Insider: Olivia Cunning

Blurb:

She thought she was ready to rock... 
Toni Nichols put her aspirations on hold while she raised her little sister, but now she's reaching for the stars and living her dreams as the creator of a revolutionary interactive biography about the rock band Exodus End. Creating the book requires her to go on tour and immerse herself in the band's world as an insider, but can she gain the trust of four veteran superstars who've been burned by the media before? Or will her dreams crumble at her feet? 

He's always ready to roll 
Logan Schmidt was born an adrenaline junkie. He lives for the rush he gets from playing his bass guitar before thousands of fans. When he's not performing on stage or in the bedroom, he's looking for his next endorphin high in extreme sports. So what is it about the sweet and innocent journalist on their world tour that gets his heart pumping and captures his full attention? Is she the real deal or is she posing at being his perfect woman to get inside secrets on Exodus End? 

They're both ready to experiment 
Though Toni was innocent the first time she climbed the bus steps, that didn't last long once Logan set his sights on her. He's so much more worldly than she is and she's ready to learn how to please a lover and explore all the ways she can be pleased. Logan can't believe his luck. Toni's a phenomenal woman and she wants him to teach her how to rock and roll in the sack? Not exactly a burdensome task. Until she starts to get too close to his heart and takes her insider look to a place he never anticipated.

Review: 4 Stars

I think anyone that has read the Sinners on Tour Series has been eagerly awaiting the start of the  Exodus End Series.  The former series combines fairly smutty erotica with hot musicians and interesting storylines.  What's not to love?

The first book in the series, Insider, features the bass guitarist, Logan.  His personality reminded me a bit of Eric Sticks in that he is high energy and goofy.  Toni, the female MC, comes on to tour with Exodus End to create a interactive biography of the band, which is kind of a cool idea.  It seems a bit far fetched that she would arrive a 25 year old virgin, only to have that "rectified" within an hour.  But, if you're ready to lose it, why not go for it on a tour bus with a hot musician?

Although some sex scenes are explicit, I'd say this book was fairly tame compared to most of the Sinners' books.  I tend to prefer the insta-love story lines over the extended denial of feelings.  But, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next ones to come.

My one beef was the lack of grovelling.  Toni was, at points, treated poorly by the band, by her mother and by her boss.  She really never took any of them to task.  

Every Which Way

I try to balance out my reading.  I read a serious, chaste book then I'll follow it up with something smutty.  Similar idea if I finish a long read or a multi-series binge.  I'll follow it up with something quick.  That's what led me to read Every Which Way.  After reading Kulti, which was fairly long and limited to two short sex scenes (after a long build up to them), I needed something quick and dirty.  Every Which Way contains five short stories, all featuring various kinky relationships.

Blurb

UNABASHED by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Sasha White

She's finally found a man who sees her for the woman she is, and she's not holding back. 

Ian Johnson thrived on training new submissives at Overwatch. He loved helping them explore their kinks, learn their limits, and recognize the power they hold. Then Ronnie Mack strode into the club, and right back into his heart. Now she's his one and only, and he's discovered that training a submissive loves is a whole new adventure.

LOANED by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Annabel Joseph

It's all kinky fun and games, until someone loses their heart.
Bettina's Master gets off on loaning her to strangers. Afterward, she's supposed to report back to him with all the raunchy details. It's all kinky fun and games, until one of those strangers decides he doesn't want to give her back...

BOOTS & WINGS by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Myla Jackson

When a woman comes between brothers, passions take wings
Pilots, partners and brothers, Jake and Tucker Maddox, are both in love with Molly O'Brien and she's in love with them. Because of their crazy sibling rivalry she refuses to choose between them, and instead walks away. On the verge of losing the best gal that ever happened to them, the two brothers hatch a desperate scheme to kidnap Molly, carrying her away to their mountain cabin where they convince her she can have them both, if she dares

Pin Me Up Proper by USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Cathryn Fox

Shackles, blindfolds and ropes, oh my...she's not in Kansas anymore.
Bored with the men in her life, actress Janie Monroe is looking for something different. On a whim, she decides to seduce her cameraman, a guy who comes off as a nerdy video gamer. After enticing him at a pin-up photo shoot, she learns that he does indeed like to play, but instead of a game console and controller, his toys are shackles, blindfolds and ropes. Janie soon finds herself immersed in a world of dark passions where her boundaries are challenged and pleasure beyond her wildest imagination is the prize.

