joy over the last few years. When she has a new release it feels like my birthday and Christmas all wrapped up in one! I had zero doubts that this book would be any different. I was wrong. Man, it hurts even saying that! I never thought I'd DNF (did not finish) a Lauren Dane book. 

Despite the fact that I didn't finish this book, there were some things that I really liked. The heroine, Katie Faith, was a hoot! Her witty comebacks and banter with the hero, Jace, was hilarious! I loved these two together. They just "got" each other. They laughed together and had an easy silence, they didn't need to fill the time with constant chatter; being together was enough. 

In all honesty, if the hero and heroine were the only two people in the book, I probably would have loved it. It was all the background noise. I was bored when they weren't on the page together. I just couldn't connect with the other parts of the story.

This book is a paranormal romance. Lauren Dane has a few series out that are about shifters and other magical beings. I have always gobbled those up in one sitting. I didn't expect this one to be any different. I don't think Moonstruck is a good example of what, Ms. Dane is capable of. I'm not kidding when I say that not loving this book is really hurting me. This review is hard to write. I almost feel like I'm betraying the author. But I have to be honest. Even though I didn't like this book, I will likely read book #2. I have hopes that the series will improve. Lauren Dane continues to be on the top of my favourite authors lists. I just wish I could have loved this one.

Rating: DNF (did not finish)

Nikki's Best of 2015

Nikki’s Top picks for 2015

I was tasked with trying to narrow down a very long list of books into my favourites for 2015. Asking to cure world hunger or to find the true meaning of life would have been easier. I read a lot, like hundreds and hundreds of books every year. And I have to make a teeny tiny list of my favourites? This requires a bucket of coffee. It feels like having to choose between my children! This list is in no particular order. Just narrowing it down to this many was hard enough. Don't ask me to pit my babies against each other. I just can't do it. So, here goes. These are my top loved books of 2015!

1. Jessica Lemmon's Second Chance Series

    Bringing Home the Bad Boy

    Rescuing the Bad Boy

    A Bad Boy For Christmas 

This series was is so fantastic! The heroes are so delicious and so loyal. The writing in these books captivated me from page one. Book 4 will be out soon and I can hardly wait to get my hands on it. I swear, I had a new book boyfriend with each hero. I wanted to really know these characters.

2. Radiant Surrender by Kennedy Layne. CSA series book #6

I have loved this heart stopping series since the first book. I held my breath when I finally had Gavin Crest's book in my hands. Getting glimpses of him in past books was enough to make me go insane with wanting his story. Ms. Layne didn't disappoint. It was worth waiting until book 6. Gavin is everything I love in a hero. Totally arrogant and panty wetting sexy! In my opinion, you should start from the beginning of the series. You won't be sorry about going on this fantastic journey with the crew from CSA!

3. Ella Sheridan's Southern Nights Series

    Teach Me

    Trust Me

    Take Me

Stumbling upon Ella's books was like hitting the jackpot! I picked up Teach Me and was hooked! The characters from this series are so likeable. The suspense aspect in these books was perfectly balanced in that it didn't take away from the romance. This is a must for me. Ella Sheridan's writing style is one that makes me want to forget the outside world. I can curl up with her books and find a place that's just for me. I don't have to share it with anyone.

4. Only For the Weekend by Ella Sheridan

This book is a novella from Ms. Sheridan's new series, If Only. It may be a novella, but it packed a punch! I absolutely adored, Vincent! The banter in this book made me laugh out loud. I gobbled it up in one sitting. This book was just plain fun to read!

5. Call on Me by Roni Loren. Loving on the Edge series book # 8

Hot damn! This book rang all of my bells! Seriously, the sex scenes in this book were crazy hot. The writing was phenomenal, it always is with Roni! But this book is probably my favourite of hers to date. Pike and Oakley were opposites in most ways but the chemistry between them is combustible. I was hooked from the moment, Pike walked onto the page. This book is part of her, Loving on the Edge series. It can be read as a stand alone. But why miss out on all the other super yummy reads in this series? Read them all!

6. Dare to Rock by Carly Phillips. Dare to Love series book # 7

Let me start by saying, you need to read this whole series! Your life will be better for it. I loved them all, but Dare to Rock was my absolute favourite. Grey Kingston is a rock god and totally made me swoon. He went after Avery with everything he had. Of course, she was no match for this hottie. I love a book where the hero and heroine find their way back to each other after a few years apart. This book gave me the angst I like and sexiness that I love!

7. Master No by Lexi Blake. Masters and Mercenaries book # 9

Finally, we get the elusive Tennessee Smith's story! It was long awaited and so damn worth it! This book made me ugly cry. Big snotty nosed tears...hiccup inducing even! After getting glimpses into the ghost like character that is Ten, we finally get to see inside his heart! He was everything I wanted/expected and more! I loved the heroine in this book. Faith McDonald is so strong and smart. This makes her gift of submission that much more sweet! This whole series is fabulous. Fast paced and heart stopping sexy; everything that keeps me totally engaged is in this series.

8. Sultry Groove by Eden Summers. Reckless Beat book # 4

I can't enough of my Reckless Beat boys! These characters are so funny when they get together and start bullshitting. They are rock stars with the world at their feet. But when that one woman comes into their lives, they are brought to their knees. Melody Jenkins is everything that Sean Taiden never knew he wanted. He's nursing a broken heart and she's battling her own set of demons and insecurities. You could feel the sensual chemistry all through this book. It's smokin' hot sexy and it made my heart flutter! As with most of my favourite series, I recommend you start from the beginning. Not because you won't be able to follow along, but because the books are all incredible!

9. Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh. Rock Kiss Series book # 4

This book incited so many emotions in me. I loved this book. But I also struggled with it. Does that make sense? I feel like I went on this heart wrenching journey with Noah and Kit. It seriously put me through on an emotional roller coaster! That's a sign of some seriously great writing. I loved and hated the characters throughout the book. They were written in a way that I could believe the reactions and behaviours were real. So, my feelings towards them weren't always welcomed, but they were real also. Ya, even many months later, I still can't adequately put my thoughts down. This book left me shaken. But I don't regret or wouldn't have missed this journey for anything!

10. Coveted by Alannah Lynne. Pandora's Playground Series book # 1

This book gutted me. Muriel and Matthew have both had their hearts shattered because they lost someone they loved. There is a scene in this book, where Matthew is begging for Muriel to see him, to really look at him and know that he's the one holding her and not her dead husband. Even thinking about it now, it hurts my heart. I was completely shattered. The journey these two go on is equally heart breaking and so breathtakingly beautiful that I never wanted it to end. Sometimes even in your worst pain and desolation, you can find beauty and peace again. Ms. Lynne tore my heart apart and pieced it back together page by page. 

11. The Players Club series by Erika Wilde

      Playing With Temptation 

      Playing With Pleasure

      Playing With Seduction

Sometimes when I recommend books, I just blurt out " you need to read this ", because there's no simpler way to put it. Or it's because I'm struggling to find the words to say how much I loved it. This entire series...you need to read it! Likeable characters, sheet yoga that will make your toes curl, and solid writing that keeps me coming back for more. So ya, you need to read this series!

12. Claimed by Elle Kennedy. Outlaws Series book # 1

I love, love, love post apocalyptic books! I like to see how people are surviving and thriving after a catastrophic event. Morbid? Meh! This book is so sexy! There was a moment, when the hero and heroine go to a whore house, that I wasn't sure if I was going to like the book. This particular moment borders on a hard limit for me. But alas, it didn't push me over the edge and I was hooked! Finding love when the world has so clearly fallen apart isn't an easy thing for Connor and Hudson, but they fought for it. Connor, of course, was kicking and screaming the whole way, but once he fell, he fell hard! I can't wait for book 2!

13. Lead by Kylie Scott. Stage Dive series book # 3

Let me start by saying, I don't read first person POV. But after my arm was twisted by a friend to try this series, I took a deep breath and dived in. While I enjoyed all the books in this series, Jimmy's book was, in my opinion, the best! I love a brooding and damaged hero. He isn't perfect and doesn't apologize for that. Lena loves him and knows that can only lead to heartbreak. But the heart doesn't always listen to the mind. This book was a journey for Jimmy. He was struggling with sobriety and his budding feelings for his personal assistant. I adored the realness in Jimmy's character. He's a recovering addict and writing that in a way so the reader still falls in love with the character can't be an easy thing. While I wish the book was written in third person POV, and that I got the hero's POV as well, I truly enjoyed it! 

14. The Strongest Steel by Scarlett Cole. A Second Circle Tattoo series book # 1

I stumbled across this book last week. Ms. Cole is a new to me author. And I struggle with trying new authors, I'm crazy picky about what I read. I know what I like. But sweet baby Jesus, this author freakin' brought me to my knees! I loved every moment with Trent and Harper. The emotions in this book were raw, right from the angsty serious stuff to the sexy times. My heart was torn apart and it was sometimes hard to read what Harper had been through. But the journey to her healing was an awesome thing to witness. I'll leave it that. I have a full review coming up on the blog shortly.

15. Ink and Chrome series by Lauren Dane

      Opening Up

      Falling Under

      Coming Back

This authors brilliant writing never ceases to amaze me. Her books drag me under and I don't come up for air until the last page! The Ink and Chrome series is no exception. This series is centred around three friends who own a custom bike/car shop. Each hero is uber alpha and so damn sexy, my heart swooned constantly. The heroines are feisty, strong willed, and no match for the walking sex on legs that is Asa, Duke, and Mick. Lauren Dane writes loyal and likeable characters. I love when she puts out a new family saga or a series about a group of friends! I need to give a shout to the cover artist of these books. Seriously, they are freakin' works of art! Not only did I have them in ebook format, I needed those pretties in print for my keeper shelf too! My recommendation? Read everything Lauren Dane has written. I'm that serious! 

16. Hurley Boys series by Lauren Dane

      The Best Kind of Trouble

      Broken Open

      Back to You

I'd also like to give a shout out to her Hurley Boys series! Yummy rock stars who are flawed but you can't help but love them anyways! These books are crazy sexy! Hell, Lauren Dane can write about the weather and make your heart flutter! I seriously mourned when this series ended. It was like saying goodbye to a beloved friend!

I'm going to stop here. I could go on about my cherished books forever. There are so many incredible authors and novels out there. These are just a few that particularly resonated with me. But seriously...there are truly dozens and dozens more! Reading isn't just a hobby for me, it's a passion. I'm honoured to open these treasures and enter a new world that an awesome author has poured their heart and souls into. Again, these books aren't in any particular order. I love them all so much! I hope this list has given you a few titles that you'll want to look up and discover these characters and their journeys to a happily ever after.