ACCEPTABLE RISK by Candace Blevins

Bethany has joked for years that if she ever settles down, it'll be with a harem of men, only it isn't a joke anymore.

Mac is a new werewolf, and still must be watched at every moment to be sure he stays in control. His kink has always been ménage, so when he overhears the beautiful redhead at the bar wanting to take on not only him, but also the werewolf and wereleopard chaperoning his night out... he has to convince them to let him take her home. He might not be trustworthy with a human woman alone, yet, but with two powerful shapeshifters in bed with them, what could go wrong?

Review: 3 Stars

Well, that was kind of different.  The books all feature BDSM or a menage relationship (or both).  They all go beyond hook ups into something more long term.  The stories are more hard core than most other erotica I've read.   They feature themes like humiliation, sadism, menage/harems, masters as well as one story that features a paranormal storyline.  The last two stories were my favourites.

If you're looking for some quick, smutty stories with some edge, this book might interest you. 

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Uncharted: Claudia Y. Burgoa

Blurb:

Jacob

As a rule, men don’t grow up believing in a happily ever after. We don’t believe in meeting the love of our lives; or the white picket fence, and 2.5 children. Every man thinks that those stupid dreams or fantasies are just nonexistent shit until it happens to them. We should have been forewarned.

I wish I was prepared for someone to appear in my life and change all my priorities. I suddenly wanted that fence and children. The part of meeting the love of my life became very real, but I wasn’t ready for suddenly losing it all, and my life plummeting into this shithole forever.

The heartbreak of losing your soulmate is one of the worst pains you will ever live with. I should campaign and warn the young people. Vaccinate against love because if you lose it, you could lose yourself for the rest of your life. The burden on your back will forever mark you and wither away your soul, darkening your days and the rest of your natural life.

This isn’t false advertisement or a dramatic display of one bitter soul.

Pria

I fought by my mother's side until her last breath, and tried to help my father until his last memories dissipated. My sister is the last one standing, but her life is a miracle that can end at any given moment. All my life I’ve never been alone, but always felt lonely.

Today, my options on how to live my life are endless, yet my heart and my best friend limit them. Stay in Seattle, close to the one person that will never let me inside his world.

The thug, as mom would've called him. A man with a bad boy attitude and a heart bigger than the ocean.

Review: 3.5 Stars

The synopsis for Uncharted drew me in.  I usually prefer to read a series in order, even if each book can be a stand alone.  However, I opted to skip the first two books of the Unexpected Series.  In hindsight, it probably detracted a bit from my enjoyment since I didn't feel the connection to the characters featured in the first two books that I would have if had read them.  But, it didn't affect my understanding of the story.

The book starts off ten year in the past, where Pria and JC meet.  It seems like fate that they keep running into each other.  They connect quickly and deeply.  It's amazing how a simple meeting (or a few days) can change the course of your life.  Sometimes for the better...and sometimes for the worse.      If their connection is fate, the subsequent events show just how bitter fate can be.  Life spirals for both MCs in a way that is frustrating and gutting,

The writing is compelling -- I stayed up well into the night to finish the book.  But, I can't say I liked the storyline.  I didn't like how off track their lives became; much of it hinging on chance and stupidity.

When Ana and JC meet (10 years later), I wanted an explosion - some sort of come to Jesus blow out where the truth is revealed.  That doesn't really happen.  One seriously frustrating thing about the characters is that they don't listen to each other.

"Then you didn't hear a word I said, Jacob," [Mae] utters with an exasperated voice.  "No, you didn't want to hear what I said.  Think about it."

Even when they are giving each other clear insight into how they were affected by what happened 10 years ago, it's as if the other person doesn't hear it.  There's hardly a reaction to what, IMO, should be  pivotal moments.  So, that frustrated me enough to detract from my enjoyment of the book.

At times, there is a quick progression between scenes.  I ended up having to re-read portions to clarify what had happened.  Maybe it's just the formatting of the ARC that tripped me up.

I received a ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.